Dark Battle

Pokecenter

I finally come across a road, after running. Wildfire is worse, I can already feel his heart struggling. Which way should I go? I strain my eyes. As a pokemon of the night, I can see far better the most, but I can't see anything on either side.

Suddenly I see a glimmer. It's faint, so faint I probably imagined it, but what else do I have? Either the one I thought I saw city light on, or chose at random.

I turn and run towards where I think I saw the light. I can only hope I'm going to a city, and not farther away from one.

I was right. I can finally see the city. I race through the streets, dodging around the gods. There aren't many of then, and they seem to be moving out of the way. I can't really tell, because I'm running so fast. Trying to help? Strangely, they seem almost...scared. But why would a god be afraid of a weak, stupid pokemon like me? I must be making a mistake, I'm not smart like the gods.

It isn't long before I see the pokecenter. All the running is jostling Wildfire. His heart is starting to skip. I set him down quickly on the grass, then walk up to the door.

The door won't open. I think it has something to do with being the right height. I can see a faint beam of light above my head, and a god would be that high. I guess it's to keep wild pokemon out. I wonder why the gods want that, but I'm sure they have a good reason.

I bark several times, to try to get the attention of the god. I recognize her. She is one of the many healing gods, who heal pokemon after a battle.

"Houndour!" her eyes widen in shock. "What are you doing here! Go away, all the pokemon here are under my protection!"

I don't understand what she means. I know that she takes care of pokemon. Why won't she let me in?

I bark again, and the nurse-chancy comes over too.

[Go away, bad houndour! You can't hurt any of these pokemon!]

I wag my tail to show I'm friendly, and ask to be let in again. Why would I hurt the pokemon?

The healing god seems scared. I wonder why? It's almost like she's scared of me...but no god could be scared of a dumb, worthless pokemon like me.

"Houndour, go away! If you don't leave I'll call the police!"

I whimper and cower. My god told me about police. He said that they take bad pokemon away and kill them. He told me that not long after he caught me. He said that he'd take me to them if I wasn't better behaved and didn't start winning battles.

Why does she want to call them? I'm not being bad!

"Go AWAY! NOW!" she yells. "I won't let wild pokemon in to hurt my pacents!"

But I can't. Wildfire is hurt! Why does she think I'm going to hurt the pokemon? Isn't she a god? Why can't she understand? I'm not wild!

The god walks away, but the chancy stays. [You can't hurt anything here, you nasty wild pokemon!]

[I'm not wild!]

[Yeah, sure you say that now, so we'll let you in. I heard all about you from Mistress. She said you burn pokemon for fun and leave them to die!]

Chancy...Chancy won't let me in?

[Who's your trainer, then? Can you prove it?]

But I left my trainer...and how could I prove it anyway? Oh!

[Can't you see my collar?]

[I can't see anything, and you know it! It's bright in here and dark out there! Just because I can't see you well, you think you can lie!]

But...[Can't you turn on a light, and see me better?]

[Nice try. Someone messed up the switch in here. It can only be turned on from the switch out there. As you must have known!] She glares at me like I'm the one who damaged it. [I'm not coming out so you can rip me apart!]

[I can turn it on, then you'll see it. Where is the switch?]

The egg pokemon gives me another glare, one that would put an arbok to shame. [By the side of the door.]

I don't understand...why does she think I'm trying to trick her? I walk over to the side of the door and see a switch. Rearing up on two legs, I manage to hit it. The light blinds me for a moment, and even as my eyes adjust it still hurts.

I walk shakily over to the door. The chancy sees my collar. Her eyes widen and she runs off, hopefully to get the god.

"Chancy, what's the matter?" She looks over to the door and sees me. "You! You're still here?" I can hear the fear in her voice clearly. Why is she so scared? I'm just an unimportant pokemon, and she is a god.

She picks up a phone and starts to hit the buttons. "Hello, may I speak to Officer Jenny? This is Nurse Joy."

I yelp. She's going to call them...maybe she knows that I ran away from my god...they will kill me!

"Chancy, cha chan, CY!" yells Chancy. It's gibberish, but it gets the healer god's attention. She walks over.

"What's wrong, chancy? Are you scared by the houndour? Don't worry, I won't let it in-"

Chancy is pointing at my collar.

"You-you're a trainer's pokemon?"

I hesitate. I ran away...but they won't let me in, and Wildfire needs help. But to lie to a god...but Wildfire will die.

[Yes] I say, nodding.

"Then why are you here?"

I run over to Wildfire and bark. With visible hesitation, the god opens the door and comes out, gasping when she sees him.

"Oh no!" she says, picking him up and walking indoors. I walk beck to the doors and sit down, waiting for the god to come back with Wildfire. It will take a while-if he even lives.