Chapter one: Blood and Rain
Rain pours down around me, wind buffeting plants and pokemon alike, the world is displeased.
Despite the water not able to fully soak my fur, the constant pounding weighs me down. Mud and leaves sticking to my paws as I search for them.
It never storms this hard unless a group is here.
Abruptly, a bundle of leaves blow past me, dancing down the path ahead.
"There?" I think.
I don't question how I can hear the rustling leaves though all this rain, nor the sudden wind at my back,
Regardless, a slight hunger pinches at my stomach, wading through water and mud just doesn't fill me up. Looking around, all I can see is the trees that tower into the sky and wall in everything around, except a few corridors. Second glances reveal some pokemon, most hiding from my approach, very little on the hunt for them… like me.
I shake my head of water and those thoughts, I'm not like these animals, I'm…
I look down at my black hands and blue fur… I… I'm still me on the inside, at least. Slight movement has me look up, while ripping a scalchop off in preparation. A surprised surskit jumps back before dashing behind me and into the path I was blocking.
A lapse in awareness could have led to a worse outcome. Putting idle thoughts away, and doing the same with my weapon, I head to the dark corridor on the other side of the clearing and down its path.
Now on an only slightly, muddy, dirt road, this place shows more of its otherworldly nature. The trees close in to form a narrow path, but not before they stretch together to form an overhead sealing of logs, branches, and leaves. A couple drops fall around me, the tunnel not entirely waterproof.
Carefully entering the next opening of some twisted forest, it holds the bodies of two beaten down pokemon. On closer look, both showed injuries of still bleeding cuts, bruises, and definitely grass type attacks. Divulging what seems to have been a protracted battle, an overabundance of busted seeds and leaves litter the ground. Inexperience? Or… worn out?
"Three grass-types? Likely not a fight I want to take... But three greens winded and wounded? Manageable…"
Leaving the unconscious pokemon, it takes some time, but I find three pairs of eroded tracks leading out to another corridor.
I only make it a couple of steps before a thought grips me.
…
"Why am I going after them again?"
I stand there, my tail slapping the mud in sudden irritation. Hands massaging two closed eyes, what am I doing? I fight them because…?
The wind plays with my fur, still so foreign. I grit my teeth, pressure seeming to build in the back of my mind.
…
A branch falls in the path ahead, leaves fluttering on the way down…
Tha… That's right! The groups are a danger to me. I open my eyes, the confusion fading just as fast, replaced with something else, anger? No time to dwell, these groups of pokemon have attacked me in the past, they have to be stopped. Driven from my home, or they'll hurt me again!
Peeling scalchops off my hips like velcro, my brow furrows as I march after the invaders.
…
Halfway down the path, I hear the endings of a fight. Others are doing my work for me, again. Invigorated at finding my targets, I rush into another large and twisted forest clearing.
Quickly I duck behind some plants, the ongoing fight covering up my entrance. Through the rain I can make out my targets, three different pokemon, a Treecko, Skiddo, and Litleo, all wearing matching red bandanas. Said Litleo, sporting soaking bandages, is hanging back as its companions deal with two wild Buizel. Spotting what I was looking for, the Treecko is wearing the dreaded magic bag. My breathing starts to pick up, the sight of the battle ahead causing adrenaline and water within me to churn.
"Only two grass, and one fire? Better odds."
Abruptly the Skiddo charges towards the two battered ferals, causing them both to start spraying it down with combined water guns. The Skiddo is slowed to a stop by the onslaught and begins to hold firm, seeming to handle the onslaught rather well. Seizing advantage of the, "intended?", opening, the Treeko darts around and fires off a leafage at the closest Buizel.
Too focused, the already hurt Buizel is blindsided and staggers back before collapsing to the mud. Seeing the coming defeat, the remaining feral takes a step back, second guessing.
Taking that as my que…
I spring from the back, scalchops in hand, and towards the spectating Litleo. Surging the water within me up my arms and into my weapons, causing the blades to dribble with water, I drive both scalchops into the fire cat.
Mid turn around, both blades sink a couple inches into Litleo's hind leg and back. Surprise and pain echo out to the surrounding pokemon. Planting a foot on their side, I kick the stunned cat away while pulling my scalchops free.
Blue glow fading to reveal red stained tools.
"Cindy, No!" The Skiddo shouts, before getting pounced on by an invigorated Buizel.
Fearfully, Litleo looks up at me from the soaked earth, current and accumulated injuries glisten with blood and rain. I raise my weapon high, readying a final razor shell, before… Before I'm pelted with a leafage, rapid stings pursuing as I disengage.
"Cindy! Get back! It's the bounty!" Treecko yells, cutting off the attack and running at Litleo. The cat blinks the fear away, smiles, and staggers towards its friend. They meet before Treecko pulls an oran berry out of the bag and into Litleo's mouth. "Here, last one…"
Yanking a sharp leaf out of my disheveled fur, I then flinch away from a hurling Buizel. It skids to a stop, before letting out a long groan and staying down. Skiddo stomps between me and the others, digging at the muddy ground.
Suddenly, the Treecko starts making noise. "Willow, same plan, distract the Feral! Cindy, stay back, you're too hurt! I'll try to hit it from the sides." Skiddo huffed at the sounds and Litleo limped away, eating the last of the oran.
My eyes shift to the retreating cat and Skiddo starts charging at me, horns down. I tuck my scalchops away, brace, and catch their charge. Sliding back slightly from the momentum, I use my larger size to drive it back a step. Now holding the pokemon still, I prepare a point-blank water gu-
"Let there be Light!"
Just like that, the storm ceased…
The sun's rays danced on my wet fur like a mother's warm affection… The sun?
Before I can catch a glance up, Skiddo capitalizes. Making a suddenly more forceful push, they drive their ram-like horns into my gut, and with an upwards jerk, I'm thrown behind them. The Skiddo turns with a satisfied snort, then rears up for a strong headbutt. Grabbing a handful of mud from one of the quickly shrinking pools, I toss it at the pokemon's face. abruptly blinded, Skiddo falls backwards and ineffectively tries scraping the mud off with its forelimbs.
Getting up and glancing back at the Treecko, I see the lizard digging through its bag of tricks.
"Where is it? Where is the seed!?"
Dashing at the green lizard, I grab both scalchops… or try to. My still muddy hand causes me to fumble one. Cursing, I leave it, quickly closing with Treecko.
"Aha!" It shouts, before it pulls some item out and winds up for a throw. "Take thi-"
I slash.
without warning, a large fireball blossoms between us, pushing the neighboring plants down. The explosion itself blows me back and rips the scalchop out of my hand. Treecko, just as close, is tossed away too. Landing with an unpleasant crash, I slowly look myself over for any troubling injuries, the ringing ears can't be helped. Luckily, I just spit water on any pieces of smoldering fur.
Glancing around, I see the Skiddo dragging its face along the ground, Treecko is groaning on the floor looking worse for wear, and the Litleo nervously shifting close by it, unsure if to help or stay back, I think. Looking next to me, I seemed to have landed next to the scalchop I dropped.
Grabbing it with my cleaner hand, I shake mud off and turn back to the lizard. Getting up, the march towards Treecko is filled with my light panting, creeping exhaustion, and sudden hunger pains. Gripping the weapon tighter, a snarl forms on my face.
Cut the grass, douse the fire, finish off with Skiddo. It's not this difficult. work harder…
Steeling myself, I straighten my posture and pick up the pace.
"It wasn't supposed to be like… this…"
What went wrong?
…
Cindy knows what went wrong…
Team Forest Fire's first "C" ranked mission, they never took any mission higher than a "D", especially not any bounty mission! But Hazel… She had been so convincing…
[Day Before]
"Eazy money guys, we legitimately have the type advantage on it, Me and Willow that is…" Hazel said, sending me an apologetic smile.
"Need more than T.V." Willow said, with a huff. "Drowning Forest always raining, water types tougher there because of. Bounty included."
"I knew you were going to say something like that~" Hazel said, with a little sass at the end. "That is why I got this!"
Digging an orb out of the team's explorer satchel, She presented us with a Sunny Orb.
"Thought we spent money together?" Willow said, frown slowly forming.
Frowning back, Hazel starts fiddling with the team bandana around her neck. "Have more faith in me Willow… like Cindy. She has complete trust in me!" Hazel immediately looking and smiling at me. "Right?"
Put on the spot, I blanched. Glancing between the two, I'm not sure who to pick… I don't think Hazel would buy things without telling us, but I don't want Willow to think I don't trust him either… uh…
"See~" Our tree lizard said, giving Willow a cheeky side-eye.
"Said nothin'."
"Exactly! Cindy didn't deny what I said."
Willow snorted at that.
"This is besides the point." Hazel taking their small victory and quickly moving on. "We got this orb, and some other useless junk, after doing that retrieval request from Spinda, remember? We brought all her stuff back to her and they told us to just keep it."
I honestly don't remember, Willow and Hazel usually have that stuff figured out.
Willow rocked his head side to side, then came to some conclusion. "Yeah."
"How is this going to help us… in the dungeon?" I said, pointing a paw at the orb.
"Glad you asked." Hazel said, raising the item up dramatically. "Yes, the constant rain there favors the water-types. But if me and you-" Hazel pointing between her and Willow. "-can power through the water ferals, and find the elite. Then this Sunny Orb will be our winning move!"
Hazel was showing great enthusiasm, but I had a feeling I was going to be next to useless if we went.
"Imagine it, we find the feral, then BAM!" She swung the orb in front of her, like she was blasting some mon' with it. "The sun comes out, and it's us who are stronger."
"All of us." Hazel said, focusing on me. "I'm pretty sure sunny orbs also empower fire mon' too."
I feel better about that, I'll be of some use… If we go, that is.
I watch as a couple minute emotions play across the Skiddo's snout, before he lets out a huff. A small nod at Hazel is his only answer.
"Yes!" Hazel celebrates happily, before looking sheepishly at me. "I mean, are you okay with the plan too?"
I appreciate that, but I was ready as soon as they were. "Yeah, I'm good… You guys always find the best jobs, how can I not?"
Hazel smiled at that, and was about to say something encouraging or the like, but Willow spoke up.
"Need lots'a supplies, 'powering through''s tiring, hurts." He said, using Hazel's earlier words. "How many oran we got?"
Being our only source of hands, Hazel shifted around the bag's contents. "How much stuff do we have in there?"
She sighed. "We have a couple, but you're right. This isn't going to be a trip to Bushy Beach." Pulling the teams' coin bag out of the explorer's bag, Hazel started counting what we have. "We'll take today off to do some shopping, eat dinner, and then straight to bed. Gonna want all our strength tomorrow!"
A day off sounded nice, but I usually like to play games with them after dinner, shame…
"Any idea what todays' oran prices are?"
[Modern Day]
We had needed it, all of it…
Every oran berry, every sleep or blast seed… Here at the finish, but… we're going to lose?
I limp up to Hazel. I slept so much last night, why am I so tired and dizzy…?
Standing over Hazel, I see that she is still breathing. Releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding, I tried to shake her awake.
"Hazel? H-Hey… get up… please?" I look up, the Dewott only moments away. The promise of pain glinting off their blood-stained weapon "My blood". I start shaking Hazel harder. "Hazel! W-we can't stay here-"
An ominous shadow creeps over the Treecko and onto me… no…
Looking up, the sinking feeling in my stomach reveals itself. A half moment glare from the feral feels like a cold wind.
What should I do? Hazel said to stay back, but if I go she'll…
The moment has passed, Dewott raises their scalchop. I'm so tired, and everything is moving so quickly.
Hazel, I'm so sorry…
…
The scalchop descends… into a torrent of flames. Flinching back, the fire washes over Dewott in a searing stream. Faltering steps place me above Hazel and between the feral. Soon the Flamethrower starts to dwindle, my internal fire feeling like a candle in the raging winds.
Suddenly, a Razor shell tears through the blaze, passing inches from my snout. I take a surprise step back, and meet it with one trembling step forward. I can't run…
As the flames dissipate, it reveals a slightly charred dewott. Their eyes slowly open, fur and whiskers lightly smoking. Pushing the attack, I leap, hoping to latch onto an arm or-
Ah! pain…
Swatted aside, I force myself back up. Wounds that weren't fully recovered by the oran berry bleed again. Come on, bite them, claw them, I have to-
Pain…
I scream…
I cover an eye…
Pain…
I scream…
I cry…
The fire cat rolls around on the ground, yowling and clutching its head wound. I was hoping an attack like that would've knocked it out, but… no. I consider my options, one strong punch to the head would surely work, or I could…
I bring my scalchop up for a closer look. I could…
A single leaf dances in the air, gently landing in the cup of my scalchop.
…
Across the neck? Maybe…
Before I can decide, I'm interrupted, again. Bullet seeds start whizzing around me. Turning to my side, I see Skiddo shooting at me, its shots wild and unfocused mid sprint. Putting my weapon away, I then try to block any seeds from hitting my head, and brace. Within no time, the pokemon closes the distance and brings its horns to bear.
Just like last time, I catch their charge, and only slide back a little bit… and over the downed Treecho. Cursing, the Skiddo also trips and falls to the ground with me.
Taking charge, I kick the pokemon away and get to my feet first. Movement in my peripheral, I spin to look at Treecko. The Lizard seeming to have waken up from our earlier kicking. Treecko slowly starts to rub at its head, eyes darting open when we lock gazes.
Flooding my scalchop, I catch Treecko trying to open their bag, the Razor Shell opening a long gash down their arm. Letting out a pained cry, they raise their bag causing my return strike to cut open a hole. Random foods and items start spilling out onto the ground. Bringing both arms up, I ready an empowered Razor Shell. Pushing as much of my water into the scalchop as I can, the attack is interrupted by a vine around my wrist. Suddenly being yanked back, I backpedal for balance.
Spinning around, I plant a firm foot down and glare at Skiddo. Said pokemon concentrating on pulling me away from its companions. Wishing I still had my other scalchop, a small game of tug-o-war ensues. Frustrated, I pull the vine into my mouth and bite. A twinge shows on Skiddo's muzzle, replaced with more tugging. Shaking my head, the vine finally snaps. Not soon after, another vine darts at me. A quick slash sends the severed vine back. Carefully now, I make my way towards them, wary of any more vines.
A small grin builds on Skiddo's muzzle… a short lived one, that is.
"Willow, Retreat!"
The Treecko yells something behind me, causing Skiddo's whole demeanor to change. They try to look around me, while also keeping an eye on me. Too tempted, I send a quick glance back.
Treecko is on their knees, cradling a blood stained cat.
"Cindy… She's-"
A pained cough and reaching paw interrupt them. Immediately, Treecko begins digging through the bag for more things.
Deciding there is no danger behind me, I turn back around… to see Skiddo mid charge at me. No time to put my weapon away, I catch one horn and shoulder the charge. The Tackle is felt up and down my arm, just more pain. A harsh push at Skiddo sends alarm bells screaming in my arm, but achieves the distance I want. Raising my scalchop up. I bring it down. The unempowered attack leaving a small gap in Skiddo's right horn, before bouncing off. Powering through my, admittedly weak, attack, Skiddo headbutted my chest knocking me to the ground. Thinking fast, I roll away from any follow up… only to be met with Skiddo seemingly retreating back to their companions?
The pokemon arrives and turns to face me, we decide to share glares…
"Willow, touch me, we need to go!" Treecko speaks quickly, holding Litleo with one arm and raising an orb into the air.
Skiddo takes a step back before pushing a hoof into Treecko's side. The lizard does something to the orb? Then, the three start to glow brightly, so much it's hard to look at.
Then, all at once, they were gone…
The orb hanging suspended midair, being the only evidence of their departure. Only for it to shatter, the fragments fading away before even touching the ground…
Where… where did they go?
I look around frantically, as if they'd be peeking out from a twisted tree. I remember one group hitting me with an orb, the thing sending me to some random part of the forest.
They have to be somewhere in the forest, I need to find them, I need to chase them out, I need to-
…
Somethings wrong…
I appear a short distance from the dungeon's entrance, I fight back the vertigo of teleportation. Turning around, I notice Cindy didn't fare quite as well. After the Escape orb, she seemed to have rolled out of Hazel's grasp and vomited, pieces of oran berry and bile on the ground.
Recovering next, Hazel rushes over to Cindy, leading her away from the puddle and sitting her down. How such a small pokemon could stand after all that…
It speaks of my inaptitude.
Stuffing those thoughts away, I step forward to help… but I'm not sure what to do. Hazel is already replacing old bandages and wrapping up other wounds. Sometimes I really do envy hands.
Looking closely at Cindy's closed eye, I can see blood seeping between the eyelids…
I let out a large grunt to get Hazel's attention and say. "Eye."
Hazel, not sure what I meant for a moment, then takes Cindy's head in her hands and gets a better look.
"What happened to your eye?" Hazel said. A cut at the top and bottom of the eyelid hinting.
"I… don't know… The dewott hit me in the face really hard… Now my eye hurts a lot."
"Uh… okey, Cindy, I'm going to take a look at your e-eye. Hold still… please." Hazel said, putting on the most obviously fake smile.
Nevertheless, Cindy held still, smiling back. Too quickly for my comfort, Hazel opened the cats still bleeding eyelids, blood covered almost the entirety of the ruined orb. Will it ever heal…?
I could visibly see the color drain beneath Hazel's scales, so could Cindy.
"Is… everything ok? W-why can't I see you? out that… eye…"
Quickly, Hazel tried to save the situation. "Y-yes! Just making sure it isn't infected." letting the eyelids close, and avoiding the question, she then started looking for more bandages. But there wasn't anymore.
Taking my red bandana in my mouth, I yank the cloth off and offer it to Hazel.
"Good thinking." She said, firmly tying it around the face wound, red cloth hiding red stains.
"No problem, I don't deserve it anyway." Is what I should have said.
"Yeah."
There's a minute of silence as Hazel tries to care for our youngest teammate.
…
"Hazel…" Cindy's voice is tender, frail. "I'm… sorry for not listening to you."
Hazel, obviously not sure what she is going on about, comforts her anyway. "Shhh, It's ok, I'm just glad you're alright." She said, wiping away a tear from Cendy's good eye and embracing her.
"I'm… sorry, too."
My meager words not expressing the guilt.
"No, my friends…" Hazel spoke up, pulling away to address both of us. "I'm the one who should be sorry." Tears raining down her face now.
"I shouldn't have pushed you to take a mission we couldn't do. I should have called off the mission when our supplies started to run low…"
She looked at Cindy, hands clutching her own bandana. "I almost got you-"
But she was interrupted, an unexpected giggle from Cindy.
"Guys, we all can't be sorry."
Dumbstruck, Hazel couldn't continue her confession. Instead, she went back to caring for Cindy. Forming, perhaps, a genuine smile.