The bulging muscles, the toned and carefully preserved body, the crude features all indicated that this was a Machamp. The bulging grey stomach indicated that this particular Machamp was a female Machamp and would soon be a mother. Her brutish arms were wrapped around the stomach in a nurturing manner, protecting him while she still could. Her slit for a mouth worked its way into a loving smile when she felt the baby kick. Her lo e numbed any pain she could feel.
The clearing was not an ideal place for a vulnerable Pokemon to go; even one as tough as a Machamp. The parted tufts of grass acted as a makeshift bed for the Machamp to lie down on, while the surrounding bushes and vegetation acted as a form of privacy. However, this location was at the bottom of a sloping hill, a perfect vantage point for predators. But the Machamp had a strong love for tradition and went to her very own birthplace - her mother's birthplace, and even her mother's mother's birthplace to try and find a good location for the baby to grow up in.
Searing hot pain shot through her as her first contraction came. The Machamp helf through to the name and did not wince at the pain. Several deep breaths later, she was ready again. Thoughts of her partner flitted through her mind but they were quickly dismantled.
Little did she know that she was being watched - not by her husband, no. The first of the Mightyena had gotten through him already. These were the second pack. Six crouching black and grey shapes spied on the expecting Machamp. Their yellow eyes locked on their target as their mangey fur shot up; a survival instinct based on intimidation. Had they known this Machamp was no more than twenty minutes from giving birth, they may have waited and devoured the baby as a snack, but that did not bother them.
Things were tough for all Pokemon here. Even the most cunning Pokemon like Mightyena were forced to rely on teamwork to get just about anything. They worked together to take previously-impossible predators like Machamp through careful analysis and waiting, not to mention their adapted ability to communicate with high frequency barks.
The largest of the six wrinkled his nose a little. Instantly, the others' backs arched upwards and they prepared their descent. If they didn't get close enough to the muscled brute, she could get up and crush them, or so they thought.
There was a split-second of darting shadows before the snarling hows, the gnashing fangs and the sharpened claws were upon her, ripping through her tough skin. Panicking, Machamp swung violently, managing to smack one of the brutish wolves in the face, knocking it straight down into the ground. This seemed to e
rage the other's more and through a carefully co-ordinated routine, they had each pinned down an arm using their bodies as weights. The leader slashed at her exposed neck. Machamp may have stood a chance had she not been bombarded with a series of painful contractions. As her life slipped by, she disobeyed her mother and did the one unspoken law of Machamp - she allowed big fat tears slide down her blood-soaked body.
It wasn't long into their feasting that the leader of the Mightyena barked commandingly. The others stopped and looked a little alarmed as they heard crying coming from inside the Machamp's spilling torso. One of the Mightyena, one with a flat face, snickered and made for the stomach, wanting to be the first to get at the baby Machop.
The leader shoved him violently, yapping fiercely. The leader poked his head in curiously only to jump back suddenly. Inside, a scrawny grey Pokemon stared back, giggling after just bopping the Mightyena on the nose. It was smiling and giggling, completely oblivious to what was going on.
The leader Mightyena snatched it up by the scruff of the neck and tossed it up onto his furry back. He glanced at their fallen member, the one who Machamp had smashed in the face earlier, and trudged onwards. The others huddled after him, curious but not daring to question the leader's authority.
Mightyena couldn't quite understand it himself but he felt something inside of his gut - perhaps there was something rotten about the Machamp he devoured or perhaps it was even a pang of guilt. Either way he felt he had to spare this Machop and bring him back to their layer.
The burning orb in the sky was nearly gone to be replaced by night time when the pack of five arrived by a large cliff-face. As they advanced, a large hole, that had previously been unnoticeable, was where they headed. They slipped in past the rough rock, moving in single file in order to fit through the cave.
After a few minutes of travelling like this, the cave expanded, becoming a large cavern. Mightyena were all over this huge area - on the many parts or rock jutting out of the walls and the gaps in the walls. Some were even lying on pointed stalagmites for reasons unknown.
The band passed several small Poochyena as they were playing with each other, occassionally nipping each other to prove which was the strongest. Mightyena could feel the Machop's stomach rumble and realised the poor thing must be famished. He couldn't get it food just yet though. There was something he had to do first.
Their destination became apparent when a wisened old Mightyena turned to them expectantly. Its hair was grey and patchy and its right ear was missing.
The leader of the pack pleaded his case to the elder Mightyena, who looked disdainfully at the small Fighting type. The elder did not approve at first but when he found out that the Machop's mother had slayed a member of the pack, he became agressive.
The elder Mightyena's verdict was final and the Machop was forced to stay and be eaten by the elder himself or to get out and fend for himself. Mightyena fidgeted uncomfortably before making a decission. The Mightyena carried the Machop outside, and, for some reason kept walking.
Head held high, the Mightyena noted her priorities and left the pack, his family, his life behind. And for what exactly?
Pokemon: Machop
Ranking: Simple; 5,000-10,000
CC: 6,041
