Note from Mega Mewtwo: I did not write all of this. Dragonite helped A LOT. This, dear veiwers, is what we call a Partner Story.
I zoomed down the dam bridge. �Bet you can�t catch me, Spazz!!� I yelled behind me. My friend, Spazz and I were playing tag. The lava bubbled below us. We were fire type Pokemon, so we could dive into that lava without a scratch. Suddenly, a rumbling sound filled the air. Lava burst up out of the lava lakes, and forced all of the fire Pokemon out of the volcano.
I felt myself being flung through the air like a pancake being flipped. �CHARRR!!!!!!!!� I screamed, knowing it was close to the end of my life. I saw a Growlithe fly by, the wind ripping its tears form its eyes as it cried for help. Sprawled through the air, a limp Charizard fell to the ground, unable to flap its wings. I felt lava sprinkle on me, like a slight rain shower. I spun around and saw a Magmar, still clutching to the volcano for dear life. Then, after struggling to stay in the air, I fell to the ground and hit with a crash. Man, was I seeing stars!!
Chapter 2: Charmeleon
I lay on the ground, almost unable to move. My life flashed before me. A Flareon. An Arcaninne. Even the majestic Moltres was thrown to the ground by the thrust of magma pouring from the volcano. I lay shivering on the shaking ground, hearing the sounds of Pokemon making satisfying splats as they hit the ground. I forced myself up. I wearily rubbed my eyes, as a low moan of pain, regret and dispair escaped my lips. Suddenly, lava poured toward me and I was carried away in its current.
I was so mad. How could I be kicked out of my own home? It was too hot, even for a fire Pokemon. I raged with anger. My eyes glowed red. I longed for revenge. My body rumbled in anger and sadness. A red glow surrounded me as I changed form. The form of a tiny Charmander perished as I took the form of a new Pokemon. I had evolved. I had reached level 16. I was no longer a small orange lizard with no strength, no purpose and nowhere to go. I was now a Charmeleon, and proud of it, too.
I woke up after the magma had vanished to the ground from whence it came. I rubbed my head in pain and stared up at the face that stared at me. �Have you seen a lil� orange Charmander around here?� the Growlithe asked. �Spazz, it�s ME!!� I replied, rolling my eyes. �You don�t LOOK like a Charmander, you look like its evolved form!!� Spazz tapped his foot. �Helloooooooo, I evolved, Mr. Goody Two-Shoes!!� I told told the firey dog impatiently. �It IS you, Char!! You�re the only one I know who calls me that!!� he giggled.
�Don�t look now, but we�ve be thrown from our home!! Uprooted like weeds!! Trapped like rats!! Squished like a bug�� I was cut off by Spazz. �Yes, I KNOW, we were knocked out of the volcano by the blast of fire energy that lurched from the earth�s core when the volcano errupted!! Pardon my large vocabulary!!� Spazz shook his head doubtfully. I spun around and saw a wounded Flareon. It stared up at me with sad, mornfull eyes, full of tears, as if to whisper in pain, �I�m gonna die.� there was nothing I could do except let it be sacrificed, since I was not but one - thousandth Nurse Joy.
Chapter 4: The Perilous Jungle Adventure
Us surviving pyro-Pokemon sat in the mystical ruins, discussing where to go next. Ninetales suggested we take the sea route. �We�re fire types, you blockhead!!� Rapidash complained. �We�re weak against water!!!� Ninetales stuck his tongue out rudely. �Let�s take the underground path, then!!� Ponyta�s voice rang out. �Again, we are fire types!! We�re weak against rock types!� Arcaninne snarled. �Why don�t we take the jungle path then?� I questioned Ninetales, hoping he�d agree. Before Ninetales could speak, Spazz yelled an agreement.
�Yeah, jungle path!! I�m with Char!! We�re strong against grass types!! Jungle! Jungle!! Jungle! Jungle!!� he chanted. Soon, the whole group of pyro-Pokemon was shouting and agreeing. �Jungle! Jungle! Jungle!� they chanted at the tops of their lungs. �ALL RIGHT!!! WE�LL TAKE THE JUNGLE PATH ALREADY!!! AAAAGGGHHHH!!!� Ninetales screamed, his nine tales curling to look like claws. His eyes were bloodshot. His teeth were clenched. He fell over like a bowling pin, once the bowling ball had struck it. �Ninetales fainted again.� Moltres rolled his eyes. �Get the stretcher.�
So we started our journey. The tall, towering trees of these harsh jungles overlooked us, like extremely tall totem poles. The sound of the crickets in the grass reminded me very much of the level �Mudhole marsh� in Donkey Kong Country 2 for my SNES.The sun had rolled down into bed, and the moon had resurrected. It was not but a sliver of white, in the dark, pale, sky that night. We couldn't see, it was too dark.
Spazz picked up a stick that Arcaninne had tripped on, and pricked it against the flame on my tail. �YEEOOWCH!! What in in chaos emeralds was that for, Spazz?� I asked shooting him a cold glance that he probably couldn�t see in the dark. �A night light.� he replied proudly. �Just in case you get scared.� he taunted. I grabbed the stick and headed to the front of the line, Spazz right behind me.
Chapter 5: Plunder In ThornVine Valley
The jungle was no longer a jungle. A valley of thorny vines stretched as far as we could see. �I shoulda brought shoes!!� Spazz moaned once he set his peepers on the thorns. �Where do we go NOW, Einstein?� Ninetales tapped his foot, quite crossly. �I told �em to take sea route, but nooooooo. They have to have their way.� he added. �I�ll take you guys across. My hooves won�t hurt if they get pronged by a bunch of thorns.� Rapidash remarked. So we hopped on his back. No problem. We thought there was nothing wrong with it.
Miles of thorns flew by us as Rapidash zoomed over them. He jumped in delight of having the whole crowd of Pokemon finally entertained. He skidded to a stop at the other side of the thorn valley. Everybody got off. I noticed one of us was missing. Arcaninne. He was staring in awe at a sleeping blue creature. I�d seen that sucker before. It was a �Cat o� 9 tails.� When they wake up, they try to wrap around you and throw you in the thorns. I knew Arcaninne was in danger. �Arcaninne!!� I whispered, as not to wake the Cat o� 9 tails. But he couldn�t hear me. The Cat o� 9 tails opened one eye. It lurched up and wrapped its nine tails around poor Arcaninne. It spun around and threw him into the air.
I bolted over and smacked him across the face with my flaming tail. He landed in a pile of thorns, knocked out temporarily. I tiptoed over to Arcaninne, who had obtained much damage. �Arcaninne? Are you okay?� I asked in a low voice. �Huh?� he jumped up and scorched me with his breath, I guess accidentally. I shook the ashes off my face and stared down at him. �What was that for?� I demanded to know. �Charmeleons ask such silly questions. The Cat o� 9 tails threw me, then a Mankey attacked me.� he explained. �Yeah but why did you torch me?� I questioned. �Did I? Oops, sorry.� he doggishly apologized.
�That Cat o� 9 tails kinda looked like you.� Spitfire the Magmar whispered to Ninetales. �Very funny, I�m not that ugly!!� Ninetales whispered back, crossing his arms.
Chapter 6: Caverns Of Ice
�Now where are we? Have I been playing to much Zelda, or are these really the Ice Caverns?� Ninetales complained. �Don�t fret, Ninetales. You won�t find any Wolfos in here.� Spazz�s voice rang out. We headed down the winding path of ice, careful not to wake anything that had the nerve to live there. Suddenly, we heard a bubbling sound, like someone coughing underwater. My eyes dropped on a pool of icy cold water. A blunt figure was swimming in the small lake. It popped up and revealed itself as a Dewgong, and it didn�t look too happy about us invading its home.
It glared at me coldly, then replied angrily, �What are you doing in my tunnel?!� still locking its glance on me. I was about to reply, but in a flash, I was frozen solid by its ice projectile. I couldn�t move. I tried to yell for help, but I couldn�t. �Hurry!! You�ll be fine, Charmeleon, don�t die on us!! Hurry!!� Arcaninne commanded, hurling me onto Rapidash�s back. I blacked out for a minute. The next time I opened my eyes, I was still sorrounded in ice. Spazz belched fireballs at me, and immediately the ice melted. �Have we lost him?� I asked, my heart still pounding from the plunderous freeze. �Yea, looks like it.� he replied.
But he spoke too soon, for the Dewgong trailed right behind us. It zoomed at us, like a bull charging at a red flag. It slammed the ground, and boulders piled up high, not allowing us to go any further. I spun around to seize the Dewgong, but it had vanished to the shadows from whence it came. Something wasn�t right. I soon noticed, Spazz was missing! He must have been trapped behind the piles of rock that stood in front of us. �Guys, we�re meat.� FireBeam the Vulpix remarked. �We can�t go back or the Dewgong will get us, and we can�t escape, cuz there�s rocks blocking the way!!� she added.
�Never fear, Icebreath is here.� a voice rumbled. We were puzzled. Who was Icebreath, and more importantly, what was she??? Then, right out of the blue, an Articuno swooped over us. �I am Icebreath, I am the Lizard Queen!! Just kidding.� she introduced herself. �Lizard Queen yourself!! We�re trapped here, and poor ol� Spazz is doomed!!� I replied. �Can you help us, sis? Please?� Moltres asked. �Sis? You KNOW her?!� Ninetales pointed to the shimmering Articuno. �Yes, she is my sister. Zapdos is my lil� bro, and as for the Pidgeot� he�s my rival.� Moltres explained.
�Well don�t just stand there, do something!!� Spitfire ordered the Articuno, who we know as Icebreath. �Okay, okay. This otta do it�� she remarked, billowing ice at the blunt pile of rocks. They crumbled to pieces, and the now freed Spazz bolted toward us at top speed. �How did you, you�� he asked us, out of breath. �Don�t ask.� I replied, looking over my shoulder and winking at Icebreath. �Don�t tell.� Icebreath winked back at me.
Chapter 7: The Forever Trap
We had made it out of the ice caves. We waged on like warriors, trying to reach the enemy. Soon we came to a halt. A rumbling sound started to follow us as we walked. The ground crumbled into pieces, and a bottomless pit was revealed. We tumbled down the bottomless pit, most of us trying to scream. The wind rushing past us made it so we couldn�t scream.
Drifting in the air with the rest of us, SunBath, the beautiful Flareon, floated over near me. She clung to my chest in horror. �Char, I�m scared.� she whispered in my ear. �So am I, SunBath, so am I.� I whispered back in reply. She clung to me tighter, burying her face in my chest. Our lives were in deep sludge, all of ours. If we were to land with a thud onto the ground, our bones would have crunched into bits, as if Hymalaya were chomping on our shivering corpses.
SunBath reached for my hand. Her fingers brushed against my palm as she scrambled to grab my hand. Out of the blue, we heard the soft brushing of wings as we came to a stop. I opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was SunBath staring at me. Her eyes sparkled like chaos emeralds, like souls being blown about by the mystic flap of feathers. �Feathers!! Wait, look!!� I told everybody. We had somehow been picked up by a helpful bird, and he was carrying all of us Pyro-Pokemon on its back.
SunBath opened her eyes and stared at the heroic bird we were stopped on. �Hiya, Pyros!! You musta fallen from the volcano, huh?� the Fearow giggled. �Uh, yeah. Uhh, hehe....� Spazz replied, still shocked from our fall. �So, shall I take you back up?� the Fearow asked. �Yeah, sure, Mr. Fearow.� Ninetales ordered. �The name�s Archy.� the Fearow said.
Chapter 8: Out Of The Dust And Into The Dark
After Archy had dropped us off at the top of the pit, we were blocked by a huge mountain. �We can�t climb that, my feet will get dusty!!� Ninetales complained. �Would you like some cheese with that wine?� I replied. SunBath laughed. �We can climb the vines!! Like in the great Deku Tree!!� Spazz remarked. �You don�t get out much, Spazz. Zelda is a game.� Arcaninne declared.
After much arguing and quarreling, we all made up our minds to climb the vines. Halfway up, I stopped. I could have sworn some eyes locked on me. I look over and saw Ninetales. He was gazing at me angrily. What did I do to make you so mad? I thought. But I didn�t dare say it. He suddenly just climbed the rest of the way up.
At the top of the vines, I stood in the shadow of a huge Venusaur. SunBath bolted at me with high speed and hid behind me. �Char, stop him!!� she whispered. Her tears soaked onto my skin. I looked up at the Venusaur. His ears folded back angrily. He snarled a nasty snarl, baring his teeth. SunBath backed away. I looked down at myself. I was changing, morphing somehow. At first I thought I had been watching too much Animorphs, but this was true.
I was no longer a small Charmeleon. I was a majestic Charizard, king of all fire types. I stared at the shivering Venusaur. He looked more like a Pidgey from where I was standing. He took one last look at me and fled, howling and not even looking back.
But after he was gone, I seemed to look more like a Charmeleon, again. I was a Charmeleon again. It was just a temporary Charizard evolution. SunBath ran toward me. �Char, you saved us!!� she yelled, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. I was still disappointed. My dreams of becoming a Charizard had fled like roaches do when you turn the light on. I knew it would be a long night.
Chapter 9: The Fire Projectile
Dawn. The pearl pink sky was pouring over us. The shimmering dawn sky was nothing I wanted to miss. Soon, when the rest of my clan woke up, we continued our quest. We walked slowly down a partly unstable bridge. Everybody was across, except FireBeam, the Vulpix, was still halfway across. �C�mon, we need to get home!!� Ninetales rudely demanded. FireBeam flailed her arms, hoping not to fall, for there were no rails on this bridge. I heard a snapping sound, like something breaking.
The ropes, binding the bridge together, were starting to fray. �FireBeam!! Watch out!!� I yelled. Too late. The bridge collapsed, leaving FireBeam dangling over the treacherous crevaces below, dangling by one rope, which was fraying. It was said that if you were to fall into one of those crevaces, you would fall through the face of the earth. I certainly didn�t want to experiment with FireBeam. �Char, help me!!� she wailed, her eyes starting to tear. �You�ll be okay, FireBeam, just don�t look down!!� I advised her.
She looked down again, and her screams began again, only louder. �It�s okay, just reach out and grab my hand!!� I called down to her. �I can�t Char!! If I let go I�ll fall!!� she cried. �FireBeam, listen to me, do you think I�m gonna let you fall?� I asked. �I�m too scared!!� she finally choked out. �FireBeam, grab my hand!!� I ordered, not wanting her to die. The ropes were fraying faster. �C�mon FireBeam...� I said, reaching out farther. �Ahhhhh, help, DO SOMETHING, CHAR!!� she screamed, tears springing out of her eyes. �Grab my hand!!!!� I called again.
The last part of the rope frayed. �CHAR!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!� she yelled as she fell through the air. She wavered around int thin air, trying to fly or something. Her body disappeared, only to land with a splat somewhere uncharted. When she was out of sight, I turned around and walked to the back of the line. �The Vulpix checked out. So what?� Ninetales remarked, without remorse. Holy chaos emeralds, Ninetales wouldn�t care if his own mom and dad were killed.
We stopped our carcasses at a peacefully running lake. The water trickling over the pebbles made the sound of rain landing on a swiftly flowing river. SunBath walked toward me. I looked up at her. �Lighten up, Char. We�ll always remember her. We just have to move on, I know how hard it is.� she cooed. �Move on? I can�t even save a Vulpix from the danger of dying, cuz she�s too scared to even grab my hand.� I replied.
Chapter 10: Rapid Wrath
We had to move on. We had to face the fact that FireBeam was dead. This was especially hard for Spazz, since he was in love with her. We settled down for the night under the starry sky. I couldn�t stop thinking about how FireBeam was to scared to grab my hand, and how she fell into the deep crevice. I shook that thought from my head, and tried counting sheep to tire myself out. �One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four Vulpixes....� I thought. I couldn�t stop thinking about the chilling tragedy that had taken place. Finally, I fell asleep with my head stuffed with dreams, mostly about FireBeam being violently killed.
I woke up the next morning in a big panic. I struggled to catch my breath. I just had a bad dream, I thought. �What�s the matter with you?� Ninetales asked rudely, like he always did. �Do you want some cheese with that wine?� SunBath shut him up. �I....had a bad....dream....� I managed to choke out. �About what?� Spitfire asked. �Huff, puff....FireBeam being killed. I let her down, guys. I�ll never live up to that.� I breathed out. �Aside from that, Mrs. Lincon, how did you like the play?� Ninetales remarked, without remorse. �Will you be quiet, Ninetales? He did his best!!� Moltres tried to shut Ninetales up.
Chapter 11: DragonWings
We had finally come to a deep pit. It was so huge, I couldn�t see halfway down it. Was this the volcano? No. it was just a pit. �Now that�s the grand canyon.� Spazz exclaimed. I stared down into the pit. Flames billowed up in a mass of steam and smoke. Suddenly, a winged Charmander shot up out of the pit. �DragonWings? Is that you?� Spazz asked, giving an akwardly look at the winged Charmander. �Yeah, but one question, is that you, Spazz?� DragonWings asked back. �DragonWings, it is you!! So where�s the hole YOU were hiding in when we were shot out of our home like bullets!??!� Spazz remarked, giving DragonWings a friendly pat on the back. �I dunno, but there HAS been something evil taunting Hilex Hole....� he answered, staring into the pit.
The sun was setting. DragonWings stared up at the sun, barley visible under the heavy darkness. We were sooooooo tired!! Well, who wouldn�t be? We pitched our limp little carcasses under the shade of an acorn-shrouded oak tree. The bougainvillea vines that choked the trunk indicated that the tree was very old.
Out of the back of my eye, I spotted SunBath, gloomily sitting on a rock with her face in her hands. �What�s wrong?� I asked. �What if we don�t make it back?� she questioned. �Huh? how can we not make it back?� I asked again. �I agree with Arcaninne, Charmeleons do ask silly questions. I�m concerned, I�m afraid that maybe somebody else will die, too. It could be Spazz. It could be me,��when she said this, my eyes nearly exploded� �or, Char, it could be you....� she answered, her voice trailing off.
�C�mon, SunBath, you�re a great climber and runner. I�m sure you�d make it. And me�� I trailed off, too. �Well, I�m as strong as Goku and Gohan put together, so.....hakuna matatta!!� I added. �Char, you don�t understand. This isn�t a game. This isn�t the season premiere of DragonBall Z. This is the real world.� She corrected me. The shiny droplet of a tear formed in her eye as she stared at me. I turned away. I walked back to the place where I was going to sleep.
I woke up the next morning with a pain in my side. I got up, and noticed that I had slept on a bolt. Rubbing my side, I forced myself up. The pearly purple sky was as if I was still dreaming, and the clouds had fled, just how sheep react to a wolf. I snatched one of the marvelous bougainvillea flowers off of it�s vine. I sniffed it. The smell was so fragrant, I couldn�t tell if it was a real flower or deodorant.
I searched through my memory to try and find a synonym for bougainvillea flowers, and my mind pointed out to SunBath. Then I started to think about what she had said the last night. What if I were to die? What if she were to die? What I didn�t know was that she had been right all along. One of us would die. I just wasn�t ready when it happened.
Chapter 12: The Cave Of The Lost Lives
Next, we came to some rocky hills. Spazz stared upwards. �We have to climb THAT?!� he asked in awe. �Yeah, live with it or leave, you girly-man.� Ninetales remarked, with a smug look on his face. Spazz shut up, and I started my way up the mountain. The sun nearly blinded me, knocking me off the edge, But I kept my balance and climbed hurriedly up the mountain.
At the top, I noticed I was first to make it up. Next came SunBath, followed by Spazz. Arcaninne was next. Then Moltres, Rapidash and Ponyta. After them was the Charmander, Vegeta, then Spitfire, and last was being Ninetales. �Well, who needs to get out more?� Vegeta the Charmander laughed. I giggled a bit, the spun around and saw....
�Ohhhhhh noooo....� SunBath moaned. �Not ANOTHER cave!!� she added.
We entered the cave, all of us. The only lights were the flames of torches, and the cave sounds echoed over us. Soon, we found an area where there were no torches to light our path. We couldn�t see anything, as we stumbled along over the rocky ground. �Ouch!! Char, that�s my nose!!� Ninetales whined. �Oops, sorry.� I sheepishly replied. �Now you�re stepping on my ear!!� Ninetales moaned on. �You want some cheeeeese with that wine?� I replied, being quite annoyed by Ninetales�s reply.
A wave of relief washed over my body as we reached the cave exit. I was followed by SunBath, Arcaninne, Vegeta, Rapidash, Ponyta, Moltres, Spazz, Spitfire, and Ninetales.
We stared in awe at what stood ahead of us. It was some sort of wasteland, and before we knew it, five Alakazams zipped toward us at top speed. �Hey!!� I yelled. The Alakazams bellowed long, deep roars and headed for my throat. I jumped out of the way, and slammed myself down onto one�s back, slashing it. �You won�t get the best of us!!� they yelled, glaring at us hatefully. �Lock on target, Pyros!! Ready? Torch �em!!� Ninetales ordered. We all shot our fireballs at the Alakazams, and when they hit....
...the flames bounced off of the Alakazams!! They angrily stomped closer to us, balefully roaring. �Retreat!! All personnel, fall back!!� I yelled, repeating a quote I had heard on Sonic Adventure.
The Alakazams were everywhere, and our effortless work to fight had not been a good choice. �Oh noooo!!! If I knew this was gonna happen, I would have eaten more jelly doughnuts!!� Vegeta cried, using a defense attack that we had all learned at level 15. I was starting to boil over. My face turned as red as an angry flame, and I hastily hurled myself toward one of the Alakazams. �Hiya!! I took karate!! BEWARE!!!� I yelled angrily, kicking an Alakazam, **right where it counts**.
It hopped around in pain, angrily yelling swear words. �Bad choice, Lizardo!! Now we�ll make you pay!!� one of the stark creatures hissed. �That�s Charmeleon!! And I won�t pay you anything, I don�t owe you anything but a fart!!!!� I evilly snarled. I stared him right in the eye and glared like mad. I clenched my teeth as a wave of neon red light rushed over my body. My chest heaved with effort. I uttered a low, angry growl and....
In the blink of an eye, my new form emerged. I looked down at myself, and then turned around. I was astonished. I had somehow sprouted wings out of my back, and another horn took place on my head next to the old one. �Well shave off my head and call me Vegeta!! YOU EVLOVED!!!� Spazz happily exclaimed. The small Charmander, Vegeta shot him an angry glance. I turned back to the Alakazam clan. A low, angry growl rose from my throat. I belched a bunch of fireballs at them, burning their little rumps. �I�ll pay, indeed!! My monkey arse!!� I yelled as they howled, running of into the horizon.
When they were far out of sight, my head started giving me trouble. The whole wasteland swirled into a blurry mass, and I blacked out......
Chapter 13: The Fate Of The Labyrinth
�Huh? Wha? Did I miss DragonBall Z?� I asked, rubbing the weariness from my head. �No, dummy!! You evolved!! Need I go on?� Ninetales replied, slapping his hand against his forehead. �Well sorry, Ninetales!! Why don�t we continue our journey?� I asked. Ninetales hastily nodded.
We soon found ourselves in a huge maze. Danger lurked in every corner, or at least as far as I can remember. Suddenly, a puff of smoke exploded ahead of us, and who in blue blazes should rise from that smoke, but DragonWings. �Guys,� �he withdrew some items from who knows where,� �it looks like your ready to face the Moonlit Mayhem.� he told us. �Holy Chainsawed-Chanseys, I thought you ditched us, DragonWings!!� I happily exclaimed. �No, I just had to find you guys at the right time. This is Moonlit Mayhem Labyrinth, which means "The Maze of the Moonlit Mayhem." These are some little revives you might need.� He advised, handing us the items. �Somewhere along this route, you�ll find my brother, Bramble. He is a winged Vileplume. He�ll tell you more.�
Our journey waged on as the sun sunk down below sea level. We soon were resting under the moon beams and the fluttering moths. Soon, a red glowing light appeared, first soaring over the clouds and then landing in front of my group. �What�s up, Pyros? Have some time to hang? Forgot to introduce myself�the name�s Bramble, catch it?� bragged the winged Vileplume who had appeared. �Uh, yeah, looks like we�re in a bit of a 'Bramble', Bramble.� I responded. �Well, you musta met my know it all bro, DragonWings. The smarty pants won�t even take the time to play my Dreamcast.� Bramble answered.
�This maze has it�s curves, crooks, and holes�be careful, strange and exotic new Pokemon live in the tunnels.� Bramble explained. �I�ve heard a whisper or two about a friendly new Pokemon called Firestorm.� Bramble blabbed, before disappearing into a **POOF** of green smoke.
We eyed each other carefully, and though the winged Vileplume made us suspicious, we didn�t raise any conversations. The midsummer heat poured over the valley like liquid nytrogen. As we walked, our eyes caught the glimmer of the sunshine. It was so hot, it was even cold. The glaring sun that hung in the sky like a leaf even scorched us fire type Pokemon.
A strong tempest swept over the valley with the speed and grace of a cheetah. The blinding sand that flew through the air was like a tornado. The huge thunderheads floating rock-stiff in the sky indicated that the rainy season was coming; and rain meant we would have to find landing ground, and SOON. �Follow me, guys!!� I yelled over the windy chaos that threatened our lives.
After walking for what seemed like miles, the road came to an end. �Now I know what the word labyrinth means.� moaned the sweating Vegeta. Before Bidu (another Vulpix) could get any word in, the ground below us started to cave in. Soon, after effortless screaming and flailing motion, we landed with a thud on the ground of a vast, gloomy tunnel. Water dripped from the stalactites and stalagmites that took form on the ceilings and floors. �Hee hee hee hee hee...� echoed a voice from behind me. I spun around and saw nothing, but still I knew that something had given an evil cackle.....
Chapter 14: A New Discovery
The smell of fresh caverns was a must to ground Pokemon, and yes, they have an advantage over fire types. �It looks like we�ll have to stay here for the night.� I gloomily suggested. �I should have brought my DVD.� Vegeta moaned, his voice weighed down to the ground with remorse.
We settled down, hoping to live past the perilous night. I had arranged a circle of rocks over in the corner of the cave, and for bedding I had used bundles of leaves and grass which I found in a lingering forest. I laid my panic-stricken body onto my little bed, and tried furiously to get to sleep. I stared up at the dark ceiling, and many pairs of eyes stared back at me. I gulped, trying not to move�if I made any commotion, the bats would swirl around me like a tornado and suck my chilled blood.
Finally, I somehow fell into dream land and survived the night. I woke up the next morning (okay, It was still night time) and rubbed my eyes. I walked into another section of the cave and greeted SunBath there. �How was your night?� she asked. �Fine, if you�re not referring to the bad back I woke up with, then my night was just peachy.� I responded. �Well, I�ll go see if the little storm is gone.� I added.
I climbed up the ladder we had built and peered out of the hole that we had entered from. I was right. The little storm was gone. It had just turned bigger. A cold, icy breeze swept over me. I shivered, looking up at the pitch black sky. An Articuno flapped through the air with the grace of a Lapras paddling across the ocean. I was freezing, so I popped my head back down into the cave. �Well, if we continue now, we�ll be attacked by the abominable snowman.� I sighed. �Just great. Just perfect. Now we�ll have to delay the trip longer and the volcano�s gonna erupt again before we get there.� Ninetales murmured.
�Huh? Spazz? Where are you going?� I asked as I caught a glimpse of Spazz climbing the ladder. �I�m going to scrounge for food, Char.� he casually replied. �But�it�s 30 degrees below zero, you couldn�t take it!!� I yelled. �Well, Char, we�re almost out of food, and who�s brave enough to go get some? No, not even you�being a Charizard and all.� he replied. I brashly looked down at the ground in embarrassment.
I climbed up the ladder too, and as Spazz walked off into the snow-covered trees, I waved goodbye. �Later, Spazz. Se ya!!� I yelled as he waled off. �Bye, Char!!� he yelled before disappearing.
I was left in the dawn of pearly purple morning, with nothing but the snowflakes drifting gracefully to the cotton-white ground.
Chapter 15: The Presence Of The Dawn And Dusk
We decided to continue our journey�even if we had to swim through water. We knew that Spazz would need us later on, and we knew we were his only hope. We didn�t want to leave the cozy cavern, but we had no choice. �I�m relived that you actually had the courage to leave. SunBath cooed in her velvety voice. I blushed, but headed on with the rest of the pack. We trudged through the snow with snowflakes falling over us. About an hour later, we encountered something with an evil heart....
Something rushed through the trees with speed. �Hey!! You, come back!!� I yelled. �Guys, c�mon!!� I signalled. We chased the little crock-like figure through the snow shrouded woods. �Hey, please!! Come back!! We need help!!� I yelled. But the little creature didn�t want to help...
He came to a dead and stopped. We cornered him. �Please, tell us how to get out of these woods!! You know you way around, don�t you?� I asked, startled. He turned around, and his face told me that he was a killer. �Croc!! CROC croc!!� he yelled at me. �H�h�huh?� I asked. I pulled out a little Pokedex and aimed it at him. �Name: Croco. It is said to be a myth, but is rarely seen. It�s heart is pure evil, and it seeks revenge for who knows what.� my Pokedex breeped.
I stared the little creature, �Croco,� in the eyes. �What do you want?� Croco angrily asked. �Uhh....� I bashfully replied. �We�re lost and can�t navigate through these woods, and, uhhh...we were wondering if you could help us?� Vegeta asked. �Charmander meat tastes awfully good. And I�m hungry.� Croco replied. Vegeta shakily stepped back behind Ninetales. �Please, don�t be so mean! We need help. If you help us, we�ll surely repay you somehow...� SunBath told him. He replied with a cold stare in the face. The look in his eyes gave me an uneasy feeling. He raised his hand to the air and summoned some kind of spell....
A blue-black magic ball appeared in the air, and as it grew larger, more colors emerged. When it still floated in mid air, Croco grabbed it and hurled it at us. A black shadow cast over our bodies, and we neatly froze into statues. �You fire Pokemon need to learn that you�re not the boss. If you attempt to come near me, I, teamed up with my thugs, FireStorm and MechaVine, will happily devour you.� he commanded. What a big vocabulary, I thought, still frozen in Croco�s spell.
Soon, the spell faded, and we broke free from the mass of rock that tumbled off of our bodies. But how? We were all frozen solid in stone, so what caused us to break out? I looked to my left and saw one of Croco�s thugs, FireStorm, jump from behind a rock. �Croco!!� he yelled. �Let �em go!! they just wanted help!!� he continued. �Jeez, FireStorm!! Who peed in YOUR cereal this morning?� yelled MechaVine. She gave a questioning look to FireStorm.
�Nobody, Mecha!! I�ve noticed that Croco FORCED me to join his gang, and you too!! I QUIT!!� FireStorm yelled in a grumpy rage. �But�� Croco replied, interrupted by FireStorm. �No, Croco!! Butts are for ash trays, or toilets, however you use them!! In your scrawny language, I�m joining forces with THEM!!� FireStorm yelled back. �But, you were our strongest member, you can�t go!!� Croco yelled, his eyes starting to tear. FireStorm stuck his nose up in disgust, and stood next to me. �Huurrr....hurrr.....� Croco breathed, his chest heaving as he angrily projected another spell, which, unfortunately hit SunBath. I spun around an saw it hit her.
I longed to get revenge on Croco. I spun back around to catch him. � Hey!!� I yelled. Too late. He was gone. �She�s hurt!!� rang a voice. It was the voice of Arcaninne. I looked up at the sky. �Moltres,� I said. �You fly SunBath back to the volcano. We�ll be fine from here.� I ordered, brushing the snowflakes off of my face. �Aye aye, cap�n Char!!� Moltres replied. I lifted SunBath onto his back.
�But Char�� she trailed off as I turned away. I turned back to her, and the loving look she gave me meant she had something to tell me. �What about you?� she asked. �I�m gonna make it back to the volcano.� I replied. �And Spazz, too?� she asked. �Yes. Spazz too. I promise.� I answered. She smiled at me, then Moltres lifted off.
I waved goodbye to her. She waved back. I turned to the trees. �Guys, I�ll be right back.� I replied as I walked into the trees. Soon, I stopped walking and began to run. I heard voices in the grove of pines next to me. I peeked through and spotted Croco and MechaVine talking. MechaVine must have seen me, for her moth dropped open in awe. �What?� asked Croco.
MechaVine made no sounds, but pointed to my head, sticking out of the pines. �Huh? Do I have a pimple, or something?� Croco questioned. MechaVine was fed up. She looked down at Croco, who knelt over the stolen goods that he snatched. She took one more look at my angry face, and ran. Finally, Croco spun around to see what was the big deal.
When he spotted me, he opened his mouth to scream. He couldn�t, for he was too scared to even squeal. All that came out was a muffled little squeak, and he attempted to run. Too bad, so sad. He was to slow for me, and I bolted over and grabbed him.
�It�s unfair to steal,� I mumbled, picking up his bag of goodies, and then throwing it. �And it�s unfair to hurt Flareons, such as SunBath,� I continued. �And it�s even more unfair of what I�ll do to you!!� I yelled. �Uh....sorry? Let�s....uhh.....just forget it happened?� He suggested. I attacked him angrily, giving him a kick in the arse. I must have put too much strength into it, since when I kicked him, he blasted into the sky like a rocket.
After Croco was out of sight, I hurried back to my group, to see if everybody was OK.
Chapter 16: Flamebuster 2000
�Well, where were YOU when we encountered HIM?� Arcaninne howled when I got back. �HIM? Who�s HIM?� I asked. Ninetales� eyes burned into mine. �Only the meanest, evilest,most stuck up Vaporeon in the universe. He threatened to cut our throats.� Ninetales replied scornfully. His red eyes flashed in the rising sun. �His name is Buster. His goons call him Flamebuster 2000. His goal is to annihilate all fire Pokemon.� he added. �Well, you just tell FlameButt-ster that he�ll be beheaded if he even comes near my group.� I bragged. �I dunno �bout dat.� bellowed a voice from behind me.
�Now ya gone and made my hammer mad. Ya shouldn�ta did dat, if I may quote �Da hammer brothers,� from Super Mario RPG.� he warned. �So, where�s your hammer, friend? And more importantly, who said you could stare at me?� I asked scornfully. �Well, for one thing, I�m Flamebuster 2000, and I say I can stare at your ugly pizza face!!� he chuckled. �You want a bite?� I replied. Little did I know, I had started a battle.
�Yeah, you wanna make somethin� out of it, Flamebuster??� Rapidash insulted. �Rapidash!! This is much more than Kick Me signs!!� I whispered. �Tomorrow,� Flamebuster ordered. �At crystal rock. Be there, or be square, SpungeBob.� he added. He exited the scene and brought his goons with him.
The pyro Pokemon stared blankly at me. �Char�s gonna be killed!!� Ponyta yelled. Everybody panicked. They started running aimlessly around in circles. �Calm down!!� I yelled over the uproar of Pokemon chatter. �Are you gonna be quiet, or do I have to make you battle with me??!!� I yelled some more. �What a great idea!!� Arcaninne exclaimed. �Yeah, we can back Char up by joining together!!� Ninetales added. �We can assemble teams char battles in every one, since he�s a Charizard.� So we got together and made groups the entire night. Our eyelids sank down, but our efforts to stay awake didn�t fail.
�Group 1: Char, Ninetales, Bidu, Vegeta, Rapidash.� Ninetales announced. �Group 2: Char, Ponyta, Arcaninne, Spitfire, Spazz�when he comes back.� Ninetales added. �I am back!!� a voice from the bushes rang out. I spun around and almost bumped into Spazz. �Spazz!! You�re back!!� we all exclaimed. �Yep, but just until the battle�s over. I don�t have long to stay.� he exclaimed. Our spirits lowered. �FireStorm�� Ninetales advised. �In case one of us faints�or even dies, you will take his/her place.� he added. FireStorm nodded. �I�ll do as you say, sir Ninetales.� he said.
Chapter 17: The tale of Ninetales
Fire and water rushed toward us. Flamebuster grinned as it hit Vegeta. I spewed my magical fire in his face. He soon recovered. �Cool down!!� he exclaimed, shooting water and ice at me. I shook the slush off of my face. �Guys!! All together now!! Fire bomb!!� Ninetales ordered. We all shot fire out of our tails and our mouths. �Heh!! Eat this, paste eater, if I may quote Buttercup from the Powerpuff Girls!!� Flamebuster yelled. He shot grass and poison at Arcaninne. Arcaninne turned into a scarecrow. �Try to use special attacks now, ya s�crow!!� Flamebuster laughed. �No fair!!� I yelled. �Able juice!!� I added, grabbing a carton of Able juice. I fed it to Arcaninne, and he immediately transformed into his doggish self. �Group 1, use your special attacks!!� Ninetales exclaimed.I approached Flamebuster, and, using my brute strength and firepower, shot Omega-fire-orbs at him. Ninetales stepped forward and slapped his tails across Flamebuster�s face. Bidu, Using her quickness, did a dash-attack. She swiftly bolted around Flamebuster. He became confused, for Bidu created the illusion that there was more than one of her. Vegeta karate chopped Flamebuster **right where the sun don�t shine,** and you don�t want to know where that is. Rapidash sliced Flamebuster�s tail off with his harder than diamond hooves.
�Group one, retreat, except Char!! Group two, get in there!!� ordered Ninetales. Ninetales, Bidu, Vegeta and Rapidash retreated, and Ponyta, Arcaninne, Spitfire and Spazz took their place. �Hah, even with your neatly assembled teams, you have no chance against me.� Flamebuster cackled scornfully. He shot a huge projectile of water, ice, grass, poison, fire, ground, psychic, fighting, ghost, electric, rock, normal, dragon, and flying powers at me. �NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!� Spazz yelled as the beam shot at my torso. He jumped in my path. The beam hit him, sparing me.
The blast of Omega energy exploded into a mass of sparks. The tiny sparks shrunk to the size of atoms, protons, electrons, to the size of neutrons. When the white multi-colored stuff faded from my eyes, I woke up to Spazz, laying on the ground, sprawled on his back. I slowly approached him. �Later, guys...I�I gotta go.� he croaked. �Huh? Where?� I questioned. �To doggie heaven, pals. I was probably intended to die this way. That�s why I said I couldn�t stay long.� he choked out.
I started to remember all of the fun Spazz and I shared as kids. Buying ice cream cones, riding our tricycles, playing with toy cars, running down hills...Spazz and I had been friends for as long as we lived. Now he was saying his goodbyes. �At least I�ll be with FireBeam. It wasn�t you�re fault she died, Char. I told her not to go out with any other dude, and she thought you meant a date when you said, grab my hand, FireBeam.�
�Tell me you�re kidding, that you aren�t dying!!� I yelled. �No joke. I gotta go...� Spazz trailed off. His body fell limp and lifeless to the ground. I looked up angrily at Flamebuster. He vaguely grinned and shot a Solarbeam at us. I was so angry. I flung the Solarbeam back at him with my tail. His eyes widened in surprise. Right before the Solarbeam hit, he uttered his last words: �Mommy!!�
Chapter 18: Back To The Volcano
I rubbed my eyes. When I recovered, I noticed I was in a different environment. Totally different. �Guys?? Guys??� I shook everybody awake. �Is it over?� asked Bidu. �Yeah. Char defeated him.� Ninetales puffed. �Hold it�� I said. Something in the distance caught my eye. It looked like a volcano....it smelled like a volcano....it WAS a volcano, OUR volcano!! �GUYS!!! IT�S THE VOLCANO!!! WE�RE HOME!!!!!!!� I yelled happily. Everybody spun around. It was a miracle. After a year of willful evolving and adventuring, we were finally HOME!!!
We raced toward the volcano at top speed. We were so happy, we even ran on all fours!! But our journey wasn�t over yet......a rumbling sound filled our ears. We spun around, and to our surprise, a boulder tumbled towards us. When it boomed to the ground, it flung us up into the air. We ran like mad, the boulder following right behind us. Somewhere along the line, the ground below us gave out, and we fell into an underground tunnel.
We tried to put on the breaks, but we failed. We couldn�t stop ourselves, we were going so fast. The muddy ground below us acted as a waterway, us rushing down it. We were sliding so fast, we couldn�t even feel the mud and rocks against our butts. Soon, we came to a spot where the bridge was out. �Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!� we hollered as we flew off the ledge. We landed on another speedway, and slid swiftly down it. Soon, we saw light. We had come to the end of the underground caverns.
We were now somewhat closer to the volcano. We ran hurriedly up the grassy slope, which was dotted with flowers. Suddenly, a swooping sound crept up behind us. I spun around. It was the Pidgeot!! Icebreath told us about him, the rival of her and Moltres and Zapdos. The graceful Pidgeot swept through the air, swooping toward us with great speed. We ran as fast as our little legs could carry us. FireBeam. Spazz. We didn't wanna be more victims for the Grim Reaper. We bolted up the slope even faster. The Pidgeot was hot on our heels.
Just before the Pidgeot got us, we jumped into the volcano. I had forgotten I was a Charizard!! I had wings!! �Everybody, hop on my back!!� I signalled. They obeyed and hopped on. I swooped down farther, to the base of the volcano. Everybody hopped off of my back once we were on safe ground. I counted them: Vegeta, Bidu, Arcaninne, Spitfire, Firestorm, Ponyta, Rapidash�say, where was Ninetales?
I looked up. The Pidgeot had gotten Ninetales!! He was still alive, but struggling effortfully to get free. �Hold on, gang!!� I yelled over the flapping of wings. I spread my wings and bolted up to the top of our volcano. I stare the Pidgeot a cold stare in the eyes. I spewed fire at it, and it dropped Ninetales into the volcano. The Pidgeot fled, and I zoomed down and caught him, just before he was going to slam into a rock.
�What�s all the commotion? Moltres? Is that you�CHAR!!! YOU�RE BACK!!!� SunBath screamed gleefully as she peeked out of the dining chamber. I spun around and accidentally dropped Ninetales off of my wings and onto the ground next to Spitfire. �Livin la vida loca.� Ninetales moaned, seeing stars. Sunbath bolted toward me at top speed. She jumped into my arms and buried her face in my chest, as if we were still falling into the Forever Trap.
�I can�t believe you made it!!� she cried. �Didn�t you think I would?� I asked. �Well, yes, but even Moltres had a hard time�this Pidgeot swooped down and�� she said, but I cut her off. �I�ll say. We encountered the same little sucker.� I told her. She gave me a tight hug. I could tell she was glad to see me. She looked up. �You said Spazz would make it, though.� she reminded me.
�He lied.� came a voice. We spun around and saw Spazz�s spirit. �Of course I made it!!� he added. �Spazz!!� SunBath cried. �My real name is ChaosRage. Spazz is just my nickname. You can still call me Spazz if you want to.� he explained.
Epilogue Three days later
SPLASH!! SPLASH!! We splashed around in the lava pools. �EEEK!!� SunBath happily squealed as I splashed some lava at her. Arcaninne did the doggie paddle around the pool twice and was now relaxing on a floaty mattress. Ninetales did the backstroke around SunBath and I, and worst of all, he HAD to backstroke around us in the shape of a heart. Bidu jumped out of the lava and spewed fireballs at us gently. We giggled and laughed. Fireballs don�t hurt us; they just tickle. Suddenly, the volcano started to shake rapidly. Our lava started rising, faster and faster. �Oh no!!� SunBath yelled over the pouring lava. �Not again!!!!�
TO BE CONTINUED...........