A Journey | Book 1 [Completed]

Chapter XI | A Flickering Flame

Ace's POV

Atlas had told me to check Erika's gym for Luna, but we had no luck. I figured he and Eclipse would find her.

Just as I thought that, Atlas, Luna and Eclipse were heading back from Rock Tunnel.

I turned to Atlas and saw him and Luna holding hands. Lovebirds, I thought.

"Some idiots kidnapped Luna and tied her up in the tunnel," Eclipse sighed. "But I had fun punishing them."

Atlas got a kick out of that. "Kadabra was throwing them against the walls," Atlas grinned.

     Out of the corner of my eye, I notice an orange-haired individual heading off onto the path towards the next town.

     "Inferno?" I call. He stops for a moment then turns around. His eyes were halfway closed and they were red.

     "What?" He asked. "Where are you going?" I ask running towards him. Inferno tilted his head towards the next route.

     "You're leaving?" I exclaim in shock. Once again, no words. Inferno just nods, looking dead inside.

     "All I am is a flickering flame, blowing away in the wind with Blaze," he mumbles.

     "B-But, I haven't gotten to battle you yet," I wipe away a tear. Inferno pauses, closing his eyes as if he were thinking about it.

     "Fine," he mutters, eyes still shut. He was starting to creep me out.

     "Go, Blaze," Inferno calls, quietly. This wasn't the yelling Inferno I'd grown up with.

     "Let's go, Growlithe!" I shout. Before I could call a move, Inferno's Charizard picked up Growlithe and flung him in the air.

     "Grab it and throw it at the ground," Inferno mumbled. He seemed to be limping.

     Suddenly, Growlithe was threw to the ground, creating a crater - as if a meteorite had hit.

     "Return, Growlithe," I call. "Go, Gloom!"

Inferno shut his eyes again, as if it made Pokémon battles harder, which it didn't.

"Sleep powder, now!" I shouted. Gloom fired a grey mist towards Charizard.

Blaze leapt out of the way and flew into the sky. "Finish it off with Volcanic Rush!" Inferno exclaimed, opening his eyes.

Another combo? Oh lord, I thought. Blaze was using flamethrower while diving downwards in midair, covering his body in fire.

He's gonna ram Gloom with fly while on fire?! I leapt. "Gloom, dodge it!" I panic.

But it was too late, Blaze sent Gloom flying into a building, singed. "Gloom, return," I mumble.

I turn around to see Inferno mounting Blaze's back. "Farewell, Ace," he muttered, expressionless.

...

Atlas' POV

I just watched Inferno decimate Ace's Pokémon without taking damage. I knew why he was leaving, now.

Inferno was leaving to get stronger, probably do more special training. I didn't have any move combos, but I had an idea for one.

The only problem was I didn't know if it'd work or not. I'll test it on Ace's Growlithe! I thought.

After Ace healed his Pokémon I challenged him to a battle. "You'll win, it's three against two," Ace groaned.