Meeting the Rebels
DISCLAIMER: All characters and properties are copyright their respective owners. All original characters, plot, and concept is copyright 2008-2010 Shen. The author is in no way associated or affiliated with any third-party. This original fiction was created with no intention of any copyright infringement against any third-party, and is purely for fan enjoyment. Do not redistribute.
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Avaron shook his head. The poor blighter... As a trained fighter, Avaron had killed before; Pokémon and human alike. He knew the sick feeling that rose in one's chest as you dealt the final blow...Horrible memories of his past awakened in his mind as he thought this.
Shinko, too, was buried in her thoughts. This battle had brought up a few unpleasant memories of hers, and she tried and failed to remove them in her head. She felt sad for the Larvitar; he was younger even than her, and had experienced something she hadn't, and never wanted. He had killed a living creature, a human. Consumed in memories, Shinko sat and closed her eyes, tears falling slowly again.
"Whaddaya looking so depressed for?" Kilia muttered, grabbing Nakkura and Avaron's attention. However, the strain of talking only caused a bolt of pain to shoot through her shot shoulder, and couldn't hold back the tiny whine it caused to leak from her throat. She lowered her head back between her paws, resting her chin against the cold, wet ground, and shivering again. Taking a small breath, she managed to gasp out, "Are you guys okay? Is anyone badly hurt?" It never occurred to Kilia what an ironic question this was, with her lying on the ground bleeding out as she was.
Kilia's voice brought Avaron out of his thoughts. He shook his head in exasperation at her words and chuckled. "You brave idiot. We're all fine. You're the one who needs to taking care of," Avaron turned his head to the others. "Well, are any of you going to get the Freiya leaf? Or should I do it myself?"
The Sandshrew's voice jerked Nakkura's attention toward him. He narrowed his eyes and growled, "No need to be-" He was about to say "impatient", but with another look at Kilia he realized that it was urgent. He stalked off with another glare at Avaron, his fur bristling. He knew that it was to save Kilia, and that it was just a question, but he felt as if he was being ordered around.
Kilia watched Nakkura leave, and noticed Shen's expression; one that suggested he was greatly upset. The Absol couldn't understand why; she didn't think it was because of her wound. He looked... extremely troubled, not worried. Kilia wondered what was causing him such distress and was prepared to ask, but then saw the human who'd shot her lying a good distance away, crumpled against a tree like a discarded toy. The metal had been embedded in his chest.
Did he do that? she thought, looking at Shen. She felt her heart go out to him. He was so young, and had already had to experience the pang of murder, even if it was in self-defense. Being an Absol, Kilia was used to it, even though Kilia herself had not had to actually kill another living creature. Her family, up until the point her mother had been caught, had lived a rough life, and sometimes death had to be dealt out.
Shen sat back, still staring down. He looked once more upon the human, and a sudden thought flitted through his mind: I'm free... I'm finally free from him... This thought sent shock through his body; he hadn't felt like this since before the human had come into his life. Shen looked over to Kilia and the other two still gathered around her; everyone looked to still be breathing. At least nobody had been killed on my behalf, Shen thought with a sigh of relief. He had only just met them, and never expected them to help him like that, even going to sacrifice their own lives...then the Larvitar knew.
They were the ones he could trust, even with his life. Now, Shen felt like he belonged with them, those who bear scars of their horrible pasts, those who seek Paradise.
This new paradigm made Shen truly smile for the first time in over a year...
At that moment, the brush rustled, and Nakkura tumbled through quickly; his fur was bristled, and he seemed agitated. His amber eyes narrowed angrily, ready to glare at anyone there who thought his situation funny, but no one did. Leaves and dirt sticking to his pelt, he prowled over to Avaron, trying to control his breathing to a normal rate. His heart still pounded in his chest, but he set the leaf by the Sandshrew's feet.
"We need to join back up with the rebel group," he said suddenly. "It will be safer with them. They probably have Pokémon more experienced in healing with them. Kilia, when you can walk, we need to go."
He still felt his fur tingling. He lowered his head to lick at his fur, grooming his shoulder and side. Slowly, after a painstaking moment, he felt the danger pass away. He let out a soft sigh of relief, angling his eyes to the sun shining through the canopy of leaves.
Kilia didn't reply at first. She had the thought, to begin with, that this might be the rebel group. Of course, it had been a foolish thought, but it was still what she had believed until this point. Finally, Kilia twitched her tail and lifted her head again, just enough to manage a small nod, then dropped it back to the ground. Kilia couldn't hold back a smile as she saw him begin to groom himself. He's almost as bad as an Absol.
The Zangoose stretched his arms out quickly before cocking his ears when he heard a plop next to him. He looked over to see that the Larvitar had come over, seeming upset, and sat down next to him. Nakkura frowned a little until the young Rock-type spoke up, looking at him. "I...I want to thank you for what you did back there. Without you guys, I'd probably be joining my parents right about now... Would it...be alright if I traveled with you?"
Parents. Nakkura stiffened for an instant. Kilia heard, and her heart clenched at those words.
Suddenly, Kilia lifted her head, and they saw the effort pained her slightly. Nakkura was about to tell her to lie it down again, but she said firmly, "Of course you can!" She smiled kindly before adding, "I got shot for ya! You think I'm going to let you run off after that? No way."
Nakkura attempted to hide his smirk, but he failed. The Zangoose gave Shen a glare. "Sure, I guess," he muttered, trying not to chuckle. "My name's Nakkura. Just don't bother me, and you'll be okay, kid." His golden eyes sparkled quickly to show he was joking, sort of. He still wasn't the best, warmest person in the world if someone got on his nerves.
Shen was a little intimidated by the stare, but upon seeing the shimmer in the golden orbs staring down at him, he smiled warmly. "Won't be a problem. I'm Shen."
As soon as the Zangoose placed the Freiya Leaf and his feet, Avaron ignored just about everything else. Kilia's wound was still bleeding free, and Shinko looked... preoccupied on her thoughts. Avaron decided to act quickly. For Kilia's sake. He bent to her shoulder wound, and licked off most of the blood he could. In most Pokémon cultures licking another was considered breaking personal space, but Avaron knew that he needed to heal the wound as quickly as possible. He wouldn't do a very good job, and as Nakkura had said, there would probably be a better healer with the rest of the rebels, but he could do a temporary thing.
After licking off most of the blood, he quickly placed the Freiya Leaf in his palm, and crushed it until it was a powder. He then sprinkled it over the wound. The Freiya Leaf was a sort of a painkiller, as it numbed whatever it touched. Already Avaron's paws were feeling as if they died, but at least Kilia would feel no pain. It was fabled that the Freiya Leaf could cure all diseases, but in reality it did naught but lower the pain. He then looked at her leg wound from the sheet metal and grimaced. There was too much blood to lick off. Shinko would have to wash it out.
Avaron then turned to the Zangoose in apology. "I'm sorry about being so...brusque. But Kilia is in dire need of healing. I hope I haven't offended you," He then looked to Shen and added as an afterthought. "My name is Avaron. It's nice to meet you, Shen."
Shinko snapped out of her thoughts among all the greetings and welcomes. She wiped her eyes dry and smiled at Shen. "Yes, a pleasure," she said with a steady voice, "I am Shinko."
Shen stood up and nodded in thanks and greeting. "It's very nice to meet you all."
Shinko smiled warmly before looking over to Kilia. "I might be able to help, Kilia. I can wash out those wounds for you, if you want. The Shotgun pellets will need to come out of your shoulder wound anyway..."
Kilia chuckled a little and waved a paw at her side. The rain had done a good job of cleaning away the blood on the outer layer of her fur, but that had been a while ago. Now, more blood had oozed out of the wound and was crusting over. The Absol knew if she allowed it to clot completely, the scab that formed would catch her fur, and that could lead to painful problems, as well as infection. Not only that, it, too, needed a thorough cleaning out. "Would you please?"
Nakkura looked over at the timid Buizel. "Help her out," he suggested halfheartedly before turning around and hunching his head, flicking his ears in irritation he tried to keep to himself.
Shinko nodded and moved to Kilia's side after Avaron had stepped back. She made a small "o" with her mouth and exhaled, shooting a tiny stream of water into the wound on her shoulder. Kilia grimaced a tiny bit as it stung her, but otherwise kept still and silent for the Buizel. As she watched, the small, lead pellets slid from the hole with the water, falling out of site in the grass. As time went by, more and more slid from the wound, and then a whole clump of blood-covered metal pieces came out, falling on the grass in a lopsided ball. Finally, no more seemed to come out, and Shinko even examined closer at the wound to make sure she did a good job. Happy, she smiled at Kilia, and the Absol returned it happily.
"Maybe you could clean this one too? You're pretty good at this, and I'm glad you're here to help out," Kilia said as cheerfully as she could as she spoke, not wanting Shinko to feel any more unease than he already had.
Shen watched this with a bubbly happiness, glad Kilia was getting the treatment she needed and well deserved. Shen then glanced over at the human's corpse, looking stark white against the tree. He walked over slowly to it and looked one last time at his disgusting features. Shen scowled and bid one final farewell. Now rot in hell for killing my only family... he thought in pain. A single tear fell from his eye.
Reaching out suddenly and grasped the sheet metal still embedded within the human's chest, then ripped it out. Never wanting it to see it hurt or scar anyone, Shen brought it down on his knee, snapping the piece of metal cleanly in two. "You will never harm anyone ever again...you old fool..." he muttered as he tossed the pieces back onto his chest.
As soon as he did that, a relief Shen had never known bloomed in his chest. The human was no longer on his trail and would never bother him again, and he'd found friends. Shen was happier than he had been in a long time. It's finally over. I never have to look over my shoulder again, not as long as I have friends with me, he thought, sitting up against a tree.
"All right fellas. And fellaesses," Avaron said, addressing the whole group, "It's time for us lot to get back with the rest of the rebels. Safety in numbers, as they say. We shouldn't have too much trouble, as the human probably scared off anything else of possible threat."
Kilia nodded and looked about to try to stand up, but Nakkura held up a claw. "Nuh-uh, not yet," he said, "I'll scout ahead. Call me if you run into anything unpleasant," he muttered halfheartedly. He bounded forward into the rest of the woodland, ears perked and all senses alert for the signs of the larger rebel group.
Avaron turned away from the rest of the group, staring out of the canopy at the sky, careful to stay out of the rain that persisted, though now a light sprinkle instead of a downpour. He heard the Larvitar thank them. Kilia's getting star treatment, and she deserves it, the ground type thought to himself. Avaron, anyway, had done his bit. He turned back to the others. "I'm off to go with Nakkura. He's really strong, but some things can only be done with two people."
With that, the veteran Sandshrew scuttled off after the lumbering Zangoose.
Kilia stared after them, still half raised, then slumped down as Shinko moved to the slice on her leg and began to spray water at it as well, washing away blood.
Shen, meanwhile, was also watching after them until they disappeared behind the foliage. A sudden pain in his shoulder reminded Shen that he still had pellets in his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he pressed a paw into the wound, causing fresh pain to burst forth. Still, Shen was silent as he continued his work. The Larvitar didn't need to dig deep; thankfully, the pellets hadn't gotten into his bloodstream, but that could change any minute. So he worked vigorously to get the poisonous bits of metal out, one by one. Finally, Shen grabbed the last one and popped it out, sighing quietly as the pain left instantly. Shen dropped the bloody pieces of metal next to him and dropped is paws at his sides in relief.
A sudden thought crossed his mind, and Shen ambled over to Kilia, hoping she felt better after Shinko had finished his work and had the Freiya Leaf powdered onto her gunshot wound. Sitting down, he smiled at her and said, "Hey, uh...thanks for taking that shot for me earlier. That was really brave, especially since we had only just met. So, are you feeling better?"
Shinko sat next to Shen, having finished with the slash, and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was. I couldn't have done that....I wish I were like you."
Kilia couldn't help but smile. "Nah, it wasn't brave, it was just what needed to be done. Still, you're quite welcome. And yes, thanks, I am feeling a lot better." The Absol waved a paw at her injured shoulder. "Though I don't think the effects of this leaf will last for long. But all in all, I feel alright." Here she paused. "But I'm still kinda tired. I think it was the loss of all that blood. No biggie though. My jewel is very healthy, which is why I'm regaining my strength so quickly." It never occurred to her Shinko and Shen might not understand that last sentence, so she didn't bother to explain.
Shen and Shinko both nodded. "That's good to hear," the Buizel stated happily. She then looked at Shen and said, "By the way, I'm Shinko."
Shen smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"The same to you." Shinko said, returning the smile.
"So, we're all acquainted now, right?" Kilia asked. She placed her weight on her left shoulder and began heaving herself up. "Well then, I suppose it'll be good for us to follow after Nakkura and Avaron. Can't make 'em wait forever, can we?"
Shinko stood and offered a paw to Kilia. "Here, let me help you up."
Kilia graciously accepted, and was soon on all four paws. She wasn't in pain, thanks to the Freiya Leaf, but time was ticking by, and soon enough, the effects would be gone. Shen stood as well, ready to follow.
Suddenly, the sounds of a struggle entered the clearing, suggesting trouble. Shinko cocked her ears and bared her teeth. Something must have happened to Nakkura! "I'm sorry Kilia, I have to help this time!" Leaving Kilia behind, the Buizel ran out of the clearing.
"Well, I'm not going to stay here while the others might be in trouble! Come on, we have to see what's going on and make sure everyone's alright!" Kilia said as she dashed off after the Buizel, hot on her trail.
Shen followed, determined to help out Nakkura after the way the Zangoose had saved him. However, being a Rock and Ground Pokémon, he wasn't exactly made for running, and soon fell behind the two. Still, he persisted, and ran full pelt.
Ahead, Shinko ran behind Kilia, who, despite the wounds, was running pretty damn fast. Shinko kept up after being passed, though. Then the smell of blood wafted through the trees, and they picked up speed. Poor Shen, who'd begun to catch up by that time, was left in their dust, but he just kept after them.
Finally, Shinko and Kilia could see the trees thinning, and within another few minutes they burst from the forest. Before them stretched a huge meadow, with flowers bobbing in the breeze and grass swaying gently. The sunset brought a wonderful array of colors to the meadow.
In front of them was the huge, varied group of Pokémon; the rebel group. All facing two of its members, with Nakkura injured and Avaron declaring, "You have no right to attack us. Isn't the policy of the Rebels to allow any Pokémon that hates humans to join? Who asked you to attack my friend?"
Their eyes quickly took in the scene: Nakkura was injured, and lying a fair distance away was a stunned Luxray. The Electric Lion was stumbling to its feet, obviously dazed, and a Mightyena was growling angrily at Avaron. Before another blow could be dealt, Kilia leapt over Avaron and Nakkura into full view of the rebels. Gasps rang throughout the clearing; Kilia knew what kind of affect her appearance would have on them.
"Let my friends speak unchallenged!" Kilia cried out, waving her white horn from side to side. "We seek what you seek, a place to call home, a place where we can live together in peace away from the human threat! Why do you treat my friends so poorly? Proud Pokémon be you must not, for no Pokémon with self-respect would attack others seeking sanctuary and posing no threat!"
"Silence!" the Mightyena barked, though he seemed somewhat shaken by her sudden leaping entrance, and the almost pure white of her body. The Absol locked her milky eyes onto his crimson ones, and she saw a shudder pass through him. Kilia hated using how she looked as a weapon, but if it would help them out, she'd do whatever it took. "That Zangoose challenged us with his arrogance! He did not drop his pose when I demanded to know whether he was friend or foe! It is his own fault-"
"Are we all not cautious and wary these days?!" Kilia cried out, prancing forward as she lifted her head high, tossing her horn about. "Do we all not keep our guards when encountering others? Are we not entitled to such, when all we seek if to defend ourselves should another decide to strike against us!? I ask you, would you have so easily dropped your pose if the same had been demanded of you, that was demanded of my friend?"
There was an uneasy silence for a moment, and then the Mightyena let out another growl. Kilia continued to stare at him, and finally he dropped his gaze from the Absol's.
"Perhaps you are right...these are hard times, and we are all highly strung." He made a shrugging motion of his shoulders, and Kilia sighed softly. Perhaps there would be no further need for violence...
Shen had caught up with them at that point, and was breathing deeply to get oxygen into his lungs. He had seen that the hostilities were going away, and he sat down and sighed as well. They didn't need any more trouble after what they'd just gone through.
"Excuse me, are you hurt?" A voice said behind him, causing the Larvitar to jump. He turned to see a female Bulbasaur.
"Uh...no, I'll be fine, thanks. It doesn't hurt anymore, so I think I'll be fine." Shen offered a smile to show her he spoke truthfully.
Whether she heard him or not wasn't evident, because she continued looking over his wound. "A puncture wound from a shotgun, right?" she asked. Shen nodded. "You may need an herb or two anyway. We need to make sure you don't get lead poisoning." And with that, she walked off. Stopping suddenly, she turned her head and looked at the Larvitar. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Uh...I'm Shen." He responded.
"Nice to meet you Shen. I'm Aya." And with that, she left to get the herbs.
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Avaron shook his head. The poor blighter... As a trained fighter, Avaron had killed before; Pokémon and human alike. He knew the sick feeling that rose in one's chest as you dealt the final blow...Horrible memories of his past awakened in his mind as he thought this.
Shinko, too, was buried in her thoughts. This battle had brought up a few unpleasant memories of hers, and she tried and failed to remove them in her head. She felt sad for the Larvitar; he was younger even than her, and had experienced something she hadn't, and never wanted. He had killed a living creature, a human. Consumed in memories, Shinko sat and closed her eyes, tears falling slowly again.
"Whaddaya looking so depressed for?" Kilia muttered, grabbing Nakkura and Avaron's attention. However, the strain of talking only caused a bolt of pain to shoot through her shot shoulder, and couldn't hold back the tiny whine it caused to leak from her throat. She lowered her head back between her paws, resting her chin against the cold, wet ground, and shivering again. Taking a small breath, she managed to gasp out, "Are you guys okay? Is anyone badly hurt?" It never occurred to Kilia what an ironic question this was, with her lying on the ground bleeding out as she was.
Kilia's voice brought Avaron out of his thoughts. He shook his head in exasperation at her words and chuckled. "You brave idiot. We're all fine. You're the one who needs to taking care of," Avaron turned his head to the others. "Well, are any of you going to get the Freiya leaf? Or should I do it myself?"
The Sandshrew's voice jerked Nakkura's attention toward him. He narrowed his eyes and growled, "No need to be-" He was about to say "impatient", but with another look at Kilia he realized that it was urgent. He stalked off with another glare at Avaron, his fur bristling. He knew that it was to save Kilia, and that it was just a question, but he felt as if he was being ordered around.
Kilia watched Nakkura leave, and noticed Shen's expression; one that suggested he was greatly upset. The Absol couldn't understand why; she didn't think it was because of her wound. He looked... extremely troubled, not worried. Kilia wondered what was causing him such distress and was prepared to ask, but then saw the human who'd shot her lying a good distance away, crumpled against a tree like a discarded toy. The metal had been embedded in his chest.
Did he do that? she thought, looking at Shen. She felt her heart go out to him. He was so young, and had already had to experience the pang of murder, even if it was in self-defense. Being an Absol, Kilia was used to it, even though Kilia herself had not had to actually kill another living creature. Her family, up until the point her mother had been caught, had lived a rough life, and sometimes death had to be dealt out.
Shen sat back, still staring down. He looked once more upon the human, and a sudden thought flitted through his mind: I'm free... I'm finally free from him... This thought sent shock through his body; he hadn't felt like this since before the human had come into his life. Shen looked over to Kilia and the other two still gathered around her; everyone looked to still be breathing. At least nobody had been killed on my behalf, Shen thought with a sigh of relief. He had only just met them, and never expected them to help him like that, even going to sacrifice their own lives...then the Larvitar knew.
They were the ones he could trust, even with his life. Now, Shen felt like he belonged with them, those who bear scars of their horrible pasts, those who seek Paradise.
This new paradigm made Shen truly smile for the first time in over a year...
At that moment, the brush rustled, and Nakkura tumbled through quickly; his fur was bristled, and he seemed agitated. His amber eyes narrowed angrily, ready to glare at anyone there who thought his situation funny, but no one did. Leaves and dirt sticking to his pelt, he prowled over to Avaron, trying to control his breathing to a normal rate. His heart still pounded in his chest, but he set the leaf by the Sandshrew's feet.
"We need to join back up with the rebel group," he said suddenly. "It will be safer with them. They probably have Pokémon more experienced in healing with them. Kilia, when you can walk, we need to go."
He still felt his fur tingling. He lowered his head to lick at his fur, grooming his shoulder and side. Slowly, after a painstaking moment, he felt the danger pass away. He let out a soft sigh of relief, angling his eyes to the sun shining through the canopy of leaves.
Kilia didn't reply at first. She had the thought, to begin with, that this might be the rebel group. Of course, it had been a foolish thought, but it was still what she had believed until this point. Finally, Kilia twitched her tail and lifted her head again, just enough to manage a small nod, then dropped it back to the ground. Kilia couldn't hold back a smile as she saw him begin to groom himself. He's almost as bad as an Absol.
The Zangoose stretched his arms out quickly before cocking his ears when he heard a plop next to him. He looked over to see that the Larvitar had come over, seeming upset, and sat down next to him. Nakkura frowned a little until the young Rock-type spoke up, looking at him. "I...I want to thank you for what you did back there. Without you guys, I'd probably be joining my parents right about now... Would it...be alright if I traveled with you?"
Parents. Nakkura stiffened for an instant. Kilia heard, and her heart clenched at those words.
Suddenly, Kilia lifted her head, and they saw the effort pained her slightly. Nakkura was about to tell her to lie it down again, but she said firmly, "Of course you can!" She smiled kindly before adding, "I got shot for ya! You think I'm going to let you run off after that? No way."
Nakkura attempted to hide his smirk, but he failed. The Zangoose gave Shen a glare. "Sure, I guess," he muttered, trying not to chuckle. "My name's Nakkura. Just don't bother me, and you'll be okay, kid." His golden eyes sparkled quickly to show he was joking, sort of. He still wasn't the best, warmest person in the world if someone got on his nerves.
Shen was a little intimidated by the stare, but upon seeing the shimmer in the golden orbs staring down at him, he smiled warmly. "Won't be a problem. I'm Shen."
As soon as the Zangoose placed the Freiya Leaf and his feet, Avaron ignored just about everything else. Kilia's wound was still bleeding free, and Shinko looked... preoccupied on her thoughts. Avaron decided to act quickly. For Kilia's sake. He bent to her shoulder wound, and licked off most of the blood he could. In most Pokémon cultures licking another was considered breaking personal space, but Avaron knew that he needed to heal the wound as quickly as possible. He wouldn't do a very good job, and as Nakkura had said, there would probably be a better healer with the rest of the rebels, but he could do a temporary thing.
After licking off most of the blood, he quickly placed the Freiya Leaf in his palm, and crushed it until it was a powder. He then sprinkled it over the wound. The Freiya Leaf was a sort of a painkiller, as it numbed whatever it touched. Already Avaron's paws were feeling as if they died, but at least Kilia would feel no pain. It was fabled that the Freiya Leaf could cure all diseases, but in reality it did naught but lower the pain. He then looked at her leg wound from the sheet metal and grimaced. There was too much blood to lick off. Shinko would have to wash it out.
Avaron then turned to the Zangoose in apology. "I'm sorry about being so...brusque. But Kilia is in dire need of healing. I hope I haven't offended you," He then looked to Shen and added as an afterthought. "My name is Avaron. It's nice to meet you, Shen."
Shinko snapped out of her thoughts among all the greetings and welcomes. She wiped her eyes dry and smiled at Shen. "Yes, a pleasure," she said with a steady voice, "I am Shinko."
Shen stood up and nodded in thanks and greeting. "It's very nice to meet you all."
Shinko smiled warmly before looking over to Kilia. "I might be able to help, Kilia. I can wash out those wounds for you, if you want. The Shotgun pellets will need to come out of your shoulder wound anyway..."
Kilia chuckled a little and waved a paw at her side. The rain had done a good job of cleaning away the blood on the outer layer of her fur, but that had been a while ago. Now, more blood had oozed out of the wound and was crusting over. The Absol knew if she allowed it to clot completely, the scab that formed would catch her fur, and that could lead to painful problems, as well as infection. Not only that, it, too, needed a thorough cleaning out. "Would you please?"
Nakkura looked over at the timid Buizel. "Help her out," he suggested halfheartedly before turning around and hunching his head, flicking his ears in irritation he tried to keep to himself.
Shinko nodded and moved to Kilia's side after Avaron had stepped back. She made a small "o" with her mouth and exhaled, shooting a tiny stream of water into the wound on her shoulder. Kilia grimaced a tiny bit as it stung her, but otherwise kept still and silent for the Buizel. As she watched, the small, lead pellets slid from the hole with the water, falling out of site in the grass. As time went by, more and more slid from the wound, and then a whole clump of blood-covered metal pieces came out, falling on the grass in a lopsided ball. Finally, no more seemed to come out, and Shinko even examined closer at the wound to make sure she did a good job. Happy, she smiled at Kilia, and the Absol returned it happily.
"Maybe you could clean this one too? You're pretty good at this, and I'm glad you're here to help out," Kilia said as cheerfully as she could as she spoke, not wanting Shinko to feel any more unease than he already had.
Shen watched this with a bubbly happiness, glad Kilia was getting the treatment she needed and well deserved. Shen then glanced over at the human's corpse, looking stark white against the tree. He walked over slowly to it and looked one last time at his disgusting features. Shen scowled and bid one final farewell. Now rot in hell for killing my only family... he thought in pain. A single tear fell from his eye.
Reaching out suddenly and grasped the sheet metal still embedded within the human's chest, then ripped it out. Never wanting it to see it hurt or scar anyone, Shen brought it down on his knee, snapping the piece of metal cleanly in two. "You will never harm anyone ever again...you old fool..." he muttered as he tossed the pieces back onto his chest.
As soon as he did that, a relief Shen had never known bloomed in his chest. The human was no longer on his trail and would never bother him again, and he'd found friends. Shen was happier than he had been in a long time. It's finally over. I never have to look over my shoulder again, not as long as I have friends with me, he thought, sitting up against a tree.
"All right fellas. And fellaesses," Avaron said, addressing the whole group, "It's time for us lot to get back with the rest of the rebels. Safety in numbers, as they say. We shouldn't have too much trouble, as the human probably scared off anything else of possible threat."
Kilia nodded and looked about to try to stand up, but Nakkura held up a claw. "Nuh-uh, not yet," he said, "I'll scout ahead. Call me if you run into anything unpleasant," he muttered halfheartedly. He bounded forward into the rest of the woodland, ears perked and all senses alert for the signs of the larger rebel group.
Avaron turned away from the rest of the group, staring out of the canopy at the sky, careful to stay out of the rain that persisted, though now a light sprinkle instead of a downpour. He heard the Larvitar thank them. Kilia's getting star treatment, and she deserves it, the ground type thought to himself. Avaron, anyway, had done his bit. He turned back to the others. "I'm off to go with Nakkura. He's really strong, but some things can only be done with two people."
With that, the veteran Sandshrew scuttled off after the lumbering Zangoose.
Kilia stared after them, still half raised, then slumped down as Shinko moved to the slice on her leg and began to spray water at it as well, washing away blood.
Shen, meanwhile, was also watching after them until they disappeared behind the foliage. A sudden pain in his shoulder reminded Shen that he still had pellets in his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he pressed a paw into the wound, causing fresh pain to burst forth. Still, Shen was silent as he continued his work. The Larvitar didn't need to dig deep; thankfully, the pellets hadn't gotten into his bloodstream, but that could change any minute. So he worked vigorously to get the poisonous bits of metal out, one by one. Finally, Shen grabbed the last one and popped it out, sighing quietly as the pain left instantly. Shen dropped the bloody pieces of metal next to him and dropped is paws at his sides in relief.
A sudden thought crossed his mind, and Shen ambled over to Kilia, hoping she felt better after Shinko had finished his work and had the Freiya Leaf powdered onto her gunshot wound. Sitting down, he smiled at her and said, "Hey, uh...thanks for taking that shot for me earlier. That was really brave, especially since we had only just met. So, are you feeling better?"
Shinko sat next to Shen, having finished with the slash, and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was. I couldn't have done that....I wish I were like you."
Kilia couldn't help but smile. "Nah, it wasn't brave, it was just what needed to be done. Still, you're quite welcome. And yes, thanks, I am feeling a lot better." The Absol waved a paw at her injured shoulder. "Though I don't think the effects of this leaf will last for long. But all in all, I feel alright." Here she paused. "But I'm still kinda tired. I think it was the loss of all that blood. No biggie though. My jewel is very healthy, which is why I'm regaining my strength so quickly." It never occurred to her Shinko and Shen might not understand that last sentence, so she didn't bother to explain.
Shen and Shinko both nodded. "That's good to hear," the Buizel stated happily. She then looked at Shen and said, "By the way, I'm Shinko."
Shen smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"The same to you." Shinko said, returning the smile.
"So, we're all acquainted now, right?" Kilia asked. She placed her weight on her left shoulder and began heaving herself up. "Well then, I suppose it'll be good for us to follow after Nakkura and Avaron. Can't make 'em wait forever, can we?"
Shinko stood and offered a paw to Kilia. "Here, let me help you up."
Kilia graciously accepted, and was soon on all four paws. She wasn't in pain, thanks to the Freiya Leaf, but time was ticking by, and soon enough, the effects would be gone. Shen stood as well, ready to follow.
Suddenly, the sounds of a struggle entered the clearing, suggesting trouble. Shinko cocked her ears and bared her teeth. Something must have happened to Nakkura! "I'm sorry Kilia, I have to help this time!" Leaving Kilia behind, the Buizel ran out of the clearing.
"Well, I'm not going to stay here while the others might be in trouble! Come on, we have to see what's going on and make sure everyone's alright!" Kilia said as she dashed off after the Buizel, hot on her trail.
Shen followed, determined to help out Nakkura after the way the Zangoose had saved him. However, being a Rock and Ground Pokémon, he wasn't exactly made for running, and soon fell behind the two. Still, he persisted, and ran full pelt.
Ahead, Shinko ran behind Kilia, who, despite the wounds, was running pretty damn fast. Shinko kept up after being passed, though. Then the smell of blood wafted through the trees, and they picked up speed. Poor Shen, who'd begun to catch up by that time, was left in their dust, but he just kept after them.
Finally, Shinko and Kilia could see the trees thinning, and within another few minutes they burst from the forest. Before them stretched a huge meadow, with flowers bobbing in the breeze and grass swaying gently. The sunset brought a wonderful array of colors to the meadow.
In front of them was the huge, varied group of Pokémon; the rebel group. All facing two of its members, with Nakkura injured and Avaron declaring, "You have no right to attack us. Isn't the policy of the Rebels to allow any Pokémon that hates humans to join? Who asked you to attack my friend?"
Their eyes quickly took in the scene: Nakkura was injured, and lying a fair distance away was a stunned Luxray. The Electric Lion was stumbling to its feet, obviously dazed, and a Mightyena was growling angrily at Avaron. Before another blow could be dealt, Kilia leapt over Avaron and Nakkura into full view of the rebels. Gasps rang throughout the clearing; Kilia knew what kind of affect her appearance would have on them.
"Let my friends speak unchallenged!" Kilia cried out, waving her white horn from side to side. "We seek what you seek, a place to call home, a place where we can live together in peace away from the human threat! Why do you treat my friends so poorly? Proud Pokémon be you must not, for no Pokémon with self-respect would attack others seeking sanctuary and posing no threat!"
"Silence!" the Mightyena barked, though he seemed somewhat shaken by her sudden leaping entrance, and the almost pure white of her body. The Absol locked her milky eyes onto his crimson ones, and she saw a shudder pass through him. Kilia hated using how she looked as a weapon, but if it would help them out, she'd do whatever it took. "That Zangoose challenged us with his arrogance! He did not drop his pose when I demanded to know whether he was friend or foe! It is his own fault-"
"Are we all not cautious and wary these days?!" Kilia cried out, prancing forward as she lifted her head high, tossing her horn about. "Do we all not keep our guards when encountering others? Are we not entitled to such, when all we seek if to defend ourselves should another decide to strike against us!? I ask you, would you have so easily dropped your pose if the same had been demanded of you, that was demanded of my friend?"
There was an uneasy silence for a moment, and then the Mightyena let out another growl. Kilia continued to stare at him, and finally he dropped his gaze from the Absol's.
"Perhaps you are right...these are hard times, and we are all highly strung." He made a shrugging motion of his shoulders, and Kilia sighed softly. Perhaps there would be no further need for violence...
Shen had caught up with them at that point, and was breathing deeply to get oxygen into his lungs. He had seen that the hostilities were going away, and he sat down and sighed as well. They didn't need any more trouble after what they'd just gone through.
"Excuse me, are you hurt?" A voice said behind him, causing the Larvitar to jump. He turned to see a female Bulbasaur.
"Uh...no, I'll be fine, thanks. It doesn't hurt anymore, so I think I'll be fine." Shen offered a smile to show her he spoke truthfully.
Whether she heard him or not wasn't evident, because she continued looking over his wound. "A puncture wound from a shotgun, right?" she asked. Shen nodded. "You may need an herb or two anyway. We need to make sure you don't get lead poisoning." And with that, she walked off. Stopping suddenly, she turned her head and looked at the Larvitar. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Uh...I'm Shen." He responded.
"Nice to meet you Shen. I'm Aya." And with that, she left to get the herbs.