As Persian and Houndoom walked home casually, they discussed their plans regarding the future of this universe. While the Legendary Birds have calmed down some, unnatural heatwaves and snowstorms still alternated, followed by severe thunderstorms. It was clear all wasn't solved yet. The only good they've done was that the Birds took better care of the areas they guarded over, so that many Pokémon were able to find a safe home.
Much rested on the shoulders of those who had gone to Groudon, in the hopes of appeasing him. As usual, Groudon had been grumpy, erupting his volcano, but he'd been especially bad the last weeks, agitated by the excessively unpredictable weather.
As Dominic and Isabelle slowly passed through the village, Chansey ran frantically around, shrieking at each other as if the biggest disaster had happened. Because Persian was still hindered by her migraine, Houndoom tried to stop one of the nursing Pokémon to get them to look at his mate.
"Excuse me?" He was ignored.
"Excuse me!" The second Chansey ran past him as well.
"Excuse me?!" He roared, spitting fire in his anger. Next to him, Persian chuckled at this display of temper that came with being a fire-type. It seemed that Dominic was becoming more and more a Pokémon every day. It wouldn't be so bad to stay like this. Stay in this universe.
A Chansey, startled by Dominic's fury, hobbled over.
"How can I help you?" She asked in her characteristic, high voice.
"Finally," he growled, impatiently, startling the nursing Pokémon. "My mate's been affected by some psychic type and needs help. Also, her Power Gem attack backfires often."
"Poor thing. Come with me, honey. You! Cool down!" Houndoom flinched and took a step back while the pink Pokémon took his feline mate with her to where the sick were nursed back to health. Dejected, Houndoom stalked off to seek out Mightyena.
Inside the hospital, most of the cushions were occupied by fallen heroes, such as the team that had gone to beg Groudon for help: Blastoise, Octillery, and Golem. Despite their typing being supposedly advantageous against fire types such as Groudon, the Pokémon's sheer power destroyed them. It was heartbreaking to see such strong Pokémon doubt their value. A burnt water-type is not a happy Pokémon. It dents their pride heavily.
Isabelle rested on the pillow, relieved to be comfortable again after having slept outside for a day or two. One Chansey was preparing something eggy to eat, mixed with berries, while another massaged her sore back and neck.
"Why didn't your mother teach you how to properly use Power Gem?" Chansey scolded.
"I taught myself," Persian replied with a hiss, causing the nurse to back off a little.
"Well, I still believe someone should have taught you."
"Believe as you wish," Izzy said as she slowly got up from the bed. The pink Pokémon was getting on her nerves. "I'm out of here." Ignoring the protests of anything remotely pink, the feline left the tent.
Outside, two canines sat guard, sitting sideways so that they could both watch the entrance and guard for enemies. When the sore Persian exited, two tails began wagging excitedly, causing Isabelle to laugh.
"Let's go home. I imagine Firefly to be so worried. Maybe he has some new info for us as well."
The chubby Volbeat was very happy to see both Dominic and Isabelle again. He kept buzzing around them, swaying to and fro because of his weight, chattering happily. There were many letters of request, assembled and sent by the Post Office, considering only few Pokémon could write but almost all of them could read. Missing items, escort missions, and similar requests.
"How long has the Groudon squad been back, Firefly?" Persian asked as she slowly lowered herself onto her own bed, resting her aching head on her paws.
"Not long. They crawled back into town before dawn. One of the Chansey was overheard gossiping and soon the entire town knew," came the reply. Isabelle sighed and Dominic growled in anger.
"So the cowards here laugh at fallen heroes? They at least tried. That's much more that can be said for most Pokémon here. I am aware not everyone is fit for battle, but there is more to do than just hide. The refugee houses aren't done yet, are they? Or the food storage increased?" The shake of Firefly's head told Dominic what he needed to know. Flickers of flame escaped his maw as he shook his head, as if trying to dispel the anger.
"Yeah!" Mightyena agreed with a bark.
"You know what?" Dominic said, standing tall. "We'll show them! We'll go to Groudon!"
"Yeah!" Mightyena barked, earning him an annoyed glance from Persian. Nothing could discourage Pooch's admiration for the Houndoom.
"That is a terrible idea. Groudon is much more dangerous than Skarmory, than Zapdos, even worse than Aerodactyl! This is suicide!"
"Well, why else did we come here for? To help the Pokémon here!" Dominic countered.
"Yes! To help them! Not to die in vain!" Persian retorted, raising herself from the pillow.
"Please! Guys, please! Don't fight!" Firefly got in between the agitated Pokémon. For once, Mightyena kept quiet. "Team ATC is planning on going as well. You should go together! Meet them at the base of the vulcano. Maybe you can convince Groudon together."
"Yeah!" Mightyena barked, causing Isabelle to groan and hiss at him.
At the foot of the volcano, Houndoom, Persian, and Mightyena met up with Team ATC. Alakazam seemed to feel faint as he rested just outside one of the many entrances while Tyranitar and Charizard argued loudly, while roaring and flapping wings to emphasise their points. Mightyena shrank back, intimidated, but Isabelle and Dominic were not too concerned.
"Master Alakazam! Are you quite alright?" Mightyena asked, bounding forward to check on the psychic type on the ground.
"Oh, young one. Yes, I am alright. The Magma Cavern's temperature is too much for me, however. I cannot go in," he said in a feeble voice.
"I feared as much as well. Groudon's presence would burn me," Isabelle sighed.
"No! I am not going in without you!" Dominic barked, pressing his forehead against hers, feeling her gem between his horns.
"You've got to. I'm in no shape to fight or argue either way."
"But you always deal with the conversation. You're good at that, Izz," Dom whined quietly.
"I fully believe in you. You can do this. Besides, you're not alone. Tyranitar and Charizard will be with you. Just … come back safely to me, okay? I couldn't bear losing you to such a grouch," Persian whimpered. Houndoom didn't reply but rubbed his snout against hers. Isabelle didn't want to think that this may be the last time she inhaled his campfire smell or felt his hot breath against her whiskers.
He stayed in the embrace a bit longer before leaving with Tyranitar and Charizard of Team ATC, forming a temporary team. Mightyena, Persian, and Alakazam stayed behind. Persian sat in front of the entrance, waiting until Dominic would return while Mightyena helped out the elderly psychic type.
Charizard, Tyranitar and Houndoom continued into the vast chamber, following the dull, earthy rumbles from within. The tunnel they followed was wide, smooth and reasonably straight. If Dominic had paid attention during his schooling, he'd recognise it as a lava vent.
"Pretty tunnel," Dom grumbled to his companions, who each nodded. Their tunnel did eventually hook to the left, and open into a large chamber.
It was extremely hot within, and wafts of air brushed across them. It was good that they were fire types and welcomed it; for anyone else it would be uncomfortable. The entire place was lit by the reddish glow of lava flows running in the corners of the room and occasionally spitting upward.
Dominating the space was their quarry. Groudon was vast, towering over even the large Charizard and Tyranitar, nevermind Dominic. He had forward hunched shoulders and a broad, flat tail. His skin was deep red, reminiscent of the lava, and his body was covered in armoured plates and spines beside. He stood up on two legs but seemed so brutish that he hunched forward. Both intruders stopped in their tracks and shared a nervous glance. This wasn't a fight they could even begin to fathom fighting. They would have to - Xatu help them - talk it out.
"Groudon!" hollered Houndoom, catching the attention of the enormous, lumbering Pokémon, who turned his head slowly toward them. He appraised both Houndoom and Charizard and, finding them apparently lacking, threw his head back and let out a deep gruff.
"Look at you, little candle types. What do you need with me, the heart of a volcano?"
Charizard reeled a little, and even Houndoom's pride was prickled. Candles?! He underestimated them! It was one of the larger Pokémon - Charizard - who spoke up first, spitting cinders as he did. "You need to stop with the volcano, it is causing great trouble to the other Pokémon."
"Is that so?" He thumped his heavy tail on the ground and let out a deep booming peal of laughter. "Good!"
Houndoom took a few steps forward. It was hot down here, even to him, but his pride was poked and his protectivity aroused. "Not good! There are many friendly Pokémon… Even cold ones."
"Cold like you?" He seemed amused again, and again he thundered his tail against the ground. The ground rumbled in response and there was a surge of sulphurous heat, issuing up around them. "I am a volcano, Pup! You are an ember. A smouldering coal."
As though in unison, Charizard and Houndoom let loose eruptions of flame that shot to the air and made it shimmer with the heat. Tyranitar roared and it made pebbles tumble loose from the ceiling, to clatter against the ground around them. Their attacks were not designed to hit anything, but to show off. Still, Groundoom had to roll his shoulders and admit that perhaps they were not as feeble as his words implied. He didn't seem impressed so much as begrudging.
"Ha! Save your puny flashfires," he said, though it was without some of the venom from before.
"Flashfires my rump," Dominic grumbled, but he kept his head down and glared at Groudon. His words had been softly spoken.
"Fine!" The Pokémon inhabiting the volcano snarled, before letting out a deep roar of frustration. "Fine! I will spare the frigid lands."
For now, Groudon would not erupt the volcano, but the danger was far from over. There must be a reason for this aggressive behaviour of the so-called guardians of this universe. More work was needed before everyone was safe.