Chapter 9: Chains
Alright, here we go with some new content! If you been following the story and skipped forward to this chapter, I suggest that you take the time to go back and re-read the previous chapters as I edited and added some minor details to them. I highly recommend any previous readers to check them out and get a refresher on how the story is progressing so far.
Other stuff for you returning readers, the story was rated 'M' but I made the decision to bump it down to 'T' for now until further notice. I only think that's relevant in terms of the search filters otherwise there shouldn't be any impact on the story unless I decide to get a bit morbid in future chapters and need to bump it up back to 'M'.
Otherwise if your all caught up or reaching this point for the first time. I appreciate any feedback/criticism for this chapter, I'm trying to get back into writing a bit even though it's not my passion. And any feedback/support may help inspire me to keep writing and push these chapters out more. I do plan to finish the story, how soon I'll finish it is determined by my free time and inspiration.
Anyways I hope y'all enjoy!
I don't own Pokémon
(Groudon)
What the hell was I doing? The stream of flame erupting from my maw continued to provide a barrier between wild Pokémon pack and the human's tent. The Mightyena caught in the flames roared in pain as they ran circles around each other trying in vain to put themselves out. The Houndoom's backed off in from the flames with a few only suffering a few burns. Their resistance to fire prevented any further damage from the initial attack, but even they knew the flames I produced were too hot to jump through without suffering severe injuries.
The canine Pokémon reacted violently to my attack, instantly rushing towards my position barking insults, questions, threats, all sorts of non-distinguishable nonsense as they tried to speak over one another as typical canine packs do and made it impossible to understand an individual sentence. However, their actions already conveyed their meaning. They are an aggressive pack. Whether it was because they are starving, because they are defending their territory, or maybe even because they think themselves as a dominate species and would challenge any newcomer that entered their territory. Regardless of the reason, they are an aggressive pack and will not back down to any challenge or threat. Even if that threat was one of the Legendary themselves.
Cutting off my attack I repositioned myself into a battle stance. My attack left a wall of fire dividing the Pokémon from the human and while the Houndoom may have been able to pass through at that point, their focus was now all on me. The barking and yipping mostly stopped as they took up battle positions of their own. I was vaguely aware that the human and his companions were all up and staring at me now but it was the least of my concerns. The Houndoom's and Mightyana have taken up my challenge and with a pack this aggressive, this was only going to end when ether I die, or they suffer heavy losses. I didn't need any distractions if I wanted to end this quickly.
Not surprisingly the Mightyena attacked first, most rushing my flanks shooting various shadow attacks in some hope of dealing damage. The Houndoom's were quick to follow, instead charging head on rather than circle me, firing their own shadow attacks or some cases fire. I chose to absorb their attacks, feigning a few attacks at my sides to drive those flanking me back to the front. Their strategy was to overwhelm and overpower me. A predictable strategy, but very effective against many opponents that never had to face this type of advance before. The trick to counter it was to keep as many of them in my line of site as possible, a battle on many fronts would be tricky and unnecessary difficult if I could prevent it. And it was perhaps easier for me to accomplish than it would be for others as my size and naturally thick hide repelled most attacks and I could focus on herding the pack back to the front rather than dodging their attacks.
Naturally, this threw them off balance as they perhaps never encountered an opponent that could counter their go to strategy. Instead of aiming for my eyes or joints, they began blind firing in my general direction in multiple attempts to distract or overwhelm me enough to continue to initiate their strategy instead of adapting. And for the few that made it past me and began their assault on my sides and back I chose to ignore, bringing further panic to the pack as I focused on the larger group.
A few rushed over to attempt to deal damage with their teeth and claw. For the most part, it was their last mistake, as I clawed and stomped them off me. Refusing to show and pain even for those who dealt lucky hit on old wounds or soft spots on my hide. I continued to herd them with lazy swipes and feigning charges until I got a nice group of them together. Then with a quick stomp of my foot, I caused the earth beneath their paws to rupture and shattered. Shards of rock shot up into their hides as the earth launched them into the air. Then it took a jagged shape before they landed dealing more damage as they impacted on edges with enough force to crack bones and tear flesh.
Almost immediately the attacks ceased. The human by now has mobilized his Pokémon and the over half the pack has suffered severe injuries, or worst. Meanwhile I still stood as I had before the battle began and am now 'reinforced' with their prey. This battle was a lost cause and the packs alpha only just now realized this. With a bark, the wild Pokémon began a retreat. Half of them limping and whimpering as they disappeared back into the brush. Most of the injured may not last the night.
As I listened to the pack disappear into the night I could feel the human's eyes staring at me. But I couldn't bare look in his direction. I was plagued with emotions. Freedom was in my grasp! All I had to do was let a pack of wild Pokémon take the human out and everything would be fine and dandy! But as a legendary, my job was to protect the innocent whenever present. Unfortunately, that task can be tricky as I can't just stop other Pokémon from hunting others when it dictates their own survival. And the human enslaved me! He is far from innocent in my book!
Breathing out a sigh I began to head back to the brush where I was nesting a while ago. Truth was I protected the human because I realized that letting him die just to serve my cause was greedy and idiotic. I was raised better than that and if I had let him die, I would eventually be plagued with some form of guilt. Not to mention that pack would eventually attack another human and the cycle would continue, with more innocents harmed before they were eventually stopped. It was best I put my foot down now and put that pack in their place before any real innocents were harmed.
I huffed out another sigh as I laid down in the makeshift nest, deliberately facing away from the camp. Regardless of justifying my actions to myself, I could still feel the chains that bond me to that human. I did a good deed sure, but I was still captured, I was still a slave. I got nothing of benefit from my 'good deed'. I decided that all I want now was to be alone and sleep this off. I sure the human's companions will be on alert now that their master almost perished. Right now, I will ignore them all and focus on my rest until the sun comes up. Maybe I can pretend I sleeping outside my den on my island…
Nope, I can still feel the chains.
