Some Wounds Never Heal [2015 PKMNWatties 1st in Short Story Category]

Chapter Two | A Family Left Scorched

Chapter Two | A Family Left Scorched

Tendrils of smoke reached out like creepy hands, wispy and willowy, graceful and elegant, a beautiful warning to the horror that was sure to come next. In their dance they thrusted themselves outward, as if grabbing a being to pull to safety, themselves knowing well-aware of what was sure to come next.

And then all at once the grey, feathery smoke simply vanished, the plume of dust and debris all but long gone, replaced instantly by a river of dark red flames, menacing and fiery hot, curling into fireballs strong enough to sear completely even the largest object to the touch. The red substance, balletic and beautiful yet deadly and horrid, burning with a sort of never-ending passion to destroy and wreck grace, leaped towards the forest, the closest trees already beginning to crumple and give way to becoming black dust. The blazes lapped the brush and greenery like ocean waves to the sand; with one push forward, the "waves" brought back everything in their path. Slowly and horribly, the forest was being destroyed.

Pokemon of all shapes, colors, and sizes rushed from where they had been usually spending their days, such as their naturally-created shelters or from the bushes where they had been picking berries, to try and escape the flames that were sure, if they would stay, to kidnap them and their families in one fell swoop, fatally ending their lives. Golbat flew from the sky, desperately urging their young to hurry along. Donphan stomped through the thick grass, their footprints largely visible. Even the powerful Onix hustled along as they tunneled themselves through the dirt, scared of flames despite their resistance to them.

All the Pokemon families were already on their way but one. All other homes were left vacant, deserted, painfully abandoned, except for the single Tree Hollow that still held bustling life. Just a few feet from where the fire was beginning stood a large, broad tree, a carved hole left open for entry and exit. As red sparks jumped from tree to tree, setting everything in their path on fire, a group of eight Eeveelutions and their little Eevee rested, still fast asleep inside their cozy home. They were completely oblivious to the horror that was awakening outside.

~

"It seems as if everything is burned, sire." A loud voice boomed, so noisy the still-scurrying Pokemon moved faster, terrified and hoping desperately to never have to hear that voice again. The owner of the voice, a middle-aged man with slick black hair and stone, aloof eyes stared at the receiver, another man, but this time with blue hair dripping of hair gel and eyes portraying an amused, malicious smile.

"Good. This forest can actually be used for something useful, don't you think? Pokemon Reserve, please." The blue-haired man scoffed, laughing sadistically as his sharp eyes scanned the forest for fleeing Pokemon, the fire he had set running after them like a dog to a bone. "After everything is  murdered, we can finally turn junk into a glorious factory or such. We will no longer have to worry about Pokemon being superior towards us. They will no longer occupy our land for fifteen damned years." The man laughed again.

The other man, a servant of the "king", shuffled uncomfortably, frantically trying for his mouth to emit a laugh, to seem normal and sadistically amused so as not to suffer a beating. "Of course." He replied, bowing before he told his king of the plan he had thought of desperately.

"Bring out the soldiers, sire. We can then easily burn this entire forest so we can start building." His heavily accented voice added to the look of evil that could be found in his expression.

The "king" laughed, slapping his servant in the back, causing him to sputter. "Great idea! See to it this whole forest is destroyed by the time I get back from the Coffee Shop." Sauntering away towards the exit of the flaming forest, he left his sighing minion back in the hectic mess.

"Wonderful." He muttered, already taking out his PokeGear. "Alonenia? Half a regiment, please. I need to demolish a forest. And fast."

~

I awoke to the smell of burning greenery, my nose wrinkling in disgust. At first, I ignored the nagging at my side and the horrendous smell infiltrating my nose, willing myself to just go back to sleep, to instead simply bury my head next to the soft fur of my siblings and block everything else out. But I wasn't the only one to smell the odor of smoke.

Espeon awoke, her sharp sense of smell rousing her from sleep. Her eyes alert, I watched her as she searched for the source of the smell, myself still resting quietly on the floor, peeking through the gaps between the sleeping bodies of my brothers and sisters to watch my elegant sister. Silently her paws led her to the door of our Tree Hollow, where she poked her head out into the air... and collapsed.

Immediately I jumped up from the spot in which I had been resting, urgently heading over to the body of my sister. Ignoring the outside world, attempting to be oblivious, I nudged my sister, uncomprehending, desperately trying to awake her from only deep sleep, I hoped.

When nothing happened, I let out a loud squeal of despair, signaling my siblings to wake up and check out the situation. Hearing my cry for help, the other Eeveelutions instantly surrounded me, noisily gasping and asking questions when they finished seeing the sight.

Our Alpha, with wide eyes, pushed us away and approached our sister, as he put his ears next to where her heart would be located. I heard him gasp in relief and with it, some of my pain relieved itself. He muttered something about fainting as he helped Espeon up, motioning one of us to help him, and Sylveon gladly did. But when his nose picked up the same scent, he returned to being fearful. He walked towards the door, and I nearly screamed, but luckily, he didn't make the same mistake.

But as I looked in his eyes, I sensed something bigger than a sudden fainting was going on here. And when he met my own caramel-brown eyes, that something was confirmed.

"The forest..." he began quietly at first, unbelieving himself. Before he said those next words sure to change us all, I had already guessed them. A single tear slipped down from my eyes. "is on fire."

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A/N: 

The absolutely adorable, PERFECT cover is by @CloudsInSkies! Seriously, I love it SO FLIPPING MUCH! <3 Thank you, sempai! Words can not express my gratitude :) <33

Dedicated to:

@AM-FL101