"Sparky! Sparky, wake up! We patrol in an hour!" a voice called from outside my house.

I groaned and covered my ears in a frugal attempt to block out Shadow's calls.

It had been about a week since Shadow had joined the Rumination Haven. He had adapted to life here really quickly, and had asked to join Wings and I on our patrols. Sometimes I swear he's more annoying than Wings. He's always insistent to being up an hour before every patrol, which, because Wings and I had claimed the early morning patrol, meant we were up everyday before dawn.

"I rise with the sun, not before it! Go to sleep!" I shouted back.

"Spoil sport," I heard Shadow mumble.

"That's Sparky for you!" another voice added. Judging by the cheerful edge, despite it being such an early hour, I could only assume it was Wings.

"Is there no way to get her up?" Shadow inquired, "I've tried everything!"

"Well, there is one way," Wings trailed off. I heard a rustling noise as large dewdrops fell from my leafy covering and landed on my fur.

"WINGS!" I screamed angrily, jumping off of my moss bed. I raced out of my house as another shower of droplets splashed down.

Outside, I saw Wings perched on top of the leafy canopy that covered my home. Shadow was standing on the ground to one side of my house. I growled threateningly at both of them.

"Did I mention we're going to need to run for our lives now?" Wings asked cheerfully, taking flight and speeding off.

"Wait, what?!" Shadow questioned.

I snarled again and leapt at him. Shadow yelped and raced in the direction Wings had flown. I ran after the two fleeing Pokemon. I watched as Shadow's tail disappeared through a bush in front of me.

I jumped through the bush behind him, expecting to find Shadow on the other side. Instead, Fluff the Growlithe was waiting.

"They went that way!" Fluff yelped, looking nervous.

I observed Fluff. No way he would dare venture out of his den when it was still dark. The small Growlithe was scared of the dark. Everyone in the Rumination Haven knew that. Except one particular Tricky Fox Pokemon.

"Thank you Fluff," I replied, "Or should I say... SHADOW!"

A purple light engulfed Fluff. When the glow receded, it revealed Shadow standing in Fluff's place. I growled at Shadow and leapt on top of him, tackling him to the ground.

"Okay, okay, I surrender!" Shadow yelped, "I won't wake you up anymore!"

I released Shadow, glaring at him. Shadow scrambled up onto his feet and shook the dirt off himself.

"You're wet," Shadow observed.

I glared harder at him. "Really?" I asked sarcastically, "I didn't notice."

I shook myself, showering water droplets everywhere and soaking Shadow in the process.

"I get it! I get it!" Shadow yelled, "You don't like being wet!"

I snorted, "Serves you right." I started to stalk off back to my house.

"Sparky, wait!" Shadow called.

I turned to face him. "What?" I demanded, "The sun isn't up yet, and my bed is still calling me!"

"Well, I just wanted to asked, how did you know it was me and not Fluff?" Shadow inquired.

"I know everyone here at the Rumination Haven very well," I replied, "And Fluff is scared of the dark."

"I knew I should have gone with Ember," Shadow grumbled.

I opened my mouth to make a comment, but was distracted by the sound of approaching wing beats. I looked up and saw Wings flying towards us.

"Hey, you two lovebird!" Wings shouted.

"We're not lovebirds!" Shadow yelled, looking somewhat flustered.

"Yes, you are," Wings replied, "But never mind that now! The Rumination Haven is under attack!"

"What?!" I screamed. I immediately turned and raced towards the entrance of the Haven. Wings and Shadow followed close behind me.

When I reached the Haven, the entire place was in a state of disarray. In the center of the Haven, Virizion stood, battling a particularly powerful- looking trainer.

I raced up to Virizion, intending the help her. Virizion glared at me, the usual softness in her eyes replaced with determination. "Stay back, Sparky," she ordered, "You don't want to get caught up in this.

Reluctantly, I complied, backing up to stand by

"Emboar, Blast Burn!" the trainer commanded.

The Emboar shot a powerful blast of fire from his nose. Virizion was momentarily outlined in red, then a red barrier appeared in front of her, blocking the attack. She then lunged at the opposing Emboar, and repeatedly kicked him in rapid motion, before leaping back. The Emboar didn't flinch.

"Emboar use Heat Crash!" the trainer ordered.

Emboar leapt into the air, cloaked in flames, and smashed down onto Virizion. Virizion staggered back from the super effective hit. She shook it off, and started to glow a faint green. A long, shimmering horn emerged from the center of her forehead. She then charged at the Emboar and sliced him with it, sending Emboar flying.

"Emboar! Get up and use Blast Burn again!" the trainer shouted.

The Emboar staggered to his feet and shot flames out of his nose. Virizion attempted to block the attack with her horn, but fail, and was sent staggering back from the super effective hit.

I watched the battle, wanting to help, but knowing I would only get in the way. As I watched, the trainer removed a purple Pokeball from their bag and prepared to toss it.

"He's going to try catch Virizion!" Wings exclaimed.

"He can't do that!" Shadow shouted, "Can he?"

I growled. Thinking fast, I lunged at the trainer and snatched the purple Pokeball out of his hands. I raced off with the ball clamped firmly between my jaws.

"Emboar! Stop that Shinx!" the trainer yelled.

I felt heat sear my back, and involuntarily yelped as the bast sent me flying several paces. I hit the ground hard, and the master ball rolled away from me.

Glancing behind me, I saw the Emboar approaching. He snatched up the ball up and tossed it back to his trainer. Flames flickered at the Emboar's nose, and he exhaled a powerful blast of fire.

I closed my eyes in preparation for impact, but nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes, and saw Virizion standing in front of me to block the blow.

"Go, Pokeball!" the trainer called, tossing the purple ball at Virizion. A red light encased her, before being sucked into the Pokeball. The entire clearing held its breath as the ball slowly rolled.

Once.

.

Twice.

.

Thrice.

.

Then clicked shut.

---

~ Author's Note

Me es done! Sorry about the cliff hanger. I was going to continue, but... I just can't resist a good cliff hanger. Also, I won't be updating this for a while, because my family's going on a trip to Alaska, and they have NO WI- FI!!!!! And it will make the cliff hanger more intense. *evil grin*

And I still need to update Zapped. I've been putting it off for a while just to finish this chapter. Sorry!

OH, also, I'm considering entering this in Pokemon Wattys as a short story. What do you think?

So, please vote, comment, and I'll see you next chapter!