Kenji dreamed of fire and ash.

  His body was uncomfortably warm, sweat running down his skin. It moved in flashes, the heat, only touching parts of his skin while others were chilled. He struggled to breath, instead seeming as though someone reached into his lungs to wrest away control from him.

  The smog choked his breath, while the fire graced his skin. He wanted to scream, but his lungs refused to listen, merely offering enough for a single lungful. He was struggling to run, the smoke billowing around the trees, with fire lighting the towering wood from within. Roots clawed at the ground, the shadows turning the simple wood into squirming hands reaching out to grab at his feet.

  Behind him, a home was in flames. His home. The sprawling building was crafted from wood gathered by his father's bond and carved with the man's own hands. Decorations and hangings made by his mother, trinkets he found interesting. Fields cared for by his family were rising into embers, giving shape to those awful beings that set them aflame.

  Dark shapes, blacker than the charred earth, hunted him. Bones pierced their skin from within, forming an unnatural and cruel armor. Their bellows echoed throughout the forest, hounding him constantly. Taller, more human-like figures followed, chasing after him. A village burned to the last man, woman, and child. The enemy could leave no witnesses for a crime that would rouse kingdoms.

  Their cries burrowed through his ears, shaking his spirit with fear.

  Prey, the beasts called. Run prey.

  The hunger and desire to feast was a physical thing, causing a similar ache to be felt in his body. A reminder that beyond civilization, one was either hunter or hunted. His spirit shook as the killers followed, their weapons and Warriors racing to end him.

  Kenji stumbled away, fighting for every breath. He tried to catch himself on the surrounding trees, only for the wood to crumble into ash . The fiery remains littered the ground, leaving an easy trail to follow even as it cascaded through the forest, and did little to dampen the heat infesting the earth.

  Darkness intruded often, a period without thought or barely even existence. His only knowledge of its occurrence was from the threads leading from his spirit to beyond. They offered comfort and Energy, scant as it was. A weak balm to the pain that pervaded even the emptiness.

  Safe, heal, sleep, the threads whispered as Energy trickled into his spirit. The emptiness was weak comfort from the nightmares.

  The darkness faded slowly, Kenji stirring to find himself covered in ash and hearing the hunting cries once more.

  Then the race would begin again.

  The cycles continued, periods of emptiness that morphed into pain and fear only to quickly fall away again. Kenji tried to ignore the pain, thinking of wetter times. Storms and rain were a constant in his seaside kingdom of Greenleaf. The near-daily showers help to keep the land flourishing and in constant state of growth.

  The memories came on intensely, water seeping out of the ground to muddy the burned forest floor. The filthy liquid rose, climbing up his limbs like creeping vines. He thrashed wildly, unable to scream for help as his lungs rebelled. Clawing at the muddy water, Kenji found his fingers unable to grasp the liquid.

  Distracted as he was by the terror, it took far too long for him to realize that the pain was receding. His constant companion in the burning dreamscape, the shock of the cooling waters was intense.

  No longer fighting back, Kenji relaxed into the water and let it flow over him. It whisked away the heat in his skin, leaving behind only a lingering, dull warmth. Compared to the fire that licked at his skin only moments ago, Kenji might as well have passed on to the heavens.

  Taking advantage of the respite, he closed his eyes and struggled to clear his mind. The painful warmth was distracting, though nothing compared to the inferno that it was before. Moreso was the refreshing liquid that suppressed the heat.

  There was a thick fog clouding him, the muddy waters steaming as it drained away. Wind blew, whisking the steam away as the heat continued to rise. Clouds were gathering above, dark and billowing as they cast the world in shadow. Heat waves rose against the storm, empowering the airy mass further.

  Through it all, Kenji waited. His muscles tensed against his will as he waited for the pain to return. The water no longer crawled along his form and left him exposed to the heat and oncoming storm.

  Against his expectations, the smoldering warmth beneath his skin remained only that.

  Smoldering.

  It did not flare to life, nor did the hunting calls resume. Enemy Warriors, bandits more evil than any Dark-Type. Whether they were drowned out by the distant wind or waiting for something more, he did not know.

  Time passed irregularly. At some point Kenji discovered that his breathing was more natural, less forced against his will. His dreams shifted to something more soothing, yet even when nightmares intruded the burning fire did not flare beneath his skin. He slept easily, if not perfectly.

  Flashes of unfamiliar faces and a strange scene began to intrude on his dreams. People in strange clothing with half hidden faces. Flat tones, beeping with a simple regularity. Garbled words, half-heard and none he could understand.

  It was only when the odd dream refused to abate and a masked individual met his eyes did Kenji realize that he was awake.

  He tried to move but his body was sluggish and did not want to. The masked face, a woman he believed, retreated only to be replaced by another. A man, his face bare of the brightly colored cloth and clean shaven. His mouth moved and it took Kenji a moment to hear.

  {For someone so eager to fight off the sedatives, you sure took a long time to wake up,} the man spoke, his words incomprehensible to Kenji.

  Still confused, Kenji struggled to glance around.

  Strange tubes ran from him to poles filled with bags. The consistent beeping was emitted from a machine next to him, half-familiar symbols and strange letters flickering across the surface. The light in the room was bright and harsh, somehow glowing down from the ceiling and contrasting with the natural sunlight shining through the room's windows.

  There were others in the rooms, several wearing outfits similar to the man leaning over him. However, one stood out, a woman in striking red leathers. Her face was intent and met his eyes evenly. Worse the enormous bird that strutted by her side, a beast of dark feathers and a bloodied crest.

  Warrior, Kenji realized. Fear crawled up his spine, sending shivers across his body. At the same time, the atonal beeping grew more insistent and rapid, drawing the attention of the individuals surrounding him.

  The stranger glanced at the beeping object before turning his gaze back to Kenji.

  {Kid, can you hear me? I need you to remain calm,} The man in the white coat spoke again, his words garbled to Kenji's ears.

  Even if he were able to understand, Kenji did not think he would be able to hear him. The fear of the foreign Warrior was alighting his body, sharpening his mind. Kenji instinctively started to struggle in the large bed he found himself in. The scant Energy in his body responded to his terror, unfurling in his muscles.

  With every heartbeat, he could feel the lethargy draining away to be replaced by strength. When he first opened his eyes, Kenji could barely focus them on the man hovering nearby. Now, his arms and legs were twitching beneath the bandages wrapping them.

  The beeping grew louder, a harsh droning whine.

  Where am I? Kenji wondered. What are they doing to me!

  His thoughts were growing more frantic, further helping Kenji dismiss the cloud fogging his mind.

  {Son, if you keep this up, I'm going to have to sedate you.} With the unknown words, the white clothed man pulled out met the eyes of the woman next to him. She grabbed something from a nearby cart, a small bottle and a metal needle connected to a tube.

  The man's voice was warning, one Kenji found easy to ignore. With the rising awareness, he remembered his bonds. Rolling his eyes around, he searched the room for his companions.

  There was no sign of the brightly colored butterfly let alone the large headed turtle. The only beast present was the large bird, the final evolution of a species that ravaged his kingdom of Greenleaf every year. A fierce predator, it was as heavily bandaged as Kenji. The wrappings did little to blunt the fierce eyes glaring him down.

  The Warrior and her partner only served to further agitate and terrify Kenji. His struggles grew stronger as he found his strength rapidly returning. The movement tugged at the lines patched to his skin, turning to thick ropes in his mind.

  {Damnit,} the white clothed man uttered, before turning to the woman next to him. {Sedate him before he rips out his lines.}

  The stranger turned back to hold Kenji down, pressing his hands into the little skin that was exposed to the air. At first, Kenji was able to push back, a grunt of surprise leaving the stranger's mouth before he caught himself. Soon though, he began to overpower Kenji, holding him down, as the woman inserted the metal-and-tube construction into the clear tube piercing his skin.

  Unable to fight back, Kenji desperately watched as a clear liquid flowed in his arm. Drowsiness tugged at his mind quickly after, and he found himself settling back into the bed. As he closed his eyes, the quick discussion amongst those in the room turned into quiet murmurs.

  The drug pulled the darkness over his mind, forcing Kenji into unwanted unconsciousness. In what felt like only moments, he was surfacing from the black once more. His mind was still addled by the injected concoction, but he was better prepared this time.

  At first, his eyes started to flutter open before he realized what was happening and held them shut. Forcing himself to breathe evenly, Kenji assessed his present condition as his mind returned fully.

  Like before, much of his body was bare, skin exposed to the cool room. There were others present, made known by their quiet voices and breathing. Kenji did not yet investigate with his aura, for he felt a new addition to his limbs.

  Cloth wrapped around his wrist and ankles, which he immediately suspected to be manacles.

  Few metals and fibers were strong enough to bind a Warrior. Those that were had to be sourced from powerful beasts or harvested in Energy-rich realms guarded by said beasts. While the chances were low, it was possible the strangers did not have such tools to hold him.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Not that it truly mattered.

  Kenji was barely a Rank I Warrior, with only enough Energy to fuel a minor burst of strength and speed. While it was probable, his chances of breaking through mortal manacles and escaping were slim at best, especially with the foreign Warrior standing guard over him.

  Before his mind could turn towards further means of escape, a loud snapping next to his ear caused him to reflexively flinch.

  Jerking his eyes open, he met the white-coated stranger's gaze. The man had a raised brow, with one hand extended next to his head. Kenji's look of startlement turned into a glare aimed at the offending individual.

  In response, the man smirked and spoke.

  {Thought as much,} his tone was smug, though the words remained incomprehensible. {Now, if you're done playing the sleeping Glameow, I do have some medical tests to perform. If you're willing, that is?}

  Kenji glared, debating on whether to speak or not. If they heard his words, then it was likely they could place his home Kingdom, if not subregion. Information that once was given, could not be taken back.

  The man met his glare easily, holding it with a detached playfulness that Kenji found intimidating. His eyes spoke of confidence and the power to back it.

  Kenji was the first to look away, turning the retreat into an inspection of the room. It was a disheartening white, largely free of any color besides the foreign furniture and an inked board. The letters were a jumble to his eyes, though at least vaguely recognizable. As he suspected, his arms were chained to the bed he found himself in, though leather and cloth gave a pretense of comfort.

  The sturdy Warrior was present, still dressed in her bold red leathers. Her face was inscrutable, giving little away beyond slight interest. By her side was the large bird, proudly puffing out his chest and staring Kenji down.

  Several others stood around him, but it was the view beyond them all that held his attention. Clear glass windows, a marvel in of itself, revealed stone, metal, and glass buildings. It was more of the rare materials than he had ever seen, except perhaps in the Warlord's castle. And only during the grandest of festivals did his family journey to the massive construction at the center of the kingdom's city.

  Greenleaf was abundant in food and agriculture, with beasts to raise and farm. A prize to neighbors such as Ignis1, where the land was inhospitable in much of the Kingdom. Even the relatively peaceful Aurora2 could not match Greenleaf's bountiful harvests, or so he was told.

  Staring at the architecture, he abruptly realized his mouth was open when the man at his bedside chuckled.

  {Looks like you got a new admirer, Ranger,} he said, turning his eyes to the Warrior. He sported a small grin and his voice was mocking to Kenji's ears.

  Looking between the two, Kenji was surprised to see the woman stiffen and take on a more blank expression. That a mortal, though apparently a learned healer of the body, was willing to engage with the Warrior in such a tone was more than a little strange.

  There was a reason that Warriors stood above all.

  The man turned his head back to Kenji, the playful light in his eyes retreating to become less so. Kenji stared back defiantly, not knowing what to expect.

  {You were a troublesome patient while you slept, so let's hope you're less so now that you're awake.} The healer's voice was straightforward, and became brusque as he continued talking. {Now, I'm going to shine this in your eyes and I want you to keep your eyes forward.} He proffered a small cylindrical object of metal, pressing on one end to emit a bright light.

  Kenji felt his eyes widen in surprise at the object, not understanding how it was able to hold the light of the sun within. The man lifted it to point into Kenji's eyes and he was forced to close them with a flinch as the brightness blinded him.

  {Son, I need you to open your eyes.} The man spoke again, his words holding a disapproving tone and making Kenji freeze.

  After a moment, the light disappeared and Kenji tentatively opened his eyes to blink away the lingering spots. While he did so, the healer reached out and snapped his fingers in Kenji's ears several times, alternating which hand. When Kenji jerked his head from the unexpectedly loud sound, the man murmured quietly.

  {Hearing seems good.} The healer spoke, his continuous jumble of words making Kenji uneasy. The white-clothed man flickered his eyes over the beeping box and flashing colors briefly before craning to look at the Warrior standing across the room.

  {Where'd you say you found the boy again, Ranger?}

  Unlike last time, the man's voice was more authoritative, eliciting a frown from the red coated woman.

  {Between the Shallow Mountains and Koda Grove.} She spoke back, her words a flat grind when compared to the brusque healer.

  Whatever she said caused the healer to turn back around with a frown.

  {Kid, do you understand me?} A questioning tone and his words result in a small stir amongst the people in the room. They looked at the healer in surprise before focusing their gazes back on Kenji.

  Uneasy with the increased attention and unwilling to show weakness, he stared back silently. The beeping from the box increased as a result, likely giving away his nerves, Kenji was quickly beginning to suspect.

  {As I thought,} The man sighed. {Seems your case became a bit more difficult than you were expecting, Sherry.}

  The Warrior appeared surprised at whatever was being discussed, along with the healer's assistants. They exchanged wide eyed glances, seeming to talk without speaking.

  Kenji wanted to scowl, but forced his face to remain blank. The lack of understanding on Kenji's part itched at his skin even more so than the healing burns. It was more difficult than he expected to be the lone one out, unable to understand what others were saying. They could be discussing what to do with him or their afternoon meal, and he would have little indication of either.

  The man turned back to Kenji, his words changing to a different language. He spoke slightly slower, as though to a young child.

  "How about now? Do you understand me?"

  Kenji was surprised to recognize several of the words the man spoke, rough as the accent was. It was a trade language used by merchants and travelers, one nobles and Warriors were wise to learn. If that were not enough, his mother ensured that Kenji was fluent. His father agreed, the three of them switching between the two languages easily.

  The healer must have noticed Kenji's recognition, for he grinned and continued to use the trade tongue.

  "Much better. I apologize, had I known you did not speak Sinnohan, I would have used common earlier. Must have been confusing for you," the man commiserated.

  Kenji leaned away slightly from the man's friendly smile, not trusting the stranger as he was still manacled to the bed.

  "Ah yes, we can remove those as long as you promise not to remove your IV's or attempt to leave," the man said, seeing Kenji's discomfort at the restraints.

  When Kenji did not respond, the healer sighed and continued.

  "Are you able to tell me your name?" he asked pleasantly, the man's eyes attentive and open.

  Kenji hesitated, licking his lips nervously as he glanced around once more. His family name could be easily traced back to Greenleaf, potentially putting him or his kingdom in danger. His jaw clenched as he realized that at the very least, he no longer had a family to threaten. The realization stabbed at his chest and he retreated from it, glaring at the healer in silence.

  The sudden shift in attitude did not go unnoticed, the man's smile fading slightly as he stared back at Kenji.

  "If you do not feel comfortable with the {Ranger} in the room, I can ask her to leave. However, the {Ranger Union} does have a {warrant} for your medical information," the healer spoke, standing up right as he did so.

  While Kenji did not recognize several of the words, he understood them in context as the Warrior reacted.

  {Doctor, I was ordered to be on watch, and I am here for the Trainer's safety as much as everyone else's.}

  The woman spoke in her native tongue, preventing him from knowing what she said. Whether it was due to her inability to do so in the trade language or from a desire to keep Kenji from understanding her he did not know.

  "I am quite certain, Ranger. And while the Union may have a warrant for my patient's records, it does not remove doctor-patient confidentiality." The rebuke was clear in the man's words as he turned to speak to the Warrior directly.

  Again, the action surprised Kenji, especially now that he could understand the healer. Not even his father, who was known amongst the townsfolk as being an easygoing Warrior, would have allowed a mortal to speak to him in such a tone.

  Instead of rebuking the man, or even reacting, she simply nodded and left the room. She walked out of his view, and he heard a heavy door open and close from beyond his vantage point from the bed.

  Kenji stared at the man in surprise and growing apprehension. There was one thing that could explain how the healer spoke to the Warrior. An explanation that lowered his chances of escape considerably. Kenji could not check either, not without revealing his own status.

  "The {nurses} are of course covered under patient confidentiality as well." The man's smile returned. "Let's begin again. Can you tell me your name?"

  Opening his mouth, Kenji hesitated, briefly considering giving a false name before discarding the idea. Instead, a better idea would be to give a partial answer.

  "My-" Kenji broke off coughing and was quickly offered a small tube leading to a container of water. It was similar to bamboo, if in shape and function only. Taking a light sip, he greedily sucked down the cool water before it was pulled away.

  "My name is Kenji," he said, straightening and lifting his chin in defiance.

  "Good," the healer nodded. "And can you tell me where you are?"

  At this, Kenji was unsure of how to answer. He did not know if the man was referencing the kingdom, building, or possibly even the current situation.

  "A," Kenji wet his lips, searching for the safest answer. "Place of healing," he offered tentatively.

  The man seemed surprised at the answer, exchanging a glance with one of the women next to him before turning back to Kenji.

  "I suppose that's one way of putting it," the healer said slowly. "You're at {Canalave Hospital}. Do you know why? Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"

  "I was running," Kenji said slowly, the memories coming back to him. "Through the forest. I was being chased by hounds. Beasts of fire." Kenji shuddered as he remembered the flames leaping out to touch his skin and the choking smog.

  "Houndoom, and their pack," the healer offered. "Highly territorial."

  Kenji nodded in response, glancing down to look at the thick bandages covering his limbs. Patches of skin were uncovered, allowing the healing wounds to breathe. It revealed to him the state of his body as he saw warped and scared flesh. His eyes locked onto the sight and he felt his breathing coming quicker. The room grew uncomfortably hot and Kenji shifted, suddenly feeling restless.

  "It's alright," the man spoke in a soothing tone, at odds with the harsher tones being emitted by the nearby box. "You're safe now, there is nothing to worry about. Your body is actually healing quite nicely." he offered, holding up a small wooden board with several papers attached.

  Encouraged by the healer's voice, Kenji looked up and held the man's gaze. He refused to look back down to his ruined body lest panic and despair consume him.

  "Now, I'm going to have to perform some tests, just to make sure that there are no lingering effects from the {anesthesia} or anything that we overlooked." The man hefted the light emitting cylinder once more. "I'm going to shine this in your eyes and I need you to look straight ahead. Don't follow the light."

  The healer instructed Kenji through a series of tests, having him flex his toes and fingers, inhaling deeply, and even peering down his throat. The actions were unusual when compared to the traveling sages and healers that crossed Greenleaf. Stranger still were the tools of trade that the man pulled out. A flexible tube connected to pieces of metal, the flashing boxes surrounding him, and more.

  Still, Kenji did not comment. He was no experienced healer or mystic, with most of his medical knowledge limited to herbal remedies that could be sourced from the family gardens.

  The man commented freely, his observations and words diligently taken down by those behind him. As he did so, the man introduced himself to Kenji, conversing easily as he conducted his odd medical tests.

  "I'm {Doctor} Moran, by the way, your attending physician," he said. "Sorry for forgetting to introduce myself earlier. I specialize in burn wounds and Fire-Types, as one all too often helps with the other," he told Kenji with a smile.

  Despite the man's friendly demeanor, Kenji blanched. As he suspected, the healer was a Warrior. Why he was relegated to caring for people instead of his kingdom's army, Kenji could not say, but his presence only served to crush Kenji's chances of escape.

  "Don't worry, my Pokémon are far friendlier," he said with a reassuring smile, mistaking Kenji's reaction to his words. The man continued speaking, his tone shifting as he started to detail Kenji's care. "As I mentioned earlier, you're healing quite well. Once we get some real food in you, we'll have you start doing some physical therapy.

  "Right now we have you on a drip just to keep you hydrated and help your body recover some of the {calorie} loss. Large burns like yours tend to take a lot out of the body and we have to make sure you can keep up. We also have some topical creams that the {nurses} will apply to help your skin heal and minimize scarring."

  Listening to the man speak, Kenji was struck by a sudden thought. One that persisted even as he tried to come up with a reason. Unable to, he asked when the healer finished.

  "Why?" Kenji said plainly.

  "Why?" the man repeated in confusion. "What are you confused about?"

  "Why are you helping me?" he asked.

  "I'm a doctor," the healer said as he stared at Kenji evenly, holding his gaze. "And a damn good one too. I've traveled the world, to several regions and disparate islands, all to help people. Kids just like you, struck by natural disasters, rampaging Pokémon, or disease."

  The man- the Warrior's- intense answer quieted Kenji.

  "Well, that's all from me." The healer's demeanor once more became carefree and relaxed, the serious moment passing. "Now, Ranger Sherry, the woman just outside the door, had some questions for you. Don’t worry, behind her {steely} exterior, she's a big softy," he whispered conspiratorially with a wink.

  Smiling, the man and his entourage left the room, leaving the door open as the red clothed Warrior walked. Swallowing thickly, Kenji met her gaze, unsure of how the next conservation would go.

  Sato Kenji.Rank: 1. Specialty: Grass/Ground

  SproutWithdraw into Shell.

  FlutterBody Blow. Spit Thread. Bug Bite. Stir Up Wind. Absorb. Numbing Powder.