Stark branches staked the sky like crucifixes, warding off the unseen. Shay the Piplup wandered under the ghostly stalks behind Chip the Chimchar, uncertain of their choice to leave the day care centre. Ivan the Turtwig bounded ahead, snorting puffs of steam in the chill. Scuffing decaying leaves with his feet, he threw warped shadows on the trees around the four.
"Ch-ch-chip, there's something here casting a shadow on that tree. C-can we go back?" Before Chip could answer, Ivan butted in.
"Nonsense! It's just Chip and that stupid tail of his casting the glow." The fourth Pokémon in the group piped up:
"If you three wanted to chit chat this nonsense, you should have stayed behind with the Cleffas."
Now Chip finally got a word in. "Easy for you to say!" he spluttered, "You're at least twice the size of us, and probably a level higher too!"
"It's your fault for not training at the day-care."
"It's not! Unlike some, we're too young! They won't let us! And..." He was cut off mid-stream by a rustling, a slithering on the rotten leaves at their feet.
"What was that!" Shay yelled, from now up a tree.
"It's... it's..." Machop's voice quivered.
"It's Ivan, moron. Now who's the scared one?" Was Chip's curt reply. Ivan laughed and jumped out of the leaves.
"Not Ivan you two..." squeaked Shay. "That..!" A dark shape loomed out of the trees, and Machop squeaked, turned tail and fled in the direction of the day care. The trio turned to follow, but was faced by another menacing shape - Houndour!
"Day care runners, eh? Careful, this forest is packed with Pokémon just waiting to make you runners faint." More Houndour joined the ring, hackles raised. A Houndoom stepped forward.
"Follow us."
Halting her climb down from the tree, Shay looked at Houndoom cautiously and said "How are we to know that you aren't going to make us faint?"
Houndoom laughed, the deep, throaty growl resonating through the trees. "You aren't." He turned away and started walking, followed closely by the ring, penning the trio in and forcing them along.
Shay turned to Chip and said, "Now c-can we go back?"
Chip glanced at her, then down at Ivan who was waddling along beside him. "I don't think so Shay. Not yet at least. Come on." And with that he took the lead.
A small Houndour, slipping in and out of the shadows, saw the exchange and smiled. Time to report to the boss.
The Houndour zipped through the trees and tall grass, too fast for forest inhabitants to make a move. As quick as he got to the day-care, he was back at a damp, mossy, fallen log.
The Houndoom was seated on the log, surrounded by lesser Houndours. He spoke to the trio who were huddled together Day-care runners should always come prepared. Prepared for the dangers of the forest. Prepared for our champion" The Houndoom gestured the trio's eyes to a dark spot too black in the trees behind them. Two streams of vapour shot out from the shadows of nostrils as the champion eyes became visible in the black, but nothing else. The Houndours stepped back and Houndoom cackled. "Choose your champion!"
Shay squeaked "You mean we have to face... that thing?"
Houndoom continued laughing. "Not all of you. Just" A menacing pause, and Houndoom smiled "One. One of you will face our champion. You must be brave enough, after all, for you came out here" The last part was said as if to a baby, all sweet and dripping in honey.
Houndoom's tone shifted to one of anger "Choose!"
The trio looked at each other as the Houndours around them slowly counted down.
"We're giving you 25 seconds to choose. If you don't choose, we'll make you regret it. You're not that afraid, are you?" taunted Houndoom
Ivan curled up in a nervous ball, all his previous playfulness gone. Shay and Chip looked at one another "I guess it's just you and me..." she said. "Perhaps it would be safer if you go, Chip"
"Hang on. I have an idea." Replied Chip. "Hold up!" He yelled, interrupting the countdown of the Houndours. "How are we supposed to beat that which we don't know? At least show your champion, so this fight can pretend to be fair."
Houndoom put his face up to Chip's with a mean look on his face. "Choose now."
Chip replied, ignoring the look and putting on one of his own "Then I choose me."
"Very well. Step forward to confirm your decision." Chip did just that, and the Houndours howled, a ghostly melody in the cold night air.
Shay winced as the champion, a Mightyena, stepped out of the shadows. "Let's see if your boldness matches your strength."