Chapter 35: Fiery Arrival

*KEVIN*

RareHunterLucas, how've you been?

Here, things have been getting pretty freaky. People around these parts have been going crazy with this "Master Silvershade" stuff, and now I'm hearing news come in about my friend (you know, Eric Claid, from the news). They've been saying that he separated the blessing from an original body, whatever that means, and the original body now doubts the blessing for good.

Even my friends are feeling the effects of what this madness is doing to those unaffected. A couple of times, people have randomly blurted out "WHO IS YOUR BOSS!?" and when one of us said "Giovanni", a group closes in on a gang attack, and we'd have to run until we can fight them off together. Sometimes, it wasn't successful, but Sam was always able to get away before the rest of us. "I nearly got killed last time." She told me when I mentioned it, "I'm not going to let it really happen this time."

I guess things are getting pretty painful out here. But despite that, we're able to get going with our usual routine.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Kevin.

*ERIC*

It must have been afternoon when I woke up. The smell of fried chicken hung in the air, and when I got up, I really needed to stretch.

"Thish is Aweshome!" someone said nearby. I looked left to find Gold and Explotaro sitting peacefully and enjoying their meal. Gold had bits of rice on his face, but that was because he was the one talking. Explotaro, on the other hand, was gobbling up his food so fast, he's using a pinkish-red drink to help swallow it down. I found the thought amusing, and figured it might be his first time eating food like this.

Gold swallowed what was in his mouth and wiped his face with his sleeve. "That hit the spot! Where you guys learn to cook like that?"

Blaziken was just coming out of the second room, and Alakazam was levitating a couple of disposable plates. Marshtomp and Riolu sat on the dresser, while Charizard was sleeping at the end of the room, mostly blocking the window.

"It. Isss… Aliiive." Blaziken punned as Alakazam levitated one of the plates to me. The food was nothing complicated, Chicken tempura with fried rice and a lot of veggies mixed in, as for the drink, it was nothing special either, Berry Juice of different flavors (mine was Chesto salty with a hint of an unknown sour taste).

"Bed and breakfast, oh so sweet as it is… is usually served by a maid." I commented, a silence saying it wasn't a very good joke. "OK, funny stuff aside, who did the shopping?"

"Yo!" Gold spouted, raising his hand when I looked his direction, "You have got to show me how you cook, dude, you're Pokémon are awesome at it!"

I smiled at the compliment. "From family to friends, I guess."

"Huh?"

"They take after me." I revised for him.

"So, what kind of fighting was that back there?" Gold asked.

"Hmm?" I didn't clearly hear him, I was too busy eating.

"I said, What Kind of Fighting Was That?" he repeated, saying it a little slower.

This time I heard him. "What, as in last night?"

"Yeah, what made those Pokémon want to attack ya?" Gold interrogated.

I was silent as I considered it for a moment. why did Leeroy and the Cassidy imposter want me dead?

"'You're more than the eye can see, Eric Claid.'" the Trushade Scyther's voice echoed in memory. "'You not only managed to get out of there alive, but your power towards Ho-oh grows fast. However, if you think you will be able to defeat the shadow that lurks behind you every day, you're going to regret thinking it. You'll live for now… but should you find yourself against my cause, then I'll have to kill you.'"

"you know…" I admitted, "That's actually a good question, because I'm really not sure why."

"Well, something's not right about you." Gold began. "Cus, they weren't as fixated on your partners as they were you. It almost looked like your Pokémon were in the way."

I was silent again. Go figure…

I finished my lunch silently, putting them in the trash with the rest of the disposable utensils afterward.

I felt like going to check on Cassidy and Butch. I told Gold and my partners where I was going, and left towards the room down the hall. Cassidy was still pretty shaken, fast asleep in the fetal position. Butch, however, was eating a couple of snacks from his backpack. He jolted when he saw me, and scrambled to stand up straight. I raised a hand, saying it's not necessary, and he relaxed.

"You doing alright?" I asked.

"Yes, sir. Cassidy's still upset, but I'm good to go." Butch said, occasionally glancing at his partner.

"good to hear that you're doing okay…" I commented, suddenly feeling that this was no time for formality. "And, you can just call me Eric since we're not at HQ."

"You sure?"

"Yep." I nodded

Butch didn't seem to understand why I was being so nice. In his mind, he had frequently pictured me as a kid who knew nothing of the sort.

"Anyways, I came by to see how you were doing." I decided to make my priorities clear now. "I also am going to say that we will be leaving for Ecruteak City in a few minutes. 'we' being me and my Pokémon partners."

Butch was not surprised, he remembered that I told him I'd only be staying for rest. He didn't move, however, out of courtesy.

"However, judging from Cassidy's condition right now, I think it might be best to let you take your time. After all, Cassidy had quite a nightmare while she wasn't herself."

Butch began thinking of the Cassidy imposter, and her attempt to convert me. While what I meant something different, he seemed to have understood it his own way.

"Take your time about when you leave, Butch." I told him. "Leave when Cassidy feels better and you're both confident. No need to hurry for my sake."

He acknowledged me and thanked me as well. I took a moment to get a glance at the large hole in the wall. It turns out that I didn't make any kind of recognizable indention like your see in the cartoons. I actually saw a hold that appeared big enough to put Charizard through, wings outspread. I smiled then, wondering how the owner would fix this, and returned my room to inform everyone of my plans.

"Sheesh, you always seem to get enough rest." Gold yawned. "when do you have naptimes?"

"When I'm sure that I'm truly safe." I said, hiding the fact that I actually did NOT get enough rest.

"Heh, whatever." He shrugged and continued eating at his own pace.

About a half an hour later, I got around to packing my stuff and paying my bill at the desk. I kept quiet about the damage caused in Cassidy and Butch's room, since he didn't seem to have noticed anything.

I took another look at Olivine City, the roads appearing to snake along from the harbor to the route I was supposed to go on if I went by foot. However, I took Charizard's Pokéball, and opened it so I could ask to fly on him. He took a quick look at the map I pulled up on my PDA, with me indicating where we would be going, and he agreed to fly us over there.

"Besides," he commented, "That trip the to lighthouse was too short, and I need some real flying… it might even give that kid Riolu something to do, the little snacker."

I smiled at the comment. "Thanks, Charizard."

"Sometimes, your constant 'thank you's are getting to me. They me feel…. Ahh, what's the word…"

"nervous?" I randomly suggested.

"No, no… ahh, Uneasy, that's the word."

My eyelids lowered to a look of skepticism. Awkward sounds more fitting than that… I thought.

I then plucked Riolu's Pokéball and stared at it. I felt a heartwarming feeling wanting to be around the kid, because he makes me feel more like the person I really am. I felt that in the Ferry, and while I know I'm in Team Rocket, I still prefer the nicer things in life.

I opened the Pokéball and out came Riolu, wondering what we're going to do today. When I laid out the plan, he grew excited about the concept and told me how much he loves flying (said that he always flew on Cynthia's Togekiss… whatever Pokémon that is).

Talking aside, we mounted on Charizard's shoulders, and off we flew off towards Ecruteak City..

***

Gold watched as Eric and his Charizard flew off towards their next destination. Explotaro gazed in their direction, then at Gold, and apparently was trying to say something.

Gold began to figure what he was meaning, and thought of the night before.

"heehee, Mar Marshtomp? Marsh Mar Marshtomp Marrsht—"

Gold didn't understand what was going on. "So, what was so funny, anyways?"

Eric looked at his Pokémon, then as Explotaro, and said "Emmm, Inside Joke." With a catlike smile.

"Wish I could understand you." Gold said, and then Explotaro looked to the right, and jolted. Gold looked in the same direction, and found out why.

It was the blue-haired man from before, and he's wearing a Rocket Uniform.

Gold found the uniform amusing. "Hey, Team Rocket's gone, dude."

The man snorted. "Says the Johto kid to the Kanto member."

Explotaro glared at the man and erupted his shoulder flames. Gold pulled a Pokéball from his pocket and stood ready for a Pokémon Battle.

To both their surprise, the man just shook his head. "I have no business with you, kid. I'm only here to accompany Claid."

Explotaro grunted in a questioning tone. "What's that supposed to mean, are you really trying to stalk Eric?"

From behind the man, the woman Gold saw on a craze the night before walked behind him. Gold examined the look on her face, and became cautious of what's around him.

Explotaro grunted something towards the couple, but the woman's expression became one of wonder. She stared at Explotaro for a couple of seconds. Then shook her head and glanced at Gold.

"We're accompanying the boy who flew off, because you see, he's our superior." The woman said. "And whether you want to believe us or not doesn't matter."

Gold stared at the woman, then to the man and finally Explotaro. He took a moment to register the information, and then both he and Explotaro burst out laughing.

"Wow, now that's comedy!" Gold said while laughing. Explotaro spoke out as well, but Gold didn't understand it to listen.

The woman's upper vein began to throb, and she had a twitching expression of restraint on her face. The man looked at Gold with a calm expression, and waited until Gold stopped laughing.

"Haven't ya seen what that kid can do?" the man asked Gold.

Gold still had a smirk on his face from the idea of Claid leading Rockets. He looked at Explotaro, though, and his expression shown that of concerned indecision. The Typhlosion looked at the woman, and made a few grunts and noises. The woman was puzzled, and echoed "One of the Sacred Fire?"

Gold's smirk faded, being replaced by suspicion. He looked at the woman's puzzled expression and then at Explotaro.

What the heck? Gold thought, can she understand… no, that can't happen. It isn't possible to understand Pokémon… he thought of Claid talking to those Pokémon, laughing as if he heard a funny joke from them. is it?

The woman seemed to have come to some kind of decision. Suddenly, without hesitating, began running down the path towards Ecruteak City.

"Wha--!" the man called. "Hey! Wait up, Cassidy!"

The man ran off after the woman he called "Cassidy", while Gold and Explotaro stood there. Gold looked at his partner, who seemed to be contemplating something. Then he looked at his Trainer, and he made a few gestures toward the dashing Rockets.

Now Gold wants to know a bit more about what's going on. Last he recalls, Team Rocket was disbanded, and now he's hearing from a couple of supposed grunts, that a kid is their superior in Kanto? Something's up, and it seems Explotaro feels the same.

"Well, at least I won't be bored…" he said, and with the idea set, he and Explotaro ran off in pursuit.

***

I hardly realized that I fell asleep until Charizard shook me awake when we arrived. I dismounted his shoulders, but I stumbled backwards and fell on my butt, sleep still clouding my brain. I got up with a yawn and I gathered around my surroundings that was Ecruteak City.

The place certainly looked like they were trying to retain the mystic look of religion. All of the buildings were oriental in design, far eastern buildings with the curved pyramid of a roof, the only things that didn't have such appearances stood out. That said, I immediately decided to stop by the store that stood kinda out-of-the-way from the majority of the City. It wasn't too hard to spot with the sign hanging above the oriental roof, and when I left, I had the ingredients for dinner all set.

"Hmmm…" Charizard sniffed near me. "What's the table serving today?"

"Large pattie melts with mashed potatoes and baked salad." I announced, "The toppings for the meat can be whatever you want, but the Salad is going to have dressing of whatever flavor we have available… Unfortunately, they do not have spicy or salty-dry flavored. But we do have Sour, bitter, and sweet."

"Yay!" Riolu cheered.

"Hmph, these people don't have very much variety with food." Charizard snorted.

I chose now to walk off towards the woods and get cooking. Just then, however, a blue light in the shadows caught my eye. It looked a bit like a Pokémon of some kind, and it seemed to have turned towards me just as a sudden breeze began to blow.

It seemed that Charizard thought it was strange. "Hmm… the wind was just blowing northeast, now it's just north? Does that guy control the wind?"

Just as I heard him say that, the blue light silhouette vanished. I stood there, wondering what kind of a Pokémon it might have been. Only then did I notice something tapping my shoulder.

I turned around to see a man, seemingly in his mid to late twenties with a white suit and what appears to be a cape of sorts. His hair was mostly slicked back, with a small bit sticking out in front. At first glance, I thought he might pull a rabbit out of a hidden hat and say "TA-DAAAAHHHHH!!"

Instead, he looked where I was a moment ago.

"You saw him, too, didn't you?" he interrogated.

"Sure?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "you know what that was?"

"Suicune. That, young man, is the legendary Suicune."

I looked back, and nothing else was there…

"Hey… The wind's blowing northeast again." Charizard murmured.

The man looked at Charizard for a second, and I quickly translated for him without hesitation. The man frowned at me and explained that Suicune embodies the North Wind. According to him, it is also said that it can instantly purify any body of water with a single touch.

""Hmm… Sounds neat for a Pokémon." I said casually.

"Yep," the man replied. "And I will not stop until I can prove to Suicune that I'm worthy." With that said, he dashed off in pursuit.

We stood there for a second, a bit confused about the whole thing. I thought about the last thing he said, though, something about proving himself worthy.

"What was that all about…?" I thought aloud.

"BWAHHHHH!!!" suddenly a purple thing appeared in front of my face, with reddish eyes and a devilish smile. I yelped and jumped back, and the thing that appeared was actually just a Gengar pulling a prank on me. I was about to try and smack the little jerk until I felt a hand rest on my right shoulder. I regained my posture and turned around to see a guy who also looks in his mid twenties. His solemn eyes, however, had shown some sense of dignity.

"Don't mind him, he loves to target people who space out." The guy said. "Anyways, you actually look very familiar, have we met before?"

I shook my head, Charizard snorted, and I recalled him without warning.

"Well, I'm not sure if you're looking for someone, but I need to get going. I promised my partners I'd get cooking soon." I told the guy. "Though once I find me a place to stay—"

*BWOOMMM*

The man and I jolted at the sound of an explosion coming from a large building nearby. Crowds of people fled the scene, an obvious sign of an ongoing rampage. I looked at Riolu, who was still standing, and we nodded in agreement.

"We'll handle this." I told the stranger, and dashed off towards the building, the man apparently calling for me to stop.

I slowed down at the corner closest to the entrance and set Riolu down along with my groceries. I told him to not get himself into trouble and to keep his distance while I'm fighting. Unfortunately, I figured a couple seconds in advance that he'd protest, and when he did, I had a response ready.

"Listen, these guys won't hesitate to hurt you if they're told to." I told him. "Blaziken and I should be able to handle getting hit, but right now, you're not able to handle something like that. If you got hit by that now, you wouldn't recover from it, understand?"

Riolu felt a little disappointed, but he nodded. "Alwight… But I get something Extwa!"

I smiled at him, aware of the cliché that he'll try to watch anyways. "It's a deal, just don't get yourself in too much trouble while I take care of this."

After he nodded again, I looked at the building's entrance, and figured that the smoke pouring out has to go. I grabbed Charizard and Alakazam's Pokéballs and tossed them both up.

"Charizard, Clear this smoke!" I commanded, and then a whirlwind was blasting seconds later. The smoke cleared, and Charizard stopped flapping his wings, and a look inside what appears to be a theatre stage were five women, four of which were passed out and a fifth being cornered. Most of the lurkers were not too tough to distinguish, two Cacturn, one Mightyena, three Houndours… and one pink colored Pokémon.

One of the Houndours, normally colored, barked out to the others. The group faced me, as expected, and the strange looking Pokémon took as much a look at me as I did it. The Pokémon was in two shades of pink and red, four-legged with a long neck to accompany a nearly typical bug-like head. On either side of the head, though, were accordion-like arms with pincers on the ends, identical to the tail. Judging from the look in its eyes, it look like this Pokémon and its crew are looking for something.

"Hoy, you!" the Pokémon shouted, "What'd ya want!?"

I took a couple steps forward, and my partners followed suit. A quick glance at Blaziken and Alakazam said they were ready whenever I was.

"you know, if you never had a taste in theatre, then what are you trying to do in causing a problem?" I asked, trying to set up some punchline. "did you want a certain dance?"

"What's it to you?" the Pokémon snapped. "I want to be the one to meet Ho-oh, but I need the Clear Bell to summon it!"

I stopped to think about the statement. "Clear Bell?"

"Ha! You don't know a thing about it?" The Pokémon's arrogance got on my nerves… "once I get the Bell, all I need left is to challenge the unrecognized chosen one of the Sacred Fire!"

At the second he said that, I felt an urge to accept this indirect challenge. But I thought it over, trying to understand this odd feeling. My Pendant began to glow, though and the Pokémon had the instant look of alarm at the sight.

"Wha- Hold on. What's your name, kid?" the Pokémon demanded.

The girl looked at me and gasped slowly. "You, you're Eric Claid, the one that's been foretold to appear!"

The Pokémon gawked at me. "You're kidding, right? This IDIOT is THE ERIC CLAID!?"

I frowned. "I'm no idiot… just uninformed… that's all."

The Pokémon paused for a moment, and then a flash or so later, a dude in his late teens stood there. I was impressed, I never thought I'd not be the only one able to use this ability completely.

"Eric Claid, Current chosen one of the Rainbow Phoenix, Ho-oh!" the guy declared. "I challenge you for the rites of your future blessing, the power of the Sacred Fire of Ho-oh, to save the world!"

The pendant glared brightly, and I felt the urge to accept the challenge, as if it was some kind of test. I pulled out the pendant and looked at it for a second, then at the girl. She nodded, and I paused for a moment before responding.

"Ah, Alright. I accept your challenge, whoever you are…" I replied, while getting a bad feeling about it. "Now, what I want to know, how does this work?"

"She will explain everything, young man." A somewhat male voice said, I turned towards the Voice. At the entrance stood a blueish Pokémon; four legged, a crystal shaped crown, a long and flowing purple mane, and finally with what looks like two white ribbons were being flapped around from the back to the front. When it reminded me of the silhouette, it finally dawned on me that this must be the one called "Suicune", embodiment of the North Wind.

I looked back at the girl, who was obviously nervous. She gulped, and was able to calm down surprisingly fast.

"The Legendary Suicune will oversee this challenge." She explained, suddenly appearing to be in a trance. "This challenge is for the abilities of the Sacred Fire of Ho-oh, a blessing that has yet to be granted. This contest, as passed down through the Legend of Ho-oh, is a Battle of Comrades. Ten combatants, five from each side, will take part in an all scale battle as a test of trust and true companionship. Whoever's side falls will be deemed unworthy of the Sacred Fire, and the Mark will be passed to or retained by the winner."

I looked back, and Suicune was walking towards the right wall. Footsteps were heard, then Magician and Bandanna appeared at the entrance. Bandanna looked like he was mystified at the scene, but Magician seemed to be trying to figure everything out.

I felt my pendant begin levitating. And the glare became unbearable and I shut my eyes.

"Ngh, Gahh!" I cried, "What the hell's going on here?"

The light felt like it faded, and I opened my eyes, and realized immediately I was in some kind of platform arena somewhere. The place was largely circular, about large enough that five Snorlax could stand at arm's length and fit. The floor was wooden, with a symbol that looked like two copies of the Viridian Earth Badge crossed together with my pendant's color. I looked up and while it felt like indoors, the roof was too far away to be seen in this upward black abyss. The platform was also too high up, and I began to wonder where in Ecruteak City have we been teleported to.

*TSSUN*

I turned around towards a sound of teleportation. The guy standing there, four Pokémon with him: Two Cacturns, One Mighyena, and then that strange Pokémon again, except this one is purple.

*TSSSUN-SUN*

I looked back, Blaziken and Charizard stood there for a second, looking around.

"Classic." Blaziken commented. "Wooden stage, perched way up. Reminds me of all those martial arts movies we saw at Club."

Charizard looked at the abyss below. "That's quite a fall, though." He tried to get a getter look, but his head just stopped before it crossed over the edge.

He straightened up slightly, and headbutted forward. An orange ripple appeared where his head was stopped. Blaziken and I placed our hands past the edge, and the air felt solid. I kicked out, and my foot hit some kind of wall, another ripple appearing. alright, so we got boundaries.

"Trainer Claid." Suicune's voice echoed. "Release your other partners so that the contest may begin."

I snapped up, turned around, and the Trainer had his hands to his hips. I grabbed Marshtomp's and Alakazam's Pokeballs and tossed them up. They appeared, Alakazam taking stock of his surroundings and of the situation through me, Marshtomp just looking around.

"This test will test your utmost companionship amongst each other." Suicune said, bringing it us all alert of what's going on. "The Human will fight alongside his companions, his friends, and his brother in arms. Whoever's friendship bond is stronger shall have the ability to prevail in this fight."

"We're going to beat you down, Claid." The guy said, overconfident. I did not want to put up with a loser like this on an empty stomach. I grow very grouchy when I'm hungry enough.

"Alright." I replied, "and how about this: if we win this thing, then you get to pay for our dinner, and a high quality one at that. I'm NOT in the mood to cook anymore, and if you're going to inconvenience me by causing trouble, I'm going to make you pay for it."

"Fine, if you can beat me."

I snorted, I took a gander at everyone, and the decision was unanimous. We didn't give as much a hoot as losing pride as much as losing time to eat…

BEGIN!! a booming voice declared, I thought and it's on like Donkey Kong.

"Cacturns, open up with Pin Missile!" the trainer declared, hundreds of white needle shots spouted from their arms and were aimed straight in our direction.

I knew the best way to respond, but I couldn't do it myself. Alakazam, help me catch these. Together, we focused a psychic net, the spikes stopped in mid-air, and with a wide push, rebounded them back at the trainer. Stun time gave me a chance to think, and instantly, I labeled targets and gave instructions.

Charizard and Alakzam, you got the two Cacturns; Blaziken, Strange Pokémon; Marshtomp, Mightyena; I got the Trainer. Quick Divide and Conquer strategy, if one of us takes down a target, lend support to who needs it most.

Got it. everyone responded simultaneously.

Alright, let's give him our order!

The Battle began, and thanks to Alakazam, we were able to know what the others were doing. Multiple attacks all commenced at once. Blaziken dashed forward and hopped up to deliver a couple light kicks before a straight blast of Fire Spin; Alakazam mounted Charizard, used Psychic to give him liftoff and shot off Flamethrower as well; Marshtomp danced around Mightyena, taunting to force it to attack. Its teeth snapped at him, but Marshtomp evaded it and squirted Mightyena with Water Gun. I used Blaziken form and charged the trainer with a Close Combat assault. He dodged each of my strikes, and grabbed my left wrist; I withdrew my wrist, pulling him towards me and swung an elbow at his back with a whirling kick ot knock him aside.

The Trainer grabbed one of his Pokeballs, summoned a Mightyena form, and began fighting back with coordinated jabs. A punch nearly hit me from my left, but I grabbed it and caught the Cacturn in mid-swing. I spun around to line up the two targets before I drop-kicked them both back away from me. When I did so, though, something purple crossed out and struck me in the chest, launching me back.

"Ah, Eric!" Alakazam shouted vocally.

It occurred to me that this guy was no amateur, and my tactics previously stated was intended for one as such. So much for a quick order, I might need to make him pay deluxe.

Damn, this guy's got knowledge. I thought to myself, then in command: Alakazam, Charizard, Firestorm, GOOO!!

Already on it, he replied. Blaziken, Marshtomp, Heads up!!

I leapt up in a whirl, stepping back to avoid stumbling; Blaziken shot through the enemy group, sending the trainer and one of the Cacturn to a spin, and Marshtomp landed next to me. Focusing the mindpower in me, I built up strength for the instant and yelled "Barrier!!" to bring up the psychic shield. In seconds, the whole arena seemed to erupt in explosions caused by the Firestorm combo of Charizard's Flamethrower and Alakazam's Psychic. Flashes of white appeared for what few of the many explosions hit the shield. A final row of shots blasted near the shield, and it was destroyed along with my focus. I lost feeling in my ankles and fell to my knees, but I felt that Charizard and Alakazam joined us. The enemy was forced to make some distance, and because of the surprise attack, one of the Cacturn and Mightyena were heavily injured among them.

Among mine, the only one that was beat-up was me. Marshtomp, Charizard, and Alakazam didn't have a scratch at all, Blaziken was almost the same, save for an X-shaped wound on his right side.

"Looks like they hope to take you out first." Blaziken said, I rolled my eyes. Duhhh!

"This guy seems to be your typical Pokémon Trainer." Alakazam observed. "He's used to the Trainer being the center of tactics. Perhaps that could be our advantage, but it seems this guy is fairly adept at overwhelming single opponents."

Alright, then, we'll form two teams. I said, mouthing something else to keep things private. Marshtomp, Charizard and Alakazam, take to the sky. Alakazam, you're in charge; Marshtomp, stay on Charizard at all times. Blaziken and I will be on the ground keeping them occupied. Alakazam, try to find a way to KO the majority so Blaziken and I can end the fight.

"Got it?" I said vocally, everyone nodded. Everyone got set up, Alakazam's team lifted off into the air. Blaziken and I stood on the floor. The Trainer and his team of combatants stood ready, the Trainer himself crossing his arms with a smug look on his mug.

"You ready for Round Two, Claid?" the Trainer said, "I expected you to be better than this."

"All I needed is the chance to plan, dude." I replied, "DING!!"

"Let's open with Pin Missile one more time!" The Trainer grabbed a Pokéball from his pocket, and thrust it forward. "Transform, Cacturn!" he shouted, before he was enveloped in light.

"you want to play that game, huh?" I commented, then to Blaziken: "You Ready?"

"It's our turn now!" he declared, and we crossed wrists in a gesture of trust. I then clutched Blaziken's Pokéball to my side and made my statement.

"Pokéunison, Blaziken!"

A Couple second's in an orange Light, and I reappeared in Blaziken Unison. A duplicate of my partner, with the exception that my body was that of the shiner's variety and my eyes remained unchanged.

"Let's do this." We both agreed. And stood ready for the attack. The Cacturn raised their arms and a slew of white spikes shot out from their arms. Blaziken and I began running in opposite direction, the strange purple Pokémon charged at me with what I now realize is Cross Poison. I kept running, and the Pokémon was stopped by a blast of water from above. I looked ahead, and found a third Cacturn raising its arms in our direction. Blaziken and I crossed paths, and the Cacturn fired its Pin Missile. Instinct driving my immediate action, I leapt forward with Blaziken and performed the same stunt we did against Leeroy: aiming a Flamethrower at the trio while upside-down in the air.

The fire hit them before they could negate it with an attack; but the stunt only lasted a few seconds before Blaziken and I landed on the floor. I looked back and found that by some stroke of luck, they were all gripping a limb in pain. Burn, baby, burn!

Eric, Blaziken! Alakazam called mentally. Bunch them up together, and we'll take them with a Meteor Blast combo!

What!? Are you crazy, what about last time? I protested.

Those Pokémon have orders to cripple you, and I will not sit by and watch that happen. Alakazam told me. Unless you got something better, then I wouldn't argue!

The Unknown Pokémon charged again with Cross Poison, still targeting me. I stepped back to avoid the attack, only to have black and grey blur charge through my legs, knocking me down. The Pokémon's arms began to glow a darker purple than usual, and I quickly figured it out to be Night Slash when I began rolling away from the first of many swipes.

*BWEEEEE-CRKKLK-K*

I heard a crackling sound where the Pokémon was attacking. I stopped rolling at the end boundaries, and the Pokémon was frozen from Marshtomp's Ice Beam. The black and grey blur shot at me again, but a Flamethrower from Blaziken slammed the Mightyena into a tumble towards me. Still on the floor, I swung my legs, and kicked out with all I got on the Mightyena. I heard a CRACK as it slammed into the unknown Pokémon's frozen form—well, now immobile, since the ice shattered—into the group of Cacturn.

"FIIIRRRRREEEEE!!" Marshtomp yelled, and the next thing I saw were bright red-orange fireballs raining down on the entire opposing group. I felt the many explosions boom through my entire body, Blaziken landed to my right, and winced.

A bright red ball of fire flew in the middle of the chaos. Alakazam shot off Psybeam at the fireball, and I felt like Armageddon was on the battlefield, Blaziken and I were launched backwards into the boundaries by the shockwave. I reverted back to normal involuntarily, but we both stood up and stared on in pity.

"Damn…" I uttered. "I never thought we'd have to use that. I almost feels sorry for 'em."

Blaziken was silent for a few seconds, then closed his eyes and turned slightly right. "They had it coming, Troublemakers should learn their lesson."

"But not like that…" Alright, I didn't almost feel sorry for them, I did feel sorry for them.

"Yeah…" Blaziken agreed. "I'll admit… that is a horrible way to go."

The Meteor Blast is a combo very similar to the Fire Storm. It retains it's very long charge time with Alakazam containing Charizard's Flamethrower in an expanding ball, and when ready, Broken up into smaller fireballs to be launched at the target. Unlike the diversionary Fire Storm, however, the Meteor Blast focuses all the fireballs on one spot, with Charizard firing off Blast Burn to end his part. Finally, Alakazam uses Psybeam to detonate the Blast Burn early, resulting in an explosive finish. I initially use that to destroy large strongholds when I was on missions, but when I resorted to using it in battle, nobody was standing in the target space. They were rushed to the Pokémon center for intensive care, and I was relieved afterward to learn they were all still alive. Ever since that incident, I labeled that combo as forbidden to consider using, and only if it was absolutely necessary did we ever consider using the Meteor Blast.

The smoke cleared, and the opposing group was down for the count. The third Cacturn returned back to normal, and the guy was groaning, likely from the pain.

*WHHAASHHHHHH*

A light flared brightly, and we returned to the theatre. The defeated group was lying in a heap on the stage, scorched nearly unrecognizable. I stood there silently, hoping that they're still alive. I checked my neck, and my pendant necklace was still there.

I stared at it, and then gazed at the heap of unconscious bodies, then back at a changed symbol: a silhouette profile of Ho-oh's head with two Earth-Badge-esque feathers, colored in orange and green, crossing the middle. The Pendant reflected light in many colors, similar to how Ho-oh's wings are said to shine in seven different colors.

"Damn, I dunno if I pass or not." I said. "But this… this is unreal." I shook my head, exasperated. "I mean, if that's the welcome party, what's next?"