Marie's POV
This wasn't supposed to be like this....
"Ughhh...!!" I grunted in pain, tears stinging my eyes, as I scrambled to get up from the muddy forest floor. Pain flared white-hot up my left arm. I held my arm to my chest, trying to stop the bleeding from where the Rattata had bitten me. Blood seeped between my fingers anyway, warm mixing with the mud that caked every inch of me. My top was shredded in three places, hanging in filthy ribbons, but that barely mattered.
I used my other hand to brace against the ground and got back up. I flinched as I put pressure on my right leg.
Damn it...
A cluster of thin, trembling vines slid around my back, gently helping me brace against the tree. I gave a weak, watery smile down at the little Tangela we had found barely an hour ago. Its body was a mess, half its vines torn and frayed. I glanced into the darkening forest. Another high-pitched chitter rang out, followed by a yellow flash, signifying another thunder shock.
She must already be trying...I thought. She's just a Pichu. She can't keep this up.
I limped toward the way I told Maggie to run, towards Viridian.
Please be safe...
Guilt clawed up my throat like bile. I had brought her into this mess. I should have known better; the forests were dangerous... Just because the kids from the orphanage don't give you the opportunity to become more of yourself...
Just because you wanted another pokemon... You brought your little sister here, you stupid bitch.
I was filled with indignation, indignation at our situation, at how we had been dropped off at the orphanage after Dad was murdered.
I won't accept what the police investigated. No, I won't... And the debt on our heads. A sob escaped my lips as I tried to keep it together.
I'd worked. Scraped. Saved every spare coin from odd jobs until I could afford the trainer license fee. That was the only way to leave Viridian, taking Maggie with me, and I'm failing....
As I limped, stepping over a root, I swiped at my face with my muddy sleeve, matting my blonde strands to my cheeks and forehead.
"Chu..."
Princess burst out of the treeline ahead, ears flat, cheeks sparking feebly. Panic flashed in her mouse-like features, electricity sparking weakly. Her fur was missing in places, and I could tell she was bleeding. Her little body shook with every breath. My heart ached at the sight. I was supposed to be a little detour to try and catch another pokemon...
But...
Looking at the rustling undergrowth, two giant Raticate, with unkempt fur and eyes filled with malice and hunger, followed by a couple of Rattata, snarled in glee at how they were hunting us.
My heart sank. Princess stood before me and the pack of rodents, ready to fight to the death. I could see her exhaustion. Even the Tangela that was only with us for a few hours stood ready to fight.
Is this it...?
One of the Raticate stepped forwards while the other moved slowly to surround us. Its front teeth lengthened glowing as it took menacing steps towards Princess.
Super Fang...
I'm sorry, Dad. I braced myself, looking around with trepidation, then...
"ROOOOAAAAAR!!!"
We whipped our heads toward the source.
Trees exploded as a massive shape smashed through the treeline. Wood splintered in every direction; trunks cracked and toppled with deafening snaps. The creature landed in a crouch that shook the earth, claws gouging deep furrows in the dirt.
The lead Raticate never had a chance.
A brutal swipe of claw caught the pokemon square in the chest. Bones crunched as it flew backward, slamming into a tree with a wet thud and didn't move again.
The second Raticate hissed, trying to rally the pack, but the dragon-type reared up. Its Massive tusks gleamed. Its broad shoulders rolled with muscle under mossy-green scales . It snarled once, and the entire pack broke.
They ran, their tails tucked between their legs, leaving the dead pokemon behind. Screaming as they disappeared into the forest like they'd never been there.
Silence...
My legs gave out. I sank to the ground. Princess padded over. The Tangela huddled close, vines trembling. We were shaking, me, her, the little grass-type, all of us in primal terror as we gazed at the dragon-type pokemon.
Then, from the ruined stretch of forest where the dragon had come through, another figure stepped into view.
A young man with dark hair falling into his eyes. He wore a red jacket, and mud-streaked pants. A Ranger insignia glinted on his chest.
His gaze swept the clearing, assessing the situation and then softened when it landed on us.
"Hey there," he called, his voice gentle. "You okay ?"
I stared up at him through blurry eyes. Tears spilled over before I could stop them, mixing with the dirt on my face. Through the haze, I heard him jogging closer, boots crunching over broken branches.
I'm safe...