An old concept made anew: "Overflow"

The Tale of Twin Hearts

Chapter 3

What is going on…

What is this place…

Ever since Pumpkin came to after getting knocked back by some unseen force, he's been tense. As we continued walking, sparks of electricity, ripped through the air and along his fur. His pace was as if he in a hurry as we followed behind him. I know there's a pokemon up ahead that needs saving, but the way he looked as he got up and prepared himself...it was as if he had a vendetta.

Despite how determined Pumpkin looked, I could see the worry in his eyes, and Miya's too. I don't blame them, especially after looking around.

The bushes...ever so often, you could see eyes glaring from them and it could not have been from just one pokemon. It felt like every time we saw them, they were different; Each with its own distinctive look. How many pokemon were following us?

Shaking the thought out of my head, we continued. A few times I thought this place would've been like the dungeon, similar to the one at the beach, but it wasn't. It was more like a corridor of trees leading to an open area, which was up ahead. I don't know why, but the further we walked, the more heat we felt. Although it wasn't phasing the other two too much, I felt like I was going to melt.

"This place is unsettling. How close are we to our destination, Pumpkin?" Miya asked as she continued looking around at all the eyes glaring from the woods.

"We're close, but we have to be careful when we get there."

"Why's that?" I said, fanning myself with my paw. I literally felt like a piece of ice melting on the side of the road.

"The leader of this place, the boss...they aren't normal. I-I can't even describe him…" Pumpkin looks down as we continue along the road. I could hear laughter coming from the bush. It was faint, but there were many voices, all chuckling as they watched us.

"Pumpkin, what exactly did you see back there," Miya asked as she glared back at the eyes hidden in the bushes. "When you touched the tree, you stopped talking and just...stared."

"I'm not sure how to describe what happened just, either. But If I were to put it in the best way possible, It was like...my body sent to another location, but I was transparent. When I looked back down the road, I saw you and Liloxi, but I couldn't see myself; a tree was blocking the way. Facing forward again, I saw a pokemon tied to a tree; it had to be the hostage. I couldn't see their face as it was covered up, but when I got closer, they tried to speak. I have no idea how they knew I was near them, but I did my best to listen to them since for some reason, I couldn't grab the rope, It just phased through my hand. I couldn't make out everything they were saying, but I did remember them telling me to watch out. The moment they did, something attempted to knock me down. I dodged but tripped in the process. When I tried to get up, the Pokemon pinned me to the ground despite my body being able to phase objects. They were too strong, I couldn't shake them off. Getting a good look at the Pokemon, I realized it was the Mightyena, but they looked horrifying. They only had one eye, and the one that wasn't missing was an eerie red. Flames were coming out of their mouths as they laughed menacingly. Their body looked like it was shrouded in darkness. As much as I tried freeing myself, I couldn't. When I looked back at them, they got near my face, grinning, and said: " I'll be waiting, punk" before…"

"...Before what?" Miya said in anticipation.

"Before slashing me with their fiery claws. It felt so...real…"

None of us said anything for a while, not even myself. The further we walked, the more I started to regret accepting this task.

"What is this mission? What did we get ourselves into..." I said, holding my head.

"I'm not sure, but it's too late to turn back," Miya sighed. She was worried too, I know it, only showing only a confident look similar to Pumpkin. Though, that confidence Pumpkin had started to become more of a concerned look.

"The opening is up ahead. Get ready!"

Entering the main area of the forest, it was obvious that Pumpkin left out a few details. From what I know about trees, they needed water to grow, but here...there wasn't any water, in fact, the river that flowed right through the forest was actually lava; the stuff of nightmares. It was a miracle anything could grow here, much less a forest thriving in this heat. The leaves on the trees were red, not a color I'm used to seeing on plants and the land looked scorched, but only in this part of the area and along the river. Straight ahead, the river that flowed towards us was divided into two smaller rivers, creating the closed area we are now entering.

Up ahead, just as Pumpkin described, a pokemon was tied up to a big tree next to the river of lava. The tree looked unstable. It looked like if a breeze hit it, it would fall over right away as dried up roots barely anchored to the ground. The pokemon tied to the tree certainly did have their face covered, but I could barely see the rest of their body as the shade over the tree made it impossible to make out what it was. Looking up, I noticed the sun was stronger in this area more than anywhere else. Why was it so intense? Never have I felt heat like this in my life and it was making me feel weak. I don't like it.

"This place is getting intense...didn't you say a Pokemon attacked you here?"

Laughter echoed from the area. The amount of it was even great than what we had heard through the forest.

"Yes! There was a Pokemon, a Mightyhena! But...where did they go…"

"I don't know, but we best stay on guard," Miya said, staying close to Pumpkin. "Something about this doesn't seem right. Liloxi, could you go and untie the hostage? We'll keep an eye out for the Mightyena."

I don't remember Miya being the leader, but at the same time, I didn't argue nor did I mind (I hate being the leader of anything.)

Doing as she said, I began walking to the hostage's location. Despite how close I was to them, I still couldn't see what they were as the sun felt like it was getting harsher and harsher by the second. The Pokemon I was trying to reach was tied with a rope, which was already partially scorched due to being near the lava, but judging by how thick the rope was, it would take a while for it to burn. Cautiously I moved closer to them, keeping an eye on the lava as it bubbled next to the tree. If only I could express my fear of even being near fire…

"Liloxi, I don't think we have much time, hurry!" Miya demanded as they kept looking around. The laughter continued to grow.

"I know, I know, but the lava isn't making this any easier! I said, keeping my distance.

As I reached for the rope, the Pokemon tied up started flailing around, attempting to speak. I couldn't tell what they were saying, more or less if they were male or female. this went on for a few seconds before stopping suddenly. Confused, I reached for the rope a second time until the pokemon attempted to speak again, and this time, I was able to make out a word that no matter how muffled it would be, anyone would understand: "Run"

Out of the lava, behind the tree, a large figure leaps toward me and tackles me hard enough to send me quite a distance from the tree, back to where Pumpkin and Miya were standing. Shocked, they rushed to me as I slowly picked myself up.

"Liloxi! Are you ok?" Miya said as she and Pumpkin helped me up. "What hit y-"

Cutting herself off short, she looked towards the tree and then at Pumpkin, who was already glaring at the figure, ready to fight. The thing that attacked me was none other than the Mightyena Pumpkin saw, and to be honest, the Pokemon was even more terrifying than what he had described.

Every detail was there, from the missing eye to the flames shooting out of its mouth. However, what he didn't mention was how the Pokemon's claws looked like it was made of lava and parts of its fur were missing, though not enough to show it's skin, but enough to know it was gone. Even the darkness that was shrouding the pokemon almost made it look like it was covered in a black flame, burning eternally. I've seen Mightyenas once or twice, but this? It looked like death itself.

This is when I know that this mission...it was way out of our league.

"That can't be a Pokemon…" Miya said in a horrified tone. "I-It doesn't matter, we need to get the hostage and get out of here!"

"No one is going anywhere!" Following the loud, heavy tone of the Mightyena, fires shot from the ground of the entrance, blocking our only way out. Our chance of getting out of here unscathed was already slim, but with the exit blocked and none of his having the ability to fly, this was looking bad.

"Where are the items I requested!"

"We didn't bring them, we came here for the hostage and we're leaving with them!" Miya shouted, stepping forward. Her voice was surprisingly confident, but it didn't hide the fact that her legs were shaking. Again, I don't blame her.

"You're cocky for a Grass-type. Let's see if that holds up as your "victim" takes a swim." The Mightyena then blows fire at the roots of the tree, the only thing keeping it from falling into the lava. Due to it being so dry, it immediately caught on fire.

"The hostage!" Pumpkin cried out.

"Don't worry, I got them!" I said as I began running towards the tree.

"Boys, stop him!" On command, Poochyenas began running out of the bushes, towards me. As quick as I am, I was no match for their speed as they started catching up with me. Just as one was about to grab me with their sharp teeth, vines suddenly shot out of the ground and grabbed a few of them, anchoring them to the ground. In a rage, the Mightyena charges after Miya before being shocked by Pumpkin. Although a direct hit, the thundershock seemed like it did nothing. Annoyed, the Mightyena slowly walked towards Pumpkin. Frightened, Pumpkin repeatedly used thundershock in efforts to even halt the Pokemon, but no dice. As he approaches Pumpkin, Miya gets in between them and throws a razor leaf at the Mightyena's face, only for it to bounce off without leaving a mark, despite how sharp Razor Leaf is.

"Out of my way!" Without warning, he backhands Miya, knocking her off to the side before crashing into the ground, throwing dirt and ash into the air. The amount of force he put into it looked like it was enough to knock her out cold, but she was still conscious, though unable to move.

Just as I thought I was safe to untie the hostage, the Poochyenas quickly broke free the vines and ran towards me again. The look in their eyes was as if they were hunting prey, grinning as they began shortening the distance between me and them. Despite that, the most unsettling thing about them was the smoke and steam pouring from the sides of their mouths as they ran. I didn't have much time, I needed to act fast, but how? I didn't have any claws and I didn't have any moves that could put out the fire fast enough, not even Ice punch...wait…

Quickly, I held out my hand and formed a sharp piece of Ice. Despite how hot it was, I made it sharp enough that it would be able to cut the rope before melting. Getting straight to work, I began cutting the rope. Enraged, one of the Poochyenas darted at me, full speed, and began charging some sort of fire attack with its mouth. Noticing it, I waited until it got to me and kicked it in the chin, causing its mouth to slam shut and fire to burst out of its nose, knocking it out. The flames that shot out set the leaves of the tree on fire, causing the mob behind me to halt and light to pierce through the leaves as it fell; The harshness of it made it feel like my fur was going to burst into flames. Turning away from the light, I looked back at the hostage and I...paused...

Despite their faces being covered, my heart started racing as I looked at the pokemon that was tied up, adorned in something that looked like an elegant, pure white dress; It was a Ralts. Stunned, I stood there and looked, forgetting that the roots and leaves of the tree were burning. Catching myself, I grabbed the rope and cut off the last bit before the ice melted, freeing them from the tree as it finally lost its grip on the soil and tumbled into the lava.

My heart...if only anyone could feel what I was feeling as I held the Ralts in my arm. I tried not to get ahead of myself as the Pokemon could be anyone. But the odds of a Ralts being here…

As I turned around, my heart went from racing to skipping beats and sinking into my stomach as Dozens of Poochyenas enclosed us. Taking a step back, my foot slipped as it almost touched the lava. The sheer pain from the heat emitting from it was enough to cause my foot to propel itself away from it. Looking back over a Miya, I saw she was slowly picking herself back up. A terrible scorch mark was imprinted on the side of her face, but fortunately no burning. Her face was frantic as she forced herself to get up. At first, I didn't know what was pushing her to try and get up after such a heavy hit until I looked at Pumpkin.

The monster, the so-called "Mightyena" was looming over Pumpkin as he had him pinned to the ground, exactly how he described to us before coming here. Grinning his voice snarled in disgust as he itches his face closer to Pumpkin's.

"Pathetic. How could a weakling like you hold such a power. Dis-gusting." Growling, the Mightyena, chomps at Pumpkin, his fangs leaving a scorching scar on Pumpkin's cheek as he moves his face out of the way. The Mightyena laughs scornfully.

"You know what I hate more than weaklings? Stupid little FELINES like yourself! Especially Shinxs. You think your evolution line is as high and mighty as OURS!? Your whole species disgust me, especially a PEON LIKE YOU!"

Raising his fiery claws into the air, Miya screamed as she gathered her strength and ran towards Pumpkin. The moment I saw what he was about to do, a flood of emotions welled up inside me. All I could think about was this monster about to end everything we had going for us up to this point, starting with a Pokemon I first saw as strangers, now seeing them as friends. Unable to control my emotions, I shouted at the top of my voice, and instantly a light erupted from me. The light, so powerful, pushed back the mob of Poochyenas back and even caused the Mightyena to halt as he was just about to swing down to slash Pumpkin. With all eyes looking in our direction, I looked down and realized that the Ralts in my arms was glowing as well. Unable to wait and oblivious to everyone looking at us, I took the face-covering off, revealing, not only the face of a Ralts...No, the face of someone I lost as I looked into their bright orange eyes.

"Queen…? Is...Is that you?"

"Took you long enough," He said as he smiled at me.

Despite the sheer happiness that I felt, the ground started shaking violently without warning. out of nowhere, the ground began opening up in the area, causing some of the Poochyenas to fall in. Panicked, the rest of them ran towards the forest, leaving their Boss Behind with us. As the quake continued, Miya came to her senses and Headbutted the monster off of Pumpkin, enough to stagger him and knock him into the fissure, only to barely cling to the edge of an already unstable ground. In the midst of the chaos, the flames that trapped us in the main area suddenly burst as a gust of wind extinguishes it, sending smoke into the air.

From the smoke, Chatot emerges.

"Come on, let's get out of here!"

Quickly, Miya picks up Pumpkin with her vines, followed by me running with Queen in my arms as we head out of the forest. Behind us, shouting echoed in a rage as the Mightyena hangs on for dear life. His voice Booming through the now empty forest.

"THIS ISN'T OVER!

I WILL FIND YOU!

ALL OF YOOOOOOOU!"