First of all I wanted to apologize for the lack of updates (again.) Between school and personal reasons I just wasn't able to update. Rising from the Ashes is still my #1 priority on this account, but I am almost done with that story. Once I am finished this will become my main story.

Note: "Dialogue written like this," Is human speech and Pokemon sounds.

'Dialogue written like this,' Is Pokemon speech, only Pokemon can understand this. Humans just hear Pokemon sounds.

This is telepathy/thoughts, Only the person thinking or who the telepathy is directed at can understand this.

Day Five

Kindle opened one eye, something was off.

She yawned, stretching, then hopped off of Ash. The small clearing they were camped in was quiet. Mufasa's camp fire was long gone, so the small Fennekin could only use the light of the full moon to see. She blinked, glancing around cautiously. She wasn't quite sure what woke her up in the middle of the night, well, it was probably early morning now, but she knew something was wrong.

Anne was curled up next to Mufasa, both sound asleep. The rabbit had been terrified of the lion before, but now that she new that the Litleo meant no harm, the two were best of friends. Kindle had never had that sort of bond before with anyone. Bonds weren't formed like that back at the lab, she was only trained to fight and to listen to her future trainer there.

She was one of the few female starter Pokemon that had made it into the training program, most females were kept for breeding stock. But she had a personality of a battler, so she had gone into fighting stock. That was something that was both amazing and terrifying.

A chance to see the world, a chance to not spend her life in a room only to lay eggs.

A chance to die.

As much as she tried to hide it, even though she had been raised knowing that fights to the death was common, that it was the culture, the idea of dying still terrified her. She knew how to fight, she knew how to kill. She was a killer, that's what her life was for. If she wanted to live, she had to kill.

But she could still die even then.

Kindle sighed, sitting down next to Midnight. The small Skitty sent chills through her, and a deep desire to protect the kit overtook her. Usually she viewed all Pokemon as potential threats, or allies for battle, but this little Pokemon was new. She needed to protect her at all costs. Perhaps this feeling was simply a motherly instinct she had never gotten to feel before, but... She shook her head, shaking.

She also felt bad, this Pokemon had been born into a cruel world.

Kinde thought back on Ash's words, how he came from a world were Pokemon still battled, but no one died. A world where Pokemon weren't mindless tools for battle. The small Fennekin thought of the idea with longing, that's where she wanted to live. A world where she could be seen as smart, a world where she could have the thrill of battle without the blood. Because even though Kindle knew she killed, she couldn't deny that she loved the heat of battle.

She would help Ash return to his world, she would help him get out of this horrible one.

And maybe she could go with him.

'So,' An angry voice snarled, 'Are you going to kill that hatchling as well?'

Kindle jumped, looking around. Chester the Panpour glared down at her from the trees, wide awake. Blood thirst lined his gaze as he watched Kindle. The Fennekin pranced nervously, looking down at the Skitty.

'What do you want?' She growled back, baring her fangs at the Panpour. She should have killed him back in the forest, 'Are you going to kill me now? Because I will fight you!'

He swung his tail tauntingly, 'With the little hatchling right there? No. But yes, I will kill you as soon as I can. I must admit our trainer is quite stupid, he's under the impression that I hate him. While I do dislike him, it's nothing personal. He's a human, it can't be helped. Though he did save my life,' The Panpour paused, 'Perhaps that would have meant something if I actually wanted to live.'

Kindle inched towards Ash protectively, 'Is that why you agreed to the gym battle?'

Chester snorted, 'I'm in no rush to die, little vixen. I just have no desire to live. I'm just going to hang around until the right moment, then I'm going to kill you.'

'And why are you telling me all this?' Kindle growled.

Chester pulled back his lips, revealing his teeth, 'Because I want you to know that I plan on killing you! I want you to know that as I tear the life out of you the reason why!' The Panpour's fur rose up as a bitter sadness and anger seized him, 'I want you to remember the looks they had on their faces as you killed my mate and hatchlings!'

Kindle couldn't stop herself from flinching.

'Oh, is it painful to remember?' Chester hissed, 'Well you don't know how painful it was for me to watch as you tore out their throats! You don't know how painful it was for that Chespin come between me and my family as you attacked my nest! Maybe we have no choice but to fight as we're pitted into death matches by the humans- But you had every choice to pass over my nest!'

Kindle closed her eyes, paws rising as she tried to cover her ears. She didn't want to remember. She didn't want to remember!

It had been before she had met Ash- When Tierno and Trevor were taking her and the other two starter Pokemon to meet their new trainers in Aquacorde Town. They had to past through Santalune Forest, and the humans had been attacked.

Kindle didn't know if Tierno and Trevor had provoked them, or if the wilds were just protecting the nesting grounds, but the Pokemon were fierce. She had been sent out into battle with the other starters when the boys' Corphish and Flabebe couldn't hold off the wild Pokemon any longer. Kindle had taken the offensive with the bug types, keeping them at bay while Jet had handled the other Pokemon. Chesa had stayed near the humans, defending them.

Kindle had no desire to kill the wild Pokemon, she just needed to protect the humans. She had been just chasing off a group of Weedle when she had ran into the nest on accident. The nest was well hidden and Kindle would have never found it otherwise, even if she had been looking. The small egg shells littering the ground had cracked under her feet as she stopped in surprise.

The female Pikachu hadn't look that strong, but her cheeks had been sparking, ready to defend herself and the two Pichu standing behind her. Kindle didn't even think of hurting them, the thought had never crossed her mind. The Fennekin had just planned on backing away and continue protecting Tierno and Trevor.

Then she had snapped.

Kindle remembered the way the rage had washed over her. How it pierced every part of her body, how it seemed to control her. One moment she was quietly retreating, and the next she was springing towards the Pikachu, claws out. The Pikachu's Thunder Shocks didn't even hurt as she mercilessly attacked. Kindle remembered feeling like she was weak as she tore through them, like she had no self control.

She could still hear Panpour's desperate cries as he tried to run and defend his nest. She could still recall the way the Chespin had tried to hold the water type back from her.

And she could remember the horror that had rose up in her as the rage left, leaving her alone in the bloody ruins of the nest.

The Panpour had broken free of Chespin by then, he had charged at her, delivering a flurry of Scratch attacks in his sorrow and anger, leaving a deep gash on her chest. If it had not been for Tierno and Trevor rushing her to a healer she could have bleed out. Kindle still never knew what had overcome her that day, and she hoped that she would never have to meet Panpour again, or remember the family she had tore apart.

But Ash had caught Chester.

And now she had to live every day with him reminding her of what she had done.

'Don't look sad!' Chester hissed as tears stung Kindle's eyes, 'Don't act like you feel bad you cold hearted murderer!'

Kindle froze, 'Shut up,' She whispered, ears pricked.

'Shut up? You dare you little dirty Muk?! You have no-' Chester began hissing.

'We're surrounded,' Kindle snarled over him, 'Just so you know.'

Kindle flicked her ears, listening carefully. She had always been alert, but she was still ashamed that she hadn't realized that they were surrounded by wild Pokemon until now. It was just like when she and Ash had been attacked when they first met- she had let her guard down as she listened to his story. Now she had let her guard down with Chester.

The Panpour eyed her doubtfully, glancing about the edges of the clearing looking for the Pokemon she had claimed were surrounding them. He had a good view up in his tree, and all he saw were bushes. His lip curled, upset that he had even listened to the murderer.

Kindle on the other hand knew for sure that they were surrounded. She could hear the quiet sounds of hoofs on the earth, and their stalkers' soft breaths. There was at least a half dozen creatures surrounding them, but Kindle didn't know for sure. She began to slowly inch towards Ash, wanting to wake him up before anyone attacked.

Kindle managed to take three steps before the Skiddo burst into the clearing. The normally mellow Pokemon were growling, creeping towards them, ready to attack. There was about eight in the herd, all pawing at the ground. The Fennekin stiffened, realizing that they were more outnumbered than she had thought.

Chester jumped up higher in the tree, startled at the huge amount of grass types and at the fact that the murderer had been right- they were surrounded!

A ninth Skiddo came into the clearing, the largest one of the group. She carried herself with a proud trot, probably the alpha of the herd. Her sharp blue eyes scanned the sleeping human and Pokemon, before turning her gaze towards Kindle. The Skiddo smirked.

'Did we wake you?' She asked in a taunting and silky tone.

Kindle backed up towards Ash, standing in front of him protectively.

'Look, I don't know what you want, but if we're on your territory, we'll leave. If you just don't want humans around, we'll leave, we don't want any trouble,' Kindle said. Even with her, Aura, and Mufasa all having a type advantage, she knew a battle with a group this big wouldn't end well, their team was still low leveled.

'That's a shame,' The alpha Skiddo said, 'Because trouble is exactly what I want.'

'Er... Alpha...?' One of the other Skiddos asked, 'They don't seem to be a threat... If we could just leave...'

A Vine Whip slammed sharply onto the Skiddo's nose, causing him to yelp. He quickly retreated back into the ranks of the other Skiddo.

Kindle turned, pouncing on Ash to wake him. Ash yelped as Kindle landed on his stomach, and he sat straight up, and the small Fennekin fell into his lap. His cry woke up his other four Pokemon, all of them opening their eyes, blinking at the commotion.

"Ouch... Kindle, what was that for, it's the middle of the night-" He paused as he looked at the Skiddo herd, "Oh..." He scratched the back of his head, "I see we have company..."

The alpha Skiddo flicked her tail, "Attack them," She told the rest of the herd simply, her blue eyes gleaming with a dark humor. The herd hesitated for a moment, before charging forward.

Kindle leapt out of Ash's lap, firing a wide ranged Ember at the Skiddos coming at them. Aura sprang into the air, releasing a Gust as Ash let out a startled yelp at the sudden attacks. Anne hid behind Mufasa, and Litleo prepared a small Ember as well.

"Pan!" Chester let out a battle cry, swinging down from the trees. His claws gleamed with Scratch as he swiped at one of the Skiddos that came charging at the small Skitty kit. Midnight looked up at Chester as he fired a Water Gun at the grass type, snarling, 'Stay away from my hatchling!'

The alpha laughed, 'Oh Chester, you know that's not your hatchling, right? The Fennekin killed them, remember?'

Chester flinched at the painful memory, along with Kindle. The alpha smirked, then charged at Kindle with a Tackle attack. The Skiddo's blunt horns hit her side, knocking the fire fox back. A Vine Whip followed up, and Kindle let out a cry. Half in pain, half in surprise. How did a grass type move do so much damage to her?!

"Aura, use Gust, quickly! Cover Kindle!" Ash ordered, panic in his tone. A blast of wind came from above, as the Pidgey whipped up the gale of wind. The alpha hissed, then jerked her head towards one of the other Skiddo.

'Take care of that bird,' She hissed, turning back to face Kindle. She studied Kindle, then shook her head, 'A punishment must be in place, but I don't think I'll kill you, yet. Your death will be much more entertaining if a deeper bond can be formed... Besides, I want to see how things between you and Chester go down...'

'W-what?' Kindle muttered, confused at its wording, then the fire type froze. She looked at the deep blue eyes of the Skiddo, and realization washed over her. She shook, 'Yveltal,' She snarled.

The Skiddo- Yveltal- grinned, 'The one and only! I told Ash there'd be a punishment for skipping a gym, and I'm just here to make it happened. Don't be mad Kindle, I did warn him. It is only his fault for skipping a gym that one of you is going to die tonight.'

Kindle took in his words, eyes widening, 'You wouldn't-'

'Oh,' Yveltal grinned again, 'Don't worry, like I said you and Chester still have so much drama left that it'd be more entertaining to keep you two alive,' He glanced back at Chester and the rest of the team, who were battling the wild Skiddo, whose numbers had shrunk. Most likely from a few that had ran off, 'Aura, loyally protecting Ash. Her death would cause Ash pain, along with put a dent in your team's strength...'

'Shut up!' Kindle snarled, 'You're not hurting any of us!'

Yveltal in his Skiddo host sidestepped her Scratch easily, 'Or maybe Mufasa, so naive that Ash didn't have the heart to use him in battle. Then there's Anne, who Ash promised to protect. Ah, I could have fun with that one...' Yveltal's gaze turned towards Chester, and the small pink form he was protecting with his life, 'But I think the answer is clear...' Yveltal muttered, 'Not only would a death of one so young get to Ash, but it would also affect you and the Panpour harshly as well...'

Kindle began to shake as she realized who he was planning to target. She launched herself into a Flame Charge, hurling at Yveltal, 'Stay away from Midnight!' Kindle screamed. Yveltal grunted as the fire type move hit his grass type host, but threw Kindle off with a Vine Whip. Powered up from Yveltal, the attack sent her flying across the small clearing. He turned to face to face Chester and Midnight.

Kindle pushed herself to her feet, glancing between the monkey with the kitten, and Ash. Even with Aura protecting him, Kindle knew she was the strongest. The Skiddo, though nervous, were not weak, and Ash was defenseless against them. Kindle watched as Yveltal took Chester's attacks with no problem, turning to face the small Skitty. Chester threw himself back into the fray, swinging his claws in a fury at the alpha Skiddo, who took the attack with no problem.

Kindle gritted her teeth, running to help protect Ash.

She spit out an Ember at an attacking Skiddo, causing the grass type to yelp and retreat. Their attackers had gone from nine to four. Yveltal in his host attacked Chester and Midnight, a Skiddo going after Mufasa and Anne, then two more attacking Ash.

Aura dove down, hitting one of the Skiddo with a Quick Attack, plucking out some of the leaves and fur on its back. Kindle hurled herself into a Flame Charge, going at the same one. He stumbled, then ran off into the woods, obviously not wanting to fight against two type disadvantages.

Kindle was surprised by how many Skiddo had abandoned their leader. Even if she was being controlled by Yveltal, loyalty was something rooted in Pokemon's blood. If they respected a leader, they would follow even to the grave.

A small smirk pulled on Kindle's mouth- they didn't respect their "leader" anymore. Hopefully that stung some of Yveltal's endless ego.

"Nya!" Midnight let out a cry for help as a Vine Whip struck her. Kindle flinched at the sound, wheeling around to face them.

Chester was huffing, blood pouring down from him as he struggled to his feet to defend the young Pokemon. Yveltal in his Skiddo host only laughed, 'Don't want to see another hatchling die, do you Chester?'

"Kindle," Ash snapped, "Go help them now!"

Kindle looked between the Skiddo that the Pidgey was fighting, and the Yveltal. Protect Ash, or the kit? Kindle's heart raced as she tried to decide.

A sharp Tackle hit Chester, sending him back. The elemental monkey hit a tree, groaning. He cradled his chest- right where the Skiddo's sharp hooves had stuck him, "Pan..." He whimpered.

"Kindle!" Ash cried.

Kindle shook her head, snapping herself back into the fight. She threw herself forward, rushing at Yveltal as he brought another Vine Whip down on the Skitty. Kindle's whole body burst into flames, increasing her speed as the Flame Charge fired her up. Anger pounded through her as she saw blood on the small pink form.

I'm not going to let anyone get hurt! Kindle roared to herself, and she an energy rush through her. It burned from within her, and she felt herself beginning to change. Her cells began to hum with energy and a bright light overtook her vision as her cells rapidly began to divided and expanded. A new vigor overtook her, and the light faded.

Her footing felt clumsy as she slammed into the Skiddo, her new weight knocking it to the ground. She stumbled back, surprised as she instinctively rose up onto her hind legs. She looked down at her front paws, watching as her toes flexed, as if they could grip something.

A stick lying on the ground caught her eye, and Kindle scooped it into her hand-like paws. She felt energy humming with in her once more. She swiped it against her fur, watching a fire flicker to life on the end of it.

"Braixen..." Ash muttered, watching her.

The newly evolved Fennekin pointed her stick towards the Skiddo struggling to its feet, 'Get out of here Yveltal!' She snarled, 'Maybe you can make your hosts stronger, but you are still limited to their forms!'

The Skiddo smirked, its blue eyes gleaming, 'Limited, perhaps, but it doesn't matter. I've done what I needed to do.'

"Brai!" Kindle snarled, and she fired an Ember from the tip of her stick. The burst of fire rushed towards the Skiddo- the only one left. It simply closed its eyes, and a shadowy mass rose up from the Skiddo. The fire hit the Skiddo, and the dark aura from Yveltal turned, vanishing into the forest.

The Braixen huffed in anger as it watched Yveltal flee, leaving its injured host behind. A wave of silence washed over the clearing as the group took in what happened.

"M-midnight...?" Ash asked quietly. Kindle turned, looking towards the Skitty kit. She stumbled, feeling unbalanced on two legs.

Chester had managed to drag himself back over to Midnight, "Pour...?" He asked quietly, shaking as he touched the limp shape. Kindle shivered as she watched a drop of blood roll down from the Skitty's cold lips.

She had been young, and a full on attack had been too much for her fragle form. Kindle lowered her head Ash as rushed over to the Skitty. Kindle knew she had died from internal trauma, so it pained her to watch as Ash fumbled for the fading wisps of hope.

"Midnight!" He cried, scooping up the small pink shape, and it dangled helplessly in his arms, "N-no... N-no... Please no... Arceus, please no... We need to get to a Pokemon Center, please... No, come on..." He rambled on, tears forming in his eyes.

Kindle stumbled over towards Ash, placing a paw on his shoulder. It was too late, the Skitty was long gone.

/*/*/*/*/*/*

Deaths: 1
Midnight - Skitty - Female
Died on Route 5
Levels 8-12
RIP

/*/*/*/*/*/*

First death... RIP Midnight, I really wanted to use you in this run...

And Kindle evolved...

Ingame this is how it happened- I was trying to catch a wild Skiddo, and I sent Midnight (she was the lowest level.) I had her use the move Return to weaken the Skiddo, and it used Vine Whip, taking over half of Midnight's HP. I was going to switch her out, but I had to go do something, and when I got back I forgot to switch her out. The Skiddo used Vine Whip once more, taking out Midnight. Then I sent out Kindle, she was able to level up, and then she evolved.

We also get to learn of Chester's and Kindle's darker backstory, and where their hatred of each other came from.