The Eighth chapter is here. I've noticed that this fanfic seems to be gaining a small fan base of readers, and I have had positive reviews. I thank you all for your support, it's you lot that give me a reason to keep going. Anyway, a few people may have been confused in the last chapter, as it was pretty confusing. All shall be revealed in this chapter, and we take a break from the drama. As a side note I apologize for the very slow update, but now I am back and aim to build up a stockpile and release a chapter every two weeks or so.

The Legend of Blaze – Chapter Eight – Adaptation

I awoke under the morning sun, still on the roof of the centre. I had a good feeling about the day, the sky was clear and I felt refreshed. I lay there for a few moments before getting up and making my way down the centre wall and in through the front doors. I saw John, Bulb and an Espeon all in the seating area, with no sign of Terry or any of his Pokémon. The Espeon ran forward and tackled me down in hugs.

"What the?" I stammered from underneath the pink feline.

"Oh yeah..." laughed the Pokémon as it took a step back.

"it's me, Siria! I evolved during that battle with Terry, and was able to defeat him. We then caught his Gengar torturing you in your dreams, so I used my new powers to save you and then defeat Gengar. Terry then retreated like the coward he is."

I stood in awe. I was so glad that nightmare was not real. Bulb then trotted over.

"Thanks for your help back there, Blaze. I know it was hard for you to overcome such a fear."

I smiled at him and sat down in relief.

"Okay guys, today we are going to do some light training for the gym battle. It's a rock gym, so we are going to head out to route 3. I've organised to battle him in two days time." Announced John.

Great, a rock gym. I didn't even know any attacks that could counter rock Pokémon. I was going to get beaten to a pulp out there unless I was very lucky. When we set out on the short walk out of the city and onto route 3, I walked alongside Bulb and expressed my concerns.

"Bulb, I'm not going to stand a chance out there."

He looked at me and grinned.

"I think John has a few tricks you can learn." He laughed.

As we got about halfway down route 3, we came to an open area with a few rocks dotted about. John then laid down his training plans.

"Don't worry guys; this training will only be light. After what happened with terry, I don't want to push you too hard."

The training started with building up our evasion. John took his position and began to throw light stones in our direction, and we had to dodge them.

"This is harder than I expected…" I thought as I rolled to avoid a rock, sweat dripping from my snout.

Just when I thought I was going to collapse, the chaotic storm of rocks around me stopped. I sat down to catch my breath, and Bulb plonked down next to me.

"That was intense…" he gasped.

"Did you get hit by any?" I asked the gasping green Pokémon.

"Only a few scrapes, you?"

"I think I did quite well. I had a few close shaves but not to bad."

Siria then trotted over to us, not even worn out.

"How are you not on the floor gasping for oxygen?" I asked her.

"I don't know, I just found the dodging really easy. I'm tired but you two are milking it a little, don't you think?"

"It's okay for you and your agile body. Have you seen me? I have a massive bulb to haul around!"

Bulb had a point. It was a lot easier for Siria to weave around those rocky projectiles. We were quite stumpy compared to her. Just then John spoke up.

"Okay, brake over! Time to work on offensive skills."

The idea this time round was to attack the rocks that were spotted about the area, as this would get us used to fighting the tough hides of the rock Pokémon. I started on my rock, bashing into it with crush claw. But with crush claw being a normal type move, it was doing nothing. I knew fire would not help ether, but it was worth a try. I stood back, and inhaled. My flamethrower shot though the air and impacted the rock. I kept it up until my lungs were screaming for air, and then I just had to let up. I stood there for a few moments, catching my breath. I then looked up at the rock. It was blackened, but unharmed. I slumped to the floor and thought of a way I could do this. Then John came over.

"If none of your old moves work, try something new." He said.

I sat and wondered what he meant. I then looked over at another Pokémon trainer with his Pokémon. He was trying to teach it dig. Then I had a realisation. I could try and learn dig! I had spent a few years of my early life digging burrows to live in, so it shouldn't be a challenge. I took a step back and took a few moments to get ready. Then I plunged my claws into the dirt and began to shovel it out of the way. It was working, but I had to get it up to speed. I dug faster and then burst out of the ground and into the rock. There was a crack in it now. I grinned to myself and tried again. I got it a lot faster this time and the rock chipped away. I kept working on it, and after an hour the rock was taking considerable damage. Then John called us in. training was over for the day.

On the walk back to the city, I walked alongside Bulb. Siria had decided to go into her Pokeball until we go back.

"If that was light training, what is tomorrow going to be like?" I asked Bulb.

"It's not as hard as you might think, the training is just longer. The intensity is about the same, but the length makes it feel like a marathon." Explained my green friend. When we got back to the centre was has some dinner and lounged about for a while. Then a screen on the wall flickered to life and a man began talking on it.

"In latest news, Hoenn's Rustboro City is being held in a stranglehold by criminal organisations Team Aqua and Magma. The teams appear to have joined forces to take over the city. An odd sighting at the scene is an apparent union between the two Hoenn teams and Kanto's Team Rocket. Rockets have been spotted around the scene working with the other criminals, using there Pokémon to keep trainers and police officers at bay. No clear ringleader has emerged as of yet. So far no civilians have been injured, but the gym leader Roxanne has been working with the police officers and strong trainers to keep the city's most import areas protected."

I sat back and wondered about what Hannah had said. She had gone one about uniting the teams of the Pokémon nation. I had a very strong feeling she was the ringleader. Siria came over and sat next to me.

"Yeah, me too."

I looked in shock.

"How did you know?"

"Oops, sorry. I'm still learning to control my psychic powers."

"Stay out of my head! It's creepy."

"Sorry Blaze…" she murmured.

"I suppose I could let you off." I laughed.

The rest of the day we waited for more news on the situation, but none came. I decided to call it a day a lay down on one of the seating area beanbags. As I lay there, it hit me how tiring the day had been, and so I closed my eyes and I slept in an instant.