The divine beast of wind and water.

The search for a pure, untainted water source once again left the Vaporeon feeling frustrated, and questioning if all of this had been a waste.

His search this time had taken the water Pokémon to a mysterious set of islands located off the coast of the neighboring region next to Johto. The hope was that somewhere on these isolated patches of dirt would be the untainted pool he had long search for, and like before it led to further disappointment.

The journey for this pure water source would had taken many more moons, and even greater heartache if it weren't for 'the call'. One night after another angry sulk, the urge to return home became too much.

The water Pokémon had been gone for awhile, years at the least, and during that time the Vaporeon had grown not only in size, and power, but wisdom as well. His personal journey had taken him farther than he had previously expected, evolving early on just to have the power and abilities needed to make it past the treacherous Mt. Silver.

Something was summoning him back to Johto, and the thought only stirred the calm waters within his mind. He wanted to ignore it so badly to continue on with this self destined journey, but his time away had altered him on a core level. Vaporeon left Johto for a reason, and this quest for a pure water source was his excuse to never go back, and against his wishes was going to answer the call from his mysterious benefactor.

With the urge too great to ignore, Vaporeon found himself returning to the sea to begin the long trek home under the watchful light of the moon. With his journey put on hold for the foreseeable feature, his only concern now was how his brothers would react when they saw him. Would they welcome back with open paws, or do grudges go both ways?

Many nights passed since heading to the call, but Vaporeon finally found the clump of forest he could scarcely recall playing in. Even under the darkness of the forest canopy, he could faintly make out subtle glow of eyes watching him with interest, wondering why a water Pokémon was out this late in their forest.

As if asking the Vaporeon this very question, a few sets of these eyes began drawing nearer, chirping and buzzing their way from the concealing shadows into the sparse moonlight revealed three Hoothoots and a single Spinarak walking along a faint web it must have laid some time before.

"Hoo are you?" the Hoothoot on the right asked, the other two tilted their heads to the side.

Vaporeon came to a stop, turning back to look up at the four Pokémon.

"I'm Vaporeon, who else would I be?"

"A Vaporeon out of water." the Hoothoot on the left stated, causing his companions bob up and down in agreement.

The Spinarak didn't 'bob' in agreement, but instead moved to the end of the branch before descending slowly to the ground via a single thread. Reaching the ground, the bug Pokémon cautiously approached the much larger Pokémon before stopping just outside its possible range of attack.

"EEEvvolllleed. Raaaarre." It hissed in the unsettling way most bug Pokémon talked. "Enviiious."

Vaporeon not wanting to encourage the jesting nature of the three Hoothoots, gave his time to the small bug.

"For this forest it is, I was just returning home just beyond this forest."

The Spinarak seemed to sense his desire to continue and thus gave him a small nod before grabbing the thin thread with one of its many legs to climb back up. The three Hoothoots didn't understand this and continued their questioning, only this time asking at the same time.

"The Human nest? Never have we seen you , so where have you hide?"

"I was one of the three eevee brothers that used to play in this forest, the Terror Trio?"

"Terror Trio?"
"Never heard of them."
"No eevees live here."

The three Hoothoots responded in their very strange way, but what they said left Vaporeon feeling a little less complete.

How was it possible they never heard of him and his brothers? When the brothers played it was a day to be remembered (for better or worst) and for them not to recall any of those days left the water Pokémon a little bothered.

Had he really been gone for so long?

Vaporeon said nothing deciding to silently sulk for a moment before finding his voice to address the four nocturnal Pokémon.

"Now that I'm thinking about it, this is the wrong forest. Sorry for wasting your time." He apologized, pausing to hear what they might have to say.

When the four Pokémon kept their peace, Vaporeon departed.

The last time Vaporeon seen his home he was no bigger than a newly hatched Togepi, but now he was evolved. And so had his home.

At the end of these the sparse paw full of huts clustered near the recently completed tower were no more, now these huts spread out like a sleeping Snorelax from forest's edge to the other. The scent of the land was gone, having been replaced with the musty remains of cooked meat and charred wood as the excitable daily calls of their inhabitants crowded the narrow pathways.

The early morning sun was hidden behind the lingeringly clouds of yesterday's storm, but even the threat of another down pour couldn't keep the inhabitants indoors. Where the pressed dirt and bits of rock had once marked a path, crudely laid stones worn flat by the vigorous daily motions of human and Pokémon channeled locals, and travelers toward a plethora of destinations.

Ignoring the odd looks from the people out, Vaporeon continued his trek down this new road noting some of the stones where already starting to crack under the constant use. Just how long had he been gone?

Before there was only a single tower and a small town (camp really) around its base to watch and maintain it, and that to was gone. Having grown to a full human nest with a second tower having been fully constructed in his absence! Everywhere he turned Vaporeon was met with more surprises as the humans and Pokémon eyed him with distrust, unfamiliar with the water Pokémon.

Vaporeon's pace slowedas he kept eye contact with each passing Pokémon as he fought the urge to battle them here and now. A crackle of thunder broke the tension, the Pokémon and their owners scurrying off with a fire under their heels, leaving the water Pokémon alone once more.

Vaporeon looked to the sky where the storm clouds lingered when a wicked thought crossed his mind- a hip and a hop here, a tail shake there, and a small howl finished the dance off. It didn't start right away, taking maybe 15 minutes or so before the first trickle of rain began its descent leaving the water Pokémon feeling a tad smug as the people began seeking cover.

By no means was it a rain storm but the mere thought of it progressing into something more than a trickle was enough to send the people and Pokémon running.

The excitement was short lived and Vaporeon found himself feeling no better than before. A fish out of water he had been told, and was founding out it might hold some truth. The whole town had become different to the point Vaporeon assumed he had stumbled into a different town all together, but that tower confirmed he was indeed home.

But why did he feel so un-welcomed, like he was the intruder?

Even using his Rain Dance did little change his mood, and this realization made the water Pokémon acknowledged that besides the first tower still present, his memories of home were just that, memories.

The Rain Dance had cleared the streets in all directions, leaving the water Pokémon alone with this thoughts as he traveled in the general direction of the tower he once called home.

The second tower was a bit smaller, and hid behind the first like his brothers hid behind him when they were scared. The first tower had taken a tremendous effort to construct, or his parents had told the three of them, explaining it was being built even before they themselves had hatched. It's how they first met they mentioned, both being tasked with patrolling the very ground itself; this duty was very important his father told them, so important that when the time came, his siblings and himself would have to continue the task in their place.

At first, he was thrilled to follow in his father and mother's path, but that faded once he realized 'for life' meant.

Their life among the tower's gardens wasn't for their own enjoyment, but as a duty to protect the grounds in the human's stead. To accomplish this meant many hours a day dedicated to training to meant the human's standards (which were very strict), but for a young eevee it was just a game to see which one of them was the best.

He would be lying if the results of these 'games' weren't a big factor for leaving in the first place. How could they choose the youngest of the three when they had two better candidates to choose from? If it was his older brother, than Vaporeon could respect their choice given how closely matched the two were, but choosing the youngest?

It infuriated him to lose such a covenant position to the youngest (and weakest), and it would be that same brother he would have see again. To come crawling back after a vast span of time not only left a foul taste in his mouth, but even fueled some ill thoughts toward his own kin.

He need to stop, clear his mind.

Vaporeon ceased walking to fully weigh the consequence of his malice, understanding the unspoken law of harming one's own blood, and what it meant to be deemed 'rouge'. The thought of hurting his own brother didn't so much matter more than the stain it would bring to his legacy.

'No female in their right mind would want a rouge for a mate.' he thought.

Perhaps he would quell this anger for now in the name of the good faith. Not because the Vaporeon was worried or anything, but because it wouldn't be proper to bring such baggage home after all.

More time passed and the rain continued its down pour, evolving far passed its initial purpose as a joke. He began reveling in the solidary of his actions, now that he had found some measure of mental comfort as he walked down the street. The tower, or towers now, had always been the single biggest attraction in the whole forest, and to return to not only discover a sprawling human settlement around the base, but a second tower had been built next to it?

It confused, but mostly saddened the Vaporeon at first to find a second tower erected right next to the original, but ultimately found it charming; it was almost like they were paying homage to his siblings and himself, and forgiving some minor details they were a near match. Same amount of windows on each side, same design, same wall, same color, same imposing presence, same... everything.

For some reason, he found it comforting- he liked the second tower.

The water Pokémon made a few more turns onto more streets and between a few of the human homes, keeping the two towers in his view the entire time. The surging rain had turned the partial cobblestone roads into a mess of mud with a grip strong enough to drag a pokemon to Giratina himself!

Being attune to water and making use of these scattered stones still visible kept him mostly out of the mud, slowing his progress down slightly, but not enough to fully impede the return home. Upon reaching the wall that separated the temple from the world, Vaporeon began remembering everything from his eevee years, and where he needed to go. Relocating down closer to the tower, he found same tree, nearly double in height, and with a mild use of rock climb scurried up the trunk and onto the over hanging branches.

A simple leap of faith found him in the court yard next to the original tower he had once called home many years ago, the rain was unable to burry all the sensations a memory could inflict upon a creature. He shook those thoughts away and pressed on.

Using the secret entrance under the tower's base, Vaporeon entered the into a small cave system the tower..towers were built over, one where the three of them could escape to when wanting to get away. Were they could sleep in peace, and be the Terror Trio, brothers, for a short time.

Everything was coming back, where he needed to go, what turns and jumps he needed to make, everything was how he remembered it! His excitement was short lived, for the cave opened up to an expansive space that no other creature save for the three brothers knew about, and after a brief look around found the objects of his trepidation.

On this roughly carved plateau carved into the very rock itself, a Jolteon and Flareon were nestled into this outcrop asleep in their favorite spots. He stood motionless, listening and watching them for sounds of movement, but as he observed them the understanding they were indeed asleep eased the Pokemon into action once more. Another rock climb allowed him to reach their resting spot, and after quick noting of their features felt the smallest of smiles grace his muzzle.

Vaporeon took his spot at the front of the group, giving each of his brothers a one last glance before using the move REST to join them.

Perhaps a few days..a week or two back wouldn't be so bad.

Vaporeon couldn't feel his paws but knew they would be trembling right now.

The more he thought, recalled, and pondered the more he became aware he wasn't right. His other senses were nonexistent: sight, taste, sound were nothing when compared to smell, and touch as each battled the other trying to express their pain. The inability to do nothing made him angry. Angry at situation. Angry at the unknown. Angry at the endless cycle of feeling and smelling death, but most of all anger at the world itself.

Vaporeon felt overwhelmed by this searing hatred to the point he almost thought he had switch types when a calming warmth swept over him, subduing the anger for the time being. It came faintly at first, but the warming sound quickly grew to fully erase the pain and smell of death to replace it with the radiant fragrance he so longed to find. And by some merciful grace, he could actually feel the cooling liquid creeping into his fur and even over his previously unfeeling skin.

This soothing water consumed Vaporeon, lifting his body into the motionlessness ease that would allow the healing to begin. In this state, the water Pokemon found himself becoming whole again.

Wasn't he already whole before? Yet, why was he feeling less?

"Calm yourself and be still, you are not healed." the echoing voice commanded.

Vaporeon tried to located the voice but found himself still unable to move let alone see, so he tried to speak and it work.

"Ho-oh? Where am I?" The feeling of warmth dimmed slightly, but quickly regained its lost warmth.

"You are home..."

"WHY IS IT SO DARK?" Vaporeon demanded an answer.

"You ARE home, but.." The voice went quit "something terrible has happened. There was a fire..."

The smell of singed fur began to pepper his nostrils as quick bouts of pain racked his body.

"A fire?" Vaporeon wondered.

Why was there so much anger?

"Curve the hostility Vaporeon, and I will explain all."

The anger remained-only dulled for the moment by the voice's request.

"Explain. Please." he asked, desperate to take his mind off the anger, and pain.

The Legendary Pokemon granted his request, and told him everything- fire included.

***********************************************

The fire had spread fast, faster than anyone could have anticipated.

The storm had been anticipated by their seers nearly two days early, and so many of the towns residents had taken proper steps to prepare, or so they thought. The seers had 'seen' the storm, but had failed to see just how monstrous it would be. The clouds arrived on the eve of yesterday with a few here and there to mark the storm's arrival, and sometime during the night the storm arrived in full force.

The town was asleep, listening the waning rain and growing whispers of the wind when the first sound of thunder awoke them.

The roar was load and deadly, striking fear into those that heard it and scaring the rest awake before hitting the tallest (and oldest) building the town supported. The Brass Tower, despite its age withstood the initial sparks with some ease, but that changed once the whispering wind flamed the sparks with a fevered anger. The flames engulfed the tower with a ferocity that left the very rain incapable of stopping it.

The fire that spawned from this storm would never be matched again.

By now the residents were up and moving, panic having forced them from their beds and into action. The first step was to check on family and their neighbors, the second was to grab what anything that could hold water and run to the burning tower in the hopes being able to quell the inferno.

By the time any sort of manpower was mustered, the tower had lost nearly half of its height to the flames with the fire racing down to claim the rest. The townsfolk gave it their all with two separate lines trailing from the nearest well to the tower's base but fight was lost before it ever began. With tower unstable to even enter, there wasn't any real way to fight the fire directly; with the wind spreading the flames faster than the water could travel from the well, most could only watch with some fascination as the fire consumed the tower in its entirety with others praying to their gods for whatever wrong doings they had committed.

Many residents accepted the tower's fate, and sought shelter from the storm by returning their homes, leaving only a handful of volunteers behind to make sure the flames were contained. The fire burned all night, and by the next morning the clouds had calmed allowing the sleepy sun to seep through, exposing the true extent of the devastation.

What had once been a symbol of majesty, and grandeur had been reduced to a smoldering ruin, yet even in this devastating state the embers still burned. Not hot enough to reignite the fire but maybe to show it took very could if it so desired.

A few daring souls summoned the courage to leave the gathering crowd to approach the tower ruins, careful avoid much of the still cooling debris. The crowd watched with mild trepidation as these 'brave' people began spreading out to personally survey the devastation; careful not to directly touch the charred beams or few pieces of cosmetics to miraculously survive the fire.

Everyone present were too adsorbed in the tragedy of the storm to notice the increasing intensity of the sun.

When the townsfolk did finally notice, it brought with it a great concern, and pointing at the sky. The brave people exploring the tower ruins loss their courage, and quickly sough the safety of their peers just as the few clouds parted to reveal the source of this new light as it descended from the sky on the back of a golden rainbow.

A giant bird colored in crimson red and gold 'fell' from the clouds to the world below, the suns rays scattering in all directions as its host drifted closer to the townspeople and the ruined tower. The people unsure what they were witnessing instinctively began moving further back from the tower as they kept their eyes solely on this mysterious Pokemon.

Silence was the spoken language, and it was spoken very well as the two parties did nothing but gape or flap its wings.

Soon, the silence was broken, and the mighty Pokemon gave a godly cry. The sunlight shun so bright the rays consumed the whole town for almost ten seconds before receding entirely from the sky, leaving no trace of the godly Pokemon.