Saving Cyndaquil by WyldClaw

Plot: Some secrets will be revealed! How did cyndaquil escape? What is Devon's secret? Why did his arm transform into scyther blades?

Mia1986: it's about time!

Give me a break! It didn't take me THAT long

Mia1986: Yeeeeah right, it took you ages

Shush! Harry Potter and Percy Jackson weren't written in a day. They took uh… time.

Mia1986: I'm sure Rowling and Riordan didn't take this long to-

Oh look. Isn't that Tigerstar and Hawkfrost about to destroy your night huntress books?

Mia1986: HEY! Get away from my books. Shoo! Shoo! (Leaves}

If anyone is still mouse brained enough to think own any of these characters then I'll send Shredtail, and Snowtuft after you.

Thistleclaw: if anyone takes Cera or Torri I'll use the moves Silverhawk taught me to destroy you! I will gouge your eyes out with my super sharp claws and then slice them to bits. I will slice your pelts -

Uh they get the point…

Shredtail: if you flame WC or give her a nasty remark I'll make your face resemble my scarred tail

Shreddy [Snowtuft and Thistleclaw snicker], they can't see you and you can't see them

Snowtuft: Yeah 'shreddy'

Thank you so much for volunteering to do the author's notes, Snowtuft.

Snowtuft: fox dung! Fine… it's nearly the end. It's been a wild ride from when I began it but it's time for it to end it

Mia1986: it's about time!

Give me a break! It didn't take me THAT long

Mia1986: Yeeeeah right, it took you ages

Shush! Harry Potter and Percy Jackson weren't written in a day. They took uh… time.

Mia1986: I'm sure Rowling, the Hunters and Riordan didn't take this long to-

Oh look. Isn't that Tigerstar and Hawkfrost about to destroy your beloved descendants books?

Mia1986: HEY! Get away from my books. Shoo! Shoo! (Leaves}

If anyone is still mouse brained enough to think own any of these characters then I'll send Shredtail, and Snowtuft after you.

Thistleclaw: if anyone takes Cera or Torri I'll use the moves Silverhawk taught me to destroy you! I will gouge your eyes out with my super sharp claws and then slice them to bits. I will slice your pelts -

Uh I think they get the point…

Shredtail: if you flame WC or give her a nasty remark I'll make your face resemble my scarred tail

Shreddy [Snowtuft and Thistleclaw snicker], they can't see you and you can't see them

Snowtuft: Yeah 'shreddy'

Thank you so much for volunteering to do the author's notes, Snowtuft.

Snowtuft: fox dung! Fine… " " Is humans talking, () is translated pokèmon speech and [italics] is mind-speech. Time change/ scene switch is just that and regular italics are thoughts. This chapter has strong language

Enjoy!

Recap: in the last three chapters our heroes had a wicked intense battle with Devon, Cyndaquil's cruel ex- trainer who kidnapped her from the gym! Corsola and Pikachu were soundly and horribly beaten by Devon's two extremely evil hybrids-Espreon and Teriados- whom was thisclose to choking Pikachu if his trainer hadn't forfeited and our three heroes incapacitated. Just as Devon was about to shoot Misty a very injured Cyndaquil- possessed by the spirit of her foster mother Quilava- interfered. Due to her injuries Teriados overpowered and trapped her. After Devon threatened cyndaquil his arms glowed and became scyther blades!

XxX

Astonished cries came from Ash, Misty, Pikachu and Cyndaquil. At once:

"How in the world –"

"Th-that's impossible"

(How-how did you-?)

(I knew it!) Cyndaquil admitted/ (You've become a true beast! I knew something was off about you the moment I smelled-)

"Shut up you little pest. I prefer the term 'visionary" Devon cut her off with a deep slash down the right side of her face, narrowly missing her eye. Luckily she had the smarts to close her eye as it came down through the air. "Besides this is a perfect way to get revenge on you."

(YEEOOOOOW!) She yelped in pain as deep red lines appeared. . She gasped as she opened her eye and the powerful scent of blood smacked her nose. (I didn't do anything to-)

Then it hit her: Quilava had stated that Devon would be locked away for a long time. (Ohh... m-my escape?)

"Remember now you miserable rodent? You caused me to locked up in jail!" He looked at her as he placed the temporary blade against her throat. He continued talking in a threatening voice to his old Pokemon As if his other three unwilling prisoners didn't exist. "Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy knew ... knew because of you and the Quilava's corpse. That stupid nurse recognized you. That officer tracked me down at the compound due to the ID on that dead fire type. She confiscated my Pokemon, locked me tore up my license. I had to take part in a rehab program. It was pure hell-"

"You totally deserved it you creep!" Misty shouted.

He ignored her. "After a while my boss tried to pull some strings to get me out of jail- me being one of his best ah experts. When that failed he asked in a letter if I wanted to take part in a special project. He sent an agent disguised as a visitor with a tiny special filled syringe, a bottle of pills and." –his eyes gleamed as he said this. As he did Pikachu, Misty and Ash turned white and gazed at each other.

"It was a very careful thought out plan. No one even suspected a thing.

The visitor told the officers that I had a weak heart and knew I didn't have much longer so I needed to take pills. They bought it of course. I secretly hid the syringe in my jeans and took the pills, which make me look gaunt and ill. Hidden inside the bottle was one red pill that temporarily made me look and feel dead for a half hour."

"When I was ready to enact my plan I took the special pill. The utter foolish guards believed me dead and put me in a body bag ready to go to the morgue. I got out the syringe and plunged it into my body. For that syringe was Full of blood and DNA from a very special Pokemon- One that survives solely by transforming into other creatures and Pokemon. " He laughed coldly and his captives felt their stomachs churn. "Boy were those foolish guards surprised when they opened it to dispose of the and saw red Scizor claws coming."

Pikachu's jaw dropped as it clicked. (That- that syringe was full of...) The thought was too sickening, too obscene, to even imagine or finish.

"...D-ditto DNA and blood " Misty finished for him, swallowing back her disgust. So he's been changing his appearance!

Ash's face was pale as he worked it out it out in a few minutes. He felt sick to his stomach. He looked up and tripped over his words, like they were roots in a forest path. " You used the ditto DNA/blood to change your look after you t-took out the guards so no one knew it was you. "

(Y-you would transform into different people to take samples of p-pokemon. You changed your appearance so if you stole pokemon for your boss. ) Pikachu's voice got a bit stronger even thought it sickened him to confront this demonic hybrid. (No one would be able to track you down. You made creatures like- like the Espreon and Teriados. Now I know why you smell like a bunch of Pokémon!)

It hit Misty and Ash at the same time. "There was a Pidgey watching the- the battle with Tyson fr-from..." He stopped mid-sentence.

"That's how you knew!" if Misty had been free she would have pounded the life out of him.

Her boyfriend realized something. " There was some kind of pokemon with a cold hand that I felt in the – the gym. I think it was a Gengar and I thought I heard it howl." His eyes went as big as Leaf Stones. " Oh my Pokégods! That's how she ended up in your vile hands-she saved me and then you decided to pokenap her to use as bait."

(I bet that if you did any sort of blood work then the ditto blood would eventually vanish, leaving you a regular human again) pikachu added.

Devon glared over at them- a narrowed look that almost acted like an actual Glare attack. His captives couldn't seem to move.

"So you Finally figured it out. "Devon chuckled. "You're smarter than you look. Wait...If you were that smart you wouldn't have fallen for my trap nor be playing-the-hero with this weakling" he shifted his eyes at cyndaquil whose eyes were wide with terror.

Their eyes blazed at this insult. "Are you saying we're stupid trying to save her life, you beyond sick hybrid?" Ash tried wriggling out of his bonds but failed. When I get my hands on that sicko he's going to wish he never hurt her

At the same time Misty yelled, "If I wasn't tied up I'd beat you black and blue for that comment"

(If you think that we're stupid we won't leave her at all then you're the stupid one!) Pikachu added.

(Hey. you stupid hy-hybrid! you would have remember that bugs like scythers. are weak ... against fire attacks. So eat my flames!) Cyndaquil unleashed a strong Ember attack at the scyther blades, which made them grow white-hot as she burned them.

The attack caused Devon to yelp at the heat as he removed them. "YOU DAMMED SHREW!" he cursed,

(I'm a mouse not a shrew) she said plainly.

"Nice job." ash beamed at her.

Devon's eyes glowed for a second and the burnt scythers blades changed back to normal and the flames dissappeared. . "That. Is it! Playtime is over and destiny is at hand." he huffed. " I know how to shut you up permanently. You won't be able to save him... again" his arms glowed white as they transformed into sharp Beedrill stingers yet again. His eyes glowed again.

"No!" the black haired teen shouted.

She shivered. (What are you-YEEEOOOW) her cry of pain came as the temporary stingers, glowing an odd purple, jabbed her body for a full five minutes as they struck.

Ash noticed growing purple spots showing up where they struck and the color drained from his face. Poison'. 'That's the second time one of my pokemon's been poisoned in front of me recently. "Oh no. Not again" he muttered.

Misty saw the horrified look on her boyfriend's face as the purple spots increased in size as the color drained from his face. Ash had told her what had happened with Arbok and Pikachu in the back of the Cerulean City Gym. It was no wonder why he was terrified. "We'll save her. Ash. Before it too late."

Devon smirked as he shifted his arms back to normal. "Look!" she stared at him. He looked like he was about to puke- his cheeks were bulgy and puffy "what's happening?"

"I don't know," he admitted.

Devon opened his mouth. Instead of puke a thick stream of purple goo came out and spewed all over cyndaquil. As soon as it reached her it absorbed into her skin, turning it purple and disappeared- causing the string shot rope to dissolve. . She started screaming and twitching in pain .As she twitched the gunk that didn't go on her made a one-foot circle around in the ground. Whatever grass it touched immediately became shriveled up and brown. "What was that?" they looked at each other in alarm.

"What did you do to her?" Ash bore into Devon's eyes, utter loathing in his eyes.

(It's gotta be some kind of strong poison attack) Pikachu noted.

" Very good deduction rodent" Devon agreed. "It is a powerful poison attack but it's No more than it deserved. That was the most powerful poison move in all kanto and Johto. Toxic". The group watched as she yelled in agony. Devon laughed. " Combined with the poison fury attack it makes for a agonizing but effective death. It doesn't have much time to live, maybe an hour, so you get to watch it's final minutes. "

"No! "Ash cried as he struggled against the metal ring. "Leave her alone you -AAAAAAGGGHHHH" a very strong blast of electricity came out from the ring and shocked him for about ten minutes. He screamed in pain. Misty and Pikachu worriedly called out his name but they could do no more than stop the attack than a Metapod could.

"Now are you going to co-operate nicely or do you want me to zap you with two hundred more volts?" Devon sneered a few minutes later when the electric attack stopped.

The teen looked up His black eyes full of determination. The attack burnt his skin a little. "Go. Rot. In. Hell" he panted.

Devon let out a growl that was more of an animal's than a human. "Fine then. If that won't make you co-operate … How about this?" He shifted his hand again into a glowing dark purple sludge hand, like that of a Muk's.

"Noooo!"

The hand grew longer as it reached for Pikachu. The mouse tried to back away but he couldn't do much. He knew without a doubt if Devon's temporary hand touched his fur he'd be poisoned as badly as Cyndaquil quicker that he could say Jessie James and Meowth's irritating motto. If that hand touches me i am a total goner. The hand got closer and closer...

Suddenly out of the blue, a strange red, azure, and orange flamethrower hit Devon's transformed arm. He yelped in pain and drew back his arm, trying to fan out the flames.

(Try this to cool off!) Not even a half a minute later a strange heavy stream of glowing bubbles with purple psychic energy knocked into him and made him barrel over onto the earth.

{What in the world was that?} Noctowl was astounded. Before his trainer could think of a reply, a group of the strangest pokemon pikachu, ash and misty had ever seen jumped out from the bushes on Devon's left side.

" How the hell did you freakish hybrid reject escape from your cage and guards?" Devon roared at them.

The ditto- hybrid's captives jumped as the figures stepped into a thin beam of moonlight. They were shocked when they saw them. There were four of them. The leader was a grayish vaporeon with shadowy wings and purple Gastly like tendrils on its legs. It also had two tails an espeon one and a vaporeon one. It's front paws were an espeon's. . It pawed at the earth and said in a strong female tone (what's it to you, you monster)

The one behind her was a yellow-toned male Nidoran. He had the stripes and ears of a pikachu and two tails. There was a huge mammoth Persian like pokemon covered in tan and blue zigzagged fur. It had humungous curved tusks that seemed to be made out of solid ice in addition to piercing big blue eyes. An ice blue tail with a whirl at the end lashed against the ground and it's rounded black ears were laid flat against its head. Long sharp claws penetrated the ground as it muttered something under its breath. There was also a blue ponyta with shackled fearow sized wings, but it's tail and mane was made of white and azure flames. Water-blue and red flames came out from behind its legs. The entire save for the mammoth Persian was wearing cracked black rings on their bodies. In a sense they were fierce looking pokemon but there was something awe-inspiring about the group. They're... they're spliced pokemon! Ash thought.

He called them freakish rejects! Misty thought with horror.

A thought entered pikachu's mind as he took in the newcomers what if those poor pokemon helped cyndaquil and are trying to help us? Why else would they save me?

Cyndaquil looked over at them each in turn, trying to ignore the poison. It's them. But how did they escape. (Shea, nika. Icie, artik ... you got free. But. How?)

Artik-The small ponyta- nodded. (With the help of a Legendary who met the boy's. she said she couldn't stand it any longer, watching her savior get tortured after he saved her)

Ash looked confused for a few seconds. He had met so many Legendaries over that he couldn't really keep them straight. Artik then looked at Devon. (Come on guys! Let's get him) he -for its tone was a male's-yelled as he sent a blue-reddish flamethrower at Devon. (This is for Growlchu!)

At the same time Nika- the Nidoran/ pikachu mix- glowed yellow. (Th-this is for my parents) he unleashed a bolt of purple electricity at Devon He screamed (taste my poison shock!).

(Take this you monster!) Shea- the gray vaporeon like hybrid sent a huge Powder Snow attack at him. The ice attack mixed with the purple electric ball along with the blue –red flamethrower.

All three attacks hit Devon who seemed to be engulfed in a storm of fire, snow and electricity. Or they would have if his eyes hadn't flashed and a thick barrier appeared a few seconds prior to the attacks hitting. As soon as the combined attacks hit the barrier they ricocheted off and hit Shea, Artik and Nika with double the power. The force sent them skidding along the ground. (Owwww) Nika mumbled.

(That's going to leave a mark) Artik said.

(I think that attack bruised my tail) Shea remarked.

"Not so tough are you freaks? Still weak as ever. Then again you'd think that I would have perfected making hybrids and not ended up with so many effing weak rejects . ..."

He studied the strange tan hybrid that had stayed put closely. It was a wooly mammoth Persian like pokemon covered in tan and blue zigzagged fur with humungous curved tusks that seemed to be made out of solid ice. It had big blue eyes, an ice blue tail with a whorl at the end and rounded black ears and whiskers. It was the only one who hadn't attacked.

" You can't be that ho-oh dammed Isokat, can you? That thing was so pathetic I was surprised it didn't die. The care and money I put into obtaining that meowth and Swinub to breed just then extracted that kit out of it's dead mother's body for the experiment... all to wind up with a dammed runt. –"

As Devon talked, the fur on the strange pokemon started spiking up and it's tail lashed the ground, freezing the areas it touched. Its eyes became narrow and it's ears flattened. The hairs on everyone's necks prickled and they felt sick. [That Twisted maniac!] Noctowl's voice was furious in his trainer's mind.

Ash opened his mouth but misty beat him to it. " You twisted, sick-"

A large shriek interupted him as a flurry of razor sharp ice missles came from Icie at Devon (I'M… NOT WEAK! MY MOTHER DIED SO YOU COULD CREATE ME YOU ABOMINABLE, DESPICABLE BASTARD!)

The barrier prevented the majority of the attack from hitting Devon however the barrier was slowly starting to crack. He didn't notice this. "Is that all? That thing can't break a simple barrier-"

(IT? IT? IT? HOW DARE YOU! IT HAS A GENDER AND A NAME YOU DESPICABLE BEATLY HUMAN! MY NAME IS ICIE AND I'M A FEMALE WHO'S GOING TO KICK YOUR SORRY ASS) Icie screamed as she stomped on the ground. All around Devon sharp spears of ice came up, broke the barrier and encased him.

" What the f-"

But she wasn't done yet. Her eyes blazed angrily, as her tail became silver. She leapt into the air despite her bulk and used Iron tail on the Ice tomb breaking it. Without hesitation she opened her mouth and used the same blue fire blast artik used before Devon had the chance to shift.

The attack jolted him back on to the ground a few feet. Icie's fur went back to normal as she landed nimbly on the earth again. [Holy ho-oh!] Was all golduck could say. The two humans were speechless.

(That ... was... incredible) Pikachu said. The other poke- hybrids were stunned.

(Dang Icie! You rock!) Nika commented. (Give me some paw, girl!). He extended a paw.

Icie looked surprised and then slapped Nika's paw with her own. Artik let out a low whistle that sounded like a neigh. (So that was the power she said you needed to unlock)

Shea looked over at Icie with a look of admiration in her eyes (knew you could do it)

She turned to them, and changed back into a smaller meowth/ Swinub hybrid. She looked like a Meowth but with shaggy Piloswine brown hair over her face and body. White tusks and Zigzag patches of blue fur and a long blue/ white tail. A tiny gem was on her forehead near Meowth-like ears and whiskers,

Her blue eyes became soft for the first time and she blushed. (Thank you.) She said in a softer friendly voice. (I'm sorry I was such a self-centered jerk before. I didn't know what to make of myself or even if I was a girl or boy. )

(Th-that's understandable.) Nika told her.

She jerked her tail to Ash, Misty and pikachu. (Let's get them free)

POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch

Cyndaquil watched Icie and the others work together to free the humans. What caused Icie's personality change? Whatever it was she just saved our lives. She tried to get up off the ground but her muscles wouldn't move. The poison seemed to spread even faster since her surroundings were starting to become distorted. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Devon get up, grab the knife out of his pocket and begin to make his way over to Pikachu who had his back turned.

(Don't you dare! Watch out… pal! ) She stood up weakly. (Duck!)

(Huh?) He turned around and his eyes went wide.

She used a huge Flamethrower on the arm with the knife but luckily the mouse flattened himself to the ground.

"YEEEEOOOOOOOW!" Devon screeched as the attack burned the arm and the blade. A strong smell of burned skin metal filled the area.

"Way to go Cyndaquil!" Ash and misty both said. They were both free -leaning against Icie's side for support but Pikachu was still stuck in the net.

Devon looked at Cyndaquil with a murderous gaze as he raised the melted knife in the air. "That does it! I'm going to do something I should have done this after I killed that traitorous Quilava. You're going to die first you irritating bi-"

But he was interrupted by a long birdcall like one a Dragonair might make. "GYRUUUUUUUU." It repeated again and seemed to fill everyone's soul but his with hope. 'GYRUUUUUUUU'

He scanned the area as he lowered the knife. " What's that god-awful noise?"

Although he thought it horrible it was melodic to everyone else. It was like hearing a song of hope -they knew they could defeat this evil. The hybrids felt rejuvenated. 'GYRUUUUU'. The unknown bird called yet again. A swirling blue-purple beam of energy hit Devon and knocked him a few feet away.

With what little she could make out due to her fading vision, Cyndaquil saw a human sized figure with a strange bird mask wearing a long brown coat jump from a tree branch onto the ground near the hybrids. The figure looked at him. " Let them be or else " the voice that came from it's mouth was like a deep growl.

His eyes flashed as his arms shifted into Scyther blades. "Over my dead body. Sayonara " he lunged at the newbie, slashing at the air. The newcomer quickly jumped away from the blades but one slash nicked the mask.

"You'll wish you were dead after this" it uttered a strange chant under its breath. A swirling orb of blue light appeared in its out stretched hands. She thought she saw blue claws but it could have just been her imagination.

(C-come on guys. We got to help that human or whatever it is) Nika said as he got up, His eyes blazing with fury. He used what looked appeared an electrified Double Kick attack. Artik became covered in fire, which grew until there was a sound of cracking. The cracked ring around his wings fell to the ground in clumps. He flapped his great wings and a volley of ice balls and fireballs came out. Icie used that strange fire blast that Artik had used previously. Shea used a purple Powder Snow attack then reverted to Ice Beam. The combined attacks pushed Devon back and he stumbled to the ground

The stranger locked eyes with the evil ditto/human villian. It took on a deeper tone of voice as if something was speaking through it. "Xeroexus homo sapian combinyus, maleficent ditto- human hybrid you have caused immeasurable pain and suffering to countless pokemon. You have harmed this human and his friends both mentally and physically in more ways I can count. You won't- I repeat will never harm another creature- be it pokemon or human ever again!"

It fired the balls in it's hands- which had been growing larger and more powerful all the while- at Devon. He yowled as the force of the twin beams struck him. It forced him back to the back of the cabin-no through the wall of the cabin.

At this point, the poison in Cyndaquil's body reached a boiling point. She had but a few minutes left. She swayed from side to side. Ash, Misty, Pikachu and the hybrids yelled her name out but they seemed far away. She couldn't last any more.

(I'm sorry) she squeaked as she fell to the ground and darkness overtook her.

POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch POV Switch

"NOOOOO!" Ash screamed as she fainted. "Cyndaquil! Cyndaquil!"

No! No! not again! Not so soon after the airship incident. After all she went through don't tell me she's ... she can't be... He tried to run over but Icie quickly grabbed the back of his shirt with her mouth.

(Don't. You'll endanger yourself if you go over to her) the hybrid said through the shirt.

"But I can't watch her...d-d- " tears flowed down his face. He couldn't complete the word and then looked over at Pikachu briefly.

Shea looked at him. Thanks to the Espeon DNA she understood what he couldn't bring himself to say. . She flicked her tails at the perimeter of poison. (How would you walk past that?)

[She's got a point.] Noctowl mentioned.

Misty turned to Shea. "Can you do anything to- to help?"

(Please?) Pikachu added, limping over. While Artik, and Icie had worked together to free the humans, Nika and Shea had combined forces to free him from the net.

(I'll try.) The vaporeon hybrid's eyes glowed and her tails vibrated as a faint outline covered her body. A circular Light Screen barrier appeared around the fallen fire type. It went around her until it created a circle and connected with the other end. The Light Screen sphere hovered wobbly into the air.

Icie let go of the teen's tee shirt. (I didn't know you could do that)

(Very impressive) Nika remarked.

"Wow. I've never see a Light Screen used like that before "

"That looks like it requires lots of concentration" .the two teens were amazed.

(Thanks) Shea told them. The bubble flew slowly into flew into ash's open arms. Her tails and eyes went back to normal and the outline disappeared.

(I'm not so sure how long that will last) she admitted.

Ash looked down at Cyndaquil. It was like reliving that horrible incident all over again. "Oh cyndaquil, I promise, no I swear to mew and ho-oh that I'll find away to save you. You j-just hold on. You hear me? You hold on and- and we'll get you back to normal."

"Vile scum. " The cloaked figure looked where Devon fell and spat. It turned to them. . It wore a bird mask-much like those they'd seen at the Shamuti Legend Festival long ago but this mask had scratches and cuts in it, it looked at the teens and they backed away from it. A small Natu fluttered down from the tree, landed on its shoulder and started chirping to it.

The questions flooded from pikachu, ash and misty's mouths at once:

"Who are you?"

"Why are you here?"

(Who or wh-what are you?)

It held up a hand not unlike a claw of a Totodile. " Peace young ones. I'm a friend," it said in a calming voice. "I'm not going to hurt you. In face I'm here to help save you from being in his clutches. We must act fast for soon he will be waking up and your window of opportunity to escape will vanish. "

The teenager's jaw dropped open until Misty nudged him and He closed it. How did it know? "What- that was - you saved."

Whoever is under that cloak came at the perfect time Pikachu thought.

[It saved our rears] Noctowl commented.

"Th-thank you." Misty told the cloaked figure. "How did you -?"

It sighed. "You don't want to know what would have been your fate if I hadn't intervened. "It turned to the hybrids. "You have been brave and courageous. Not many would have done what you have done today. You have brought hope into each other's lives again. The Original One himself will bring you good fortune."

Nika, Shea, Artik and Icie looked at one another and then spoke at once (thank you kind…uh whatever you are but you can't give us the credit)

(It was cyndaquil) Shea flicked her tails at the light screen bubble in Ash's hands

(She reminded us that hope is never gone -)

(We had lost all hope of freedom-)

(We didn't want her to be killed after that -)

A moan escaped from the injured Fire Type and they all turned their eyes to her. The poison had covered three fourths of her body and it was growing quicker. [She's in major trouble if we don't get help ASAP. If that poison covers the rest of her body] there was no need for Golduck to complete his mind speak sentence to misty. He couldn't even finish it

Pikachu bit his lip. (What do we do now?)

Artik looked toward the two humans and the Pikachu (I can fly you there)

The cloaked figured shook it's head. "No young..."

(Devon called me a Zephfrost, but my actual name is artik) he neighed

"Zephfrost. The name suits you quite well. "Their rescuer commented. Artik blushed. "The poison is going too fast. My Natu will teleport you to the nearest Pokemon Center."

It whistled and a small Natu flew down from a branch. The humans noticed the bird's eyes were blue and it wasn't staring at them or hopping away like a typical Natu. Nor was it chattering. " I hate t be rude n-but your Natu… it's –it's … "

Misty didn't want to point out the obvious about the bird's eyes and it's silence. The figure's eyes twinkled. "Blind and mute? Oh yes I know. It's an aftermath of a horrid past but his other senses are highly magnified and he's been taught to write words and pictograms with his feet and communicate telepathically. Natu Teleport these humans and the Pikachu to the Mahogany Town Pokemon Center. "

The bird's red crest on the top of his head quivered and he scratched the word 'ok' into the earth. "You must do it quickly. The life of the boy's Cyndaquil depends on it. "

He nodded and scratched some words and pictures into the dirt with a foot. The hooded figure seemed to understand them and nodded. " Yes, you must return once they are safe. "

The Light Screen bubble containing Cyndaquil in started to crack in Ash's arms. (You must Hurry-the bubble will not hold much longer) Shea begged them.

Ash looked at the cloaked figure and asked. "Who- I mean what are you? An enemy? WH-where did you come from? "

I'd like to know that too Pikachu and Misty both thought at the same time as the Natu skipped over to them.

The figure smiled through the cracked mask. "You think I'd help you if I were with him? " it pointed to where the beam had thrown Devon and spat on the ground.

"Well, no" Misty admitted. "But what do we call you?"

"I'm ... a friend"

They heard a groan from where the evil human-ditto hybrid was getting up. (Uh oh) Nika's eyes went wide. (Devon's not down for the count yet. Y-you has to leave now. If you're still hear when he's up)

(Please tell Cyndaquil thanks from us) Shea told them.

"W-w-we will." He trainer said.

"Natu. GO! We shall take of the dangerous Ditto hybrid," the figure commanded.

The bird's eyes glowed as the forest disappeared in a mass of swirling color and a flash of light. A few seconds later, they arrived in the Mahogany Town Pokemon center's lobby- thankfully for them it was empty. The Light Screen bubble around the fire type vanished and she fell into Ash's arms. "Welcome to the -Oh my!" Nurse Joy's eyes widened and she clasped a hand to her open mouth when she saw them. "Holy Ho-Oh! What the heck happened?"

Misty didn't blame her for reacting the way she did. You don't see two humans –one with cuts on his face and burnt skin holding a very poisoned injured cyndaquil- and a bruised Pikachu teleport in a pokemon center every day

Neither of them noticed the bird vanishing. Ash was close to tears. "Please nurse joy! You have to save my poor cyndaquil. Lots of blood loss and horrendous... Poisoning."

While Joy called for a stretcher and two chanseys to come to the front stat, Cyndaquil's breathing got worse and she twitched around in his arms. Her body trembled with fever as the poison took effect. The purple spots were getting larger by the minute. Blood from her injures was on his shirt.

Ash had no clue how long she'd last. What did Devon say about it? "That toxic attack combined with the poison fury is going to take effect very quickly. The mouse has an hour to live, maybe a little less. " He shuddered recalling those blood-chilling words. How long did she have left?

"Hang in there, Cyndaquil" Misty told her.

He felt a small tug at his shoelaces. (The Chanseys are here) Pikachu informed him as he tried to walk forward, wincing at the pain from his injuries

Misty picked him up. The slash marks on his side was swollen and the paw Devon yanked was hanging at an odd angle.

"You got hurt badly as well," she said as they walked over to where the stretcher was.

(Nothing as serious as her) he told her. (But it still hurts like heck)

"I'll take her" Joy told ash as they reached the stretcher.

He gingerly put the fire type in her thickly gloved hands and the nurse put her on the stretcher. The fire mouse weakly looked at her trainer while Joy told a nearby Chansey to set up the emergency room for immediate poison extraction. Ash was close to tears. "Please do wh-wh-whatever you can to save her" he choked to the Chanseys. "She saved our l-lives"

(We'll do our best) one of the Chanseys told him. She saw the love and concern reflected in the human's eyes. It was clear that he cared deeply for his pokemon. They wheeled the stretcher through the back doors and out of sight.

Pikachu looked over at his friend's face and saw he was fighting back tears. (She'll be all right Ash. I know she will.)

Misty stroked his fur with a trembling hand. "Thanks pal."

"He's right. She's a little fighter," she told him. She knew he was still shaken up about what happened

(Um. Excuse me.) They turned around. They had forgotten about the other Chansey. (I noticed that your Pikachu is badly injured. Would you like me to heal him?) Ash and Misty both nodded. (Come on dear) Chansey told Pikachu as Misty handed her the electric type. (I'll get you back to normal.)

"Um Chansey? Would you also mind healing my Corsola? She was in a…. Brutal battle and got a lot of bad wounds and some her coral like growth were badly chipped." Misty handed her Corsola's Pokeball.

(Of course I will miss.)

"Thanks."

The pokemon left the empty lobby and the two humans sat down on the couch. Ash bit his lip, something he did when he was really nervous or worried. She didn't have to guess what was on his mind. This was deja vu for him all over again- one pokemon in serious condition. "It's my fault," he muttered. "It's all my fault. If it weren't for seeing what was going on at Lake Rage and insisting on stopping them then none of this would have happened."

"Not your fault at all, even you hadn't insisted on playing the hero again, I'm sure Tyson would have tried the same thing."

"Wh-what about what she…went through? I'm the one who… insisted she fight Pryce's …Dewgong." He panted-the shocks from Devon's rings must have taken a toll on him. "If I hadn't done that then. …Maybe just maybe she… wouldn't be p-poisoned."

She looked him in the eyes. "You listen to me for a few minutes Ashton Ketchum-"

He cringed at his full name. "I hate that name. You sound just like mom. "

"As I said listen to me for a few minutes Stop beating yourself up" misty lowered her voice "this isn't like the airship. She didn't take a bullet nearly to the heart. She's a fighter. You saw how much spirit she had although Devon beat her to a vicious pulp when we found out his horrendous past "she shuddered. "She kept on protecting us. It's not your fault what betided- it may have been fate. "

"It's just I'm worried about her. You know that was the second time I had to see one of my pokemon get... poisoned."

"She'll be okay." She noticed that he was quiet for the next ten minutes. "You okay?"

"I –". He let ou a moan of pain. "I... don't feel so good"

She looked at his arms and gasped. There was growing purple spots arms where he held Cyndaquil against his. He was sweating badly like he'd been in one hundred -degree heats for hours. The spots were spreading to his shirt and eating the fabric up. Even from here she could feel waves of heat! He was also trembling badly. [What's going on] golduck asked. [Heard ash and you both gasp]

Something's wrong with him. He just started sweating and these purple spots started appearing where he held cyndaquil. I don't know what to do she replied worriedly.

[What's wrong? I can feel you tremble] Noctowl asked.

Don't know. One minute I was feeling a bit wiped and then I felt sick, very hot and weak Ash replied calmly as he could.

Noctowl thought [maybe it's a delayed poison attack. Maybe Devon thought that by delaying the poison you'd be out of range of a hospital. ]

Keeping calm as he could, the teen told Misty Noctowl's theory and her eyes went wide. "Stay here, I'm going to find a nurse," she told him. She got up to look for help but the lobby was empty.

Just then the door entered and a familiar blue haired girl entered. She was slightly limping and saying something under her breath. It's the girl who saved us the other day! "What's her name?" she muttered... It was some bird name. "Pidge? That wasn't right. Sora? "

[Togepi says it was Robina] Golduck told her.

Thanks. Aloud she said. "Robina? I need your help"

Robina came over to her. "You're the girl I helped you a few days ago." Misty nodded. "Did Officer Jenny nab those Rocket grunts?"

"Uhhh... yeah, she did" she fabricated quickly

"What about- Oh!" Robina's gazed ping-ponged from Ash to Misty and back. "You held a poisoned pokemon right?"

Trying not to let the pain get to him- it seemed to get stronger each minute He nodded and asked. "Can. you... help?"

"I know a bit about medicine but i'm not that skilled in getting poison out. But I do know a good friend who has a true natural healing gift. "

She gently lifted him up, not getting poisoned since she had thick protective gloves on and called, "Cera, we've got a case of poisoning in a human. A human sized stretcher and a room for immediate poison extraction. "She added. "It's a friend."

"Huh? Don't know anyone named. Cera" he told Robina.

"She's a master of disguise. you have met her. It's just she has. Many aliases." Robina explained

A girl about twenty years old appeared from behind the door a minute later, with a human sized stretcher. She had wavy green hair and wore a green tee shirt under her nurse's apron. She had large baby-blue eyes behind black glasses.

"Oh my! R-Robina you weren't kidding. We'll fix that up in a jiffy" Her voice was soothing & her eyes behind the glasses were sympathetic though at first they went wide when they saw Ash. She motioned for Misty to help Robina bring him over and got him onto the stretcher and settled. "Don't worry young man; we'll have you fixed up soon"

Misty looked worriedly at her gasping poisoned boyfriend. "Don't…. worry about... me. I'll be… fine. " He panted.

"I can't help it, please…. Make it through…" She whispered and they both knew what word she left out: Alive

He gave her a weak smile before Cera hurried wheeled him into the back. Misty was more than a bit frantic. What if he doesn't make it she thought? What if the poison spreads and- and he-?

"Don't worry," Robina's voice startled her." Uh what's your name?"

She looked up at the girl and lied. "M-Mira." The lie slipped easily off her tongue

"Mira, Cera is a good friend. She's a great doctor's assistant" Robina noticed the worried look in misty's eyes.

"It's. Not that "she mumbled looking at the lighted sign above the ER. "It's that As-Adam's gone through so much lately. He nearly lost a pokemon he was close to and his Cyndaquil was majorly poisoned. "

Robina gave a little gasp. "That's horrible. No wonder why he was looking at the ER. "

"A-and it still hurts him. I've been with him for a long time so I know "she felt like telling this girl the truth but she couldn't. She saw Jessie, meowth and James try to take them so she knows something is up

The two girls sat in silence for a while. "You know what you need, Mira?" Robina said as she sat up. "I find that having a cup of hot chocolate helps me when I've had a rough day. I bet your pokemon are hungry as well"

[She's got a point. I'm starving. I bet you are too]

You're right golduck she responded. But I don't want to spill want really happened.

[Act like a magicarp- dumb. Lie]

Easy for you to say that.

[I'm smarter than I was as Psyduck but I can still act. watch]

Misty saw a flash of light as he materialized in front of her. He looked around. He cocked his head to one side then the other in an idiotic fashion. (Food? Where? This is the lobby not a cafeteria. Are you saying now they serve food in here? )

She stood up and gave him a huge hug. "You know exactly when I need cheering up"

(You're the girl with the Aerodactyl from yesterday) he studied Robina closely.

She patted his head. "That's me. Poor Aladar was abandoned for not being fierce enough in battle plus he's quite small for his species. He may look fierce and scary but he's really a big softy."

Misty's stomach yelled at her. "Heh, I guess it's telling me that I need food pronto"

"Follow me to the café" Robina said. Misty shot one last look at the sign above the ER as she left. I j hope they'll pull through. Golduck gave her a you-know-they'll-be-fine look.

Robina winced as she limped into the café. Golduck noticed this and gave a concerned look. (Look, she's got a cut) he pointed out.

"You're hurt," Misty observed.

Robina shrugged it off. "It's really nothing. It's just a gash from... a wild Houndoom I encountered. I should be glad it didn't use Flamethrower.'

She seemed satisfied with her answer but something told her robina was keeping a secret. Golduck looked at her as they sat down at a table and Robina went to get her food from the buffet. He jerked his head to her. The message was clear: she's hiding something from us.

Misty looked around then lowered her voice. "If she has secrets that's her business. We're keeping a huge one from her- about the real reason why those dimwits were after us, especially you-know-who"

He shrugged his shoulders. (Come on let's get some grub, I bet you're hungry after that whole experience.)

"Umm excuse me Golduck but who's the trainer here you or-" her stomach growled. She chuckled. "Guess I am a bit hungry. Though I don't know how much I'll be able to eat much after. Hearing that from Devon"

She shuddered as she recalled Devon's words to her about playing the part of his 'loving girlfriend' and she felt her cheeks pale as she looked at him. Golduck looked at her concern in his eyes as he clenched one webbed hand into a fist for a few seconds and patted her with the other. (But you turned him down. like you'd actually go with him after all that ruck-a-muck with you-know-who and finally landing your man after all these years. Why would you even go with Devon after what you witnessed and the totally evilness he boasted of? )

She smiled and felt the color come back into her face. She stood up and hugged him, not caring who saw. "Thanks Golduck. " The teenager whispered into his Nidoqueen-blue skin. "I'm just a bit skittish a-after wh-what happened. "

They ended the hug and she sat back down. (Can't say I don't blame you. But you and I know they're both going to be okay-they're strong fighters. Food will get your mind off what happened)

She nodded. Even months later she still couldn't get over his wisdom and intelligence not when she was so accustomed to seeing him as a very dimwitted barely intelligent Psyduck.

"You're right. I should probably get an extra plate of food for-" they looked up and saw Robina coming toward them with a tray full of steaming delicious smelling food. "A-Adam, "

they got up and went to the buffet.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's notes: the return of the cliffy! Don't worry everything turns out for the better in the final chapter!