Weak

“Wha-what?” The kid’s mother rose out of a pile of worn blankets strewn across the couch. The different sheets and pillows spilled onto the ground as she lifted herself up. Finally her head popped out, “What’s up, Zane?” Her eyes didn’t widen for him, only opening more when she finally saw me dangling down from his grimy fingers.

She gasped. Her pupils shrunk in her suddenly-less tired eyes, “Zane! Where did you get that?”

“It’s a Capmon, Mom!” He beamed, “I went into the forest on my own and caught it myself!”

“You didn’t do anything special…” I hissed. Him not understanding anything I said was going to get old quickly. That time, I wanted him to hear my less-than-kind remark.

His mother stumbled over. Her fluffy, green bathrobe slumped down around her shoulders. She softly poked my nose with her fingertip, “She’s a cutie isn’t she?”

“Mom! She’s gonna be super tough!”

“She’s barely a hatchling, Zane.” I lightly swatted my arm toward her. I could at least scratch her for all she wanted to add insult to injury. I was the same age as her son, and she was treating me like some baby. “I could cook her up if you want. Kichi like her can actually be really flavorful.” I flailed about in Zane’s arms.

“Mom!” He yelled.

She scratched her chin, “Oh, you’re really serious… Right, I remember when I was your age. Capmon adventures can be dangerous, kiddo.”

“You became a Badge Trainer when you were my age!”

“Mhm. Why d’ya think I quit? The pay blows. You’re better off becoming a lawyer.”

“I don’t want to be a Badge Trainer with some stupid gym…” He grumbled, “I’m going to be a Capmon Champion. The best there ever was.”

She flicked him on the forehead, “Five living people have ever become the champion, and even they make peanuts,” she snorted. I nodded along with her. This kid was nowhere near capable of winning. I was, but as soon as I had the chance, I would gladly leave him to go back to being myself. His mother went on, “Look, I’m happy to be the supportive parent and all, but like, dream about going to the moon or something.”

The front door slammed open, “I thought it was you I saw ya walkin’ into town, Zane!” A tall girl with long, drill-shaped twintails shrieked, “Show me! Show me!”

He turned and held me out to her, “Here, Chii.”

“A Kichi!” She pinched my cheek, “Adorable! Guess what I got, though…” She snatched a Capture Ball out of her glitzy purse. As she opened it, a huge Nyaro materialized on the ground. A slick, white tail snapped back and forth behind it. Its sharp whiskers flashed in the light, and its two pointed fangs hung down over its lower lip. It walked gracefully on the pads of its paws. Last time I saw a Nyaro it barely stood as high as my knees. Now, its quiet, dreamy meow sounded titanic.

“You got a Capmon, too?” Zane laughed inwardly, “That’s great, Chii! We should travel together and…”

“Really?” She rolled her eyes, “Let it down so we can battle!”

“A-are you sure?”

Chii smirked, “I’m glad ya got a Capmon, Zane. It means there’s someone for me to beat… easily.”

“W-well…” Zane quietly set me down on the ground, “Good luck, Bianca!”

“Bianca?” Chii flicked her hair. Nyaro trotted around her feet, rubbing her cheek against the trainer’s thighs. Finally, it straightened out in front of her. Its shoulders lowered and its tail straightened out behind it. “You named your Capmon? Lame.”

“I just thought it sounded nice…” Zane scratched his head. It wasn’t my name, but at least it was better than being called Kichi. I straightened myself out. I’d seen much larger and more experienced Nyaro than this one before. Chii’s probably could only really scratch and bite. It was almost definitely faster than me, and there was no question of who was stronger.

The trainers bounced on their feet, holding a stance. They stared at each other like they were both in a western. They both remained silent. Nyaro sat there, shaking, ready to pounce. But it waited obediently for an order. Zane and Chii didn’t say anything. I blinked, wondering if they had never done this before. I got tired of it. Running from a battle against another trainer was against the rules, so I thought about how I could win.

If I managed to electrocute the Nyaro, maybe I’d get lucky and paralyze it. If it lunged while I was trying to do that, it would get to me first. Then, if I tried to leap in and strike it directly, maybe that could help. It was only a few times my size, surely my stubby little paws could disturb it with a hard enough swing. At least that would ensure that I could go first. Zane had to have the same idea, it was such an obvious tactic.

I rushed across the field and swatted at the Nyaro. My paw struck it on the side of its leg. Before I could get away, Chii yelled, “Grab it!” Nyaro swung its claws around my sides. I thought I barely slipped between them until I was lazily pulled back by my tail. The Nyaro purred as it dragged me before it. Zane was still standing there silently.

“C-come on!” He finally struggled to say. His knees were shaking uncontrollably.

Chii sighed, “Give up, Cuz?” The Nyaro batted me on the head with one of its paws. It was just over me now, nudging me back and forth playfully. It rolled me onto my side, pinned under its claws as it continued playing. It leaned forward, its mouth wide. Its long fangs dripped with bright saliva. Its breath smelled like sour fish.

I tensed up as it grew closer, kicking my legs under me. “Recall me!” I yelled. I knew Zane couldn’t understand. Capture Balls would be linked to the Capmon they contained. It could be used to pull me back out of the fight. I wondered if Zane even realized that. I felt a tremor rising in my chest that rose to my cheeks. There was a subtle flash of light just under my eye, then I yelled out.

A surge of lightning boomed out of my body, surrounding the Nyaro. My opponent shook as the electricity flashed through its body. I exhaled heavily as the attack dissipated. Nyaro scowled and hissed. It was wobbling slightly on its feet, but it was still on top of me.

I flinched as Nyaro came closer. “No! Stop!” Zane yelled out, “Stop!”

“Do ya give up?” Chii sung.

“No way! I’ll never give up!” He stepped forward. Idiot. Everyone knew electricity was the most powerful thing I could do. The Nyaro was hardly staggered, and I couldn’t just do it again. I closed my eyes. I lost. “Come on, Bianca!” Zane yelled at me helplessly. He sounded so much like Fire the first time I beat him. He really never did give up.

Nyaro’s fangs sunk into my side. It ripped through my fur and flesh. I screeched as Nyaro pulled itself up. It chewed that little bite of me, then used its paw to wash its lips. Nyaro bent down for another bite. Zane fell on the ground. He wasn’t the one being bit up, so why was he crying? His mother put her hand behind his head, “Come on… We’ll bring her back at the Capmon Hospital.”

Nyaro grabbed me in her mouth, letting me dangle out between her fangs as she carried me back to Chii. “Here, Human! I got a treat we can share!” Nyaro said. I was able to understand her, but the humans would have just heard her proud meow.

Chii scrunched up her nose as she looked at me. The trainer petted her purring Nyaro’s head softly, “What, you think I want that?” I blacked out.