As the rays of an early morning sunrise bathed her enclosure Firefly stepped out of her den, feeling fully recovered from the previous day's events. She looked up at the sunrise and smiled, happy to have survived for another day. Feeling a bit thirsty she walked the short distance from her den to the lake for a drink. Even though it was inside a Team Rocket research and testing facility the water in the lake was clean and pure. After quenching her thirst Firefly looked around for a fruit tree, eager to have some breakfast. She soon spotted an apple tree.
"Apples... yum," she said. Spreading her wings she took flight, landing on one of the lower branches of the tree. There, right in front of her was a large red apple that just seemed to be begging her to eat it. Of course she wasn't one to say no. She extended her wing and powered up a Steel Wing attack. Then, using it like a knife she cut the apple stem, letting it fall to the ground.
"Time for breakfast," she said. With amazing grace and agility she jumped down to the ground so she could enjoy her meal. While she was eating Farris flew up to her, having just woken up herself.
"Good morning, Firefly," she said.
"Morning, Farris," Firefly replied. "You hungry?"
"A bit," Farris replied. "In fact that apple you've got looks real good right now."
"Let me get one for you," Firefly said. She looked up in the tree until she found another apple. She was about to fly back up to get it when she suddenly stopped.
"Something wrong?" Farris asked.
"No. I just thought of something," Firefly replied. She looked up at the tree carefully. Then, she extended her wing and powered up another Steel Wing. But instead of flying up and cutting the apple down she swung her wing forward, launching a single steel-charged feather into the air. The feather flew through the air like a boomerang, cutting the apple from the tree. It fell towards the ground, landing in Farris's rose-hands.
"Thanks," she said, taking a bite of her apple.
"Don't mention it," Firefly replied.
"By the way that was a pretty slick move you did there with that Steel Wing. How'd you come up with that?" Farris asked.
"Don't know. It just came to me," Firefly replied. "It's strange now that I think about it."
"What is?" Farris asked.
"My powers... they seem to be evolving," Firefly replied.
"Evolving? How do you mean?" Farris asked. Firefly paused for a bit, trying to find the right words.
"It's kind of hard to explain," she said. "Well, take that Steel Wing attack I just used. Normally it's a direct attack, but I used it as a projectile one." Farris nodded in understanding.
"I think I see where you're coming from with this," she said. "What you're saying is that you take attacks that are supposed to be used one way and use them in a completely different way."
"Exactly," Firefly replied. The two continued eating while discussing the nature of Firefly's evolving powers.
After having their fill of apples Firefly and Farris were resting on the bank of the lake. Their conversation had gone from Firefly's changing powers to the powers they had now.
"You know, I never did thank you for yesterday," Firefly said.
"There's no need," Farris said. "You would have done the same if our roles were swapped."
"You're right, although my healing powers aren't nearly as strong as yours," Firefly said.
"That's not necessarily true," Farris said. "You do tend to heal up quite nicely after battle."
"But I can only heal so much," Firefly argued. "Without your advanced healing I would have been dead a long time ago." Farris had to smile at her friend's praising. Many times she had been told that her healing powers were second to none, most of the time by Firefly. She didn't think her powers were all that good, but her friends' constant praising had slowly changed her mind.
"Thank you, Firefly. That means a lot to me," she said.
"Don't mention it," Firefly replied. At that moment the waters of the lake began to churn. The two looked and saw another one of their friends emerge from underwater.
"Morning ladies," the newcomer said.
"Morning," Farris replied.
"Morning, Aqua," Firefly said. Aqua was a Charizard, but thanks to Team Rocket testing he had gone through some drastic changes and was no longer a normal Charizard. Thanks to Team Rocket's experiments he had been given properties of a Water Pokémon. Because of that he was dubbed an Aquazard (though he was called Aqua by his friends). His skin, normally orange and scaly to the touch, was now blue and moist. The claws on his hands had webbing between the fingers to allow swift swimming. His tail flame, the most prominent feature of any Charizard, had been replaced with a tail fin. Finally, there was a large dorsal fin on his back in between his wings. In the end he was the only water-compatible Charizard in existence.
"So, what brings you up to the surface?" Farris asked. "I figured you'd want to spend as much time underwater as you could."
"I would, but then I couldn't see my friends," Aqua replied. "The underwater life is great and all, but it gets lonely sometimes."
"And besides, we'd miss you," Firefly added. Among all the Pokémon Team Rocket had captured there were none that were as close as Firefly and her friends. In fact, they acted more like a family than just friends. There was nothing they wouldn't do for each other.
"By the way I heard what happened to you yesterday, Firefly," Aqua said. "Are you feeling better?" Firefly stretched her legs and wings a bit.
"I'm still a bit stiff, but otherwise I'm fine," she replied, "all thanks to Farris that is."
"She's the best," Aqua said. Farris smiled a bit.
"Even though, according to you guys, my healing powers are the best you still need to rest in order for your injuries to fully heal, Firefly," she said.
"I know, but it's hard to judge just how long I'll have to rest before they call me in for another battle," Firefly said. While the trio talked Rusty approached them, looking a bit worried. They all knew that look.
"Rusty, please tell me... not again," Aqua pleaded.
"I wish I could, but it is," he replied. Everyone sighed. They knew just what had happened. It was becoming quite common lately.
"I really wish she wouldn't take risks like that," Farris said. "One of these days she won't be able to get herself out of trouble as easily as she has."
"I tell her that day after day but she won't listen," Rusty said. "I tell you one of these days she's going to..."
"Hey guys!" The sudden outburst surprised Rusty, so much he jumped into the lake. Firefly and the others couldn't help but bust out laughing as Rusty slashed around on the surface before regaining his composure. He looked around and soon spotted the source of the voice that had him all wet at the moment.
"Rubic! How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me like that!" he yelled.
"But it's so much fun," the Pokémon named Rubic replied. Rubic was an Igglybuff, and Rusty's younger sister. Her fur was pink with golden spots all over. A small heart-shaped ruby was imbedded in her forehead. She also had small pink Umbreon-like ears complete with golden rings.
"So, what have you got for us this time?" Firefly asked as Aqua helped Rusty out of the lake.
"You won't believe it!" Rubic said, overly excited.
"Well hurry up and tell us already," Rusty said. "If I've got to get wet over this I at least want to know what it is." Rubic regained her composure as best she could, eager to tell her friends what her newest discovery was.
"It's a book that tells of an amazing legend," she said. "I got it straight from the big man himself."
"You what?!" Rusty yelled. There was only one person there the Pokémon, or anyone for that matter, referred to as 'the big man'.
"You already know how I feel about you going off on your little 'scavenger hunts', but to steal from him of all people! What were you thinking?!"
"Would you relax. He doesn't even know I was there," Rubic replied.
"But what'll happen when he finds that book missing?!" Rusty asked.
"Would you chill. I'll just plant it in one of the labs, making it look like one of the scientist took it," Rubic replied. Rusty sighed and shook his head.
"Why do I even bother," he said.
"Anyway, what's this legend about?" Aqua asked.
"Well..."
Giovanni waited patiently for the scientist he called for earlier to arrive. He was currently going over the recent reports of 01 and 02's progress. Both were progressing at an equal rate, but there was something about 01 that caught his interest. After waiting for a few minutes the scientist finally arrived.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked. Giovanni handed him 01's charts.
"I want her to in battle... now," Giovanni replied.
"Um... now, sir?" the scientist asked.
"Yes, now!" Giovanni replied. If there was one thing Giovanni hated doing it was repeating himself. However, the scientist was a bit hesitant to send her back out into battle that soon.
"I don't think that's a good idea, sir," he said. "01 is still recovering from yesterday's battle."
"Can she battle?" Giovanni asked.
"Huh? Well... I guess she's healed enough to battle, but she still needs time to..."
"I didn't ask what she needs time for!" Giovanni said. "If she can battle then get her ready for battle!"
"But sir..."
"Do not make me repeat myself!" Giovanni yelled. His loud, dominating voice made the scientist cringe slightly. He knew that Giovanni's word was law and it was very risky to try and make him change his mind once he had it set.
"Very well, sir. I'll have an opponent brought up for her immediately," the scientist said.
"There's no need for that," Giovanni said. "I already have her opponent waiting for her." The scientist nodded and left to go retrieve 01 for the battle. Giovanni remained at his desk, still looking over the reports from 01's past battles.
"It's time to see if you've developed any new abilities," he said. "I will find out if you're the one..."
"Pokétopia?"
"That's right," Rubic said after telling them the nature of the legend. "I haven't had a chance to read to book myself, but I overheard some of the scientists talking about an ancient civilization called Pokétopia. Apparently that's where the book is from." The others were clearly fascinated with Rubic's story, Firefly in particular.
"This sounds interesting," Aqua said. "What else have you figured out about it?"
"Not much else, but I did hear it has something to do with a King and Queen of Pokémon," Rubic said. "Oh, and something about a Council of Elder Pokémon, or something like that." While everyone else listened to what Rubic was saying Firefly heard the sound of someone approaching them, and judging by the sounds of the footsteps she determined they could only belong to one of the Rocket guards.
"Heads up, guys. We've got company," she said. The others looked up just in time to see two Rocket guards approach them.
"01, the boss wants you to participate in a battle now. Come with us," one of the guards said. Firefly didn't seem too surprised by Giovanni's desire for her to battle again this soon, but the others were shocked to say the least.
"You've got to be kidding! Doesn't he know Firefly hasn't recovered from yesterday's battle!" Farris said.
"It's okay, Farris," Firefly said.
"But Firefly..."
"I know I'm not fully healed from yesterday, but I'm sure I can take whatever Giovanni has planned for me," Firefly said. She then turned to the Rocket guards.
"Well, are you just going to stand there looking stupid? Lead the way already." The second guard was about to reply to Firefly's insult, but the first stopped him. Though he too didn't appreciate what she had said he knew better than to try and pick a fight with her, especially with all of the other Pokémon with her. Instead turned and motioned for Firefly to follow him. The second guard turned to follow but paused a moment to shoot Firefly an intimidating glare, to which Firefly returned with an equally intimidating glare. With that exchange out of the way she began to follow the guards to the battlefield.
"Good luck, Firefly!" Rubic said.
"Thanks," she replied. "This shouldn't be too hard, though. I'll be back before you know it." As she left for battle the others looked on with mixed emotions.
"Looks like she'll need me again after this one," Farris said.
"What do you mean?" Rubic asked.
"Every time Firefly goes into battle she has the mindset that she'll wipe the floor with her opponent, and then she'll come back from battle half-dead," Farris explained.
"Well, maybe it'll be different this time," Rubic said.
"Let's hope so," Rusty said.
Firefly had been waiting for minutes for her opponent to arrive. Though she was being patient she would only wait for so long. After nearly 10 minutes her patience was running very thin.
"Come on! I thought you'd have my opponent waiting for me when I arrived!" she yelled.
"Be patient," a scientist said over the loudspeaker. "Your opponent will arrive shortly."
"Patient?! I've been more patient with you that usual!" Firefly replied. "If you don't get my opponent out here now I'm going to..." Her minor rant was silenced when the ground beneath her began to shake. Shortly after a massive creature burst from underground. The creature, her opponent, was a Pokémon that measured nearly 30 feet in length. It's body was serpent like, made up of large boulders.
"An Onix, huh? This just might be a challenge," Firefly said. By this time Giovanni had arrived in the observation booth high above the battlefield and was eager to see the battle between Firefly and the Onix.
"Now, show me what you got," he said. Down below Firefly was sizing up her opponent. Though she was a Fire type she firmly believed that she stood a chance against her massive foe. Of course she knew the Onix had other ideas.
"Let's see... Onix are very large, very powerful and have incredibly high defense. That doesn't bode too well for me," Firefly said. "On the other hand they're not very fast, giving me the obvious speed advantage." With her plan of attack set Firefly flapped her wings and took to the sky for an aerial assault. Once she was at a good height she dove down towards the Onix, her wings giving off a bright glow.
"Let's see how you like my Steel Wing!" she yelled. She flew past the Onix with incredible speed, slashing him with her Steel Wing attack. She landed behind the Onix and turned to see what his reaction was going to be. But what she saw was the Onix had fallen to the ground and appeared to be in great pain. This puzzled her greatly.
"What's going on here?! I know that attack shouldn't have hurt him that much... just what is the deal with that Onix?" she said. Giovanni looked on, knowing exactly what was going on. He pressed a button on the intercom system at his desk, giving him a direct link to the scientists in the lab overlooking the battlefield.
"Open the roof," he said.
"So soon?" one of the scientists on the other end asked.
"Yes," Giovanni replied. "It's time to really test 01's abilities."
"Very well, sir. I'll have the roof opened." Giovanni released the button, ending the transmission, and went back to watching the battle. Things were about to get interesting.
Firefly looked on as the Onix struggled to get up. It was strange to see one little Steel Wing attack cause such damage to a Pokémon with the high defense rating that an Onix had. But before she could think on it more the sound of gears spinning filled the air. Soon after that the roof on the battlefield began to open, exposing the bright sun outside. Both Firefly and the Onix looked up. Though it appeared to be nothing but sky above they both knew there was the same barrier of thick glass that enclosed all of the enclosures up there as well, meaning they couldn't escape if they had wanted to.
"Just what the hell do they have planned this time?" Firefly wondered. She looked back at the Onix and noticed something strange about it. Rather than the grey rock-appearance of normal Onix this one had brown, almost earth-like skin.
"Well, that would explain why my Steel Wing did so much damage," she said. As she continued to look on she noticed something else. The Onix was moving a bit faster... no, much faster. Somehow the massive Pokémon was getting a speed boost.
"How did he get faster?" Firefly said. She tried to think of something that could have happened between now and when she attacked him that could have resulted in a boost of speed. Soon, her eyes were cast up at the sunlight pouring in from the now-open roof.
"Could it be... the sun? But that's impossible! The only Pokémon that have the Chlorophyll ability are Grass types... unless!" She quickly looked at the Onix. The Onix threw his head back and let out a loud battle roar. As soon as he did that hundreds of vines shot out of his body and started wrapping around him. He looked down at Firefly, his body now covered in vines. Her suspicions had been confirmed.
"Damnit! He's got Grass type DNA!" she yelled. Not wanting to waste any more time Firefly took to the skies in an attempt to end this battle as quickly as she could. But along with the Onix's new type came new attacks. Locking onto Firefly he lashed out with repeated Vine Whip attacks, trying to swat her down like a little Yanma. Firefly was doing a great job at dodging, but as time passed she began to move slower and slower while her opponent seemed to get faster. After dodging non-stop for such a long time Firefly had to land and rest.
"I... can't... keep this up... for much longer," she said. The Onix, however, wasn't about to let her rest for long. He lashed out with another Vine Whip, but Firefly saw it coming and flew up to dodge. The attack, however, was just a distraction. With one flick of his tail the Onix hurled a thick ball of mud at Firefly. She never saw it coming until it hit her, knocking her back down to the ground. With his opponent down the Onix continued his attack, sending two of his vines into the ground. The two vines moved underground towards Firefly, who was unaware of the danger heading her way. Within seconds the vines had reached her and shot out of the ground. The first one wrapped around one of her hind legs while the second wrapped around her neck.
"No!" she cried. "He's got me trapped!" She struggled to get free, but the vines' hold on her was too strong. With her immobilized the Onix went back on the attack. Using one of his vines he lashed out at Firefly, striking her repeatedly. Not only did each strike feel like being cut by a Scyther's blades but they also left small cuts that stung whenever she tried to move. Now the Onix believed he had her. Still maintaining his hold on her he began gathering energy, the vines on his body glowing white. Firefly looked up in time to see a small white energy ball forming near his mouth.
"Oh crap! That's a Solarbeam!" she cried. Though it hurt to move she once again tried to get free, but no matter what the vines would not let go. She looked back at the Onix and saw it was finished gathering the energy needed for his attack.
"I can't dodge it! I've only got one other option!" She brought her wings in front of her and concentrated, creating a Protect shield. Right then the Onix fired his Solarbeam, but thanks to Protect Firefly took no damage. As soon as the Solarbeam ended she brought down her shield. However, the Onix soon started powering up a second Solarbeam. And Firefly knew Protect's drawbacks all too well.
"I can't use it again and expect it to hold," she said. "There has to be something else I could do." While she went over her options she felt a new power awaken within her.
"Huh? What is this power?" While she tried to understand what was happening she began gathering solar energy within her body. At first she didn't understand what was going on, but taking one look at the sky gave her the answer she needed.
"Wait a minute... I must be able to use Grass attacks now... which means I'm charging up a Solarbeam of my own." As she felt the energy build up within her she looked at the Onix. He too was nearly finished gathering energy, the white orb once again building up near his mouth. Seconds later he fired.
"Here goes nothing!" Firefly said as she too fired her Solarbeam. The two beams crashed into each other, each one battling for supremacy. At first it seemed as though they were evenly matched. However, Firefly's Solarbeam began to push back the Onix's Solarbeam, slowly at first but then gaining momentum. Moments later the Onix's attack was completely overwhelmed by Firefly's. The massive Rock Snake Pokémon was blown back as Firefly's Solarbeam struck home. With the Onix down the hold the vines had on her loosened greatly, enough for her to break free. Now that she was able to move around freely she looked over at the now downed Onix.
"Okay! It's time to end this battle!" she said. She once again took to the skies. She flew over the Onix and spread her wings out. Shortly after that small streams of fire encircled them, igniting some of her feathers.
"Let's see how you like this!" Firefly said. She flapped her wings, sending flaming feathers down towards the Onix. She continued to flap, causing more feather to fly in the Onix's direction. With each flap not only did more and more feathers fly, but the ones that were already launched started circling the Onix, creating a flaming feather whirlwind. The Onix roared in pain as it was trapped within the attack.
"And now, to finish it!" Firefly yelled. She breathed in and fired off a Fire Blast, one much larger and more powerful than the one she used against the Aggron the day before. Upon coming in contact with the flaming whirlwind the attack exploded. As the area around the Onix was blanketed in a thick smoke cloud Firefly looked and waited, hoping her attack combination had been enough to defeat her opponent. Soon, the smoke began to dissipate. Firefly waited, holding her breath in anticipation. Finally the smoke cleared, revealing a defeated Onix. Firefly let out the breath she had been holding, relieved the battle was over.
"Impressive, 01," one of the scientists said. "The boss will surely be pleased."
"I don't care how pleased he may be," she replied. "His pleasure means less than nothing to me." And with those words she walked out and back to where those she truly cared about were.
The others were growing increasingly worried about Firefly. They were all aware about how Giovanni felt about her and knew he wouldn't hesitate to push her to her limits, or even beyond. Heck, he wouldn't even think twice about putting her ina battle where she could be killed, as proven by the one she was in the previous day.
"Guys, I'm getting worried about Firefly," Rubic said. "She's been gone too long. What if she lost?"
"Don't even think that, Rubic. Firefly's just fine," Rusty said. "I bet she's on her way back right now."
"I hope you're right," Rubic replied. Right then Farris saw Firefly approaching them in the distance.
"Firefly!" The others turned and saw their friend returning from battle. They immediately gathered around her. That's when they noticed the condition she was in.
"Oh man, you look messed up," Rusty said.
"I'll admit... I've been better," Firefly replied.
"Don't worry. I'll have you fixed up in no time," Farris replied. She was about to start healing her when Firefly stopped her.
"Hold on. I want to try something." Curious to see what she was about to do everyone stood back. Then, Firefly closed her eyes and started concentrating. Shortly after her body gave off a light green glow.
"What's happening to her?" Rubic asked.
"That looks like... I think it's Synthesis," Farris said.
"Isn't that a Grass type move? How is Firefly using it?" Aqua asked. Farris was too interested in Firefly to reply. She and the others looked on as the healing technique went into effect. The bruises on Firefly's body began to heal, and the various cuts closed up. Within seconds Firefly was healed of any wounds she got during the battle.
"Ah... much better," she said.
"That was incredible!" Rubic said. "We had no idea you could use Grass moves!"
"To tell you the truth I couldn't until now," Firefly replied.
"How did it happen?" Rusty asked.
"I'm not real sure myself," Firefly replied. "Sometime during the battle that ability just woke up inside me." The others were visibly impressed.
"It's just like you said... your powers are evolving," Farris said.
"Yeah," Firefly said. "Now, let's find a place where I can rest. I still want to hear more about that legend you were talking about before, Rubic."
"You got it!" she said. The group headed back towards the lake, all of them eager to hear what Rubic had to say about the legend.
"Hopefully it'll tell me more about what I'm supposed to do," Firefly said.
With Firefly's powers undergoing constant change she hopes to find the answers she needs in a legend discovered by her friend Rubic. Will the answers be found within? And what will those answers tell her? Find out in the next chapter of Firefly: Queen of the New Breed!
Author's Note: Rubic the Igglybuff belongs to scarlet pikachu
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