"Flamethrower!"
The young Chimchar got behind a large rock just before the stream of fire crashed into it, flames licking even the backside of the small Pokémon's protection.
"You can't hide forever," the attacker taunted.
Chimchar grinned mischievously. "Who's hiding?" He challenged more than asked, climbing onto the rock that had protected him. "You couldn't hit a Slowpoke!"
His opponent fumed, small flames leaping from his large nostrils. "We'll see about that!" The now enraged Pokémon took a deep breath and launched another stream of flame from his mouth.
Chimchar's smile widened as the flame neared his perch. "Gotcha," he nearly whispered.
Incredibly agile, the small Pokémon leaped over the flames, flipping forward and letting go a small burst of fire from his flaming tail, directly towards his attacker. The small foe couldn't react in time, taking the burst head-on and toppling of his own, lower perch.
The monkey landed soundlessly on the charred earth below him with a victorious grin. "Gotcha again, Tepig! You fall for it every time," he gloated, moving over to help his older friend.
"Oh man!" The small pig-like Pokémon was struggling to get up from his side when Chimchar gave him a shove, returning him to his feet. "That's the third time!"
"Great job you two!" Another Pokémon, Torchic, the middle of the three trotted over to the two boys from where she was watching the battle. "That was a really cool move you did there, Chimchar!"
"It was nothing," Chimchar replied, showing a victorious smirk.
Torchic turned to Tepig, who was obviously still irritated about the result. "You did great, too," she said with a smile, "You are also getting really strong!"
Tepig's eyes widened and his face reddened at the compliment, causing his friends to chuckle. Tepig threw his head to the side from embarrassment. "O-of course I'm st-stronger," he stuttered, "I'd better if I'm gonna be a captain in the Fire Army."
The trio smiled as they all silently remembered their shared dream of joining the Fire Kingdom's Army and fighting for their home.
Suddenly, an idea formed in Chimchar's mind.
"Hey, guys," the small monkey began excitedly, "let's all make a promise to fulfil our dream and protect the Fire Kingdom!"
His friends' eyes almost sparkled with excitement. "That's a great idea!" Torchic could barely contain her joy.
"Let's do it!" Tepig exclaimed.
Chimchar put out his hand and looked at his friends expectantly. Tepig and Torchic looked at each other and nodded, each, due to a lack of hands, holding out a foot, making a promise to fulfil their dreams and protect their home.
Infernape couldn't help but smile as he recalled the old memory. That had been the beginning of a new life for him and his friends. What had started as battle games changed into strict training regimens as they entered their teenage years. Everything intended to increase their ability in battle in preparation for the day they could join in the Fire Army.
Resting on the wall of the castle courtyard, Infernape watched two Pokémon in a heated battle within the castle grounds. The shorter, heavier set one released a jet of flame at the taller, more agile foe.
Infernape watched the scene unfold, smiling. He couldn't shake the feeling of Deja vu as Blaziken jumped over the flames, quickly closing the distance between her and her heavier foe. Then, as if in slow-motion, Infernape watched Blaziken flip, as if about to bring her foot down on the head of her opponent, who instinctively brought his arms up to block.
But it didn't connect.
As planned, Blaziken, instead of landing a blow from above, landed in front of her foe, not giving him time to react before jumping again, bringing her fist into the pig Pokémon's jaw.
"Sky Uppercut!" The Blaze Pokémon yelled, sending her foe careening backwards into the air.
Infernape stood and dropped off his perch as the fight's victor landed without a sound on the ground, followed by her sparring partner landing with a loud thud in front of her.
"You just can't catch a break, can you Emboar?" Infernape called, approaching the pair.
Emboar sat up, rubbing his jaw. "How do those scrawny arms of yours hurt so much?" He stated more than asked the bird-like Pokémon.
"That was a pretty nice move there," Infernape said, turning his attention to Blaziken. "Brought back some memories."
Blaziken smiled. "I learned from the best."
"Will you lovebirds put a cork in it already," Emboar grunted, receiving angered glares from both of his friends.
The big Pokémon let out a hearty laugh as he stood. "I gotta have some fun with you two, don't I?" Seeing his huge grin, the two other Pokémon couldn't help but start laughing as well.
"Captain Infernape!"
The three Pokémon turned towards the castle to see the source of the call, only to see a small Larvesta exiting the castle. Despite their bug-like form, Larvesta had great mobility, causing them to be used often to deliver messages. This one in particular wore the golden sash of the High Lord's personal messenger.
The messenger approached quickly, obviously in a hurry. "Captain Infernape!" She called again, stopping to catch her breath.
Infernape knelt closer to her level. "What is it," he asked, "Do you have an order from High Lord Charizard?"
After finally catching her breath, Larvesta replied, "High King Charizard has requested the presence of the Blazing Fist Brigade in his throne room."
Infernape's expression changed to display his shock, then morphed into a smirk. "Well, isn't this an unusual surprise," he stated rising to stand, then said, turning to his friends. "Come on guys. We shouldn't keep our king waiting."
The group followed Larvesta through the scorched hallways of the Flame Palace towards the throne room. Many said that the scorch marks came from former kings in a fiery rage, which Infernape could believe, but he knew that many of them simply came from sloppy attempts to light the mounted torches.
"What do you think Lord Charizard wants?" Emboar kept his voice to a whisper.
"I don't know," Infernape answered, also in a hushed voice, "But it must be important. He has never summoned us to give orders in person."
"I hope it means knocking some fools senseless. I've been itching for a real fight."
The four Pokémon turned the corner to see an immense set of doors at the end of a long, charred hallway, leading to the throne room. Infernape stopped for a moment observing the marks on these walls, even darker than the earlier ones. These marks, Infernape knew, were from a raging king. Nonetheless, he couldn't shake off his nostalgia.
"Come on, Infernape," Blaziken called.
Infernape had been so caught up in the memory that he didn't notice his friends continue ahead of him. He sped up slightly to catch up.
"You okay?" Blaziken asked.
"Yea, I'm fine," Infernape replied. "Just reminiscing."
Blaziken chuckled. "This hallway does bring back memories, doesn't it?"
"Has it really been seven years since the Blazing Fist Brigade was organized here?"
"It has. Seven years of special ops for the king."
"We've been sent all over and seen so much, but..." Infernape paused, thinking as Larvesta spoke with one of the Magmar guarding the closed doors.
"What is it?" Blaziken inquired.
"Well," Infernape continued, "we haven't been sent to the front lines in a year, against the Splash Empire, have we?"
"Well, now that you mention it-"
Blaziken's speech was interrupted by the heavy noise of the throne room entrance swinging slowly on its hinges.
"You may all enter," the guard stated to Infernape and company. "The high king is waiting for you inside."
Infernape nodded and turned to his friends. "Come on," he said, as the group followed him into the throne room.
The throne room was well lit due to the large glass window taking up most of the wall behind the throne, however it was hard to tell from the charred black walls and floor, which seemed to soak up the light. The only traces of color on the walls were the red banners, bearing the fire-shaped crest of the Flame Empire, hung on either side of the entrance and of the throne itself. Even all of this, alongside the ruby luster of the throne itself could not distract from the orange-scaled Pokémon sitting on the throne.
"Lord Charizard," Larvesta announced, "I have brought the Blazing Fist Brigade as requested." The three larger Pokémon fell to their knees in respect.
Charizard nodded, letting a puff of smoke release from his dragon-like snout. "Thank you, Larvesta. Now leave us," he commanded with a wave of his clawed hand. "I have much to discuss with my elite soldiers."
"Yes, sire." Larvesta bowed her head and left the room as the two Magmar closed the doors with an echoing thud.
There was a moment of silence before Charizard spoke.
"Arise, Blazing Fists," he commanded. Infernape and his friends stood obediently
"I am sure you are all wondering why I have summoned you here on such short notice," he stated. "I have an assignment for the three of you. One fitting only the finest in my army."
Infernape couldn't hide a faint smile. They hadn't had a real assignment in months. Finally, something for them to show their power.
"But before I explain," Charizard continued, giving off an aura that matched the apparent seriousness of the task, "none of what I am about to tell you is to leave this room. Understood?"
"Of course, your highness," the three replied in unison, bowing their heads in respect.
Charizard nodded in acceptance and stood, pacing slowly before the throne.
"As you three know," he began, "we have been at war with the Splash Empire since the beginning of time. We have made many attempts to destroy them, but for one reason or another, have been forced to retreat, bringing many stains upon our Empire's history. It has been a difficult war and has claimed the lives of thousands, maybe millions of our fellow Fire-types.
"But we have recently received information that could guarantee our victory against those filthy Water-types. Information that will allow us to defeat them at their center."
Infernape could barely contain his excitement. "Sire," he began, "are we to understand-?
"Yes," the king replied, "the Blazing Fist Brigade will lead a mission to overtake the Splash Palace."