Hi all!

Sorry for such a long time between updates. Just so you know, about 20 chapters have been written, I just need to get them edited and stuff. It should (should) be rapid fire updates now, but sorry if I just don't find the time!

As usual, I don't own Pokemon, or any affiliated trademark. This is a fan fic. You should expect that.

Please review, and don't forget to come back for more! I'll try to get another one edited today.

Cautiously picking their way through the ever growing torrent towards the bridge, each Pokémon was caught up in their own thoughts.

'What if my tail never relights?' Thought Chip, 'I'll never be an Inferno, and Dawn will be so disappointed. She might even leave me at the Day-care, or worse! Release me! I could never survive out here on my own!'

Ivan's thoughts were on a very different track. 'I feel so much stronger! It's like... like I've levelled up! Maybe I'll evolve before we get back to the Day-care, just like Chip did! Dawn would be so proud! Oh, I hope I do! I know... I'll stay out here until I do. I won't go back before I evolve.'

Shay's thoughts were centred on hope. Hope for getting home, hope for Chip's tail, hope for Dawn. 'I can't wait to go back! It will be so nice to see Dawn again!'

When the trio finally reached the edge of the path that lead to the bridge, they found it so swamped in water that they wouldn't dare try to cross. The raging swirls of water rushed down the river from the mountains, heading for the sea, treating the bridge as a mere stick, an annoyance rather than a large obstacle. The bridge groaned and twisted under the current and the wind, now howling in the trios ears.

"How on earth are we supposed to cross this?" asked Ivan, "We'll be swept away for sure." They sat down, dejected, on a small knoll that had escaped the floods.
"Do I hear a forlorn cry up there, young adventurers?" asked a honey sweet voice. "Do you yearn to cross my bridge? Do you find yourself unable to accomplish the goal you have so long strived for?"

"Um... I guess," answered Ivan, "Who are you?"

"Why, I am a humble Pokémon, swimming in this here raging river. This is my bridge, and you, young adventurer, want to cross it."

"Yes, we know what we want. We want to get dry, and warm, and we want Chip's fire to come back! What we don't know, however, is who you are! What species! What do you want!" came Ivan's now surly reply. He was getting sick of the mystery Pokémon's attitude.

"Ah. That is what is on your mind. I, my friends, am a Milotic. Mistress of the sea, Queen of beauty." Out of the water rose a shimmering snake like form, pale and creamy, with blue and pink fins. "And what I want? Well, my dearest wish at this present moment is to help you three fulfil your desires!"

"Wait, what? You'll help us cross the bridge?"

"Of course dearie! I'll swim you across on my own back. All you have to do is one small favour..."

"A.. favour..." asked Ivan, now wary of the serpent. "What... sort of favour?"

"Oh, nothing big. Simply for you to give me something. Something... precious. On the other side of this river, there is a gem. It is hidden in the forest to the North. Lostlorn forest, I believe it is called. All you must do is find it, and bring it to me. Simple! Then you may continue on your way."

"Sounds easy enough..." muttered Ivan, mostly to himself.

"Oh it is," gushed the Milotic, her smile dripping in honey.

"Hang on a second here. We were told not, under any circumstances, to go into the forest. We'll just have to find another way!" said Shay.

"Dearie, there is no other way. This is it!" Once again, the falsely sweet smile. "Climb on board, young adventurers!"

The trio did as asked, and the Milotic started swimming across the swollen river, leaping and lurching over and around the many obstacles the water had brought down from the mountains. Half way across the river, she paused.

"There are two things I did not tell you... First, the gem is guarded by a jealous Pokémon - a Haunter. He won't give you the gem for free, so you better have something in mind to get it. The second thing, well that's a bit more complicated. You see, there have been some very nasty Pokémon coming around these parts, whom I have made the same deal with. They of course, didn't bring me my gem, so I got nothing in return for my assistance. To stop that from happening... Well, I hate to say it, but my hand has been forced. I will have to keep one of you here whilst the other two go and get it."

"WHAT!" shouted the trio, "That was NOT part of the bargain. Turn around!"

Voice turning from mellow to forceful, Milotic snapped. "You're here. You're moving. You already owe me for this. That's how this game is going to play out, whether you like it or not. Oh, and just because I like you, I'm going to play a little game. If you're not back before two moons fall, your friend, whoever stays behind, will remain here, forever. What a great sounding game, don't you think?"

"That's it. I'm jumping off right now!" shouted Shay. Holding her beak in her hand, she snorkel dived into the water, bobbing up a few meters away. Thrusting her strong flippers against the raging torrent, she called to her friends, "Come on! Don't stay with that crazy old Pokémon! We've got to go! Jump!" Ivan gathered his courage, and belly flopped into the water, sinking like a stone until he realised he had to kick. Bursting to the surface, he bobbed erratically, but eventually got his stubby legs working together and slowly moved towards Shay. "Your turn Chip," she called, turning her attention from the now capably swimming Ivan to her fiery friend still on the Milotic's back. Chip shuddered, twitched forward a pace, then back again.

"I can't do it!" squeaked the Monferno, "I'm not built for the water..."

"What do you mean you can't? Can you not keep your tail above water? We can help!" cheered Ivan.

"No, it's just..."

"You can't swim?" asked Shay, confused at why Chip wouldn't hop off the Milotic.

"No! Yes! I don't know! I can swim, kinda, but I'm scared that the water will extinguish my internal flame, or perhaps I'll encounter a water Pokémon. Maybe I'll get hit by something in the river and it'll knock me out, anything could happen!" cried Chip.

"Dear dear. Your little friend is right! He should stay right here, on the safety of my back. You young adventurers should hop on board again too, though I do applaud your bravery ever so much." Milotic's voice was back to candy coated sweetness, but her eyes gave away her intentions - they were sparking pits of deep black hatred.

The rain was pouring down more heavily than before, and Shay and Ivan could barely see Chip on Milotic. Shay turned to Ivan, his face showing signs of exhaustion from fighting the water current. Ivan was barely above the water, and she knew he wouldn't make it back to land. In his last effort to fight the current, he charged towards Milotic, who kindly helped him onto her back. He collapsed on top of Milotic, almost sliding off in the process. Shay, who was also getting tired, slowly advanced towards Milotic, making no eye contact with her as she did so. She slipped on to Milotic behind Chip and Ivan and grumbled, "Go."

"Of course dearie. Tally-ho, away we go!" She slipped through the water, effortlessly gliding through the waves that had made Chip and Ivan's lives miserable.
In what felt to the trio to be a matter of seconds, Milotic had almost reached the other side of the raging river. Through the mist of the storm and the river, the trio could see trees up ahead.

"Land!" cried Ivan, and began jumping up and down on Milotic.

"I know, I know. Exciting. But don't get too rowdy back there, dearie. I can't swim straight." Milotic pulled up in a small inlet which drained into a cave. Beaching her long body on the sandy cave floor, she tossed her head and smiled. "Now. Who's it going to be? Someone has to stay here with me and my... friends..." Glowing pairs of eyes appeared out of the darkness and matched themselves with Cheshire grins, feral pointed teeth glistening in the slowly recovering light of Chip's tail.

Seeing these eyes glaring at him, Chip's tail once more shrank back, to no more than a lick of flame quivering from a blackened ember.

"That rain is not slacking off, honey bunches. You'll need to decide now before the tide rises anymore and all three of you are stuck in this here cave. I promise whichever of you stays will be well looked after... until the time limit of course."

The trio had forgotten about that condition of the Milotic's twisted game and shuddered as one as it returned to their memories.

"Do you have... to keep on of us here?" Ivan stuttered, "It's not as if we're dishonest. We'll bring you your gem..."

"No. One of you will stay. And that is my final words on the subject, apart from saying that you really must decide quickly."

"Which is more dangerous? To stay with Milotic or to venture into the forest where Haunter lives?" whispered Shay.

Ivan's eyes drifted towards Milotic who watched suspiciously, while Chip's eyes looked out into the waves where the chosen two would have to pass.

"Chip, would you feel safer to stay with Milotic?" Shay questioned.

Slowly but surely, Chip moved back towards Milotic, while Ivan bounced up to Shay.

Shay looked at the rocky ground below her. "I guess we've decided."

So. Another chapter complete.

What ever will happen to the adventurers? And who are the milotics... friends?

Thanks for reading! Review and favorite, and tell your friends! Snarsha and Shay :)