Woah it's been quite a while since the last story, sorry guys. Ya know...school and all that. Actually I didn't expect it to get so many views...Thanks to all of you for your support! XD And now without further ado, enjoy!

Chapter Two: An Old Friend

The very next day, I got up quite early to make preparations; an easy feat considering I stayed up all night worrying about Vulpix. I rushed to the

surprisingly open Kangaskhan Storage. Kangaskhan looked a bit sleepy, but she still smiled she gave me the items I requested: a few Big Apples, some

Gravelerocks, a couple Reviver Seeds, an Escape orb (just in case), and a couple other items. I said thanks and checked out the also open Kecleon Shop

if they had anything else useful. They had as usual several items I already had, but as I was leaving something caught my eye.

"How much for this?", I asked, holding up the Red Gummi so Kecleon could see. He smiled and said, "Ah, that Red Gummi is Miss Vulpix's favorite isn't it?

Tell you what...This Gummi is yours, free of charge. My personal gift for you two, just be sure to bring her back." He winked and turned away to sort out

items.

Slightly confused, I quickly said thanks to him as well and headed directly for the Guild. I asked for the directions to Mt. Mistral, but I said it was only for

a mission. I didn't mention what happened to Vulpix to anyone. Last night I had debated with myself about it, but I decided there was no use in

worrrying them, and they would probably just slow me down anyway. I felt it was my fault she was sick and kidnapped, and that it was my burden

to bear.

After getting directions to Mt. Mistral, I went to the Crossroads. I rang up Chimecho on his 'secret' bell to get a replacement partner. Throughout my

and Vulpix's journeys together, we have met and befriended many Pokemon. I asked Chimecho to call out a certain Pokemon. He went up to the Guild

and rang up the Pokemon. When he came down he told me to just wait there. I said thanks, and as Chimecho turned around and headed to the Guild I

heard the faint tap-tap of feet somewhere nearby. I felt the hairs on my neck rise as a sudden heat wave filled the air around me.

"Hello Riolu, it's been a while", said a familiar voice.

I quickly turned around. "Quilava!"

I smiled as I saw my old friend. When Vulpix and I first met him, he was just a low-level Cyndaquil. After we defeated him, he was determined to get

stronger and one day become as good as we were. He kept tagging along us until he finally decided to become a member of our group. He had shared

almost every adventure with us ever since, up until the time we tried to stop the collapse of Temporal Tower. When I disappeared, Quilava was one of

the first Pokemon Vulpix told. The thought of me gone hit him hard, almost as much as Vulpix. When I returned, he was so overjoyed that he decided he

will never let us risk our lives alone again. He decided to move to the Hot Springs so that he could visit us more often.

"Hahaha yes it has...How have you been?", I said.

Quilava looked down and sighed. "Ah, it's been fine. I've been helping keep the Hot Springs warm for old Torkoal, but me and my flames are itching for

adventure again. I long for the old days with just the three of us...hey where is Vulpix anyway?" Suddenly he noticed my uneasiness. "Riolu, what

happened to Vulpix?"

"That's what I wanted you to help me with..." I quickly explained what had happened so far, and as I talked the flame on his back withered more and

more. When I finished talking, he was shaking his head.

"Incuratus Virus...I've heard of if before I met you guys, but I never could have imagined Vulpix would catch it. And to make things worse someone's

kidnapped her..." He looked as stricken as I had when I first heard of it, contemplating what it would be like to lose Vulpix.

Suddenly he said, "No! We just nearly lost you a while back, and now Vulpix? I won't let this happen!" His flames blazed with passion as he spoke.

"Where are we off to now?" That's one of the things I admired in Quilava. He was always full of determination.

"Well, the note said they will be waiting for us at the top of Mt. Mistral. I suspect a trap, but we can't really do anything about that, can we?", I said.

"Yeah...you got your things ready?", he asked.

"Yup. Here's your old Treasure Bag and Badge. Take a look inside." I smiled as I passed it to him.

"My old Dodge Scarf!" he said with glee. Once, he had found that Dodge Scarf when he was really low on HP, and it saved him from an enemy's well

thrown Gravelerock. He has worn it every adventure since then. He quickly put it on, and I donned my Power Band as well.

"Well, we can't save anyone standing around here. Mt. Mistral here we come!"

And with that, we set off on a journey we never knew would change our lives forever.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or anything associateblahblahBLAH.

I know, STILL no action! I'll get to that, I promise :P As I said previously, I can only make fics when I'm not busy, and I have been VERY busy lately. It's less hectic now, but I'll try my best to update more frequently XD

Any thoughts or comments on the story? Review and/or PM me :) Follow and Favorite to show your support and inspire me more ;)

BTW if any of you are a bit confused at one of the reviews the author Seirin-chan and I are actually friends in real life. Go check out her stories, which are wayyy better than mine. I recommend Celebi's Tale for PMD fans...it's a very well-written story with amazing details and thoroughness :)

Here's her link: u/2464054/Seirin-chan

WhiteCatX319: Your wish is granted! XD