People still managed to find this story even though it wasn't on the main page, amazing.

The story was delayed for a while because I moved recently. I'm still not moved in completely yet, and with school starting up again the chapters will be rolling out slowly. Luckily there isn't much more to tell.

Chapter 08: My Fortune

My Charlie may have made his decision about his mate, but that didn't mean I had to abandon him completely. Once he began to trust me again I was able to meet his newfound family. His Nidoqueen I came to call " Princess " due to the dominate behavior she displayed to both me and Charlie. The only ones she'd been gentle to be her own children; a male and three females, who I hadn't had a chance to name because they spent the majority of their time in the den. I figured that they will leave the den for good in the spring, like all offspring, to find their own good fortune. Charlie and Princess whisper … that they're going to leave for paradise, a place humans cannot intervene, when their children leave the nest. Though I had my own objections to losing my dear Charlie, I would not express them to keep him from his own happiness.

This leaves me to question … are Pokemon and humans really all that different? Aside from physical and characteristic appearances, things linked to their physical beings, that is. On a mental and spiritual level there appears to be little difference between us. There are as many different personalities floating around the species as there are for people. I suppose you can call it their 'nature'. In ancient Sinnoh they often preached that Pokemon and Humans were once indistinguishable from each other; brother and sister hand and paw. Modern scientists balked those accusations, but I believe I have found greater meaning in them …

Those legendary warriors who protect this city may know it better than anyone; Pokemon, people, and all living things on this planet all came from the same source. The energy that flows through us all is what connects us to one another. The energy that forms this bond is not affected by a creature's gender, species, or even their personality. This said and possible, then it should be theoretically possible that the basis of mating is not only because a compatible male and female feel the inescapable urge! It may very well be possible to fall in love with a creature outside your species, inside your gender, or outside of your possible mating pool.

How ironic I make that revelation …

I have found myself increasingly attracted to the head of the royal guard …

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A body slamming against the side of my prison stirred me from my forced sleep.

Though it was extremely painful I choose to open my eyes to see who tried to save me from my misery. Flaring heat rushed through my exposed eyes that blinded me temporarily. Through my now blurred vision I could see the outline of a larger than life bird Pokemon, black against a green canvas, beckoning me.

" You mustn't give up! " That voice belonged to Thunder-Hawk. " To think that your situation is hopeless fuels Mother's fire, and will cause you to expire faster evermore. " He explained with a sense of urgency.

I wanted to protest his findings, but it came out as nothing more than a pained groan. " There is still a chance to set things right yet … If you're willing to dig deeper than you ever have with your powers. In this place the body's strength and will are put through the ultimate test. Those who are weak in one or the other cannot possibly hope to escape, and will ultimately be taken and absorbed into the tree. For those select individuals who do meet the criteria it's only a matter of harnessing that energy and forcing it in the appropriate direction. "

His words were truly baffling. " Has … anyone ever escaped this place before? "

" Never. " Thunder-Hawk shook his head as well.

" Then how do you know it's even possible? "

Thunder-Hawk raised his head slightly. " There is no end to the power that one living being may have, if their will is strong enough. Every creature on this planet from the weakest Luvdisc to the strongest of all living Pokemon has the potential to change their lives, possibly even the world, with the common energy shared between us. The Wave is the common power that all living creatures have, but few can use … let alone master. To master the Wave would mean to master yourself completely, and thus you truly would be the strongest creature on this planet. Tell me; can your psychic powers even begin to appease such thoughts? "

I knew for certain that they could not, which was why I sought out Lucario in the beginning. My original way of thinking was skewed at best, it seemed. To covet myself as the world's strongest Pokemon after all of these revelations came to light.

The world's strongest Pokemon would not be imprisoned thrice over against his will! To be owned by a tyrant who wished to use me as nothing more than a tool. To be owned by a monster who wished to use her descendants as feasible energy. The third ownership was much more pleasant, to say the least. I myself now belonged to the fighter, Lucario, no matter who had physical ownership of my body. He did not have to claim to own my body or even revel in that fact. That was because he indiscreetly caught me at a deeper level than those others can only hope …

" Lucario. " Just saying the name made my heart swell with strength, but I didn't know why until a heartbeat later. The flutter of the heart in my chest was echoed by one I could not see, but only feel, close to my proximity. " I … can feel his prescience even here. I am certain, and he compels me to do something. " My eyes narrowed in frustration, and perhaps confusion. " But I do not know what that may be. "

Thunder-Hawk screeched in primal tongue before he spoke to me. " That is exactly what I hoped to show you! You yourself may find a way to escape this place by using every fiber of energy in your body, at the expense of your own life. You would be free for less than ten minutes before the planet calls you home. The bond that you share with Lucario may enable you to escape from this place alive yet. You, and he, must sync your actions in the correct place at the correct time to create a pathway from this place back home. It is a hard feat for even an accomplished Wave Guider to do themselves, but is much more manageable if two in the same share their powers. "

His words filled me with newfound hope that I may be able to escape this damnable fate, but also with some worry. " How would I know when the time is right? " How would I even know that Lucario is aware of my prescience and intentions!?

" I am sorry, but you must find that out yourself. " Thunder-Hawk's voice came off considerably softer this time, even weaker, as if his own wave was being drained from him. " Mother Mew has siphoned the majority of your energy for herself already in an attempt to keep you weakened and subdued. In that state you will not be able to escape alive even if you find the means to sync. With that I leave you with my final gift, a blessing of strength and power, in hopes that you may find your way back home. "

It took me a moment to figure out what he meant; he was giving his wave, his power, to me in hopes that I would be able to succeed. He continued to speak before I could protest. " I wish you and brother Lucario the best of luck. I am sure you will be able to overcome this trial if you have bonded wholly with him. I certainly hope so. " I could see a crack of a smile through the barrier. " I doubt he could survive in the world by himself. "

A wave of cool energy washed over me at that point; it was Thunder-Hawk's Wave. Feeling that energy flowing through my veins not only empowered me on a physical level, but reminded me that this was not a fight that I myself was fighting. Once I received the Pidgeot's energy in its entirety the barrier that trapped me dispersed and showed the state that the void was in now.

My eyes widened in shock, then became narrow slits at the scene.

The amount of Pokemon in the void had increased ten fold since me myself had been trapped, and more were coming in with each passing second. It was my guess that Mew began snaring the Pokemon living within the tree to use as fuel for herself. That wench! Most had not fallen into the dismal state that I just experienced, and were looking at me pitifully in a final plea to get out of their pathetic situation. I think I could free the Pokemon that were here prior, but there were hundreds here now. Tackling the problem head on would be as useless as a Tackle Attack.

Still … I could not leave these innocents here to be killed. I hovered above the scene, but didn't turn my back towards the helpless Pokemon. " … I'll try to help you. " That was all I could promise because at this point I was unsure if I could even help myself. All I could do was try for myself, for Lucario, for Thunder-Hawk, and all of the Pokemon that didn't stand a chance against that tyrant. The energy Thunder-Hawk gave me gave my body a radiant blue glow.

I learned what to do next from my training; I had to draw this energy out of my core to form into a physical form. Lucario warned me against using all of my energy at once in fear that I'd destroy myself. This time I'd disobey. If I didn't act quickly there wouldn't be anything left of me anyway! As the energy formed between my paws I felt my body become considerably lighter, similar to floating, and it became increasingly harder to think … let alone focus … on what my senses were taking in. It became harder to see, let alone breathe - …

That's it.

The answers were becoming progressively clearer as I lost myself in my task; I needed to block out the world around me so I could concentrate. I closed my eyes and became dead to the world, seeing nothing but darkness and the occasional flicker of blue energy from my gathering. It seemed like an eternity before I could see only darkness, and heart nothing, except for the slowed beating of my own heart. I felt as though I was alone even though I'd been surrounded some time before.

… It was frightening.

I remember being in a place like this before.

I remember a Pokemon … or a person … there.

I remember them telling me something I … can't remember.

I … see something.

The sun set against a mountainous landscape. I could see the details of the leaves in the trees, the grass under me, and the Pokemon flying free just in the distance. There was a pile of toys in the distance against the trunk of a tree, and berries just above. It was remarkably clear for a Wave Guiding vision –

" That is because it is not a Wave Guiding vision. This is another hidden gift that Pokemon have; sight-sharing. You can see what I can see where you are now. "

The voice; my heart nearly stopped when I heard that voice. I'd been in a state of absolute bliss the last time I heard that voice, but now it seemed so detached and sad. I recognized it immediately as my fighter. " … It's you. " I stuttered in my amazement.

Lucario took a moment to answer. It appeared that he was exhausted for one reason or another. "… I'm … relieved … that you still live." He said softly.

There was sincerity in his voice, but I felt uncertainly about something that I could not put my finger on. I could tell that something was wrong. Getting into the details of that in such a critical situation was not the best idea, however. " I need your help … " To think that I was the one who was so certain that I would protect him. I didn't even know where to begin telling him my situation.

" Hold on … " The images I saw changed in a flurry, and soon I found myself looking back at the Tree of Origin. In the pathway leading back into the mountain was the format titan of Steel; the red orbs embedded in its head dimmed. " Mother will be sleeping for a while, and she can't control these Titans in her sleep. I'll be able to slip past this one and follow your voice – "

" Where? "

I cut him off so suddenly I didn't realize it until he responded. " Though you are no longer in this world I can still find your approximate location within in tree. If we direct our energy towards approximately the same spot it'll merge and create a path back here. "

Once again I was skeptical. " Are you sure this will work? "

The image I was witnessing was getting progressively closer to the sleeping steel Pokemon. It wasn't until it came to pass that he answered. " Not really. Master told me stories about ancient Wave Guiders used to pull each other from other dimensions if Pokemon trapped them, but I've never seen or used it before. "

His explanation was not encouraging. " Then how are you certain it will work? "

" I'm not. " The images around me were becoming blurred as they did when I flew, but I could distinctively hear feet against the ground. They were not my footsteps. " … I just put trust in my Master's teachings and my own abilities. It is all I can do. If nothing else I must remain confident we can escape from this. "

It must have been a major flaw to demand a rational explanation for anything, but hearing that and his voice seemed to override it. Though wary I was at least willing to try. Out silent yet mutual agreement was that anything, even death, was better than continuing to live in this Hell.

" Here! " That blur of motion came to a stop in a small chamber. The colors swirled as a circle was made of the room. " This is the place where your prescience is the strongest. I will do my best to match your power. "

Wait – I did not even know what I was seeing, experiencing, before I saw a pair of black paws come into view. Then it all made sense. Thunder-Hawk explained this in part … the bond shared between me and Lucario. Somehow I am able to see what he is seeing by closing out the remainder of my senses. Here I did not need to read his thoughts because I could communicate with him directly; a perfect way to sync up our thoughts and actions.

Judging by where he was looking he intended on pouring his energy into a crystal at the far side of the chamber. While I could not see if my body was facing the right direction, I could feel it. Like radar I could sense when he was closest to me. I could feel his heat, and catch his scent, and it would lure me back when I strayed every time. I held myself steady as he formed a ball of energy roughly the size of mine. It took a fraction of the time it took me. I imagine it must be from experience.

It's been years since I felt this much tension.

Knowing that my life hangs in the balance …

Once again at the brink of death …

I never felt so alive –

It's time.

All I once I felt my life leave me completely. I pushed that orb of energy forward with all will, my body moving with it from the sheer momentum. It sailed only inches from my face, the heat burning my fur, which left me with a feeling of uncertainly until it happened. The ball of energy that Lucario sent collided with mine suddenly, flooding the area with white light. I did not know what happened at that point, but I suddenly lost the ability to hover freely. I felt myself plummeting towards the ground.

Luckily, something soft broke my fall.

" … Heavy. " The kindest way to put it.

I must have had some luck on my side. The adrenaline running through my veins prevented me from feeling the pain that would eventually come from the day's events. I was able to push my upper body off the ground and note that the creature I landed on was quite winded, probably because I'd been crushing his chest. Never-the-less I'd never been so relieved to see him glaring back at me in my life.

Leaning forward, I took his lips against mine and held him there for a precious moment. I wanted nothing more than to confirm that he was here. I needed that assurance before doing anything else. My paws rolled up his arms to pull him into a sitting position while I knelt beside him, and only then did I break the kiss to look into his eyes. " We have a problem. " I certainly knew how to ruin the moment, didn't I?

My fighter looked back at me with a weak look in his eyes. " I know … " He seemed to be hinting something other then what I was, but once again this was not the time or place. " We have to leave, now. "

The grip I had on his arms tightened. " I'm not leaving those Pokemon there to die. "

Lucario's ear twitched in what I imagined was agitation either from my insistence on staying, or the ancient chivalry that'd force him to stay. " Let's do this, then get out of here. " He strained his legs to stand, and I followed. " There's no way we can open the path long enough for all the Pokemon to escape, but I do have another idea that should take care of both of our problems. "

I almost didn't catch what was implied by that. He must have forgotten that his mate was a being of superior intelligence. " Just what do you mean by that? "

His red eyes grew wide when he caught his mistake. " … I'll tell you later. " Then he quickly changed the subject. " This Tree and Mother Mew are interconnected. They share the same strengths, and weaknesses, as symbolic living beings. Mother is trapping the Pokemon living in the core of the tree for consumption, and that alone should stress the Tree. "

Naturally I had to make sense of things with my superior intellect, but I couldn't help but feel that some mysterious factor gave me the answer this time. " Sending raw energy into the Tree would cause the system to overload, and Mother will either have to expel the Pokemon or risk destroying herself consuming them to regulate her system. " My fighter nodded. " … but, sending that much energy at once will no doubt put a strain on our own bodies. "

" Every time a Wave Guider uses their powers in such a matter they risk themselves. Their powers, their bodies, their lives … We were taught early that we must sacrifice for the greater good. " His eyes narrowed. " … and there will be no greater good then ensuring that no one else will have to suffer such a terrible fate. "

Nothing in this world is obtained without giving something in return. I seemed to know this more than anyone having lost so much already … " I will do what I must. " I pulled away from him to stand, my paws clenched into fists.

" We will do what we must. I'll be right here behind you. " Little did I know the full extent of his statement. Not until he swiftly swung behind me to latch on. My natural reaction to such an action was to tense my body in preparation for a blow, but feeling his soft fur rubbing into mine as he guided my body to face the crystal once more was relaxing. " I am not trying to be intimate in my actions, you know. " I could just feel him smirking before he placed his head on my back, arms wrapped around my torso. " I'll give my energy to you, and you'll direct it into the crystal. "

Lucario's willingness to offer himself for the cause made me uneasy at best, especially after Thunder-Hawk had just went the same way. It left an awful taste in my mouth, but I wouldn't dare back down from it now. We'd come too far to be deferred.

The spikes on Lucario's paws began to glow. Moments later I felt another surge of energy shoot through my body that I was not prepared for. It sparked off my fur carelessly until I caught wind of what was happening and focused. This time a ball of energy did not form in my hand; a bright beam that resembled a Hyper Beam crashed down on our target setting it ablaze with light.

Once again my body was feeling lighter, but it was accompanied with quick pulses of pain that made my body shudder. Glancing down at my hands I noticed that our bodies were radiating with light blue energy, but also some ominous sparks. The sparks were related to the sprints of pain I was experiencing, I knew, but I did not know why …

You traitorous wench!

That voice! My blood ran cold even before they launched their surprise attack, an ice beam, which did its work in encasing our legs in ice. I broke my concentration in surprise, the energy dispersing to leave me in a world of pain. Mother woke up from her nap earlier than expected. That was no little wonder; the pain that she was undoubtedly experiencing must have been excruciating.

Mother Mew was behind us looking quite flustered. Behind here were the Titans of ice and rock, and sliding into place at the other entrance was the Titan of steel. If it wasn't the ice that trapped us those monsters definitely did.

I had your word that you would not interfere. Does a knight's honor mean nothing?

" Chivalry is dead and you are the beast who killed it! " Lucario snarled right back. " You may have killed my Master but I you will NOT get me nor my mate! "

Mother Mew giggled before she responded. I already 'got' what I needed from you, and as such I do not need either of you in my home anymore. She raised her paw, and the Titan of steel slowly moved away from the entryway. Leave this place if you think you'll do that much good in the outside world. No one will believe their 'beloved' Mother Mew would kill her 'children', especially not if two little freaks like you tell the story.

I joined Lucario in his subtle growling; of course she'd been planning a double edged trap. If we choose to leave she'll trap us again, and if we choose to stay we'll suffer the same fate somewhere down the road. Mew had us cornered since we came into the Tree. Now she's just tightening the noose …

This whole situation was making the fur on the back of my neck stand on end, or at least that's what I believed my anxiety was from. In reality it was an action that foreshadowed a show of our good fortune. The crystals in the chamber released a wail, the color of the gems changing from a healthy blue to an ugly orange. The smaller ones turned black before crumbling away into nothing. I could smell death in the air soon after and couldn't help to grin smugly. I only wished I could see the expression on Mew's face at that very moment, but I could settle for a subtle whimper.

The Tree suffers … Mew sounded quite distressed. You can not let the Tree die!

" Why not? " I inquired forging an innocent tone, suppressing a smile.

The tides were slowly turning in our favor …