Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It would be wierd if I did. Anyway, I'm excited to say that I bought Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Blue. But I'm stuck in this volcano thing. (sobs) Anyway, please review this time, since I only got one, and I apologize for waiting to update so long. Wasn't able to get on the internet all weekend ...

Two

Metal Star

A yellow-and-black insect passed over the Charmander and the others, and a buzzing had filled the air. Sahkyo could remember those three large stingers anywhere; it was a big Beedrill. The Cyndaquil and Treecko backed off sheepishly, and she growled, "I can take care of myself, thank you!" She shot embers out of her open mouth, which danced on the bug's skin. It dove toward the ground, writhing in pain, and then landed stiffly. Jim let out a small jet of water from his mouth to put out the flames. He ran over to see that it was knocked out, and he sighed in relief.

Vani galloped into the clearing with a pant. She stared at the Beedrill, then shook her white head. "Are you all okay?" They nodded, and Sahkyo held out her paw, showing her the metal star. The Girafarig nodded, smiling, and said, "Huh … Very good; how'd you find it?"

Jim sat down in the cool grass, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Sven pointed it out, an' Solo retrieved it." He pointed to Sahkyo with a grin. "Miss Sahkyo knocked out the Beedrill that attacked us. It was amazin', with one hit!"

The Charmander blushed and covered her face playfully. "Well, Jim, you don't have to be so modest … you made sure I didn't burn it." She whirled around in surprise as the other group appeared. The Mudkip recoiled from the unconscious Beedrill, and Ryn stared about in confusion. The Eevee's yellow-red eyes narrowed as she approached; obviously she saw the star, and knew that they had lost.

Ryn waved his stubby yellow wing at his friend. "Good job, Sahkyo!" The Eevee bared her teeth at him and he looked away. Aiyanna brushed by them, sniffing the metal. She nodded and touched it with a claw, fixing her eyes on Solo as he began to complain.

"Dude, what is the point in this?" he muttered.

"You need to know how to retrieve your weaponry," explained the Absol briefly, and she picked it up. She threw her head sideways, sending it flying through the air. One of the sharp points embedded itself in a tree trunk, cutting into it deeply. The Treecko let out a miniscule shriek as he realized how close the weapon had come to his head, and he shivered. Solo swallowed, then lifted his head and ran back into the group. Sven, however, was looking at the metal star. Sahkyo glanced at his pale face, and heard him whimper something. She was used to his voice sounding indifferent, if a bit happy or playful … but it was choked with fear and recognition. He suddenly seemed very small and helpless, and she had to fight not to run over and hug him. But … what had caused him to look so afraid?

Aiyanna shared a thoughtful glance with Vani, and she smirked, whispering something in her ear. Sahkyo caught the word "wind", but no more. The Absol dipped her head and growled, "The next mission is to gather as many berries as you can. You have until the sun reaches its peak." She leapt back into the bushes, with the Girafarig following with a smirk.

"Let's go," growled the Eevee, her fur bristling. She ran over to a bush and began to pick a few of the bright red berries growing on it. Ryn followed, but the Mudkip was still gawking at the fainted Beedrill. The Eevee's voice grew dark, and she repeated, "Let's go, Amulet …"

"What if there's another one, Thundershard?" Amulet whimpered, trotting over and pawing at a flattened berry cautiously. "Ryn, could you defeat it?" The Torchic nodded arrogantly, received a glare from Thundershard, and fell silent. The Charmander couldn't help but dislike the pushy Eevee instantly. She turned around to see that Solo had scaled an Oran tree and was tossing the little but tough blue berries down to Jim. A few managed to knock the sturdy Marill on the head, and he fell over.

"Sven … ?" whispered Sahkyo in concern as she saw the Cyndaquil hadn't moved. He was still staring at the metal, and his fire was blazing quite fearfully. She touched his shoulder, and he jumped, burning her paw. Being a Fire-type, it didn't hurt very much, but it startled her, too. "What's wrong, Sven? You look terrible …"

"I …" he stammered, looking at her burnt paw and failing to notice that she wasn't hurt. "I'm sorry, Sahkyo; I didn't mean to … I mean …"

Sahkyo's sapphire eyes stared at him intently, and she growled, "Tell me what's the matter, Sven."

The red-furred Cyndaquil shook himself quickly, and he put on a false smile. "Nothing's wrong, not at all. Now, I think that I saw a few Rawst berries in this direction." He scurried off, and she sighed. She would go after him later, but now Jim needed to be rescued from under a pile of Oran berries.

"Eh, I guess that you did well. Good job, guys."

Vani stood, looking to be half-asleep as she stared over the pile of berries. Thundershard and her companions had gotten the most, but there were plenty obtained by the others. The Girafarig nodded quickly, in her usual manner, and turned away. "Now, until the sun sets, we'll have a training session. Normally, Rescue Teams are created by a pair of Pokémon who wish to do good. They accept missions and save others, until they are well known enough to take personal job offers. Others join them as they journey on. That's how a Team is usually created, at least in the Western Lands." She grinned. "Here, things are a little different. Ever since … well, more dangerous times have come, let us say … we've decided to train our offspring so that they're ready, and pair them up before they set out. This is all in the name of safety."

She lowered her head and took her scarf in her teeth, pulling it off in a graceful movement and setting it on the ground before her. "I am a member of the Steel Sky Rescue Team. The other members are doing rescue missions as we speak, but I have remained to train the next generation." She lifted it again and tossed around her neck. "Here, we use colors and markings to signify which team we are a part of. You guys, as I've said before, will be separated into two different teams: Red Wind and Lilac Earth Rescue Teams." She chose to ignore Solo yawning pointedly, and then flashed them a grin. "I'd like you to choose a partner, and face off. Your battling styles will decide which team you are a part of."

Instantly, Thundershard snarled at Ryn, issuing a challenge. Vani took Solo aside, perhaps to fight him herself, as Jim bowed respectfully to Amulet. Sahkyo smiled at Sven, laughing, "Just 'cause you're my friend doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you!" She leapt toward him, swiping her claws in a Scratch attack, and attempting to strike him. He dodged easily to the side, and his flames erupted from his back. He opened his mouth and let out a blast of smoke.

Sahkyo heard his footsteps, but in the smoke she was unable to see where he was. She barely sidestepped his tackle and at last threw her head back, shooting embers into the air. She dodged out of the way as they fell, and she was satisfied to hear a grunt of surprise. Eventually the Smokescreen cleared and she saw him shaking his head to clear the attack. Sven tackled into her the next instant, sending her rolling, but she recovered and stood up. Both Pokémon began to run toward each other again, and both sprang to the side, zigzagging into each other's flanks. Sahkyo panted as she lay on the ground, and she decided to take a risk and see what was happening to the others around her.

Solo was leaping up as Vani used controlled blows to hit him, and Ryn shot out Ember attack after Ember attack as Thundershard bared her teeth and tackled him. Jim was going a bit easy on Amulet the Mudkip, but as she threw mud into his face he wasn't fazed. At last he snapped and used a Tackle that knocked her out in a single hit.

"Never turn your eyes away from the enemy," growled Sven, and she glanced up to see him standing in front of her. His russet fur shone in the sunlight, and she was too full of awe to register that he was beginning to attack her … Embers flared in front of her, and she yelped as the live coals hit her body. She shook her head angrily and pounced for him, but he dodged. As she sailed over him, he leapt up into her stomach and sent her rolling in the grass. She landed and began to black out.

"I surrender," she growled as he approached her again. He smirked and held out his paw, assisting her up. As her claws wrapped around his arm, she jerked him down onto the ground and laughed. "I'm not going to attack you, but you trust your enemy too quickly!" Sven rolled his eyes, and both of them stood up, brushing themselves off. Vani—with Solo standing on her back—stepped forward and dismissed them with a tired nod.

"Good job," she whispered as the Treecko jumped down. "Now, I must speak with Amulet. From what I've seen so far, though, we have our first two members of the Red Wind Rescue Team." Her bright blue eyes shifted to Sahkyo and Sven, and she smiled. The two stared at each other, glad that they were a part of the same team. "Run along, now, children," sighed Vani, trotting over to the awakening Mudkip.

Jim stretched as he ran over to his friends, and he winked at Sven. "You got yerself a mighty fine partner, there," he commented, and the Cyndaquil blushed. "Anyway, Miss Sahkyo," the large Marill continued, looking her way, "I'm worried 'bout Amulet. I reckon I finished the battle too quickly. She may not join a Rescue Team …" His bright black eyes looked at the ground. "Poor Amulet. She wanted to help others, but she may not get a chance."

Solo frowned. "Well, it's nothing I care about, so I'm just gonna—" As he started to walk off, Sahkyo elbowed him harshly and he stayed put.

"Don't worry, Jim," said the Charmander soothingly. "Amulet will make it; she just needs some extra training, is all." She smiled at him as he and the Treecko scurried off, and then looked for the quiet Cyndaquil. His attention had returned to the metal star, and now he held a bit of a glare on his face. "Sven, will you tell me what's wrong?" she growled, shoving him to get his attention. "There's something troubling you, and I want to know what it is!"

"My father was killed by one of those things," he answered vacantly, indicating the star. "He was taken down by Akaro … He was a Typlosion named Firehawk. Father was a member of the Green Wind Rescue Team, but not for a very long time. I doubt that anyone remembers him. Now, great leaders like Ruka are well known." He held an intense envy in his voice. "My mum died shortly after having me … so I have no one to care about me. That brat Solo doesn't have parents either, but he acts like nothing's wrong."

Sahkyo nodded, then threw her arms around the little Cyndaquil briefly and comfortingly. "Don't worry, Sven … things'll get better … you have friends who care about you." He seemed calmed by her gentle touch, and he sighed. Sahkyo followed him back toward the town.

The small buildings, warmed by the bright summer sun, stood in rows along the dirt and stone paths that cut through the humble town. Birdsong echoed around the surrounding trees, filling the air with a beautiful sound. A single being was pacing in front of the wooden meetinghouse; it was a golden fox with nine long tails. His red eyes were narrowed in concentration, and he let out a small flame from time to time. The Ninetales turned his head as another creature approached, one with a skull white head.

"Greetings, Thane," he welcomed the Marowak as his friend held up his bone in greeting.

"Greetings, Lord Fen," Thane replied quietly. His expression became deadly serious at the last moment, though, and he whispered into the Ninetales's ear. "The training goes very well. Vani says that she's found two for the Red Wind Rescue Team." Fen read the troubled gaze and waited for him to go on; he did, sighing very sadly. "He's back."

"Who's back?" questioned the fox.

Thane looked around to see that no one was listening, and he whispered again. "… Akaro. He's back, and I think that I've seen him. Aiyanna's gone out looking for him, and I'm getting worried. I want to know if I'm granted permission to—"

"Go if you wish," sighed Fen, and he nudged the wooden door, swinging it inward. He looked over his shoulder before retreating, however. "Thane … they say that one of the trainees is …"

"I know," he replied. "May the gods guard him from harm." The Ninetales nodded and turned his muzzle, pushing the door and closing it. Thane continued on into the woods, the sun beating down on his back through the rich green leaves. He brushed his paw across some ferns, and couldn't help his thoughts wander again and again to the Absol. Had she found her worst enemy … ?

Thane came to a halt and gasped. That was impossible. For Akaro was standing right in front of him, a deadly glint in his eye.

Omigosh! It's Akaro! What's gonna happen to Thane? What's gonna happen to Amulet? Which teams will the others go in? Why am I not shuttin' up and writing the next chapter?

Solo: 'cause you're an idiot, that's why.

I didn't ask you ... meeehh.

Solo: (uses Pound)

Oww ... okay, I'll write it ...