Rash rushed through the forest, his rocky paws thumping against the dirt. His breath was heavy, weighed down by his tired soul. How dare Agony pull this stunt again! He was too old for this... The fire shot a spark that slid its way into his rocky structure, burning his leg. This was a young man's game, not a thousand year old spirit's. A chuckle could be heard echoing through the twisting and smoldering fire, along with a scream. He had started his game. Agony was trying again. And this time he had taken Wild. Rash had to get out of there, the forest might not survive this time if he didn't. However, the trees were still flourishing, so Hope must've made it out. Good. While he had been distracted by the scream, his tail had gotten stuck in some brambles. He tried to pull it out, but eventually it just detached, leaving a couple of rocks supported by the brambles. But at least he was free.

The dog continued to run like his life depended on it, because it did. The fire tried to pull him back practically, it's fingers trying to grab his legs. He needed to keep speed, but this forest was always strange to him. Rash continued weaving through the trees even if he didn't know where he was going, a flaming branch fell right behind him. He wished he was still a pup, when he got along with all of the other spirits, even Agony. Those were the golden days. The forest had been better than ever back then, but Agony had ruined it. He had wanted too much power for himself and set fire to Hope. Luckily, The Forest Spirit had been saved by Storm, who had played the main role in taking Agony down the first time. But with each attempt to take power, more spirits died. Only Hope, Soothe, Agony, Rash, Free, and Control still survived, but it looked like his time was coming to an end.

Rash managed to get far enough away from the roaring fire, and slowed down to catch his breath. The Earth Spirit hid behind a tree and started to cough aggressively, the dark fog growing thicker and thicker. He could make it. He HAD to make it. The soil would be too hard to grow any grass or support life. Was he to meet the same fate of Storm? To be replaced by an inexperienced spirit and spend the rest of his time in The Waste? He wouldn't let himself die like that! He had to make it out! Rash forced himself to stop coughing and hurried through the forest again, small pebbles coming loose from his rocky structure. And then a burning branch fell right in front of him, blocking his path.

Rash was huffing at this point, the smoke trying to block him from fresh air. Suddenly a sick, twisted laughing sound was heard, and a Rottweiler made of fire stepped through the aggressive flames. "Agony..." Rash whispered under his breath, trying to make himself look regal.

"Oh, Rash. When will you learn? We could do amazing things together. Just join me in cleansing the forest and I promise you won't be harmed." Agony said slyly, walking towards him and leaving a line of fire in his wake.

"But what about the others? What will happen to them?" Rash asked, drawing a shaky breath and stumbling a couple steps back.

"They are not needed to cleanse the forest, while the earth is needed to bring life to all. I am not a spirit of destruction, but I can be if you decide to test me." Agony challenged, growing ever nearer. Sparks flew off of him, starting mini-fires everywhere. "There is no hope in this wasteland. Despite my name, I am not a dog of destruction. I bring a fresh start to corrupt places. Some might suffer, but that's their fault for growing so corrupt. I bring hope to the hopeless by doing what no one dares to do. You understand, don't you?" 

"No... No! This is wrong! We did nothing!" Rash barked in panic, spotting an opening and making a run for it. He couldn't let this happen. He wouldn't. The spirit raced through the opening, the bone-chilling laugh from Agony only fueling his fear. Fire roared at him, licking at his rocky paws. Agony had accepted his answer, and was going to make him regret it.

"Oh come on! You know this will end well for the forest!" Agony laughed, casually following him, proudly strolling on a cloud trail of thick smoke.

"What about Wild?! There will be no animals to live in the forest!" Rash howled in despair. Agony had to stop! This wasn't right!

"Oh she'll just be replaced. Like Storm was. Frankly, I've always liked Soothe more than her." Agony chuckled with a grin. "Much more reasonable, that one. I'll give you one more chance. Don't make any Rash decisions!" The Rottweiler joked, letting out a hearty laugh as he flicked his paw and started a fire right in front of the Hound made of rocks.

Panic flashed in Rash's eyes and he made a beeline for an opening. He could still make it. He had to be able to make it. But where was he? The spirit didn't remember this place, it felt strange and unusual. It made him feel trapped. Was this Agony's doing? Where was he headed? Rash continued to run through the forest, terrified of his fate. Maybe he could outrun him? Was it even possible? Agony was swift, almost as swift as Free, and way swifter than Rash. The spirit had to accept his fate, but he didn't want to. He needed to make it out, but he couldn't.

With a large fire springing up an inch away from Rash's snout, bright orange eyes appeared. "Deals off." Agony growled right before enveloping them both in fire.