I hated to admit that I was lost at any given point. Being the kind of person to often know where they're going, and having a good internal compass, we were lost. I had started keeping either Oasis and Rexy in their Pokeballs, given their large size, they took up a lot of the path and roads of most routes and cities. Obviously I let them out at night and every time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now it was just Ruby, Snowy, and Volpsei walking with me.

We all sat down, back to back, well three of the four of us did. Volpsei laid down and started chewing on a stick he found, "well guys, I guess we're lost in a forest, and it;s getting late," I pulled out two Pokeballs, and let out Oasis and Rexy. the former wrapped herself around me, and licked my face. The latter sat down, and started relaxing against a tree.

This place felt way too familiar, the river flowing reminded me of when I had practically been chased away from my family. Surprisingly, the smell of the Lycanroc who had found me was still remnant that meant my home was to the west of where we all were! I got up and started trotting in the direction of my long, lost pack, "hey guys, stay here," said Davaid, he was going to be following me.

"Snowy, you're in charge, in my bag there should be food you guys can eat without much of a hassle," I instructed. I hugged her, "be safe okay Davaid?" she sounded like a mother, "I'll be fine," I ran off after Ruby. For some odd reason she had stopped and started sniffing the air. Out of the bushes jumped another Houndoom, it pounced at Ruby! I ran into try to get it off of her, except the Houndoom had stopped growling.

Even though Davaid had told me to stay put, I followed him anyways, where Ruby was leading him, he'd probably need a translator. Volpsei was too busy with his new stick to pay much of a mind. So i left Oasis in charge, and took off after him.

I stared into this Houndoom's eyes, he was growling up a storm, "what are you doing in our territory?" it asked. His eyes felt very familiar… they were almost like my brother's eyes, that I had stared into many times before I had to leave, "brother?" I asked, "impossible! My sister was forced to leave nearly two years ago!" he stared deeper into my eyes, studying them... His eyes widened in realization, "Sister!" he got off of me, and we playfully started circling each other. Our excitement eventually died down, "sister, why do you have a collar around your neck?"

It almost felt like I could understand every word taid, "sister!" I looked behind me, and there Snowy was, "did you translate all of that for me?" she nodded, "be quiet, we don't want to ruin Ruby's moment."

"Did a human capture you? If he did, now is your time to run away from it!" I nodded, "a human did indeed capture me, but it was on my terms, and I wouldn't leave him. He's my best friend," my brother looked shocked at the words coming out of my mouth. I turned around and barked, I knew Davaid, and probably Snowy, were watching. Both of them stepped out from behind the tree, "hey…" he waved.

I honestly was surprised at how much larger Ruby's brother was in comparison to her. Ruby was already pretty large for a female Houndoom, but she was dwarfed by him. He expectedly started growling at the sight of me, Snowy sat on her haunches, and Ruby stood in front of us before a fight broke out. She barked something at him, I suddenly had an idea, I pulled out a packet of jerky, "hey buddy, want a bite?"

I kept watch just in case Ruby's sibling tried anything, while he was big, size didn't equal strength. I have been through enough battles throughout my time to know that. He slowly approached, and took the jerky out of my trainer's hand, and wolfed it down. Davaid then handed me and Ruby a piece of jerky, before putting it back in his pocket,

I grinned at my brother's reaction, he probably had only seen the bad side of humans, so this was probably the first time a human was being nice to him. His tail starts wagging after he bit down on the piece of jerky. While he ate, Davaid patted his head, "I like this human already," Davaid sat down, and I laid in his lap, "so, where's Mom, Damian, and sister?" I asked, "they're doing just fine, Mom and Damian, or rather, Mom and Dad are taking care of eachother, and Sister is currently trying to find a mate," he explained.

"If you want, I can try and bring them here," he said, "that would be nice, thank you," he ran off to get my family, "that went well," said Davaid, he wrapped his arms around me. He could tell I was enjoying myself now that I've met my brother after so long. He just kept petting me, remaining silent, "he thinks you might want to stay with your family y'know," said Snowy, who had sat down next to me, "is he crazy? I'd love to stay with my family, but my old alpha hates runts like me! Even if he didn't, I'm not leaving Davaid until the day I die."

Snowy translated Ruby's speech, I was speechless, even if she had the chance to, she would rather stay with some kid she met a few weeks ago! That only made me love her more than I already did, I almost started crying. I couldn't imagine being forced to leave my family without it being my choice if I could come back or not. I did my best not to cry in this moment, Ruby's head jerked at the sound of rustling bushes.

"Dear, is that really you?" it was Mom! I remained in Davaid's arms, "yes mom, it's me," she ran over to greet me. Davaid let go of me so I could properly greet my mother. Not long after I was smothered by my little sister and Dad. not once have I ever been happier in my life! "You've grown so much dear," Mom released me and walked in front of Davaid, "so this is your trainer?" I nodded. She licked his face, "thank you for taking care of my daughter!"

I just remained still and smiled, I was surprised that Ruby's family was already accustomed to me. I took out the packet of jerky and handed each of her family members, except her brother, a piece. I relaxed against Snowy, "you've been quiet the whole time since you've met Ruby's sibling," said Snowy, "I know, I know. As you told me, let Ruby enjoy the moment," in the distance I could hear yelling. It sounded like poachers, "I heard Houndoom over here!" that made me get up. Ruby and her family got scared at the sound hunters, "Snowy, let's go greet these guys, hey Ruby, I want you and your family to hide in the bushes."

Not long after my family and I hid, some hunters came into view, "it was just some dumb kid," I wanted to jump at him for insulting Davaid, but my trainer didn;t seem budged at all, "if you guys are looking for a pack of Houndoom, I suggest you leave." he kept his hands in his pockets, Snowy satelegantly beside him, "how about you give me that Ninetales then, how much for it?"

I started rubbing my chin, acting ike I'd actually make a deal with this guy, "how about over my dead body?" like hell I'd give up my best friend for money, "now I recommend getting your dumbass outta here, messing with a pack of Houndoom's not a good idea," the hunter smirked, "and if I don't?" he was cocky, "I'll just have to kick your ass then," the hunter whipped out a Pokeball and threw it.

He sent out a Tyranitar… is he not aware of what an Alolan Ninetales is? I figured people like this would study Pokemon that were valuable, "well Snowy, I think we know what happens next," she nodded, immediately hitting it with a Moonblast, knocking it out, "how the hell did it do that? What do you feed that thing?"

I was always jealous of just how strong Snowy is, but it was pretty funny seeing how people react to her ridiculous strength. Davaid shrugged, "I dunno, Nineetales are amazing huh?" he knelt down and patted her head, "now get outta here or imma press charges against you for poaching," he turned tail and ran for his life. I started petting Snowy on the head, "nice going girl!" she barked, "you guys can come out now!"

Me and my family stepped out of the bushes, their eyes were wide and awake after seeing my friend's display of strength. Davaid put his hands on his hips,"well Ruby tell me exactly why you were kicked out of your pack?" I told Snowy, who transalted it for him once more, "well, let's give this alpha a taste of runts can do!" H picked me up, and in the direction my family came from.

We made it out into a clearing, Snowy and I were shocked, "you lived here girl?" I asked, this was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in my life!

"Your trainer's crazy," said my mother, after I was set on the ground, I shrugged, "sometimes he is, but he's got a heart of gold. I howled my challenge to the valley. Not long after a Houndoom paced his way towards us, "oh? A trainer's slave is trying to take over the pack now?" He chuckled, "looks like this fight will be an easy one."

I vowed not to use Mega Evolution unless it was required. I knew Ruby was strong without it, all it did was help her keep pace with Snowy. She took a step forward, looking more confident than she ever was before this moment! Almost immediately stepped forward, a Flamethrower was sent her way.

I side stepped the Alpha's attack, I looked towards Davaid, giving him the okay to call the shots, "alright, let's use Howl!" He was going for a more physical approach in this battle, and I liked it after I had used the move, I felt my muscles grow a bit, "now, let's use Take Down!" My speed picked up, and I charged at the Alpha, "looks like the runt thinks she's tough," he just stood there. He thought he could take a hit, he was a cocky son of a bitch. That was his downfall, I made a direct hit and knocked him out immediately!

His unconscious body fell to the ground, Davaid pumped his arms iin the air, "woo!" He started howling like he was a Houndoom himself in joy for my victory. No, this wasn't just a victory, I proved the Alpha wrong, I made a statement. My tail wagged like crazy, my family, Davaid, and Snowy ran in and smothered me. I hve never felt better in my life!

The sun was finally starting to set, the Alpha was moved to a medical dn, and my brother sat down next to me, "so, how would you like to stay in the pack as Alpha now? You pretty much have full right to now," I shook my head, I nudged Davaid, who was sleeping on my shoulder, "I'm not leaving my best friend if it killed me," he nodded, "does he take good care of you?' I nodded, "we take care of eachother.

I stared at my older sister, she was genuinely happy to be with this human, "in fact, with my short time as Alpha, I give my position to you," I was taken back at first. But she did have full right to do that now, "take care of Mom, Dad, and Sister for me," said said, laying her head on my shoulder. I odded, "I won't let you down sis!" I knew what my first action would be.

I smiled after she laid her head on her trainer's shoulder. I knew she would be well taken care of by this human. I lciked her sleeping head while the Ninetales rolled her eyes, "great, now I have to carry them back!" Her tone gave away that she wasn't serious. A glow engulfed Ruby and her trainer, and were carried off by the unknown force, "take care of them for me, okay?" She nodded, I waved my tail at them as she, her trainer, and my sister started to disappear into the forest.

I edited the chapter a bit to mae it a little bit better and a more satisfying ending to it. Thank you all for reading, and I'll see you next time.