11.22.15 -- We are approaching the holiday season very rapidly. I understand that things get busy around this time of year, just try and make sure that you don't forget about us! And, because winter is coming, things in Rakuen are about to change! Our winter event will be starting on December first so keep your eyes peeled for it and be sure to participate. You won't want to miss out. Enjoy the last little bits of your fall!
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If a gym leader wanted to stay on top they couldn't sit still. The world kept spinning and challengers got stronger all the time. It was no secret that she had gotten off to a rough start but her record in the pit had been improving as of late. Caira's technique and knowledge of fighting types was clearly on point but in order to further improve herself she needed to expand her collection. Caira needed to understand both sides of a matchup so she could not only react but anticipate as well. Plus, she just wanted more companions. New pokemon were always so exciting. Caira had started off as a trainer, it was only by random happenstance that she'd been inducted as a gym leader. Part of her missed the quest to become champion, perhaps she could have even accomplished it but for now she was content with her own little throne of sand and stone. The pink haired girl just didn't like spending all of her time there.
She had set off the day before on another one of her excursions, this time it wasn't just to run away and take a break from her responsibilities. Caira wanted to encounter more pokemon, she wanted to capture them and train types she was unfamiliar with so that she could be more than just a fighting type prodigy. The desert sun hung in the air above her, scorching the land with Caira along with it. Sweat soaked her clothes but she had grown accustomed to the harsh environment. Heat radiated off the sand, shimmering above it as a constant reminder of just how uncomfortable this route was. Were it not for the guiding black line she had no doubt that many would get lost and ultimately perish out here. The gym leader shifted her bag off her shoulder and tossed it onto a small rocky outcropping, sitting down next to it she fetched a bottle of water to quench her thirst as she rested her feet. The gym leader thought she saw something in the distance but mirages were common here so she payed whatever it was little attention. There would be no straying from the path today, if she was going to encounter a pokemon it would likely be the pokemon that found her.
Day three. The pain was becoming unbearable in his leg. His thirst was beginning to burn his throat. He had not seen a patch of grass since the first day after he lost the herd. The entire event had been horrible and the aftermath was worse. The Tauros had been at the back of his herd as they grazed in the grass near the empty desert. It had been a peaceful day until a pack of Poochyena emerged from the wasteland, all of them frothing and starved. They attacked in the blink of an eye and took down one of the herd members. The lost Tauros had almost been taken too but managed to kick himself into a charge and escaped into the sands.
Of course, he escaped only after the mutts had torn his back leg to shreds, it may have even been broken. He had lost his herd and was nearing the end of his life. The Pokemon had been following mirages since the first day, each one more real than the last. Pokemon, people, water, all of it was fake on route eight. Yet he went after all of them, spending what little energy he had each day.
A figure appeared in the distance. It looked like another human mirage. He had been hoping that if he came across a human that he would be taken to a Pokemon center or even given healing items. Perhaps the human would catch him and end his shameful misery. He limped towards the figure as best as he could with the heat beating down on him. The human figure didn't appear to be getting any further away, in fact, the mirage seemed to be staying steady. That was a strange mirage. The Tauros shook his head trying to see if the mirage would disappear. Or... Was it real? Could that be his savior in the sand? The Pokemon picked up a little more speed, wanting to catch the human before it wandered away.
Pink hair began to make shape as the trainer got even closer. He pushed through the pain, trying to run faster in order to get help. The Pokemon let out a loud roar, hoping to grab the attention of the human. He desperately needed help.
This was a strange illusion, it appeared to be moving towards her. That wasn't usually how these things worked. Caira placed her half empty bottle on the rock and stood as a dust cloud appeared behind it, this was no mirage. Tossing her pack to her side she reached for the pokeball on her belt. The Tauros blended into its surroundings at first but now it's identity was apparent and it was coming straight at her. Though there was something off about it's gaite. As it raised it's head and roared the pink haired trainer stood her ground. You didn't train fighting types without encountering a few trouble cases, sometimes you just needed to refuse to back down. Caira kept one hand on her pokeball behind her back and raised her other, holding it out between herself and the Tauros. "You're a long way from home friend." She said, never having seen one of their kind this deep into the desert before.
Her eyes passed over the creature, taking it's physique in. It was well built, powerful and intimidating. A pokemon after her own heart to be sure. Caira also noticed it's distinct limp and the grievous wound causing it. Her hand moved from the pokeball on her belt and she held it out as well to show it was empty. The pokemon was hurting, it was likely thirsty, hungry as well. Sand and dried blood were caked onto its coat. This pokemon's journey had been hard. Caira knelt down, luckily she had been in it for the long haul and her usual small bag had been replaced by her traveling pack. Days of water and food, supplies in case of emergency. She was still ill equipped to help this pokemon but at least she had something to offer it. Taking her bottle off the rock she shook it so that the sound of sloshing water could be heard. The trainer took a few tentative steps forward, arm still outstretched with the bottle clutched tightly in her other hand. Tauros were not built for drinking from bottles, she would have to help the pokemon quench its thirst but it would need to co-operate. If she could manage to calm it then she could look at it's leg. She carried some medical supplies to heal her pokemon after battle but by the looks of it this pokemon would need professional help. First things first though. "Easy, mate. Let me help." The usually crass gym leader cooed. Caira reached her hand out, trying to tilt the pokemon's head back so it could drink from the bottle.
The trainer stood at the ready for a fight. He tried to lower his head and show that he was not attempting to be threatening. That was when the trainer lowered her defense. She must have seen the pain or the injury and understood what was happening. That caused a wave of relief to wash over the Tauros as he stepped forward to the trainer's raised hand. A sweet sound reached the ears of the bull; water. The trainer had water. Was she willing to share? He puffed out a large breath and looked for where she was keeping the water.
The Pokemon saw a battle with the life elixir in the woman's hand as she stepped towards him. The creature limped forward to meet her halfway, moving past her raised hand to get to the bottle. He attempted to lick the bottle in hopes to get some of it's sweet contents. Of course, if he had been smarter he would have known that the trainer needed to open the bottle for him. All that was on his mind was saving himself and surviving. He pushed at the bottle with his head. He was so close, yet so far away at the same time. The Tauros needed to stop and rely on the human to help him.
As she had feared the pokemon was too absorbed in its own thirst to think rationally. At the sight and sound of water the Tauros pushed itself against the bottle. She struggled with it for a moment, trying to tilt it's head back but even in its weakened state she wouldn't win a wrestling match against a Tauros. Perhaps this was one of those rare situations her mentor had told her about, the ones that couldn't be solved with strength. She had learned of strategy and finesse, but only as a means to strike harder. Perhaps it was time to apply what she had been taught to a more noble cause. Caira put one hand under the pokemon's chin and held the bottle up with her other hand so it had to tilt it's head up in order to keep licking at the bottle. Popping the top off with her thumb she pressed firmly on the bottom of its chin to try and hold the Tauros's head steady without grabbing it entirely. The trainer grunted a bit from the effort but said nothing as she tilted the bottle trying to pour it into the pokemon's mouth. From there gravity and the Tauros could do the rest of the work and hopefully once he figured out how to drink from the bottle it would make both of their lives a whole lot easier.
It was after a steady moment of struggling the Tauros finally gave in. The trainer had her hand under his chin and was lifting his mouth upwards. After a moment the bottle was open and pouring the sweet water down his throat. The bull licked at the steady stream that was falling down his mouth, tasting the relief of hydration. It did not take long for the bottle to completely empty itself into the stomach of the Pokemon. Now that his thirst wasn't so great, he took a seat. His back legs swung outwards as his rump made a soft thud on the ground. Drinking had exhausted him quite a bit.
The Tauros lowered his front hooves and proceeded to lay on the ground. His breathing was heavy from all of the energy he had exerted but in a sense he felt much better. With somber eyes the creature looked up at the trainer before lowering his head to the ground and closing his eyes. Things were looking up, he just needed a small rest.
The poor pokemon was exhausted, she pushed her gym team to the edge on a regular basis to push their breaking point further and further but never had she seen a pokemon in such distress. Caira set the empty bottle to the side and watched as the pokemon lowered itself to the ground. She got a better look at the mangled leg now, the injury was as severe as she had initially suspected, perhaps even more so. All she had on her was a pair of potions. Standard Pokemart faire, not even the expensive stuff either. The potions were far from a miracle cure and she doubted they would help much. If only one of the other gym leaders were here, they knew more about berries and natural remedies, probably carried some on them as well but Caira was a city girl. Medicine wasn't her field of expertise. As the Tauros rested Caira retrieved them both from her bag. Running her hand slowly over its rough coat in what she hoped would be a soothing manner she sprayed the contents of the potion bottles onto the Tauros's injured leg. Hopefully it was keep it from getting infected, or at the very least help sooth some of the pain.
With that done Caira returned the containers to her bag and sat cross legged next to the Tauros's head, placing herself so that her shadow fell of it's face granting it a brief respite from the sun. Caira wanted to wash the pokemon but she didn't have the water to spare, now that she had shared some she hardly had enough to make it out of the desert herself.
While his eyes were closed the human was beginning to move. He should have opened his eyes to examine what was happening in his surroundings but he could not find the strength to do it. Instead, he listened to the rustling of her clothing and the wind blowing sand around. His ears twitched at every slight sound but nothing more. It was while his eyes were closed that something amazing happened. There was the small spraying sound before a cold mist stung at the Tauros's leg. After the brief stinging sensation the pain began to relieve itself. The Pokemon raised his head and looked back at where the trainer was. She was spraying medicine on his injury.
There was such a kindness in the human that shocked the Tauros. Most trainers would probably have taken advantage of the injury and captured the Pokemon. Perhaps some would even turn a blind eye and just let the creature die. But here, this human was helping him with his health and using her resources to save him. The woman came back around to where his head was, blocking the sun from his eyes for a moment. The Pokemon stared up at her for a moment before scooting himself forward as best as he could to where the trainer was until his head was practically in her lap. His scooting though was a strange combination of flailing the back legs and grasping with the front legs which probably would have caused quite a bit of laughter if the situation hadn't been so grim.
The Tauros looked up at the trainer for a moment before puffing. He wondered quietly if she had any food in her great bag of supplies. The Pokemon did not want to be a burden to the trainer who was just showing kindness, but survival was his first and only thought.
Caira softly stroked the Tauros's fur as it rested its head on her lap. With the pokemon calmed for the moment she had time to reflect on her actions. Did she admire the Tauros? Yes. Would she like to catch it? Of course. Yet she had learned a great deal since moving to this region, both on her own and from her mentor. These teachings Caira wholeheartedly believed in. Chief among them the belief that you cannot simply help someone and solve all their problems, be they person or pokemon. You can only give them the tools to help themselves. She was not one to pity the weak or injured, but if they were willing to improve, no matter how unlikely success seemed it was her duty to aid them. Would it have been easier to simply catch the Tauros and take it to a pokemon center? Certainly. Would that have been the right thing to do? Perhaps. Caira however did not think that was her choice to make, and if she had it her way the pokemon would be walking back to town - provided it was able.
The pink haired gym leader looked down as the Tauros puffed, it's gaze on her bag. The backpack had produced the water and the medicine, of course the pokemon looked towards it to solve all of his woes. She did indeed have food but most of it was for her, what little pokemon food she did have was meant as a reward for her Breloom should it impress her on the battlefield. Or if she just wanted it out for company at some point. Caira decided it would not be fair to her first pokemon if she gave its food away, instead she reached into her bag and pulled out a box of trail mix. Nuts, raisins, dried fruit and chocolate - because flavor is the most important part of a balanced meal. She could go without a meal or two but such a measly offering couldn't hope to satisfy such a beast but Caira offered it none the less, pouring most of the box into her hands and holding them in front of the Tauros's face.
It needed water, rest and food. She realized that, but in the desert they both needed time. If she wanted to make it back to town with the food and water she had left it was paramount that she not dally too long. Especially if the Tauros was in tow, after all she couldn't just leave it here.
The trainer seemed to understand the longing look of the Tauros. It wasn't long before she produced a small bag of trail mix that she spilled on the ground before him. The large Pokemon sniffed at the mix for a moment before giving it a test lick. Something in that mix was heavenly. It was like nothing he had ever tasted before and he wanted to have all of it. The bovine quickly ate all of the trail mix in just a few bites. He tried licking at the ground a few more times after the food had disappeared just to taste that heavenly food. Sadly, the taste had completely vanished from the world in such a short time.
Though the trail mix had done wonders for the Tauros and his mood, his stomach was still angrily gurgling at him for not having eaten at any point during the day and maybe only a weed or two the day before. The creature attempted to stand, clearly still unable to use his back leg well. He managed to get off the ground and while a little wobbly at first, he was able to steady himself after a moment. The Pokemon moved himself around the trainer and towards the rocks that they were beside. He had noticed a small little weed sticking out of them and perhaps he could find a few more around the base. After having gobbled up the first weed he went about searching for more.
She watched with admiration as the pokemon struggled to stand, this one one that was willing to fight for survival and not simply rely on others. It wasn't long before the pokemon had devoured the last of the meager dry weeds around the rocky outcropping. As it foraged Caira gathered her belongings into the bag and slung it over her shoulder as she walked back to the path. "The nearest town is this way." She explained, gesturing towards the horizon. She began to walk away in the aforementioned direction, glancing back over her shoulder to see if the pokemon would follow.
When all of the weeds had been eaten, the trainer started moving, saying that the nearest town was that way, pointing in some direction the Tauros had probably been a hundred times. Would she be willing to lead him there? A place he had been attempting to arrive at for days. The bull limped his way behind the trainer, slowly following her while she led the way. At the pace they were going it looked like it would take all day to get to the town that the trainer had alluded to. The Pokemon was in no state to travel that far. While the water had quenched his thirst, and the potions had dulled the pain, and the food had given him some strength, it was not enough. Surely it wouldn't be long before he collapsed in a heap of despair.
The gym leader continued to blaze a trail onward as the pokemon followed. She kept her pace slow and looked over her shoulder every now and then just to make sure it was still there. The pokemon was struggling but she would let it try its very hardest. Caira firmly believed that in life you should run, when you can't run you should walk and only when you can no longer walk you find someone to carry you. She'd let the pokemon push himself and once he could no longer walk she would bring him the rest of the way to town. It might seem cruel but independence breeds strength and it is not until you have struggled yourself that you can understand the plight of other. This pokemon had come so far, she hoped it would be able to make it just beyond the horizon but if it could not Caira would be there to lend her aid. If that meant she had to catch it then so be it, but she would rather return it to full strength and then offer it that choice. A bond forged of mutual respect would always be stronger than one born of opportunity.
It was the fact that the trainer kept looking back to him that made the Tauros push onwards. She was rooting for him without just storing him away in some ball to keep him healthy. No, she wanted him to make it on his own and damn, that was a brave move. This trainer had been willing to share resources and assist his recovery but wanted nothing in return except to see the Pokemon be healthy. He quickened his pace a little hoping to please the trainer. She had saved his life and after he was healthy he would have to pay his life debt to the trainer. He would surely follow her until he had at least saved her life or something so that he did not feel he owed the human anything. Now the question was, how much longer until they reached the city?
Minutes turned to hours as the two walked through the desert towards what Caira knew to be the closest outpost of civilization the the vast desert. She had skipped lunch and finished the last of her water quite some time ago. The sun hung low on the horizon as the air began to cool. She hadn't intended to finish the rest of her journey today, Caira was going to go searching for pokemon and spend the night under the stars but she was afraid that if the Tauros stopped walking it wouldn't be able to start again. It seemed like she would be skipping dinner as well for a moment but then she saw it. The outcropping of buildings silhouetted against the horizon by the setting sun. "There it is." She said, looking back at the Tauros. There were almost there. The pokemon had surpassed her expectations, perhaps it was a Tauros thing or maybe this pokemon was just that tough. It was so close now, one way or another it would get to town with her and then Caira would see to it that it's wounds were tended to. It had earned that much and more with its determination and grit.
Darkness was beginning to sweep the land as day three in the desert was coming to an end. Day four would never come because on the horizon was the silhouette of a city. The trainer herself looked weary and exhausted. He had been holding her back from her full speed as well as her journey. He would be able to thank her soon enough. The Tauros pushed a little harder until the pain in his leg was unbearable. While the potion had helped earlier, all of the walking had worn it off. The Pokemon let out a cry before his back legs collapsed behind him, causing him to stop where he was, letting out a series of huffing noises. He attempted to stand so that he would not be bothering the trainer anymore but alas, his back leg was no longer functioning as a leg. The Pokemon lowered the rest of his body to the ground. He looked up at the trainer with sorrowful eyes before motioning his head to signal that she should keep going. He was a lost cause in the desert.
