Hey, everybody! Ta-Ni here, and bringing you the next chapter in Sol's new life. This week, we learn a little bit more about Firedancer.
Shortly after the encounter with the Salamence, Nana started training me. I was now twice as large as I was when she first met me, and my inner flame was now strong enough to actually use in battle. It was only a small Ember attack, but it still was pretty cool. I also learned a few Normal attacks, like Tackle and Growl, and I surprised Nana with Faint Attack, which she said is an 'egg move', whatever that means.
Training quickly became routine, between meals and exploring the area around the den. Nana kept her eyes on me whenever she was around, but sometimes she had to leave to hunt for us; I wasn't quite big enough to hunt on my own. I mean, I could stalk Rattatas and Pichus, but they often evaded me.
Anyway, the seasons passed, and my seventh hatch-day drew near. One evening, during the cold season, I woke from a frightening dream where something large chased me and threw round objects at me. It reminded me of what Nana told me about the two-legs known as 'trainers'. As she calmed my trembling body with her tongue, my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, "Nana? How do you know so much about trainers?"
She paused, shocked by my question, and I looked up to see her muzzle turned down in a frown. "Why do you ask, little one?" she asked. I shrugged and replied, "I'm curious, that's all." "You know the phrase, 'Curiosity killed the fox', right? It's dangerous to let your curiosity get the better of you," she teased. I hung my head in shame for a moment, before realizing she was joking. "However, in this case, I'll tell you. It will be a good learning experience," she said. I sat down, staring up at her in rapt attention. "The reason I know about trainers and trained Pokémon is… I used to be a trained Pokémon."
My jaw dropped; given how vehement she is about trainers and their Pokémon, I figured she had always been wild. "It's true, though I hate to admit it," she said. "However, I was taken from my family against my will, caught as a young pup by a two-legs barely old enough to own Pokémon. Still, I grew to like my trainer, since he promised he would never force me to evolve against my will, and treated me quite well."
"However, things began to change as he grew up. He started collecting badges, and training his other Pokémon and me harder and harder. His attitude grew cold and even cruel. Still, I stayed by his side, because my species are very loyal to our humans. I endured every kick and harsh word, praying my trainer of old would return."
"Then, the unthinkable happened. He called me from my Pokéball, and said, 'You can't get any stronger as a Growlithe, so I got you a Fire Stone to evolve.' I backed away, shaking my head; I didn't want to evolve. But he ignored me; he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and pressed the Fire Stone to my fur. As I felt my body changing, great power surged within me; my Ember growing much larger than before."
"However, a single thought kept circling in my head: He broke his promise. He swore he wouldn't evolve me without my permission. He broke his word. That was the final straw; on top of all the abuse I had endured up to that point, this was the worst. Intense anger surged along with my power, and a deep growl rumbled in my throat. As he raised my ball to recall me, blue-white flame sparked in my mouth, causing him to hesitate, and that's all the chance I needed."
Nana looked down, a pained look in her eyes. "I burned him, Sol," she said in a tight voice. "No, I incinerated him. My fire was so hot, he was ashes in mere minutes. My Pokéball melted in his hand, along with all the others on his belt. I sometimes wonder what the others felt as they died within their Pokéballs; were they in pain, or blissfully unaware?" She shook her head. "Regardless, he was dead, and I was free. As I looked at the remains of my Pokéball, I swore I would NEVER be captured again, nor let those I love be caught."
She turned to me, a strong look in her eyes. "I was chased by the two-legs authorities, since they deemed me a 'threat to society', but I avoided them. Along the way, I met the Ninetales who found you, who helped me escape and return to the wild. In turn, I promised that if she ever needed anything, I would help her out. And that's why she came to me first when she found you. Which, by the way, was the best thing that's ever happened to me."
As she finished, I took in everything she told me, marveling at how much she went through. She was unevolved, like me, and yet was treated so poorly. I vowed to myself I wouldn't let myself be caught, if I could help it, and if I was I would try my hardest to escape. Standing up, I snuggled up to Nana and said, "I'm sorry to bring back such bad memories." She gave me a sad smile and replied, "No, you might as well know; otherwise, you'll never learn. Now, it's late, so let's go back to sleep." I nodded, yawning, and we settled back down to sleep.
And there you have it: the reason Firedancer knows of trainers, and loathes them at the same time. Anyway, will Sol follow in his Nana's footsteps, hating all mankind; or will fate have other things in store? Stay tuned for next week!
Read, review, and may your Ember never fade.
