Oookay... This is THE chapter that KILLED the PG rating... Have fun. Are you having fun? YOU BETTER BE HAVING FUN!!!
(Jendai: Um, Aliet?)
(AF: What!?)
(Jendai: Nuthin... never mind...)
(AF gets overly happy to see her fave fan character and huggles him until his eyes bug out.)
(AF: I luv you Dai!)

Chapter
Seven

In which there is a midnight conversation, yet another romantic interlude, a trial,
and a kidnapping.

The full moon illuminated the courtyard of the Hall below. Silver light bathed the woods, field and stream along the enclosed area on Cinnabar Volcano's side. A lone figure stood, cloaked in red-turned-ivory, holding out a lantern to see by. It was not necessary, as the moon was almost like the sun. But these were the nights that Fslam feared, as the legends told that Shietaor was free to walk with his dark minions on these nights. There was an up side to such nights. The ancient allies of Fslam and their Fslami ancestors, the Shie, revered the moon as they revered the sun. An alliance with the Shie had greatly lessened the fire people's fear of full moon nights.
As the lone figure scanned the empty, star-filled sky, a shadow streaked across the moon. The figure shivered with nervousness. Finally, there came a sound like the beating of a drum, and a sudden wind in the still, summer night. The figure looked up, blinking against the wind.
An elegant Scyther landed first, touching down, then snapping her wings quickly into their casings. She glanced around warily, silver light glinting off her deadly blades. Next, a great Charizard landed, leaning forward to allow his passenger to disembark before he drew himself upright. The massive wings folded with leathery rustles. A hooded form detached herself from him, sliding up to the lone figure. Her fingers slowly pushed the hood back from her face, a gesture of trust in Fslam. The figure did the same. "Scott," the girl smiled. "I didn't think anyone was going to meet me out here this late."
"It was good of you to come on such short notice, Aliet," he turned towards the door that led into the private quarters of the Council. "I see you couldn't catch a late ferry here?"
"Not one that didn't move slower than a Charizard," she said.
The fox master grunted nonchalantly at her typical comment. Being a richer, more well bred young man, he opened the door for her and her duo. Aliet inhaled deeply, smelling the slightly burnt smell that filled the hall. Scott handed her the lantern, and by its light, she caught sight of the lines across his face and circles under his green eyes. "You know where your room is," he said casually. "Mine's right here."
"Thank you," Aliet smiled at him. "How'd Blaine taking everything?"
He paused at his door. She caught sight of a burly Machoke standing beside the bookshelf, gazing up at the volumes. "Pretty hard," he answered softly. "He can't sleep. Sheila's had to use her Hypno to put him out for a few hours. He won't eat, just sits there, staring at the fireplace like that will make Magmar okay again."
She caught the hidden meaning in his words. "You'll be okay tonight?"
"I'll get by," he muttered. "Thanks for caring."
"No problem."
Aliet strode down the hall, frowning. She hated to be the one who was all cheery when her dearest human friends were suffering. Charizard butted her from behind comfortingly. -Let's get some shut-eye, 'Et,- he offered. -It'll be better tomorrow and you can punish the Jha'ik brat.-
-Agreed,- Scyther yawned. -I'm exhausted.-
The Char trainer sighed and opened the door to the Senior Quarters. She had already moved in when Brad had challenged her. Blaine hadn't seen the point of moving her out, so he gave Brad the First Member rooms, and spruced them up to make them equal with the Senior Quarters. A fire was already burning in the hearth, and her bed was already turned down. She sighed softly, sinking into the soft bed. Charizard lay like a cat before the fire, cradling Scyther in his arms. She sighed, leaning into him drowsily. Aliet suppressed her shock and turned her mind to sleeping.
A noise at the door caused her to jump. She spun, straining to see in the dark hallway. Charizard's head was up, tipped forward inquisitively. There was the sound of footsteps and the shine of firelight on a bald head. Aliet relaxed. "Blaine?" she called. "What are you doing awake?"
"I heard you were coming," the raspy voice slowly. "But they didn't tell me when. The last thing I remember was Sheila's Hypno..." He shuffled into the room, looking at the floor as if embarrassed to be in her presence. "I don't think they wanted me to see you."
"No Blaine," she stood up, approaching him. "Scott told me you're taking this really hard. I think they just want you to get some rest."
"Oh." The old man looked around as if trying to find somewhere to sit. "It's late," he muttered, mostly to himself.
Aliet glanced at Charizard and he nodded to her. "Come on Blaine," she steered him out into the hall. "You need some sleep... In your rooms."
He didn't protest, just allowed her to take him back to where he'd come from. Blaine's Rhydon and Ninetails were awaiting him anxiously. They trotted up to her, eyeing the Char Master before allowing her to pass. She helped Blaine into his huge, overstuffed armchair, making sure Ninetails had the fire blazing. The fox laid his head in his master's lap, crimson eyes focused on him. Rhydon just sat where it was beside the bed, seeming half-asleep. Blaine was still muttering to himself, gazing into the fire and not seeming to want to sleep at all. Fortunately, Aliet knew what would calm him down.
She slid into the kitchen, glancing around for the shelf. Finally, the gleam of glass showed her the way. She climbed up on the counter and reached for any opened bottle. Her other hand groped for a glass. After collecting the necessary supplies, she made her way back to Blaine. He smiled in thanks, accepting the glass and pouring himself some of the Viridian City brandy. The amber-colored liquid was the old man's weakness. He sighed, taking a long swallow before reminding Aliet where he kept the tea. She politely declined, sitting in a chair facing him. "Feeling better?" she asked.
Blaine merely sighed again in answer, staring into the dancing flames. "I need Magmar..." he murmured. When he looked at her again, his eyes were misted over. "There was never a day since I became a Trainer, under the previous Gym Leader, that I didn't have Magmar with me. Even before that too," his gaze reverted to the fire again. "It is so strange to come back to an empty house, an empty office in a Gym with no one there but underlings. You don't know what it's like..."
He looked hard at her. "I worked hard training Magmar. I worked so hard that I became Council Leader! And now my judgment has led to his undoing..." He took another long swallow of the drink he held. "I always thought that Council Leaders were never wrong. Not once. They just weren't supposed to be. I have failed my people, my Council, and my poke'mon." His eyes focused on her hazel ones. "There are others more qualified than I to lead this Council. Others such as yourself. You weren't sure of that boy. I could see it in your eyes. But did I heed my gut? No. It is my doing that brought this misery upon us."
"No, Blaine," Aliet soothed. He wasn't seriously thinking of... retiring... was he? The Council couldn't stand without him. "No one could have known this was coming. But everything is going to be all right now. Oak found a way to cure them and it's on its way here. Magmar will be fine; he'll forgive you. It wasn't your fault."
"Thank you for trying, 'Et," he sighed, swirling the brandy in its glass. "But, come this time next year, this Council will have a new leader." He set the brandy down on the end table and placed his head in his hands. "I cannot carry on, knowing that I've made such a huge mistake..."
"Blaine, please," she pleaded. "We need you! I need you! The Fslam need you. You're the best leader we've had." And the only one I've known, she added silently.
"I can't, 'Et," his voice wavered. "Eatusur knows I can't."
She looked away from him, unsettled by this uncharacteristic show of doubt in the old man. Impatiently, she wiped away the mist in her eye.
Blaine gently reached over and turned her face towards him. "Please try and understand my reasons," he murmured. "Leaving means I open the Council up to new, better leadership." When she still refused to open her eyes, he withdrew his hand. "Aliet... don't make this harder. I'm not leaving so soon. You have a whole year longer to put up with me."
At this, Aliet had to smile.
"You better get some sleep," he leaned back in his chair, ending the session. "You need it more than me. You're younger."
She rose, exiting in a swish of her cloak. The girl paused at the door. "I'll miss you too much Blaine," she said softly, not facing him. "Please... don't leave us."
"I have to. You will understand this someday."
She stiffened, then flowed silently out into the hall. There was the gentle sound of her door closing and the key in the lock. Blaine sagged in his chair. "I'll miss you as well, Aliet Eaton. Gods, you don't know how hard you've made this without even trying."
Ninetails pulled a blanket over his master as Rhydon closed the door, quietly.

The next morning, the questioning of Thomas began in earnest. The Council sat at their table, making the boy stand on top of it in order to all see him better. First, he had to be sworn to the truth before a symbol of Moltres. They marched him to the sacred temple, forcing him to bow before the altar and repeat the Oath of Flame. Not many were sure of the true meanings of the ancient Fslami tongue, so Aliet and Scott translated.
"Standing in your presence, Eatusur, my tongue is sworn to your word.
Your word that is the truth.
And before you I swear I speak no other.
By the Flame that guides me,
By your words that show me the way.
I swear I shall speak the truth before those you have honored
With your power and judgment."
Afterwards, they put him back up on the table, and began. One would bark a question at him; he would answer in truth inspired by the god of fire. Mostly, the Council wanted to establish facts on his background, upbringing, and training skills. They wanted to save the serious questions until the next day when the boy would be more comfortable in the hall. He was staying in a holding cell, which was comfortably furnished, and warm. The Fslam were not in the business of harming their prisoners.
Aliet waited until the session was over to break the news to Sheila and Jess. Jess was a gossip, and so the news would definitely spread to the rest of the council in less than an hour. Sheila was just a comfort to have around. She seemed to have an uncanny ability to sense how people were feeling and give them support. The Council all supposed it was just a Lavender Townie thing. Aliet had been rather quiet during the questioning. She just wasn't in the mood for this right now. Charizard and Scyther had fallen asleep together hours ago. Their coziness was starting to worry her. When had they gotten so friendly? Only a few weeks ago, Scyther had been at the big fire type's throat for something or other. Now they acted as if they had been mates for years... Eatusur she hoped they weren't yet... She sighed softly, mentally willing this to be over so she could get a break.
Finally, Blaine banged his hand on the table for attention. "This session is adjourned until sunrise tomorrow," he paused at the groans. "Hopefully, we can get this done in one more." He stood, stretching away the kinks he'd developed. "Good night all." The Council Leader departed to his rooms, Ninetails and Rhydon following.
"C'mon brat," Brad snapped, muscling the boy down from the tabletop. "Back in your room." The rest of the Council followed their lead.
Aliet grabbed Sheila and Jess on their way out. "Whasup?" Sheila drawled. "Urgent news?"
"Yes..." she muttered. Aliet took a deep breath and spilled the news.
The two inhaled sharply. "Eatusur..." Sheila gasped. "It isn't his fault for Eatusur's sake! He didn't know! No one did!"
"I know," Aliet muttered miserably. "That's what I tried to tell him."
"Did you see him at the thing today?" Jess stroked her Ponyta's fur gently. "He looked awful... Like his heart was all smushed. Poor Blaine."
Her companions sighed. "Yeah, poor Blaine," Sheila scuffed the toe of her boot against the ground. "Look you guys, I'd love to stay and be miserable, but I got things to do before tomorrow. So, I'll see you later." The Arcanine trainer walked slowly towards her rooms. A shadow danced around her briefly before vanishing into the deeper ones around her doorway.
Jess muttered something about a phone call to her aunt and left for her rooms. Aliet was left alone in the hallway. Charizard nudged her from behind. -I'm bored and hungry, 'Et,- he said by way of explanation.
"Be back by midnight," she grabbed him by the headknobs and hugged his neck. "I need someone to keep me company."
-No problem,- he licked her cheek before ambling off towards the courtyard.
Aliet slipped into her rooms, sighing at the warmth of the fire. It's orange light was comforting to her weary eyes. She sank into an armchair; feeling tears well up. Frustration boiled and she flung herself on her bed, balling up the pillow. Hot tears rained down, dampening the soft surface. Aliet cried. She couldn't help it. The tears kept coming like they had never done before, and she was powerless to stop them. She didn't even hear Scyther's quiet entrance. The bug stood silently beside the door, watching the emotional outburst of her trainer. When the storm ebbed, she slid up beside the bed, rubbing the backs of her blades on Aliet's back to ease the tension wherever she could. Aliet jumped at her touch, then relaxed as the rubs went on. -You have a whole year, 'Et,- she comforted. -A whole year. Think about that.-
"I can't," the girl mumbled into the pillow. "Why can't anyone understand that?!" She jerked into a sitting position. "A year! A blasted year!" Aliet was yelling now. "Why can't that stubborn idiot listen to us! Why does he have to be so blasted responsible! Why why why!" She flung herself back down on the pillow sobbing.
Scyther wisely left.

The setting sunlight drenched the volcano at his back in warm, wonderful sunlight. Far below him, looking like tiny dots, lay the small towns that dotted western Cinnabar Island. The hall was clearer, being higher up than the towns. He yawned, stretching out his wings to catch every bit of the escaping sunshine. The ledge he lay on was private, warm and safe from any intrusion. It was his ledge. The ledge he'd found when Aliet had first become a Council member. Eventually, the heat from the sun made him far too drowsy to even keep his eyes open. Charizard drifted off to sleep, sun warming his back and every part of him that was exposed to it.
He was awoken hours later, by both the coolness of the evening and a slight weight on his back. The big fire type blinked, eyes adjusting to the bright moonlight. For a moment, he couldn't remember where he was or why. Then his eyes focused on the blur of silver and black far below him that was the council hall. Now it was time to figure out what exactly was on his back. He swung his head around to get a look.
Scyther sat on him, blades crossed with a calm, utterly composed expression on her face. It was as if she sat on his broad back every day. -Hi,- she smiled.
-What are you doing here?- he asked groggily. -I thought you were taking care of 'Et...-
-I was,- the bug replied flippantly. -But she threw me out so I came looking for someone to comfort me.-
-Oh.- He rolled over, causing Scyther to be forced to sit on his chest. She was so light that it was hardly a problem for the big fire type. -What'dya mean by that?-
She rolled her dancing blue eyes. -I think you know perfectly well what that means.- Scyther leaned in closer to him, her blades falling to her sides.
Charizard blinked a few times before it came to him. -Are you sure about this?- he asked gently. -I mean, first of all, it doesn't seem right at a time like this, and second of all, I could hurt you. You're smaller than I am, and weak against fire, to top it all off.-
-Gods, Charizard,- she murmured. -You have all the reasons why we shouldn't do this and I have all the ones why we should.-
-I have good reasons!- he grunted. -I could kill you!-
-I'll be fine. I'll promise you if you promise me something.-
-What?-
She sighed as if debating things in her head. He could almost see the thoughts fighting each other in her eyes. -If,- Scyther began. -And that's a big 'if' considering we're different species, not to mention different types...- She took a deep breath. -If any... any kids come out of this...- Her eyes grew mournful and he wasn't sure why. -please promise me that... that you'll be here.-
Charizard threw his arms out in exasperation. -Why wouldn't I be?-
She looked down. -Before I met 'Et, and got caught, you know I lived with my swarm in Viridian Forest. My father was never there; apparently he was not the type our leader liked to keep within the swarm. He was cast out, and I never saw him.- She looked back into his eyes. -My mother had to raise me, and the other females helped, but it wasn't enough. She died and I was left alone.-
-I'm sorry,- was all that came out of the fire type's mouth.
-There's nothing you could have done.-
-I'd like to try.- She shivered as he finished and he pulled her close. They lay there a moment, one warming the other with his inner flames. She kissed his neck, softly, slowly and gently. He responded, slightly unwilling but desperately not wanting to show her. They continued this for some time, until finally moving on to something deeper.
It was hours later when they finished. Neither one said anything for a while, just holding onto the gentle daze surrounding their thoughts. The stars sparkled down in a soft, white light, barely illuminating the couple still lying on the ledge. One tried to start conversation, only to be silenced by the moment.
-You think it worked?- Scyther asked him finally. She lay still in his arms, breathing quickly and quietly.
-I doubt it,- the big Char said after a minute. -Different types don't tend to mix well.- He pulled her closer, easing the harshness of the remark. -You okay? You're so quiet, Scy.-
-I'm fine,- she smiled at him. -Your worries were in vain, love. If you doubt it worked, then I doubt you hurt me.-
He sighed, sitting up on his stomach like a cat again, spreading out his wing to cover her protectively. -What if it did, Scy?- The fire type's gaze was reverted to the western sky where the moon was now setting. -What if you're...?-
-Pregnant? Hah. Then I would leave you to Aliet's wrath,- she laughed.
Charizard had to chuckle at that. -If you did that, I would leave you to your suffering all alone.-
-You wouldn't dare!-
-Wanna bet?- he teased playfully.
-Are you trying to get something here?-
He shrugged his wings. -No,- he said finally. -Just wanna make sure you're telling the truth about being okay.-
-And am I?- she cocked her head, also sitting upright. The bug leaned against him, sighing softly.
-Let's see... you're defensive, can't take a joke, and teasing me right back,- he pretended to think for a few minutes. -Yep,- he nodded. -You're just fine.-
-Oh you!- she smacked him over the head with the flat of her blade. He bowed his neck sheepishly. -We should probably head back in,- she said dejectedly.
-Gods what time is it?- Charizard sat up on his haunches. -'Et told me to be back by midnight!-
Scyther cursed, loud and long. Yep, she's fine, he thought, almost regretfully. As long as it didn't harm her, he actually would have liked to have children with the graceful bug type. She was beautiful, especially when she was angry. Now, she was his, and he was hers-as the old saying went. No one else could take her away from him by her choice. They took off from their ledge, wings beating against the wind rolling across the high volcano.
They landed silently in the courtyard, slipping into a black hallway lit only by the light of a char's life force. The dying embers in the fireplace dimly lighted Aliet's room. By the light of the embers, they could make out Aliet's sleeping form, stretched out in the exact position Scyther had left her in. The bug moved to her side, pulling the blankets up around her. Charizard licked his trainer's cheek gently before moving beside the fireplace to finish his pleasantly interrupted sleep. Scyther lay back beside him, falling asleep almost instantly. Neither one of them saw their trainer's eye open slightly, gaze solemnly at them, then close back into sleep.

"Admit it, you sorry little Jha'ik asermiok!" Brad practically screamed at the frightened boy. "Admit that you tried to kill the poke'mon of this council!"
"I-I-I..." he stuttered, huge brown eyes flicking wildly across the Council's grim faces. There were no friends there. "I didn't want to try and kill them! I didn't want to! I didn't!" He fell to his knees, sobbing. "It wasn't even meant for them! Honestly!"
"What do you mean by that?" Blaine snapped.
"We-we thought it w-w-would w-w-work on humans too," the boy stammered. "Sh-she told me to kill you all."
"Who told you!?" the council thundered in unison.
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS!" Thomas screamed. He was hysterical with fear. The boy looked up at the sky, and in a trembling voice, spilled the entire story. "I am a part of the King Cult of the Jha'ik. It was my duty to the sacred Seaking to do exactly as our esteemed leader said. She, Splashora, ordered me to infiltrate the race of the Fslam, to finish out the work of our ancestral Jha'ik. That work was to rid the world of our sworn Fslami enemies. But, since there were no Fslami left to eradicate, we felt it our duty to destroy their descendants, the Fslam. When she gave me my task, loyal as I was to our cause, I was loath to carry it out. I was forced to. I first came among you, eager to carry out her bidding. But when I had walked among your people, heard your language, and seen the glory of flame for the first time, I desperately wanted to amend my mistake.
"The Waterstone had been implanted into the feast foods, as an ancient teaching told of the stone being effective against the fire type's human counterparts as well. I tried to go back and stop the feast, but it was too late. When I saw what my wrongdoings had done to your beautiful fire types, I tried to organize the people to help. I thought this might make things up to my new god." He looked around at the Council. "I never should have told you these things," he sniffed, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "She will hear me, she will sacrifice me. As she does to all traitors."
The council was silent a long time. A cult dedicated to a poke'mon's worship? Such a thing went against all teachings of the gods! And sacrificing humans to appease a pathetic fish? The very thought turned the council's stomachs. Eatusur, and almost every other Poke'God, asked only for faith. Some, such as the ancient Gilded One of the mysterious steel type, asked for a material sacrifice, like metal-workings or a bit of food. None asked for blood! None save Shietaor, the god of darkness and all things evil. This misguided cult could only be one of the few Shietaor worshipers still left on the earth!
"You swear everything you have told us is the truth, Thomas of Cerulean?" Sheila asked, eyeing him skeptically.
"Yes, I swear by Eatusur everything I have spoken is truth," he murmured, his head hung low.
This changed things. Someone under Shietaor's influence invoking the name of a true god? Thomas sounded like a changed soul. What had truly brought on this change? Was it merely the thought of a true god discovering his folly, or was it a something deeper? A soul crying out for the help of the flame?
Whatever it was, the council had no time to further question or debate. A foul-smelling cloud of blue smoke exploded behind Thomas, causing the boy to dive off the table for protection and the Council to leap to their feet in shock. Charizard woke with a start; thrusting Scyther behind him protectively, although she leapt out in a fighting stance, ready to defend her new mate and trainer to the death. Charizard copied her readiness, although with less enthusiasm. A horrific figure emerged from the smoke, face contorted and like that of a gargoyle's. It seemed to have once been a woman at one time; a woman who had suffered some horrendous accident that forever altered her appearance. The creature was dressed in the flowing blue cape of the Jha'ik, clothes tackily decorated with beads and ribbons. A high collar, shaped like horns, rose up from the back of her shirt. Her belt held both poke'balls and, most awful of all about her appearance, a jeweled dirk. A dirk whose hilt was stained with blood...
With a terrible war scream, the mockery of a human flung herself off the table and yanked out the long knife in a single, fluid motion. She was nearly on top of Thomas, stabbing at the air around the boy, screaming in hatred all the while. It was then Scyther imposed her blades. The Jha'ik screamed at a more savage pitch, drawing into a fighter's position that would have mocked the swordsmen/women of the Drejian race. Scyther gave a light, trilling laugh before circling her target; blades always up defensively. The council took these moments to secure the boy with Blaine's Rhydon, Charizard, Sheila's Hypno and Scott's Machoke.
Scyther waited for the woman to make the first move. This human was far from a worthy opponent, but she was very evil. The influence of Shietaor came from her in waves. With another, less confident scream, the woman came at her, dirk slashing. Scyther easily deflected the novice thrusts. The bug spun, blades scything around her wildly, causing the woman to dive out of the way. One blade clanged off the dirk, sending it flying towards the council. It clanged off Rhydon's rock skin with a metallic screech. The rock type casually picked it up, looked at it and handed it to Blaine. The old man took it with a startled look, then turned his attention back to Scyther. She now advanced, swinging her blades loosely about her lithe body, bearing down on the crawling woman. She pinned the Jha'ik down with her foot, leaning all of her weight on the human. The male council members, save Blaine, and Jess took custody of the woman, hauling her to her feet while they held her.
"Who are you!?" Blaine snapped, standing before the intruder.
His answer was spat in a flow of the Jha'ik tongue. The words sounded mostly like curses, so the Council leader repeated his question. This time, the woman spoke English. "It is not your business who I am, or where I come from!" she shouted. Her voice was as ugly as her appearance. "The only thing that matters is that traitor!" she gestured with her disfigured chin at Thomas. "He gave our secrets away to worshipers of a fire demon!"
This earned her a slap across her face. No one defied Eatusur within the Hall. Not even a Jha'ik. "Speak of our god like that and we'll do worse than slap you, Jha'ik asermiok," Brad sneered at her. "Answer our leader!" When she didn't, the stocky man smacked her again. "Answer or we will burn you alive!" Charizard stepped forward to illustrate the point, fire licking the edges of his mouth.
That was the final threat. "As you wish," the woman said mockingly. Her eyes narrowed into slits at the sight of the big fire type. "I am Splashora. Leader of the chosen Followers of the sacred Seaking. That boy is mine. I claim his life as leader." She looked Blaine defiantly in the eye. "You do not wish to know from whence I came." It was her turn to sneer. "It would frighten you too much." The woman drew her head up regally. "Now give me the boy."
"We never said this was part of the deal, Jha'ik scum," Aliet snapped.
This earned her a stare from the woman. The moment the two locked eyes, one could see the evil radiating from the other. The gargoyle face drew up into a look of rage. "Looks like one lizard survived our plan," she glared at Aliet, struggling to sit up. How she managed to connect the big char to its trainer was unknown. "How did you manage that brat!? Huh? What magicks do you possess that allowed you to cure it?" The woman grew calmer. "The Master of the sacred fish would truly love someone with your strengths to become one of ours."
A sudden wave of dark blue energy blasted Scott, Brad and Jess off of the woman. They went flying to different sides of the room. Charizard backed up nervously, moving to protect his mate and trainer. The woman's hand went to her belt, pulling off a poke'ball and hurling it at the girl. Aliet suppressed a scream as the poke'ball drew to a halt, hitting the floor and opening with the usual sound.
-Dear Gods!- Scyther swore.
"Eatusur preserve us," Blaine murmured, making the sign of Eatusur. The other council members copied him.
The light cleared to reveal a huge, dark Seaking with glowing blue eyes. It flopped around briefly before staying upright, flapping its fins to stay on its belly. The dead, blue eyes focused on Aliet briefly as bubbles began to form in its mouth. Charizard roared in anger, taking to the air and flaming. The Seaking spun to face its opponent, allowing Scyther to get her trainer safely behind the table while the other poke'mon got their dazed trainers to safety.
Charizard needed no instruction to fight this monstrosity. Fire and water were natural enemies, water sometimes gaining an upper hand over its land-based rival. He dove at it, using his firepower as defense rather than offense. The Seaking creature fired bubble beams and every other water attack possible. It seemed that was all it knew. He was more flexible with his attacks, and owed that to Aliet. He raked his hind claws over it, producing screams. Black blood dripped across his claws, burning them like acid. It was his turn to scream in pain. The pain formed anger, which in turn formed flame. The pure, red-orange fire roared forth, blasting the unfortunate fish to black. He kept flaming until the fish was lost beneath the fire. Eventually, the output of so much fire tired him. The big fire type glided about the high ceilings for a while, regaining his strength. The Seaking fired water guns at him, trying to bring him down. He dodged to the best of his abilities, but the effort of the fire had tired him. One hit its mark full in the chest, forcing him down a few feet. Another one blasted him down near the tail, causing him to roar in blinding pain. He began to sink to the floor like a stone... an easy target.
A psychic signature imposed itself. Sheila's Hypno had stood, blue psychic light covering its body and Charizard's. "Hyp-no, hyp-no," it chanted softly, pendulum swaying. Sheila stood, albeit pale and shaky, by its side. "Psychic attack Hypno," she muttered quietly. A shadow slipped to her side, supporting her, then vanished into her shadow. The psychic opened its eyes. They glowed an eerie light blue. Carefully, Hypno lowered Charizard to the ground, then concentrated on the Seaking. The fish's body glowed a brilliant blue for a moment before it was lifted high into the air and slammed back down into the floor.
Machoke flexed its muscles briefly, then ran forward towards the fish, swinging its fists like a gorilla. Scott stepped up to battle. He looked lost without Ninetails, even though Machoke was his. "Seismic Toss!" he shouted. The burly fighting type bellowed, rushing at its opponent. A water gun blasted it full in the face. The fish was not to be taken by surprise any longer. Machoke staggered back under the force of the water, and it seemed he had lost this bout.
"Scyther! Fury Swipes!" Aliet called. The bug obeyed. Instantly she darted to the fish's side and distracted it from the struggling Machoke. Her blades dug cleanly through its scales and flesh, repeatedly drawing huge gashes in its sides. It spun to her, readying some water attack. This gave Machoke an opening. It charged, hefting the fish up in its massive hands. Its muscles bulged, straining to hold the great weight and complete the attack. Hypno added his power, using everything he had to hold the fish completely still while at the same time, attempting to lift. He gave up the lifting soon, as it proved too much of a drain. This gave Rhydon an opportunity to help. It was almost as strong as Machoke, and knew the same attack. The two hefted in unison, muscles straining in effort. Eventually, the duo's seismic toss was successful, throwing the fish hard into a nearby wall. It lay there, stunned and injured, as Jess stepped up.
"Go Clefable!" She threw out a poke'ball, which bounced, then flew open to release the pink normal type. "Metronome Clefable!" Jess ordered. Clefable closed her eyes, concentrating. Slowly, her fingers began to twitch back and forth. She began to chant her name softly as she moved her fingers faster and faster. The gestures drew to an abrupt halt and the poke'mon began to glow. Sparks radiated from her. The normal type sprang into the air, fluttering its delicate pink wings, gliding over the fish. The sparks danced around her whole body, flowing from the gently twitching fingers to encircle her. She screeched as the metronome attack produced a potent thunderbolt down onto the Seaking. It flopped around madly, then lay still, unconscious.
Through all this, Splashora appeared to be meditating. As her poke'mon fell to the beating of the council, she rose, cape moving like a waterfall in reverse. She coolly retrieved the fallen fish, gazing about herself with a superior look. Then her gaze fastened on Aliet. For a long time, they just stared at each other; hazel and gray eyes locked in fierce battle. No one noticed the slight movement of the Jha'ik's hands.
Suddenly, Aliet's mind was wrapped in a searching, writhing mist. She was forced to the floor, slipping into unconsciousness. Something was riffling through her mind like Magmar did the files in Blaine's Gym Office. She fought it desperately. Soon, I will have my revenge for your magicks, Fslam brat. Something was speaking to her. Out of the mist, a pair of gray eyes tinged with blackness appeared, glowing at her. Our master is not to be defied by the likes of you! You may have magicks to save your lizard, but no power may touch us in our lair. It is hallowed ground. Your magicks will not be able to save anyone from there! With that, the presence and the mist withdrew, allowing Aliet to wake. She was on the floor, gazing up into the worried faces of Scyther, Charizard and Blaine. The big fire type cradled her head with a large hand, while Scyther stood in front of the group as protection, looking over her shoulder at them. "What happened 'Et?" Blaine asked gently. "Are you all right?"
"I'm okay..." She sat up groggily, Charizard's hand supporting her back. "She just knocked me out or something," she murmured. The girl carefully decided to leave out the angry voice and the searching. "Where is she?"
Blaine's worried face turned into a hard grimace. "She vanished," he paused, deciding what to say. "with the boy."
Aliet swore under her breath, waving away her first's help. Still swearing violently, she attempted to stand, only finding herself unable without aid. This provided more humiliation. "Where'd they go?" she asked Sheila, watching her Hypno as it worked.
"Hypno can't find them!" the Lavender Townie growled. "He says there's some interference blocking him out." She paused, a shadow gliding about her. "Something like a ghost, but not really."
"Sololi-aren," Scott muttered.
"What?" Sheila turned to him, puzzled.
"It means, 'ghost who was not meant to be'," Aliet translated. "Basically, a demon..." She trailed off, unsure of what to say next. "A demon guarding a cult... how fitting."
"So, what now?" Jess asked quietly, retrieving her Clefable. "I'm hungry and tired."
The rest of the council agreed, retiring to their rooms. Aliet was still unsteady on her feet, but was able to move around without the aid of her poke'mon. -You really think that... human is gonna kill that kid?- Charizard asked.
Aliet grumbled a curse, then replied, "Yeah, and there's nothing I can do about it, a'sjok it!" Scyther pushed open the door to her trainer's rooms, sighing to herself. The bug stopped before the fire, stretching elegantly, before sinking down on the bed. Charizard dropped his trainer off in a chair, then lay beside the fire, licking his hind claws clean like a cat would. "Eew," Aliet commented, watching him. "I can't believe you, Knob Head! Gods know what that thing's blood was made of!"
He shrugged. -If I can eat dead stuff...-
Scyther cut him off. -Nasty! You eat roadkill?-
-Ick! No!- His head whipped around to face her. -I'm just saying I could! Not that I would... ugh! I'm confusing myself.-
"It wouldn't be the first time," Aliet murmured, leaning back in her chair. She closed her eyes, about to take a nap. -Want a blanket?- Scyther called, interrupting her.
"No, thanks anyway Scy."
The fire trainer began to drift off, thoughts turning from demons to Blaine's abandonment of the Council. How could he? What was a demon doing in this world...? Why did he think it was his fault...? How did the demon get here...? Why was he leaving them now, of all times? What kind of demon was it...? Finally, her mind cleared enough for a nap. Her body relaxed, falling into a half-sleep. Dreams began to form, take shape, then become almost reality. The phone rang, startling her out of sleep. Charizard yelped, jerking his big head up. His hind claws barely missed slicing his face open. Scyther jumped as well, although no sound came from her.
Groggily, Aliet dragged herself out of the chair, grabbing at the phone. "Hello?" she murmured sleepily. Who could be calling her at the Council Hall? Who knew she was here? More importantly, who knew the number? Maybe they were asking for Blaine and got the number wrong.
"Aliet?" the person on the other end sounded upset. "Aliet Eaton, is that you?"
Shock painted over the Master's face. "Mrs. Ketchum! What's wrong?" she practically squealed into the phone. Charizard slapped himself in the forehead, indicating his embarrassment over her tone. Aliet made a face at him before concern took over again. "Is everyone all right?"
"N-n-no," the woman stuttered. "Ash was kidnapped!"

(Jendai: Oo, suspense! [Runs in terror from AF])