A/N: *Gets starry eyed* Reviews!  TWO of them!  ^-^ I'm appeased…for now...please review some more!  Since you two reviewed I think all of these chapters, I'll let you all in on a little secret: I'll try to get Xellos to stay as a constant companion with them, and Lord Shabby will be a pokemon ^_^  If you've seen the first season of Slayers, I think you can guess who owns him.  ^_^  I also hope to make the last chapters much more interesting, and tougher for Lina.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that isn't mine to own.

Ch. 14: A Kindled Flame

A Few Fiery Friends

            When Lina suddenly stopped, Gourry and Zel instinctively lurched forward.  Holding onto Lina's waist, lest he fall some fifty feet to the ground, Gourry asked her, "Oi, what's wrong, Lina?"

            Lina didn't answer for a spell; she merely looked down at the town they were flying over.  Finally, she shuddered and shook her head with a small smile.  "It's nothing Gourry.  Don't worry about it."  With that, she commanded Charizard to make a smooth swerve westward, towards the next gym on Cinnabar Island.  Zel sensed that Lina was hiding something, but said nothing as he rode the current to fly alongside Lina and Gourry.  For the rest of the flight, until they landed in a port facing the island, Lina stared listlessly ahead of her, lost in her own thoughts.  Charizard knew this, and remained steady in his flight.

            When Lina had left the Fuchsia City Gym, she had planned on stopping by in Zephilia, the place of memories, her earliest memories of all.  Everyone she had grown up with was there, well, everyone except for her sister.  She was still working as a waitress in Pallet Town, as far as Lina knew anyway.  But when she looked over it then, when she stopped, her heart panged with guilt.  It was a happy, prosperous place now, she shouldn't get anywhere near them anymore.  It'd be safer if she simply got this dumb tournament out of the way already.  She had her strong pokemon.  She didn't need anything else, but to be proclaimed what she already knew she was – the Pokemon Master of the Kanto region.

            It was high noon by the time they reached the port of Vista de Pasta (^_^).  Head clear of any remorse, at least on the surface, Lina ate her fish and pasta heartily.  Sipping his tea, Zel couldn't help but see the forced look, though slight, in Lina's expression, especially her eyes.  Finally, he got fed up with it.  Once Lina called for the bill, he ventured to ask, "Alright Lina, what's wrong?  You've been acting strange ever since you stopped over that town."

            Lina blinked in surprise, but immediately sunk her eyelids, focusing on her hands in her lap.  Gourry also seemed a bit interested in the answer, though he seemed to be mindlessly picking between his teeth with a toothpick.

            Her hands clenched into trembling fists as she stumbled over a soft response.  "I…I can't…"  Lina sighed and looked into Zel's eyes.  He saw the deep regret that was none-so-well-hidden in her eyes.  She blurted out, "I can't tell you.  Sorry, but I just…can't.  'scuse me."  Lina quickly stood up and left the table.  Just then, the waiter came by with the bill.  This wasn't a Pokemon Center, so it was anything but free.  Luckily, Zel and Gourry had enough money together to pay for it.  After the waiter left, Zel and Gourry exchanged a long look.  Should they go after Lina?  It would be the right thing to do as friends, but they weren't sure if Lina just wanted to be left alone.  Lina was the type of person that if things didn't go her way, she'd blow up at the culprits.  At last, Zel decided for them both that they would go find Lina.  At the very least, they should know where she is, in case she doesn't come back in time for the ferry.

            They searched the town thrice over without a trace of Lina whatsoever.  Nobody had seen a little red-haired girl all day.  The pair employed the help of their pokemon, and still received no answers.  Finally, Zel called it a day a left a message at the Pokemon Center.  It said how they had gone ahead, and were going to wait in Cinnabar Island.  Zel hadn't forgotten Lina's suggestion that Cinnabar Island might have his cure.  Gourry didn't want to leave Lina behind, considering that this was her pokemon quest…but he had heard what great food was sold on the Island, so that spirit won over in the end.  Besides, Lina could just fly to the Island if she really needed to.  With that, they boarded the ferry in slight remorse.

            That remorse was replaced with surprise, however, when they came face-to-face with Lina, getting a suntan on a fold-out beach chair on the top deck.  As casual as if this happened every day, Lina waved her hand in greeting.  "Hey!  What took you so long?"

            Still trying to get over the fact that Lina had been on the boat of all places, Zel stumbled, "We- We were looking for you."

            Lina laughed with carefree mirth.  "Don't you know that I love boats?  I've been here for hours!  Come on, pull up a seat."

            Zel and Gourry did just that, while Lina ordered an ice-cold drink for them both.  Before long, they adjusted and became very comfortable.  Zel was reading a book, while Gourry was dozing off.  Lina was simply soaking up the sun's rays as the ferry started to move.

            "Lina?!  What are you doing here?"

            Lina jumped clear off her seat at the sudden voice.  She turned towards it angrily, but the anger was immediately dispelled when she saw who it was.  Gary Oak.  Lina ran toward the young trainer and gripped him in a tight neck hug.  "Onii-chan!"

            Gary staggered backward by the sudden force, but awkwardly pat Lina on the back.  "So uh…How've you been?"

            Lina released him and happily rocked back and forth on her heels.  "I'm fine.  You?"

            Gary haughtily proclaimed, "I'm great!  I just won my eighth badge!"

            Lina smiled in return.  "Really?  Me too."

            That stopped him in his tracks.  He peered down at her cautiously.  "Flash?"

            A wide grin spread over her face.  "Go!"

            Both of them flipped open their badge cases to reveal their set of badges.  Lina's had the Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Marsh, Ghost, Rainbow, Soot, and Soul Badge.  Gary's badges matched hers, but he had one more- the Track badge, from Zephilia.  He grinned at this.  "Looks like I've got one more than you do."

            Lina glowered at him.  "Phooey.  I don't want that badge anyways."  Changing the subject abruptly, Lina brightened up and pushed Gary towards her chair.  "Sit, sit!"

            "Alright, alright!  Stop pushing!"  At that moment, Lina stopped, allowing Gary to trip head over heels into the chair.  As soon as he adjusted and lay down, Lina catapulted onto the chair very close to him.  A childish expression played on her face.  As Gary groaned in slight pain, Lina realized something.  "Hey, where are those girls, those um, cheerleaders?"

            Gary grimaced as he responded, "Probably on a restroom break."

            Gourry, being who he is, asked, "All of them?"

            It was then that Gary turned to Lina's companions.  "Well, where one goes the others will follow.  That reminds me, I don't think we've met yet.  I'm Gary Oak, grandson of Prof. Oak, and a childhood friend of Lina's.  You are?"

            Gourry piped up, "Gourry Gabriev, brother of the Cerulean Sisters, I'm Lina's bodyguard.  Nice to meet ya."

            In a rather offhand manner, Zel introduced himself while still reading his book, "Zelgadis Greywerds, Pewter City Gym Leader.  Temporary Traveling Companion of Lina's."

            Gary looked suspiciously at Lina.  "Just what have you been up to these days, hm?"

            Lina chuckled slightly.  She was about to respond when she was rudely interrupted.

            "Gary?!  And…you!"

            They all turned at the outburst.  Ash Ketchum headed the trio.  Lina frowned as she remarked ruefully, "I have a name you know.  How rude."  She turned to Gary energetically as she changed her voice completely.  "Ne, ne!  Onii-chan!  Watch this!  I learned a new trick!  Fireball!"

            As she said 'Fireball', she directed her fire pokeball towards Ash, while still sitting down.  The pokeball opened a little, and sent forward a huge ball of fire.  Misty and Brock had instinctively jumped away before the ball had hit its mark.  Beads of sweat cascaded down their heads, nervous as to whether or not Lina would choose a new target.  It hit Ash dead on, making his face match his name.  Gary laughed at this.  "Great trick Lina-chan!  That really is a new one!  But you know… you shouldn't attack people like that, even if it's Ashy boy."

            Now it was Ash's turn to feel insulted.  Rubbing the charcoal and ash off his face, he declared, "That wasn't fair!  Let's have a real battle!"  Pikachu backed this up with his own two cent reply.

            Lina cheered inwardly at the chance to show off in front of who she considered her older brother.  "You dolt.  We already battled, and I creamed you."

            Ash growled with frustration, but he could hardly argue with that, though he tried.  "That wasn't fair either!  You used Pikachu's family against him!"

            Lina scoffed.  "It's your own fault as a trainer if you can't get your pokemon to battle for you.  No matter who the opponent is."

            Pikachu's ears drooped at this.  "Pika…(Okaa-san…)"

            In a lighthearted manner, Lina addressed Pikachu.  "(Don't worry, Kairo.  I don't blame you at all.  I'd never fight with my mother either.)"

            Pikachu's ears immediately shot straight up at this.  Like a loving pet, he scampered down Ash, and leaped onto the chair next to Lina.  She stroked the top of his head, knowing it would make him happy.  It did just that.

            Suddenly, Lina yet out a big yawn.  "Wow, this sun must have made me really sleepy.  I'm going to go catch a nap on the top roof.  Want to come?  Zel?  Gourry?"

            "No thanks, I'll stay here."

            "Me too."

            Lina shrugged.  "Fine then.  See you around then.  Nice seein' ya Gary.  Hmm…Ah!  Archie, come on out!"

            As Lina climbed onto Arcanine's back, Gary commented, "Yeah, see you later, Lina-chan.  Nice Arcanine, by the way."

            "Thanks!  Come on Archie, jump onto the roof."

            Archie did as his mistress commanded as fluent as liquid water.  When Lina was out of sight of them, she told Arcanine to stop and sleep.  After Archie was comfortable, Lina lay down against Archie, partly covered by his tail.

            Lina managed to get a few minutes of shut-eye before she was again rudely interrupted.  "Do you always sleep on rooftops Lina-chan?"  Lina woke up to Archie growling.  Absently, she outstretched her hand to caress his mane, to calm him.  She wearily opened her eyes to see who the voice belonged to.  It sounded vaguely familiar… ah.  The one called Xellos.

            Grouchily she responded, "What do you want?"

            Xellos furrowed an eyebrow while pouting.  "I can't simply come to see one of my best friends?"

            Lina closed her eyes as she replied, "First of all, I'd hardly call us friends, and second of all, no.  What do you want?"

            Xellos put a finger to his chin as he said, "Hmm…That is…a secret! ^_^"

            The red-headed girl raised an eyebrow before scoffing.  In a low murmur she grumbled, "Fine, if you aren't going to tell me, leave me alone.  I want to finish my nap."

            Through her closed eyes, Lina could sense Xellos pouting as he responded, "Awww…but what fun would that be?"

            Archie growled again, hiding Xellos' additional mutter of, "I couldn't annoy you, torture you, or tease you until you blew your top off…"

            Unfortunately for him, Lina's sharp sense of hearing caught this, and she frowned, looking at him with one eye.  Lina grunted in disgust as she stood up.  She clicked her tongue once, and Archie stood up as well.  Xellos looked up at her with surprise.

            Lina kicked him hard in the shins before walking away.  Xellos hissed with slight pain, but only followed her with his eyes.  Lina let out a short whistle… and Archie barbequed him as well.  Xellos blew out a puff of smoke and forced a grin.  As Lina jumped down with Archie, his grin became genuine.  "It looks like this will be more fun than I expected, Lina-chan."

            With the swiftness of futuristic teleporting, Xellos vanished into thin air.

            Meanwhile, Lina was watching the calm blue seas from behind the rail.  "Ne Archie," she began, as she stroked his fur, "Do you ever think I'll be able to return home?"

            In response, Archie nuzzled Lina's side and softly growled, "(When you're ready.)"

            Lina smiled wanly, and continued to watch the water with a wistful smile.  "Thank you…for your support.  You'll still be with me then, right?"

            Archie nuzzled her again as he answered, "(I will always follow you.  You will always be my mistress, even after I die.)"

            Lina chuckled slightly at this, but Archie knew that Lina was grateful, from the difference of her caress.

            "Oi, Lina?"

            Lina slowly turned…to face Gourry.  She smiled wanly.  "What's up?"

            Gourry shrugged.  "Nothin'.  I just wanted to see what you were doing."

            Lina shrugged in return, facing the ocean again.  "Just watching the ocean.  Care to join me?"

            Gourry nodded and walked towards her.  Lina sat down behind the rail, and Archie followed her example, resting his head on her leg.  Lina continued to stroke his fur, as he fell into a peaceful sleep.  When Gourry seated himself beside her, Lina made no notice, concentrating her stare to the peaceful waters.

            After a long silence, Gourry asked, "Hey, Lina, why did you stop at that town anyways?"

            Lina let out an exasperated laugh.  "Didn't I tell you?  That was my hometown.  Zephilia."

            Gourry's mind to some very quick registering on his account.  "Isn't that where your family is?"

            When Gourry glanced at Lina, he caught the forlorn look so obviously displayed on her face.  "….Lina?"

            With a start, as if just snapping out of a reverie, Lina looked up at Gourry.  Gourry could see tears waiting to burst out at the slightest provocation.  She gave him a forced smile.  "Can we not talk about this, please?"

            Startled, Gourry could only nod.  Calming down, he smiled softly.  "Sure, but you know, my grandma always told me that the best way to get rid of pain is to share it with others."

            A soft growl emitted from deep within her throat as she looked down at Archie.  "My problem would be more troublesome then a flu, but with similar effects.  I wouldn't get better instantly, but others would suffer with me.  Personally, I don't care for the saying, ' Misery loves company'."

            "Is it really that bad?"  Receiving no answer, Gourry sighed as he leaned back, facing the ocean blue.  "Well, if that's how you feel, I won't force you to tell me.  But do you mind if I tell mine?"

            Again answered with silence, Gourry took a deep breath and began.  "My family runs a really ancient temple, to worship these really powerful pokemon.  The spirits of them were kept in statues in separate shrines.  I have four older brothers, and it was our job to take care of them.  There were five total, so one for each of us to care for.  Mine was a light blue one; I forget the name of it though.  Well, one day this shady guy comes and demands that we show us where the shrines are.  My parents were easily swayed, so they did as they were told.  I watched as he placed his hand in the indent in front of the statue, and the statue came to life.  My oldest brother's was a black animal with yellow markings.  It gave off a sparkle when it turned from stone to well, flesh.

            I remember that we were all surprised, especially when that guy caught him in a purple pokeball.  The pokemon didn't even put up a struggle.  He moved onto the next shrine, and repeated this.  Mine was last in the row.  Wanting to save it, I did the same thing he did, but on my own assigned pokemon.  I was really surprised when it actually worked.  It sparkled like sun on shallow water as I quickly told it to follow me to safety.  He looked over at his friends, and he understood immediately.  He jumped onto my shoulder, and I ran – fast.  Apparently, nobody had noticed me, yet.  I scrambled to my room, shoved my life savings and a change of clothes in a bag, slid down the stairs to grab some snacks from the kitchen, before running through the back, the opposite direction of where my family was.  I never saw that pokemon stealer, or my family, again.

            I ran through the forest area where I came across a back road.  Glancing both directions, I crossed quickly, and continued through the forest.  I didn't stop until I was well inside the next town.  Thinking the pokemon would want some water, I brought it over to the fountain in the town square.  It lapped up the water happily, and to my surprise, blended in with the water.  While it was drinking, I shuffled through my bag to look for some food, and I came across a pokeball I received as a present.  I looked from the pokeball to the pokemon, and grimaced.  I walked over to it and asked if it wanted to be my pokemon.  I promised that as long as I lived, I would always take care of it, and protect it from harm.  I think it knew I was telling the truth, because it agreed, allowing itself to be sucked into the pokeball.  Once I attached it to my belt, I went into a nearby restaurant's restroom, and changed my clothes.  Well, that's it."

            Lina had a dazed expression on her face.  After a while, she murmured.  "For someone who can never remember anything I've told him, you sure seem like a great storyteller.  Too bad it doesn't seem right."

            Gourry chuckled slightly.  "What don't you believe?  It's what happened you know."

            "For one thing, pokemon generally don't live after being incased in stone.  Why would a handprint bring them back to life?"

            "I dunno, it just happened."

            "Secondly, I didn't see a pokemon like that in my Statidex database.  Where is it?"

            "It's in my Scyther's pokeball now."

            "Two pokemon can't fit in one pokeball."

            "They can if one pokemon's a spirit, and it's a spirit pokeball."

            "A what?"

            "A spirit pokeball.  Pokeballs used by holy religious trainers."

            "…Well, fine, but still, what about the whole stone thing?  What set of legendary pokemon has five sparkling pokemon in it….?  Ah!  No!  It couldn't be!  Gourry!"

            Startled, Gourry looked at Lina.  "What?"

            "You have what I desire, Gourry Gabriev.  The Metallic Vaporeon."

            Lina, Gourry, and Arcanine looked up, to see that the voice belonged to a man, in a black cloak, hovering in the air, over the water.

A/N: *Sigh* That took forever to write!  I just couldn't get serious and write it!  You know why, don't you?  It's the lack of reviews!  If I'm a car, reviews are my gasoline!  Fill me up!  Review! :P