Chapter 5 - Episode 5: Smoke & Fire Part II

The night was alive with quiet angst. A competition was underway.
 
The auction house was a grand building. It was constructed more than a century ago by a banker named Ricky Ce’Pone. Bankrupt after an elaborate credit scheme collapsed around him, he and his wife used this house to auction off their most prized possessions in order to repay the fraudulent gains they had once made. The last possession to be auctioned was the building itself. Purchased by several wealthy stockholders, the House is now run by the Myst family, where annual auctions are held featuring rare and exotic Pokemon.
 
The host of tonight’s auction was exceptionally exuberant today. He was clad in a top of the line tuxedo and wore an enticing smile upon his countenance. But the hungry eyes of the wealthy crowd looked right through him to the caged Girafarig. The psychic stallion sat tame in its prison awaiting its fate. Once a majestic and uncommon sight, its dark head-tail sat quiet and still with eyes closed and teeth taped shut.
 
With whatever shred of will this once proud mare held, its helpless eyes scanned over the crowd of humans lifting their fans and attempting to outbid one-another for control over the creature’s future. As it looked upon the masses of greedy eyes and bloated bellies, its eyes met with another who seemed innocent in nature. Fear, pity, and concern swelled in the blue eyes of a young girl who watched this creature have its freedom stripped by everyone present.
 
And there was nothing she could do.
 
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Episode 5: Smoke and Fire Part II

With fists clenched, the fiery redhead took off after the riled pups. “Come on!”
 
Looking back with hesitation in her blue eyes, Lilith found herself wondering if she was prepared for whatever might be awaiting them outside. That icy fear left her frozen in place. Why did she run away? What was she thinking? What could she, one human girl, possibly do to help? It was then that she felt the warmth of another. The kind touch of Karina’s hand shocked the young girl back into reality. When the young blonde looked up into those hazel eyes, she realized she was not alone. There was another who shared her concerns about these creatures.
 
Just outside the mouth of the grand oak, the pack of Growlithe stampeded across the bridge that separated their home from invaders. The fiery pups had anger in their eyes. They surfaced from underneath bushes, descended from higher levels of their home base and spread out in front of the bridge.
 
The empty forest became quiet. The afternoon breeze tip-toed through the leaves. The birds were silent. The bugs were absent from sight. Aside from the crimson pack of Pokemon, the forest was a lifeless calm.
 
Adell and the others rushed out behind them. He and Cubone led their group just behind the angry Growlithe. Their leader, once noticing their presence, let loose a series of savage barks. These protests were immediately silenced by the rustling of greenery in the distance. Angst-filled eyes looked forward toward the wall of greenery that encased the Growlithe nest.
 
Silently, like reapers entering the homes of the innocent, black paws broke through the lush tall grass. There were no growls, no snarls: no need for intimidation aside from their unnerving calm and overwhelming numbers. The sea of red canines was silent as the sentinels of shadow amassed within their territory. Their presence, like heavy smoke preceding a fire, besmirched the green grass and accented fauna with the deep gray and black of the Houndour pack.
 
Not even Cubone’s fortified nerves could suppress the angst forming in its tiny knees. Lilith gasped as the shock escaped through her lungs. Karina’s body wrapped around the child protectively, yet her trembling brown eyes never left the army of dark pups amassing on the Growlithe’s boarders.
 
Fear could not be shown by the fiery Pokepups. This was their enemy. They could not allow even a sliver of discomposure to booster the Houndour’s morale. Instead, their souls, like tiny factories, converted every ounce of dread into animosity. Weighed down by bloodlust, the air hung still and silent. The growling, snarling, anger of the Growlithe was the only ambiance this forest turned battlefield offered, that is, until one crucial moment. 
 
The leader of the Houndour army stepped forward with one paw. In that moment, the entire forest was turned on to this Pokemon. Confident as a general, it’s held tilted up to the skies and, as if announcing victory to the heavens, it unleashed an ear-rattling howl that vibrated against the quiet skies.
 
The call of war had been made, and the massive number of dark Pokemon dashed onto the field. The leader stood still and focused as the wave of black fur swelled around him like an oily river.
 
The leader of the Growlithe, shaken by the tremble in the earth, could not strengthen his lungs enough to mirror the howl. Ferociously, it snarled, then barked viciously as it lead its entire family to defend their home against these savage invaders.
 
As the two armies closed the gap, it became apparent that this natural force was something no human could contain. The will of wild Pokemon was inspiringly dreadful in this display of natural selection. None of the spectators could take their eyes off the slivering line of untouched greenery quickly being devoured by the armies as they came closer and closer to one another. Their footsteps, like the drums of war, drew closer as each group moved like a larger organism.
 
Finally, the two armies collided in a thunderous pounding. The front lines toppled over one-another like molten lava bubbling along the coastline. This was no civilized test of strength. The Pokemon bit, scratched, slammed, stomped and chomped into one-another. Those too weak to stay on their feet were trampled by others.
 
The Humans watched in inexpressible horror. Their hearts cried out, but their lungs were frozen by the chilling battle before them. Pokemon were not supposed to fight like this! They were beautiful, graceful creatures; intelligent and powerful. This savage natural phenomenal questioned the very core of beliefs these trainers were taught to live by. “…stop…!” Lilith’s small voice barely found the strength to crawl from her tongue. The sound of her plea reached Adell’s ear and he turned towards her. The paralyzing shock in her eyes mirrored what he felt in his heart. It was then he remembered his role was not to stand and watch.
 
With a clenched fist he rushed towards the chaotic battle. “Cubone!”
 
“Bone!” Snapping out of its awe, the rock Pokemon gripped its bone-club and rushed in alongside its trainer.
 
“Adell!” Karina went to reach out for her partner, but her fingers fell short. She watched him, as a Pokemon Trainer, rush into this natural disaster head-first. Her hand fell to her side weakly. A look of helplessness washed over her when her eyes fell upon the sole Pokeball at her waist.
 
Lilith stirred roughly in Karina’s grip, screaming at the top of her lungs for the battle to stop. Her voice was lost in the chaos, however. It was swallowed up by the barking, the yelping; the bleeding pain of the Pokemon now at war, and drowned out the boom of Adell’s shout. “Go, Cubone!”
 
As the trainer took his position along the side of the battle, his rock-Pokemon rushed past him straight into the crowd of darkness. A few Houndour along the sidelines noticed the foreigner approaching and rushed to meet it head-on. “Sand Attack!” The confidence of Adell’s command reached Cubone’s pounding heart. With a bounce, the Pokemon used its momentum to slide forward against the grass and spray and thick mist of sand towards the approaching attackers.
 
The attack was successful and the three Houndour were blinded by the cloud of dust and dirt. Without even seeing the ground-type emerge from the sand, a heavy round fist pounded one of the dark pup’s skulls into the dirt. “BONE!” Using the Houndour’s head as a springboard, Cubone threw himself into the air and flipped above the battlefield. Targeting an enemy below, the Ground-type clenched its fist and, like a meteor, brought down the full momentum of its fall onto the body of the Pokemon below with a powerful pound “Quuuu… Bone!” and quickly swung out its right hand in a defensive hook to knock away a tackling enemy. “Bone!”
 
Now in the heart of the Houndour army, Cubone found himself surrounded on all sides. “Quu…” Gripping its bone-club with both hands, it took a defensive position as the black Pokemon formed a ring around it. None of the Houndour behind him could spare an attack, however. Just behind their stiff tails was a wave of fire nipping at their napes. The Growlithe may have been outnumbered, but this was their last stand. They fought to protect the only home they’ve known all their lives. With Cubone interrupting the Houndour’s advance, they found a break in the onslaught to finally push back.
 
The leader of the Growlithe stayed in a pocket surrounded by its brothers and sisters. It barked out commands to its allies and dictated strategy. His defenders were under constant assault, but they held firm as they protected their leader. In all the chaos and pandemonium however, their eyes were not attuned to a calm shadow slithering through the ranks. It was the leader of the Houndour. Quietly, patiently, like an Ekans sifting through tall grass towards a Ratata, it silently approached the leader of the Growlithe.
 
As the commander of the fire pups pushed its family forward, it failed to immediately spot the shadowy creature lunged toward it. Splitting the ranks like black fire, the large Houndour pounced upon the Growlithe leader. The tackle was successful, and the fiery Pokemon hit the ground like a stone, but quickly rolled to its feet. Its guards prepared to assist, but the Pokemon barked harshly at them before facing down its opponent.
 
The momentum shifted once more in favor of the Houndour. Fearing for their commander, the Growlithe waned. Over the deafening sounds of battle Adell shouted basic commands towards his Cubone. The Pokemon fought hard to hold back the attacking army of smoke, but their sheer numbers were overwhelming. With every successful attack, so too did the Houndour score a blow upon the Ground-type. “Hang in there, Cubone!”
 
It was a hopeless battle they fought, but the Growlithe fought on regardless. There was no retreat from this enemy. Adell mirrored their conviction, and his voice carried their will to his Cubone. No one could turn their backs on this battle.
 
It was then that another ear-splitting howl filled the air from just beyond the battlefield. The chaos in the field paused briefly. Cubone and all the other Pokemon looked back towards the tree where the Growlithe called home. Karina’s eyes flickered towards the source of the howl and a look of recognition overtook her countenance. The trainer’s suspicions were confirmed when she heard Lilith cry out to the familiar fire pup. “Growlithe!”
 
Thankful as he was for the back-up, a look of skepticism fell upon Adell’s face. “How in the world can she tell them all apart?” Then, he started to notice a significant difference between this Pokemon and the rest. Its growl was ominously deep, and a thick air formed around its tiny body. Orange hairs stood on end as it took a spread stance across a tall branch. Fire licked through its snarling teeth and a powerful gaze aimed straight at the heart of the attacking Houndour. It’s mouth opened slightly, but just enough for Karina’s hazel eyes to identify a growing orb of pure fire forming in the Pokemon’s mouth.


“ADELL!” The trainer screamed as if he were about to be hit by a truck. “GET CUBONE OUT OF THERE, NOW!”
 
“What?!” Startled, but trusting in his partner, he shouted for his Pokemon, “C-Cubone!”
 
The bone-wielding Pokemon looked towards its trainer, then watched as the other Growlithe began to retreat. Confused as the Houndour were, there was a moment of hesitation before the Ground-type decided to trust in the humans, and not a moment too soon.
 
Just as Cubone flinched in his retreat, the hellish Growlithe released a massive blast of fire nearly three times its own size. The blast pulsed like a cannon; the force of which threw the tiny Pokemon back like a 6-year-old firing a double-barreled shotgun.
 
For a brief moment, the entire field flashed crimson as the spherical ball of ember fired towards the earth. Horrified, and with barely any time to react, the Houndour attempted to scatter. The leader, however, was so shocked, it was frozen in place.
 
It had to have been only a few seconds after the attack was released before the massive fireball exploded into the field. Fire and shockwaves erupted from the impact zone.
 
“BOONNNEEE!!” The force of the explosion threw poor Cubone into the air. The Pokemon hit the ground and rolled to safety. A wave of power threw dust and debris towards the trainers. They shielded their eyes and steadied their legs. It took everything they had not to be knocked off their feet.
 
As the initial blast cleared and the rubble settled, many of the Houndour were fleeing with their tails between their legs. Embers were scattered along the grass, and a charred crater was left in the center of the field.
 
Flowers burned as the once chaotic field fell silent.
 
The leader of the Houndour was lying toppled over. Half buried by rocks and rubble, the shock of its own breathing startled it back to life. There was a terrible pain in its left eye, however and it howled in suffering. Blood painted its face a deep crimson. From this pain came anger and it barked savagely towards the regrouped fire pups.
 
They stood in silent unison as they stared down the sole Houndour. The tables had turned in their favor now, and the wounded Pokemon recognized this. After shaking off the rubble from its back the Pokemon sneered and snarled, but eventually backed off. Fleeing into the forest behind its comrades, the shadow of the Houndour had left the Growlithe’s grove.
 
There was a sigh of relief between the two Pokemon trainers. Adell looked towards his Cubone who only had a few scrapes along its tiny arms. He smirked, “Good work, Cubone!” With an approving thumbs-up, he smirked at his companion Pokemon.
 
“…Bone!” Flustered by the complement, Cubone crossed its tiny arms and faced away from its trainer.
 
Karina went to speak, but held back her words. They felt heavy in her chest for some reason. Her eyes fell in a flicker of disappointment. There was no celebration in her eyes, nor was there between the Growlithe. Instead, savage barking was directed towards the exhausted rogue. From its high perch upon the mighty tree, it sat in a numbed daze.
 
The brown-skinned trainer looked on analytically while Adell and his Cubone made their way toward the group of humans. “Karina, what was that?”
 
“It was a Fire Blast.” She answered in self-doubt. “There’s no way a Growlithe that young should be able to do it.”
 
“That’s how the fire started in the Houndour’s forest.” The trainers looked down towards Lilith as she spoke. “Growlithe wandered too far in their territory and they attacked him. They would have killed him if he hadn’t learned Fire Blast when he did. But then their home was burned down and now they want revenge.” 
 
The barking grew ever-louder as the Growlithe shouted at their rogue pack member. The frazzled pup stood on shaking legs, then answered them back with a bark of its own.
 
His answer brought fright to the small blonde’s face.
 
Adell caught on. “What’s up?”
 
“They said that this isn’t a victory: That the Houndour are just going to regroup and come back even stronger next time.”
 
Summoning what strength it had left after unleashing its attack, the tired Growlithe pulled itself to its feet then jumped to a lower-hanging branch before making its way down the tree. It landed, then started off in a stride towards the grove’s edge.
 
“Growlithe wait!” Lilith called out before tugging upon Karina’s arm. “He’s going to try and take on the Houndour all by himself we have to stop him!”
 
Fearing for the Pokemon’s life, Karina turned to Adell. His turquoise eyes stared back at her with the same look he gave at the police station: as if there was no other option. His focused look turned into a confident smirk; one which pushed away any doubt from her mind, and she nodded in silent agreement. Standing on her long legs, she took Lilith by her hand.
 
“Cubone,” Adell called to his Pokemon confidently. “Let’s go!”
 
“Bone!”
 
 
Deeper within the Zahari, the safety of civilization faded in the greenery. At some point, the hope of a safe return seemed out of reach. The trees were dense here. The smell of pollen was thick in the air. Flower petals and the scales of bug Pokemon shimmered in the emerald sea.
 
The group hastily tracked down the rogue Growlithe who escaped from view a few yards back. Determination painted the trainers’ faces as they rushed to the next event hoping they were not too late.
 
The sea of evergreens finally parted, revealing an open patch of grass and greenery. The party stopped short once they saw the Growlithe out in the open. Its legs were spread defensively and its attention was focused on something much larger than the Houndour they’d faced before.
 
Karina’s heart dropped upon first glance at the mass of black fur. The form was nearly four times the size of the tiny fire pup and its presence created a distortion of space that left everything around it dark. The figure sat beneath an uprooted tree coiled within itself: silent, yet unnerving with its haunting gravity.
 
Even for someone which such poor knowledge of Pokemon, the powerful claws and arching horns that sprouted from the Pokemon’s head unsettled Adell.
 
Growlithe barked, announcing its presence, and the dark beast’s ear twitched in the pup’s direction. Piercing red eyes lifted towards the group, followed by a deep growl that caused the Humans’ souls to quiver. The large hound’s head lifted towards the group, and then towards the Growlithe. A single bark from this beast caused all hearts to skip a beat.
 
Lilith yelped and covered her tiny ears.
 
“What is that thing…?” Adell was stricken by awe and angst as he looked upon the ivory exo-spine that covered the Pokemon’s back.
 
“Houndoom…” Karina’s tone was ominous. Just by looking at the Pokemon, she knew they were far out of their league. Her hand tightened around Lilith’s and the trainer attempted to pull the child behind herself.
 
Adell removed his Pokedex cautiously, and switched on the capture app. “Houndoom: The Dark/Fire Pokemon. Rumor has it that, if burned by this Pokemon’s fire, the pain will never go away. It is also rumored that in ancient times, people imagined this Pokemon’s howl to be the call of the reaper as it would send all other Pokemon scurrying back to their nests.” As the description finished, a graph of this Pokemon’s combat stats was displayed, with its highest attributes being in Speed, Attack, and Special Attack.
 
The mighty Pokemon barked yet again, startling the tiny pup. Growlithe held its ground however, then began barking at the large beast.
 
Unable to take his eyes off the exchange of words, Adell asked, “Can you understand them?”
 
Lilith nodded grimly. In a shaky voice, she explained. “She is the mother of the Houndour pack. She’s angry that Growlithe hasn’t brought enough food to sustain her family this week.” After her words, the trainers began to notice small oddities in the area. Remains of fish bones, uneaten apple cores and other assorted remnants were scattered about the open landscape. As the Pokemon continued their back-and-forth, the young child translated the conversation to the trainers.
 
“She demanded that Growlithe provide food for her family or else she would destroy his home. Growlithe has been going into town and stealing food all by himself to feed her entire pack, but now she’s saying that it’s not enough!” The magnitude of sorrow began to flood the tiny girl’s voice. “She says that she’s going to destroy Growlithe’s home anyway, and then she’s going to attack the town!”
 
Shock froze the trainers’ lungs once they heard the news. They no longer needed Lilith’s translating to understand Growlithe’s strife; his pleading to the powerful Pokemon to spare his innocent family. The guilt this poor Pokemon must have felt for being the cause of this.
 
No more.
 
Adell stepped forward, clenched a tight fist and cranked down on the air, trigger his Epic Wind stance. “Stop taking advantage of Growlithe!” The youth demanded. His outburst shocked everyone present, including his own Cubone. “What happened to your home was an accident, and Growlithe has done everything in his power to make things right! But now you’re taking things too far! It’s time you find yourself a new home and leave these Pokemon alone!”
 
The field grew silent for a moment and all eyes fell upon Adell. Karina couldn’t help but smile at him. Even if his confidence was fueled by ignorance of how royally fucked they were, it was still uplifting how determined he was. It even seemed like Lilith became calm after he spoke as well.
 
Unfortunately, Houndoom was not amused.
 
Baring its ivory fangs, it lifted itself to its feet. Towering above the tiny Growlithe, this monster stared down all who invaded its temporary home. Its spade-tipped tail flickered outward and hung menacingly in the air. It snarled, then barked loudly; ripping the confidence Adell created from the very air.
 
Lilith’s eyes washed over with unnerving fear. “She said…” The words were barely able to escape her tiny lips. “She said for bringing the Humans here… you’ve sealed your fate.” The fearsome Pokemon barked once more, and Lilith translated. “Before I destroy your home, I’m going to feed you all to my children.”
 
A chill went up Karina’s spine as she looked towards the hellfire that was this Pokemon’s piercing eyes. Adell grit his teeth in anger and shouted back, “You don’t have to do this!” But when the large canine directed its response directly at the trainer, he knew the time for conversation was over. “Dammit… Have it your way, then! Let’s go, Cubone!”
 
“Bone!” As if waiting to be called into battle, the Ground-type stomped a heavy foot and took to the field beside the angered Growlithe. It barked in protest, but Cubone’s unwavering fortitude was its only answer.
 
Scared, angered and desperate, Karina drew her Pokeball from her hip and aimed outward. “We need your help, Togepi!” A beam of red-light fired from the sphere, and Karina’s summoned Pokemon danced onto the grass.
 
“Priiii!”
 
Houndoom released deafening howl that brought the humans caving in on themselves to cover their ears. The baby egg Pokemon screamed in absolute unadulterated terror and quickly retreated into the embrace of its trainer’s cleavage.
 
This howl was more than just intimidation, however. Bright red orbs of light suddenly spawned from within the greenery. Silently, with bloodlust in their eyes, the tiny shadow pups emerged from the foliage and crept on to the field. Before they knew it, the humans were completely surrounded by the snarling and chomping Houndour.
 
“Quu… BONE!” Shocked, the rock Pokemon turned towards its group.
 
“Don’t worry about us!” Reacting quickly, Adell was able to salvage a fallen branch as a weapon. Waving it defensively to ward off the Pokemon, he stood close by the women. “I’ll handle these guys, Cubone! Take down that Houndoom!”
 
For a moment, the Ground-type was absolutely astounded by the redhead’s resolve. It looked deeply into the determination in its trainer’s turquoise eyes. Adell looked back and the two found a common bond, which they used to exchange strength between one-another.
 
Cubone nodded, “Quu.” and turned to face its own opponent: the towering Houndoom. Pushing fear aside and trusting its trainer to handle himself, the tiny rock-Pokemon readied itself to battle the tyrant before it.
 
“It’s okay…” Karina cuddled her trembling egg-Pokemon. “Everything’s going to be okay.” She huddled down with Lilith behind Adell, who stood firm and faced down the vicious pack of Houndour. The stage was set for the battle that would determine these trainers’ fates. They had no choice but to win. The only alternative: death.


