Chapter Text
The warden was soon awoken by a little body shaking her, followed by a worried whine. Her side throbbed, forcing her eyes awake to see Isamu as her side.
“Mama! Mama!!” Isamu howled,sounding frightened. The Growlithe pup whimpered, nudging her shoulder.
Palina lifted her head up with a groan, looking at the pup. She smiled, her shaky hands gently rubbing the Growlithe’s fur. She looked around, seeing the poacher’s camp empty and in ashes, some of the standing tents covered in soot and slightly on fire. If just one little pup’s fire does all of this, well…
I-Isamu…” She whispered, tired but glad he’s alright. “My pup.. My pup, you’re safe..”
"Mama!” Isamu yips, licking her cheek. “Mama, you’re hurt!"
The pup tucks its body under her arms, whining. The Warden held the pup close to her chest, wincing at the bullet wound in her side. It hurt, but she shrugged it off. Her focus was on the Growlithe in her arms.
“B-But I did it, Mama! I used Father’s flames! His power fueled me!” Isamu said, wagging his little tail. “Those really bad humans won't hurt us again!”
“G-Good…” Palina said with a small smile. “I-Im so proud of you..” She chuckled a bit, wincing as she propped herself up against an unburned barrel. “You will be strong as your father one day…”
The young Growlithe pup shook their head, looking up at the woman. “No.. Strong like Mama,” Isamu confirms, curling its tiny body on her lap.
Palina felt her heart ache at the pup’s words, a bit shocked. “Strong.. L-like me..?”
“Mama saved me.. Although I am the cause of your sadness because Father is not here…” Isamu whines. “Still you take care of me and big sister, even when sad or hurt.. You came to save me, Mama..”
Palina felt her heart ache and softened at the pup’s words, gently petting them. She had no idea this was how the little Lord had felt like this..
“Isamu…. Do you think I blame you for your father’s death?” She asked, running a hand through the Growlithe’s grey and red fur.
The pup whined, soon nodding. “A-A little… I-It was me who swam about there during that storm when just I wanted to swim… F-Father had to save me because I went too far, and went to be with Almighty Sinnoh..” Isamu stated. “Y-You came to save me from the evil humans, a-and you got hurt… I’m a bad heir, causing trouble…”
The warden soon let out a sad whine herself,cupping the pup’s face into her hands. She brushed back their curly ash-grey fur from its face, looking into their eyes.
“I would do it all over again if I must…” Palina declared, holding the Growlithe to her chest.
“But, Mama..”
“But nothing. You may be my late Noble's chosen heir, but you,Isamu, are MY pup..” She gently brushed the fur out of their face, looking into their eyes. “My duty to you and my love will not waver, my little lord.. My light will always guide you.”
The pup looked shocked, but their tail wagged happily once more. Their conversation was soon interrupted by a loud roar, sounding like a certain bear pokemon.
Isamu barked in reply, letting out flames into the night sky. Palina watched for a moment she felt the exhaustion of her body pull into sleep once more, blacking out.
Palina soon awakened with a gasp, sitting up with a jolt, but soon being pushed back down by a giant muddy paw.
“Be careful! I just restitched that.”
Palina is greeted by the older warden, Calaba, and her Noble Pokemon, Lord of the Mirelands, Ursaluna.
The warden and noble pair had been nearby. They had set up a tent for the Pearl Clan healer to check on her wounds. Palina looked around, seeing Isamu wasn't in the tent near her, but his scent was nearby.
“You are lucky the smell of ancient fire and charred humans aren't something my nose haven't lost yet,” The grumpy sounding yet wise Lord spoke through his warden, his large body sitting behind Calaba as she created a paste filled with Aspear and Leppa berries.
“And that your wound havent hit a vital area.” Calaba said,handing the bowl of smashed berries to Palina. “Honestly Palina, while you did the right thing, even you know better to go off and fight rogues, especially with your blessings at a certain limit.”
“I know, I know…” Palina sighed, eating the paste with her head down. “I just-”
“Palina!!” Irida rushed into the healer’s tent, soon hugging the warden, much to Calaba’s disapproval. “I’m so glad you’re alright, thank Almighty Sinnoh!”
“ I-Irida!” Palina flinched at the sudden hug, having been laying on her left to avoid laying her injured one. It was nice to get a hug from her younger sister again, having both been busy with their respective roles. “Ah, ouch! Careful!”
“Now dont you go making her re-pop that stitch again, Lady Irida.” Calaba warns.
“Ah, sorry Calaba!”
“I’ll be fine, Irida… Just.. need to take it easy.” Palina said, looking around. “Where is my little lord?”
“He’s outside, playing with his sister and my Glaceon.” Irida said, patting her shoulder. “Warden Iscan had brought Emi and told us where you went. I just arrived here with her.”
“Iscan did?” Palina smiled, sighing softly. The idea of her fellow warden coming to bring her other pup to her settlement, despite it being much too cold for him.. “How kind…”
“Mhm. Now what were you saying earlier?” Calaba asked, looking at her.
“Ah right. I meant to say I just wanted to feel useful. Its been half a year since we’ve lost one of our Nobles, and I feel it is myself to blame.”
“Lina…” Irida said sadly.
“I'm being honest, Irida. Lord Arcanine was our mother’s noble, and it was her dying wish that one of us would take up the mantle. You were just born.” Palina stated, setting down the bowl in her lap. “I promised Mother I would do so and I did, and then we lost him. With his dying wish that I raise his pups to be the best Noble they can be…But I almost lost him to those awful humans, thank Sinnoh they were stopped in time, yet.. It feels like I'm failing them both…”
The older woman shakes her head. “Now Palina, you are doing your best. Lord Arcanine was a tragedy, yes, but it doesn't mean it was your fault.”
Lord Ursaluna soon spoke up, again through his warden. “Hiyoshi would be honored by the great lengths you are taking for his children, in spite of everything… He was old, yet he knew he left them in capable paws. The young pup has found his flames, all thanks to you.”
Palina smiled a bit, her heart feeling a bit light of the Noble’s words. “Thank you , Lord Ursaluna. I needed that.”
Irida frowned a bit, sighing. “I am .. also at fault here… I should've been more attuned to how you felt about Lord Arcanine's heir not being ready back then..."
Irida-”
“I mean it, Palina.” Irida interrupted. “I … thought I was doing right as Clan Leader by listening to the Elders’ and doing what they wanted, but all I was doing was hurting you and Young Growlithe as well. For that, I am truly sorry.” She said, completing it with a bow. “You have suffered personally, not just the Clan. The soulbond is a personal thing between our people and Nobles, I should've respected your loss..”
Palina smiled a bit, her heart feeling warm at her Clan leader, at the moment her sister's- kind words. "I forgive you. I wasn't the best when I was handling it either."
“You’re still young, cub. You will learn.” Lord Ursaluna said in a soft bellow, confusing Irida.
Calaba chuckles. “My Noble says you still have much to learn. We Elders may know many things, but not everything we say is the correct option. The world around us is always changing, when we dont expect it.”
“Speaking of not expecting things, Calaba, have you finished making those medicinal balms for the trail in a few days?
“I’m almost done. “ Calaba said, pointing to a basket full of individually wrapped balms. “Honestly I didnt think we would be making these again in such a quick time.”
“Huh? What trial?” Palina asked.
“Oh!! You missed the news!” Irida spoke excitedly. “Lady Sneasler has decided to take up a warden again!! Her trial will be held in 4 days!”
“Oh, how wonderful. I'm sure her previous warden’s family will make it in her honor!”
“I don't know about that..” Calaba said, arms crossed while she caught the other ladies attention.
“What in Sinnoh do you mean, Calaba? Yes, they're originally Diamond Clan, but they moved here to our Settlement once Lady Sneasler made her decision.”
The healer shakes her head. “No, child. I don't mean it in that way. I know the customs as much as you do.” Calaba said. “Just… there’s that stranger our Lady of the Cliffs seems so fond of…”
Palina raised an eyebrow. “ A stranger? Do they hail from that non-clan village? Or that merchant guild?”
“Neither.” Irida said, sitting down so she could recount the story.. “Well, Lina, since you've been gone, we…"