Hello again! Sorry for the wait! I had a little bit of writer's block to tell ya the truth... Didn't have as many inspiring reviews :( Anyway, thank you to those who have given me reviews and even though this is a shorter chapter I still hope y'all like it! Enjoy!
Chapter Six
"Vera! NOO!" A thunderous roar echoed from all around, making the very earth beneath her feet tremble. Its source came from a troubled Raiden who had just made it back to see the Ninetales get thrown into a tree by a powerful BubbleBeam attack. He heard the female howl and immediately began sprinting back to her. Rage and horror pulsed through him at the sight of the beautiful fox beaten and bleeding.
The fire fox slumped to the ground. She tried to stand back up. Her legs shook violently, but she did manage to get to her paws. Vera turned her eyes to his as Raiden raced to come to her aide. The crimson orbs looked mournfully at him—she knew what came next and swiveled her gaze to the trainer once more.
"Pokéball go!" The boy shouted, tossing the red and white ball at her. To his shock the ball didn't hit the weakened Ninetales. A flash of orange took the hit. Vera gasped. 'Rai!?'
The Arcanine had leapt through the air and landed in front of her, sacrificing himself so that she wouldn't be caught. The Pokéball smacked him on the forehead, sucking him into the container with a red flash. It plunked to the ground and shook one time before flashing red once more, and the massive Pokémon appeared in front of her again.
"You may NOT have her! She is mine!" He bellowed at the human and Squirtle, flames engulfing his form. The pair stared wide-eyed at Raiden. He looked like a hellhound coming for their hides. His eyes even glowed red.
With another roar he slammed into the turtle Pokémon, sending it soaring into the distance until it disappeared. The fire type turned his attention to the trainer. He snarled, flashing his sharp canines at the sniveling boy who in turn squealed like a child and ran into the forest like the coward he truly was. Raiden started after him, blinded by his rage, until he heard the gentle call from behind him.
"Rai…" Vera's faint voice reached his ears. Instantly the beast turned. His anger faded and turned into worry when he saw the condition she was in.
While he had been dealing with the pesky duo, the Ninetales' energy diminished. She wilted, falling to the forest floor once again; not able to move even a tail. Her wounds oozed blood. The liquid stained her cream-colored fur in spots. A deep, ugly gash adorned her hind leg where the Squirtle bit her. Raiden could see the bone.
"I'm not…looking…so great I…bet." She chuckled breathily. It quickly turned into a wince as the movement awakened the pain in her shoulder where she hit the tree. The fox coughed and blood dripped down her jaw. The Arcanine began to panic.
"You're going to be fine. I'm here now." Vera smiled weakly at him. The male seemed like he was trying to convince himself more than her. He began cleaning her various wounds with his tongue. "We'll get you all fixed up and t-then go find your brother!" His voice cracked as tears welled up in his eyes. She didn't look good at all.
"Raiden…" Vera murmured. She strained to lift her head off the ground to lick the male's nose. "I believe in you." Her head sunk back to the ground with a 'thump' as she blacked out.
The Arcanine grabbed her by the scruff and tossed her onto his broad back. The Ninetales neck draped his and her legs splayed on either side of his body. He raced down the path that wound on for miles in mere minutes, making sure all the while that Vera was still breathing. When he reached the nearest town, Rai dashed to the Pokémon Center. He raced through the automatic doors and barked commandingly to get the nurse Joy's attention.
The pink-haired woman gasped and shouted a quick word to her Chansey before gently lifting the Ninetales into her arms and rushing to the operating room. The large, normal type scurried after her.
Pacing in front of the door for what seemed like hours, Raiden's ears perked up when the nurse came out. She looked weary. Sweat glistened on her brow from concentration.
"She will be alright." The woman nodded to the dog-like Pokémon to go on in. His body relaxed and he trailed the Chansey as it showed him back into a small room. Vera was on the dog bed with an IV in a forepaw. Her hind leg was wrapped tightly in a bandage. A machine beeped loudly in the one corner, monitoring her heart rate.
"Thank you." Raiden dismissed the pink creature. He padded up to the Ninetales, curling up beside her so that his back touched hers.
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The next morning, Vera regained consciousness. She gasped and shot up out of her bed. An erratic beeping noise rang obnoxiously loud as she jolted awake. The Ninetales had been having a nightmare.
"Vera?!" A relieved cry made her turn. Her eyes widened. All of what happened came rushing back to her. With a yip of joy, Raiden smothered her with kisses. "Thank—goodness—you're—okay!" He rumbled in between licks all over her face. Vera blushed deeply, trying to push the heavy-weight off.
"Rai!" She giggled, swiping at his nose. "Geez alright already!" Her balance was off and she toppled over into the dog bed once more. The Ninetales yelped in surprise. Raiden bore down on her, giving her a stern look.
"Don't EVER scare me like that again!" He ordered, trailing his eyes over her narrow face. He had been so afraid…
Vera raised her muzzle, licking him gently on the cheek. She could see the shadow of terror still in his gaze and wanted to erase the feeling from him. Raiden's amber eyes widened. His expression relaxed and he buried his face into her neck.
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A few days later, Nurse Joy released Vera from her care. She waved at the odd couple as they left her Pokémon Center and shouted for them to take care.
The vixen's hind leg would never be the same again—some of the muscles had been permanently damaged. So now she had a signature limp to her walk. Her movements were still stiff, but she could move easily enough. A long, pink scar ran down the either side of her hind leg. She would have a constant reminder of what happened and how Raiden had saved her life once more.
Waddling at his flank, the fire fox's mind focused on where they were heading now. Her brother's home was not far from the town they were in. It resided right on the outskirts. 'My main problem is trying to figure out just how am I going to give Grayson the news when I can't talk to him?'
"Do you need to take a break?" Raiden asked her, seeing that she had slowed. He gazed at her leg worriedly. "I could carry you if you'd want?" His brow rose when she shook her head.
"No, I'm okay!" Vera chirped. She didn't want to be more of a burden than what she already was. Truth be told, her leg really was beginning to bother her. Plastering a smile on her countenance, the Ninetales hobbled after him.
Raiden narrowed his eyes, staring at her for a few seconds. The fox found herself being slung onto his back a second later. Her protests fell on deaf ears.
"Put me down ya fur ball!" She whined, struggling to slip off the Arcanine's broad shoulders. His answering growl made her freeze. Her attempts ceased, but she grumbled a few more insults before enjoying the ride.
A/N: Read and Review! (The more reviews you post probably means the quicker I'll write chapters! You're reviews work wonders for authors like me!)
