Part 4

The sun shone lazily over the horizon, making me yawn sleepily. We left the Pokecenter early this morning and had spent the day walking to get to the next town, a place called Pewter.

Kathy had released her other Pokemon and she was setting up a triangle like structure, a tent. We had slept in it before but I didn’t like it. It was cramped for both of us so I kept watch outside. Someone had to do night duty.

The night air was quickly growing colder as I watched the rising moon.

"Cerberus, come in side with us were it’s warm." Kathy called from in side the tent. I checked the area with my senses one last time before going in. Circe and Amber were cuddled up to Kathy’s left so I took my place on her right.

Kathy turned out the light and drifted off to sleep. Being sure not to wake Kathy, I called over to the others.

"Amber, Circe, are either of you awake?" I whispered.

"I am," Amber replied, "But Circe is asleep."

"Something doesn’t feel right to me. How about you?"

"I know what you mean, but I can’t put my paw on it."

Suddenly there was a strange clank on the floor of the tent. My sharp night vision quickly picked up an odd looking can. The can rolled to a stop, then began to spew a brightly colored gas. I leapt to my feet and began to bark. I quickly realized my mistake as the gas invaded my lungs. Everything went blurry then black.

"NOW!" The loud threatening voice made my fur stand on end but I couldn’t see anything through the smoke. Luckily being a dark type its poison had no effect on me but Kathy, Circe and Amber coughed and spluttered, squinting though it.

I growled as the strange scent grew stronger. My ears flickered as it moved silently, but not silently enough for my superior hearing. Judging the distance carefully, I waited for it to come with in range.

"DOUR!" I roared lunging at my foe, my pearly teeth sinking into a human leg. It screamed hysterically and tried to through me off.

"You Stupid Mutt!" I heard the voice again, then something hit me hard in the skull. My head swam and I released my hold. "That’ll teach you bit me!" He said then kicked me in the ribs. I turned to him ready with a fire attack. Now I could see him, he was the trainer Kathy and I had faced earlier today. "Go on pup. You miss and you’ll set the whole tent on fire, your master with it." Knowing he was right I swallowed my flame.

By now the smoke was mostly cleared. Kathy lay on the floor, out cold, but I couldn’t see Amber or Circe anywhere. Suddenly the boy raised a large stick. He struck at me, but I nimbly dodged.

"You want to fight me pup? Then let’s go." He said raising the stick again.

I growled and dodged as it whistled by, I had to think! Kathy was trapped inside the tent and Circe and Amber couldn’t get out! I lunged past him raking across his leg with my ebony nails. He dropped to the ground moaning.

"Help!" He whimpered pitifully. He was weak and I sensed victory.

Suddenly with a roar, three shadows burst from the bushes. Before I had time to react an Espeon, Arcanine, and Wartortle surrounded me. I was trapped.

"Teach that pup a lessen!" The boy said, still nursing his wounded leg. The Wartortle was quick to obey, shooting a column of water at me. I nimbly dodged, causing the water to hit the Arcanine. Then with equal speed I covered the three of them with my smog. I darted away from the pokemon and towards their master.

I leapt for his throat. Suddenly I was frozen in mid-air. I glanced to right to see the Espeon sitting calmly, the gem on her head was glowing. With shift of her eyes I was thrown back first into a tree trunk.

My head swam. I tried to get up, but my limbs refused. Through blurry vision I saw the boy and his pokemon approaching me.

"It’s about time you went down. You’ll learn your place, then you and your buddies will make a good addition to my team."

I didn’t want to whine but I was weakened. My only thought was to protect Kathy. I pushed myself to my feet and loosed a low, menacing growl, letting this human know I meant business. The Arcanine looked regretful, but answered with his own deep rumble.

"Attack!" The boy through his hand out and the Pokemon leapt to his command with what I could understand as reluctance. The feline like Espeon lashed out with her claws, I dodged but was swept aside by the bat of Arcanine’s massive paw. I hit the ground and the light faded and left me in darkness…