Sosio and Ares: The climb

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After their long and treacherous battle with the leader of the dungeon and his fiendish minions, they had discovered the pokemon was guarding a staircase. Whatever was beyond here was the summit, and this wouldn't take long, but it was going to be hard finding their way. The Fletchling flew up, blinking back at the darkness.
At least the Charmander's tail would light the way.
She turned around, checking on the pokemon. Who knew if they would encounter pokemon or items here, but the winding tunnels would be hard enough as it is. The only question was where to turn first.

As Ares held back his usual ferocity and vigor for caution and wariness, Sosio seemed more than willing and able to take up the mantle and fight on her partner's behalf. Her war cry, her voice: it carried enough aggression for the both of them. During the time in which she proclaimed that they were Team Joy Ribbon - something that he found quite humorous and slightly off-putting at the same time - a rather beaten up and bruised warrior rallied inside of that orange flesh and instantly challenged him. Was he to let another carry his banner, to let another prolong his legacy and legend simply because he was hurting?

No! A true berserker such as himself would not allow it!

Once more, his culture shined through as he felt a searing sensation bubble from within the deepest recesses of his abdominal region. Though a bit of an overkill, a great, dazzling flame raged forth from his throat. It burned the air in a jet like sensation, chasing after its quarry like a rabid hound. The Drilbur was no match for such a sudden sensation of pure belligerence and - even though it had been fleeing prior - it fell face first into the hard, rock floor. Pain replaced the burning sensation, and Ares understood that he had just used up his firepower for this adventure.

A curse word flew forth from his lips as he straightened to his fullest height, his body protesting as he took a step forward. That's right. He wouldn't sulk in the corner anymore: he was a warrior. Dropping to his knees was something that cowards did. He would support her claim with his words, "No one stands up against us!"

Though his movements were cumbersome and slowed, Ares would follow as swiftly as he could behind his friend. He loped in an awkward fashion, supporting his torso with a clawed hand. Onwards they went, until finally...

Moonlight shimmered down into the cavern as a hauntingly, eerie glow radiated forth from the waters. It was enchanting and foreboding all at the same time, and Ares stepped cautiously towards Sosio's side as he gazed on towards the gathering. It was a rather mesmerizing event: they would enter young and emerge fully grown. A proud smile grew on his features as he gazed on, his eyes shimmering as the water and pale light were reflected within them. This was truly worth all the pain. They had first come here for their own separate reasons - he for iron and she for a Joy Ribbon - but this adventure had brought them closer together. In all honesty, he wouldn't mind staying here and observing for awhile.

When they had chased off the Drilbur, it received an extra attack from her partner. The blaze hit it and it scurried away even faster. A little startled by a curse followed, she couldn't help but smile at his remark of agreement. He seemed much stronger and determined after that, and Sosio was glad they were together.

At the cavern, she viewed this event as a type of evolution ritual, like the several species of pokemon came forth to grow. The Sableyes watched grimly. They couldn't evolve, so Soiso guessed that that was why they hosted it. Pokemon who were of the right level stepped up to evolve in the smooth falling water. The process was pretty cool, but they had somewhere else they needed to be. The Fletchling gently pushed her way around the crowd, staying in the back of the room. She made sure she didn't fly and leave the Charmander behind. The pokemon were all preoccupied, and they didn't seem to notice or care about the stray pokemon. She rounded the final curve of the cavern and made her way towards the last few tunnels that lead to the spiral.
This is it... She thought gratefully. We're finally going to make it to the top...

There was a simplistic beauty to evolution that entranced the Charmander so much. As he looked on with wide, round eyes that reflected the splendor back towards its source, determination soon needled its way into his mind. If things were going as planned and time was progressing at the rate in which he believed, then some day soon he might experience the seductiveness that evolution had upon an individual. A new short-term goal rallied its way to the forefront of his minds as Drilburs grew into powerful and steel-coated Excadrills, and it was just as wonderfully basic as the event that occurred before him.

Evolution.

He steeled his mind and rallied it to that cause. To grow stronger and become powerful, to transform in shape and become a warrior just as his mother and father had been: that was the beauty that presented itself to him. He would train long and hard, and work tirelessly towards that goal. Who knows? Maybe Sosio would join his next expedition.

When she began to move again, so would he, although he would sneakily grab an item that lingered just out of sight of the evolution event that was occurring nearby. Whatever it was, he would hold it dear to his heart and as a memory towards what he had aimed to accomplish from that day forward. One day, he would ravage the land with his fiery breath and make anyone who doubted him rue the day that he had been exiled. As he limped his way towards the exit - sides heaving and breath shallow - his eyes would widen. "W-we're," he would begin, attempting to catch his breath, "almost there!"

This dice is not existing.

Sosio longed for her own evolution, for it would mean two things. First, she would gain a new type, which just happened to be Charmander's type: fire, while keeping her flying-type. It would also mean that her wings would grow strong enough to travel farther, attempt to start a small-pokemon transportation along with mail, and could finally follow through on flying to the Floating Islands. She admired the fire of Ares' tail, and she couldn't wait to harness such powers. She occasionally checked behind her to see if he was following, and it looked like he either fell or picked up an item off the ground.

Continuing through the tangling tunnels and the brutal burrows, the light became more intense as they neared their destination.
I've never been so excited... My heart is racing... My feet are speeding... I feel energy thrive and flow...
The Charmander's sudden speaking interrupted her narrative thoughts as he gasped and announced their positions nearing the top. She turned, smiling, and playfully raced to the top as the spiral got smaller and smaller. This was the true "black spiral" of this so-called staircase. She gaped, bursting out into the open where they had never been.
We made it...

The stairs: never before had he been so excited and relieved to see the unusual constructs. Though his eyes had been narrowed in intense concentration and sheer exertion, they widened as his pupils traced the outline of those heavenly steps. His eyelids would quiver as the bottom lid would tighten and cause them to appear as if they had curved upwards. This was a natural reaction to how elated he was to view those stairs, and he wasn't even upset that he was showing it. They had deserved the ability to be happy! They had survived the trying ordeals of this dangerous mountain!

A light, a literal light at the end of the tunnel. As he penetrated the thin veil of extending rays, a single arm outstretched in happiness as he attempted to touch something that didn't exist, he came to the realization that his goals could happen. He would evolve. He would make it happen. Evolution was his birthright, and he was going to obtain it.