Chapter 7

Dark Growlithe led the four eevee cubs, Cream, Kitten, Bramble and Bandit, further into the forest. The cubs were now using three of their senses to try and find other pokémon instead of only two. Bramble, Cream and Kitten were now pointing things out; most of which were high up in a tree and happily out of reach.

“Okay, be quiet now,” commanded Dark Growlithe, “There’s a rattata nest around here. Maybe you’ll get a chance to try and catch one.”

“How do you now they’re here?” asked Cream.

“You can see left over bits of nuts on the ground. There are also paths worn on the ground from regular use.”

Silently they moved through the rattata area, and soon Kitten called the others quietly to attention.

“Through there,” she said in hushed tones, pointing with her nose.

“Well done. Who wants to try catch it?”

No one volunteered.

“Don’t worry it’s also young. It can’t hurt you yet. Cream, why don’t you go?”

Cream nodded determinedly and began to sneak up on the unsuspecting rattata. The rat pokémon had its back to Cream and was chewing on a berry. As she got closer though, Cream was so fixated on the rattata that she forgot to look where she was stepping and put her paw on a twig. The dry stick broke with crack that echoed in the stillness of the forest. The rattata immediately picked up the sound, whirled around, and used a quick attack on Cream. Seeing the rattata hurtling at her Cream let out a cry and turned to run. The rattata hit her back and knocked her to the ground before retreating in the opposite direction.

“Sucker!” cried Bandit at Cream as he ran past her after the vanishing prey.

“Bandit! Stay here!” barked Dark Growlithe, but the eevee paid no attention.

Dark Growlithe went up to Cream and nuzzled her face gently.

“Are you okay?”

Cream nodded, embarrassed at her inability to beat the weaker pokémon. Bramble and Kitten joined Cream and Dark Growlithe jumped away.

“Stay with her,” he said as he began to follow Bandit.

Before he had left the tiny clearing where the ambush had failed Bandit came racing back with a look of terror on his face. Trying to turn on the dry leaves covering the forest floor he slipped and fell just as a large and angry raticate burst through the bushes coming after him. The raticate’s large fangs shone as it prepared to attack. Changing direction in an instant Dark Growlithe dug his claws into the earth and leapt in between Bandit and the raticate. Surprised with Dark Growlithe’s arrival the raticate just tackled Dark Growlithe, who was sent flying into a bush, in the side. Raticate then turned his attention on the eevee, who had been joined by Bandit. Raticate prepared to attack them but was cut off by a column of fire, shot by Dark Growlithe. As the fire faded Dark Growlithe came in between his small group of students and the raticate.

‘He’s strong,’ thought Dark Growlithe, ‘That kind of attack is at the same level as the vulpix squad. He’s probably the leader of his pack.’

“Get out of my way,” snarled Raticate, “I only want the cub that tried to kill my son.”

Cream gave a soft yelp and began to shake. Kitten moved closer to comfort her. Bramble looked terrified and even Bandit was looking nervous.

“I can’t let you. It’s my duty to protect these eevee. They were just learning to hunt.”

“Well let me teach them how to fight!”

“I don’t think they’re ready yet,” replied Dark Growlithe coolly, trying to bluff his way out of a fight, “How about we forget all about this and go our separate ways. No one needs to be injured today.”

“Shut up! Give me the cub!”

Dark Growlithe lowered his body and began to growl, baring his teeth, “No. Go away and we’ll leave.”

“I’ll kill you too, pup. I’m at least twice your age.”

“Yeah, you’re old and creaky. You probably need help collecting berries.”

“That’s it! I’m going to kill you!”

“You four, stay together!” ordered Dark Growlithe as he leapt forward to meet the raticate’s attack.

Dark Growlithe had to block Raticate’s hyper fang with his own teeth and immediately felt an intense pain in his jaw. He shuddered to think what it would have done f it hit his flesh. He knew he couldn’t beat Raticate with pure strength and he desperately needed a plan. Using quick attack the raticate disappeared in a flash and appeared above Dark Growlithe, raking his back with his claws. Dark Growlithe swung his head around to bite but Raticate leapt off his back and tail whipped Dark Growlithe’s face. Dark Growlithe followed Raticate’s movement before launching a flamethrower attack. The singed the side of Raticate’s face and hit the trunk of a tree but, luckily, not for long enough to set the tree alight. Dodging skilfully, Dark Growlithe constantly lured Ratticate away from the eevee and where he could fight without fear for them.

Once he determined that they were far away enough he attacked full-force. Jumping, biting and shooting tongues of flame at his nimble opponent. Raticate moved lightning fast and bit into Dark Growlithe’s right foreleg. Dark Growlithe howled in pain as Raticate’s incisors sliced through his flesh. When raticate opened his mouth to try and get a better grip Dark Growlithe yanked his foot free, splashing his blood on the leaves on the ground. Knowing he was losing Dark Growlithe decided to use a technique he’d seen only once by a member of the vulpix squad when he was one. Using the technique, the vulpix had defeated six other pokémon in one move. Dark Growlithe ignored the severe pain in his leg and jumped against a tree, forcing his injured leg to work he pushed off again spun until he was above Ratticate and facing straight down. He opened his mouth and released his inner fire in a wild firespin attack that engulfed Raticate. The wind from his attack pushed Dark Growlithe higher until he ended the attack and fell straight down on Raticate’s stunned form. He gripped Raticate’s neck between his jaws and squeezed, not hard enough to break the skin but hard enough to obstruct Raticate’s breathing. Ignoring the whip-like lashes from Raticate’s tail Dark Growlithe held on until Raticate passed out. He then released him and limped back to the eevee he had abandoned for his fight.

The eevee looked at Dark Growlithe in shock as he limped up to them, his mangled paw dripping blood as he walked, bruises evident on the rest of his body.

“Are you okay?” Cream questioned him.

“I’m fine,” answered Dark Growlithe, “Let’s go back.”

The eevee fell in line behind Dark Growlithe as he led them home.