Power. It is a quantifiable proof someone exists. The mark it leaves upon someone that has it is clear in how they move, how they speak, and the measures they take when threatened. This Vulpix is powerful, I can sense that much. It is in his presence, like an aura exuded off him. Zinnia, the Chikorita is running herself ragged. Trying to push out just that bit more. All to keep up with a unfazed Alistar, who has lapped her for the eighth time.
Nora had a majority of my body in her lap. She was insistant on making sure my scales were all healthy and clean. Such a sweet child, and it makes guilt roil in my stomach. It is worse than the feeling of starvation ripping at my insides. I'd almost prefer the feeling of starvation to this. It makes me want to puke up what I have in my stomach. The food Nora had me eat, even if I feel I don't deserve it.
We spent the past few days here just outside the city called Viridian. Starting tomorrow, I will be strong enough to join Zinnia and Alistar in training. I will be able to use my strength to repay the mercy and kindness I was given. I lower my head and let it rest on Nora's thigh. I should rest while I can. I have a feeling Alistar will ensure I can't feel my tail by the end of tomorrow.
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Alistar's POV:
A soft puff of heat comes from my nose as I stop once again. Zinnia has started flagging, her stamina really is terrible. She's getting better, but the progress is slower than I'd expected.
Then again my own progress is much slower than I expected. It's strange, I felt improvement during my fight with Belladonna. Why am I not improving as fast as before and why is Zinnia not improving like I had? Could our potential be different?
I let my mind wonder for a minute, as my gaze sweeps to Nora and Belladonna. The snake has been behaving. Nora has spent most of her time getting associated with Zinnia, Belladonna's treatment, and planning the navigation through Viridian Forest.
A tired groan brought me back to my previous thoughts. I looked to the source and let a another soft snort of hot air from my nose. Zinnia laying there exhausted, made me remember my time training with Arcturus.
"Oh, quit your groaning. You aren't going to be a hero if you aren't giving your one hundred and ten percent." My words are met with another groan and it made me chuckle a bit. "Come on now. You had just a few more steps to go. You can do that right? Or is this all you have? You are the master of your limits. Get up, and prove to yourself you can do this." I hear her grunt, watch her get up. She manages to get right in front of me before collapsing again.
"I... Did it."
"Yes, you did."
"Hey... Mmnnn... Alistar? You said... this was supposed to get easier."
"I did."
"Then, why isn't it?" Her voice has started to even out as she lays there in the sun. Likely she's starting to recharge the burned up energy. I have little understanding on how it works, but it is rather amazing.
"I am not exactly sure. However, I may have a theory but it requires a test."
Zinnia grumbled a bit, "You're doing the mysterious knight thing again."
I roll my eyes and start moving toward Nora. "Right, right. Come along. Also, just because I have an idea as to why, doesn't mean it's correct. I'd rather be certain, that way I don't lead you wrong."
I glance at the forest not to far away. We've been being watched for the past hour. They have been content to watch, but I don't think they will remain patient much longer. They aren't exactly stealthy either. I caught their scent during a shift in the breeze. I stop my steps and sigh slightly before raising my voice. "Are you going to continue to hide? You aren't very good at it." I turn my head fully towards the trees.
I could see Zinnia in the corner of my eye, tilting her head in confusion. She looks towards where I am. "Who are you talking to Alistar?"
A large brown and cream rat came out of the brush. It has a large scar running diagonally down it's face. It's abnormally long teeth are oddly shaped, sharp, and follow the line of the diagonal scar. The set of three whiskers on either side of its face are damaged. one on the left side of its face and two on the right. I rack my brain trying to recall what Pokémon this is. The sound of the Pokédex rings out as the overgrown rat's sharp gaze stays locked on me.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
// Raticate, the Mouse Pokémon. The evolved form of Rattata. Raticate's body adapted through it's evolution to be capable of traversing various terrain. It's webbed hind paws assist with its ability to swim through river rapids and traverse over swampy land faster than other Pokémon. A lengthened thick tail and whiskers assist with balance. Their large fangs need to be widdled down periodically. This species that once gnawed on trees and bark as a Rattata, now are far harder and require hard stones and/or solid concrete to keep their teeth managed. Wherever a Raticate is, a few Rattata are never far away. This Raticate stands at 2'0" and weighing in at 32lbs. It's known moves are Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Quick Attack, Bite, Frustration, Rage, Hyper Fang, Facade, Sucker Punch, and Mega Kick.//
True to the words spoken, a pair of Rattata stepped out from behind the Raticate. Again the voice of the Pokédex rings out.
// Rattata, the Mouse Pokémon. One of the most common Pokémon in the world. Seeing one is almost a guarantee that nearly forty more live in the area. A cautious Pokémon full of vitality, boasting a capability to live and nest just about anywhere. It has been proven that Rattata even while sleeping are still aware of what happens around them via their ears. The fangs these Pokémon use as their primary method of attack need to be widdled down periodically. The widdling is done primarily by gnawing on wood. The harder the material required to widdle there fangs is a notable indicator of how close to evolution they are. These Rattata stand at 1'01" and 0'11", weighing in at 7.9lbs. and 7.5lbs. respectively. Their moves are Tail Whip, Tackle, Bite, Sand Attack, and Quick Attack.//
"I finally found you, you bastard! I'm going to make you pay for the suffering you caused me." The Raticate spat with a immense level of venom.
"Zinnia... No matter what occurs right now, don't get involved. You are too tried right now. Stick to protecting Nora and Belladonna...I will hand this." I feel my heart starting to pick up, blood rushing to my ears.
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Zinnia POV:
I don't think Alistar could have caused anyone to suffer on purpose. The Raticate looks pretty mad and getting myself between the wild Pokémon and Nora was really all I could think to do. They don't seem interested in anyone but Alistar.
I heard Nora and Belladonna approach but stop a yard or two away. I turned to look at them and I must have missed some kind of unspoken cue because when I turned my head back the Raticate had sprung into the air having a kick aimed at Alistar.
The tensing of Alistar's body was the only thing that I saw before the strike. I blinked and the Raticate had slid a yard away from Alistar. His right hindpaw stretched out, before placing it back on the ground. How did he do that?
"I don't know who you are... But I'll give you once chance to rethink this, before I put serious effort into taking you down."
Alistar's words fell on deaf, no unwilling ears because once again the Raticate charged in. This time it was cloaked in the white energy of Quick Attack. Braced and prepared for it Alistar raised his right forepaw and slammed it into the ground in a specific position shifting his body. Raticate connected with Alistar going full tilt. I'm not sure how he did it, but Alistar seemed to spin with the attack as the Raticate barreled into him. Alistar's left forepaw was lifted and glowing a concentrated white and it came down hard. Slamming into the Raticate with a brutal amount of force. The cry of pain that came from the Raticate made me wince. It looked super painful.
[Alistar, jump!]
I heard Nora shout, and with a firm push off the ground using the Raticate's prone body he leapt out of the way of the two Rattata. They both had attempted to blindside him with a Quick Attack each. They missed and had the misfortune of slamming into their boss Raticate who was just starting to recover from the bone rattling strike.
This only seemed to enrage the Raticate, whose teeth gleamed menacingly with a large amount of raw power. This could only be Hyper Fang and while Alistar had been doing things well up to this point he didn't manage to evade the Hyper Fang. The jagged teeth managed to latch into Alistar's side in the middle of trying to dodge another tandem Quick Attacks from the Rattata. Instead of the expected pained cry, a Roar of rage accompanied by a vicious snap down of Alistar's own jaws on the spine of the Raticate. The several sounds of snapping could be heard before the body of the Raticate was thrown off and away towards the woods. His eyes, normally pools of calm, held a inferno of something I couldn't place. He was angry, that is a certainty, but there was more that I couldn't figure out. The two Rattata feld into the woods seeming to have figured out Alistar is far too much for them to handle.
While I was trying to figure out what I saw in his eyes, Alistar made his way to the unmoving form of the Raticate. Was that... Contempt? No. It's pity. He is pitying the unmoving form of the Raticate.
I turned my head to look up at Nora who was stunned with a blank look of shock. At some point she had picked up Belladonna and I shared a worried look with our newest teammate. I moved to her and nudged against her leg to get her attention but it failed. She was just locked on the sight before her.
I have a feeling we may be staying here for more than a few days longer.