The Fires of Mourning

This picks up where 'Warren Peace' left off

The wind picked up the scent of burning, and sent it straight towards the Nido-warren.

"Indy .... that light smells like your old girlfriend ... that fire-thing." Flailer looked out into the distant south. "But it smells much bigger... I think we should get out of here... and tell the others."

Indy tested the air "Burn na tummy...." he said softly under his breath, unconciously rubbing his stomach where his fur and skin had been singed a while back form the Cyndaquil, Embyr.

"Yea, lets go tell mum n dad!" he said, dropping the Pinsir and running back in the direction of the others.

Achikochi had already seen the fire and was standing up on her back feet, looking and listening for her sons and mate to return. Daina popped up onto her tail from time to time to see if she could see anything at all. In the distance , the small bonfire had spread wider into an orange glow moving towards the nidoran warren.

Flailer burst through the tall grass, " Mom, Daina .... something's burning! "

Achi dashed over to her sons, "Flailer, Indy ... where have you two been ... we have to get out of here!"

"Sorry Mom. Oh you should have seen it , Indy n' I wrestled down this big bug and it's still back there cause it's heavy and stuff." Flailer explained.

"Well, just hope it's still there later ... we have to go now .. Larksspur has to be warned." Achi looked back once more over her shoulder, hoping to catch a glimps of her mate. He had found her before , but could he do it again.... and would he be clear of the fire?

Tachi arrived back on the scene, with no food in sight "Hey, the fire scent stopped me before I got to the groves...is everyone...OK?" he panted, his fur was damp with sweat and he looked furtively around to amke sure his family were all there.

Achi nuzzled her mate breifly, "Tachi , we have to get our kids out of here ... we have to warn Larksspur too. "

"Agreed!!" said Tachi, giving her a quick peck on the cheek and looking at the children. "Honey, you should get the kids as far away from this place as you can as fast as you can...it'tle be faster if you do that and I go warn Larksspur and help him with the Nidoran here...there don't appear to be that many, so it shouldnt be hard to evacuate em...which I'm thinkin' they'll have to do."

Indy followed behind Flailer. "Ya think it was Embyr did that? She did summink like that to our tree!"

"I dunno ... she burned the tree for no reason I can think of .... she's prolly the one who did this too. I don't even know why you liked her so much" Flailer moved on after his mom and sister, who were already on thier way to the warren. He turned back once more to Indy, " I knew she was trouble from the first time I layed eyes on her!"

Flailer moved on, more focused on getting back to the warren than arguing about the growing fire in the distance.

"I know, I know. yer right....but she was nice..." said Indy softly as he began to follow his brother before looking at his dad "Can I help with the Nido warren? or do I haaaave to go with mum?"

Tachi looked down "I dont think I'll need any help...er..but I guess it's up to yer ma." he said looking then at Achi.

Achi nodded, "Alright... but be careful... and remember .. he has a new familly ... it will be difficult to move them quickly. I will meet you where the rock pools are. The fire should burn out before it reaches that far." Achi prodded the short grass, "This stuff's not much for feeding nidorans , let alone a fire."

"Dont worry, I'll be mindful of his Kits...I know how ta carry the young ones n all if need be, tho I doubt he'll allow the big scary Elil tooo close.." he said winking. "C'mon Indy, lets go." he said as he started off.

Flailer looked back on his brother and waved. It always seems they were going in diffrent directions ... just when they had started to understand each other. The otachiran followed his mother and sister.

Indy waved back and yelled "See ya Flailer! Umm..." he wanted to say more, tell him how great it was to be brothers again, and how much fun he'd had taking down the bug thing with him, but there was no time. That would have to wait. He looked up at his dad and began to run with him.

Achikochi disapeared over a small hill with her kits.

Daina ran as hard as she could in the direction of the water pool rocks. She could hear her mother behind her .. and her brother following along too. She waited at the pool-side for her mother to show up.

Achikochi made it there a few moments later, with Flailer a few feet behind. "Daina, Flailer... get under there.... dig out some of the soft dirt from under you , but not from under the rock, understand."

Flailer and Daina nodded and began to kick out the cool dirt from under them. To thier surprise , the dirt turned to a wet mud.

"Momma , it's wet down here!" Daina complained.

"Good .. if the fire gets this far , you'll be protected. Stay there.. I have to go back and help your father get Larksspur's kits away from the warren. I'll be back for you." Achikochi nuzzled her kits' muddied faces and walked back in the direction of the warren. She would have to be careful of the places where the fire had advanced.

*~*~*

Back at the warren, Digfast stood tall on top of the rocks protecting the entrace to the warren. He could see the flames coming thier way.

Larksspur joined the nidoran-m's side. "Digfast ... I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't protect the warren and my family at the same time. "

~*~

Some time later, Achikochi arrived at the warren , worried that there was no sign yet of her son and mate. She hoped they would be along soon.

The nidorina dived down the run in a frantic dash, "Honeymeadow.... Honeymeadow!" Achi found the lead nidorina in her nesting den. "Honeymeadow ... there's a fire ... burning the forest ... it might come this way!"

The nidorina licked her restless kits, " I know, Achi .... but there's nothing I can do... The others have already fled.... it's just me, and my kits."

"And me!" A male voice said from behind Achi.

"Larkie , I told you to get out of here.. you will have another mate soon enough ... you don't need me." Honeymeadow said sharply.

"Honey, I can't leave you and my first born to die alone.... I've left Twigwhittle in charge of the band... he has a level head and the twins, and your mother to lead them safely." Larksspur hunkered down next to his mate, "With Achi here , we can save three of our children."

"No, Larkie , I won't do it ... I won't sacrifice one to save the others ... they all deserve to live.. or die together." Honeymeadow lay her head down sadly.

"Larksspur, where is my brother?" Achi asked, not wanting to interupt the scene, but wanting to know.

"He left .. with the others... they are travelling east.. into the woods where the fire has not touched yet. Go with them Achi ... I'm afraid that if one child should die , then we all must." Larksspur nuzzled his mate to comfort her.

"You don't have to sacrifice yourselves... my mate .. Tachi .. should be here soon. He can carry a kit, if you will let him." Achi turned back out of the abandoned warren, and sat at the entrance.

The sunrise was blood red, blanketed in thick billowing smoke as the forest burned to black.

~*~*~ Keel'alla paused at the edge of the woods. "Stay here... and watch for anything that comes this way. Kill anything that is not strong, capture anything that is. Do not move from here for any reason. Fail me, and you will curse your parents for brining you into this world!"

Keel'alla left his warriors to stand at the edge of the woods , where they would be hidden from imeadiate view of anything he could flush down thier way. A large aracnid crept out from behind a rock , hoping for a nice meal. The dark Marrowak blew fire at it, sending the ariados fleeing into the edge of the woods in a trail of smoke.

Keel'alla laughed, then quieted as he saw someone he recognised. The ootachi!

The marrowak rolled in the sweet grass to mask his dark scent further, and rooted around in the cubone's memories for words of familiarity.

The dark marrowak tried to make himself appear as harmless as possible, speaking in a borrowed voice, "Bigga poppa long'a furr hava' getta'-way fasta' quick! Burna' things comma dissa way!"

Tachiguys mad dash for Larkspur was halted by a familiar voice that made him stop and stare into the long grass from where it came "Stoney?!" he said aloud, wondering if it was really the boy he had raised as a son.
Seeing something resembling the boys skull cap he took a few steps towards it, "Wow!! My son! hey, I never expected to see you so soon! I'm so happy! Wow, Indy! Check it out, it's yer big brother!" having said this he noticed that compared to the son he remebered, this one was pretty ugly.

"Wow...guess you evolved!!" he said happily, not really caring about the outward appearance of his child.

"Finda' bigga' bone'a'throw club inna' bigga unner'ground. Getta' bigga' mask anna' scale'a cloak. I fighta'win bigga' battle with tougha'-tougha' things!" The marrowak accounted for the time he was gone. "So where'a Twinkle momma anna other kins?" He spoke innocently, with almost a child-like twinkle in his eyes.

Indy stopped and stared and immediately got shivers that rippled from his neck to the tip of his tail. That thing wasnt a good one, he was sure of it.

The Marrowak shot Indy a quick sinister wink. He would have his victory as soon as everyone was in one place .... it would be the end of his past... and the beginning of his future.

"Wow...great stuph chitlin!" said Tachi grinning widely before recalling his mission. "Umm...got somethin important to do champ, look, you head east and get outa the way of the fire, I'll come getcha' once I'm done here, cuz I realy need to help the guys n gals in the area get away form the fire, so I'll catch ya later!!" he said, quickly bolting over and giving the marrowak a very rushed hug and bounding off again. "C'mon Indy!" he said as he ran towards Larksspur's burrow, following Achi's scent.

Indy looked annoyed, dad had called that...thing Champ! That was HIS pet name! He ran after his dad, but not before shooting Keel'alla a dark look.

Keel'alla returned Indy's look with a guesture of his own..... showing his true intentions, then turned east .... just a little, untill Tachi and Indy were out of sight.

The Marrowak rolled in the dirt a second time, masking himself in the smell of dry grass and dust. He crept after his old father figure in a silnet manner. They would lead him to the others .... and then , they would all die.

Tachi raced as fast as he could without loosing Indy, though forgave himself a proud smirk as he saw the kid could keep up with him at close to full speed.

He saw Achi coming out of a burrow and his smirk became a grin. "Honey! I'm glad yer OK, where are the other kids? What about he other Nidos, they all OK? Where are Larksspur and his mate and thier kids?"

Achi nuzzled her mate gently. "I've hidden the others somewhere safe, too keep them from the fire. The other nidos have fled to the northeastern forest, away from the fire. Larksspur's inside , but he can't leave his mate and kits .... Tachi you have to help them."

Indy brooded over the nasty thing that was apparently his brother. It talked nicely, in a comical way, but....there was something up there. He'd have to watch that thing carefully when they went east to meet it again.

In the smokey distance, masked by scent, a dark-souled creature who called himself Keel'alla stayed in the shadows... watching for the moment to strike.

Tachi nodded "Good, I was hoping the rest would be out of here." he said smiling. "Right, I'll go sort out Larksspur's lot, 'scuse me." he said, moving past Achi and heading down the tunnel.

He was apprehensive, he didnt believe he'd be well recieved, even if his intentions WERE good. He braced hismelf for a possible attack, but announced his presence.
"Larkspur, its Tachiguy, I've come to help you with the kits...if you'll allow it. You have my absolute honest word that I won't harm them... I only want to help you get 'em out of here so we can all be safe."
He said as waited just outside the main chamber and looked in to see the 2 evolved Nidos and thier offspring.

"Elil .... we thank you" Larksspur spoke humbly, " Please , help my mate carry her kits to a place , safe from the fire."
Larksspur placed his very own son between the paws of the ootachi, "Watch over my son, an we shall be brothers."

The nidorina picked up her light colored daughter to bring to Achi.

Tachiguy nodded "I thank you for your trust Larkspur. I wont fail you today." he said, taking the kit gently in hiis front paws, not wanting to hold it in his mouth. He made one last nod, smiled and left.

Pasing Honeymeadow on the way out he grinned, showing no teeth "Beautiful child ma'am...you should be proud."

Honeymeadow blushed , "Thank you, Elil... you are kind."

~*~

Indy looked up at his mother "Mum, is there anyhtin you need me to do?"

Achi looked down upon Indy, "I need you to listen... and do whatever I or your father tell you. If we say to stay put ... it's for a reason, understand?"

Honeymeadow approached with her young daughter, placing the kit at Achi's paws, "Please look after Dogwood." The nidorina hurried down the warren and emerged shortly with one of her two twin daughters.

Achi nodded her head and picked the young pokemon up. It reminded her of Brownie. The nidorina sniffed back the bitter memory of her lost son.

Indy looked at his mum "A'ight ma, ill do whatever you say!" he then looked at little spiko and grinned "He reminds me of Brownie! Lookit his little ears! Just the same!" his eyes lighting up he walked over to get a better look.

Tachiguy looked at Indy, and couldnt help but smile softly. "Yea...just the same." he said quietly, hugging the lad quickly with his tail.
"Right, lets move champ." he said, following the others at pace and holding the child gently yet firmly to keep it comfortable. Looking down at the boy bought a lump to his throat and tears to his eyes he couldnt blink away. "Brownie...my son..."

Indy looked up at his dad apologeticly as they moved. He was sorry about mentioning his descesed brother now, it seemed to make his dad really sad.
It made Indy sad to...but not as sad. His memories of Brownie were engulfed in the mist of infantile memories, and even with the blue nido kit in front of him, the brown nido kit that was his brother was still so hard to picture, and only ever became clear in fleeting mental glances.

~*~

Flailer and Daina were growing tired of waiting, and had got it in thier heads that they were big enough to take care of themselves. They dissobeyed thier mother's wishes, and left thier muddy protection to find out what had become of the others. In the silence taught to them by thier Uncle Digfast, they walked towards the warren.

~*~

The marrowak slunk in the shadows of morning, barely visable through the haze of dawn. As he lay still, he could easily be mistaken for one of the local boulders buried in the hillside.

~*~

Achi felt a pain well up in her throat as her son spoke of his lost brother. She nodded, thankful her mouth was occupied with the other nidorina's offspring.

Larksspur and Honeymeadow nodded, indicating they should move east. The pair led the way ... Achikochi followed.

~*~

Off in the distance , a pair of pink furred kits raced down the hillside. "Look , they are leaveing ... we've got to hurry!" Flailer doubled his footwork to gain ground.

~*~

Keel'alla crept along, at a brisk pace ... always slinking parallel to the moving nidos and ootachi. He cared little that thier numbers we doubled of what he expected. He just wanted the chance to strike ....

A twin streak of pink blaxed towards the traveling parents. Flailer and Daina were running short of breath. The little otachi kit yelled out in her loudest possible voice. "Mamma!! Pappa!! WAIIIITTTT!!!"

Keel'alla couldn't see any better time to strike ... He moved up the hill with a killer's intent... his eyes blazed like the fire behind him. His weapon was readied to kill.

Flailer and Daina dodged off , barely excaping the dark Marrowak's first swing.

Achi looked back, in horror .... she had to do something .... she had to save her children. In a split second , she pushed the tiny nido kit into Indy's paws ... take her and go with Larksspur".

Achikochi barrelled down the hillside ... faster than she had ever run in her life. Faster than when she had run from the lab, faster than when she had run from the unknown..... faster than she would ever again.

Keel'alla was closing in on the kits. They were too tired to keep dodging the swipes of the marrowak's scythe. Flailer and Daina tripped back on some loose dirt. The Dark marrowak closed his eyes and snickered devilishly as he pulled his blade back to strike. He brought his blade down in a wide arc, laughing as he felt it meet with flesh. He heard the screaming of the two kits, ringing in his skull mask. He opened his eyes, to find them looking deep into another pair of eyes.... a mother's eyes ... eyes that once ... and somehow ... still did know and cared for him.

Something struck the Dark Marrowak from the inside. He turned away, and ran down the hill, dissapearing into the smoke of the fire.

Flailer and Daina looked down in disbelief....

Tachiguy looked back "STONEY! NO!" he yelled, looking at the kit in his arms, then looking at what was happening out there...what to do!?
Before he could think about that he found himself clutching the kit tightly and running back to his family as fast as he could, just in time to see the dark marrowak dissapear over the hill.

"DAMN YOU TO HADES YOU LITTLE TRAITOR!" he screamed at the retreating ground type.
He had seen the intent in the swings of that cruel blade, and smelt the fear of his children in the air above the smell of the smoke form the approaching fire.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" he again screamed, spittle flying from his mouth in his rage and spattering the head of the now struggling child.

He looked to Achikochi and his kits "Is everyone OK?" he asked, the anger mist clearing form his vision....

Flailer looked at his father... "I'm sorry dad ... it's my fault ... it's all my fault ... she told us to stay ... and I was supposed to watch over Daina ... and ... we ... but .. I didn't ...mean .. for this ...." The young pokemon broke down in heaving sobs as he lay over his fallen mother.

Achi gave a little groan. She was still breathing ..... barely.

Daina sat, in shock.... the reality hadn't quite hit her.

Tachiguys bottom jaw fell as he saw Achikochis injury. He worldlessly passed hte kit to Daina, a small keening rising n the back of his throat of its own accord "Achi...oh...oh no...oh....." he was lost for words.

He stumbled to her, his legs failing at the sight of her lifeblood spilling on the ground through the jagged gash left by Keel'a's scythe. "Achikochi..."

Placing his paw on the wound he tried to staunch the bloodflow, but seemingly to no avail. Tears fell form his still open eyes in twin rivulets, dropping on her side and soaking her silver fur. He looked over his shoulder in the direction of Larksspur and Honeymeadow and called "Come and help me! Please!? Shes....gonna die...please...."

Achokochi was silent.... save for the breath her body laboured to take, stealing one more moment of life.

Larksspur and Honeymeadow slowly made thier way down hill to Achi's side. Honeymeadow turned away at the sight of the silvery nidorina's mortal wound. A crimson river had snaked it's way down the hillside.

Larksspur shook his head sadly, " I'm sorry... but we cannot chose when we die... only how we live. She chose to risk herself... for the sake of your kits." There seemed to be a touch of bitter regret in Larksspur's tone of voice.

Flailer felt as if the entire world had fallen on him. "Oh , mother ... I'm sorry... I should have listened... I knew better..."

Achikochi's lips began to move ... slowly at first, but clearly. "Flailer.. I forgive you. Look after your brother and sister.... and your father too."

The nidorina struggled to turn her head to her mate, " Tachi ... can you see him? Can you see our little Brownie?"

Achikochi's head slumped to the ground... a little smile touched her lips... her last gift to her family.

Daina's eyes filled with tears, "I want my MAMMA!!!"

Tachiguys breath faltered, and he couldn't tear his eyes from the body of his mate, his paws on her wound, the blood now stopped. Emotion boiled in his chest, bringing forth a shuddering jolting of his entire body as he tried to suppress his sobs long enough to say goodbye.

His blue eyes were almost closed with pain, his face contorted into a grimacing wince, tears falling faster than the fur of his dead mate could soak them up.
"Im sorry...im so so sorry...." he said in between gasping breaths. He didnt know what else to say, and in truth, wasn't sure what he was sorry for. For trusting the marrowak? For not being the one on the ground in her place?

He threw his head back and a high pitched keening howl arose in his throat, rough from the juddering of his body as he stood there shaking in his anger and despair.

The air gone form his lungs as hois scream trailed off he lay his head down on her cooling chest and closed his eyes as tight as he could, not wanting to beleive what was happening. His teeth ground together audibly as he tried to suppress his bodys spasms of barely controlled rage and sorrow.

Indigo stood on and watched, not knowing what to do "Mum...isn't dead...she isn't! She's sleeping, everyone wants to sleep when they are tired and sore! thats all!" he said franticly, hugging the child in his arms, "She just need sher rest right? RIGHT?" he said loudly hitting his dads shoulder to gain his attention.

It didnt work.

Tachiguy closed his mind to all the world bar the presence of his grief and the body of his mate, and wished hed never been born to experience so much pain as he currently felt.

Flailer looked to his brother, " I'm sorry Indy .... this is worse that you running away , and being mean and bringing that fire thing home .... I'm not supposed to even be here.... I wish .. I wish ... I was with Brownie ... instead of mom."

Daina looked at her brother, anger began to well up in place of the shock and horror she felt, "Go away Flailer.... you don't belong here... you're not even a real otachi!"

Flailer looked at his sister... and cowered. She was right ... he wasn't an otachi ... he wasn't a nidoran.. he wasn't anything worth having around.

Flailer ran back up the hill to battle the deamons that crawled into his mind , through the gap of hades opened by the morning's events.

"Flailer! Dont go!" yelled Indy, before looking at his sister "Hey! it's NOT his fault...you BOTH came back whem mum said stay...and he ISN'T an Otachi...but he's still our brother.." he said, before tapping his dad on the shoulder.
"You look after mom, dad... I'm gonna go get Flailer back." he said.

Indy placed the kit next to Larksspur, still in denial over what had really happened to his mother. He turned away quickly so he wouldn't have to see the blood...that was too real for him to ignore, so he was trying to not notice it...and ran after his Otachiran sibling. "COME BACK! We need yer help! it isnt your fault!"

Tachiguy groaned. He was getting a headache form the grinding of his teeth, and his body was getting very sore, but he still could not help shaking like a leaf. He opened an eye to see Larksspur there, and closed it again. Who cared who was watching him. Who cared about anything really?

~*~

Flailer ran, running as much as his body would allow .... running the way he had last seen his mother ..... his mother who had given her life for his, something she wouldn't have had to do if he had listened to her in the first place. It was all his fault. And so he ran, until he colapsed.

Indy chased after his brother, numb to the facts before him, just wanting to keep his little world in one piece... as it had been only brief moments ago. He placed his paws around Flailer's greiving form, "Come on, Flailer... it wasn't your fault... you didn't know that thing would be there. "

"I should have stayed. Mom told me to stay." Flailer coughed under the strain of sorroful tears, " How could it not be my fault?"

"Flailer ...." Indy tried to be strong .. at least until he knew Flailer would be okay, "Dude ... we'll get him .. the thing that's really responsible ... we'll do it together ... like that big bug."

Flailer smiled just a touch, remebering how good it felt to bring down the pinsor with his brother. Then he felt sick. The hollow of his stomach lurched forth. Flailer felt the little he had eaten leave him.

Indy pat his brother on the back. He didn't quite know how he and his brother would beat the dark marrowak, but now wasn't the time.

Flailer got up, moving away from where he had been sick. He found another spot to lay down, then curled into a ball. Giant tears rolled off his cheeks, catapulting off his stiff whiskers.

Indy rest his head on Flailer's back, to watch for any who would come up the hill while he and his brother mourned thier loss.

Indy saw the hint of a smile, and returned it. "C'mon...lets just go back now...dad was really really sad and he will want us there cuz family needs family to make em happy." he said nodding, "And Daina will be sad to, and mum." he said, still refusing to register what his eyes had seen of his mother.

Flailer shakily pulled himself to his paws. His ears hung limply, framing a pair of red-rimmed tearing eyes. Sniffing loudly, he looked to Indy, "Yeah .. I guess we should help dad.... take care of mom."

Indy placed an arm around his brothers shoulders. "Yea, we'll go help dad as a team. We make a good one..." he said, struggling to find the words to comfort Flailer, but not knowing how. He started waliing back at a fast, silent pace. "Lets go bro."

Flailer numbly pulled himself to his paws, not sure if he could face his father. He was afraid to look upon the face of his mother in her eternal slumber. He trailed behind Indy, his paws plodding down like drops from a faucet.

The otachiran paused to be sick once again.

~*~

Larksspur stepped up to the body of Achi, running his chin over the length of her jaw. A show of respect and love. He sided up to Tachi, pressing his large body next to the ootachi's.
"You were truely blessed, Elil" Larksspur spoke in a respectful tone of voice, "I wanted to take her from you, you know... I envy you for knowing her as a mate."

Honeymeadow gathered her kits to feed them. Anything to keep her mind off the tragity of the morning.

Tachiguy was oddly comforted by the presence of the large Nido. His body slowly stopped shaking as he drew in breath, and said in a voice barely audible "Thank you Larksspur.....you're more than right. I was very honnored to be loved by someone so special...and I'll remember her as long as I live."

He raised his head, groaning softly as his muscles, compressed completely by grief began to relax, then compact again, causing him to fall to the ground.
~Im so sore all over....my body aches...but not as much as my heart...why can't I get up...~ he thought as he struggled to regain his footing again.

~It must be shock...like a pidgey thats escaped death at the jaws of a predator...but I've escaped nothing. Just plunged into a dark life without her...oh Achi...~

Tachiguys body began again to shudder with silent sobs, and he tensed right up, drawing himself into a fetal postion as he tried desperately to release the grief that gripped his heart with its black icy fist of iron.

~*~

Indy looked back over his shoulder at his brother and frowned worriedly "Maybe those green bugs aren't good fer yer gut dude..?" he said softly as he walked back to where his brother was venting his stomach.

Once Flailer was done Indy looked at his face...he could tell that his brother was in a very bad way. Using his big tail he wiped some of the goop off of Flailers face and flicked it to the side, before getting closer and trying to groom him further. "Feel a little better now?"

Flailer wavered, weak from weeping and nervous regurgitations. The otachiran had never felt so empty in his entire life. He tried to raise his head enough to nod to Indy, but the will to do so was gone.

"I'll be okay," Flailer mumbled to the ground, "But I can't see what good I could ever do to balance the harm I caused. Everything's going to be diffrent..."

Flailer trailed off into incoherant mumblings, followed by silence. He moved mechanicly after Indy, back to where his little world had been shattered.

~*~

Daina crawled up to her father, "Pappa .. are you going to see Brownie too?"

Larksspur looked down on the little kit, and just shook his head. In the back of his mind , there was a small resolution to adopt Achi's kits .... should they become orphaned completely. After all , two of them had helped his warren.

Tachiguy's eyes opened and he saw the worried face of Daina. Eyes so blue, staring at him in that worried way that only a small child can, so intently and with so much love and concern wrapped into one little face.
He again struggled to his feet and managed to stay there for several seconds before looking at his child. "No Daina...I'm not going anywhere...I won't leave you...I can't." Those children would need him now more than ever, and he'd be there for them no matter what it took.

Placing a paw on Dainas head he drew her close and hugged her as hard as he could "But you need to be there for me to sugar...I can't do this alone...I need you to help yer dad and just be there for me...please?" he said, tears again threatening to break the surface. The close loving presence of his daughter bought about an eerie calm...he was still grief stricken and somewhat disbelieving, but his thoughts cleared at least somewhat and he knew he needed to plan what was to happen next or the fire would get them all.

Daina burried her face in Tachi's plush fur, and listened to her father's heartbeat. It was a soothing reminder that he was still alive , and very real. "Pappa , I'll stay with you... I'll take care of you too."

He then looked at Larksspur "Right...your kits are youngest and most helpless, so I'll help you get them to safety first...but then I'd ask you to help me find mine if they dont find us first...and I ask you, don't call me Elil...my name is Tachiguy." he then thought ~And once all the children are safe I'll come back and bury Achi... I'd like to do it sooner, but the living must take precedence over the...~
he looked at Achikochis body and the black fist of grief again pounded his chest ~..dead....~

Larksspur jutted his nose under the ootachi's chin, rubbing his scent over his. "Very well Tachiguy, I will return here with you when you have helped my mate and young to safety. I thank you, for thinking of us ... even in your grief."

Larksspur groomed the base of Tachi's ear... a sign of brotherhood, he had only shown to his closest friends in the past. A small thought of amusement passed through his mind , "Lucky Arrowroot... gets to spend the afterlife in the Rainbowland... with Achikochi."

~*~

Indy looked at Flailer "You can still do plenny of good. Y'all saw how sad dad was, we can help make him better...he might be sick like you to...and mum will need help to cuz that thing hurt her lots." he closed his eyes to surround himself in darkness so that the truth of the situation would nbot find him in it.
"And you n I can both go beat the poop out of that bone thing, and mebee we can let Daina help cuz she might want to as well, and dad will want to kill it I'll bet. He hates anything hurtin' mum after all."

Opening his eyes he looked again at Flailer "C'mon bro...it's only a short way back, we can make it, I know we can, and we need to to help dad, and we need to help Larksspur n' his kids to, cuz they shouldn't get burned up neither."

~*~

Tachiguy hugged his daughter and submitted to the Nidos groomings. The presence of both comforted him a little, and his eyes opened wider as he saw the approaching remainder of his family. " I guess that mine have come back afterall Larksspur, now let's get to moving yours fast, that fire could move closer at any minute with a change of the wind..."

Larksspur reared to his hindlegs, in the fashion of mundane jackrabbits, and sniffed the winds. "Frith must favor us for the moment. The winds are pushing the fire away ... who knows where our scent may go to, though...."

Tachiguy scented the air "Yes...you're right. And this time of year the wind is nice and constant to...we should be OK. As for our scent....just let that thing try and come back..."
Flames of anger flickered darkly for a second in tachiguys stomach, his face contorted for the meerest of moments into something akin to a devil's mask...but as quickly as it came, it went again. Looking at Larksspur he said "I dare say that most will be way to worried over saving themselves form the blaze to be overly bothered with us, besides which both you and I are strong enough to keep Honeymeadow and the kits safe."

The nidorino left Tachi's side to check on his get. There were quietly nuzzled at his mate's side, pushed close to her body for warmth.

Suddenly Tachi's mind locked onto the kits with a deathgrip, allowing no other thoughts. "Indy, Flailer, you should not have run off that way...please stay close guys.." he said slowly, his voice still wavering. "We really must move these little ones..." and he pointed to the kits at Honeymeadows side.

Flailer bowed his head , his ears drooped meekly. He had expected more anger from his father, but maby he was just holding back until Larksspur's kits were safe. The otachi sighed. Things seemed as if they would never be right again.

Indy approached them and looked at his dad "What about mum Dad? We gotta get her up, the burning junk will get her soon if we don't!"

Daina and Flailer both looked at eachother, then to Indy. How could thier brother not know the terrible truth of the situation by now?

Tachiguy winced and looked at the boys earnest face, worried at the welfare of a mother already dead. "Just....do as I ask please Indigo." was all he could say.

"Come on Indy... we should help out. " Flailer spoke in a flat voice, edged with self-doubts, "This is what mom would want... I guess."

Daina loped over to Larksspur's side. "I want to help you move your babies.. like my Pappa wants."

Honeymeadow smiled at the young girl. "Thank you , Daina. Do you think you are big enough to carry Dogwood?" the nidorina nudged her smallest child, the light blue daughter.

Daina placed her paws around the newborn in sort of a bear hug and gently lifted her. Dogwood gave only a minor squeak of discomfort, then settled limply.

"I think I can." Daina smiled.

Tachi walked over. "Good girl...I'll take Spiko again if you'd Like Honeymeadow." he said nodding politely to her and then looking at the young male Nido.

Honeymeadow nodded, " That will do fine, Tachi. Thank you." The nidorina stood up, lifting one of her two twins to Larksspur. The nidorino took it, and waited for the rest of his family.

"Thank you Homeymeadow." said Tachiguy as he took the young male Nido in his front paws, and a small flicker of a smile touched his lips. He whispered "Well...at the very least Brownie has his mother back...perhaps there is some comfort to be had there..." and held the kit securely."Right, I guess we can now move on." he said to Larksspur.

The otachiran moved passed his father, unable to realy look at him. He paused next to Daina, "Hey.. can you carry her okay by yourself?"

Daina looked at her brother and flicked back her ears, "Of course I can. I don't need -your- help."

The otachi could not have hurt Flailer more if she had bitten his tail off.

Indigo saw the look of hurt on Flailers face. "Hey Daina! Don't be so down on Flailer...you ran away to Y'know, it's not all him anymore than it's all you! He was only trying to help you, dont be so aweful!" he said crossly, before turning to his dad "Right daddy?"

Tachiguy looked down "Just stop fighting...no blame need be assigned here...what is done is done...just help with the kits as best you can and stop fighting amongst yerselves. Achi wouldnt want that..."

Daina turned her head from her brothers, and walked behind Larksspur. "Mister Larksspur .. can I ride on your back? I can carry your baby better that way."

Larksspur flicked his ears, and bent low to the ground. "Mind the spikes." He mumbled through his daughter's skin.

Daina climbed up, half carrying , half dragging the kit up the nidorino's back. She situated herself near Larksspur's shoulders, and clutched the small kit between her paws. "Okay, we're all set."

Flailer sighed. It looked as if he had lost more than his mother. At least he still had Indy on his side.

Indigo looked at his dad "Dad...we cant leave Mum here...we cant! She isn't well, she won't get up!" he said, running to her and placing his forepaws on her face.

It was cold.

Taking them off he felt the air around him, and it was very warm, yet his mother remianed stone cold.

"Why...why's she so cold daddy?" he said, a tear glistening in his eye as he noted that his paws had blood on them from her. The painful truth becoming slowly clearer in his mind, but he still didn't want to beleive it...didn't want his mother to be dead.

"She's gone son." said Tachiguy, wrapping his tail around his son in a makeshift hug "I'm...I'm so sorry...she's gone..". a tear slipped down his cheek "There's nothing we can do for her now, we need to get these young ones to safety first, then we'll come and bury her as it should be done. We won't leave her son."

Indy threw off tachiguys tail. "NO! She CAN'T be dead...it's not RIGHT! WHY?" he yelled, whirling to face his father. "How? What did that thing you called 'Champ' do that to my mum for!"

tachiguy faltered "I...I don't know son...I couldn't say. One thing's for sure, had I known that was going to happen, I'd have killed it first instead of hugging it...now all that's left is to take care of the living before I finish it off."

Indy sniffed "It's not FAIR! It's...it's just NOT!" and his head lowered as he began to sob. He walked back to his mother and rested his forehead on her bloodied flank before bursting into anguished tears.

Tachiguy again placed his tail on Indys back. "I know honey...let it out. Just let it go."

Indy threw off Tachiguys tail, blazing red eyes glistening in tears. "You don't touch me...none of you...just...just leave me with my mother!"

Larksspur was already beginning to travel away , when he heard the little otachi's outburst. He paused, with his mate and Daina. They had three kits, but his only son was still with Tachi. The nidorino sat, worried his family would never get to a new home before something terrible happened.

Flailer huffed, then sat next to Indy and his brother. "If he's not going , I'm not going. Dad, don't let the nidos suffer because of me. I've caused enough trouble. Indy and I can stay here and watch... over ... mom. He and I can take care of ourselves, honest. We even worked together to beat a really large brown bug with these ginat fangs that went like this!" Flailer demonstrated the Pinsor's weapon with his ears.

Tachiguy snarled "You'll get moving NOW! BOTH OF YOU!"

Flailer jumped back. So now his father's anger would show.... and perhaps now would come the punishment he had been waiting for......

Indy stared up defiantly "NO! Weve both said we are staying with or mother and we ARE!"

Tachiguy growled low "You'll do as you are told Indigo otachi...you will come with us, and after we are all safe then we will return and not a moment before...am I makiing myself clear...I've lost one loved one today, I'm not about to lose 2 more if something happnes to you!"

At the mention of loss Indy felt a jabbing pain in his stomach and he doubled over.

Tachiguy gasped and picked him up with his tail "I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to growl... I'm sorry! Just please come, please? We need to stick together, we have to!"

Indy again thrust away from his father and landed on the ground. There was a rythmic thooming noise in his head, and he winced as it took over his conciousness. So many emotions, boiling, seething in his gut. He screamed out loud as he felt the cavity of his chest grow to contain these fetid feelings of loss and anger. His vision clouded red and his mind locked onto the pain he was feeling, and in doing so caused him to lash out with his tail on the ground...it to felt bigger. Stronger than before, filled like the rest of him with angry strength.

His breathing became laboured and his teeth ground together as whiteness began to kill the red, and pain began to make way for exhaustion. His lashings slowed down, along with the thooming in his head.

He took a deep, shuddering breath, releasing a lone sob, before passing out. Shock had him in a deathgrip. So many emotions, on top of hunger, physical exhastion and total heartbreak, now with the added stress of his evolution.

He lay still but for a faint shivering, his new form majestic in its strength, but vulnerable in its unconciousness.

Flailer's jaw hung open .... his brother looked like thier dad ... only another color. "What have you done to him?!" Flailer looked at his father accusingly.

Tachiguy took a step back "He's...he's evolved...the stress of the day has really taken it's toll on him and it made him evolve." he said worriedly, remebering when he had evolved to save Achikochi from an impending fire attack.
"He'll be fine Flailer, but if I remeber my evolution clearly he's going to need rest...which he can't get here." said Tachi, glad for soemthing else to focus on for the moment. He tapped Indigo with his tail "Son...wake up... we need to go now."

Indigos unconciousness was nothing short of a black nothingness. His fathers voice filtered to him hazily and in response to it his eyes fluttered open of thier own accord.
"Dad...daddy?" he said softly, before wondering at the sound of his own voice. It was much deeper, "Daddy...OK, I'll come...you to Flailer...let's just go from here, lets just get moving...I can't bear to be here much longer..." he said, rising to his new feet, and looking somewhat shocked....

Flailer eyed his father somewhat suspiciously, then helped his evolved brother to his feet. "Indy ... are you okay?"

Indy looked down on Flailer "I...think so...but what happened...why do I feel so...strange.." he said, stopping in his movement, and flicking his tail nervously. Looking out the corner of his eye he saw his tail move.

Or was it?

Turning to take a closer look at it he managed to see that it was different, and much much longer.

"Dad...I'm an Ootachi now...aren't I...?" said the boy with sad wonder in his voice.

Tachiguy placed his tail over Indy's. Indy didn't flick it away. "Yea, you are son, you've evolved just like I did."