Soul of Fire - Prologue
#1 of After the Storm
This is the prologue for my new series I call "Soul of Fire". This has little description of what's happening in the background as they are events that take place in the climax of the story and I don't want to spoil you guys. Hope you like it.
NOTE: Soul of Fire will be a four part series that I plan on making. If all goes according to my plan, I'll be successful in making the four parts. This is just a teaser prologue for the climax in the third part (so don't expect to see these events anytime soon). I've actually made five chapters for the first part already but I'm still thinking about whether I'll be posting them now. In the meantime, I'll post this (barely prepared) prologue and see your reaction. So don't be afraid to comment. I may be updating via journal, or better yet, through another chapter so keep an eye out.
SIDE NOTE: If you guys have any questions, just send me a PM and I'll try to answer as best as I can (I won't spoil much about the story though unless I feel like it)
The blazing heat of the sun and the steaming downpour of the rain gave Jason a migraine. Accompanied by the deafening roars, the falling boulders, the crashing waves and the constant threat of death, Jason felt like a steaming pile of crap. He ran for his life, he ran passed boulders, blasts of water and raining fire.
"Jason!"
He could just faintly hear a familiar voice calling for him but the fatigue has gotten to his head. His mind was clouded, his vision blurring and every bone in his body begged for him to take a break. But he mustn't, he can't stop now... not when he's so close.
"Look out!" the voice called out once more as it tackled Jason to the floor. And not a moment too late as a boulder soared just in front of Jason's face as he was tackled to the ground. "Dude, you can't save Avalon if your head was smashed by a rock!"
Looking up, Jason could just barely make out what the orange figure was. His mind was too hazy to even notice the obvious or remember who it was that was helping him at all. It was his charizard friend, Charlie.
"S... sorry..." Jason croaked, his throat too dry to utter proper sounding words. He tried to get up on his feet but Charlie pressed his weight against Jason to keep him still.
"Jason, don't push yourself too hard." Charlie got off Jason and wrapped the Lucario's arm around his shoulders to support him. "You won't be any good to us when you're dead."
Jason struggled to his feet, each movement sent a wave of pain through his body. "But..." Jason winced as his knees buckled up underneath him. If Charlie wasn't there to hold him up, he would have fallen.
"Jason, stop being a prick!" Charlie roared as he pulled Jason harshly up to his feet, causing Jason to yelp in pain. "Just because you're the chosen one and all doesn't mean nobody is allowed to help you! There's a reason why I'm risking life and limb here with your sorry ass right now!"
"To make sure I'm not the strongest?" Jason asked sarcastically in between panting.
"AND to help you out." Charlie scowled. "Dad assigned you as my partner and I intend to keep my promise!"
Jason tried to stand up properly, but Charlie made sure to keep Jason's arm over his shoulder. "And what promise might that be?"
"I promised your mom that I'd keep you safe."
Charlie's words surprised Jason. The Lucario just stood there quietly, pondering over the words that Charlie had uttered. His mom asked Charlie to protect him... to keep him safe? "R... really?"
Charlie nodded, but his emotion remained the same: serious and unforgiving. "All of this talk about 'destiny' and 'fate'. That only YOU could stop all this... your mother didn't believe in any of that shit. Your mother is a remarkable woman... strong in her resolve and willing to do anything for you."
"I heard..." Jason mumbled. His mother had done everything for him... everything within her power. She's done so much and gained so little... Jason's never felt more guilty about it.
"Jason, just because you're the chosen one doesn't mean you can't ask for the help of others." Charlie said as he let go of Jason's hand and let him stand on his own. "I'm here, Jason. I'm here to help-- Move!" he tackled Jason once more as the two of them narrowly avoided getting blasted by a hydro cannon.
"Well, we have to move fast if we want to stop this with minimal damage." Jason pointed out, clenching his fist and staring at their adversaries. "The fate of our people is on the line and every second we waste resting, more and more of our people die."
"Nah, I don't think our people will die so easily." Charlie chuckled with pride. "It won't be easy killing an Avalonian."
Jason stared at Charlie as though he's just made a really dumb comment... which he did. "You do realize they're up against Arkha, the only land to go on par against our people."
"Jason, I'm trying to stay positive here." Charlie mumbled. "You should try it once in a while."
"In a situation like this..." the fiery explosion that reverberated from behind them seemed to prove Jason's point as the seemingly apocalyptic scenario played before them. "staying positive was the last in my head."
"Well, we're facing oblivion together." Charlie patted Jason's now-healing back. "Let's give it our best shot."
Jason looked up to meet Charlie's gaze, he was right. This could possibly be the last battle, there was no guarantee that they were gonna be walking out of this alive. The deafening roars were heard again as the earth shook beneath their feet and Jason took that slow-mo moment of adrenaline to look back at things.
"Charlie..." Jason uttered.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you and I became friends..." Jason didn't even bother fighting the tears. If anything, he didn't give a damn if he showed weakness in front of anybody anymore. "If I were going to charge to my death, I'd at least want to be with someone I care about."
Charlie didn't expect to see Jason like this. He didn't expect him to open up like that, or cry, or even think about smooshy things at a time like this. The serious, kill-joy Lucario he used to despise wasn't such a bad guy after all... perhaps he should've given him a chance long ago. "Yeah, me too."
Jason's hands and feet lit ablaze, his determination rising as his conscience cleared.
"You know, after all that we've been through... I think I know why dad paired the two of us." Charlie added, his wings flapping and the flame on his tail burning brighter.
"Well then, partner, let's end this."