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Chapter 2: Regret

It was years after Flare became an Arcanine. Even after a decade, he still felt torn apart from what he had done to Glare. At the time, he hadn't realized that what he did was even crueler than what Glare had done to him. Had he thought it over at the time, he would have handled the situation differently. Because of his mistake, he was plagued by the horrible memories.

He wished to apologize to his brother, but Glare was exiled from the main part of the pack. He had been sent to the edge of their territory to act as a guard against rival packs. In their pack, a guard was not to be interrupted due to how dangerous an intruder could be.

When Flare was finally allowed to leave his post as a Growlithe watcher/trainer, he tried to visit his brother. Unfortunately, there was a sudden attack from the Northern Mightyena pack. The other guard who was also at the northern gate got ripped into bits by the powerful jaws of the Mightyenas. Glare, being an experienced fighter, took down six without breaking a sweat. When the leader of the invasion got him from behind with a Shadow Ball, he was overwhelmed by the remaining nine attackers.

Flare was the first one to find Glare, with two Mightyena who hovered over his limp body like vultures. Enraged, he burned both of them with Fire Blast. Charred, they fell down in pain. He made sure they wouldn't get up again.

After disposing of those two, he went over to his brother. "My brother, why do you have to die?"

Glare's eyes opened slightly. "Do not mourn for me, Flare. I deserve a fate worse than this. To die in battle for our pack, is an honor I do not deserve. After all I've done to you…I just hope you can forgive me."

"Do not say that, brother! I never asked for an apology; I tried to solve my problems by hurting you. If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have been put as a guard…"

"Quiet!" Glare roared at his brother.

His brother stopped his apology. He let Glare speak. "Do you really think I'd want you to be here instead of me? I do not care what you did to me; I understand what you did to me was out of all the hatred I threw at your direction. I wronged you in so many ways. I should have been a good brother and never showed or have any resentment. With all the time I've had to think, I understand what you did. It may have been wrong, but I do not care; I have forgiven you. Hopefully you can do the same for me…and for yourself."

Flare moaned. "I forgave you a long time ago; however, how can I forgive myself? I deserve death!"

His brother shook his head. "Without forgiving yourself, you will not be able to live with who you are. If you want to live, then move on. I don't care what you do; just do what you want with all your being. I want you to live."

His voice cracked. Death was approaching him. "I must leave you brother, but before I do I want to tell you something. I love you, Flare, my only brother. Never forget that…" Glare's head fell for the last time.

Flare's Roar broke the silence. He let out all his feelings. With his brother dead, he had no family. The pack was his only home, but he had no reason to stay. Everyone had approved of what he did to Glare. They hadn't considered it a sin to destroy another brother's life. He needed to leave.

When a sentry Arcanine arrived to find out what happened, Flare reported to him the whole incident. He told him about the attack, about the other guard, and about Glare. Having known Glare after he was made a guard, the sentry howled in grief for the strong Arcanine. He was the only other who would mourn the death of Glare.

After he left the pack, he was labeled a traitor. He had attempted to give Glare a funeral, which was declined by the whole council of Elders. Horrified by their apathy, he demanded permission to leave the pack. When he was of course denied permission he left at his own free will, bound by regret.

Not wanting to lose such a strong and capable Arcanine, they sent a small group of ten to stop his departure. They stood firmly at the southern gate. Each had a snarl that would scare away a weak Arcanine. Flare was unfazed.

One of them spoke to Flare. "You shall not pass, traitor."

Flare broke into laughter. "Do you think you can tell me what to do? I can take you all down and kill you all with ease." Flare was bluffing, in order to scare them.

They took his bait, being aware of his incoming Trial of Leadership. They all thought he was some powerful warrior who could stop anyone. Obviously, rumors went astray in a pack.

The weakest of the group spoke with fear in his voice. "If you don't stop…we'll have to use force!"

Flare growled. "You better be prepared then. I will not go easy on anyone who attempts to hinder me!"

Before they could work out a strategy, Flare used Roar. Its sheer volume sent tremors through each of the Arcanines. Distracted, they could not counterattack.

By the time they focused on him, Flare was already miles away using Extremespeed. He was never to be heard of again.

Every time he attempted to sleep, he would have nightmares about Glare. He no longer resented his brother, rather he loved him. However, he hadn't forgiven himself yet.

Without a home, Flare wandered through forests. He would stop once in awhile when he found an area without hostile inhabitants. Berries and common fruits became his diet. His daily activities included: walking aimlessly for hours, working on his Will-o-wisp, and finding a place to belong.

The only possible choice for a permanent home was in the outskirts of the forests north of Cerulean City. There, he was never disturbed by anyone; all the Pokémon would be friendly and courteous enough to give him space. It was peaceful.

He just wished he could do something to repent for what he had done to Glare. Anything that fixed his mistake would be satisfactory. If he could somehow alter a person's life in a way that it benefited them, his conscious would be cleared. If only there was someone who needed his help.