Nincada and Dragonair

The tree knew she was there. It tightened its defenses, releasing a bitter chemical into its roots. When she gnawed down on the nearest one, it tasted horrible. She had fed off this tree long enough and it was time to find a new one.

She wasn't in any hurry. Nincada's life was never about hurrying. Living underground, she siphoned all she needed from tree roots, then moved on when it began fighting back. Trees lived slow lives too, but when they took notice, they could get on the defensive quickly. So could she, if her life were at stake. Mostly it was just waiting, though. She had to endure a lot before she would be ready to evolve.

With her claws, she moved dirt aside to crawl out of the ground. Searching for a tree underground would take too long. But when she broke through to the air, sunlight streamed down. Although she was technically blind, the strong light hurt her senses. She would have to cover the hole back up and wait for nightfall.

Waiting was what she did best.

A sad song passed along the sleepy river. Dragonair always sang from his heart, so the sadness now was undeniable. As he sang and swam, the orbs on his neck and tail shimmered blue. A sheer curtain of rain followed his progress along the water. It was a small comfort.

By a tree that was half living in the water, Dragonair paused to rest his voice. As he watched, a gray and brown Nincada dug herself out of the ground. She twitched her antennae and tapped her claws, checking out her surroundings. Silently, he swam over to her and placed his chin on the elevated bank.

She noticed and twitched her antennae towards him. "I hope you mean peace, stranger."

"I will not bother you if you will not bother me," he replied.

"Good. May the rain bless you."

"I didn't call the rain for a blessing. I called it because I didn't want the sun."

"Ah. Thank you." She turned and began walking slowly, tapping along the ground.

Dragonair lifted his head up, then inched to follow her. "Nincada? Why do you thank me for the rain?"

"You called it."

"But the sun is the giver of life and joy, that which gives us light."

She made an extra tap of her right claw. "I cannot see. Light does not mean joy to me. Light means pain and insecurity, when I can be seen. Darkness is safety, when predators have a harder time finding me. The rain blocks the sun, which kept me from finding a new tree."

"Oh." He looked around. Dozens of trees were scattered around the riverbank within his sight. And yet, "It will take you some time to reach the next tree. Especially if you can't see it."

Nincada lifted her head and pointed down the bank, precisely at the nearest tree, a maple. "I can smell it. I'm not sure what's in the way, but I will get there."

Dragonair swam forward a few feet, then swam back. "This rain curtain follows me. I can take you to the tree."

"You are very kind, thank you." He put his head back down and she felt her way onto it. "What are you called, stranger?"

He lifted his head carefully and slithered along the bank. "Dragonair."

Nincada tapped her claw on him and sniffed. "You are still unfamiliar, but your smell has no harshness. I have never encountered a dragon before. But then, I have never moved very far in my life."

"Do you want to travel?"

"It doesn't matter to me one way or another. Do you?"

"I have traveled far for all my life."

"With a Trainer?"

"I did. She died not that long ago."

"I am sorry for your loss." She gently dragged a claw along his head, apparently a consoling gesture. "But wait and be patient. Time heals all wounds."

"People say that. Here's your tree." He moved closer to the bank to let her down. "I called the rain to be sad with me, but you find it safe, maybe even happy. That seems odd."

"It's different, that is all." When she reached a stable spot, she turned and waved a claw. "You could go be sad with the humans. Your Trainer must have known people."

"She did." He tapped Nincada with his nose. "You're a Bug; you'll live a shorter time than me. But you seem to know a lot."

"Will I live shorter? That doesn't matter, as long as I do live. I have to live underground for seventeen years before I can evolve, unless I go with a Trainer. So I have a lot of time to think. And I'd better get back to the safety of underground."

"Right. It was good talking with you, Nincada."

"You too Dragonair." She began burying herself underground.

He watched her for a bit, then swam back up the river in silence. When he arrived at the place he had left, a girl in a long black dress was there. She greeted him, apparently having been concerned with his disappearance. Then she hugged him in shared loss.

I should be here with the other mourners, he decided. He put his head on her shoulder and sang a sad note.

Nincada's claw cut gently into the new tree's roots. From that, she took a sample taste. The maple wasn't concerned and didn't fight back with bitter chemicals. So she could stay here for the time being.

She thought back over her conversation with Dragonair. Although it was short, there was a lot to consider: humans, Trainers, travels, rain, sun, gratitude, blessings, Dragons, Bugs, joy, sadness, life, death. It would occupy her mind for many months.

But she had a long time to wait, to think.

…

Dragonair Leaf Green entry: A mystical Pokemon that exudes a gentle aura. It is said to have the ability to change the weather.

Sapphire entry: Nincada lives underground. It uses its sharp claws to carve the roots of trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. This Pokemon can't withstand bright sunlight so avoids it.

I like this kind of contrast, the long-lived Dragon and the short-lived Bug (although a long living Bug…).