After his mother passed away, Solomon had to endure his stepfather's erratic and abuse behavior alone.
He would avoid coming back home as long as he could.
But shunned by the others his age because of his family's reputation, he would spend his time alone.
But how much was there to do? What kind of hobbies did Solomon need to find to spend his time productively?
He played a few different sports, but most sports are based on others participating as well. So that was out of the question.
Reading, doing homework, furthering his education was also an option. But Solomon wasn't the studious academic type. Out of the question as well.
Roaming around the nearby forest next to his village at the age of 12, Solomon saw the usual sight of Pokémon in their habitat.
Pidoves, Patrats, Sewaddles…
It was truly peaceful when a human looked at them.
One day, though, he saw a pack of Bisharp and Pawniards led by a Kingambit. It wasn't unusual to see a pack of a certain Pokémon roaming in nature, but there was something that drew him towards them.
Solomon observed the pack daily, fascinated by their behavior which differed from other Pokémon packs.
The Bisharps were disciplined, hardworking and committed to what the pack leader, Kingambit, told them.
He would often see the Bisharp duel another in one on one battles. See them sharpen the blades on their bodies on wet stone and hunt other Pokémon for food.
Days of observing turned into weeks, then into months. All Pawniards reached adolescence and evolved into Bisharp.
Solomon also observed that the some older Bisharp would leave the pack, probably to establish a foothold somewhere else and create a pack of their own.
Solomon stayed with the first group, day after day. He learned a lot. He saw them do everything, how they did it and why they would do it.
Solomon was inspired by the discipline the Bisharp showed.
Only thing he could not stand was the Kingambit himself.
The leader of the pack was unusually big and stronger than most other wild Pokémon. He once saw the Kingambit take down a wild Centiskorch in one hit.
Many would've seen the Kingambit's strength and ability to successfully lead its pack, but only Solomon had ever seen the dark side of him.
Kingambit was ruthless. He ordered the Bisharp to duel for his amusement. Punished those who failed with injuries some weren't able to survive from.
The Kingambit reminded him of his father.
One day, when Solomon came to watch the pack once again, he saw female Bisharp guarding the entrance of a cave. He couldn't see what was inside due to the sun's angle, but once the sun started to set, he could see what was inside.
Eggs. The Bisharp had mated and the female were guarding the offspring.
Solomon found new joy in watching, even placing berries nearby to ensure the pack had enough sustenance to eventually care for the Pawniards.
Meanwhile, the situation at Solomon's home grew worse. His father became worse and worse by the day. He drank more often, and started to beat him even worse than he ever did.
Solomon could only guess, because he never really talked to his father except for the occasional pleas for mercy he muttered when he was beat, so he was sure that his dad's life was going downhill as well.
Solomon stayed out longer, watched the pack with more intensity, and so eventually, he saw the eggs hatch.
Pawniards of different sizes hatched, unaware of the rotten world they would eventually have to face.
What was most striking was the blue colored Pawniard…
‚Wow…' he thought in amazement.
It was a rare occurrence for a pokemon to be in a different color than all the others, not many Pokémon were known to have discolorations.
But, expecting the usual cycle he had grown accustomed to while observing the pack for the last few months, he saw something different.
The Kingambit was furious once he saw the blue Pawniard.
The Kingabit stood up and delivered a slash at the Bisharp who was probably the mother of the little one.
The Bisharp never stood up, leaving a pool of mercury-colored blood next to its offspring's feet.
Then, the Kingambit struck the Pawniard, sending him flying against a rock.
„No!" Solomon yelled.
He and the Pawniard were the same - abused because of something they couldn't control.
His body moved, and when his mind caught up, he was already standing between the fainted, blue Pawniard and the Kingambit.
The Kingambit looked at him with fierce, red eyes which seemed to release crimson smoke.
The pack leader lifted its right, blade-clad arm into the air and slashed down at Solomon.
Solomon lifted his own arms into the air out of reflex.
Then,
„GAAAAH!" Solomon screamed out in pain.
A perfect cut through his left arm.
His forearm fell on the ground, blood gushing out from the stump.
Solomon's vision turned black, his hearing diminished and dizziness became so severe that he passed out.
***
When Solomon came to, he saw the white ceiling of a hospital room first, then he heard the beeping of his heart-rate monitor.
He felt dizzy, confused, weak.
When the room door opened and a nurse came through to check up on him, she ran our to fetch a doctor when she saw Solomon awake.
„Kid, how are you feeling?" The white-haired doctor asked, doing his usual checkup.
Solomon didn't listen, his mind raced as he saw his severed arm wrapped up in bandages.
„…kid?" The doctor asked again.
„Y-Yeah?"
„How are you feeling?"
Solomon remembered what happened. He remembered the blue Pawniard, the Kingambit, the unfortunate turn of events which reminded him of his own home.
„The Pawniard?" Solomon asked weakly.
The doctor raised a brow, the shook his head. Not in disappointment and sadness, but in disbelief.
„He is stationed in the Pokémon ICU wing. Last I heard, he woke up and started crying and slashing at anything that came close. Nurse Joy is keeping a close eye on him. Only a Jigglypuff can lull him to sleep," the Doctor revealed. „We contacted your father, Solomon. But he refused to show up."
Solomon gazed out of the window.
„Guessed as much. I feel fine…" he said. „How did I end up here, anyway?"
„A trainer heard you scream nearby. His Arcanine intervened and he rescued you both," the Doctor responded.
He then asked a few other health-related questions and warned Solomon about the hardship he would face after losing his dominant hand.
After that, he left.
Solomon remained at the hospital for a few more days, his health improving rapidly.
He was visited by CPS and physical and mental therapists to help him get adjusted to his new condition.
But Solomon struggled. He couldn't write with his right arm, nor could he eat properly. He was basically crippled.
„It's not that he can't do it or won't learn it, he is traumatized and his mind refuses to adjust," the therapist told a nurse.
„Solomon, there are two choices you can make for yourself. One, you can be admitted to an orphanage for kids with special needs, or make use of the right to become a trainer. You are eligible because you are well past the age of ten," the worker from the CPS revealed.
„Trainer," Solomon mumbled, his gaze still set outside like it had been for most of the time in the last couple of days.
„Alright then. The government will fund your gear because you have been registered as an orphan. Your father has lost custody of you and CPS has registered you into their system. If you do find someone who you want to become your legal guardian, contact us. Alright?"
With that, the worker left, leaving Solomon alone for the last time.