Sayo stood on the warm brown path that wound it's way around the lip of the bay. The wind was gentle, rocking her hair back and forth in a gentle rhythm, and the beachfront grass whispered soothingly. She knew she should feel peaceful and content. The weather was warm, the view was spectacular, and it was the eve of another gym battle. Carefully, Sayo drew out the battered silver case from a pouch at her waist. She ran her fingers over the worn engraving on the top, the mysterious symbol that had so frightened Dante on that fateful night. She opened it and stared at the soft velvet cushion. He hadn't contacted her since, and although she initially felt a sense of abandonment, she had quickly recovered. This was her journey after all. What anyone said or did would have no effect on her.

The light shone on the six badges that lay nestled inside the case. They seemed to twinkle encouragingly at the girl, not unlike the light in Professor Oak's eyes the day she accepted care of Charmander. Sayo was a Pokémon trainer now, and a respected one at that. For once in her life this was a status that she had earned with her own heart and hands, without the road being paved by the fear that her family inspired. Yet somewhere, deep in her heart she felt incomplete- lost. Unlike the one beneath her feet, the path that ran toward the future was ill defined and hazy.

A voice hailed her from the crest of a grassy hill. Sayo couldn't resist a smile spreading across her face as she saw Xeo waving down at her, Charmander hopping frantically at his feet. Swiftly, she scrabbled up the slope and met her friends, laughing at the fire Pokémon's antics. Scooping the little fellow into her arms she turned right and left, frowning.

"Where is Umbreon?"

Xeo laughed. "She's sleeping as usual," he said. Found a nice cove beneath a palm tree and settled right down. Ever since she evolved during that gym battle against Sabrina, she has done nothing but sleep. You wouldn't think that she was related to that happy, hyper little Eevee you rescued all those months ago."

"Well it's high time we followed her example," Sayo grinned. "We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

"What?" Xeo said incredulously. "How can you sleep now? Its only seven thirty!"

The girl paid him no attention as she skipped away. "Early to bed…" Her voice chimed happily as it floated back along the wind.

Xeo just shook his head and followed suit.

"I hate to break it to you, Sayo. But Blaine is going to be hard to beat with only two Pokémon."

Sayo simply shrugged. "These two are all I have. Unlike most trainers, I abhor the idea of catching tons of Pokémon. There's just no point. I only want to work with those who I know I can trust absolutely when push comes to shove. Otherwise, I can't battle to the best of my ability."

Xeo rolled his eyes. "I know that, but every time you battle I'm always crouching in the corner, biting my nails in fright. You've had some awfully close calls."

"It's ok Xeo." Sayo said. "Cinnabar Island is your hometown and I wouldn't dream of letting one of you fire-boys beat me."

She hoisted her supple leather knapsack over one shoulder and strode out of the Pokémon center, Charmander trotting sedately at her heels. Xeo followed slightly behind, a worried frown still creasing his brow.

It was already noon by the time they reached the entrance to the Volcano. A large, ornately carved gateway projected from the ashen slopes revealing a flight of steps that descended into the mountain's heart. Sayo was sweating, and she had yet to go inside. Grimacing, she recalled Charmander to his ball and began to go down. Xeo followed, seemingly unaffected by the immense heat. The stairs finally leveled out after about 100 feet and became a perfectly symmetrical passageway that lead to a pair of thick double doors, ornately carved like the tunnel entrance. Impatient with the heat, Sayo quickly strode forward and made to grab the door handle.

"Wait!" Xeo yelled and grabbed her hand just in time. "This door is probably almost 500 degrees. It's constantly heated by the core of the volcano itself, if you just grab it, your hand would get terribly burned."

Sayo rolled her eyes in annoyance. "So he tries to burn every challenger before the battle even starts? What a coward."

"Most people realize by this point that they are inside a volcano and have the sense not to go about grabbing things." He walked a little ways to the side, and pressed a few buttons on a control panel that Sayo had not noticed. Instantly, the doors began to open. "See?"

Blushing, Sayo brushed past him and entered the chamber. It was massive, with a ceiling so high that it was obscured in steam. Piping hot jets of water gushed forth into pools, and in the very center of the room, a giant battlefield hung suspended over a pit of lava. The very sight took Sayo's breath away.

Out of the steam, a voice called causing both Sayo and Xeo to turn. Across the giant lava pit, a man was sitting on a rock. His head was bald and shiny and a gigantic moustache was proudly displayed on his upper lip. Crinkly brown eyes seemed to shine from his tanned face, and his hands were patiently folded in his lap.

"Welcome Challenger." His voice was powerful and smooth and had a tone to it that filled Sayo with a burning desire to battle. This was a man worthy of his title. "I am Blaine, Leader of the Cinnabar Gym."

Sayo bowed. "I am Sayo of Pallet Town. I wish to challenge you to a battle."

"Excellent!" The skinny man leapt off of his rock and quickly stepped into his trainers box. "This young lady does not mince words. Lets begin at once!"

"Hold it." Xeo interrupted. "You can't start every one of your battles out like this. You don't have a judge and you still haven't told her the rules. Don't get ahead of yourself."

Sayo arched an eyebrow. "You know him, Xeo?" He ignored her question, placing both of his smoldering eyes upon the old gym leader. Blaine simply shook his head and sighed.

"As boring as always I see, Xeo. Rules are so mundane. But, to make you happy and for old times sake, please be the judge of this match."

Without a word Xeo leapt fearlessly from the walkway, and landed on the judges dais. The sight of the hissing red lava he had just crossed made chills run down Sayo's back.

"This will be a two on two battle." Xeo proclaimed without hesitation. Blaine raised one eyebrow but said nothing. "No time limit. The winner is the trainer who's Pokémon is still standing. Only the challenger will be allowed substitutions. Leader Blaine, will you please take the first move."

The old man allowed a small smile cross his lips. "Rapidash, come and burn for me!" The poke ball opened and out of the light the most magnificent Rapidash Sayo had ever seen emerged. Its coat was glistening in the firelight and the flames on its mane and tail burned hotter and brighter than even the lava beneath their feet.

"Umbreon, prepare for battle!" The jet-black fox Pokémon appeared before her flaming rival, teeth bared. Her yellow bands began to glow in the heat. This made Sayo smile, Umbreon was more than ready.

"Takedown." Blaine murmured. At once the Rapidash sprang foreword, blazing so fast towards Umbreon that she barely had time to react. At the last second she sprang clear, landing behind her attacker.

"Double team." Sayo called without hesitation. "From there use Dark Pulse." A ring of Umbreons began to circle the confused fire Pokémon. Then, all of them unleashed a powerful burst of dark energy, which sped towards the center like a black tidal wave. Blaine yelled something but the explosion that erupted from the middle of the battlefield cut off his voice. Sayo gripped her hands in triumph, but quickly frowned. Rapidash was not where it was supposed to be. The smoke finally cleared to reveal the fire type standing sedately next to its trainer. Rapidash's smooth coat was a bit battered but it was more or less unscathed.

"Clever strategy Sayo," Blaine said calmly. "Taking advantage of my reckless speed at just the right moment was smart. Unfortunately, I have seen too many battles for such a trick to work on me. I must admit though, you had me shaken for a moment there."

Sayo gritted her teeth, this wasn't going as well as she would like. For the next few minutes, it was all she had to keep dodging Blaine's attacks. Rapidash was so fast that Umbreon could barely keep up. One time, she was dangerously close to falling in the lava, only saving herself by launching a quick attack right through Rapidash's legs. Sweat trickled down into Sayo's eyes. Umbreon was getting tired, while the endurance of the fiery racehorse seemed to have barely been tapped. There had to be a way to beat it.

Then it hit her. "Stand still, Umbreon!" The disciplined Pokémon immediately ground to a halt. Rapidash bore down upon her, its eyes flaming bright. "Now, jump up and spin!" Umbreon did so, delighting in the confused expression in her opponents eyes. "Shadow ball, rapid fire!" A twisting volley of purple spheres collided one after another on Rapidash's unprotected back. Rapidash let out a cry and crumpled.

Sayo's eyes were unforgiving as she gave one final command. "Faint attack!" The black fox Pokémon's image wavered for a moment and then vanished altogether, appearing a few moments after right by the side of her weakened foe. The attack was so powerful that Rapidash was lifted off of its feet and thrown halfway across the battlefield.

Xeo realized that he had been holding his breath, and quickly let it out in a long hiss. "Rapidash is unable to battle, Umbreon is the winner!"

Both Umbreon and Sayo leapt into the air with cries of delight. Sayo rushed over and hugged her Pokémon fiercely. "You did such a good job, I'm so proud of you!"

Blaine silently withdrew his Pokémon, gently resting his forehead against the smooth surface of the Pokeball. "Thank you, old friend." He whispered.

Turning to Sayo, he held out his second Pokeball. "This one, I think, will pose more of a challenge. Come, burn for me, oldest of my friends!"

Sayo held a hand in front of her face as a blinding light erupted from the mouth of the Pokeball. When the light faded, she peeked out from behind her fingers. It was a Magmar. Umbreon growled fiercely. She was ready for anything. Before either one of them knew what was happening, Blaine snapped two of his bony fingers together.

Magmar shot out a Lava Plume attack that erupted over the entire battlefield. Umbreon cried out, unable to move as the fire fell upon her.

"No!" Sayo cried, but too late. Umbreon was out cold. As Xeo impassively called out his verdict, the girl withdrew her Pokémon with a bowed head. "I'm sorry, my friend." She whispered. "I underestimated him."

"This one won't be so easy Blaine." She whispered and then threw the Pokeball in the air. Charmander erupted from it with a feral roar. Sayo couldn't help smiling as he stood in front of her, quivering with anticipation and aggressiveness. Blaine cocked an eyebrow.

"That's brave girl, trying match the skills of a fire Pokémon master. You had better hope that you have more than clever tricks to help you through this one."

Blaine snapped his fingers again. Instantly, Magmar let loose another Lava Plume. As it approached the little fire type, Sayo smiled. "Spin and use flamethrower!"

It worked. The wall of fire blocked the uncontrolled burst of lava, forcing it harmlessly away. Charmander danced with delight, chuckling to himself. Blaine smiled.

"Well defended young ones, but don't let your guard down just yet."

As if the two were linked telepathically, Magmar leapt forward without a word from his trainer and aimed a fire punch at Charmander. At Sayo's word, he leapt out of the way, baring his teeth at the larger opponent. Immediately Magmar sent a fire blast at Charmander, this was an attack that Sayo knew she couldn't dodge. "I guess I have to unleash my trump card." She muttered to herself. "Charmander, blast it away with Whiteflame!"

Charmander hissed. A jet of white flames, thin as paper, shot from his jaws. It had barely to touch the Fire Blast attack in order to stop it cold. "Send it right back at them, my friend!"

Blaine's eyes opened in astonishment as his attack was transformed into a glowing red and white sphere. Charmander leapt up and gave it a good thwack with his tail, sending the entire thing right at Magmar's head. The spitfire Pokémon tried to escape, and managed to doge most of it, but the edge of the fire sphere caught its shoulder, knocking it off-balance. White fire danced in Charmander's eyes and he gave a terrible roar. At once the chamber was drowned in fierce white light. Charmander had begun to evolve at last. Slowly his body lengthened, his tail flame grew, and he became a Charmelion. Sayo gasped in astonishment and began to run to him, but before she had gone five steps, her Pokémon began to glow again.

"What the-." Xeo said as he stood, dumbfounded. Blaine had a frown on his face; Sayo had her mouth hanging open. All stood and watched as the little Charmander evolved not just once, but twice. Wings sprouted from his back and before any of the humans could comprehend it, a huge Charizard stood in front of them.

Silence filled the large room. Slowly, Sayo walked forward, holding out a trembling hand. Gently, her Pokémon lowered his great head, placing his snout against her palm. "I always knew you were special my friend." Sayo whispered. "But this has dumbfounded even me." Charizard chuckled in a deep voice and turned around to face his opponent once again.

Blaine said nothing. He simply pointed at Charizard with one long finger. Magmar sped toward him with blinding speed. Great wings snapped open, and Charizard launched himself up into the air.

"Dive down and grab him, Charizard." Sayo called. Charizard did so, like an eagle honing in on its prey. Thirty seconds later it was all over. Magmar lay unconscious in a great crater that had been blown in the middle of the stadium. The great dragon Pokémon roared in triumph, lashing his tail to and fro.

All the humans stood silent, until; finally, Xeo raised his hand high in the air. "Magmar is unable to battle, Charizard wins. The victor of this match is Sayo from Pallet Town!"

*Hello Everyone. It's been a long time since I've updated this series. Life has been a hassle lately as I'm sure all of you have experienced. Anyways, I'm planning to start writing again so, as always, please read and support this story. Review Review Review! *