Arcanine Legend (my first fanific here...*gulp*...)

[Soph]

I have to put some of this in quotes, or my post will be over the word limit.

Well, I have never been confident enough to post here before, but I showed Andy a story I wrote recently and he encouraged me to post it here. I trust his judgement so I?ll post my fan fiction here. Its about Arcanine (the Pokemon not the member XD) I am obsessed with Arcanine, blame Andy for that XD.



Anyways, here is the first part of the story.

Arcanine: Story of a Legend



?Tracey! Look!?

Professor oak rushed into his laboratory, startling Tracey into dropping his mop on the floor. Professor Oak was waving something and running at a dangerous pace through the lab. Tracey opened his mouth to yell a warning; too late, the professor slipped on the freshly mopped floor and went right over, slithering across the floor and crashing headlong into a stack of boxes, which crashed around him. Trying not to laugh at the comical sight, Tracey rushed to help. Helping Prof.Oak up, he tried to catch a look at the paper the professor was holding.

?What is it, professor oak sir??

Professor oak dusted himself down and unfolded the paper in his hands.

?Its an email I printed out to show you. Some of my acquaintances have found something amazing. Its some ancient Pokemon relics and it seems to depict something very unusual. Would you like to come and have a look? Im leaving at once, but I thought you might like to come.

Tracey jumped into the air. ?Sure! I would LOVE to, professor!? he said enthusiastically. ?Lets go!?

Tracey looked up at the cliff face before him. He wondered how anyone could have ever found this place; the entrance was nearly invisible, behind a crashing waterfall a twisting passageway stretched deep into the heart of a mountain. Two guides led Tracey and the professor inside. The passage was lined with glittering crystals and the walls were creamy white stone, like marble.

?Wow? breathed Tracey. ?This place is amazing!?

The passage moved upward slightly, then opened into a beautiful cavern. The stones were no longer present, but the walls were smooth?and the back wall was elaborately decorated. At first glance Tracey thought the carvings were merely decorative patters, but at closer look, he realised it was something much more amazing. The two people who had guided them left the cavern to the professor and Tracey to have a look at. Tracey moved over to the wall.

?Professor, this place has a strange feeling. I feel almost as thought I shouldn?t be here?as though its not allowed.? He gulped and glanced at the professor.

?I feel like that too Tracey. But look at that carving!?

Tracey ran his hand over the smooth, cool stone. He gasped as a soft tingle ran through his fingers. Pulling away, he looked closer.

?Its all the legendary Pokemon! Look?in the centre?Mew?and look, Jirachi, Lugia, Latias, Latios?they are all here?Celibi, Entei, Arcanine?Arcanine???? Tracey broke off, staring hard at the carving. Yes, all the legendary Pokemon were carved?and an Arcanine.

Professor oak stared at the carving, puzzled.

?Arcanine?but that?s not a legendary Pokemon?is it?? he touched the Arcanine carving with his fingertips. Next moment, white light exploded from the stone and engulfed the two of them.

?What the?...aaaahhhhh!?

Mew hovered in her cavern, pink light emanating from her and casting a soft glow on the carving before her. It depicted the legendaries, her loyal helpers and followers, assisting her in keeping the peace in the Pokemon world. But all was not well. Mew could sense unrest amongst the wild Pokemon. Bitter squabbles were upsetting the harmony Mew and the other legendaries strived to keep. A soft noise in the passage distracted her and she looked up. Arcanine stepped into the cavern, shaking water from his coat.

Stupid waterfall he laughed, and mew ducked from the shower of droplets from his fur.

Every time I come here, I get wet from the entrance! He laughed again, then quickly sobered.

Mew, things are not well amongst the Pokemon.

Mew nodded.

I know.

She looked at Arcanine, who sat down, trying to smooth his chest fur with his paw. An avid keeper of peace, he had been overworked lately as more and more disputes flared up. Among all the legendaries he kept the most active eye on the Pokemon world, settling disputes and solving difficulties. He looked up at her, waiting for her to speak.

Mew, why did you call me here?

I called you because I am very worried. She answered. The unrest amongst the legendaries is getting worse?Kyogre and Groudon are getting out of control. Groudon believes that land and his power over the land is more important than Kyogre and his power over the sea. Its ridiculous, the land and the sea are both equally important. As well as this, I sense we are on the brink of a new era, and that soon things are going to change very drastically, but I wanted to speak with you about something before I speak to the others.

Why me?

Because I trust you, and because I like you best. She told him bluntly. But anyway, I wanted to speak to you abo?

She broke of suddenly; her eyes glowed with blue light and she focused her mind, senses tingling. She doubled over as a spark of pain pulsed through her and red light flashed in her eyes. Another problem. Arcanine was on his feet in a moment.

I will go. Whatever it is, I will settle the problem.

He ran forwards and mew closed her eyes. Arcanine glowed brightly for a moment then vanished into thin air.

I?ll post the next bit tomorrow :P. Andy has read the whole thing, and if anyone else wants to read it all and not wait for me to post it bit by bit catch me on msn or email/PM me and I?ll get the file to you. Any feedback and comments or whatever on my fanific is more than welcome.

[Edit: thats interesting. for some reason it double-spaced all my lines. now why did that happen? ah well. it doesnt matter.]

 

[Purin]

Could have written more ^^ (I read stuff really quickly) but it's a good start.

 

[Arcanine]

Soph wanted me to take out the spaces and to post this.

errr, what do you mean 'could have written more'? Its ten pages long all together, i am just posting it in bits! I have no idea what the post word limit is or i would have posted more. I'll put the next bit up when i can which wont be yet because as you

can see, my only acess to PC is via andy XD.

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[Soph]

Here is the next part *got on just to post it then get off again*

SEA WILL RULE OVER LAND!

A huge wave formed, crashing over the cliff next to the beach and crumbling it with the force of the water. A lake formed where the cliff had been, the smashed rocks tumbling into the air and thudding to the ground and into the water. Kyogre lifted his fins and roared. At his summon clouds boiled into the sky and burst open, sending down torrents of rain.

NO! NO! LAND IS THE GREATER, AND IT SHALL OUTDO THE SEA!

Groudon slashed at Kyogre, roaring in fury. He lifted his massive claws, then smashed them down on the ground. A huge earthquake rocked the ground then a huge slab of land exploded upwards in the seabed nearby, water washing away and dissolving as the new volcano belched fire into the air, and cooling lava hardened as new land. Groudon roared again and lifted his claws; the sun broke through the clouds, burning fiercely. Heatwaves shimmered in the air.

HOW DARE YOU? Kyogre blasted Groudon with a torrent of water, summoning the rain as he did so. No sooner had the clouds gathered and the storm broken as Groudon summoned the sunshine and the clouds vanished again. Heat and rain alternated faster and faster as their rage built.

LAND AND HEAT!

NO! RAIN AND SEA!



STOP!

A bright void opened out of nowhere nearby and from it leaped Arcanine, loosing a mighty roar as he landed and sending a stream of fire between Kyogre and Groudon; both stoped momentarily while sullen clouds swirled overhead and a hot, dry wind scudded over the ground.

Stop fighting.

Arcanine glared at them, pacing around the two.

I have never seen anything so stupid. Land and sea, we all need them both! Neither is greater! Stop this stupid fighting.

And what gives you the right to tell us what to do? Groudon growled and extended his claws, reaching towards Arcanine. Arcanine didn't even flinch.

The two of you are being stupid and disrupting the peace with your useless arguing. If you don?t like being told what to do take it up with somebody else; I have every right to tell you to stop.

Why should we submit to any ?right? that you have? Kyogre sneered at him and narrowed his eyes.

Don?t you see? Arcanine pressed down his anger and spoke calmly, realising that if the dispute wasn?t diffused fast then the result would be disaster.

You two can summon rain and heat, raise land and create lakes and oceans. That power is incredibly destructive if you don?t control it. If you can?t use your power properly you will destroy the world and everything in it. Stop fighting! Your place as legendary Pokemon is to help keep the peace in the Pokemon world and protect those who need it. It is NOT to bicker over who is superior or who has more power. Now stop fighting! He roared again, sending a hissing stream of flame between Kyogre and Groudon and glaring at them both. Thunder growled ominously overhead and the burning wind ruffled his fur and swirled around them all.

?The land is greater than the sea, and I WILL NOT stop until it is proven!

Groudon lifted his claws lunged at Arcanine; the anger of Kyogre and Groudon was too far out of control to be countered. Arcanine leaped for safety, barely avoiding a crushing blow from Groudon. A blast of water from Kyogre caught him off guard and he leaped again, falling on his landing and staggering for balance. Rocks came flying towards him and a huge wave approached from behind. The mingled roars of Kyogre and Groudon were deafening and he braced himself for the onslaught; then suddenly he was floating in the air and the rocks and water crashed to the ground beneath him.

?What?

Mew hovered nearby, pink flames of light dancing around her. Her paws were extended and her eyes glowed as she held Arcanine suspended. Another roar beneath distracted them both and she let him down gently, turning to face the scene below her.



Groudon and Kyogre were locked in combat, their roars drowning out every sound for miles. The sky above them was dark and angry energy generated above; the conflict between their elemental powers was creating a dark energy that burned in the sky above them. Groudon delivered a mighty blow, striking Kyogre with claws extended. Kyogre let loose a tearing shriek and rolled, smashing one massive fin into Groudon and sending him rolling. His body hit a cliff and decimated it with the impact. Shattered rocks exploded into the air. In moments he was up, hurling an avalanche of rocks down on Kyogre and breathing fire in his fury.

As their fighting intensified a storm began to brew in the sky above, created by the unbalance and the dark energy the two were generating. The sun had turned the colour of sulphur and a hot wind was howling, while rain clouds boiled together in the sky above, turning it black.



The flames of light around mew lit all around her as she closed her eyes, summoning the rest of the legendary Pokemon.

You are needed?all of you!

A glowing void opened in the sky and the legendaries descended, urged on by the urgency in her call. In moments all were assembled and gazing in horror at the violent fight unfolding below. Mew addressed them all, her voice heard despite the noise as she spoke in their heads.

They have destroyed the balance, and alone I can?t stop them, it?s beyond even my power. And that isn?t the worst if it. The very balance of the Pokemon world relies much on their harmony?fighting like this can mean only one thing: destruction!?

As if in answer to her words, a roar of thunder echoed around the sky. The sky was now completely black, thick clouds rolled close to the ground as the fighting intensified; thunder crashed again.

Arcanine looked up, sensing the storm was about to break. Sure enough, an ominous silence fell suddenly, as though everything was holding its breath. The wind dropped, the lightning faded for a moment?all that could be seen and heard was the fighting?then, with sudden, blinding fury, the storm hit.

Lightning, rain, hail, snow and fire exploded from the clouds all at once. The ground rumbled and a huge earthquake shook the ground. Massive waves gathered out of nowhere and broke with devastating effects. Huge tornado?s formed instantaneously and began to rip through everything, all the while a steady, screaming wind blasted everything with a mix of snow, hail, flames and stinging particles of dust. It picked up pebbles and small rocks and hurled them against everything, smashing and destroying. Mud built up as rain mixed with sand and dust?in less than a minute everything around them was destroyed. And the storm was spreading.

 

[Soph]

since no one posted in reply to my last post soph is now breaking the rules and double posting. well i got to post the next bit!

How do we stop them?
Arcanine roared to Mew over the noise. He ducked his head against the onslaught of the elements, and then started as mew created a psychic barrier to protect them where they stood.

There must be something we can do!

We have to stop them fighting! They don?t even see what?s going on, they are so busy attacking each other they don?t care about the horror they are causing!

She raised her arms, facing the rest of the legendary Pokemon all around her.

Friends! This storm will destroy everything if we do not stop it. We have to combine our powers to halt it?and we have to stop Kyogre and Groudon! Neither of them will give up nor win. And the longer they fight the worse the storm will get! Please?we must use all of our power to do this!

She held up her arms, glowing brightly.

GO!



Latios, Latias, Jirachi, Celebi, Lugia and Mew rose together into the sky, light spilling from them all and strengthening in brightness as they combined their power, bringing it into focus on the storm, fighting to get it under control. Light pulsed around them, and pooled in the sky above. The clouds twisted and boiled, and the Pokemon struggled to bring the storm under control.

Arcanine addressed the rest of the legendaries.

We have to stop Kyogre and Groudon! And the only way to do it is by force, they are out of control! Everyone, combine your power and strike them all at once!



The rest of the legendary Pokemon assembled beside him and they stood in a row on the clifftop. Rayquasa, the Regi, Ho-Oh, Suicune, Raikou, Entei, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres and Arcanine prepared to attack and Arcanine lifted his head, gathering his power and preparing for an all-out attack. He roared; and as one, they let loose their full power.

Fire, ice, water, lightning, rocks and chunks of metal combined and fired at Kyogre and Groudon. A huge roar shook the air as the attacks made contact, but the Pokemon did not let up, keeping up a steady stream of attacks pounding against Kyogre and Groudon. The two Pokemon were forced apart by the impact and beaten to the ground, struggling and roaring.

Both gathered their strength, and in a final attempt to defeat one another, they made a final, devastating move.

At command from Groudon, the ground lifted up and literally folded, a huge slab of rock that simply folded in on itself, crashing towards Kyogre.

And, at command from Kyogre, a mighty tidal wave built up and crashed toward Groudon.

The attacks met in the middle.

A plume of water and rock exploded into the sky, and a shattering roar rent through the air. Kyogre and Groudon both collapsed onto the ground, which shook with the impact. Rock and water rained down around them, covering them both. Only then did Arcanine and his comrades let up on their attacks. The group dropped to the ground, exhausted.

It was then they noticed the storm seemed to have let up.



Arcanine dragged himself to his feet and turned his head to the sky, expecting to see the storm fading. Instead, he saw a huge ball of cloud surrounded by glowing light. Lighting flashed within it, and as one Latios, Latias, Jirachi, Celebi, Lugia and Mew floated, eyes tightly closed, shaking with the effort as they tried to stop the storm. Angry red energy surrounded them in shimmering waves, and the storm above, the ball of cloud, expanded and shrunk as they tried to bring it under control. The ground shook again and the air was still.

Celebi was the first to fail, fainting from the effort and collapsing to the ground. Mew cried out as the huge cloud ball threatened to burst, the whole group felt the effort get harder as Celebi?s energy left. The work of holding the storm at bay got immediately harder, and the roar of thunder within the cloud intensified.

Latios and Latias dropped down as one, trembling and exhausted.

Jirachi fell next.

And finally Lugia let out an ear-splitting shriek and jerked down as though the energy around had broken his back. It threw him down and left mew alone, barely visible now through the angry red light.

I?cant?.hold?.it

Arcanine heard her voice in his mind.

The energy?needs?needs to be absorbed?or let go?I can?t destroy?can?t destroy the storm?aghhhhh!

Thunder sounded from within the ball of cloud. It was expanding, any moment threatening to explode outwards and destroy everything. Mew was being forced towards the ground; body rigid and eyes squeezed shut as she used every ounce of her power to keep the storm in check.

Needs to be absorbed?

The words echoed in Arcanine?s mind. Something had to take the impact of the storm or else the earth would be what took the impact. Arcanine looked up; the legendaries lay around him, all exhausted and injured. Only he stood, while mew fought the storm. Any moment, she would give out and that would be it. He could tell she was in terrible pain. Opening his mouth, he arched back his head then thrust it forward, sending a stream of flame blasting at the cloud. Hotter than anything, the flame shot straight into the centre of the cloud and a muted roar sounded. Flames licked around the outside of the cloud and poured into the air around. The cloud became a fireball, as water, ice, snow and steam dissolved in the heat. But he could not destroy it?it seemed the only way to destroy it was to get rid of the dark energy creating it.

And then, Arcanine realised what had to be done.

He stopped his attack, gasping for breath, weakened by the effort and expenditure of energy. Stumbling backwards he prepared to make a run-up. As he gathered the last of his energy he saw mew within the red light, as for a moment it cleared and he saw her open her eyes. The light trembled as she put in a final effort.

Arcanine ran.

Moving nearly too fast to see, he charged forwards, gathering speed and momentum as he ran. Mew saw him, saw him run, felt her power giving out and knew at once what he was doing.

Arcanine! NO! Don?t do it?Arcanine, don?noooooooooooooooo!

At the peak of his speed Arcanine leaped, seeming to fly upwards into the sky. He met the cloud as mew gave in, unable to hold it any longer. With a mighty roar the cloud exploded, at the exact moment he vanished into the heart of it.



Mew hit the ground hard, forced down by the energy she had tried to hard to control. She rolled over in time to see the cloud explode outwards; Arcanine could not be seen within it any longer. But rather than filling the sky and breaking open in storm again, the cloud exploded into smoke and flames, dissolving in the process.

From the billowing smoke that stayed behind, something fell from the sky and into the sea.

​

​

One by one, the legendary Pokemon got up, staring in horror at the mess that was now visible in the aftermath from the storm. The sky was clear now as though it had never happened, but the loss of life was horrific. There was not a tree in sight; all had been snapped like toothpicks. Huge boulders and rocks littered the ground like pebbles, lakes and frothing rapids had formed between them at random from the water. Mud oozed across everything and chunks of ice lay on the ground, in some places huge drifts of snow were visible, in others molten lava was oozing across the destruction. As far as the eye could see, the scene was the same. And, one of their number was missing.

Wha?what HAPPENED? Latias sobbed.

Ar?Arcanine took the full force of the storm. Mew choked. He realised that if he took the force of the storm when it exploded the energy it was made of would be redirected and hit him instead. So, in taking the impact of the storm himself he stopped it. But he gave his life to do it?

Gave his life for this.



They gazed at the destruction, realising then that they were all that was left. Under the tumbled rocks and water, Kyogre and Groudon lay somewhere too.



Mew rose slowly into the air, pulling the rest of them with her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, and fell like sparkling jewels towards the ground.



She cried for the senselessness of it all. She cried for the destruction. She cried for the loss of life. She cried for her fallen comrade.

And the rest of the Pokemon cried with her.



The sorrow started their tears flowing freely, and they fell down like rain from the sky where they drifted. The tears pooled together in a sheen over the ground, lighting everything with a pale blue glow. It spread, covering the ground beneath them and flowing outwards. The pale glow suddenly brightened, and the Pokemon squinted against the glare as it flashed brighter and brighter. Mew felt suddenly light, then she was forced to close her eyes against the glare. She tingled all over and a ringing sound filled her ears. Still the light seemed to be getting brighter, expanding and stretching as it streamed outwards and covered everything.

The power of their tears, the greatness of their sorrow, held a power stronger than any else they could muster.

And when at last the light faded, all was restored.



It was as though none of it had ever happened. Mew gazed around in wonder?trees were growing, streams flowed, wild Pokemon ran and played. Houses could be seen in the distance. And, lying on the ground nearby, Kyogre and Groudon lay, still and unmoving?not dead, but for now unable to cause any more trouble. They were sleeping. On the grass nearby lay two shiny orbs, one red, one blue.

Only Arcanine was gone.



Look!

Mew turned as Jirachi called out, pointing. A wave was heading across the ground towards them. Fingers of water trickled through the grass and the wave glowed gently. It didn't look dangerous; it was moving quite slowly. There was something on it, resting on the crest of the wave. And as it came closer they saw what it was.

The wave deposited Arcanine on the ground then washed away.

He lay still, appearing to be dead. His magnificent fur was not matted or singed, but his eyes were closed. Mew dropped down to the ground next to him and put one paw on his chest. She felt a heartbeat, but one so faint she knew there was no hope.

?No?? she whispered. ?No.?

Crying bitterly, she rested her head on his fur and hugged him, feeling his life fading. Even as she felt him go, she felt the last of his life energy absorbed into her.

He turned into particles of glittering blue light. They kept his shape for a moment then rose into the air. Mew reached out but the light slipped between her fingers and spiralled upwards. Her tears mingled with it as it condensed and finally dissolved into the air.

 

[Soph]

Arcanine gave his life for all of us.

Mew?s words met with silence from the rest of the legendaries.

He made an act of complete self-sacrifice to save us all. In doing it he proves himself greater than each of us. And in showing his courage and bravery, in showing that he took his role to heart he died to save our world as we know it. We are now missing one of our ranks and the number of legendaries is reduced without him. But may his memory be everlasting.

They watched as she glowed softly with bluish light then vanished, but all of them could feel the echo of her sorrow.



Gone.

Mew pressed her paws over her eyes. The pain of loss was still fresh; she felt as though part of her was missing. She knew there was something she had to do, and do soon, but as yet she could not bring herself to do it.

Turning, she pressed one paw against the smooth, shining wall in front of her. Her cavern was silent, and beautiful carvings now covered it from wall to wall. She could not throw of the thought that she might hear footsteps in the passage in a moment, and that Arcanine might walk in, shaking water from his coat and laughing like always.

But it wouldn?t happen. Couldn?t happen. Arcanine was gone.

She looked at the carvings, hating the story they told. She had made them herself, knowing that it was important to record it all. Unown writing told it, accompanied by carvings, which depicted scene after scene. Right in the middle was a carving of all the legendary Pokemon?the original carving she had made. She touched the picture of Arcanine where he stood in it, unable to bring herself to erase him from the carving. But she knew she couldn?t stay in this cave, here where the story adorned the walls and the memory was frozen there.

She closed her eyes, and blue light washed over the walls. It filled the cave for the moment then all swirled towards Arcanine in the carving. It glowed there for a moment, as mew looked around the cave one more time, then vanished into the carving like water being sucked down a hole. With the light went mew?s memories of the event, and those of Arcanine as well, which she retained now he was gone. Now, these memories were buried in the carving as well as in her mind. Some day, they might be awakened to tell the story again.



And now it?s time.

Mew drifted now above a spring of clear, crystal water. She closed her eyes, light showing beneath their lids. Her mind extended and she reached out, sensing the rest of the legendary Pokemon one by one.

Things are going to change soon.

The legendaries will no longer be needed as keepers of the peace, because humans have now developed a new technology. Technology that will allow them to capture Pokemon and train them.

With this greater harmony between humans and Pokemon the need for our protection will diminish.

And so with the dawning of a new era, in which humans and Pokemon work as one, we will vanish into legend, to appear again only when the time is right. When we are needed most.



Lugia heard mew?s call and halted in his flight, hovering above the ocean. He heard her message and knew what he had to do. Folding his wings, he dropped silently into the ocean and dived deep, streams of bubbles washing around him as he headed deep beneath the sea, to take to sleep until he was needed.

Ho-oh lifted his head at the call and listened. He flew to a lone tower, in an undiscovered region, and roosted at the top, closing his eyes and slipping into sleep until he was needed.

Suicune, Entei and Raikou halted in their flying run over the land. Mew made them go to sleep, and encased them in statues in an undiscovered region where they, too, could await whatever was in store for them.

The three Regi heard mew?s call. She locked each of them deep in a cave and sealed the entrances, leaving a code as the only clue to unlocking them. One day it would be broken, but until then the Regi were to stay unknown.

Rayquasa heard her call and lifted his head, listening. Then, in a sudden rush he flew upwards, higher and higher and higher, through the atmosphere and above the ozone layer. There he would stay, for as long as was needed.

Latios and Latias felt mew guide them to an undiscovered region, where they could fly free?but were to remain invisible until the time was right.

Celebi heard mew?s call and went deep into a beautiful forest, happy to stay there and live there until she was needed.

Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres each flew to their own island, where they could live in harmony, in secret and in peace?for now.

Jirachi heard mew calling and closer her eyes. She floated upwards, glowing brightly, higher and higher until she was like a star in the sky. And she slept, to be awoken only when the time was right.



Finally, mew centred her power on Kyogre and Groudon. She had taken the two glass orbs and placed them up on a high mountain where they were safe; they were what controlled Kyogre and Groudon?s power?as long as the orbs remained side by side their power would remain harmonised?and Kyogre and Groudon would remain in a deep sleep. Mew moved them into caves deep, deep beneath the ocean, hidden and silent, where they could sleep undisturbed and cause no more trouble.






Mew soared high above the ground, flying free for the last time in what would be a very, very long time. She wanted to enjoy the fresh air, the rush of wind as she flew, the feeling of soaring so high and free before she too took to sleep for a time. She looked down at the landscape below, breathing deep. The air tasted salty as she neared the sea. Gazing at the landscape her face clouded as she recognised the area?it brought a stab of pain to her as memories flooded her mind. She dropped down onto the grass, covering her eyes and crying softly.



A soft sound in the bushes nearby caught her attention. She looked up. Something was in there, and heading her way. For some reason she felt a sudden spark of joy.

What??

From the bush tumbled a small, doglike Pokemon. For a moment the memory or Arcanine burned sharp, but this Pokemon was not him. It looked rather like a puppy version of Arcanine, less white fur and with more of a ?cute? look than a noble one. But still she knew at once that this Pokemon was, somehow, a pre-evolved version of Arcanine. The little Pokemon approached her, it?s eyes sparkling.

?Growl?Growlithe growl?

So it?s called a Growlithe.

Mew reached out and stroked the little Pokemon.

Arcanine?

It didn't respond, trying to bat at her tail instead. No, this Pokemon was not Arcanine, at least not the Arcanine she had know. She had hoped it was somehow him as a puppy. For a moment the sadness welled up again?then came another sound from the bushes. Rising into the air she flew over to the bushes and looked behind.

A gentle blue glow met her eyes. A batch of eggs lay there, glowing softly. Two more Growlithe were playing nearby, nipping at each other?s ears. As she watched, another egg hatched and another Growlithe got to its feet, shaking its head and peering at the world, ears flicking and eyes sparkling.

So he isn?t lost. Not completely.



And now it was her turn. At last feeling some joy, mingled with the sadness of the loss of the Arcanine she had known, she surrounded herself with a bubble and let herself sink gently to the bottom of the glittering spring she had chosen as her new home. A home in a place hidden and secret, where she could sleep and stay until she, too, was needed.



There is a legend, one that states that when a legendary Pokemon dies, a new one of it is born from an egg to carry on the line. Arcanine died?but his nobility, his courage, his strength and bravery?all the things he was?were too precious to lose. So instead of being a single, lone legendary, he became a species of Pokemon?one that can be captured and trained and loved by trainers. And in that way he can continue to benefit the Pokemon world?deep down, he is a legendary Pokemon and he always will be, each one of his species as it grows and is evolved. Every Arcanine will be legendary?the greatest Legendary Pokemon of them all. No one will know it, no one will realise. But living in the midst of the Pokemon world are legendary Pokemon?Arcanine?that carry on the line of one of the greatest legendary Pokemon ever to exist.

May his memory never die.


Final part on monday.