Act 1, Taste of Fire: Ashes to Ashes

Story by Iconoclast the Errant on SoFurry

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#2 of Taste of Fire

The chirping of wild birds keeps the forest alive. The sun is high in the sky and the smel...


Assuming you didn't read the prequel, please read edit below.

Edit: May 6th 2014, dear readers;

_As most of you have seen by looking at the folder, this series has been going on for awhile. This is actually the first project I've ever attempted. With this in mind please note the writing style in many of the chapters is of poor quality but steadily improving. I have no intention to rewrite any of the chapters. Once finished they will stay that way save for minor edits and such. The later chapters are coming together well and I do hope you take the time to enjoy this story in it's entirety. Taste of Fire has taught me a lot about how I like to write and hopefully you enjoy the style as well. _

With love! _-Iconoclast_

The chirping of wild birds keeps the forest alive. The sun is high in the sky and the smell of wildflowers filled the air, and the forest was working as it always did. Some things are always changing, and this forest is definitely one of them. Today a Pokemon that doesn't usually wander the Keldan Forest, is seen quite clearly to every other creature that calls it home. A Charmander, and it stank of fear and confusion and all eyes were on her. Curious at this odd appearance. All of them knew that this event would bring out unwanted attention on themselves as well as their homes and families.

Everyone quickly retreated to hide. The forest around the Charmander grew quiet. The sense of fear and urgency grew, her pace quickened. She listened for any sounds and looked for any movement, but it was not enough. She was being followed by a large and surprisingly quiet human. He was following her, instead of wielding a pokeball, he held a tranquilizer gun meant for larger animals. No doubt it would knock this little Pokemon out with one shot. From behind a tree he took his aim, he held his breath and lined up his shot.

"Gotcha." he whispered.

The Charmander started to turn around but didn't see anything, she felt a pain hit her back. She reached back and pulled out the shot.

"Wha..." she thought. She started to feel relaxed and tired, her mind started to slow down. She no longer had the will to stand, she fell onto her stomach and looked into the forest which was once bright and colorful now turning dark and gray. She saw a shape come out from behind a tree and advance towards her, but she couldn't move or run. She slipped into the arms of sleep and all was forgotten.

The man picked her up and put her under his arm, and started walking back to his shack. A set of eyes were watching the man as he picked up the charmander and walked through the trees. A Lucario was following the man, making sure not to lose sight of him.It seemed like a mile or two until the man stopped at a door to a poorly camouflaged shack. The Lucario stood in a tree and watched him.

The human tapped on the door three times.the door opened. Another man stepped out holding a shotgun.

"Where'n da hell did'ja get that thing?" The man with the shotgun asked.

"Got it out by the waterin' hole, 'least close to it anyways" the other man said.

They both walked inside and shut the door behind them. The Lucario jumped down and landed lightly on his hands and feet as to not make a sound. he stood up and began walking to the shack, He was looking around for a window to look inside and see what was going on.

There was only one on the back of the house. He looked through, The sight was horrifying, there were pokemon skins and furs hanging from the ceiling and pools of blood on the floor. This sight churned the Lucarios stomach, He looked on the tables and they had cages on them and all were empty. The man walked across the room with the charmander and put her on a clear table next to the cages.

"So when'r we gonna do this one?" He asked his partner.

"As soon as our supply shipment comes in, Shane is four hours late and I'm fucking hungry!"

The Lucario started walking back around to the door.

"Ya can't be that hungry ya little puss." the man replied.

"Then why the fuck don't you do it!" his friend snapped back.

"Maybe I will, it'll make you a pretty skirt." the other man laughed.

The Lucario stopped at the door and tapped it three times.

"About fuckin' time!" The man yelled. The Lucario could hear footsteps coming towards the door, he stepped back and lifted his right arm. The door opened and the man looked at the Lucario in surprise.

"Holy sh-" he started to raise his shotgun, but it was to late. A burst of red came from the doorway and the body of the man fell backwards with a bonebreaking thud. The other man looked in time to see his friends headless body hit the floor and the brains splatter against the wall.He picked up his knife and went to the door. He looked outside and there was no one there, he stuck his head out the door. Not a soul in sight. He bent down to pick up his fallen friends shotgun.

"No good to ya now ya dumbshit..." He began to stand back up and ready his gun. "Now where'd I put that knife?" he asked aloud.

"Good question." a voice said behind him. The knife was plunged into the lower part of his spine. The man fell to the floor and dropped the shotgun, a black paw kicked it across the room.

"You mother fucker!" The man screamed.

"I thought I told you if I saw you in this forest again I'd kill you, Tucker." The voice said coldly. The man looked up and saw a Lucario with piercing blue eyes.

"I was trying to make it so you wouldn't see me again, Qagan, or should I call you Manslayer?" Tucker spat angrily.

"I like Manslayer, It's more appropriate in this situation." Qagan said cooly.

Qagan kicked the man in the stomach and stomped on his wrist, causing it to break.

"GOD FUCK!!" Tucker cried in agony. He was lying on his stomach now writhing in pain.

"Look at the bright side Tucker." Qagan stated. "At least I'm not going to skin you alive."

"Fuck you..." Tucker gasped. As he received another kick to the stomach.

"I'm sure you're well aware of the law Tucker." The angry Lucario began. "No poaching on federal Pokemon reserves, this was your second and last chance. I gave you one fair warning, and the punishment stated previously will be what you get if you decide to continue. This is just a guess but I'd say you've poached at least 30 Pokemon."

Tucker just laughed and said. "More like 73..." Which earned him a kick to the ribs, leaving two broken and one punctured lung. Tucker coughed up blood and his breathing rate increased.

"You will die here Tucker, make no mistake. I keep my word." Qagan's face was dark with anger. "But your death shall be slow, unlike that of your friends." as he pointed to the headless corpse lying right next to Tucker. Qagan took the knife out of tucker and kicked him onto his back, and he stuck the knife in the wall next to him. "The last fifteen minutes of your life is going to be hell. I only wish I could enjoy the show." Qagan said as he knelt down next to Tuckers head. Qagan put his right paw on the human's forehead. There was a flash of red, Tuckers eyes went blank. His entire body began to twitch and shake, blood was pouring from his mouth and nose.

Qagan stood up and looked at the Charmander lying on the now blood covered table, He walked towards it. The Lifeflame on it's tail was dim but burning. It had three lacerations on it's back and bleeding heavily. Qagan looked around the hut for some first aid. He found a cupboard full of gauze and medical tape which he quickly wrapped around the coma stricken Charmander. After he wrapped up the wounds he placed his left paw on it's back a bright blue flash covered the Charmander, the color returned to the bright red skin on the Charmander, but it was still deep in coma.

"Well," He sighed while checking the lifeflame which was now burning bright. "looks like your coming with me." He picked up the comatose Charmander and started walking outside, stepping over a convulsing, screaming body. When Qagan got outside he shut the door behind him, and quickly banished all of the horrible scenes from his mind. He looked to the left and right, making sure there weren't others waiting for him, there wasn't. He turned to the north and started walking, the Charmander sleeping all the while.