When Worlds Collide

Chapter Four

It had been almost a month since mother had brought me here to the Aquene forest. Things have been very uneventful and peaceful. I was sitting on the back porch of the quaint wooden cabin, staring into the lush undergrowth of the woods. Beams of light sliced through the branches to make puddles of sunshine on the ground below. My mother's pokemon stood protective watch over my tiny hovel, covering almost the entire perimeter.

Staring deeper into the woods, I could see the orange tinted fur of her massive Camerupt. It blundered clumsily along a wooded path, grunting as it caught my eye. Smoke billowed from the miniature volcanos a top of its back.

I waved, a weak smile across my face.  I knew that they just wanted to protect me and please Talia, but I didn't want to be here.  I wanted to find Princess.

Suddenly, I could hear a carriage pulling up to the cabin's small stone driveway.  I could hear the whinnying of my mother's Rapidash at the reigns.  "Alessa, I have a surprise for you," she called.

I ran to the metal fencing that surrounded the yard and watched as she shut the carriage door behind her.  In her hands was a small box, wrapped in bright purple wrapping paper.

Running to the back door, I flung it open and ran inside to meet her.  "It was so pleasant to commune with the other kingdoms today," Talia chimed as she walked into the tiny cabin.  She turned and came immediately to the dining room table, setting down her parcel.

"I had told the other leaders about Princess's disappearance.  They all send their condolences," Talia said softly, laying her hand gently on my shoulder.  I reached my hand up and placed it over hers, feeling fresh grief wash over me.

"But King Alexander of the Kuval Kingdom has sent me home with an offering of peace.  He claims that psychic and fire types together are the strongest of all Pokémon."

I placed my palm on the top of the package, feeling it quiver with movement.  Grabbing hold of the ribbon, I pulled until it came unraveled and the box popped open.

To my surprise, a tiny yellow fox like Pokémon was curled inside.  As it opened its eyes and looked up at me, I could see all of my sorrow washing away at the paws of this delicate Pokémon.

"This Pokémon is called a Fennekin," Talia informed me, "it is a psychic and fire type."

The little Fennekin let out a yawn, it's bushy yellow and orange tipped tail wrapping tighter around its body. I reached closer and touched its massive ears, staring at the rich orange fur that sprouted from inside them.

"Does it have a name?" I asked, still feeling a little dumbfounded.

"I'm sure you can think of a nice name for him," Talia said, a thin smile spreading across her face.

"I think I like Casius," I stated after a moment's thought.  The name must have pleased the tiny Fennekin, for it opened its eyes and pressed its snout into my outstretched hand.

Talia must have seen the delight on my face.  She pulled me into a big hug, "I know I can't replace Princess, but it'll be good for you to have a new friend," she reasoned, her voice strained. 

As I pulled away, I could see Casius staring out the dining room window.  "I should return to the castle now.  Don't forget that if you get hungry, Infernape knows how to cook basic meals," Talia told me seriously.

"Yeah, I know," I replied. Before she turned to leave, I grabbed my mother's hand. "When can I come home?" I asked, my voice grating on the last word.

She looked back at me, her face completely shielded of any emotion. This frightened me more than anything else. She took a moment to respond, staring at me blankly. "Maybe you can come home before winter," she finally said after a long hesitation.

"Winter," I repeated. That was easily still a couple months away. My grip loosened as she pulled her hand free and started to walk to the door.

"If there's an emergency, you can send Talonflame to the castle and we will be here as soon as we can," she called over her shoulder as she strode our the door and shut it quickly behind her.  I could hear her carriage pull away, heading back towards the castle.

Then Casius let out a tiny yip, making me turn to see what had startled it. As I turned, the  light inside the tiny cabin started to dim and darken.  Casius was glaring at the window, its fur spiked along its back.  "Its alright boy," I mumbled as I reached forward to stroke its ruffled fur.

But there was something at the window, staring in.  It was a massive tree-like Pokemon with long, bare branches for arms.  It had tufts of leaves at its wrists and atop its head, making it look rather strange.

One round, red eye stared at me from its bark covered head.  It reached forward a shaky hand, its fingers clacking against the window as it placed its palm on the glass.

I took a step closer, preparing to lift my hand and also press it to the glass.  Before I had a chance, Casius grabbed my wrist in his teeth and pulled me away.  I was surprised, but his tug was gentle.

Faint, angry battle cries echoed into the tiny hovel.  I could see my mother's Pokémon gathering behind the massive tree creature.

I picked up Casius, holding him close as the fire Pokémon struck.  I watched as the tree Pokémon was entirely engulfed in a blazing inferno.  Its red eye stayed fixed on me as I stared, not daring to turn and fight.

As another wave of flamethrower blasted the mysterious Pokémon, I let out a weak sob.  Why were Talia's Pokémon doing this?

As quick as lightning, I hurried out of the front door and ran around the side of the house.  I could see the line of fire Pokémon, their eyes narrowed in concentration as they focused their attacks on the foreign Pokémon.

Casius struggles in my arms as I ran closer, straining against my chest.  "Stop!" I screamed, running straight towards the tide of fire that was devouring the tree Pokémon.

The heat singed my eyelashes as I neared but I couldn't stop.  I flung my entire body into the flame, feeling the fire quickly ignite my clothes and my hair.  The Pokémon stopped attacking, emitting frantic confused noises as they rushed towards my burned body. 

I dropped to the ground, Casius still wrapped protectively in my arms.  He didn't seem to have been even slightly injured, but I knew I had hurt myself severely.

I lay on my back, the grass like soft fingers caressing my burned skin.  I opened my eyes to stare up at the sky, the concerned face of my mother's Infernape hovering over me.  He grunted something to another Pokémon, turning to the others.

Talonflame spread its wings and took off towards the kingdom, presumably going to fetch my mother and father.  I groaned, the pain overwhelming me. 

I turned my head slightly, making the burns on my neck hurt a million times more.  The tree Pokémon was still here, standing tall as it stared down at me.

"Don't leave," I croaked, my voice hoarse.  Relief washed over me as the tree Pokémon bowed its head and bent closer to me on the ground.  It stretched out both of its arms, extending its palms towards me.  Tiny translucent leaves fluttered from its fingers, tickling my face.

I forced a small laugh, the effort draining my energy.  As I stared to drift into unconsciousness, I could feel strong wooden limbs curving around my body as the strange Pokémon held me close, just as I was holding Casius.