@Scytherwolf;

Episode 20: The Fires of Love

The next morning, Pyroc led Blaze into a rugged part of the valley, where some of the warriors of the tribe had assembled. [Blaze, partner of a krilkul...] Pyroc began. [Is it true you wish to train here in the valley?]

[I do, great chief.] Blaze replied as Ash, Misty, and Brock looked on.

Pyroc nodded. [Very well..before we begin training in earnest, we will begin with a showcase of your skills, so I know where to start your training.]

He gestured to the line of warrior-Charizards. [These five are some of the tribe's best warriors--defeat them in a friendly match. You've met Magnar already...]

[I'm not going easy on you, suorra.] Magnar growled.

This angered Blaze. [How dare you call me a hatchling?]

[You have not lived in the wilds--only at a human's beck and call!] another one of the warriors agreed.

This angered Blaze even more. [I went with Ash because he did something great for me, and I wanted to do something equally great for him in return!] he protested. [I am more than a servant for a human!]

[Magnar, Scaldor, enough!] Pyroc commanded. [It is true that Blaze belongs to a krilkul, but he too is a Charizard like both of you, so treat him no differently from any of the other tamed ones that come here.]

Misty, meanwhile, was confused as Blaze and Scaldor began battling with Pyroc looking on. "Why would they be riling Blaze up like that?"

"It's a natural instinct of Charizards in the wild--to rile up tame ones so they can see the full force of the tamed one's power." Liza explained as Blaze heaved a Flamethrower at Scaldor.

[I have heard that when a lincesa like Blaze is sung to by the krilkul, one can evolve even further--is this true?] the Charmeleon priestess asked Pyroc as Blaze jumped to avoid a Dragon Claw from Scaldor.

[Yes--but the heart of the krilkul or krilmon determines how the tamed one will transform.] Pyroc explained as Blaze lunged to deliver a Fire Fang, but Scaldor took flight and knocked Blaze to the ground with an Air Slash. [If the human's heart is pure, so will the evolution be pure. But if one with an evil heart sings this song of power, so too will the Charizard turn black.]

Moments before Blaze could get back up and try to attack Scaldor again, a low tuba-like sound rang over the valley. "What was that?" Brock asked, curious.

[The war horns...] Scaldor replied as Blaze weakly got up. [We must go and help the other warriors drive back those that would overtake the valley!]

[But what about--!] Blaze protested.

[We will finish our fight later.] Scaldor assured Blaze before he flew off with Magnar and the other warriors. [I promise.]

"Let's go see what is going on!" Liza motioned for the group to follow her towards the valley center, where hundreds of the tribe's warriors spewed white hot flames at a horde of Onixes and Steelixes.

"I don't think Argent would be of much help..." Misty mused as a Steelix whacked away a Charizard warrior. Liza fired a flaming arrow to warn away a second one from approaching the wounded Charizard as he was taken to a cave designated as a medical area and a safe space for those too young to fight.

"I can help deflect an attack from the right!" Brock suggested as he took his own bow and prepared to fire.

Inspired, Misty heaved a Poke Ball skyward. "Come on out, Pearl!" she called, revealing an elegant purple starfish Pokemon with a large ruby core.

You called? the Starmie asked telepathically.

"Freeze some of Brock's arrows with your Star Freeze!" Misty commanded.

[Haaaaaaa-aaaaaaaahh!] Pearl cried as she fired a rainbow beam from her core, freezing the arrowheads of some of Brock's arrows.

"Thanks, Pearl." Brock grinned as he fired his first shot, knocking an Onix backwards.

As he readied his next shot, he saw Ash arrive with Blaze. "Blaze doing okay?"

"I took him to the medical cave, and he should be able to help--" This was far as he got before a huge Steelix broke through the fiery defenses. [Fall back!] Magnar called as some of the warriors rushed to engage the giant rock snakes swarming into the valley.

Blaze watched in horror as an Onix whacked Scaldor to the ground. [I have to help!] he told Ash as he flew off to battle, moments before one of Liza's arrows brought down the Steelix that had breached the valley. [You okay?] he asked as he landed by Scaldor's side.

[I think so...] Scaldor wheezed. [I'm going to the safe haven--can I trust you to protect our chief?] he asked as Pyroc brought down another Steelix.

[Leave it to me!] Blaze smiled as one of Brock's icy arrows brought down Scaldor's assailant.

Just then, he gasped in horror at a huge Steelix about to attack Pyroc. [Look out!]

Ash gasped when he saw the size of the Steelix Blaze was facing. There's no way Blaze would be able to take a Steelix that big...I have to help!

He didn't know where the words came from, but he found himself singing Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... making his chest and Blaze glow red.

The other Charizards, Liza, Misty, and Brock watched was Blaze was enveloped in a burst of red light. "H-how could Ash induce Blaze to Mega Evolve if he has no Mega Ring?" Misty gasped at the sudden turn of events.

"Ash's deep love for Blaze must've awakened his Heart Song, and allowed him to induce Blaze this once." Brock explained. "But in order for Ash to induce Blaze any time he wants, he does need a Mega Ring." He let that hang as Blaze emerged as a sleek bird-like Charizard with a pointed arrow-like head, thinner wings, and a thinner body better suited for fast flying.

[Ash! Be my eyes on the ground while I keep Rocky here away from Pyroc.] Blaze called as he flew to engage the Steelix.

"Okay!" Ash called back. "Watch out for that Thunderfang, and use Fire Fang!"

Blaze skillfully weaved around the massive steel snake that tried to bite him with sparking yellow teeth, then lunged to bite him with red hot fangs as he sped by. "Okay, now trap him with a Fire Spin!"

The other Charizards watched in awe as Blaze effortlessly flew around the Steelix, trapping it in a tornado of flames. [I don't believe it...Blaze and his krilkul are working as one entity!] Pyroc gasped.

He called to the other warriors [Everyone! Full power! The rock snake is trapped!]

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[I can't even begin to thank you for saving my life...and the life of the valley.] Pyroc began.

[Aw, it was nothing.] Blaze smiled. [I was only doing what any Charizard would do--the chief is the heart of a tribe--and without a chief to lead them, a tribe is helpless.]

A smile formed on Magnar's face. [Maybe you are wiser than you appear, Blaze.]

[My krilkul has taught me a lot.] Blaze replied. [But with the chief's permission, I would like to stay here and train.]

[I think the real question is, does your krilkul want you to stay here?] Pyroc asked, motioning for Ash.

"Blaze...if you want to stay here with the wild Charizards for a while, then stay." Ash assured Blaze as he choked back tears. "But whether you want to stay with me, or stay here in the valley, the choice is yours."

[I think it would be better if I did stay with the tribe.] Blaze replied as Ash tearfully hugged him. [I'll miss you, but I feel I can learn even more from my kin in the wild...although I'm only a whistle away if you need me.]

"Okay..." Ash replied as he hugged his friend for a teary goodbye....

To Be Continued...