Shadow Fire

As they arrived in the lower chamber, Link gasped at what he saw. The entire chamber itself seemed to be sealed off.

Was there something we forgot?

Taking a breath, he rested against one of the walls, only to cry out in surprise as it suddenly moved, exposing a different section, with a switch.

Rusl pondered for a moment, before smiling again.

"Anyway, Kaze..." he continued. "Tomorrow is finally the day. You will be departing for Hyrule. I think it is a good thing I have given this task to you... Good luck! And return safely! If you are lucky, you may even get to meet Princess Zelda! Ah ha ha!"

With those words, he made his way back to the village.

The little Totodile nodded.

"Yep!" he said, excitedly. "I'm sure he will be able to help!"

Silver stared at the smaller Totodile.

"So..." he began. "I'm your big brother, huh?"

A cheery nod was his answer.

Rusl approached, smiling down at the young girl.

"My son told me Talo disappeared into the woods and had not returned..." he explained. "I came as soon as I heard... But it looks like you have brought him home already... I apologize. Such a task should not fall to you."

Glancing around, his smile faded, a look of concern appearing on his face.

"Tell me, have you noticed how strange this wood seems lately?" he asked. "I feel... uneasy about what may lie in wait..."

The green-clad male merely stuck his tongue out in response, giving a teasing grin. Approaching the elevator, he clambered up on it, waiting for Kaze to join him.

The smaller Totodile broke away from Cynder, and looked up at Ethan and Silver.

"Um..." he began. "Don't be sad..."

Oddly enough, it seemed as if his words were able to be deciphered by the human. Clambering up onto the bed, he placed a paw on both Ethan and Silver, giving an adorable smile, snapping his jaws as he did.

"I heard a legend..." he continued. "If we go see the great mystic kitty, we may have a happy ending for you and my big brother!"

Silver froze in shock.

Big... brother?

Talo breathed a sigh of relief, while the monkey scurried off to do monkey things. The boy stared after it, before turning to his rescuer.

"If you hadn't come, Kaze..." he murmured. "Gee, me and that monkey would've gotten eaten, probably! She's actually a pretty nice gal, that monkey... She tried to protect me, so we got captured together."

Glancing away guiltily, he suddenly ran in front of the girl and clasped his hands together in pleading.

"Um, Kaze..." he continued. "You're not gonna mention this to my dad, are you? He's always telling me to never, EVER go into the forest, 'cause he says it's dangerous... So you really can't tell him! Really! You have to promise!"

Eyes widening, Silver let his own tears fall, and he buried his face into Ethan's chest.

"I'm sorry!" he sobbed. "I was so excited to return to you after I defeated Lance, but... something happened. I woke up like this..."

Suddenly, a dreadful thought passed through his mind.

"Nobody we knew remembers me..." he continued. "...do they?"

Clearing his throat, Link opened his mouth, and said one soft word.

"Down..."

Eyes closing as Ethan kissed him, which in itself was strange, considering the two were now completely different species, he pressed back briefly, before letting the kiss come to an end. Feeling somewhat tingly all over, the Totodile opened his eyes and stared away, still smiling his wistful smile.

I missed your kisses... but more importantly, I've missed you, so much.

Realizing he was still a Totodile, he gave a soft sigh and stared back at Ethan, sadly.

"I'm sorry..." he mumbled. "I was hoping it would work too, but I guess it was just a stupid fairy tale."

Nothing could prepare him for what was going to happen next.

Trapped in a cage, Talo and the monkey were being circled by monsters, which were preparing to put an end to their lives.

A few more rounds of this was all it took for Meg to finally shriek in defeat, releasing her captive flame to whence it belonged. With all four torches lit, the elevator rumbled to a start and rose up, allowing the two entry to the lower level.

That was a spirited battle...

Eyes locked on to Ethan's, the former human gave a small smile. It was a smile similar to the ones he had given Ethan as a human, the same smile he had given when he'd defeated Lance on his own.

"As impossible as it seems..." he murmured, although it sounded like Pokemon language to the human. "...for whatever reason, this is what happened to me."

A paw was reached up, gently touching the human's cheek.

"Ethan..."

Once again, his eyes briefly flashed to their original colour.

Beth and Malo were encountered along the way, unable to keep up with Talo. A nearby man selling lantern oil called out to her.

"Whoa! An Ordonian!" he said. "Hey, miss! I saw this boy chasing after a monkey. I know you must be trying to find him, but I'm not sure you should be wandering around the woods without a lantern. Just because it's daylight doesn't mean it's safe."

Looking over at a nearby cave, he nodded towards it.

"There are a ton of caves and dank spots around here that get pretty dark even in the middle of the day..." he said, picking up a lantern and handing it to her. "Here! Go on, miss. Take this! See, I sell lantern oil here... I'm trying to drum up sales by giving away free lanterns! It's a business tactic, it is! See, as long as you've got oil to fuel your lantern, you can light your way and set fire to stuff. They're the best! But I'd be careful, if I were you. The cave is dark inside, and filled with all sorts of nasties."

Silver's eyes opened, and he glanced up at his beloved. Taking in his surroundings, a slight pink came to his face as he remembered the Pokemon Center in the past.

"Ethan?"

Link looked at the four phantoms circling around him. He suddenly noticed that one of them gave an additional twirl, and fired an arrow at it. The other three vanished immediately as the ghost reeled in pain, before vanishing, only to reappear mere moments later, already split into four.

I see... the others don't mimic her moves exactly.

Silver kept still, and the smaller Totodile scampered after Ethan, following him to wherever he was going. Casting a glance at Cynder, he tilted his head to the side.

"What's happening?" he asked. "Where are we going?"

As the two raced down to attack her, the ghost turned and stared angrily at them. Suddenly, she gave a malicious laugh, and created copies, circling around the two friends.

Still gazing into Ethan's eyes, his own eyes shimmered a deep crimson for a moment, the same colour his eyes had been as a human, before returning to the same shade as a typical Totodile's.

"I am him..." he murmured. "I want us to be together again so badly."

Lowering his gaze, he sighed. Nearby, an advertising screen began broadcasting information about a showing of The Princess and the Politoed. The smaller Totodile stared up at the screen, before turning back and pointing at Silver.

"Oh!" he squeaked! "It's just like him! I love that story!"

Closing his eyes, Silver gave a bitter smile.

Yeah, right... for what reason would Ethan have to kiss a Pokemon? Even if I DO remind him of my human self...

With each attack performed, the children got more and more excited.

"Thanks, Kaze!" Talo said, finally. "So, uh, I... I think I get it... Kinda... Hmm... Maybe not..."

The boy gave a soft chuckle.

"So this means that anytime one of those naughty monkeys shows up..."

Trailing off, he suddenly spotted something.

"WAH!" he cried, noticing a monkey. "C'MERE, YOU!"

With those words, the children, except for Colin, began chasing after the monkey, which was heading deep into Faron Woods.

*Skipping ahead to Meg, because the rest of the temple is... well, it's okay, but yeah*

Three down, one to go...

The next door led right back to the main chamber, where Link was surprised at what he saw. In the middle of the floor was the final Poe Sister, shaking with rage at the defeat of her siblings. Turning to Kaze, he nodded.

Let's get her.

Silver then returned his attention to Ethan. Staring into the human's eyes, he reached a paw up and caressed Ethan's cheek.

"I'm so sorry..." he said sadly. "I didn't mean for you to be so hurt. I failed you. I failed everyone. I really am... no good at all..."

Leaning up, the Totodile gently licked Ethan's cheek.

"I wish I could have stayed by your side..." he continued, afterward. "I wish I was never separated from you... never made you cry... any of that. I love you, Ethan."

Nodding, Link opened the door and entered the next room, giving a soft gasp. It looked like a maze of sorts.

Hmm... how to do this?

The children were very excited indeed, with Malo demanding a demonstration, although you could see his eyes sparkle. He tried hard to hide it though.

"Horizontal slice! Vertical slice! Stab! Spin attack! Jump attack!"

The children were really wanting to see Kaze's moves.

The trainer with the Butterfree stared at the exchange, before clearing his throat.

"I hate to be that guy..." he said. "But I need to get going. I think you would be the best to take these two. That little guy obviously knows you very well. Anyway, take care little guys!"

Bowing, he scampered away, continuing his adventure. Silver called out after the Butterfree.

"Thank you both!" he said. "You reunited me with Ethan!"