From: Perfect Cell <MiraiNoHikage@hotmail.com> Subject: [PW!] Up in Flames Date: Friday, June 04, 1999 10:48 AM There was a flash in the darkness. A brilliant blast of light. It was followed by that of a screeching animal, and then.... Then it flew over. It crested out over the waters and flipped around, making a second pass. The heat it gave off incredible. It spun around and flapped it's wings slowly to stay aloft as it's gaze honed in on one solitary figure. It screeched again, tilting it's head slightly. It looked to each side, and when it did, it set the whole area into a sea of flames. The fire raised as high up as the creature flew. And then, amidst the smoldering heat, it dove right towards it's target, it's beak opening wide, letting out a third awful cry. There was another flash...and it was dark. Solid black. He cursed inwardly and allowed himself a moment for his eyes to adjust, before looking around again. The house was unfamiliar. He got out of bed. Hm....clothing still on. Not unusual for him. Not anymore. Spectre opened the door slowly, as not to wake any other inhabitants of wherever he was. He heard a small bit of snoring and peeked through a door. Ahh, that explains it then. Kat's house. He smirked a bit and simply teleported out of the house. It had to be after midnight. It wasn't likely he'd be seen. He merfed and ducked behind Kat's house quickly as he reappeared. Damn Jenny and her rounds. He'd have to be more careful. Silently running through the streets of Cinnibar, hopping onto the rooftops and travelling that way to avoid Jenny's occasional passing by. He laid down on one, the faint glow of the Pokemon Center illuminating the general area slightly. He sighed. "I'm not used to this. I used to be a lone gunman.....now this...." He brushed a few strands of hair from his eyes and crossed his arms behind his head. "Not so bad having a human to talk to....but...." A faint speck of light caught his eyes in the distance. He frowned slightly, not being able to figure out what it was. Moments later, a helicopter blazed from the general Pallet area to somewhere out towards Pokemon Island. That knowledge was lost on Spectre. He had no clue was was going on, and he didn't want to. Another glint. Hmph. Probably another chopper. Well...that was odd....since when did choppers roar? Feh...Spec was letting his imegination get the better of him. The second helicopter zoomed by, hot on the trail of the first. It passed far too low to the ground for his comfort. Soon, a third and fourth passed by. Spec was getting quite annoying. Not only were they ruining a perfectly nice night, he was pissed because he didn't know what was going on. After peering off into the distance to make sure there wouldn't be any MORE interruptions, he laid back down and stretched. "Well then...that's better." No sooner had he shut his eyes and let the cool night breeze blow across his face did he hear something else. Hopping to his feet, he cursed quietly, swearing to bring the next helicopter that came by down out of the sky. Uh-oh... Spec lept to another rooftop, barely avoiding the giant, flaming creature. Skidding down the slanted roof he landed on, he looked back up, staring down what had nearly roasted him. A giant, flying bird circled Cinnibar, screeching loudly. It's whole body was set aflame. Spec twitched slightly. He had seen a few pictures here and there, and read a bit of info about it, but he never thought he'd run into one. And what the HELL was it doing outside of Victory Road?! He'd have to contemplate the mysteries of it later, as it had just set numerous people's houses on fire. "HEY!" This was bad....this was very bad... Not only was Moltres attacking the town for no apparent reason, he might harm Kat. That didn't please Spec one little bit. Moltres turned it's head, hearing someone shout, and saw a lone figure standing on the roof. It tilted it's head and screeched. "Knock it off, dammit! Go home!" The flaming bird seemed to smirk a bird before turning it's head to each side, sending a brust of flames down on more homes, as if to mock him. "STOP IT!" Spec clenched his hands into fists and glared up at Moltres. He needed to stop it....but didn't have any water Pokemon that would help. And he damn sure wasn't going to send his current lineup after it. That would be like telling someone to run against traffic during rush hour. People rushed from their burning houses, assembling in a small area. That was a bad mistake on their part. Before Spec could think of a rational way to handle it, Moltres dived down towards the people, engulfing them in a shower of fire. Spec's eyes darted from the bird as it swooped back up to the people screaming in pain as the fire slowly killed them. God, but the smell of frying flesh was sickening. A mother and her baby caught in the fire looked around deseprately, trying to find her husband. Luckily, he was outside the inferno. She yelled something, then flung the baby towards him, moments before the pain was just too much. She collapsed to the ground, the flames charring her skin. The baby never met it's intended target, and the blanket it was bundled in caught on fire as well. The baby slammed into the ground, inches in front of it's father. All he could do was watch the flames eat away at his child's skin until there was nothing left but bone. Spec growled quietly. His battle aura had flared somewhat violently as he watched the scene. Moltres was simply watching on. Possibly to see what it's carnage would cause, possibly to wait until Spectre got mad enough to retaliate. When his gaze returned to the legendary bird, his eyes were glowing a solid light blue, the same color as his aura. As the screams of dying people filled the night sky, he raised a single hand, palm outward, towards Moltres. Those who had managed to get to a safe place watched on from below as some psycho kid tried battling such a powerful monster. Kat and her mother raced through the streets, joining the small group in an alleyway. She had a good idea of who it was. Her and her alone. A shriek came from Moltres, and he flapped his fiery wings faster. Flames dropped down and englufed even more escaping citizens. Whatever his motives, he was definately pushing Spectre to see just how mad it could make him. No one on the ground was quite sure of what happened next. There was a bright flash of light, then a light blue beam emminating from the boy on the roof. It had quickly blazed across the sky and come in contact with Moltres, catching him in one of his wings. Moltres recoiled and dropped down, quickly regaining his senses. The tip of his left wing was put out and looked mangled. It screeched again and, giving Spec one of those 'I'll kill you for this' looks, flew off back towards the Pokemon League. Spec lept off the roof. He walked silently to where he knew Kat was, stepping on numerous charred bodies, snapping them under his boots. Officer Jenny and a few officers had calmed the panicky crowd down as best they could, and the fire department had been dispatched to put of the remaining fires. As soon as she knew it was him, Kat pushed Jenny out of the way and ran towards Spec, giving him a brief hug and asking about a half dozen questions at the same time. Reassuring her he was okay, he sighed and looked around town. At least a quarter of the town had been burnt to the ground, along with a good deal of people. The Pokecenter and Gym were still up, thankfully. "Excuse me?" Spec turned around and saw a fairly old man, balding, looking at him. "Yeah?" He extended his arm, holding out a small, spiked object. Spec blinked a bit and looked up at the man. "My name is Blaine. I'm the Gym leader of his town. I want you to take this as gratitude for saving us." Spec smiled a bit and snatched up the badge, pinning it inside his trenchcoat. "Alright....but expect me back sometime for a formal battle." Blaine chuckled a bit and nodded. He went off as a pair of his helpers rounded the corner. Spec hugged Kat lightly and sighed. It was going to be a long night. Good thing Kat's house only took minor damage. There was a chunk or two missing in the roof, but that was about it. "Let's get some sleep. It's been a bad night." Kat and her mother nodded. He turned to the crowd, then to Jenny. "And don't even think about questioning me about that. Some things you just can't explain." She shot an odd look at Spectre as he, along with Kat and her mom headed back to their house. ...TBC -- Reg