Chapter Text
On the outskirts of Stow-on-Side, there was a little house, hidden beneath its rocky rises. Despite its worn appearance, many creatures lived within it. Most were Pokemon, under the hand of their master. However, her ways were careless, leading all to suffer within the home. It was no better for the woman outside it, as she struggled to provide for all.
She was a scientist, recently discharged from her line of work. Now disgraced, she took to Route 6, restoring fossil Pokemon for a fee. However, it wasn't enough to pay for her expenses. In turn, she tried her hand at breeding certain Pokemon. Though most were sold off, some were deemed unfit for that. She was stuck with them for the time being.
Among them was a lone Cinderace, who hobbled around her master's home. She and the other Pokemon took the brunt of Cara's torment; She always found something to trouble them about, her mind's pain clear. However, it only grew with her frustration lately. In her struggle to profit, Cara became crueler, carelessly dismissing them.
Cinderace was used to such treatment, her lot in life clear. However, she wept for the other Pokemon in Cara's care. Some were new additions to her home, fossils created by her own hand. To see them made Cinderace's heart ache. Even she knew how unnatural their existence was. Most of them struggled to simply get by, flopping and flailing about.
Despite Cara's retribution, Cinderace wanted to help them out. She had such service put upon her since her youth, but more lay behind it. Even if Cinderace's life was bleak, she saw no need to trample on that of others. She refused to be like her master, so beaten down by life. So long as she lived under Cara's hand, she'd make the most of it.
That was what led Cinderace to her predicament that day. Cara was out for the time being, restoring more fossils elsewhere. As such, she went about, cleaning Cara's home. She didn't want to deal with Cara's wrath whenever she returned. Most of Cinderace's work had been done, save for sweeping up. As she got a broom, an Arctozolt went by.
It shuffled along, so struck by the ice upon it. Its nose dripped constantly, the fluid freezing within moments. As it shook its head frantically, Cinderace held the broom. While she swept the floor, she went to Arctozolt's side. It peered at her, drawing even nearer. Her innate heat allured it to her, to which she rubbed against the Arctozolt.
Though its height was above her own, she kept caressing the creature. She knew it warmed Arctozolt greatly, the color returning to its cheeks. Even the fluid in its nose lessened, with Arctozolt wiping it away. They moved as one for a while, allowing her to finish her work. Once done, Cinderace put the broom aside and sat down with Arctozolt.
They were in the kitchen now, taking in the day's fading light. It came through some open windows, making its space bright and airy. Both could taste the day's cheer, just within reach. Cinderace wondered if she could pop outside before Cara went home. It was such a nice day, offering its pleasure for their drab, dreary lives.
Arctozolt peered at her, the ice around it melting. Both could feel it pool beneath them, growing uncomfortable. Cinderace gave Arctozolt a quick squeeze before getting up. She felt water on her toes, causing her to shake it off. As Arctozolt kept watch over her, she looked for some dish towels. After she cleaned the water, they could go outside.
Cinderace found some stray towels and bent down to wipe the floor. Arctozolt helped as best as it could, its chest still dripping. Once the towels were soaked, they left them be. Cinderace held onto Arctozolt as they went to the kitchen's door. However, it slammed open before they could do anything. Cara stood within it, her gaze blazing.
The day seemed to have disturbed her further, with Cara more ravaged than ever. She shook herself off, dirtying the clean floor. However, Cinderace ignored that in favor of her fate. She knew Cara wouldn't take kindly to the towels below, still wet. As she went aside, so did Arctozolt. It clung onto her, causing her to follow suit as Cara took notice.
"Cinda, what are you doing?!" she asked the creature. Cinderace froze, her arms around Arctozolt's icy chest. Both Pokemon stared at their master, recognizing her tone of voice. It was one of pure disgust, hurled towards them. The Arctozolt shivered, afraid for them both. If so enraged, their master could easily starve or strike them both.
What warmth Arctozolt felt faded as fear overwhelmed it. Likewise, Cinderace pried herself off of Arctozolt. She wished to help it, so long as Cara remained unaware. But it was not to be, given their master's piercing gaze. Cara eyed the pair over, taking note of the brightness in Arctozolt's cheeks. Cinderace must have used her fiery might on it.
Even the ice around Arctozolt's chest seemed to have lessened. Cara stepped closer to study the beasts. With each step, spilled water soaked into her shoes and socks. Cara peered down, now aware of how much had melted. She broke into a grimace, cowing her Pokemon further. Neither could move, so petrified of their master were they.
"Gah, now there's water everywhere!" Cara shouted, her shoes drenched. As she shook them off, Cinderace shied away from her. Arctozolt stepped in front of her, trying to hide her away. However, Cara glared at them both, her eyes narrowed. "Cinda, we've talked about this! Arctozolts are just like that, they don't need your help warming up!"
As the creatures peered at her, their fear rose. The Arctozolt shivered even more, turning away from its creator. Cara's gaze fell upon Cinderace, her teeth gritted. "Get the mop," she commanded her. "Well, what are you waiting for?! This is your fault, you know. Just clean this up-" With that, Cara stomped away, leaving wet marks atop her floor.
Though their master had gone, the fear she inspired did not. Living under Cara's hand was often painful and humiliating for her Pokemon. Cinderace was subject to that misery often, acting as Cara's servant. Of all the Scorbunny she bred, only one remained by her side. However, Cinderace quickly realized that Cara only raised her for her might.
She trained the creature rapidly, elevating her to her current state. However, when her imperfect stats were revealed, Cara tossed her aside. To justify owning her, she forced the creature to toil away. As such, Cinderace was ordered to clean and care for Cara's home. If she dared disobey her, Cara didn't hesitate to torment the creature further.
Cinderace fell into her own ways, following such orders in silence. Whenever she could, she tried to aid Cara's other Pokemon. They all suffered under their owner's erratic and careless leadership. That was what led her to Arctozolt's side that day. Cinderace felt a great fear for it, alongside the other restored fossils.
Even if Cara made them so, Cinderace wished to ease their pain. While it had cost her, she was glad. To reduce the pain of another was her life's reward, even considering her own. As Cinderace sought a mop, her ears fell. Arctozolt hobbled alongside her, rubbing against her warm form. She peered at it, breaking into a soft grin.
Cinderace drew closer to it, warming it once more. Even if more of its ice would melt, she was glad to aid it. She only wished that someone would show her that same care. While her fellow Pokemon did, it wasn't the same. She sighed, imagining a human with such compassion. That was what most Pokemon craved, to be adored by their Trainers.
It felt impossible to her, given her circumstances. But she could find such care within herself and Cara's other Pokemon. They had to band together, rising above their owner's erratic ways. It wasn't what she longed for, but she could accept it. Even if it forced Cara against her, Cinderace took her pleasure from it. She knew the others felt just as she did.
However, they all suffered under Cara's care, hungry and defeated. All they could hold onto was hope, as well as each other. They just had to make it past each day, watching out for their master. Cinderace held onto the thought, glad it hadn't been worse. She let go of Arctozolt and looked for the mop. Cara had given them reprieve, its own reward.
Both could cherish it for the time being. Even if they were confined to Cara's home, they had each other. Likewise, they had their fellow Pokemon, milling about elsewhere. Night would soon come, freeing them from Cara's presence. Then could they start anew, ready to handle what it gave them. As Cinderace mopped, she tried to look to the future again.
When evening came, Cara gathered her Pokemon for dinner. They went to their bowls and plates on the kitchen's floor, gazing up to her. Their wanting pleas and whines only made her more frustrated. She scooped out cups of Pokemon food, hurling it at them. What missed the bowls and plates was snapped up, the creatures sparring for it.
Cinderace sighed softly, peering at the pellets on the ground. She was tired of scraping for them, for any food at all. Cara was stingy with her Pokemon's meals, as a means to save money. She only had so much to spend, now that she was out of work. But it didn't mean that she couldn't plate it properly. Cinderace shook her head and bent down.
As she gathered some pellets, the other Pokemon stepped aside. They'd gotten their fill, scrambling away from Cara. However, an Arctovish was left hungry, flopping around. As it tried to collect pellets, Cinderace peered at it. Shame rose within her to see it suffer, just as Arctozolt had. Though her own hunger gripped her, Cinderace went to Arctovish.
She nodded to the creature, its blank gaze boring into her. With the food in hand, she dropped some into Arctovish's gaping mouth. As it crunched it, Cara turned to them. She tilted her head and got another cup of food. "Oh, missed one," she said, dumping it into Arctovish's mouth. "There ya go!" As she stepped away, the creature gagged on pellets.
Cinderace went to its aid, trying to ease its burden. As stray food flew from Acrctovish's mouth, Cara picked it up. She casually tossed some into her mouth, crunching away. "It seems fine to me," Cara said as she swallowed. "Don't see what you're whinin' about." Arctovish had stopped choking, chomping at its food. Cinderace just shook herself off.
Stray bits of chewed food coated her front, clinging onto her ears. Even if it demeaned her further, she was glad to help Arctovish. The creature's breaths were less labored, even despite its condition. Cinderace reminded herself to get more water for Arctovish, allowing it to breathe properly. But for now, they could dine together, easing their pain.
As she cleaned herself up, Cara eyed her Pokemon over. Most knew their place, merely going about their lives. Only Cinderace was the lone stand-out present. It felt like she challenged Cara's ways more lately, making her more irate. Cara looked at her with contempt, scorned by her imperfections. She wished Cinderace was above them.
Then could she truly be "useful", her purpose clear. But she just wasn't, forcing her hand. However, the least Cinderace could do was follow her, like any other Pokemon. That was what angered her about Cinderace, more than anything. She had the gall to disobey her, despite her shortcomings. Even with all her instruction, Cinderace went against her.
Cara huffed, reminding herself to put Cinderace in her place. If she was to remain her Pokemon, she needed to listen to reason. However, Cara didn't want to deal with such insolence yet. Her own day had been trouble enough elsewhere. She just wanted to eat something, then just loaf around before bed. She took Cinderace's own mantra to seed.
The next day would offer its pleasures, alongside renewal. She just needed to get past this one. With a sneer at Cinderace, Cara went to get her own dinner. As she sat down to some chilled pasta salad, her Pokemon kept eating. All ate in silence, their day's tension clear. However, they went about their evening afterwards, with Cinderace's heart heavy.
Later still, Cinderace walked about, trying to find Cara. She heard some noise elsewhere, prompting her intrigue. When she entered the living room, she found its cause. Cara sat in her comfy chair, watching television. Save for a lamp's light, the room was dark, with the television's glow faint. Cinderace kept put, trying to make out what Cara viewed.
It appeared to be a show with many people in attendance. The shot panned out to them, sitting in numerous chairs. Cinderace tilted her head, recalling other similar shows she'd seen. They usually focused on a presenter "on-stage", joined by other guests. The shot switched to the stage, where a woman sat behind a desk.
Her gaze lay upon another human, a man seated nearby her. He was an older man, his green eyes softly worn. She studied him, his face oddly familiar to her. As he laughed with the woman, Cinderace remembered his image. She knew it from Cara's bedroom, portrayed in a poster. The man stood proudly within it, alongside another human.
His companion was a woman whose height rivaled his own. Her expression was stoic, as if judging all from afar. It contrasted with the man's own, still cheerful. Cinderace smiled to herself, glad to have recognized him. She watched on as the man spoke candidly. His talk was foreign to her, focused on unfamiliar subjects. However, it caught Cara's eye.
As she sat about, Cara's right hand balled into a fist. Cinderace turned to study her, now fearful. Her face was painted with disdain, seemingly for the man. She muttered wearily, her lips twitching. "I could've been the one," Cara said, glaring at the screen. "I could've been yours, Ro-" Her breath hitched, only for her to pick up a nearby bottle.
Cinderace could faintly make out its contents, to her concern. It appeared to be Berry Juice, that so fermented. Cara often drank it, making her become even more unstable. Cinderace winced at the thought, her night difficult enough. However, she kept watch over Cara, ready to step in if needed. All the while, she watched the show with Cara.
The man and woman went back and forth, speaking with one another. After some more time passed, she nodded to him. "Thank you for your time, Chairman," she said while he grinned back. "We're always glad to have you on." She turned to face the crowd's gaze. "Coming up next is Unova's own Roxie, dishing about her new album with our Piers!"
As the crowd broke into applause, Cara huffed with disgust. She moved about, holding onto the bottle. Cinderace could see her mouth, now slick with juice. She put the bottle aside, only to fumble for the remote. In her struggle, she caught sight of Cinderace and glared at her. Though the creature stepped back, Cara's rage had risen within her.
It sought out any target, but Cinderace appealed the most to it. Cara was sick of dealing with the creature's insolence. If she couldn't obey simple commands, Cara couldn't own her any longer. She wanted Cinderace to know that, lest she cast her aside. As Cinderace tried to dash away, Cara got out of her chair. Within moments, she eyed the beast down.
"What are you lookin' at, Cinda?" Cara slurred out, her voice harsh. She reached for the creature, grabbing her right arm. Cara's grip dug into her wrist, threatening to shatter it. "You gonna nag me again, you dumb bunny?" As Cinderace struggled against her, Cara's free hand grasped the bottle. She rose it up as another threat against the creature.
"Now, don't be so haughty, Cinda!" she said, now at a snarl. "I let you live with me, the loser you are. And this is how you repay me?!" In her rage, Cara released Cinderace, only to slam the bottle on her head. Though it didn't shatter, its pain was clear on the beast's head. Cinderace recoiled, kicking at Cara repeatedly to push her aside.
With each blow, Cara's rage only grew, making her more erratic. Even if she acted for her safety, Cara couldn't take it any longer. Never had Cinderace treated her so harshly. She couldn't risk another such incident again. As the creature got onto her feet, Cara made a decision. Before Cinderace could compose herself, Cara got a Pokeball from her pocket.
She tossed it at Cinderace, capturing her within its reaches. It shook a few times with surprise, but soon fell still. Cara nodded to herself, a wicked, red grin on her lips. She collected the ball and left her house. In the still of night, she wasn't sure if the flying taxis were available. However, Cara shook her head, peering into the distance.
The reaches near Stow-on-Side could serve her well enough. She just needed to get to them. Cara secured the Pokeball in her lab coat's pocket and walked from her house. Even if no Corviknight could aid her, she could help herself. That was all she needed then, freeing herself from Cinderace's burden. Another Pokemon could take her place at home.
As the night's breeze swept around her, Cara held her coat close to herself. She felt more at ease, her anger giving way to reflection. Even if she struggled now, she could make the most of it. She had before, leading Cara to her past job. She was sure another chance would come, even without Cinderace. As Cara walked further, her smile only grew.
She was sure of it, she just had to be. Cara lost herself to her thoughts, leading her further still. As she went down Route 6's familiar path, Cara peered around herself. Galar's Wild Area was within reach, offering some solace. She was ready to be rid of Cinderace, leaving her far from her hold. As Cara's heart raced, she forced herself on.
She was glad Cinderace hadn't escaped the ball, further burdening her. Cara could feel daylight approaching, making herself known. She'd been lucky enough to escape through the night, shielding her. However, she had to act soon, lest any other Trainers notice her. Cara didn't need their troubles as well. With that in mind, she entered the Wild Area.
Cara went even further, careful to avoid any roaming Pokemon. She needed a place to release Cinderace without suspicion. However, Cara wasn't so cruel as to lead her to death then. She wished to give Cinderace a fighting shot in the wild. What issues she found would be her own to handle. She just didn't want anyone to bother her about it.
As Cara wend deeper into the Wild Area, the night's breeze picked up. It coated her in dust, further dirtying her lab coat and face. Cara shook her head, vowing to shower once back home. However, she trudged on, her breath growing dry. When she couldn't stand it any longer, she released Cinderace. As the beast flopped out, Cara took her leave.
She was finally free of Cinderace's nagging, her further burden. Though her breath was strained, Cara rejoiced, panting a bit. As she fled the Wild Area, her heart grew lighter. No longer would anyone bother her in her own home. Cara could go as she pleased, ready to make her fortunes anew. As she walked on, Cinderace faded from thought.