Chapter 6: The Blistering Heat

"Where's that door?!" Cappy yelled in frustration as he ran around the second floor of the College of Social Sciences. He was trying to find the door that he and Samir went through, but he couldn't read any of the words on the doors. Suddenly, a familiar person appeared from a break area.

"Hey, aren't you Samir's Pikachu, Cappy?" Fennel curiously asked.

The Pokémon stopped and ran to the researcher. He waved his arms frantically and cried, "Help us, Fennel!"

She was confused by his actions. "What are you trying to say Cappy? And what's that thing on your ear?"

He glanced at his left ear and saw the earpiece. "Oh, yeah, I forgot about that…" He took off the device and handed it to Fennel.

"An earpiece?" She then looked at Cappy, who was motioning her to put it on. A little curious, she put it on her left ear.

"Can you hear me now?" Cappy calmly asked.

Fennel screamed and fell backwards onto the slick floor. She placed her left hand on her chest and breathed heavily. She stuttered, "I-I don't believe it! I can understand you?!"

"Yeah, but that's not important now!" Cappy shouted, trying to keep her focused. "Samir's in trouble, and we think that he's somewhere in the building!"

"In here? But wait, what do you mean 'we'?"

Footsteps stomped towards them. "Cappy, did you find him yet?" Banksia asked as she and Terry approached.

This time, Fennel didn't panic but it still shocked her. "This is such amazing technology!"

The two Pokémon noticed Fennel was wearing the earpiece. "Sorry, we haven't met," Banksia apologized. "My name's Banksia, and this is Terry. We're Samir's other Pokémon."

Fennel got up and smiled. "Nice to meet you two." Her face then turned serious. "I heard what happened from Cappy. I haven't seen him, but for some reason, Dr. Mustard's in his office already. He never comes so early…"

Cappy's face turned pale. "Does Dr. Mustard have something to do with this?"

The researcher was unsure, but she knew what they have to do. "Let's go see."


"Pikachu, wait!" Samir shouted as he ran after his upset partner. What's wrong with him? Did Zapdos' thoughts upset him?

When he finally caught up to Pikachu, who was sitting on a large black rock, the Chikorita began to sweat. "Is it me, or is it really hot here?"

Pikachu looked to his left and saw Samir. He wasn't sweating as much, but beads of water fell down his cheeks. "No, this area has a volcano nearby, Mt. Blaze. Plus, you're a Grass type, so the heat will affect you more."

Samir wiped off the sweat from his forehead with his vines. He tried to smile at the Electric type, but it only seemed discourage him. "Anyway, what happened to you, Pikachu? You were really upset about what Zapdos said."

The older Pokémon sighed. "I didn't want anyone else to know about my past. I thought that after three years, I wouldn't have to worry about it again. But things have changed. You're here, kid. And a new threat to our world." He looked at the volcano. "I'll tell you my story as we climb up Mt. Blaze."

Samir reluctantly nodded and followed Pikachu through a cave opening. As they battled their way through waves of Slugma, Numel, and Torkoal, Pikachu told his story.

"You see, I was also a human when I entered the Pokémon world three years ago."

"Y-You too?" Samir shouted, shocked. "But you act more like a Pikachu than a kid…"

Pikachu smirked. "Well, living here for a long time does that to you. I don't remember much of my human life, or my family and friends. I don't even remember my human name. But because of my appearance, everyone just calls me Pikachu. That's worth something. I made new friends here…especially the one who helped me from the very beginning."

"Your earlier partner?"

"…Yes. He was a Torchic, very bright and energetic. He found me when I woke up in this world and even allowed me to stay in his home. We even converted his house to suit my needs, despite my hesitations. When Pokémon accused me of causing the threats of Pokémon becoming more aggressive and reoccurring earthquakes, Torchic and Team A.C.T. were the only ones who believed I was innocent."

The Chikorita's eyes grew wide. Wow, this is crazy! Who knew he was a human before?

Samir was eager to hear more when they saw some light filtering through another cave. Pikachu ended the story and they exited Mt. Blaze. They walked through a plateau made of cooled lava rocks, which was next to bubbling pool of hot magma.

Suddenly, a loud, fiery cry echoed through the mountain, "FINALLY! YOU TWO HAVE ARRIVED!"

The two Pokémon cautiously looked at the sky and saw a yellow and orange bird flying towards them. As the stranger landed, her wings released several embers as she placed them to her sides.

"It's Moltres!" Samir shouted. He saw her eyes were the same as Zapdos' before he was freed from the hypnosis.

"SAMIR AND PIKACHU! HOW DARE YOU WASTE MY TIME?!" the Legendary Bird roared in anger. "I MUST DELIVER THAT MOUSE TO MY MASTER!"

Samir and Pikachu bent down into their battle poses. "We won't let you take us without a fight!" Pikachu protested. "Moltres, we'll free you from your hypnosis!"

The Fire type laughed. "HOW QUAINT. SAMIR HAS AN OBVIOUS DISADVANTAGE, BUT I WELCOME YOUR DETERMINATION TO RESIST. IT'LL MAKE IT MORE SATISFYING TO DEFEAT YOU!"

Moltres then took to the air and dove at them with her wings outstretched. Pikachu leaped out of the way while Samir used his vines to push himself upwards. It then gave the Chikorita enough time to set up a Reflect. However, it was useless as the Legendary took a deep breath and unleashed a swirling coil of fire at him.

"Kid, watch out!" Pikachu warned as he pushed the Grass type out of the way.

Samir fell to the ground but avoided the flames. Pikachu, on the other hand, had his tail singed by the Fire Spin. The Electric type winced in pain but brushed it off.

"Pikachu, what should we do?" Samir asked. "You're the only one who has the type advantage."

Pikachu analyzed their opponent. "Kid, make the distraction. Then, I'll attack from above."

Samir nodded and unleashed a Razor Leaf at Moltres. The Legendary easily batted the leaves away with her wings, causing them to burn and disintegrate. He didn't give up and continued to attack, distracting her long enough for Pikachu to leap over Samir and paralyze the Fire type with a Thunder Wave.

"CUTE TRICK," she said mockingly. "BUT IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN PARALYSIS TO BEAT ME!"

Pikachu smirked. "Oh, that's just the beginning."

He then released a Thunderbolt, causing major damage to Moltres. She began to breathe heavily but vigorously flapped her wings, showing off her remaining strength. She then charged at Pikachu and knocked him into the plateau with a furious Wing Attack. As he freed himself from the rocks, she picked him up with her beak and flew over the boiling lava near the plateau.

"YOUR WILL IS TRULY STRONG," she acknowledged. "BUT NOW, IF YOU SURRENDER I WON'T DROP YOU IN THE NICE WARM LAVA. HOW DOES THAT SOUND?"

Pikachu struggled and retorted, "I'll never give up! Or go to Wish Cave willingly!"

"SUIT YOURSELF…" She then dropped Pikachu, and he fell towards the fiery liquid.

Samir was angry at the turn of events and suddenly felt a strong power building inside. He had to save Pikachu, not because he was forced into this incident, but because they were friends.

"PIKACHU!" he cried. Suddenly, his watch began to glow purple. With all of his might, Samir created five boulders surrounded with purple energy. Moltres was shocked as the Chikorita used Ancientpower to jump over the lava and rescue Pikachu with his vines.

When he and Pikachu returned to the plateau, Moltres began talking to herself. "H-HOW CAN THIS BE?! A MERE CHIKORITA THAT KNOWS ANCIENTPOWER?! THAT'S UNHEARD OF!"

She then touched her head in pain. Her eyes briefly turned brown. "SAMIR AND PIKACHU, QUICK! DEFEAT ME!" she pleaded. Her expression became blank again as she charged at the two.

"You heard her, Pikachu!" Samir acknowledged as he charged up another Ancientpower.

Pikachu smiled. "All right, kid! Let's show her!"

The two Pokémon aimed their attacks at the Legendary and fired the boulders and a Thunderbolt. Unable to avoid the two super effective attacks, she succumbed to their power, soft smiling as she collapsed on the plateau.

"Moltres," Samir asked in between pants. "are…you…okay…?"

A few minutes of silence. Then she opened her eyes, the color returning to them, and slowly rose. "YES. THANK YOU, SAMIR AND PIKACHU."

The Electric type nodded. "I'm glad you returned to normal, Moltres."

She nodded back, then looked towards a mountain to the north. "I HAVE JUST RECEIVED ALL OF ZAPDOS' MESSAGES. I WORRY ARTICUNO MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED LIKE ME AND ZAPDOS. CAN YOU CHECK ON HER?"

"Of course, Moltres," Samir offered.

"I MUST NOW MEET WITH ZAPDOS. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF WE CAN HELP ONCE ARTICUNO IS FREED, GUARDIAN. "

"I will. Be careful."

The Fire type smiled and took off towards the east. After watching her disappear behind the sunset, Pikachu picked up the satchel.

"We should head over to Frosty Grotto before it gets too dark. I'll finish my story then."

Samir nodded and followed Pikachu, who was trying to hide the fearful look in his eyes. I hope Pikachu's okay… He's taking all of this hard, especially with the almost dying part.

As the two headed to a colder area of the region, a Pokémon with white fur and a black sickle on her head spied on them. "It's been a while, Pikachu," she muttered to herself. "I believe it's now time for a team reunion."