Author's Notes: Thank you for reviewing! Not much else to say here…

Chapter Seven: The Fire Temple

Feeling, if anything, less assured than before, Tobias followed Alex out of the guard station. The street outside was still bathed in the stark glare of the light tower. Alex set off down the street, and Tobias followed, doing his level best to stay in the shadows.

After a couple of minutes passed in this fashion Alex, who had been strolling down the middle of the cobbled street, stopped with a sigh. Turning to Tobias, he asked, "Would you stop that? You look terribly suspicious."

"Oh, uh, sure," Tobias replied, emerging from the pitiful shadow of a street sign and joined Alex in walking out in the open. Tobias was amazed by the nonchalance that Alex exhibited as he trotted along. If he was really the master thief that he claimed to be, shouldn't he be worried that people would recognize him?

Now that he wasn't running in terror or being shoved along by a hulking guardsman, Tobias found the awe of the city slowly beginning to sink in. There were so many buildings, all crammed together. They passed row upon row of houses and shops on paved streets rather than scuffed dirt paths. The windows of the houses glittered with glass and over them all loomed the fire temple.

Standing outside of the light of Rareview's Ampharos, it reared up into the darkness, a shadowy creature with innumerable glaring eyes. Apparently, the tower was still active as lights burned in many of its windows. Still, Tobias fancied that he couldn't make out the tower's top as it merged with the flat blackness of the sky.

It was to this majestic building that Alex led Tobias, and the pair at last came to stand before the gates to the tower's grounds. Alex removed two of the bells from his belt and rang them as softly as possible, recalling Leger and his Jigglypuff. He then reached out and knocked firmly on one of the tightly shut wooden gates. For several minutes, nothing happened, and Tobias began to worry that there was no help to be found here after all. At last, however, there was a low groaning and one of the gates slowly ground open. A small boy clad in red robes and holding a candle aloft stepped around it and peered up at the two other boys.

"Danny!" Alex exclaimed with the air of someone greeting a friend whom they haven't seen in years. "The last person I expected to see on gate duty at this hour! Listen, I've got a friend here who wants to see Master Dewshiver. Be a chum and take us to see him, wouldja?"

The small boy squinted up at Alex suspiciously. Tobias was surprised to see that he was probably no older than eight. Finally, Danny lowered the candle and replied, "All right, Alex. But remember, Master Dewshiver will not be pleased to be disturbed at this hour. Even a master of a temple must have time to sleep."

"I know, I know, but it's important," Alex persisted. Danny shrugged and beckoned Alex and Tobias inside. He led them across a large, rocky expanse of ground that appeared to completely encircle the temple. At first, Tobias wondered why there were no flowers or plants growing here, but a dull glow caught his eye. Turning to look at it, he found that there was a large bed of glowing coals laid out across the bare earth. A shadowy form that Tobias guessed might be a Growlithe reclined comfortably upon it. As it turned out, there were several such beds scattered across the tower grounds, comfortable resting places for fire-types. Considering the amount of open flame that passed across this area, it was probably only wise that the plants had been removed.

They reached the tower proper quickly, and Tobias found that, rather than being constructed of wood as were most buildings, it was built out of dusty red bricks, the obvious choice in fireproof housing. Danny pushed open the doors of the temple, and a wave of heat rolled out, engulfing the three humans.

They stepped into what appeared to be a large main hall, a wide, brightly-lit room that branched off into numerous other corridors and staircases that wound up into the unseen heights of the tower. "Wait here," Danny commanded them. "I'll speak with Master Dewshiver."

Alex and Tobias obliged. Tobias was in awe of the strange tower, gaping up at the distant ceiling and then back down to peer at the numerous corridors and doors leading away from it. This room was rather simply furnished for a grand entrance hall, with a stone floor left uncarpeted with several chairs and tables scattered about. High up on the walls hung beautiful tapestries portraying such riveting scenes as the eruption of Mount Vernalik, the mountain at whose base this temple sat. Large murals presented the exploits of such legendary trainers as Victor Lavabalm, Harriet Rootwave, and Spencer Crashfire. Still others were portraits of what Tobias assumed were former masters of the temple, portrayed with their Pokemon in serene poses.

Alex, who was apparently accustomed to this routine, sauntered over to one of the chairs and made himself comfortable, leaning back and putting his feet on the table before him. Tobias, unsure of what else to do, took a seat next to him. The furniture, the only wooden items that Tobias had seen thus far in the temple, was old and well worn, with the occasional scorch mark marring their varnished surfaces here and there. He continued his visual exploration of the large rooms, his eyes finally coming to rest on the steam that billowed out of one of the connecting corridors.

Alex followed his eyes lazily. "Someone's in the tub," he remarked.

Tobias turned to Alex in surprise. "They have baths here?" he asked.

Alex nodded. "Yep, every room has one, actually. It's all hot water that's been piped in from the hot springs that run under this place. Courtesy of Mount Vernalik, of course."

"Every room has one? Even on the upper floors?" Tobias persisted.

"Yeah, they pipe it up there. I'm not quite sure how, but it has something to do with pressure and elevation and such. I've never had a head for that sort of thing. By the way, when you get your room, you should try one out. You could use a bath," Alex remarked pointedly.

Tobias wondered at the presence of so much water in the presence of so many flames. His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the staircase. Alex, turning to see who was descending, hastily removed his feet from the table. Tobias looked as well.

A man in violently red robes was making his way slowly down the stair, Danny trailing behind. A Torkoal lumbered down beside the pair, placing each foot carefully. Tobias sat up straighter, assuming that this must be the master of the temple.

The man and his escort made their way over to the table that Tobias and Alex were seated at. Master Dewshiver had a wild mane of spiky red hair and a hawkish nose over which keen eyes peered at the black-clad thief and the muddy, downtrodden young guide. Danny continued past the pair and out of the doors, presumably to return to his post at the gate.

"So, Alex, you've returned, and dragged another poor soul along with you, it would seem," Master Dewshiver observed in a deep, gravelly voice. The Torkoal had stumped to a halt next to its guide and was now peering nearsightedly at Tobias, who regarded it with interest.

"Yeah, I picked up a new friend," Alex replied. "He's a good kid, you know, but for some reason they had him all locked up and--"

He faltered and broke off. Master Dewshiver was glaring pointedly at the insolent thief. Alex returned the look with a Mareepish grin, then drew in a deep breath, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. When he began to speak again, Tobias was the one to stare at him. It seemed that another person had taken Alex's place.

"Indeed, Master, I have procured another who wishes to take advantage of your hospitality for a short period of time. I apologize for waking you, but the situation is dire and requires your immediate attention."

Master Dewshiver's eyes glinted mirthfully as he saw the look of awe and surprise written across Tobias's face. "Quite a change, isn't it?" he asked Tobias. "Alex really is quite the cultured gentleman, much though he is loathe to admit it."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," the thief muttered, but Tobias thought he caught a smile playing across his face.

"So, why did Alex drag you out here in the dead of night?" Master Dewshiver asked Tobias, fixing him with a piercing stare.

"Well, Alex helped me to escape from jail, and he said that you'd be able to provide me with protection," Tobias replied.

"Prison?" the temple master asked, eyes narrowing. "Why were you there, guide, whatever your name may be."

"Oh, I'm Tobias Talltree, uh, Master," Tobias replied. "As for why I was in prison, it's sort of a long story. I was convicted of stealing another boy's Pokemon and of Pokemon abuse. I'm not guilty, though," he added quickly as a dark shadow of anger passed across Master Dewshiver's face. "Well, maybe I did end up with the other boy's Pokemon, but that was only because my Murkrow went out and grabbed them and I didn't know how to get them back to him, and I was really going to turn them in, honest! But I got attacked by a Scyther right outside of the city, and all of my Pokemon got banged up pretty badly, and that's why they charged me with Pokemon abuse. The judges convicted me, but I don't know why! I really didn't do anything that bad."

"Not guilty, he says," the temple master mused, looking down at his Torkoal. "What do you think, old friend?" The Torkoal's long neck craned upward as she strove to get a better look at Tobias.

"Torr. Tor torkoal koltor torkoal," he wheezed at last, expelling a cloud of steam from his nostrils.

"Torkoal wishes to speak with your Pokemon," Master Dewshiver informed Tobias. "For it is they who would best judge the truth." Tobias nodded and reached for the chimes at his side apprehensively. What sort of state would Jinx and Chevron be in when he released them? He tentatively rang their chimes, their bright tone echoing about the vast room.

To Tobias's relief, the two Pokemon that appeared seemed merely tired. Jinx shook his head sleepily, blinking his baleful red eyes and fluffing out his feathers irritably. Chevron blinked blearily and shuddered. "Torkoal, tor torkoal, tor!" the Torkoal addressed the pair with a hiss of steam.

The pair gave their testimonials sleepily, the Torkoal listening intently and nodding appreciatively here and there. At last, the discussion seemed to be over. The Torkoal turned once more to its guide and announced, "Koal tor torkoal tor."

The master of the temple frowned, thinking hard. "Torkoal claims that your Pokemon uphold your claims. He believes that you have been wrongfully convicted, although I've never heard the like before. You have given me much to think on, Tobias. But for now, I think that it would be best to find you a room to stay in for the night. Do not worry, I will not allow the guardsmen to find you here. Follow me."

Tobias prepared to do so, readying himself to ring the two chimes again and recall his Pokemon, who were both clearly asleep on their feet. "Actually, it would probably be better to leave them out," Master Dewshiver told Tobias as he turned back towards the stairs. "Time passes far more slowly for a Pokemon when it is sealed away in a chime. They will benefit more from sleeping outside."

Tobias didn't really understand this argument, but he returned his chimes to their hooks on his belt all the same. Bending down, he scooped up Chevron under one arm and managed to coax Jinx to climb onto the other one. He hurried to catch up to Master Dewshiver, who had already reached the stairs, his Torkoal lumbering patiently behind. Alex darted forward to walk next to Tobias again.

"You're coming with us?" Tobias asked, surprised.

Alex shook his head. "Nah, I'm headed to my room. I've had enough excitement for tonight. It just happens to be in this direction, that's all."

"It was amazing how you could talk like that all of a sudden. How did you ever learn to speak like that?" Tobias asked the thief eagerly.

"Ah, that's not important. Fat load of good it does me. When you get into my profession, even a few seconds of delay can mean the end for you, so it's best if you speak…laconically. Even Leger's nickname got shortened. It's sort of a nick-nickname, really," Alex replied darkly.

"What's it short for?" Tobias persisted.

"Legerdemain. You know, sleight of hand. Well, this is my stop, kid. See ya 'round." They had reached a landing on the large staircase, and Alex darted off into a branching hallway, moving silently out of habit. Master Dewshiver continued to climb, and Tobias dutifully followed.

They ascended floor after floor, Tobias losing interest in counting after the sixth. At last they turned off on one of the landings, entering one of the branching hallways. Master Dewshiver halted before a nondescript, unmarked door, he pushed it open. "Your room," he explained. "It seems that Alex has taken an interest in you, so I shall send him to retrieve you for breakfast. We can talk further then."

Tobias wished to ask one question before the temple master departed, however. "You said that you would only provide me with protection because I was wrongly convicted of a crime, but you seem on well enough terms with Alex, and he really is a thief and makes no great show of hiding it from you."

Master Dewshiver looked down at Tobias with interest. "You ask intelligent questions, guide. Alex is a special case, or so you might say. He asks not for my protection, and I allow him to remain here out of courtesy. Perhaps you should ask him about it. And now, I really must sleep. I bid you good night, Tobias Talltree." With that, the master of the temple swept away, red robes swishing and Torkoal trailing along behind.

Tobias walked gratefully into the room, pleased with what he saw within. It held a large bed with a generous mattress, a small side table with an unlit lamp, and an additional dressing table with a mirror which, though cracked and somewhat dull, was still perfectly serviceable. Tobias lit the lamp and saw that there was also a door leading off to the side of the room, behind which Tobias assumed must lie the bathtub promised by Alex.

He gently laid Chevron upon the bed and set Jinx on the bedpost. The raccoon was already asleep, barely stirring as he was transferred from under Tobias's arm to the sheets. Jinx clutched the bedpost tightly, thrusting his head beneath his wing and gratefully closing his eyes. Though Tobias was tired, he was also very curious about the bath. He walked into the smaller room to find it occupied by a simple metal tub and several large, thick towels atop which perched a yellowish bar of soap. A single spigot jutted from the wall of the chamber. Curious, Tobias turned it on and stuck his hand beneath it.

He immediately pulled the appendage back as hot water cascaded from the pipe. Apparently this was the only temperature available, but he could always just wait for it to cool. Plugging the drain, Tobias went about filling the tub, still in awe of the way the liquid seemed to magically appear and tumble from the pipe. He judged that the tub was full enough and turned off the tap.

As he waited for the water to cool, Tobias gratefully stripped off his filthy traveling clothes. Staring at the garments, which were smeared with mud and stained with grass, he began to realize how dirty he really was. The fact that he owned only one set of clothes now began to present an interesting dilemma to him. He could wash them here in the hot water provided by the pipe, but he wouldn't be able to wear anything while doing so and while waiting for them to dry. He could try just bathing fully clothed, but he would then be forced to endure wet, clinging garments for the considerable time that it would take for them to dry in the humid temple air.

Cursing his predicament, Tobias realized that he wouldn't be able to buy anything more from the village, even assuming that he had the money left to do so. He was stuck with this one set of clothes until he managed to scrounge up a means of procuring others. He sighed dejectedly. For now, he would have to settle for just getting a bath for himself.

The warm water was incredibly soothing, and Tobias sank into it gratefully. The cares and worries of the previous few days seemed to float away with the grime that had clung to his skin. On the farm, warm baths or, indeed, baths of any sort had been few and far between, due to the amount of work required to heat the water and then dispose of it later.

Tobias emerged from the tub more drowsy than ever. He pulled the plug and watched with interest as the tub drained itself, the water within rushing away to some unknown destination. Donning his clothes disdainfully once more, Tobias returned to the main sleeping area. He carefully got into the bed, doing his best not to disturb the two peacefully slumbering Pokemon thereon. He pulled the thin sheet over himself and allowed the peaceful tides of sleep to carry him away, knowing that all too soon it would be morning once more and he would be faced again with a world of danger, intrigue, and deceit.