Chapter 10 - Aftermath
"T-The village was..." Foli said, completely shocked. "Do you know who or what attacked it," Blaze asked, growling. Meowstic shook her head. "I have no idea. All I know is that it was attacked by a fire type. Or many. Argh! I don't know!" She slammed her fists against the floor. "It's okay Meowstic," Ampharos said soothingly. "You delivered this message. Thank you." Meowstic just sighed. "If only I had left a minute later..." she said quietly. "Don't blame yourself," Blaze said. "Blame the ones who attacked. That's where we need to focus our anger." The fire on his back grew bigger. "Tomorrow, we'll head out to the village. We will take it back." Meowstic nodded. "You need to see Armaldo." Foli said to Meowstic. "I'm fine now. Don't worry." Foli shook her head. "That wasn't a suggestion. That was an order." Meowstic nodded and left for the infirmary. "Ampharos, prepare for a trip. You're coming with us." Foli said. Ampharos nodded. "Serene Village is a wonderfully peaceful place. To see that destroyed, I don't know what I'd do." "Good," Blaze replied. "Now, who are we taking with us," Ampharos asked. Blaze and Foli locked glances. "Team Tempest," they replied at the same time.
The next morning, Foli announced that she and Blaze would be leaving. "Mawile," Foli said, "you're in charge while we're out." "Yes ma'am," she replied. Blaze then spoke. "We expect work as usual while we're gone. Is that clear?" "Yessir," the group replied. They then left to complete their daily tasks. "Team Tempest," Foli called. The team walked to where the leaders were standing. "We've decided that the four of you are coming with us to Serene Village." The group nodded, then went to prepare for the trip.
At the gate, Foli and Blaze were waiting for team Tempest with Ampharos and a rested Meowstic. The team arrived at the gate. "S-Sorry we're late," Alexander said when they arrived. Meowstic then noticed that it was the same team from Rolling Pass. "This team again," she said to herself. "I hope they can handle what we're about to face." "It's fine," Foli said, responding to Alexander. "We just need to put a little pep in our step if we want to arrive within a normal time." Blaze looked at this group of Pokémon. "Now that everyone is here, let's head out." With that the group headed in the direction of Serene Village.
"Returning home..." Foli said, thinking aloud. "Yes, but this time, it's not happy," Blaze responded solemnly. Meowstic sighed. "This is pretty bad. Even Foli's feeling down." "Its times like these that a leader needs to put on a happy face," Ampharos said with a smile. "A happy leader means everyone's happy." Foli smiled at Ampharos's advice. "You know just what to say, Ampharos." "I try," he replied.
Rea just watched the interactions between the four Pokémon. They seem to have a long history with each other, Rea thought.She then glanced around at her team. Alexander was double checking the items and Geo and Scorch were talking with each other. I wonder if we could be like that. Running out of things to do, Rea decided to listen in on Scorch and Geo's conversation. "Why do you think they brought us instead of the other Society members," Scorch asked Geo. "I couldn't tell you," he replied. "There's obviously a reason, but I have yet to know what that could possibly be." It's me, Rea thought. I'm a human, like Blaze, and apparently other humans have also come to this world. Once again, no answers. Only more questions. Rea sighed in frustration. I just wish someone would give me answers...
Soon, they could see smoke rising in the distance. "Let's hurry," Blaze said, speeding up. The group sped up to keep with him. When they arrived, most of the village had burned down. "Oh no..." Foli said, her eyes widening in horror. "Hurry," Blaze said, "we need to find the clinic. Maybe Audino was able to get the injured in there." Foli nodded, staying silent. Meowstic was also silent. This was their home... Rea thought. Why would someone do this?
When they arrived at the village's clinic, Blaze knocked. "Hello? Anyone?" The door opened slowly, revealing a pink and white, bipedal Pokémon. "Blaze? Is that you?" Blaze nodded. "How is everyone Audino?" Audino shook her head. "Mostly, everyone's okay." "M-Mostly," Foli asked, scared to know the answer. "Nuzleaf and Carracosta battled with the Pokémon who attacked our village. Carracosta's fine but," she paused. "Nuzleaf was killed."
Foli gasped. "He was... N-Nuzleaf was..." Blaze couldn't say it. The flame on his back was wavering and small. Blaze then walked out of the clinic. "Blaze..." Foli said quietly, then turned to Audino. "Excuse us Audino. We need some time to think." Audino nodded, and Foli followed after Blaze. "Hello, Audino," Meowstic said somberly. "Hello Meowstic." "Is there anything we can do to help?" "Yes. I need more Rawst Berries for treating burns. Could some of you go get some more for me?" Meowstic nodded, then turned to team Tempest and said, "Rea and Alexander come with me." The two nodded and the three of them left to look for berries.
"M-Meowstic, who was Nuzleaf," Rea asked. "Well, Nuzleaf found Blaze alone in the woods when he was just a Cyndaquil. So, he was essentially Blaze's father. I'd imagine it must've hit Blaze pretty hard," Meowstic continued. "Blaze is normally calm, his flame has never been so small before. I can't even imagine what Blaze is going through." "I think we should hurry up," Alexander said suddenly. "Audino seemed like she needed this berries quickly." Meowstic nodded. "You're probably right. Let's hurry."
"Blaze," Foli called out. She was looking for where Blaze had gone off to. Foli then headed towards Nuzleaf's house. When she walked inside, she saw Blaze standing in the middle of the room. The flame on his back was out. "Blaze..." Blaze turned to her. "He's gone, Foli. Nuzleaf is gone. I hadn't visited him in so long. I don't know what to do." Foli went over to comfort Blaze. "Blaze... I know your hurting." The fire on Blaze's back suddenly flared. "You have no idea how I feel!" Foli recoiled slightly, but kept talking. "I'm trying to find out. Don't hide how you feel. Its okay to feel hurt. To feel scared. Just don't ever try and keep your feelings to yourself. Its makes them worse." Blaze just sat on the floor, his flame dying once again. Tears began to fall from his face. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. I just... have no idea how to feel right now." "It's okay." Blaze nodded. The two sat in silence while Blaze cried.
He's dead. He's gone. Blaze is sad.
Hello, this is a sad chapter.
Thanks for reading, byes. :(