Author's Note: Merry Christmas, everyone. It has been exactly one year since I first wrote and published Plusle & Minun here. In this time, I have learned so much, both about writing and myself. I know that I have neglected this story ever since August...but the truth is that I have been working on this chapter for all these months - sometimes a few words a day, other times many paragraphs. Now, I am proud to finally publish it here, for any reader who wishes to join Minun on his fateful journey to the happiness and peace that he had lost for so long.

Like me, Minun has grown so much over the course of this story, learning to deal with his sorrow and growing to love those around him as he trains to become a better pokemon. This is the final chapter before everything he has learned is put to the test - and the life that he had grown to love becomes the past as he decides his future. Please, enjoy.

One fateful night, the relic exploded. And with it ended the life that I had known for so long.

The evening began as any other would, with all of us gathered around the fire listening as Blood gave an assessment of the day before we feasted on the berries we'd gathered. Flame would make up stories to tell us, all while Shelly and Alexis smirked at each other and giggled at their inside jokes. Serena and her nidoking mate Alexander were already asleep, as was Seamus, who was coiled up contentedly by the entrance of the base.

But that night, I knew something was wrong. There was a tension in the air: I caught several team members exchanging nervous glances, as if they knew something was coming. Even Blood seemed to be preoccupied with thoughts. Occasionally he would mumble to himself, but no matter how much I strained to hear him, I couldn't tell what he was saying.

Thinking back, I knew I couldn't remember anything out of the ordinary over the past few weeks. It had been two months or so the night I had journeyed out into the cold, rugged mountains in search of Blood and discovered who he truly was. Since then, we had been much closer - there was a bond between us that hadn't been there before. Now he would often speak openly about his past to me, though he still refused to speak about it to the other team members, saying they would not understand.

The training had gotten much more intensive - Blood constantly pushed me to do better. The amount of rescue missions we did began to decrease as we spent more and more time training with the team members: he would divide us into two teams and have us fight for control over the relic. The battles were chaotic and intense - I was often injured by powerful blasts or falling debris.

Blood never seemed to show any of us sympathy, though I often saw him sneaking oran berries to the other team members after training matches. He would give me sitrus berries instead, which he claimed would heal me faster. It did seem to work better than the oran berries, but sometimes I felt guilty that I was getting special attention even after so long. I would end up sharing the sitrus berries with Shelly, who loved the taste and would always shower me with thanks and affection afterward.

Through all of this, I had never suspected what was yet to come. I had all but forgotten Blood's words to me that night on top of the mountain: "Times are changing. Soon, the life you and I know will be the past."

Even if I had remembered it, I knew I wouldn't have given it much thought. I had come to see our rescue team base among the mountains as my home. My heart belonged here, with Blood, with the other team members, with the relic that I constantly struggled to understand and defeat.

So when I saw the anxious expressions of the team members and heard Blood's mumbling, alarm started to flood my mind. What was going on? There was obviously something different. Perhaps there was a major rescue mission coming up, or maybe Blood was planning some elaborate battle between the two groups of our team. But those didn't seem like good explanations. I didn't even know what could be a good explanation for the strange things I'd noticed, except that something was coming and I had no idea what it was.

After dinner was over and several of the team members retreated to their beds, I was left behind in the main chamber with Shelly, Blood, and Flame. Blood's serious expression seemed even more foreboding as it was lit up by the flickering glow of Flame's tail. Not a word was said: none of us wanted to break the silence.

Then Shelly, who had become more and more anxious as dinner went on, suddenly whimpered and burst into tears. Before any of us could react, Blood was immediately by her side. He whispered gently and soothingly to her, though it didn't seem to bring her any comfort. "I... I can't..." she kept moaning over and over. "Oh...when he realizes the truth...when he realizes what we've done..."

"Minun... I think it would be best for you to go to sleep," Blood said as gently as he could. "You will need all the rest you can get for what is to come."

"Blood, what's going on?" I asked. Something was wrong, and I could see it in everyone's eyes. Yet nobody would say anything to me, as if I wasn't supposed to know what had happened. It was really starting to worry me.

Blood sighed, turning away. "Minun...I will explain it this way. Soon, you will embark on the greatest rescue mission you will ever know. This mission is like no other...it will challenge you beyond anything you have experienced thus far. Everything that I have taught you will be put to the test. Minun, you have such strong will and endurance. You will need it all for this mission."

He glanced at me for a moment, his face flickering in the firelight. There was a sad smile on his face that surprised me. "Suffice to say that...by the end of this mission, you will have become someone entirely different altogether. By the end of this mission...you will be on your way towards the place that is dearest to your heart. That place is not mine to decide, but wherever that may be, I hope you will be able to come to terms with your past and find true happiness."

He fell silent, and Shelly's quiet sobbing filled the chamber. Flame shifted uncomfortably, moving his bright flame closer to us. Now I could see Blood with greater detail...and for the first time, I realized how tired he looked. It was as if he had been going through some great ordeal, and was merely taking a short break from dealing with whatever was troubling him.

Finally, Blood moved. Getting up, he looked straight into my eyes. "I have told you this before, but perhaps I did not truly convey my message to you. Times are changing, Minun. Soon, the life you and I know will be the past. Remember that."

With those words, he sent me off to sleep. But as I left the chamber, followed closely behind by Flame, I knew somehow that I would not be resting for long. Somehow...I knew what was to come.

Something was happening. And soon, whether or not I wanted to, I would know what it was.

"Wake up, Minun!"

Suddenly, there was Alexis - her terrified face filled my vision as she shook me urgently. "Minun! You have to wake up! Minun!"

I nodded vigorously to show I was awake, and she quit shaking my shoulders, although she was still trembling from fear. I had never seen her this scared. She was struggling to hold steady a small lantern in her hand. "Blood told me to escort you to the main chamber. Something's going on. I don't know what happened, but...well..." She shook her head. "Nevermind! Just follow me! And please hurry!"

She disappeared from the room, and I quickly left after her. We went down the familiar hallway, the weak light of the lantern bouncing off the rough walls and casting long shadows. Soon, I could hear other voices. We nearly flew into the main chamber, and I almost stumbled over one of the boulders. Alexis stopped to catch her breath, although she seemed more nervous than tired. In the dim lighting, I could see the grim face of Blood staring at me, as well as Shelly, who was still sobbing.

"Minun." Blood spoke. His voice was undeniably tired and wearisome. "I apologize for disturbing your well deserved rest, but...something has happened."

The somber way he spoke revealed so much. A shiver went down my spine. What could have gone wrong for Blood to be so grim?

"I am about to tell you something that might make you panic. But I ask that you try to remain calm. Do not let your anxiety get the best of you. If we all do our best, it will soon be over."

"Minun...there is something wrong with the relic. I do not know why, but some mysterious force seems to have taken hold of it and is causing it to unleash huge amounts of energy. We are lucky that our rescue team base is far enough away to avoid the worst of the blasts. But I am afraid to say that the blasts have triggered earthquakes. These quakes have opened some tunnels that were previously sealed. These tunnels lead directly into dungeons, and now, wild pokemon who have been driven insane by the bursts of energy are making their way into the tunnels that lead directly to us."

There was total silence as he continued. "I do not know how to stop the relic, Minun. Nor do I know how far the wild pokemon have gotten. As you know, the relic is very far from our base...but it will only be a matter of time. I have sent Flame, Serena, and her mate out to scout the situation. If it comes down to it...we may have to fight our way to the relic to stop it."

Alexis gasped. I turned and saw her shocked face. It was as new to her as it was to me. Suddenly, I wondered if the others had known about the relic before it happened, yet the two of us didn't. Maybe that was what had been causing everyone so much anxiety at dinner. But if everyone had known about it before...

"Minun. I want you to do something for me." Blood suddenly said, interrupting my thoughts. "I am about to venture into the tunnels that lead to the relic. I do not know how far Flame, Serena or her mate have gone. But regardless, I made a mistake in sending all three of them out to scout. Seamus is no longer here...he is traveling above ground towards the relic chamber. That leaves only the four of us."

Blood looked at me determinedly. "Out of all of us, Minun, I trust your bravery and resilience the most. I want you to follow me and protect me, Minun. I will be honest with you...most likely, we will encounter hordes of wild pokemon. They have been driven insane by the relic, and won't hesitate to attack us. Like I said, we may have to fight our way to the relic. The fate of our rescue team will depend on us. Are you ready for that challenge, Minun?"

I knew everyone was looking at me. Blood waited patiently as I frantically struggled to decide. I knew my moves weren't the best...any time I used a move, it seemed to drain me of all my power. It made me feel so small and useless. Whenever we fought over the relic, I was only good if I was hiding behind the bigger pokemon. What if I fainted in the middle of a fight? Then Blood would be left on his own. He would never be able to fight all of them by himself. If I failed, then it was all over. I didn't understand why he didn't take Shelly or Alexis instead.

But if Blood really thought I could help him as much as he said...then I would go. Even if I would get injured...even if I wouldn't make it out of there...I had to try my best. Blood said the fate of the rescue team would depend on us, and I knew he was right. If we couldn't do it, then the rescue team base would be overrun...and then it would really be over.

I could feel the static building up in my cheeks as I hardened my resolve. I would go. If Blood was willing to go into the tunnels, not knowing what was within the darkness, then I trusted his judgment. If Blood was willing to risk his life...then I would be by his side until the end. Soon, we would come face to face with wild pokemon, no matter where we were. I knew I would rather be with Blood when it happened.

"Okay...I'm ready." I muttered. More static sparked out of my cheeks. Suddenly, I felt so powerful, as if saying that had somehow prepared me for what was to come. I was ready. It was decided, and now there was no going back. "I'm coming with you, Blood. Please...let's go now."

Blood nodded slowly. There was a wide smile on his face. "Alright, Minun. As you wish. I must do one more thing, however, " He padded over to the lantern that Alexis was holding. "Alexis...raise the lantern a little," he instructed, and she silently obeyed. He placed both of his front paws on the lantern, closing his eyes and focusing deeply. We watched with wonder as the fire seemed to dance and jump, reaching out towards him.

Suddenly, his whole body seemed to shiver, and the dark spot on his forehead began to glow a scarlet red, like a brilliant ruby that gave off a shimmering glow. Even the crescent on his head took on a deep red color. Never before had he done anything like that. I was in awe of what he had become.

When he opened his eyes again, Blood smiled. "It has been a long time since I have done that. With Flame around, it is seldom necessary. But the circumstances of tonight do not allow for that convenience, so I have to channel my elements. It is an ancient discipline, passed down from generation to generation among absols of royal ancestry. Each absol has an element...mine is fire. If I choose, I may embody my element, as I have done here. I am fire, and fire is me. I am Blood."

He seemed to shine brighter with every word he said. Now his snow white fur glowed a bright white that illuminated the whole chamber. "Farewell, everyone," he said to Shelly and Alexis, who nodded slowly at him. Shelly looked at me and tried her best to smile. "Good luck, Minun," she said. I could see she was holding back her sobs; she probably thought we would never come back. I wanted to comfort her, but...I knew it was time to go.

"As for you, Minun," Blood said, looking at me with a smile, "I want you to follow me as closely as you can. Never look back. Don't look too far ahead, either - what's important is where we are at the moment. Our progress could be in leaps and bounds, or it could be in mere steps. Whatever the case, never give up. We will make it to the relic, Minun. As long as we work together...I know we will."

Then he was off. Before I could respond, the glow of his fiery body was already disappearing down one of the tunnels. I was surprised for a moment...and then I was running. I was running as fast as I could, following Blood as he leapt and turned around the twisting tunnels. I stumbled over rocks and ledges that I could barely see in the dying light...yet I never fell. I trailed behind him, but I never lost sight of him. We were on a mission: a rescue mission. And neither of us knew what lay at the end.

Suddenly I could hear the roaring of the river, and I knew we had already gone so far. Yet there were also sounds of fighting. Blood halted at the bank of the river, and I stopped beside him. Across the sweeping, rushing current, I could see the opposite bank, where Flame and Serena were busy battling several graveler.

"Let's go, Minun." Blood said, and dove into the murky black water, and I leapt into the river behind him. Now, I was no longer hesitant - the countless times I had to cross the river had hardened me to its freezing cold. Blood swam in powerful strokes, pushing himself closer and closer to Flame, before lifting himself out onto the riverbank, and I was close behind him. I followed as he ran up to Serena.

"Serena!" He shouted. She turned, surprised for a moment, before quickly deflecting a shower of rocks that one of the gravelers had summoned. "Serena- tell Flame that we are taking the cavern route!"

She was too focused to look at him, but she nodded quickly. "Alexander is down there!" She shouted. "So is Nightmare! Go quickly- I don't know how long they can last!"

"Minun, come with me!" Blood yelled. We took off, running along the bank of the river as it went downstream. Soon, the roaring and clashing faded away, replaced by the urgent sounds of the rushing river and our own footsteps as we splashed through shallow pools of water. Blood lead the way, never tiring, although he seemed to have a hard time trying not to skid on the slippery cavern floor. Once or twice he seemed so close to falling, although he somehow managed to avoid disaster.

Soon, my world became nothing but his shimmering white fur that lit the smooth stone ledge right in front of my feet. My world became a blur of running, of static sparkling from my cheeks, sending bursts of power through my whole body that kept my feet alive as I pounded on the riverbank.

Then Blood skidded to a halt, and I crashed into his side. I fell to the ground as he regained his balance. When I got up again, he had a troubled look on his face as he examined the area right in front of us: it seemed like some great mountain had crumbled into hundreds of boulders and buried the bank of the river in a thunderous landslide. Even the river was struggling to crash around the boulders, and water was lapping onto the banks as the torrential flow of the river tried its best to flow through whatever gaps were left.

"We'll have to swim through this, Minun," Blood said. He looked towards the opposite side of the river, and I saw the wide gap where the landslide stopped, leaving enough room for the river to force its way through. "There," he said. "We'll go through there. Do you think you can make it there?"

I wasn't sure what to tell Blood- it looked so far away. Blood seemed to understand. "Here, Minun-" he said, kneeling down. "Get onto my back. Hold tight, and don't let go, no matter what."

I climbed onto his back, trying to set myself as securely as I could into his coarse back fur, grabbing onto the tufts of downy fur that protruded out from his neck. "Are you ready, Minun?" Blood asked.

He only had to see my nod for a split second - and suddenly he leapt into the air, and then we were in the river again. The freezing cold, the murky black water, the torrential current that pulled so strongly on me, threatening to sweep me away from Blood - but I held on as tightly as I could as Blood swam closer and closer to where the river was gushing through the boulders. Now the current was picking up - I felt the excitement of the water around me as it was about to spill through. Blood felt it too - he seemed to let go as we joined the cascading flood of water that poured through the gap.

Then we were underwater.

I didn't realize it until suddenly it felt like my whole body was encased in ice. I opened my eyes as long as I dared, and saw the shimmering, glowing form of Blood as he swam underneath the surface. What was he doing?! I tried not to panic, but everything was so cold and I was afraid I was going to let go. There was a vague feeling of rocks grazing my side, but I was so numb that I could feel no pain. I could feel nothing but the cold, rushing water that flowed past me and carried away my strength and my determination with it.

My whole body seemed to be fighting its hardest not to give up. I felt the power rising in me, yet I had to force it down - if I let it all out now, the whole river would be teeming with electricity, and Blood would be shocked beyond recovery. I could still remember the countless times I had singed so much of his pure white fur when I hadn't been careful enough...all the times I had stunned him so badly because I couldn't control my power. I wouldn't fail him now. We were so close...

Finally Blood resurfaced. I gasped for air, and he turned so we were swimming closer to the edge of the river. When he lifted us out, I collapsed onto the riverbank. Even he seemed exhausted. The glow he gave off had dimmed so much that for a moment I was worried if he would be okay. Then he stood up suddenly and closed his eyes, focusing entirely on some unknown thing I couldn't see. I wondered if he was trying to what he had done with Alexis's lantern...but there was no fire anywhere.

Instead, a shimmering halo of swords appeared above his head, rotating until they were a blur. The blade on his head became blindingly bright for a moment, before subsiding again as the swords faded away. Immediately, Blood's fur began to glow brighter. I knew he had performed a Swords Dance, a move which he rarely used but which he often talked about, saying it made him feel so powerful and alive.

When Blood turned to look at me again, he smiled. "We made it, Minun. I apologize for the underwater dive - there were some boulders in the way and I saw a pathway past them, although it was beneath the surface. Are you well enough to continue? We only have a short way to travel before we reach the cavern route. There are no tunnels that connect to that route, so it will hopefully take us directly to the relic chamber without any threat from wild pokemon."

I was still shivering from the cold, but now I had some feeling in my limbs again. "Minun...rest on my back. We will have to keep going, but I will carry you the rest of the way." I nodded in reply, although I suddenly felt so tired that all I wanted to do was lay down. Still, I managed to stumble over to him, and climb onto his back again. It was surprisingly warm - almost hot, as if the Swords Dance had taken away the cold and wet from him. When Blood surged forward again, he seemed more powerful than ever - I knew Swords Dance raised attack, but I never thought it would give him so much might. Now I knew why he decided to keep it. It took his strength and transformed it into true power.

The cavern walls seemed to fly by in a blur. As Blood ran along the riverbank, the chilly air seemed to flow around us as if we were protected by some invisible shield that kept the cold from invading us. I knew it was Blood's fire element at work - never before had I ever felt anything like it. The closest I had ever gone were the times when I had used Charge and felt like every inch of me was alive with the power that surged through me - yet that didn't even come close to the mysterious awe of the fire that Blood had become. I had seen him at his weakest, at his most desperate - I had seen who Blood truly was on that lonely, moonlit clearing so long ago. Now I saw what he could become. He was Blood...he was fire, and fire was him.

As we entered the cavern route, going up ancient steps that must have been used for eons, I knew that no matter what was to come...as long as I had Blood, I would be okay. Soon, we would be there. Soon, it would be over.

And when it was, I knew I would be ready to face whatever was next. As we made our way closer and closer to the relic, I knew I was about to take on the most challenging rescue mission I had ever known. Little Minun had come so far...now, little Minun was not so little anymore.