The Clans of Nines

Ancient Past

Ninetales watched the blazing sunset, its heat warming her creamy coloured fur. A rustle came from the bush behind her. 

   Then she felt the warmth of her best friend, rival, and leader of the Arcanine Clan. 

        Archie. 

   "Archie. Good to see you," Ninetales said, turning her ruby colored eyes to the Arcanine standing behind her. 

    Archie's mysterious black eyes reflected the setting sun. "Cinna."

      "I've got bad news. Petro is still trying to dethrone me from the title as leader of the Ninetales Clan," Cinna said. 

 A frown crossed Archie's face. "It's alright. He just takes time. A lot of it. He'll get used to you soon enough." 

    "Your Hisuian cousin of the rocky mountains has been here for literally months. And he still distrusts me?" Cinna cocked her head, causing the sunlight to gleam off them in a way that made her look both stunning and fierce. "Crystal's been here for a month and she's fine with you. With everyone, basically." 

      "About that. I think Crystal's a little...off. Something's weird about her. I don't like it. And my instincts are telling me something's a little fishy." Archie moved in closer, caressing Cinna's face. 

   "Crystal? Her? What's wrong with her? Everyone loves her. She's my second in command, you know." Cinna reached up to give Archie a light kiss on his snout. "Plus, she's powerful in battle too." 

  "I know, Cinna. But just like you don't trust Petro, it's a gut feeling. Please be careful. The last thing I need is for you to be killed." 

        "Relax, Archie. You know I can handle myself. And she's my cousin. From Alola and everything. Just like how Petro lives in the rocky mountains, she lives in the snowy mountains." Cinna nuzzled Archie's thick mane. 

   "Alright, alright. I'll see you tomorrow?" Archie asked, as the sun began to set. 

     "Yes."

           Archie gave her one last kiss before breaking away from their embrace and heading off with quick, light steps. 

   Disappearing into the forest, Cinna trotted through it, making sure everything was in check. 

     As she passed a group of Growlithes and Vulpixes playing a game known as Nine of Fire, she smiled at the adorable sight. Nine of Fire was a game played by both clans in which the first pokemon to hit a target nine times with a fireball wins. 

     She passed by the dens and caves, and was just crossing a stream when she heard it. The unmistakable yell of her lover. Archie. 

      She jerked her head in the direction, her mind racing. 

"Archie?!" 

    Her body took over before her mind could, running as fast as she could towards the sound. She crossed into a forest, strangely devoid of life. Nothing but trees that cast crooked, haunting shadows on the grass. 

  Then she saw him. Archie. He was lying on the grass, listlessly gazing up at the trees. 

      "Archie?" She spoke softly. 

  Archie blinked, looking over at her. "Hey." 

   "What's going on?I heard you- I heard you scream," Cinna said. 

     "Scream? No, not exactly a scream...more of a yell," Archie said quietly. 

  "What? Why? What happened?" Cinna asked. She moved closer, but the Arcanine pushed her away roughly. 

       "Archie?" 

  Then she heard a rustle. 

     Petro moved out from the shadows, bristling. He smiled, his grin dripping with malice. 

  "Petro?" Cinna asked, stunned. 

           Archie stood up suddenly, his eyes flashing. 

  "Ar-Archie? What's happening?" Cinna asked nervously. 

     "What Archie are you talking about?"  Archie's noble figure began to melt away, and into a blob. His sleek fur lightened to a purple. A grin replaced his quiet smile. 

   It was a Ditto. 

    "Petro?! What're you up to?" Cinna shifted into a defensive position. 

     "We don't quite think you deserve the position of leader. You're so...gullible and easy to trick. So..we'll have to dispose of you." Petro moved in, his figure blocking out all moonlight. 

 A fierce howl echoed through the empty night. Archie looked up. "Hm? What the-?" 

  Crystal rushed into his cave, her icy blue eyes cutting through Archie. "You traitor!" Crystal snarled. Her light blue fur bristled. 

   "Traitor? What're you on about?" Archie began to stand up, but Crystal fired an Ice Beam at him. It narrowly missed, hitting the wall of his cave with a crack. Ice crystals spread across the wall, covering it in a shiny crystallized layer of ice. 

   "Traitor. How could you do that to Cinna? Playing dirty and everything. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you," Crystal spat, her eyes flashing. 

   "Me?Cinna? What did I do?" Archie asked incredulously. "She's my lover!" 

   "Exactly. You used her to get into a good position to drop her guard then attacked. So that you could take over the Ninetales Clan. I won't let this happen. Not anymore."

  Crystal sprung forwards, slamming into Archie. Archie had no choice but to retaliate with a Flamethrower, that she countered with Ice Beam. 

    "I didn't kill her!" Archie grunted, as Crystal used Ice Beam on him to immobilize him. 

  "You can plead to the judges. You're done for, Archie." Crystal stepped closer. With a thwack of her paw, she knocked Archie out, who slumped to the cave floor, unconscious.