Oh wow, I updated absolutely nothing last month.

This chapter isn't that great though… Like it's really shallow compared to how I originally planned it, but oh well, whatever, because I forgot there was a deadline and chances are I won't meet it unless I get over my dislike of this chapter and get a move-on. Because I have the next 3 chapters after this one already written out…which is a first for me.

Anywayy, thanks for my reviewers last chapter! It means a lot!

Theme: Fire
Pairing: Cremateshipping (Flannery x Phoebe)
Warnings: Lame!Angst, shoujo-ai (that means girlxgirl. Don't like, don't read.)

Fire

Everyone is afraid of something.

Everyone has one thing that they cannot stand, something that terrifies them to no end, whether it be the dark, clowns, or spiders, just to name a few.

For Phoebe, this one thing was fire.

Any hint of flames – intense heat, acrid smoke – invoked a deep-rooted feeling of fear in the girl, one that set her wits on end.

Often, phobias are caused because of past event, something that has happened once upon a time that scars someone, maybe permanently.

Phoebe had only shared her phobia, or the event that triggered it with a few. It was too usually too painful to recount that day when it all went up in flames, her precious Duskull lost in the blaze…

But that was ten years ago. To the day, actually. And thus Phoebe made her way up Mt. Pyre, to pay respect to the departed. A thick mist hung stagnant in the cold air, obscuring any sight of what was ahead. But Mt. Pyre was her second home, and she had traversed its peaks many times since she was a child.

As rarely anyone was brave enough to trek to the top, Phoebe found herself immensely surprised when she could make out a figure through the fog. She carefully stepped forward, only able to discern a shock of fiery red hair pulled into a high ponytail.

"Hello? Who's there?" Phoebe approached the figure and tapped them on the shoulder. Startled, the person, a female, jumped back, emitting a shriek. She held up her arms in a pseudo-karate-defense manner, breathing heavily.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," Phoebe said. The person appeared to be about her age. She wore a black T-shirt that exposed her midriff, and a pair of baggy jeans. Sensing Phoebe meant no harm, the girl backed down, but still eyed her warily.

"It's okay… I've just never seen anyone come up here before."

"…I was about to say the same. It's quite sad, how most people cannot find the time to visit the graves of the departed anymore…" Phoebe looked down at the ground forlornly, not noticing the strange looks she was receiving from the other girl.

"Well… My grandmother would always tell me that it was the right thing to do, when I was a little girl. So I finally had to courage to come up here on my own. …My name's Flannery, by the way. What's yours?"

"I'm Phoebe," the tanned-skin girl replied, finally looking up at Flannery, whose eyes were shining with admiration.

"…Wait, the Phoebe? Of the Elite Four? The one who is known for determining the level of friendship between a Pokemon and their Trainer, just by looking at them?"

Phoebe nodded shyly, pink smearing across her cheeks. "But I wouldn't take it that far…"

"That is too cool!" Flannery exclaimed, grasping Phoebe's small hands between her own. "I've always wanted to meet you – or any of the Elites for that matter! Do you think you could examine the bond between me and one of my Pokemon?"

Before Phoebe had the opportunity to answer, Flannery whipped out a Pokeball, and in a flash, a Torkoal appeared. The fire tortoise blew smoke out of its nostrils, flames spouting from the hole in its back.

Phoebe's eyes grew wide as the flames danced before her. Never taking her eyes off the Torkoal, Phoebe took a few fearful steps back.

I'm – I'm sorry, but I can't," she stammered before taking off and not looking back.

***

After that day, Phoebe felt absolutely terrible. All Flannery had asked was a simple favor, yet she ran. But Flannery was still a complete stranger to her; Phoebe couldn't exactly just explain the issues she had with fire. After all, it was hard enough telling Steven when she first obtained her position as an Elite... But she had promised to try not to let it interfere with her battling.

Still, as much as she didn't want to, she had to face Flannery again, even if it meant facing her fear.

And so Phoebe visited Mt. Pyre every day in hopes of running into Flannery once more. It wasn't until a week later that she had any luck.

Hearing hesitant footfalls behind her, Phoebe spun around to come face-to-face with Flannery. The two stood there awkwardly, Phoebe rubbing her toe into the dirt.

The redhead was the first to speak, taking a few steps closer to the Elite. "Phoebe… Did I do something wrong?"

Despite herself, Phoebe laughed, an airy laugh laced with discomfort. "No, it's not you," she said, turning to face the tombstone stuck haphazardly in the ground. "…But, I'm not sure if it's something I'm ready to share with just anyone yet." Still, she felt this odd sense of ease around Flannery, like she could almost tell her anything. Phoebe had never felt this way around just anyone before.

"…I understand," the redhead finally said.

Biting her lip, Phoebe willed the tears not to fall. But before she knew it, silent tears were running down her face, and she was caught within Flannery's comforting embrace… There wasn't much else Flannery could say or do, and couldn't help but feel slightly awkward. But little did she know, Phoebe felt quite the opposite.

The Elite felt as though she could've remained within Flannery's warm arms forever. But Phoebe wouldn't let her know this just yet. She already felt slightly guilty for springing this either situation on the redhead.

Still, Phoebe hoped that eventually, she could develop a friendship with her. And with this friendship, that she could eventually conquer her fears.

I changed the ending last minute…but still, I wouldn't even bother to review this monstrosity.

Next chapter is better… At least I think so. Hooray for stream-of-consciousness writing and ranting! I'll probably update later today just so less people will read this one.