Derek Is In Deadly Danger by WyldClaw

Plot: here's the next chapter! Still don't own diddly squat apart from my OCs. There is a quote not unlike to the one told by molly Weasley before she kills Bellatrix in the last Harry Potter book and one just like a Cruella De Vil line. Sharp-eyed readers will notice that the Shadow Armour attack comes from my Devon's Despicable Plan fic. Enjoy the chapter,

Edited for grammar: 12/2022

XxX

"I'll bring the four of three of you back to her to have quick-albeit tied up reunion while I call my employer and force a surrender. Once they give in and he shows up Things will start to really start to be on fire and heat up then. I'll be the - "

I cut her off. "Funny you mention fire, toad. Villains who play with fire get their fingers burned. Oh Flamie!" I whistled. The Growlithe sent one last Ember at the foes and I saw the red- orange figure bolt across the floor. She stopped in front of me.

(You called?)

"Use Safeguard on Sev and us!" She sensed our distress due to her keen nose. She leapt in front of him, her body glowing blue. A light blue forcefield covered the serpent, Jaden, Dad and I. "Good job! Now Flamethrower!"

She unleashed a small stream of fire at Hunter J, who held up her left jacket covered sleeve as if to fend off the attack.

"ARRRRRRGGGHH! She screeched painfully at the attack hit her jacket and gloves.

" Good girl."

A horrible stench of burned rubber and flesh hit my nose. Parts of her leather jacket were burned and melted but she didn't care. One or two fingers on her left hand were burned. Her pupils were blazing infernos now – she was beyond peeved. "That was your absolutely final mistake boy! Ariapion finish them with your Cross Poison! Ariados, Night Slash! "

Dad's eyes widened. "NO!" he yelled as Ariapion crossed its arms in front of its face and its claws glowed a dark purple. A purple 'X' appeared in front of its crossed arms and it fired it at us! At The same time, the bug's claws glowed purple and lunged however both attacks evaporated when they hit the barrier. They tried twice more with the same result.

I wiped sweat off my forehead. " That was too close."

"DESTROY THAT SNAKE AND DOG! ANYWAY YOU WANT: POISON THEM! HYPNOSIS THEM! DROWN THEM IN SPIDER WEB NETS! BASH THEM ON THE HEADS! I DONT CARE HOW YOU KILL THOSE LITTLE BEASTS! JUST DO AND DO IT NOW! !" J boomed and the force of her voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stands up like they'd been hit with a Spark attack.

Severus flicked his tail at Flamie then at his new skin then at the foes- his skin was recovered now. The Safeguard barrier vanished. Jaden and I yelled at the same time. "Secret Power attack!"

The Hoenn Poison type glowed pink. (Thanksss. Allow me the firsssst sssstrike)

She shook her head as she glowed pink as well. (Why let you have all the fun. let's both do it.) She smiled.

They lunged at the foes. The Ariapion fired a Pin Missile attack while the Ariados used Haze to cover the room. No one could see what was going on but I heard Ariados screech in pain as the double Secret Power attack hit it.

I started coughing from the smoke. I quickly covered my mouth with my shirt to keep from breathing it in. " try. Not to inhale the smoke" I coughed. "Just... do your best to hit that thing, use whatever you can."

I looked up and saw the partially smashed window- I looked at Dad then back at the window. He got my drift. "Hey Storm, do you think you can blast that thing open with Hidden Power?" he asked.

(I th-think so.) She admitted.

.

I heard a cough from somewhere in the cloud. (You're mine, dog! I shall take pleasure in your death and feast on your liver!) I saw a deadly whip of Night Shade from the Ariapion strike somewhere in the cloud of smoke.

"Flamie! Watch out for that NightShade Whip!"

(Gotcha, you blasted-)

(I don't think soooooo) Severus hissed as I saw the attack hit a green barrier and vanish.

"They make a great team, " Jaden commented as we watched the two attacked in tandem.

" They sure do."

.

At the same time Jaden and I looked behind us and saw Storm outlined in a light green glow, with white orbs around her body. We ducked as the orbs were sent flying over our heads and smashed the window. "What the hell was THAT?" J growled as the smoke sailed out into the open air.

Storm was panting. (Now they. can know where. we are.) She whispered hoarsely.

Dad closed his eyes for a minute or two and muttered Mom's name inaudibly under his breath. Aki looked over at him and mouthed the word (using you know what). I understood right away. But his injures were too much for him and he groaned in pain as he opened them. "Ugh.."

"Dad!"

"I'm fine Derek.. Just .. winded." He replied.

I turned my eyes back to the battlefield where Flamie and Severus were putting up a great fight against their foes.

"Ariapion, get that filthy cur with your Rock Tomb!"

"Full on Body Slam then Fire Fang!" I countered.

(For the last time I'm NOT A FILTHY CUR) Flamie yelled as she Body-Slammed into the hybrid before it had a chance to attack. Before it could retaliate she used Fire Fang on it!

(YEOOOOOOUCH! YOU DAMMED DOG!) It cursed

"Awesome job Flame!" I whooped.

(Thissss is for insssssulting jaden'ssss friendsssss) Sev said as he used his own blazing hot Flamethrower at the Ariados while Flamie used her Flame Wheel then her own Flamethrower. The heat from the infernos was so intense i thought i felt my hair sizzling. I looked up and saw a huge tornado of fire engulf the Ariados and Ariapion. Their screams of pain echoed in the room.

There's no way they can survive that. J was irate. Although she hurt my family a lot I couldn't even bear the thought of killing her Pokémon. I can't do it. I just can't. "Flamie, st-stop." I said as Jaden said the same thing to Severus. They obeyed and the attacks vanish.

Jaden pulled out Sev's pokeball and recalled the fatigued snake. "You earned yourself a good long rest buddy," he stated as the snake was sucked inside the ball by a beam of energy. I saw the Ariados on it's backed nearly burned to a crisp. Ariapion was laying on the floor scorch marks aplenty on it's huge body.

I high-fived him. "Nice job. Now we can get out of here."

"Yeah we showed her whose -"

"I wouldn't be celebrating so soon you sniveling brats, " J interrupted as she recalled the Ariados. She pointed to Flamie then at Ariapion. "Shadow Armour Recover then grab it with your claws".

Dad, Aki, Jaden and I asked at the same time: " Shadow Armour Recover?"

(Huh?)

"What's that?"

"I've never heard of that attack before."

Storm shivered. (Is-is it just me or did this room seem to get colder?)

For a cold shadowy darkness that wasn't there before covered the floor and the area around us seemed to get much darker and colder. I felt goosebumps on my skin. Suddenly the shadows around the hybrid increased, as it seemed to melt into the dark floor. Aki gasped. (That rotten e-evil hybrid! It's vanished!)

She was right. There was no sign of the Ariapion- it seemed to have vanished. Flamie let out a bark of surprise as She looked around sniffing the air. (Where'd it go? I know it's here. I can smell it's disgusting stench.)

Jaden Dad, Aki, Storm and I looked around and saw something big rise up from the shadow behind her. I gasped - the monster looked at have recovered from most of the injuries our Pokémon inflicted upon it. Its eyes were fixed on the fire type. Oh no!

"Flame Look out! It's right behind you," I yelled as it plowed right into her- she yelped in pain. The coldness and darkness disappeared from the room. The hybrid then snagged her with it's scorched front claws and lifted her high into the air. She tried to escape its grasp but she failed. We watched helplessly as that vile creature squeezed her tightly like it had done so recently to me. She yipped in pain struggling to get out.

" Your pitiful pup is trapped like you were, kid," she taunted as the hybrid moved her closer to her eye level. " But unlike you it doesn't stand any chance of escaping. It may have freed you but that only prolonged its death. " Her eyes gleamed. " It's pretty powerful…" she turned to the poor Pokémon. "What about it mutt? Care to join me?"

(Go jump in an ice-cold lake that's my suggestion.) Flamie blew a mini Flamethrower at J's hair. She ducked but patches of hair got singed.

"Good response!" I said.

(Thanks)

The ex-bounty hunter glared at me then at the Fire type. She snarled then brutally struck Flamie's face with her right hand twice. "Flamie!" I howled as she yowled out in pain. Spots of red and a dark red slap mark appeared on the Growlithe's face.

"You filthy pathetic mutt! I can't wait to skin you myself! It may be a messy job but I'll manage it." Flamie shivered. "Growlithe fur coats are very popular right now. I can put your pathetic hide to good use. " She frowned for a minute while the Growlithe tried unsuccessfully to free herself. "Pity you aren't a Shiny Pokémon. What with your power...I could make big bucks off you." She walked up and reached her right hand to pet the Fire type who snapped at her fingers.

She growled as the villian retracted her hand just in time. (Try it again. you witchy human and I'll really bite your fingers off.) Flamie growled.

"You disagreeable dog!"

"Good girl Flame! " I called out.

"Ha! You should know better than to stick your hands near a Growlithe's face J." Dad called.

"Everyone knows they bite anyone they perceive as a threat. You just happen to be the biggest threat around here next to your … evil creation, " Jaden added.

"All of you shut the hell up!" She yelled. "Now to get rid of this damm mutt. Ariapion crush the life out of it."

I was horrified! No one I knew- asides from Flamie's ex-trainer would EVER threaten Pokémon and slug them like that! I have a bit of temper i'm able to keep in check-but after what I'd just been through - it was well past boiling point! "NO! NOT MY GROWLITHE YOU BITCH!"

"Silence brat! Ariapion Mirror Move! Toast that mutt with it's own Flamethrower! Turn it into a hot dog." she cackled at her own bad joke.

I gritted my teeth clamping my mouth shut. She's no mutt you beast! She's a loyal purebred growlithe. Ariapion' eyes glowed as it opened its jaws and unleashed a super hot Flamethrower at the dog! She was a Fire type so it wouldn't affect her but I was more than a bit worried as the attack engulfed her. There had been cases of Fire-types overheating themselves from so much they died. Jaden's Seviper was right- the Mirror Move attack seemed much more powerful than it should have been.

I remembered the ability she used when she was tested her moves against a Flareon Sami's dad was rising. "Flamie! Activate Flash Fire " i shouted.

Please work. Please work. Please work. Her body glowed a bright red as the fire attack hit her as she absorbed the flamethrower. I saw a look of shock run across J's face as the claw holding her became engulfed in fire.

(YEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOW!) Ariapion bellowed in pain as its claws got burned and it loosened its hold on her.

" That's a great ability, " Dad said.

" Thanks."

(Can't handle the heat, creep?) Flamie unleashed a small Ember at it.

"MAKE THAT DOG INTO A PIN CUSHION! TAIL WHIP AND PIN MISSLE IT!" J roared.

The creature-I wasn't even calling it a Pokémon anymore- let go of her but then whacked her into the air with it's tails. As it unleashed the attack I shouted, " Get on to the balcony before the attack hits!"

(I'll – yeow!) I watched it opened its mouth and unleashed a huge flurry of white needles. The needles struck her in mid-air as she tried to reach it and she cried out in pain.

Jaden winced. "Ooooh. That's going to leave a mark."

The force of the attack pushed her to the balcony where she collapsed. "Flamie, are you okay?"

"Are you all right to move?" Jaden questioned.

As if to answer his question she slowly got to her paws. I saw huge bruises splattered over her beautiful fur coat and her paws were shaking. Her fur had been punctured by the Pin needle attack and had bleeding pinpricks. There were deep claw marks on her sides. The side of her face where the evil kidnapper had struck her was already puffy and bleeding. She was panting slowly. She looked down at us and wagged her fluffy tail. (I. I think so.)

" You've done a great job. Flame. Good, good girl. Run and get help." I said the first thing that came into my mind.

She was clearly torn between doing that and staying behind to help us so she hesitated. (But that leaves you alone with ...her... I can't leave-)

"Stop that dog before it gets away!" Hunter J commanded her evil hybrid as she pointed at my weary Pokémon.

Ariapion jumped up and blocked the doorway to the balcony. (You aren't going anywhere fleabag.) It leered before moving a step closer.

I felt my heart pound in my chest as it took a swipe at her with one of its bloodstained claws but missed. She backed away as it tried again, moving closer to the edge. The third time it's claws connected and hit her. She howled in pain as she skidded across the tipsy balcony until she was a foot from the edge.

I bit my lip nervously, paralyzed with total fear. " What are you going to do? " Jaden asked worriedly. "She's in major trouble."

"I know. " I bit my lip yet again so hard i tasted blood. "Hold on Flamie."

(I'm t trying to.) She was frightened as heck.

"Last chance to surrender you annoying brat" J warned. "Either you surrender or -"

"How many times do I have to tell you old bat? " I said through gritted teeth. "I'm not surrendering."

"You might feel differently once that filthy dog is dead! Ariapion finish the job with Double Iron Tail!"

" Oh no!" Dad, Jaden and I gasped as its tails became outlined in silver.

It got closer to her with every sentence, mocking an old nursery rhyme. (This little mutt went to the market. this little mutt strayed from home. This little mutt had treats. ) It raised the tails. (This little mutt got beaten by a stronger foe!) it struck her with the attack, which she was too weak to fend off.

"NO!" I shrieked. Screaming my name she fell to the ground with a hard THUD, whimpering as she hit it. "FLAMIE!" I yelled.

…

Before I could run over J screamed, "Bury it alive! Acid Claw that balcony!"

Ariapion's claws glowed a pulsing purple hue as it slashed the balcony floor before jumping to the arena floor and Eerie gray goo spread from where it struck. I watched in horror as the balcony crumbled and turned a sickly gray before the scaffolding fell to the floors. The whole balcony soon followed. "NOOOO" A cry of horror escaped yet again as the rubble buried her.

"And that mutt will never go home. " J ended as the hybrid jumped down to the ground with a THUD that shook the floor.

I ignored her as Jaden and I rushed over to the pile of plaster, wood and metal- we knew dad couldn't help out because of his major injuries. Despite my painful injuries, I began hauling the rubble off, my stomach in a tight knot as we searched for about twenty minutes, which felt like an eternity. "Please be okay…"

Come Flame, give me a sign you're still alive- anything. As if she heard my thoughts, we heard a whimper in the pile so we sped up the search. Shortly I saw a dust covered black nose poking out at me. We cleared the rubble away from her and lifted the last heavy plank off her.

"That should do it " Jaden told me as he walked to where Dad and the two Pikachus were, got a SuperPotion out of my backpack and started spraying it careful over Storm's wounds.

Flamie barreled into me, making me fall on my butt. She started licking me everywhere- my face, my hands, even my injured legs- until I was covered in saliva. "Good girl." I rubbed her fur careful of the spots that were bruised or wounded. "Oh Flame I'm so glad you're okay. "

Nothing else mattered as I buried my head in her soft fluffy fur for a few minutes and shed a few tears. I didn't care about the danger we were in or my injuries. I was just a boy reunited with his brave Growlithe after she endured a terrible near death experience.

(I thought that thing was gonna kill me) she said in between licks. After I removed my head from her fur I glanced at her injuries. She was hurt pretty badly–bruises were all over her plus there were claw marks on her side. She had red cuts from the pin missile and held her right paw against her side delicately. She stopped licking me and looked up at me. (Sh-She's pure evil.)

"I know girl."

(How are we going to get out of here?) She whispered bringing me back to reality.

"I …don't know."

"Ariapion, get rid of that bothersome dog once and for all " J pointed at Flamie.

"Acidic Strike!"

"Huh? What's Acidic Strike?" Jaden, Aki, Storm, Dad and I looked at each other confused. We'd never heard of such an attack before

The evil bounty hunter smirked as she took in our confused facial expressions. "You're about to witness the fall and death of that pathetic Growlithe and that start of my meteoric rise to the top! Ariapion, my pet, attack!"

I saw the hybrid rush at us. "I've got a reallly bad feeling about this." I commented under my breath.

Flamie's black eyes went big as Leaf Stones and she tried to stand in front of me but fell. I looked over at Jaden, Dad, Aki and Storm. What am I going to do? Dad, Storm and Aki are too hurt to do anything, Severus is wiped out and Jaden... My friend's face was pale and he held Aki with trembling hands. He was beyond scared.

I recalled my mom's story of what she did when the Invincible Pokémon Brothers' Tentacruels attacked her Gyarados: "I couldn't stand to see him hurt like that and Corsola was defeated. I knew what I had to do. Not thinking about the consequences I jumped in the pool and took the hits meant for him. It was a rash spontaneous choice-I got knocked out for a few minutes. When he watched me take the hit something in him changed. He broke the cage and brought me to the surface saving my life. I saved his life and he saved mine. I will never ever regret doing that. . "

I knew what I had to do-I gulped. Hopefully it isn't as painful as Poison Sting. Here goes nothing! The creature was a few feet away now. It opened its bloodstained mouth and spat out some beastly looking acid. "Oh no… you don't." I jumped in front of Flamie just as the gunk reached her and Dad yelled my name. I shifted my weight as the stuff hit the left side of my body. I felt like I was on fire! I looked down and saw my shirt and jeans dissolving from the acid. This is no ordinary Acid

" YEEEEEEOOOOOOOW!" I howled in pain. "It burns like freaking hellfire"

Everyone but Hunter J shouted at the same time:

" Nooooo!"

"Derek!"

(Oh no! Derek!)

(Oh my!)

(Derek! Watch out- that thing is not done with you) Storm shouted.

I saw Ariapion's tails lunge but my muscles wouldn't respond-it felt like they were paralyzed! I watched as the stingers on the tips glowed an eerie purple as they drew a long line from my shoulder blades to my left arm. I shrieked in pain yet again. When it removed the tail the places it had cut were bleeding and it was quickly turning purple. I knew right away what it was- Poison. The moment the tails left my skin it burned!

"YEEOOW! " I yowled- it felt like I was being eaten alive both from the inside and out. Hunter J looked at me. "If I can't kill the pathetic cur first, I'll start with you, you sniveling brat. "

I tried to dismiss the growing pain. "For starters don't call her pathetic or ... A cur ... secondly, even if it takes me the rest of my life ...I'll send you to Darkrai's part of the underworld."

Her blue eyes gleamed. "The rest of your life? That should be about twenty minutes. But I have an antidote right here." She patted her vest pocket. " All he-"-she looked at dad-"has to do is surrender and I'll give it to you … and then I'll tie you up. Can't have you blabbing now? Don't worry brat, you'll see your pathetic family soon enough..."

Ignoring the pain-, hard since the poison was spreading quickly I motioned for Flamie to come closer. J was still ranting about getting revenge on dad so she wasn't paying attention. "Are you still able ...to battle?" I asked her.

She nodded. (I think so.)

"That's my girl. Okay, F-Flamethrower!"

"Sludge Bomb!"

"Double. ...Team!" she easily dodged the attack I was relieved we had practiced it with Jaden.

"Pin Missile!"

"Aerial...Ace" I let out a groan of pain. The needles missed and she hit the hybrid head on. "Good job Flamie"

"That dog is almost as stubborn as you, you irritating brat. It refuses to be killed" J clenched her teeth.

"St-Stubbornness runs in my family-"

" Too right it does." Dad muttered.

"- And She has a name, you withered old hag! "

J's pupils were blazing volcanoes now. "YOU DARE TO CALL ME AN OLD HAG? " she thundered and my heart pounded in my throat loudly. Large beads of sweat raced down my face like rain on a window during a rainstorm at her next words. "I was ready to simply tie you and that mutt up. But now I may just kill you both. "

(I agree. They both die!) Ariapion clinked its reddened claws at us.

She glared at Flamie then me "ARIAPION! KNOCK THAT DOG AGAINST THE WALL AND PIN DOWN THAT PESKY BOY WITH A NIGHT SHADE WHIP!" She screamed so loud that Storm and Aki's ears trembled.

At the same time Dad, Jaden, Flamie And I yelled, "No!"

"Run Derek!"

(Not again!)

"Don't call me that! Get away from it quickly. Flame… if you can, Fire Spin! "

(This is-!) As soon as she opened her mouth she was backhanded into a far corner by both a tail and an extended claw. She fell into a heap and didn't get up.

"NOOOO!" I bellowed loudly as I painfully tried to run over to her but something cold slapped me to the battered floor and I skidded it.

"Derek!"

"Watch out behind you!"

Dad and Jaden yelled at the same time.

" H-huh?" I looked behind me and saw what they were shouting about. Two huge thick ribbons of dark energy mixed white red line from Ariapion-one from the horn on its head glowing black and one from its claws - which could only be described as powerful Night Shade Whips were coming right at me! /i tried to run or scoot away but I was so weak I couldn't really move. One cold ribbon wrapped around me and squeezed me hard while the other whip harshly slapped my back painfully. I felt my shirt rip and the coldness strike my flesh. Dad, Jaden Storm and Aki looked at me in horror- saying my name- but were powerless to stop my agonizing beating.

"YEOW! I cried. "P-Please. " I winced and groaned as the whip slapped me. "If... you even care f-for a-a life please... let me go." I whimpered in pain.

The ex-bounty hunter cackled. " And why would I do that, boy? I only care about myself. I'm not letting you go until you're dead. Which will be in about fifteen minutes maybe slightly more. I've never used Acidic Strike to kill a boy before. This is entertaining. "

Dad and Jaden's faces went pale as a Castform. "You mean ... y-you've used it to k-k-kill before? " Dad's voice sounded weak.

(Sicko!) Aki stated.

"You're a m-mercenary. " Jaden pointed out.

"Y-you is b-beyond devious and monstrous." I sputtered. "I'll st-stop y-you."

She turned those ice cold pupils to me." I don't think so. You caused a lot of trouble for me you irksome twerp. Now you're a goner. As for them- " she looked to Dad, Jaden Storm and Aki then back to me. "They're out of options. Submit to me and I'll save your miserable dying life or be killed. Either way you're completely f-"

(They're ...not out of ...options.) A voice panted. We watched as Flamie slowly got to her paws. My mouth dropped. I thought she was knocked out.

(They... still have me) her black eyes full of a burning fire I'd never seen before and her fur was fluffed out. (You're going. Down.)

"My lovely Ariapion… Kill and skin that wretched mutt." J commanded in an ice-cold tone that seemed to freeze the air.

I saw the Night Shade whip disappear along with the one around me. I groaned in pain as I slowly got up – I felt wetness trickle down my back.

"G-go Flamie. "

It lunged at her firing a volley of dark brown sludge projectiles at her! "No!" I felt that word leave my mouth for the umpteenth time. "Do your best to counter. It." Like a pro she avoided them using Agility. She stoped and her body was outlined in a blue outline. Just as the Sludge Bombs were about to hit her they turned around and hit Ariapion. "Good. Job with that ... Counter."

Her body went back to normal. She opened her mouth and unleashed a massive Fire Blast at her foe. As it screeched in pain as the attack hit.

Flamie looked at me and she bounded over to me as best she could when the attack ended. "No Flame! Sit. Stay" she gave a concerned whine as she got within two feet of me. " Good girl. Don't come closer. If... you lick me... poison will spread ...to you."

I knew how poisons worked from school: If someone physically touched a poisoned thing or in my case person they'd become infected. Normally poison from a poison type moves varied on how fast they affected humans but all had to be treated within a few hours. I was pretty sure the Acidic Strike was a super-potent poison. I'd witnessed how quick it had made the balcony turn grey and crumbly. The attack apparently worked super fast on humans- I couldn't feel my arm and the rest of my body was starting to stiffen up.

J pointed at Flamie. "Ariapion… take care of that blasted dog. Kill."

A charred Ariapion sprang up from the floor at her at her and used Iron Tail on her. Yet again, I watched helplessly as she yelped from the impact, skidded across the floor and landed in the middle of a crater Dark Dragonite made.

(You'll perish under my blood soaked claws! You've been troublesome from when that boy) it looked coldly at Jaden (-released you! your spirit shall be crushed and you shall die! you thought you could defeat my mistress? You are a weak fool, you filthy defeated b-)

(Y-you're Wrong) she barked weakly as she got out of the hole. (I'm not .a fool nor am i. Weak. I don't think I will defeat you I KNOW I will. I may have taken a huge beating from you and things may look down right now. During. The short time I've been with Derek he's taught me to never give up hope, even when it looks like all has failed. I ... can't let you win, even if you crush me, you will never break my spirit) she panted.

Then something amazing happened. I saw her surrounded in orange red fire. Dad, Jaden, Storm, Aki and my jaws all dropped. Holy freaking Arceus... I don't believe it. It can't be... It can't be.

(THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH MY TRAINER'S FAMILY!) She roared. With blinding speed like a red, orange and white rocket she zoomed right at the hybrid, leaving behind a bright blazing trail orange fire! She slammed into it with such powerful force it nearly fell backwards. She rebounded back to back to Dad and then did the same thing two more times.

My mouth dried up. "Th-that was... Flare Blitz!"

"Holy cow! Did thank just happen?"

"It did Jaden." Dad replied.

(Wow. Who would have thought she's that strong- willed?) Aki said in amazement.

Each time the vile hybrid tried to take a swipe at or strike her it missed. The third time she had no energy left to avoid it. It hit her with a Metal Claw attack.

She was flung back to where we were. "Flam... ie!"

"You mutt's toast!" J swept the room with her eyes. "All of you are dead."

"Not… necessarily … you witch." I panted.

Jaden looked ready to lunge at her. " What I wouldn't give to shove a piece of my mind down your throat. You have no heart you psychotic demented *ssiya'ah*!" he used the serpent tongue term for a female dog.

Hunter J gritted her teeth knowing whatever he said in Serpenttongue was an insult and looked from Jaden to dad and back. "Haven't you been taught any respect by your father boy? Or your brother?" Jaden stood still not saying a word but I could see his hands shaking. If she still thought he was my little brother I wasn't going to correct her. " You really don't look at all like him."

"L-like I said I may not look like him but I still h-have …D-dad's bravery. And my brother is still alive you demonic monster." Jaden tried to lunge ar her but Dad held him back with his good arm. My friend didn't even try to resist.

"You're pathetic. He won't be alive for not for much longer you bothersome nuisance ... I'm killing him with Acidic Strike's poison right now." Hunter J corrected. "Besides how many times do I have to tell you: it's impossible to defeat me! Nothing and no one can beat-"

.

A loud roar echoed from around us " wanna bet?" Sami's voice seemed far away.

"Sa. Mi?" I croaked.

"What the h–" J's voice was cut off as an Aerodactyl flew in, smashing the remaining two windows, a Natu and a blue haired girl on it's back. I ducked as shattered shards of glass fell all around me.

"Terra, AncientPower now " Sami stated fierceness in her voice. A glowing blue sphere appeared in Terra's mouth and then she fired it at the creature.

The room started to spin. I couldn't ignore the pain anymore- it was burning me up inside! Flamie stared at me, fear in her eyes. "Fl-flamie... take care of...my f-family wh-when I'm gone."

She shook her head and whimpered. (Y-you'll make it Derek. we'll get that vile gunk out of your body when we get out of here.)

I coughed- flecks of purple came out. "P-promise you'll... Stay by m-my f-family's side until the trouble is over or until I get. Better. You'll. Know m-mom wh-when you see her." I coughed and flecks of red came our. "P-promise m-me."

(I.I p-promise.) She nodded.

"You've been ... the best growlithe ...i could ask for"

J cackled. "Looks like the kid's time is nearly up and he knows it too."

"NOOOOOOO!" I heard Dad, Sami Aki, Storm and Jaden shouted in unision but it sounded like they were far away instead of in the same room.

Everything started to blur together. Voices, Faces and colors meshed together. I couldn't feel my arms or legs anymore yet I could fell my whole body trembling. The poison must have traveled far –I felt so much pain I had to give in.

Someone shrieked my name but I couldn't pinpoint whom. As I fell to the floor the last thought I had before darkness enveloped was I'm sorry mom. I' ve failed. I'm so sorry.

TO BE CONTINUED