Writing Enigmatic Star

[Crystal Hikara]

A random fic I started to practice on my writing skills, because I was sick of writing more of my other story Rose Quartz Onyx. I'll prolly post that up eventually, but first, I think I'll post up a newer work.

BTW, working title. And please don't beg for more. D: I have lots of comissions to do and another story to proofread to death.

Enigmatic Star Chapter Index

Pro-prologue (scroll down)
Prologue
Chapter 1: Change

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Pro-prologue

“Here ye, here ye, oh young, fine gentlemen!” Sharp taps upon a shimmering goblet filled to the brim with the most pungent liquid man could buy with a piece of rare metal caused the general ruckus around the stone-cobbled room to cease. Even the befriended wild creatures of the deadly forest paused to heed the words of the young warrior standing before them. His prized hilt concealing the sword that had done in both human and monster alike, his armor gleamed a curious silver in the torchlight. Fire bounced off his copper eyes, both proud as he raised his cup and cocky in the most foolish of ways. With his premature, slate-gray hair resting beside his ears, he paused only a moment more to ensure all had their worthy attention spans focusing on him.

“Dearest gentlemen of my clan,” he began in his boisterous voice, “I praise ye all for nothing short of an amazing battle against the Rebellion! Once more we have protected His Highness’s lands from those no-good fiends, longing to seize hold of the Earth and all of its riches for their own greedy ends.” He briefly hesitated in his speech, so as to allow the several other soldiers below his mighty gaze to cheer rambunctiously and bang precariously upon the splintering tables before them. The various creatures around the room themselves called happily to the event, with fur bristling, fires crackling and feathers dancing wildly in the air. Raising a gauntlet, quiescence once again fell in the gathering room.

“Now, may we all pray, dear gentlemen, for the souls to come to their senses, and that these vile, despicable acts of treason against His Majesty be brought to a halt; His Royal Highness has been more than accommodating for us, in the way he shelters us and gives us hearty meals to live off of. Now, let us also pray, my gentlemen, for the poor souls who’s lives were extinguished within the heat of the battle, serving His Highness’s will; and for that of our hearty comrades of the forests, such wondrous monsters as the esteemed ‘Nightingale’, the loyal and beautiful ‘Duchess’, and, of course, our stupendous and comical duo ‘Nevermore’ and ‘Moreso’ for their endless co-operations and services for our merry group.” Hoots and hollers agreed most rambunctiously as the raven-like monster buffed out his onyx chest feathers, the feminine yet human-esque creature curtseyed, and the ochre-bodied mice immediately took to a table top, showering the spectators with a dazzling display of white and orange sparks.

“Aye, nevermore be those bloody enemies, and moreso I hope my cup will be filled with the best wine there is!” a man called from the table as guffaws spread like wildfire.

“I’ll drink to that, my fine fellow!” another responded.

“Here ye! Here ye! Ye shall all be blasted brutes if ye don’t let a good man finish his statement, now should ye?” the captain bellowed, and son the silence was nearly deafening. “...now, tomorrow night, with the good help of our forest lead ‘Dragonflower’…” at this, he nodded off to his left side, where a large, dinosaur like creature stood on all four warted feet. Even with the face of a toad and the eyes of a snake, it was the brilliant red flower of the plant-dweller that bloomed from his gigantic back that made ‘Dragonflower’ so intimidating. Dragonflower’s eyes set across the room at the mention of his name, peering down endlessly at the soldiers; his gaze was filled with hunger, yet with kindness all the same. “…we shall burst into the very evil woods themselves, the stronghold of those ruffians, the Sinister Woods!”

Mutters and gossips flew around swiftly at the name of the forbidden place.

“Come now, men! Ye all are young and brave at heart! Such treks as these, through the woods, shall be nothing!”

“But, Sir Kehy’taro!” one bold member shouted. “Those evil woods ye speak of…they’re the Devil’s land! Those the mighty Underlord doesn’t kill, he steals their very souls and turns them into monsters far fouler than the imagination can believe in-”

“Nonsense, Sir Aaron, or have ye completely lost your head in this blasted heat?” Sir Kehy’taro retorted, his heavy leather boots clad in armor carrying him into the numbers. “Ghosts, the Devil, such is mere folklore used for children to keep them on their chores instead of having them run off to espionage upon the Rebels and thus have their heads returned to their widowed mothers! Also in disagreement, my fine sir, we do have the fine Miss Dawn in our powerful hands, and from our excellent powers of persuasion and bribery for her well-being and marriagability, she hath disclosed to us that the foul Sinister Woods indeed be the place we may find their stronghold! I shall have no talk against this! We shall head out at noon tomorrow!”

Murmurs still were cast in the sanctuary’s haze, as all eyes fell upon the fair lady whom they had spoke about. With shining strawberry brunette hair and curves not born from a corset, Miss Dawn defiantly eyed the crowd back as she struggled endlessly against the ropes that pinioned her wrists. The curiously blue eyes of hers shot around, daring anything be said about her. As one man fought to drag up her light red gown, she swiftly kicked him with the heel of her shoe. Laughter prevailed as the lady was pulled away by a human-type, blue-skinned, muscular monster.

“Laugh may ye,” she began with all distaste, “but the words that Sir Aaron speak are the truth, let it be known! Dare any enemy delve into the Sinister Woods without the blessing of the forest guardian Ninetales, then all shall be betrothed to an eternity to serving your Highness as monsters!”

“Ninetales? Ha! Mere balderdash! We know not a creature by that name,” Kehy’taro scoffed, thumbing his nose rudely her way. “Ye should know better to keep your words tidy and clean of ill-will, miss, less you find yourself without your escort ‘Pounder’!”

“Her name is Machoke, ye fiend! I don’t care about what the king decides to name them-”

“That’s His Royal Highness to you, wench!” the captain cried, and she gasped in all of the indignity her name was given. “Ye shall become just that if ye don’t still that tongue of yours! Now, drink up, my merry men, and let us feast in preparation for tomorrow eve!” With a hot temper, the man sat down at the head of his table, and soon the joyous entirety of the celebration was once again afoot.



“Are ye sure this is the proper route, ‘Dragonflower’?” Kehy’taro questioned in a small breath to the grass monster as they trudged along. Deep green foliage above blocked out the morning light, and various creatures lightly hooted and sung. Even the crickets and their song were eerily quiet; all noise seemed to come from the man and his party. Too many twigs seemed to snap underfoot, too much brush was chopped aside noisily. Guiding his men with the lady snugly barricaded in the middle of the pack, the leader felt great unease for the party.

“Saur,” the brutal monster answered with a simple flick of his head up and down.

“Why have we not seen a collection of the Rebels, then? Or any rogue fiends that dare go against His Majesty’s blessing and oppose us for death?”

“Venu, venusaur,” was the blunt response with a shake of his mighty head.

“I suppose one may not always have the answers to this world…”

“Sir?” a soldier stepped up, kneeling only for a moment behind him.

“What is it, courageous one?”

“Sir, we have been noticing that as we make our progression through these forsaken woods, men have slowly been disappearing,” his voice quivered. Even though his helmet covered his face, the soldier was clearly pouring beads of sweat from beneath his visor. At this Kehy’taro paused, eyeing the man with his intimidating glare.

“Surely they know the penalty of leaving His Majesty’s duties without direct permission from His Highness himself is that of treason?”

“Sir, they were some of our most loyal men, sir,” he muttered meekly. “I do trust they knew the price too well, alas something nasty has become of them, sir?”

“I didn’t hear a bloody thing, though…are ye suspecting of an ambush lying in wait, or are ye being filled with faerie-tale stories that the old wench threatened us so poorly with?”

“No, sir, it just happens that-”

“Sir! Seven more men just went missing!” another boldly called, and swiftly the orange eyes launched to the supposed spot. Lady Dawn’s escort had swooped her upon her shoulder defensively, and several heads of steel weren’t present around the fair maiden. With a defiant fire in her eye, the female spoke once more.

“Your men hath been deemed as easy targets for the Devil and his servants of this forest for your dishonest deeds and for His Majesty’s unfair taxes, Sir Kehy’taro!”

“Speak not further, woman, lest I allow these fine gentlemen to have their way with ye!” he raged, but soon his words were drowned out.

There were hundreds of them. If there were four score of men left from the abductions, each would be allowed to deal with five men and monsters combined easy. All against the King’s party loomed down from tree and bush like hungry vultures slowly encircling their prey as they make their last dying breaths. Upon their numerous numbers golden emblems embraced their arms, horns, legs, and wings with their own self-righteous symbol against the Monarch. They stood or scrunched there, waiting, some with tooth, sword or spear in hand. They just waited, breathlessly, motionlessly, as though painted statues welcoming them to a castle instead of a battle royale.

With pupils small and eyes wide, the leader paused momentarily in the deafening silence before he ordered what he knew to be his last.

“ATTACK!”

The scene jumped to life; weapons flew to clash with one another, archers pierced their targets, teeth gnawed on helpless victims, dangerous leaves slashed open wounds from the forest monsters, and death began to reek on the floor of the woods as the battle began. Removing his weapon from a now past adversary, the great man caught sight of the Lady being led off by monster and few soldiers alike into the woods. Hesitating only a moment to defeat another foe, the man’s slate, ragged hair flew behind him as he set chase.

“HALT! IN THE NAME OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS!”

Alas, he knew it wouldn’t have done much good, but it seemed to push the escaping party to move faster. Glancing back momentarily to watch flocks of crows dive in on the enemy upon ‘Nightingale’s orders, with a whistle the general called the gorgeous green and white creature to his side.

“I need your sight to see where they’re headed so we aren’t lost of their trail!” he ordered, and swiftly ‘Duchess’ nodded. Closing her garnet eyes, her aura cast into the forest. Without a second thought, he called to his best man to take over the battle temporarily before he dove deep into the woods.

Panting, wood cracking, and the simple hum of psychic sight grew to be the only thing for Kehy’taro’s ears to pick up as he pursued the team.

“Halt! Halt I say, lest I must execute you for treason against His Majesty’s orders!” he kept his orders throaty.

“Fall to the evil of thy woods where you belong, scum!” Dawn called back. “…Oomph!” Soon her muscleous mount fell over a root in her hurry to escape, and the fair lady tumbled onto the ground. Attempting to quickly get her on her feet, the two soldiers of the Rebellion swept to her side, but the twenty-first general of the Royal Army took full advantage over the situation; with two simple motions of his sword wrist, they gasped their last breaths. The maiden trembled beneath his glare as he slowly lowered down to grab her.

“Come on, wench. I will see to it ye shall never marry now…”

“Halt.” Sudden words spoken with a wonderful English accent made him pause and rise to his feet. Even Lady Dawn was spooked.

“Who dareth command me, by order of the Royal King, to bow to thee and stop my righteous actions?”

“That, ye bold and arrogant fool, would be me.” Golden and brown fur gleamed in what little light was provided. Nine tails bat about freely as the fox creature stepped forth, muzzle long and as gorgeous as its backend appendages. Keen red eyes stared quite intensely upon the man of the King, even making him draw back as the gentle paws stepped out of the brush.

“Mistress Ninetales!” Dawn gasped, and immediately bowed her head. Kehy’taro gaped, falling in love with the fur of the creature quicker than a man could die. Paying no heed to her admirer, Ninetales spoke once more in that flawless speech.

“If ye are so foolish to try and harm the fair Lady Dawn here, or are so blatantly stupid to try and come into the forest knowing oft your death in the first place, then I commend ye for your overwhelming courage and lack of tact.” The fox hesitated as the man shook his head, and began cackling. “A man made mad with a sword in hand is quite a dangerous state to be in. Do choose your actions well, Noble Fighter of the Human King…”

“A creature such as yourself…such a pity that the tongue of English had to be wasted by the legendaries themselves on something that must be skinned…” he chortled recklessly, and without another say-so on the matter, he stretched his hand out and roughly latched onto one of the several tails at his disposal to cut one off as his personal prize.

Ninetales released a yelp.

Her glare turned him to stone.

Raising an unnatural cry, otherworldly powers surrounded the fox, and the man backed off, though too little too late. “May ye be cursed eternally for your evil actions against the world, cursed to watch the kingdom ye seem so captivated by for eternity fall to shambles and not have the ability to do anything about it…!”

Just as the final word had been cast, a shade of green flew in front of his body, arms thrown open protectively.

Black light encompassed the poor ‘Duchess’, who gave a sorrowful cry as her eyes locked onto the man’s. In absolute disbelief as he watched the creature wreathe in pain, the golden creature turned her eyes once more to the man.

“Such a man, to have a Gardevoir so willingly protect ye…” she began, gazing at the emotion monster. “Will you cast aside your foolish ways to do what ye know to be proper and save her?”

He gazed at the moaning creature, at the lady, and then took a step back.

“Know if ye leave, ye shall receive a worse fate when ye meet your end,” Ninetales began, but he was already gone. Soon Gardevoir cried no more. Lady Dawn, holding back tears, gazed to the vulpine.

“Mistress...Ninetales…?”

“One day shall come where his soul is finally allowed to reincarnate, near the day of my millennia birthday. A sentence of living nor in Heaven, Hell, or on this Earth, but in pitch black nothingness shall not quell his desires for power, though I pray it shall allow him time to think oft what he hath done. The least I can do is ensure that if he may be reckless and attempt to destroy our world again, that his soul may be completely eradicated.”

“But, Mistress Ninetales, what if he does succeed in the attempt to rule the world when he reincarnates? What then?”

“…I’ll see to it that will not happen, Lady Dawn. Nobly so, I will see to it he hath a counter, a positive soul, to balance the light with the dark…”

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Crits and comments greatly encouraged. The quicker I get a comment, the quicker I can get the prologue up.

 

[Crystal Hikara]

Enigmatic Star Prologue

...>>' Hope I don't get infracted or anything. I just got a coupla chapters to post, and I waited patiently...

Prologue

“Asa…Asa! Stop daydreaming and pay attention to your lessons!” A voice startled the young girl from her thoughts.

“Hmm?” Flushing a bright red, her hazel eyes swept around the giggling room nervously.

“We’re on page forty-two of our textbook, Asa. Please read for us about the status condition ‘paralyze’,” the slightly wearied teacher commanded, fixing her glasses from behind her desk. The mentor’s long fingers typed something into the curriculum laptop.

“Ah, yes, yes, the condition ‘paralyze’…” Asa rose to her small height of four foot three, twiddling her short, thick, rich dirty blonde hair endlessly between one hand and holding the book up to her rosy face with the other. She shifted uneasily in her knee-length mother-of-pearl skirt. “Paralyzed, or ‘unable to move’. Certain moves, such as Thunder Wave or Stun Spore, cause paralysis. Paralysis is a state of being for a Pokemon when they become sluggish and often unable to move or attack from a numbness to their muscles. Paralyzed Pokemon can be cured with items like Cheri Berries or Paralyz Heal, which may be bought for a trainer’s convenience at most local markets. Humans, too, may be-”

Her words ended rather abruptly when something the size and austerity of a quarter bounced off the back of her skull. “Ow!” she cried, rubbing her head. Snapping around to see the snickering class clowns, and turning her vision downward, the student eyeballed the ruby red, petite berry resting on the ground. With a sour disposition, she picked the Cheri up using its long, vine like stem, and held it before her. The vine caught on her matching white blouse.

“Hush! That will be enough! I will see you two after class, young men. We do not throw items in the classroom!” the teacher huffed, taking the rough and tough berry from Asa’s hands. “…do continue, Asa.”

“Right…Humans, too, may be paralyzed by such moves. In either case, if used improperly in battle, paralysis can lead to asfix-…asfix…”

“Asphyxiation.”

“Asphyxiation,” she continued, but had to briefly thumb over to the glossary to see what the word meant. “It can lead to asphyxiation, mental paralysis, or permanent loss of control over muscles. Paralysis must be used in great care in battle, and it is easy to overdo it in the beginning for most beginning Pokemon like Pikachu or Oddish.” At finishing her last line, she sat down with the temporary rouge on her cheeks, and drifted off into her dreams again, just after hearing ‘Thank you, Asa…’ from the professor.

Pikachu…Oddish…such common Pokemon. Why should we have to study about stuff I learned ages ago, anyways? I don’t see why Mom thought this would be a good idea for me, she bitterly thought, rubbing at her chin as she examined a page of text, as though following along. I mean, the only status conditions I don’t know about is Attract, and that’s only because they don’t even discuss it! Not to mention I do know all about the other things a trainer has to do. I don’t even want to be a trainer. I really wish she wouldn’t force my father’s ideals on me like this. Daddy was never this pushy…no, if I was to do anything concerning Pokemon, I’d like to think I wouldn’t like being stuffed in a Pokeball and being told what to do constantly…if I was a Pokemon. Almost dreamily, she sighed. If I was a Pokemon…oh, pull yourself together, Asa! You know that can never happen, as nice as it’d be…and even though I would just be able to endlessly play and daydream all I’d want…!

Her mind’s business shifted to leaving as the obnoxious bell tolled for the students to leave. Snapping out of her stance, she swiftly shoved her text into her small bag and hustled out as fast as she could to avoid the teacher’s condemning eye. The small city air greeted her lungs, far less polluted than that of her hometown Goldenrod. Various lilacs had decided to bloom late in the season, and the sweet yellow that made the city shimmer near her house had long since expired. People bustled about on the paved roads; monks bowed their heads to passer-byes to wish them a good day as they headed off towards the mysterious landmark of the town, trainers held street battles, and shoppers and merchants attempted to make their deals. Instead of concentrating on the cries she could hear that echoed all the way from Falkner’s gym as a challenge ensued to his liking, she turned her eyes to the sky, where she noted a reddish feather falling before her.

“Breeze? Are you around here somewhere?”

“Karuu!” the sharp response cried out from behind, and sweeping around, she noticed the creature before her.

“Sorry, Breeze, I don’t have too long to play today…Mom said she had to pick me up for lessons in Ecruteak on ‘being a lady’…” To place great emphasis on her words, she hooked her gentle index and middle fingers from each hand twice. The tiny bird, covered in a quaint down of mahogany feathers with a shark pink beak, doubled to twice her size as she shook her feathers wildly and shortly thereafter preened her wing diligently. “Ha, yeah, I know…it is a lot of Tauros, isn’t it?” Giving her an expectant glance, the Pidgey merely circled her auburn eyes to the endless blue she called home before continuing with her cleaning. “Haha! You’re always so funny, I swear…sometimes it’s almost like you can understand me, huh?”

“Karuu ruu…” she cooed mindlessly as she fluttered down onto the tar below. She pecked at the ground at a non-existent worm, before her glare turned to Asa.

“You hungry again, you moocher?” As soon as the human even muttered the word ‘hungry’, the bird hopped up and down rapidly.

“Karuu! Karuu!”

“Okay, okay! Haha, I swear, I’ll die of starvation if you keep stealing my food…I hope just some bread will do…it’s all I can really afford to sneak out that you’ll eat.” Asa amusedly plopped herself down on a nearby bench facing the Violet City Gym, and soon her pink tote was settled on her lap. With a flutter Breeze too rested on the bench, greedily watching her hand’s every motion as she delved into her pack. “Now, let’s see…here we are!” With nothing more than a pure smile on her face, her hands yanked out a slice of wheat bread. The bird’s eyes lit up at the sight of it, and started chirping endlessly for food. “What did I tell you…oh, do you want to choke? I’m ripping up the pieces so you don’t choke yourself, you hungry fiend!”

“Asa!”

“Oogh. Mom,” the child simply gulped, shredding the bread as fast as her fingers would allow for it. As each bite of the bread came undone, the Pidgey swiftly dipped her head down into her palm, gingerly pecked the morsel up, and swallowed it whole. Asa turned her gaze out to the city nervously, finding her mother waving for her from afar. With all haste she finished, and met eye to eye with the hatchling. “Now, don’t go choking on any of these pieces, I know they’re big. I’m going to leave them right here. I have to go now…ah ha ha, stop it, Breeze! That tickles!” Giggling heartily, the girl was no match for the mighty affectionate nibbles of the bird onto her ear and nose. “And you-you know Mom is allergic to Pidgeys, too! Come on! I can’t give you more food if I get caught feeding a stray Pidgey!”

At that, the bird backed off, feathers afluff. “Karuuuuu?” Her shining eyes pleadingly gaped up to hers.

“…now, Breeze, don’t give me that look. I have to go! And I swear, even if it is just a Cheri Berry or some other berry like that, I will definitely not let you go hungry, especially not after your parents wouldn’t take you back into their nest after you got that broken wing. Rest assured of that, I promise you.” With one last affectionate and grateful peck, Breeze huddled off, talons clutching the wood of the bench. The girl rose to her Sprinting Sneakers, courtesy of the Silph affiliates her mother worked for, and cautiously lay each piece before the bird with a sad look in her eye. Without a moment to lose, her thick hair caught in the wind lightly as she chased to where her mother stood. If I was to be a Pokemon…yeah, I’d want to be one that could fly. Fly as high as I’d like, sit in the clouds, and just enjoy life…not have to worry about growing up and meeting these stupid expectations set for-

“Asa, what where you…ah-CHOO!” the tight-lipped mother began, before her knobbly fingers withdrew a handkerchief from her business suit pocket. The sneezing fit of the business woman hindered her speech greatly. “Were you…choo! …around any, any…choo! …blasted birds? Oh, I’ve just about had it with this hick-town…choo! Choo!”

“No, but I did hear that there’s a nest in the school,” Asa tried hopefully. Maybe, she thought, if I can convince her that it’s not suitable and there’s no point in it…

“Rumors? Oh, come on, Asa-CHOO!”

“To your wishes, Mom!” the child responded, and soon the dark brunette with deeper colored eyes stuffed the unsavory cloth into her navy blue pocket once more.

“Thank you, darling, but we must be off. You can’t be late for your, your…AH-CHOO! …courtesy lessons in Ecruteak…”

“But Mom, why do I have to go there? Both schools are just a waste of ti-”

“I shall not have you call them a waste of time, young lady!” the large woman towered over her. “You’ll be turning ten in this next week! I cannot allow you off with your head filled with such silly fantasies as legendaries and being so…” her words hesitated, as she rose the handkerchief once more, though no interruption came. “…naïve about the world. A good trainer needs to be prepared for the worst and the best, as they say!”

“I’m not naïve, Mom, and they’re just teaching me stuff I already know!” Asa retorted as she was being led off by her hand in quick steps.

“Taxi…! Hush now, child. We’ve been over this before. You’re going, and then I’m sending you off to New Bark Town to meet up with-choo! …Professor Elm to start on your journey. Training is the big profession of this day, mind you!”

“But what if I don’t want to be a trainer, mother? I don’t want to go and treat them like slaves!” Yanking her hand out of her grasp, the mother spun to glare at her with a purple face and sour-puckered lips. A yellow-lined Ford pulled up to the curb. Asa’s parent bent down into her face as she yanked the door open. The child could feel the heat radiating off from her expression; nervously she shrunk back.

“I never said you had to treat them like slaves.”

“That’s what you do when you snatch them from your home and just battle for sheer enjoyment and personal gain! I won’t be a part of it!”

“Asa, you come to your senses right this minute and get in the cab. No more. I will not have you defy me in public like this. Come on.” A surprisingly cruel hand for such a lovely-looking woman, Asa cried as she was shoved into the back seat of the car, and to the left window seat.

“Where to, ma’am?” the cab driver casually questioned, resetting the digital meter on the dashboard.

“Ecruteak, and please do make all haste.”

“I’ll do what I can legally, ma’am.” With a tip of his hat, soon the vehicle was rolling. Asa shifted uneasily underneath the binds of the safety belt; car rides were extremely dangerous, and Pidgeot flights far less so, but the girl had to suffer the feeling of being trapped in a metal can because of her mother’s allergies. Yes, she thought to herself, I would definitely be some sort of flying type of Pokemon if I could be one at all. Maybe I’d be a Pidgeot just to set her allergies off and make her as miserable and unfair as I feel, and help others love the feel of flight as well, even if they couldn’t achieve it. Then I’d show them…



“Oh, Leonardo, it isn’t fair…” Asa found herself tightly gripping the stuffed Shinx, growing flatter by the moment even after years of snuggling and drooling over the animal. His face remained blithe with his toothy grin while hers was plaintive; tears fell upon his furry turquoise mane as she rubbed her hand over the black and blue-green stripes. “I don’t want to have to go and face all of this. It’s so dumb! I don’t care if Dad was a great Pokemon trainer, one of the first to defeat the Elite Four…it’s not fair that Mom’s so greedy about it and wants her last name to be recognized in the world from both of our feats! Daddy didn’t want that either…but, now that he’s in Sinnoh or beyond, so far away, he can’t stop her…but, at least I have you, Leonardo, to remind me of him…”

“Asa! Supper’s on the table!” At the call, she grimaced.

“I didn’t hear a doorbell, Leonardo…that must mean she was cooking today. Oh, I hate her cooking! I don’t understand why she won’t let me in the kitchen to cook for myself! I am a better cook than she is with the baking sessions I had with Daddy!”

“Asa! Now, and leave that awful stuffed toy up there!”

“He’s not a toy!”

“Get your heads out of the clouds and come eat!” the mother bellowed. “I’m going to be late for a meeting and I can’t leave until you’ve consumed every morsel!”

“Okay, I’m coming!” Sobering up her sad fountain, she placed the plush amongst her other stuffed Pokemon on her bed, gazing into his eyes. “Leonardo, I am jealous of your ability not to have to taste food. Maybe I could just refuse to eat it and make her so late for her Silph meeting she’d be fired, and then we’d see how she handles her pain!” Golden sewn eyes did not blink back. “Ah, maybe you’re right…then she’d try to shove the food down my throat and take all her anger out on me…well, pray I don’t get food poisoning…”

With a final affectionate pet of the Pokedoll, she dashed off, down the long, wood-floored corridor lined with pictures of the family and many of her father’s friends and admirers. Without stopping to blink at her favorite of the yellowing photographs, she ran her fingers along the smooth mahogany banister, gripping the orb located at the end of it. Allowing her momentum to swing her to the foot of the stairs thanks to her socks, she soon clattered down the well-polished steps. Performing a similar energy burst at the bottom orb, her body aimed towards the kitchen and dining room. Having great endurance and being on a professional track team allowed Asa to settle down at the table without a breath being labored. Her green-brown eyes glowered at the mystery piece of what appeared to be brown meat on her plate, littered with greenery and yellowed mashed potatoes off to the side.

“Now, eat up. I have an extremely important meeting concerning that secret development in Saffron this evening, and the Magnet Train will be leaving at eight sharp,” the woman huffed, fixing her hair anxiously in the dining room mirror. Stilettos occasionally clapped against the hard floor, as though repeating nastily what she had already stated.

“You burned the meat and overcooked the potatoes,” Asa grumbled.

“Oh, don’t be silly. Those are perfectly cooked, my dear.”

“If you’re a Lickitung that’s starving for food…”

“What was that? You dare speak back-”

“I said nothing!” Uneasily gripping her knife and fork, she began sawing away at the rubbery slice of meat.

“I should be back sometime late this evening. You can have a bowl of ice cream for dessert, but don’t eat the whole carton. I know how much is in there. And make sure to brush your teeth; I’ll be checking that as well, and you know I’m able to make sure you do brush them instead of just rinsing your toothbrush. I also need you to clean up that pigsty of a room of yours before I get home. I’ll take away those uneducational video games of yours in a heartbeat if it’s not up to my standards…”

“Yes, Mom…”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” she scolded, fixing her hair in its bun. “And don’t even think of making anything when I’m gone that uses the stove. You could get a serious burn or even die if the house caught fire.”

“I know, Mom…”

“Do be quick about eating, Asa. Chew faster. I can’t leave until you’ve finished at least ninety-nine percent of your meal…” Grudgingly, the child obliged, fearing a night without her video games or worse. Having to eat the near rancid food made her nearly upchuck with every bite, but at last the deed was done; her plate was cleared except for one small tidbit of steak and potatoes. Before the young girl could even rise to her feet to place the plate in the stainless steel sink, Asa’s mother had bent down and gave her a cold smooch on the cheek before she bustled off. “Go to bed early, you have class again tomorrow…”

“I will,” Asa falsely promised, her sigh being less than satisfied when she heard the door click a few times with the many locks the parent had insisted on for their house. Listening for a moment more to make sure that ‘Mommy Dearest’ was long gone and on her way, she sprinted to the bathroom and gagged her supper up. “Terrible…!” the blondette cried gently out as she leaned over the toilet. “Why? Why do I have to be stuck here with her alone? Daddy, I want you to come back…you said you’d never let your little princess come to any harm! I’m being poisoned and having all my fun killed because of Mom! Oh, please fly back here and take me far away where I can choose to fulfill my own destiny instead of this rotten trainer business!” Drops of salt water flowed into the lavatory, as steady as a leaky faucet. Her breaths consisted of three or four hiccuped air intakes before she’d cough out the carbon dioxide building in her lungs. “I just want to be taken far away from here…I want to fly somewhere far away where I don’t have to worry about my lessons or Mom’s cooking ever again!”

Tap tap tap!

Asa gazed up, trying to quell her tears on her sleeve rapidly to figure out where the sound came from. She held her breath.

Tap tap tap!

“Karuu! Karuu!”

“…Breeze…?” Groggily returning to her feet, she exited the bathroom, eyes falling upon the back door. The Pidgey had perched on a branch hanging down from a nearby fur, and was relentlessly pecking and fluttering about to try and get her attention.

“Kuuu!”

“Breeze, what are you doing he-” As she paused to open the door, the creature hovered over trying to push her way in. “No, you can’t come in! I told you, Mom’s allergic to most birds! She would find you and have you put away in a Pokeball somewhere if she ever found out you were in the house!” At that, the bird backed off with a serious glare in her eye, perching this time on the deck only a foot away from her.

“Karuuugey! Karuu, karuuugey!”

“I could understand you don’t want to get stuffed in a ball. I mean, if I were a Pokemon, I wouldn’t want to be, either. I’d want to go about living a normal life in peace, never having to worry about battling…”

“Kuuuu?” Repeating her action from earlier, the tiny bird pecked mercilessly at the patio beneath her talons.

“Are you hungry again? I swear, you are a Spoink or a Mankey with that appetite!”

“Kuuugey! Karuuu!” Beady eyes filled with hunger locked onto Asa.

“Breeze…alright, I’ll grab you an apple, but you can’t eat it there! …well, Mom doesn’t even come in my room that much, unless she’s going to take away my video games. I could take your food up there and you could come into my room, so long as you don’t poop everywhere…”

“Gey! Karuuuu!” The light of life and happiness glowed in the Pidgey’s eyes, and she fluttered about madly in gratefulness.

“This won’t be made into a habit!”



“You know, Breeze, I have to wonder…”

“Karuu?”

“Well, what it’s like to be like you. A Pokemon, I mean.”

“Kuuu…”

“I know it can never happen, but I still wonder, you know…” Clutching a small card binder upon her bed, the female gazed at the completely holographic card within. “I mean, to be able to have special abilities, be able to call on the forces of nature with your moves, and be able to talk with all of you guys! I’m sure you’d all be friendly, you know, to other wild Pokemon and rarely get into fights, like with us humans. I don’t know…” Young fingers ran over the protected card. “I like to think I’d be something that could fly and could touch the sky…I’d love that more than anything else, wouldn’t you?”

“Kuu.”

“How silly of me, you can do that already! Hahaha!”

“Gey.” After a sarcastic glance, she continued pecking away at the core.

“Yeah, but still…with wings, or without…that’s what I’d love! Maybe I could even be like this one Pokemon Daddy said he heard rumors about from scientists. I don’t know. He said it was cute and reminded him of me. …you know what? I wouldn’t even mind being anything cute and fuzzy, so long as I could still run- or fly- as fast as I can, without limits!” Beaming at the thought, she merely allowed thoughts of soaring through the sky to cloud her mind, until wise words came to her head.

“Be careful of what you wish for.”

“…Daddy always did say that…oh, Breeze…what am I going to do? I don’t want to go on a trainer’s journey and be thrown all the way over to that Professor Elm just to go against some dumb Gym Leader and ‘his’ Pokemon…”

“Karuu, karuu!” the Pidgey concurred, feathers rustling outwards once more.

“But, what can I do?” Sleep growing in her eyes, Asa carefully hid the booklet away underneath her bed. “As much as I hate to admit it, she’s an adult and me just a kid. I know, somehow, she’ll be keeping a strict eye on me, you know? She has her ways and Silph at her disposal. I can’t run away so easily from my journey, and I’d be forced to do something I wouldn’t want to…oh, Breeze!” Arms found themselves wrapped around the bird firmly. The bird gave a loud squawk, and resisted only for a moment until she detected wetness on her feathers. “I don’t want to be a trainer! I just want to go somewhere far away from Johto and never come back…never…”

“…kuuuu…”

“…Never…” Asa whispered, and allowed her eyes to slowly slide shut.

 

[Crystal Hikara]

...I hate to double post again, but here's another chapter, just to keep this thread alive. Come ON, won't someone please post? D:

-PS: LONG CHAPTER AHEAD. PREPARE YOURSELF.-

Chapter 1: Change

“Agh! Ow! Oomph! Shoot!” The ground rumbled powerfully and wildly as cries took to the air. Sleepily, Asa opened her eyes to watch a wall of rocks fall endlessly upon a figure flailing helplessly a few feet from her face.

“E-earthquake?! Whoa!” Rolling over rapidly, she barely escaped a particularly large boulder that fell sharply where she once lay.

“Hey! Whoever that was! Give me a hand! These rocks are crushing my body!” the voice croaked from beneath the pile, and still half asleep, Asa crawled over once the quakes died down.

“Are you ok?”

“Don’t worry about that- just get me outta here before something bad does happen!” Without a thought, Asa set to work, nudging and moving all the rocks her tiny arms could handle to make a hole.

“Just hold on!”

“Like I have much of a choice! Ack!” the one in need of help coughed, and soon rocks tumbled endlessly away. The girl could barely make out the silhouette of someone beneath the rocks.

“Are you ok?” she breathlessly asked, backing off the mountain of rocks to allow the victim room to breathe and escape.

“Only feel a little faint from weakness, that’s all,” the female voice grunted. Asa’s eyes widened as a set of not hands, but igneous feathers clutched onto the top rock. Heaving herself up, the hazel eyes of the female painfully noted the person she saved was in fact a fire chick Pokemon. No…wait a minute… The Torchic clambered up with young talons, and shook herself clean of dust and debris violently. “Ow, ow, my head…” Lightly, her feathery wing took ahold of her head where a visible wound was oozing liquid gently. “Hey, thanks for that…”

“You…can’t…no…this can’t be…?!” Asa stuttered, slowly snaking backwards. Tears began to weld up in fear.

“Can’t be what? Are you alright yourself? You seem a nervous wreck…” the Torchic inched closer, and swiftly the girl scuttled back against a rock.

“Don’t come any closer!” she warned hysterically. “I know people that could hurt you bad if you do anything to me!” This has to be a dream! A Torchic can’t speak English! Pokemon can’t speak English! I have to be dreaming! Everything seems so foggy, though…why am I dreaming this?

“People to hurt me for trying to help? You’re an awfully weird one…” the Torchic moved her beak up and down with her words. With her careful eyes, she noticed the words, though she understood them clearly. The creature was saying her species name in different syllables strung together. Asa’s heartrate quickened; her heart beat like a ceremonial drum thousands of times in her throat and in her head, faster, faster, until she was gasping for breath. “Are you ok? Where’s your home? Maybe I could take you there so you could lie down…”

“Don’t talk to me!” Asa screeched, heart deafening all other thought. Why am I so afraid? Why…why can’t I…home…? Where is…

“Relax, relax! Your ‘Run Away’ ability is probably kicking in because you’re wounded!” Run Away ability?! What does she… Tensing up, Asa attempted to push herself to her feet, only to realize just how awkward it felt to stand on two feet, let alone notice her legs felt as though they were reversed. No…no! This can’t be… Returning to her hands, she gazed down in horror to see that what she believed to be hands were now delicate paws covered in a magenta-tinted brown fur. Hastily she turned her head about, making out her lower body. It too was covered in the soft fur of the same color, tipped with cream markings on…her tail? As though to see if it was her own, she forced her bottom to wag; along with the bizarre motion, the appendage whipped about likewise, then returned to in between her hind legs. Eyes still growing in terror, her head lashed from side to side, searching for some sort of reflective thing or another. At the sight of water, she wasted no time in galloping off as fast as her new feet would carry her. Without a glance, she stuck her entire head into the water. Sharp, bitter coldness bit at her skin underneath the fur, seeping chilly poison into her body. She yanked her head out from the water, panting and choking as her head dizzily spun, and the water rippled to smoothness once more.

Her eyes gazed back, small and endlessly, though not her own. Though they retained their hazel hue, they belonged not to the human Asa, but to some foreign Eevee that just couldn’t have been her own eyes. She felt ears pin back against her skull as she backed away from the water, though her duplicate Eevee followed suite. The fire bird slowly questioned her actions.

“Jeez, did you hit your head too hard or something there, miss Eev-”

“I can’t be an Eevee! Go away!” Asa screeched, creamy mane fur catching in the wind wickedly as she sprinted away. Still feeling unnatural on all four legs, she attempted to rise to two, but once more she stumbled about and fell. The transformed human rose to her feet all too quickly and dashed off again.

“Hey, wait! That leads to the Tiny Woods!” the Torchic called from behind, talons carrying her in pursuit.

Why? Why is this happening? I can’t remember a thing! I remember being a human, but beyond that I can’t remember anything! Asa heaved a series of heavy breaths as she attempted to outrun the fire type. Why can’t I remember anything?! I can only remember my name! Why? Why?! This has to be a dream! It has to be! I want to be back home as a human with whoever I lived with! This just can’t be happening!

Just gazing at the ground rushing beneath her feet with wetness clouding her vision, Asa’s heart nearly failed as she felt a scaly something bump against her smooth coat. Scattering back, she paused only a moment to say ‘sorry’ before finding some other detour to take.

“Wait! Please!” the creature she had encountered cried, floating in front of her. The newly transformed human scurried back viciously at the sight of several midnight-lined scales upon translucent wings. Red compound eyes were nearly as frightened as the poor Eevee’s. “Please, please, you look like you’re a strong dependable type…”

“Mrs. Butterfree? What’s the matter?” Once again Asa was startled to near death as the Torchic ran up behind her, addressing the bug type.

“Oh, Flare! It’s my youngest Caterpie…” Butterfree was awash with tears. “We were crossing the Tiny Woods to head towards Pokemon Square, and when I turn around for a second my baby was gone!”

“Calm down, Mrs. Butterfree, it’s alright…”

“No, it isn’t Flare! There have been uprisings of Pidgey all throughout that forest! He could become a meal at any second! He could….he could already be…” Unable to finish her overbearing thought, the blue creature roughly flitted down to the hard earth and broke down.

“It’ll be alright, Mrs. Butterfree… really, it will be! Have you sent an SOS mail concerning the disappearance?”

“I haven’t the time! I can’t find it in my heart to fly all the way back to Pokemon Square and post up a rescue request! I’ve been trying to stop the few teams that do head on in, but I’ve been coming up with nothing!”

Tears stilled, Asa gazed at the mourning mother and the Torchic. Slowly her hazel eyes dragged her interest off to the forest before her. Maybe…maybe I’m being too selfish here. There’s a mother searching for her child, and even though I have no idea what I’m doing here, and just how frightening these events are, I should try to help, someway…

Without a word, Asa lifted her feet and took to the small forest, pebbles flinging outwards from her paws and blades of grass bending under her petit weight.

“H-hey, where’re you going?! That leads to the-”

“The Tiny Woods!” the human-turned-Pokemon called, and continued on her chase.

“But, there are Pokemon that-” Words faded from the Eevee’s hearing as the noise of the trees and Pokemon that inhabited them replaced the shout. Gazing around cautiously, she watched as several eyes followed her from the trees. Silently now, Asa slunk forward over root and underbrush. Ears weren’t completely pinned against her head as she strived to listen for any sound out of the ordinary. Pines occasionally barred her path, tightly woven together like a child’s gimp string project, in which case she slid around to take another path deeper into the woods. Being careful with her every step, the stares of the forest Pokemon unnerved her finally into crunching on a small twig.

The sound shattered the silence of the forest; within a second a long twine of String Shot missed Asa’s fur by millimeters. “Eep!” she cried, and with regret. More balls of the sticky defensive mechanism shot out towards her, and sounds of feathers rustling revealed an entire flock of Pidgey waiting to feed. Howls of dark types surrounded and pounded her ear drums rapidly. Footsteps revealed the creatures as they encircled their prey. She breathed heavily, dodging pecks, bites, poisonous stings and webbing until her defense fell and the net caught her foot. Panicking, she yanked at it wildly. Why? Why are they attacking me?! Aren’t Pokemon supposed to be kind to other Pokemon not owned by a trainer?! Desperately she gnawed at the String Shot, occasionally fending off the common Poochyena with a bite of her own. Unfortunately, even though her instincts screamed at her to run as fast as paws would carry her out of the forest, she couldn’t. Soon Asa fell prey to scratches, bruises, soreness and even bled lightly. Dizzily she cried, still tugging on her leg, but it was no use; she was as stuck as a Squirtle was to his shell. As the dark faces encircled her, she winced back, shutting her green-tinted gems, and prayed for a swift knock out.

“Hey, four-paws, multi-legs and worm-breaths! One so difficult to handle that you gang up on her?!”

Disbelief in registering the words into her mind, the human glanced up. All attackers had paused and faced their new adversary behind them. With little to no warning, Asa was dazzled by heat and flame as the encircled the forest. Fire seemed to bounce off the stubborn trees and catch on the rapscallion Pokemon. Yelps of pain flew around the dark dog pack as they ran around frantically and romped on the ground in an attempt to smother the flames. Birds dashed to and fro from the trees wildly with wounded feathers, losing altitude with every flap of their wing. All bugs flew from the scene on their strands of webbing; if one spark so much as landed on their skin, that would be the last time they ever saw an attack. Confused, Asa merely gaped at the chaos, until the Torchic from before, Flare, trampled over with condemning eyes.

“Just what did you think you were doing, running into these woods like that?!” she screeched, pecking rapidly at the String Shot encasing.

“I had to help! And I thought Pokemon don’t attack other friendly wild-”

“There have been many natural calamities about this region recently. Homes are being destroyed, and so they take it out on anyone that comes into their territory. I can’t explain now- just go!” With a final snap of her beak, the Eevee was once more free.

“Thank you-”

“Now we’re even. Now, let’s just move, before they are done with their distractions!” A rough nudge from the fire type made the nine-year-old girl tread off. Soon the antics of the Ember attack died into silence again. “Ha…I think…we lost them…”

“Yeah,” Asa breathlessly stated, and paused to gaze at the Torchic briefly. Only then she noted the colors of her feathers had seemingly reversed themselves; all over a thick, golden, fire-proof down protected the chick’s skin. Her crest feathers and wings were the color of a fiery red-orange. Questionably, the fire creature gazed back at the evolution Pokemon, deep blue eyes locking on hazel ones.

“What?”

“Nothing…just…your feathers are all messed up.”

“Huh? My feathers…? Oh, their coloring. Well, I could say the same about you and your fur and eyes, there, Miss Eevee.”

“Please don’t call me that,” the Pokemon moaned, trying to nip off a stray strand of the net.

“Well, what’s your name, then? I’m Flare.”

“Asa,” she stated simply. A smile crept up upon the Torchic’s beak rapidly, and she swiftly pivoted. Her feathers fluffed up lightly, and the crest feathers bobbed up and down.

“What? What’s so funny?”

“Your name…” Flare snickered.

“Well, Flare is sort of a bland name, too!”

“At least it’s an extremely common name as we Torchics and, well, fire types go. Asa…? That’s a name I’ve never heard for any Pokemon, let alone an Eevee.”

“Well, that’s my name, all the same, and it’s not so weird for a hu…man…”

The silence deafened them both. Chewing lightly upon her lip and abruptly stopping from doing so after her sharp canines drew blood, she nervously pawed at the ground. Something…she began in her thoughts as Flare’s eyes narrowed dangerously, tells me…that wasn’t the thing to say to a Pokemon…

“What did you mean by that?” the bird began languidly, but, well aware of her error, the cat-fox Pokemon began off into a deeper part of the woods.

“Nothing, just a slip of my tongue.” The chick wasn’t as naïve as she appeared to be, and set after her, hopping over a log ruled by hibernating Metapods.

“No, you meant something by that.”

“Not at all.”

“Asa…”

“It’s nothing! Really, it isn’t…”

“Come on, I take back what I said about your name. Now tell me!”

“Thank you, but I’m not telling yo-aahhhhhhh!” Suddenly hitting a smooth path of slippery fungus, Asa’s tiny claws weren’t enough to help her from sliding off the boulder she leapt upon. Darkness invaded her senses as she plummeted hundreds of feet into the secret ditch.

“Asa!” Flare cried, blowing out smooth, few little embers to light the cavern. Light blindingly shimmered up from below, forcing hazel eyes shut. The wind rushing through her fur made her heart knot with excitement and foreboding at what lay near the bottom of the cave. Squinting an eye open, she noticed her gaze fell not down at the reflective surface, but at the whole she slipped through. Shooting her glare down, she screamed as cold reached out and invited her back into its grasp. Oh no! I can’t…swim! Her auburn fur floated, held captive within the murky liquid, and still in a mind of shock the human’s flailing was all she could muster to fight off the cold. Oxygen was demanded in her lungs as she forced out large bubbles to float up to the surface. Fiercely she pedaled up, up, up towards the sweet sanctity of land and air. Desperate light danced in her dying eyes as she shoved the cold beneath her. I can’t die! Not like this! I have to get to the surface! I have to… Her lungs screamed and clawed at her innards, pleading for air as she let out what little was left within them. The cold began to win, her consciousness slipping every minute with every futile pedal. I…can’t…

A sudden bump from below startled her conscious being back into mind of her pain as she sharply inhaled the disgusting water. Once again she drove her feet up and down, though this time she was nudged upwards with great speed. Choking, she broke the surface and inhaled as much air as there was in the sky. Aching, she gagged out the water she had inspired, weakly resting on whatever had nudged her up. Still suffering from her near death experience, Asa shook her head several times as she watched the bird fluttering down. The thing from beneath her began to move, snake through the water towards the visible surface. Solid ground soon was underneath the Eevee’s body.

“Aaaaasaaaa!” the fire bird called out once more, and landed roughly only a few feet away. “Asa! Are you alright?! Oh, you’re absolutely soaked!”

“I’ll be fine when I breathe air,” she feebly hacked.

“What’s the matter? Couldn’t you swim?”

“No, no, I can’t, I never have been able to…”

“Then how did you…” Words and eyes trailed off towards the serpentine creature located behind the human. Curiously as well, the chestnut-spiked emerald eyes caught sight of the Pokemon. Lengthy and violet, its scales danced brilliantly like the rippling pond. A single gold collar stripe wrapped its way around the snake’s neck, as inquisitive saffron slitted eyes peered back. A pink forked tongue flicked in the air lightly. “Oh…”

“Did you…”

“Sssssave you?” the male lavender snake hissed, though with a syrupy sweet tone of voice.

“Yeah…”

“Of coursssse. You were drowning, yesssss?”

“Yeah…” the human-turned-Pokemon coughed frailly. “Thank you…”

“Don’t even mention it…” The sound of a baby’s rattle unnerved the normal type as he shook his tail. “What sssssort of Pokemon would I be, not to help out another in…dire need?”

“Well, there have been Pokemon that have attacked us will ill intention throughout the Tiny Woods…”

“Yesssss, I know…terrible, isssssn’t it?” The tongue flicked once more. Asa caught sight of mammoth size teeth. “Pokemon, attacking all intrudersssss, without a hessssitation! Desssspicable, really! It’ssssss a good thing we have thesssssse ressscue teamssss to help out with thessssse sssssituationsssss, yesssss?”

“Definitely,” Flare nodded. “Well, thank you for your help, Mr…”

“Ekansssss. Jussssst Ekanssss,” he formed a sinister smile. “What are your namessss?”

“I’m Flare, and this is Asa.”

“Flare, and Asssssa…” A semi-transparent lid folded over each of Ekans’ eyes, pleased. “Well met, you two. Where are you going in thesssssssse awful woodssssss?” Before the fire type had a chance to speak, Asa boldly recovered her voice.

“A Butterfree lost her youngest child in these woods! We were going to see if we couldn’t help him!” A sudden, long hiss issued from the rattlesnake, and his eyes narrowed.

“You two…are a resssscue team, then?”

“No, no, we just wanted to help, that’s all…”

“I ssssssee…” Tail shaking about, the serpent wormed into the water once more. “Besssssst of luck finding him…”

“Thank you, again!”

“Jussssst remember it!” Water ripples soon covered his head and body. No longer was he visible to the two. Asa weakly returned to her paws, groaning at her sopping fur. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for my human hands to wring all of this wetness away! Well, maybe I could try shaking my body wildly…

“Well, at least he didn’t attack us…hey, Asa, are you okay?”

“Just out of breath and extremely wet and uncomfortable, but alive,” she answered, and giving into indignity, water flew into the air like a sprinkler on a summer lawn. Flare brought her wing above her eyes and head to shield herself from her weakness.

“I pity you, and trust me, I can. Fire types hate water, so I guess that’s saying something…” the yellow bird held all sarcasm back as the human kicked her legs ferociously to rid them of the liquid. “Say, Eevee can typically swim, anyways, especially if they were raised by a Vaporeon mother or father. What happened back there?”

“I can’t swim. Just because it’s typical doesn’t mean that all do…” With an unsettling shake, Asa finally retired to using her tongue to dry herself. Distastefully, she ran the piece of sandpaper reluctantly over a foreleg. The taste and hair of the red-brown fur caused the creature to gag lightly. The fur she stroked at fell into a bizarre shine, crimped wavy by the comb built into the tongue.

“I guess…or maybe you’re just trying to hide that human comment you made earlier, aren’t you? Come on, you can tell me. Not like I’d laugh at you or anything…”

“Mmmnot telling you,” Asa muttered, skin building up upon her tiny muzzle as she continued to clean herself.

“If you tell me, I can get you dry in seconds rather than having you clean yourself. You don’t seem to care for cleaning…” the bird teased. Asa paused momentarily, midway in a lick. Closing her mouth and washing her gums with saliva and the water she had ingested, she hastily spat out a tiny, tight net of fur.

“…Fine, but get me dry first.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Alright, hope you don’t mind the heat…there’s a reason I’m known as Flare, you know…” Inching close to the evolution Pokemon, the Torchic fluffed out all her feathers. Heat exploded into the air, and Asa stumbled back at the massive blast of superheated atmosphere. Light sparks cast on the ground, licks of flames dancing around the normal type. Soon the heat was overbearing.

“Enough! Okay!”

“All dry?”

“Too hot! Enough! Enough!” the human turned Pokemon cried, and the sudden climate change ceased; flames soon returned to their owner. Almost ready to delve back into the cold water, the Eevee panted. “What…was that?”

“Just my ability ‘Blaze’, you know. All it takes is a little thinking that I’m in danger of passing out and my body reacts and is able to flood out heat like that. It’s really useful, as you can see. I can’t concentrate that much in battle, though, so it only kicks in if I’m really in danger.”

“I…see…” the ruby-furred cat-fox bowed her head gradually. “Well, a promise is a promise…what I meant was-”

“EEEEEEK! HEEEEEEEELP!”

Ears pinned back and heads rolled around rampantly at the call. Ba-dump, ba-dump. All Asa could hear once again was her startled heart. Even Flare seemed shocked by the sudden silence killer.

“Mrs. Butterfree’s son?!” the human questioned.

“Has to be. Come on!” Claws and paws alike dug into the scorched, arid soil beneath as the sliver of light became greater as they traversed the cave till its mouth. “Hope you know how to battle better than you can swim!”

“I hope so too!” Asa cried between furry lips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“We’ll see shortly enough!” The orange beak of the Torchic hung limply open for a second, and only that, as they dashed into a clearing. Backed up onto a stump with a powerful claw over its body, the green worm lay there, wreathing in sheer discomfort and terror.

“Oh, come on. Be a little less squirmy! These things just happen! A Pidgey’s gotta eat something, and you’re just the thing I caught…” the tiny bird rubbed an uneven part of her beak with her lower jaw, making an amused clicking noise.

“B-but I’m not tasty! I’m rubbery and extremely chewy all over! You have the worst of times digesting me,” the panicked Caterpie squeaked.

“Better digest something or I’ll never eat anything again, sorry! Now, welcome to your new home, Caterpie…” the rouge-tinted Pidgey dove her head down, scrutinizing a particular segment of his body. “…in my stomach!”

“Not if we have anything to say against it!”

“Hmm?”

Within seconds of shifting her head to the side, the Pidgey was overwhelmed by the mighty claws that raked through her side. Screeching and hooting in agony, the creature still clung stubbornly to her meal. Fluttering wildly, she bounced about, using the Caterpie as a living pogo-stick.

“Ow! Ow! Help! These claws really hurt!” the bug pleaded.

“Won’t hurt in a moment!”

“Leave it be, you beast!” The fire type demanded, tearing at the bird again with her talons. “He has a mother he needs to go home to! Go chew on an apple or Oran Berry or something!" Doubling to more than half her size, the Pidgey let loose an intimidating hiss. There’s…Asa contemplated, paws dragging her forward on the fresh verdant grass inconspicuously towards the behind of the bird. There’s something…familiar about this bird…

“Don’t you tell me what to do, flightless bird! You can’t stop me once I get enough air lift and you know it!”

“Air lift, my tail feathers!” The Pidgey gasped at the comment. “You couldn’t fly thirty feet into the air, even without the Caterpie!”

“I most certainly could!” the flying type seethed. Once again the caterpillar screamed for mercy as talons drove into his sides. Asa’s muzzle sneered fiercely, but she chewed lightly upon her tongue to prevent herself from shouting. She has…no right to cause the poor creature and his mother this much pain! “But, I know your tricks. You want me to drop the bug and have me prove you wrong while you take my lunch away! Well, no-flight, you may outwit some dumber Pokemon, but I’m not that stupid! Peace to you, and bon appetite to me!” With an eager beak snapping mercilessly, she delved down to the fleshy bug. Furious feet galloped off the ground. Soaring through the air, the Eevee shrieked terribly.

“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM ANY MORE!”

Seconds slowed to endless intervals of time. Agony and rage bubbled up in unknown, extensive quantities within the human. Such emotions gave her great power. I’m not running away! I’m going to help out as much as I can! I can’t cry, or be selfish! I have to do this! Her forefeet finally reached the bird, and claws slowly extended from nowhere within the furry confines of the once hands. Chestnut eyes on the opposing Pokemon grew, then shrunk to black. Feathers similarly colored to the Eevee’s fur mingled. Talons withdrew from their prey. The Pidgey squawked something indecent. Asa felt the creature’s heartbeat against her own, pounding not in unison, but against one another. The mass of herself colliding with the bird knocked the wind out of the evolution Pokemon’s lungs. Bones twinged. Fur flew. Feathers were untangled from their owner’s body and carelessly graced the ground. Paws grasped the skin of the predator, claws pushing the now prey to the earth. The Caterpie danced, wiggling in the air, latching onto a tree branch as he passed. The Pidgey landed on her back with a heavy gasp. The Eevee wasn’t through; her entire body mass collided with each square inch of the bird.

Action returned to normal. Eyelids swiftly slammed shut. Asa groaned, rolling off the fainted Pokemon.

“Asa! Are you okay?!”

“I-I think…so…” Ire fading and sorrow no longer present, she wobbled in her footsteps, tail swishing madly to attempt to keep her balance. “What…did I…do?”

“You attacked the Pidgey with ‘Tackle’, of course. Clean knocked it out, too.”

“Tackled it…?” Such words were foreign on her tongue. Briefly she glanced back in time, then to the present, where the mass of feathers lay. So, that’s what it feels like to use a Pokemon move? That was…I can’t even…describe it, besides tiring…

“Hey, are you alright, little Caterpie?”

“I-I-I don’t know…don’t hurt me, please?”

“It’s alright! We’re here to help, right, Asa?” With kind sapphire eyes to hazel green ones, sluggishly the Eevee nodded. “Come on, we are going to take you back to your mother now…”

“Mommy?!” Brilliant black eyes gazed up hopefully.

“Yes, to Mrs. Butterfree.”

“Oooooogh…my head, my wings, my dignity…” Promptly Asa turned to face the thought-to-be-fainted Pidgey. She cast about, twisting in obvious discomfort. “Oh, it feels like some random log clunked over my head, or some sort of devastating attack or another…” Eyes set onto the Eevee and Torchic; the Caterpie had long since scuttled to the safety of the fire chick’s under-wing. “…now, that wasn’t nice of you…”

“Did you ever think about the Caterpie’s side of things? Huh? He has a mother that’s extremely worried for him-”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s nice, furball,” the Pidgey cooed coldly, stumbling to her feet. “You guys owe me lunch for stealing, I think.”

“We owe you nothing! And don’t call me fur-ball, my name is Asa!” the rose-haired creature hissed.

“…did…you just call yourself…Asa?” A bemused expression crawled across the Pidgey’s face. “…Asa?”

“Yes?”

“…why, in the legendary’s awesome name, did you attack me?!” Within seconds, beak was shoved against wet snout. “Think it’d be funny to tease ol’-wait a second, Asa?!”

“We’ve already established that’s her name,” Flare huffed, but the flying-type seemed far from bemused now; astonishment replaced the confused emotion.

“What?! But, how?! I mean, before, I knew you to be…taller, and, and, fleshy, and…”

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t follow…” the Eevee muttered, but was startled as the Pidgey wrapped a wing to pull her closer in.

“Asa! Asa! Come on, this isn’t funny! This has gotta be some cruel prank! Either she set some random Eevee up for this or…I don’t know! You can’t be her, though! You don’t even recognize me, do you?!”

“I’m afraid we don’t…”

“E-excuse me, Ms. Torchic? C-can I see my Mommy soon?”

“Of course. Asa?”

“Go on ahead- I’ll catch up.”

“There’s still Pokemon that will attack you throughout the entire forest, though! We should head back as a group of three…” Cobalt eyes reproached the flying type.

“So just because I want to eat, I’m evil! Asa, this isn’t funny. Come on! If you were her, you would know Breeze when you saw her, wouldn’t you?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember much of anything, much less any Pidgey…known as Breeze…” Needles poked at the human’s heart. Breeze for a Pidgey…? Why is it familiar? Why does she look familiar? I can’t…remember! This is so frustrating! Did I really know her as a human…? If only I could just… A stronger sense of deja-vu swept through her blood as she gazed into the very soul of the bird through her eyes. Within the reflection of the sassy eyes, she made out a caliginous silhouette of a meek female, sitting on an otherwise derelict bench, shredding bits of wheat toast. The image of the twin Pidgey, gently nipping the bread from that human’s hand, was clearer than a cloudless day. Could I be…wait!

“Haha, real funny joke, then, Asa. I’ll just leave you and your friend to go return Mr. Bugger there to his mo-”

“Breeze! It’s you!”

“Wha?!”

Once more the Eevee leapt upon the Pidgey’s breast, knocking her onto her back. “I’m sorry, Breeze! It took me so long to remember, I couldn’t remember a thing, but then I saw you on my lap, pecking bread out from my hand, and I had to be sure it was actually me, and do you remember anything?!”

“By the legendaries, get off of me first! You’re gonna kill me with Tackles! I should be the one asking all the questions! Cripes!”

“I should be, too, to be honest…” Golden feathers shook in the gentle wind. “Well, come on, then, I guess…”

“I asked first, though. Breeze, please tell me you remember something other than my name!” Hastily she clambered off the bird. Swiftly she set to preening her feathers into place as she articulated her words.

“…I knew that you saved me from my bad wing when I was young, and that you fed me daily. That’s…oddly, that’s all I remember about you. And home.”

“Great,” Asa groaned as she set off after the Torchic. The green caterpillar swirmed along, babbling happy niceties to the fire type.

“So, then, you don’t remember how you, well…”

“…Changed?”

“Yes.”

“Not at all. I…can’t even remember what I once looked like. I remember my name, and now you. That’s it,” she hushedly whispered. Breeze leapt forward in hopped bursts, keeping a sharp eye to the sky.

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

“You can’t remember that you were a human?”

“No, I remember that much…I have no idea how tall I was, what color my hair was, how long it was, or anything else, though. That’s what I mean.” The tiny bird Pokemon hesitated, beak rubbing together in deep intent. The rosy feathers soon spread behind her as she took wing to catch up.

“So who’s the chick?”

“Her name’s Flare…that’s about all I know at this point. I just sorta…helped her out of a rock pile, and then I realized I was a Pokemon. An Eevee, too…I guess I just sort of flipped out…and then there was the crying Butterfree, and I felt bad, so I came to this forest to try and see if I could help instead of crying over myself, and Flare caught up and…well, we just sort of teamed up for the moment, I suppose you could say…”

“Ah, stupid wing…” Soon enough, Breeze returned to her talons to hopping, tenderly extending her left-hand wing. “So, she knew nothing about you, and you know nothing about her.”

“No.”

“Good. Let’s keep it that way, and try and find out what’s going on with you, yeah?”

“Let’s just return the little child first and grab some lunch, yes?” Asa chuckled, trotting outside of the now peaceful woods. “All that excitement did get me famished…”

“You? You have no right to talk. You robbed me of my meal,” the Pidgey’s down rose once more.

“Your meal…look at it right now though, eh?”

Hazel and nutmeg eyes turned to watch the spectacle unfold. Crimson eyes soon lit up at the sight of the worm. Inching forward as fast as his little feet would carry him, the grub crawled over. Transparent wings fluttered down and feet touched the ground as short arms, without words, invited the child into a loving parental embrace. Wailing of the blissful type sung through the trees and sky. Gentle paws settled down next to the claws of the differently colored Torchic. Breeze hung back, a shameful glance in her eyes as she noted the cuddle and exchange of String Shot that bound the two endlessly together.

“Oh, my child! My precious, precious baby! You’re safe! Oh, thank the legendaries that rule over us kindly! Thank you both, you darling, blessed children! I will forever be in your debt!”

“It’s not a problem, Mrs. Butterfree,” Flare warmly chirped. “We wanted to help, and it wasn’t too much to go through…”

“Oh, my dears, you have no idea what it is to mother a child, though!” the flying bug weeped on. “To lose a child is the worst thing to ever imagine and ever to suffer! Thank you both, tremendously. Here, I must give you something for your troubles…” Shifting her son onto her back, she dove into the satchel resting at her side, pulling out a small, violet, velvet purse.

“Oh, Mrs. Butterfree…”

“I will not accept charity for your amazing deeds! Come now, here’s two-hundred Pokedollars for you each. That should buy you both a nice something to eat tonight or the best-crafted toy! Oh, and you two look famished! How about some candy to hold you over until you return home, hmm?”

“Mrs. Butterfree-” the fire bird began, but her words died prematurely.

“We shall like that very much, Mrs. Butterfree…” Asa commented. “Thank you greatly for your kindness…”

“Why, such a polite young Eevee! There’s no need to thank me hun, though. Just know that you’re eternally thanked yourselves. Now, let us see…oh, these should be perfect for you two!” Short hands once again in the purse, she withdrew two perfect-sized morsels of a treat. The ruby red treat was hastily swept away by beak, and downed by the Torchic. Asa was left to gaze at the white-tinted sweet; shaped in a familiar semi-crescent form, the smell was pungent of sugar cane, apple and an indistinguishable edible flower. Holding herself back, it took all the willpower the human could muster from eating it on the spot. Instead, ginger lips pried the gummi off Mrs. Butterfree’s outstretched hand. Hazel eyes nodded the Pidgey forward. Inquisitively, the bird gazed at the treat. Gently, the Eevee lay down the treat at her claws.

“What…”

“You said you were hungry. I can wait until we get back to town,” the transformed human spoke. “I’m not that hungry, at any rate…”

“Asa…”

“Oh, what a dear! Truly, you have a kind, pure heart, don’t you? Well, may the blessings of the legendaries be upon you, kind children. If you ever are in need of anything within my jurisdiction, please, let me know immediately! I won’t scatter a powder until I’ve come to your aid.”

“Of course, Mrs. Butterfree. Have a good evening!”

“You too! Give your grandmother my regards!”



“So, it’s my understanding you are without a home to go to, then, Asa…”

“Huh?” Gazing up from her feet, unpure emerald gems locked on the Torchic. Pausing on their trek, she shook her paws gratefully, silently whining of the long distance they were pacing to return to ‘town’, as Flare referred to it as.

“What about me, eh? Or do I count for nothing?”

“I never said that.”

“You definitely meant it in your wording…”

“Oh, whatever! Fine! Asa and Breeze!” the fire type huffed. Feathers on both ends stood on end. “…you two really don’t remember where you came from, who your parents are?”

“Not at all…I’m surprised I even remember my own name…”

“Sounds like a freak Amnesia accident, except the Amnesia was used on you two instead. I wouldn’t be surprised…weird things have been happening around here so much, rescue teams all have their paws and wings filled with it.” Day fell to night in Flare’s eyes, forebodingly.

“Maybe…just…what are these rescue teams, anyways?”

“Well, as you saw in the forest…” as she began, a heavy tone of voice came into play. “It’s awful. Normally, Pokemon don’t attack others in the forest, unless they have defiled their home, and even then they’re timid about it. We’re sensible beings. We can work things out. Yah?”

“Uh huh.”

“Something has changed in the wind. Pokemon are having a harder and harder time in cooperating. It’s terrible. It drives me mad, especially to see things like today. After that earthquake, I do suspect they would’ve been angrier than normal, but that still gives them no right…it’s that wrong that rescue teams try to right. Rescue teams are small or sometimes enormous. All have at least two Pokemon to work with, as a team, to make it their job, their duty, to save those in trouble. They’re smart enough to make situations turn out right if it can be handled intelligently, and strong enough to still right them if force is necessary. Rescue teams…they’re the most respectable thing these days.” The fire chick heaved a breath. Silence followed for a second more. “Well, that’s town on the horizon…let’s see if we can’t get a house suitable for a Pokemon and a human there-”

“Wait, neither of us are human!” Asa rushed to retort.

“Hey, it was a joke!” the Torchic rubbed her beak together. “Come on, you and I know that a human can’t be a Pokemon. It’s all just myth and legend beyond belief. I think I know just the place we can choose for you two…Pokemon.” With another satisfied click, she huddled to the top of the long road they had clambered up. Saffron filled the sky with hues of vermilion, fuchsia, and lavender, fading to deep indigo at the zenith. Beautiful warm colors spread over a sea of bush-like huts. The scent and crashes of waves from the sea immensely relaxed tense muscles. Stone cobble appeared as a yellow-gray mesh from afar, though Asa could tell of the importance in the center of town it played. “There it is, Pokemon Square. It’s the most bustling town on this island continent of ours. Really, it’s the only town here home to non-hostile Pokemon…”

“It’s…beautiful. I feel as though it’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen before. I can’t describe it…” Asa sighed, hazel eyes a glitter and fur a golden glimmer.

“It is a nice, pretty town. I do love home…well, come on. I’m already past my grandparent’s curfew, and they’ll definitely burn my butt for it.” With eyes as blue as the night sky above them, the Torchic wasted no time in hurrying down the hill. Asa and Breeze exchanged bizarre looks between them before galloping and hopping off.



“This?!” Only a few moments later had the Eevee’s expression changed altogether. Her fluffy tail swished back and forth endlessly, held high and excited. Ears were standing straight up on end, paying as close attention as was humanly- or, Pokemonly, possible. Her seeing gems glittered with unknown light sources.

“What? Too shabby for your tastes?” Flare muttered sarcastically.

“No, no, it’s…it’s…I’m coming to tears, it’s perfect!” More than just a bounce in her step, Asa leapt around the house’s land inexhaustibly. “The trees, and that little mailbox, and the air is so pure, and just…wow! I love it! I don’t know why, but I absolutely love it!”

“Ha, glad you do…”

“It isn’t half-bad,” Breeze fluttered onto a nearby tree. “Sturdy enough branch for sleeping.”

“Breeze, let’s look at the inside! This is so cool!” a magenta-tinted face poked into the hut, and she quickly dashed within its small walls. “Wow!”

“She’s so tiring…” Flare breathed out.

“That’s Asa for you…swear, she has more stamina than a Rapidash and runs just as fast as one…” Breeze concurred.

“-there’s a fruit bowl and a great bed and a map and everything! Wow! I can’t say it enough! Wow! I love it!”

“Well, can you slow down and can I say something here?”

“Of course, Flare!”

“What I just want to say…”

“Is to shut up so some of us can eat and sleep in peace,” the Pidgey bitterly muttered as she cautiously pried a stray fruit off a nearby branch.

“Breeze!” Asa cried, though couldn’t cease her tail from wagging. “Well? Flare?”

“Ah ha…say, Asa.”

“Yeah?”

“Back there…at the Tiny Woods…you were pretty gutsy to jump into the forest to save Mrs. Butterfree’s son. Sorta stupid too…”

“Then why’d you follow me, if it was stupid to go into the woods?”

A pause, and the Torchic’s talons appeared slightly wetter.

“Bah, because I knew you would need help, and travelling in twos is not something stupid! Anyways! Just…how did you feel, fighting Pokemon?” The human hesitated, pawing at the ground lightly.

“It was…I didn’t really know what I was doing…but it sorta saddened me a little bit.”

“How did it make you feel to rescue Caterpie? To see him reunited with his mother?” And at that, Asa’s breath was stolen away. The scene of mother and child flashed back into her vision. Tears of joy shed from the little bug and from the butterfly endlessly. A warm sense poured through the fox-cat’s veins.

“…it’s…unexplainable. All I can say…it made me feel wonderful…”

“I…see…” Waves endlessly lapped at the faraway shore. Night tunes sluggishly practiced before their sonatas were to begin. Flare in her odd down gazed off to the east against the sun. Unblinkingly, her eyes set to the dying horizon that stretched on for miles. Shortly after she became silent, she returned her gaze to the Eevee. “Asa.”

“What’s the matter, Flare?”

“I…I want to help more Pokemon like Caterpie and Mrs. Butterfree. Even if it means fighting my soul brothers and sisters, other Pokemon, that normally know better. I want to see that completely grateful face again, time after time. I…I know I’m selfish, and I’m late right now, but…”

“What?”

“Asa…what do you say…to forming a rescue team with me?” Hazel eyes shrunk gently. “I…I know I just met you and all, and I know you probably have your own life to live. I just thought, maybe, I could carry on in the tradition of most other Square Pokemon and try and manage an ounce of courage to help those really in need. I can’t do it alone, though…”

“Flare…I…”

“And what about me, hmm? Pompous little fire-butt…good as a Chimchar…” Breeze hissed, tossing her head to the side. The apple core tumbled down from the heights, and the Torchic side-stepped the eaten fruit with a glare.

“Breeze…”

“She could be on our rescue team, too, if she decided to be less cynical about things…”

“You should talk, Combus-birdy,” the Pidgey retorted.

“Don’t make me burn that nice tree of yours down and give you nowhere to roost all night long…”

“Come on, you two! Stop fighting! It’s not right!” Asa whined. That’s right…it’s not fair for Pokemon to have to fight like this, endlessly. It just hurts so many people in the end…but, it’s also not right to just sit around and have innocent creatures or sons or daughters get hurt by these Pokemon just out for a fight because they’re hurt…there’s…only one thing I can do, despite this situation of mine… “…Flare? Breeze?”

“I have nothing to say to Ms. Bizarre-Down down there,” the tiny bird ran her tongue and beak over her feathers once again.

“As do I to worm-breath up there,” the fire chick threw her foot in the sand lightly, drawing up irritants. “Asa?”

“I can’t be selfish. I don’t know what Breeze wants, but…I don’t want to see anyone that is innocent get hurt by anyone. Let’s form a rescue team, yes?”

“Really? You sincerely mean that?”

“Yes.”

“Well, alright! Our basis rescue team has been formed! Team, uh…”

“Team…?”

“…We’ll need a team name,” Flare paused hesitantly. “Ah ha…any suggestions?” Before Asa could even open her mouth, the Pidgey squawked.

“Team Flareon. You’d be the laughing stock of the town, I’m sure!”

“Team Flareon, my butt. Asa doesn’t even know what she’ll become yet, I’m sure! But, uh…”

“Eon. That’s the last part of any of the Pokemon that belong to the Eevee family, right?” Asa began.

“Right…”

“And then…Fire? No…and we can’t use Flare…” The metaphorical lightbulb shone above the fire type’s head suddenly.

“Blaze!”

“Blaze?”

“Yeah, like my ability, Blaze! Blazeon! I think it has a nice ring to it!” Flare happily sung.

“If you’re out to be purposely made fun of…”

“Hey, it’s better than Team Rumblerock or Team Shifty as a name, I know that much!” Flare groaned to the ruby-feathered creature silently sniggering. “…Team Blazeon has been formed then, then?”

“…Team Blazeon has been formed!” With a peep of joy, the fire type encircled the transformed human, then offered her wing. Cautiously, Asa rose up her right paw, placing it on the crimson feathers. Some sort of shake was shared, though the Eevee couldn't for the life of her remember how it went seconds later.

“Oh, this is so cool! I’ll have to run home and tell Grandpa and Grandma right away! There’s so much to be done, but you relax, I’ll deal with it all, I know just what to do! Have a good night, Asa, and Breeze! I’ll see you tomorrow morning! Bye!”

“Bye, Flare, have a good night, too!” the raspberry-tinted Pokemon called out after her. Talons tore through the ground at ungodly speed for a Torchic, and within seconds she had disappeared into the town. Olive eyes glanced back to see the setting rays of the sun completely wilt and die away for the night. Yeah…she thought to herself, trotting inside of the house, I’ll see you tomorrow, Flare…still, what a weird dream this all is…maybe I’ll find out just what I was thinking when I wake up tomorrow wherever home is, as a human again…this…can’t be real, after all. It’s a nice dream, but all good things do have to come to an end. Just wish I could remember…

 

[gamercal]

Writing like that doesn't come around very often here, that's for sure.

I just got through reading what's been put so far... I may not have played PMD (which is obviously where this is from ), but that doesn't stop me really enjoying this

Hugely detailed; it's really quite special in its own right. I can see that you've put a lot of effort into this, and it's all really great as a result! I didn't ever get bored with that at all... not something you can say to every fic, that's for sure.

So yeah, keep t it, and I'll read when I have the chance

 

[Crystal Hikara]

gamercal. Seriously. You are my hero for posting. I was wiggin' out that I'd have to keep double postin' every week just to keep this thing alive! THANK YOU. Well, not only from saving me from double posting, but for the kind words of encouragement. Really, it does help to hear a word or two back on my fics occasionally and reassure myself I'm at least a decent writer. *UBA HUG*

...now, onto business. Chapter 2. I'm also just working on chapter 3 right now. If I don't start seeing some more posts, one Crystal Hikara will not be amused and may just not post any more chapters, or RQO. I do not like this fic community. >:|

Chapter 2: Town

Peace.

A faint rumble in the distance.

What…what is that…? Hazel eyes drooped open slowly. Each second spent gazing at the foggy gray-toned scene barraged heaviness onto the eyelids.

A glimmer of light shone dully in the sky. Piercing crimson flashed briefly.

Where…am I…?

Darkness swept up the scene, pulling and tugging at Asa.

I…can’t…fading…

“Asa…”

Calling…me?

“Asa…” the voice repeated softly.

Who’s…? Me…? …Can’t…



“Asa, hey, Asa! Wake up, you oversized furball!”

“Guhh…who…?” Groaning as the dream slipping away, the human fought to cling to what left she could remember. She felt a heavy warmth cast onto her side.

“Uh, only the most beautiful and well-kept Pidgey, duh. Now, come on, before I Peck your brains out…”

Wait a second…

Regaining conscious, Asa yawned, noting how her once herbivorous teeth now fit together as carnivorous canines. Her eyes barely a slit, she cautiously moved each of five- yes, five, she noted- appendages. Sunlight blinded her, and she forced herself to roll over on some comfortable material covering straw or hay. Sight soon provided her with a woolen blanket, rich and vermilion in hue. Strands of the makeshift mattress lingered in the stubborn wool and through the velvet-like strawberry fur of the Eevee, particularly on her hind legs and tail. Gazing foreignly at her surroundings, she noted the cool amber eyes of her Pidgey friend.

“‘Bout time. Next time I’ll just holler away, saying ‘good morning’ to get you up. By the legendaries, you sleep like a rock…”

“…Breeze?” Still with sand in her eyes from her trip to the dream world, she crunched her eyes and batted them to focus her vision. The ruby-tinted feathers of the little bird came into view, along with her furrowed beak.

“Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner,” Breeze tapped her talons against the polished flooring lightly. The sound reminded Asa of applause. “Good to see your brain is in working order still…”

“Wait, where are we…?!”

“Chill, kid! We’re at Flare’s place, assuming it ran in her family or something. Or are you so bubble-headed that you forgot all about yesterday?”

“I…I just…” Words failed at her sandpaper tongue as she slowly sat up. Asa found herself stretching automatically, sending her butt into the air and throwing her front paws forward as far as they would stretch. Hastily she came to a sitting position, tail curling around herself instinctively. Gradually she rose a paw with sorrowed eyes, turning it over. Opposable thumbs and fingers were gone, replaced with four tiny, fur-covered digits. Unfamiliar muscles contracted semi-transparent claws within the soft coating. Callused skin formed the palm of the creature, each clawed toe receiving a similar pad. “…I thought it’d all just be…a dream…but…I…”

“Don’t you DARE get emotional on me, Asa! Don’t you DARE, or I swear to Arceus himself that I’ll…” But Breeze didn’t find it in her heart to finish her sentence as the frightened human cowered in sheer terror of the situation, and realizing it wasn’t just some whacked up fantasy. Sharp eyes turned soft. “Oh, come on, Asa…no…no crying, you hear? You’re stronger than that! I know it! Besides, being a Pokemon is the good life to live-” And she was cut off by rampant wailing. Her gaze fell to the ceiling, where her beak clicked out some indistinct prayer. “Okay, I take that back. Sometimes it is a little hard, but we’ll get you back to normal!”

“I don’t even, even care about that at this, this point,” Asa sobbed hysterically. “I’m afraid, Breeze! I can barely remember my own name and you! I don’t remember where I lived, what I looked like, anything, except that I was human once! I’m afraid I’ll even forget that much, or, or worse when I do, do remember!”

Vigilant ears made out the sound of different talons clattering out of sight. Breaking off in her tears and holding all breath, Asa uneasily glared up where the sound came from. Following her sight, Breeze placed her eyes on a single golden feather at the entranceway. Ashamed and exposed, the transformed human disgustedly ran her paw over her face, licked the wrist of the paw, and ran it over her face once more.

“Flare?” she coughed out in an unusual tone of voice, attempting to sober up. “Flare, was that you? Are you…there?” A short silence followed, but the Pidgey was not pleased; within seconds she grew tremendously in size and fluttered over to the frontside window.

“HEY!” she loudly proclaimed, startling the human turned Pokemon. “It’s rude to eavesdrop! If you have any decency left in those flightless wings of yours, come out and repent for what you’ve done!”

“B-Breeze…”

“No, don’t stop me here, Asa! Completely unacceptable to have this sort of thing go on!”

“But, Breeze…”

“She’s right, Asa…” Sapphire eyes emerged in the doorway slowly, guilt ridden in them. “It’s completely rude to eavesdrop in on an important conversation like the one you two were having…” Unknown emotion ran through her eyes. There Flare stood, placid and completely apathetic in appearance, a simple, unadorned cloth bag on her shoulders. It unnerved Asa.

“Did…did you hear…?”

“I heard…all of it,” the Torchic began hesitantly, her gaze falling on the buff Pidgey. Slowly she tattered her way in. “I…was on my way to see if you were up or not, so I could give you the tour around town…I was at your doorstep, but then I heard you talking, and I know I shouldn’t have, but I listened in anyways.”

“…” Asa heaved a heavy sigh. Rocks began pushing down upon her heart. “…Flare, I…”

“No, no need to explain…I know…you couldn’t explain the whole situation to me anyways. Do you want me to leave you two in peace for a while?”

“…no. Maybe you should know as little more as there is…? If you already know…”

“Well, if it was up to me, I say off with the rude bird…” Breeze huffed, running her tongue over an already smoothed feather.

“…if you wouldn’t mind me being around…” Flare chirped quietly, settling down on the spare straw pile.

“Not at all…”

“I do. I’m off to explore.” With her beak in the air, Breeze hopped twice and took off through the main door, leaving only a few red-tawny feathers where she once perched. Silence followed for a few seconds more.

“So,” Flare began, and once more Asa felt a twinge in her chest.

“So?”

“What…do you remember, if you don’t my asking…”

“…not…a lot,” the Eevee grimaced gently. “I remember that wherever I once lived, I was a human, female, of course…and I was a friend to Breeze. That, and my name…just my first name, presumably. Nothing beyond that…not my parents, if I had any, siblings, where I lived, nothing. I just woke up one day, and I just think it was all…gone. My…memory began when there was an earthquake; the same earthquake brought me to you, and then that was when I noticed when I was a Pokemon…”

“Nothing at all beyond that, though?”

“Nothing.”

“How much do you know about Pokemon, then?”

“Well, I guess I do remember a little bit concerning that,” Asa blushed. “I remember a lot of typical Pokemon species, types, uh, status effects…”

“So you probably have no idea how to battle at all, given as you were…human.” Asa swiftly shook her head. “That’ll be fun, trying to teach you how…”

“What do you mean?” the Evolution Pokemon sat up, eyes locked with the Torchic.

“Well, didn’t I say that we were going to form a rescue team?”

“…wha?! But, I…”

“I know, I know I’m being selfish. But, look at it this way, yeah? You get training, stronger for whatever may come at us. We get a decent rescue team, and in the process we can figure something out through the team’s news vine that may help you to remember something or turn back to normal, yeah? It’d work for both of us. And, once you return to your normal state, if we’ve done well enough I could take over the team! It’d sort of be beneficial to both of us, you know?” With hopeful cobalt eyes, she pleadingly gazed up at the girl.

“…Flare, I… …” Asa began. All syllables fell to mush in her head. She didn’t know what she wanted to say. “…I don’t want to fight, though…”

“None of us do. We all want to go on strict Joy Seed diets and grow powerful from that, but it just doesn’t work like that…we all have to be battlers if we want to get strong as Pokemon. And, if you don’t get strong and we have to face another one of these natural disasters around here or something, then you’ll be out of your body without a hope of getting back to your other, permanently…

“Asa, let me tell you something…” Flare continued, slowly pacing her way over. “…most Pokemon think that humans are nearly, if not, completely extinct and, if they did exist, are never to be trusted, if one comes across one. The forewarning legends date back hundreds, even a thousand years. But, I feel there’s something…odd about you as a human, Asa. It’s not just that you’re a Pokemon…I feel…you’re not like the legends. Most, though, would never look past that. They’d go only on what they see or hear. I guess…it is sad, that we are all sort of gossips here in Pokemon Square…but, I tell you…if you go out into that square and ask for help on how to turn back into a human, they will shun or do worse things to you. As a warning…but, if you’re willing to face the hardships, I’m sure I’d be able to get some sort of information concerning how we can get you back to normal, or even remember something.”

From her satchel Flare dove her head in gently, yellow feathers rustling against the khaki-colored cloth. From within she yanked out a metallic egg with glittering wings. It was pinned to a soft, beautifully crafted royal blue scarf. Cautiously she set the neck tie beside her, before revealing a second, identical crest and neck tie. With eyes matching the garments, she dove deep into Asa’s heart.

“These…are the team rescue badges. They have mysterious powers imbued within their amazing metal craftsmanship…Asa…? Do you still want to be part of a rescue team, Team Blazeon, with me…? Will you take the rescue badge?” Slowly, hazel eyes traveled between the igneous bird and the badge. Back and forth, gradually she began to delve into even deeper thought. Asa’s eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing over the past day. Flare’s probably right. Chances are Pokemon won’t want to help, if what she says is true about them and their legends…but, what’s to become of me? I don’t even know if I had a real home when I was once human…surely they’re worried about my disappearance too. I have to turn back to normal…I have no choice but to go along with this thing until I can fend for myself…

Auburn fur making no sound as she paced her way over on the wavering footsteps of a quadruped, the human-turned-Pokemon found herself at the base of the second hay bale.

“…I…I’ll do it.”

Sparing no time from her answer, the Torchic swiftly tossed the bandanna above Asa’s head. Landing softly on her skull’s fur, the fox-cat Pokemon experienced pain as the device was tugged over her head.

“Ow! Flare!”

“Hold still, I have it!”

Eyes were forced shut as the heavy fabric tightly sidled down her muzzle.

“I can’t see! Flare!”

“Just a minute!”

“It’d be easier to just untie the thing and retie it!”

“Have you ever tried to tie a knot with claws? It doesn’t work! These things had to be tied by…there!”

“Oomph!”

Blindly blinking, the Eevee dizzily noted the addition to her mane. There the badge proudly hung around her neck, dancing in the morning sunlight. Flare gave a warm smile before she too took to her badge. Shortly enough the kerchief was resting upon her head between her large crest feathers.

“There! All done! Team Blazeon is ready for business!”

“How come you’re not wearing it around your neck? It looks ridiculous up there, and surely it’ll fall…”

“Believe it or not, it’s actually quite snug. I can’t wear mine around my neck because it’d interfere with my wings.”

“How’d you get yours on so fast, anyway?”

“…” Yellow feathers grew orange. “Eh, he, I’ve been practicing for a while…”

“What do you mean, you’ve been-”

“Ah, so I should probably take you around town and let you know how things are run, yeah, especially given that you’re new to the whole ‘being a Pokemon’ thing! Come on, come on! If we have to burn daylight, it should be touring the town!” Hastily the Torchic tugged at the Eevee with her small wings, who had no other choice but to run along with the plot of plans.

Eyes squinted at the bright outside. Asa had to blink her oculus repetitively to get used to the burning sun that swiftly warmed her cool raspberry fur. The song of many grass and flying types hummed from afar as they went through their day’s work. The occasional spore or seed flew through the endless pacific blue zenith, carried upon the tepid unseen gales. Trees sprouted ceaselessly, some stretching their arms in futileness to touch the heavens and others suffering dwarfism to their adult cousins. Sweet puffs of cotton candy drifted above all heads, the brightest white with gray-periwinkle hues to them dazzling in the sky. The air was so potent with oxygen that it made Asa gag at the first deep inhalation, and it made Flare’s fiery aura double in size. The thin grassy path turned to smooth gravel, then to cobblestone as it stretched east to the morning sun. Once again the smell of saline tinted the air. Even as the human paused to take in the fresh air and the overwhelming beauty of the senses, the fire type continued on as though it was nothing special. With a quick glance back, the flame bird noted the Evolution Pokemon’s hesitation.

“You coming?” the Torchic briefly questioned.

“Yeah, it’s just…I feel I had nothing like this when I was a human, this sort of nature…”

“It is really nice around here, yeah. I prefer the scorched plains a little southwest of here, though. It’s not as chilly.”

“How can you be cold here?” Asa fought to keep up with the quick steps of the bird. “I’m really quite snugly warm, and aren’t you a fire type, anyways?”

“Fire types, contrary to what you may have heard, can’t stand cold temperatures for long. Since we have much higher body heats than normal Pokemon, anything that may be mild and cool to you guys is often extremely uncomfortable for us. Don’t even get me started on what would happen if we couldn’t regulate our temperature in a snowy atmosphere- the snow would melt as soon as it touched our body, fur, feathers, you know, and you know what they say about water and fire type Pokemon…” With a blue-eyed, sarcastic, knowing glance to the Eevee, Flare continued on.

Groggily, Asa pushed on. The sound of running fresh water greeted her elongated ears. A marble bridge, finely crafted from expert rock types, stood as the border between town and the border of the wilderness. As cautious paws skittishly carried the hydrophobic once-human over the river, she heard the popular splashing noise, presumably from playful water types below. Quickly she dashed to Flare’s side near the end of the bridge. Buildings began to pop up like flowers on a late April day along side of the crowding rock-covered road. Pokemon began to show their faces. Grass and water types frequented the banks of the river, chatting and merrily gossiping away. Normal types pranced about in the center of the square, and others still attempted to bargain and barter for goods.

“Well, this is it! Pokemon Square…”

“Sure are a lot of Pokemon here…” Asa noted dumbly. They all seem so relaxed in contrast to the Pokemon of the woods… if there’s been so many natural disasters, why is this place so calm?

“Well, of course. Come on, let me introduce you to the gang.”

“The gang?”

“Yeah! The gang. The Pokemon that run the services around here that really help out rescue teams. Where should we…ah, of course! The Kecleon brothers!” With a chirp, she dashed to the edge of the circular square.

“Flare…” Asa panted, attempting to keep up with her. She’s so different now…by the legendaries, I can barely keep up with her, and I know that’s saying something…

“Ah, Mistress Flare! How well to see you, keke!” The voice spoke with a weird accent, words fumbling over themselves in an ecstatic manner.

“Hello, Messrs. Kecleon!”

“What has a bright, shining girl like yourself on your head, eh? Looks like a rescue badge!” A second similar voice to the first chimed, slightly higher pitched.

“I actually got a team formed today! I want to introduce you to my team mate, Asa…” Sharp eyes proceeded to usher her forward. The transformed human came into sight. Swiftly she noted the two Kecleon huddled together behind an expansive stand. Various things were littered about their booth. The obvious elder of the two brothers stood excitedly before foodstuff, berries, and a few scarfs, while the younger of the brothers took charge of shining diskettes and glimmering, beautiful azure orbs. The Kecleon Wares merchant shone in both youth and in violet scales in the stead of Kelley green layers. The green Kecleon bounced up and down excitedly.

“Ooh me, oh my, what a delightful treasure we have here!” he exclaimed. “Really, Flare, she is wondrous, I can sense it in my tongue! You chose good, indeed you did!”

“A new customer is always welcome by our store, yes, most definitely! Kekeke!” the younger nodded in agreement.

“Asa, these are the Kecleon brothers. They run the shop in town for everything you could imagine. The elder there, Mr. Verde, deals in seeds, berries, fruit, clothing…”

“Don’t forget the armament I carry time and time again for you rescue teams!” he added with a bow.

“Weapons, too. Almost forgot,” she beamed. “He sells them only to rescue teams, though. And then, the younger, Mr. Vio, he sells only to rescue teams. He sells all sorts of cool junk-”

“Junk? Junk? Flare, I am deeply wounded. It’s precious junk that fills my dreams to sell them to people!” Vio cried. “See if you are a customer here!”

“Keke, now now, brother!” Verde chuckled. “She has never tasted of your products! She knows nothing for the beauty and use of your machines!”

“Keke, true I guess, brother…I sell magical things that help you grow stronger or get out of trouble! The very sight of someone learning is absolutely darling! It makes me want to sing!”

“They also buy items off of rescue teams and Pokemon. And, uh, don’t mind their way of talking. They just recently located here from a far off land,” the Torchic chirped. “They speak very well from their learnings, though, I must say…”

“Oh, Flare, you cheeky chirp, you flatter us endlessly!” Vio squealed.

“Well, a pleasant thing to become aquainted with you, Ms. Asa. I digress, though! Shall we attend to, as they say, busy-ness?” Verde questioned.

“Unfortunately, we have nothing to sell and nothing to buy at this time, guys. I have to show Asa around the rest of town- it’s her first time in here.”

“Aw, poo-poo! That’s no well, not in the most!”

“Quite a pity, indeed!” the elder concluded. “Well, do let know of your grandpappies that they should only buy stuff here, yes?”

“Of course, Mr. Verde…”

“Now, shoo, shoo! Go along your happy ways to the rest of the city! Keke!”

Doing as they were told, Flare and Asa departed from the store. Swiftly Asa giggled. “What?” the Torchic chirped.

“Just…the way they talked…it was funny,” she managed between laughs. “I know I shouldn’t laugh, but…”

“I know, they do talk oddly. But, like I said, they came from overseas. The way that they talk is actually very advanced for foreigners, given they had a totally different dialect and language over there. The Kecleon brothers are the kindest merchants I’ve seen around these places, anyway.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so long as you don’t steal from them. Otherwise, they’re merciless.” Talons clattered along without a hint of emotion in her words. The Eevee hunched back with a shiver as hazel eyes fell onto the two chameleon Pokemon. They appeared to be in deep bargaining with a local Meowth. After the fur on the back of her neck threatened to undo the knot of the bandanna holding her rescue badge, Asa spun around and leapt away to catch up to Flare.

She felt her body collide into a soft warm fold, then into an elastic stomach. Soon the cat-fox found herself bouncing off backwards.

“Aaaaaye?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was looking-” Asa hastily backed up, her head deep to the ground. Daring a glance up, she made out an enormous creature sevenfold her height with craggy brown and cream skin. Curiously the creature was glaring down at the Eevee.

“Oh, what a darling little soul! I haven’t seen an Eevee around these parts in so long!” the beast lit up, her voice deep and aged, yet as warm and kind as if she were her own mother. Asa felt her hair stand up on all ends of her body wickedly as the creature picked her up.

“Uhwha?!”

“Asa, Asa…? Oh! Mrs. Kangaskhan! Asa!” Talons raked against the stones and Flare scooted into view.

“Flare, help!” Asa meekly squeaked amongst the Kangaskhan’s powerful and gentle grasp.

“Oh, calm down, deary! I couldn’t hurt a fly! It’d be bad for my child, didn’t you know? Besides, you are so pretty! Oh, I envy your parents, Arceus bless their soul!” An endless smile found itself upon her face as she embraced Asa.

“Ah, Mrs. Kangaskhan! I was looking for you!”

“Hmm? Is that Blaze’s precious Flare I hear?…why it is! Oh, how are you, sweety?”

“I’m doing fine, Mrs. Kangaskhan, but-”

“Oh, it’s been ages since I’ve seen you! Have you grown an inch? You look so much bigger and adult like since you hatched! Oh, and your feathers are just dazzling!”

“Thank you, Mrs. Kangaskhan, but-”

“And my, oh my! Is that a rescue team badge upon your gorgeous crown feathers?! Why, you’ve found yourself a teammate, after so long? Good for you, honey! Bless your soul for helping those who really need help-”

“Mrs. Kangaskhan!” Flare screeched loudly, and abruptly she paused.

“Yes, dearest?”

“You’re…sort of squishing my terrified rescue partner.” At a soft groan of pain, Mrs. Kangaskhan peered down concernedly at the tiny Pokemon who choked for breath. Crimson eyes widened.

“Oh, heavens me! I’m so terribly sorry, darling! Really, I had none in the faintest what came over me so suddenly like that!” With all haste, she set the suffering human back onto her feet. She wobbled about, dizzily, fur double its normal size. “Oh, you poor thing! I must have hugged you too tightly, didn’t I? I’m terribly sorry! I’m unaware of my own strength sometimes! It happens when you’re an overprotective mother of three energetic children, oh me, oh my!”

“Asa…?” Flare pondered hesitantly. “Are…you okay…?”

“…” Peridot eyes sluggishly turned to the igneous bundle of down. “…no?” With a pained response, the strawberry-colored creature made another guttural sound, and briefly collapsed.


The black sky swirled around.

It’s…this dream again…

“Asa…”

Who…who are you…?

“Asa…”

I…can’t…open my…eyes…

“Asa…wake up…”

I…can’t…


“Asa, Asa! Don’t make me burn your butt! Come on, up an’ addem already!” Feathers grazed harshly up and down across the Eevee’s snout.

“Uhn…wha…? Were you…calling me?”

“Huh? Of course I was calling you! You passed out! Had me worried sick!” Asa forced her eyelids to crunch twice or three times before the figure of the bird came into view.

“…Flare?”

“Good, good, you know it’s me. You got a pretty heavy ‘Body Slam’ back there, didn’t you?”

“Body Slam…? Huh…? Oh, my aching ribcage…” Grunting, the transformed human forced herself to her unsteady paws. “What about that monster…?”

“What monster? …you don’t mean Mrs. Kangaskhan, do you?” A harsh clicking of her beak disapproved.

“I’m…not sure? One moment I was running along to catch up to you, the next I was being…crushed to death by something with huge teeth, scaly skin, beady red eyes, and was more than three times my height!”

“Yeah, that was Mrs. Kangaskhan. She means no harm, though often times she doesn’t know her own strength when it comes to other races. Ah ha ha ha…” Feathers puffed out for a millisecond before she, much in a fashion that reminded her of Breeze, preened them down vigorously. Claws scraped up against the rocky path.

“Mrs. Kangaskhan? You…know her? Ow, ow…” Asa grasped with her paws at a hind leg. Nothing feels out of place, so I know it’s not broken, but still, it hurts so much…!

“Are you alright there?”

“Yeah, I think so…doesn’t feel like something is broken or something’s dislocated…”

“Well, Mrs. Kangaskhan runs the local storage community. She stores unused items away for rescue teams. I was on my way to her house to let her meet you, but, uh, I guess you two already met…”

“I’ll say,” Asa huffed, gingerly placing weight on her hind leg. Pangs of agony shot through her, and she attempted to keep her balance. “Ah…where’d she go to, anyways? Was I out for long?”

“Not that long…You really sure you’re okay? She just ran off to go see if she had an extra Oran Berry for you.”

“Just stings a little,” the human-turned-Pokemon bit her gum gingerly through gritted teeth.

“After a Body Slam, ‘just stings a little’? Then again, you did fall unconscious for a bit…couldn’t blame you there.” Amused clicking followed. “Ah ha, but seriously…we shouldn’t wait for her. She said, if she wakes up and is fine, don’t worry about me. I have the store to run anyways, and I’m not that far away. Shall I introduce you to Ms. Persian and Gulpin?”

“I don’t know if I can handle much more of this,” the human crooned.

“My, my…what a fabulous coat. Quite luxurious, I must say…” Immediately the Eevee stiffened up at the sound of the seductive female voice. “Shiny, as though old, though definitely appears to have the texture of a newborn. Very exquisite, indeed…”

“Uhwha?!” she babbled, frozen in place in fear.

“Calm down. Not like I’m going to skin you and sell your pelt…just admiring it, as a fellow fur-wearer, that’s all.”

“Oh, Ms. Persian!”

“Hmm? Oh, Flare, you beautiful and rare creature. How many times have I told you to call me merely ‘Felicity’? Such formalities are unnecessary for people that are as close as…family.” A deep throated purr carried upon her last syllable eloquently. Thawing, the kit-fox backed up to place her eyes on the long-bodied cat. The color of clouds at a golden sunset gently shone over her coat, its thick creamy richness causing Asa to stare. Paws moved without error, eyes grinning with her small smile. “I trust this is your new rescue team partner I keep hearing about around town, yes? I offer my congratulations to you.”

“Yep! Asa, this is Ms. Felicity Persian. She runs the bank around here.”

“Charmed, of course,” the cat sung happily. “And be most rest assured, Asa…each and every penny you leave with me will be…” Quick paws danced in the swiftest of circles around the startled Eevee. “…quite secure.”

“Ah, ah, thanks!” she muttered, still startled.

“Well, I left my little apprentice in charge. I was just on my way back from those villainous Kecleon brothers, what with their over-charged prices for items easily gotten ahold of. I must return at once. Have a wonderful day, you two…oh, and do let me know if you’ll allow me to see that wonderful gem of your mother’s again, Flare. My offer still stands…” With elegant strides, soon the Classy Cat Pokemon disappeared off in the crowd.

“Uh.”

“Yeah, she can be a bit startling. I feel a little more pressured, given, you know…” she outstretched her wings and clicked her beak. “Anyways, we can see Mr. Gulpin later. I think he said he’d be out today looking for some item known as a ‘Link Box’ or other, and we don’t need to worry about his services, he said, for a while. I think that’s most everyone that’s important in the square…” Tapping her foot, she gazed up at the blue sky, before she brought her gaze down suddenly. “Oh! Almost forgot! The Pelliper Post Office! I have to show you that, of course…!” Once more, Asa was dragged off in pursuit of the energetic Torchic.

Azure blue folded against darker cobalt waves in a repetitive motion. A caw from some bird greeted their ears lazily from afar. The sun dazzled off of the bay’s waters. Wings of all types fluttered about violently from the colossal wooden building before them. Asa’s eyes widened so slightly at the site of it. A large billed Pokemon swooped in from the ocean to the top of the building; shortly thereafter a Pokemon of the same species took flight out to sea.

“What…what are those?”

“Huh? Those are Pelliper. You never see them before?”

“No, I haven’t…” Asa pondered. “…then again, I’ve never seen a ‘Kangaskhan’ or ‘Kecleon’ either, before today, I’m sure.”

“Huh…that’s weird, how you remember some things, and forget all else…” Flare muttered. “Well, this is pretty much Rescue Team Square Central, or something. A team of Pelliper here fly all around this region to receive and send out rescue requests from ailing teams. Without their communication, we wouldn’t know where to go, and to rescue who, unless it was like yesterday. Also, you see that-”

Her words ended shortly as there was a terrible howl from the town.

“Huh?!”

Before Asa knew it, she was tackled over roughly.

“Oh, you ruffian, baby Eevee! Why’d you run off like that?! What ever gave you that…notion…?”

Groggily matching eyes with the Pokemon she was tackled down by, Asa noted the fine, black fur of a fox-like creature like herself. Yellow rings flashed wildly in excitement, though soon died down.

“Oh, I’m sorry…I thought…there aren’t a lot of Eevee, and so I thought…I’m sorry.” With all haste the black creature leapt off poor Asa. Rolling onto her side, she slowly returned to her feet.

“Umbree, did you find her?!” Cerulean feet soon stood beside the black paws, and sapphire eyes deeper than even Flare’s glared down upon her.

“I’m afraid not, Maelstra…this Eevee just looks a lot like her…” As the human returned to her feet, she noticed the teal creature immediately fall to tears, nearly collapsing over the midnight ‘Umbree’. Ridges pinned against the short fur of the creature, and a tail fitted with a mermaid’s tail slapped against the ground weakly.

“She’s just a newborn! She couldn’t have gone too far! I told her not to…!” Maelstra sobbed.

“Calm down, it isn’t your fault…” Umbree soothed, running his head over hers gently.

“I turn around for a second at the corner, and she’s gone!”

“We’ll find her…don’t you worry, we will…”

“She, she was the only of the bunch to survive from that horrendous accident, though…! If, if she goes too…!”

“Don’t think so negatively! I’m sure she’s fine. She’s a strong Eevee…”

Paws gently carried Asa back to Flare, who watched on without a word. Something of an empathetic emotion had swept across the fire type; eyes glazed up heavily as she watched the mourning mother and father. “…Flare?”

“Hmm?” she glanced over.

“You ok?”

“…yeah, fine. Just…I feel bad for them, losing their child like that…”

“What…are they, anyways?”

“You’ve never seen what are known as ‘Eeveelutions’?”

“Never heard…”

“Come on, hun. Let’s go send a rescue request while we continue to search for her around here…” Umbree somberly nuzzled Maelstra, aiding her steps as a crutch as they poured into the building.

“Well, the blue one is a Vaporeon. The black one is an…Umbreon. Both branch off of the Eevee family tree, though I’m not sure how they evolve. I once heard Eevee can turn into eight different species, depending on certain conditions…I actually kinda envy that, you know. You could choose what type of Pokemon you want to become. I’m gonna be stuck being a fire type, and eventually a fire-fighting type…”

“We should help.”

“Huh?”

“We should help them.”

“But…”

“You said, we agree to form a team, we agree to fight against the hardships. Well, isn’t this one of them? The least we can do is offer our help to them…”

“Asa, you don’t even know how to fight, though, if their child is in the woods somewhere…”

“This’ll be a crash test lesson for me, then. Come on.” Raspberry paws quickly followed after the sorrowed parents. Throwing an Ember in the air with a sigh, Flare set after her.

 

[Vergere]

And please don't beg for more. D: I have lots of comissions to do and another story to proofread to death.

You do realize that sounds appallingly conceited, right?
BTW, never would have expected you to even look at Pokebeach. Some of the avatars here make me want to vomit.

Sorry to be completely off-topic, but you seem to need posts, and I probably already commented on this story on Pokegym.

 

[Crystal Hikara]

Conceited? More the truth. Before, on a site known as POL, I got practically SPAMMED with comments asking for more. It got really old, really fast. Besides, it's a matter of etiquette a lot of fics don't get, and a lot of forums (minus Serebii) don't enforce. I know my story is far from the best. I know I'm not the best artist out there. I just expected this part of the forum to be a little more lively, that's all. :/

From Gym? Who are you again? Don't recognize the sn. But uh, yeah! Posting it up all over to see if I get different opinions. And lawl, avatars. I'm way used to custom avatars. Couldn't care less what people use as one. Seems a silly reason to not like a forum. Now, if it was a nabby population, that I would understand as a good reason. XD

I'll just save this post for when I get Chapter 3 done, which will be soon.

Chapter 3:

-to be edited in-

 

[gamercal]

Well, this section USED to be a bit more active than this, but people like me got busy... and I've taken ages to get a new chapter of my fic up. I guess that people don't always come in here... but you know you have a reader in me

 

[PMJ]

When I read the pre-prologue, I wasn't really interested in reading a ton of lines like this:

“Here ye! Here ye! Ye shall all be blasted brutes if ye don’t let a good man finish his statement, now should ye?”

I finished reading it and said to myself, "Well, it's well written, but I don't like the writing style." Forsaking leaving a comment (a practice I have tried to abolish since writing my own stories, reviews = win)

So today I was idly browsing through this forum when I saw this thread back at the top. I didn't recognize the title at first, and when I clicked on it, I was like "Oh, this, I remember this." But after seeing you'd submitted a LOT more, I decided to give it a read.

And boy am I glad I came back. This story is nothing short of awesome. The level of detail present is just mind-blowing. I want to be able to write using such attention to detail. And this is so well-written, too. I never would have guessed in a million years that this would turn into a PMD fic (which I did play).

You've made a fan out of me. I'll definitely be checking back for updates.

And yeah, the fanfic community here is, well, bad, to say the least. But there are a few of us around here who can really appreciate a well-written, thought-out story.

Is the Gym's any better? I might post mine over there.

 

[Crystal Hikara]

gamercal: Well, I appreciate that much, and I can understand where people don't actively post. I mean, I'm just writing stuff constantly to improve my writing style and plot twists (basically meaning I have no life, lawl). But hey, at least I have more than one posting here now. Makes me happy. ^____^

PMJ: Ehhhhh, Gym has a lot less fics than here. I don't actively read fics there, but it looks like there's at least two fics that have active grammar and interesting story lines. *shrug* Serebii has the, no doubt about it, best fic community (though it takes forever for it to load with my connection! D: 56K = LAME), but I'd say that Gym ranks about second. POL USED to be a decent place with more than 5 fics that were readable until it died a horrendous death. Now barely anyone goes there any more. It's freakin' Snoresville, I swear. D:

Anyways, yeah. The first part tends to really throw people off, either disappointing or pleasantly surprising those that read on. Ih ave no idea, actually, why I did it like such; I just sorta did it and I'm glad I'm not doing it again any time soon. Writing old style = lame sauce. I woulda thought that the whole 'Sinister Woods', scene with Ninetales, etc. woulda given readers a hint, but oh well. That's life and writing for you.

But, at any rate, glad you changed your mind. And a fan, huh? That's new. I've always just had 'readers', not fans. XD

 

[gamercal]

Well, as I said, this fic is definitely worth reading... I'd like to think that mine is as well, since a lot of people that go to this section seem to like it. But hey, it's not me that decides if my fic is good, it's the readers

Just have fun in writng though, as I'm sure you do! It makes great reading, so I'm sure that you must enjoy writing it as well ^_^

 

[Furroshi]

Wow nice job Crystal! Can't wait to see more!

 

[Crystal Hikara]

Really, like I said it's more an excersise for my epic fanfic Rose Quartz and Onyx. A lotta times it's so PAINFUL to write something as dull as this. Really, it is. I'm onna those people that aren't happy writin' less they get tons of action in one chapter and a decent plot-twist revealed. Maybe that's me, but eh, beginning chapters are always dull to write. *headdesk*

Well, now I'm bored and lazy and just got into RQO again. Maybe I'll post that up like no tomorrow or somethin'.

Edit: always happens to me when someone posts right before me gahhhhhhhhhhhh. Anyways, thanks. I dunno when the next chapter will be up, but I've got 20 chapters + of epic journeyness to post if ya need something to chew on.

 

[Vergere]

Conceited? More the truth. Before, on a site known as POL, I got practically SPAMMED with comments asking for more. It got really old, really fast.

From Gym? Who are you again? Don't recognize the sn.

I just said it sounded conceited.

I'm Lucario EX.

 

[Crystal Hikara]

Hey, I just try and be as modest as I can, I think. *shrug* And oh! Herro!

Anyways, update teims!

Chapter 3: First

“So, slowly again, Mrs. Vaporeon?” Flare questioned as the cool wind whipped through her feathers. The blue Eeveelution sat before Team Blazeon, quivering as she attempted to sober up. Her husband had gone to talk to the Pelliper to send the rescue request. Asa waited expectantly for her to continue.

“W-well,” she sniffled, fin-like ears drooping with every second. “…I-I was j-just taking a sh-shortcut through the woods to get back home q-quicker in time to make my little Kayla’s d-dinner, but I took a wr-wrong turn. U-Umbree was home, asleep, at the time, and I-I took Kayla out with me to pick s-some Pecha Berries for a pie I was g-gonna make that night. I became lost, and I t-told Kayla to s-stay near me, but I was a-attacked b-by a bunch of Rattata, and, and a weird bird, and, and…” And that was it. She broke into a fountain of tears once more, and there was no end to the water that supplied the source.

“There, there! I’m sure we can find her! Where is she? Where did you take the shortcut?” Flare cooed, though to no avail; tears poured out continuously. Sympathetically she eyed the mother, then her rescue companion. The human remained silent, watching as the Umbreon teetered out of the Pelliper Post Office, a small pin and paper clenched between his teeth. Gently he jogged over to the edge of the post office, slipping the note onto the bulletin board quickly.

“Well, we’ve done what we could, Maelstra…the rescue request is up,” he softly noted, and turned to her side as the fire type backed off immediately. His crimson eyes fell upon the two. “…thank you for trying to comfort her in my temporary absence…but, I fear that may be all you can do…” Silently he took his partner off into the town.

“How sad…I really do feel bad for them…” Asa whispered, and noticed Flare gazing up the board. “…Flare? Don’t tell me…”

“If you feel so bad, then let’s do something about it.”

“Where did they lose her? It can’t be anywhere too tough, because then we can’t go-”

“We can handle it,” she reassured, leaping up with her strong legs. A quick peck to the clip that held the newly-posted note caused it to fall and catch dangerously in the wind. She barely caught it with her hard lips, fluttering down from her invisible stand on the air. “It says that the place is northeast of here, along the coast in the mountain range. I think that’s where Mt. Steel is. I’ve been there before with my grandparents; a lot of the Pokemon are upset about the occurrences, true, but most didn’t bother us. We should be alright.”

“Flare…”

“Hey, come on. We didn’t form a team for any reason other than to help those that do need our help, right? Let’s take advantage of that. Let’s go! I’ll go grab the last thing we’ll need!”

“I…” Asa found herself unable to continue her sentence as the Torchic dashed off into the town. “…Flare, I don’t even know how to fight…” Slowly shaking her mane, the Eevee followed in her talon tracks, passing brush and few trees along the path back to town.

“You really need to learn to speak up. Even I could barely hear you.”

“Huh?!” the transformed hominid whipped her head into the sea wind, fur rustling like a head of hair. Her hazel gaze found its way onto Breeze. Her right wing was extended to its full form, peach-tan feathers shining after they were fixed by the bird’s tongue. “…Oh, Breeze…!”

“I have to say, what is up with that stupid thing around your neck, though?” Brown eyes glared down at the Eevee. “It’s unrealistically tacky. Really, I woulda thought you’d know better…”

“It’s…a rescue badge,” she nervously responded.

“Oh, a rescue badge. That’s all?” With rapid flutters, her right wing slightly delayed in the timing of the flaps of her left, the Pidgey landed upon the ground, and peered in closer for a deeper look. “…looks like an egg with wings. What kinda idiot came up with that symbol?”

“Breeze…”

“Hey, I’m just voicing my opinion. You and Worm Breath should know better to wear something red than blue, though. It does not look good on you. Like, at all. Though, what does it matter to me? Not like I’m in on your little team nonsense.” Clicking her beak, she turned feather and tail away from the human.

“No, come on, Breeze…I’m sure Flare would love to have you on the team, and I’d miss you if you wouldn’t come with us and teach me how to Tackle something…you know I know nothing about fighting still!”

“Nah, I’m not up to fighting. Have fun trying to find that couple’s kid and all that…” Once more her talons dove under her feathers as she took wing. The Eevee called to her, but the stubborn bird listened not to her.

“…” Without a second thought in the matter, Asa dashed off in search of her teammate.



“Eh? How are we supposed to carry this?”

“Well, there’s two compartments here, see? The bottom one is meant to break off from the top, and then you can wear a bag like mine and use that to tote around the item, you know?” Flare pecked at a latch of the bright white-and-red box; easily the box clattered, the empty upper half falling to the ground. Strong wings pulled the compartment into her cloth sack, though not before a similar sack was flung at the human. Pondering just how to make the sack stay on, Asa threw the bag over her shoulders. The bag hung and dragged on the ground in front of her.

“Flare, I don’t think this is gonna work like this…”

“Hmm? Oh, you can’t do it like that, silly! Here, let me show you how most four-leggers do it…” Her beak dragging the satchel off her body, the Torchic was quick to undo the knot holding the loop of the bag together. “Now’s the tricky part…this’d be a lot easier with another set of claws or an extra bag on the side to even this side out or something…” Flare struggled to throw the cords over Asa’s back horizontally whilst holding the satchel to her side. “Mmmph…mmmmphhhh…”

“Here, lemme give you a hand with that…” Sudden ropes snatched the binds away from the fire bird, and brought them underneath the Eevee’s stomach and through the small holes along the bottom of the bag. Shivers went through her spines as the binds tightened slightly uncomfortably around her ribcage and lower stomach.

“Oh, wow! Thank you, Chyloris! What are you doing in this part of town?” Flare chirped as she pecked furiously to tie secure knots. The transformed human peered back at the one whom aided them; thick vines gleaming with a rubber texture held the satchel in place from the thin body of a walking fly-trapper. His goldenrod bell-like mouth curved into a sheepish grin at the mention of his name.

“Ah, I was going to Verde and Vio’s for a Rawst Berry…my Acid’s been a little too thick and more neutral than it should- having a horrible time of digesting anything!- so I figured that would clear me right up. And hey, I owe you a little bit for that one time near Mrs. Whiscash’s pond, remember? …so, aren’t you going to introduce me to your furry friend here?”

“Oh, oh, of course! Asa, this is Chyloris, a long time friend! Chyloris, this Asa! She’s going to be my rescue partner for the newly formed ‘Team Blazeon’!” Hastily the human rose a paw for a proper greeting, the conditioned reflex burned into her human body. He gawked at it curiously, his tiny eyes questioning her as to what to do. Awkwardly she lowered it.

“…well, ah, nice to meet you, Mr. Chyloris…” Asa muttered shyly, paw digging at the sand with force.

“Flare? …nice partner, but I still say you’re absolutely asking for suicide here, making a team at our age…”

“Oh, stop bein’ a wuss, Chyworis…” Feather-covered bones pressed up hard against Asa’s ribcage as she fought with the next knot. “Yo’ aw-ways were a bittera coward…”

“Hey, didn’t your Paps ever tell you it’s not cool to talk with your beak full? And I’m not a coward! I’m a pessimist, whatever that means because Mr. Alakazam told me, and there’s a big difference!” he bellowed, mouth flapping wildly. At the mention of ‘Paps’, she twitched.

“Just a small difference, Chyloris…not a big one. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we’re going out on our first rescue mission.” With a final tug, the bag rested comfortably upon the cat-fox’s side. “Thanks for your help, but we have big Magikarp to fry. See you later…” With a small rustle of her igneous feathers, Flare huffed off in a hurry, forcing the strawberry-furred creature to sprint next to her.

“Flare?”

“Huh?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Hmm? Oh, nothing much,” she lied through her beak as she continued in her swift steps. The hut she allowed Asa to rest in soon came back into view. “Just wrongfully pecked at some old wounds, that’s all.”

“You sure you’re okay, then?” Olive eyes concernedly locked onto the bird.

“…yes, Asa. Now, let’s go get Kayla out of trouble. If we stay any longer…we may be too late.” Her head shot to the three-way intersection of the road as once more grass and dirt came under paw. “This way.” Her talons bore her to the left, and with a gaze back to the city, Asa too set down the worn path.



Cragged mountains reached endlessly and threateningly to the heavens, filled with iron, tin and other hard metals. Tail nearly between her legs, Asa forced down her whimpers of fear as the hands of the peaks slowly reached down to enclose them. Pure blue soared continuously in the sky with only fair weather clouds and the afternoon’s sun hanging in their domain. Flare had kept up with her original pace, feathers occasionally rising with the wind’s cool whispers.

“Well, we’re here. Mt. Steel…” she nearly whispered; even she felt the might of the colossal landmarks pushing slowly down upon her and oppressing her fiery breath. “…According to the rescue mission note and what Mrs. Vaporeon said, she should be somewhere in the northern section of the mountain, where a few trees grow. That’s where she last saw her, at any rate…”

“I…I guess…” Teeth chattered lightly against each other, though not to the extent of what they once would have. “…Flare, I’m not one-hundred percent sure that this is the best of ideas…”

“Why? Why do you say that?”

“I…I just have a really bad feeling about this area, that’s all…” the human whined lightly, paws nervously twiddling in the earth below. A poor breakfast curled within her stomach.

“Just probably the sight of all these huge mountains or something. A lot of Pokemon say they get that impression when they first come through here, too. Just stick by me, and we’ll go through this together, alright? We’ve already come this far and taken the request. No point in turning back now…” Blue eyes traveled to the winding path that carried up to the peak. “…well, let’s start climbing…”

Paws and claws dragged their way up the mountainside. The wind calmed to near nothing, sun pounding upon each’s back. Far off calls from birds echoed down to the attentive ears of the human, whom would nearly jump at each cry. All was quiet.

“Flare…? There aren’t any Pokemon around…” Asa worriedly noted.

“I know, I know. I keep feeling like we’re going to walk into an- watch out!”

Flames erupted from the fire-type’s beak suddenly as a Ratatta shot out of nowhere with several of his relatives. The embers fought off one, but soon Zigzagoon and Furret descended upon the two. Flare forced a hearty song, causing all to flail about in laughter for a moment.

“Asa! While they’re distracted by the Growl! Gather up the energy within the center of your body and charge into them, using your shoulder at the last second to pull off maximum damage! That’s how you Tackle!” the chick hurriedly instructed, and Asa felt faint with the idea. Unsure of herself, she stayed put, and whipped her tail around viciously in anticipation of any attacks to come her way.

The group of enemies doubled over at the sight of Asa’s Tail Whip. The animals clutched tightly at their abdomens and others simply collapsed to the ground. The very thought that wagging the tail cutely to protect oneself absolutely destroyed the morality of the attackers. “Asa! What was…well, makes my life easier to do damage!” Flare chidingly chirped, and soon fluttered in the air. The sharp claws of her feet soon raked an enemy Zigzagoon paralyzed in laughter. He didn’t know what hit him, and rolled over. Wide brown eyes caught on the Torchic, before he shot off, limping as he did so.

“How was he so easily-” Asa began, though had to duck from another Zigzagoon’s attack.

“Tail Whip! By making them laugh about what they think is you trying to get all fired up about battle, they start not paying attention to their bodies as much. Growl also makes it harder for them to attack strongly when they’re laughing,” Flare instructed as fire burst from her once again. “Now, give me a helping paw here! I can’t take them all on myself!”

“I’ll try!” the human muttered, dashing to the side once more as the Zigzagoon galloped toward her at full speed. “…I still don’t get what you mean by the energy at the center of my body!”

“Think of something that you wanna protect! That’s an energy form! Remember when you tackled Breeze? Think of that! Ugh!” the chick grunted as she received an attack finally. Asa watched as the diagonal path of the raccoon lined up with her position again. Something I want to protect…

Sudden images of the crying mother and consoling father poured into mind. Tears fell like the heavy mid-summer rainstorm, bringing only floods of sadness with it. The sight of Umbree’s happy smile when he mistook her for his daughter built something up within her blood. Faster and faster it circulated through the human Eevee’s arteries and veins. I…I want to protect the love of that family… Something clicked within her, and Asa watched as her paws dragged her body forward. The normal type backed off at the charging red mass, hesitant and wondering why she was just beginning to attack back at that time. Soon the human collided with the Zigzagoon; he whimpered in fear as he quickly took off into the mountainside once more, snapped to his senses.

“Alright, Asa! That’s how you do it! Hold onto whatever you just thought and get these guys! Their attacks are starting to hurt a little!” Hazel eyes whipped to the bird; too many enemies gained up upon her, and her breath was dwindling. Asa leapt forward, feeling the need to help the family that had already suffered through much, and once more she rammed the side of several of the adversaries. Talons scratched in aid for the battle, but soon the hardy critters were back on their paws, raring for more to get the intruders off their nesting grounds. Hard, sharp claws found themselves against Asa, not to mention the energy from full-bodied Tackles. She screeched in pain as she felt something seeping out of her. A far off cry filled her ears.

The opponents were vanquished suddenly from a dive originating from the sky. Fierce winds shoved the local Pokemon off angrily. Asa, head spinning from the attacks she bore, forced her eyes to concentrate on the new Pokemon hanging in the air where the other normal types once stood.

“And don’t even think of messing with this again, else you’ll be messing with the wrong Pidgey, let me tell you that!”

“Breeze!”

“And you! Just what do you think you were doing back there! You should be ashamed to call yourself a Pokemon with those moves! I was doing better when I was a hatchling, and you know I have a bad wing!” Angry pecks drove themselves into the happy Eevee’s skull. “No smiling! It’s obnoxious to do when you’re in pain!”

“Ow, ow!” Paws swept over her head swiftly as she ducked into the protection of the sand. “Breeeeze! I was just being thankful that you saved us, that’s all!”

“That’s all, the heck with that! You’re bleeding, Asa! Where’s the Oran berry when you need one?!” she continued to screech wildly, feathers falling from her wings with her rampant fuss. “Look, I’m molting, you have me so worked up here!”

“Now, let me see if I have one in here!” Flare called, and shoved her beak to her satchel’s side. The toolbox soon emerged within her grip.

“And what on Earth is a stupid little box like that gonna do, now?” Breeze shot her death glare to the Torchic.”

“This is a rescue team’s Toolbox, though I suspect you wouldn’t know that,” the fire type hissed back at the flying bird, before she kicked it open. “It’s where we can organize and put several things for a mission, including Oran Berries! Now, I think that they came with…yeah, they did. Asa, eat this…” A ginger beak plucked a small berry from the walls of the compartment box with obvious care; the blue skin of the berry shone in the light. Curiously Asa took the berry into her mouth from Flare’s, and she sunk her front canines into the fruit nearly immediately. Juices flowed freely into her mouth; a mix of flavors flooded her sense of taste, though it seemed to have properties beyond just a snack. The human felt energy begin to course through her veins once more as soon as the liquid made its way to her stomach.

“Mmm?” the Eevee muttered with her mouth full, questioning the berry’s properties.

“That’s right, she doesn’t know…course she wouldn’t,” Breeze rolled her eyes briefly. “Oran Berries are known for their medicinal properties, meaning they’ll heal your wounds from the inside out quicker than you normally will. Eat one of those, and soon you’ll bleed no more. It’s working as we talk…” Meekly the kit eyed her wounds. Energy zoomed up to the slight lacerations and proceeded to scab over the leaks with Mach one speeds.

“You’re doing fine, right Asa?”

“Mmm-yeah,” she managed after swallowing the fruit. She anxiously licked the inside of her mouth and her lips. The berry left a bitter aftertaste that reminded her of some fruit she once knew the name of, but couldn’t place her paw on it. This is awful…I can’t even remember the name of something I know I know the name of… Softly she stretched her legs. “I guess we’re going on…the three of us?”

“Yeah, yeah…that town’s Dullsville, and I need to work on getting stronger, anyways,” Breeze noted as she stretched her wings out to their full two-and-a-half foot span, before coiling them away. “So what are we doing here anyways? Place gives me the creeps.”

“I’m surprised, since you’re a flying type and all that. Anyways, here’s the rescue request…I’ll let you read that as we walk. Just keep your wings at the ready for any other suspects…”

“Sorry, Ms. Flightless, but I don’t think you should tell me what I’m doing here with your team.”



Rocks tumbled underfoot as Asa leapt up a set of boulders. Nervously she felt her claws skid on the hard rock, slipping downwards as she forced herself up. Heavy pants flew from her mouth.

“Should just be…over these stairs, I think,” Flare herself breathed hard as she fought to keep up with the normal type. “The place where…Mrs. Vaporeon lost her girl…and I think we should break for an afternoon snack soon, too. I’m famished.”

“And my wings are sore from all of these stupid Gusts I’ve had to create to save both of your behinds,” Breeze squawked from behind as she rose up the stairs once more on irritated wings. She paused at the near top of the stairs to preen at her right wing. “Gonna be absolutely ridiculous to get down from here. Thank Arceus that there are a lot of good wind bubbles from all of the heat pouring off the rocks, I can just coast on them till I’m way up, and then I can ride the winds back south of here without breaking a sweat like I am now.”

“Might not even have to resort to that, you know. I heard that these badges have mystical properties to them, and they can sense when a Pokemon nearby is hurt and not hostile, and do…something for them. Maybe they can teleport us all the way to the town. I’m not sure…I didn’t completely read the letter one of the postmen left for me about it.”

“Great! Well, while you two are surely lugging that Eevee child down the mountain and ignoring all the attacking Pokemon, I’ll be up in the sky without a worry!”

“Breeze, be nice…” the furred human puffed as she dragged herself to the top of the last rock, her feet giving out in exhaustion. “…you could…at least…have the heart…to help. Ohhh, I need water…”

“Hope an apple…will do! They’re…in your part of the toolbox, I think.” Flare, too, plopped down on the top of the rock. Flames shot from her mouth away from the other bird and the cat-fox as she fought for her breath.

“And why are you wasting your flames?” Breeze coldly noted, perching upon a nearby stone. Once again she set to work on her unfavorable wing.

“Cool down my body just a little,” she breathed out another stream of embers. “I have to, else even my body can get overheated….”

“Overheated fire type. Hah! That’s a new one…” Regardless of their conversation, the transformed human tugged the toolbox out. Her tooth swiftly unlatched the top of the box, and soon two gleaming red and green Macintoshes filled her eyes greedily. She was quick to pull one out with her teeth for herself and set it aside.

“…uh, Flare, Breeze? …there’s only one other apple…”

“What the deuce? You gotta be kidding me, Asa,” the tawny bird disapprovingly clicked her beak, tiny eyes glaring at the Eevee’s apple.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting you to join us, Breeze, so I only had two packed for us…”

“Uh huh. Starve the bird that’s doing all of the hard work…I see how it is…”

“Wait. If you take a third from both of our apples, then it’d be even.”

“You? Using math skills? Asa, I’m shocked.” Feathers rippled wildly at the spine-chilling thought.

“Ha, ha, ha. Flare, would you mind if she took some of your apple…?”

“No, so long as she doesn’t take more than a third of it, like I feel she will…” the differently colored Torchic dove her own beak into the box, bringing the shining fruit out into the open. The Pidgey hungrily gazed at it, her dry tongue running along her beak’s edge.

“Breeze, take my third first,” Asa hastily ordered, fearing for her friend’s stomach. At the order, the bird hopped over coolly, feathers rubbing up in Flare’s face. The fire type said nothing as she retired to her own spot and began at her apple. Swift nibbles dug into the fruit from the tiny bird, and larger bits came off from the now carnivorous teeth of the human. The air calmed, and the long ears of the Eevee swished back and forth impatiently. Soon Breeze galloped off to the igneous chick’s apple, pecking mercilessly at the fruit. Uneased, Asa continued to nibble away at the Mac.

“Nooooooooo! Please, let me go!”

Both apples fell limp to the dusty ground at the cry for help. The Eevee forcefully threw her weight onto the box, snapping it shut, then shoved it into her side satchel. Flare readily rose to her talons, shooting off ahead near the peak. Other claws and paws soon followed after her, but had little time to jump back at the sudden bright flash of silver in the air. The fire type struck a heavy battle pose, flames nearly bursting from her beak, waiting to hear from the creature before her.

There roosted a bird across the gap, thoroughly plated over with light aluminum that looked sturdy. The bird clicked away, whispering niceties to an auburn-tinted ball of fluff.

“There, there! Calm down, already! I told you I wasn’t gonna hurt you or eat you! I just wanna be your friend, that’s all!”

“But, but my Mommy’s really probably worried about me now! Please, Mr. Skarmory, let me go home!” the lump of fur hiccuped as she cried.

“I’m so lonely here, though, and you’re really nice and furry and friendly! No one says hi to me up here any more! Can’t you stay a little longer with me? Pleeaaaaaase, Kayla?”

Before she could reply, dangerous flames shot out to scorch the feathers of the bird. He cried in heavy pain as some of the metal down seemed to melt together, and then exuviate off under the high heat of the Ember attack.

“Owwies! That really hurt!” Skarmory cried, yellow eyes darting to the source of the fire. Asa ran up to her team mate’s side, dangerously gazing up at the bird.

“That’s the child, all right!” Flare noted, flames still forming on her words.

“I can see where Mr. Umbreon and Mrs. Vaporeon would mistake me for her…” Asa nodded, taking a defensive stance. “…Breeze?”

“Yeah, definitely staying far outta this matter,” she yapped from a far off perch.

“Oh, you’re real courageous!” However, Asa began to wonder if what her friend did was more smart than cowardice; the bird fluttered over on clanking, hot pink wings, hostility within his eye.

“People never come to visit me for nice reasons…what do you want?” he interrogated, sinking his sharp and well-polished claws deep into the soil.

“We were sent here by request…to retrieve Kayla. Her parents are dearly worried about her,” Asa gulped before she spoke. “Her mother’s crying badly in fear of what may have happened to her child…”

“But Kayla’s my friend! I wouldn’t hurt her. I never would!” the steel type clicked his beak. “Not like you meanies, who attacked me right away on sight!”

“Look, I know she’s your friend, but she needs her parents!” Flare roared, stepping nearer to the airborne monster. “They’ve already suffered a tragic loss, or so I heard, and do you know how much pain you’re causing them by keeping their daughter hostage like this?!”

“I’m not keeping her hostage! Kayla is my friend, and I wouldn’t threaten to hurt her if she didn’t stay with me!” the Skarmory bellowed back, extending his wings fiercely. “She’s staying with me on her own free will!”

“Ask her what she wants! She was just crying to leave to her parents a minute ago! You put her in your nest, which is surrounded by heavy ditches! That sounds like holding someone hostage to-”

However, the bird wasn’t waiting for a response that quickly. With a mutter to the baby Eevee, he soon opened his beak wide. A terrible sound pierced through Asa’s ears, sending pain to her brain and rattling her bones. Paws stepped upon the sensitive ears, but the sensitivity of her hearing receptors were being attacked mercilessly. She cried out in protest about this, but the screeching didn’t end.

“Flare!” she whined, words barely audible over the Metal Sound. The fire type shot her blue eyes over to her, wings over her ear holes. “Flare! Go and…get him! Use your Ember again! He was really…affected by that! I can’t…do…anything, so go with my…strength!” The cheer seemed to force energy out from her body. The human felt it dive into the skin of the Torchic, as though she had touched her with a paw and melded into one lump. Gladly the fire type rose its beak to the opposition, and flames burst out once more. The flames danced more vividly and with a more aggressive burn to them; Asa was quick to learn from her Helping Hand just how much it helped Flare escalate her attacks.

The fire had immediate repercussions on Skarmory; feathers burned and fell off his body like ice melting and dripping off an icicle. His cry turned from painful to pained as he shied away from the flames. “Ow! Owwwww! S-stop it! That’s not fair! That really hurts me! You’re going to burn away all my feathers! Stop it!” The small form of Kayla peeked out in horror from the bramble bushes of the nest, tears still falling from her eyes.

“Release the child!” Asa commanded, still feeling energy sap away to Flare.

“Nooo! She’s my only friend! How can you be so mean! I know she has parents, but I can give her a great home here too! Stop it!”

“Let her return home where she really belongs!”

“Stoooooop!”

“NOOOOOOOOO! ALL OF YOU, PLEASE STOP!” The cry from the Eevee ceased the Ember barrage. Flare teetered about violently, breath heavy and labored. The metal bird, too, fell into unsteady footsteps as he noted the words of his sole friend. She hiccuped, her gaze falling on everyone, before she spoke again, though much quieter. “Please don’t hurt Mr. Skarmory…he really is my friend, but, I am really hungry, and I miss Mommy a whole bunch…Please, Mr. Skarmory…if you really are my friend, you know to let me go home, right?”

“But, but Kayla,” he coughed, eyes saddened. “I…I wound never see you again…and you’re my only friend…”

“No, no, that’s a lie! You could always come and visit me down at Pokemon Square! Or, or maybe, once all these bad accidents are over, I can come and visit you here on Mt. Steel, and we could have a picnic! Just because I have to go home doesn’t mean our friendship is over! We can still be really good friends, even when I don’t see you! Just, please, let me go with the rescue team Pokemon back to my Mommy and Papa…please? And no more fighting…?”

“We’re not leaving without her,” Flare almost barked. Asa gazed between the party. Skarmory panted heavily, his footing dangerously close to the edge of the peak. Tears welded up in his eyes as he locked them with Kayla’s.

“I…I really am gonna miss you though… …!” He let out another metallic sound as his talon slipped. Asa shot forward, speed she didn’t know she possessed forcing her to the edge where she gingerly caught the flying type by his slipping leg with her mouth. She jerked back before she was pulled forward. He waved his wings weakly as he threatened to tumble in, dragging the human along for the ride. Flare dashed up to Asa’s side not too shortly thereafter, and swiftly clamped down on her satchel, digging her feet into the ground to aid in the effort to prevent him from going down and never flying back up. He turned awkwardly silent as he tumbled forward, smothering the Eevee after regaining his balance. Sharp feathers sliced a few inches off her fur and dug dangerously into skin, though none of the human’s epidermis was severed. “… …you…you just…”

“Saved you? Yeah, but could you get off of Asa, please?! She probably can’t take your weight!” Flare chirped. Groaning, Skarmory rolled off the poor Eevee, and soon Asa coughed for breath.

“I…I’m sorry…it’s just so lonely up here, and all of the other Pokemon are really mean to me and say mean things about me because they say I’m a softy, and I should be more manly…” Gingerly he fluttered over to the Eevee, claws wrapping effortlessly around her tiny frame. Soon she rested on the larger part of the peak. He clattered to his feet once more.

“Well, don’t pay too much attention to them! They don’t know what they’re talking about!” Asa breathlessly muttered, watching as Breeze finally swooped in, deciding the danger had passed. “…I mean, I can tell you really don’t mean any harm…I wouldn’t ever mind being friends with someone like you, Mr. Skarmory…”

“R-really? You mean that?”

“Yeah! I can…just sorta feel you’re a good person inside, you know?”

“So are we friends?!”

“Uh, sure!”

“Will you come visit me too?!”

“When we have the time,” Flare nodded. “We just got started as a rescue team, so we’ll probably be really busy, but when we don’t have a lot of missions or if we are doing missions on Mt. Steel, of course we’ll come say hi!”

“…THANK YOU!” he beamed, allowing his feathers to clatter around. The sound wasn’t harsh, rather more like chimes softly blowing in a light gale. Asa couldn’t help a smile. Kayla, too, smiled as wide as her small mouth would allow for, and pattered over to Team Blazeon’s side. “I hope to see you guys soon!”

“Hopefully not,” Breeze muttered under her breath, though it was quickly stowed away as Asa shot her a glare. Suddenly the icon of all rescue teams shone upon the Eevee’s scarf as she neared Kayla. The glow floated out in tiny orbs, encompassing the company. The Pidgey annoyedly pecked at one of the lights, only to have it pass right through her and float away like a piece of cotton on the wind. Hazel and sapphire eyes softly noted the lights. The baby playfully batted at one as they gathered.

“Well, bye-bye, Mr. Skarmory! I did have fun playing with you! Don’t let those meanies get to you!” the little child called out as she brought her paw up to wave him good-bye. He extended his left wing, flapping it gently.

“Bye-bye Kayla! I can’t wait to see you next! And you too, rescue team Pokemon!”

“I’m Flare! And my partner’s Asa!” the Torchic swiftly spoke as the glowing intensified.

“Bye, Mr. Skarmory!” Asa shouted, and then she felt herself moving through space. The light died, and the metal bird waved to nothing.

 

[Furroshi]

nice job! this is alot better then my story used to be. Good luck on further chapters!

 

[PMJ]

Cool chapter. I like the twist you gave Skarmory, just a guy wanting some friends :<

Well-written and all around awesome as usual... can't wait for the next installment :]

 

[Crystal Hikara]

nice job! this is alot better then my story used to be. Good luck on further chapters!

Betta? How? DETAILS on HOW you think it's better than yours. DETAILS. D:

Cool chapter. I like the twist you gave Skarmory, just a guy wanting some friends :<

Well-written and all around awesome as usual... can't wait for the next installment :]

Stole Skar from his RQO self, actually. :3 Course he wants some friends! A lotta the characters derive from there- Flare, Asa, Breeze...well, general personalities. Flare's the only one that doesn't fall into her typical personality from RQO. And Maelstra. *shudder* Deeeeeeefinitely not Maelstra.

Mmhmm! I'll let you know the moment I post up Chapter 4 (whenever that is)...

 

[Crystal Hikara]

Chapter 4- Disasters

“Oh, my most, absolute precious treasure, Kayla!” Wails from the mother soon turned into cries of joy as the water type rushed to her child, and child to mother.

“Mommy!” Kayla cried, leaping into her mother’s tight cuddle. “Papa!” she added as Umbree joined Maelstra’s side. Her tiny head buried itself into his mass of fur.

“Don’t ever, ever leave my side again, young lady!” sobbed the Vaporeon.

“It’s alright, Maelstra…she’s back…”

“I know, Umbree…but I’m just…so…relieved and happy she’s alive! Oh, Kayla…! Your fur is such a mess…!”

Asa and Flare rested comfortably side by side, enjoying the sight of the reunited family. Once again tears nearly poured over the transformed human at the sight of them being so grateful for what they had, and what they did. A smile spread across her face, she turned her gaze to the silent fire type. She watched on, without a huge smile spread across her beak; again she appeared in deep thought, though Asa had to wonder what it was this time that caught her attention grievously. We got the child back to their parents, and I formed a rescue team with her…so why is she still so angsty?

“Thank you, you absolutely kind and brave-hearted souls! Really, I’m terribly in your debt!” Maelstra hiccuped, still awash in tears. “I must go and fetch little Kayla a bath right away, and prepare dinner. You’re more than invited to share what little we can offer you as our thanks…”

“Haha, thanks, but I’m afraid I can’t go. My own family’s waiting to hear how my…our first rescue mission went,” Flare chirped, snapping out of her sour stance.

“I don’t have any plans, if you wouldn’t mind me intruding…” Asa offered a smile.

“I’m famished,” Breeze stated bluntly.

“Intruding? Darling, you must be daft! You two will always be welcome to our humble hut any time you please! Anyways, if you do wish to come to dinner, Ms. Flare, you’re more than welcome to. You know where we are…”

“Of course, Mrs. Vaporeon…”

“And Ms. Asa, Ms. Breeze, my husband will be more than happy to show you where we do live, after he has attended to a few things in the Pelliper Post Office. Until then darlings, may your humble wishes be granted by the stars!” Swiftly the Eevee child was scooped up by the scruff of her neck, and off the water type ran into the darkening town. Umbree smiled after her, then turned to the rescue group.

“Ah, I…must openly apologize right now. You see…we’re in a bit of a financial situation, and we don’t have too much to give right now. I know it’s common procedure to give a rescue team an item to properly thank them, but…I really don’t have anything, at all! It’s really embarrassing…”

“Well, then, don’t worry about it too much,” the fire type noted. “We need ranking points more than anything, really- we just started Team Blazeon today. And, if you ever do want to thank us and you can, well, you can let us know?”

“Still, it feels like nothing would ever be enough for the deed you’ve done for us,” the Umbreon bowed his head in honor of the team. “Your team will always have our moral support, and we will fight to get word out about you until your team mailbox is stuffed with letters filled with rescue requests worthy of your generous abilities! Now, if you don’t mind me at all, I have to take care of the legalities of the situation with the post office, to let them know you rescued Kayla and to take the request down…”

“Of course!” With another humbled sink of his limbs, the dark type dashed off, leaving the team alone. The far-off horizon to their backs showed the glistening sun departing for the night. Flare turned to Asa. “Well, I hope you enjoy their dinner! I myself have to get home, like I said, but I’ll see you tomorrow morning?”

“Definitely.”

“You too, Breeze?”

“Oh, am I suddenly part of your shenanigans? Spare me,” she rubbed her beak parts together arrogantly.

“Of course you’re a part of the team, Breeze! All three of us got up there. Without your help, we wouldn’t’a made it!”

“Uh huh. Eavesdropper.”

“Why are you still so bitter about that?” the transformed human softly muttered.

“I just have a code of conduct and she just broke the most crucial rule I have, that’s all,” she fluffed her feathers wildly. “So she’s not getting my apology any time soon, no matter how sugar-coated she acts.”

“Breeze!”

“No, it’s okay, Asa…” Flare rustled her own coat up. “I can understand where she’s coming from. I don’t need an apology from her, anyways…she is already forgiven. See you two tomorrow, and I’ll order an extra badge.” With that, she about-faced, and left on her tiny, well-worked claws.

“Uh, not with that tacky blue kerchief, I hope! Cause the pendant is bad enough as it is! I refuse to wear it!”

“Breeze, I don’t think she can hear you…”

“YOU HEAR ME?! NO TACKINESS!” she bellowed, and the transformed human couldn’t help but chuckle loudly. “Hey, what’s so funny? Huh, punk?!”

“You!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!” she nearly hissed.

“Asa? Breeze?” Once more Umbree showed from the inside of the building. His gold rings pulsed excitedly in the darkness. “Still hungry?”

“Starving, you mean…” the Pidgey corrected.

“Haha! Come on, then. I’ll show you to our house.”



“I do apologize again for the lack of room here,” Maelstra fussed as she bustled around. The hut was warm, a flame stoking in a small fireplace. A table meant for four at the most now held Breeze, Asa, and Umbree as the dinner was being prepared. Lavish scents floated up from a stew and pie. She elegantly rose to her hind paws as she needed to, pulling out chinaware and cups for water.

“No, it’s really nice and homey,” Asa politely sat on a plaid cushion. “The home Flare’s letting me stay in is really empty and dull. There’s so much to see in here, though!”

“Like food,” Breeze added hungrily.

“True, I suppose, but we used to have so much more. Oh, why isn’t that girl…Kayla! Supper’s almost ready! Get out of the tub and dry your fur!”

“Okay!” the childish voice chimed back, though popping sounds and giggles also filtered in from the cloth room.

“Things have already started to return to normal, thanks to your help,” Umbree noted with a small chuckle.

“Don’t even mention it, Mr. Umbreon.”

“Umbree. Please,” he smiled once more, crimson eyes filled with happiness. “…though I suppose all won’t return to normal for a while…not until these natural disasters pass.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard they’re getting really bad around these parts,” the human regretfully agreed. “Er, I’m new in the area, but…just what has been happening?” At the question, the mother paused upon her hinds. The spoon fell lightly from her mouth into the pan as she seemed to give a sob. Still, her feet carried her off to the bathroom. Umbree’s eyes darted to the ground as well. He only spoke until the bubble-jet was out of earshot.

“Terrible, awful things…you see, Maelstra and I are still recently a couple. We just were blessed at a shrine celebrating the Forest Protector, to tell each other we were willing to spend our lives with one another, no matter the circumstances. We lived within the beautiful Sinister Woods at the time. Well, I did. She came from the Grand Sea, from a family of pure Vaporeons. To say in the least, our coupling was a little hard on her family…but, love happens. Even if it breaks other’s hearts from tradition, it’s one of those things you have to selfishly do for yourself. At least, that’s what Maelstra told me,” he whispered, and the Eevee couldn’t help but stick her tongue out lightly, amused.

“Well, we moved into a humble little house close to a river there. It was bigger than this one, but it was, as you say, feeling empty. So, we talked to the local physician, and we agreed we were going to have…children. Maelstra was expecting, and was months along in her pregnancy with a litter, but…something went very, very wrong that day…



“How’re you holding up, my love?” A soft lick found its way across the heavy water type’s forehead. “Your skin is so dry…”

“I know, Umbree, but I can’t take in too much water for the children, unless they drown. They’re still going to be Eevees, you know…”

“True, but our children will be so hardy! I’m sure a little water won’t slow them down when they’re running around, tearing up this peaceful place,” Umbree soothingly chuckled.

“Oh, I don’t think they’ll be little terrors.”

“Something says they’ll take after you…”

“Excuse me, Mr. Umbree, but if I remember correctly, you were the first to woo me, what with your classy midnight sneaks into my house and singing ‘Moondance’ to me! If you’re accusing me of being a bad Eeveelution, you should blame yourself for your antics!”

“Haha, of course, Maelstra, though I just remembered that one fine evening when you went completely ballistic, running far away from your family to spend a night with me…”

“Mmm, the night you proposed to me, you darling man. You’re so endlessly romantic, it still surprises me,” she nuzzled him powerfully, and he returned the gesture.

“But, no. Are you in any pain? Can I get you a cold towel to dampen your skin? Are the little ones kicking?”

“No, not yet, Umbree, though a damp towel sounds wonderful. I feel so dehydrated, like my skin is peeling off as we speak…”

“You’re so used to life in the water, I’m sure…” Hastily the dark type bounded to the faucet, turning the blue tap on full blast. Teeth threw a cloth into the sink, and his paw pushed the towel around until, like a sponge, liquid ran straight off the fabric. With forceful paws the nozzle returned to the ‘off’ position, and he forced out excess water by shoving his paws on it. His maw once more dragged the cloth out as he hurried over. Soon he placed it over her head gently, moistening her fins and facial skin; she gave a pleasured sigh of relief, leaning into the liquid’s cool touch.

A rumble soon interrupted the bath. It started off as a small shimmer, and then grew in amplification gradually. The couple gazed up, worriedly. “Earthquake?!” Maelstra worriedly yelled.

“Come on! Get with me in the bedroom! We’ll be safer there!” Speedy paws shot to the bedroom door and the heavy drapery weaved from his own fur. He gripped it with his teeth mercilessly and tossed it aside. The sound of crashing plates soon greeted his long ears. The quake still intensified. “Maelstra!” He leapt to her side, though the ceiling crashed down. A pained scream was heard as his vision was cut off from her.

“MAELSTRA!” he roared, attempting to get near her and dig the crying Vaporeon out, but fire soon erupted; bits of the ceiling that had tumbled down dug into the fireplace, spreading ashes and embers wildly about. The fiery colors shone shockingly in his eyes. “Hold on Maelstra, I’m coming!” he cried, fire singeing his fur. His paws burned in their thick skin as he tried to yank the wood off. His rings were at a constant glow. Poisonous sweat seemed to aid the fire around him. The rumbling only became worse, until a heavy creak from above caused his eyes to shoot skyward. More of the ceiling collapsed. Umbree was right underneath.



Fire Pokemon barked at others to clear the scenes. Water types hosed down the catching fires with all their might and abilities. Rock and fighting types volunteered in the effort to search for survivors. Worried neighbors spoke in words that meshed together in one large blob.

Slowly, Umbree regained consciousness as the dead wood was dragged off his surprisingly damage-free body.

“Hey, this guy’s breathin’ and coming around! Get one of the nurses!

“Uh…Maelstra…?” he weakly questioned.

“It’s alright, buddy, you’re going to be just fine…” a Graveler heaved another chunk of the wood out of the house.

“…what…Maelstra-nngh!” he shot to his feet, though his bones ached and his back left paw hurt something terrible. His spinal cord felt out of place, and his right shoulder felt numb with pain. The Machoke swiftly moved over, trying to soothe him back down.

“Relax! Relax! The nurse is coming! You’ve been seriously injured…”

“No! I don’t care! What about my partner and her expected litter?! WHERE ARE THEY?!”

“Who was she? Calm down, you’re in shock!”

“Maelstra…she’s a Vaporeon beyond beauty two months into pregnancy! Please, let me see her, let me try to dig her out…!”

“This guy’s nuts! He’s going to hurt himself!”

“Restrain him while I move this bit of ceiling outta here!”

“No! I want to help! Maelstra! If you can hear me, hold on! Hold on for me, love!”



“Well, when they did find her, she was fast unconscious with a serious concussion. They swept me away to be treated before I could even see her and the damage she had sustained. When they finally let me out of the treatment room, I heard she was undergoing an emergency cesarean section. And then, out of the six she was due to have…only Kayla and she lived, barely…”

“I’m…I’m so sorry…” Asa nearly wept at the tale, choking her tears back. “Is that why you, you two are here now?”

“Yes…we heard that Sinister Woods were plagued the worst with this onslaught of disasters, and Pokemon Square the least. So, we went back to our old home, gathered what little was left, and we headed out here. I’ve been working a night job and Maelstra part of the day when I’m awake, but still we’re barely making enough to get by now. Hence our inability to properly pay you back right now…”

“With a tale like that, even I can find sympathy for you and understand completely your situation,” Breeze cooed, eyes heavily gazing at the table.

“And trust me, generally Breeze is as hard-of-heart as they come! Really, it is extremely sad, and I won’t ask for a single cent, ever!”

“But you’ve gone and saved darling Kayla, our one shimmering light left! The loss of a child is so much worse than the loss of a home,” Umbree urged, though paused. Various running water sounds poured out, more than likely from the Vaporeon. “…sometimes I wish I had been there more for her. I wish I hadn’t dashed off like that, to open the bedroom curtain. If I was there, maybe I could have pushed her back and out of harm’s way…”

“Don’t go beating yourself up about it. It’s in the past, there’s nothing we can really do about it now, you know? I mean, I really do feel sorry about your loss and all, but at least you can truly appreciate your daughter so much through all of these hard times. Haha…I don’t even know if I have a family that wants me. Just that love…that love is something to be happy about.”

“Ms. Asa…?”

“Oh, don’t mind her in her weird egg,” Breeze drawled sarcastically. “She’s just a bizarre character. She got hit with some Amnesia spell or another, and can barely remember anything. I guess I was at the Slowpoke party, because I don’t remember much about my family other than they didn’t accept me after I was kicked outta the nest when it came time to learn to fly and I broke my wing, and then Asa returned me to health. They never let me back, so far as I remember. So, yeah. Sad and all, your children dying, but don’t linger on that thought. You’ve got a wife and a child that need your love, and you can’t give it to them if you’re moping. We aren’t cryin’ bout our problems, but working through them. Let’s hope you and Mrs. Vaporeon can to, Umbree.”

“…your beak, though harsh, is filled with wisdom, Ms. Breeze. Haha…maybe I have been holding onto the ‘what if’s for too long. I think I’ll really cherish my child and Maelstra after all of this. Thank you, both of you, and Ms. Flare, as well. I’m glad I got to meet all of you. Really.”

“…and I swear, you need to learn to rub your fur deeper in the towel, because otherwise you won’t dry by bedtime!”

“Yes, Mommy…” Kayla and Maelstra strolled out in toe from the bathroom. Maelstra’s fine, waterproof fur glistened lightly its moist state, and several strands of fur clumped together upon the Eevee’s body. The child swiftly teetered up to her father, giving him an affectionate lick on his cheekbone; the father followed suit. Curious brown eyes glanced over to Asa as she scooted over to her. “Mind if I sit with ya?”

“Not at all,” Asa kindly beamed. Unexpectantly, the child nuzzled her shoulder. Such contact felt…odd, foreign, and the human nearly shied away from it in surprise. However, Kayla didn’t seem to notice or care.

“You must be really strong to already know Quick Attack,” the child chirped.

“Huh?”

“Quick Attack! Don’t you know?” Kayla appeared genuinely shocked. “Mommy and Papa said they had a really hard time learning to shoot forward with really great speed to attack another Pokemon. That is Quick Attack, isn’t it, Papa?”

“That it is, Kayla…” His eyes questioningly rose to his guest.

“Don’t you remember using it to save Mr. Skarmory, Ms. Asa?”

“Uh…vaguely. Really, I said I don’t remember too much…”

“Guess that includes your moveset, huh?” Umbree interrogated. “Still, you must be a fairly skilled battler- or at least once were- to know Quick Attack and use it subconsciously as you did, by the sounds of it.”

“Honestly, I don’t even remember what I did to run as fast as I did. I just saw his claws slipping, and then…” she paused. It still feels so weird, talking about such things as movesets as a Pokemon… there was a sudden clatter, and her gaze turned up towards the Vaporeon. The dishes had been set, and now steaming hot stew poured out of a wise-nosed kettle. Delicious aromas filled the air, and Breeze greedily gazed over at Asa’s plate. Soon enough, though, she delved her beak down into the soup, pulling back immediately, squawking vividly about her scalded tongue. Asa allowed herself to laugh with the others.

“Haha, Breeze! Relax!”

“Haw, haw ah sah!” she cried, sticking her tongue out. She fanned it wildly with her feathers.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Breeze,” Maelstra apologized with a weak smile. “I’m afraid I don’t know any ice moves that I could have used to cool it down- I haven’t gone in for a battle in a long time, nor have I the money for a technical machine.”

“And I can’t learn a single ice-type move myself,” Umbree nodded.

“Nah a hobem,” she muttered, appearing irritated. Her feathers fluffed wildly. Suddenly, sharp blue eyes shot to the Umbreon.

“That’s how we could repay them, Umbree!”

“Hmm? What now?” he gazed up as he blew on his stew.

“We could help Ms. Asa, Ms. Flare, and Ms. Breeze learn to use moves we commonly share like Quick Attack better!”

“Darling, that is one of the most brilliant ideas I’ve ever heard from anyone in my life,” the dark type leaned over and licked her affectionately. Kayla made a distinct ‘blech’ sound and buried her head into Asa’s fur to avoid the romantic scene. Asa felt her blood running to her face lightly as she herself turned away from their intimate moment. “Would you care for that, our guests?”

“I alreay oh Hick Ahhack,” Breeze huffed, before she turned her feathers to her dinner. She moved them gently, as a fan, cooling the liquid down.

“Do you, now? What about Sand-Attack?” Maelstra’s face grew duller.

“I oh at one doo,” she sighed, closing her beak finally.

“Maybe I could teach her Pursuit or Faint Attack,” Umbree hopefully questioned. “It’s a great, physical dark attack to use, and I’m sure I’ve seen other flying types around here besides the Murkrow use it to retrieve something that accidentally flew off in a Gust.”

“Mahbey,” she nodded, before her eyes turned to the soup once more. Coils of steam still flew off it.

“What of you, Asa?”

“Huh?”

“What do you know so far?”

“Hahaha…I can’t really say for sure, but by the sounds of it, I could always use a helping hand practicing Tackle and Quick Attack until I get those down…”

“No worries, then. I’d be happy to teach you the basics of that,” the moonlight Pokemon’s fur gleamed with golden markings.

“Well, there is one thing I’d like to learn, if possible, from Mrs. Vaporeon, too…”

“Oh? What is it, dear?” Her vision turned.

“…this is a bit embarrassing to tell the truth, but…” Asa shot her eyes to her stew childishly. “…could you teach me how to swim?”

The entire family weighed their gaze upon her.

“You…don’t know how to swim…?” Kayla asked, about to run her mouth before her mother interrupted.

“But dear, nearly all Eevees and their evolved forms know how to swim, minus Flareon and maybe a Jolteon!”

“I know, but…I just can’t seem to hold myself above water. It’s like when I try and push the water down, it pulls me down quicker,” she felt her fur turn to a bright vermilion. Umbree brought a paw to his child’s mouth to prevent her questioning.

“…well, I suppose I could, then…” the Vaporeon whispered. “I could start teaching you as early as tomorrow by Whiscash’s pond, if you’d like…”

“I’m not sure. We could get another rescue mission. I’d have to ask Flare first.”

“Oh, that’s completely fine. Just pop by any time you’d like to ask! I’ll drop what I can and help out in a heartbeat.”

“Well, thank you.”

“Can I eat yet?” Breeze whined. “My tongue’s recovered and I’m sure this has cooled down plenty.”

“Why didn’t you start without us, then?”

“Because it’s rude to,” she irritatedly stated.

“Breeze, you really confuse me some times…” Asa shook her head slowly with a chuckle. Her feathers ruffling as she took the comment as an insult, the Pidgey dunked her beak in a little less eagerly than before, as the family followed suit with their jaws. Asa paused, gazing at the soup. Something felt amiss, sticking her head down to lick at the liquid, though once again she couldn’t put her paw on it. I hope I remember soon about my other self…I can’t stand the sense of deja-vu any more. Reluctantly, she dipped her head. Her chin fur landed in the stew. Slowly, though she picked up the pace, she began to eat like the others.



“Hey, I brought in the copy of the Square Times!” a cheery female voice called out in the dimly lit room. It was muggy, as always, from the small pond near the end of the shack, but it never got to her or any of the other members.

“You and what money? We’ve been out of ressssscue missssssionsssss for sssssso long there’sssssss no money to go around…” a slick voice chimed in. He slunk out into a bead of the moonlight, revealing his violet skin. It was the Ekans that had rescued Asa.

“Well, I imagine we are starting to get a rep because of our high prices,” the female shortly noted. “There aren’t too many missions that give a high enough reward to our liking.”

“Thissssss issss true…” the Ekans hissed.

From the shadows, a figure tapped lightly on a warping desk. They almost seemed impatient, though the creature didn’t even sigh in the least.

“Well, at any rate, this issue…I just couldn’t pass it up. Get a load of this little article I found in the back of the Newbie Rescue Team Section.” Near human like hands held it up to the beacon of light. It was clear the figure was having difficulty reading the newspaper. “‘Today we welcome the new teams Blazeon, Diggers, and Kaleidoscope to the Rescue Team organization. Each of these brave teams came in last night with their leaders Flare Torchic, Dennis Dugtrio, and Aurora Dewgong-Walrein for an application, filled them out promptly, and were given the Normal Rank Rescue Team badge this morning.’”

Something caught a gleam of the moonlight from the desk. It sounded like a coin flipping in the air, and appeared like it as well, until the glitter was gone. Taps continued on the desk.

“Flare Torchic…that’ssssssss Apollo’ssssss granddaughter, isssss it not?”

“I think it is, from the rumors I’ve heard, Slick. The weirdly colored one? Well, anyways, it goes on. This is where it gets interesting. ‘Most teams have a difficult time even getting one rescue done within the first week of receiving their badge, sadly. Not Team Blazeon, though.’”

The tapping paused, as though now paying closer attention.

“‘Maelstra Vaporeon-Umbreon and Umbree Umbreon, as you may have heard in previous issues, had suffered the tragic loss of five of six children. While Mrs. Vaporeon-Umbreon was taking a stroll on Mt. Steel to collect berries with her daughter, Kayla Eevee, the locals of the mountain attacked her, and her daughter was taken in the confusion. The couple was seen weeping for their child early this morning as the request for a rescue was sent up.

“‘Most requests aren’t done quickly enough, as there is a severe lack of teams at this point. As you all know, these recent disasters have authorities and scientists baffled as to their sudden cause and uprising. However, sensing the dire tone of the situation the couple was in, Flare Torchic, along with teammates Asa Eevee and Breeze Pidgey, took the request.

“‘Mt. Steel is no place for a beginning team. Teams are more expected to start out within the calmer Tiny Woods or Thunderwave Cave, where Pokemon that are unnaturally aggressive about the disasters damaging their home, are weaker than most and can be easily fended off. Despite all odds, Team Blazeon climbed to the very summit to confront one lonely Skarmory (first name unknown). Only a few Embers and one Quick Attack from Flare and Asa needed to fly before the metal bird surrendered and handed over Kayla to the team, but only on the promise that the team would visit him again in the future.

“‘The ecstatic family was reunited at sunset. Team Blazeon received ten rescue points for their heroics, and now the happy parents have only one thing to request to others in need, and we quote: “If you’re in need of a request, don’t overlook this small team! You will be entirely grateful and satisfied by their help.” Team Blazeon, without much doubt, will rise to greatness like Team Wisdom before them.’” As she ended, she gazed down to her partner. “Sounds like Flare’s got some pretty powerful partners for her team, finally.”

“What a wasssssste of a good team name possssssssibility,” Slick distastefully noted. “I don’t know why that article caught your interesssssst, Jojo…”

“Well, I’m just saying we should probably interfere with this team. They’ll probably be getting a few, good rescue requests delivered right to their door, if you know what I mean,” Joanna smirked lightly.

“This...Asa and Breeze,” a chilling, gruff voice came from the darkness where the tapping originated. “Just who are they? I’ve never heard of either of them.”

“Yeah, neither have I, to tell the truth. All it gives is their name here.”

“Sssssssoundsssss sssssussspicioussssss to me…” the snake rose his bald eyebrow.

“I think I would have heard of an Eevee that could use Quick Attack around these parts too,” the human-like figure added. “I heard it’s a fairly uncommon move, given its learned after a lot of experience is gathered.”

“Something…something rings a bell with Asa,” the dark voice pondered.

“Doessssss it, bossssss? What doesssss it ring?”

“…deja-vu. I don’t know her at all, but, eh, you know me. Always jumping to conclusions…or perhaps jumping to scare others,” he added with a cold chuckle.

“So, what do you think we should do, Akuba?”

“…I’ll be back shortly. I’m gonna go and spy on this Asa for a while, get to know just what scares her,” Akuba wittily allowed teeth to shine from his position. “And hey, if you don’t see a smile on my face when I get back, feel free to kill me.”

“Hahaha! You’re always so comical, Akuba!” Jojo gave a flighty laugh.

“Sssssilly, master-minding thing you are, indeed!” Slick rattled his tail in agreement.

“I know, I know, I’m just too good! Oh, how it even hurts me to be so perfect!” A semi-transparent hand flew over his head sarcastically. “Well, at any rate, don’t get too much done while I’m gone, and remember to take pictures if I don’t come back, if you know what I mean.” However, before either member could even huff a response, the smile vanished.