"Xena, I really think this isn't a good idea—"

"Don't be such a chicken! I've been here with Ria thousands of times—and she's weak to fire, but we're still okay! As long as you follow me, we'll be fine," Xena reassured him, leaping further into the forest.

"How long have you been going there?"

"Since last year, exactly on this day. Why?"

"Okay, Xena, we should really stop now."

Xena frowned, opening her mouth, then Ford shook his head and tore his wrist away from her grip. The Braixen frowned. "What's the big deal? They're always in their cave, and the scenery is really pretty!"

The Frogadier sighed. "Do you know about a Houndoom's burns?"

"Yup! If they add some toxin to it, then burn their target, it'll hurt forever! Well, what about it? Were you burned by one of those toxic flames?" Xena asked curiously, tilting her head.

"No. But there is one way to make the pain stop."

"There is?!"

"Houndoom can produce something called the Doom Charm—if someone grinds it to powder, adds it to water and drinks it, the burn will stop hurting. Basically, it's the best poison-curer. Even an Antidote from the humans can't help those burns. However, humans don't know about this medicine—they call it the Charm Powder, it's a silly name, but they aren't very creative—because only wild Houndoom have the motivation to make it. Every year, the Houndoom pack starts from the very beginning of the day to midnight, creating Doom Charms. They need five Houndoom gathered around a fire, and then they have to Howl, and then something, I don't remember, but thing is, if you're caught then, you're up against the entire pack. We head back now."

Xena sighed. "All right, fine."

As they turned around, dark blurs shot past them, surrounding them. Xena took a step backwards, turning around, and knew they were trapped.

By Houndoom.

"Not a chance," one voice rang out. Xena whirled to that direction, and saw a shiny Houndoom. Its fur coat was a blue, and one of the brighter blues, making it stand out. It was probably the leader. Snarling, the shiny Houndoom lowered its head. "You've stepped past the creek, into our territory, while knowing it. If you wandered here absently I suppose we could have let you go, but you knew you were stepping on our territory. We can't let you go."

"Leader Hellgar," one of them barked out, "it seems that this Braixen has trespassed many times, with a Vileplume. She has been trespassing for a long time."

"Do you just want to burn in hell's flames?!" Hellgar growled at Xena, making the Braixen flinch. "Do you think you can trespass into our territory just as you please? Huh?! Well, it's time to put an end to that!"

Xena squeaked, shielding her eyes, waiting for the pounce.

It never came.

The shiny Houndoom, Hellgar, tossed his head. "Your friend can be saved, though," he told her. "Was your friend willing to come here, or unwilling?"

The Braixen clenched her fists. "I wanted him to come here! Honest! He was all against it! We were just about to leave when you guys showed up! Let him go! Please, he's done nothing wrong! You have to let him go!"

"Shut up," Hellgar snapped. He turned to the other Houndoom. "Let the Frogadier go. But, if you return, Frogadier," Hellgar sneered, "you'll be with this little Braixen until her execution date comes round."

"Please, just let him go!" Xena begged. "Ford, just go on without me! Really! This one was my fault!"

"I said, shut up!" Hellgar barked at her. "Let the Frogadier go home, make him leave right now. If you don't want to leave that's fine too, you can join your friend over here. You're given twenty seconds to decide what you want to do!"

Go home, Xena mouthed to Ford. The Frogadier looked at her in a strange way, perhaps it was meant to convey something, but Xena was too panicked to scrutinize it.

"..."

"I couldn't hear ya," Hellgar snarled.

"...I'll... go home."

Xena let out a sigh of relief, watching as the other Houndoom parted to let Ford bounce away. They reformed the circle, and Xena was by herself now.

"We're going back to our base now," Hellgar told the other Houndoom. "Braixen, walk in our circle as we walk."

"Uh..."

They began walking and Xena immediately shot forward to keep up with them. She was extremely nervous right now, and wondered if she should take the chance and run away. She blinked at the ground, clutching her fists. She was an idiot to bring Ford here. Now she was going to be executed (she hoped they wouldn't really do that) because of all the times she had intruded with Ria before.

Speaking of Ria... She had abandoned her best friend for Ford for a long while now. Ria was just there, as a Vileplume, and nothing more to Xena when she was around Ford, which was nearly all the time.

I never got to say sorry...

"What's your name, Braixen?" Hellgar's voice cut through her thoughts. Xena lifted her head.

"Xena," she said clearly, hoping he wouldn't notice the slight tremble in her voice.

"Xena?" Hellgar turned to face her. "The one Boss has been trying to capture for years? The one with the Ability Magician, the one with the potential to steal? Ha! You got away from Riria that time by jumping over the river, didn't you?"

That was the day she had met Ford. Xena nodded. "Yes, I think that's me... Who's 'Boss'?"

"Boss is the boss of our pack," Hellgar said airily. "Leaders like me are usually shiny—they say being shiny is a blessing. There are currently five leaders right now, and I control a much bigger portion of the pack, but I only decided to bring a few of them."

"W-What's going to happen to me?" Her most fearful question yet.

"Didn't I mention it earlier?" Hellgar growled. "You're going to stay in a prison—until your execution date comes round!"


Ford reached the creek and jumped over it. He looked at the sky. It was nine. It was dark. Nonetheless, Ford jumped into the creek, diving down to control his bottled up fury and concern for the Braixen. She had brought him there, and now she was going to be executed. It was her fault, but she didn't deserve to die like that. If anything, Ford had already resolved to save her.

He didn't know what to do, though. Should he just prance in? But he didn't know where the prison cells were... that wasn't a good idea. But who would know?

"Hiya, Ford! Something up?" a cheerful voice called out. The Frogadier turned to see an Azumarill pop out from the water.

"Just swimming in the river to pass time. Why are you swimming here?"

"Not swimming. I'm just floating." Oh, of course. Azumarill could naturally float in water without any effort. Zuzure spared him a grin before tilting her head. "I was wondering if anything was bothering you."

"No. Nothing. Why would you think that?"

"Because I heard you getting involved with the Houndoom pack."

Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap crap. He completely forgot about Zuzure's fantastic hearing. "Well, yes," Ford began slowly. "Xena dragged me there, and now they've imprisoned her and she's about to be executed."

Zuzure automatically figured it out. "And you want to save her?"

"Yes."

"Hm. All right. I'll help you." The Azumarill grinned at Ford's stunned expression. "Hey, I can hear them now, you know! She's going to be executed in exactly one month! Typical Houndoom, always making things so dragged out." Zuzure giggled. "Two of us can't infiltrate it alone, you know! You're going to have to find some others. Houndoom are strong, and there are lots of them in the Houndoom pack. When you're done getting help from others, you can come visit me here. I'll go along with you immediately!"

"Oh... well, thank you, Zuzure. Is there anything I should be aware of?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Oh... sure. Are you heading home now?"

Zuzure shook her head. "I don't like going back to my house. I'm contented with floating in the river all night."

"Oh... all right."

Ford got out of the creek. Zuzure watched him go. "Are you going to get help now?"

"Yes. The sooner, the better."

"Okay. Good luck."

Ford left, knowing who he had to ask. But he really disliked the thought of asking that person.