spiritdew: i'm sorry it took so long for me to update. i have a lot of homework. i was unhappy with the amount of reviews i received last time as they really do help keep up the motivation. i wish i was in a more humored mood but it's april and i'm busy and i hope to see some reviews!!!11 thanks everybody and enjoy chapter 2 of pools of fire!

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Abby held her arms behind and her back and readjusted the straps of her backpack. "I don't know how to describe it to you but it was almost haunting. I didn't like the looks of it."

Leen was uninterested. "That's too bad, wish I could've seen it," she said as she kicked a stone on the sidewalk.

Abby sighed inwardly. She thought this matter concerned her sister too but Leen hadn't shown the least bit of attention. Perhaps she'd mention it later.

Abby threw open the door to their home and darted up the stairs. Leen mimicked her sister and upon entering their room collapsed on her sister's bed. "Long day, I'm tired." Pichu jumped into her arms. "But I'm happy with my pokémon."

Abby stood before Leen and crossed her arms. "Off," she said crossly. Leen jumped off Abby's bed and climbed the ladder to her own.

"What's up with you?" Leen asked from above.

"Oh nothing," Abby replied sarcastically.

"Okay then," Leen landed on the floor and walked downstairs.

Abby thought for a moment. Leen didn't seem ready for a pokémon journey; she wasn't responsible enough. What would happen if she encountered something she wasn't able to deal with herself? Would Abby be able to help?

Abby cast open her bedroom window and pulled herself onto the upper ledge just outside. From there she leapt onto the roof and stared down into her neighborhood. Abby imagined the vast neighborhood that spanned before her shrink as she mentally passed through the numerous towns that were to follow. A chill crawled up Abby's back and she drew her legs up. She felt something slip over her eyes and tighten around the back of her head.

"Leen? Stop it," she joked.

She heard a soft laugh behind her. "This is not Leen," a dark voice said in almost a whisper.

"Shut up Leen, it's not funny."

A knot was pulled at the back of her head and a hand calmly caressed her face. "Wake up Abby, this is no time to dream."

Realization his Abby: this was somebody she'd never seen nor heard and her position on the roof no longer proved safe. She felt her free arms still wrapped around her legs and immediately tried to rip blindfold from her eyes but as she tried to undo the knot, two hands slowly pushed hers to the ground.

"Anger and frustration will not rid my presence," the voice said as Abby felt him rise up. "Before you look, take a guess. Do you know who I am Abby Moore?"

Abby's head spun and she felt weak from fear. Just don't hurt Leen, just don't hurt Leen... she thought. She had been identified which must mean there was a purpose to his arrival.

Weakly Abby said, "I don't want to know, just leave me alone."

There was a laugh and suddenly Abby could no longer detect the person's presence. She felt for the knot at the back of her head and deftly untied it. The colorful streaks in the sky had vanished and the trees below rustled in the wind. Hastily she made her way back to her room and almost tripped flying down the stairs.

"Mom! Have you seen Leen?" she blurted out.

"No honey, she must be around."

Abby dashed back upstairs and straight to the desk in her room. She scanned the paper piled clumsily in the center and came upon a seemingly new note. Scrawled on it was the message:

Have fun Abby.

Signed: Leen

After studying the note momentarily, Abby could tell the handwriting was not that of her sister's.