Shivers went down my spine as I slowly backed away from the raging Lucario. My thoughts were whirling through my head… How do I do this?

I jumped out of the way as Wind leapt full force. He hit the wall, causing it to collapse. As the light shone in, it was easier for me to anticipate his next move. I rolled, and his aura blade came whooshing over my head.

Arceus help me… what do I do? I'm not a fighter… I'm a healer…

I jumped back and tried to teleport away. No luck, as he interrupted the process, sending me flying. I slammed into a burning wall outside the arena. Painfully, I got back on my feet. Thinking quickly, I dove behind a pile of rubble to figure out my next move.

Teleporting isn't going to work… And I can't fight him in this form. I could maybe try a Blizzard, but I don't know how well that'll go…

I snuck away, keeping as low as possible once I heard his growling. It seemed in his insane state, he didn't think to look for aura signatures. I hid behind one of the mostly intact buildings charging up a Blizzard. If I could just freeze him…

The building exploded. I got thrown back quite some way, but not far enough that I couldn't see him leap high into the air. Fearing the worst, I scrambled to my paws and ran towards a different collapsed building, again charging a Blizzard.

It is… impossible to tell where he is. Can I really do this?

Flicking my fourth tail, I unleashed Blizzard and engulfed the camp in a flurry of snow and wind. I shivered. While it would make it easier for me to hide, it would not last forever. I needed to find a permanent solution… and fast. I slunk into the heart of the blizzard, where I would be most in tune with the howling winds. I reached out with Detection, intent on tracking the mad Lucario. Except… there were more presences than I had hoped.

The prisoners…

My heart sank. Not only did I need to stop a rampaging Lucario, I also had to protect 30... 40... 50… 60 some Pokemon from him. Not exactly the easiest of tasks. My best hope would be to distract toe to toe with a Pokemon that could easily kill me… I gulped and steeled myself.

I took a few deep breaths and killed the Blizzard, revealing my location to the mad Lucario. He charged right at me, aura blades tearing up the ground. I leapt onto the skeletal remains of a small building. Unable to turn fast enough to pursue, he skidded into and through a wall. It collapsed under his weight and momentum, and much of the smoldering building with it. Pokemon screamed out… and went silent.

The Pokemon- I must hurry!

I ran through the collapsing building, charging an Ice Beam, knowing it would not be enough to defeat Wind. It was necessary, however, as it would distract him from slaughtering innocent Pokemon. As the exit drew nearer, there were screams. Fearing the worst, my pace hastened. I burst through the wall, firing my Ice Beam. It struck true, and Wind froze, his Aura Blades piercing a poor Rhyperior. Laying next to him were a Gallade and Roserade, having been slain moments before. I quickly went to tend to the dying Rhyperior.

""Ugh… To die here… At least the others can escape."

I worked to pull him off the blade, following every bit of my training to stop the bleeding. "You are not going to die here, Rhyperior. I have trained in the healing arts for a long time."

"No… I have fulfilled my duty. The other prisoners… They will escape. They will survive."

I quickly hushed him. "I will not let you die, Rhyperior. Please, conserve your energy." Running my paw along his body, I continued the healing process, even as he tried to push me away. His body slowly regained its strength, and the wound in his chest closed. He smiled. "You're a talented healer." Rhyperior got to his feet. "If you insist, I will not die here. Now then… we've got a Pokemon to defeat. Ready, lady?"

SMASH!

In a dazzling blur of ice and rocks, Wind broke free of his icy prison. Noticing this, Rhyperior growled. "It's payback time!"

Blade met horn as the two met each other. Despite having a type weakness, Rhyperior did not seem deterred. "You're gonna need to do a little better to beat me at my best!" I took cover as rocks began raining down.

The mad Lucario was unimpressed. He kept slashing, slowly chipping away at Rhyperior's armor. Rhyperior grunted, and pushed back. I scrambled from my hiding spot as the Lucario was thrown into it. Wind tried to get back on his feet, but Rhyperior slammed into him first, sending him flying off. Shaking, I made my way to Rhyperior's side, intending to heal his current wounds before Wind returned.

"A-are you alright, Rhyperior?"

"It's nothing, my fair lady. This Lucario is no match for the mighty Rhyperior."

I shivered. Rhyperior was awfully full of himself, for someone who'd been on death's door just minutes ago. Scanning the area via Detection, I noticed Wind was not within range. Trusting my instincts, my paws swiftly moved away from the battle site as Aura Spheres rained. I skidded to a halt, noticing Rhyperior hadn't followed me.

I turned to look, only to see the rhino engaged in a fist fight with the jackal. Rhyperior punched his foe, grinning widely. His grin faltered as it did nothing. He kept punching, slowly realizing that his attacks were becoming less effective. His grin turned to fear as the insane Lucario knocked him down and summoned back the jagged Aura Blades.

No no no… This cannot be happening!

The Blades came down. I shut my eyes… and heard a resounding crack. My instincts told me to run, but my body would not move. I was paralyzed. His footsteps came closer and closer. They got louder. I flinched, prepared to die this day.

A thunderous sound crackled through the air, and the footsteps stopped. "Azur, move! My paralysis will not hold him for long!"

My mind snapped back to reality, and I scrambled. I jumped up a ledge, in the direction of the voice. My heart skipped a beat… it was Spark, safe and sound. "Spark… You…"

"Just repaying a favour, Azur. Now let's sort this mess out… I want my partner back."

I nodded. "I shall heal you as much as I can. I am not a fighter."

Spark smirked. "Then just stand back… This isn't the first time I've dealt with him."

Spark leapt off the ledge, her fur crackling as she surrounded herself with jade lightning. The very atmosphere seemed to change as the skies clouded over and the light disappeared. Rain began to pelt the earth, and the battle between the two partners raged with every drop. I watched intently as Spark gracefully avoided every blow. As the duel continued, the way Spark fought reminded me of someone. A Pokemon I was close with…

"Do not worry, my love. I am only doing what is right… "

Espan left and weaved through the buildings, his crystal blue fur reflecting the moonlight. Ninetales followed him through the labyrinth city, twisting and turning until she could barely keep up.

Time passed. The duo arrived in front of an imposing, yet majestic, marble building that seemed to split the very sky itself. The Ninetales of silver colouring shivered as the foreboding doors of oaken origin opened, inviting them inside. Espan turned to his lover, who was standing tall and proud beside him.

"My dear… Please take a seat. I wish for you to watch me stand victorious.""But I want to fight by your side!""I know… but I have not taught you the ways of battle. Your destiny is to be a healer.""Then allow me to heal you! I can help you!" Ninetales' tails lashed violently, striking the towering columns outside the coliseum.

Espan sighed. "I cannot allow you to interfere… Please, I shall be fine."

"But that is impossible to ascertain! You must let me aid you!""The ringmaster will not allow it. And neither shall I. I can not bring myself to place you in harm's way."

Minutes passed. As the bickering continued, Espan and Ninetales each getting progressively agitated, the arena slowly filled up. Pokemon took their seats, and the show sirens began to sound.

Espan, hearing this, decided to end the argument quickly. "My dear… Nothing would please me more than having you fight by my side. But, for your sake, I must do my duty alone. Please… do not quail."

Ninetales wanted to retort, but instead nodded sadly. "I worry for you, my love."

"You worry in vain, my dear. I shall triumph."

No more words needed to be said. Ninetales went to find herself a seat. Espan, on the other hand, entered the massive, dirt-filled arena. He shivered.

"AND NOW, we have our challenger, Master Espan, facing off against the reigning feral challenger… Pasen the Mightyena! Only one will leave the arena… BEGIN!"

The Mightyena leaped, snarling. Espan was unfazed. His tail flicking, he gracefully dodged the attack. As the Mighyena flew by him, he ran his claw along the Pokemon's side, leaving deep wounds. A quick howl of pain came from the Mightyena.

The audience cheered. Espan paid it no mind, focused on his task. He continued anticipating the hyena's every move, countering its every move. The Mightyena bared its yellowing teeth… the stench of many meals polluting its nasty, plant-wilting breath.

Espan stood fast, his ears pressed to his head and his tail calmly flicking through the musty air. As the feral canine charged at him again, Espan jumped. His movement was so fluid that he seemed to be swimming… The audience gasped in wonder, the excitement bouncing off the walls, though the tension was not so easily defeated. It quickly overtook the room, silencing the cheering audience as Espan landed gracefully behind the Mightyena.

"Pasen, my old friend… I am sorry for what I must do…" the Espeon whispered. "I hope you can find it in your spirit to forgive me."

Espan shed a single tear, out of view of the audience, and spun around quicker than a Baltoy in a windstorm. His paws clenched, and his claws slid out. In a flash, there was no sound. The Espeon had torn through the Mightyena's throat, leaving barely but a shred of skin left connecting the head to the rest of the body. The feral Pokemon collapsed, dead and mangled, to the uproarious applause of the audience.

The Espeon took no joy in his victory. He had come to accomplish a single goal. He searched the aud-

I was violently ripped from my memories as Spark grabbed my scruff. "No time to be lost in thought, Azur! I need you to go protect the other Pokemon, I can handle this!"

Shocked, I scrambled to my paws, and started to run off in the direction of the exit. The buildings and fire blurred together as I raced against the clock. And yet… My instincts told me I couldn't leave Spark behind. Thoughts whirred through my head. I had a promise… and I was about to break it. But what could be done? Shaking my head, I pushed them away and left the destroyed campsite, leaving Spark to fend off the mad Lucario alone.