Kris (inside the body of the Pyro Cub) was lying in a cozy cave, snuggled against the warm, comforting form of the Pyro Lioness, his mother. Her fiery fur emitted a soft heat that made him feel safe. They were hidden from the outside world, enjoying a moment of peace.
the scene shifted.
He was watching his mother stalk through the forest, her form a graceful blur as she hunted. In front of them, a Green Doe grazed, unaware of its impending doom.
With a swift, lethal leap, the Pyro Lioness struck, bringing the prey down in seconds. Kris—no, Pyro Cub—stood nearby, watching his mother tear into the doe. Together, they happily feasted on the fresh kill, the taste of meat filling his senses.
But then, a loud cry of pain echoed through the forest, a sound that made Pyro Cub freeze. His mother's ears perked up, instantly alert. She stood up, muscles tensed. Pyro Cub followed her gaze to the mouth of the cave, where they saw a terrifying sight—humans hunting a Steel Rhino.
The massive beast fell under the weight of a larger Data Beast, and Kris (in Pyro Cub's body) felt a strange unease as one of the humans turned towards them. Their eyes met, and in that moment, the man pointed at them, shouting.
"Over there! That's a Pyro Lioness!" the man barked. "Her fur's worth millions on the black market! We're gonna be rich, boys!"
Pyro Cub's mother growled low in her throat, sensing danger.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Pyro Cub by the nape and bolted into the forest. Kris could feel the desperation in her every movement as they ran for their lives.
The sky had turned a deep, fiery orange. Behind them, the shouts of the hunters echoed through the trees.
"That looks like got a cub in its mouth! That's great it could be a gold potential Data Beast, I'm sure of it!" one of the hunters jeered. "We'll make a fortune selling it to some rich family!"
The hunters were closing in. Pyro Cub's mother's tail ignited, casting a fiery glow through the forest as she unleashed a powerful Fire Tail attack, sending flames roaring behind them. Smoke filled the air, buying them a few moments to escape.
But as they neared the edge of the forest, Pyro Cub saw something strange—a boy standing alone among the trees. The boy looked terrified but also determined, as if he was there for something.
The Pyro Lioness slowed her pace, cautiously approaching the boy. She knew that not all humans were like the hunters. Some humans had treated Data Beasts with kindness, even as family.
The boy stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear. "I-I don't taste good! Please don't eat me!" he stammered, his voice shaking.
He fell to the ground, trembling, shielding his face with his arms as the Pyro Lioness got closer. She gently placed Pyro Cub down, nudging him toward the boy.
The boy hesitantly lowered his arms, staring at the Pyro Cub. The cub tilted its head in curiosity, staring back.
The Pyro Lioness nudged the boy again, this time pointing her nose toward the Datavice on his wrist. She gestured insistently.
Confused, the boy muttered, "I don't have any Data Beasts for you to eat."
Annoyed by his response, the Pyro Lioness huffed, blowing air into his face. She pointed again, more urgently.
Realization dawned on the boy's face. "Wait… you want me to scan your cub?" he asked, his voice uncertain.
The Pyro Lioness nodded quickly, urging him to act fast.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from behind them—loud and getting closer. The hunters were back, their cruel voices piercing through the air.
"Don't run from us, Lioness!" one of them taunted. "We've got a nice home for you, hanging on the wall of some rich woman's closet! HAHAHA!"
The boy's heart raced. He heard the mocking laughter of the hunters and the unmistakable thud of their Data Beasts following close behind.
The Pyro Lioness pushed Pyro Cub toward the boy, shielding them both with her body. Her eyes burned with determination as she faced the threat.
"Bear King, use Quick Slash on the lioness!" one of the hunters shouted.
A massive bear-like Data Beast charged towards her. The Pyro Lioness didn't flinch, taking the blow head-on to protect her cub.
The boy watched in horror, clutching the trembling Pyro Cub in his arms. "It's going to be okay," he whispered. "We have to stay quiet, or your mom will be in more danger."
Pyro Cub pressed closer to the boy, as they both watched the Pyro Lioness standing strong.
"Aqua Canine, use Water Cannon! Don't ruin its fur!" the lead hunter commanded with a sinister grin.
The Pyro Lioness endured the attack, her body trembling from the pain, but she stood her ground and didn't budge.
"Now, Thunder Bird, finish it off with Electric Zap!"
The hunters laughed, celebrating as the electrical attack surged toward the lioness.
But before it could strike, the Pyro Lioness gathered all her strength and unleashed a massive Fireball, colliding with the electric attack. The resulting explosion was deafening, sending both the hunters and the lioness flying.
Kris—no, Pyro Cub—was closest to the blast. Despite being protected by the lioness, the shockwave hit him and the boy hard, sending them tumbling. Pain shot through his body as they hit the ground, the impact too much for their small forms to handle.
The boy, barely conscious, cradled Pyro Cub in his arms.
"We... we need.. to find a safe place" he whispered weakly.
He tried to scan the cub with his Datavice, but to his horror, the device was shattered.
Despair washed over him as his strength faded. Pyro Cub licked his face, trying to comfort him, but the boy's breath was growing weaker.
Summoning the last of his strength, the boy stood, carrying Pyro Cub away from the carnage, his legs barely holding him up.
But after only a few minutes, the adrenaline wore off. He slumped to the ground, unable to go any further.
Tears welled up in the boy's eyes. "This can't end here… what about my dreams?" he whispered, his voice breaking.
Pyro Cub licked the boy's tears, trying to offer some small comfort, but it was no use.
"Thank you... little one," the boy whispered, his voice barely audible. "I was so excited to be your Trainer. I wanted to experience what it's like for a long time..."
The boy's hand weakly stroked Pyro Cub's head, his touch growing colder by the second. "I'm sorry about your mom. She trusted me to take care of you, and I failed..."
His voice faltered, and his hand fell limp at his side.
"My name is Kris Blazewood," he whispered with his final breath. "Remember me… even when I cross on the other side..."
As the boy slowly closed his eyes, a reluctant acceptance of his fate settled in.
Pyro Cub, sensing the boy's last breath, nudged his body desperately, trying to rouse him.
Meow… meow… meow… The small Data Beast called out softly, its voice filled with sorrow.
The cub had experienced so much today—fleeing from the hunters, losing its mother, and then meeting this boy. Now, it had lost him too.
With a final, mournful meow, Pyro Cub's grief echoed in the quiet forest.
Suddenly, a soft light enveloped Pyro Cub, and before it could understand what was happening, its body began to glow. The cub let out one last cry as it transformed, turning into a card that floated gently down to the ground, where the boy lay still.