I must have been out of my mind returning to a burning building just to save someone who's helped me out. But then again, I've been helped out a lot since my home had been invaded. People I've known, people I've met, they all have been putting their lives on the line just for me. And to be honest, I was beginning to get sick and tired of always being helped. It was like I was only in the way, like I was the reason everything was happening to everyone. I actually wanted to do something useful for once, even though it might mean losing my life. Would it have been better with me gone? I wasn't sure. But now wasn't the time to think about that. I had a rescue mission to do. Was I scared? No. Terrified? Yes.

Nevertheless, I ran for the tower, keeping an eye on the smoke, making sure it didn't stop. As long as there was black smoke, there was still a chance to rescue Tess. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, my heart racing as I eventually arrived back at the tower.

By the time I did, big, bright red metal boxes were gathered in front of the tower. Humans in yellow were busy trying to put the fire out with water coming from weird rubber hoses. Now that I was on the outside of the tower, I could see the fire more clearly than I could from the outside. The entire tower was like one big tree that caught on fire. Try as hard as the human wanted, the fire seemed to grow more intense with every second.

Watching the fire grow brought back painful memories of my home forest being burned. This tower I stood before was home to many, just as much as the forest was home to me. Tess and Rat, this was their home. And in just one day, it was already being burned down. And by none other than Team Rocket, the group of evil people who were the same ones to burn down my home.

I could feel something bubbling up inside me then, something that wanted to come out, that wanted to break free. I've felt this feeling before, ever since the incident in my forest home. I've always tried wondering what this feeling was, but nothing came to mind.

I snapped my focus back to the burning building before me. I knew what I had to do, but I wasn't exactly sure if I could do it. I've gotten this far, but how much further could I have gone? I mean, I wanted to help, but I was afraid of what would happen to me if I did.

Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred. I looked up to what I think was the third floor to see fire spewing out from a window. It looked like an explosion happened. I looked down to see one of the humans in yellow rushing toward me. I hid behind the wheel of the metal box I stood beside, unsure of what to do. Fortunately the guy never came. I blinked wondering why. Curious as I was, I poked my head around the tire to see the man in yellow talking into some odd black thing attached to some weird wire that went all the way into the metal box.

"Hello!" he practically shouted. "Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," and unknown voice said. It appeared to be coming from the black thing the human was holding. "What's the situation?"

"The building is highly unstable," the human said. "It may collapse. I suggest we order an evacuation of the surrounding area."

There was silence from the other end for several seconds before the voice spoke again. "That would be a negative," the voice said. "We have a waterfilled helicopter coming your way in about twenty minutes. Hold on until then."

"Will do," the human said as another human ran up to him.

"Sir!" he said with a salute. "We just got a report that there are still some people in the building."

"What?!" the first human said. "How many?"

"According to Kirlia, three," the second human said. Three? I knew it. I just knew that there would be someone in the burning tower still. And I knew Tess was one of them. I gripped the wheel hard, struggling with the decision- ah the heck with it. The longer I stayed here, the closer Tess was of burning.

Jumping out from behind the tire, I shot off for the tower, passing by a few metal boxes and humans. Some must have spotted me, for I heard them yell, "Stop that Cyndaquil!" It was already too late for me to stop and look around for who said that. I was already on the move for the tower, barely dodging other humans as they tried catching me.

They eventually gave up chasing me, probably due to me getting in range of the tower. I continued my run, heart racing like crazy as I leapt into the building, landing on the floor inside. Instantly the heat returned, and fear began building up inside me. "Keep calm," I thought to myself. "All I have to do is find Tess and get out of here." "Tess!" I cried out, trying hard not to tear up. "Tess! Where are you?"

I coughed as I looked around. The smoke was getting thick. And it was entering my lungs. I had to find Tess soon before I collapsed. As it were, I could see something up ahead walking toward me. I squinted, trying to make out the form. "Tess?" I called out again as the being got closer.

It was then I saw that it wasn't Tess, but the black pup I met up on the fourth floor. And upon his back was the gray dog that had been knocked unconscious. The black pup hobbled his way out toward the exit, a blank look upon his face. I watched silently as they passed. He didn't even stop once to acknowledge my presence as he walked on out.

That was good. Now I didn't have to worry about going after them, which only left me with searching for Tess. I continued looking around, hoping to find where Tess was before the building collapsed, or this water filled heli-something came and drowned out the building. "Tess!" I cried out again over the roaring flames.

I strained to listen for anything. A cough, a weak cry for help. Anything. I could feel sweat starting to drip down me. Whether it was from the fire or due to me being scared I wasn't sure. Suddenly, I heard what sounded like a shift of things, followed by a moan. I looked over to my right and further nearer the wall was a piece of the ceiling. And underneath it was none other than Tess.

"Tess!" I cried out, rushing over to her, the heat sapping my strength. "Tess! Please be O.K. Don't die, Tess. Please don't die!"

"Quil?" I heard her ask weakly as she gave out a weak cough. "What are you doing here? Take the Silph Scope to Saffron."

"It's O.K.," I said. "Rat's taking care of that. I've got to get you out of here."

"Don't be stupid," she mumbled. "Leave me."

"I'm not leaving you Tess," I said, grabbing a hold of the ceiling that fell on her and was burning her alive. Bad idea. My paws burned slightly at its touch, causing me to scream out in pain and let go. I tucked my paws into my body, trying to rid the pain, but I knew now that the pain was going to be there. So I just had to go for it for Tess's sake.

Screaming, I grabbed a hold of the piece of ceiling again and began lifting it enough for Tess to get free. My paws were burning badly. I wanted nothing more than to let go, but I had to be sure Tess got out first. I gritted my teeth, trying to ignore the pain. I had hoped Tess knew what I was trying to do, and it seemed to have gotten to her, for she levitated a little off the ground.

However, as she was moving out from under the ceiling, I managed to look up and, through tearfilled eyes, watch as something large came falling down right at the spot I stood at. I couldn't do anything being that I was holding something at the moment. Just as it came crashing down on me, a green dome suddenly formed over Tess and I. The object crashed down upon the dome and bounced off, landing some feet away from us.

"Heard you, um, rushed in here," a familiar voice said. "So I, um, came to make sure you didn't get, um, hurt or anything."

I turned my head toward the speaker of the voice to see a familiar yellow-ringed creature standing behind me. "Um!" I said in happiness.

"Got to, um, admit," Um said, grinning. "I would have never expected you to be the one to do, um, something so daring such as, um, this."

"Yeah," I said, finally letting go as Tess fell to the ground again. Um dropped his green dome and walked over to Tess, picking her up in his teeth.

"We might want to consider, um, getting out of here," he said. "Unless you feel like being buried alive when this place comes down."

"No thanks," I said, leaning aganist Um for support as we both walked out of the burning building and into the awaiting arms of the humans.