Chapter 24: Incandescent

The treacherous trek toward Mt Blaze had taken the entire day. The sun had long since gone down, and if not for the bright illumination of lava streaming slowly down Mt Blaze the team wouldn't have known where they were going.

"Ugh, I'm tired." Cobalt groaned as they reached the foot of the mountain. "We should camp here tonight."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, we don't know how far behind the others are." Ivy spoke up, wobbling a bit from exhaustion.

"Cobalts right." Pyre looked between the two of them. "You…we need to rest." The other two starters nodded. "We can take shifts keeping watch. I'll take the first one." Pyre smiled happily. And he noticed it. His smile, it didn't feel as hollow as it had been. He was genuinely happy.

"I will relieve you in a few hours. Do not hesitate to wake me." The absol spoke as he laid down against a rock.

Cobalt quickly hopped atop said rock and curled up on himself shutting his eyes.

"Pyre? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Ivy. Really." He gave the snivy an abrupt hug. "I really appreciate everything you've done. Sticking by me I mean. After Cynder…well, you know. I felt so alone, like I was lost in the dark. But I never was."

The snivy felt his heart start to pound in his chest. Did Pyre feel the same way, was he also feeling that throbbing in his chest.

"But…I feel bad. Cause, I…" Pyre looked Ivy in the eyes. "I think I've been leading you on. And I have to stop it. Ivy, I…"

The snivy leaned in and kissed him. Not out of a welling up of joy. He knew what Pyre was going to say. He just didn't want to hear it out loud. But he knew, when he pulled away.

"Ivy…I-I don't feel the same way. I'm sorry. I still care about you, I still want to mate with you, but…"

"Nothing more right?" The snivy hung his head in defeat.

"Yeah…I…" Pyre didn't know what to say.

"It's fine, deep down, I kinda always knew." The grass snake rested his head on Pyre's shoulder. And the Charmander pulled him into a hug.

"Try to get some sleep, for me." The fire lizard hadn't noticed, but that's exactly what the snake had done. He'd passed out the moment he rested against Pyre.

*Elsewhere*

Eclipse and the Sneasel stood atop a large plateau, a strange tint of purple hanging all around them.

"Well, here we are, the Plateau of Spirit and Time." The Sneasel proclaimed.

Eclipse felt like his entire body was being pushed down just standing there. But looking at the malnourished Sneasel he was miraculously unfazed by the increased weight.

"This place is ridiculous. How can you even stand?"

"Your father and I spent a lot of time here. A lot of, 'full contact' training happened here." The Sneasel took a rather lewd tone at his words.

"Papa, gross."

"Nothing to be embarrassed about. Especially after how you had no issue taking Swindle right then and there. In front of us." The Sneasel chuckled teasingly.

Eclipse blushed at that. "Th-that was just to humiliate Swindle…"

"I know. Now then, are you ready to train?" The charmander nodded with determination. "Good, then let us begin."

*Later With Pyre*

The sun had already started to rise. Pyre, despite his suggestion, hadn't slept. Or rather he couldn't. Knowing he was being hunted by the people he was fighting to protect, it was on his mind, and it wouldn't go away.

"You didn't wake me? Are you alright?" Absolute had been the first to rise.

"I didn't bother. I wasn't gonna be able to sleep anyway."

"That's reckless and stupid. Without you, we cannot free the legends. You needed rest the most."

Pyre sighed. "I know. Let's wake everyone up and move on. I'm sure by now everyone's back on the hunt." He gently shook Ivy as Absolute poked Cobalt.

"Morning already?" The mudkip slowly stood up.

"Why didn't anybody wake us?" Ivy sat up removing himself from Pyre's grasp.

"I didn't wake anyone up. I couldn't sleep so I let you guys do it." The charmander stood up and immediately started walking toward the entrance to the mountain dungeon.

The others quickly fell in behind him following him inside.

*Plateau of Spirit and Time*

Eclipse found himself panting heavily, the increased weight was still getting to him. He took a surprisingly strong kick to the gut, it surprised him because he found himself incapable of jumping in this place, but the Sneasel had kicked him hard enough he left the ground.

"Stand up, you're stronger than this. I know you are."

The Charmander struggled to stand up, but pushed through. The strain on his muscles was killing him, it felt as though he was being weighed down by a snorlax on his back. He rushed forward, not very fast, and punched out at the Sneasel.

The ice type moved like an elegant dancer slipping, weaving, side stepping each punch. Such movement should have had him on his knees unable to continue, and yet the Sneasel was barely affected.

"Are you just immune to this place or something? We've been at this for days and you haven't slowed down at all."

"In a way, yes, I am immune. As I said, your father and I spent a lot of time here. My body got used to it. As well as other things." The Sneasel gently rubbed his belly.

"How long did that take?"

"Months, constant training, and a lot of pregnancies." The Sneasel chuckled. "If we had our way, you would've hatched here, but you were safer behind the barrier with your father until you hatched."

"I was behind the barrier? I don't remember that."

"Yes. Since your mother put it up your father couldn't pass through, but you could, so he pushed you through it, and into my arms." The Sneasel hugged him suddenly. "Now let me teach you an important lesson. Your enemy is weakest when they trust you."

"What do you…" Eclipse was cut off as he felt a sudden pain in his gut. Glancing down he saw the sneasel's knee digging into him. He collapsed to the ground.

"If you let your guard down you're as weak as a newborn. That's why Lucario defeated you when you fought him. And it's why Pyre beat you at Mt Thunder. You were cocky."

"I didn't lose, Swindle and Moon dragged me home."

"Because you weren't strong enough." The sneasel loomed over him. "And now I have to set aside my love as your dad, and train you properly. The way your father trained me." The Sneasel lifted his right foot paws and Eclipse slowly started to look up. Following the motion the ice type suddenly forced his leg up high, stretching it until it was beside his head, showing his flexibility. Just as suddenly he slammed his foot down, heel first sending it into the back of Eclipse's head and sending him crashing face first into the ground. "Mercy will make you weak son. And you aren't weak."

Eclipse pulled himself from the ground and stood up. Shaking himself out he began another assault, throwing punches, but also twisting himself to lash out with his tail.

Again the sneasel's dancer-like grace enabled him to move around each attack flawlessly.

Eclipse advanced despite this, pressing his tail to the ground and forcing it under the sneasel's legs. The ice type dodged, but that was exactly what Eclipse wanted, as his tail had ignited the area around them effectively limiting the dual types movements.

"Smart, read my moves. Your father can do it as well, though he can learn someone's pattern of action rather quickly." The Sneasel lunged forth, tackling the Charmander. "However, predicting your opponent only works if they don't know they're being read. Attack me again, and I'll show you why."

Eclipse stood up and attacked again. This time watching the sneasel's movements. And he swept with his tail. The Sneasel was most vulnerable in the moment he was jumping, so that was when he struck, thrusting his fist forth. Just as his fist was about to make impact the ice type used the momentum of his jump to flip forward and slam into the Charmander with another heel kick.

Eclipse staggered back. "Reading your enemy only works if they stay consistent." The Sneasel landed and immediately repeated the motion jumping forward and flipping, bringing his heel crashing down again. Eclipse tried to block it, but the kick landed too quickly, sending him stumbling back again. "Not just with movement, but with speed. It doesn't matter how well you can predict your opponent, if they're faster than you you're going to get hit." Before Eclipse reacted the Sneasel had repeated the attack again. He was bringing his heel down for a final time. This time the onyx tailed charmander was able to block it. But the force with which it hit had slammed his arms into his head and sent him to the ground. "There's also the strength of the attack. If it varies at all you won't be able to defend yourself properly."

"How do I…" Eclipse was panting for breath. "How do I account for all of that?"

"By using your brain. If your opponent is too fast to hit, how do you deal with them?"

Eclipse forced himself to stand. "I would…" he thought for a moment. "I'd restrict their movement. Like I tried with the wall of fire around us."

"And if that fails, like it did?"

The charmander continued panting. "I'd leave an obvious opening for attack. And when they went for it I'd grab them. They can't dodge me if I'm holding them."

"Good. But what if that too fails?" The Sneasel stepped closer, drawing back his claw for an attack.

Then he struck out only for Eclipse to catch him. "Then I tire them out until they can't dodge anymore. Or, I make them trust me. I mean, someone too winded to fight can't possibly be a threat right?"

"Good that you pay attention to my words. But clearly not my actions." Looking down Eclipse found the sneasel's free claws pressing against his belly. "It's also harder to predict someone if they aren't thinking. Instinct is a hard thing to anticipate. Unless you control it."

"How do I control someone else's instincts?"

"That I'm less sure of, your father does it through fear. A scared mon is far easier to read than a calm one. If they're afraid, they aren't focused. And if you aren't focused you don't know what you're doing. Your father has been around so many fearful mons that even individuality doesn't stop him from reading their desperate moves."

"But father exudes fear. I can't do that."

"No, you can't. But you have something your father doesn't. Aura. Just as everyone in that wretched family had. A trait from your mother. But, that aura, you can sense others, you can see what they feel through colors enveloping them. You can also see their intent. You would've known about my secondary attack if I actually meant to hurt you."

"So I need to utilize my aura to better predict my opponents?" Eclipse dusted himself off. "Then let us continue, we're wasting time with talk."

*Mt Blaze*

The four pokemon had progressed through most of Mt Blaze as the day dragged on. Currently they were resting on a rather empty floor to catch their breath.

Pyre wasn't doing well. He was barely able to stand, having not slept at all the night before. "Guys" he slumped against a wall. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" Ivy sat down beside him.

"I brought this on you."

"Hey, we came along willingly Pyre, this isn't your fault." Cobalt sat on the other side of the char.

"It is though. The marks, the ones all the legends have had. I saw them before. Before we came here. And every time, other pokemon got hurt because they were after me. Cynder…the Gyarados that took her from me…" Pyre's eyes welled up with tears.

"Pyre.." Ivy looked as if he was going to cry as well.

"If they weren't after me…" he felt his voice fading. "None of this would've happened. That Minun never would've forced himself on you. That samurott never would've attacked the camp. Cynder would still be alive…because they've been after me."

Ivy hugged him tight. "That's not true. Without you, Cynder would never have fallen in love. That human, Slade would've captured Victini and Calyrex and likely killed us all. And, I wouldn't have met you."

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Absolute stood before them."I hate to break this up, but our pursuers are catching up. All of you, hop on my back."

"Are you sure Absolute?" Cobalt looked over the Absol. "We don't want to hurt you."

"Positive. Now, hurry!" Ivy and Cobalt carefully helped Pyre into the dark type's back before joining him there. "Rest while you can, we're nearing the summit." And with his words he dashed off through the dungeon.

Not far behind them Moon and Swindle were in pursuit. And much farther behind them, Gengar and the mob of pokemon from Firelink Square were also pursuing.

*Later Mt Blaze Summit*

The summit was like Mt Thunder, covered in crags and cracks. But this time with lava oozing around the entirety of it. And just as before there was a thunderous echoing squawk.

"Let your flesh be consumed by the flames. An angelic chorus of flames and light! You will be reduced to ash by Moltres, the Incandescent!"

"Hehe, glad they have enough sense of self to do these silly introductions. Alright." Pyre hopped off of the absols back despite not fully resting. He wobbled in place then shook his head to wake up more. "Let's dance Kanto Fried Chicken."

"Where does he come up with this stuff?" Cobalt hopped down beside him.

"I wish I knew sometimes." Ivy joined them.

There was another loud squawk as Moltres, like the other two elemental birds, immediately attacked Pyre.

The other three pokemon had no time to react as the charmander was snatched up and taken into the sky.

Back on the Ground*

"Fuck, what do we do? H-how do we help him now?" Ivy felt fear overwhelming him.

"We don't. Our role now is to handle our pursuers."

"We can't fight the pokemon of Firelink, they're our friends!" Cobalt stared at Absolute for a few moments.

"They are not to whom I was referring. Dark tidings are upon us."

"Shiiiit dawg, and I thought we were sooooo sneaky." Swindle stepped out of a cave and into the summit area.

"Stop being an ass Swindle." Moon stepped out beside him.

"Damn fine bitch, ain't gotta be a hoe about it." The Krookodile stepped forward. The rescue team all took defensive stances, lowering themselves to the ground to lower their centers of gravity.

All except Absolute. He looked ready to grab the other two. "I know what you intend to do, but if you do you risk damaging the mountain."

"If it kills you lot, we don't care. Do it Swindle."

"Your master will betray you!" Absolute spoke up. "I can sense impending disasters, it brought me to My Calamity. Your master said the two of you had outlived your usefulness!"

"He..did?"

"Focus Swindle." Moon nudged him in the leg.

"Sorry, but I don't believe that wack shit for even a second." The Krookodile lifted his right leg and stomped the ground causing the ground beneath them to shake.

Absolute snatched up Ivy and Cobalt and jumped into the air narrowly avoiding the attack.

At the farthest back point of the summit, in a pool of lava, the ground gave way and created a circular opening into which the lava flowed.

"You fool, do you realize what you have wrought?"

Before any of them could speak the ground shook again, more violently than before. On the opposite side of the summit lava burst into the air. The hole at the back of the summit was keeping the lava from erupting and overflowing, but there was no such hole at the front. Lava began to rain down around them. A wall of lava came flooding toward the rescue team.

Thinking on his feet Cobalt repeated his action with Articuno and used hydro pump to make a wall of water to suddenly cool the lava coming their way.

*The Skies Above Mt Blaze*

Pyre had no clue how he was going to get down, but that didn't matter. Having managed to free himself from Articuno's grasp, he had started climbing the bird. Or rather trying as it tumbled and burst through the sky trying to shake him off.

Pyre was clinging on for dear life as he tried to force his aura around them, but it wasn't working. Something about the claw mark on their face was a weak point, he could only free them from there, but how could he do it if he couldn't reach it.

Off in the distance he noticed something, bright gold and blue lights were closing in. No, not lights.

"Moltres!"

"You have to stop!"

It was Zapdos and Articuno. The thunder and ice birds had come to Pyre's aid.

"That'll do it." And with no self preservation in mind, Pyre let go plummeting to the ground. Zapdos being the faster of the two dive-bombed toward Pyre to catch him. But Pyre stopped him as he got close. "I need you guys to keep him still long enough for me to reach his face! Don't worry I can get back to him on my own." The sapphire flamed charmander wreathed his body in flames and began to twist. The momentum of falling combined with the sudden use of flare blitz sent him blasting toward the ground. Pyre took the deepest breath he could and let out a massive flamethrower that forced his momentum and trajectory back up toward Moltres.

Zapdos and Articuno circled around the fire bird, one pelting and distracting him with ice, the other trying to keep him in place with lightning.

It was working, until he noticed Pyre approaching and let a wave of fire eript from his body. And he dive-bombed beak first, attempting to stab the charmander.

To the fire bird's surprise when they collided he was completely off balanced by the charmander's momentum. And Pyre had latched onto his beak as they tumbled down toward the ground.

The other two legendary birds died after them to try and slow their momentum.

Meanwhile Pyre slowly pulled himself up to Moltres' face. "I'm not leaving anyone to this fate. I'm going to save everyone!" He pressed his claw into the elemental bird's face and let his aura flow, there was no sound of searing flesh, no loud hiss. But as they neared the ground Moltres righted himself and landed gracefully on the now lava strewn ground.

Pyre slipped from his face and landed on his butt.

"What, happened to me?" Moltres looked around, the lava had seemingly stopped burst from the volcanic mountain for now.

"This charmander saved you." Zapdos landed beside him.

"As he saved us." Articuno called from farther away. "I'd come down but it's simply too hot down there."

Pyre stood up and looked around, noticing the large hole in the pool of lava beside them.

"In that case, I must thank you!"

"No prob, it's what I do, I help people when they need it!" Pyre gave his signature smile and was suddenly launched off his feet.

Moon had rushed by and slammed into him sending him out over the lava and down the opening. "Yes! Die you fuck!"

Moon began doing a happy little dance before Moltres' kicked her to follow Pyre. They miscalculated the strength and she overshot the hole lamding in the lava with an agonizing scream.

Ivy and the others rushed over. "Where does this hole go?"

"It should be magma cavern. Though I will say, if he survived the fall, you won't find him." Moltres spoke apologetically. "Groudon is down there. And given the state of the mountain likely awake as…" before he could continue Ivy, Cobalt, and Absolute had jumped through the hole. "Are they all that reckless?"

"No, I believe just them."

Just at the entrance Swindle rushed out running for his life. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!" He was panicking. "Can't go home…master will kill me for sure…maybe…maybe Eclipse. Maybe he'll help me."

*The Depths of Magma Cavern*

"Ooooouch, that was not cool." Pyre rubbed his back as he slowly sat up.

"A little morsel. So deep underground, where all hope has abandoned you." Large thundering footsteps echoed around the cave.

"Ugh, can I catch a break please!"