#Hikori Arcanine

[lustrous-dawn]

Now I can recall back a nicer time -

Art by @/ symphonies-of-silver

[symphonies-of-silver]

(( Previously ))

The Zoroark snapped, standing tall as to appear larger in the face of the bigger Arcanine. His mane like ghostly tendrils whipped around his figure. Even so the canine still towered over him, though Genji showed no fear.

After a solid moment of staring him down, the Zoroark without warning disappeared into the ground. Blades of grass before Hikori’s feet seemed to sway unnaturally not a moment later as the ghostly fox rose to separate the two canines from one another.

To not only disrespect their patrons, but mistreat one of them so callously. The Zoroark was just about ready to snap back and fight if he had to.

"Who do you think you are?!Speaking to Hikori like that! Leave him alone!"

(( @lustrous-dawn ))

[askshinyglaceon]

Hikori@Echo: "Hey!" The Arcanine approaches the flock with a smile, tail wagging excitedly. "You say you're the shepherd right? Are you the only one out here? Maybe I can help out!" The Arcanine takes a sentinel pose, the loveable dog doesn't look the least bit threatening but he's trying!

Uncanny! Maybe we’ll hire you…!

(Windie is gonna smite us…)

[askbohemiancompany]

Hikori@Lenox: The Hawlucha appeared rather strong. Brave. The Arcanine approached, his ears drooping. "You say think another person" -he swallowed- "k-killed someone close to you. Who do you think did it?"

This arcanine looked nervous to make any sudden moves. It was clear this dog was not used to or was opposed to most violence. Reasonable for most, but it was apparent there was a misunderstanding to clear up.

“It is true a group of mons killed a multitude of mons close to me. But I know who did it. Four experiments that were connected to Omni Pokémon Products.”

The other looming question was where was Keenan and Delasol? Two of the murderers were confirmed dead, one of whom she absolved of direct responsibility due to brain washing. Their location after their attack on Arcadium was unknown.

What did not help was Rol’s apprehension to provide details for where their location was. He claims to have killed Keenan but given Rol’s pacifism that was a flat out lie.

Then it dawned on the hawlucha. She meant Floyd.

“Oh. You meant Gwen’s mentor Floyd. I was not close to him, he was just someone who I would collaborate with. But we suspect his killer is the same as the one who murdered my sister given the ghost wanting to avenge her comrade. Since Floyd was hire by the clefable we are guarding.”

“Move! We need to get him to the infirmary!”

That was Gwen? She sounded panic and her reason for panicking was justified.

In a force field that Gwen was projecting, Grohl was not moving. His eye balls were red, but not in the way they were recently. It was an uneven red, turning a red-purple but was eclipsing only three fourths of his eye.

Not even addressing the arcanine further, Lenox ran with Gwen to the infirmery.

@lustrous-dawn

[nixnjix]

Zhen rubbed his hand down his face. "I need to stop being such a drama queen." His mutter caught the attention of Hikori, the hound perking his ears, tilting his head curiously.

"It's nothing," he assured the Arcanine. "Just muttering to myself." 

What was love? Was it supposed to be battered and bruised? His heart felt hazardous stitched together. He exhaled sharply, trying to unroot the quiet panic settling in the back of his mind. 

He found himself outside, inhaling the fresh air deep in his lungs. Sometimes he clung too tight. Sometimes his temper grew wildly out of his control. Admittedly this was all new to him and he loathed it. He was never… possessive. Yet the thought of what transpired made jealousy seethe. 

Ginjiro saw him at his worst. But he didn't want this side of him exposed.

"Who the hell am I holding onto petty jealousy," he hissed through clenched teeth. "What the hell is wrong with me…" He raked his fingers through his hair. He took off in a rush, flames engulfing his form, a Ho-oh in rapid flight. 

He needed release. He needed to feel the gales beneath his wings. 

[nixnwrites]

Present Day -

Just where the hell is that kid?! 

"HIKORI!" 

Roshi bellowed, only for his voice to be drowned out by the rain thundering to the earth. Was this that damn Kyogre doing?! That couldn't be right. The god seemed too gentle, with not an ounce of meanness in their bones. Lightning cracked across the sky, its brilliant light setting the forest ablaze with white fire surrounding him. 

Wild Pokémon scurried toward their burrows, others again narrowly avoided the Arcanine plowing through the bush, his paw crushing debris in his path. This wasn't natural, the hackles along his back raising sharply, his gaze frantic. 

Another force was at play and it felt all too familiar to him.

That day was like this, rain pelting against his fur, the dampness seeping in, weighing him down. It was a cold he felt twice in his life. His sense of smell was useless to him, the elements washing the scents away; the torrent of rain, and the clap of thunder deafened his ears. He dared a look towards the sky. The clouds roiled above, black and ominous, and the wind whipped around him, a gust so fierce it would knock over the smallest 'mons with ease.

For once in his life, he hated his huge frame, the twigs, and branches lodging in his fur, getting in his damn way. With one long gait, the Arcanine was there then a flash of crimson, his beads emitting a strange light and the hound was no more, the lumbering human form he was accustomed to plowing through the foliage.

Rain running rivulets  

[lustrous-dawn]

Present Day

Just where the hell is that kid?! 

"HIKORI!" 

Roshi bellowed, only for his voice to be drowned out by the rain thundering to the earth. Was this that damn Kyogre doing?! That couldn't be right. The god seemed too gentle, with not an ounce of meanness in their bones. Lightning cracked across the sky, its brilliant light setting the forest ablaze with white fire surrounding him. 

Wild Pokémon scurried toward their burrows, others again narrowly avoided the Arcanine plowing through the bush, his paw crushing debris in his path. This wasn't natural, the hackles along his back raising sharply, his gaze frantic. 

Another force was at play and it felt all too familiar to him.

That day was like this, rain pelting against his fur, the dampness seeping in, weighing him down. It was a cold he felt twice in his life. His sense of smell was useless to him, the elements washing the scents away; the torrent of rain, and the clap of thunder deafened his ears. He dared a look towards the sky. The clouds roiled above, black and ominous, and the wind whipped around him, a gust so fierce it would knock over the smallest 'mons with ease.

He hated his huge frame, the twigs, and branches lodging in his fur, getting in his damn way. With one long gait, the Arcanine was there then a flash of crimson, his beads emitting a strange light and the hound was no more, the lumbering human form he was accustomed to plowing through the foliage. 

Strapped to his back was the raggy milk crate the small Rockruff had given Hikori, the precious cargo cushioned by the likes of his jacket. He may have been a prick but he wasn't a heartless one. It took a special breed to leave a defenseless egg exposed to the elements.

The thunder boomed loudly overhead. This time a sharp whine finally reached his ears. 

Hikori!

It didn’t take him long to hone on the sound, vicious claws rake through nestled vines and branches.

Then there he was.

A mound of orange fluff curled tightly into a ball nestled at the base of a tree. 

Rain running rivulets down his cheeks, Roshi stepped into the cover of the tree, hand outreached. 

“Hikori…” He repeated slowly.

Hikori flinched away from the hand with a soft whine. 

“Go away…” Came Hikori’s soft voice.

Roshi balled his hands into fists. Claws dug deep into the palms, nearly drawing blood. “You have a right to be mad at me, kid, but I can’t just leave you here in the rain.” If he was in this kid’s paws, he would react the same; vehemently defending his master to the end. How would anyone else understand?

Roshi gnashed his teeth.

"YOU CAN BE MAD ALL YOU FUCKING WANT TO, KID! I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU FEEL! I FELT HER SLIP AWAY AND I COULDN'T DO A DAMN THING ABOUT IT.

"TWICE NOW I HAVE FAILED WHAT I AM MEANT TO DO! BUT I  WON’T LET YOUR STUPID TANTRUM STAND IN MY WAY AND LET YOU BECOME MY THIRD!” 

Without another word, Roshi placed the Arcanine on his shoulder, ignoring his protests and growls. His expression darkened as he pressed on, dog and egg in toll.

No one else is getting in my damn way.

[ Roshi and Hikori are unavailable ]

[lustrous-dawn]

( AskOInari ) "Well, if It isn't my skeptical friend! Hopefully on the way to a healer, judging by the condition of your companion there. Is there any assistance I may offer to either of you, if you'll have me? - Inari

"Well, if it isn't…," Roshi started in a mocking tone. He thought twice about finishing his sentence. He didn't need another god baring down his throat. He gave a cursory glance towards Hikori. 

The smaller Arcanine could hardly stand. He tuckered himself out from his small conversation. Begrudgingly, Roshi chuffed. "I don't need you. If you're offering to help the kid, I'm not going to object to it." The same jagged reply as before. The curiosity of the gods was beginning to agitate him. 

Where were their interests before? Why had they let this go on for so long? Why was he cleaning up after them? He clenched his jaw. He grew tired of being their foot soldier, tidying after their mess. 

"Why do you keep calling me a kid?" Hikori finally spoke up.

"You're a kid, aren't you?" Roshi's brows furrowed. Hikori was half his height and sounded young to his ears. "Why the hell are you so scrawny?" 

"I can ask the same about you being so big." Hikori shot back.

"Fair."

The disquiet settled over the pair, neither knowing what to say.

"Where are we going?" Hikori asked, breaking the silence. 

"I'm taking you to your patron," Roshi growled with disdain. 

He could visibly see the shudder course through the smaller hound splayed in front of his paws. 

"You finally realize then." At Hikori's silence, he continued ominously, "You know what your god" -Roshi spat with a lift of the lap- "did to the Tower. I should have wrung his damn neck those years ago. None of this would have happened."

"Shut up…"

"He would have burned the whole city if they hadn't gotten involved."

"Shut up." 

"He's a monster and I should have-" 

"SHUT UP!" Hikori propelled to his feet. "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIM!"

"HE TOOK HER FROM ME!" Roshi roared. Hikori cowered before his might as he rose. "HE TOOK MY GODDESS AND YOU THINK I SHOULDN'T CALL HIM WHAT HE IS?!" The anger boiling within the Arcanine was old, ancient. His claws raked through the soil as his hackles rose. 

He watched Hikori recoil from his wrath, cowering once more. He hated it. He despised it. So many mirrors this kid- Hikori reminded him of. Good and bad, his frustrations mounting. 

"What the hell am I yelling at you for?" He spat. "What the hell would you understand? Grow up, brat. You know something is wrong." Once a disciple, he expected Hikori to know. 

"I-I don't…" Hikori stammered. "I-I don't." 

"Your god is declining. This is just the first. It won't be the last." Roshi spoke from experience. For the first time, he appeared tired. "If he doesn't fix it, then there is no hope for him." 

@askoinari and the art is done by the same person or otherwise @pokitsune hah

[lustrous-dawn]

[ Previous ] @asksavel

Hikori was delighted. They were nice! So very nice! He couldn't help the wag of his tail. "Dad gave it to me!" he spoke excitedly. "He says it means Big Light!" He could recall the soft timbre, the affectionate tone in his ear. For a moment, the dog appeared saddened, thoughts elsewhere. But a single word stood out the most.

Friend? 

He cocked his head. He dared a look towards the larger Arcanine. Roshi was studiously ignoring them. But Hikori knew the hound was aware. His excitement dimmed. He knew who this was yet he was hesitant to say more about it. 

"Friend is a stretch," Roshi interjected. "Don't lead the kid on like that. Don't want him to get any wild ideas-" 

A slow blink at the Kyogre's request. His eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion. "A… Blessing," he repeated, his voice becoming deadpan.

He felt a nudge at his side. He glanced down at Hikori, the kid's paw at his thigh. 

"I think you should take it." 

"You know what it means, kid. You're not the one taking the blessing," he groused. 

"It's Hikori…," Hikori reminded him, voice filled with annoyance. "I know but we'll be safer with it, right?" 

Roshi huffed. His gaze shifted towards Ky. "I'm only letting you do this because I owe you for healing the ki- Hikori," he bit out, feeling claws at his flank. 

I hate kids…

[lustrous-dawn]

[ Previous ] @asksavel

Roshi observed the touching scene with revulsion, his expression contorting. 

How low can you get, kid… 

He shuddered but he was filled with relief. The kid was sound. Happy as he can be as he wagged his tail. 

Just what the hell did they call him… 

"Hi…kori?" Roshi pronounced the name slowly, unsure. Sure enough, the smaller Arcanine turned his head, his attention wholly upon him. The kid had to crane his head to get a garner of him, ears perking up. 

"You're…"

"Big. I know. Now get off of them. You showered them with enough 'kisses'," Roshi gagged, rolling his eyes. 

"That's not… " Hikori's ears drooped but he complied, dropping the subject. He gave Ky a look of appreciation, tail wagging. "Thank you for helping!" 

[lustrous-dawn]

"Hikori." Roshi waited until he had his attention. "How much did the scrolls say about me? Humans have a… funny way of telling stories." It wouldn't be the first he had heard of an absurd tale related to him and it wouldn't be the last. 

Hikori pondered. "Well. You were always" -he paused, searching for the word- "heroic? And you used to walk on clouds!" His tail wagged excitedly. The younger Arcanine was always eager to read more. He had once awaited at the door of the Inner sanctum until Zhen made his rounds. 

"Waiting here again?" Came Zhen's voice, amused. For hours, the pair would find themselves inside beneath the dim glow of candlelight. Zhen would unravel a scroll, another tale to pass the time with. Hikori never grew tired of listening, the lull of Zhen's voice immersing him deep into a tale he knew he would enjoy. Reminiscing caused Hikori to smile softly, Roshi squinting only for the Arcanine to shake his head. 

"Heroic?" Roshi sounded bored. He heard enough about this. Tell me something I don't know.  "I sure as hell didn't walk on clouds." Admittedly, he appreciated the touch. He couldn't deny that, once bestowed with her powers, he felt as if he could ascend to the heavens. He was never foolish enough to try. "They didn't write about anything else? About her? What about her other-" There was a distinct pause. He didn't want to ask, the words lodged in his throat. He forced himself to say it, his voice gone rough, "follower."

"She had two followers?" Hikori asked. It wasn't unheard but. "Zhen only read about you," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't see anything else about two followers." 

Roshi suddenly became aggressive at the name. He bared his teeth, glaring at Hikori. "He must have hidden it then. There's no way humans should have buried his name."  

"Zhen would never!" Hikori snapped. "He tried to be just like her!" And just like that the small truce they had was gone. 

There wasn't a day Hikori missed his master running himself ragged over appeasing the populace. Often Zhen returned, exhausted, upon the peak of the tower. Day in and day out. Hikori grew worried, the Ho-oh sleeping beyond his normalcy for several days. 

But he would always smile.

He would always set out at the rising sun to begin his tasks. He shook his head at his naivety. He should have asked Zhen then. What was bothering him? What pushed him beyond his limits? 

"Every day I watched him try!" Hikori shouted. "You don't get to act like you've been here!" Hikori took off like a bolt, fleeing deep into the woods.

Shit. "Kid!" He called out as he chased after him. "I didn't mean it, I swear!" 

Way to go.

[lustrous-dawn]

[ Previous ] @symphonies-of-silver

Roshi's ire ignited, affronted by the Zoroark's proximity. Flames licked his maw, his eyes flooding with fury. “I AM HIS SUPERIOR, THAT’S WHO I AM!” Roshi roared. "AND I SEE IN MY RETIREMENT HE HAS BROUGHT WEAKLINGS IN MY PLACE!" 

Hikori knew he recognized Roshi from one of the many scrolls he caught his god reading. He was always curious, gawking at depictions of a great Arcanine in old Johto with amazement. His legend and deeds made a younger Hikori starstruck, eager to be a true guardian just like him. The hulking canine matched the painting weave inside the tapestry, almost lovingly.

His ferocity. His bravery. 

Hikori aspired to be like him. 

Now he retreated further behind Genji, body quivering, Roshi's bellow ringing in his ears. This wasn't the legend he grew up on.

Roshi raked his gaze upon Hikori, his eyes filled with disappointment and resentment. "And that runt is supposed to be our answer?! Don't make me laugh! He cowers behind a shadow!" 

Muzzle mere inches from the Zoroark, an oppressive heat blistering from his frame, his voice dropped to a lethal growl, "Get out of my way-”

"That's enough." Hikori firmly planted himself between them. He was afraid. So very afraid, his eyes never met Roshi's as he spoke. 

"So the coward speaks." 

"I'm no coward. I'm afraid," Hikori admitted, his voice shaking."But being afraid doesn't make me a coward." 

"Your little act of bravery isn't going to matter if this is all you have. What will you do when you face him, huh? Roll over?" 

"I won't. I can't." Hikori shook his head, stance firm, strong. "I'll worry about it later. I don't care if you're being mean to me but you're being an ass to my friend! Stop it!" 

Roshi blinked, the flames surrounding his jaws spurting out. There was a glimpse of genuine surprise in his eyes before it disappeared. He glared balefully at the Zoroark, dismissing the lot of them as he trotted towards the riverbank. 

Feeling the danger had passed, the last of Hikori's strength ebbed away, the Arcanine tumbling back on his hind legs, narrowly avoiding falling on his back. He glanced up at his friend with a lopsided smile. "Hi, Genji,” he breathed weakly.

[lustrous-dawn]

[ Previous ] @asksavel

Hikori stifled his laughter at the sight. The great Arcanine felled by scratches! What fascinated him more was the subtle glow emitting from Ky's form. He watched with excitement as the fangs around Roshi's neck alter to blue that matched the Kyogre. He never watched a blessing performed in action, the strange incantation sounding like a melody as he observed. 

Roshi on the other hand, his laughter ceased as he felt the power emit from Ky. He held himself still, mind racing. It wasn't expecting the tranquil wave washing over him, coaxing him to relax. He blinked with amazement, feeling a subtle blanket envelop his being. 

He waited until they were done, shifting on his paws. Everything felt… normal? "Why did you offer me this?" Gods had an awful way of wanting something in return. Yet Ky seemed to want nothing from what he could tell. It confused him. It made him suspicious. "You get nothing out of this. You gods are never this nice for no reason…

He shook his head, his gaze averting. "Don't bother answering my question. Just get out of here. You have done enough." His expression grew unsettled. 

Hikori stepped up, lowering his head as a way of respect. "Thanks for the help again! I think we'll be ok!" 

[lustrous-dawn]

A ghostly Zoroark happened to be strolling by, pausing as he noticed the commotion not too far from him. There was a familiar mound of bright orange fur that caught his gaze, almost shimmering like gold as the light bounced off of it. His ears perked as he watched the Arcanine rise from his slumber.

“H… Hikori?” He called out as he attempted to come closer to the canine.

“What are you doing h-” He would abruptly be caught off, fur bristling at the sight of the much larger Arcanine commanding a more menacing presence by the other’s side.

Genji? Hikori knew that voice from anywhere. A precious friend. His tail wagged excitedly. He twisted about, searching for his view to be obscured, the larger Arcanine's frame blocking his vision as he rose to his full height. Roshi's presence became domineering, so much so that Hikori shied away, unable to stop the small whine escaping from his jaws. 

Roshi gave a passing glance towards Hikori. The runt cowered away from his frame, tail tucked between his legs. "Grow a backbone, kid." Rough words as he faced the Zoroark, a sneer forming. "You recognize the squirt, huh?" His eyes assessed the fox in front of him, narrowing on the distinctive sleeves swiping across the mon's arms. 

A chuckle from the Arcanine, lacking humor. "Oh, this is rich," Roshi rumbled. "You're that Lugia's kid, aren't you? Ain't this quaint. Both the useless gods' kids in one place. What a touching reunion," he said mockingly. 

Hikori's paws dug into the soil, his frame quivering. 

"Go on then, kid." Roshi turned to Hikori. "Go out to your friend. I know you want to. I know your heart is telling you too," Roshi chortled. 

"Cut it out." His voice came out small, his body locked in place. 

"You want me to stop?" Roshi lowered, face to face with Hikori, fangs bared. His voice oozed with menace, "Tell me I'm wrong then. You know what happened, kid. Don't delude yourself otherwise." 

Hikori balked at his sheer size, stunted in silence. His eyes darted back and forth between Genji and Roshi before he sagged helplessly, his head hung low. 

"That's what I thought." Roshi glared at the Zoroark, "Leave. I don't need any more problems."

@symphonies-of-silver

[lustrous-dawn]

@breed-station doodled a little Hikori qwq. When I'm out of my momentary stress month, I got so much to strike back on

[lustrous-dawn]

Phantoms

Hikori carefully placed the egg in its crate, tending to it. Satisfied with his work, his attention shifted towards Roshi sitting at the riverbank. The Arcanine had been disquiet, keeping to himself while others approached Hikori. The old hound wasn't one for attention yet he had withdrawn inward, his expression contemplative. 

Inari had given him much to gnaw on. Their ethereal presence reminded him much of a time he left behind. A hard glint formed in his eyes as he began to brood. 

"Roshi…?" 

He didn't bother turning to look, recognizing the meek voice. "What do you want." His words came out with a naked edge. He could feel the hesitation in the air. He stifled his surprise when Hikori came to sit beside him. 

"Can we talk?" 

"I am not in the mood for talking." 

"Well, you don't have to talk. I just want to say something." 

Roshi peered from the corner of his eye. The kid was no longer trembling in his presence. He mustered the courage to speak to him so he was daned enough to give the attention he earned. 

"You were right," Hikori quietly admitted. "I haven't been paying attention to him as I should have been. Maybe it was because… I didn't want to break what we had." 

A silence draped over the pair. Who spoke first was Roshi. His voice contained no anger, and his face lowered. He was tired. He appeared tired for the first time in ages. "Kid. Hikori," he corrected himself, "we are the first to know what is wrong with our gods. I know you felt it. It's a nagging itch in our damn fur telling us something is wrong. I know you feel it right now, don't you?" 

"...Yeah," Hikori whispered. Wild energy festered in his core. Desperate. Angered. It wasn't him and it frightened him more than anything. "I don't know what it is." 

"We are tethered to our god. You don't need the bell to know you are tethered. We feel everything they feel, no matter what. It's annoying as hell, I say, but in some ways it's good. You wonder what the hell can we do for these gods when they are way stronger than us? We are their pillar. We support them in their time of need." 

A memory, a tight but warm embrace. "I need you right now." A voice quietly contained, arms wound much too tight around his neck. But Hikori stood still, accepting, knowing this is what he needed at the time. 

"Could I have stopped it?" Hikori asked.

"If you ask me, I think this was a long-time reckoning. You were only lucky it didn't go much further. As much as I hate him, he isn't gone like she was." 

"Like she?" 

"She was gone by the time I saw her again. I knew she was lost to us. She was faded. She had lost the shine to her feathers. Most of them had fallen away. I didn't recognize her. She was a shell of her former self. That wasn't her I saw that day." Roshi loathed what he felt whenever her emotions seeped through the connection as she declined. Her heartache, her sorrow. "Damn near clawed my eyes out…" he muttered.

Hikori bit down on his lower lip. The molting stood out the most to him. He noticed it before, his god laughed it off as if it was nothing. 

"Zhen…" Hikori whispered.