Wha?! I was sure I'd replied to your post! Where did my reply go? Anyway, yes, you do have an extension.

Now, here comes my intro for the current scenario. Still no battles, but quite a few revelations and guest appearances. If you've read my short story Paradise Valley, I suggest you read it again after this. At least the parts where Rose is mentioned.

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<Firestar's POV>

It was a nice sunny day. I was in the park with my team and my trainer, and also with Ray and his bunch. As usual when both teams went out together, Ray and I had ended up splitting from the group and finding a nice and comfy spot for ourselves. We spent as much time together as we could. We had even decided to evolve at the same time, and didn't allow our trainers to get their Fire Stones anywhere close to us until we were together. We could always get our way when we set our minds on it, that was the one thing that hadn't changed since we were Vulpix pups. Everything else had changed so much that it seemed like it had been another life. But someone said the past always finds a way to get back to you, and that seemed to be the case with us.

That day, as Ray and I were hiding among a set of bushes and tickling each other with our paws, tails and noses, we were interrupted by a Vulpix from our past; one whose presence we didn't notice until we made a pause in our games. Once we did, I wondered how long she'd been watching us. Her deep grey eyes werefixed on us, but her face was expressionless. The same lack of expression that used to cause everyone to feel puzzled around her half the time and ignore her the other half. Right then, I felt puzzled. But I was also annoyed. And the latter took precedence.

"It's rude to sneak on a couple like that," I told her. "How long have you been here?"
"Oh, not much," she said with a soft tone that could have been either calm or sad. "Sorry I've upset you. I just wanted to see some familiar faces. In the flesh, I mean."
Now Ray stood up. "You recognize us?"
She smiled. A gesture that was rarely seen in her. And then she nodded.
"How did you find us?," Ray asked.
"I... I like to know where my old friends are. I used to be able to keep track easily in the past. I's not so easy now, but still... I do what I can. I guess you can say I'm nostalgic."
"Who would have guessed!," I exclaimed. "You actually have feelings?"
"Of course I do. I just... I've never been the kind to talk much. But not talking about something doesn't mean it isn't there."

I took a better look at her. Now she definitely looked sad, and tired. How could I not notice before? I guessed I'd never paid much attention to her as a child. She was just a boring young adult who spent her time staring into the distance and didn't seem to care much about anything other than the little stone she wore on top of her head. I noticed she wasn't wearing it anymore.
"What happened to your stone?," I asked her.
"I gave it up," she replied.
"But it was your treasure! Your only winning item!"
"It was more than that, but it was becoming a bit of a burden, and I found someone who can put it to a better use than the one I was giving it. A more... necessary use."
"Use? What use can that stone have?"
She shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. We shouldn't care about it. I shouldn't care about it anymore. We're here now. A different place, a different life... Why ruin it by looking back?... by worrying about the things... and the friends we've left behind?"
She looked up into the sky and spoke in an even lower tone.
"Please..." she said. "I need a life of my own. I've done so much... given up so much... I can't make a difference anymore. Please let them not need me this time."
"Solitude!," Ray shouted at her, trying to snap her out of her apparent trance.
"You don't need to shout," she replied. "I'm strange, I can't help it. Sorry if I freaked you out."
"It's ok," Ray said. "What was that all about?"
Solitude sighed.
"Nothing we can do a thing about," she assured. "But I can't help but worry. I left Caledor while a storm was brewing, and now... now the worst of it is about to come. I can't do anything about it. I'm just a Vulpix. This is bigger than me. Much bigger. And I want to leave my own life for once. Why, just why can't I simply stop caring?"

Solitude's eyes started shining with tears she wouldn't let out. I nuzzled her. For the first time, I saw her under a different light. She looked small, and fragile.
"I'm sure our friends will be alright," Ray assured. "They're strong and brave and they can handle whatever comes today."
"Strong and brave... Yes, they are," Solitude half-smiled. "Your mum is helping the Stantlers get organized, did you know that?"
"My mum? Have you seen her?," he asked.
"Just before I left Caledor. And I saw your parents too, Blessing. They're still leading what's left of the pack and looking for new members."
"My name is Firestar now," I told her. "But it's great to know my parents are fine. Is Ray's dad still around?"
"Ray?," she looked at him. "Nice name. It suits you much better than Kid now. Yes, he's still in the lake. He sees Lake whenever she's not busy with the Stantlers."
"Cool!," I said. "And the others? Ruby? Strawberry? The twins?"
"Ruby and Strawberry are still in the pack. They're competing over the new male that just arrived. I lost track of the twins, they left some time before my last visit."
"I'm sure they're alright," Ray said. "They're as good at getting out of trouble as they're at getting into it."
"Like you'd be the one to talk!," I reminded him.
"I know," he admitted. "I've always been the best at getting into trouble. The getting out of it part still needs some working on. But that's what I have you for, isn't it?"
"Me and your trainer," I laughed. "And back in the forest you had your parents and your own personal hero. You're lucky you've always been surrounded by beings who love you so much."
Ray blushed visibly when I said that, and I gave him a quick kiss on his muzzle that made him blush even more.
"Err... you didn't see that," he told Solitude.
"Whatever you say," she replied. "But I think you two make a cute couple."
"Wow, someone's opened up all of a sudden!," I commented.
"I try," she said. "I don't actually want to shut myself away, but I've never been good at dealing with others. Whenever I open my mouth I end up freaking everyone out, so staying quiet often works best for me. But I guess my recent run-in with a trainer helped me a little. Knowing that someone relies on me and trusts me... it's a great feeling."
"You had a trainer?," Ray asked.
"Only for a short while. I knew we had to go seperate ways, but I helped him find his way around in Caledor. Then I left before the past could catch up with me and pull me back."
"Hmm... you're talking weird again," I told her.
"Sorry. I don't think I can get that feeling out of my chest yet, so talking weird will have to do for now. Let's just say there were 2 things that could have tempted me to stay if I had encountered them, but I knew neither of them was meant for me. Staying would have only learnt to suffering. I need a life of my own."
"I think we can help you with that," I offered. "I'm sure one of our trainers will accept you. Or you can go to the Pridelands Adoption Center if you would like a fresh start. That's what our son did when he wanted to become independant. And if you don't want another trainer, you can live in the park. There are some poemon living here."
"You have a son?!"
Solitude's grey eyes opened up widely, looking startled for the first time ever.
"We're an adult couple, you know," Ray told her.
"I know, I know... It's just... I've only just realized how much time really has passed since I left the pack. And besides, a boy... that's quite uncommon. Which one of you does he take after the most?"
"His father, definitely," I laughed. "He even got his Disable trick. Though he never bugged others with it as much as his dad used to."
"Hey!," Ray complained.
"Sorry, I tell things just the way they were," I grinned. "So, will you stay here?"
"I'll think about it. Thanks," Solitude replied.
"By the way, do you know anything about Speedy?," Ray asked. "Or Tracker."
"Ah, yes," she sighed. "Tracker's become a successful police pokemon. Speedy found a trainer and is working with the Dragon Tamers. She managed to find him and they're together now, just like you to except that he won't admit it openly yet, but it's only a matter of time. I wish them both the best of luck for what is to come."
"What's to come?," Ray asked. "What's that storm you mentioned?"
"Do you remember what happened to the Stantlers in the forest?"
"I do... But you weren't there, were you?"
"No, but that's beside the point. Imagine that, happening to a whole city. And even beyond that, to the whole country if our friends can't make it."
"That's awful! Who would do such a thing?," I questioned in shock.
"Sadly, there are enough beings who would. Some are human, some are pokemon. They call themselves the Crimson Blades and they're even worse than those who attacked the Stantlers because each and every one of them has their minds and hearts into it."

There was silence for a while. Neither Ray nor I could say a word and Solitude retreated back into herself. I hadn't been exposed to many cruelties in my life. I'd heard about attacks and wars in other places, but I'd been lucky enough not to have anyone I cared for be caught in them. This news stroke me hard.
"Maybe we can... find a way to get back to Caledor and help them?," Ray suggested.
"But how?," I asked.
"We can tell our trainers we want to go somewhere on our own for a while and promise to be back soon. They won't deny us that. Then, if anyone tries to stop us from getting there, I stop them."
Solitude looked at Ray.
"You're still the adventurer I used to know," she told him. "And you still take risks without thinking of the consequences. What do you two hope to achieve against the Crimson Blades?"
"We won't be alone," Ray assured. "Other must be already fighting. We'll join them and offer any help we can provide. In a situation like that any kind of help can make a difference."
"And we can stop by the forest first and get our parents to help us," I added. "And anyone else who wants to join in."
"Right. With Firestar's charisma we'll have the whole forest coming with us."
Now it was I who blushed.
"You should know us well enough to know we always get what we want," I told Solitude.
She sighed. We seemed to have convinced her that we wouldn't change our minds.
"I guess I'll have to do it again," she sighed. "If I can't hold you back, I'll go with you. Someone will have to look after you two."
"You do know how funny that sounds when a Vulpix says it to a couple of Ninetales, right?," Ray commented.
"I can't help it," she replied. "You two haven't grown up as much as I thought."
"Or maybe we have grown up more than even we thought," I reflected. "We know the risk, and we're willing to take it. Our friends have always helped us when we needed them. Now it's our turn to do the same for them."

Well, we didn't get the chance to stop by the forest in the end... but someone else is going to tell that part of the story later. At least we did get to hitch a ride in an airplane, thanks to our combined talents. Hmm... the local authorities don't get to read this, do they?
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<Rose's POV>

I've heard a few stories about the sky going dark in the middle of the day when a terrible threat arises. I've never seen that happen in real life. To me, it was just a day like any other. I was taking a break from stopping a fight among a group of Oddish kids about what the best final evolution was, and I was wondering why fights always seemed to come up no matter what, when I saw a small bird-like figure appear from the other side of the mountains. I couldn't see it in detail from that distance, but it happened to start its descent right there, and soon I could recognize the shape and color of a Taillow. That was a pokemon you didn't see everyday, at least in our valley. It had only been around a year since the first ones had shown up, and none of them had built their nests in the valley. They just stayed for a day or two to get a break in the middle of a long journey. Many pokemon did that, since the valley was a great place for any pokemon to recover their strength.

The Taillow landed by the river and drank some water. I approached him slowly; he looked agitated. Even so, he was startled when he heard my steps and nearly took off.
"Wait," I told him. "It's safe here."
He turned around and looked at me. He examined me quite thoroughly.
"Pink eyes..." he said.
That was quite an unusual greeting. I could give it an even more unusual reply, but I didn't think it was the time for it.
"Are you alright?," I asked him.
"Me?... Yes, I'm ok. Just tired, that's all. It's a long way from the Reborn Forest. Is this Paradise Valley?"
"Yes, it is," I nodded.
"Ah, finally," he sighed. "Then you must be Mrs. Rose."
"I am. I didn't think I'd be so famous."
"You are. Everyone in the Reborn Forest knows of this valley and of how you and your husband watch over all the pokemon in here."
"Really? How come? I've never been to the Reborn Forest, and neither has Rock as far as I know."
"Maybe you haven't, but your son has. He's living there now."
"Adamant? You know him?"
It had been a long time since I'd last heard of him. I knew it was best for my children to become independant and lead their own lives, but I had to admit I'd been missing them terribly ever since they left.
"Yes, he's well known in the forest. He tries to do the same things you and your husband do here, and he's quite good at it. No one can abuse others and get away with it as long as he's around."
That news brought a smile to my face. I was filled with pride for my son.
"May I tell you that you have quite an unusual smile?," the Taillow said.
"I see you have no fear of expressing your thoughts," I chuckled. "How is my smile unusual?"
"It's so wide... Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
"Don't worry, I'm not offended. Smiles are natural and spontaneous, so it's hard to control the way they look. Like your eyes, they show your real self."
"So your real self is pink and smiles widely?," he joked. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Quite so," I told him. "Anyway, what brings you here?"
"It's just... as you know, I've heard of your reputation, and I thought you should know when something big is happening, and I think that's the case right now."
"What's going on?"
"Some pokemon are leaving the Dark Cave and heading for Sector Alpha."
"Hmm... that's odd..." I reflected. "I've heard of the Dark Cave pokemon. They haven't left their cave in the last 4 years as far as I know. I'd say it's a good thing that they're finally coming out, but why go to Sector Alpha instead of staying in the forest? I thought they were afraid of humans."
"That's the thing. I saw the Noctowl right before she left. She said she got some serious vibes from her contact in Sector Alpha and she was heading there with any pokemon who would follow her in order to pay a debt."
"So there's trouble in Sector Alpha?"
"So she seems to believe. I've never made much sense out of the Dark Cave pokemon anyway. I mean, how can you understand a pokemon who can perceive the emotions of everyone around another pokemon?"
"I've seen and heard of many strange things in my life. But your news leaves me worried. I have a daughter in Sector Alpha. I need to make sure she's safe."
"What will you do?"
"I'll talk to my friends and Rock. If I know them well, I think we'll end up checking things out by ourselves. I'm sure Outcast can take care of the valley while the rest of us are away. His relatives haven't been bothering him so much since the Templa Taure incident. Plum will want to come, her own daughter lives in Sector Alpha too. She can help both me and Rock get there."
"Wow, you've just heard about it and already made a plan."
"I've learnt to act quickly," I stated. "Pokemon like me end up at a disadvantage if we don't move fast."
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Splitting up because it exceeds the maximum length.