A Mightyena Named Wolf
I do not own Pokémon.
This chapter has been edited in 2009.
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Chapter 5 ~ Past's Second Blast
"I'm home!" a voice came from downstairs.
"Hey, it's dad! I didn't hear him coming back…"
Will ran out with Wolf at his heels. At the mansion's entrance stood a tall man in a regal business suit. He seems to be emitting an aura of refinement; Wolf thought that the man was very impressive indeed. He was clearly someone to be respected.
Will got to his father first while Wolf lingered behind, hiding behind a wall to observe the man.
"Dad! I got a new Pokémon today!"
"Oh really? Well done, son. What is it?" Will's father glanced around the room, trying to find the Pokémon.
"A Mightyena. He can tal-"
"Ena!" Wolf interrupted Will, coming out from behind the wall. The Mightyena shook his head. Will's father stared amusedly at the pair.
"Oh, uh, I mean, he's great!" Will finished.
"Oh, a Mightyena?" Will's father said, eyeing the Pokémon. "That's funny, someone I know who recently captured a Mightyena is coming for a visit today." He did not look happy.
Will's father bent down and patted Wolf.
"You take care of Will, OK? He always gets into trouble."
Will laughed as Wolf let out a bark.
"Well, I'll be going off to my room now, Dad."
"All right. I'll be waiting downstairs for that friend of mine."
Will reentered the room with Wolf following closely at his heels. Wolf jumped up to Will's bed while Will closed the door.
After making sure his dad was not nearby enough to hear them, Will turned to Wolf. "So… you don't want anyone to know that you can talk?"
Wolf nodded. "Nope. Not a soul."
"Why?"
"I'm a Pokémon. I'm not supposed to talk."
"Are you sure? I thought that was what makes you unique. It's who you are, after all."
"Yes, Mr. Cliché. Thanks for giving me some cheesy information," Wolf joked.
"Wow, big words there," Will commented. Then he remembered a question he thought of earlier, but forgotten to ask. "How did you know how to speak anyway?"
"Well… when I was a small Poochyena, I liked to visit Rustboro City without my parents' permission. I used to hang around outside a kindergarten near the forest. I watched the teacher through the window, teaching her class. I learnt from there too. In other words, the teacher was teaching an extra student – one which did not pay the school fees. I still remember her name, Mrs. Marley. But that was only kindergarten. During the afternoon, the teacher teaches higher students. I was still there, learning," Wolf recalled.
"Mrs. Marley… that's the name of my teacher!"
"Really?" Wolf asked, blinking in surprise. "I probably went to the same school as you then."
"But didn't anyone see you?"
"I was pretty well-hidden most of the time, and there were close shaves, but only once did someone spot me. It was a boy. During break, he came and discovered me in the bushes."
"B-bushes…? Well, that's a nice coincidence. I remembered I found a Poochyena once too… in a bush… during break…"
"And I sniffed at his package of food…" Wolf continued the story.
"… which contained some sandwiches. And I gave it to the Poochyena…" Will continued Wolf's sentence, becoming more and more amazed at the same time.
"…who ate them all," Wolf concluded. He stared at Will with a bewildered expression. "You're that boy?" Wolf asked incredulously.
"And you're that Poochyena…" Will said in wonder.
"That's weird. We met before we even met," Wolf commented.
Will smiled. "I guess we're destined to be with each other then."
"You and your clichéd words again. I was a young Poochyena back then… young and foolish. If I'd known what humans could do I wouldn't have stayed in the city so much. I would have stayed far away from the humans."
"Why? What did humans do?" Will asked.
"Killed my dad as well as caught my mom and my alpha," Wolf said nonchalantly.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Will said, a bit surprised at how casual Wolf sounded when he said that.
"Don't be. It can't be helped. Actually, yes, it could, but only if I were stronger…" Wolf said. Despite Wolf's indifferent tone, Will detected traces of bitterness in the Pokémon's voice.
"Cheer up. I'm sure you tried your best."
"I didn't try at all, and that's the problem… because of that, my life now is basically meaningless. Nothing matters to me anymore. That is partially why I let you capture me."
"Oh, don't say that," Will hurriedly interject. "Look, you and I can go and capture the gym badges, OK? You'll be famous!" Will suggested.
Wolf scoffed.
"Hah! Gym badges is all humans care about." The Mightyena jumped from the bed to the floor and laid there, his eyes closed. "Humans, they rely on Pokémon. The Pokémon helped humans and what do they get in return? Nothing," Wolf said angrily. "It is, alas, our fate."
Wolf looked at Will, who was looking at his own feet.
"I'm not talking about you, you did save me after all, but I only wish… that I was strong enough to survive without any human help."
Will stared at Wolf blankly, his mind reeling. He was shocked to find out that Wolf could talk, but was saddened to hear the Pokémon's tale. Wolf seemed to resent humans…
Still, Wolf willingly became his Pokémon, didn't he?
But only because he did not have a choice… and as he said, nothing mattered to him anymore.
Will sighed. Perhaps he should just try and change Wolf's point of view. Maybe, after some time together, Wolf will forget all his bitterness and become happy…
Just then, both of them heard some loud noises coming from downstairs.
"What's that noise?" Will asked, his hand reaching out for the doorknob. He was about to head out to investigate when Wolf replied.
"Two people arguing," Wolf said without opening his eyes. He was still lying down on the floor.
Will turned to look at the Mightyena. "You can tell?"
"I am proud to say that at least my senses are sharper than any humans."
The commotion got louder.
"I'm checking it out," Will opened the door and ran out. Wolf got up and thought for a moment, then followed.
Downstairs, a medium-sized man wearing a black suit was arguing with Will's dad.
"But you said we would be partners!" the man was yelling. His face was bright red; his anger apparent.
"Please, Roland, calm down. I know I said that, but under these circumstances… what with all these rumours flying about… it wouldn't be good for my company, you know?" Will's dad said, both his hands held up as though trying to calm the visitor down.
"Pah!" Roland snorted. "Rumours are rumours!"
"OK then. The Roland I know would not lie. So tell me, Roland. Dare you deny these rumours?" Will's dad challenged.
"I… well… they are… sort of true. But you see, don't you? This is the chance to squash these rumours! I can turn over a new leaf! Only if you let me be partners with you, Ed."
"I'm sorry, but your deeds are too… devious, to be forgivable. You can't just be my partner and expect the whole thing to be forgotten, can you?" Ed Bronx said.
"Fine. Fine," Roland repeated and made furious hand movements as he paced around the room. He seemed really frustrated.
Wolf and Will peeked from the stairs.
"Fine! That's how you want to play this game… mark my words, Ed. Mark my words. One wrong move, and it's checkmate. Checkmate, Ed. And then it would be too late. I shall ask you one more time, one more chance to reconsider your wrong move. Ed… do you want to be partner?" Roland stared at Ed's face.
"No," Ed Bronx was stern this time.
"Very well. I take my leave." At that moment, Roland turned his head towards the stairs. Will's eyes and Roland's came into contact with each other. Wolf couldn't help but hate the small smile that seemed to have formed on the man's mouth… the very familiar man's mouth…
Ed Bronx, too, seemed to have shared Wolf's feelings.
"He your son, Ed?" Roland asked.
Ed frowned. "Yes. Name's Will."
"Well, Will, I'm sorry that I can't stay and chat with you, but I'm sure we'll meet again… somehow… somewhere…"
And with that, Roland left.
"Dad… is everything alright?" Will asked, climbing down the stairs quickly.
"Yeah… yeah, I hope so. Look, Will, be careful of that man. I'm afraid he might do something stupid. Mightyena… you protect Will, OK? I'm heading to the next filming location at the Kanto region… that's quite far," Will's dad said.
Wolf barked.
"Good boy." Ed stroked the top of Wolf's head. "Well, Will, I'm off. Do take care, and say hi to mom for me."
Once Will's father had left the house, Wolf began to talk.
"Will… that man…"
"You mean that Roland? Creepy guy isn't he?"
"Yes, but he… he…" Wolf began growling. Memories from the past were, once again, resurfacing in his mind.
It was only some time ago. The Alpha stood in front of his pack, addressing the group. "(Pack! Be careful! This man might be more dangerous than you think!)"
A fierce-looking Mightyena was the first to reply. "(No worries, leader. We can easily take him down!)"
"(Underestimating the enemy isn't a good move…)" a smaller Mightyena said timidly. It was Wolf.
"(Oh shut up you Omega!)" another Mightyena yelled.
"(I said don't call him that!)" the Alpha yelled again.
"(Alpha, you saved that runt when he was a wee Poochyena and what has he done for us?)" the Beta questioned. "(I speak in behalf of all of us when I say that we feel you're losing your touch…)"
"Go… Blazikens!" the man interrupted with a yell. He reached out into his belt.
"(Half-fighting and half-fire type… be careful gang, this isn't going to be easy,)" the Alpha said.
"(No worries, Alpha! We outnumber the enemy, one Blaziken ain't gonna do…)
Swiftly, the man threw four Pokéballs onto the ground. Each one of them released a bright red light, and four Blazikens soon appeared, glaring at the pack. Flames were bursting menacingly from their wrists, making them look incredibly intimidating.
"(F-four Blazikens, I think you meant…)" the Alpha commented. "(Pack, I think it's better to retreat. . .)"
"(No way! Leader, we must fight!)"
It was a disaster. The Mightyenas outnumbered the Blazikens, but the Blazikens were more powerful. It did not help that the Blazikens were Fighting type, and the Dark Mightyenas were at a disadvantage. Flames were strewn everywhere as the Blazikens attacked without mercy.
"(Guys! It's not working! Retreat now!)" the Alpha yelled.
"(Right!)"
The Mightyenas retreated one by one. All but Wolf and the Alpha remained. All of the Blazikens turned to look at the Alpha. It seems that they are playing by the rule of 'capture the leader', as the others will go running if they succeed in doing so. Wolf began to attack a Blaziken, but was thrown back with a swift kick to his abdomen.
"(Hey! Leave this to me! You retreat now!)" the Alpha commanded.
"(No! You must leave too or you'll be captured!)"
"(I'm the Alpha here! Now, don't forget young one. I picked you up from the forest when your parents were captured or killed. You owe me. And now, you repay the favour… by following my orders! Get out of here!)"
The Blazikens have stopped fighting momentarily to watch the scene.
"(No… Alpha… I can't…)"
"(Then take this!)" the Alpha lodged a Shadow Ball at the Mightyena, making Wolf yelp and run away.
He stole one last glance back though. He looked at the Alpha who got hit with a punch. He looked at the man's face. The man who has brought this upon the pack. The face was embedded into the Mightyena's mind, and he swore to get revenge.
Wolf did not walk far before he bumped into the rest of the pack, which were all gathered round in a clearing. Upon seeing Wolf, the Beta stepped forward.
"(Where's the Alpha?)"
"(He… he stayed back so we can escape… so I can escape…)"
"(And so, he got captured?)" the Beta asked.
"(Most probably.)"
"(And you. What did you do?)"
"(I tried to make him run with me… but he… he Shadow Balled me…)"
The Beta's lips curved into a snide smile. "(That proves it then.)"
Wolf blinked confusedly. "(Prove… what?)"
"(Even the Alpha is pissed at you.)"
"(No way! He only attacked me for my own good…)" the Mightyena said.
"(But still, he saved you. Where would you be if he did not come pick you up on that day? You wouldn't be here, I can tell you that. Heck, you wouldn't even be a Mightyena. You would remain forever as that measly Poochyena that you once was. The measly Poochyena that you know you still are. And after all the Alpha has done for you, you go and leave him be. He got his just desserts for picking you up, and you're about to get yours for taking him up on his offer,)" the Beta said.
"(W-wait… you're not the Alpha, you can't…)" Wolf began, panicking.
"(The Alpha is no more!)" the Beta yelled, and they were murmurs of agreement from the other Mightyenas. "(He's an idiot! We would have kicked him out anyway… but now, the old Beta will be the new Alpha, and I guarantee you that this Alpha will be a hell lot better… all in favour of kicking this mutt out!?)"
All the other Mightyenas cheered.
Wolf backed away slightly, his eyes looking around wildly at his pack mates. "(No… wait… you can't…)"
"(Game… over… runt!!!)"
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"Him… my alpha… he caught my Alpha…" Wolf said softly. "That Roland fellow…"
"Hmm… my dad did mention something of the sort…" Will said, scratching his head as he tried to recall what his father had said. "He said that a friend of his who just caught a Mightyena is coming over. You might be right."
"I know I'm right," Wolf said persistently, shaking his head.
"But there's nothing you can do now…"
Wolf gave a whine. "I wish I could. I only wish I could."
Just then, the front door opened and Will's mother came in. Dressed in an elegant dress and a rather extravagant, oversized hat, Wolf thought that Will's mother showed every sign of being a rich lady. Yet, there was an air of composure and warmth around her.
She gasped when she saw Wolf.
"Will! What is this stray dog doing here?" she asked, pointing at Wolf.
The Mightyena gave an indignant bark.
Will laughed. "Mom, he's no stray dog, he's my first Pokémon ever!"
"Oh, you finally caught a Pokémon? Good job!" Will's mother scratched Wolf.
"A Mightyena… I wonder if it will be friends with my Espeon?" Will's mother pulled out a Pokéball and summoned Espeon, the purple cat-like psychic Pokémon. The Espeon stared at Wolf as soon as it popped out of the Pokéball.
"Mom, you kept Espeon in her Pokéball?" Will asked, surprised. His mother usually kept Espeon out of her Pokéball's confinements.
"Well, I thought it was going to rain," the woman said defensively. "Clearly I was wrong."
Wolf walked cautiously towards the Espeon and sniffed.
"(You're practically odourless,)" Wolf informed the Espeon.
"(…)"
"(Hello?)"
"(…)"
"(Cat got your tongue?)" Wolf said, chuckling.
"(You're just another Mightyena,)" the Espeon commented.
"(Hah! And you're just another Espeon!)"
"(I am a Psychic Pokemon.)"
"(Oh yeah? I am a Dark type, and Dark is greater than Psychic!)" Wolf pointed out.
"(But I have more experience than you! And besides… I have honed my Psychic skill for years. I daresay my powers are superior to many others. In fact, I have a special skill that not many possess,)" the Espeon said proudly, her tail hanging high.
"(Oh yeah? What's that? The skill to talk garbage?)"
"(How rude. I can control your dreams. That's my skill.)"
"(Control… my dreams…?)" Wolf was curious.
"(I can put you in anywhere, anytime, as long as it has happeend. You can witness any scene in this world. It's like predicting the future… only you're predicting the past,)" the Espeon said.
Wolf was confused. "(Can you say it in proper Pokémon language?)"
"(I am talking in normal Pokemon language, you twit! Can't you understand simple speech? I can let you see events that have happened in your dreams! It's like a crystal ball, only much better.)"
"(Why didn't you say so?)" Wolf said excitedly. "(Can you let me see my mother?)"
"(Your mother? The time? The place?)"
"(Time? Um… anytime is fine. Yesterday is OK I guess. Place… that's what I am trying to find out too.)"
"(Well… without knowing the place, it might be harder. Still, it's not impossible. You'll see then, tonight, in your dreams,)" the Espeon said.
"(You don't have to wait long. I'm beat. I'm going to sleep now,)" Wolf said.
Deep inside though, Wolf was just eager to see his mother once more.