A lazy Sunday afternoon, one of those late summer afternoons in which the sun cast its rays along the ground like a net, searing the yellow dusty road of Route 111. The air was made thick and heavy by the torrid heat and several thousand insects, allowing the air to hum softly with the beating of wings and skittering of insect legs–at least it seemed that way to the ancient creature watching the heated air move.
A Bastiodon watched the world move by with enormous yellow eyes, barely noticeable behind a prominent black shield resembling that of a castle wall. The creature had slept away the sun's ascent earlier in the day but now that it had seated the star directly at the highest point of the pale sky, the Pokémon was uncomfortable enough with the heat that sleep evaded her. With a grumble she shifted her weight, not bothering to be careful so as to not jostle the human still slumbering on her back. Being small enough that he fit comfortable beneath the rather tiny tree, the human could enjoy the shade to its fullest though for the Bastiodon the shadow had pulled back so much that her enormous head sat in the direct path of the sun's assault. A booted leg prodded at the back of her neck gently, indication that had human had awaken from the sudden shift.
"Settle down Daisy," came a sleepy mumble.
The Pokémon snorted, shook herself. With a yelp the human slid from her back, falling to the ground with a solid thud.
"Hey now…" the rather rugged male drawled when he sat up.
Shifting carefully so as to not clip the low hanging branches of her favorite tree, Daisy turned around to blast a puff of heated air towards the man's face.
Despite having only met her trainer a few weeks prior, this human man seemed to have little difficulty interpreting her grunt. Lazily he scratched at the stubble of beard that decorated the lower half of his face.
"I know, I know it's hot… But there's nothing we can do about that," the trainer said, then gave Daisy a cocky grin, "You're the ultimate defense. Block the sun's rays."
The look the fossil Pokémon gave him was cold enough to bring down the heat of the area, or almost at least, and the trainer laughed, reaching up to pet the creature's shield.
"Hey now, at least we don't have any work during right now."
The Bastiodon snorted in response; of course they didn't have work during the summer. Having been bred to become an escort Pokémon she had been taught how dangerous the desert could be. It would take an enormous fool to want passage through the desert in midst of such a heat wave.
"Hey! Are you the group that can get me through the desert?"
"…" Daisy could only groan at the sight of the young slip of a girl that was running towards them, an obvious newbie with polished running shows a naive eagerness to her.
Daisy couldn't figure it out. No matter how much she tried. Through some miracle of fate her trainer had accepted the girl's request to set off through the desert. Despite the unbearable temperature caused by the week long heat wave and the sandstorms roaring to life every few steps, the trio had plunged headfirst into the area at the request of the human girl.
Daisy could never understand how that had come about. She had been told how skilled her trainer was from the one who had raised her, making it even more difficult to understand why he had agreed.
"Come on girl, the herd sticks together right?" her trainer had laughed at her when she gave him a disapproving look.
What arrogance, she thought, stepping out of the hole with ease. She scowled darkly at the idea that just the human and her comprised a herd.
Daisy's train of thought was interrupted as she felt her weight shift as her left foreleg sank into the sand, causing the girl on her back to yelp. Setting her jaw stubbornly she wrenched her foot out of a sinking pothole that some Trapinch had no doubt dug in an attempt to trap prey, and continued forward. Pointless for one her size. She supposed she could allow her trainer to think of himself as part of her herd for few of the desert dwellers possessed much of a threat when it came to her. If the little human wished to think of himself as capable of taking down the desert dwellers, she could allow that luxury. One who had survived the temperamental world that had raged all around her long before such any Trapinch or Cacnea had even set foot on the earth, surely had no trouble crossing such a terrain with such weak Pokémon.
There was no use dwelling new trainer's rather… curious personality, she told herself, she was here now and thus could allow herself no complaints. She narrowed her eyes between the goggles her trainer had so graciously purchased for her on her first journey through Hoenn's desert and pushed forward. Another storm had kicked up, causing dust and sand to whip mercilessly at her to no effect.
"Sorry girl," her trainer called to her, "We'll need to go a little faster though."
Daisy grunted irritably but complied. There was no use in simply complaining, this was her job after all, what she had been bred for; she was the ultimate defense and she would allow nothing to break her, even if she did not quite understand the reasoning behind his abrupt trip. Seated behind the shield on her head, her trainer and the girl customer was much better protected and she was intent on keeping it that way. She could easily recall the days she would set herself in place along with the rest of her herd in an attempt to protect the young. The herd had long since gone, but she was still here and those she wanted to protect remained behind her.
Determined she pushed herself faster, moving easily over the constantly shifting sand, following a path only she could see in the whir and motion of the storm around her.
It was only when the sun disappeared behind dips and rises that was Mt. Chimney's outline that Daisy was allowed to stop. The sandstorms had settled long ago, though a few short bursts of wind would kick up a plume of sand every now and again. Nonetheless, it was nowhere near as irritating as it had been. With the speed at which Daisy had pushed herself, they had made it to the first rest stop in record time and she had settled outside the small, rather dilapidated shelter, lingering in the doorway of sleep but not allowing herself to fall fully. Inside her trainer and the slip of a girl slumbered peacefully. Her new trainer had smiled at her, not even having the grace to look apologetic for pushing the Bastiodon but Daisy allowed herself no complaints as she settled down outside the shelter made of wood. While the duo slept peacefully Daisy kept watch, knowing better than to drift off into sleep for the creatures of the desert that shied away from the burn of the sunlight did their hunting during such times.
The air was cool and light, unburdened by heat and passed by in a dangerously comfortable manner. Combined with the weariness that had settled in her bones, Daisy found it increasingly difficult not to surrender to sleep's siren song. If only she had been sent to a more competent trainer, perhaps she would not have had to push herself so far. Deep in her own thoughts she failed to notice the shadow of a creature appearing from behind the cluster of rocks that sat to the right of the worn out shelter directly behind her.
A humanoid creature with a wicked smile peered carefully around one of the larger boulders. Golden eyes peered out from the shadow of a triangular outgrowth on the creature's head, gleaming with excitement. The desert had grown even more difficult to bear these pass few days and she was hungry. She had seen the humans unloading things from the bigger creature out front and she had seen enormous bags stuffed to the brim. Experience taught her that it was full with food, but more importantly, there was water.
Nothing came from the shelter other than soft snores and as she turned her eyes upon the enormous bodyguard the humans had brought along, she allowed her smile to widen even further as she recognized the signs of exhaustion. There were few fools who would set out on such days when the desert screamed and outright fought to keep out trespassers.
No matter, the hunter thought as she slunk even closer, making certain to keep out of sight in the same manner she had been doing since early evening, when she first spotted the group.
A wave of a spiked arm summoned the herd that had followed her. Three others rose from behind the small collection of rocks and made their way towards the leader, knowing well enough to keep silent. Behind them a gentle breeze kicked up and the leader bristled, her spikes clicking together as she did so. This was most certainly not good; it would not do to have spent so long keeping out of sight only to be discovered by sound. She stilled instantly, hardly even breathing and waited in silence to see if they had been discovered. When the enormous creature gave no sign of having scented anything she pushed forward slowly, elongating her spikes despite the lack of reaction. One could never be too careful after all and caution was even more important when she could not recognize the enemy. Behind her, her group took the hint and imitated the motion.
Daisy shifted, feeling a familiar unease settle in the pit of her stomach. Instantly she felt a familiar ache and longing for the ancient jungles and thick foliage. At least that way she could hear all that was around here. Here the air was silent and eerily still; nonetheless, years of experience had taught her to never ignore her instincts. She could feel an old warning stir her blood and pricked her ears, listening intently.
We do not make the first move. Let them come and let them try to break us down. It is then that we display our true worth, memories of her mother's words burned in her mind and Daisy smiled faintly, memories of her first lesson stirring her blood. She longed for the press of other Bastiodons besides her as they defended against an enemy but shoved away the longing and instead focused on the anticipation building within her.
She would need the adrenaline tonight for she could hear them now, creeping purposefully towards her. Four of them and from the manner in which they moved, ones very experienced in such attacks. They were nothing like the Rampardos that raged around back in her day; these were stealthy creatures, accustomed to detecting weak points and taking full advantage of them.
With a snort, Daisy pushed herself to her feet swiftly, turning her face to them. Determined, she placed herself directly between the oncoming attackers and the shelter. That was a change in the air as the creatures noticed her movement. A moment of confusion and hesitation lasted mere milliseconds before one lunged forward.
A powerful hit slammed against her shield and instantly pulled back when Daisy did not budge. A curious call was sent through the air and Daisy felt a sudden nervousness at this. Her herd was not here but theirs was and she become keenly aware of just how dangerous the situation truly was.
With a grunt she planted her feet firmly on the ground, doing just what she knew how to do for the time being and was rewarded with two very solid hits to her shield. With a roar she pushed back quickly against the arms this time, shoving the Cacturne to the ground and stomping down on its leg. A sickening crunch and a cry from the creature made it very clear it was not going anywhere any time soon but Daisy knew better than to dwell on such a small victory.
She was proven right for another had darted to her right, hoping to take advantage of a blind spot. Daisy tense, tightening her muscles in an Iron Defense, deflecting the hit to the exposed flesh just behind her face's shield. Not bothering to turn her head she released a screech towards the two others approaching rapidly, causing the group to flinch.
She could see all of them now, four humanoid creatures with one clear leader and spun her head in order to knock down the one to her right, missing by millimeters. It leapt away rejoining its group and peered back at her defiantly, golden eyes gleaming. Behind her the remaining two lingered back, waiting for the Cacturne to make the first move. A group of four and only one down, a bad scenario particularly now that the obvious leader had gotten a gauge on Daisy's abilities. A short call from the female Cacturne was enough to settle the nervousness that tinged the group and Daisy grunted in recognition of the creature's ability. Eyes narrowing in concentration she stared down the leader, feet planted on both sides in order to resist any attack.
Unfortunately, it was at that moment a scream tore the air from behind her, momentarily catching her attention, just enough time for a well placed Poison Jab to dig deep into an unprotected spot on her neck. Daisy fought back a pained cry, feeling her knees buckle as the poison took hold. She turned in an attempt to unleash another Metal Sound, failing when another Cacturne's punch to the poisoned area sent a wave of pain coursing through her.
Head spinning she pushed herself forward blindly, swinging her enormous head and only managing to clip the arm of one Cacturne who jumped back. She was only vaguely aware of a movement behind her and growled turning her head to find the girl moving towards the right, her trainer moving as well in an attempt to catch the panicking child. With a roar, Daisy stomped down on the group, stopping the child in her tracks.
"Stay," she demanded, praying the girl would understand. Daisy had no way of protecting the two if they did not remain behind her and she felt the loss of her herd once more.
Our defense will never fail, her mothers words played through the creature's mind, fighting back the pain induced cloud that had settled in the Bastiodon's mind.
With a determined roar, Daisy stomped down hard on the ground, the sand softening her Earthquake immensely. Nonetheless, it gave a sufficient enough result, tilting the balance of two of the Cacturne. She knocked back the punch of the Cacturne that had chosen that moment to leap and pushed him to the ground, planting an enormous foot firmly on the creature's slender form. An ear-splitting Metal Sound bursting directly in the creature's face was all it took to knock it out.
The leader knew instantly that this was taking a difficult turn and hissed in displeasure as the second Metal Sound clawed at her mind like sharp nails. Glancing at her fallen companions and the creature that glowered back at them despite the poison that was surely making its way through its body at this point, the leading Cacturne felt a twist of displeasure at the very real possibility that she had lost this battle and that she would need to retreat.
It was only the slight tremble in the enormous Pokémon's knee that kept her there and another hard glance at the fossil Pokémon caused pride to whisper that she may be able to take the creature down. Her golden eyes slid to the two humans behind the creature and she smiled, barking an order to her one remaining companion.
The two rushed at the creature, splitting apart just short of reaching the creature's shield. A panicked look flashed pass the enormous creature and the leading Cacturne grinned, extending the spikes on her arm as she closed in on the humans. A solid thwack confirmed that her companion had taken advantage of the Bastiodon's lapse of attention. The leader's grin widened even more as she watched the male human rise, rushing to meet her.
Fool, she thought as she delivered a bone-cracking Needle Arm to the man's raised arm.
Experience had taught her how fragile humans were and how easily they backed down to a simple Needle Punch but for that one night, experience had lied. Her eyes widened as she saw a fierce rebellion in the man's eyes, a mirror image of that of the Bastiodon's when it had set itself between her group and the shelter. Pain erupted on the right side of her head and she released a cry as she realized that she had been hit by this … weak, insignificant human. With a cry of rage, she swung her arm, wrenching herself from the man and twisting her form in order to deliver another punch which was just as easily caught. Another blow erupted against her abdomen and she flew backwards, screaming in pain and rage.
A momentary flicker of surprise shot through the fossil Pokémon but she quickly shoved it aside, knowing she had to do her part as well. With ease she shoved away the Cacturne that had attacked her and pinned it, taking it out in the same way she had the first.
When her trainer moved to take his place besides her, Daisy grunted in surprise.
"The herd sticks together right?" the man chuckled and for the first time since she had met him, Daisy agreed wholeheartedly with his statement. A flutter of joy twist inside her and with a nod she turned to the remaining Cacturne, knowing she was no longer taking on such opponents alone.
Another ancient memory surfaced:
When we are amongst the herd, we remain invincible.
Daisy smiled, feeling the press of her trainer's shoulders against her, feeling his solidity and determination as they stood side by side to protect what they must.
Yes mother, together none can break through our defense.
Cacturne (Sapphire dex entry): If a traveler is going through a desert in the thick of night, Cacturne will follow in a ragtag group. The Pokémon are biding their time, waiting for the traveler to tire and become incapable of moving.
Bastiodon (Platinum dex entry): When they lined up side by side, no foe could break through. They shielded their young in that way.
Critiques and comments are welcome. I'm going to try to do all of the Pokemon but if there's any someone wants me to write let me know. :)