Jen is owned by my friend Mocha, whose permission I have to use her. Oh, and "a'sjok" is basically Damn in the Fslami language. Now... where's Jendai?
(Jendai hides under bed)

Chapter
Eight

In which we meet Jen, Scyther discovers the demon, and there are many battles fought.

"A'sjok it! A'sjok it!" cursed Aliet again and again, trying to maintain control long enough to spill the story to Blaine.
"Calm down, 'Et!" the old man ordered. "You're almost hysterical! Now, what happened?"
"I got a call from home," she began, taking a deep, slow breath. "and my brother's been kidnapped by a deformed woman who appeared in a cloud of blue smoke."
Now it was Blaine's turn to curse. "How did that creature know where you lived!?" he barked. "If she found you, what's to stop it from taking our families as well?"
She refrained from mentioning that Blaine lived alone. "Well... she wanted revenge on me because she thought I had magic that stopped Charizard from being poisoned so she used some cult magic to, I don't know, read my mind!" Aliet had to force herself not to scream. Panic was creeping up into her mind, taking over and pinning her down. Screaming would bring release from the terror edging up. But she couldn't. She was Fslam. Only anger could be shown. No fear, no sadness, no weakness. Anger showed your strength. Screaming showed fear. She held her emotions in check, easily suppressing them to allow only anger to show. "It was a vengeance more than anything."
The council leader clenched his hand on the armrest of his chair. He sighed heavily, also attempting to hold down his fear. He was the council leader, and was the one Fslam who must never show weakness before those other than his first. "But, Nurse Joy called in saying that our poke'mon are recovering as well." He looked at her. "Isn't that the same as using magic to cure them?"
"Not if no one finds out about it," Aliet replied, sitting in the chair opposite him. "See, when that woman came here, she saw you all sitting without your fire types and me with Charizard, she automatically assumes I can do something you can't."
"Such as using Eatusur's power on your own..." Blaine nodded. "Although, that could never happen. Fslam rely on the power of our people to work spells. No Fslam has that much strength to work a spell on their own."
"But how would a Jha'ik know this?" she asked. "Therefore she assumes I can channel Eatusur's power alone, thus curing my first."
"So as vengeance, she kidnaps your brother, taking him to a place where your powers can't find him?" Blaine shook his head. "Gods, will I ever understand Jha'ik? Of course you must go find him! But, how will you do this?"
"Using my power," she said, smiling secretively. "Good-bye Blaine."
"Good luck Aliet. And may Eatusur go with you."
She rose and exited.

-How are we gonna know where to look?- Charizard growled, mostly to himself. -You don't even know where that psycho came from.-
"We're getting help," Aliet replied confidently. "Call Jen."
-Ah,- Scyther nodded. -I almost forgot about her. You sure she'll be able to find him?-
"If she can't, then I'm out of ideas." She turned to her first. "Do it, knob head."
The big fire type closed his eyes, dipping his neck in concentration. The dappled sunlight in the courtyard threw strange patterns over his body, giving him a surreal, otherworldly look. Scyther leaned against her trainer, a bit unnerved by her mate's focus. Eventually, he snapped out of it abruptly, snapping his head straight up vertically. -They're coming,- he said finally. -Kadabra's mad at me again for, 'broadcasting so loud.'-
This produced chuckles from the females. Soon, a ripple appeared in the air. It shimmered like heat, then slowly began to solidify over the long, soft grass. The form became one of a girl about Aliet's age with curly blonde hair that fell to her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as they focused on her friend. She sat on the air, legs encased in blue jeans folded beneath her. She had a round face and strikingly delicate build. *Hey!* she smiled as the telepathic voice burst in their minds. *Long time no see, 'Et! How's it going?*
Jen was mute from birth. It wasn't until she discovered her psychic talents that she began to communicate with others and began training under the Gym Leader of her city, Sabrina. Her first poke'mon, Kadabra, teleported in beside her; grinning with his Trainer's delight at seeing her friend again. The two had met in Saffron during Aliet's traveling days and become fast friends. When it was time for the Fire trainer to leave the Psi Capital, Kadabra had formed a link to Charizard's mind, enabling the two to connect whenever they wished.
"It's not going so good," the Fslam began quietly, in answer to her friend's question. "I need your help, Jen." She spilled the entire story, trying desperately not to be too emotional.
Jen's gasp of fear was enough to tell her how well her story had sunk in. *Oh Mew...* she murmured. *Seriously? A demon? In this world?*
"Yes, yes to everything," Aliet replied. "So, can you help us?"
*I take it you need me to get a fix on him then?* The Psi ran her hands through her hair. *Is this barrier focused on psychic abilities? Meaning, can psychic powers pierce it?*
Aliet thought for a moment, remembering Sheila's attempts with her Hypno. "No."
*Then, you're out of luck, my fiery friend,* Jen said quietly, her blue eyes mournful.
"Can you at least teleport us to the site of the barrier?" Aliet was almost begging now. Charizard placed his hand on her shoulder to steady her. She was shaking and couldn't even realize it. Terror began its wild run through her once steady mind, uprooting trees and smashing houses in its wake. "Please Jen, we need help."
*Sure,* the Psi replied. *Although...*
"What?"
*If you knew psychic powers wouldn't work, why'd you call me?*
Aliet shrugged. "I dunno," she admitted. "Maybe because Sheila hates teleporting. I don't see why-"
*You will,* came Kadabra's unexpected voice. Jen elbowed him in the ribs and the poke'mon yipped vocally in protest. *Ignore him,* Jen advised. *With me as an anchor, you should be just fine. Don't let Kadabra scare you,* she added after noticing Scyther's fearful look.
"Let's do this," Aliet said after a moment of awkward silence. "You two ready?" Her poke'mon nodded. "Listen to what Jen says, and follow her instructions exactly."
The Psi sat back on the air. An almost meditative air surrounded her as she explained exactly what her non-psychic friends must do. *Just relax,* she instructed. *And think of one single thing. An item is best, like say... a poke'ball or something. Leave all the grunt work to me and Kadabra. All you have to do is think of one single thing and stay calm no matter what.*
They settled on a poke'ball. Each formed the image easily in their minds, holding onto it, forming it to fit what it actually looked like. Jen again slipped into a meditative manner, concentrating on tying these three very different minds together to perform the teleport. Kadabra was taking care of locating the source of the demonic barrier. When he was ready, he slipped the image of the building to her, adding his power to hers and binding his mind to his trainer's. She took a deep breath and substituted the picture of the building for the image of the poke'ball in the three minds. The poke'ball image drifted away into nothingness as the full image of the building filled all the minds present. Every psychic knew that where a mind went, a body followed. Without the mind, the body was nothing. Therefore, a mind would take a body with it wherever it went. Jen focused carefully on the building, opening a channel to that place. She forced the group down the channel, teleporting them to their destination.
For the Fslam and her poke'mon, teleportation was one of the experiences they would never forget. It was both like swimming and flying at the same time. Almost like flying through heavy air. She tried to touch the fire or bug type she knew had once stood right to her left, but found she could neither move, nor see. It was frightening.
Fortunately, the teleport lasted mere seconds. As it ended, Aliet found herself suspended five feet in the air. The invisible supports suddenly vanished and she crashed to the ground, landing directly on top of Charizard and Scyther. Jen and Kadabra stood a few feet away, desperately trying not to laugh at their comical position. "Is this what your poke'mon attempted to warn us about?" Aliet groaned.
Jen looked at Kadabra before answering. *Yes!* she squeaked, trying to hold her mirth in check. Finally, the two were unable to contain it any longer. They fell down laughing. Aliet mustered what dignity the situation had left her with and scrambled off her two team members, murmuring apologies every step of the way. Scyther struggled up, moaning softly. Charizard was supporting her instantly, although she waved him away with a flick of her blades. Their trainer noted this, and decided not to butt in... for now anyway. She stood, gathering her cloak about her. The place where they had landed was vaguely familiar, as if she had been here in a dream, looking but never really seeing. A line of warehouses stood before them, looking dilapidated and in desperate need of a coat of paint. All the windows were dark and a few were broken. Doors were barred, resembling the boarded-up windows. It was all very lonely and strange. Aliet shivered involuntarily. The breeze suddenly shifted, bringing with it the scent of salt and fish.
Now she remembered this place. Vermillion City. The electric port town. "Jen... where's the demon barrier?" she asked, regaining her own voice.
The Psi closed her eyes briefly before replying. *Right there,* Jen answered softly, pointing in the direction of a smaller warehouse. This one looked shrunken in on itself, as if hiding in the shadow of the taller buildings. Other than that, there was nothing conspicuous about it. Jen looked at her friend. *I regret that I cannot accompany you within,* she looked down. *But my powers, and Kadabra's, would be rendered useless, and we would be merely a bother...*
"It's alright Jen," Aliet gave her a half-smile. "I'm sure we can manage." Her poke'mon nodded their agreement.
Jen bit her lip, breaking her levitation to land lightly on her bare feet. *Please be careful, 'Et,* she muttered. *I would hate to loose you... as a friend.* The Psi acted as if that were the hardest thing she'd ever had to say. In a sudden, uncharacteristic show of emotion from her, she hugged Aliet tightly. Blinking in surprise, Aliet hugged her back. "I thought this was beneath the Telisan?" she asked mildly, using the Fslami word for the psychic people.
She pulled back. Jen was obviously frustrated by the reference to the first time she and Aliet had parted ways. *The Talisen,* she began, attempting the Fslami word herself and completely mispronouncing it. Aliet had no heart to correct her. *are allowed to confer such frivolousness where they will. It is allowed during times such as this...* She was acting more like her old self. *So don't get used to it!*
"I won't," the Fslam grinned, looking into Jen's eyes. "Thank you Jen."
*Don't mention it,* she concentrated, then slowly began to teleport away. *Good luck, my friend.*
Aliet turned to the hunched-in building, studying it with a quick glance. The main door would be idiotic, as it was most likely to be guarded. Some of the windows looked as if they could easily be cut open... She motioned to her poke'mon and headed towards the alleyway between warehouses. They crouched behind a dumpster, desperately hoping not to be noticed. "Can you get up there Scy?" she asked the bug, pointing to the boarded windows looming above.
-Any one in particular?- Scyther replied.
"The closest one."
Her answer was a grin. -See you inside,- she said, buzzing her wings. The light bug lifted off easily. Wind was a problem, considering her weight. But the buildings obscured any sea breezes that may drift into town from the waterfront. She brought herself up to a window she'd selected, slowly drawing her blades back for a slice. With an easy, smooth motion, the boards were bisected off their nails, falling down to the street below. Charizard and Aliet caught them to prevent any noise that may have aroused from their falling. The bug buzzed through the hole she'd created, then stuck her blade out in an "all-clear" sign. Aliet allowed her first to pick her up in his arms, which was easier than the whole elaborate riding she usually did. He beat his wings harder than usual, again considering the lack of wind, trying to get airborne with his passenger. Finally, he made it up to the window and thrust the two of them inside.
Aliet tumbled to the floor in a heap of red cloak, blue jeans and red tank-top. Charizard landed with more grace, but not much. Scyther held in her laughter at the pair of them. The human rose, taking stock of the room they were in. It appeared to be some sort of storage room, built in a parody of the old Drejian style. What was odd was the fact that the stonework resembled nothing of the corrugated iron walls that made up the warehouse's outer shell. Aliet shrugged it off and made for the door. She pushed against it, testing to see if it was locked. It wasn't. She peered out into the hallway beyond, noticing the same Drejian-copy style and lack of electricity. She frowned, closing the door. "Okay, here's the plan. We stay together," she whispered. "We don't know anything about this place, or the demon guarding it. We need to stay together if we're gonna get out of here alive and with Ash."
Charizard and Scyther nodded understandingly. Aliet opened the door again, slipping out this time rather than peering out. Her poke'mon followed, moving as silently as possible. There was no one around. The eerie silence was unnerving to both poke'mon and their trainer. Where were all the Jha'ik? She had no time to deliberate. There were two doors on each side of the hall and one facing her. Charizard peered into the ones along the left wall, Scyther checked the right, and Aliet scouted the one at the end of the hall. -Closets,- Charizard reported. -All closets.-
There was a slamming of doors. All eyes turned to Scyther. -Um... men's bunkhouse...- she explained sheepishly. -Both.-
They eyed her but said nothing. Aliet opened her door cautiously, revealing a winding, tower-like staircase leading both upwards and down. The Fslam marveled at the décor of such a place. It had an old feel too it, as she assumed the Drejian fortresses in Jhoto would. Yet, beyond the ancient feeling, a dark presence lurked. It rode high in the wooden beams, floated though every stone, wound through every passageway. Aliet suppressed a shiver of revulsion. This must be the demon. She motioned her poke'mon to follow her. -Which way?- Scyther asked bluntly.
"I-I'm not sure," Aliet admitted, fearful that at any moment a Jha'ik would emerge from around the corner.
-I'll go on up alone,- the bug offered.
"No way Scy," Aliet glared. "We stay together."
-I can blend in with the shadows better, seeing as I don't have a fireball on my butt. Plus, I am more than capable with these.- She held up a blade menacingly for emphasis.
-I'm not letting you go alone,- Charizard said, tone heavy with finality.
But Scyther was already on her way up. -I know what floor the window was on. I'll get out and meet you by the dumpster is all goes wrong.- She was out of sight by now, and her voice floated down from the dark places where torches did not penetrate. Neither one of them could see the agile bug move; they just heard her. -I promise you I'll find you once I'm done up here...- And then her voice vanished, swallowed by the imposing walls of stone.
Aliet and Charizard exchanged glances of concern before continuing down the staircase.

"They're here, lady."
"Just as I predicted. Foolish fire brat... your soul is mine. Oh and look. She brought friends... Just what the sacrifice needs. Fresh souls."
"Shall we collect them, lady?"
"No... Just let them blunder into our troops. They shall deal with them easily enough."
"But, she has a Scyther, lady-"
"I realized that! A pathetic insect is no trouble to ones such as us! You know what weakens bug types! Use it!"
"But, my lady-"
"Silence! Can you follow orders or do you need to meet with some persuasion?"
"I will do as you bid, lady."
"Good. Now get the troops in place."

She was silent. She was deadly. She was...
...so completely lost!
Scyther groaned, sinking to the floor in a crouch. Her legs were tired from an hour of darting from shadow to shadow at top speed. There was only so much she could do. Not to mention the tenseness working its way through her shoulders. She flexed the powerful muscles hidden beneath armored skin, trying to get the kinks out in case she needed to fight on short notice. In such a place as this, it was likely. It would be stupid to say she wasn't afraid. Only those unfit to fight were unafraid of the evil she felt lurking here. A warrior was a warrior not only because of their courage, but because of their healthy fear as well. It was not cowardice, only the natural fear one felt of evil. Summoning her strength, she continued onwards and upwards.
Finally, she reached the top of the staircase. Nothing here but a single door that looked to be bolted. Taking a deep breath, she drew back for a slice that would smash the door off its hinges.
The door opened.
Scyther relaxed slightly. She never let her guard down. There was something behind that door. The bug dropped from an offensive to a defensive position, slowly advancing into the torch lit room. It appeared to be a person's room of high office. Overstuffed chairs sat next to a bookshelf and water fountain. A large, canopied bed took up one wall. Windows were small and lit the place poorly. A lush carpet sprang up from the stone. There were richly colored tapestries hanging from the ceiling, depicting Seakings, or a large, black deity. Scyther took a step back. She'd seen this before... But where? She moved closer to the tapestries, studying them while still defending. The strange deity was always in the process of wiping out fires, while at the same time fueling huge lakes and streams. Dark energies were sketched in, as the symbol of water dominated the background. On some, the water symbol held another symbol within. It was a spiral. A spiral whose end was a black circle.
The bug pulled back in sheer horror, dropping her guard. She knew that symbol! Instantly, the pictures and the symbols made sense, as did the demonic barrier around this place.
Shietaor, the god of darkness and destruction, the Spirit of All-Evil guarded this place. These people were not only pagans but were worshiping Shietaor as well! They had turned away from the true teachings of the god of water, turned to a darker, stronger-seeming idol. That explained much.
She trembled in absolute terror. Shietaor asked for blood from its minions. Her trainer's brother was destined to lose his soul if they didn't find him. And if they should be captured... A lurch of fear nearly caused her to be physically sick. The bug sank to the ground again, blade clasped against her stomach. She forced herself to take long, slow breaths to calm herself. If she didn't relax, she could very well join the young human in his dark fate. Either that or the stress would kill her. Her kind was prone to such deaths, which was why she meditated every day. Automatically, she sank into the rhythm of meditation. Gradually, she felt her lithe body relax and the sickness recede.
Someone moved in the dimness behind her. She jumped into a protective stance. There was a laugh in the shadows. "Poor little bug," the laughter turned mocking. "I admire your preparation. I just fear you aren't a match for me." The person-the man-emerged from the shadows, drawing a long sword of Drejian smith work. Scyther could see the easy way the human handled it, and the perfect balance the weapon had. She swallowed. The torchlight flickered to reveal an ugly burn on the man's hand. The bug stared. "Ah yes, that," he said, noticing her gaze. "An old tattoo... I believe you're familiar with the custom?"
So, this man was a Drejian convert... That explained the sword and the scar. Apparently after converting, he'd tried to burn off the tattoo of the serpent-sword. She spread her blades in the standard starter position. The man nodded, and the two advanced.
He attacked first, testing her. His overhand slice was too quick to be much else. She parried deftly, watching his backswing carefully. It wouldn't do a Silver'dBlade warrior good to be defeated by a human. He spun in a crude mimicry of her own species' attack. She blocked this. Now she was on the offensive, driving him backwards with easy, smooth slices. He fell to his knees, felled by the force of her blows. The man rolled out of harm's way, barely missing bisection by the warrior's bladed arms. She swung them down at him again, intending to wound him. He brought his blade up in defense. The sword and blade locked. Neither showed any signs of tiring.
Back and forth across the carpet the two masters dueled. Scyther still felt fresh, while the human showed signs of weakening. Her claws dug into and released the carpet for better purchase, while his boots neither helped nor hindered.
Without warning, the fear rose up again, bringing the sickness in waves again. Scyther dropped her guard briefly, allowing the man to cut her once across the cheek. She defended to the best of her abilities, but his sudden onrush pushed her to the ground. "Now you see the power of Shietaor, insect!" he laughed. The dark mirth cut off as he caught sight of the silver flecks in her steel-like blades. "A Silver'dBlade, eh?" He laughed again. "Not as good as a Gild'dBlade... but I suppose it would have to do..."
Horror boiled in her chest, replacing fear and sickness. This trash had killed one of the legendary Gild'dBlades? But they were said never to be bested in combat! She rose, raising her blades to strike the man down. Blackness suddenly covered her vision as she sunk to the ground, unconscious.
A woman emerged from the shadows, grotesque gargoyle face passive. An aura of dark magic still glowed from her fingertips. "I thought you said you could handle her," she growled. "And I arrive barely in time to save you?"
He bowed, laying his head on the pommel of the sword. "I am sorry, Lady."
"Take her to a cell."
"Yes, Lady."

It was both the silence and the lack of people that nearly drove Aliet insane. There was nothing, save the crackling of flames and the sound of footsteps, to stop the deafening silence. Charizard nuzzled her cheek comfortingly. -Don't worry,- he said. -We'll find him... eventually.-
"It's that last bit that worries me," she replied, rubbing her first under his headknobs. "I mean, we go dashing off to rescue him without knowing what exactly we're dealing with. We have no knowledge of this place, these psychopaths, anything." She sank down against a wall. "I'm scared, Knob head..."
He crouched by her side. A wing extended to wrap around her in consolation. -It'll be okay, 'Et,- the big fire type smiled. -I'm here. I'll protect you from the psychos.-
They took a rest together, leaning against the wall. Aliet finally rose, stretching. Charizard followed suit. A sudden sound broke the silence. The two froze, one with her hand on her belt, the other dropping into a fighting stance. Silence filled the air. They relaxed.
A door at the far end burst open. They whirled to see a tidal wave of Seaking pouring into the hallway. Aliet ducked behind Charizard, who flamed the fish, knocking out the first rows. They kept coming. Wave upon wave of fish flopped into the room, attempting to smother the duo. Charizard glanced back at his trainer, who motioned him to follow her. They ran, terror-stricken, down the hall. The Seaking kept coming, pouring hot on their heels. They had to get out of the tiny hallway before they were "trampled" to death.
It was now Aliet wished Scyther had come with them. But, Charizard's head was also useful for bashing in doors. He needed no instruction, just lowered his head, charging the door with his headknobs facing it. The door fractured as his head made contact, then crashed in on itself as his shoulders burst through. Fragments of wood were imbedded in his thick skin, causing cuts to open and dribble blood that dried to scabs almost instantly. Aliet promised him mentally to remove the fragments whenever they got out of this mess.
If they ever got out of it...
Now, in a larger room, the odds were only slightly better. It was still one against a massive amount, but Charizard had the room he needed to maneuver easily. The fish poured in, still acting as if to smother them. Battle rage and adrenaline flowed through the big fire type. He roared, fire filling his eyes. Flame rolled from his jaws to roast the fish where they flopped. A second wave marched over them, completely ignoring their dead comrades. -This is really bad 'Et!- he roared over his shoulder. -Really really bad!-
No answer came. Frightened, he turned to where she had once stood, eyes searching for hers. She was gone. With a roar of panic, he tore off in the only direction anyone could have taken her. The fish continued to pile in, but the big fire type was oblivious. The only thing on his mind was finding his trainer. Finally, it became painfully clear that the only way out of this insane room was the way they'd come. What was with this place? In irritation and fear, he flamed, calling out long and mournfully. Aliet had vanished into thin air.
As his call died, silence fell upon the room. Stunned, he stole a look at the fish. They had formed a semi-circle around him, trapping him against the back wall. He began to pace like a caged animal, growling deep in this throat. "My, my," someone called from above. "Look what I've caught in my little trap. A lizard. A big, fiery lizard."
His head whirled up to see the woman who'd interrupted the council standing on a catwalk suspended from the high rafters. A man was with her. Aliet lay limp over his shoulder. With a roar of rage, Charizard flung himself into the air, wings pumping furiously to get himself airborne. The humans stood calmly as the dragonform shot towards the ceiling, bellowing and flaming all about him. Charizard's neck snaked back, ready to launch forward with a lance of fire that would melt the-
He stopped abruptly, drawing into a hasty hover. If he attacked the two Jha'ik, there was no telling if Aliet would be safe. She could go flying off the catwalk or accidentally be incinerated by his fire. In frustration, he dove down and came soaring back up on their other side, roaring before repeating the process. Something hit him in the back, knocking him out of the air. It pushed him down to the floor, almost crushing his wings. His feet hit the ground. The touch of the ground was reassuring. He snarled, glaring up at the two Jha'ik. "What now, Lizard?" the woman crowed. "I'll be seeing you soon!" She motioned down at the fish. They flopped towards him, making the circle shrink into an even more confining space. Charizard roared, leaping into an attack.
His leap cleared a path in the ranks of fish. Rage boiled within him. Rage at the human Jha'ik, the fish, and even Scyther for abandoning them. He had to vent it somehow. The first fish that came within his reach was torn to bits by his teeth and claws. Its blood dripped into his mouth, hot, throbbing and dark. It fueled his need. His need for blood. His need for vengeance. The instincts he'd fought now bubbled up, roaring out in his booming voice.
KILL! Remember what was done! KILL THEM ALL! They defiled your god! Nearly killed kin! Took trainer! Unforgivable! Tear apart! There, to the left! Fat one! Slow! KILL! Rip, tear! Slaughter them all. Vengeance! Vengeance! FLAME! Fire's might will smite water's evil! KILL THEM ALL! If they hurt 'Et... They hurt her, they will burn in FIRE! KILL!
His breath came hot in his throat, fueled by the fire that lurked deep within his throat. Rank after rank lay crisped or ripped to shreds. Their blood, their black, watery blood, stained his teeth and dripped from his bottom jaw. Fire danced furiously at the back of his blue eyes. His wings were spread, shadowing his face from the strange light that hung from the ceiling. The flame of his tail burned high and large, raging as its owner was. The fire type looked like a messenger of death from Eatusur, rather than the poke'mon he was. Yet, behind his deadly manner, fear lurked. More fish poured in, filling in the spaces their dead fellows had left. There would be no way, angry as he was, to defeat all these creatures.
They mobbed him. He slashed as many as he could to death, watching their carcasses fly skyward before flaming ranks of them. For a time, it seemed he was winning. Then more came, boiling up like a sea of living fishes. One drove its horn through his shoulder as another sprayed water towards his tail. Pain raced through the injured points. Mad rage blinded him, sending him into a fit of anger. Flame blasted about him. He could no longer see or hear. Instincts drove him through the blast of pain, forcing him to keep fighting. They must pay! They had to pay! Vengeance would be his. They broke off the attack, allowing him to access the damage to his body and chose the next course of attack. The wound to his shoulder bled freely, it was deep. With a snort of fire, he cauterized it, stopping the bleeding but not the pain. There was another small cut to the side of his mouth that was oozing. It was a small matter compared to the shoulder. Nonchalantly, he licked the blood off his arm. Its taste was familiar and somewhat comforting compared to the dark stuff he'd been tasting for gods-knew how long.
On they came, barely giving him a chance to recover what energy he had. To buy himself some time, he began to form a protective whirlwind around himself. It was a trick he'd picked up from somewhere. You worked your wings to keep the enemy away and to keep a protective layer of wind around your body. The fish darted off, keeping their distance from the bubble of wind. He took a deep breath, relaxing slightly. This was easier than fighting; it was more like flying with a bad headwind. It was then the fish mobbed him once more. They all pushed as one, each using the other as a shield against his shield. They broke through, swarming him as bees do honey. He fought savagely, sucking up the last of his energy in an attempt to stay alive. Dead fish sailed through the air, landing with barely audible "splats" against the stone floor.
But there were too many. They overwhelmed him, crawling all over him and pinning him down. More and more piled on. He flamed, trying to get them to scatter, but the fire only made them more determined to win. They covered his head, cutting off his air. Black danced before his eyes. Charizard fought it... fought it until the darkness enveloped him, and he passed out.
High above, the man with the sword smiled.

(Jendai: Ok, AF wants me to say that the Drejian people are dragon type trainers... )
(AF: Aww, thankies 'Dai! [huggles him])