*Gasp! I wonder what's causing this fire... :3 XD Three reviews last chapter! :D Yay! Can we aim for four? Please? (let's all be overachievers. :P) Writing an outline for a research paper... So long... And boring... The outline's three pages and an extra line or two on the fourth page... X_X I had a volleyball tournament yesterday and I got second place! :D Much better than last in the previous tournament... But enough about me! Onwards! Towards adventure! (towards the next chapter!)*

Chapter 6

"Golduck, go stop those flames!"

"Feraligatr, use Hydro Pump!"

"Gyara, Poli, you guys help too!"

"Turtly, follow them!"

"Come on, Omasuke!"

In flashes of red, each Pokemon was released almost simultaneously from its Pokeball, not even pausing to catch their bearings. Not losing a second, they charged forwards, powerful ice-cold water shooting from their mouths like a steady horizontal waterfall, their attacks conjoining to form one solid beam of water, extinguishing any patch of fire unlucky enough to touch it.

The five trainers, Green, Silver, Red, Blue, and Yellow sprang immediately into action, running behind their racing Pokemon, continuously shouting orders, like "Over there too!" and "Save that boy!", as they dove into the inferno, intent on rescuing as many people as possible- including Gold. Crystal cursed herself for leaving her water-type Pokemon behind. All she could do was watch- after all, going after the quartet was dangerous. Even with their combined power, the fire still was strong, resparking where it had been previously put out, unwilling to be killed so easily. It was as if the flames had a life of their own.

Beside her, Sapphire was panicking, Walo and Reli still being at the bay in the ocean, leaving her incapable as well. She had to contribute somehow, but without water-type Pokemon... She looked next to her and found an answer.

"Ruby, let Mimi and Zuzu help! They're both water-types!" urged Sapphire, grabbing the two Pokeballs from his waist before he could respond and releasing them. "Zuzu, Mimi, use a combo water attack!"

Sapphire expected a wave of water to start crashing down, but the two Pokemon didn't move, looking instead to their master, who was frantically checking their moves in his Pokedex, fumbling with the buttons. "Give it a second… Let's see… What moves do you two have? Here's some good ones- Mimi, use Water Pulse! Zuzu, use Surf!"

The almost metallic looking ring of water burst from the Milotic's mouth, pulsating vibrantly as sunlight rippled through it, forming mini rainbows in its path. Zuzu's Surf attack refused to be outdone, the massive waves rising higher and higher as it approached the blazing festival tents, right behind the Water Pulse.

Then all of a sudden, the sun started blazing, scorching the land like a torch, evaporating most of the water before it was able to reach the flames, which conpletely revitalized, leaping higher and higher as their appetite grew stronger, the new life blown into them giving them unpredictable ferocity, the orange red flickers much like a powerful fire Pokemon, perhaps the legendary bird Moltres, fast, strong, and when in the mood, extremely aggressive.

"Someone must be using Sunny Day!" realized Emerald, wiping sweat off his forehead with one of his overly long sleeves. The heat was already getting to his head, and was forming mirages in the empty air. "We have to get the weather back to normal or there's no way we can put out the fire!" We'll all die!

"Weather..." muttered Ruby, remembering how Sapphire had done a quick run through of his Pokemon with him earlier. If he wasn't mistaken...

"This is Ruru, she's your Smart Contest Pokemon along with Popo here. Popo is a special Pokemon, it's changed the weather to save our lives a couple times. Of course, it can only affect a small area most of the time, but it's still really helpful. Even a patch of rain or sun can be extremely useful." The small gray Pokemon had been smiling, floating around in its Pokeball like a a stray snowflake. Ruby grabbed the Pokeball off his belt, noting with surprise that it had grown a fiery red crest around its head, giving it a completely different appearance. The Pokedex informed him in a mechanic voice that Castform changed appearance in the weather. He wondered how it'd look in the rain.

Sapphire looked over, seeing Ruby's surprise. "Let it out! Let it use Rain Dance! Otherwise, everyone here'll all be burnt ta crisps!"

In one swift, fluid movement, Ruby through the Pokeball through the air, skillfully having it land just feet before the quickly approaching flames. "Popo, use Rain Dance! Zuzu, Mimi, use Surf and Water Pulse again once it starts raining!"

Sapphire felt the first droplet on the tip of her nose and kicked it as it fell onto her lips. The water was sweet and cool, and as the rain gained power, steam fumed from all around, the fight between fire and water going strong, though the latter was gaining the advantage.

Popo looked as if she were struggling a little bit, continuously expanding the range of Rain Dance, much farther than she had managed before, and Sapphire wondered something. Where had the fire come from? A fire of such strength, and the Sunny Day attack, couldn't simply be an accident. There was someone behind this! There simply had to be! Which meant... Her intuition told her, Popo could be in danger!

"Rono, protect Popo!" she cried at once, releasing the ferocious Aggron as it leaped out of the Pokeball, hitting the ground with a loud, heavy thud. It quickly maneuvered through the mud to the now blue, orb-crested Pokemon, just in time to be knocked over by a flash of red and white. "Rono! Quick! Use Protect!"

A translucent green sphere wrapped around the steel-armored Pokemon and the Castform, deflecting what appeared to be soaring beams of blue and red and white. Emerald caught on fast, seeing their only hope being threatened, and followed by Crystal, they let out their Pokemon to now try and ward off the near-invisible attackers.

"Dusknoir! Be prepared to launch Shadow Ball immediately!" commanded Emerald, eyes searching through the rain for traces of the opponent. Why do I feel like I know who I'm fighting...? he wondered. This aura... feels familiar. It can't be! "Go, Mr. Mime!" The clown-like Pokemon jumped out, prepared for battle. Emerald saw the flash of red. "Use your new attack, Thunder Wave!"

There was a high-pitched squeak, and for a second, it was as if the world was paused, the rain droplets freezing in place, unmoving, the people and Pokemon around him deathly still. Latias froze, unable to fly, dropping to the ground, trying to free itself from the paralysis, but to no avail. It was already too late.

Latias, why? thought Emerald, turning his gaze back towards the sky where the lightning streak of blue still tenaciously raced. Then Latios must be here too!

"Mr. Mime, make sure Latias doesn't escape by fainting it with your Shadow Ball attack! Dusknoir, take down Latios!"

"Megaree, use Poison Powder!" Over his shoulder, he saw the Meganium release the specks of purple dust into the air, like a powdery spider web, catching its target just as efficiently. But Latios was a better battler than its companion.

Out of nowhere, for Latios was still moving too fast to see, a bright blue ball of pure energy, Luster Purge, was shot at Meganium, who just barely managed to nullify it with a well-timed Light Screen. The green Pokemon was obviously injured by the powerful attack though, and was barely standing. That was when the poison started to take its toll.

Emerald always imagined poison to be kind of like bee stings, just more severe, starting with one lone prick and multiplying as the seconds flew, eventually stopping the opponent Pokemon in its tracks as the toxin did its work. "Dusknoir, use Shadow Punch!" And the super effective move sealed the deal.

Latios cried out, a drawn-out screech as it too plummeted down to the earth beside Latias. The two Pokemon looked like angels fallen from the sky, battered and dirtied from the drop from heaven's gates.

Emerald walked up to the two prone figures, eyes shadowed over, the green completely unreadable. "Latias, Latios, why are you doing this? Are you two the ones behind the attack?"

"Rald, forgive us," said Latios, its voice strong in Emerald's mind, familiar as it was four years ago. "Pokemon must follow the commands of their masters. And this is what our master has ordered."

"What?" exclaimed Emerald, causing everyone to leap, managing to lower the volume as he continued. "Latios, you two were captured? How? By who?"

"He goes by no name that I know... But he aims for..." The Pokemon's head flopped to one side, the poison finally fainting Latios. Emerald spoke not a word.

"Ruby! Da fire's clearin' up!" cheered Sapphire as Mimi and Zuzu beat back the flames as their intensified water moves quelled the tongues of fire in seconds. "Great job!"

"I'll stay out here and keep Popo, Latias, and Latios protected while you three go in and find everyone else," said Crystal, spraying a Hyper Potion onto her severely damaged Megaree.

"Crystal, I'll stay," offered Emerald, taking her place kindly, grabbing the potion and rubbing it all over the Meganium's injuries. "You want to find Gold, don't you? You'd be too worried sitting out here alone. I can try and communicate with Latias- she didn't take as much damage as Latios I think."

"But Emerald-"

"No buts! It's settled. Sapphire, Ruby, take her with you two, would you?" he asked, rubbing Latias's head, trying to wake it up.

Sapphire nodded, her glare to the older girl saying 'You either run by yourself or get dragged by me.' Crystal chose the former option, starting to job away towards the still burning fairground.

Sapphire grabbed Ruby's hand, and started pulling him, frantic "Come on, Ruby! Ruby?" called Sapphire, tone fading into a mix of horror and surprise.

Ruby had fallen to his knees, clutching his head in pain. He looked as if he were panting, eyes closed as his fingers dug into his scalp. "Help..." he whispered, unable to speak any louder. "It's so cold... And it hurts so much!"

"Crystal, go on without us!" Sapphire ran over to Ruby, who opened his left eye a slit to see her, the red dull and hazy. Sapphire placed her hand on his forehead, feeling the heat emanating, like a furnace, from his wet skin.

A fever now! she thought, frantically going through her bag for the pain medication. This is bad! In this rain, it's only going to get worse, but we have to make sure it keeps raining until we're sure the fire's gone for good! And even if I use Toro to keep him warm, the fire'll be put out immediately!

"Emerald, do we have an umbrella?" she demanded, shielding as much as Ruby as possible with her body, though the rain still poured through to meet him. "Ruby has a fever!"

"A fever? How?"

"His immine system or somethin' is weak! The doc said so! Da sudden temperature change probably caused it! But just answer my question!"

"We don't have an umbrella! Crystal just planned to run under a tent if it rained, and the forecast said clear weather! Do you have any Pokemon that can keep the rain from him?" Emerald came over, keeping one eye peeled on the Pokemon he was guarding. "How about that one? You can use the leaves!"

"Pilo, cover Ruby with your leaves!" The Tropius draped its leafy wings over the now unconcious teen, making them entirely rain proof, creating a dry space beneath. "Toro, help warm him up!"

"So you three managed to take down Latias and Latios... It doesn't matter; they were the weakest of my Pokemon anyways." A cloaked figure walked up to them, a smirk visible behind the shroud. "So much for being legendary. My Gengar is more powerful than both combined." The dark purple ghost Pokemon stepped out from behind the man, red eyes glinting with malice.

"Are you the one who's doing this?" asked Emerald, eyes glinting ferociously, looking like a cornered cat, small but violent. "Why did you make Latias and Latios do this?"

"Pokedex holder, Emerald. Orphan, previously befriended the legendary Psychic Pokemon, Latias and Latios, am I correct? I've done my research on all of you troublemakers. You might have stopped all of those idiots before me, but I'm ready to take on the ten of you." His voice was filled with arrogance, honey sweet, and Emerald could see dark, swirling silver eyes. "I want to take over this world, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, everything. And I've already captured all the Pokemon I need."

"Take over the world?" screamed Emerald, seething with anger. "Are you crazy? And you're going to do evil things like this?"

"This was to announce my presence, and to test out my control over two- how do I put this?- feisty Pokemon. They don't obey orders as much as I'd like them to, but I'm sure that can be easily resolved." He turned towards Ruby and Sapphire; the latter growled protectively as he stepped towards them.

"I'll defeat you here and now!" she declared, sending out Rono, keeping Toro and Pilo by her side to keep Ruby guarded. "Rono, Double-Edge!"

The attack passed right through Gengar, which cackled an eerie, chilling laugh, turning and firing a orange ball of energy at the skidding Aggron, which was still trying to stop after its charging tackle. "Gengar, Focus Blast!"

"Dusknoir, take the hit!" commanded Emerald, joining the battle, the ghost Pokemon easily absorbing the attack. "Like hell I'm going to let you win!"

"2 vs. 1 isn't truly fair you know," snickered their opponent, who was tossing a Pokeball up and down. "I'll release another one of my allies to even it out. My other partner, Salamence!"

The turquoise dragon immediately entered a wrestling match with the surprised Rono, paws, claws, and vicious bites being passed between the two as they brawled. Gengar now charged a purple ball in its hands, allowing it to grow until it was large enough to engulf Dusknoir's entire body, launching it at the other ghost-type, knocking it out in one swift go.

"Dusknoir!" exclaimed Emerald, grimacing. "It's not over yet, go, Sceptile! Use Leaf Blade to defeat Gengar!"

"You should know better, Emerald. Aren't you the Pokemon strategist? Or have you forgotten Gengar's other type? Gengar learns no powerful poison-type moves by level-up, but with a single technical machine, it gains an immensely powerful attack! Sludge Bomb!"

"Of course I knew!" snickered Emerald, feeling the sheer adrenaline of battle rush through his veins. He hadn't been lying when he said he liked the Pokemon, but he had been when he said he disliked battling. "But my Sceptile is fast, and can avoid it!" Proving itself worthy of its master's trust, the Sceptile skillfully evaded each blob of purple sludge, twirling this way and that way as it finally made its way directly to the target. "Now, Sceptile! Use continuous endless Leaf Blade!"

The Gengar tried to evade the slashing claws, but they came too fast and strong for it to retaliate. Sceptile was too close for it to attack, and too powerful for it to defend itself.

"How do you like that?" challenged Emerald, looking at the now silent man. "Too much?"

"Say, have you forgotten something?" As if on cue, Rono's battered body crashed down from the sky, barely missing Sceptile, and giving Gengar the chance it needed to escape. "This happens to be a Double Battle!"

"Sceptile, move out of the way!" cried Emerald frantically as the Salamence moved in for the final blow. It would only take one hit from the mighty dragon to take out his beloved grass-type starter. "Quick, Sceptile!"

"Too late! It's a combo attack from my two Pokemon! Gengar uses Psychic to hold Sceptile in place, while Salamence-" The man snapped his fingers, and the Salamence let out a mighty roar as it bore down from the sky, claws outstretched. "Uses Fly!"

There wasn't even time for Sceptile to turn around before the Salamence clawed it on its downward descent, quickly taking care of the grass-type.

"Sceptile!" Emerald wanted to run over to his fainted Pokemon, but with this man's obvious strength, such a decision could be life-threatening.

"Pity it's raining. I would have burnt your Sceptile to a crisp with a Fire Blast, but the power would have decreased too much for that." He smiled as Emerald reached for another Pokemon, Sapphire reaching for one of Ruby's. "I'll have you know it's pointless to battle. These are not my strongest, though they are my favorite and most loyal. I won't stop you if you wish to continue though."

Was he bluffing? Emerald looked at his fainted Sceptile, towards his knocked out Dusknoir and injured Mr. Mime. Or was it really all that hopeless? Would his other Pokemon suffer the same fate?

"What do you want from us?" he asked, sounding defeated. Sapphire let out a sound of protest, but was cut off by another moan of pain from Ruby, who was completely oblivious to the battle around them.

"My Pokemon require a medium to fully control them. My capture of the two makes it so I can give them basic commands, but to be able to have them battle to the same extent as my Salamence and Gengar- well, I need someone who has controlled them before. And in front of me is someone who has controlled both. Who unknowingly still holds the power in his hands." He turned his silver gaze to Ruby. "I want the boy."

"No." Emerald's reply was curt, brusque, and completely unmovable. "I will not turn one of my friends over to you."

"I promise you he would be returned mostly unharmed. And I'd allow you Pokedex owners to rule as lords under my reign in the future instead of ridding of you." Emerald didn't even waver at the bribe.

"Mostly unharmed?" he snarled. "Let us rule as lords? Fat chance. You'd kill him and us at the first chance you got."

"Very well, I gave you a choice." Sapphire tensed, holding Ruby tight to her body, as if holding him close would keep him from being stolen away. "Remember that in the future. Salamence?"

The dragon reared, eyes glittering with evil. It looked like... That Salamence that had attacked her so many years ago.

Red flashed in Sapphire's mind, and Ruby stirred as she clutched him too tight, staring at the dragon with unmatched fear, only half-awake. "It's here again..." he murmured, eyes closing. "I'm not strong enough to fight it off again..."

He remembers too... she thought, heart-pounding. This overwhelming fear, this helplessness...

"Back to the base," commanded the man, jumping on its back and flying away, the Gengar joining him for the flight. "You will regret your choice one day," he said, voice just loud enough for them to hear, returning Latias and Latios to their Pokeballs in one quick fluid motion.

But Sapphire would never regret refusing to hand over the boy she loved. And Emerald would never regret refusing to hand over one of his best friends.

*Who is this mysterious person? Any guesses? (it's not going to help. It's an OC I made up. :P) Why does he want Ruby? (that you can guess. Though it's probably not obvious at all...) 'kay, review reply time! :D

paintersmurffan12: Thanks! :D I tried my best. I was sitting there thinking... Hm... Blue... I know! She loves to annoy the heck out of everyone (and I can imagine her being a hyperactive older sister who cuddles her 'lil siblings all the time...). I did one of those random spurts of inspiration for everyone. XD (it was hard trying to give each of them some screen time...) Glad you liked it!

Autumnbreeze-49: Yes, Blue. LOL. :3 Another LOL since this is the second time I've been complimented on mah grammar. :3 XD I don't think it's all that special... (It's harder to mess up in my opinion. Unless I'm saying 'So I herdz you liekz Mudkipz.' :3) Thanks for the review!

Kimiko Heroux: And Ruby's my favorite Dex Holder! :D As for shippings... FranticShipping, obviously. (because that's my OTP) Probably SpecialShipping, ChosenShipping (because I don't understand OldrivalShipping whatsoever), and maybe MangaquestShipping. However, I'm not really focusing on shippings much at all. -.-' Other than FranticShipping. Hope you're okay with that... Thanks for the review! :D

I was on ~yassui's Livestream today... :3 If you guys don't know who she is, check her out. Most amazing PokeSpe fanart ever... Anyways, back on track! Please leave me a review and let me know you read this! ;D Feel free to ask me questions! See you all again next week!*