Chapter 14

Reunion

Even with a late-night bus, it took until the early morning hours for her to reach Veridian City. But once she got there, it was only a few miles to the edge of her former home. She took the time to relish the feel of being free in the woods. Here, with the smells of the plants and the calm calls of the shaiyas, was the most peaceful spot on the planet she'd ever known.

When she caught the first scent of her destination, she changed into her true Eevee form. Humans near the village had caused problems before. She wouldn't want that to happen on her account.

The one she was hoping to find would probably be in the East Woods, so she headed in that direction, leaving her clothes behind.

Just when she thought she was getting close, she heard a shrill cry. A moment of panic went through her spine. It was a pained cry, that she knew. But that would mean danger could be close by. Despite that, she went towards the cry.

As she got closer, whimpers and grunts of pain grew in strength. She almost passed the shaiya completely. The Monferno was writhing in the grass. Its chest had a long gash from the left shoulder down to the belly. It spotted her. "Please, help me!" he begged through clenched teeth.

She stepped over to him, strangely unsure of what to do. She started to reach a paw out over his chest when a greenish light spread down her arm. It surprised her, but she recognized it and remembered. She dropped her paw closer, holding just over his chest. The light fell from her hand and washed over his body; the large cut slowly stitched back together, leaving a streak of blood through his fur but no scar. His breath became stronger and his muscles relaxed. When the wound was completely healed, the light faded.

She stepped back as he sat up, feeling a hand over his chest. "Wow. How'd you do that?"

She couldn't come up with a good response, so she just shrugged. "It's just my thing, I guess."

"Rone?" An Infernape came through the trees, a large collection of Infernape and Monferno in tow.

Sam's eyes lit up when she saw the leader. "Ella."

The older shaiya seemed quite surprised. "Sam? What are you doing here?"

The response wasn't exactly what she'd expected, and she stalled for a second. "I came to talk with you."

Ella pointed back deeper into the woods. "Wait at my tree. I have to help Rone, and then we can talk." She jumped past Sam and over to the other Monferno that she just helped. The others quickly pressed in, forcing Sam away.

She turned and walked off with a reluctant sigh.

Most of the space in the East Woods was a light forest with thick trees and very little ground cover. What patches of ground cover there were were most often used as berry groves.

Her memories of the place quickly came back as she entered the main portion of the East Woods. She had only been here twice. But she remembered where Feuer had lived. Hopefully his mother hadn't moved since they'd gone away.

It was a little trickier then she thought it would be, but she found the correct one. The trees here sported thick branches down the entire trunk, so it wasn't terribly difficult for her to jump her way up the tree. Several young Chimchar watched her as she climbed. Most Eevees, herself included, had a small fear of heights, so she was thankful when she finally reached the large hole into the tree's center.

Ella had somehow managed to beat her there and was waiting inside. "Sam. I'm sorry if I sounded harsh out there. It's so good to see you." She leaned down and gave Sam a hug, which was readily returned.

"It's good to see you too."

They went further in, sitting on beds of thick grass. "So what brings you here?"

Now that she was here, the words she had been rehearsing suddenly left her. "I need some advice."

Ella nodded. "About Luca, right?"

Sam was thrown by the question. "You know?"

The older woman smiled. "I've been keeping an eye on you. Just to make sure you weren't in any real trouble. It seems you've been doing very well."

"Thank you. So…I guess you already know what I'm going to ask then."

Again she nodded. "Luca is a good man. He loves you. I know you loved Feuer, but it's been nearly three moons since he passed on. There is no shame to feeling the need for another mate."

"But Feuer's not dead." Ella paused at the statement, searching her quizzically. "You don't know?"

"No. Come here." Ella stepped next to Sam and knelt to her knees, placing her open hands to either side of Sam's head. With a deep breath, the Shaiya closed her eyes and focused.

Sam sat for a few awkward seconds. If something was happening, she couldn't feel it.

And then Ella pulled her hands away. A tear suddenly appeared in her eye.

"He's there?"

"Yes." Ella stepped back, sitting again on the grass. "I can see your predicament. Though really, the question remains as to whether Feuer is still 'alive'."

Sam stepped forward into the space between them. "Is there a way you can let me talk with him? I think we can work this out together."

"I can do that." Ella's hands came back up to Sam's head.

This time she could feel something, a pull on her thoughts. She let it take her away. Ella and the tree around her faded into blackness. In its place, someone else appeared, starting as a vague cloud of color and then condensing into a body. She recognized the Chimchar instantly.

"Feuer."

She sprinted towards him and he ran towards her. Her body lengthened as she did. He grew to match. They were both fully human when they threw themselves at each other. Her arms wrapped around him, pulling his body close against her. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you, Feuer."

"I'm glad to see you too." He leaned down and kissed her hair, returning her affection.

For several minutes, she just held him. Just feeling him again made her forget everything that had happened. They were together; everything was right.

"Sam, we have to face this eventually."

"No. Please, just hold me."

He gently pulled her head up and kissed her. "I love you, Sam. But you can't just ignore reality."

"No, Feuer." She started to feel tears. "I can't let you go."

"Don't do this, Sam," he pleaded. "I love you, but I can't give you the love you deserve. Luca can. And you love him. Don't hurt yourself on my account. I will not love you any less for it."

She couldn't reply, because here, deep within her own mind, she couldn't deny what he said. It was completely true.

"I must go." He kissed her forehead and looked over her again. "You have grown so much. You'll be ready soon."

"Ready for what?"

"When you're ready, you'll know."

His body began to fade, and she watched it go, strangely content, despite knowing that he was leaving. Mew appeared in the space in his place. "Guardian of the earth, listen well."

"Mew? What are you doing here?"

"Eldryn is preparing to make his move against the earth. You must stop him."

"But we stopped him already. He died in the gas. Didn't he?"

Mew shook her head. "Eldryn did not die with Roth. He retreated to the Void between the dimensions. Even now he is preparing to return to our world."

"Ok. So we'll find him and stop him again."

Mew paused for a moment. "It may be harder for you this time. For Eldryn to succeed, he must have a body that can touch all living things."

At first, Sam wasn't able to make the connection. But then an image flashed through her mind. Her muscles went slack. "No."

"Go fast. It may already be too late."

The world reappeared. Ella stepped back. Sam's body instantly went taught. "How long was I out?"

"About four seconds."

"I have to go!" She tore for the entrance and began her descent. Any fear she would have had was gone as she shot down the improvised steps. Only one thought filled her mind.

"I have to save him!"