DISCLAIMER I do not own Pokemon

AUTHOR'S NOTE Yay! I finally got chapter two to fill in the big ol' gap. Nobody's reviewing, but I won't let that deter me. I will finish this story if it's the last thing I do! (And think of a better summary) And revise the other chapter. (Gyah! Why won't the system CENTER anything? WHY?) Okay... here I go!

Here are some Continents, I have three ^_^

- CONTINENTS B -

THE SPARSELY INHABITED
Sector B

The Continent of Poison This continent is saturated with poisonous miasma. It sits in a deep pit, below sea level, in the Earth located in its most unexplored southern region, beside the Continent of Spirits. The land is swathed with boggy marshes and contamination. Poison Pokemon love this place, though it is uninhabitable by humans and many other types.

The Continent of Spirits Ghost-type Pokemon are everywhere in this spooky continent, even if you can't always see them. The poisonous miasma from the Continent of Poison is much milder here, and instead turns into a silvery kind of gas that repels sunlight. Many steer clear of this seemingly desolate place. The humans there are experts in magical charms to will the spirits away.

The Continent of Darkness/Shadows The Continent of Shadows is true to its name. Here, nighttime seems everlasting. The sun was recently blotted out by an unidentified presence. The land is shrouded with shadows and malevolence. It used to be peaceful, but now the Pokemon struggle with the darkness plaguing their hearts. Even the humans are starting to become corrupt.

- END CONTINENTS -

Finished. Now, let's move on with the story, shall we?

FLAMING CONTINENT
FLAMING VOYAGE

~ * ~

THE CONTINENT OF FLAMES

Majesty

II.

SABLE CHASED A MOUSE in his dreams. I recognized his tiny little squeaks, and the soft shuffling of his paws as they batted at the air. His body still succumbed to the excitement of the day. Across the den, Blazen and Mirin were mere bundles of fur, huddled closely together in the shadows. Mirin could sleep through anything, I had witnessed this myself countless times. She'd fallen asleep even during her birthing contractions. Harris had gone insane, thinking she'd passed out.

But she could definitely win the heart of anyone.

I unfurled myself from my nest, careful not to rouse Sable, and padded out into the lukewarm night air. It was time for the morning hunt. Closing my eyes, I felt my body loosen. A picture of the canyon etched itself into my mind; stony precipices and dry grass swaying in the night. Solitary boulders and water beds lay nestled amongst the winding paths and crags. Prey emerged from their burrows and ambled out onto the land. Thinking of my homeland was almost an unconscious thing, absorbing every beautiful detail.

Then, all at once, the clarity faded into my subconscious. My ears pricked, sure to stay alert for danger. Soon, the world was nothing more than a faded blur. I'd let my instincts take over, canine excitement succumbing me like a burst of bright sunshine. Weightless, my paws skimmed the hard earth beneath me, cool air caressing my thick fur as I searched for our morning meal. The stars glimmered overhead. Time was nothing. Not anymore.

The sun was just creeping over the horizon when I'd returned, two plump rabbits dangling from my jaws. I'd hardly remembered the hunt, too thrilled to even think straight. It was dangerous, I know, but I couldn't resist to temptation to just 'let go'. For the first time in a while, I felt very safe.

Turning, I caught the yellow strip of sunshine from far away. I'd witnessed many sunrises in my life. Many times. But each one was just as magical to me. Almost ritualistically, I wave my nine tails in a greeting, welcoming it with unsuppressed devotion, ignoring the tang of rabbit blood in my mouth.

The sun was symbolic to my country in many ways. It provides us with everything, especially our fire. It'd been praised for countless millennium by my people. By my ancestors. I am only guilty that I haven't realized it glorious importance until far into my kit-hood, when I'd unleashed my first successful Flamethrower. Then, it was as if the rays of sun had swept through my entire body, empowering me.

"What are you doing?"

Blinking, I came to my senses, dropping the rabbits to the ground. Sable was staring at me innocently, his single tail curled over his paws.

I tilted my head to the side slightly, and stared at my kit as if he were someone else entirely. Sable looked as though he'd been up since I'd left; his gaze was clear and sharp, his body slightly tense, unakin to its lethargic rhythm in the mornings. His underdeveloped muscles rippled in the fresh light. Upon closer observation, I detected a lingering scent of dust and stone on his fur. He must have even found the time to explore and play.

My eyes smiling, I leaned forward and nuzzled my baby's soft bangs. He didn't protest.

Sable always intrigued me; his softness, his stamina, his emphatic tendencies, but most of all his gorgeous, exotic appearence. His thick fur mirrored the sun brilliantly, soft eyes always concerned and wary. Peering into those orbs was like observing deep, wavering pools of brown amber. They were so careful, precious, filled with warmth and purity. In many ways, he was not a normal kit. I knew this. And I did my best to bear with his little abnormalties. But really, it tends to get a little challenging.

"Momma?" said Sable suddenly. "Do you hear that?"

I pricked my ears, but I heard nothing but the birds and the gentle caress of grass scuffling the sides of the canyon. "No, my Sweet One," I replied. "Nothing but our precious, beautiful world, my dear. And Mirin's quiet snores."

Sable seemed disappointed. "Oh, then."

Before I could inquire if I should check again, Mirin's scent shifted. Soon, I spied her bright form padding out into the open, no doubt lured to the scent of rabbit blood. She stumbled across the earth, eyes half-lidded in the light. Small puffs of white smoke blew out of her mouth as she exhaled, body slack with exhaustion. Her mane was clumped, tangled, and dusty, while her tail was matted with dirt and sweat. I'd never seen her so disheveled. I could've laughed at her deadened appearence.

Blazen followed after her, brimming with energy. I gazed at him fondly as he dove into his meal, rudely soaking the ground with the creature's blood. He'd forgotten to pay his respects.

"My Little One must have really done a number on you," I told her as she collapsed in front of a rabbit, full well knowing she didn't look as bad as this yesterday. "You look as if you'd done a battle with an Onyx. And the Onyx won."

Mirin regarded me halfway, still somewhat asleep. "Whazzat?" she mumbled.

"Nothing."

After breakfast, the kits engaged in one of their games. Mirin tagged along, as usual, her curious dark eyes absorbing the details of the game with great fervor. Cheer wafted from her, sharp and clear. It was an amusing sight; Mirin acting as if she was no older than Blazen or Sable. I imagined the time she spent with her kits. They must be miserable now that she's gone. Eased, I lay on a sun-bleached rock, letting my body stretch out.

I let the kits wander farther and usual, until their voices were nothing but soft murmurs to my ears. With Mirin here, I could finally relax without the constant need of supervision. Mirin was handling that well, even though she seemed completely oblivious; she was almost as keen as I.

The day faded along. I was only dimly aware of a thin chill encompassing my body. Letting the flames swell within me, a low stream of fire escaped my mouth, and I felt the air heat up again. It was strange; fire-type Pokemon rarely felt cold. In fact, it was more important to prevent overheating than to keep warm, as our bodies may not be able to understand certain pressures of heat. I decided to walk, to get circulation to thaw the chill. I paced the canyon, staying within distance of the den and my rock.

The connection I shared with my kits was still as strong as ever. They were safe; merely resting.

A breeze whispered by, bringing an odd, smokey scent along with it.

It was then that I had become acutely aware of something... someone... watching me. It wasn't a kind of benevolent stare, nor was it secretive. Moreover, it was as if something was deliberately trying to make me uncomfortable. Turning, I found a dark, tiny shadow perched along the ridge of the canyon. It was far away, but I could make out the sillhouette of a Houndoom. Our gaze connected. I pondered its presence, baring my teeth threateningly. Only a moment later, the Pokemon stood and ambled away. It was wise; it backed away. Unafraid, it seemed. Something had glinted around its paw, subtly, and I couldn't tell what it was from my position. All I knew was that Houndoom were potential battlemates, and this one was probably just wandering before it'd stumbled upon the canyon.

Sighing, I returned to my rock. Still, I couldn't help the shard of suspicion imprinting itself in my breast.

. ~ * ~ .

MIRIN FOUND SABLE staring at the moon. It was late that night. A warm breeze whispered across the canyon, bringing with it the scent of fur and stone. Stars glittered high above like tiny pinpricks in the sky. Even though it was peaceful, Mirin faltered as she made her way over to the kit. Every sound, every musical keen of a cricket, made the fur on the back of her neck rise. Something about nighttime made her uneasy. Perhaps it was the moon, so ghostly in that dark, dark sky. The absense of sun. Or darkness all around.

But she decided that the silence was what unnerved her most.

"Sable?" Mirin yawned. "How come you aren't asleep?" Majesty had left long ago on her nighttime patrol. No doubt she was a two miles or so away from there by now. Mirin couldn't see what would compel Sable to come out at this time. She doubted he and Blazen were allowed to leave their den when their mother wasn't present. It was only safe to stay hidden. But Sable didn't seem afraid at all. Only contemplative.

It was weird to see such deep thought rooted in such a young face. Sable was thinking. He was thinking harder than he'd ever thought before, maybe. Vast expansions of knowledge glinted white off the kit's pale brown eyes.

Mirin paused, stunned, as she realized the depth in those orbs. No young kit should have such a deepness in their eyes. For a moment Mirin thought she was approaching some kind of higher being. That kind of wavering, thoughtful intensity should only exist through years of challenge and trial. So Sable, truly, was such a remarkable kit. Mirin wondered if Majesty knew just how lucky she was to have a kit like them. Then she realized that Majesty appreciated Sable a lot more than anyone else on the planet ever could. And that reassured her. She thought of the relationship she had with her own kits. Oh God, Arceus, she sure missed them now.

"Oh Arceus, help me," she mumbled. "My thoughts just drift from one thing to another."

"Sable?" Mirin called, stepping up beside him. "What are you lookin' at?"

Sable slowly turned to her. "Mirin? You're awake?"

"Yeah." She blinked kindly at him. "What are you doing out here?"

Sable's ears flattened to the sides of his head guiltily. "I... I woke you up, didn't I?"

"It's not that. I just woke up by myself and saw you weren't there. I was worried, so I did a little search. Were you looking for Majesty?" Mirin wanted to sound stern, but it came out all curious. Her tail twitched in irritation. She couldn't act like an adult to save her life sometimes.

"Sorry. I just feel really uneasy."

"What do you mean?" There should be no such thing as a worried kit. Well... to the extent that would keep him up all night.

"Like... I'm worried and anxious. Did something happen today that'd make me feel this way?" He gazed at her expectantly.

"No," sighed Mirin. "But shouldn't you remember something like that yourself?" She had to ask Majesty if the kit suffered from memory lapses. She wouldn't be surprised if it was the case; Sable seemed pretty out of it most of the time. "Today was pretty normal."

Sable lowered his head, as if disappointed. "Blazen could be right. I'm just being weird."

Mirin blinked. "Don't do that! You're making me all guilty." Her ears burned with embarrassment. "You're not weird; we all get nervous sometimes. Is it something you ate?"

"I doubt it." Sable looked at her. His eyes were shining, but Mirin could tell it was fake. "Don't trouble yourself, Mirin. I probably had a nightmare and forgot about it or something."

"Sure... right."

Sable did seem to be the forgetful type too.

"I think I'm sleepy again," Sable told her. He did seem tired now. Mirin was relieved; Majesty would kill her if she allowed one of the kits to stay up so long. Actually, Majesty would kill her over a lot of things. Those images failed to comfort her.

A stone of mischievous worry settled into her thoughts: would Majesty bake her with a Flamethrower if Sable was tired the next morning? Perhaps she'd have to hunt her own breakfast, or the Ninetales would smash her head against a few boulders. Launch her over the edge of the canyon. She pictured Majesty's expressions, a smile snaking across her own vulpine face. But when she came back to the real world, Sable had let out a huge yawn.

"Um, I'm going back to bed now," the kit told her.

Mirin watched him leave. Once the shadows of the den swallowed him up, the Flareon imagined Sable curling up with his brother to sleep. Mirin could have followed him, she knew, but she chose to stay where she was. She wasn't ready to go back to sleep yet.

For the longest time she sat where she was, letting the cool breezes reach under her fur and cool her down. She'd been feeling slightly under the weather lately. Her body temperature was irregular. Grunting, she wondered if she should head away so she could unleash some Flamethrowers to cool herself down.

Out of the question, she thought. I can't leave the kits here alone.

Suddenly, a faint howl tore through the night sky. Wavering. High-pitched. It was unlike anything Mirin had ever heard before, and it sent a shiver up her spine. A large black bird, it was too far to distinguish whether it was Pokemon or animal, soared overhead to obscure part of the moon. Mirin could make out the excited barks of humans. Humans?

Unrelated, a swarm of dark, dog-like Pokemon scaled the cliffsides of the canyon. Mirin was seeing it without really being there.

"Mirin! You must hurry here at once!"

"Majesty?" Almost simultaneously, her mind and body gave a great, violent jolt. As if yanked by an invisible string, she lurched forward. Mirin's hardened paws skimmed over the rough, cracked ground. She was running faster than she'd ever ran before, her stocky body somehow sprinting at a speed of over forty miles per hour. The walls of the canyon blurred into indescribable shapes. Wind whistled in her ears, flattened her fur to the sides of her body.

Her brain somehow felt invaded, like a presence had nestled itself there and wouldn't go away. After a moment of thinking - her thoughts was the only thing she had control of - she deduced that this must be Majesty's signal*. She'd called her, and her body obeyed. Like a magnet.

Something had happened. Something major. Something dangerous.

Her body came to a grinding halt. She winced as her pawpads began to bleed. There she stood, beside her best friend, gazing out over a sea of... of... were those dogs?

They were... different. Pokemon. Red underbellies and muzzles contrasted sharply against the black of their fur. As Mirin's eyes adjusted to the night, she made out finer details. Bony plates. Sharp claws. Horns. Basic aspect of a certain Dark Pokemon.

Houndoom. They were mixed Dark and Fire-types. They weren't normally aggressive. But these were dangerous somehow. And they had surrounded them.

"Mirin," Majesty hissed, yanking the Flareon form her stupor. Majesty took a hesitant step back, only grimacing hotly when one of the devil-dogs snapped at her tails. "The territory has been invaded. This isn't a single challenger, but a whole pack. We are outnumbered."

Mirin gasped. Her heart flooded with anxiety and confusion. Majesty rarely admitted worry, but she could tell why her friend was on edge. The demon-dogs were all around, their bodies tense and their eyes bloodshot. The skinny arrowheadeds that were their tails whipped and threaded through the air. They bore their teeth, lips pulled back threateningly. In every way, it was a signal for battle. Even murder. It was a completely unfair match.

But why hadn't they moved yet?

"What are you doing here!" Majesty exclaimed, her voice unforgiving and authorative. "You have no right!" **

Mirin felt a snarl rise in her throat. Crouching low, embers illuminated the dark night. Even her fur seemed to glow.

"Wait."

That wasn't Majesty. Mirin followed the voice. Her eyes fell upon a lone figure, making its way unhurriedly through the crowd. The Houndoom parted for her, like a knife through butter, and Mirin had to turn to face her. She was a Houndoom as well, but slightly taller and larger than the others. Instead of black, her eyes were a glowing dark red. Her plates were pure white, not ivory. Mirin noted that she walked steadily, purposefully, as if she had every right to be there. It made her fur hot.

Majesty eyed her. She looked as if she wanted to tear the dog limb from limb. The restraint, however, was immense; Mirin was surprised herself.

The female Houndoom did not stop until she was right in front of the raging golden fox. Mirin shifted uneasily, but she tried to be brave. These creatures were attempting to steal her friend's territory. If that happened, Majesty and the kits wouldn't have a place to live. The kits would probably die out there; they were much too young to be without stable territory. Still, an army of devilish dogs...

She paused; Majesty was speaking. "... one reason why I shouldn't tear you apart."

The female Houndoom chuckled. "Majesty, my darling--"

"I am not your darling!"

"Very well, Majesty. My. . . pack and I simply need a. . . permanent place of residing."

"I'll never allow that to happen!" Majesty stepped forward, her tails betraying her anger. They were spread apart, making her body ten times larger than what it was before. Tiny embers lighted at their tips.

The Houndoom only chuckled. Mirin hated that laugh. "I think you'll come to understand our presence enough to leave on your own accord, actually."

Majesty scoffed. "Hardly. I have no reason to fear you."

Even so, the female Houndoom looked as if she'd already won. "But my dear, it's fifty of us and only two of you. And also... we know of Sable and Blazen."

Mirin's eyes grew as wide as the full moon overhead. Beside her, Majesty's breath hitched. Her body stiffened. When the Ninetales spoke, her voice was strained and raspy, as if someone was holding her throat. "My... kits? You plan to harm my kits?!"

Not only that, she knew their names.

"We've been watching you for quite a while," the Houndoom intoned quietly, albeit forcefully. "Please don't let it come to that."

Mirin could tell Majesty's restraint was diminishing. If the Ninetales attacked, there would certainly be an uproar. Mirin's voice wavered as she spoke, "This... this is entirely against the Sacred Code!"

Majesty's golden mane bristled. "I cannot allow this!"

"What are you going to do?" the female Houndoom taunted. "Tell? Tell who? The Guardians are not powerful at all. Not anymore. And besides, while you're busy arguing with me, I have other packmates positioned to strike."

"You're insane!" Majesty stepped closer, ignoring the agitated, throaty growls rising around her. "Unfair battles, threats of murder, illegal trespassing, betrayal of the Guardians, cheap, low down... filthy... you are betraying the entire basis of our Sacred Code! Don't you realiz--"

"I don't want to hear you preach," the Dark Pokemon snarled, leering triumphantly at her. "The humans are what matter now. They have the power. I want this territory tomorrow by sunset. You had better made up your mind by then."

"Wait!" Majesty called. "You can't possibly call this a proper victory. The only way to defeat me legitally is in battle. A fair match. I want a deal."

Mirin raised a brow. What did Majesty have in mind?

The Houndoom's interest seemed piqued as well. "Oh? I'd like to know how you think you can avoid your fate."

The Ninetales didn't falter. "You lead this pack, yes? If I defeat you, you must take your brethren, leave, and never return. If I lose, the territory is all yours."

Mirin whimpered, concerned, as the Houndoom let loose a throaty chuckle. She'd thought the dog would agree, it was an honorable thing to do, but this Pokemon didn't seem the least bit interested in reputation.

"No deal," she barked. "As I've mentioned, you had better made up your mind tomorrow by sunset."

As Mirin fought to swallow her horror, the army of Houndoom threw up their heads and howled at the night sky. Howls of victory. Beside her, she felt Majesty press her body to the stone beneath her, oddly quiet, belly fur brushing the hard granite. With a mighty, graceful leap, she cleared the throng of dogs and crept off into the night, not even sparing at glance back to the Houndoom leader. Her form bristled in anger, anxiety and resign. Mirin had never seen her like this before.

"Your friend is a rare breed," the female Houndoom remarked, almost wistfully. Mirin shot her one of her coldest glares. "She shall have a master to serve soon enough."

"Shut up." The command wasn't kind nor was it overly harsh. Mirin was tired. Never before had she felt so helpless.

The Flareon, left to her own devices, shouldered her way past her enemy and through the scattered crowd, ignoring the jeering howls and humiliating nips at her tail. She felt the dark eyes of their leader pierce through her pelt as she continued. That Houndoom... when did things become like this?

Suddenly an important detail surfaced in Majesty's mind. Humans. She'd heard humans before she'd started to run. Humans barking. ***

But she hadn't seen them at all.

Majesty... what could she do?

AUTHOR'S NOTES And... that's a wrap. I'm not really satisfied with it though... hmm... it might still need a bit of tweaking, but it took me so long to finish, though! At least I'm finished, right? Well, at least with this chapter. And yeah, my computer still can't center anything. I wonder if it's the website?

FOOTNOTES

* Ninetales are thought to have psychic capabilities. Y'all ever seen that episode with the Ninetales its illusions? (Because we all know that in the Pokemon anime, Pokemon really don't have specified genders.)

** "You have no right!" As in, they have no right to try to take her territory, and attack her in a group like that. The reason why the Houndoom do not have a right to take her territory is that they are predominantly Dark-type, and thus they belong in the Continent of Shadows. But what are they doing here...? Hmm...?

*** "Humans barking." To Mirin, humans would sound as if they were barking. As for why she hadn't seen them when she arrived, I honestly have NO idea. ^_^

Is that all? Yeah, probably. Well, thanks!