It was a just over three years since Dark Growlithe’s parents had been killed and Ninetales had taken him in. She had raised him and he was now almost fully grown. His colouring was still the same and his power was much greater than an ordinary pokémon his age, and even a few that were older than he was. Ninetales was the queen of a pack of fire pokémon and because of his strength Dark Growlithe was one of the pokémon that protected the pack. He didn’t know it, but he was living right near where he had been born, Ninetales had made her territory the plains on the one side of the valley. The only pokémon in her pack were vulpix, growlithe, flareon and houndour.

Dark Growlithe was currently patrolling the pack’s border along the mountain. He was with a female vulpix who was about three years older than he was.

“So, Growlithe, how come you’ve got that strange colouring? I’ve always been curious but you never seem to be alone, you’re always with Ninetales.”

“I don’t know,” replied Dark Growlithe, “I’ve always been like this. I know Ninetales found me when I was just a puppy but I don’t know anything else.”

“Aren’t you curious about your real family?”

“Not too much, I can’t do anything about it anyway and Ninetales says that it’s better to leave the past in the past.”

Vulpix looked at him strangely, “So you don’t care?”

“It won’t change anything anyway, if I know my past. My duty is to the pack and to Ninetales. If I had a family it would just get in the way.”

“Did Ninetales say that?”

Dark Growlithe nodded.

“Don’t you have any of your own thoughts?”

“Of course,” answered Dark Growlithe.

Vulpix perked up and looked interested.

“I think we should check that cave over there, enemies could be hiding in it.”

Vulpix sighed but climbed up to the cave. She glanced inside and saw nothing.

“It’s empty,” she called down.

“That’s good.”

Dark Growlithe waited for Vulpix to return. She came down, looking disappointed.

“You know, even though Ninetales is queen she can make mistakes. You can’t just believe everything she tells you without question, following her rules like a slave. I mean, have you ever met an enemy?”

Dark Growlithe immediately turned on her. Vulpix jumped away just in time to avoid a painful bite.

“Don’t talk about Ninetales like that! She’s our leader and she raised me. You should be honoured to serve her.”

Dark Growlithe turned away from Vulpix and left her alone. Sadly, Vulpix watched as he left.

*****

Dark Growlithe came back to the pack and headed to Ninetales’ den, a small cave in the plains where there was a small pile of rocks and a tree providing shade. Groups of pokémon rested in the shade of the tree and watched as the cubs played in the sun. They moved out of Dark Growlithe’s way because he was Ninetales’ favourite. He walked into the dark cave and paused as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Ninetales was sitting on a bed of hay.

“Come here, Dark Growlithe,” she commanded.

He obediently walked up to her, his head dropped submissively. He lay down in front of her and she held him down with a paw and licked his fur.

“What do you have to tell me?” she asked, “Did the scouting go well?”

“It was fine; there were no enemies anywhere, but…”

“Yes?”

“The vulpix I was with showed some dangerous tendencies. She said you can make mistakes, she also says there aren’t any enemies!”

“It’s okay,” replied Ninetales softly, her tongue combing the cream fur on top of Dark Growlithe’s head, “She doesn’t have any power. I can easily deal with her if she’s a problem. Don’t worry yourself about it.”

“Some of the males are getting slightly upset. They think they should choose their own mates.”

“I’ll see to that, they must learn their place in this pack. If they want more respect they have to earn it. I’ll worry about that some other time though, right now I’ll spend time with you, just sleep. I’ll look after you.”

*****

Ninetales was standing on top of the rock that made the roof of her den, the whole pack was assembled in front of her. Dark Growlithe was standing a short way behind her. In Ninetales’ pack the females were dominant and were seated in a ring around the males. Occasionally a male could get the rank of a female if he did something extraordinary, but it was rare and there were only four high-ranking males in the pack, one of which was Dark Growlithe.

“I’m sure you all know it’s almost mating season,” said Ninetales, “a time when females will choose the male to sire their cubs. It has however come to my attention that some of you are upset about this arrangement. Deal with it! Females rule in this pack, if anyone has a problem speak now.”

There was a pause in her speech and she glared at the males in the centre, all of which looked away, except for one flareon. He didn’t say anything but glared back.

“Good. There are no objections. I expect everything will go smoothly now. You’re dismissed.”

All the pokémon left and some of the females watched the males, deciding who they liked. Even if they were in love two pokémon might not be allowed to breed. Ninetales was the only one allowed to pass on the Ninetales blood so all the Vulpix were automatically disqualified. Also, only a select few would be allowed to mate, that way there wouldn’t be too many babies, and all pairs had to be accepted by Ninetales

The next day a female houndour limped in to Ninetales’ den. Dark Growlithe was fast asleep, wrapped in Ninetales’ snowy tails. Houndour’s foot was badly mangled and blood dripped on to the cave floor.

“Stay at the door,” snapped Ninetales, “Don’t bleed all over here.”

Houndour bowed her head, “Sorry, Queen, but I have bad news.”

“What?”

“A male flareon has abandoned the pack. He ran away today. I tried to stop him but he injured my foot.”

She raised it to show Ninetales and winced in pain.

“I can see.”

Ninetales nuzzled Dark Growlithe’s face, waking him up.

“Wake up, now. I have a task for you.”

Dark Growlithe stood up, the tails slipping off his back. He blinked his eyes and stretched. Houndour watched him closely.

“Go get my vulpix squad and track down the flareon that escaped. If he won’t come back, kill him. Take that other Vulpix too, the one who doubts my leadership, and hope she doesn’t have a fatal accident while on the trip. You understand?”

Dark Growlithe bowed and nodded. Ninetales licked his face and shooed him out the cave. Houndour stood to the side as Dark Growlithe trotted out and turned to watch him disappear to find the Ninetales’ elite vulpix squad.

“Queen Ninetales,” began Houndour, a little unsteadily.

“Yes?”

“C-can. I mean. Can I have Dark Growlithe as my mate?”

“No.” answered Ninetales coldly.

“But, he isn’t taken is he? He’s old enough to mate.”

“Dark Growlithe is mine!” snapped Ninetales, “If you want to continue living get such stupid thoughts out of your head! You’re privileged to get to mate this year but Dark Growlithe is for me!”

Houndour backed away, apologising profusely.

“I’m sorry My Queen. I didn’t know you had chosen him.”

“Are you saying I have to inform you of my choice of mate?”

“Of course not. I was … please forgive me.”

Before she could make any more mistakes Houndour left the den, bowing repeatedly. Since her paw was injured, she was unbalanced and fell to her face. She picked herself up and left with the sound of Ninetales' laughter following her.