I was paying attention when we were flying over the river. We took a long course away from where I landed. By all accounts, our paths should not have crossed again.

Yet, here the chimera is. Glaring at me. Growling. Ready to finish what it started.

"This…" I hear the Johtonian whimper, though her voice feels distant. "What is this?"

I gulp. "I don't know."

Almost instinctively, my feet start moving in the opposite direction her voice came from. Just like last time, the chimera's eyes follow me.

"When I give a signal," I mutter, "start running in the opposite direction and get back to the city."

"Wha–?" Her voice briefly cuts off before she scolds me, "Oh heck no, I'm not leaving you alone!"

As she says that, the chimera's eyes briefly shift in her direction, and its maw opens up to reveal the fangs within.

"You must!" I insist. "It's me it wants. You get to safety while I distract it."

"What do you mean it's you it–?"

The chimera loses its patience at that very moment and takes its first, heavy step on solid ground, with its fangs showing more and more as its head leans closer.

"Now!"

Before the Johtonian can protest further, I make a break for it.

Unlike last time, though, I don't get that far. Mere moments after I've started running, a jet of scorchingly hot water hits me right in the back, sending me flying and spreading searing pain through my whole body. By the time I land on my chest, the pain has become so bad that I can't even move without gasping in pain.

That is when I hear them, those heavy footsteps, just like last time. They're a lot slower, more deliberate, and when I look back, I can see why: the chimera is not running. It's merely walking fast.

It knows I'm not going anywhere this time.

I can't even stand my ground… at least, not on my own. This is the Pokémon world, after all.

But should I? I know nothing about what they can do. Nor is it right to tell them to put themselves at risk for me.

As it gets closer, sparks of fire suddenly burst from behind the chimera's head, prompting it to turn around. Following its gaze makes me notice a Houndoom standing not far away from us.

Or rather, the Houndoom. As well as her Trainer and the Girafarig.

Dammit, I told her to run away!

"Don't even think about hurting my friend," she states, with a tone far colder than what I'm used to, her expression matching it.

The chimera responds via a loud angry-sounding roar in their direction.

The Girafarig staggers and takes a step back.

Unlike her, the Houndoom stands her ground, her eyes narrowing on the chimera.

As for the Johtonian, the angles of her mouth merely move upward into a smirk.

Oh this won't go well at all.

"Let's battle!" the Johtonian exclaims. "Garm, do the honors."

The Houndoom puffs her cheeks and then spits out a salvo of three blue and purple ethereal fireballs at the chimera. It just stands there, letting the projectiles hit it harmlessly as they attach to its body. It doesn't even bother to put them out with how small they are, but it isn't long until the will-o-wisp-like things light up, causing it to wince.

Wait, did I just call them 'will-o-wisp'? Wasn't there a move called just that?

"That the best you can do?" the Johtonian cockilly calls from her side. "Just stand and let yourself get hit? Wow, talk about disappointment!"

Dammit, don't goad it!

Much to my fears, the chimera focuses on the Johtonian again, still ignoring the flames, and growls some more. It opens its maw and lets out a jet of steaming water, aimed right at her and her Houndoom.

"It took the bait, go for it, Garm!"

The Houndoom opens her own mouth, only hers lets out a jet of flames.

Fire and water collide against each other, pushing to prevail as the heat of the flames causes the scalding water to evaporate, a light fog of steam forming before long.

Even though the power struggle begins with a stand-still, it isn't long before the chimera's water starts prevailing and pushes back the fire. The Johtonian and her Houndoom clearly notice it too, as they both furrow their brows.

"Keep at it, Garm," I hear the Trainer mutter. "You can do this!"

It is clear by how the point of collision has moved that she cannot recover.

At least, not without help.

I grab Rex's Poké Ball as quickly as I can and bring it close to my mouth.

"Aim for the ankle, not the tails."

Before he can have the time to respond—not that I could hear it—I press the button and toss it.

Rex materializes mid-air in a flash of light. As soon as he lands, he bares his fangs and rushes the chimera's leg.

The massive creature whimpers as Rex's maw closes in on its ankle, and that is all the Houndoom needs for her fire to strike it straight in the face. Though the chimera ultimately shrugs off the flames, a veil of soot now covers its head.

"You've got this, Garm!" the Johtonian calls from the side. "Give it a shock!"

The Houndoom wastes no time and starts running in the chimera's direction until she's in range to make a leap and grab its main horn with her teeth. Despite the chimera's attempts to shake her off, the Houndoom holds on, and before long, electric sparks dance within her muzzle.

When she meets my gaze, I know just what to do.

"Rex, let go!"

Unfortunately, all the Poké-mastiff does is snort.

"I said let go! Let, ergh…"

Dammit, what was her name?

"Let the Houndoom handle this!"

I can feel the Poké-dobermann narrow her eyes before I even see her.

Rex unfortunately still ignores my command, and as the chimera starts shaking its head more vigorously, the Houndoom apparently decides she's had enough.

Her bite on the horn tightens, and an electric surge spreads from her snout through all of the chimera's body. All the way down to its ankle, where it reaches Rex.

Both Pokémon spasm as the electricity goes over them. Rex, at the very least, has enough sense to let go and get away from the chimera.

The amalgamated Pokémon is less fortunate, howling in pain as the Houndoom sends out the electricity and holds tight against any attempt to shake her off.

It comes to a point where the chimera has to kneel to endure the electrical surge. At first, it seems it might stand down there and then.

A notion soon dispelled as its eyes widen and an echoing howl precedes blue-purple fire enveloping its body. The Houndoom is forced to let go before the flames can reach her, but she doesn't get to land before a… clawed arm made of that fire grabs her.

Uh-oh.

Whatever the fire the chimera summoned is, it has now enveloped it completely to form a fiery version of itself. Except taller and with longer and bulkier arms, claws included.

The fiery visage of the chimera's head glares down at the Houndoom. The Poké-dobermann tries to return the glare, but the attempt is for naught as the chimera tightens its grip, soon leading to the Houndoom gasping for air.

Oh no, what do we do now?

"Garm, come back!"

Not long after the Johtonian's hurried command, a beam of red light reaches and envelops the Houndoom. The chimera is then left empty-handed, which leads to its attention returning on me.

It doesn't recall that fiery aura. It just rushes me again, much faster this time and with a raised paw ready to strike.

Rex gets in between the two of us. I can only see his back from my angle, but I can hear him growl at the coming creature.

Various thoughts go through my head. How I should try to crawl out of the chimera's path, how I should tell Rex to get to safety, how I should toss Lola's Poké Ball where it's safe.

I make good on none of those thoughts. I'm too busy widening my eyes in horror as the chimera gets closer.

I barely register Rex leaping at the chimera when it's only a couple of steps away from us, or how it just kicks him to the wayside. My eyes remain focused on its clawed arm, and how quickly it descends on me.

It comes to a surprise, though, when I see Lola leap straight into the claw. More of a surprise is when the impact between the two has the chimera retract its paw and take a step back. At the same time, all of the fire moves away from the chimera and envelops Lola instead.

Both me and the chimera gawk at this ball of multi-colored fire landing between us. Our eyes widen more when said fire dissipates to reveal an unharmed-looking Lola casually shrugging soot off of her.

What the…?

The chimera recovers faster than me and starts growling at Lola. The Poké-dachshund stands her ground and returns the growl.

I look to the side and find Rex trying to get back on his feet, eyes set on the exchange of growls. As for the Johtonian, she is pointing in our direction, though her attention is focused on her Girafarig, who is shaking in place.

As that happens, the chimera springs into action again, this time raising a hind leg and moving to step over Lola. The little puppy manages to get out of the way just in time, but with how close it already was, I can practically feel its toe brushing against me.

Too close, it's too close.

Left with a choice between immediate pains and becoming this thing's meal, I decide to try and crawl away.

It proves to be a foolish idea, as I find the path right in front of me set on fire–regular fire this time–by a jet coming behind me. A quick turn around reveals the chimera with the last sparks dancing around its opened mouth.

I think I feel something inside my head snap at that moment.

Boiling water, fire and whatever that other fire was? All while ignoring everyone and everything else? Why all of this? Surely this thing can't be going through all this effort just because it's hungry! What does it want from me?!

"Suicune, stop!"

Hearing that name takes me entirely by surprise. So much so I initially fail to register who said it and who it was directed at.

Only when the initial stupor passes, do I take another look at the chimera.

Light blue and white, a violet mane, an elongated snout, an hexagonal crest on the head, all just like said Pokémon. Not only that, it also can walk on water, a feat only Suicune was supposed to be able to do.

This… can't be. Even considering the transition from pixels to flesh and bone, Suicune is from Johto, not this region. Not only that, it's a quadruped without those tails or the overall reptilian traits.

Still, even with the obvious differences, the similarities between Suicune and this chimera are undeniable. What is this… this deformed doppelganger?

The chimera looks as flabbergasted as I feel, with its eyes widening to a degree I did not think possible. Lola is still by its foot, but she too is looking confusedly between the chimera and the Johtonian.

The chimera then narrows its eyes and, with a low growl, turns around to look at the Johtonian. She is trying to hold her head high, but even from here, it's clear she's shaking.

"That is what you are, isn't it? You're Suicune. I mean, maybe not the original, but you are some form of it, right?"

The chimera's only reaction is for its brow to furrow.

Much to my chagrin, the Johtonian starts taking steps toward the behemoth of a Pokémon. "I am from Ecruteak, I know the legends about you. We don't want to hurt you."

The chimera's head retracts from the Johtonian's direction, its frown deepening. I fear we are too late for the 'we mean you no harm' card.

"I-I know it sounds dumb after…well," she nervously gestures at our surroundings, "this, but it's true."

Her approach stops when the chimera decides to take its own steps toward her. As soon as it is within range, it leans down and takes whiffs at her.

She is not moving from her spot, but her face is noticeably paler now.

Damn it, what can I do from here?

The chimera slowly retracts its head. There's still a frown on its face, but it doesn't look like it wants to fight anymore.

"That's right," the Johtonian says, "How about you just sit down and we–?"

A… bark, if I can even call it that, cuts her off, and the chimera hisses at her.

"Uhm, okay… so how about we talk about why you wanted–?"

Another bark, this one angrier than before, and drops of sweat spill across the Johtonian's brow.

"Uhm… are Entei and Raikou in this region too?"

Thankfully, this time the chimera doesn't bark at her. Instead, it retracts its head with a confused look in its eyes, almost as if puzzled by the question.

Though, that shouldn't be the case. It recognized its own name, it should recognize the other two as well.

Unless… it didn't?

"Y-you…" I mutter, loud enough for the chimera to hear, as it turns to glare at me. "You do not actually know who Suicune is, do you?"

The chimera makes no sound. It merely tilts its head and keeps its gaze on me. Which is all the answer I need.

God, please tell me we're not dealing with some kind of Mewtwo situation.

"Suicune, Raikou and Entei were three Pokémon that died long ago," I attempt to explain. "They were later brought back to life with new appearances and powers. They've roamed Johto–a land far away from here–ever since."

The chimera keeps looking at me with evident interest in its eyes. Come on, Aldo don't botch this, make it stand down.

"I… I don't know how, I don't know why so far from Johto, but Suicune is connected to you. Your appearance and powers are too similar not to."

Its eyes widen and start blinking in rapid succession.

"And whatever that connection is, we can help you find what it is," the Johtonian chimes in. "Just come with us to Naranja Academy. I'm sure one of the professors can study you and–"

Something about her words seems to trigger the chimera, as it suddenly lets out an angry snort, turns around, grabs the Johtonian by the head and, with a move so swift I only register it after it's done, tosses her.

Right toward me.

The good news is, she lands right on top of me, so my body cushions her fall from the worst of it.

The bad news is, she lands right on top of me, and the air is knocked out of my lungs when she lands.

"Are–" I try to wheeze out, "Are you… alright?"

"Y-yeah,"I hear her say tentatively, "I'm… fine, I think. You?"

"I'll… live." At least, I think. "Wh-what's–?"

An angry roar cuts me off, and I turn just enough to see the chimera opening its maw wide and fire forming within it.

As if that wasn't bad enough, Lola gets in between it and us and barks angrily at it.

"Merda," I mutter as I try to shift the Johtonian off of me. "We need to move before–"

I'm once again interrupted, but not by the chimera. The Girafarig, who was keeping to the sidelines, suddenly lets out a whine and her eyes start glowing brightly.

Shortly after, my head starts to ring. At first, it is nothing more than an annoyance, but it quickly grows much more intense. So much so, I'm soon clutching my head in pain.

Whatever it is, it seems I'm not the only one afflicted by it, as I can also hear cries from the Johtonian, whimpers from Lola and howls from the chimera.

Not that it does much help, as that ringing only grows more and more intense, along with the sense of pain, eventually silencing any other sensation.

Please, enough! Stop this! Stop this, stop this, stopthis–!

As if answering me, it all comes to a stop as suddenly as it began. I keep clutching my head–half-expecting it to start again any moment–but the only thing left of it are some phantom pains in my skull.

I tentatively open up my eyes again.

It proves to be a mistake.

I am no longer on the shores of the lake. I am instead floating in mid-air, surrounded by what I can only describe as a structure made of crystals glowing with multiple colors, with nothing but a dark void outside.

With their ever changing color, it is impossible to figure out what kind of crystals these are. All I can really say is that they are hexagonal in shape and that they seem able to move on their own, as they sometimes shift position among themselves.

But none of that is as confusing as when some crystals begin showing flashes of… distorted Pokémon is the only way I can describe it. Some I manage to spot are a Volcarona crawling on its disproportionately muscular legs, with big enclosed wings, and a reptile-like tail, a Donphan with exceedingly elongated tusks and scales all over its ridged back, and a Salamence with feathered wings shaped into a crescent moon.

There are two other figures that I briefly glimpse among those and more. One seems to be a middle-aged woman with widely kept hair in a lab coat.

The other… is me.

"What… is this?"

As if in response to my question, an alarm starts sounding from beneath me. I look down, and am greeted by a spectacle I can't quite understand.

Down below, there is some kind of floor, around which all crystals have taken a scarlet color. Two lookalike creatures are fighting each other down there, similar in appearance to those Poké-lizards I saw previously, only red, with feathered crests along their backs and much bulkier.

Before I can wrap my head around what I'm seeing, I feel myself being pulled away from the scene. Turning around, I see the ceiling of the structure: an hexagonal dome made of various smaller hexagons, all with a symbol engraved into them.

The dome lights up with an indigo light that grows more and more intense the closer I get. To the point I have to shield my eyes.

In a rather disturbing turn of events, the last things I think I see before the light grows too intense are a furred tail and a giant head sticking to opposite ends of the dome. Neither of which stay still.

When consciousness returns to me, I feel hot air caressing my face and I slowly open up my eyes to the sight of Rex's face looking down at me with worried eyes. That worry quickly gives way to a happier expression and a relieved bark.

"H-hey, Rex," I tell him. "Wh-what's—?"

A set of other barks comes, soon followed by Lola entering my vision and leaning in to lick my face.

"I, uh… thank you, Lola," I say before reaching to rub her head, which thankfully makes her stop licking. I give Rex another glance before rubbing his as well, taking a look around in the meantime.

While still in the open, we are not by the lake anymore, as vegetation surrounds us. Even so, I can still hear the sound of water nearby, so we can't be that far.

There is also no sign of the chimera whatsoever. Not even one of its growls to give away its position. Whatever happened, it must have scared it off.

Something I can't deny is a relief.

A groan draws my attention, and I find the Johtonian stirring on her back not too far from me, with her Girafarig and her Houndoom hovering over her. The former offers her neck to help the Trainer stand up, while the latter is just standing attentively.

I don't miss the charred patches of her fur, though.

"Urgh," the Johtonian mutters. "What's…?" She tilts her head from side to side. "Where are we?"

"Not too far from the lake, I think."

My statement has her turn to me, and her eyes widen when she sees me. She first makes an exclamation that I can't quite understand, but then she follows it up with, "Are you alright?"

I let go of the two puppies and try to push myself up. Unfortunately, the gesture sets off the pain all over my back once more.

"It could be better," I confess.

"Let me help you up."

She tries to stand up, but her efforts are followed by her legs failing to sustain her and her bringing a hand to her head.

"Are you alright?" I exclaim.

"I'll be fine, don't worry," she reassures me. "Just had a weird dream while I was out."

Her statement has me arch an eyebrow. "Dream?"

"Yeah. Something about a cylinder made of crystals."

No way.

"With two dragons fighting at the bottom and a hexagonal dome at the top?"

She looks at me like I've grown a second head. "How did you know?"

What the hell happened?

Huge thanks to Krosrodes for beta-reading this.

You guys let me know your thoughts and I'll see you tomorrow.