IMN: Hello again my fellow Pokémon lovers! It's time for the next chapter of 'Mewmans: Story of the Dark Ice Maiden'!
Keith: *Covered in pillows and has a pot for a helmet as he carries KJ the Egg* Alright! I'm ready this time!
Rhythmi: Keith, why do you look like that?
Keith: I have to protect myself from IMN's crazy baby pokémon!
IMN: Oh! Didn't you hear? Some of the readers let me borrow some of their pokémon to take care of the babies. You are relieved of 'Babysitting Duty'!
Keith: WHAT?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!
IMN: Fro was supposed to tell you but apparently she had to attend to other matters since her cameras were being taken apart by a certain mechanic, aka ELAINE! *Glares at Elaine*
Elaine: I SAID I WAS SORRY! I can't help taking apart machines!
IMN: Thanks to that incident, Fro gave me a new order form for new camera products. AT THIS RATE I'M GOING TO BE BROKE!
Kate: You were the one who supplied Fro's cameras?! *Glares at IMN*
IMN: ...We're getting off topic. Rhythmi, the disclaimer please!
Rhythmi: Infusions Masters Nightmare doesn't own Pokémon or it's characters. She only owns the idea of Mewmans and her OC's.
Keith: *Sigh* On with the show.
Chapter 19: Forest Fires and the Hunter
Keith's Pov
"BARLOW! BARLOW WAKE UP!" Kate and I both shouted as we pound on Barlow's door. We both decided to wake up our leader to tell him that Vien Forest is on fire. Finally after one agonising minute, Barlow opened the door wearing red pyjamas with the Ranger logo used as a pattern. A part of me wants to take a picture and use it as blackmail but now is not a good time with the forest been on fire!
"*YAAAWWNNNNN* What are you both doing waking me up? It's 5:05 in the morning. We don't have to get up until seven- *Sniff sniff* What's that burning smell? Don't tell me that Luana busted another toaster again. At this rate we'll have to buy a new kitchen," Barlow complained as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
"Barlow, that's not burning toast! Vien Forest is on fire!" Kate exclaimed. That seemed to wake Barlow up because he rushed to the window and also saw the red glow of the fire in the distance.
"This is bad. That forest is the direct route from Vientown to Pueltown and most of the southern part of Almia is covered by trees. If the fire spreads then not only are the forest pokémon in danger but the towns will be on fire too," Barlow explained. I saw Kate turn pale in the light of the corridor. If what Barlow said is true then not only would Vientown be on fire but Chicole Village would be too. Her family lives in Chicole Village so I'm not surprised that she's worried.
"Wake up the others! I want everyone awake. We'll need all the help we can get to deal with a fire this big," Barlow ordered before going back into his room to get changed. Kate and I ran off to the other rooms to wake up the others. Kate was banging on Crawford and Luana's door while I barged into Elaine and Rhythmi's room. Elaine immediately woke up when I barged in but Rhythmi was still asleep, and she said I sleep like a Snorlax?!
"Keith, what are you doing? I'm trying to get some shut eye here," complained Elaine.
"No time. Get changed now! We have an emergency!" I explained as I ran to Rhythmi's bed. She was hugging her pillow and drooling. Once again- she complained I SLEEP LIKE A SNORLAX WHILE SHE'S SNORING HER HEAD OFF?!
"*Snooooooooore* Isaac, you are the sweetest guy I've ever met..." Rhythmi muttered in her sleep. I would sooooo have used this chance to get blackmail material but the forest fire is my top priority right now.
"Rhythmi! Earth to Rhyth! Wake up!" I shouted while shaking Rhythmi but she kept sleeping away.
"*Snooooooooooore* Oh, Isaac. Of course I would marry you..." muttered Rhythmi. Of all the times there's a forest fire and it has to happen when there is a perfect chance to get the ultimate blackmail material! DAMN IT!
"Rhythmi, rise and shine! Wake up for the love of Arceus!" I shouted even louder and shook her even harder.
"*Snooooooooooooore* I do... I so do want Isaac to be my beloved husband..." muttered Rhythmi. THAT'S IT! Time for Plan B! I grabbed Rhythmi's sheets and glared at my childhood friend.
"WAKE. THE. HELL. UUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" I roared as I tugged the sheets towards me with all my strength. Rhythmi was yanked off the bed thanks to the sheets and she screamed in surprise. When she got out of the tangle of bed sheets, she glared at me and stood up, fully awake.
"Keith Dazzle Adams, you better have a good reason for waking me up! I was having the most amazing dream and you ruined it by waking me up! I swear Keith, you can be a pain in the-" "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Rhythmi lectured before I heard Crawford and Luana screaming. Elaine, Rhythmi and I quickly ran to the corridor to see Crawford and Luana shivering with small chunks of ice in their hair. Wait a minute, is Crawford actually wearing pink Shaymin boxers?
"Katherine Vatana Darkarus Alphano Icecia, why in the name of Shaymin did you create a hailstorm in my room?!" asked Crawford while he was glaring at Kate. Just then Barlow came out wearing his ranger uniform.
"This is no time to argue! Everyone get dressed immediately and head to the Ranger Center ASAP!" ordered Barlow. Everyone quickly went into their rooms, got dressed in their uniform and we all met in the Ranger Center. All the Rangers lined up along with Rhythmi and Elaine with Barlow standing in front of us.
"All right people, we have a serious crisis on our hands. Vien Forest is on fire and we need to put it out before the situation gets worse! Luana and Keith, I want both of you to head to the fire site and put out the fire. Rhythmi, I want you to monitor the fire by satellite and keep us up to date with the situation via voicemail. Elaine, you'll come with me to check on the people and keep them safe from the fire. Kate and Crawford, I want both of you to man the base," Barlow ordered. Kate and Crawford looked shocked to hear that they're staying behind and I wouldn't blame them. They're both great rangers so why is Barlow telling them to stay behind?
"Wait, you want both of us to stay here, twiddling with our thumbs while there's a huge problem outside?! Barlow, we can help. We can handle ourselves! Why are you making us stay here and not help out?!" Crawford said while looking at Barlow with determination in his eyes.
"I want both you and Kate to stay because you two will be in greater danger if you go anywhere near the fire. Both of you are weak to fire so there is a higher chance that you two will be seriously hurt," Barlow explained. Kate then stepped forward and looked at Barlow with determination in her eyes.
"We both know that but we rather help people no matter the danger than sit around doing nothing. We're both rangers and it's our job to protect people and pokémon. Right now people's lives are in danger and it's our job to help them. Please let us help in any way we can!" Kate said looking at Barlow straight in the eye with a serious face. Barlow was silent for a few seconds before he let out a sigh.
"You Icecia kids sure are stubborn... Fine, you both can help out with the mission. Just be careful that the flames won't harm you and be careful. Alright people, LET'S MOVE!" Barlow ordered. We all head out to do our jobs to stop the fire. Luana, Crawford, Kate and I head for Vien Forest towards the blaze.
As we ran into the forest we all saw a little girl crying near the entrance with a Happiny next to her. Now that I think of it, that Happiny looked like it's from that family that owns the four Happiny back in Vientown.
"Hey, hey. It's okay. Everything's fine. What are you doing in such a dangerous place?" Luana soothed the girl. The girl just sniffled and looked at us with sadness and fear in her eyes. I wouldn't blame her; anyone would be scared if you're alone in a burning forest.
"I-I was l-looking for my Happiny. They all ran off into t-the forest a-a-and I only found one of them. T-Three of them ran d-deeper into the forest. T-The nice lady came and s-said she would help find them b-but she hasn't come back y-yet. I-I-I'm scared. W-W-What if the nice lady and my Happiny are in trouble?" the little girl explained before she started crying again. Luana tried to calm her down and Crawford then looked at Kate and I.
"Guys, we'll go look for the three Happiny while you both go get the pokémon to safety. From the looks of the fire, we would need a pokémon who knows a 'Rain Dance' move. There's a Blastoise on the west side of the forest, near the stream. Both of you be careful and we're all counting on you both," Crawford said. Kate and I both nodded and headed to the part of the forest where the blaze is. The deeper we went into the forest, the more serious the blaze was. Kate and I were doing a good job of getting the pokémon away from the blaze but I was too focused on the pokémon to notice that one of the burning trees was falling my way.
"KEITH, LOOK OUT!" Kate yelled as she shoved me away from her and she jumped the opposite direction. Luckily for both of us we didn't get hurt but now we're both separated from each other thanks to that burning tree. Jet was trying to put it out with his 'Water Gun' attack but the fire was too strong. Kate looked at me with courage over the burning tree.
"Keith, this isn't working. It looks like we'll have to be separated for a while. I'll go find the Blastoise while you and Jet get the pokémon out. Stay safe and I'll see you both soon," Kate said as she ran to the west side of the forest.
"Kate, wait! It's too dangerous! KAAAAAATE!" I shouted but before I knew it, Kate disappeared into the forest.
Kate's Pov
I was running towards to where the Blastoise was from Crawford's directions but there were loads of fires and fallen trees that were blocking my path so I had to take several detours. As I ran closer to where the Blastoise was, the less amount of fire there was. Good thing I told Fro to stay in town to help the citizens or else she would be in big trouble thanks to the fire. Even I was having a hard time because I'm an Ice type Mewman. It was harder to breathe, I felt my skin burning and my powers were literally evaporating into air from the heat but I had to keep going or else everyone would be in danger.
'You should just let those people and pokémon die. They're weak and worthless. If you really want to stop the 'Day of Darkness', which I doubt, then just save yourself. It won't be bad sacrificing a few weak souls,' said the voice in my head. I felt the same chill down my spine that I had on the day of my birthday. I knew that it was the shadow from my dreams talking to me.
"People and pokémon are not worthless or weak. I'll protect everyone and stop the 'Day of Darkness'. I'm not sacrificing anyone and there is nothing you can do to stop me," I growled at the voice in my head.
'Ahahahaha. Nothing I can do? We'll see about that...' the voice said before my Birthmark began to throb painfully. Suddenly all my most painful memories started to play over and over again in my head. The memory of some of my aunts and uncles were killed or taken away by Hunters. The memory of my twin brother, Luke, betraying me. The memory of when I thought I lost Rosie, Wes and the others forever and some memories that were buried deep into my mind.
"STOP IT! STOP IT! STOOOOOOPPPP!" I screamed in pain. I felt like my head was about to split open and it felt like my Birthmark was on fire. Then I felt something pricked my neck and the pain suddenly stopped. I felt myself growing sleepy but I used my remaining strength to pull at the thing that pricked my neck. I saw that it was a tranquilizer dart before everything went dark.
Keith's Pov
'DAMN IT, KATE! OF ALL THE STUPID THINGS YOU DID, RUNNING AROUND A BURNING FOREST BY YOURSELF IS ON TOP OF THE LIST!' I ranted in my head as I ran around the forest looking for Kate with Jet the Buizel close behind me. Jet and I got all the pokémon safely out of the forest but I grew worried since Kate should have found the Blastoise by now. I swear that girl would be the death of me someday because I'm worried sick. What if she's in trouble? What if she's trapped under a burning tree? What if she's hurt? I needed to find Kate fast! There's no way an Ice type would last this long in the heat, even if it's someone as strong as Kate!
When I reached to the west side of the forest I was shocked at what I saw. Kate was on the ground, unconscious. Crouching next to her was a girl wearing the familiar black combat boots, black jeans and black hooded trench coat with the hood covering her face. It was Noir; she must have gotten Kate unconscious. As slowly and quietly as I can, I reached for my finger-less glove on my right hand. I then pointed the palm of my right hand at Noir and prayed to Arceus that it would work.
"Ice Beam!" I shouted as a huge 'Ice Beam' attack came out of my Blessed mark. Turns out that Arceus wanted to play a cruel joke on me since I was blown back by the force of the move and the attack hit a tree behind Noir instead of the Hunter herself. I have GOT to learn how to control this thing!
"You call that an attack? I've seen a blind Combee aim better then you," Noir said as she stood in front of me with her Shock-Dagger pointing at me. I glared at the Hunter with hatred as I held still, trying not to have that electric dagger get close to my skin.
"I don't care what you do to me but don't you dare kill or hurt Kate, you monster!" I growled at Noir. The hooded girl just tilted her head to the side in confusion, like I was speaking some alien language. Then she looked like she finally understood what I was saying before baring her teeth at me.
"How dare you think that?! Are you blind or just plain stupid?! I'm not hurting her, you doofus! I'm helping her! Can't you tell the difference?!" Noir yelled as she pointed at Kate. From what I could see Kate was still unconscious but she had fresh bandages covering her cuts while there was some ice in a plastic bag over some of her burns. I was shocked to see this because I never expected a Hunter to help a Mewman, much less Noir helping Kate!
"Y-Y-You helped Kate? Why? I thought you hated Mewmans?" I asked while looking at Noir in shock. Noir put away her Shock-Dagger and helped me up from the ground. She walked back to Kate and checked her bandages.
"I maybe a Hunter but I would never hurt someone on my own free will, much less kill them. Also I don't hate Mewmans; I was kinda... dragged into the whole Hunter thing. I would have quit years ago but I have my own problems that are hard to deal with. Anyway just so you know, I put some Yache berry powder on your girlfriend's Birthmark so her Ice-type powers are sealed for a while. Just long enough for her to stand the heat as you put out the fire," Noir said as she threw one of her pokéballs in the air to release her Swellow. She got on it's back and petted it on the head. She is definitely the total opposite of when we first met. Maybe some alien has taken over her body and wants to mess with my head.
"One more thing..." Noir said as she tossed me a grey pokéball. She clicked her fingers and out came a Happiny. The pokéball instantly broke after the Happiny was released.
"Tell that little girl to take very good care of that Happiny, it nearly got turned into a roasted pokémon if I hadn't saved it. Also the next time we meet we'll be enemies again, so you better protect your girlfriend here. She's more special than you think," Noir said before she flew off on her Swellow. Then Kate woke up and tried to get up but would have fallen if I hadn't caught her in time.
"W-What happened?" Kate croaked as she held her head. I looked at Kate with worry and then looked at the forest fire. We better get that Blastoise fast. I picked up Kate so I would give her a piggyback ride and quickly captured the Happiny so it would come with us. The Happiny made a sound of joy and then walked beside me. Kate was shocked for a minute and then looked at me.
"You need to rest. We'll get that Blastoise and then we'll get back to the base to treat your wounds, okay?" I asked while smiling before running towards the stream. I found the Blastoise and Kate captured it easily in seconds, despite me telling her to rest. Barlow was right, Icecia kids are stubborn but I wouldn't imagine Kate any other way. As I ran back into the part of the forest that was on fire with the pokémon behind me, Kate poked my shoulder.
"Stop... we need to... stop..." Kate croaked as she kept poking my shoulder. I was confused but did what Kate asked.
"This is the place... Blastoise, use 'Rain Dance'..." Kate croaked again but loud enough for the Blastoise to hear. The Blastoise stepped forward and summoned a huge rain cloud that covered the whole forest. Then it started to rain putting out the fire. It's working! When the fire was completely out, the rain stopped and the Blastoise ran back to his spot.
"Guys, you did it!" I heard Luana yelling as she and Crawford ran to us with huge grins on their faces.
"Hey, are you guys alright? Did you find all the Happiny?" I asked as I helped Kate stand up.
"We only found two but it looks like you found the last one. Besides being soaked to the bone, we're fine. At least I still have my dripping good looks! HAHAHA!" Crawford joked while the rest of us cringed at the bad pun. Kate wasn't kidding when she said that Crawford has a horrible sense of humour.
"Now that the fire is out, all the pokémon would come pouring back into the forest. HAHAHA! When we get back to town, everyone would be showering us with praise!" Crawford kept joking. This is torture! Do I actually have to hear his bad rain puns and jokes all the way back to the Ranger Base?! Arceus help me!
"Uuuuuggggggghhhh..." groaned someone from one of the bushes. We all stopped and stared at the bush in confusion. Kate, Luana and I got ready to defend ourselves and then Crawford used his Grass type powers to move the bushes. What we saw was a tanned guy on the ground that was badly burned next to that red thingamajig we saw in Marine Cave. BLEEH! This guy's reeks of oil! The smell was so strong it could rival Kincaid's hairspray and that's saying something!
The guy was in a daze before he saw us. The moment he saw our uniforms he started to panic and tried to make a brake for it but Jet tackled him to the ground. Jet stood on the guys back and growled "Bad...Bad..." at the guy.
"Atta boy, Jet! Good job!" I praised while patted Jet on the head but the Buizel kept growling at the guy. Luana bent down to take a closer look at the guys burns.
"This is bad. His burns are pretty severe. He needs immediate medical attention at the base," Luana explained.
"Aaaaaaawwwwww! But I want to interrogate him! Barlow and I have been dying to do our 'good cop, bad cop' routine and use our investigation skills," groaned Crawford. We all stared at Crawford for a moment before Kate let out a sigh.
"Okay then. We'll bring the guy back to the base, give him medical attention and then you and Barlow can do your interrogation. Alright?" Kate said. Crawford shouted "YES!" before he grabbed the guy and literally dragged him to base as fast as he could. Good thing Jet jumped off the guy's back in time. Luana was running after Crawford, yelling "Be careful! The guy is injured!" the whole time. I turned back to Kate to see her crouching next to the red thingamajig with a frown on her face. She was putting one hand on her chest and the other was holding something black.
"Kate, is everything alright?" I asked with concern. Kate flinched and put the mysterious black item in her pocket. She turned around and smiled at me like all is right in the world.
"I'm fine, I just thought I saw something. Turns out it was a false alarm. Come on, we better head back before Crawford and Barlow scare the guy. Someone has to make sure that those two don't go overboard," Kate said as she jogged down the forest path to the base. Jet and I gave each other a look of confusion before looking back at Kate. She's been acting pretty weird ever since we found the first red thingamajig back at Marine Cave. Then Noir's words popped up in my head.
'So you better protect your girlfriend here. She's more special than you think,' What's that supposed to mean? Is Kate hiding something from me? Does it have to do with those red thingamajigs? Well whatever it is, I have a feeling that this is the calm before the storm.
IMN: Ba ba ba BAAAAAAA! That is the end of chapter 19!
Rhythmi: *Blushing ten shades of red* I can't believe that you wrote down that!
IMN: *Faking innocence* Wrote what?
Rhythmi: You know what I'm talking about!
Keith: You're just mad because we all caught you dreaming about Isaac. Someone's in loooooove!
Rhythmi: *Blushing a hundred shades of red* SHUT IT, KEITH!
Kate: *Sees KJ the Egg shaking a little bit* GUYS! I saw the egg move!
Keith: Really?! *Rushes over to see the egg shaking again* Oh my Arceus! I'M GOING TO BE A FATHER!
IMN: Looks like we'll have to wait for the next chapter for the egg to hatch. Anyway, to all my fellow reviewers I'll see you all next time and I look forward to see your reviews! Until next time, bye!