Lessons in War
Lesson 1: Soldiers
Dominique tucked her black hair into her winter hat, and trudged along. It's unusually cold today, she thought. The city of Goldenrod was preparing for the winter holidays, and the cold weather was just moving in. Although, the average holiday weather was usually around seventy degrees. This year, it was dipping into the low fifties.
Dominique, or Domi, as her friends called her, was heading for the Department Store for her part-time job as a stock worker. Meaning she had to work in the below-freezing basement, for five hours a day, sorting merchandise. But, it wasn't so bad. She could let her team out all she wanted, which was frowned upon in the store.
Domi walked into the warm store, and called, "Hello, everyone!" A few heads turned and smiled n reply, and Domi's friend, Leona, called to her, "Hey, Domi! How's your holiday been so far?"
Domi pulled her coat and scarf off and walked over to where Leona was hanging decorations. "Oh, it's been fine. I still have shopping to do. But, I'll have more time once school is out."
Leona finished hanging a wreath, and stepped down from her ladder. "Yeah, me too. My brother has been tearing my room apart, trying to find his presents."
Domi giggled, and walked to the office. Leona followed, explaining how she would hide the presents in a loose floorboard in the attic. Domi punched in her card, and said hello to her manager, Misa, who smiled in reply. Then she headed for the basement.
The basement was one of the most hostile places in the store. It was always too cold in the winter, and too hot in the summer. The heater and AC were both broken, and attempts to fix them were always asked for, but never made. Nevertheless, Domi worked down there nearly every day.
Domi walked down the steep stairs, and flicked on a few lights once at the bottom. Hanging on a hook was a clipboard of her tasks to be done. She picked up the board and went over the tasks. Only six to be done. Easy.
Domi rubbed her arms, and released her six Pokémon. The first to come out was her Zangoose, Zane. He just walked off to his normal hiding place, wherever that may be. Next was Sonya, the Azumarill. She snuggled up to Domi immediately.
The third to appear was Bonnie, her Bellossom. Bonnie wailed in agony against the cold. Flara, her Flareon, was fourth. She lovingly curled around Domi's feet.
Shuppi, her adorable Shuppet, popped out next and giggled, sinking into the shadows to God-knows-where. Finally, Victor the Shinx, her newest member, came out and lay down on the floor, ultimately falling asleep.
Domi looked at the board, and picked a task: Sorting the perfume samples. Easy enough, she thought. Then she saw the three boxes filled with various perfume brands. She sighed and set to work sorting the various scents. Flara was curled at her side, giving off enough heat for Domi to shed her sweater. Twenty minutes later, the samples were sorted, and stacked in nice little pyramids. She checked that task from her board. She spied Zane atop a stack of boxes, staring out at everything as if he owned it. Suddenly, Shuppi popped out of the shadows, scaring Zane from atop the boxes. Domi giggled.
She scanned her list, and heard a thumping from the stairs. Domi disregarded it, thinking it was Leona, or Misa. In a few minutes, she heard a shuffling, like someone was walking across the floor. Domi was till oblivious to who it was.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind. Domi was caught off guard, and didn't know what to do. She bit the attackers arm. The person let go, and Domi sprang free, and called out, "Zane!"
The Zangoose was immediately by her side, his lethal claws ready to strike. Now Domi was able to get a look at her attacker. He was a burly man, somewhere in his late twenties, dressed like one of those bikers from the movies; Denim jeans, leather jacket, red shirt, crew cut, and black boots. A pair of black shades covered his eyes, so Domi couldn't see them.
The man chuckled. "A lesson in war kid," He started, speaking in a husky voice. "Never put your best soldier on the front lines." He released a Weezing. Domi wasn't too worried. Zane had Immunity to poisoning; he'd be fine.
"Let's get rockin'" The man said.
This is a story I wrote on the spur of the moment. Basically, Domi is learning things about war that could possibly help her. Different strategies, and plans, you know? Anyway, thanks for reading. Bai.