>>58226735
>But this was the middle of the day.
>In the middle of the suburbs.
>Your hearing was good enough to figure out the direction it came from.
>The tree provided good cover, but it couldn’t mask your trail.
>Dare scratched, tore, and charred the tree trunk below.
>Seeing its master, the houndoom let loose another yowl.
>A neighbor who watched from the front door slammed it shut, retreating inside.
>A lot of attention was directed your way.
>And all their auras told you they were safe inside their homes.
>Good.
>”Scared?” The punk taunted.
>”Dare dun like you.”
>He shielded his eyes from the sun to look up.
>He momentarily stopped to call Dare a good boy.
>Truth be told, yes, you were frightened.
>Thirty seconds ago.
>That howl sounded like a wendigo.
>The terrorizing cry may have petrified you as a pu-
>Kid…
>But not anymore.
>Now you knew what you were dealing with, it was far less worrying.
>They challenged your honor.
>And they brought this nonsense to a peaceful neighborhood.
>The desire to bring back order was…
>Oddly strong.
>Strong enough to overcome your worry about the flames licking the hound’s claws and mouth.
>Would you be so eager to leap down if the human side was in control?
>You could stay here all night if you had to.
“Put that thing on a leash. Now.” You ordered.
>To your surprise, he pulled a collar and leash out the passenger seat.
>…
>He wasn’t collaring his pokémon.
>The boy pulled his sagging pants and looked to you instead.
>Twirling the chain, he grinned and shouted over his dog.
>”Nuh uh, we’re gon’ catch you!”
>So taken aback, you blinked in confusion.
“What!?” You screamed.
>The man held the leash higher, jingling it, as if you hadn’t noticed.
>”Yer already caught, man, c’mon ‘ere.”
>He whipped the chain and collar up at you.