Celeste

This is my first fanfic, so please review. Constructive criticism would be really helpful!


Chapter 1: Wildfire Woods

Sparks flew and ash covered everything around so that all you could see was gray. It was already night, and the sky was naturally dark, so the smoking cinders brightened things a bit.

A small Cyndaquil trotted beside a demonic black dog.

"Are we there yet?" the fire mouse inquired. The Houndoom's eyes flickered over his body, taking in his sore and weary form. Although the Cyndaquil didn't show it, he knew that he was terribly tired. The flames along his back were merely tiny embers, and his eyes lacked the natural luster.

"Close," he promised. His determination to get there before Phantom did made his energy boundless. The Cyndaquil jerked his head up suddenly and asked,

"What exactly are we looking for?" His companion's tail dropped slightly as he shook his head, signaling that he didn't know. It was a lie though, obviously, and the fire mouse knew that, too. But it was safer this way. Anyone who captured him wouldn't know anything. As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

Before long, the entrance of a cave could be seen, concealed by still flaming leaves and twigs. The Houndoom felt a jolt of excitement roll through him upon seeing his birth place. He'd spent most of his childhood there, playing and tussling with his siblings and sometimes, his parents. The movement didn't go unnoticed by the Cyndaquil.

"This is it, isn't it, Night," he said softly. It was more of a statement rather than a question. The Houndoom, Night, nodded and slipped through the narrow opening.

The Pokemon in the Woods were mainly fire-types and all moderately powerful. Although Ninetales and Growlithe were nearly extinct because of the high demand for their pelts, they were abundant here, almost overrunning the entire place. Most didn't mind them passing through, but there were still several that preferred battling to hone their skills. A coupe of Shadow Balls from Night usually scattered them.

"This is insane, we're not playing hide-and-seek!" snarled Night in frustration. Suddenly, there was the sound of rocks being crushed against each other. The Houndoom raised his muzzle into the air warily and the fur along his spine rose. Crouching low to the ground, arrow-shaped tail swishing, he hissed,

"Rhyperior, run!" The small, young mouse had no idea what Rhyperior were, but if they frightened Night, he wasn't about to stick around and find out. Racing through the narrow corridors of the cave, he dodged the falling boulders and tried to keep his mind off the violently shaking ground.

Fishing an Oran Berry from his pack, he nibbled on it and savored the rich juices that flowed into his mouth. He could almost feel the energy from the fruit restoring his strength. Then, he was on his feet again, searching futilely for Night. He vented his frustration of failure out on a poor Charmander that happened to pass by. Since he was running low on supplies, he also took a Violent Seed, Oran Berry, and Pecha Scarf from the bruised and torn lizard. He'd just settled down contentedly, ready for a good rest, when he heard the noise.

It was similar to that of the Rhyperior, but more furious. Then, he caught his first glimpse of a Charizard. First, the monstrous winged creature sniffled at the Charmander's brutally massacred body, then directly at the cowering Cyndaquil.

"Oops," he muttered. The beast's eyes paralyzed him with fear and rooted him to the spot.

"Um ... hi?" the Cyndaquil suggested meekly. In response, the Charizard sent a burst of flame that enveloped the tiny mouse. He stumbled backwards and began scampering through the narrow corridors again, the scorch marks adorning his back already fading as he countered the burns with his own fire. As soon as he could no longer see or hear the massive dragon, he immediately fell on his side in a deep sleep.

---

He woke to find himself in a cavern of glowing fire crystals. There was a shadowy lump on the left edge of the cave.

It twitched, then sat up, rubbing its head with a paw. Then, it directed its attention to him.

"Where am I?" it whispered. The Cyndaquil glared.

"I could ask you the same thing," he retorted. The creature snarled, bristling angrily before calming down and asking again,

"Fine. Then who are you? Are you ... you know - good?"

It seemed unsure and hesitant, as if one mistake would end in her demise. Which was probably the case.

"Good?" the fire mouse growled, "Good? The last 'good' died over 60 years ago.

"As for my name, it's Comet." He slapped his paw to his face.

Stupid! Why are you giving out free information to strangers? he snapped at himself. The creature, or Pokemon, or whatever it was, tilted its head curiously. He realized that his face had been contorted into a snarl and he seemed to be pounding his head on the ground.

Smooth.

"Well, okay then. I'm ... I'm Celeste."

There was a long, awkward silence. Finally, she broke it by saying,

"What ... what am I?"

Comet gave a short bark of laughter. Celeste sniffed angrily.

"No, seriously. I have fur, I have paws, I'm no longer bipedal, and I have huge, giant furry ears," she hissed.

Comet withheld his snickers long enough to reply,

"That's easy. What color fur do you have?" She inspected herself, licking away patches of soot from her pelt. The colors were beginning to show through the black and gray now.

"Tan and br - "

"No way." Celeste shied away, unnerved by the inquisitive and intense stare. Comet was in a state of shock. The short, compact body, the giant ears, and the fluffy neck fur. He crouched low to the ground, closing his eyes and lowering his head. Then, his eyes snapped open, blazing.

"Get away from me," he snarled, the furious sound ripping itself out of his chest.

"I - I'm sorry! For whatever I did!" Celeste whimpered, her ears flattening themselves to her skull. Comet tried to rid himself of the insane anger. She didn't do it. She wasn't the one. He closed his eyes again, taking deep breaths to soothe himself.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, opening his eyes again, "So sorry you had to see that." Celeste shook her head quickly, although traces of fear remained in her eyes.

Then, his mind cleared, there was a certain question that came to mind.

"Are you what Night's looking for?" The Eevee stared at him blankly.

"What the fudge?" she asked, baffled.

"Never mind, now come on. We're getting out of here," he sighed, shaking his head. Before Celeste could ask anymore questions or protest, he pulled out an Escape Orb, grabbed onto her, and tapped the Orb.

Would you like to teleport out of this dungeon? came the mechanical voice, flowing into his mind.

"Yes," he murmured, ignoring the strange look he received from the Eevee.

There was a blinding flash of light.

---

I have a couple of characters that I need to be filled. I don't care what Pokemon they are, but I know their importance in the story, so if you have any OCs, just fill out this form:

Name:

Species:

Gender:

Team:

Appearance:

Special Item(s): example: Gold Ribbon (OPTIONAL)

Leader or Member?:

Thanks!