Hidden Machines

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Lava Smash

"Go, Slugma, use Rock Smash!" Dawn commanded, pointing at a crack-filled boulder blocking their way. Slugma growled ferociously and leaped to the top of the boulder, intending to fall with tremendous force and shatter the offending rock.

The plan failed.

Slugma plopped onto the boulder with a squelch and sat there contentedly. Dawn did not seem put off.

"Yeah, go Slugma!"

The acrid smell of burning earth soon filled the air as the rock slowly melted into liquid lava under the intense heat of Slugma's body. The goo oozed down to the ground, immediately sizzling and continuing its downward path dictated by the ultimate force of gravity. Dawn patiently waited for the rock to disappear so she could continue.

A few days later, Slugma finished using Rock Smash (it was a miracle that no one else had come by during that time) and Dawn happily leaped over the wide hole that replaced the ground the boulder sat upon.

"Way to go! Return, Slugma!"

The orange Pokémon happily returned to its Poké Ball. Dawn continued happily on her way. The oozing lava spread and melted everything in its path.

Dawn bumped into a few more boulders on her way to different cities.

Lucas walked along the same route a few hours later.

"So, I was just telling the Professor – AH!"

Lucas had been talking to his Beautifly. Then, he fell into a hole.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lucas yelled as he realized he was stuck in a very deep pit. "Whatever! Torterra, go – oh…"

His Beautifly looked at him helplessly.

"I only brought you along, didn't I," Lucas said faintly. Beautifly nodded in confirmation. "Well… I swear, when I find who did this, I will throw them into a volcano!" Lucas said cheerfully, taking out his tools to try to climb out.


Extra:

Dawn felt a menacing presence. It chilled the air… and that was quite impressive since Slugma was still creating magma wherever it crawled.

"Dawn, are you responsible for these holes?"

The girl in question turned around to see Lucas gesturing calmly at the various pits that dotted the earth's surface.

"Well – er, I mean, no! Of course not? Why would you think that?"

"Good. Because if it was you, I would have melted you in magma for trapping me in at least twenty of them."

"That's kind of ironic, seeing as lava made the holes in the first place," muttered Dawn, turning away.

"What did you say?"

"You should watch where you're going."

"Hey!"