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If I can't evade my fate

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It was an Archen.[break][break]

The moment Jenna witnessed its tricolor feathers peak out from the grass, she had made her decision. While it was an interesting fossil pokemon, the Ranger had no interest in catching any more flying-types. She already had more than enough. As the ancient bird stepped onto the path ahead of her, their encounter had begun. They made eye contact. It wasn't going to leave without a fight.[break][break]

So, without another moment to lose, she released Jenever from her capsule. The small Houndoom stretched out from her pokeball in a flowing stream of red light, materializing back to the world outside her Pokeball. Tall and proud, the only thing that gave away her pokemon's excitement was the fast waving of her long, whip-like tail. “Let's not give this guy the chance to attack. Use Roar.”[break][break]

While a fight could have been interesting, Jenna just wasn't interesting.[break][break]

Jenever tilted up her head, snout aimed towards the skies, as the dark-haired hellhound released a lonesome and bloodthirsty howl that sent chills down Jenna's own spine. How could Jenever–one of the sweetest pokemon she had ever known–release a sound like that?[break][break]

It had an immediate effect on the Archen, who looked less interested in a fight as it turned around and rushed back into the safety of the grass.[break][break][break]

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If I can't evade my fate

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“That worked pretty well,” Jenna remarked as the Archen fled. “Good job.” Jenever was already by her side, ready to accept head-pets from her Trainer's warm hand, body wiggling with excitement. She always loved coming to the Safari Zone. All the smells and things to see–The dog could barely contain her excitement.[break][break]

The girl spared her Houndoom a knowing look. “Well. It'd be best to not waste any more time... Go get 'em,” and those words made Jenever lunge into the tall grass without a moment of hesitation; all Jenna could see was a black blur that rushed through their surroundings, sniffing and investigating every inch of this place. The black bullet zipped left and right, barking only when she smelled something that she felt her Trainer should investigate.[break][break]

When the dark-type saw the faintest flicker of light–a purple flame–she knew it was what her Trainer had been looking for.[break][break]

Jenna had struggled to keep up with her Houndoom. By the time she arrived, Jenever was preparing to battle what was in front of her... and the girl released a visible shudder. A litwick. While the pokemon was small and unassuming, Jenna was never a fan of Ghost-types. They were cunning and crafty creatures. They couldn't be underestimated.[break][break]

It gave her the creeps... but Jenna gritted her teeth and accepted the truth; she couldn't avoid ghost-types forever. Not all of them were malicious, right? How the heck was that tiny candle able to unnerve her so easily? "I'm being irrational," but not all fears had to be. That was the maddening part.[break][break]

The small, floating candle lived up to Jenna's fears by casting Night Shade. It was engulfed by a dark energy that made it seem transparent, dragging the shape of its body down into the ground underneath it. “Jeni, keep an eye out–” It had already sprung up from behind her Houndoom; black tendrils of ghost-like energy drilling into her pokemon's side.[break][break]

It didn't do much.[break][break]

Without hesitation, Jenever worked through the pain and wrangled herself around the snare of energy. She charged, skidding across the ground as her feet struggled to keep up with her. She kept herself low, lunging out at the pokemon as it manifested itself with one of the most devasting moves Jenever knew; feint attack.[break][break]

Jenna witnessed the damage that had been done –for a moment, the light atop the Litwick's head flickered and fainted in intensity. Maybe it had done enough damage for what was coming next...[break][break]

At that moment, the girl had to force herself to swallow down her nerves and throw the Safari Ball.[break][break][break]

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If I can't evade my fate

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She captured her first Ghost-Type.[break][break]

Jenna sighed, releasing the breath that she had been holding since the battle began. With the Ghost out of sight, she felt much better... “What possessed me to do this?” She asked aloud, unknowingly making a pun as she reached for her Safari Ball from the grass where it had landed. The capsule was warm in her hands. Gently, it was placed onto her belt, lined with the rest of the pokemon she had brought with her.[break][break]

Her Houndoom growled. “Something the matter?” That was when Jenna felt something wet and slimy tap on her shoulder. It could have scared her soul straight from her body. Slowly, the Ranger turned around, feeling sweat collect on her forehead as she took in the sight of a...[break][break]

A Lickitung.[break][break]

Seriously? Had she managed to get worked up over one of the silliest pokemon in existence? “Jenever. Fire Fang.” If it wanted a fight, it was going to get one.[break][break]

The Houndoom charged, smoke exhaled from her body. The fight with the Litwick had been incomplete–at least she could remedy that with this fight. She sprang from the ground, gaining such height that she soared over Jenna's head and latched her jaw against the normal-type that lacked boundaries. The weight of Jenever's body, bones and all, was heavy enough to drive the Lickitung to the ground.[break][break]

Despite being pinned, it retaliated. Its tongue wrapped around her Houndoom's chest, squeezing with a suffocating pressure. Jenever wheezed, letting smoke billow.[break][break]

So, she bit down harder, putting as much might and fire into her fangs as possible.[break][break]

What happened next surprised her. Jenever's mouth–no–her head seemed to have been engulfed in flames as she pushed more and more might into her attack. More fire kept coming. The hellhound could feel her teeth glow and sparkle with red and with malice. Two spires of the fire seemed to trail, burning along the ridge of her horns, to create the shape of a devil. It was the same as dumping gasoline onto a lit flame. It was an explosion of heat and energy that could not be maintained. There was not enough for it to burn–but the heat had done its job. Even if the flames died the moment the air reached it, Jenever kept dumping more and more of herself–and then, she realized when enough was enough, she didn't know how to stop–[break][break]

The Lickitung released its vice-grip, falling into unconsciousness from the extensive burns on its head. The Ranger had backed away from the fight, having never seen Jenever resort to such force before... Her pokemon was still trying to adapt to her new body and the strength that came with it. The dog looked back at her Trainer, concern shining in her eyes, pleading that it had been an accident and that she didn't think she could do that. The girl had to swallow the lump in her throat, coming forward to assess the damages...[break][break]

“It's okay. I don't think you hurt it as bad as you think you did.”[break][break]

Jenna pulled out her phone and lined a call with the nearest Safari employee, informing them of the situation. A medic would be with them in a few moments. After that, a few Rawst Berries and a potion was all it took to nurse the Normal-Type back to health.[break][break]

The Ranger shot her dog a side-glance. “After this, we'll train. Okay? I want you to feel like you're in control. I know that scared you.”[break][break][break]

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If I can't evade my fate

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...Was that a floating ice cream cone?[break][break]

The moment the Lickitung and the employee had left their sight, another pokemon had appeared. The small ice type giggled before Jenna and her Houndoom, demanding a fight, seeking to prove itself in a battle against a... fire-type pokemon. It paused its taunting behavior, glancing from the blue-haired trainer to her pokemon. “You... You really didn't think this through, did you?” The vanillite seemed to sweat, letting droplets of its icy body roll down the sides of its cone. Maybe this had been a bad idea? Just... just maybe? It seemed to recognize that it had made a huge mistake.[break][break]

Jenna slowly shook her head in disapproval. It was like watching a toddler getting ready to stick a fork in a wall socket. “Jenever. Use Roar,” and Jenever raised her nose upward, ready to release her bloodcurdling howl to try and scare it away... but that wasn't necessary.[break][break]

Jenna watched the ice-cream cone turn around and float away as fast as it possibly could, scared of the hell-hound and the prospect of being melted. “...Guess it got the hint.” Good. It had learned a valuable lesson.[break][break]

Both trainer and pokemon looked at each other, shrugged, and went on with their business. There was still two Safari Balls remaining.[break][break][break]

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If I can't evade my fate

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She resumed her wandering.[break][break]

Jenever kept close to her Ranger's side, sniffing the ground, as they followed the path that stretched ahead of them. It would twist and bend, leading them from one part of the Safari to the other. From long stretching fields of green grass, Jenna now found herself standing on a much rougher terrain. There were rocky hills and sand that danced through the wind. Stray pebbles were shuffled beneath the weight of her boots. “We could try heading up one of those.” Jenna said down to her Houndoom, scratching the top of her head. “At least from there, we might be able to spot something.”[break][break]

It sounded like a solid plan. There was already a path that had been carved out, allowing trainers easy access. It'd probably take some time to reach the top, but Jenna was sure she could find a way to compensate for the loss...[break][break]

Someone tapped her shoulder.[break][break]

Presuming it was another trainer, Jenna slowly twisted her head to greet them. “Can I help youuuuuu–” That wasn't a person. It was a sword. A floating sword. It blinked at her, blue scarf extended... and the Ranger felt chills shoot down her spine. Her dislike of Ghost-Types was born from shit like this. Did it think she'd really fall for that trick? “What am I? An idiot?” She remarked to the Honedge, drawing herself away. If it had the chance, it would try to suck all of the life out of her like she was a juice box...[break][break]

But it was also one of the pokemon she had circled on her list. The girl knew she had to overcome her unease with Ghosts. The easiest way to confront that fear would be to catch some of her own and adapt to their strange, quirky behavior.[break][break]

Jenever jumped into action, not needing a command. A fire erupted from her mouth as she lunged. Jenna had to stumble to the side to avoid being caught in the conflict.[break][break]

The Honedge sprung into action, trying to avoid being bit by her Houndoom's flaming maw. It didn't work. The dog snagged the sword right by the blade, trying to sink her teeth through the edge and the steel, but her teeth couldn't catch a grip. It managed to pull itself away, spinning through the air as it tried to relocate its position.[break][break]

Her Houndoom was in hot pursuit. Understanding that fleeing wouldn't be possible, the Honedge chose to retaliate, swinging itself forward with a sudden burst of speed; aerial ace. The attack made contact, but not before Jenever shook off the damage and retaliated with another fire fang.[break][break]

Jenna reached for one of her empty Safari Balls, sensing that now would be her chance. “Back up, girl!” She shouted as she chucked it forward. Her Houndoom managed to jump back, just as the Honedge was trying to free itself from her grasp.[break][break]

The Pokeball collided with the tip of the hilt, almost missing.[break][break][break]

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If I can't evade my fate

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The capture was a success. Sighing, Jenna found herself claiming ownership of her second ghost. At least Honedge was different from the others. A floating sword, while dangerous, somehow seemed more approachable than the others... even if it did try to steal her life force a moment ago.[break][break]

She tucked the Safari Ball away, wondering if there was still enough time to use her last capsule... the incident with the Lickitung and all that extra walking had taken up a chunk of their time. “Alright, let's get back on track.” The Ranger turned to regard her Houndoom, only to see that Jenever was distracted. The houndhoom had twisted her head away from her trainer, staring across the sand-covered clearing.[break][break]

Something had kicked up the sand. It was billowing across the faux-dunes that the Safari Zone had assembled.[break][break]

“What's up? You hear something?” And then Jenna saw something small and bipedal charging at them, drawing closer and closer. The last pokemon she had circled on her roster. A Tyrunt. Luck had struck her, again. “About damn time,” and she withdrew Jenever back to her pokeball, knowing it'd be foolish to have her scuffle with a Rock-Type pokemon.[break][break]

She sent out Lapis.[break][break]

The large Lapras settled on the warm sands, awaiting her commands. The Tyrunt was in striking distance. The battle had begun. “Water Gun!” She called out, watching the Dinosaur's movements. It was faster than it looked. In the short time it took for the Ranger to send out her next pokemon, it was already gearing up to use a move.[break][break]

Lapis released her Water Gun. The pressurized stream of water clipped against the head of the small Rock-Type, forcing it to divert from its charge. It circled, trying to find an opening, as Lapis twisted her body to follow it down with her stream.[break][break]

But she couldn't maintain her attack forever. The moment the Water Gun began to falter, the Tyrunt used both of its powerful legs to jump, gaining considerable height. Twisting in the air, it brought down the brunt of its tail against Lapras' hard shell with a resounding crack; Dragon Tail.[break][break]

“Ice Shard!” Jenna had called out, watching as Lapis crystallized the moisture atop her skin, driving it upward to cover her body in an icy trap. The Tyrunt was unable to jump away in time. The shards that rose up from her like quills had managed to ensnare his limbs, locking them in place.[break][break]

Before he could trash and try to break through, Jenna chucked her last Safari Ball.[break][break][break]