Chapter 2: Tough City Life
They say that you never know what you had until it's gone. I can believe that phrase… I never knew my mother… I wish I did though. My dad is a Ninetales… he use to belong to an Exploration Team but he never talks much about it. His name is Firestorm. My name is Foxfire… I'm a young female Vulpix, common I know… I'm actually a very timid Vulpix; scared to really explore or talk to anyone I don't know. To be honest I'm not a fighter at all, but I wish to be strong and be able to speak up my mind, but my fear always holds me back.
Dad wears this mysterious purple beautiful gem stone around his neck, the strap he uses seems to be fine material, though I don't know where he got it, what it's for, or even what it really is, but he likes wearing it. I don't care; I just want to live in peace.
Lately I've been noticing the sky's been getting kind of dark lately… I wonder why? I've also been getting a lot of bad vibes lately… and it's been getting me anxious. Since I don't have any friends I usually just stay here with my Dad in a small park in this huge city. Yes, I live in Castelia City, a really huge city in the Unova region.
It was mostly just Dad and me… I never dared to venture outside, because I know how dangerous it is… Dad told me a lot about the dangers too. Of course, there were some other Pokémon that live here too, like Rattata, Eevee, Skitty… but they don't want to be my friends… they always made fun of me just because I didn't have a Mom, saying things like 'maybe your Mom left because she didn't want an annoying brat like you.' That really stung.
One Eevee did actually talk to me though, he said that it wasn't fair that everyone picked on me just because I didn't have a mother, but I never saw him again after a girl human Trainer came here… I think he got captured by her. Oh well… I guess I don't need friends…
Dad sat down with me one late night, I was eating some berries we found. "Foxfire…"
"Yes, father?" I said with respect, looking up at him.
Dad wrapped me with one of his tails, it always felt nice feeling his tail wrap around me, especially on cold nights. "I don't like how you're such a lonely child, Foxfire… I wish for you to make new friends, and get stronger out there."
I stopped eating and looked at him, "… D-Dad, surely you're not suggesting I leave this safe territory to go out there where it's unsafe, right?"
But Dad just sighed, "I do not wish for you to spend your days here, young Foxfire. I love you, with all of my heart, but you can't ever grow if you're stuck here all the time."
"W-well if you want me to explore, Dad, why not just take me out for a walk or something? I don't want to leave home." I protested, scared out of my wits at the very thought of leaving home!
"You must learn to fend for yourself, my child. Tomorrow morning we will explore the city, but then you must decide what you're going to do after that, Foxfire." Dad said before lying down.
I frowned… I didn't want to leave the territory… what can I do out there? I'll probably just get eaten or something… Still, Dad believes this might be good for me. Maybe if he sees I can't handle myself out there he would call it off, just have to try and get a good night sleep.
Well… I had hoped it was just another night where I sleep, but it wasn't… Nobody saw it coming… but that night, I couldn't sleep. I was too afraid to go to sleep, knowing that tomorrow I have to go out; at least Dad will be with me. But for some reason I felt uneasy… I don't even know why, it's got to be more than just a simple walk in the city, and hoping no human will try to capture us. I couldn't help but look up at the sky… it's been getting darker lately, even though it's night it just feels so wrong and unnatural… maybe I'm looking too much into this and getting paranoid.
I tried to sleep again… but then my ears twitched as I could swear I heard footsteps… footsteps that didn't sound at all like Pokémon. What was that? I lifted up my head. I looked around, it was dark… but I can usually see in the dark since I'm a fox Pokémon. I saw Dad was still asleep, but then I heard something that sounded like a thud. That woke Dad up, he usually has very high senses, he looked around before growling on high alert.
"D-Dad, what is it?" I asked nervously.
"Humans… but these are not Trainers, or just citizens, I know this scent anywhere… they belong to Team Rocket." He hissed.
"Wh-what?" I heard about an evil organization that existed on far away regions like Kanto and Johto, they're called Team Rocket and they steal rare Pokémon and then use them for experiments. "B-but what are they doing in Unova!?"
"Team Rocket can go just about anywhere; their resources can take them far. Listen to me Foxfire; we can't stay here… they're out looking for Pokémon, us included. Come, we need to get out of here… stay close to me." Dad said and I nodded, quickly following him.
I'm glad we could see in the dark, so it was easier for us to get moving. I was scared, never have we ever been hunted, especially not by humans before. The Trainers never bother to look too deep into the park. I heard those footsteps getting closer… I hope we can make it out of here.
"There! I see them!" I heard someone shout, causing me to yip.
"Shh! Come on!" Dad picked me up by using his teeth to hold the scruff of my fur on my neck.
"It's getting away!" someone shouted.
I couldn't see what was going on, it was happening so fast, but I think they were shooting some kind of net at us because I see those nets flying everywhere! Dad kept running with me in his mouth. I noticed the purple stone around his neck was glowing a little bit… what does that mean? I don't know anything about that mysterious stone Dad likes to wear.
Dad jumped around the city, it was dark despite all the city lights. He then stopped near an alleyway and put me between some dumpsters. "You stay here until its safe, then I want you to run, okay? And whatever you do; don't let them take you or this stone." Dad said as he took off the stone with Extrasensory and then putting it around my own neck.
"D-dad! Don't leave me here alone!" I was scared out of my mind just thinking about him leaving me!
"I'm sorry, but you need to get out on your own. I hope to see you again, my daughter." Dad said before running off, the footsteps running after him.
I silently cried in fear, wishing I wasn't left alone like this… Why did he give me this stone? He loves it far more than I do, and he knows more about it too… what do I know about it? To me it just looks pretty, nothing more! Why give it to me? I don't know… and I don't know what to do other than just sit here, crying and hoping someone nice will find me and take me in until Dad gets back.
I just stayed there for a while… I don't know how long… it's gotten quiet, well not that quiet since the city itself is busy 24/7, but what I mean is I don't hear those evil humans out there anymore… I hope Dad is okay… I just curled up, not wanting to move… but then I heard someone growling, uh-oh… I lifted up my head and saw a Houndour growling at me.
"Uh… c-c-can I h-help you?" I asked it nervously, not wanting any trouble.
The Houndour growled, "You're in my space little fox, get out and get moving!"
"O-oh I'm s-sorry a-about that… s-see I-I'm waiting f-for my dad and-"
"I don't care, just leave!" Houndour snapped at me and I yipped, quickly moving away.
Yes, I'm timid and shy, I can't stand up for myself either because I'm very weak. I sighed as I walked… well Dad did say he wanted me to get out and explore… guess he's getting his wish. I touched the smooth purple stone hanging around my neck… I hope I'll find him soon and give this stone back to him.
Where can I go though… I don't know… I timidly looked out from the alleyway, seeing a lot of people walking around… sheesh, it's an endless sea of people out there! Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do? I looked up at the sky as if hoping Mew or Arceus would just swoop down and tell me, but that's when I noticed the moon was looking much bigger and brighter than ever before… something about this made me more uneasy.
I shook my head and look down, not liking how bright and big the moon is. So I guess I should just… move around… I just walked out, staying near the sides and out of the busy human's ways. I looked around, wondering what to do and where to go.
I stopped when a Growlithe was sniffing around and trying to eat some… spilt ice cream cone or something. I was walking passed him when it turned and growled at me. I stopped and frowned.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Get out, this is my territory, fox!" Growlithe growled at me.
"I was just passing by! I can't go anywhere else with all these humans walking around." I tried to reason with it.
"Not my problem, just get off my territory or I'll bite you!" Growlithe snapped at me and I gulped but backed away.
Well now what? I could try crossing the streets but I might get stepped on with all those humans walking around. I groaned… I'm getting hungry. I should've eaten more berries if I knew this was going to happen. Ugh… how am I going to eat? There aren't any natural berries here… Hmm? *Sniff, sniff* I smell food… my stomach growled.
I followed the yummy scent and it led me to a human restaurant… now what am I going to do? I can't eat at a human restaurant… not unless I had a human owner. I began drooling seeing all the human Pokémon being fed such yummy food… I'm jealous… maybe being a human pet may not be so bad. Oh… but Dad said not to let anyone get this… gem. Ugh… great, I'm stuck and starving! What's so important about this stupid gem that he didn't want anyone to get their hands on it anyway?
I turned around and gasped when I saw a Houndour, a Growlithe and a Poocheyana all growling at me. They seem to have formed a gang and the Houndour is their leader. I gulped, backing away, "W-what's going?" I asked them nervously.
"What's wrong is that you're standing in our turf!" Houndour snapped.
"What? But this is such a big place and I have nowhere else to go…" I said timidly and they just kept coming up at me.
"I said leave before we have to get nasty with you!" Houndour growled.
"This isn't fair! I'd have to cross that road to leave and I'll get run over!" I pointed out, hoping they'd see reason.
Of course neither of them seems to care that I can't get across, so they kept growling, as if threatening me to either leave now or face the consequences. I didn't know what to do… I couldn't fight them… could I?
"Look! I can't get across!" I snapped at them, finally losing my patients.
"Then you become our next meal!" Houndour snapped. "Get her!"
I yelped as they all came at me! I reacted quickly and used Quick Attack, thankfully all those times Dad chased me around I was fast, and dodged the incoming Bite attack. But this only angered the Houndour as he growled, and now I find myself surrounded by the three canine Pokémon! They all dived at me with a vicious Bite attack, I yelped as I ran under them while they were jumping at me and ran across the side-walk, the other three were chasing and barking at me. I knew I couldn't slow down or they'll tear me to pieces!
I passed some humans who looked surprised or annoyed to see me and the other three chasing me like some common Purrloin. I've got to find a place to hide! But I ended up tripping over something because I fell down and the Houndour jumped at me! I screamed, yelled and struggled as it bit down on my back! I kicked and bucked like a Ponyta to get him off my back! The other two then tackled me, making me lose my balance. It hurts! IT HURTS!
Suddenly a net was over us, before I could think we were suddenly picked up and thrown into a metal box and it closed up. I whimpered and whined as the Houndour got off me and the three began whining, scratching at the metal door that shut us in here. I blinked, still trembling… my back hurts and is bleeding a little. I looked around, glad the three were too distracted to pay any attention to me. There were more Pokémon here too, many of them looked scared or sad.
I looked at one Pokémon that was an Eevee, and asked him, "Hey… uh… what's going on?"
The Eevee sighed and answered, "We're being taken to the Poke Pound, it's where the humans take stray or wild Pokémon in the city and put into the pound for humans to adopt us as their pets."
"Is that a bad thing?" I asked, not sure if this is really so bad. Maybe if a human adopt me I won't have to fend for myself. I don't even know if Dad is alive or not anymore at this point.
"We can't know what human will adopt us, for all we know we could be sold into slavery or sold again!" Eevee whimpered. "I-I'm scared… I don't want to be adopted by a mean person…"
I began to feel nervous… I wanted someone to take care of me, but… what if they're bad? And Dad said not to let anyone get their hands on this purple stone… What should I do? Ugh, it's not like I have a choice right now anyway.
"This is all your fault!" Houndour barked at me and I glared at him.
"It's your own fault for locking me in here!" I snapped back, feeling my patience running thin. "If you'd just let me pass without any commotion none of us would be in here right now!"
Houndour growled at me and I only glared. Yes I was timid, but this guy was pushing me too far. Eevee spoke up, "Enough! We shouldn't fight, we need to find a way out of here before they put us into the Poke Pound!"
"That's going to be hard considering these guys can't get along with anyone." I grumbled, looking at the three canine Pokémon.
"Besides, once you're caught there is no getting out." Growlithe said sadly. "So they say in the streets."
I looked out in the back of the bars, wondering where this thing is taking us. I see a lot of people still walking in the road. I did notice a man wearing black and a big red R on his chest was looking at me as if interested. I didn't like that look… maybe he was interested in the purple stone I was wearing around my neck? I didn't like this…
The big metal box came to a stop, and the man who had caught us walked over to us. The Poocheyana, Growlithe and Houndour were all growling at the man, as if daring him to open the cage and as soon as he does they'll jump at him. However the man seems to be prepared as there were more of them. I gulped; they all had a small cage beside them that they plan to put us in. The man opened the cage door up and the three jumped at him, but they were soon handled by a sudden Thunder Wave that came out of nowhere, paralyzing them. I noticed a Magnemite with them… that must be what paralyzed them.
So it was either cooperation or be stubborn and get paralyzed. I didn't like either of the options since both had the same result just that the latter will hurt and make you numb for a while. The man had the others scoop up the three paralyzed dog Pokémon while he looked at me and the Eevee beside me. Both of us knew better than to pick fights we can't win, so we let him pick us up by the scruff of our necks and put us into those smaller cages where we can hardly move.
So the man was carrying me in this cage- I assume the other humans were carrying the rest of us- and bringing me into their building. Inside I can see a lot of humans walking around, many of them were parents with their child, most likely looking for the Pokémon they want to train or keep as a pet. My father spoke about humans a lot and how they work. I don't know how Dad knows so much about them since he was never a human's Pokémon before.
Before I knew it I was dumped into another cage, this one was a bit roomier, but I still can't move much. I looked out to see some kind of glass was blocking me from leaving. I sighed as I lay there, not sure what to do now. I must've fallen asleep because I think now I'm dreaming.
I find myself in a forest, running from… from… I don't know what, but it was dark and scary. I kept going, trying to get away from the shadows that were chasing me. What should I do?
I tripped and fell, it hurts… I look behind me… the shadows were gone. Oh thank Mew… I slowly stood up, but a shadow loomed over me. I looked up and saw… a strange horse-like Pokémon in front of me… a Pokémon I have never seen before. It had a long purple horn and looked to be ready to battle. It turned to me.
"Follow me, hurry!" it said to me urgently before taking off.
"W-wait! I can't run that fast!" I yelled, using Quick Attack to try and catch up to him. I wasn't fast enough to keep though, "WAIT! WHERE ARE YOU!?" suddenly everything around me grew dark again, the sky was turning purple as I looked up to see the moon was covering the sun. This is the solar eclipsed Dad told me about, but should it be this scary? I looked around and saw I was being surrounded by the shadows once more.
I tried to fight back, but all I could really use is Ember and Quick Attack, I didn't know any other moves because I never bothered to train! The shadows all lunged at me… and I woke up in sweat.
I groaned, shaking my head that was a very creepy and disturbing dream. I looked up and jumped back when I saw that same guy I saw earlier with the black suit and the big R on his shirt looking at me with greedy eyes. But… I think it's my stone he's looking at, apparently he knows something about this stone that I don't.
"Sir… are you sure you want to adopt this Vulpix?" I saw one of the men who captured me earlier asked. "We hasn't bathed or given her shots yet."
"It's fine, I just want the Vulpix." The man in black said, staring at me, or rather the stone around my neck, in a hungry way. "Well we still have to check her collar to see if she belongs to anyone."
Collar? I don't have a- oh right, the stone, apparently they think it's a human collar. But the R guy just glared, "Just give me the Vulpix and the 'collar' around her neck!"
"S-sir, we have rules you know, we can't just dismiss them for you." The man said back, and I'm rooting for the man since I didn't want to go with the man in uniform, I had a very bad feeling about him.
"Don't you understand? This Vulpix must be mine! But if you won't give it to me then I will take it by force!" The man in the black uniform took out a red and white ball object and threw it to the ground. "Arbok use Haze!" the ball opened suddenly and a white flash came out, the white flash turned into an Arbok, an angry looking purple cobra snake!
I yelped when the Arbok shot out some black smoke from its mouth. The man break open the glass I was in and grabbed me! I struggled, but he held me tight. He got his filthy hand on my purple shiny rock, no… I can't let him get it… I promised Dad! I spat Ember on his hand, causing him to drop me! I yipped.
"Little monster! Arbok use Wrap and trap that Vulpix now!" the man demanded.
I yelp when I saw the Arbok coming at me, I quickly bolted away, but it was hard to see in this haze… I had to rely on my other senses… like Dad taught me, always be wary of hidden predators, if you can't see them use your ears to listen or your nose to smell for them. It was hard to breathe in this haze, let alone smell, so I had to rely on my ears.
I need to find a way out… where's the door? I managed to keep running from the Arbok but for how long? I jumped when the cops came and blowing their whistles, and barking from the Growlithes and Herdier that they use, most likely to attack that uniform bad guy who tried to take me and the stone.
I coughed, trying to get away, but somebody grabbed the scruff of my fur, I think it's a Growlithe as I sense high heat within the canine. It ran over to a police woman.
"Good boy, now sic him!" she picked me up while the Growlithe jumped back into the haze. She petted my head and it made me want to purr. She has soft hands… I felt much safer now knowing the police are here to rescue me, Dad told me about them, so I should be safe, right?
"Oh you poor little Vulpix, we better find you a good home… Oh? What's this?" She looked at the stone around me neck. "Huh, I guess you must belong to a very wealthy owner already, they must be worried about you. Hmm… Too bad they neglected to leave a phone number on your collar…"
They… think I belong to some rich person? Huh, guess the stone can also be used to trick some humans that it's a collar. That's going to come in handy, just wish the guy in the pound did that before casting me into a cage.
I don't know what happened to that guy in the uniform, but I was brought back to the police station, where there were more police humans. Hmm… what will happen if they can't find 'my owner'? Would they released me back into the streets or send me to a new home? Hmm… Dad said not to let anyone get their hands on this stone… but that doesn't mean I can't go to a better home, right?
"Officer Jenny, there are no reports on anyone wealthy having a lost Vulpix." A cop said to the woman beside me. So her name is Jenny…
"But then… does that mean this is a wild Vulpix?" Jenny said, looking at me.
I gave a smile and nodded, and she sighed, "Okay… I don't know where this Vulpix got something so valuable but I'll have to take this stone and find out what it is and return it to its rightful owner."
I froze and gulped, no, she can't take it… it does belong to me… or my Dad, but she can't take it! But I can't just fight back; what if they sic their canine Pokémon on me? She reached down and was about to take the stone but I backed away, hoping she'd get the message.
"Now, now, I need to take this back to the rightful owner, obviously it's expensive and important, you can't keep it." Jenny said to me and I shook my head.
"But this is my Dad's stone! You can't take it!" I whined, but humans can't understand us Pokémon, which is really bad because I can't tell her squat!
"Look, I know you like it but you can't keep it, this need to be returned." Jenny scolded me.
I shook my head but then my ears heard a voice, "Find me that Vulpix with the stone!" That voice… it's the voice of the man who tried to kidnap me before! I don't think I'm safe here- WAH! The lights suddenly went out, that man must've cut the power, and with the police humans going around trying to figure out what's going that man and his mean Pokémon can come in here and grab me! I have to get out of here!
Thankfully because I can see in the dark much easier than humans because foxes are natural night predators, I managed to get outside, but this turned out to be a mistake… outside I had no protection, and that R man along with a mean looking Houndoom were glaring at me. I knew I had to get away.
"You're not going to get away, my little treasure." The man smirked evilly.
I yelped and ran as his Houndoom began chasing me. Thankfully Quick Attack was helping me keep ahead, but I can't keep this move up forever! The Houndoom did manage to get at my tails a few times because I was getting tired. I yipped as I tripped over a rock on the sidewalk, and the Houndoom jumped at me, his teeth gnashing! I screamed as he used Crunch on me! While I was screaming and struggling something purple began flashing tremendously, I don't know what was happening, but I felt a sudden power rush and the sun in the sky suddenly got ten times brighter, blinding me and probably the Houndoom too, he let me go and, without thinking, I used Quick Attack at his chest and somehow threw him into a building with ease. I didn't stay there trying to figure it out; I just ran for it. I knew I had to get out of the city as quickly as possible!
I didn't dare stop… I knew if I did my body would collapse from the pain and exhaustion and I would never get away from that evil R guy with those big mean Pokémon! Oooh… where's Dad when I need him... I still don't know what happened back there with the Houndoom… I managed to get to the outskirts of the city, but I knew I couldn't stay here too long… I have to find a place to hide… maybe in the woods? No… that's… that's dangerous, there's bound to be a lot of wild Pokémon and… I'd still have to cross the Skyarrow Bridge!
I don't think I can make that journey… the Pinwheel Forest is too much for me… and I can't cross that bridge to get to it… I stopped finally and my body collapsed… maybe I can just hide out here… nobody could think to look for a Vulpix way out here, right?
I don't know how long it's been, but I must've fallen asleep, because when I opened my eyes again the morning sun was already rising. Huh… I guess I was more tired than I thought. I slowly sat up, my body was aching everywhere, I was just glad that the Houndoom wasn't trying to kill me with that Crunch attack or I'd be dead right now. The stone is still around my neck… I glared at it… this thing has caused me so much trouble! I'd be better off throwing it away and forgetting about it! … But I can't… I promised Dad not to let anyone get it…
Suddenly I heard that R guy's voice… no, I thought I lost him! He won't give up! "I know that Vulpix is here somewhere… Houndoom, find her!" he released the Houndoom from one of those red and white balls.
I gulped… I knew I had to get out of here, whatever freaky phenomena happened last time that got me away from that Houndoom earlier may not happen again, so I won't be taking my chances… I have to try and cross that Skyarrow Bridge and get into the forest, quickly. I weakly stood up and started walking… no, I have to be faster, my ears winced when I heard the Houndoom's growling and pawsteps coming this way quickly. My weak walking got faster, soon becoming a trot, then a jog and now all out running… ugh… this hurts… my body is so sore, but I can't stop now, I have to keep going!
I looked out at the huge and long Skyarrow Bridge… I gulped, but I can't stop here… ooh… I hope I'll make it! The Pinwheel Forest Dad told me about should have plenty of places to hide! I just have to make it across this dreaded bridge… I gulped when I heard thunder… great, the skies are cloudy this morning… oh I hope it doesn't rain… Dad told me I didn't have Flash Fire as my ability, but something called Drought… he said it was a rare ability to have, but I have no idea what the heck Drought it or how to use it… I'm getting off subject here. Anyway I have to keep going.
I looked down at the oceans below… that's… a very long drop… not to mention an endless range or salt water… I don't mind water, in fact I like it which is strange for a Fire type I know, but I can't help that I like it, however I'm still a Fire type and there's no way I can survive if I fall off this bridge. I cringed when I heard the Houndoom's howls getting closer, no time to get side-track I have to keep going.
No problem, this bridge is wide and strong enough, I'm sure nothing will go wrong, just keep going… But there's also not a lot of room to hide in case he catches up to me. Oooh, I'm never going to make it!
I jumped when a hot Flamethrower raged passed me, grazing some of my fur… That was strong… I know I'm a Fire type too but that still hurts! I guess it's because I'm such a weakling and that Houndoom is powerful and since I don't have the Flash Fire ability I'm not immune to fire attacks! Oh I cursed the day I was hatched without Flash Fire right now! Ah! The end of the bridge, yes, I can make it! I CAN MAKE IT!
NO! Before I could make a dive into the forest, the Houndoom managed to catch up to me, only this time he grabbed one of my tails with his teeth and held me there. I knew I better do something quick or that R man will capture me… I can't fight, but… maybe I won't have to; I just have to trick him. Oh I wish I knew how to use Confuse Ray… but maybe it'll still work.
"H-hey! Your Master wanted this stone, right?" I asked him, holding up my purple stone.
Houndoom glared at me, "What about it?"
"What if I, say, throw it into the ocean?" I said, smugly.
"You wouldn't dare!" Houndoom growled, giving me a warning glare, making me gulped.
"I-I would… if you don't let me go I would." I said as I silently picked up a random rock.
"If you do I will rip you apart!" Houndoom growled.
"Okay, but then you wouldn't get the time to get the stone." I said as I threw the rock over the bridge, in his panic he didn't see that it wasn't the one around my neck and he dropped me.
"NO! NO! NO!" Houndoom ran after it and I quickly made a run for it into the forest, it wouldn't take him long to realize I only threw a regular rock after all and I have to get him off my trail before he comes looking for me, teeth and fire a blazing.
I panted as I had finally made it into Pinwheel Forest… but now that I'm here… still hurt and sore… and filled with wild Pokémon… will I even be able to survive? My ears twitched… that Houndoom still hasn't given up! I have to go in deeper.
I ran… and ran… until I was too tired to even more anymore. I fell to the grassy floor, panting… didn't notice a shadow walking up to me until I heard a voice.
"Who are you?"
I gasped as I looked up and over at the Pokémon who addressed me…