“Alright, that’ll do. Let’s have some brunch. …What are you doing, you kazy girl? Lying down on the job?! Unheard of!”
You mean lazy? xD
Nope, Kazy, as in 'Crazy' with a severe mispronounciation. X3
Bullados- Pardon me if I felt offensive in my last post, or came off like that at any rate. Really, it's quite rare that I get a comment half as long as yours (and mainly only from my cowriter Kiyo, the fiend), and once but never have I received a comment upon my actual style before. In fact, it's these sorts of things that I strive to get, yet, all the same it strikes to my child, and so the automatic reflex is tocome off as devensive. I do agree with what you are saying, wholeheartedly; the whole story is riddled with narrative. I'd love the space to put in the description, but I feel it'd be too generic for my mind. I dunno- I'm ultimately an artist, not a writer. I see the pictures in my head, and sometimes I have a spot of difficulty getting it into words what I see as a comic. I do try to be more liberal about describing the areas after chapter 9, given there was a bit of a wait-between for these chapters as I got lazy and unmotivated. |D Happens to the best of us, you know...? But, I digress, I do really appreciate feedback, no matter what I say that speaks otherwise.
...I still gotta run through to 19 or so till I can call this story decent and up to date. @_@ So many tiny plot errors...It's just fixing a story this massive can be a challenge at times, no?
I guess until I catch up on my editing I'll just post where the chapters are to go. |D
Chapter 10- Sergeant Pup, At Your Service
“The irony of it all!” Crystal moaned. Route 48 shone brilliantly in the morning dew as the pair continued along, or, in the blonde’s case, trudged with heavy footsteps.
“And why are you still griping over it? It’s in the past, leave it there, already!”
Kiyo chided her companion. “I don’t want to be listening to it all the way to Zenith.”
“You make it sound like it’s going to be a week’s walk there.”
“It’s actually two months and a week.”
“Whaaaaaaat?!” Snapping her head, she nearly sobbed at her mentor’s comment.
“Yeah, well, hate to be the one to tell you, but considering the detour we have to take through the Eclipse Woods, and the fact that we have to pull a U turn after we hit Route 50-something up through Roughsville, it’ll take a while. Which means plenty of time for training and searching for Hiune!” The very thought of being on the road for so long made the girl whine even more. Surely training was exhausting under the mentor’s watchful eye, and she honestly didn’t know if she could stand even two weeks filled to the brim with it. “Heyhey, this is no whining country, didn’t you know? Besides, sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to do in order to do the things that you want to. Get uuuuused to it.”
“Bah, step off,” she grumbled.
“Fiiine. I don’t see you with the ability to use Cut, or the proper gear to. You can get through the forest yourself. Kay thanks bye…” And with that, Kiyo began whistling off, and the girl panicked.
“Agh! Kiyo! No! Wait! I’m sorry!”
“…that’s what I thought,” the teen sighed, and continued down the road, though at a slower rate, allowing the younger to catch up.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Oh, here’s the detour coming up.” Suddenly, her voice lowered in volume. “While we’re in the forest, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some Missiles or trainers. It’ll be a populated detour. Be ready for anything.” Mewster did nothing but nod her head simply, and now instinctively her hand fell to her side and wrapped itself against her new Pokeball filled with the little fire chick. She was going to have to do some training with her- before they left, she checked her level and it stated ‘five’.
Oh, shoot!
“Agh. I just remembered that I forgot to get my Pokegear fixed by the Silph Corp. while we were in Sunrise!”
“Smooth move, dumb one.”
“Kiyo, you meany face...”
“I wouldn’t worry about it. Surely there’ll be various other places where Silph has set up their marks in this country. I guarantee you we’ll find one in a particularly busy city area.”
“You mean Zenith?”
“Sure. They have a set up there and at Crescentflood in the sea.”
“The sea?! And how do you suppose we get there?!”
“Surfing, of course.”
“Surfing?”
“Again, you prove your lack of Pokemon knowledge to me,” the fire trainer rolled her eyes. “Surf is a move that a Pokemon can learn from an HM, like Cut, except it’s actually somewhat useful in battle. Most water types can learn Surf. It allows you to climb on their back or have them pull you along in a little raft.”
“Do you have a Pokemon with Surf?”
“Of course. My Gyarados, or Jormungand.”
“Wha?”
“Don’t worry about the nickname.”
“Still, aren’t Gyarados supposed to have, er…” Crystal paused, searching for the right word.
“Bad tempers? Yeah, most do. I got lucky with the Magikarp I caught, though. It can have a temper, though it has more of a hunger than anything else. Gods, that thing eats so much. He’s a good boy though, to say in the least. And he keeps me fairly dry when I sit on his back neck area,” she grinned, removing a Pokeball that appeared to have a net slung across the blue top. “Care to meet him?”
“Iiiiii think I’ll pass, if that’s ok with you,” Crystal heaved a sarcastic laugh, though more nervous than anything. She had the whole ‘Gyarados eat babies for breakfast’ myth pounded into her head long before she could even understand what a Pokemon was.
“Ah well, you’ll get to meet him later, at any rate, I’m sure…” With a press of the button, she minimized the Pokeball, snapping it back into place on her belt. Kiyo’s mismatching eyes turned to notice a man up ahead clothed in flourescent orange and a hard hat. The badge upon his breast gave his authority away instantly as a police officer supervising the construction work. At the sound of footsteps, he immediately turned to face the two girls.
“We’re sorry, but because of this huge landslide you’ll have to take a detour through the Eclipse Woods. I have to ask, do you two have any badges?”
“I’m all set. I already have a Pokemon knowing Cut, but she doesn’t,” the elder nodded to Crystal, nudging her forward a little.
“I see…your trainer card, miss?” he held out a hand, and wearily, Crystal unzipped her small front compartment, slipped it out of its cozy resting place, and handed it to the officer. He gazed a moment at the trainer card, checking the badge out and her Pokemon.
“You have a Dratini, I see.”
“Yes.”
“I take it your Pokemon are strong, to win against a Grass leader with those Pokemon?”
“I guess so. …Yes,” the girl rapidly changed her sentence as her mentor nudged her in the shoulder.
“Ha, okay. Very well…” he handed the trainer card back, writing down something upon a small notepad. “Crystal, was it? Hold on a second. Hey! Hey guys!” Quick orderly footsteps carried him off to the construction site. The somewhat unnerved trainer gazed at the lush scenery barricaded by forest, low cliffs and hills on each side of the path. Only in her curiosity did she note him picking up something…something small and metallic. He returned with haste. “You’re lucky. This is the last pair we had. I trust you’ll use it well.” And, with that, he handed the machine over to Crystal, whom was taken aback slightly by its weight.
“Errr…excuse me for sounding dense, but what exactly are these?” she questioned, examining the shine of the metal. The device was bladed much like a pair of sheers, though seemed to be locked in place. The pincers were well sharpened, and a small crevice found its way along the plastic hand grips.
“It’s part of a machine we were using to cut through the soil. We had to stop using it, though, as it had the potential to cause another rockslide if we continued boring through the rock with it. A Silph man was kind enough to take the parts in and turn them into Adventure Gear.”
“Ah, so this is the Adventure Gear I’ve been hearing so much about,” Kiyo took the gear off of Crystal’s hands for a moment.
“Yes; they supposedly made a lot more Adventure Gear for different purposes in the world, too. That one holds the power of Cut in it. It’s so you don’t have to waste a move slot on a Pokemon with an HM move that cannot normally be forgotten. At any rate, all you have to do is take your trainer card, slide it on through the Gear, which will open it up. Then all you do is put your hands in there, and there’s a simple trigger mechanism in there so that when you squeeze it, it will activate the cutters. You use it to cut small, stubborn trees and brush down. Don’t worry- the trees will regenerate after a short amount of time. They’re like Berry trees- they don’t die for nothing.
“Well, back to work. Take care in that forest- it’s hard to see in there.” And, with that, the man turned away, back to business, and the two girls trekked on towards the forested route.
“Adventure Gear…what next, surfboards for getting through water routes?” Kiyo scoffed, handing the gear back to her. “Not like the olden days, where you had to sacrifice a move…Anyways, we’ll be at the entrance to the Eclipse Woods soon. This is gonna be fun....” the trainer sarcastically drawled, as the path slowly began to narrow and lack light.
“Oogh. It’s getting kinda dark.”
“What, afraid of the dark? Afraid something’s gonna get youuuuuu?”
“Cut it out, Kiyo. I’m not afraid of darkness, unless I can’t even see my hand when it’s in front of me.” Crystal grumbled, hand falling restlessly upon one of her Pokeballs. She wasn’t going to take any chances if Kiyo decided to pull a fast one on her or if one of the wild Pokemon did the same.
“Jeez, it’s as dark as night in here…I don’t remember it being this dark in a long time.” Kiyo muttered as the two continued along.
“Yeah, that helps my esteem a lot, Kiyo. Thanks.” The younger stated through gritted teeth, unnerved and stumbling often over roots and rocks she could not make out, often making her heart leap left and right. They had had a few encounters with Pokemon through the forest, though generally most everything was calm. It was a little too calm for Crystal’s tastes. The wood constantly had her gazing at her watch; even though it was still in the afternoon, albeit it was late, no sunlight would greet them.
“Relaaaaax! Once we get through Nagushi Cave, this will seem like a cakewalk to you.”
“Nagushi Cave?” she questioned, stubbing her toe on yet another rock. To her, it felt as though they had been walking for days in the forest, not knowing where exactly they were off to.
“Yeah. It’s so dark you need Flash to get through…not that you need any badges to use it or anything.”
“Joy.”
“And did I mention it had…ghosts in there?”
“Forget going through that cave.”
“You have to. There’s no other way to Twilitsong and Mornfall till you can Surf. And Mornfall has the badge that allows you to Surf.”
“Come on!” Crystal whined.
“Deal with it. Oh, here’s a tree that’s fairly skinny. I think we can squeeze through here if we cut it down…” the mentor pointed out, and the trainer merely grumbled as she took the equipment out of her bag. Without another word, she slid her Trainer Card out of her backpack as well, and through running her fingers over the device, she found the card-sized slot. Carefully, she inserted it in, and the card took. The cutters buzzed to life, suddenly pounds less than before. Putting her ID into her pack again, she cautiously gripped the blade’s handles between her hand. Tenderly the blades slid together and open once more as she applied various pressures. The girl experimented with the pincers, before taking to the tree. With a simple snip, the tree fell and cleared the path. Making sure to set the pincers to safety mode, the younger stepped over the small stump, letting her arms rest securely at her side. Naturally, the mentor followed, though she didn’t get too far, as the student had paused.
“Crystal? Why did you-”
“Shhh…” the girl somewhat rudely silenced her friend, as she stood dead still. Her delicate, small ears were picking up a conversation of a few Pokemon, and surely it was curiosity that got her to eavesdropping in.
“So, with the quickest prudence I retreated from the area,” whispered a Poochyena to an Oddish friend. “Terrible events really, with all of that trainer scum about on the bridge, concocting some reconnaissance or searching for some device or another…”
“Yeah, it’s getting really bad. Only hope now seems to be in the forest, and even then we aren’t safe from trainers,” the weed Pokemon concurred. “Any idea what they were looking for?”
“I haven’t the faintest, sincerely. My astute ears picked up something about a Vulpix or other, and maybe a trainer? I fell back from the area in a wise decision before I was discovered.”
“Come on, surely you heard more than that,” the Oddish whispered.
“It’s not that…I smell humans nearby…” the dark type growled, nose wrinkling dangerously as his canine teeth were bare.
“Not like they could hear us.”
“True, but alas…trainer scum is terrible. I despise them and what they’ve done to this planet. Each and every one of them.” Gulping slowly, and cautiously turning her head, Crystal gazed up to her friend.
“What?”
“Do you know a bridge near these woods?” The gifted girl’s voice was barely audible.
“Sure, Apollo Bridge. It’s the largest bridge in the region. Why are we whispering?”
“There’s a Poochyena that said there were trainers on a bridge looking for a Vulpix and a trainer. If I didn’t know better, I think he was talking about a kit Vulpix- Hiune- and me.”
“Uh, Crystal?” Kiyo’s voice rose.
“Keep your voice down…!” she hissed.
“Ah ha, ha, no need to. Look.” Turning to where the finger was pointed at, the girl that was named for her brilliant blue eyes backed away slowly. There stood the growling Poochyena.
“Trainer scum! Get off our land!” the dog barked, and Crystal immediately reached for her Pokeball on her waist.
“Crystal, it looks rabid. Look at that foam at its mouth,” the mentor condemned. “We should get going.”
“Wait. I’m just gonna ask about the Vulpix and if it was me…”
“No, Crystal…!”
However, against her mentor’s decision, she turned to the angry pooch. “Listen, I don’t mean any trouble, and I’m sorry for listening in, but…” she began, but the dog cut her off.
“Don’t mean any trouble! Ha! Don’t make me laugh, you film! I know you and all of your fellow people, who think they can get on our side by inventing some new doo-hicky that allows you to talk to us and understand us! No, you’re all the same. You all just want to catch us and use us for whatever god-forsaken purpose that it is you call training and battling! Well, forget it! Get lost out of our land! I won’t have any of it, filth! Else I’ll make you leave…” he growled, and more ooze dripped out.
“I will get on my way, but please, you have to tell me- were the one’s you saw on the bridge wearing a black outfit with a large ‘M’ with an ‘R’ slightly above it?”
“Like I’d tell you! Get going! Now! Outta my forest, scum!”
“Now you be waitin’ a cotton-pickin’ minute, busta!”
There was a sudden cry, and looking down, the blonde noticed that Flora had stealthily snuck out of her Pokeball, and rushed on over to the Poochyena.
“Flora…” Crystal muttered, making a grab for her, but failed.
“How cute. Flora. Well,
Flora, are you challenging me to a battle, you weakling who got herself captured?”
“You rascal! Oh, I don’t be believin’ dat slobber dripping from your mouth and your head! In our hood, we’s be
proud Oddish dat don’t be name-callin’ at our kind becoming trainer’s Pokemon! No! We’s hold our head high in pride, got it, dawg?” As Flora walked up into his face, he withdrew slowly. “Now, you don’t be goin’ and be callin’ my Homey-C no
sliiiiime, because you be da slimeball if you be doubtin’ her kindness and be throwin’ her in with da rest of da trainer crowd!”
“I call them as I see them, you illiterate Oddish. This is your final warning…” his voice took to a serious degree.
“Illiterate! How DARE you! Man, guys dese days be havin’ absolutely no cort’sy when they be tellin’ a girl off! I’mma teach you a lesson, compliments of da ‘Hood!” And, without her trainer’s say-so, Flora dived in and head-butted the dark pup.
“Argh, what are you doing Crystal? Get in there and take control of the situation!” Kiyo shook her partner’s shoulder.
“I, er…”
“Crystal!”
“Flora, Absorb, but try not to knock it out,” the new trainer hastily commanded.
“Say whaaaaaat? Just some Absorbin’ and no butt-whoopin’? I’mma see dis-” at that moment, Flora called him something that made Crystal wince from the profanity, “goes to da Doggie Pound!”
“Come on, Flora, just don’t knock him out…!”
“Hah, I must see how pathetically this trainer fights in this war…” Suddenly the dark type jumped back, paws unusually close together, as though a trained military officer. Dipping his head, he started a growl, before he stretched to reach the black sky of dark trees above, letting loose what could only be a spine-chilling Howl. The feeling of a Spinarak inching down Crystal’s neck made her twitch and shiver violently. After the call, he wasted no time on his acute steps to launch his attack- a severely damaging Tackle that nearly sent Flora flying. Grinding against the ground upon her feet, she shouted rampantly as she fought for her balance with her leaves.
“Hoo, dat boy be strong! Dat be fine, I be stronger, fo’ shizzle!” the grass type chuckled with a fierce shake of her head, then hopped back into action, wrapping her leaves on the victim to drain life force out of the pup. A sickening green glow engulfed the dark type as he let out an unexpected yelp of surprise. “Yep, betcha dat be hurtin’ in da mornin’!”
“Get off of me, you-…!” A sharp gasp escaped the trainers lips at what he had called her Oddish. Said grass type did not take lightly to it either.
“Oh…” In a dark tone of voice, a nasty growl emitted from the weed, death in her beady eyes. “…Call me such a disrespectful thing, will you?
Oh, you be goin’ down now, army boy!” And, in sheer anger and lack of discipline, Flora launched forward without a single word Crystal could order against it. The Poochyena howled in agony as the Oddish dished out rapid Tackles and Absorbs far too advanced for someone of her level.
“Flora…!”
“Oh, oh god. That looks painful. Crystal, what’s going on? What did you order?!” Kiyo eyed the Poochyena somewhat sympathetically.
“I can’t say anything against it!”
“Why not?! Get in there and-”
“Well, you see, she was called a, you know…” Crystal whispered the profane term into Kiyo’s ears, and she let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Ha, oh, wow. Definitely not the thing to call your Oddish, that’s for sure, with her attitude the way it is. Oh, I think he’s just about out like a light.” Confused, Mewster turned back to see Flora merely jumping up and down upon the nearly unconscious dog.
“Flora! That’s enough!”
“And don’t you EVER be disrespectin’ no girl like dat, EVER again, you little-” And, once again, a string of vulgar words came from the grass-poison type’s sharp tongue. The pathetic creature was in no way, shape or form fit for battle, though he still attempted to rise to his feet. The trainer quickly pointed Flora’s Pokeball at the disobedient creature. “Aw, come on, Homey! I had to give it to him.”
“Sorry, but you’ve done way more damage than what was necessary.”
“Aw, but Homey-C!”
Crystal sighed as she recalled the Oddish into her ball, before taking in the sight of the Poochyena.
It was extremely obvious Flora had been furious, as his injuries proved well enough. Light twitches from his entire body and a throaty cough inferred Stun Spore inhalation, and various lacerations on his fur revealed blood. Crystal bent down to pick up the creature, now guilty of doing so much damage to it.
“Get away from me! I’ll rip your head off!” Despite the bark of complaint, it was clear that he wasn’t capable of such violence.
“Calm down. I’m just going to get you to a Pokemon Center. …Kiyo? Where’s the nearest Pokemon Center?”
“In Hourchime, but we wouldn’t get there in time to give it proper treatment.”
“Proper treatment?”
“Well, we can use potions on him, but I think he’ll only attack us again. Not to mention I do think he has rabies…he could die at any time.”
“Pokemon can’t attack their trainers, can they?”
“No, but Crystal-!” Kiyo started, but it was too late. Crystal had recklessly pulled out a Pokeball, and she pressed it against the angered Poochyena. Even in his state he put up a fight, but, at last, the light upon the Pokeball went dim. Gradually hanging her head and shaking it, the fire trainer sighed. “Crystal…I think that was just about the dumbest thing you’ve done yet on your journey.”
“What? Catching a Poochyena?”
“Catching a
rabid Poochyena. I don’t even know if you’ll be able to heal it in that state.”
“I’m sure we will. Besides, are you sure so he was rabid…? He looked fine when he was talking to that Oddish…” Yanking a Potion from her bag, she opened up the Pokeball. Adamantly, the pup came out, lying on the ground. With little thought, a fine mist covered the majority of his wounds. The medication swiftly fulfilled its job; rapidly the dog sat up, nearly snapping at the girl.
“You stupid trainer scum! Now you will…” his words drifted off. Yellow eyes locked onto his new trainer, the Pokeball, and back at his trainer. “… … …
no...”
“I had no other choice. You needed immediate medical attention-”
“No! I refuse to believe this! Oh my dearest legendaries!” the pup howled in pain. “Never in my life did I think I’d have to be subject to such torture and agony of being a, a, a…” he whined.
“A what?” the girl questioned hopefully, though he soon wailed endlessly.
“
A measly little pet! Oh, Pops will never forgive me of such actions! Oh, I’ve failed you, sir!” The dog, if it was possible, would’ve been crying tears to compliment the cries of anguish he let loose. Both slightly annoyed and sympathetic, the girl did nothing but sigh, shaking her head at Kiyo.
“Looks like we have another character on our hands, Kiyo…”
“Always new characters, mm?” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “What’s its personality this time?”
“I dare say someone from the military, the way he talks.”
“Are you kidding me.”
“No. Unfortunately, I’m not.”
“Oh, have fun dealing with Mr. Rabid Poochy, then…sir.”
“Hilarious, Kiyo…” Crystal turned to the pup, whom was still whining in hysteria.
“It’s all your fault, trainer! I’ll never live it down from Pops now, if I do ever see him again!” he growled, snapping at the trainer.
“Who is your father? I’m sure he’d understand…”
“Beaten by a no-good Oddish?! Captured by some newbie female trainer by the looks of it?! Hardly! Oh, but it’s no use. Pops was taken away when I was still young. Told me always to defend the nest from the trainer threat.”
“Was he taken by a trainer?”
“Nah. I have no idea. He said the area in Kanto was getting bad, and so he smuggled us onto a ship that let us off in that city to the north of here.”
“Dawndew?”
“Sure, whatever. Anyways, he refused to get on the ship. I think it had to do with his fear of water. Can’t blame the old man for that. We were lucky ourselves to not get caught.”
“So you left with your mom?”
“Yes, and my other siblings. I was the eldest, of course, of the eggs. Pop told me to watch over the family. And now, I’ve failed that wish. It’s YOUR fault.”
“Well, sorry. How was I to know? I just wanted to heal you.”
“Every action you take, trainer, even the best in intent, has a negative reaction, even if it may seem as though it isn’t. Keep that in mind the next time you go and act so rashly.”
“You would’ve rather died there?” the young trainer questioned.
“…Yes,” the Poochyena turned to the forest. “Live free or die, you know. Of course, I don’t have either of those choices anymore. Hmm…hahaha. Forgive me, Pops. I’ve failed you, and to a young, inexperienced trainer.”
“Don’t all big and great trainers start out inexperienced on the road, though?” At that question, the Poochyena perked his ears, slowly eying her as he turned around.
“They do…but what makes you think you can become the best? Huh? Just what makes you think that you can succeed in this harsh world?” Astonished by the tough questions this dark pup was asking, she gaped for a moment, struggling with words.
“I, er…”
“Atten-hut! Back straight! Chest puffed and out! No staggering in your sentences! You say what you have with pride!” he barked roughly, and Crystal followed with the ordered, tensed up.
“I’m inspired by my family to go well in this world, and to surpass my overprotective mother that failed on her quest to be the best!” the gifted one nearly shouted. The Poochyena wasn’t the only one that gawked at Crystal when she said this, even if the fire trainer couldn’t understand a word she yelled. After a moment, the dog seemed to have a suppressed chuckle, which grew into a huge guffaw. “…What? What’s so hilarious about that?!”
“Harharhar! Ah, forgive me Pops. She think just her family will make her strong. Obviously your momma forced you to follow one too many orders, if you’re obeying your Pokemon, and not the opposite way around. No, trainership is about not only teamwork, but keeping a tight leash on your Pokemon! You pathetic thing! You couldn’t even tame that Oddish…” he started, and Crystal began to feel her cheeks get hot. Angered at his inferior words, she fiercely countered.
“Oh, that’s easy enough for you to say, bigshot Pup! You would you like it if nearly everyday, you had to struggle, and I say, STRUGGLE, to read about the moves of a
Pidgey, or even get a glimpse of Pokemon outside the forest where you lived, when you yearned so desperately to explore the world? How would
YOU feel if you had a dream to follow your High Council sister and defeat her in an amazing battle, only to have it silenced by your mother, in her fear of the world?! How would you feel, pooch, if you were the only Pokemon in the world, in the wild, that could speak human and understand human as equally well, and were stolen away from that dream you finally had begun to achieve by a Team Missile member and forced to rat out your fellow Pokemon that they were torturing?!
Huh? You would not feel very confident in your skills, when it seemed as though the entire world was out to get you! You have it easy! I bet you didn’t even have a dream when your father asked you to watch over your family, now did he?!
Did he?! I’m listening!” With the surprising rant, the pup merely cowered in fear, then began bawling again.
“Yes! I had a dream! I one day had a dream to be the best dark type that man would ever face! Oh, woe! Pops was totally against such, such, such irrationalism! I wanted it badly, but he told me family always comes first, and so that was the end of that! I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere outside of my family! Ah, what’s the use? You never get for what you hope for, at any rate. Now I want to protect my family more than ever, but I wasn’t careful for what I wished for…” he cried on, leaving Crystal silent for a moment. Her rage died down, and finally she heaved a heavy breath, feeling terrible for her rant.
“…Would you want to say bye to them before you go on the trip?”
“And Pops’ll kill- what was that?” Slowly in agony, he turned around, yellow eyes wide open.
“I’d feel bad if you just…well, came with me in my party without saying bye to your family and letting them know what happened to you instead of having them worry. Surely they’d be concerned if you were to up and never come back from a daily- nightly- whatever time it is stroll…” Again, the dark Pokemon scoffed at his trainer.
“Ha! Obviously you’d never understand the shame of being caught and used for some devious scheme you have no choice but to participate in, trainer. I refuse to go to them and let them know how I’m doing. They’ll understand if I…disappear and took off like my father did. They wouldn’t want to know.”
“I have a name, you know…” Crystal poked the creature, still slightly annoyed.
“Oh, really…
Homie-C?” the canine chuckled in a raspy voice.
“That’s…what Flora insists on calling me. All of my Pokemon, really, insist on different names- ma’am, teammate, even girl by some serious scumbags known as Team Missile…but my name is Crystal. Crystal Hikara. Anything you like to be called…?”
“Ha! That’s a laugh. Crystal Hikara. Ok, Hikara, I think I can deal with that. As for my name…” He precisely walked over, stepping onto her lap and poking his nose nearly to hers.
“Sergeant Pup, at your service.”
“…Sergeant…Pup? You have to be kidding…” Crystal, staring into his yellow and red eyes, blinked in disbelief.
“You heard me. That’s my code-name in these part of the woods, or as your kind refers to it, a nickname. Ha, I don’t expect you to be using it with that skeptical look on your face, though.”
“No, it’s just you have some very odd military personality. You take a serious nature to a whole new level. …how about this? You give me a little respect as your trainer and you give some respect you your teammates, and I’ll make sure that you’ll become…a Lieutenant Yena some day.”
“Ha! Lieutenant Yena. What, you think you’ll be good enough to evolve me or something? But I won’t be promising anything, especially with that low-life Oddish of yours.”
“I wouldn’t speak too loudly. She can hear you, you know.”
“As though I care,” he held his tail and snout high.
“You saw the beating she gave you last time…” he flinched before changing subjects rapidly.
“So, Hikara, what exactly is your mission at hand here in these woods?”
“I was just going to cut through them and see if I can’t get through the detour that they have active because of that rockslide.”
“Huh? Rockslide? Surely I would’ve heard news of such dangerous rubble through the woods. No one said anything about a rock slide.” Serge. Pup raised a fuzzy eyebrow in question of this news.
“You didn’t hear about it? There’s this giant mass of rocks as large as the cliff…” Of course, as the words came from her mouth, they sounded…awkward, and it wasn’t just the Pokemon language.
Why would a rockslide be level to the cliff the rocks fell from? That’s awfully…suspicious… Before the dog could respond, she immediately interrogated him, a serious look on her face. “You say you know the local news of the woods. I need you to answer me this now; did you see any men or women with the black suit with the RM with the little missile design on in the forest? Have you noticed anything significant in the forest that’s different from normal life?” The Poochyena considered for a moment, before answering.
“Actually, it seemed as though the forest has been both more lively and quiet than normal. Lot more Pokemon scampering left and right, though I haven’t heard of this…enemy,” he pawed at the ground, remembering back.
“Do you remember anything about what they said about a Vulpix and or a trainer?”
“There’s only so much I can understand from human speech. I didn’t receive any names, but they were talking about a Vulpix egg or something of that nature that they were unable to get their hands on, from what I could tell. As for the trainer…why? What does it matter?”
“It does. Trust me…” her eyes went a cold blue. Perhaps he saw this, and squinted, trying to remember the event.
“Well…again, foggy, but I remember hearing a few words… ‘Pidgey’ was one. ‘Rose’ was another. And then there was something about ‘trainer’, and ‘Pokeball’. Other than that, I can’t remember anything else.” Mewster’s normally cheery face was more than somber.
Surely, they were talking about me, and maybe they still have poor Breeze. I have to get her back…! Rose…that’s probably describing my hair color. But, what about a Pokeball? Well, it doesn’t matter. Team Missile probably knows that we’re in this forest, and they’re on the lookout for us...
“Thanks…but, just out of curiosity…I know that your mother had to be a Poochyena like yourself or a Mightyena. What of your father? Poochyena don’t typically have this sort of nature, unless I’m mistaken.”
“Ha, Pops. He was a proud Houndoom. You do know what a Houndoom is, right? They typically only live in Kanto or rarely in Johto.” At this, Crystal’s eyes sharply widened, and she fingered a dark scar instinctively she had received but a month and a half ago.
“Houndoom…?! What’s his name?”
“Eh? Why does it matter?”
“Trust me! It does!”
“You always say that…but he really didn’t have a code-name of sorts, other than me referring to him as sir.”
“Did he have any sort of scar on his face?”
“You think you know my father?” With a pit already within her stomach, the female nodded. “…there was one he received from fending off a Pidgeotto upon his right eye. He’s blind in that eye. Is that what you needed to hear…?”
No, no it wasn’t, Crystal sickly nodded. Her eyes hollowed themselves as she remembered her terrifying days being scowled at by Chris Johnson’s dark-fire type.
