Pokemon Ranger: Savior

Chapter Twelve: Calamity

     Lunick and I were still taking in the crazy new surroundings, the lava, the sudden heat, the new Pokemon, when I felt that nausea again, a little more intense than before. I was just shaking it off when Aria came into the cave and stood gawking with us. She was ordered to also come and help with the investigation of the earthquake.

     "I really hope it didn't happen, but...did you clear the fourth challenge?"

     "Aria, we..I..yes but we can explain.." Lunick started sputtering, something I am definitely not used to coming from him. I held up my hand to stop him, if only because I was feeling secondhand embarrassment.

     "Aria we had a very good reason. There was a Charizard in pain, and-" 

     *-ROAR-*

     A huge roar startled all of us, and we turned towards the altar where the statue was. Standing there in its place was a beast. I know that beast...

     "Save your excuses for later! Is that Entei??" Aria also sounds shrill and unfamiliar here, very unlike her character.

     The Entei roars again, breathing fire, then runs off into the deeper parts of the cavern.

     I turn to look at the other two. "Why would a legendary Pokemon appear here? It must be somehow linked to the volcanic eruption." 

     Aria whips her head right at me, her curls flying and her face contorted. "I can't let you handle this anymore. I can't believe you cleared the fourth challenge. No Ranger would be foolish enough to do such a thing. I'll calm the Entei. That will stop this disaster from getting any worse. You can do whatever you want, but don't mess things up anymore. Understood?" How dare she?

     "You can't talk condescendingly to us like that Aria! I've had enough of your attitude!" I seriously won't tolerate her shit anymore, and I was balling my fists, ready to physically confront her if I had to.

     "Tch." She huffs and puffs and turns away, stomping off into the cave after the Entei.

     "Woah." I turn to Lunick, confused. I honestly forgot for a second he was there since he didn't speak much. "I can't believe someone actually stood up to her. She's been giving everybody grief and acting superior, but nobody says anything to her or tells her to shut up. Maybe people are intimidated by her?" He takes a few steps after Aria, then stops like he's unsure he should follow. Then he turns back to me. "It's kind of cool that you did, though. She didn't even know what to say."

     "Yeah, maybe now she'll think twice before insulting me again. I bet she didn't raise to my Rank in only a day. Come on, let's go after her. Something tells me there's no way she can tame that Entei by herself." Pompous witch. I can only stay calm about annoying people for so long.

      The entrances into the challenge chambers were all blocked from debris, and a few more pathways now had gaps where rockfalls broke them off into the lava. Walking towards the altar, we realized that all eight flames burning in the braziers were now red instead of multicolored like before.

     Thanks to the volcanic eruption attracting tons of different Pokemon, we could clear a lot of boulders and things and open new passageways unbeknownst to us before. A lot of them are fire types like Slugma and Magcargo, and even a few Charmander and Charmeleon. They remind me of my beloved teammates back home, patiently waiting for my return whence we can adventure together again.