I noticed in some of the reviews from the last chapter that there were some suggestions for a line break between the characters' conversations. When I looked back at it, I found out that apparently doesn't support all the features of Microsoft Word. I did have a line break, but I used the table border feature, so I'll be sure to use dashes or something next time. Thanks for the reviews everyone, and congrats to Shadow Snivy for getting the reference to "Goodbye" by SR-71!
"So this is Ilex Forest?" Ember asked as we entered a new section of forest, with less fire-types every step and more bug-types.
It had been 7 days since encountering Scorch and Blaise in Burning Woods. The Protector of the Forest has been all that the Pokémon talk about around here. And then there's the matter of what Scorch said back there…
"Aren't you the thickheaded one?" said Scorch. "Isn't it obvious she's fallen for you?"
Ember hasn't brought it up, but now that Scorch has brought it to my attention, I've noticed little things here and there, such as her needing help in situations she could easily get out of herself. She caught her foot in some tree roots yesterday, and I had to help her, even though she easily could've just pulled her paw out.
I've also been thinking about Zorua helping us back there. In my clan, he caused trouble by stealing from us. But then he disguised as Entei and helped us against Scorch. How did he use his disguise's powers as well?
Life is so confusing all of a sudden. It's not bad enough that I have to worry about being targeted as prey or avoid starving to death, but then I have to worry about Scorch popping up again and Ember and the Zorua.
I stopped and looked around. The path divided into two ways; one leading to the human village we've heard about, and the other probably leading to either another village or deeper into Ilex Forest.
I was just about to pick by using the "Eenie Meenie Miney Mo" method when I noticed an Eevee at the base of a nearby tree. I walked over and prodded him awake.
"Oi?" he grumbled rather sleepily, probably upset at being woken up from his nap. He sat up and looked at me half-asleep.
"Excuse me, sorry to wake you, but do you know of a human village near here?" I asked politely. He just continue to stare at me for several minutes.
Well… This is awkward.
…
…
…
"Hello?" I said again, prodding him. He continued to just sit when I heard the slightest sound.
"Zzz…"
What the…?
I poked him again, and he didn't respond. Then I heard the sound again.
"Zzz…"
What the actual hell? He's asleep sitting up and with his eyes open! Slightly agitated, I shocked him just enough to wake him up… Okay, maybe a little stronger than that. Just enough to hurt.
"Ahh!" he screamed as he was jolted awake. He rubbed the spot I zapped him before he noticed us sitting there with confused looks.
"Uhm… Can I help you?" he asked cluelessly. This guy is one weird Pokémon…
"Yea, actually. We were wondering if you knew the way to a human settlement near here?" I asked, growing more agitated by the second.
"There's two near here. Can you be more specific?" he replied. Two? Hmm. I guess our lucks gonna be the same at either one.
"Whichever one is nearest, I guess."
"Well, if you follow the right path, you'll come to Goldenrod City, and if you go left, you'll come out at Azalea Town."
What the hell is a city? Or a town? I shook my head in confusion.
"Ok, thank you." I said and prepared to move on. When I looked back at the two paths, I swore I saw Zorua on the path leading to "Goldenrod City". Whatever that is.
How did that Pokémon know the names of human settlements? They certainly weren't Pokémon names, definitely human. I started towards Goldenrod and looked back. Ember hadn't moved an inch. Is something wrong?
"Ember?" I asked, walking back to her and the strange Eevee. I sat beside her and barely heard her whisper.
"Does he look a bit… odd to you?" she whispered. I stared at him. I don't know about looking odd, but he most certainly was odd! He had started to drift off to sleep again, still sitting up.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"His coloring. You told me that story about the oddly colored Luxray in your clan the other day. Why is this Eevee colored differently?"
"I've never seen an Eevee. I wouldn't know a normal one."
"Eevee are normally brown with a lighter brown mane. Look at this one."
I stared at him again. She was right; this Eevee had a snow white pelt. If she was telling the truth about Eevee being brown, this Pokémon is exactly like the Luxray in my clan's tales.
Suddenly I heard voices distantly. My supersensitive ears twitched, as did Ember's.
"Did you hear that?" I asked more loudly than I intended. Suddenly the voices stopped, along with sounds of "Shh, sh!"
I narrowed my eyes. These obviously aren't friend voices, no matter what Pokémon they were.
I motioned to Ember to hide in the bushes, while I pushed the snowy Eevee into the bush next to her. I laid down next to a nearby tree, pretending to be asleep. I cracked one eye so I could see whatever came from the direction of the voices.
Several minutes passed, but noises of movement could be heard from the direction of the voices, except they were getting louder. They were getting closer.
After a few more minutes, they stepped out where I could see them. This is bad, I thought as I saw them in the open. I instantly regretted being the bait.
They weren't Scorch or Blaise, or the Zorua. They were something much, much worse.
Trainers.
Decided to leave you guys with a bit of a cliffhanger this time. :P Hope you enjoyed the chapter, leave a review if you want, all of them are appreciated.
