Me: Oh Blarg, It seems I haven't updated in quite a while. I'm sure I'll be able to complete this story! Universes Collide, Rude Awakening, and Hacker are currently on a long hiatus due to procrastination.

Swamp: Or, you're just lazy.

Me: ...And that.

Hydro: AM I GONNA BE IN THIS ONE?! O3O

Me: Probably not. I already have a set of main characters.

Hydro: ;3; -sulks-

Me: Why are you sobbing?

Hydro: I've only been in one damn story so far! D8

Me: Well, that's no reason to sob. You'll get more chances.

Armageddon: -appears- Blaze does NOT own Pokemon, if she did, things would change, Dawn would be less of an idiot(no offense), Swampert would be respected, and other crap like that.

Me: Exactly. Oh, I also have a TON of weird names. Don't be surprised if you can't pronounce them. o3o

Chapter 1: An average day

Long ago, in the small town of Forphi, everything was peaceful. Taxes were unbelievably low, businesses were booming, and everyone was always smiling. The fountains were always streaming with clear blue water where not even the muddiest Marshtomp could make it dirty. The place had the best bank, pharmacist, shopkeepers, and a generous king.

One day though, the king was mysteriously murdered, and the town of Forphi went into a Dark Age when a selfish king, King Altoth the Pidgeot, began ruling. He raised taxes unbelievably high, and the water had somehow disappeared from all the fountains. More robbers popped up, and soon, many Pokémon had to keep their money locked safe at home, for fear their money may be unsafe at that old Foretress's bank. Soon, the bank keeper passed away, and was replaced with a greedy Purugly known as Urgulu. Soon, Urgulu and his henchmen went to every house, asking for money to be stored in the bank. Pretty soon, people tried moving out, but all the exits were blocked. Food became scarce, and the townsfolk were too weak from hunger to revolt. Everyday, Altoth would look down from his castle, a King's Rock placed on his head as if portraying a crown, and laugh maniacally at the weak Pokémon he could control.

One day, a Slugma was busily working in his dad's shop, a firewood shop. He and his dad made sure not to touch the wood, and used a lever with a rope and clay to cover part of the rope to keep that from catching on fire. The family-owned business was great, because trees were also scarce in Forphi. The Slugma, who goes by Kyore, his dad, and the pharmacists around town were the only ones allowed to leave the town to collect firewood and healing herbs. The guards were always watching, making it near impossible to escape without injury. Kyore was deep in his thoughts when along came a customer, a Poliwhirl, his back hunched, carrying a stick strong enough to be a cane.
"Welcome," Kyore said as the Poliwhirl came up to him.
"Yes, eh, three logs of wood, please." He said weakly. Kyore could tell this Poliwhirl was really sick. The Slugma nodded and headed into the back, to the lever contraption. He lowered the rope to get the wood, and pulled it to lift the three logs up. Kyore settled them on a cart made of clay, then pushed it to the front.
"Here you are, sir." Kyore mumbled as the Poliwhirl placed three coins on the desk and took the wood away in a pull cart with wheels.
"I sure hope he gets better." Kyore muttered to himself. Suddenly, a Magcargo appeared from the back room. "Kyore, we need more firewood, can I trust you to round up two to three Water Pokémon and gather some more?" He asked. Kyore nodded and headed out the doors to a nearby lake that was lucky enough to keep running. When he got there, he stepped back a bit. Water was his weakness.
"Umm, excuse me." Kyore said loud enough to gather everyone's attention. Only 2 Pokémon, a Marshtomp wearing a cloth around his torso, and a Whiscash, with a Deepseatooth for a top fin, turned their heads. "Would you mind helping me with firewood? It will give you a chance to venture outside the town." Kyore mumbled. The two immediately rushed over to Kyore and agreed.
"Just don't get any water on me." He mumbled timidly, and the three headed out of town, firstly checking with the security guards.

The outside of Forphi was much different. The trees were always in bloom, the grass felt soft under anyone's feet, and the air was crisp and fresh. As the three stepped outside they took a whiff of fresh air.
"It feels so much better outside." The Marshtomp sighed. "I didn't catch your names." Kyore said.
"Oh, well I'm Tok; I'm an apprentice of a pharmacist." The Marshtomp said.
"And I'm Coplo, I fought in a war. That is why I have a Deepseatooth for a fin." The Whiscash said.
"That's cool, I'm Kyore. My father owns the firewood shop." Kyore introduced. Tok and Coplo nodded and the three walked over to a pile of axes.
"Just cut off the thick branches, not the trunk itself." Kyore explained. Coplo took the axe handle in his mouth and began chopping at a low branch on the tree. The Slugma walked over to a nearby tree with his special clay-metal axe, and began chopping at a tree. After about an hour of chopping, the clay mining cart was filled with wood.
"So, when do you usually run out of wood?" Tok asked, helping Kyore push the cart into town.
"About once a month, but winters are the best, because me and my dad run out in about two weeks!" Kyore said, chuckling. After a few more minutes of chatting, the three made it to the woodshop.
"Well, if you need help, we'll be available." Coplo said, patting Kyore on the head with one of his whiskers, and they both headed off. Kyore's dad slithered in and helped him stack up the wood.
"Remember, Kyore, winter is but a few weeks away, so be prepared for the nasty cold weather." Kyore looked at him with a confident look.
"Don't worry Dad; we're fire types, aren't we? The cold won't harm us much." Kyore's dad looked away.
"But, there have been tales of even the strongest fire type in the town being frozen to death. They say that a creature lives in the lake outside the forest that has been known to freeze Pokémon to death and then…eat them."
Kyore gulped. "I-I'm sure I'll be fine. I always gather two other Pokémon for the trip…"
"Okay, but always remember of warnings your elders give you." He turned back around. "I can't believe I just called myself an elder." He muttered, and headed towards the upstairs, where they lived.
"I just don't get him sometimes." Kyore muttered.

Me: SO HOW'D YOU LIKE IT? O3O

Swamp: I would've been better.

Me: you're not in the story either.

Swamp: OKAY THAT'S RUDE.

Hydro: IKNORITE? D:

Armageddon: ...R&R...-disappears-