Simisear - the Ember pokemon
Is it over? Have we lost? I-I can't open my eyes. Does that mean I'm dead?
I feel heat around me. But no voices, no footsteps. I need to open my eyes. I need to see what happened!
With much effort I open them... I immediately regret it... But it's my fault all this came to such an end. It's my punishment, to be alive, while others were *sigh* ripped from this world.
I try to stand up with the help of all my limbs. As I do, something falls off me. I turn my head and see a soldier. An Infernape. His flame is out, his body is loosing it's warm colors. I cover my mouth from the sadness. Damn my strong emotions. How can I be a leader of an army, if this sight makes me weak... Well, it seems I got my answer. I can't be. Oh, Searella, you have led so many soldiers to their death.
But...But they said we wouldn't be attacked.
They said it was a safe path and we only needed to deliver resources to the soldiers in the front lines.
But the Water kingdom soldiers ambushed us. My soldiers fell one after another almost immediately. When the water types got to me, half of the fleet was... killed.
I was fighting as best as I could, releasing my fire power, my physical power, but nothing changed. Finally a Croconaw appeared in front of me, smirked with his giant fangs showing and blasted a powerful and boiling stream of water at me. I don't remember what happened then, but from the looks of it, that Infernape... saved my life.
I approach the lifeless body and raise his head gently. Not even a flinch in any part of the body.
"I-I'm..." I'm just at a loss of words when I see his face, still showing the pain he had suffered. All of them looked similar to him. "I'm sorry!" I cry and hug the flame pokemon, as if I'm doing this to all the lost warriors. The coldness of his body soon comes to me. At least my warm tears warm him up for the last time.
The fire types around me had steam rising from them. It seems I wasn't out for a long time, but long enough for the water types to think everyone is dead and leave.
All around me, I see little, not evolved pokemon that just wanted to keep their families safe. I was always against children soldiers, but I couldn't choose who my comrades were. Of course, there are some first evolutions. Second ones too. But none of them could stand up to water types. I've got to admit, I thought that only the Fire kingdom would do things like ambushing, but water types were first. And I always thought they were so calm and gentle.
I see that was a mistake that cost all my soldiers' lives.
I look around for the crate we were supposed to give to the fire soldiers on the front lines. It's gone. The water types took it... What now?
Should I go back, report everything and live the rest of my life constantly mourning or should I just go there and take revenge... I already should have died. Time for them to either finish the job or taste my fury.
I follow the same route we were supposed to go, but, of course, I try hiding in the shadows of the trees that were on both sides of the path. I don't see any guards. Guess they truly believed everyone was dead. Well, now I have the element of surprise... Too bad it still won't do much good, because I don't know any attacks that are effective against water.
Still, I can't give up for such a petty reason.
Though I do recall one move I should have learnt, but never managed to... Solar Beam. It was taught to everyone when we were in combat training. I was but a simple soldier then. I remember that I wasn't the only one that failed in conjuring up a Solar Beam - an attack that is a grass type move. But some managed to do it... I actually think I saw that Infernape do it.
Ah! Now I remember! That is...was... Inferno. *sigh* He was an amazing soldier. Everyone looked up to him and obviously wanted to beat him too. But I didn't see him much, for I was training with the female soldiers the most.
Suddenly, I spot a clearing ahead. A little camp, rather hidden in the woods, with no more than twenty pokemon. Twenty water type pokemon.
Only now I realize that me and all the soldiers would have ended up here anyway - in the water type camp. We wouldn't have been able to run, because the crate was very big and only two Emboars could possibly carry it. There would be just one thing left to do - battle and I don't think it would have ended differently than before. Were our superiors leading us here on purpose? But why?
I spot the crate under one of the poorly built roofs in the camp. It's full of food and water. At least a fifth of the resources were already taken out and the water types were already eating. Eating the resources that were supposed to be meant for the fire types in the front lines!
Could the superiors not know about this little camp? Well, it seems it could be possible. They said our troops are fighting against at least half of the Water kingdom's army. This tiny camp didn't seem like even a tenth of an army.
"Did you hear that?" someone speaks up in the camp. I hold my breath. I could have sworn I wasn't moving. I was just hiding behind a rather big tree and now I try to hide even more. Can they hear my breathing? No... That's impossible...
"Where?" new voices add up to the previous one. I stiffen even more. I can hear my heart pounding from the suspense.
"There, by the path," I hear commotion. At least five pokemon start to move and run to the direction the first one probably points. I don't have the guts to look where they are actually going, but as I hear the footsteps going away from me, I breathe easier. But still, I can't let my guard down.
But what am I waiting for? A chance? A chance to try and beat water types with fire? Damn it Searella, you never think these kind of things through.
Maybe that's why you were in command of a fleet that would surely lose? Maybe... maybe all these soldiers with me were bad and that's why... No! Inferno was an amazing soldier! He couldn't have been rated as bad... So what was this?
The five water types return, saying all is clear and I get an idea. Maybe, I can stay here as long as possible, listen to their talks and bring back all the information I get back to the Fire kingdom? Simply - be a spy. Yeah! That could work. I smile, thinking that at least I can do such a thing... Until they find me of course.
Luckily, my ears are big and useful in these kind of situations. I think I'm about ten meters away from their camp and I can still hear everything perfectly. As long as they don't have ears as big as mine, I'm safe. Although I wonder if the water type that heard something has big ears. Might be.
"So, are we expecting any more troops to come here and try to give resources to the fire army?" one pokemon talks, clearly with contempt.
"No. I think this was the last one. Some of them put up quite a fight though. I'm surprised that they were sacrificed like this," another one answers with a calmer voice. I think it was the same that heard something before.
"Yeah? I didn't even notice. I was killing at least one of those creatures every few seconds. Their levels are at least three time lower than mine," the pokemon laughed. That son of a blitch clearly liked killing. I clench my fists, but stay in my place.
"I admit there were weak ones. I managed to kill a few myself," he says with proud, but then changes back to a calmer tone. "Still, I'm surprised they would do this, even to weak ones."
"You were always weak to kill the weak ones," the first one laughs. "Ugh, that word is starting to repeat too much. I need another word."
"Feeble?" a suggestion was gotten.
"Yeah, feeble. I like that word. They make them seem so..." he starts searching for a word. "Insignificant! That's the word!"
"Aren't we insignificant if we are sent to kill the feeble ones?" the second one asks.
"Don't try to twist my mind with your rhetorical questions, Pouru," the first one sounds irritated. This must happen often.
"Very well," he gives up and asks. "Did you see that Simisear between the fire types?" his question made me flinch. There were no other Simisears but me in that group.
"Yeah. I think she was their leader or something. I noticed other weaklings trying to protect her. But it was no use. She died anyways," I can even hear his smirking. Well I've got news for you, pal. I ain't dead!
"You know, she reminded me of someone," Pouru sounded nostalgic. "It must have been before Water and Fire kingdoms became enemies and when we could even play with opposite types."
I try to remember a thing like that, but honestly, I can't. Water types were always just the enemy to me. I don't think I ever even talked to one, if we don't count the insulting chatting on the battlefield.
"You think you played with her when she was little?" the first one is intrigued, but sounds like he doesn't believe.
"Might be. Well, now I'll never know. So who killed her?" he asked casually.
"Not sure. Hey, guys!" he yells out to the rest. These two are probably the closest to me, because the others sound rather far. "Who killed the Simisear?!"
"Me!" one answers and I smirk. Well, that guy didn't do a very good job. "Why?! What's the matter?!"
"We're just curious! She seemed like the leader!" the first one yells back and that was that. "Got your answer, Pouru?"
"Yeah, yeah, I did," Pouru sounds irritated a little bit.
What pokemon could Pouru be? Is his name changed from his species name? Probably. So if he is a water type, he must have "pour" in the name... The only species' name that comes to me is Simipour. Might be actually. They do have big ears. Of course not as big as mine.
"Do you think we'll be sacrificed like this too one day, Naw?" Pouru asks after a pause. It sounds like he's drifting into a melancholy dream.
"Pouru, stop making me think about the future," Naw answers. I hear how he tries to control his irritation.
So his name is Naw, huh? ...Doesn't ring a bell. What water type has a similar species name to this name? Well, of course, my theory of name making might not be for everyone. Oh well, maybe I'll be able to see them... Of course it would be nice not to be killed if they see me.
"Very well," Pouru gives up like before. "I'll go scout for a little bit. Keep your guard up," it sounds like Pouru jumped on a branch.
"Psh, we don't need no guarding against those..." Naw laughs, but then he manages to forget the word he wants to use... I have the feeling he's not very bright. "Feeble creatures! Yeah, that's it!"
"All right, Naw. Whatever you say," Pouru starts jumping from one branch to the other. And... he's moving in my direction.
I didn't think I can freeze even more, considering I'm a fire type, but from this suspense and stiffness, it's even getting hard to breathe.
I hear rustling above my head, but I don't have the strength to look up and *gulp* possibly meet my doom.
But then the rustling goes further. It seems he didn't notice me. I breathe easier, but I try not to do it too loudly... But when he'll come back, will he notice me? I need a better hiding spot than this tree. But I don't see any caves or similar around. Only trees and... a big bush. I bet I could fit there, but will I be able to hide in it without making a sound? Of course not. Even if I try somehow burning the middle, every single move would cause noise... I think I'd better go back to the fire kingdom.
But wait... I forgot. I forgot the soul purpose I'm here. I need to take revenge. Or at least spy as much as possible.
...I've got to admit, dying wouldn't be a treat for me. I'm scared of death, so I can't just go in there and let them kill me, while I try fighting... Why couldn't I be killed with the rest of my troops. It would make things so much easier.
I hear rustling in the treetops again. It seems like Pouru is returning. But he seems rather in a rush. He quickly goes over my head again, while I have a mini heart attack, and lands in the campsite.
"The Simisear isn't there. She's alive," Pouru speaks a little breathless and a little concerned.
"I thought you killed her!" Naw yells at the pokemon that was so proud of that act. Then Naw growls. "Now it doesn't matter. The important thing is that she might be around here somewhere. She might be setting a trap. Ugh, I should have used a more powerful Scald on her. You can't send a Quagsire to do a Croconaw's job.
...So Naw is the Croconaw that used the attack that made me lose conscience and not help the soldiers that were still alive... My feelings are getting too mixed. I have to stay careful, but I also want to burn that Croconaw to its death. I feel my hands trembling so I clench my fists even more... Not helping.
I start breathing deeply, to let out the anger, but it turns rather loud. Who cares now! Let them find me! Let me kill them!
"Did you hear that?" Pouru asks Naw again. "Something's over there," he probably shows again and again about five pokemon depart...towards me.
My anger vanishes for a second and only fear remains. I look around, but, of course, can't find a good hiding place. I look up and jump to the branches, towards the treetops, towards the sky.
"It's going up! After it!" I hear Naw's commands.
I break through the branches and the direct sunlight blinds me a little, but it doesn't matter. I hear more breakthroughs as I jump on the treetops. The Fire kingdom is already visible from this height.
I turn my head and see the five persecutors. A Simipour, a Croconaw, a Quagsire (heh, I bet he thinks he can finish the job), a Floatzel and a Marshtomp.
All evolved pokemon... Of course, I wasn't expecting anything less.
I stop and quickly use Sunny Day, to give a boost to my fire type moves. The five stop, thinking I will use an attack and brace themselves, but as Sunny Day doesn't do anything to them, they start moving again.
And now I use my attack - Fire Blast. I take a deep breath, open my mouth and release a daimonji resembling fire blast. It's so big that all of the water types get a taste of my fire. I notice that I managed to put a burn on Quagsire and Floatzel. I smirk. At least I could do some damage.
But they don't seem pleased with my results. Naw jumps to the sky and uses his Scald on me again. Maybe he wants me to burn too. But honestly, I couldn't care less about burning. The attack hit perfectly, because Naw jumped in such an angle that when I raised my head, I was blinded by the intensified sun. I feel I start falling down through the branches... Damn it. That Croconaw is strong.
I feel a pain in my back when I fall to the ground. I open my eyes and notice those water types going down too. Croconaw is right above me, with that smirk that made me sneer. As he releases a water attack, I use my Flamethrower. Sadly, the outcome isn't in my favor.
I'm soaking wet and I can feel my body temperature going down. That makes it rather hard for me to move, but I roll on my belly, get on all fours and stand up.
The water types have surrounded me in a circle, each ready to release their water.
I glare at the ones that are in front of me, especially at the Croconaw. A few of them flinch. My face must be terrifying. Or maybe because of my look, filled with contempt, they feel the hatred I have.
"So you're the leader of that group of feeble soldiers, huh?" Naw asks while smirking. He's enjoying my state.
"I am. I'm Searella," I say, while trying to hold an intimidating voice... But their intimidation starts to kick in on me.
"So, miss Searella, leader of the weakest troops in all of Fire kingdom," Naw starts and I get back my anger. How dare he call them weak. None of them ran away, all fought bravely. Just for that they aren't weak. "Why did you let them all die," he puts salt on my wound... Bastard.
I stay quiet, but I don't lower my head. I look straight at Naw's eyes. There are a few hints of despair in mine, but at least there are a few hints of fear in his.
"Enough chitchatting. Let's end her!" the burned Floatzel suggests to the water types and I glare at him, while taking a big breath, so I could release my fire power immediately if they do try and attack me.
"She's going to attack! Kill her!" the also burned Quagsire sounds too scared to possibly be a brave soldier, but his panicking voice is enough for all of them to use their water attacks on me.
I release my fire, but it gets extinguished before it can reach anyone. Then the pain kicks in. It isn't like anything I've ever felt before. It just seems that someone's ripping my skin off.
With the only things I can feel being my legs and my tail, for the enemies' water got mostly on my upper parts, I jump as high as I can in that position, right over Naw's head. And I start running. Running as fast as I'm able to before I start feeling how I'm loosing control of my body.
"After her!" I hear Naw's voice. Those jerks. 5 vs 1? And especially on a pokemon that has a type disadvantage? Could there be any less honor?
And on my thoughts, I hear Pouru's voice with my big ears.
"Let her be, she won't be able to do anything. She'll have to be healed for such a long time that she'll probably forget everything. And she couldn't have possibly heard anything important because we didn't talk about that stuff after the fire soldiers' killing," he sounds calm, probably to make the others see his point. But why would he do that? Because he thinks we played together when we were kids? What a petty reason.
"Pouru, stop being so softhearted," Naw groans, but according to the stopped movement of those water types, it seems Pouru got through to them.
...Thank you.
After the most painful run in my entire life, I ended up before the gates to the Fire kingdom. I was rushed to the hospital immediately and as Pouru said, it took a very long time for me heal, even the war had ended in the Fire kingdom's victory. But I didn't forget. I'll never forget what happened that day.
The only water type I don't hate is Pouru.
The rest of those killers will suffer my wrath.
End of the Ember pokemon.
Don't know if I'll continue this one. I can try to do it in Simipour. What do you guys and gals think?
Thank you, Airenee, for suggesting an aftermath. I figured that Searella could be a leader of some troops and they would all be killed by water types... that's what happened anyways :D I'm happy that a few words grew into this story.