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 Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:22 pm
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Challenger's Cave Survival Contest
Difficulty: Very Hard
Challenger's Cave, the final test for trainers in the Unova region. Like its cousin in Kanto, Challenger's Cave is an area filled with extremely powerful wild Pokemon, which only highly skilled trainers are allowed to enter, and train themselves, and their Pokemon inside. Even the most skilled trainers are sent packing after facing some of the Pokemon inside. Regardless, Alder, the Unova Champion, has issued a challenge to trainers from all across the world, a survival contest if you will, in Challenger's Cave.
This is how the survival contest works. All entrants must be in pairs for starters. Once given the signal by Alder, all contestants are you enter the cave and seek Alder's Pokemon, which each one of them are in possession of a single medium sized red ring, about four inches in diameter. The challenge is for the contestants to take a ring from one of his Pokemon and hold onto it until the end of the contest, which will last a full twenty-four hours. For the entire period of the contest, the entrance to the cave will be shut, so there is no escape until time is up.
At the end of the twenty-four hours, the cave will be opened, and which ever pair of contestants is in possession of the most rings, will be crowned the winners. As you can imagine, contestants will have to fight one another for possession of the rings. Furthermore, if Alder's Pokemon, and the other contestants weren't a challenge enough, you have to worry about the powerful wild Pokemon, and the natural dangers Challenger's Cave presents. This contest is not fot the weak of heart and will surely test your skill, determination, and strength.
One last thing, I heard a pair of individuals who have been making a name for themselves in Unova are entering. Rumor has it one is a 'bird man', from what others have said I've determined he is a Xatu hybrid named Horus, who despite his youthful appearance is in his fifties. Rumor says he is a highly skilled fighter, once trained with a Psychic Master. He is so confident in himself that he carries not a single Pokemon, relies on his own strength. His partner, is a Ground Channeler, a young woman in her early twenties named Kalana. Daughter of a highly esteemed archeologist, Kalana possesses a necklace her father found once, which acts as her artifact, which with her faithful Golett partner, she is able to channel chi through the ground. This duo is highly dangerous as their use their abilities together to take down any foe.
Other than the previously mentioned duo there are also regular trainer duos, who should not be taken lightly as they too possess very strong Pokemon and will prove a challenge. There is only one reward for winning this contest, the sheer experience of the trial, and to prove that you and your partner can survive anything that comes your way. Surely you'll earn respect from not just Alder, but from trainers all across Unova. I wish you the best of luck.
Objective:
---Survive the Challenger's Cave survival contest.
---Take a ring from one of Alder's Pokemon, located somewhere in the cave. Other duos will try and take rings too, so you probably won't get to all of Alder's Pokemon first before others do.
---Try and obtain as many rings as possible and survive the full twenty-four hours.
---It should be noted however, winning the contest is not required to pass this mission. This mission's sole purpose is to develope story for your characters.
Opposition:
---Many powerful wild Pokemon normally found in Challenger's Cave.
---Alder's Pokemon, which hold the rings. There are five of them, which are Accelgor, Vanilluxe, Bouffalant, Escavilier, and Druddigon.
---The hybrid and channeler duo. The hybrid carries no Pokemon while the channeler has three, Krookodile, Archeops, and Golett (Her partner Pokemon, required for her channeling).
---Any other trainer duos and their various Pokemon.
Pokemon:
---Wild Pokemon in Challenger's Cave include Boldore, Gigalith, Woobat, Swoobat, Graveler, Golem, Lickitung, Lickilicky, Sableye, Mawile, Excadrill, Riolu, Lucario, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, and Basculine.
---You may capture one wild Pokemon, or snag one trainer owned Pokemon (Excluding Kalana's Pokemon).
Rewards:
---10x Snag Coins
---The experience from the challenge.
---Any one who completes this mission successfully will be considered for a rank up.
Notes:
Xatu hybrid's moves:
Psychic, Me First, Teleport, Miracle Eye, Power Swap, Future Sight, Confuse Ray, Omnious Wind, Night Shade, Light Screen.
Ground Channeler's abilities:
Ability to sense others through the ground. Ability to create fissures in the ground. Ability to create tremors. Can alter soil into quick sand. Can use a sandstorm like technique by controlling specs of dirt.
---------------------------
I was in a bind. Simply put. I had the need. An itch. A desire. I knew what it was. It was the need of recognition. Not just your typical recognition. No, there was one special brand that I sought out among all else. One that I could only get one way and one way only. I wanted to face Miles. I wanted to meet him not only as a friend, but as a rival. I only wanted him to recognize the fact that I was further along than he was in a roundabout way implying that I was. His ethereal stature meant nothing to me at this time. I knew he was different when I met him back at the headquarters for the first time in months. I knew that he grew more powerful in some aspects thanks to Kitsune…but the thing of it, I want to believe that I already showed him once that in some cases, it was going to take more than Chi to bring someone down. I nearly had Miles deplete all usable Chi he had the last time he and I had at it with each other. That was nearly two years ago, however.
Within those two following years, up to today, I trained both physical prowess and in Chi. I learned a great deal of things from both allies and adversaries. But my issue now is that I have no means of knowing for sure how close for certain that I am to Miles. I haven’t been able to face anyone that would be deemed ‘powerful’ in some time and it’s bothersome; not even so much as the allies that I am with now like Night or Sol. I needed a release. Something to get my mind off of this for a little while, if anything.
Leave it to Sub to find that release.
Apparently, to my understanding, there is something coming up in the Unova region. A cavern, known as Challenger’s Cave, that is full of strong Pokemon, not too dissimilar to the Cerulean Cave in the Kanto region. Though rumor has it that there is a completely psychotic Pokemon in the deepest depths of it…something I might look into some day. Whatever the case, apparently it is going to be the home of a competition that is a whole endurance run being hosted by the Unova region’s champion. Considering that I have not really had a lot of experience being in the region at all. I could figure that I could use this as that alleged release. Hopefully. Problem was now…this competition was meant for two people cooperating against other pairs. I was without a partner…
“Soooooo, you don’t want to go to Unova.”
“Blizzard, come on. For one, you know I’m not as competitive as you are. The whole massive hardcore competition isn’t my forte. Two, I don’t intend on staying twenty-four hours in a cave for anything if I can help it. And finally, three, HAVE YOU LOST IT!?”
“Maybe?”
I was in my room at the headquarters, of course, looking a bit distraught. Tails was out and about with his Pokemon in the mountain range somewhere and wouldn’t be found for a while. Something about needing just cut loose and not needing to stay cramped up in the headquarters. I can’t really blame the kid. Despite being the hybrid he is, he’s still as feral as a full-blooded Vulpix. And Freth, who I am facing, is there in bed, reading a book and a glass of tea close by. She has no intention to leave it either.
“Why not ask some of the others around here?” She asked. “Like…Night?”
“Really? She’s on the same boat with you.”
“I’m starting to like her more by the day.” She said. “Sol?”
“I can’t find him, he finds me. Or whoever the hell else. At way too convenient of a time.” I said.
“Ryan?” She asked.
“Training for water mastery or whatever. I don’t know the details.” I said. “No telling when he will be back.”
“Jira?”
“…………”
“Sorry I asked. What about-”
The door to the room opens and the both of us looked back. Tristen found his way into the room.
“Tristen…” Freth said, head tilting, her mind plotting.
“Um. Hi. Did…I come at a bad time?” The Electrike hybrid asked.
“Actually…” Freth looked back at me, with look that pretty much implied that I should know where she was going with this. Bad part was…I did know.
“Woah woah, wait a minute.” I said to her.
“Come on, Blizzard. You want to get the kid trained, he’s wanting it, and what better place to do it?”
“Freth, that place is said to have some outrageously strong Pokemon, the trainers just as tough, and-“
“…It’s no better way to get into fighting shape. Besides you told me what happened in Goldenrod.” She said.
I couldn’t help but to bury my face in my hands. I didn’t want to put something so extreme so soon on the kid, otherwise I’d feel like I am no better that hybrid back in Hyda that ran the tribe that Tristen was took captive in.
“What’s going on?” Tristen asked, trying to piece the conversation together.
“She’s suggesting that you come with me to the Unova region and be my partner in a competition.” I said. “The thing of it, I don’t think you are at all ready for it. You’re just now starting to get a grasp on everything, and the opposition is expected to be really tough, let alone the wild Pokemon that are sure to be involved in it. It wouldn’t exactly be…conductive, really.” I said.
“How would you know? It may turn out better than you realize. Tristen might be able to walk out with another Pokemon, you know?” Freth asked. “And Tristen could get in the battling experience and surprise everyone. Even you.”
“Always the optimist.” I said.
“And that’s a bad thing?” She then replied.
Tristen stared in confusion. A competition in another region which could maybe help him further his skills? “I wanna go.” Tristen said.
“What.” I spoke up.
“Well, Tails is out, so I don’t have anything else to do, and I haven’t been to Unova yet. I wanna try.” Tristen said.
“Well, sounds like that is settled.” Freth said, laying the book in her lap and crossing her arms, coming off as if she achieved victory. She didn’t have to go, after all. I was compelled to rub my eyes in frustration. What could I do at this point?
“Alright, alright.” I said to them. “I’ll take you with me to Unova. We’ll leave out tomorrow. Get there a day early. If anything, I’d like to take a look around the place now that Cipher is out of the mix, there.” I then said to Tristen. “For that matter, I wouldn’t mind taking a look at the gyms too, since the last time I been to a Unova gym, it was made into a casino. Go pack, Tristen. We’re going to be out on a little expedition.”
“Okay!” the electric pup said, running off.
After he left, I made a hard sigh. This was a bad idea. I could feel it. “I REALLY hope you know what you are doing.” I said to Freth.
“Actually, the ‘doing’ isn’t really MY concern, now is it?” Freth asked.
“Blast it.”
“Well look at it this way. What other option do you have that you know that could help you out?” She asked. “Trust me; it will be good for Tristen.” She said. “Not to mention, it might help him to be a little more outgoing now, being in the rough like that. You know. Be a bit more willing to go with Tails where ever he wants to go. Be a brother to him just that little bit better.”
“I…guess.” I said to her, crossing my arms. “Even so, it’s not a way I intended on going about it. That’s like diving into the deep end of a pool before you know how to swim good enough. At least, that’s how it feels to me, anyways.”
“Just have a little faith in the kid, Blizzard. Just like you do with Tails.” She said.
“I suppose.” I gave a sigh. I couldn’t argue that with her. I had nothing. “I guess I best get ready, too.”
“Just please don’t stay up all night on the PC trying to figure out what Pokemon to bring on this outing, otherwise you’d be no use to anyone, let alone Tristen.” Freth said. “Ryan told me about how you held up the Pokemon Center’s PC lines, sometimes up to a half-hour trying to figure out what Pokemon to carry with you when you were out with Aden.”
“…he told you that?” I asked. “Do I really take that long?”
“Yes.” She said, rather flat. “At any rate, I will do you one favor.” She said.
“What’s that?”
“While I won’t be playing in these games, I will go with you to Unova and stand on the sidelines. For as all I am concerned…” she got up out of the bed and approached me, grabbing my vest and tugging it down a bit. “…you’re going to want someone familiar to see when you get out after being in a dark cave for so long. Not to mention, I too, am interested in sightseeing a little in Unova. I mean, only thing that I really, truly, got to see over there was Black City. And even then, you know, it was a ruined experience.”
“Yea, I know. At any rate, it’s appreciated.” I told her.
--------------------
It was the next day. True to word I was up and ready to get going to the Unova region, as was Tristen with him carrying a backpack full of the necessities and his Pokeballs, containing his Natu and Castform. He was nervous, though. Going into a whole new region when he was just now starting to learn about the one he was in and its neighbor, the Kanto region. He has yet to go to the Hoenn region and barely covered a small portion of the Sinnoh. And to think, the Unova region was even farther than those two regions.
I, on the other hand, was nervous for other reasons. When I go to a competition of any sort, I want to go there giving it my all and be satisfied about my performance, win or lose. The same goes with any one that I have to work cooperatively with. It was why I asked Freth to take part. With Tristen, I have the feeling I wouldn’t have such a luxury; that I would end up biting it early on because I had to pick up the slack that Tristen couldn’t. I can’t believe I got talked into that.
“Well are we ready to get going?” Freth asked.
“Yea, as ready as I can get.” I said.
“Me too.” Tristen said.
“So where exactly are we going to go in Unova? I mean, we do have a day to kill, after all.” Freth then asked.
I took out my SNAG and took a look at a Map of Unova. There was plenty to see over there. I did find it a little weird how the routes were connected. Everything was in a big oval save for one off route that leads to a couple of other cities. “Well, let’s see here. Well, this place looks a little interesting. Striaton City.” I said. “It’s a way’s from the cave, but nothing but a quick Teleport wouldn’t fix. Not to mention, the Challenger’s cave is apparently an important Unova landmark, so it’s apparently found on most maps.”
“So why that…Striaton City, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“It’s a small city, but apparently there are a few things to it…like a Pokemon Gym. I’m actually curious on how the gyms are set up in that region.” I said.
“Of course.” Freth said, shaking her head. She was not in the least bit surprised.
“Well, are we going to stand around talking all day or are we going to get to it?” I asked.
“Then let’s go already.”
I took out a Pokeball and tossed it out. “Telia, come out real quick.” I said.
The ball bursts open and following a bright flash of light, out came my Gardevoir, Telia. “Voiiiir!”
“Telia, we need to go here.” I said, pointing to the map. “Striaton City.”
“Gardevoir.” She said with a nod. She had to take extra focus to pull this off. Three people to a part of the region that is left yet unexplored by us for the moment was not kosher on the mental prowess. “Vooiiiirrrr…Gardevoir!” And in a flash, we left the headquarters and found our way instantly at the center of Striaton City.
The city was a serene one for the most part. Sure the streets were more crowded than I would imagine it being in a place like this, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Probably…a little too much. This place…reeked of Celestial Chi. It wasn’t in the city itself, but it was close. Off to the east. I took out the SNAG once more and zoomed in on the city, trying to get an idea on what was going on here.
“Something wrong, Blizzard?” Freth asked.
“No…nothing at all.” I said. I then thought it might be best to just forget about it. It probably was nothing. I ended up stashing the SNAG back in my vest once more.
As we started to walk off, the place had an old-timey look. Buildings look at least more than a century old. At least most of them anyways. They had a different design to them than what I am used to though. Contemporary, they were. And by the looks of the buildings, apparently people took great care and great pride in keeping care to these buildings…I’m almost reminded of Violet City in a way. They are virtually the same way.
We found ourselves at the Pokemon Center and took a walk inside. “Hey Blizzard? I’m going to check the PC to make sure we can still get our Pokemon if we need to from here, alright?” Freth asked.
“Yea, go ahead.” I told her. She walked off and as she done so I looked around the center. It was a lot more hi-tech than what I could have imagined at a center. Whatever does the job, I guess. Tristen was feeling a bit awestruck himself, being in a place like this. He couldn’t believe just how much exactly he has missed out on so far. It wasn’t a misplaced assumption that he hoped to be a world traveler at one point or another.
Something caught my attention, though. Something didn’t seem right. There was a manned cash register at the front of the building, on a counter. For what? If anything there would be one for the cafeteria in centers that I knew of. I then made my way to the counter and looked around.
“Can I help you?” The man at the cashier asked.
I studied the counter. Many things were on display. Pokeballs of various grades. Potions. Remedies for ailments like poison and burns. “This is a Pokemon mart.” I said.
“Uhhhhhh…yeeeeaaahhhh…” The clerk said.
“But…this is a Pokemon Center.” I said. I was officially baffled.
“You are not from here, are you?”
“Johto.” I said.
“Ooooooh! Wow, that explains it. In this region, we have our marts and hospital facilities all in one building. Very convenient, really.” He said. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Uh, no, I’m actually pretty stocked. But that’s good to know, thanks.” I said, backing away from the counter.
When I cleared the counter, I rubbed the back of my head. Freth finally approached me, noticing that I was still pretty stumped. “Something wrong, Blizzard?” She asked.
“Unova people are lazy…” I told her in a quick, hushed whisper.
“Blizzard…” She said, shoving her elbow hard into me.
“Why is it so bad that they have everything in one place?” Tristen asked, genuinely curious.
“Never mind…just, never mind.”
“At any rate, guess what, Blizzard. They got a restaurant close by here.” She said. “I heard just a minute ago that they got the best food around here. And given that we left the headquarters in a bit of a hurry, I’m a bit hungry.”
“Me too.” Tristen said.
“Yea, alright. Lead the way then.” I said.
We left the Pokemon Center and walked off towards what appeared to be a three story building of sorts. When we walked inside, people were sitting about enjoying various cuisines. Tristen’s mouth started to water. Chicken. Beef. Pastas and the hearty sauces that came with them. His nose made him crave it all. He could virtually taste it.
“Hello!” “Hello!” “Hello!”
“WAAAH!” Tristen’s food induced trance was suddenly shut off by three eccentric waiters coming to greet us. He actually ended up falling over out of pure shock.
“Oops, sorry.” The three said in unison.
Freth was compelled to speak up. “You three kind of look like-“
“Triplets?” The red head spoke.
“You’d be right.” The blue haired one spoke. Is that color natural?
“Brother’s to the end.” The green haired one said. I’m officially freaked.
“I’m Chili!” The red head said. He seemed to be a bit of a fiery personality, if anything. One who wanted to stand out more. Even a bit of a showoff, given when he finally introduced himself, he had to strike a pose. I couldn’t help but to sweatdrop a bit.
“I’m Cress.” The blue haired one spoke. Compared to the red head, he’s a bit more composed. Probably the most sane of the three by what I am figuring.
“I’m Cilan.” The green haired one spoke. He seems to be the middle man of the two. He can be outgoing, but reasonable about it. At least he’s not striking poses.
“How can we serve you?” The three spoke in unison as they bowed.
“Uh…table for three?” I asked.
“Of course.”
We were led to a table to the back of the dining room, handed our menus, and the three left. Tristen got the kids menu, which he couldn’t really understand. He liked the idea of a big menu. To him, the big menu was meant for the bigger appetites. He felt shafted. “Blizz, can I see that?” he asked.
“After I’m done.”
Cilan came back to the table and handed us the complementary waters and took out his ticket book to write our orders. “So, I take it you three are not from here. I’d be sure that I would remember a few hybrids, let alone ones of famed Legendary ones.” He said to me. “Articuno, right?” he asked.
“That’s right.” Freth said.
“Really, those legendaries are not ones people claim to see all too often in these parts.” He said. “When you think these parts, you think of something like. I don’t know. Like Victini.”
“Victin-“ I stopped myself. I remember that the team had a dealing or two with a Pokemon like that. “I see…” I said.
“So what brings you all the way out here?” he asked.
“We’re going to be heading up north, tomorrow. To that…Challenger’s cave.” I said. I had to think about the name of the place again.
“Ohhhhh! I know what you are going to do! Man, that competition is rough for anyone who goes in there. Even hybrids! Are you sure you want to do that?”
“I wouldn’t have come all the way out here if I didn’t, you know. But until then, though, I thought to pick up a bit of sightseeing.” I told him. “For starters, I heard that there was a gym in this city.”
“There is.” Cilan said.
“So where is it?” I asked.
“You’re in it!” He said.
“…………no, seriously. Where is it?” I asked.
Conveniently enough, Chili pulled open a curtain at the back wall. Sure enough, right there was a massive Pokemon Battlefield with the Pokemon League of Unova symbol right above it. I sat there, silent for a moment.
“Blizzard, don’t say it.” Freth said.
“Unova people are-“ Another elbow cuts me off, only this time, I ended up hunching over, nearly falling off the chair. GOD, THE RIBS! WHY THE RIBS!?
“Ummm, yeeaaah. Anyways, we’ve been getting a lot of customers because of that event up north.” He said, deliberately trying to get off the gym topic. “Like those two over there.” He pointed towards a couple of trainers off towards the front of the building. “And there is also-“
“Excuse me, can I get the check over here, please?”
“Those two.” He said, rather flatly. I looked back, taking notice…how the hell did I not notice that guy, before? A Xatu hybrid. He looked young, though. I couldn’t tell what he was wearing, though, apart from a pair of what seems to be a pair of cargo pants. He had his wings wrapped around him like a cape or a poncho; something that I couldn’t do for too long. I guess it’s a resting position for his wings. But the thing that bothered me though, I can’t really sense too much from him, though. In fact, I can’t sense a thing. It’s like the guy has no chi to use. Is that normal for a hybrid? With him was apparently a female accompanied by a strange looking rock Pokemon. One that Tristen was taking the opportunity to get a shot of with his SNAG on the Pokedex function. If those two was going to be in this thing, it might be good to find out what it is now. The female was dressed in gear, seemingly like she was more ready for a safari at the moment. I guess this is her formal wear?
Cilan started to search his tickets of the tables he served then started to walk over towards the table where the hybrid was and laid it down next to him. He took the check and studied it, then shot up out of his seat, nearly choking on the tea he had. “What on earth!? This price is madness!” He shouted, staring down Cilan. “It was a dinner for two! Not twenty!” he shouted.
“Sir, that is what you ordered.” Cilan said. “And I would imagine it is reasonably priced.”
“I sure you would imagine it!”
“Hey!” I got up out of my chair and stepped out in front of Cilan and faced off with the Xatu hybrid. The girl then got up and made her way behind the avian.
“Horus, we’re not here to start trouble.” She said, kind of low. I could still hear it though. “Can you go anywhere without causing an uproar?”
“Not now, Kalana.” Horus said back to her.
“You should probably listen to her for your own good.” I said.
“Do you think you actually stand any chance against me?” He asked.
“If you’re that confident, take your shot, pal.” I said, clinching my fist. I’d take him on in a hurry if he pushed me.
“Blizzard, not here.” Freth said, coming up behind me.
“Horus, let’s just…pay them and go. We’re causing a scene.” She said.
“………fine.” He said, turning around and walking off. She looked back at us for a moment then walked off.
“Who the hell was that guy?” I asked. “And what is his malfunction for that matter?”
“That was Horus.” Cress came in close to Cilan, checking to see if he was alright. “A Xatu hybrid, obviously. He apparently boasts a grand power, though really, no one ever seen it in action before. It’s all rumor, really. The girl that was with her, I can tell you for certain she’s someone special. She apparently is a rather famed archeological scientist’s daughter and she…well, somehow she can bend the earth to her whims. Turn anything into a parking lot if she so cared to. She doesn’t hide that fact at all, but sensible enough to not do such a thing. Why she hangs with him, I don’t know.”
“Wait what?” I asked. The only way a human could do that is by… “An artifact…” I said softly to myself. I didn’t sense anything about her at all that was off, though. What was going on here? I tilted my head in confusion. Something wasn’t right about this. It was something that I couldn’t figure out. Was Horus doing something during the entire time he was here? Bah, screw it. I wanted food.
Tristen watched the whole ordeal unfold from his chair. The SNAG with the Pokemon’s revealed dex data was not much of an issue as far as he was concerned. Really, what bothered him was the Xatu hybrid. It reminded him too much of a past he cared to forget. His very memories pierced his soul. It made him feel cold. He almost feared Horus, just for that short outburst…just like he feared the tribe’s leader.
I sat back down at the table, grabbing the menu and shaking my head. I looked back down at Tristen. “Are you okay?” I asked. He really looked a bit distraught.
“I’m fine.” He said. He really wasn’t.
-------------
We took refuge for the night at the Pokemon Center’s trainer’s dorms after a bit more looking around the city. Tristen was distracted though for most of the exploring. Usually things that would make him wonder why things are the way they are, for instance, seeing a place where Pokemon’s dreams are actually brought to life didn’t even faze the kid.
Tristen was the first one up the next morning, though didn’t necessarily move out of bed. He couldn’t in fearing that he’d wake his two guardians up, because he slept through the night in the same bed as Freth and I. Horus bothered him still, just knowing that such a hybrid existed. Thoughts loomed, wondering if all Xatu hybrids were like the tribe’s leader. He prayed that was not the case. He was taught not to discriminate so easily like that. He didn’t want to upset anyone in such a manner. He thought about the fact that he was bound to see him again at the competition at the cavern, and for that matter, face him in battle some way. The tribe’s leader made Tristen look nothing short of a joke. He spent at least an hour, curled up as he was sitting up between the two of us, wondering if Horus would do the same to him.
Freth and I finally woke up only a short while later. “Tristen, how long have you been awake?” I asked him, starting to sit up in the bed myself.
“Not long. I was waiting on you…” he said, only being partially honest. I could tell there was more to it…it made me wonder.
“Oh…” I simply said. “Well, let’s get breakfast then head on over to the Challenger’s cave. We’ll have a long twenty four hours ahead of us. Are you sure you still want to do this, though?” He hesitated to answer this time. He knew that if anything, Horus would be there. He knew that a whole slew of strong Pokemon would be there, both wild and trainer owned. “Tristen?” I spoke up again.
“I wanna go.” He said, sliding forward, off the foot of the bed and looked back at Freth and me. He was in too deep, he figured.
I looked towards Freth with a bit of a skeptical look, then made a hard sigh. “Alright then.”
We left the dorms and had breakfast as said. Afterwards, we left the Pokemon Center and made our way outside and took a quick teleport off towards Opelucid City. From there, off to the west we went, taking in the sights as we made our way to our destination. The City looked like it was in the midst of advancement, really. Really high tech meets the serenity of nature…in a real grotesque mash-up. I guess that’s how advancement happens.
Soon enough, we were out of the city and started our way towards a side cliff path where plenty of people were going down. “I’m left to wonder, now that I am thinking about it.”
“What’s that, Blizzard?”
“Who’s bright idea to come up with some sort of survival competition in a cave with crazy strong wild Pokemon?” I asked.
“The very same people who came up with Pokemon contests which has no problem with embarrassing the hell out of you, Game Corners to suck the very life out of you, and for the tone-deaf, Pokemon Musicals and Pokemon Eating Contests, which people just typically grab the nearest Snorlax or Lickatung and call it a day for.” I said.
“Which is who now?” I asked.
“Don’t know yet. I’ll let you know…you know, maybe not, because I’ll be in the nearest game corner.” She said.
“That sounds like fun.” Tristen said, looking up towards Freth.
“Oh it is! All the games provided and the lights and liq-“
“Freth, he’s ten at the most.” I said, cutting Freth off.
“Oh. Taking that back now.”
I rolled my eyes and continued on the path. At the end of the path, there was a stage placed with a bit of rigging for electrical equipment. People of all sorts were around. I recognized the gym leader from Nimbasa City, sitting on a folding chair on the stage. With her, I could only assume were other gym leaders, as they were all conversing with each other, probably to pass the time. One cowboy…a ninja…old man and a little girl…oh, the implications on that one…someone that looked like she’s off an Aunt Jemima bottle…and…the waiters from the restaurant…and a couple of other people. Around the stage, trainers of all sorts gathered around, waiting on the so-called festivities to begin. No one here that I recognized though…except Horus…he was there off to the far side, the only one not conversing. He doesn’t even care. I noticed something else about him though…he’s not carrying any Pokemon. I don’t get it, is he going to just take these people on with his bare hands? With him close by was Kalana and that same rock Pokemon as before, though at least she’s got a couple of Pokeballs on her. Tristen, upon seeing Horus, shifted his way around to the other side of me, just so he wouldn’t be seen by the Xatu, and to finally take that opportunity to see what Pokemon that was that Kalana had.
“Go...lett...” Tristen said aloud.
“Huh?” Freth asked, looking down at Tristen. “You say something, Tristen?”
“No. It’s Nothin’.” Tristen said.
I started to make my way around the crowd, then took notice to the large pit down behind the stage a good ways away. At the base of the pit there was a large gaping hole in the Cliffside. That must have been it. I could sense a lot coming from that cavern. I was getting a little tense now…this was going to be a lot rougher than what I originally gave this place credit for.
“It’s Alder!” “ALDER!” “It’s ALDER!!!”
I made my way back from the pit then rushed off back towards Tristen and Freth. I started to look around, trying to see what people were getting at. I looked back towards the stage. The gym leaders stood at attention. The Trainers started to back up, leaving a path for the champion to traverse straight to the stage. I looked back and I noticed just who exactly it was. It was a tall man, pretty built it seemed, being carried on a huge Pokemon with a huge afro as he waved to the many trainers and fans alike. He wore a tan outfit of some kind…nothing like anything I seen without a long flowing cape behind it. I guess something like that is too flashy for Alder. If anything that stood out most of all, though, on this individual isn’t his build or his outfit. That. Hair. “Excuse me, Mr. Champion in an elaborate toga, Shonen Jump called, Yugi Moto wants his hair back.” I said.
“Who?” Tristen asked. Anime and Manga was beyond him still.
“Never mind.” I said, shaking my head. I then felt something as if I was being stared at. I looked over to the other side of me to Freth. Freth had the look of slight disapprovement.
“You are such a nerd.” Freth said.
“What? I can watch TV every now and then too, can’t I?” I asked. To this, she rolled her eyes.
Alder finally made it in front of the crowd then took out another five Pokeballs and tossed them out upon the stage. When the light show from the Pokeballs was over, more Pokemon were revealed to be on the stage, and of course, all of which I did not know the first thing of. I took out my SNAG and started to look at the Pokemon as Alder spoke.
“Competitors! Hear me!” Alder called out to the crowd before him. “I welcome you to Challengers Cave! Here you all are here for one purpose. You are here to brave the cavern in an endurance match lasting up to an excruciating twenty-four hours! Very few have the capabilities to last through such an endeavor, but you are here to prove you are those few!”
“Large ham, much?” I asked Freth.
“No bigger than Lance, if you ask me.” She said.
“True.”
“The rules are simple. You brave the cavern for twenty four hours, taking absolutely anything what comes your way, rather it be the Wild Pokemon or each other. You heard that correctly, you are free to battle and put each other out of the competition if at all possible. The main objective, however, will be this. You see before me my Pokemon. Five of them will traverse the cave carrying one of these.” He held up a golden ring, apparently big enough to fit his big wrist. “Vanilluxe!” He said, tossing one of the rings to his Pokemon. “Bouffalant! Accelgor! Escavalier! Druiddigon!” More rings passed. “Your objective while you are in the cave is to track down my five Pokemon here. I will have a sixth in the cavern, my Volcorona, to assist those who wish to call it quits. It will lead you to the path back out of the cavern to safety. However, keep in mind, that doing so, you forfeit.” He said. “The one pairing that makes it in and back out with the most rings will win the competition.”
“Sounds simple enough.” I said, looking back at Freth.
“Yea, save for hunting down a bunch of Pokemon belonging to the champion, which obviously won’t be that easy, then consider-“
“Gee, thanks for having a bit of faith in us. And you get on to me about being so negative.”
“I tease, Blizzard, I tease.”
“Go forth, my Pokemon. Hide yourself. And be careful. The dangers of the cavern are very real.” He told his five Pokemon. With a nod, the Pokemon rushed for the cavern.
“Tristen, last chance to turn back now. Once we’re in there, we’re there to stay until I see fit, got it?” I said.
He looked up towards me, then looked off towards the distance where Horus stood. Horus lifted his head and looked towards him and he shirked back. He then looked back at me. “Let’s go, Blizz.” He said.
“Alright.” I then looked over towards Horus myself. I had a feeling that I was going to be dealing with him in particular quite a bit throughout this whole ordeal.
Alder kept an eye on a pocket watch that he had. “All competitors, at the ready! On my mark, you will rush forth into the cavern. Return the rings to me and I assure you that it will be worth your while.” He said to the crowd before him. “On your mark! GO!” he shouted.
Like a stampede of Tauros, the competition started to rush forth to the cave. It was apparently beneath Horus to run with them. He took Kalana and teleported inside. I set my watch to its stopwatch function. It would give me a good idea how much longer we got in this ordeal. “Let’s go, Tristen. We got a long day ahead of us.”
“I’ll be close by, you two. That much, you don’t have to worry about. Just don’t get in too in over your heads.” Freth told us.
Soon enough, we rushed for the cavern entrance as well.
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-continued on post 2-
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:23 pm
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Challenger's Cave Survival Contest
Part 2
------------------
Through the entrance, it didn’t take long until it got absurdly dark in this cavern. “Blizz! I can’t see!”
“…Tristen, do I really need to state the obvious?” I asked.
“Oh.” A flash of light then came forth, coming from Tristen’s crest on his head. “Sorry.” He then said, looking back up at me.
“It’s fine. Just stay sharp down here, okay? It’s going to get rough from here on.” I told him.
“Alright then, with that settled, come on. We got Pokemon to hunt down.” I said to him.
“Say Blizz, can’t you sense the Pokemon?” he asked.
“Not really.” I said. “Their signatures are starting to blend in with the wild Pokemon and the trainers Pokemon. They are all now virtually needles in a haystack now. What about you, can’t you smell them?”
“Tails haven’t really taught me how to tell the difference. I just smell everyone and everything. And something stinks down here.” He said. “I don’t think someone showered.”
“That’s…nice to know.” I said, shaking my head.
We made our way down into the cavern depths and started to take in what I could from where we were. I figured to get the lay of the cavern floor since this was going to be home for the next 24 hours. Sure enough from where I stood, and could tell from the light that came from Tristen’s crest, this cavern was bigger than I originally gave it credit for. From where we stood, the cavern ceiling was rather high up. Water occasionally dripped from the cavern ceiling, as noticed by Tristen as he winced as a drop fell on his nose. The wild Pokemon are stirring though. They are probably not approving of the mass rush of people and the Champion’s Pokemon having at it down here. I have a feeling that wild Pokemon attacks are going to be quite frequent.
“So what are we going to do, now?” Tristen asked. “Those Pokemon can be anywhere in here.”
“I know. I’m trying to think on a plan here...when in doubt, scout.” I said, taking out a Pokeball. “Weavile.” I then tossed the Pokeball out. The ball bursts open and from the light came Weavile, ready to go.
“Villlleee.” It spoke up.
“Weavile.” I took out my SNAG and knelt down by it. “I need you to do something for me. You need to stay hidden; try not to get into any fights, okay? This is rather important.”
“Vile?”
“I need you to find these Pokemon.” I said. I then started to slowly go through the pictures of the Pokemon that Alder sent into this cavern. “These Pokemon have a gold ring on them. We need those rings. Okay? If you find something, let me know as soon as you can. Stay low. Got it?”
“Weavile.” He nodded.
“Get moving.” I said.
Weavile then ran off into the darkness of the cavern. Unlike Tristen and I, he could see in the darkness just fine. “Should I have a Pokemon look around, too?”
“No…you only got two on you, Castform and Natu. You may want to keep them by you at all times until you get yourself a larger party.” I said.
“Okay.” He said.
“Now, let’s go…lead the way.” I said.
“ME!?” Tristen said.
“You’re the light.” I said. “Besides, you’ve been hovering behind me for a while now. You’re actually making me wonder.”
Tristen sweatdropped at the notion then looked down. Without another word, he moved ahead of me and started to lead the way as I kept on watch. Last thing we really needed was to be jumped on by anyone, or anything for that matter, out of surprise. The Champion’s Pokemon were going to be a handful on their own.
As we continued on into the cavern, we started to look about the various rock formations, taking general mental notes of where we could climb up and fall down into. Pokemon cries were starting to be heard close by. “Tristen, this way.” I said, helping him through the many passes that the cave had to offer.
“Tristen, kill the light.” I said. Tristen nodded and dimmed his natural light. When the noises got close, we looked down below us. Apparently, with lights provided by the trainers and a couple of Pokemon in the area, I saw that a Pokemon battle was underway. It was a couple of trainers having it out with each other. “Apparently some just want to get rid of the competition early, I’m guessing.”
“Should we?” Tristen asked. “It seems like it’s the best thing to do.”
“No, it’d be in our best interest to conserve whatever power we got. We got to stick it out for twenty-four hours, after all.”
“Oh.”
“It’s not going to be in our interest to pick a fight with anyone or any wild Pokemon as long as we’re here.” I said. “Only with the Champion’s Pokemon if we can help it.”
“And if someone wants to pick a fight with you?” A different voice spoke. I literally jumped and turned, readying an Ice Beam directly behind me. The icy blue glow of the beam revealed a face I cared not to see so early on. “Skiddish, are we?” Horus asked. Kalana made her way over towards Horus, right next to him, along with her Golett which it too, while it didn’t appear to be a Flash attack, it did have a bit of an ethereal glow to it.
I didn’t answer Horus’s question. “It’s a bit amusing, tough-sounding one moment, jump at a sound the next.” I continued to stare at him with my Ice Beam trained on him. I still couldn’t sense him at all despite him only being only a few feet in front of me nor his partner. “You seem a bit confused. Wondering why we seem off to you? You can sense it, can you not?”
“Huh?”
“Natural energies. The very make up of our very beings.”
“I think he’s talking about Chi, Blizz.” Tristen spoke up.
“Is that what you call it?” Horus asked. “That’s a new one.” He then told Kalana.
“Whatever floats their boat, I guess.” Kalana said.
“You can sense…Chi…can’t you? I’m the very same way, actually. Though, with my training, I have come to learn a little trick to those who can sense the energy. People, rather it be person or Pokemon or hybrids like us, can sense it if they are sensitive enough to it. I have the capabilities of rendering such senses useless. I’m a psychic after all. I have those means.”
“I have never heard of a Psychic being so strong to pretty much dull every last person’s ability to sense such a thing.” I said.
“I didn’t say it was widespread. Just only to those near me. I’m invisible to those who do perceive Chi, and anyone that I want invisible all the same.”
“Takes more concentration to do two people, I imagine.” I said.
“Not too much more.”
Well that question is finally answered, but now the bigger issue. “So, are we done talking or can we get on with life here?” I asked.
“Depends on what you mean with ‘get on with life’. If by means getting knocked out of this competition, then I intend on having that done with you.”
“What, not worrying about the champion’s Pokemon first?” I asked.
“They will be dealt with in due time.”
Him coming after me is leaving to me believe that I am apparently a bigger threat to him than anyone else here, and I’m unsure as to why. Me, I’d fear the wild Pokemon who would soon whittle me and my party down as opposed to any one individual. This guy acts as if he has me all figured out.
“Blizz.” Tristen spoke up. He was rather worried. This was about to get ugly fast. With too many unknowns facing me for my liking, I was either left with one of two options…I decided to go with the possible safe route.
With the Ice Beam charge in hand, I fired it at Horus. He quickly teleported out of the way, leaving behind Kalana. It would only to be her fortune that she was just off to the side and not anywhere near the path of the beam. “Tristen, go!” I shouted. We quickly darted off for cover. As we done so, I briefly sensed Kalana as we ran by. I was right; she was a Channeler of some sort. I sensed Earth Chi being used in synergy between that Golett and her. It was apparently of great strength, as far as I could tell. She was not to be trifled with.
We didn’t get very far. Horus teleported back, blindsiding me with a hard right hook, sending me over. Kalana with a wave of her hand rocked the formation which we stood on, catching Tristen in its wake. “WAAH! BLIZZ!!!” He shouted as he fell down a newly formed slope down to a level below.
“TRISTEN!!!”
“Horus, I got the kid, you take care of Mr. Legendary right there.” Kalana told him as she ran off and slid down the slope herself.
Crap, they were splitting us up. Divide and conquer, as it were. My only light source available, apart from one of my Pokemon, is gone. I quickly got back to my feet and started to run off for the slope as well where the light was going down. Horus wasn’t going to have anything of it. He grabbed me with a telekinetic grab and tossed me back. “Now where on Earth do you think you’re going?”
“Oh, decided to go see your lady friend. She’s prettier.” I said.
“Classy.”
I hopped back to my feet and readied an Ice Beam just so I could see Horus again. Something tripped my senses just then. Now that he’s set on fighting me, I noticed that he isn’t trying to hide his Chi from anyone, let alone from me. He was strong. Very strong. Perhaps the rumors that the waiters back from the restaurant spoke are true, but the question is, though, how. Why? I don’t peg him as anyone from the Hyda region, where such a pressure would be the next thing to natural for them. Either that or he would have had training along the lines of what Miles was once teaching me…
“You know, the way you keep staring at me, I’m wondering if you are…you know.” Horus said.
“Geez, with all these bad jokes of yours, I’m wondering if you are 10 years old. Seriously. Can you come up with anything better?” I asked.
“I’m fifty.” He said.
“Come again?”
“You know, forget this.” He said. Then with one thrust of his palm, he unleashed a Psychic blast, sending me flying clear across the floor. The blast made me lose my Ice Beam charge and all went dark once more.
“GAH!” I hit the ground hard, but I managed to roll back up on my feet. Once again I got another Ice Beam charge, getting Horus visible once again. He then started to run for me. I got at the ready but when he only made it half way, he vanished. “Huh!?”
Another teleport, another sneak attack, this time, a knee to the back, sending me back over upon the ground. I quickly turned around on the ground and fired the Ice Beam behind me, only to notice Horus was gone once again once I got the charge back up after the discharge. “Oh, that is so cheap…” I said, getting back up off the ground. I had the feeling that this was going to be a long fight.
-----------------
Tristen fell to the bottom level; the tumble feeling like it took forever. When he finally hit bottom, he managed to get up, shaking his head. “Oooooo…Blizz?” He spoke up. He intensified the light from his crest, to try to see where he was at. He took notice to the slope, then noticed debris coming down. “Blizz?”
Kalana came down afterwards, right into view, along with her Golett. “Not even close.”
Tristen went wide-eyed and then started to back up. “Uh…uhhh…Blizz!?” He called out. He knew he was in trouble.
“Sorry, your bird friend up there is a little occupied with mine back up there. You’re with me now.” She said
“Sorry, I don’t talk to strangers.” He said, still looking around. He had to leave. Now. “BYE!!!” he shouted, his Flash intensified to unbearable levels. Kalana got an eye full, as did her Golett.
“GAAAH! BRAT!!!” she shouted
“Golett!” her Pokemon shouted.
Tristen then re-lit his crest then ran off as fast as he could. He found the nearest rock formation and jumped behind it, cutting out his light, and went quiet. As Kalana tried to recover her vision, she had to resist laughing out. “So you think you’re so smart right now, don’t you?” she asked. Her question didn’t get an answer. With one stomp of her foot, a small tremor went Tristen’s way. Tristen gritted his teeth and held on tight. The rocks that were above him started to jar loose then finally fell over.
“OWOWOWAAAAAA!” Tristen was partially buried in stone.
“I know where you are.” She said as she started to walk over towards Tristen. Tristen fought out of the rubble. Once he was out, he then started to rub his head. That one hurt. “Your steps, your breathing, your heart beats, I can feel through the ground. You can’t hide from me. By the way, just how much do you weigh!? I would imagine such heavy steps from a fat guy!” Tristen sweatdropped. With what she was telling him, his heavy clothes were virtually making his position worse. He may as well of had a neon-lit sign saying ‘Here I am!’
“I’m not that heavy!” He shouted back at Kalana, relighting his crest. He took out a Pokeball. He had no choice, he had to fight somehow. But he wasn’t going to be able to last alone by any means. “Castform!” he shouted, tossing out the Pokeball.
In a flash of light, the ball comes open and reveals the Castform. “Castforrrrm!” The Castform cried out.
“Well, a gusty one you are.” She said as she finally regained her vision. “It’s going to be your downfall. Go get em’, Archeops!” She tossed out her own Pokeball, revealing a massive bird. It was nothing like he ever seen before. He quickly took out his SNAG to see just what kind of bird this was. “Archeops! Use Crunch!”
“HUH WHAT!? WAIT!” She wasn’t giving him the chance to even look. The Castform gets bit down hard, and shook about, taking immense damage.
“CASTFORRRRMMM!!!” The Pokemon shouted. His Castform, let alone his Natu in reserve, still is not that well trained to take such brutality, yet. The little cloud was then tossed aside there close by to Aden for him to see. It was clear to the boy he was outclassed.
“Huh…well. Are you sure you should be here?” Kalana asked.
“Castform! Hang on! Uh uh…” The image finally came up on his SNAG and took notice that the bird was a Rock and Flying type at the very least. It was all he had to go on at the time. “Castform! Use Powder Snow!” he shouted.
The Castform shook the pain for the moment and started to float back up, only to take a deep breath and blow a chilling wind towards the Archeops. While such an attack should be excruciating to this bird, it merely shrugged it off. “Yea, you REALLY should have not come here if something like that can’t even make Archeops flinch.”
“Castform!?” Even Castform was shocked. That Archeops was on a whole other distant level than he was.
“Archeops, finish it off. Wing Attack.” She said.
With a loud roar, the Archeops rushed off for Castform and struck it hard with its wing, sending the Castform back to the ground and leaving it out cold. “Castform? CASTFORM!” He shouted. The Pokemon wouldn’t reply. “Castform, come back!” He took out the Pokeball and recalled the fallen Pokemon.
“Tell me you got something better.” Kalana said to him.
Truth of the matter, he wasn’t sure. In fact, if she made quick work of Castform, he could only imagine how quick Natu was going to go. He had to try, though. He was taught that one does not give up when the chips are down like this. “Natu, go!” He shouted as he tossed the ball.
The ball landed on the ground and it flashed open, revealing the small little Natu, ready to go. “Natu.” It chirped.
“Sorry kid, if you’re trying to appeal, it’s not working.” Kalana said. “Archeops! Stone Edge!”
“Natu! Look out!” Tristen shouted.
Natu didn’t even get even the chance to move. The Archeops shot to the ground and slammed up against it. Rocks flew out from under Natu, striking the small bird one after another with great force. The bird didn’t even stand a chance. After getting juggled by the rock storm, it too fell to the ground. “NATU!” That was it. Tristen was out of Pokemon. He couldn’t even pose a threat to that Archeops.
“Is that it? Really?” she asked. Tristen recalled his Pokemon and then started to step back. “Wow, you really are out of your territory, aren’t you?” Tristen couldn’t answer. “Man, don’t I really feel like a bully.” She crossed her arms, shaking her head. “Man, and I bet, more than anything, you got strung along in this, didn’t you?”
“N-n…No! I wanted to come!” Tristen said. “Blizz asked me a lot if I was sure and I told him I was! He knew he was going to be held back…a little…”
“A little?” She asked, putting her hands on her hips. “Kid, you’re an anchor, literally and figuratively. No way around it. Really, you shouldn’t be here. You should be one of those kids somewhere starting a journey, not trying to start at the end first. I mean, this was pathetic! I had more of a challenge from Pokemon on Route 1 in the Kanto Region!”
Tristen didn’t know what kind of Pokemon that was there, but it sounded pretty bad. “I…I…” He was at a loss for words. Not only that, but he was hurt. Not physically, mind. He didn’t even know what to say now. He was starting to get upset.
“Oh, boy. Don’t tell me you are about to cry.” She said. Her Pokemon, the Golett and Archeops was staring at him, even they are a bit surprised that he was starting to shed a tear. “You’re going to cry, aren’t you?”
“NO!” He said, voice cracking. He was. He was an anchor, as much as he didn’t like the idea. He came in this competition to get stronger, but he can’t even get past the first hour of this whole competition. He felt that he let his teacher, Freth, and most of all, Tails down.
Kalana gave a hard sigh. This was just absolutely sad. “I think I am going to have a word with your bird friend up there. You just stay put.” She said, giving another stomp and ripping over a small fissure under Tristen.
“WAAH!” He fell into the hole and hit the bottom.
“I’ll be right back.” She said. “Thank you, Archeops, return.” She recalled the Archeops then looked back at her Golett. “I swear. Come on, Golett.”
“Lett!” The Pokemon replied. The woman made her way back to the slope and looked up the embankment.
“Alright, let’s see if we can’t make this any easier of a climb…” Focusing the Chi from her Golett, she started to move the slope, softening the rock up to the consistency of near quicksand. She then started to pull at the sand, making small mounds. Then with a push, the sand hardened up back into rock. Before her was a set of stairs back to the top of the rock formation. “That’s better. Thanks Golett.” She said.
“Golett!”
“Get back here!” Tristen’s voice echoed from the hole.
“You have got to be kidding.” She said. She looked back towards the fissure, seeing Tristen pulling himself out, slowly but surely. Tristen was upset, for sure. Nose a little runny and it was obvious from the shine where his eyes meet his lit up crest that he did have a few tears on the climb back up.
“And here I thought you were ready to quit.” She said.
With the sniff of the nose, he answered. “I’m not quitting…” He said.
“Boy, aren’t you stubborn.” She gave a frustrated sigh. “So, what? You want another go? Is that it? Are you that prideful that not only your Pokemon has to take a beating, but so do you? I’d say you should have stayed in that hole like a good boy.” Tristen was starting to bear fangs now. “So you want to go, kid? Then come on. Give me your best shot if you can.” Tristen then started to rush off for Kalana out of blinded rage. He didn’t want to be that anchor. He wanted to beat Kalana by any means. He knew that this wasn’t typical, let alone honorable, but he didn’t want to be brushed aside so easily like that. Kalana didn’t even move. Despite that Tristen’s whole body was now lit up, electrified for a Spark attack meant for her, she wasn’t in the least bit worried. In fact, Tristen was going to prove her point all the further. Tristen soon found himself bogging down from the ground beneath his feet. The ground then started to pull him under rather quickly.
“ACCK! HEY! NO!!!” Tristen shouted as his Spark attack dies out. The ground then started to harden once again, leaving Tristen stuck in the rock.
“Now you will stay put and shut up!” Kalana said. “I’ll be back for you in a minute.” With a shake of disgust of her head, she went up to her newly formed set of stairs. “Now I am reminded why I don’t babysit.” She told herself.
------------
“Alright. Where the hell are you?” I asked, not expecting an answer at all. This guy for the past couple of minutes was doing nothing more than toying with me with his constant teleporting and mind games. I had my left hand with an Ice Beam charge at the ready, if for anything, to keep the area around me lit up so I could see.
I stepped back a couple of steps, looking around. Instincts tripped and I turned, sending my Ice Beam hand out forward. Horus was there, but as soon as I turned and fired, he ducked out of the way then gave me one hard gut shot. “GAH!” I couldn’t see now. I didn’t know how to move. He sent another couple of blows in quick succession, then I felt a burst of Celestial Chi go off, which sent me flying back. A Psychic attack, I could only assume. I hit the ground hard, skidding on the ground some. When I came to a stop, I rubbed my chest. “Blast it, it’s like fighting Aden all over again. Only worse. Great.” I said. I then sat back up and charged another Ice Beam to get light back in the area again. He wasn’t anywhere in sight. “What? Ugh!” I then got back up on my feet and looked around.
“I take it that you don’t have much experience fighting psychics, do you?” He asked. I perked up, hearing his voice, sensing his Chi once again. I turned and fired once more, only to hit nothing at all. I charged another Ice Beam, looking around.
“I can’t say it’s something that I do on a constant basis.” I said.
“It shows.” He said. “I can tell you also don’t give any Articunos justice.”
“Yea yea yea, I’ve heard this speech before.” I said. “Just save it and get over here so I can beat the hell out of you.”
“I think it was you said at this point…” He suddenly appeared right behind me. “…Take your shot.” I perked up and spun around to give him one hard back hand. He brought his arm up to block the shot then went back to give me a couple of blows of his own. “I did not train for years and underwent a true hell just to be beaten by the likes of you!” He then drove a fist right into my gut.
“GAHH!” I nearly got choked up from the shot. My source of light, the Ice Beam, dies out once more. I felt a couple of more blows hit me with such precision; One across one side of the face, another on the other side, then what had to be an uppercut which made me stumble back and hit the ground once more. I got back on my feet, but this time, I didn’t bother charging my Ice Beam again and stayed quiet.
“No Ice Beam this time? Not going to help you…” he said. I felt something come up behind me. I quickly ducked and I felt something go over my head. I then turned around and gave a blind uppercut of my own, hitting my target. “URRGH!” It was a couple of seconds before I heard impact hit the ground.
I then charged another Ice Beam, looking at him. He was rubbing near the underside of his beak. Apparently mine hurt worse. “So it wouldn’t, huh?” I asked him.
“Don’t get confident. One successful blow means nothing.” He said, vanishing again.
I cut out the Ice Beam charge once again and waited. I stepped back a few steps, trying to sense out him once again. It was the only edge I figured I had. My senses tripped. Off to my left, I had to act. I gave one hard kick and hit…something. “OWWWGAAAHHH!” I quickly charged the Ice Beam again and hobbled back. “What in the-?” I looked where I kicked. It was a stone protruding from the ground and there was an indentation from where I kicked.
“Did that hurt?” Horus asked. Behind me again. I then turned around as quickly as I could only to take a few more strikes from the Natu hybrid. Soon after that, he quickly unfurled his wings for the first time, as far as I am aware. Within the brief split second before he attacked, I could tell that he wore a vest of some kind, but no shirt. On his chest apparently was one scar near his shoulder. It looked too clean and straight though, even by blade standards.
With a hard flap of his wings, it looked like a black curtain started to fly from them. I have seen this attack before…an Ominous Wind. I tried to hold my ground, but once again I fell over, but I managed to right myself back up.
Horus claimed I didn’t do any Articunos justice. I was about to show him otherwise. I still had my Ice Beam charge on hand and I was about to use. Quickly I brought both of my hands close together and intensified the charge dramatically. The charge lit up more by its icy blue glow. When I looked forward, he was gone again. “Please, I can do better than that!” To the right of me, I saw him, in a similar stance to I was. Worse still, he too was charging an Ice Beam. “Here! You have it!” He shouted to me, thrusting his hands forward, firing the beam. I dropped the charge and went on the defense, bracing for impact. The beam hit his mark and shrouded me in its wake. When the attack was over, I was there, mostly encased in ice.
“HAH!” I broke out of the icy encasement with fair ease and stepped away from the blast site. “That…how…” I was left dumbfounded. Xatu can’t learn Ice Beam!
“Amateur.” Horus said. “Leave yourself completely open for someone to use their own abilities. I hope you do know what Me First is.”
My eyes narrowed. This was getting frustrating. I was reminded why I couldn’t stand fighting a Psychic. Their abilities make for an unfair advantage over anyone. Though Miles seemed to have downed his fair share of Psychics, the Tribe Leader being his recent claim. What was his trick to beating guys like these?
I charged another Ice Beam to face him again and all he could do was stand there, cross his arms. “I hope you realize how out matched you are.” Horus said.
“It’s just another day for me.” I said.
“How sad.” He replied. “I’m done playing with you; I’ve got someone probably waiting on me at this point to get her out of her babysitting job and a competition to win. I have to admit, I thought you were going to prove to be a bigger challenge, but you’re just like everyone else here. The only difference between you and everyone else here, however, is that you’re just covered in blue feathers.”
He then vanished once again with his Teleport. My instincts tripped and he instantaneously appeared before me with an open palm, like he did with his Psychic attack earlier. I then bolted out of the way right before his eyes, making his eyes widen. This was not something he expected. “Agility-OOOMH!” He takes a hard kick sending him sailing down the floor, tumbling a few times, before making a hard stop, getting his way back on his feet. He then found me right near him once again, one hard blow after another, only to finish up with me firing an Ice Beam to blow him away. He gets sent flying once again, getting carried off by the beam, off the floor to see him briefly plummet down to the level below.
“HA HA! Not all big and bad now, huh, you blasted psycho stork!” I shouted. I walked off down towards the edge of the floor and charged another Ice Beam to light up the area. The reach of the light couldn’t go down that far. I couldn’t see Horus…nor sense him. “Blast it.”
“That one hurt.” My instincts tripped once again and then looked back me. He was behind me with an unamused look and he looked to have a cut near his beak. Without another word he went on the assault. I managed to block a couple of blows, but he then unleashed another psychic burst to send me flying off the cliff. “Let’s see how YOU LIKE IT!” He then shouted, teleporting above me and unleashing another psychic burst to send me plummeting hard to the level below.
The impact on the level below was brutal. I would say that was the second hardest fall I have ever felt. I fought to roll over to get on my stomach then managed to get on my hands and knees. “Ugh…blasted...psychics…” I said to myself. I charged another Ice Beam in the palm of my hand then stood back up. I wasn’t being followed. He was still at the upper level.
Well, I was down here now…somewhere… “Tristen…?” I spoke up, wearly. It wasn’t loud enough. “Tristen!?” I shouted.
“Blizz!!!”
I heard the cry back. I didn’t sense Kalana that way. Something must have happened. I managed to hobble off as fast as I could, trying to get my way over to him. It took a few minutes trying to find a way over towards him through the rock formations and finding him neck deep in the ground. “Tristen! What the…what happened!?”
“GET ME OUT!!!” He cried out.
I took out a Pokeball. “Typhlosion!” I called out, releasing the Pokemon inside the Pokeball. With a flash of light, the Pokemon was revealed.
“SIONNNNN!” The fiery Pokemon cried out.
“Typhlosion! Hurry, help me out here. Help me get Tristen out of here! Start digging!” I said. I then started to dig in a hurry alongside Typhlosion. After a few minutes, we managed to get the rock and soil around him down to his chest. “Alright, alright! That’s good. Here.” I then got above Tristen, grabbed around his chest and pulled him straight up, getting him out of the ground. I then sat him back down and helped him dust off.
“Thanks, Blizz.” He said, making a couple of sniffs afterwards.
“Tristen, are you ok? What did she do to you?” I asked.
“She battled me and beat me then buried me in that hole!” She said.
“And probably dealt her fair share of humiliation while she was at it.” I suggested.
“She called me an anchor!” He said.
“Shake it off, Tristen. This isn’t over. We’re probably going to have more than one run-in with them.”
“She said that she was going to talk to you and then left me in the hole. Did you see her?” Tristen then asked.
“No. Horus sent me on a trip down here. I guess whatever she wants to tell me is going to have to wait.” I told him.
“Horus sent you on…”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll explain later.” I said to him. “Come on, before they decide to have second thoughts about coming after us, again.”
--------------
We ran off from the area that we made into a temporary battleground. Granted, I knew, no matter how hard we could run, Horus could teleport to us at an instant and cut us off. That said, I recalled what he said back at the fight ground. I was a joke to him. If he was true in those words, he would be more concerned now with getting to Alder’s Pokemon’s rings than dealing with everyone in the competition. I could only pray he was in the same boat as I was in that regard; to where he couldn’t sense them because of the commotion that was going on in this cavern. I hoped Weavile would find something soon.
“Blizz! Blizz wait!” Tristen called out to me.
“What?” I stopped running and looked back behind me.
Tristen finally caught up and started to breathe heavily and his Flash was dim on his crest. “I need…I need…” Tristen then started catching his breath. “To…rest…”
I looked back behind us, charging an Ice Beam to light the area as I done so. We were a good ways from where we were, it seems. “Alright, fine. Try not to take too long.” I told him. “We don’t need to be jumped on by anything else…though while I am thinking about it...Tristen, you had a Pokemon battle against that woman, right?”
“Yea…she…beat them both easily…” he said.
“Did you pack the Revives like I told you to?” I asked.
He took off his little pack then sat down taking out a couple of revives then sent out his two Pokemon, who were still out cold. He was upset. That much was obvious. So much in fact, however, he couldn’t remember for the life of him on how to administer medicines at first.
“Come on, Tristen, don’t leave your Pokemon just lying there.”
Without another word he went to apply the Revives. Natu was first, followed by his Castform. As soon as they were up, he held the two of them close. The two didn’t really register the sympathy he was trying to give…they were in a temporary drug induced stupor, trying to get back to full consciousness.
“Forrrrrmmm…”
“Na…tu…”
“I’m sorry.” Tristen said to the two of them. “Are you going to be okay?” The two Pokemon didn’t answer.
“Those two really did get roughed up, didn’t they?” I asked. “What happened back there?”
Tristen thought back to the battle. The bird that he saw…and Kalana’s manipulation of the earth…he was inclined to hug his Pokemon just that slight bit tighter. He didn’t want them going through that torture again. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”
I crossed my arms and shook my head. “That’s fine. Whatever it is, Tristen, you best try to get over it quick. We’ve only just begun this and you did say you wanted to go through with this despite me asking you time and again. And just as I told you, we’re in this until the end…remember?”
“I remember…”
Tristen’s Pokemon finally came to and then looked around, seeing Tristen upset. “Recall your Pokemon so we can-“
“Weavile!”
I perked up and looked back. Weavile showed up. “Weavile?” Weavile showed up close by. “Hey, it’s good that you found us again. Find something?”
“Weavile weavile vile!” He said.
“Apparently Weavile found one close by from here. Come on, Tristen. Recall your Pokemon and let’s get going.” I told him.
“Okay…” He then took out his Pokeballs and recalled his two Pokemon, then finally stood up, ready to get back going again.
“Lead the way, Weavile.” I said.
We all rushed off through the caverns, cutting around corners that we could cut, because Weavile knew as I did, the Champion’s Pokemon wasn’t just going to stay in one place for long if they could help it. Little did I realize though the opportunity that Weavile capitalized on.
We got close to where he found the Pokemon in question. A big blue and pinkish-red colored Pokemon, virtually blazing circles around trainer’s Pokemon and taking them out one at a time. “That’s…Accelgor, I think.” I said. “It’s a speedy little bugger, isn’t it? Nice find, Weavile.”
“Weavile.”
“Stay close, because we might need to jump when the trainers are going to call it quits.”
“STOUTLAND! NO!” “GIGALITH!” Trainers shouted from close by. Apparently Accelgor just had its way with them, not only by the two downed Pokemon, but Accelgor fleeing the scene while the opportunity is good.
“I think they got no choice, Blizz.” Tristen said.
“Tristen, Weavile, come on, let’s go!” I said, rushing off after the Accelgor. “Weavile, go on ahead, you’ll get there a lot faster than I can. Slow that thing down!” I said.
“VILE!” Weavile sped up, starting to run up along and kick off walls, gaining ground on the Accelgor.
“Blizz, that Pokemon beat up those other trainer’s Pokemon. Do you think we could stop it?” Tristen asked.
“With it running like that and already going through a battle like that, and for that matter, the possibility of fighting anything or anyone else down here, we may have a decent shot. But we will find that out whenever we catch up, so pick up the pace Tristen, I’m going to need your help, too!”
Tristen didn’t reply. He wasn’t sure that if he could. If he couldn’t even dent Kalana’s Pokemon, what chance did he have against a Champion’s Pokemon? Even with someone’s help?
Weavile finally caught up to Accelgor and cut him off. He went to Night Slash, Accelgor, but the bug was able to stop on a dime, narrowly averting Weavile’s attack. It was only a few seconds after which where Tristen and I finally made it. “Good work, Weavile! At the ready!”
“Weavile!” Claws up and on his guard, he squared off with the Accelgor. “Tristen, let out a Pokemon, hurry.” I said.
“Uh, okay. Uh…Castform!” he called out, tossing out the Pokeball. The ball lands and out came the Castform, ready to go. It was still a bit woozy from being revived, but it could make do for the moment. That said, Tristen didn’t know exactly what to do. He knew that when teamed up with a partner, anything that he does could very well affect his team mate. He froze.
“Weavile! Use Ice Punch!” I shouted. Weavile rushed off for the Accelgor, his claws becoming encased in ice. With one hard leap, Weavile went straight for the Accelgor. Accelgor spun out of the way with such ease. The Accelgor started to accumulate chi right in front of him at a rapid pace. “Weavile! Incoming! That’s a Focus Blast!”
“CCCCELLLGOOORRR!!!” The bug shouted out, firing the shot. Weavile, leaped out of the way, but the blast sent Weavile head over heels, hitting the ground hard.
“Tristen, I need you here!”
“Uh uh…” He was panicking.
“Tristen!”
“Castform, uh…HAIL!” he shouted.
“Forrrrrm!” The Castform fired off a plume of chi towards the cavern ceiling. The chi then dispersed and hailstones started to come down in the cavern. Castform’s form then changed right before our eyes, becoming his Hail weather form.
“Not what I had in mind, but…I guess it’s something to work with.” I said. Sure, having these icy stones won’t phase Castform or Weavile, unlike the Accelgor, but that wasn’t necessarily helping our cause too much that I could figure. The Accelgor rushed in once again, this time though, going after the Castform with an Energy Ball attack in tow. “Crap! Weavile!”
Weavile rushed off and cut the Accelgor off, taking the Energy Ball shot. “VILLLE!” The attack hit its mark head on, getting blasted back, leaving Castform all by its lonesome.
“Tristen, wake up!” I said to him.
“I’m sorry!”
“Forget about it, just focus on the fight in front of you! Come on, we got to get this thing subdued! Weavile can’t just be taking shots for your Castform at every turn!”
“Castform! Use…uh…” he was quickly trying to recall all the moves that Castform was capable of using at the time, but Accelgor was back on the warpath. While Weavile was trying to get back up, the Accelgor was getting ready to finish him off.
“TRISTEN!”
“Castform! Use Weather Ball!” the boy shouted in a hurry.
“FORM!” From its icy form, a massive ball formed in front of Castform and is fired off, blazing a trail of chilling mist. The ball smashes into Accelgor as hard as it could, but it barely left a mark, but it was just enough to stop the Accelgor and divert its attention for that one second.
“Weavile! Night Slash!” Weavile was back on its feet and rushed for Accelgor. With darkness exuding from his claws, he made one hard, clean swipe across the Accelgor.
“GOOOOORRR!” It shouted in pain. Despite the brutal shot, Accelgor recovered quickly and unleashed a hard shrill towards Weavile. It wasn’t a Screech attack, that I knew of, otherwise we all probably would be suffering at this point, but whatever it was, it was enough to bring Weavile to cover his ears and get on his knees in pain.
“What the hell!?” I shouted. “What was that!?”
“I don’t know!” Tristen shouted. This didn’t leave Tristen any more confident.
“Ugh, it must be something that Unova Pokemon probably got up their sleeves!” I said. “I never have seen anything like that!”
“GOOOOORRRR!” The Accelgor now seeing Weavile neutralized for the moment, turned its attention towards Castform and made a hard dash towards it. Castform went wide-eyed at the sheer speed of this bug.
“Castform! Uh…Icy Wind!”
“Wait, what?” I asked.
Castform blew its biting winds at the incoming Accelgor, but the Accelgor fought right on through, smashing right into Castform with a Body Slam attack. “Forrrrrm!” The attack was nothing short of brutal to the Castform. As it laid there, it struggled to get back up. While it wasn’t out, it wasn’t going to last much longer. Not after that shot.
“Tristen, you taught Castform Icy Wind?” I asked.
“Is that bad?” Tristen asked, genuinely concerned. He thought he screwed up again.
“No, in fact, that’s actually what we needed. Look!” I pointed towards the Accelgor. Apparently, Accelgor was feeling a little sluggish after that onslaught. Tristen couldn’t believe his eyes. He and his Castform actually…helped?
“Weavile!” I shouted. Weavile managed to shake off the attack and was back up. “Take him out! Hurry! Ice Punch!” Weavile then rushed off towards Accelgor, charging another Ice Punch attack.
“VILE!” He shouted with such rage. Accelgor tried to avert the attack, but Weavile hit his mark, encasing the Accelgor in ice and sending the makeshift tomb flying.
“Just how I like them!” I shouted. The icy case smashed up against a rock wall and shattered. Accelgor was worn out. He wasn’t out cold, but he was reeling from such an attack. “Tristen, go check up on your Castform. Weavile, with me.” I said.
Tristen rushed up to his Castform. It was starting to float about well again, but it by no means was feeling all that hot. It was probably to Tristen’s relief that he didn’t need to use another Revive again. He brought his Icy Castform close again. “You did good, Castform.”
“Forrrrmmm…” It wearly spoke.
Weavile and I made our way to the Accelgor. I lit up another Ice Beam to see the Accelgor better. “What a crazy Pokemon. This thing even made Porygon-Z look slow.” I said.
“Weavile…” Weavile shook its head. It was almost hard to believe it was that fast.
I started to search the Accelgor. Around its waist was the ring that Alder handed to him at the beginning. “I’ll be taking this.” I said, sliding the ring off the bug. One down, five to go. “Nice work, Weavile.”
“Vile…” He said, rubbing the back of his head. He was still a bit shaken over that screeching move from earlier.
The hailstorm dies out finally and the Castform changed its form back to its normal state. I started my way back over towards Tristen. “So how’s Castform?” I asked.
Castform was asleep in Tristen’s arms. Tristen looked at him for a minute then back at me. “Castform will be alright, I think.” He said. “I don’t feel like we did a whole lot, though. Yea, we won but…”
“Tristen, look at me.” I said to him. “You’re in a situation where you’re for the most part overpowered. I understand that, but you got to remember one thing. Power is all well and good, but it’s what you do with it is what matters. You may have not done a lot of damage to that Accelgor, but what you did do done worlds for the both of us. You hindered what appeared to be one of its strong suits. It’s speed.”
“I guess…”
Apparently it wasn’t getting through to him. “Well, let Castform rest in its Pokeball, okay? You return to yours too, Weavile.” I then said, taking out a Pokeball and recalled the Pokemon.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:26 pm
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Challenger's Cave Survival Contest
Part 3
------------------
“Quick Attack, Struggle Bug…whatever the hell that is, Mega Drain, Giga Drain…”
Tristen and I left the Accelgor alone for it to come to on its own speed, or if anything, for the Volcorona to pick up shortly, since he was apparently supposed to be around in this cavern to aid whoever. One thing still bothered me…what was that attack that made Weavile writhe so hard for? For that answer, I was trying to figure it out by looking up Accelgor’s general information on my SNAG. “What are some of these attacks!? Jesus Christ, maybe I should just take up a gym run just so I can find this out! Yeech! Oh, wait a minute…Bug Buzz…” I said. Bug attack, high shrill, damaging… “Well, no wonder!”
“What is it, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“That attack that Accelgor used on Weavile. It had to been this Bug Buzz move.” I said. “Man, poor Weavile! I couldn’t imagine what it would be like on his end to be caught up in that attack. Okay, noted for later.”
“I guess you still learn stuff, too?” Tristen asked.
“Of course.” I said. “What kind of a trainer would I be if I didn’t? At any rate…let’s keep moving. We only got one ring, and still plenty of time to burn.” I said, checking my watch now. Only two hours have passed since the start of this competition. Only two hours have passed which felt like an eternity, in my opinion.
“So where do we go now?” Tristen then asked.
“Well, we may need to get another scout out and about now. I don’t want to send Weavile back out right away given that fight back there. So perhaps…” I then took out another Pokeball. “Porygon-Z, come out!”
I tossed out the ball and released the Porygon-Z from its confinement. “Porrryyy!” It shrilled.
“Hey Porygon-Z…” I said, kneeling down close by. Like with Weavile, I took out my SNAG and showed him the Champion’s Pokemon, namely the remaining four. “If you see these Pokemon, let me know. They will have a ring…just like this one.” I said, holding up one for Porygon-Z to see. “Scout the cave and see if you can’t find one of them for us, got it? Come back to find us as soon as you see one of them. Got it?”
“Pory!” The Porygon-Z then started to speed off into the darkness.
“Now, we better get back to looking ourselves.” I said. “Come on.”
We started to make our trek through many rocky passes within the cavern. Tristen was trying to figure out how far in we were at this point; for that, I didn’t have an answer to. However, it got to a point where I started to notice things. Rock formations, battle areas, and things of the like…I was starting to get a fair idea on what this level of the cavern was like. Tristen wasn’t picking up on it, though. One rock was looking like another. One scent started to blend with another. To him, the longer he continued walking, the more lost he felt.
Tristen then took notice to something. “Blizz, look!”
I shined my light up, trying to get a good look, but whatever that was it ran off.
“What was it?”
“I dunno.” He said, making his way forward. He was genuinely curious. He didn’t know what he just saw, he just saw a faint shadow, just out of reach of each of our chi-powered lights.
“Tristen, hold it, wait.”
“It was just over-“ He made his way over towards the spot then looked around. “…here.” He stared in confusion. “It was just here! I swear it!” he said.
“What was it?”
He started to smell around…the scent was fresh. He knew it. He started to follow it, down a small rock formation then looked in. “There it is!”
I got close and raised my light. Before I knew it, I saw nothing but razor sharp teeth. “WOAH!” I backed up. As soon as I did, I notice what it was…it was turned backwards…or forwards if it was in an attack or defensive position. “It’s a Mawile.” I said. “There are Mawile in this region?” I asked.
“RAH!” The Mawile yelled out, snapping the huge jaws hanging from the back of its head at the two of us.
Tristen wasn’t all too intimidated of it. It wasn’t because of its small stature or anything like that. The Mawile reminded him back during his final days back in Hyda, with the tribe. He recalled the kidnapped Mawile girl that was shy, worried, scared out of her mind, and surrounded by strangers. Tristen recalled that he tried to console her a couple of times for that short period before meeting Tails. He didn’t really get to know her, though, which part of him regretted in hindsight.
“Tristen, watch it.” I said, pulling him back as the Mawile snapped once again, nearly taking Tristen’s arm off.
“Sorry.” He said.
“RAAAH!” the Mawile shouted.
My instincts tripped and I started to look around. “Tristen, we might want to leave the Mawile alone.” I said. “Now.”
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
I stood up and started to look around with my light held high. Another Mawile. And another. And another.
“More Mawile?”
“That isn’t just it.” I said as another couple started to make their way into view. “It’s a nest.”
“That’s bad.” He then replied. More walked up, all jaws facing the two of us, snaps heard all around us.
“You’re catching on. RUN!” I shouted.
Tristen got up and ran off like a shot, me right behind him. The Mawile started to rush off after us, jaws clacking as they sprinted.
“Are we going to have to do this the whole time we’re down here!?” Tristen asked.
“I certainly hope not!”
We continued running, not really caring what path we took, as long as it lead to safety. Two turns down two different paths later, however, we found ourselves caught within a rock formation. There was apparently a level above us; though it was a very steep hill climb up. “Blizz! It’s a dead end!” Tristen shouted.
With the clacking starting to get closer, I looked down at Tristen then back up. “Like hell it is.” I stopped my Ice Beam charge once again and I grabbed Tristen by his small backpack then jumped up hard, carrying him up as high as I could. With mine and his weight, it took a few hard leaps, but ten seconds later, I dropped Tristen down upon the ground and gave a hard sigh. I then looked back down. The clacking gathered down below but then started to soften up, then finally silenced.
“We made it?” Tristen asked.
“Sounds like it.” I said. I had to catch my breath for a moment then looked back towards Tristen. “Next time, at least in this competition, if you see something a bit out of the ordinary that apparently that doesn’t want to be seen? Let it go.” I said.
“Sorry…” Tristen said.
I relit my Ice Beam to give more light to the area then looked around. “Alright Tristen, let’s get moving before we stir up any more unwelcome company.”
“You make everything sound unwelcome.” He said.
“Well let’s see, Horus and Kalana, any Pokemon Trainer, the wild Pokemon, especially if they are running in packs, any possible trainers…”
“Hey, those two were from back outside!” a male voice said from close by.
I looked over and saw two people. They were in jump suits of some kind, apparently already a fair bit dirty already from these conditions. They were carrying what seemed to be battery powered lanterns to light up the dark. They were ‘Cool Trainers’, which are what they are typically nicknamed from where I was from. “Speaking of…” I said. “Really, at this point, if it’s not the champion’s Pokemon, we don’t really want to deal with them.”
“Hey, you two!” The girl spoke up from the duo. “Let’s go!”
“Do we want to fight them?” Tristen asked.
“Not really…” I said to Tristen. “Sorry, not interested you two. We got more important things to contend with.”
“Wait, what?” The guy asked, staring at the girl partner. “Can they do that?”
“Hey! What’s the deal!?” the girl shouted. “What kind of competition is this!?”
“It’s a competition that involves strategy which is something that you two apparently are not really picking up other than battle every shmuck in sight.” I said.
“I know where he’s coming from.” The guy then spoke up. “He’s being more conservative than the Unova government.”
“Ew.” The girl then said.
“…hah?” The joke was lost on me.
“I think he made fun of you, Blizz.” Tristen said.
“I gathered. I just don’t know how, but I got the feeling once I do, Unova will be out two preppy trainers in 1970’s gym clothes.” I said.
“Oh, forget this! Get em’, Sigilyth!” The guy shouted.
“I’m with you! Go! Excadrill!” The girl shouted. “Even if you don’t want to fight, we can still take you both out!”
I looked towards Tristen. “Is everyone going to try to fight dirty here, or is it just me?” I asked.
-----------------------------
“Natu!” Tristen shouted.
“Bah, fine. Go! Rotom!” I shouted.
We were left no choice. Either we take run off and be hunted like animals, as if we didn’t already have wild Pokemon attacking us in hoards and other hybrids and channelers wanting to have a few words, or we make our stand. Considering that these two trainers are a little on the thick side, I was willing to make that stand this once.
The two Pokemon of ours appeared out on the field and was ready for battle. Natu was a bit nervous, being out so soon after coming from a beating only a short bit prior. Rotom was as eccentric as ever, if only a little upset for not possessing any house appliances. The thing of it, I wasn’t planning on lugging around a fan or a fridge.
“You brought Rotom!?” Tristen asked.
“Battle now, question later.” I said, looking back at the two trainers. So let’s see here…more Pokemon I have not the first clue about. I got something that looked…well…like a Chimecho that had an accident in an arts and crafts class and a mole with a metal plate on its head. So I’m guessing one psychic and a steel type. This was going to be fun.
“Rotom! Shadow Ball that one there! With the wings!”
“Tom?”
“I don’t know, new here, just go for it!”
“Sigilyth! Mirror Move!” The guy Cooltrainer shouted. Apparently I was needing the SNAG again.
Rotom charged a dark mass as did the Sigilyth then fired the attacks right at each other. The attacks collided and it rocked the cavern. “THE HELL!?”
“Excadrill! Metal Claw that Natu!”
Tristen’s eyes went wide. He was on and he knew that he wasn’t going to be saved nearly as often as he did back against the Champion’s Pokemon. He had to think. Quick. Make both his teacher and Tails proud. “Natu! Power Swap!”
“NATU!!!” As the Excadrill rushed off towards the small bird, Natu’s eyes glowed. The claw with a bright luster came down on the bird, which made the bird brace itself. Natu felt something, but it wasn’t all that strong. “…Tu?”
“Wait, what?” The girl trainer spoke.
“That worked?” Tristen asked.
“Tristen, don’t rest on your laurels just yet! Rotom! Use Thunderbolt!”
“Excadrill! Stop that attack!” The girl shouted. The mole rushed off and got in front of Sigilyph, taking the attack with such great ease.
There was only one conclusion I could think of about that mole now. Should have figured it, actually… “Ground type.” Something wasn’t right though…take an attack, sure, but she was a little too quick on calling that…that Sigilyth thing…could it be...?
“Sigilyph! Psychic!”
The Sigilyph made a loud shrill, flying over the Excadrill and unleashing its mental blast, blowing away Rotom. “TOOOMMMM!!!” Rotom shouted.
“Rotom!” I shouted.
Tristen watched the Rotom blown away then looked back. He had the Excadrill’s strength to work with now, he needed to use it, he figured. “Natu! Night Shade that Sigilyph!” Sadly, he didn’t know how to do that right away. The Natu unleashed a stream of ghostly chi, which hit its mark, but did very little. “Huh?”
“Tristen, Night shade doesn’t work like that! Rotom! You okay!?”
“Tom!” The Rotom replied back, rushing forward.
“Rotom! Use Shockwave!”
Rotom rushed around the Excadrill and unleashed its pulse upon the Sigilyph and to follow a shrill which echoed in the cavern far. “I knew it.”
“Oh no! Excadrill! Swords Dance!” The girl called out. The Excadrill then spun in the dirt, focusing, trying to get its power back up to snuff.
“Natu! Stop the Excadrill! Use Peck!” He said. The Natu fluttered off and landed on the steel plate on top of the Excadrill and started to peck away. Gained strength it may have, it still lacked to even make this mole flinch. The Swords Dance was successful. The Mole stopped spinning and it was ready to hurt something.
“Tristen, switch with me! Get that Natu out of there, deal with the Sigilyph!” I said.
“But Rotom can’t hurt Excadrill any more than Natu can, can he?” Tristen asked.
“Leave me to worry about that!” I told him. “Rotom! Use Confuse Ray!”
“Natu! Get out of there!” Tristen shouted. Natu fluttered off and got off the Excadrill leaving Rotom to unleash a hard flash of light down upon the Excadrill.
“No!” The guy shouted. “Sigilyph! Use Air Slash on that Natu!” Apparently the guy now felt that Tristen stayed in this fight long enough. The Sigilyph unleashed a hard slicing gust of wind.
“Tristen, incoming!”
“Natu, look out!” Tristen shouted. Natu unfortunately took the attack head on and got blasted back a good ways. Tristen looked on in a bit of horror, but relief when he saw Natu got back on its feet. Unfortunately, it was obvious that the Natu was in no better shape than his Castform got put in after dealing with the champion’s Pokemon. Tristen looked back at me. His eyes yearned for support. He was lost once again. I didn’t have the means.
Meanwhile, Excadrill after taking the eye full of confuse ray started to thrash about, trip about, generally making everything around him, as well as himself, an enemy. “Excadrill!” The girl shouted. “Come on, already! Use Rock Slide! Finish those two off!”
The orders ran through the Excadrill’s mind. He dug his claws into the ground and unleashed a flurry of boulders, but they flew everywhere. “WOAH! HEY!” I shouted.
“AAACK!” Tristen had to jump out of the way from a couple heading his way. Rotom started to weave about, managing to avert the rock fall as well.
“HEY! WHO’S SIDE ARE YOU ON!?” The guy cried out after he too had to step back some from the rock rain.
“Sorry!” The girl said.
“Rotom! Use Shadow Ball on Sigilyph!” I shouted. I had to end this fight fast before this Excadrill ended it for all of us.
“TOOMMM!!!” The Rotom shouted, forming another dark mass in front of him and unleashing it upon the Sigilyph. The ball smashes right into the Sigilyph. The blast sends the Pokemon flying back and having it hit the ground. This Pokemon was done after that kind of onslaught…or so I thought.
“Sigilyph! Get up! What are you doing!? Get up!” the guy shouted.
“It’s done…even you should see that.” I said.
“It’s not done! This battle is still going!” Wait, what was going on here? He already acted a good bit like a p***k already before this started, but now...this?
“Natu! Are you okay!? Can you keep going!?” The Natu fluttered back as fast as it could in the condition it was in. “Blizz, Natu is ready!”
My thought process got derailed instantly. I looked back towards Tristen. “Hurry it up then before that Excadrill comes to!”
“Excadrill! Come on!” The Excadrill was still not good on its feet. It tripped up, falling face first into the ground.
Tristen hurried. There was Power Swap, how about… “Guard Swap!” he shouted.
Another cooing of the Natu. The Excadrill started to feel not only a bit on the powerless side from the Power Swap, it started to feel frail. Perhaps too frail.
“No no no! Excadrill! Use Metal Claw!” The girl shouted. The Excadrill managed to push itself up, readied another Metal Claw and gave one hard swing, but it swung at nothing but air, spinning 180 degrees and falling over.
“Blizz!” Tristen shouted.
“Rotom! Shadow Ball!” I shouted.
The Rotom fired another dark mass off towards the Excadrill and blew it away. It didn’t matter if it was a steel type or not. With its defensive prowess shot to hell now, it wasn’t going to stand up to this.
“No! Excadrill! It’s over!” The girl shouted.
“No it isn’t!”
I looked back towards the guy and sure enough the Sigilyph was back up, but barely. In fact, it couldn’t even hold steady. I don’t know what was keeping this thing up.
“Really? You are pushing your Pokemon that hard?”
“Sigilyph is that good! What is it to you!?”
It was right there, I thought about something a bit vile. The thought was averting the trainer code; namely the part about no stealing Pokemon from other trainers. It was one that I bent a bit when a couple of years ago. Miles had us raid an old building that Cipher’s had before the rangers had their way with them, stole Snag machines from said building, then took said Snag Machines on a test drive against a bunch of random thugs trying to make a name for themselves. I told myself that I wouldn’t use such a heinous device except against guys like that; the ones who find Pokemon nothing more than tools or means for profit. It was here, at this very moment, where I thought to expand my criteria to abusive trainers.
“That’s it.” I said. From the side pocket of my pack, I pulled out the SNAG machine and slid it on my arm.
“What’s that?” the guy asked.
“The means of relief for that Pokemon of yours.” I then pulled from the opposite side pouch from my pack a Great Ball and charged it in my Snag Machine.
“Woah woah wait a minute!” I tossed the Great Ball without sympathy for the trainer who owned this Sigilyth. If he was pushing Sigilyph this hard now, I could only imagine what he’s been doing prior to this. What was this thing’s track record? The ball ensnares the Sigilyph and it went in without resistance. It was too weak to even resist.
“HOLD UP!” The girl shouted. “You can’t do that! THIEF!” she shouted.
“Tell me something, do you do the same thing to your Pokemon? Push them beyond their limits like he did?” I asked.
“NO!” she shouted. Apparently she was the more sensible one. Either that or she was lying through her teeth.
“You see, what irks me most about a lot of trainers is the fact that they don’t know when to quit. I forgive it a lot of the time, because even I am guilty of it at times for getting too deep in the most heated times…” I said. “But when it’s clear as day that your Pokemon is nothing more than a punching bag and is only up by sheer will power alone and you still do nothing more than give orders like a desperate army general? Screw you. Let me guess…he’s been guilty of this on more than one occasion.” I said.
“…yes…” The girl said.
“It doesn’t make your stealing Sigilyph right though!” the guy finally chimed in.
“You’re right, it doesn’t. No more than it does doing such things like that with your Pokemon. If you want to go tell on me, go for it.” I said. “Keep one thing in mind. You two picked the fight with me. You could have left us alone like we wanted. But you two were too full of yourselves to let it go. Also, even if we did lose, we do have a few revives on hand, so your fight would have been for naught. For that matter, one other thing to consider. Our Snag Machines have the added benefit of re-writing the original trainer info on Pokeball data. You wouldn’t be able to prove it, and the moment you left this cave and tried to plead this case to any authorities, you’d look like an idiot and furthermore lose this competition for leaving this cavern. So…feeling lucky? If you still got any other Pokemon on you, I suggest you make the most of them and treat them better than you have Sigilyph.”
The two cool trainers looked at each other then started to back off. The girl recalled her Excadrill then picked up their lanterns. “Come on, let’s go.” She said.
“But-“
“Let it go! Sigilyph’s not worth it!” She said, handing him one of the lanterns and started to drag him off.
I shook my head. He then left without objecting any more then walked off.
“Blizz? Did you really have to take his Pokemon?” He asked.
“Really? No. I admit it, and I am a bit ashamed of myself that you had to see that, Tristen, and I am sorry.” I said. “Even I am not infallible. Though incidentally, I was testing the two of them a bit.”
“Testing them?”
“Heard what she said before walking off? Sigilyph not worth it? They should have chose their words better otherwise I may have considered giving it back.”
“Oh. Well, I guess it’s not all bad. They’re gone now and because of Natu using Power Swap and Guard Swap, he’s really strong now.”
“Tristen, it won’t last. The effects are temporary.” I said to him.
“…oh.”
“Come on, Tristen. Let’s get out of here before we attract any more attention and maybe see more people like them.” I said. I stashed the Great Ball in my pack for later to stash into the PC then took a look around. Tristen went over and picked up his Natu and checked on it. It was exhausted, just like his Castform now. He was glad that it too made it through a battle, but he knew that he was only being helped through these battles. He’d have to end up fighting them on his own at one point.
“Blizz?” Tristen spoke up. “I think we might want to stop somewhere close. My Pokemon need another break.” He said.
I thought for a moment…he was right about that much, and I may need to get a couple of mine looked at too, for that matter. This was Rotom’s first battle in a while and Weavile is still probably reeling from the fight with the Accelgor. “Yea, fine. Let’s just avoid the Mawile nests, hm?”
-------------
Another hour had passed by now, at least I figured. With the battle against the two cool trainers behind us, I had a moment to recollect myself. I wondered a bit. Was I myself in that heat of things back there? Usually, even to abusive trainers, I wouldn’t be so quick to take a Pokemon like that. I kind of broke a little solemn vow that I made. I didn’t look things through. Though the guy seemed old enough to know better by now, I’d imagine, and the girl stated that he had been guilty of abusing Pokemon quite a bit. With a sigh, I rubbed the back of my head for a moment and just let it go for now.
Tristen and I found our way to a small secluded spot in the cavern and just sat there. The only light now was the light coming from Tristen’s crest, though even that is starting to dim out now. It was a little difficult now to hold it because of him using it for so long. However, once he and I finish tending to our Pokemon, I told him that he too could take a break. Just so we could keep light, I sent out Telia to keep light upon us with her own Flash ability.
“Are you okay?” I asked Tristen.
“I’m fine…” he said. “This is more than I thought it would be.”
“I warned you.”
“I know.” Telia knelt down and gave Tristen a hug; a sympathetic one at that. Not to mention, he’s still cute. “ACK! Uh…thanks, Telia…”
“Voir!” she spoke.
“I have to hand it to you, though. You’re starting to pick up now, if anything. Guard and Power Swap on that Excadrill? Priceless.” I said.
“Thanks.” Tristen said.
“I know your Pokemon are not that strong now, but think. You did what I told you to do. You did your best with what you had. And now it paid off. Sure there’s room for improvement, but I think you’ll do fine if you can just keep a clear head for pete’s sake. You’re still panicking every now and then.” I said to him.
“Sorry.” He said.
“Don’t worry about it.” I told him. “Just relax a little. You got two battles under your belt now, and there are going to be more others like it. Anyways, you ready to go?”
Something then flopped close by, making Tristen and Telia jump. I quickly charged an Ice Beam pointing down at whatever flopped, but suddenly my eyes went wide when I saw what it was. “Porrr…rry…”
“Porygon-Z!?”
“What happened!?” Tristen shouted.
“That thing right there is a handful.” I then looked up. On the level above us, much to my dismay, stood Horus and Kalana with her Golett.
“WHAT DID YOU DO TO PORYGON-Z!?” I was officially ticked off. Porygon-Z was run down badly…I have never seen the Pokemon in such poor shape.
“Well, nothing in particular…he actually helped us quite a bit.” Horus said, holding up a ring. Apparently Porygon-Z found a Pokemon of the champion’s. They used him. “Clever of you to have a scouting Pokemon, I must say. Though, that said, when your Porygon-Z found out it was being followed, well, that’s when things got a little out of hand.”
“THAT THING TOOK OUT ARCHEOPS!” Kalana shouted. Apparently she wasn’t too happy with Porygon-Z.
“Golett golett!” The partner Pokemon shouted with her.
“We thought to bring your Porygon-Z back, regardless.” Horus then said.
Something occurred to Tristen. “How did you know Porygon-Z was Blizz’s?”
“Because he stayed on our case the entire time after our last fight! He’s been hiding his Chi pressure again!” I shouted.
“Well, are you the smart one.” Horus said.
“Porygon-Z, I’m sorry. Come back into your ball, quickly.” I said, taking out a Pokeball and recalled the fallen Pokemon.
“Speaking of ‘smart’ decisions, I got a word to say to you.” Kalana said to me. She then turned towards Horus. “You can babysit this time.”
“Fine.” Horus said.
“Tristen, stay close. They’re going-“ I then was cut off. A sandstorm then kicked up out of nowhere, making me shield my eyes. “TRISTEN!? TRISTEN!?”
“BLIZZ!!!” he shouted back, but that was soon silenced.
“TRISTEN!!!”
Suddenly something smashed into me, sending over back on the ground. I felt like someone drove a sledgehammer right into my chest. Whatever it was, it knocked the breath out of me for a moment. The sandstorm cleared up. I managed to lift my head and charge another Ice Beam. There was a huge rock that seemed to have been forced out of the ground at an angle. I then looked around me for a brief second. No Tristen. Horus got him anyways. “Blast it!”
“Now I got a bone to pick with you…” Kalana said.
“Golett!” Her Golett shouted.
“Great, I got the girl that likes to play with dirt. No wonder you hang around with Horus.” I said, jumping back to my feet and aimed my Ice Beam charge at her.
“Very funny.” She said. “Smart enough to crack wises, but stupid to bring a kid in a competition like this.”
“Lady, I can imagine where you’re going with this. In fact, I know where you are going to go with it. Save it.” I said. “If you are going to do anything, you might want to do it…ohhhhh…now.” I said, firing an Ice Beam shot right at her. She moved out of the way then gave a hard stomp to the ground, unleashing a tremor. The tremor started to split the earth. I jumped up and averted the massive break.
“I am not going to save it!” she shouted.
“Look! He wanted to come!” I said.
“So I heard! Really! A kid his age!? Do you really think they really know what they really want!?” she shouted.
“You’d be surprised.” I said. “I got another kid a bit more outgoing than he is.” I then landed back safely.
“What kind of a guardian are you!? Ugh!”
I crossed my arms, and shook my head. “Really, is that the reason why you are coming after me by yourself? Because you want to rant to me about parenting? Geez, what have I gotten into? You know, forget this. I’m going after Tristen.” I said, turning around and rushing off.
“Golett!” Kalana shouted to her Pokemon. Once again she channeled the chi and gave one hard move of the hand. My instincts tripped, but before I realized what she was doing, rocks shot out of the ground like a jack-in-the-box and rammed into my chest once again, knocking me over. “You’re not going anywhere!”
“…why. Just. Why.” I said.
------------------
“I don’t see the problem that Kalana has. Babysitting seems to be the easiest thing ever, especially with you as the one needing to be watched.”
Horus had Tristen close by on the upper level as the fight between Kalana and I took place on the level below. Tristen was on the ground, scared, wondering what Horus would do to him. The more he looked at Horus, the more he was reminded of the Tribe leader back in Hyda. He almost wondered if Horus was the same person incarnated, or perhaps a relation with the same cold blood running through their veins.
Quickly he jumped up and started to run off. He didn’t want to be caught up in a tribe like that again. He didn’t want to lose what he cherished so close now. “Now where do you think you’re going?” Horus grabbed Tristen with his Psychic ability then telekinetically took him off the ground and brought the Electrike kid towards him, not even moving from his own spot. “Now we can’t have you running off. Otherwise Kalana may do to me what he’s doing to your buddy down there.”
Tristen started to struggle in the psychic grasp, then looked back Horus. “Fidgety aren’t you?”
“Let me goooooo!” he cried out.
“Sorry. Can’t happen.” Horus was starting to find this a bit amusing now.
“Let me GO!” he shouted. Tristen then unleash a discharge of electricity, his Thunder Wave.
“AUGH!” The grab was lost and he dropped the boy on the ground. Horus trembled. Paralysis had a hold upon him. Tristen then quickly got up and started to run for it, but then felt something overcome him. He fell to his knees, then flat upon the ground. He didn’t know what hit him.
“Not…too…smart, are you?” he said, reaching into his wings and wearily pulling out a small pouch. He pulled out a Lum berry and popped one in his mouth and slowly chewed. It took a minute until the effects started to make him feel better. “I have the ability to share such debilitating effects to my opponents.”
Tristen read it in Tails’s SNAG. His Natu had the very same trick. “Sy…chron…ize…” Tristen spoke.
“Ohhh, so you know about it.” He said. He then grabbed Tristen once again with his Psychic and brought him close.
“Well since you now know that about me, let’s see what we can find out about you. You been awfully squeamish around me, so let me find out why…” he said. Horus’s eyes glowed and a flash of light came down upon the helpless Electrike hybrid.
“What are you doing?” Tristen would soon find out. Horus started to disappear from his sight. The cavern then vanished but quickly replaced. Tristen would see out in front of him desert. Miles of it. “Whaa...?” Quickly he felt himself grabbed and placed up against some sort of wooden railing. A rack. His arms are suddenly being tied down. He looked to the left and right of him. Familiar faces he did not want to see again. It was one of the tribe’s leader closer companions. It was a Gabite hybrid and a Larion hybrid, holding him down. The rack he was on. It was for punishment. He remembered this all too well. He struggled dearly. What was he being punished for? How did he get back here? He started to panic. Taps started to be heard from the wooden floor, the taps of someone walking. His eyes then went wide and his eyes started to water in pure fear. “No…” Before him stood the one that he was always was told died in a Ninetales’s wrath, the one with the piercing gaze and an ethic that is unforgiving to all. “T-t-tribe leader…” he said, voice trembling.
“You, young one, have betrayed your tribe.” The tribe’s leader spoke. The tribe grounds then started to appear behind the Tribe leader. The inhabitants of the village appeared as well, looking up and staring at him. The older tribe inhabitants looked on with unwavering demeanor as the young ones, ones young as Tristen, looked on in shock. A couple of the kids couldn’t even bear to watch because they knew that if they done what Tristen have, they too would be in such a position. “You have shunned your way of life; OUR way of life! You reverted back to your weak, sheltered self.” The Xatu hybrid had to stop then looked back at Tristen. A realization occurred to him. “Forgive me, I mistaken. You never left. You went through the days, trying to do as minimal as possible to appease those who try to condition you for the challenges the world will bring upon you! And now. NOW! You choose to forget it all!” Tristen’s tears finally started to roll down the side his face. He couldn’t believe that he is back here. He thought he had a new home, a new family, one that wouldn’t punish him for wanting a better life than this. “For this, young one, you will now realize how cruel reality can be.”
Horus held on to Tristen, allowing his Confuse Ray to do its work. He was learning more and more about Tristen and part of him couldn’t help but to sympathize with the kid. He felt that this was a greater hell than even what his training put him through. However, Horus also remembered one other thing. He was still in a competition, and Tristen was just one small part of the opposition. He wanted to ensure that at least Tristen and his partner was not going to be an issue.
Tristen heard a loud ripping sound. The Larion hybrid, with a flint knife tore right through his vest and shirt, exposing his back. The Gabite hybrid walked behind Tristen, flexing a stick of some kind then passed it along to someone else. Tristen tried to shift his head, trying to see who he passed the stick to. His tears started to come all the more when he saw who it was.
“Blizz…”
He saw an Articuno hybrid there behind him. He saw me, flexing the stick as well, getting a feel to how pliable it was. This stick was made to hurt.
“Begin.” The tribe’s leader spoke. The stick came down across Tristen’s back and Tristen cried out. Horus nearly jumped from as loud of a scream it was. “I don’t intend to listen to that all day! Silence him!” A Sandslash hybrid came in front of Tristen and banded down his mouth, making him unable to speak.
Horus looked around, making sure he wasn’t getting company yet. “That was close.” He had to take the extra effort in making sure Tristen’s mouth stayed shut. That said, he still could hear the whines coming from Tristen as the tears fell down his face.
“AGAIN!” Another strike and the whines continued to come from Tristen. He was helpless. His back was burning furiously, exponentially after every strike of the stick. “AGAIN!” Another crack of the stick. The pain was becoming unbearable.
“You couldn’t cut it, Tristen.” The Articuno hybrid spoke behind him. “You didn’t want to push yourself, you kept telling me you wanted to get stronger, but your convictions say otherwise!” Another crack of the stick. “How the hell did Tails convince me to take you in is beyond me! Probably just to have someone around, I guess, to make him feel better!” Another snap. “A pet!” Another crack.
As Tristen stood bound and his back constantly taking the burning strikes from the stick, Tristen prayed for a release…
----------
“Blast it, woman, I have no time for this!” I shouted. “Blast it, what is it with my luck with females, huh?”
A sandstorm started to form down on the lower levels. While I had the light from my Ice beam trying to light up this cave, I couldn’t see beyond three inches. Kalana had no intention of allowing me to get back to Tristen so easily until I got whatever piece of her mind that she wanted to give. That said, I could still sense her and her Pokemon.
“What is it with guys and wanting to be so stubborn and not wanting to listen to reason!” she shouted.
“Sandstorm, rock poundings, and blah blah blah…yea. Real reasonable a particular female is being.” I said. I then raised my arm hard above me. Kalana then looked down below her. She felt it. It was an abrupt shift in the earth. It was weird, couldn’t figure out what it was. Her answer came only a second later. Pillars of ice shot out of the ground. “Good night…” I said, clinching my fist. My Ancientpower attack detonated, shards of ice and debris flew everywhere.
“Clever. Very clever.” Kalana said. The sandstorm didn’t cease, the chi didn’t get disrupted. She didn’t get harmed. “I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that someone like you can sense me.”
“Good, now that we have that out of the way, can I leave now before someone gets hurt? It’s bad enough I’ll probably end up taking three showers to get all this dirt out of my feathers no thanks to you.” I said.
“You’re just treating me as a joke, aren’t you?”
“No more than you treated Tristen, so I’ve heard.” I said.
“So that’s how it’s going to be.” She said to him.
“I take it that you are not able to open up to Horus all that often, don’t you?” I asked.
“That is none of your-“ I appeared right behind her by means of Agility, Ice Beam still at the ready. I was about to fire the beam, until I saw something; her means of protecting herself from the blast of Ancientpower. Rocks were forced out of the ground. She made herself a makeshift shield. “…business. GOLETT! Mega Punch!”
“GOLETT!” Her partner shouted. The Golett went to the rock shield and gave it a mighty right hand, sending part of the rock formation flying right to me. I managed to side step the rock. She then stomped once again, sending another rock, directly below me, flying straight up.
“WOAH!!!” I get launched from the ground.
“Golett! Again!”
“LETT!” Another punch, sending another part of the rock shield my way.
I heard the smash, and soon after managed to look back down towards another spot, but I couldn’t get myself righted again to avoid the attack again. I get carried away by the rock then smashed into a nearby wall. “AAUGH!” After the attack, I slid down the side of the rock wall and came to rest. “That…hurt…”
“So! Still a joke, am I?” Kalana shouted towards me, having the sandstorm simmer a bit, and having the dirt bits encircle her and her Golett as if to flex her chi channeling muscle.
“We may be walking off from that just a little.” I said. I said, managing to push myself back up in the process.
“A little? Is that all?”
A realization hit me. “Geez, um…refresh my memory. This is going to help you do what in convincing me that I’m not raising Tristen right?”
“Actually, we’re beyond that.” She said. “I would say I would bury you six feet under, but why pollute the ground soil more than what people already have done.”
“Oh. We’re in the hormonal period then. You know I got a Ninetales hybrid named Night that I would like you to meet…”
“OH SHUT UP!” Another hard stomp from her and a fissure gets ripped open. It travelled across the floor. I quickly jumped up and averted the fissure; she then moved the dust that she had encircling her up towards me at a rapid rate.
“That does it.” I said, rushing out the way with agility, getting behind her. “Work with a headache!” I shouted to her, unleashing my Extrasensory attack upon her.
“AAAAA!” She instantly fell over and went face first into the ground.
“Golett!!!” The Golett shouted. The Pokemon was panicking. Its partner was just downed without much of an issue.
“There. That was easy.” I said. I then rushed off. I sensed Celestial Chi at work above me. Horus is having his way up there. “Hang on, Tristen.”
I rushed off, jumping off of ledges, rushing up towards the upper level. As soon as I made it up there, I saw Tristen was floating there, tears falling down the side of his face and Horus standing there in deep concentration. “Let go of that kid!” I shouted. Horus’s concentration broke, his Confuse Ray ends, he looks back towards me in surprise and drops the Electrike kid, leaving him to hit the ground. By the time he’s done so, he takes one hard right hook from me. “Blast it…what the hell…” I then rushed over towards Tristen. He wasn’t moving. The poor kid, looks as if he’s in shock. He’s trembling. “Tristen? Tristen!”
Tristen turned his head over towards me, seeing me. Flashes of his mental onslaught came in and out. He then squirmed hard. “Get away from…me…” He moaned out.
“Tristen, what’s wrong? What did he do to you? Tristen?” I was at a loss. He’s hallucinating…something…he’s scared out of his mind. “Tristen!”
I found myself sent flying, skidding across the ground for a short bit before coming to rest. “What. Have you done. To Kalana?” Horus said.
“Oh she’s…just taking a break is all…” I said, making my way back up on my feet and readied an Ice Beam.
He looked down towards the slope from where I came from and his eyes narrowed. “You wretch!” He shouted.
“You’re not the only one who can take advantage of a divide and conquer scenario. Now you can deal with me or you can go down there and be all kissy-kissy with your girlfriend...” I said.
He then teleported and appeared before me and went on the assault. A few strikes, all of which I managed to block. With an open palm, he went to even to unleash another Psychic burst to throw me off kilter, which I also avoided with Agility, making my way away from him.
“You’re starting to become predictable, pal!” I said.
“Am I?”
A tremor shook the level. I heard something behind me shake loose. “Huh?”
Behind me were a few stone pillars. From the shake, the base of the pillars broke and they fell like a tree in a forest. “WOAH!!!” Before I could make another rush away with Agility, Horus grabbed me with his Psychic and slammed me to the ground, leaving me to get buried under the stone.
“Not this time.”
Golett found its way the level, followed by Kalana. “That was easy.” Kalana commented, parting her hair back to the way she wanted it instead of in front of her face.
This was bad. I was trapped under here. I quickly started to struggle under the rock, trying to get something free. Golett stared at the rock pile for a moment then dived right in. “Golett!”
“Hey! What are you-“
“LETT!” The Golett shot out of the rock pile.
“Well look what we have here. You have been working.” Kalana said.
I managed to look over and much to my dismay, the Golett had the ring that Tristen and I had to fight for. “HEY! The hell! Give that back!” I started to squirm more.
“You know, I probably should have done this back during our first encounter.” Horus said. I watched as Horus approached me. I didn’t know what he had in mind, but I didn’t want to have any involvement in it. I squirmed under the rubble, relentlessly. “This ought to make you behave a little better…” His eyes glowed, focused upon me. I suddenly felt my strength being sapped. Instantly. Gone. Horus’s eyes returned to normal but he felt a change. A big one. “Wow, you were a bit of a tough one after all.” He said. “The wonders of Power Swap.”
“What?”
“Have fun under there…let’s go.” Kalana then walked off with Horus off into the darkness.
It was a few moments where Tristen sat up, rubbing his head. He was breathing heavily, trying to gather what just happened. He checked himself. His clothes wasn’t cut open. They were still on his back. There was no pain either from the lashings that he took. His fur on his wrists weren’t parted by the bindings that held him on a rack. But it was so real. He lit up his crests then started to stand up.
I saw the light from where I laid under the rubble. “Tristen? TRISTEN!” I shouted to him. “Tristen! Are you okay!? Tristen!” Tristen looked over, seeing me there under the rubble. He started to approach me, but the stopped. Images came back again. The lashings. The multiple, relentless lashings. The scorn. The possibility that it may have all been true. He stepped back.
“Tristen? Tristen what are you doing?”
He didn’t want to risk it. He didn’t want to go back into captivity like that. Another step back. And another. The images flashed again. The desert. The tribe’s leader. The kids looking on in horror. He turned and ran.
“TRISTEN!!!"
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Continued on part 4
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:29 pm
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Challenger's Cave Survival Contest
Part 4
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Tristen ran down the path as fast as he could, guided by only the light that he could put out by his crest, looking back to be sure he wasn’t followed. He wanted out of here, simply put. One moment he looked back, however, cost him. The path ended and he fell over, tumbled down the slope down to the lower level. He reached the bottom and came to rest. Now the pain was real...
He forced himself to sit up. A couple more tears came from his eyes, but he quickly wiped them off. A realization occurred to him when he started to look around, which got him all the more upset. He was lost. The smells that ran amuck through the cavern continued to blend in with each other, the sounds of Pokemon cries from every direction started to give him headaches, and he had no bearing on where exactly in the cavern he was in. He messed up again…
“RAH!”
A small gasp came from Tristen. Déjà vu suddenly overcame him. A Mawile came into the light, followed by several others. He found the Mawile nest again. He quickly got back up and started to make a run for it. He was already wearing down though. He was tired from the first mad dash to salvation. The Mawile were quick to catch up. One managed to take the leap, and with the huge set of jaws, clamped down on Tristen’s shoulder. “AAAAAAA!” Another one leaped up, clamping on a leg, making him trip. The bites started to dig in. More Mawile started to come forth. “NOOOOO!” Tristen unleashed a hard discharge of electricity, in the form of his Spark attack, shocking the Mawile off of him. He managed to get up and started to pull out a Pokeball.
Another Mawile leaped up after Tristen and grabbed on with two more to follow, knocking Tristen back down. Tristen dropped the Pokeball and it started to roll from him. “No! Castform!” he shouted as the Pokeball rolled into the darkness. He then unleashed another Spark attack, lighting up the darkness and shocking the Mawile right back off of him again. He got right back up and rushed forward, finding the Pokeball once more and snatched it up. “Castform! Help me!” Tristen shouted, tossing the ball back out before any more came after him.
The ball landed on the ground, came open and out came Castform once more. “Castform! Sunny Day!” he shouted.
“Form!!!” The Castform unleashed a hard discharge of fire chi up towards the cavern ceiling and it exploded into a hard light which lit up the cavern quite a bit. Castform converted into his Sunny Form and was bouncing about rather happily for it. Once the make-shift sunlight got fierce, it exposed just exactly what kind of opposition that he and Tristen were up against, which made Castform stop in its tracks.
The Mawile went back on the attack, for there was no way a potential meal like this was going to leave this spot. Castform started to panic. One after another started to jump down upon Castform, clamping down on the small sunny bubble.
“Castform! Use Weather Ball!” he shouted.
“FORRRRRRRMMMM!!!” It shouted. It gathered the power of the light, converting his Weather ball into a great ball of fire. However, where Castform was accumulating the chi, the Mawile got caught up in the blaze and the ball detonated right in Castform’s face, blasting it back, as well as sending the other Mawile away.
“We can’t take them all! Castform, come on!” he shouted, rushing off.
“Forrrrm!” The Castform shook off the attack then floated off after Tristen as the rest of the Mawile went back to pursue the two of them.
“RAHHHH!!!” One more Mawile leaped after Tristen, clamping down on him.
“AAAAAH!!!” Tristen went for a Spark attack once more, but this one was more persistent this time. It clamped down tighter, the teeth starting to go through the dense fabrics that made up his clothes. Tristen shook about and then stumbled. To Tristen’s dismay, he found out that this cavern had another level below. He fell over and went down the slope into an abyss that felt like it went on forever. Castform could only do was pursue the two of them down. The other Mawile stopped at the ledge, looking down into the darkness. That was a path they were not going to go down. That meal wasn’t worth it.
Tristen hit bottom a moment later. He didn’t feel the bite on him anymore. The Mawile must be gone. But he felt weak. The running, the attacks upon him, and the attacks that he had to defend himself with all added to one exhausted kid.
“Fooorrrm! Forrrrrmm!”
“Castform?” Tristen spoke up. “Is…that you…?”
“Forrrrm!”
“Can you use…Sunny Day again?”
The Castform was more than happy to oblige. Another hard burst of chi was let loose and the cavern around him lit up. He watched as his Castform became his Sunny form once again, which was always a nice sight to him. He then sat up to assess the damage, but that was short lived.
“RAAAH!!!”
He saw there was one lone Mawile, looking rather banged up itself, and not all too happy. It got dragged all the way down here and all it really wanted was a meal. Tristen was not in any shape to be fighting. “Castform…” he said, looking back to his Pokemon.
“Form!” It floated in front of Tristen, ready to fight. Tristen almost smiled. It was good to know at least that there was still someone there for him; even though that someone was a Pokemon.
“RAAAAH!” The Mawile turned around and snapped its huge jaws at it. Castform winced a bit, feeling a bit intimidated by it. The Mawile then leaped off over towards Castform and went to bite down on the cloud.
“Castform! Look out!” Castform managed to float off out of the way of the attack. “Castform! Use Weather Ball!” The Castform formed another ball of flaming chi, firing it off towards the Mawile. The Mawile leaped out of the way as the flaming orb came down upon the ground, exploding on impact. “Castform! Do it again!”
“RAAAAH!!” As the Castform went to form another weather ball, the Mawile rushed with great speed towards Castform, smashing right into it. Tristen remembered such a move like this; a Sucker Punch. Tristen went wide-eyed when Castform fell over from such an attack. The Mawile then rushed back over and picked the Castform up with its jaws, squeezing it tight with its Vicegrip attack.
“FORRRRRMMM!!!” Castform squealed out.
“Castform! Try an Ember!” he shouted.
As the Castform continued to be slung about in the Mawile’s Vicegrip, the Castform then breathed out several searing flames. “RAH!” Castform broke out of Mawile’s grip and managed to float off. Mawile shook off the attack then rushed off back for the Castform.
“Castform! Use Icy Wind!” The Castform turned and unleashed a chilling breeze towards the Mawile. The Mawile stopped. The attack didn’t hurt all that much, but it felt a bit sluggish now.
“Good job, Castform! How about-“
“RAAAAAHHH!!!” Tristen was cut off as the Mawile dug its jaws in the rock and hurled a good many of them. A Rock Slide attack was unleashed towards the Fiery Castform, one rock pelted him right after another.
“CASTFORM!” Tristen shouted.
The rock assault was over and it managed to float up once more, but Tristen knew that Castform couldn’t last too much longer. “Castform! Try one more Weather Ball!”
“FORM!” With what might it had, the Castform once again unleashed another Weather Ball towards the Mawile. The Mawile tried to avert the fireball, but with its sluggish speed, it couldn’t avoid it this time.
The sunlight that Castform produced finally died out and Castform reverted back to normal. Tristen focused all he could to bring his Flash back up to see what was before him. The Mawile, while hurt severely, it managed to get back on his feet. It was not going to go down so easily. Castform wasn’t going to last much longer, he thought. He only had two options. Let Natu take Castform’s place and possibly drag this fight out longer, and possibly being left in a worse state, or…
Tristen dug in his pack as fast as he could. “RAAAAH!” The Mawile went on the attack, rushing for the Castform. Tristen finally pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it at the attacking Pokeball. “RAH!?” The ball ensnares the Mawile and touches down on the ground.
“Forrrm?” Castform spoke.
“I don’t know…” He told his Pokemon.
The ball shook furiously. The Mawile wanted out. Badly. It wasn’t going to be contained like this. But then, the shaking started to lessen. Then finally, a click. The shaking stopped. “…Castform…we…did it.” He said, walking over towards the Pokeball. “We…captured Mawile.” He said.
“Forrrmmmm.”
It was a victory for the both of them. They did something on their own. But that joy of victory was a bit short lived, however, when he realized that the battle was over and that he was still in the same situation as before. The difference was though, he didn’t smell much of anything nor did he hear much of anything either. He was more lost than he ever was before. “Castform, we need to find a way out of here.” He said.
He was trying to think of a way to get out, but then looked back towards the Pokeball. He suddenly realized that the Pokemon that he fought and brought to captivity was perhaps his only salvation. “………” This was going to be harder than he realized.
A loud shriek was heard deeper within the cavern. “What was that?”
---------------
“Blast it…ALL! Why the hell did I have to be caught up in this crap!?”
I continued to lay there under the rubble, still stuck. If I still had my full strength instead of...whatever the hell this is I got from Horus, I’d probably sooner be out of here. “If I can only…just at the least…” I started to shift a bit. I needed help. The only immediate help I had was with my own Pokemon. “Come on…come on…” I managed to shift my arm over under the rubble. I was feeling the Pokeballs. One…two…three…this one. I needed Typhlosion. He could probably get me out of this.
I grabbed hold of the Pokeball. I had to get him out of this rubble. I continued to squirm until just a few moments later I managed to free my arm with the Pokeball in tow. “Typhlosion!” I shouted, lobbing the ball back.
The ball landed and burst open, revealing the Fire type, Typhlosion, ready to go. “SION!!!”
“Typhlosion! Do yourself a favor. Light up that mane of yours.”
“Sion?” His mane lit up then looked over. Typhlosion went wide-eyed when he saw the sight before him. “TY-SION!”
“I know, I know, just get me out of here, will you? Horus did some serious crap here and I can’t get myself out so easily. At least not for some time anyways.” I said.
“Ty-pho-sion.” He walked over then started to pull away some of the rock, the smaller ones at first to clear the way for the bigger ones.
“Typhlosion! I don’t mean to rush but we’re in a bit of a hurry, trust me on this one. I know this might be risking a bit, but I need you to use Strength. Like now. Lift up on the one right here on me.” I said.
“Ty-sion?”
“Yes, I’m sure! You know I wouldn’t be asking otherwise!”
Typhlosion walked around the pile, grabbing the larger rock, then lifted up with all his might. “SIOOOONNNNNN!!!!” He was straining.
“Good! Just…hold it for a few…seconds!” I said. I started to pull myself out of the remaining debris as quickly as I could. As soon as I knew I was out though I gave Typhlosion the signal. “Typhlosion, drop it!”
Typhlosion dropped the rock and gave a hard sigh of relief. I got back up and walked over towards Typhlosion, patting him on the back. “You did good. Sadly, I don’t want you to go back to your Pokeball just yet to take a rest. I’m going to need your help. The reason why I had you to rush is because Tristen ran off, freaking out over something. I don’t know over what, but he’s alone out there and anything, let alone anyone, is able to kick the hell out of him easily. I need your help in trying to find him. You think you can do that?” I asked.
“Ty-sion.” He gave a nod.
“Nose to the grindstone, Typhlosion. I know he went off that way…but that’s about it. I don’t know how much distance he got from here; it has been a little while.” I said to him. “I can’t even sense him now.”
“Ty-sion.” Typhlosion got down on all fours and started to take a smell about then started to run off with me following. He was following the scent. It was still fresh to him; following this would be easy.
It was only a few moments before I started to worry already. A steep slope. “Are you sure that he went down this way?” I asked.
“Pho-sion…” He replied.
“I do not like where this is starting to lead.”
I hopped down and slid down, taking caution not to go to fast. When we reached bottom, I took a look around the best I could with the light of my Ice beam and Typhlosion’s fiery mane. “Ty-sion! Ty-pho-sion!”
“What did you find?” I asked. I went over towards him. Typhlosion picked up something. Fabric. I took it from Typhlosion and took a feel of it. “This…” For being so little, it felt somewhat heavy for what it is. Blue in color. “Tristen’s vest.” I said. I took a notice to the ground. Footprints. Dozens of them. Everywhere, heading one way. “Oh no…Typhlosion, come on!”
We rushed off, following the tracks, all the way down to another slope where the tracks started to gather and stop. “There’s another level to this place!?”
“Ty-pho-sion!”
“I was afraid you were going to say that.” I said. “Come on. We can’t give up hope yet.” I told him. I jumped and slid down the slope. Once we hit bottom I took a look around. More foot steps. Fewer in number…two sets of them actually. One bigger than the other and they were walking away. “Tristen…he’s okay…”
I gave a sigh of relief, but that was only a minor solace. He was still out there alone out there for the most part. Then something else that made me a little on edge. A shriek echoed through the cavern. “That…didn’t sound good.”
“Siooonnnn…”
I rushed off, following the tracks, with Typhlosion close behind. I could only wonder how much farther Tristen has gotten. I would soon have my answer…
It was a few minutes before I managed to start sensing the boy. A couple of minutes after that before I found him…
Tristen had his crests lit up, trying to find a path through. I found apparently that he, on his own, apparently picked up a new friend. A Mawile. The tracks back there…that Mawile bunch probably was back on the hunt, my guess. “Typhlosion…it’s him. We found him.” I said to him.
“Sioon.”
Tristen froze in his tracks. He heard me. “Mawile.” He said over towards his Pokemon. Mawile looked back, then towards the rocks. Tristen was really on edge.
I made my way around a rock formation. “Tristen?” I spoke up, bringing myself into view. Tristen nearly panicked instantly. “Tristen, what’s wrong? What’s gotten into you? You can tell me.” I said.
“Get away from me!” Tristen said, backing up a couple of steps.
“Jesus Christ, what did Horus do to you?”
Another screech in the cavern. I turned my head, trying to get a read on whatever it was that was out there, but as soon as I do so, Tristen runs for it. “Huh? Tristen! Wait!”
“Mawile, come on!” He shouted.
The two of them got ahead of us, but Typhlosion and I was gaining ground quick. “Typhlosion! Here!” I shouted. We rushed through a few pillars, then leaped out in front of Tristen. Tristen lost traction and slipped, falling back. “Tristen, calm down, we’re all friends here! What is wrong with you? You’re acting as if you saw a ghost!”
“Close enough!” he shouted back.
The screech was real close now, making Mawile, Typhlosion, Tristen, and I jump. My instincts tripped and I looked over. Heavy footsteps started to come over towards our way. I backed up, charging an ice beam to see what was close by. It was tall. Very tall. Blue. Its body had a metallic luster of some kind, sans for a tuft of hair under its jaw. It apparently was on four legs too, with feet that looked kind of like boots of some kind. It’s head I couldn’t make too much sense of; it just didn’t fit with the body in my opinion. Two horns, looked either wood or bone, acting as if eyebrows on a very small head. Weirder still, it walked similar to say perhaps a Girafarig perhaps. “Wha…what is that!?” Tristen shouted.
I slowly pulled out my SNAG and pulled up the information. “………Cobalion…Iron Will Pokemon…Legendary Status-WAIT A SECOND, LEGENDARY!?” In a blink, the SNAG gets sliced in two, making me jump again and drop the two pieces on the ground. It was a clean cut. “The hell!?” I looked back. Near by the Cobalion, I saw something floating about it. It was dense in earth and celestial chi at the very least. It seemed like a Psycho Cut, but that wasn’t any Psycho cut I ever seen. In fact, that Chi looked wieldy, like a sword of some sort. “What the hell is a Legendary Pokemon doing here!?”
We wouldn’t get that answer. What we would get instead is Cobalion on the attack, rushing for the two of us. “Oh hell! Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” I shouted. Typhlosion rushed forward and unleashed its powerful flame. Cobalion leaped over the attack and came down upon Typhlosion, landing with all its might upon him.
“SIOOOONNNN!!!”
“TYPHLOSION!” I shouted.
Cobalion jumped off of Typhlosion then went straight for me next and pounced on me. Apparently he hated me with a passion for some reason. It pinned me down, and with me without my strength still, I couldn’t struggle much to break free from under the massive legendary. “GAAAH! GOD! You’re heavy…” He knelt over, started to snap at me. I leaned my head, managing to avert the bites, only by mere centemeters. I managed to struggle my arms free in the nick of time before his next bite. I grabbed him around the neck, holding him back the best I could. “I’M NOT FOR DINNER!”
Tristen watching the fight unfold, he stepped back. “Mawile, come on!” He shouted. He didn’t want to end up on a platter for a legendary any more than he wanted part of the tribe again. I saw him rush off. “Ty……TYPHLOSION! YOU OKAY!?” I shouted as I continued to struggle.
“Sioooon…”
Typhlosion wearily got back up on his feet.
“Don’t worry about me! Tristen ran off again! After him! Go! Protect him!” I shouted.
“Ty-pho-sion!?”
“JUST GO!!!”
Typhlosion quickly ran off. Cobalion saw that there were ones escaping. When he did, I took the opportunity to shift my legs and give a hard kick. It brought his attention back down to me, but I found that it was a huge mistake. “OWWWW! God! Blast it! Why is it always steel types!?” I shouted.
Cobalion then went down for another bite. “BLAST IT! NO!” When he came down far enough, I shoved my fist right into his mouth. “CHEW ON THIS, BLAST IT!” I shouted to the legendary Pokemon, trying to drive my fist even further down. The Cobalion started to gag hard then started trying to kick back. I reached up and grabbed his neck again, if anything I could probably make this thing pass out…if I had time. “Steel type you may be, but I doubt this will be kosher to even you!” I charged an Ice Beam right inside his mouth then fired it. I let go of his neck and he jerked back hard, stumbling, trying to get his footing back. He had ice that nearly cut out all breathing on him. I quickly jumped up and stepped back. “Yea, have fun with that one.” I told him.
From his mouth, he charged one hard Hyper Beam, blasting several rock formations close by, but more importantly…he cleared the air ways.
“Or…not…” I said.
I quickly turned around and ran for it as fast as I could with Agility, and I wasn’t looking back. I had to get back to Tristen and Typhlosion before Cobalion had any thoughts on coming after them. A few turns around a few rock formations and I quickly found my way back to them.
Typhlosion was apparently trying to help Tristen out from the area, but apparently Tristen wasn’t having anything of it. Worse still, Tristen’s Mawile was biting down on Typhlosion, trying to help Tristen get away. “Guys! We got to go! Now! Cobalion will be here-“ My instincts tripped. I jumped out of the way in the nick of time to see the rock sliced up with ease and crumble. “…right now.”
Colbalion stepped forth as the sword like dense chi disappeared and faced us. It started to charge a Hyper beam once more, ready to blow us all away. “MAWILE!” Tristen shouted.
“Huh? Tristen! Wait! No!” I shouted.
“Use Sucker Punch!” he shouted.
The Mawile was quick on its feet. It blazed a path straight to the Cobalion all on its own then struck the legendary beast as hard as it could. The Cobalion stopped its attack, with a dumbfounded look on its face no less.
“It…stopped…?” I asked.
“Mawile?” Tristen’s Pokemon spoke.
“Sion?” Typhlosion spoke up.
“It worked?”
I knew that couldn’t have been it. I was right…Cobalion’s chi spiked to abhorrent levels. It shrieked with rage, rocking us to our very core. “Well…that’s…not good.”
The Cobalion quickly turned around and kicked the Mawile, sending it flying off towards Tristen, smashing into him and making him fall over with Mawile on top of him. “Tristen! UGH! Typhlosion! Fire Blast!” I shouted, rushing around. We had to at least repel this thing somehow. Typhlosion unleashed one hard fiery shot towards Cobalion. Cobalion averted shot, rushing towards Typhlosion and ramming right into him. “SIOOON!!!”
“Typhlosion! OK! THAT’S IT!” I leaped up, and charged a massive amount of lake chi. It grew large and dense at a rapid pace. The area grew intensely cold and the very glow of the attack pierced the darkness down here. “I’ve had enough of you! Legendary or not, this ends NOW!” I shouted. Cobalion turned around, looking up at me. Even it was apparently caught by surprise by the power coming from it. “SHEER COLD!” I unleashed the powerful attack, sending it speeding down towards the Legendary Pokemon.
One more screech from the Cobalion. Before I knew it, the Sheer Cold attack literally was cleaved in two, sending the sheer cold halves off spinning in opposite directions, having them to detonate a distance away from each of Cobalion’s sides with no harm done to it. “Well…doesn’t that just beat all…” I said. “What the hell am I dealing with!?”
The Cobalion rushed straight for me and rammed right into me, head first with a bright luster emanating from its crown. An Iron Head attack. “GAAAAAH!!!” I get sent flying, hitting a wall close by then fell over. The wind was knocked out of me. I was aching severely at this point. I struggled to get back up as Cobalion rushed straight for me once again.
“TY-PHO-SION!” Typhlosion rushed, body ablaze, ramming into the Cobalion with its Flame Wheel attack. With a shriek of pain, the Cobalion stumbled a bit, then came back around to face Typhlosion. Something I noticed however…Cobalion is a bit hesitant to fight Typhlosion? Come to think of it, when it came to Mawile and Typhlosion during this whole ordeal, he’s been actually averting it a bit if he could help it. He’s been going after me for the most part, and been passive aggressive to Tristen for the moment. I didn’t understand…
Tristen managed to get back up, checking on his Mawile. It was okay for the moment, if only pretty shaken from the last attack. Cobalion veered his eyes towards Tristen, then back at Typhlosion in a rapid pace. Typhlosion noticed this and took notice to Tristen too. Cobalion then quickly turned around and brought its hind legs, smashing into Typhlosion, catching him off guard. “SIIOONNN!!” The fire type then got sent flying back as well, hitting the ground in a roll, then finally came to a rest.
Tristen went wide-eyed as the beast started to rush for him. “RAH!” Mawile jumped. It knew very well how out classed it was, but it had reasons for trying to save Tristen. Despite which, Cobalion wanted no dealings with the Mawile. It went straight for the Electrike hybrid, plowing straight by Mawile in the process. The dense chi energy came forth once again, ready to come down on the boy…
“NO!” I jumped upon Cobalion, grabbing him around his neck and held on tight. “Leave him alone!” The Cobalion started to buck about, trying to shake me off of him. “IS. THIS WHAT A RODEO. IS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE!? YEA! LEAVING IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS!” And just like any amateur in a rodeo, I was off in less than eight seconds.
I managed to get back upon my feet and then looked back towards Typhlosion. He was managing to get back on his feet after that hard kick that Cobalion dealt. “Typhlosion! We got to get the hell out of here! Smokescreen!” I shouted.
“Ty-SIOOON!!!” Typhlosion unleashed a thick cloud of smoke in the area, catching the Cobalion up in its wake.
“Time to bail.” I said. “Typhlosion, get Tristen’s friend there.”
Typhlosion rushed over and scooped up the Mawile, which prompted a bite from the steel type. “TY-SION!”
I quickly snatched up Tristen. “NOOO! LET ME GO!”
“Save it, Tristen! We’ll sort this out in a minute unless you prefer Cobalion to have your way with you!”
“Better him!” He shouted back, trying to squirm loose from my grip.
I then rushed off with Typhlosion close by, making distance from the Smokescreen and me lighting the way with an Ice Beam with my free arm. “We got to try to find our way out now!”
“Ty-SION!” The Mawile gave another hard bite. Typhlosion lit up his mane, scaring the Mawile a bit to get it to behave. “Sioooon…”
“This way!” We ran off down the path before us, finding our way to another slope.
I perked up. Instincts tripped. Cobalion was on the move. Straight for us.
“Son of a-Typhlosion! Come on!” We rushed up the slope as fast as we could. Half way up it, Cobalion came out of hiding, roaring out towards us. It had no intention of letting us leave. “Typhlosion! Hurry! Get up there!” I said, tossing Tristen on Typhlosion’s back. I had to be sure he was safe at the very least.
I had to pull another stunt if we were going to get away scot-free. I looked back down. Cobalion started to charge another Hyper Beam right for us. “Come on…that’s right…do it…” I said as I held on to the slope. As Typhlosion made it to the top, the Cobalion fired the mighty blast. I quickly jumped up hard, averting the beam, but got blown away from the blast. However, my main objective worked. Cobalion jarred loose the rock and debris from the slope, making the slope collapse. Rocks started to roll hard and fast, debris and dust was kicked up, and it all started to come down upon the Cobalion. The Cobalion backed up, not wanting to get caught up in its own potential disaster.
I landed at the very top, looking down at the darkness before me, breathing a bit heavily. We got out barely with our lives; but that was only one relief dealt. I had one other issue to resolve.
Tristen slid off of Typhlosion then picked up Mawile and started to step back some. I veered my eyes back and then turned around. “Tristen?” He quickly turned around and started to run for it. “Wait a minute!” I rushed over to him and snatched him up again. The sudden stop made him accidentally drop his newly acquired Pokemon and once again he started to struggle.
“Let. Me. GOOOOOO!!!” He shouted. He then unleashed a hard discharge of electricity. His Spark attack.
“GAAAH! TRISTEN! WHAT ARE YOU. DOING. THIS FOR!?” I fought the electricity coursing through me with everything I had, reaching over, and regrettably, hit the kid to get him to stop. It was about all I could do sans of dropping him and letting him run again.
He stopped his Spark and tears welled up in his eyes again. I put him down and turned him around to face me. His Mawile went to attack, however Typhlosion, to stop the Mawile’s blind attack, merely sat on him. “Tristen, why are you doing this? What’s wrong? You freaked out and ran out on me. What is going on?” The tears started to go down the sides of his face. I rubbed my thumb across to dry them, only for the moment.
“I don’t…”
“You…don’t…?” I spoke up.
“Horus…”
“Tristen, you’re speaking in riddles.” I said to him. “What did Horus do to you?” I asked.
“Horus. He showed me. He showed me everything. The tribe. You. I was being punished and...”
“Tristen, Horus did something to you. I don’t exactly know what. But whatever it was, it screwed you all the hell up. You got to calm down. You’re safe…well…” I looked back. No Cobalion for the time being. Hopefully for the rest of this ordeal. “…for now, anyways. You got to remember, the tribe? It’s DONE. Gone. History.”
“But-“
“Tristen, let it go. You’re letting it get to the better of you, and whatever you felt, experienced, or what have you with Horus, it wasn’t real! We got to go back and take care of him, we can still win this.” Tristen looked at me. He still felt hurt from everything. I could see it. He wasn’t convinced. It was then where it occurred to me about something, which made me upset. This whole contest, I was so dead set on winning. Here, I was dead set, if anything, to get evidence that I was ready to take on Miles, regardless of how much of an edge he had on me. But here…a Xatu hybrid humiliated me and did one hell of a job dividing the two of us up, a legendary Pokemon that humbled me, and sad to say, a trainer to call me out for being brash like I have. For the most part, I really lost objectivity in this whole competition. This was supposed to be a means to bond with Tristen as I have with Tails, and for that matter, to help him to be a bit easier going with his brother. I wanted to help him get stronger, but really, this just turned out to be all me. I…wasn’t ready…
I knelt down, put my arms around Tristen and held him close. “Let it out, Tristen. Just…let it out.” I closed my wings around him.
“I don’t wanna go back.”
“I know. I know. Tristen, trust me, I will see to it that you don’t. I have the figuring though that you thought that it was the tribe all over again with what I had brought you through up to this point, haven’t you?” I asked.
He shook his head yes.
“I’m sorry. I was just going on with what I did know. I should have kept you out of this. I should have just forgotten about this competition and moved on to something else. It was just a game, regardless of how it was cut, but all it did was bring you trouble, and I was being selfish. I’m an idiot.” I said. “We can leave if you want. Just say the word…”
He was silent…
---------------
I had to move Tristen away from the slope and get into the most secluded area I could find on this level of the cavern. We were tired. Frustrated. Confused. Aching from constant battles. This competition was not for the faint of heart. When I found that secluded spot, Tristen recalled his Mawile and then went to take a nap in my arms. I recalled Typhlosion and sent out my Riolu, the sixth Pokemon in my line-up, to keep on the lookout for the two of us. Sadly, I was tired too. I curled up against a rock face and passed out.
“Ra la.” Riolu went over and pushed up against me, trying to shake me awake.
“Mmm…huh? What is it? Something up?” I asked.
“La!” He grabbed my arm and held it up. He wanted me to look at my watch. I pressed the light on my watch to get a good look at it. In my half sleep stupor, I noticed we were asleep for at least five hours.
“Ugh…really? Yeech…Tristen. Hey. Tristen.” I shook Tristen a bit, jarring the young boy awake.
“Ugh…”
“Hey, man, how you feeling? You okay now?”
“I don’t know…” He said.
“No?”
“It felt so real, Blizz. I could see it all. I heard every word the Tribe’s leader told me…and what you did. It hurt…a lot.” I said.
“It wasn’t, Tristen. I know I kind of gave the wrong signals here recently; in this competition more so. I realized something and I feel like a hypocrite for it.” I said.
“Huh?”
“Remember when I told you to have some sort of a goal that was more than just for the sake of getting stronger? I told you and Tails about that. Remember?” I asked.
“I remember.”
“I…really wasn’t. A letter from Miles kind of got to me. It was something he said that…kind of got me a little prideful. Worse still is when he came by the headquarters and I got to sense exactly what level he has reached.” I told him. “It wasn’t so much the fact that I wanted to get as strong as him, though that would be nice…but it was me wanting to show him that…well…I guess you could say I wanted to be right.”
“To be right?” Tristen asked. “What do you mean?”
“Before meeting you, Miles and I had at it. It was you know…a bit of sport. It wasn’t anything bad. I lost that fight, though. That said, while he had more skill and a great deal more chi than I had at the time, I actually managed to last so long to the point where he was about worn out of usable chi, while I had barely used any against him and still dealt my fair share of damage to him. I made it a point, the point I have been trying to teach to you Tristen, as well as Tails, that it wasn’t all Chi that wins the game in the end. I wanted to prove that to Miles most of all.” I told him. “I still think that, for that matter, but…well…it took this competition to realize that I wasn’t ready…and this whole time, I thought I was…and you paid for quite a bit of it. I should have at the very least sat this competition out and not gave it another thought. I’m sorry, Tristen.”
Tristen didn’t quite get everything, but he got the general idea. He thought for a moment then managed to sit up. “It’s okay, Blizz. I probably should of listened to you anyways when you warned me about this place and what we was going to be up against.” He said to me. “And…well…the whole not trusting you thing from what Horus did.”
I rubbed his head. “It’s fine, Tristen. Don’t think another word of it.” I said. “You want to call it quits here? It seems like everything got botched for us, rather it be by us or someone else. Horus and Kalana took that ring that we worked to get from Accelgor when I was buried under those rocks earlier. They probably have this won by now…”
“No…” He said, shaking his head. “We came this far now. It would be kinda a waste to just give up like that now, wouldn’t it?”
“Maybe. Alright, Tristen. Let’s finish this then. Get up and let’s make the most of this.” I told him.
I gave a bit of a content sigh as Tristen got up. He was feeling better. So was I, now that I am thinking about it. Power Swap wore off, I guess. As I got up and stretched out, though I knew I was by no means ready to face Miles once more, I did have one thing in mind now; something that I probably could get away with. While, yes, someone like Horus gave me a kick in the complacency, one thing that I couldn’t turn a blind eye to was putting Tristen into whatever mental hell he put him through. For the longest, Tails, Freth, and I have been trying to assure to him that his past with the Tribe is history, but all Horus done was open up fears and wounds that should have never been opened up. Horus’s looks alone accomplished enough to intimidate Tristen by having the boy associate him with the Tribe leader. That was as far as it should have gone. Kalana wanted to have words with me about how to raise a kid? I got a few words I’d like to exchange as well. That said, I was only going to confront him if I saw him again. If it wasn’t going to be in this cave, I’d for sure see him once we get outside when this game is all over with. Sure, he and I would cause a bit of a panic to the populous…but it would be SO worth it.
Tristen re-lit his crest once more and I charged up an Ice Beam to light our way. “Thanks for keeping a lookout, Riolu. It’s appreciated.”
“Ra la.” I recalled the Pokemon back into the Pokeball then stashed it.
“Come on, Tristen.”
We made our way down the cavern paths. Given the time passed, I hoped that the Champion’s Pokemon were still in play. I thought back to earlier. There was something that struck me as off about Horus in particular. If he was such a skilled person, why did he have to end up following Porygon-Z until they found another one of the champion’s Pokemon? Is this guy truly a fraud instead? Or if he was apparently went through the training from hell like he did, did he flunk out? Something didn’t add up in this picture. I would figure a psychic Pokemon hybrid would be able to win a competition like this easily. Hell, at least get the five rings rather easily and just hide out for the remainder of the competition. Such a task would be even easier with a so-called grand earth chi channeler.
“What’s wrong, Blizz?” Tristen spoke up.
“Remember when I mentioned I wasn’t thinking all that clear through this thing?”
“Yea?”
“It’s amazing what one could contemplate when one isn’t full of himself.” I said.
“Was there something you figured out?” He then asked.
“Maybe. I don’t know yet.”
Instincts tripped. Something strong was close by. It wasn’t Cobalion, but compared to a lot of the stuff here…perhaps.
“Blizz…I hear something.” He said. “It’s kind of close.”
“Huh?” I looked around. I didn’t hear anything really.
“That way.” He pointed. That was where my instincts were leading me as well.
“Come on.” I said. The two of us rushed off for a short distance until I too started to hear what Tristen was starting to hear. “…snoring?” I asked. It actually sounded like it. And it was deep…and from something probably fairly big…
The two of us crept to a rock formation and started to look through it. Tristen and I killed our lights for that in this area was a small glimpse of light coming from a crack in the cavern ceiling. There, comforted by the light that graced its gigantic afro, a Bouffalant…the Champion’s Pokemon…fast asleep. I then noticed something about the Pokemon. On its horn, dangling from was a ring. The rings were still out and about and in play. I couldn’t believe it. We were still in this.
My joy turned into anger, however, when Horus and Kalana appeared before the sleeping Pokemon. My guess? They were already here and they probably already had a plan to snatch that ring without any provocation. They were creeping up towards him, and Horus, I felt, was using his trick of hiding his and Kalana’s Chi pressure. There was something else that I noticed. They still had the two rings, the one from Accelgor, and the one they followed Porygon-Z for, hanging off of G-hooks placed on their belts. Tristen looked at the two that appeared and already felt worried about what could possibly happen.
I had an idea, knelt down, searched the ground, and grabbed a small stone and handed it to Tristen. “Here, take this…” I whispered to him.
“Huh?”
“I want you to toss it at Bouffalant when I give you a signal. Okay? Trust me…” I said, rushing off for another position. Kalana, near the champion’s Pokemon, perked up as Horus went to slowly lean over to grab the ring off of the horn. She tapped Horus’s back. Horus looked back then stood straight back up to look around. Kalana felt something coming from the ground, having suspicions she knew what, rather who, it was.
I gave a wave to Tristen and he tossed the stone as hard as she could towards the sleeping Pokemon. Horus caught sight of it, giving a quick gasp and pointing. Kalana saw it coming as well. She quickly rose up her arm and stopped the stone in mid-air, then took it in her hand. With their attention diverted only for that brief second towards from where the stone came, I quickly took aim at the Bouffalant and unleashed a hard burst of Celestial Chi in the form of my Extrasensory attack.
Horus looked over towards my direction for that brief second, sensing the Chi that was discharged, but that was now the least of his problems when the Bouffalant woke up in a hurry and roared out in pain. When the massive beast saw Horus and Kalana close by, it roared out with fury. “Blast!” Horus said.
“What the…!?” Kalana shouted.
The Bouffalant stood straight up then stomped the ground hard. Large stones shot up out of the ground in the form of its Stone Edge attack. Horus and Kalana fell back, getting caught off guard by the attack. The Bouffalant, realizing that it was forcefully back in action, made the retreat to make sure the ring doesn’t fall into anyone’s hands so easily.
“No!” Horus shouted. “UGH! Alright! Very clever, bird! You can come out now!” he shouted.
“What?” Kalana spoke.
I jumped out of hiding and started to approach. Tristen left his position and ran over by me. “I’m sorry, we’re we interrupting something?”
“You really have some nerve to pull that. I guess you’re anxious to be defeated again, I take it.”
“Not really.” I said, crossing my arms. Horus looked on at me, now a bit confused. This was apparently a change to him that he couldn’t explain how yet.
“So what is it that you want?” Kalana spoke up.
“What do you think?” I said.
“The rings. Sore about losing them?” Horus asked.
“Eh, a bit.” I said.
“You think we’re just going to hand them over?” Kalana asked.
“That would save us a lot of time.” I said.
Horus wasn’t making heads or tails of what was going on here. “Ok, what is your story?” he asked.
“Well, there was once a man in Nantucket…” I started to speak.
“STOP!” Kalana shouted. She knew exactly where that was going. “I say it’s pretty obvious that he’s lost it, especially if he thinks that he could just waltz here, ruin a chance to practically solidify our winning this contest, and be smart about afterwards!”
“Believe what you want.” I said.
“Come out with it, already!” Horus said. “Are you wanting to get in battle with me, or what!?” he shouted.
“I’m game.” I said. I looked back to Tristen. “If you want to sit this one out, you may want to go find some place to take cover.” Tristen looked towards Kalana. “I want to fight. There’s something I think I gotta do.” He said.
I looked over towards Kalana, then back down at him. “Are you sure?”
“Yea.” He said. “I want to help, and if I can stop her for you, at least buy a little time, Horus is all yours. Also, what do you think Tails would think if I actually helped a lot like that?” he asked.
“He’d have a field day over you pulling such a stunt. In good way, more than likely.” I said.
“Looks like your babysitting again.” Horus told Kalana.
“Really…” She didn’t sound all that amused.
---------------
Concluded in Part 5
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:30 pm
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Challenger's Cave Survival Contest
Part 5
---------------
Without another word spoke, I rushed right for Horus, taking a swing, but he ended up teleporting out of the way. My instincts tripped…he’s getting serious again. I can sense him again. Quickly I rushed off after him, taking a hard leap up after him.
Tristen stood behind, looking at Kalana. He felt a little more calm than he was before. The possibility of him thoroughly taken out loomed in his mind still, but it didn’t matter to him at this point. He was ready. He took out a Pokeball, ready to square off with her.
“So you’re actually serious?” Kalana asked. Tristen nodded. “Well, I don’t know how you ended up gutsy here nearly overnight, but it doesn’t do you justice, especially when you can be beaten pretty easily.”
Tristen only answered by tossing out a Pokeball. “Castform!” he shouted. He had something stirring in mind to pull. He remembered his past experience all too well against her. It was something that he was not going to fall for again.
“Not talking, huh? That’s fine.” Kalana said. She pulled out one of her own and tossed it out. “Krookodile!”
The ball bursts open revealing a big red Pokemon on two legs. Intimidating it looked with its huge mouth and razor sharp teeth. Probably another ground type or a rock type, Tristen thought, given the Golett and Archeops earlier, and her affinity for the earth under her two feet. He wasn’t going to risk going to check it on his SNAG after what Kalana did to him the first time. Tristen looked up towards Castform. He knew that Castform couldn’t stand up to that trained Pokemon for long. It’d be that Archeops all over again. And just fighting her straight up would be fruitless both here and in the darkness. If not the fact that she was able to move dirt with a wave of a hand she was able to feel every step he made through the ground.
He perked up. He had an idea. He quickly grabbed his Castform, covering its eyes and focused hard. He unleashed one powerful Flash, blinding her two Pokemon and her. “WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE EYES!? YOU KNOW THAT WON’T HELP YOU!”
“Castform! Weather Ball!”
She perked up. He wasn’t moving, but he was on the attack. She felt the Weather Ball grace by her. It wasn’t hot or cold or wet even. It had to be the standard attack. But why so close to her, she wondered. “Good shot, Castform!” She felt something hit the ground just then. Something hard. Tristen was apparently now running for it. She felt her side. She was missing a Pokeball…and Tristen just now took it. “Castform! Come on! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” He said.
“YOU THIEF!”
Tristen ran out into the darkness with Castform following him. He lit his crests once more, going for cover as best as he could. She wanted to follow, but her two Pokemon were blinded as well and couldn’t run in such a state. It gave plenty of time for Tristen to gain distance from the two of them.
Tristen hopped over a few smaller stones and then held still, lowered his breathing as best as he could as Castform hovered only an inch above the ground, and waited, stopping the light from his crests in the meantime. He wanted her to come.
Kalana’s Pokemon started to rub their eyes a bit, having their vision regained for the time being. “You two okay?” she asked. “Good, come on. That kid just took Archeops! Come on!”
She ran off straight down the path. She could feel him through the earth. His breathing, his light shifts to get a bit more comfortable while hiding, there was no hiding from her. Tristen heard her footsteps, as well as her two Pokemon’s steps, rushing in the area. He then took the Pokeball he got from Kalana and gave it a hard toss over the rocks into the darkness and waited. The ball made impact with the ground and started to roll a short ways. Kalana stopped and looked over, running over towards the new vibration in the earth. That felt like the Pokeball that got jarred loose earlier.
Kalana rushed over towards it, followed by her glowing Golett. The ball started to shine a bit from the gentle glow of the Pokemon. She knelt down and picked it up. Her Krookodile approached her, looking up, staring in confusion. She then started to look about. This was a trap of some kind…not a good one, she thought. Obvious he led her out here. Maybe an ambush? Had to be.
“Castform…” Tristen whispered. Kalana perked up. She could feel it. Faint. The breathing; the speaking from Tristen. She focused a little more…the heartbeats from the boy. She was trying to pick up exactly where he was. He was almost in proverbial view. “Hail.”
The Castform nodded and unleashed a hard discharge of chi towards the cavern ceiling. Kalana then looked up and stared in confusion. “Why did it get cold?” A hard vibration from a stone graced her senses. “Wha?” Another vibration came to. Close. Water falling through the cracks from the ceiling maybe?
“GOLETT!” Golett shouted. Something hit it. Something hard.
“Golett? What’s wrong?” Near the glowing Pokemon, she noticed what was wrong as she knelt over and picked it up. Ice…just slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball. “……” More started to fall, frequently, rapidly. Vibrations. Thousands of them. Everywhere.
“RAAAR!!” The Krookodile moaned out.
“Ow ow oww!”
Tristen looked down at his Castform, who now changed into its icy form. “Thank you. I’ll take it from here.” He said, hopping up and rushing out into the hail storm. The stones struck one right after another. He was feeling the pain, but this pain was going to be well worth it. He could hear the three of them moaning, crying out in pain. He could smell them each. He could see the Golett that stayed by her side all this time. He knew where she was.
Kalana thought for a second. In that second, she realized what was going on. Tristen was blinding her. She couldn’t tell the difference between the hailstones making impact upon the ground and someone’s footsteps. She wasn’t going to allow it to happen. “Krookodile, Sandstorm!” she shouted.
“RAAAAAARRRR!” The Pokemon roared out. The hailstorm was blown out and the dirt in the cavern was suddenly kicked up. She could see everything now. No hail to distort her senses.
With a wave of her arms and the help of her Golett, she channeled the sandstorm into a more focused torrent. The dust started to encircle the three in a dome. “ALRIGHT YOU! Enough of these games! Get out here before I flush you out!”
“I’m right here.” Tristen said.
Kalana turned around quickly as she could, but she felt her arm stop. Tristen re-lit his crest, revealing that he had her by her wrist. He looked at her dead in the eyes. “I’m sorry.” She went wide-eyed. Before she managed to snatch her hand back, Tristen unleashed a powerful Spark attack. The woman’s hair stood on end. Her Pokemon looked on in horror as the cavern got lit up by Tristen’s electrical power. The woman screamed out as the thousands of volts coursed through her body for the few seconds.
When the attack was over, the woman couldn’t stay on her feet. She fell over, falling face first on the ground. The taste of copper was dominant in her mouth. The sandstorm lost its control and went on in an uncontrollable rampage like it’s been known to. The Krookodile and Golett looked on in horror at her then looked back at Tristen. The two Pokemon. They were angry. They wanted retribution in spades. Tristen looked on at the two of them. He could understand them. He knew what they felt. He was in the same spot early on in this competition when Kalana humiliated him. He could sympathize easily. He gave a bit of a sigh then looked at the two infuriated Pokemon and spoke “I would worry about your trainer than me, if I were you.”
The two Pokemon looked at Tristen, then back down at the boy. He was right. Tristen won this skirmish and their trainer was in poor shape. She may have been able to channel the ground element, but at the end of the day, she was still only human.
Tristen reached down to the side of her and took the ring from her. He wondered what Tails would think of what stunt he just pulled. Tristen was about to run off, but then looked at Kalana as she was about to get carried off by her Krookodile and Golett. He gave a sigh then took off his pack, pulling out a water bottle and handed it to her Golett. “You’re the one closest to her, right?”
“Lett?”
“Give this to her before you try to take her anywhere…she needs it.”
---------------------
“Are you really giving it your all right now?” Horus asked.
“Not really.” I said. “You’d know it if I was, I assure you.” I told him.
The fight went on during the entire time Tristen was going at it with Kalana with hardly any break in between until now. Blows were exchanged one right after the next with neither one of us backing down. As of right now, we were standing there, squaring off once more. I stood there with an Ice Beam charge to light the area, just enough so I could see Horus. The both of us was slightly winded, but we still had plenty of fight left in each other.
“So I guess back over that way when we saw each other, you weren’t really going all out either.” He asked.
“I suppose not.” I said.
“You sound unsure.”
“I’ve been thinking is all.” I said.
“Surprising that someone as you can ponder anything.” Horus said.
“Whatever.”
“Regardless, however, what makes you think, even if you were to go all out, you have any chance of defeating me?” he asked.
“I have my reasons.” I said.
“Seems like you haven’t thought enough.” He said. “So are you going to come at me again or shall I?”
“Ladies first.” I said.
Horus rolled his eyes and then vanished in an instant with his Teleport. He appeared right next to me and went to give a kick. I raised my arm, blocking the shot, then turned to fire the Ice beam. He ducked out of the way, then gave a hard right hook. I managed to side step the shot, charged my Ice Beam once more, then went back around to give one backhanded shot. He leaped out of the way backwards to avoid the attack, but I didn’t give the opportunity for him to rest. I fired the Ice Beam charge at him, but he quickly teleported out of the way once more, appearing behind me. “GOT YOU!”
“Huh!?”
A blinding light came down upon me. “What on…!?” The cavern surroundings disappeared. Only in an instant where I found myself back at the headquarters at Mt. Silver. There was something wrong here, though. This place was completely iced over. Typically I wouldn’t complain, but this is by no means normal. “What is this!? What’s going on here!?” A feeling of dread then came over me when I took notice to bodies lying about on the floor. “Sol?” I spoke up. I found him face down, frozen to the floor, encased from head to toe in an icy sarcophagus. “Sub?” He was apparently too on the floor. While he apparently escaped the fate of being an ice statue, he was still severely frost bitten. He also apparently was impaled by what seemed to be spikes from a Cloyster’s Spike cannon. Accompanying him was his Pokemon, they too were out of commission. My horror continued to grow when I saw Night there…apparently she was beaten to death and tossed like a rag doll, given the overturned couch in the main room and her awkward landing position. On the walls, I noticed that there were more of the team members, all defeated, beaten, frostbitten, bloodied…but the one that struck me to my very soul. “TAILS!” I shouted. There, he was mounted on the wall by ice, frozen in a crucifix position.
“Nice work. I really didn’t think you had it in you.” A voice spoke to me.
I turned back around and noticed Freth walking towards me. She apparently escaped the fate of being one of the fallen numbers. That said, her clothes were tattered, and she had a near-tranced look on her face. The voice though, couldn’t have come from her. It was too deep, too sadistic sounding…one voice that was too familiar…
From the mists, a humanoid figure came forth, arms crossed. I could sense it. It was a bottomless well of lake, celestial, and wind chi in one form. “Impossible...Celcius!”
Celcius then changed its form, revealing its true self; its monstrous form that I have grown to know back during my journey years ago. The face I had feared for the longest. “You apparently redeemed yourself to me; and here I thought you hated me. Same with your girlfriend, here. But you two have done me proud. You got rid of just one of the obstacles in my way for me to successfully expand my icy influence.”
“I did this!?” I don’t get it. This was impossible! I’d never do this to my allies, let alone to my own adoptive son! And Celcius!? What was he doing here!? He was supposed to be in Hyda, and for that matter, supposed to be some cute...looking…thing…I don’t know! Was what I dealt with months back all a dream!? Did Miles, Mikey, Tails, and I actually fail in putting Celcius out of commission in reality?
I then realized something… “It’s…not…possible…” I remembered Tristen panicking. The flash of light that made him go into a panic after he was released. The one that made him question everything about himself and anyone he was involved with. The fact that Tristen saw himself at the tribe which was a fear that he relived in full panoramic horror which was just nothing more than tricks in his head done by Horus. “Its…NOT REAL!”
I reached in front of me towards Celcius. While I didn’t grab him, I felt something there in front of me. I squeezed tighter. Celcius started to squirm in front of me, but then the image faded. I found myself back at the cavern, and Horus was there in my clutches; my hand literally around his neck and having him dangle at least three inches off the ground. I charged my Ice Beam in my free hand and looked at him. “It was a Confuse Ray, wasn’t it!? You use the confusion to invoke the internal fears and demons that one possesses, turning people against each other as well as cause your own brand of mental damage. You made a child, one that I care for deeply, relive a past that I have been trying to make him forget about! You DARE show me a face that I gravely despise with a passion; one that I sought out to bring an end to myself!” Horus started to kick and squirm harder. He couldn’t concentrate his psychic prowess to get me to let go. He was starting to run out of air in a hurry. “You, Horus, have done nothing but try to break the bonds between my family as well as potentially my allies! You b*****d, YOU’RE MINE!”
I have him a lob upwards. Horus gave one hard gasp; he could finally breathe again. It would only be a very minor reprieve for once he came back down only a half-second later, my fist smashed right into him, sending him flying off. With great speed by means of Agility I gave pursuit, appearing right near him in mid-flight then gave one hard kick upwards, sending him up towards the cavern ceiling. Another burst of speed and I appeared before him. I unleashed a hard flurry of punches and kicks upon him, true to my Aerial Ace fashion, then sent both arms down like a mighty hammer to send him on an express trip back towards the ground.
Horus at the last second managed to right himself to where he landed on all fours, bracing himself for the impact. “Augh! Blast it!” He shouted. He then felt something just then then quickly leaped backwards. I went for the finishing blow, going from the ceiling to the ground to stomp on him hard, only to miss. Horus thrust his hand forward, unleashing a hard psychic blast, sending me flying backwards.
As Horus tried to quickly regain his composure, I managed to flip backwards and land on my feet, skidding to a halt. I put my two hands together and lit up the cavern with my icy charge. “You’re not getting off that easy!” I shouted to him. I fired the powerful Ice Beam straight for him.
Horus looked on in shock, seeing the powerful beam rush straight for him. He quickly threw up a golden wall in front of him and held on tight. The beam made impact, ice formed around and over the wall in a concave fashion. When the attack was over, Horus gave a hard sigh and dropped his Light Screen and looked at the structure before him. “Just what demons exactly did I invoke in those two?” He asked himself.
Through the ice, he saw the icy blue glow once more, approaching him fast. The ice shattered, pierced by a hand out to grab him. Horus instantly teleported out of the way as I finally made my way through the ice and came to a skidding stop once more. “Ugh! Where’d he go!?”
My instincts tripped and I turned, seeing Horus’s fist make contact with my face. “GAH!” He went on the assault, one blow right after another as hard and as fast as he could. “I told you! You! ARE NOT! GOING! TO BEAT ME!” I managed to get on defense, blocking a couple of the shots, but he managed to reach over, grabbing my vest, thrust his palm right on my chest then unleash a powerful Psychic burst. I dropped my guard. I couldn’t feel anything at that point. It was as if my insides were tore apart instantaneously. He unfurled his wings then gave a hard flap, blowing me away with his Ominous Wind.
I hit the ground, tumbling a bit and then finally came to rest. I was hurting suddenly. I don’t know if he broke something, if I was bleeding internally or what, but whatever it was, it sure as hell hurt. I couldn’t stay on the ground though. I had to get up. “Ugggghhh…” I fought through the pain, slowly starting to get up, giving a couple of coughs in the process.
“I don’t believe it. Are you honestly going to try to keep going?” Horus asked.
“Yea…” I spoke up, giving one more cough. “…I’m kind of stubborn like that.”
“I’ve noticed.”
I managed to stand back up, charged another Ice Beam to light the area, and looked back at Horus. “Really though, is that all you got? Nothing but mind jobs?” I asked him.
“Come again?”
“Really, I know a teenager who’s better suited than you and I trained him personally.” I said. “He can do more than just psychic bursts everywhere. Trust me, given that I’ve dealt with you for the third time now…I am really not impressed. You might want to go back through that training through hell as you call it and brush up.”
“Big words coming from someone on the losing end right now.” He said.
“Big words coming from someone that has yet to follow through and done nothing but manipulate anything to your advantage.” I said. “My Porygon-Z, separating me from Tristen, trying to steal a ring from a Pokemon while sleeping…I say you’re a fraud, really. This grand power that you and others boast? Typical psychic stuff as far as I am concerned. You got nothing. A lowly green feathered fraud comforted, or perhaps on some circumstances kept on a leash, by a girl that plays with dirt with her Pokemon.” I said.
“You’re trying to provoke me…that’s just your method…shake things up with someone then finish them off when the adversary is most vulnerable…you’re not going to get to do that with me.” He said.
“Believe what you want.” I said. “Now are we going to continue or are you just going to argue the obvious fraud point all the more?”
His eyes narrowed and then vanished by means of his Teleport. My instincts tripped once more. I quickly moved out of the way with Agility as he went to go attack me from behind. I quickly stopped and turned around, firing an Ice Beam towards the Xatu hybrid. He teleported out of the way then appeared right before me. I quickly charged another Ice Beam then went on the defensive, blocking one shot after another before I managed to counter one blow and give one hard kick, sending him flying off.
Horus managed to roll back on his feet then got to running himself as I was already on the pursuit for him. He jumped up, kicking off of rocks and started to fly up towards the cavern ceiling, and I followed suit. I met him up in the air and we had at it once more; punches and kicks exchanged, occasional Ominious Winds and Blizzard attacks unleashed through the cavern. Neither one of us were backing down.
“Having a hard time keeping up!?” Horus spoke, teleporting out of the way of one of my punches only to successfully land one of his blows once more.
“AUGH!”
“Still think I’m a fraud now!?” He shouted. I swung my arm around to counter attack, but he ended up grabbing my arm tight. He reared his other arm back, gathering the celestial chi once more. He was going to do that one attack again.
I moved my grabbed arm around, grabbing his arm in turn and pulled him towards me, then gave one hard kick to his legs, flipping him upside down. I then stopped my Ice Beam charge and grabbed his leg around his talon. “YES!” I drove the free arm I had and drove my fist right into his chest.
Horus instantly went wide eyed. He could feel it. Something got put out of place…his ribs…he wasn’t sure if they were cracked or outright broken, but either way, it stung with the force of a thousand fury attacking Beedrill. He was short of breath. He couldn’t move without making the pain intensify exponentially.
I let go of Horus’s leg, charging an Ice Beam once more. With the free arm, I ripped off the ring dangling on the side of his pants, taking the G-hook holding it with me. I didn’t care at this point. I then brought my Ice Beam arm forth for Horus to see. It was at this point Horus realized…he lost. I unleashed my Ice Beam, sending the Xatu hybrid plummeting back towards the ground in its icy wake.
I found my way back down towards the ground, landing safely then went to catch my breath a little. I felt around the ring, finding the G-hook, took it off, and tossed it aside, and once again I stashed the ring for safe keeping. I charged another Ice Beam, then walked off towards where Horus got carried away to, to see the final results of my last attack. I found Horus, encased in ice, along the cavern floor. For sure he had lost.
He vanished from the icy casing. “What?” He then reappeared only a foot from his tomb, face down on the ground and writhing in pain. “Now I am left to ask if you are serious in keeping going.” I said. I didn’t get an answer though…he wasn’t able to get up…all I got was the grunts and moans of pains.
A screech echoed through the cavern. I perked up and started to sense out then gave a sigh of disgust. Oh crap…that thing…Cobalion found its way to this level of the cavern. He was probably going to go out against every trainer in this cavern as well as every Pokemon for that matter. And if that legendary Pokemon found Horus here in this state…
“Son of a…” I went over and pick Horus up.
“AAAAA!” He cried out. That didn’t necessarly help matters to him, apparently.
“Shut up and bear with it!” I said, putting his arm around the back of my neck. “As much as you pissed me off, I can’t leave you here. Come on.”
----------------
“Blast it, I swear, sometimes I wonder if I am too soft for my own good.” I said as I carried the Xatu hybrid.
I trudged on through the cavern paths, carrying Horus. I had to see if I could get him out of here in some way. I didn’t see or sense that aid Pokemon the Champion sent out; the Volcorona. Talk about bad timing.
“Blizz!” I looked ahead and Tristen, with lit crests, rushed over towards us. “Horus? You won?”
“Not now, Tristen. You heard what I heard, didn’t you?” I asked.
“Cobalion? Yea, he sounds real close too. I think he may have already attacked someone. I heard people screaming from somewhere.”
“Coba…lion…?” Horus managed to moan out.
“Where’s Kalana?” I asked.
“I left her back there with her Pokemon. We got done fighting not too long ago. She’s needs to rest some.”
“Show me.” I told him. He led me down the paths, making sure I was keeping up with him. It was a couple of minutes before we found Kalana. She was up and moving around, accompanied by her two Pokemon still, Krookodile and Golett, and already had downed the water bottle Tristen gave her.
She looked up and took notice to the three of us, but namely, Horus. “What did you do to him!?”
“Quite a bit, but it will be nowhere near as bad as what possibly will happen if you don’t get him the hell out of here!” I said. “We got a legendary Pokemon in this cavern that is not all too happy for some strange reason.”
“A legendary Poekmon?” She asked.
“One named Cobalion, as I understand.”
Kalana was left dumbstruck. “Are you sure it was him? These aren’t his grounds to roam. Cobalion hangs out around the west of this region, this is Terrakion’s territory.”
“It’s a legendary Pokemon. Do you honestly think it gives a crap on who’s territory belongs to who?” I asked.
“Terrakion is another legendary.” She said.
“Oh…but why is it obsessed with taking everyone out?” I asked.
“And why is he avoiding fighting the Pokemon the best he can?” Tristen asked.
“Terrakion, Virizion, and most of all, Cobalion are three legendary Pokemon that hates humans with a passion and finds Hybrids general freaks of nature that favor their human traits, making them too just as guilty as any human to them.” Kalana spoke up. “In legend, it is said that those three Pokemon were betrayed by the very humans they swore to protect. Long story short, they’re…bitter.”
“Tell me about it.” I said.
“They would prefer to not attack any Pokemon out right, especially those that sides with humans or hybrids. They figure it’s not their fault if they were blindly following a supposed blind leader. And if Cobalion has been in here the entire time, let alone in this competition…”
“He feels he got every reason to smite every last one of us.” I finished. “Good God, alright…here…take him.” I told Kalana. Kalana went over and took Horus off of me. Horus groaned in pain still as he was transferred from my arms to hers.
“What are you going to do?” Kalana said.
“You get him out of here, we’ll try to handle Cobalion.” I said.
“Wait what?” Kalana asked.
“WHAT!?” Tristen shouted. “Blizz, we barely made it out the last time we saw him!”
“I know.” I said. “But we had our issues then, and furthermore, we can’t let Cobalion have a field day with everyone here.” I checked my watch. “Not to mention, I don’t think everyone knows of Cobalion just yet and this competition is just about over. Everyone should be heading off towards the exit by now. If we can run Cobalion off for that long then we can avert some serious collateral damage.” I looked back towards Kalana. “So get moving. Hurry.”
She gave the look that she couldn’t believe what was transpiring right at this moment. But she couldn’t complain too much. Horus was in awful shape. He needed to out of here and she didn’t need to be caught up against a Legendary Pokemon. “Come on, Horus.”
She walked off as fast as she could with Horus in tow. I gave a sigh then looked back at Tristen. “Looks like we’re on the clock now, Tristen.”
“Are you sure we can do this?” Tristen asked.
“Think about it, Tristen. We’ve dealt with worse.”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll think of something. Come on, let’s find Cobalion and get him away from everyone. Hurry!” I then rushed off with the Electrike boy following. I was trying to follow my senses to lead my way to the Cobalion. Something came over me though…a realization. His chi was still peaked from earlier after Tristen’s Mawile attacked him. Even if I was to attack with another Sheer Cold now that I got my strength back, I don’t think it would do all that much good.
Cobalion shrieked once more. But I heard one other cry…Pokemon, it sounded like. Both noises sounded close. “The hell?” I spoke up. “Tristen! This way!”
Rushing down the paths in the cavern, we found an opening. Cobalion was there, standing over a Pokemon. “Oh Jesus Christ…” Well that answers the question where that Volcorona ran off to. Volcorona was beaten. Scrapes, bumps, cuts…all present on the Pokemon. “HEY! Cobalion! Really! Picking on Pokemon smaller than you. Seriously!”
Cobalion looked up, seeing Tristen and I. He shrieked then left the Volcorona be, walking up a few paces, bearing fangs. I dug in my pouch and handed Tristen a Sitrus Berry. “It’s not much but that should get Volcorona back on its feet. I’ll see if I can’t keep this thing distracted while you do that.” I said.
“Okay.” Tristen said.
Before we got to moving, the dense blade like chi spawned around the Cobalion then with one hard swing, brought the energy around. “GET DOWN!” I ducked down, dragging Tristen down as well, averting getting sliced in half while the rocks close by us take a deep gash, if not making them fall apart completely. “Urgh…Tristen! Go!” I shouted.
He quickly got up then ran off. When Cobalion saw him run, I got up myself then rushed for the legendary, taking out a Pokeball. “Go! Rotom!” I shouted. I quickly tossed out the ball and released the playful electric ghost.
“ROTOMMMM!” It shouted out. “Rotom! Use Thunderbolt!” I shouted.
As the fight went on between Cobalion and I, Tristen rushed over to the Volcorona. He took out the Sitrus berry then tried to lift up the massive bug, but instantly dropped it. “GAAAH!” His hands was covered in a film of some sort. Whatever it was, it burned as hot as the sun. He had to work around it. “Volcorona, here. Come on, Volcorona. Wake up. Eat this…it will help you…” he said. He tried to find a mouth on the bug, but there didn’t seem to be one visable.
“TRISTEN! HURRY IT UP!” I shouted.
“ROTTOOMMM!!!” Rotom took that blade like attack itself, getting sent flying off by the attack.
“Blast it!”
Tristen watched as I followed up with an Ice Beam upon the large legendary. He looked back, reached over and went to pick him up again. His hands burned furiously once more, but he went to endure. “Volcorona, come on.” The Pokemon moaned out, looking at the boy. “Here. Eat this…” The Volcorona saw the berry. His trainers fed him these constantly…he liked these. The bug leaned over and sucked in the berry and started to suck on, taking in the entire berry. It started to feel better, but just enough to get up off the ground. “Go! Get out of here! Go back to the champion while you can!” The Volcorona looked over towards Cobalion, the beast that took it down. It had the sense of worry. It didn’t want to leave two trainers here. “We’ll be fine! Go! Just go! There are others that may need you worse than we do!”
It was against its master’s wishes, it thought, but Tristen was right. It then took off towards the cavern ceiling and out of sight. Cobalion stopped the attack then looked up. “Rotom! Thunder Wave!” I shouted.
“TOM!!!” The Rotom unleashed a hard electrical pulse catching the legendary up in its paralyzing grip.
“That ought to hold you a bit!” The Cobalion shrieked in anger then started to move forward towards me. “…um…slow you down a little, perhaps?” The Cobalion went to a full on sprint. “GUESS NOT!” I dove out of the way, averting Cobalion’s attack. Cobalion tried to stop and turn, but the paralysis took hold, making it stumble a bit. Well at least the Thunder Wave did its job, but I swear I remember this move being more useful way back when. Cobalion then managed to stand right back up. “Oh great! Tristen! Go! Go! GO!” I shouted. “Rotom, come on!”
We both ran off into the darkness with Cobalion hot on our trail. As we ran, Tristen started to hear something. “Blizz! This way!”
“What!? Why!?”
“You got to trust me! Please!” Tristen shouted.
I looked back. Cobalion was approaching really quick despite the Thunder Wave. It was at this moment any idea that can tilt this situation in our favor is better than just getting worn down by a Legendary Pokemon ready to eat our faces. “Ugh! Alright! I hope you know what you’re doing!”
We rushed off down a different path, Tristen leading the way as fast as he could. It was a few minutes though before something struck the Electrike kid as off. “Wha…” He looked around. “That can’t be right.”
“What?”
“It was supposed to be right here! I can still hear it!”
The rocks behind us was instantly sliced apart and Cobalion showed itself, squaring off with the two of us. “Crap…Tristen…” Tristen was trying to think fast. He knew it was here…he can even smell it…but where was it? He looked down. A realization occurred to him. He knew where it was, but no fast way to get there. At least on foot.
The Cobalion started to charge a powerful Hyper Beam. “Craaap! TRISTEN, LET’S GO!”
“Wait!” Tristen shouted.
“What!?”
“ROTOM!?” Even Rotom was wondering what this kid was thinking.
The Cobalion then unleashed the devastating attack towards us. “GO!” Tristen shouted. We only made it a couple of steps before the beam made impact on the ground close to us, sending us flying off from the devastating attack. That was the least of my worries however. The floor, unable to weather the impact, started to crack then finally shatter. Cobalion, Tristen, and myself fell through the massive gaping hole to the floor below.
The impact however, would be soft…somewhat. Water. A spring perhaps. It was down here. Shallow it was too. Rotom flew down above the water and started to look around. “ROTOOOM! ROOOOTTOOMMMMM!” It squealed out.
I broke the surface, gasping for air, Tristen afterwards. “Was this what you were trying to go for!?” I asked the boy.
“Yea! I didn’t know it was under us though!”
A hard splash was heard a distance away. Tristen, Rotom, and I looked over and Cobalion was there, letting its presence known with an infuriated screech. “Blizz! Get out of the water!” Tristen shouted.
It dawned on me just what exactly Tristen had in mind. “Oh hell…” I quickly started to rush as best as I could. I couldn’t get out of the water so easily. I couldn’t fly with my heavy clothes made heavier by the water. Cobalion stared on in confusion until it too realized what was going on. It kicked and splashed as hard as it could trying to get to the nearest spot of solid ground it could get on, being hindered by the paralysis dealt upon it.
“Blizz! Hurry!” Tristen shouted. I wasn’t going to make it to land. However, I made it to a rock-face and quickly climbed on as best as I could, clearing the water if only barely.
“Tristen! Light him up!” Tristen looked towards the fleeing Cobalion, then with everything he had, he unleashed a Spark attack. The electricity coursed through the entire spring, catching Cobalion up. The Cobalion shrieked out in pain as the electricity went from head to toe. Despite which, he was still fighting to get to safety, slower, but it refused to be taken out so easily by a child hybrid.
“Blast it!” I didn’t know what else I could do at this point. Tristen wouldn’t be able to hold the attack for much longer and it’s not holding that Cobalion down for that matter. I could have Rotom to attack the water too, but that wouldn’t do too much in the long run…but maybe... “Rotom! Attack Tristen with your Thunderbolt!” I shouted. Something I remembered that Jules let on to me a while back about Tristen. Tristen had a nifty little ability known as Lightning Rod.
“Rotom!” Rotom unleashed its electrical attack upon Tristen, as odd as it sounded to the ghost Pokemon. Tristen’s eyes shot wide open as Rotom’s electricity coursed through his body. Tristen felt invigorated. The Spark attack intensified, Tristen started to scream out as he strained out every electrical volt from his body. The pain was agonizing to the Cobalion as it continued to fight through the electrified waters.
“Keep it going, Tristen!” I shouted.
The legendary Pokemon made it to land and started to pull itself up out of the waters. When Cobalion finally made its way out, it collapsed. Tristen then gave a hard sigh and collapsed in the water, cutting out the spark attack. I put my foot in, testing the waters. No electricity. I then dove right in and rushed through the water as fast as I could to him. I snatched Tristen up out of the water before he drowned and held him up. “Tristen! Tristen!” I shook him a bit. “Tristen!” Rotom went over nearby to check and see how the Electrike kid was doing as well.
Tristen gave a cough, spitting out some water. “Did…did I do it?” I looked over, then looked up towards Rotom. “Rotom, Flash.” I said. Rotom lit up the area. I could see Cobalion there, still collapsed, twitching a bit from the electrical onslaught it took. I looked back down at the exhausted kid. “Yea, you got him. Real good. I think we all can get out of here now without too much worry. I’d say you got a story to tell Tails once we get back.” I told him.
Tristen smiled.
---------------
I left Cobalion to his devices. Once he rested good enough, he could get up on his own speed. In the meantime, I was carrying the exhausted Tristen out of the cavern to make it back outside, followed by Rotom to light the way and to watch out for any unwelcomed guests. It took a little while, trying to find my way to make it up two floors of this cavern, but sure enough, Tristen and I found the morning day light at the end of the tunnel.
“Thank you, Rotom.” I put Tristen down, having Tristen to stand on his own speed then took out a Pokeball. “Return.”
Most everyone in this game was in attendance. Some felt invigorated that they actually made it through the competition. Sure they know they haven’t won because they didn’t get a ring, but just the experience of it was good enough. Others, however, didn’t feel too good, surviving twenty-four hours for, on the surface, no reason. Those trainers would be the ones, I felt, would not make it much longer as trainers.
“Blizzard!” I looked over. Freth was running over to us. She finally came up upon us and gave a good look as she folded a newspaper that she was apparently reading under her shoulder. “You two look like you’ve been through the ringer. I suppose that isn’t far from the truth, huh?” she asked.
“That…is an understatement…” My instincts tripped just then though. I stood back from the rock wall a bit more and saw there were ambulances on the road on standby. One of the ambulances had a couple of EMTs moving Horus on a stretcher into the back of the ambulance. Horus looked back down towards me with weary eyes before being loaded up.
“Was that the Xatu hybrid from yesterday?”
“Yeeeeahhhh…I kind of had a hand to play in that.” I told her.
“What did you do?”
“I’ll explain later…” I took out the ring from my pack. Tristen pulled out the one he got from Kalana from his and handed it to me. “Let me go turn these in. Keep an eye on Tristen for me, will you? He’s been…through a lot…” I said.
“Sure…” Freth tilted her head in confusion then looked down at Tristen. She then picked him up off the ground and held him close. He was compelled to rest his head on her shoulder.
I found my way through the crowd, making my way to Alder. He looked at me, seeing me worse for wear, but holding the two rings for him to take. “I give these to you, correct?”
“You.” He took the rings from me, looking at me in confusion. As he did so, I couldn’t help but to look at his hair…and be reminded how I want to take a pair of gardening sheers to it. “You’re the one…I understand that you and your partner helped these trainers here in secret.”
“It’s not too much of a secret if you know, now is it?” I asked. “Who told you?”
The Volcorona floated close by Alder and looked at me. “You can understand your Pokemon?”
“Well, probably not like you can, but I can get a real good idea. It’s the bond that a person can get when one is real close to their Pokemon. Your partner saved my Volcorona...and you and your partner saved this competition from whatever that was back down in the cavern. I, in particular, am in your debt.” He said. “Is there anything I could do, by chance?”
“…my boss will send you a bill…” I said, turning around and walked off.
“Wait. What?”
After all was settled and the rings were collected, the announcement was made. Despite the fact that Tristen and I fought tooth and nail for two of the rings, we lost. There was a duo that took part in this competition that snatched the other three. It was a young male and female. The male had long black hair, clad in blue, and had a whole nerdy yet serious aura about him, and was apparently accompanied by…I think that was a Samurott. The female, curly blonde hair, clad in orange and green with an overly huge travel bag, accompanied by a Serperior, and for that matter, she was a really huge klutz. How did I know this? When the trophy was handed to her, she held it up for all to see, only for her to stumble back and fall off the announcement stand…and for that matter, made the announcement stand crash as well. How the hell these two win out in this game did was beyond me.
When the awards was over, we started to walk off. Tristen felt well enough to walk on his own speed once again. “So, I guess you two are ready to head on back, right?”
“Yea…I’m tired…” Tristen said. Something graced his senses, then took a better notice to Freth. Apparently she had the smell of new about her. Her clothes even looked as such. New jacket, top, jeans. “Were you busy yesterday, Freth?” Tristen asked.
I took notice as well. “Now I am wondering that.” I told her.
“Oh yea, while I was waiting on you two to come out, I went out shopping.”
“Back at the city?” I asked.
“No. Over there.” She said.
“Huh?” I looked over and much to my frustration, there was a huge building accompanied by a large parking lot. A mall. “………and this is just one of the reasons why Pokemon get frustrated with us at times. Oi…” I then looked back over towards Freth, noticing that she was still carrying the newspaper. “Is that a paper from this region?”
“You want to look at it?”
“Yea…maybe I can learn a bit more about this region about what goes on.” I said. She passed the paper and I started to give it a bit of a look over.
“Well anyways, don’t think I shopped until I dropped only for me, I did get you two a couple of things as well.”
“Really?”
“I think I’ll let you two rest up first before I give it to you. It’d probably be better that way.”
“OH HELL NO!” I shouted.
“What is it, Blizz? That was a bad idea?” Tristen asked.
“No…no no…actually, I like that idea. My problem comes from this here.” I said. I handed the paper back to Freth then started to trudge off. “Excuse me. I got unfinished business to go take care of.” I told them.
“Unfinished business?”
------------
It was about eight hours later in the town of Undella. A door to a rather extravagant beach home opens up. Two trainers, a male and female cooltrainer enters the house and drops their items at the door. “Ugh…I don’t care that I lost that competition in general…” The guy said. “…it’s the fact that we get a scare from a legendary Pokemon.”
“We don’t know that was a legendary Pokemon.” The girl interrupted.
“That was a Virizion! Or a Terrakion…or something! I swear it!” The guy walks over to a couch and flops down. “…I get a Pokemon stolen…and I am humiliated by a bird man. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to end this week. Just sleep this all away like a bad hangover.” He told her.
“Yea, that wasn’t exactly the best of times at Challenger’s cave…” the girl spoke, going over towards a window and pulling open the curtains to a massive window to let the gentle sunlight in. As soon as she turned around, she screamed out. “Huh? What’s wrong?” He turned on the couch, looking over across a large coffee table, then screamed just as much as a girl as she did.
“So.” I spoke up to the two of them. “I’m about as conservative as the Unova Government, huh?”
Outside, Tristen and Freth would be waiting. Tristen jumps a little as the sound of the table flying out of the grand window, and landing in front of them. “Soooo…what is this about again?” Freth asked Tristen.
“Something about the government.” He replied.
“Oh.” She looked down at the table. “I like this table…I think I’ll take that back with us…”
Mission complete:
---Competition survived. If only barely
---Horus and Kalana…more than likely humbled now…especially since now that Horus has a hole in his chest.
---Two Cooltrainers, not only defeated during the competition, but now realizes they should now watch what they should say around others.
Pokemon Captured:
---Tristen captured one Mawile
---I snagged one Sigilyph from the male Cooltrainer
Items used:
---Couple of revives and max potions
---SNAG will need to be replaced
---Couple of Pokeballs, one for me and Tristen
Final Notes:
---Bill Alder for saving the competition. Make it steep. We do have a SNAG to replace, after all.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:23 pm
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Quote: Seven Days of Sevii Difficulty: Very Hard Every seven years the Sevii Islands come together to hold one grand event, the Seven Days of Sevii! A festival which celebrates the seven main islands. There is much to do on each island, food to eat, and so forth, but the real attraction is the Island Master Challenge. Each island selects two trainers to represent their island in the challenge, and this year, I managed to talk One Island into allowing a Snagem to represent them! I'm getting ahead of myself though, you must be wondering what I'm getting you into, well let's take a moment and break down the challenge, shall we? The challenge lasts for seven days, the same span of the festival. All challengers begin on their respective islands. From there, challengers will find their own way from island to island, without the use of boats, only their Pokémon and own skills. The goal is to find each island's Seven Piece. There are seven pieces in all, and each challenger pair will begin with their island's piece, and as you may guess, the goal is to collect all seven before the end of the seven days. When the challenge begins, it's immediately open season so you may attack, or be attacked right away. Another rule is that all challengers are forbidden from using Pokémon Centers and the nurses will refuse you service, as will PokeMarts. Other than that challengers may go anywhere on the islands, hide anywhere, and do whatever is necessary to win. This challenge will test your ability to survive, your cunning to swipe the other pieces, and the resolve of you and your Pokémon to win. The winner is the one who solves the Seven Piece puzzle at the bottom of Navel Rock Island. The pieces have to be arranged in a certain pattern on a stone slab at the bottom, dedicated to the protector of the islands, Lugia. If no one solves the puzzle by the end of the three days, then no one wins and the Sevii Islands have failed to pay tribute to their protector. Good luck. -Objective: ---Enter the Island Master Challenge as One Island's duo. ---Take the other six pieces from your opponents and complete the puzzle on Navel Rock Island, only on the seventh day. ---Survive the seven days on your own. -Opposition: ---Two Island's Duo: Pokémon Rangers Spenser and Cameron ---Pokémon: Fearow and Pelipper respectively, can also use Capture Stylers. ---Three Island's Duo: Berry Masters Razz and Bluk ---Pokémon: Mostly Grass types with Harvest ability and moves like Natural Gift. They specialize in using berries to their advantage, be it healing, or even using them to harm the foe by Bestow or even Fling. ---Four Island's Duo: Lorelai's Apprentices Prima and Lee ---Pokémon: Ice, Water, and Psychic types. Extremely skilled trainers due to their trainer under Lorelai, they do not fool around. ---Five Island's Duo: Fire and Rock Channelers Mei and Roshi ---Pokémon: They each only use their partner Pokémon, Charizard and Armaldo. As you may guess, Fire Channeler can conjure flames, control temperature in the air, make bright flashes of light, and evaporate moisture quickly. The Rock Channeler can make things heavier, lighter, or more solid, even people and Pokémon, can also control rocks. They specialize in combining their powers to form lava based attacks, use caution. ---Six Island's Duo: Ground Channeler and Hybrid, Kalana and Horus ---Pokémon: Horus has none, simply an extremely powerful Xatu hybrid. Kalana has a Golurk and is able to sense others through the ground, create fissures and tremors, alter soil into quick sand, and use a sandstorm like technique by controlling specs of dirt. The hybrid knows Psychic, Me First, Teleport, Confuse Ray, Power Swap, Future Sight, Pain Split, Ominous Wind, Night Shade, and Light Screen. ---Seven Island's Duo: Hybrid and Trainer, Cleo and Alex ---Pokémon: Cleo has none, just a very crafty Liepard hybrid with an uncanny ability to slip in and out of any situation. Alex has a full team of Pokémon, he specializes in luck, be it critical, flinching, or just making things uncertain, his party consists of Togekiss, Absol, Delibird, Smeargle, Drapion, and Clefable, they use moves like Metronome, Acupressure, Double Team, Present, etc. and utilize abilities like Moody, Super Luck, Sniper, etc. The hybrids knows Torment, Sucker Punch, Faint Attack, Captivate, Dark Pulse, Iron Tail, Hyper Voice, and Substitute. ---Also many wild Pokémon on the islands and routes. -Pokémon: ---You may catch one wild Pokémon, no snagging. -Rewards: ---15x Snag Coins ---The experience from the challenge. ---Anyone who completes this mission successfully will be considered for a rank up
One year ago...
It was roughly 14 hours since the end of the competition inside the confines of the Challenger’s Cave in the Unova region. A Xatu hybrid wakes up to a dimly lit room; the sunlight from outside, rather, what was left of it, was trying to find its way through the closed blinds of the windows nearby. The pain, dulled from medications administered intravenously, jarred him awake from a slumber he felt he only wished he could go back into. The air was cool and dry, the bed he laid on wasn’t that comfortable, and he heard the occasional pagings over a P.A. system in the hallways close by. He was in a hospital room. He remembered what happened. It was a strong act of defiance towards him and his power, a claim of fraud, and one brutal punch that left him in a situation where he had to wait to receive aid from the Opilucid City Memorial Hospital. The surgery would take several hours; an operation that could have been shorter if there was any demand for doctors that specialized in physiology beyond a normal human being.
“Good evening, Horus.” A female voice spoke to him. A light turned on right above the Xatu hybrid, making the bird wince a moment. He looked up, seeing Kalana right over him. “How are you feeling?”
“Horrible…” He said.
“Figures.” She said.
She walked over towards a chair nearby and sat down. Horus noticed her Golett sat there in a chair next to her, almost in a meditative state. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Oh, you know how Golett is. It’s about all he can do to not try to plunder into anything around here and get into something he shouldn’t.”
Horus gave a slow, gentle sigh, not trying to agitate his chest any more. His head sunk more into his pillow. Memories still went back to earlier that morning. “You’re upset.”
“Of course I’m upset.” He said. “I let someone get the better of me like that. Almost as if I was some sort of novice. What’s worse is that I almost believe it.”
“He got lucky.”
“He got infuriated. At me.” He said. “I used my Confuse Ray on him just as I did with the kid. Sure it worked for a few seconds but apparently something he saw angered him. He nearly choked the life out of me while he was still under the effects of the Confuse Ray. Then we started to fight, probably harder than what we have all competition and then…this happens…sure, he’s strong and all, but his style has no sort of refinement. He shouldn’t have beaten me like that.”
“Like I said…he got lucky. It happens. You do have your fallible moments, just like I do. We’re not perfect.” Kalana said. “If you and I were as unbeatable as you wanted to believe, then the kid wouldn’t have given me one of the more painful electric shocks I’ve ever experienced.” She said, reaching over towards a nearby table and grabbing a water pitcher and glass and filled it up with water. “It was a pretty nasty shock. I still got a copper taste still in my mouth because of that little scamp.”
“You know, something has been bothering me now that you bring him up.” He said. “Out of everyone in that competition, those two were off. Not because they were hybrids or anything, but…it’s what I read when I had them in my Confuse Ray…” he thought back. “…I don’t think the kid is from around here, or…anywhere…civilized?” he spoke up. “And the Articuno hybrid…I saw…he’s been around…I can’t really describe it. I’m left to wonder who they really are.”
“I might be able to help with that.” Kalana said. She then reached back over towards the table and grabbed a file folder. “I managed to pull a few records on the people that were involved in the competition. It is kind of one of the perks to being a renowned archaeologist.”
“Isn’t that illegal?” Horus asked.
“When has that really ever stopped us?” she asked.
“Point taken. Go on ahead and skip ahead to those two.” She said.
“Yea, sure.” She said, starting to move through the various pages. She then came across the two in question and stared in confusion. “…something…isn’t right…” she said, checking one particular page, both front and back.
“What is it?” Horus asked.
“Well...the kid’s page is loaded with dummy data…he probably really should have been training in Route 1 in the Kanto region.” She said. “There is literally no history on him.” She said.
“Wha…? How is that even possible for him to be in a competition if he haven’t had the credentials to even show he’s qualified in surviving in such a thing.” He asked.
“Well, it was an open competition…it wasn’t like they were doing checks on everyone, which really, they should have.” She said. “Then the bird...just as strange, really. Difference is at least he does have a whole history and then some.”
“What kind of history?” Horus asked.
“He’s apparently the apprentice of the Mahogany Town Gym in the Jhoto Region.”
“…I got beat by a gym leader’s lackey? Thanks for making me feel better.” Horus said.
“But here’s the strange part. Apparently there are…literally months that are missing from his history. He then apparently comes back into existence sometime this past early winter, only for him to do his normal thing about two or three weeks, then go back to being missing in action again. How does an apprentice of a Pokémon League Gym go off the radar like that?” she asked.
“…good question…I wish I had the answer for you.” Horus said. “Now you really got me wondering just who in the world we encountered in that cave.”
“That will be figured out in good time, Horus. Really, I’d say you got bigger concerns right now than just those two.” She said, putting the file folder off back onto the table.
“What is that, by chance?”
“How are you going to pay for the medical expenses?”
“…oh dear…”
-------
It was a pretty clear afternoon at the beach of One Island at the Sevii Island chain. It was nothing short of fun in the sun for many adults, children, and Pokémon alike. “I want to go back to Mount Silver.” That isn’t to say that it was everyone’s cup of tea.
I find myself on this island, currently head planted on a glass deck table with a large umbrella giving shade stuck in the center of the table. I was feeling a bit sick, if outright depressed, right just outside a beachside restaurant. Why am I out here? I think I annoyed a grand number of people, actually, back at the headquarters. With Tails still missing, I continued to fret, despite as much consoling that I got from various members that he could very well be okay since he should know better. But with what is now several weeks of no contact, I find it that anyone in their right mind would start to be worried about their loved ones. Apparently, my worrying got the better of everyone and Sub eventually kicked me out to come out here. I still find it that I would only be deluding myself trying to find distractions when I should really be focusing on the bigger picture.
“You know, Blizzard, you only have yourself to blame.” Freth said. “After a few destroyed punching bags, trying to get any and all missions done as fast as possible, and pacing through the HQ on a constant basis to the point where even GRAY thought you were a robot set to do only one menial task since you wouldn’t quit walking everywhere, it was high time something was done. Besides, you should enjoy yourself here. Relax already.”
“It’s kind of hard to when I got a kid that’s practically a son to me that has been missing for weeks at a time now. Miles told me in his last letter to me that Tails was probably going to go through this phase at one point and it wouldn’t be as catastrophic as it seems. It leaves me to wonder however how he can say that with him being a father himself. I mean, what if Mikey just up and randomly disappeared on him? I mean, really?”
“I’m starting to miss Tails too…” Tristen spoke up. With talk that I was going to be heading off over here, Tristen was willing to jump at the chance. He was willing to do anything to make good on a vow to the Vulpix hybrid over a year ago. That said, with no Vulpix hybrid around, he was starting to feel a waver in his resolve.
“Oh good going, Blizzard. Now you got Tristen in on this.” Freth said. “Seriously…and you’re letting your Coke get watered down; if you drink that I’d be surprised.”
“Awwww! They gave me the kids menu again!” Tristen shouted, now noticing what exactly the menu in from him again. “Why do they always do that!?”
“Traditionally, a kid gets the kid’s menu up until roughly 12 years old.” I said.
“Why is that? That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Most kids your age doesn’t eat as much as you do.”
“So? Leftovers then.”
I gave a sigh. I wasn’t going to win that argument. Admittingly, Tristen did have a point. Wanting to get off the topic, I lifted my head off the table and looked at Freth. “Anyways, even so…couldn’t have Sub kicked me out to some place…more to my liking.” I asked, looking around at the scenery.
“Now Blizzard, don’t get me wrong, I like an icy paradise as much as the next winter enthusiast. But seriously, a change of pace wouldn’t hurt either.” She said. “I mean, fun in the sun…”
“…where the sunburns take place…” I chimed in.
“…swimming at the beach…”
“…where sand gets in your feathers and it’s almost impossible to get out without having to pluck every last quill…”
“…meeting new faces…”
“…where chances are you want to beat their face in because they are ungodly douches…”
“My my, Blizzard, how ever do you get out is beyond me.” Much to my surprise, Doc Owl came along in this excursion as well.
“Speaking of, why are YOU out here? I mean, really. I thought you were the night owl anyhow.” I said.
“I am. But even I do tend to go out in the daylight hours every now and then and enjoy myself. And for that matter, I do like to get out of the med lab every now and then, too.” He said. “I couldn’t exactly pass up the opportunity. Orderly and I do like to cut loose once in a while. Furthermore, if I am reading into this competition that you are about to partake in correctly, then you’re more than likely going to need someone to immediately treat you after it is all said and done.”
“Ok, I get all of that…but why are you in a woman’s one-piece?” I asked. I stared at the Doc and the swimsuit he was wearing did in fact look like a woman’s one piece outfit. Along with it, instead of his usual glasses, he was wearing a large pair of sunglasses and a wicker hat.
“This is not a woman’s one-piece. This is a swimsuit I had for some time.” He said.
“Last I checked, you weren’t born in the 1900’s.” I said.
“Well what about you? Still in heavy wear. Honestly, how are you not sweating under all of that?” he asked.
“No more than how you are not sweating from embarrassment by the various looks and giggles those girls down on the beach over there are giving you down over there.” I said to him.
“Speaking of swimsuits, I got this that I have been dying to try on.” Freth said, reaching down the side of her chair, into her pack, and pulled out a two-piece, white in color. “You like?”
“…don’t you have one just like that?” I asked.
“Probably in the same color, perhaps.” She said.
“Oh my…” Doc spoke up.
“Easy, Doc…” I growled at him.
“Not that.” He said. “You don’t sense that?”
“Sense what?” I asked.
“Hmm…I suppose you wouldn’t…I think someone may be trying to hide their chi…” he said. “It’s quite strong…coming from…” He started to look around, trying to pick out the source. “There. Him.”
Freth, Tristen, and I went to look out in the distance, trying to see through the crowd. I grimaced when I saw where the source came from. It was someone I cared not to see again anytime soon, not after the whole incident back at Challenger’s cave “Ugh…geez, why did he have to be here?”
“Blizz, is that…?” Tristen spoke up.
“It’s that Horus guy from the cave, isn’t it?” Freth asked.
“My God, is this going to mean what I think it does?” I asked.
“He’s going to be in the competition? It seems most likely.” Doc said.
“Is that woman around, too? Uh…Kalana?” Tristen asked. I continued to look over and sure enough, there she was. A tank top, cargo shorts, and boots, as if she was ready to go out in some sort of lush jungle, and just as last time, her Golett following her everywhere.
“Looks like it…” I said.
“Is he really in any shape to actually fight?” Freth then asked.
“Well if his injuries are in any way that Blizzard explained it to me, then yes. He very well could have, by far. The thought of it is not unheard of.” Doc said.
“Ugh, screw me sideways…” I said, planting my head on the table again. “And he’s probably not going to be thrilled to see me when we get on over there. Last I checked, people tend to be bitter when you break their ribs with a punch.”
“Speaking of fights, though, shouldn’t you and Tristen be heading off to the Pokémon Center?” Doc asked. “For that check-in and all?”
I took out my SNAG and checked the time on it and gave a sigh. “Yea, I guess we best head off on over there and get it over with. Come on, Tristen.”
“We’re not going to eat first?” Tristen asked.
“We’ll do that when we get back.” I said.
“Can I order from the adult menu?”
“You’re not going to get off of that, are you?” I asked.
“Nope.” Tristen said with a grin.
The two of us left the table and made our way off to the Pokémon Center. It would be a short walk down the boardwalk from where we stood. It was a short walk that lasted too long in my opinion. The sun was still beating down, the smell of the sea was kind of making me a little sick, and hearing the various hushed comments coming from the various people wondering why Tristen and I were wearing a vest out on a beach was grading on my nerves.
When we arrived within the air conditioned confines of the Pokémon Center, the two of us started our way to the 2nd floor. Tristen was taking in the sights of this Pokémon Center; it wasn’t like any other that he had seen before. One thing that he took in was the massive technological marvel that stood at the center of the Pokémon Center. It was one of several hubs where Pokémon could come through when inter-regional trading is performed. The white lights that came in and out of the machine by what seemed to be clear tubes were the various Pokémon that were going through their inter-regional trip in practically a blink of an eye. The light show was even more of a marvel to see for Tristen when he saw the workings from the 2nd floor of the Pokémon Center.
When we arrived on the second floor, I took a look around. There were a few people standing about. Among the masses was Horus and Kalana, just as I figured they would be. Everyone was all waiting for the check-in orientation to start. As soon as a person wearing what appeared to be Pokémon League attire came forth, followed by a couple of more people, carrying small plastic box cases with small locks. “Everyone. Everyone, can I have your attention? Thank you. It seems that we are all in attendance so let’s get things started, shall we?”
The men brought the small cases on a table and laid them all out in a row for us to see. In each clear box was a rock…why? Heck if I knew. “I thank you all for participating in this year’s Island Master Challenge. As you may or may not know, this is a competition not sanctioned by the Pokémon league, however, the Pokémon league is overseeing this even this year. It’s an experiment, if you will, for them to push forward new means of sanctioned competitions to not only test the skills, but the bonds of both Trainer and their Pokémon.”
As the man continued on with his speech, I started to look about the room to see the competition. There were a wide sort of people; that much was for certain. One thing, if anything, I try to study up on people that I know that I would be facing. If there were any Pokémon out and get a feel for them as well.
First, right off the bat, obviously enough was Horus and Kalana, who was up against a wall. Kalana seemed to have her sights set on the rocks displayed for everyone to see while Horus didn’t appear to pay any mind. I knew what these two were capable of. At least, that’s what I want to believe. The last encounter with those two was nothing short of hectic in Challenger’s Cave. It was a learning experience to say the least with those two. A humbling one, nonetheless. I was going to need to be ready for those two because while I may have been training quite a bit since that day, I wouldn’t doubt that those two would come ready for me and Tristen.
From looking at those two, I then noticed something else that stood out. Two men, one that’s kind of built, and one that…had quite the spare tire around him. That said, the both of them looked like they were in uniform. As a matter of fact, they were. The one that looks in pristine shape was wearing a uniform very similar to one that Ceramew once wore when she was in the Rangers. In fact, I could almost swear it was the same one. The ranger though apparently has some rank on him. I think he’s a squad leader from somewhere. The other one, however, only thing marking him is a capture styler and a patch of what squad he’s in. Though that said, he shares the same kind of patch that shows rank like the fully uniformed one. Maybe he’s a leader too? Regardless, the funny part about these two, though, is that I’m not quite sensing anything off about them. I don’t think they are carrying any artifacts, which is a relief, really. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised that a couple of rangers is actually competing, let alone squad leaders.
I continued to scan the room. I had to hold my tongue on the next couple that I saw. Ugh, why are these two here? Prima and Lee. How do I know these two, one might wonder? I’ve known these two jerkoffs for a while. Just as Gym Leaders have the right to obtain apprentices, so do the Elites. Lorelei, in particular, is no exception. The only difference though is that unlike me, I got job security within the Pokémon league. They don’t. If they want to be an elite, they got to show that they can be one and be chosen by the league. One vote for them that I am not going to submit, that is for certain. To give the devils their due, they do have some skill. When they get going, they each can be a force to be reckoned with; otherwise they wouldn’t be able to hang around with Lorelei to get schooled by her. That being said, however, their status has gone to each of their heads and just to see to it that they can stay in elite’s favor as long as possible, they tend to do a lot of butt kissing. It makes me sick, really. It leaves me to wonder how they can be elite’s apprentices when even I can battle circles around those two.
After shaking my head over the whole thought of those two being here, I continued to look about. There was a pair that actually looked normal as opposed to having hybrids and Pokémon league officials in the room. The two however reeked of berries. I think I may smell Razz and Bluk berries. Farmers perhaps? Cheap body spray? Who knows? I couldn’t really tell too much about them, though. They didn’t have any Pokémon out that would give me an idea on what they might do. I guess I’ll have to be wary of them until I can find out something.
From the berry duo, my instincts tripped a bit. I looked over towards one paring. One would have dismissed them normally as another pair of humans, merely being accompanied by a Charizard and an Armaldo. However, I knew better. It seems that those two also joined the channeler bandwagon, much to my dismay. I can only imagine the possibilities they can do with their Pokémon or with each other when working in unison. It actually unnerved me a little.
Finally, the last pair. Another hybrid was in the mix it seemed. Looks like a Liepard hybrid, given the hue of his fur and body shape this guy puts on. He was apparently accompanied by a human trainer, as made apparent from the six Pokeballs strapped to his belt. He seemed to have been around. On the jacket that he wore, he had no qualms on displaying the badges that he won from gyms around. They looked centered around the Hoenn region if I didn’t know better.
“...Blizzard and…Tristen.” The Announcer spoke up. “…Uh, Blizzard? Hello?”
“Blizz, he’s calling us.” Tristen said, tugging on my vest.
“Huh wha?” Apparently I missed my name called. Sometimes I do go into my own little world when I start trying to figure people out.
“Blizzard and Tristen?” The announcer spoke again.
“Yea, right here…sorry…” I said, making my way forward, rubbing the back of my head.
Tristen and I made it to the table. One of the people who brought the plastic cases to the table opened up one of the boxes and handed the stone to me. There didn’t seem to be anything special about it. I wasn’t sensing anything coming from it. It was a seemingly polished stone that anyone could find alongside a riverbed or something. “…A rock…”
“…It’s not just an ordinary rock. Haven’t you been paying attention?” The announcer spoke up.
“No.” Horus blurted out. Snickers were heard all around. I simply rolled my eyes. “Seriously bird, I don’t remember you being absent-minded a year ago. I certainly hope that it won’t affect your performance this week.”
“No more than I hope that little injury from a year ago would stop you.” I said. The snickers silenced and everyone stared at Horus. A tinge was felt within Horus’s chest; almost an itch he was compelled to grace his fingers across. He had one of the more unamused looks I’d ever seen on a person.
“Anyways, you apparently had reservations here for a little while now.” The announcer said. “In fact, you were first in registering, so you will be holding down Island One.” Wait a second…first in registering? Just exactly how long Sub knew of this competition? He probably had other ideas in mind with this thing. Oh well.
After taking the rock, I stepped back into the bunch with Tristen and waited for everyone to take their stone. When the stones were distributed, I took notice to everyone else. Some did not pay it any mind. Others, Kalana for example, was very much intrigued over the stone. I wasn’t sure as to why. Maybe she knew something that I didn’t? I wasn’t about to ask, though. I would imagine that both she and Horus are sore at us from our clash a year ago.
“Alright, thank you everyone. The competition will begin tomorrow.” The announcer then said. “Rest up and be ready.”
“Come on, Tristen. Let’s head on back to the others.” I said.
We started to make our way for the stairs, ready to just get this day and this competition over with. When we reached the stairs, however… “Hey, Blizzard!”
“Oh geez…” I said. I looked back, seeing Prima and Lee push through the bunch and make our way over towards us.
“So, high and mighty ice birdy decided to get out in the sun for a change. I’m actually surprised that you bothered coming out here.” Prima spoke up.
“Insinuating that I actually care what you think.” I said to Prima.
“Same as always.” Lee then spoke up.
“Well, if you want me to show any legit curiosity about you two, then do tell…what got you to pry your noses from Lorelei’s hide to take part in this competition?” I asked.
“Well just so to satisfy your ‘legit curiosity’, we’re here under orders of Lorelei. We’re actually experiencing firsthand how this competition plays out and we have to report back to her on our findings and, if we saw fit, recommend to allow this competition as a Pokémon League sanctioned event.” Lee explained.
“…sounds like really they got you two kicked out of Indigo Plateau to be a couple of punching bags for everyone else. Something I’m more than willing to take them up on.” I said.
“Now you listen here, Blizzard!” Prima spoke up. “Need I remind you that we’re apprentices of Lorelei, the Ice Mistress of the Elite Four? With us being apprentices of an elite, we’re the equivalent to being Gym Leaders, meaning WE out rank YOU.”
“I’m waiting for the point where I am supposed to care.” I said.
“The point is that you are to treat us with respect! Ugh, how you are still an apprentice is still beyond me, with your attitude towards us and that whole mercenary superhero work and all. The old man isn’t going to save you forever, you know.” Lee then said.
“That old man has more say than you two right now, and his name is Pryce, idiots. Respect is earned, and frankly, you done nothing to get it out of me. If I were you two, I pray that we don’t meet out there.” I said. “Let’s go, Tristen.”
“Okay, Blizz…” Tristen said. He really didn’t want any part of that conversation to say the least. That said, as we made our way down the stairs and made our way for the Pokémon Center’s exit, Tristen got curious. “You don’t like those two?” Tristen asked.
“Not in the least. Sure they can battle and all, but really…I swear, so many get complacent whenever they’re under the graces of an elite. It’s a wonder, really.” I said to him. “It’s like a license to be a douche.”
“Oh…well, when we get back, you are going to let me see the adult menu, right?”
“…really, Tristen?” Tristen simply grinned.
-------------
We reunited with Freth and Doc back at the restaurant and just killed the day away. We found ourselves eventually at a hotel that we decided to stay in for the night. It was probably going to be the last comfortable sleep that Tristen and I will have for a week, so might as well take advantage of it while we could. Freth, Tristen, and I was in one room that had a couple of comfortable beds, while Doc Owl went off into another. It was roughly 10:30 that night and the three of us was getting ready to go to bed to ready ourselves for the long day tomorrow. Before passing out for the night, Tristen and I went on to talk about the competition we were soon to face.
“Do you think we’ll be fine, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“We more than likely will.”
“How are we going to go from island to island, though?” Tristen then asked.
“Probably by boat or something like that.”
“Blizz! You really weren’t paying attention, were you!?” he said. “We can’t do that! It’s against the rules!”
“I guess I wasn’t…I was trying to figure everyone out in the competition…was worried a little Horus might come after us as well during the week…probably constantly. I mean…I did kind of…leave a bit of an impression in every sense of the word.” I said.
“Is that all, really?” Tristen said with a huff, crossing his arms.
“You’re thinking that I was thinking about Tails again, aren’t you?” I asked. He didn’t answer. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me if you did.” Freth came out of the bathroom close by, wearing a suit of pajamas that she put on in the bathroom, and hopped into the bed, ready to turn in for the night. “You get more and more off-kilter the longer Tails stays missing, or it seems like it. And obviously enough, you don’t really realize who it affects.”
“That already has been made apparent to me with me getting kicked all the way out here.” I said. I then looked over towards Tristen, still with arms crossed and the look of severe irritation. “Ugh…look, I’m sorry. Yea, Tails being gone has been bothering me. A lot. I’m trying all I can to be objective in this competition, really. It’s…not easy. I mean, heck, I’d probably be the same way if Tristen ended up gone suddenly out of the blue.” I gave a hard sigh. “I know this is probably saying a lot, but please bear with me, both of you.”
Tristen stopped crossing his arms. The more he thought about it, the more he started to think he shouldn’t judge. He kind of felt the same way, really. “I’m sorry…” Tristen said.
“No, I’m the one that has been the wet blanket on everything. Don’t worry about it, Tristen.” I said. “At any rate, I guess I’ll have to be sure to bring both Psy and Telia along to teleport us from island to island. We don’t have any Pokémon that can carry us both by sea, and…well…let’s just say I’m not a frequent flyer.”
“Personally, I’d say that’d need to change. You’re an Articuno hybrid, not a Prinplup.” Freth chimed in.
“Yea yea…” I said.
“What about Natu?” Tristen spoke up. “Natu can Teleport too like Psy and Telia can.”
“Yea, but last I checked, Natu has not been to any of the islands before.” I said to him. “I doubt he’ll know what you mean if you told him to take us to one of the islands until he explores these places a good bit. A luxury that will end up having to come on the fly, really.”
“Oh…” Tristen rubbed the back of his head. So much for that idea.
“So what’s the story with that stone there? I mean…why carry around a small rock? That thing could get lost easily on the beach if things get hectic enough.” Freth said.
“You were the one listening, Tristen…you tell her.” I said.
“The man at the Pokémon Center said it’s part of an offering at Navel Island, a tribute to Lugia? Um…I meant to ask…where is Navel Island?” Tristen asked.
“It’s an island a fair ways of here in the southeast. Islands One through Seven roughly encircle Navel Island. And the tribute, I would imagine it is to the Legendary Pokémon, Lugia.”
“Yea, that is what the man said.” Tristen said.
“I thought Ho-oh is supposed to be out that way, too.” Freth spoke up.
“I don’t know…wouldn’t surprise me either way. Legendary Pokémon are weird like that.” I said.
“Yea, when they aren’t expressing their wrath or going on their ‘find the chosen one’ journey, right?” Freth asked.
“I guess.” I said. “At any rate, I think I am about ready to call it a night you two. What about you?” I asked.
“Sure, I’ve been ready.” Freth spoke up.
“Me too…” Tristen got under the covers in the bed he went to go sleep in and rested his head down on the pillow.
“Get some rest, Tristen…we’re up at 6 am.” I said, getting into the other bed with Freth. The lights then went out and we went off for dreamland.
The clock eventually reached to its 1 am hour. The skies were clear, the moon started to make its way in through the sliding glass door that lead a balcony outside our hotel room that was several stories up. Upon the balcony, silently a figure landed. The figure stepped towards the door and jimmied the lock, allowing him to slide the door open. He slinked in, slowing his breathing, silencing his steps all he could. He looked about the room, seeing three hybrids on the beds, trying to get all the sleep they could get in. He started to look about the items scattered about. Clothes, tech, Pokémon supplies…none of which interested this burglar. Upon the nightstand, however, that separated the two beds, was the prize the crook sought. The stone that showed one’s entrance in the competition.
The crook stepped over the various items in the hotel room, trying to not make a noise to awake the sleeping hybrids. When he reached the nightstand, he reached over, but suddenly froze his tracks. Tristen started to stir. The Electrike kid then made a long winded yawn then a shift in his sleeping position. The crook made a silent sigh then reached back down and finally grabbed the stone. He then started to make his way back for the door, as slowly as he came in. One thing that he didn’t count on, however.
I sprang right up off the pillow, rubbing my eyes. My instincts had started to nag at me for the past few minutes and I didn’t know as to why. I then looked over towards the unwanted guest in my half-sleep stupor and it took a few seconds for it to register. Someone was in our room, garbed all in black, and the two that are supposed to be in here are still asleep and under the covers. “Wait a minute, WHAT THE HELL!?” I quickly kicked the covers off of me and bolted out of bed. The crook bailed out through the sliding glass door then jumped off the balcony, down several stories and landing on the ground unscathed.
I looked over towards the night stand. The stone was missing. I then rushed out the door afterwards and stopped at the balcony railings, seeing the burglar down at the ground and making his way towards the hotel pool area. “…son of a…”
“Blizz…?” Tristen moaned out.
“Blizzard, what’s wrong?” Freth said.
“Some b*****d broke in there and took the stone!” I shouted. “I’m going after him!”
“Wait a sec! Blizzard!” Freth tried to shout out to me. It went on deaf ears however. I hopped the railings and dropped down several stories below to the ground to give pursuit. I then too rushed off for the pool area. Quickly, I hopped a waist-high iron fence and looked around, seeing the crook already beyond the pool, hopping the fence on the other side, leading down to the boardwalks on the beach. I quickly made one hard leap over the width of the pool and then made another hop over the fence to try to gain ground on the burglar.
As soon as I found myself out in the open on the boardwalks, I saw the crook continuing to make a run for it. He dropped down upon the beach and started to make a run for it on the sands. “Quite the risk taker you are…” I said. I then noticed something. This guy was moving far too fast to be a normal person. Hybrid perhaps? Maybe a channeler? Artifact user? Either way, I was losing ground on this guy. I too hopped off the boardwalks and dropped down onto the sands below then started to make a mad dash with Agility to catch up with the perp.
We started to make a lot of distance down the beachside of Island One. I started to gain ground on the person, slowly but surely. Before I could move in, the crook made his move. We were speeding towards a set of stairs that lead up back up onto the boardwalks; an exit that he was going to take. He shot up the stairs and on the ramp. I was going to peg this person here. Instead of climbing up the stairs, I made a hard leap up, getting extra lift with a couple flaps of my wings to clear the boardwalk’s railings and cut the crook off. The crook skidded to a stop and tried to turn back around, but instantly I grabbed him and slammed onto the boardwalk. “I swear to God, you picked the wrong room to sneak into.” I said.
Before I realized it, the person I grabbed evaporated into a dark mist in my bare hands. “What on…?” My instincts tripped suddenly and I looked off into the distance. Back on the beach, the person clad in black was still running off as fast as he could. “…how the hell?” I dismissed the thought and went back on pursuit, kicking off the railing of the boardwalk and going into a glide. I then pushed myself higher towards the skies, keeping the person in black in sight, then went off into a dive. I started to pick up speed, quickly starting to catch up to the crook.
Before the perp realized it, he was pounced on from behind. We skidded a good few feet down the beach, getting the crook to eat sand. I then flipped the burglar over and gave him one hard right hook. The crook fell limp in my hand, dazed from the brutal blow. “b*****d…now let me see here…where is that stone…” I said, starting to search the crook’s pockets. It wasn’t hard to find. There wasn’t really anything else in this person’s possession. At all. “Oi…all this trouble for a rock…really…” I said, looking at the stone. “God, why is it suddenly I’m starting to miss those days where stuff like this actually MEANT something, like, I don’t know…end of the world and we had to stop the rangers from causing it and that sort of thing…” I let go of the crook and stashed the rock.
“Blizzard!?” I heard Freth shout close by. She was getting close in catching up. I looked back, trying to get sight of her, but as soon as I did, the crook came to and lashed out.
“GAH!” My arm instantly burned, leaving me cringing for a bit. The crook then managed to shoot back up and run for it. I quickly turned back and fired a couple of ice beams the crooks way, but he split in two, going in two different directions, as did his chi signature. One went the way towards the boardwalk, the other went down the beach. I took a look at my arm.
“Blizzard, what the hell happened!? Where is he!?” Freth finally showed up with Tristen in tow.
“Blizz…your arm…are you okay?” Tristen asked.
“Yea, I’m fine…” I said, still studying my arm…deep scratches...seemingly like claw marks. “...hybrid…” I said.
“Hybrid? You mean that guy you were chasing?” Freth asked.
“Yea...It’s almost kind of obvious who it was at this point now…” I said. “It’s that Liepard hybrid that we saw at the Pokémon Center during that meeting. It’s got to be.” I said.
“Maybe you should go report him for trying to pull that bullcrap?” Freth asked.
“With what evidence other than a scratch?” I asked.
“…so there’s nothing we can do?” Tristen asked.
“No…afraid not. Come on, let’s go back to the hotel…” I said.
“Should we wake Doc up to look at that scratch?” Freth then asked.
“…if anything, he never went to bed.” |
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:29 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 2)
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It wasn’t long until 6 am finally graced the Sevii islands. While Freth and Tristen got their rest through the remainder of the night, I unfortunately did not in fearing that we would have another unwanted visitor in our hotel room. So much for that comfortable sleep. After waking up and hitting up the all you can eat continental breakfast, Tristen and I set off for the outside to kick off the competition for ourselves. We left the hotel and started our way down towards the boardwalk. We were at a loss though at the moment on how to go about this competition.
“So, what do we do?” Tristen asked.
“Well, that just depends. We can either go hunt everyone else down or we can wait on them to show up here.” I said. “Frankly though, considering last night, I want to go see what the hell was the big idea with that break-in last night.” I said, rubbing my arm. “You wouldn’t happen to remember what Island that Liepard hybrid was assigned, would you?”
“I think he was supposed to be on Island Six…or was it Seven? But…”
“But?”
“Are you really sure that it is him?” Tristen asked.
“I don’t have many suspects that fit the bill of having claws, a fair bit of speed, and hybrid like attacks that he could use to break in our room last night and take the stone from us.” I told him.
“Well, he would try again, wouldn’t he? He’s got to if he plans to win this game.” Tristen said. “Maybe we should wait here.”
“Well not necessarily, then again, it wouldn’t be too beneficial for any one person to just sit around through the week. We’re only given a week to actually get the pieces and go to Naval Island.”
“There’s really not an easy way to do this, is there?” Tristen then asked.
“It wouldn’t be challenging if there was.” I said to him. “I’ll tell you what. Maybe give it about an hour or so; see if anyone had shown up here already at least, then move on to whatever island to go confront that Liepard, assuming he is still over there. Sound good?”
“Okay, Blizz.” Tristen said.
We found our way down to the boardwalk, getting a fair view of the beach. There was hardly anyone about this early in the morning; probably a good thing. When the attacks started to fly, I would imagine things would get a little messy if we were on a crowded beach. The two of us got off the boardwalk and started to make our way down the beach.
“Hey, Blizzard!” I gave a hard sigh. That was not someone I wanted to hear this early in the morning. I turned around, seeing Prima and Lee rushing up to us.
“I thought I sensed tackiness and failure close by. Not very subtle, are you two?” I asked.
“No time for that, don’t you think?” Prima said. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Either way, we’re taking that stone from you two.”
“You know I can simply pound you two to a pulp and not get in any trouble for it since it’s all part of the competition.” I said.
“So, I’m guessing doing Pokémon battles are beneath you now?” Lee then asked.
“Whatever you want to believe. Hasn’t stopped you before.” My instincts then tripped and looked over, seeing Horus appear nearby with Kalana in his arms and Kalana’s Golett right next to them. “Oh geez…”
“Uh…Blizz?” Tristen then spoke up. The Electrike kid was starting to get nervous.
“Now what in the…HEY! Back off! We were here first!” Prima shouted.
“Why don’t you two scurry off back to whatever hole you came from and let adults talk.” Horus told him.
“Hey! Do you know who you’re talking to!?” Lee shouted. “I’ll have you two know that we’re-“
“NO ONE CARES!” Kalana, Horus, and I shouted in unison.
I then stared in confusion then looked back at Tristen. “That…was creepy…”
“We came here first! If anyone is going to take Blizzard’s stone, it’s going to be us!” Prima then spoke up.
“I didn’t think I was that popular…” I said, scratching the back of my head.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Kalana said.
“We got unfinished business with him, so you can go run off and do whatever…it is that you do…which…is what exactly?” Horus asked.
“Brown nose.” I said.
“NO ONE ASKED YOU!” Lee shouted.
“Um…excuse me?” Two more showed up on the beach by us. It was that duo that smelled of berries. I can’t help but to wonder now…is it a body lotion or something? It’s kind of pungent now…
“Oh come on!” Prima shouted. “Alright! That’s it! We’ll take you all on!”
“God, you two are bigger idiots than I realize.” I said.
“Suddenly I’m starting to pity you, bird, knowing that you have to work with incompetent highers.” Kalana said.
“It’s a cruel world we live in.” I said. “Fortunately, I don’t answer to these two jerkoffs-wait a second, how did you-?”
“We really didn’t realize who we were dealing with back at Challenger’s Cave until we started to look you up.” Kalana said.
“You think that we can’t handle you all? Come on!” Lee said, taking out a Pokeball. “We haven’t been sleeping when Lorelei did her lecturing! We been through the paces!”
“What is going on here?” One of the berry duo started to speak. Apparently they realized that they walked in on the wrong part of the conversation.
As the three groups before us started to argue amongst themselves, I couldn’t help but to facepalm a bit. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing here before me. Prima and Lee were biting off more than they could chew, obviously enough. Tristen though had other thoughts. He had a tug on my vest to get my attention. “Maybe leaving the island is a good idea…” Tristen whispered.
I actually had to agree with the boy now. With three groups before us, we didn’t need to get caught up in this cluster if we could help it. I needed a few seconds to release Telia or Psy and give either one of them the time to carry us off to another island. Considering the competition before me, a few seconds is probably invaluable right now. I had to try, though. “Okay then…move…now…” I said, taking a few steps backwards with Tristen then made the hard about face and made a mad dash for it.
Horus looked over, seeing us suddenly rush off. Agitated he grew. He looked over towards Kalana, seeing the most unamused look on her face. “Enough of this…” Horus said, giving a wave of the hand and unleashing a hard psychic blast, blowing away the Elite’s apprentices and the berry duo. He’ll be back for those two later; he wanted to get a bigger fish out of the way first. Horus brought Kalana close and teleported off.
As we made some distance, I was about to reach for a Pokeball, only to see Horus to show up before us once again. “Now you weren’t about to run off now, were you?” Kalana asked.
“The thought crossed our minds…” I said.
“It’s a shame, really…we come all this way to meet you again and you just up and run off. Quite rude, it is.” Horus said.
My mind started to race. It was pretty clear that we were not going to be able to leave this island that easily. All possibilities that came up to escape was going to lead to disaster in one form or another. I gave a hard sigh, then quickly rose my hand up, quickly charging an Ice Beam, then fired off a couple of shots towards the two. Kalana and Golett were quick on the draw themselves, raising up the sand around them to form a wall, stopping the attack. “Blast it…Tristen, go go go!” I shouted.
Before Tristen could even turn around to make a run for it, the sand shifted and trapped Tristen. The sand pushed upward, making a pillar, sending Tristen high up in the air, with the boy’s head staying above the sand. “BLIZZ!!!”
“Now that was really rude even for you.” Horus said. The sand wall dropped and Horus stepped forward. “Honestly…I thought you couldn’t get any crasser.”
“You speak as if you truly know me.” I said.
“Well, spending twenty-four hours in a cave with a birdman with an apparent anti-hero complex seems like an eternity.” He said.
“Let Tristen go…” I said.
“Oh sure. Hand over the stone and we’ll be on our merry way.”
“Is that how it’s going to be played, is it?” I looked at the pillar of sand Tristen was trapped in. I saw his head wiggling around. He was trying to struggle to no avail. “Alright then…let’s play…” I said. I quickly shoved my hand in the sand pillar, charging an ice beam. Discharging the beam, I unleashed a hard burst in the pillar, blowing out the base of it. The pillar fell apart and down came Tristen. I caught the boy and put him down. “Blizz! Look out!” I looked back towards Horus and Kalana, only to see sand rush onto me and sweep me away. “Blizz!”
Horus then appeared next to the Electrike kid. “My turn to babysit.” Horus said, snatching up Tristen.
“BLI-“ A cry for help, cut short. Tristen was gone.
I managed to pull myself out of the sand and looked around. “Blast it!”
“That leaves me with you.” Kalana said.
“Golett!” The Golett spoke up.
“Where did the stork take Tristen!?”
“What? Afraid what he’s going to do to him? Don’t worry; harming kids is beneath him…unless they want to put up a fight that is. But considering who is supposed to be his guardian, I suspect that is kind of likely.” She said. “Regardless, I wouldn’t worry about the boy though, if I were you. You and I have some unfinished business.”
“Didn’t like that Ancientpower last year, did you? Or was it simply you were trying to express your true feelings for me. Sorry lady, just so you know, I’m spoken for.” I said.
“Yeeeah, not going to regret what I’m about to do here.”
-----------
Tristen suddenly found himself falling out of the air, only a short ways, upon to the sands below. He pulled himself up and took a look around. There was a smell of rotten eggs, the sands were considerably darker here as compared to the nearly pure white sands on which he stood only a few seconds before. He looked back behind him, realizing he was standing next to the base of a volcano. He knew where he was. “Mt. Ember…” Tristen said silently. The Electrike kid’s mind started to race. He was separated from his partner, his guardian, with no quick means on getting back. He did have his Natu, but he wasn’t sure that Natu was skilled enough to take both itself and Tristen off the island, and for that matter, if Natu actually knew its way around the island. There were shallow patches of land that he could make his way across, making his way back down the island, but it would take too long to get back. He had to try though.
Tristen started his way down the dark beach but then stopped. He started to feel something else. The fine hairs on the back of his neck nearly stood on end. He started to smell something; a scent of someone familiar. Someone unwanted right now. He quickly turned around. “Hello.”
“GAAAH!” Tristen stumbled back then crawled backwards away from the one towered over him.
“Jittery one, you are.” Horus stood there looking at Tristen, looking fairly amused at the boy.
Tristen pulled himself back up and quickly got on guard, waiting for Horus to do something. “Why did you take me out here!?”
“Change of scenery.” Horus said.
“Liar.” Tristen said.
“It doesn’t matter. I am still left to question why does the bird brings you to competition like these instead of starting you proper anywhere.” Horus said. “Kids your age would be looking forward to such a day, not just jump headlong into these extreme sports. Children knew their place.”
“I bet so did the adults. I thought adults like you would have gotten beaten up by now. Like what Blizz did to you.” Tristen said, miffed a little. ‘Children knowing their place’? Sounded like talk from that tribe leader. It really must have been a Xatu hybrid thing.
“What he did to me was a stroke of luck and my complacency getting the better of me. I admit that I underestimated him; a mistake I am not going to make again, nor will I to you. I remember what was told to me while you was with Kalana last. A dirty, unhonorable trick.”
“How would you know what honor is?” Tristen asked.
“I know it better than your Articuno friend back there.” He said.
Tristen growled a little. Horus was starting to get under his skin, but at the same time, he could only wonder what he could do at this point. Even if he had the advantage of types, his skill made it not even relevant. He knew Horus out classed him by far; he wouldn’t stand a chance. The only other option was to run, but he wondered just how far he could go.
“You’re trying to figure out what to do, aren’t you?” Horus said. “Fight or run. Kind of abysmal knowing that both routes lead to failure?” Tristen then stared at him in confusion. “What is it?”
“I don’t remember you talking this much. It’s almost like you’re trying to be Blizz.” Tristen said.
“Me? Be him? Really? Hmm…you’re referring to his notion to anger someone; to try to make them slip up. Correct? You don’t need to say anything, you cannot hide anything from me. Not at this point now.”
“Wha…?”
“First off, I was only stalling.” Horus said. “I was making sure of who had the piece of the stone needed at the end of this competition and I’m actually surprised that the bird isn’t the one who has it, but you do. Yes…inside a pocket that’s inside your vest, left side…” Horus said. Tristen’s eyes went wide. “…and the reasoning behind it, absurd. An ametuer psychology trick. Granted, it would seem foolhardy to allow a child who would generally be unable to keep up or guard anything like that, so why would one leave something so valuable to the likes of you? But then, there are those who should keep such a possibility in mind.”
“But…”
“How was I able to know? I’m not just called a psychic because it sounds ‘cool’.” Horus said. “Hand over the stone.”
“No.” Tristen said.
“Boy, I have no patience for you. Let me you in on something else, just so you realize what the gravity of your situation is. You and your friend’s last encounter with the likes of Kalana and I was quite tame. If I wanted to, I could have made you a green and red smear on the cavern wall in Challengers cave the last time we met.”
“If you could do that, you would have already done it.” Tristen said.
“I’d like to believe I’m quite restrained, Boy, but I have no qualms showing you more right now if you do not hand me that stone.”
Tristen was a little shaken from such a revelation from Horus. He couldn’t let the intimidation cripple him, though, he thought. “I said no.” Tristen said.
“Fine. Come here.” He said, lifting Tristen off the ground. Tristen wiggled a bit, only for his limbs to be locked in place a second later; couldn’t fight the force that was overcoming him. He floated on over towards the Xatu hybrid then stopped just a mere couple of inches before him. As Horus went to reach in Tristen’s vest, Tristen winced as hard as he can. He worked up a great deal of chi. From his crests on each side of his head, a hard flash of light came forth. “Augh!”
Tristen instantly was freed from the Xatu’s hold and fell to the sand. Tristen, not wanting to stay and fight, made a run for it as hard as he could. He only managed to get a few feet away before the boy stopped in his tracks again, lifted up off the ground then slammed to the sand. “I nearly forgot you had that…” Horus said, rubbing his eyes. “Even without my vision though, it isn’t nearly enough to put one over on me, boy.”
Tristen managed to pull himself up. He couldn’t run; he had to fight to run. He couldn’t do it alone, however. He took out a Pokeball and tossed it out. “Castform!” Tristen shouted. Horus started to regain his vision, looking ahead, seeing the tiny grey cloud come out of a Pokeball and ready to go.
“A Castform? Is this honestly the best you can do?” Horus asked.
“Rain Dance!” Tristen shouted. The Castform squealed out and unleashed a hard burst of chi. As the skies started to cloud up, the Castform felt something overcome it. It felt like its very being was ripped apart. Horus unleashed a psychic blast which made the tiny Castform fall down to the sands flat on its face. “Castform!”
“That’s enough of that.” Horus said.
Tristen rushed over and picked up his Castform. So easily taken out. How one hybrid can be such a bully to everyone like this, Tristen could only wonder. It upset the Electrike kid. As the rains finally came down and started to soak the beach, Tristen took out Castform’s Pokeball and recalled the Pokémon back to the ball. “I’m sorry, Castform…” Tristen said.
“Anyone else you want to throw out to put yourself in a more taxing situation, or are you now willing to give me the stone now. I do have places to be, you know.” Horus said. Such arrogance. Just like the tribe leader. He was tired of it; just as he was tired of feeling helpless all the time. Tristen stood up, angry. His body crackled with electricity. “So, I suppose you’re done hiding behind your Pokémon, then.”
“No more…” Tristen voice spoke, trembling in anger. More sparks started to fly.
“Oh dear, I see I’ve upset you.”
“SHUT UP!” Tristen said. Tristen then unleashed a hard discharge of electricity. Random bolts came down all around Horus. The bolts themselves were easily avoided, however, he wasn’t left without being mildly shocked. The ground was saturated a fair bit now from the summoned rains. Horus’s instincts started to trip; realizing that the boy was a fair bit stronger than from his last encounter with him. Worse still, he realized why Tristen wanted the rains to fall. He was trying to ensure a hit. “NOW GO AWAY!”
The boy’s chi peaked, another hard discharge, harder than the last. “What on earth?” The rains started to guide the bolt and it started to fall hard upon Horus. Even Horus was taken back by the sudden power the boy had.
The bolt finally crashed down to the earth; the sudden flash of heat put the beach in a dense fog and the rains finally ceased. The smell of ozone was dominant for the time being. Tristen breathed heavily, falling to his hands and knees, trembling now out of exhaustion. He was warned not to use his Thunderbolt attack as of yet for he didn’t have the chi capacity to go beyond one attack. He felt though he was left with no choice in order to down such a powerful foe. “Worth it…” Tristen said.
“Was it?” Tristen looked back ahead in shock. The fog started to fade and there stood Horus with hands above his head. A golden light, a shield it looked, was over his head. A Light Screen put a damper on what was supposed to be a strong attack. “Now, my turn.” Horus dropped the screen, picked up the boy once again, and slammed him hard into the beach. He lifted the boy once again, flipped him over, and slammed him once more. He then lifted him a third time and gave him a hard psychic toss across the beach, up against a hard flat rock, standing upright.
The psychic grip was released and Tristen slid down the side of the rock, flopping upon the ground. As much as he wanted to get up and fight, he no longer had the energy to do so. Horus walked over to the Electrike kid, lifted him up off the ground with his bare hands, reached into his vest and looked for the pocket. Upon doing so, he found the stone, then merely tossed Tristen off to the side. He looked at the boy for a second, then simply shook his head. He took a few steps away, only to teleport away from the boy.
Tristen continued to lay there; it was all he could do other than to regret that he wasn’t stronger. “…sorry…Tails…Sorry…Blizz…”
------------
Back on the southern part of the island, while Horus and Tristen was having their words exchanged, I had pressing matters of my own. “Good God, woman! Is there any way we can talk about this!?” I shouted.
“Let me think abou-no.”
For a short bit, I was trying to avoid the various attacks Kalana and her Golett was unleashing upon me. The whole battlefield was literally their weapon and unfortunately for me it was an effective one. For most of the fight, I remained airborne, trying to make my way in close to land an attack on Kalana. I didn’t want to step foot on the beach in fearing that Kalana and her Golett may manipulate it to swallow me whole or something of that sort. Any attack that I did or any escape that I tried was only stopped from her constant manipulation of the sands, rather it be my Ice Beams or me trying to use my Agility, the sands were a proverbial Swiss army knife to this Channler. For that matter, I remembered something that Tristen told me from last time. Apparently she could sense anything that is on the ground that moves. Footsteps, heart beats, anyone or anything that has its feet planted on the ground, she can tell it’s there. One would think that I would be at an advantage by staying in the air like I do, but even Kalana thought ahead on such occasions. I also had one other problem; I don’t have that kind of endurance to stay in the air for long, with or without my weighted clothing. Freth was right…I really need to go out to fly more.
My instincts started to trip just then. I looked off into the distance. A rain storm, centered near Mount Ember. Tristen was out that way with Horus. I wasn’t sure how long Tristen would be able to stave off Horus, but I knew I had to get there quick. “GOTCHA!” Kalana and Golett threw their arms up. Under me, a massive pillar of sand rushed up towards me. I looked down, seeing the sand rush up towards me. Before I could move away from the attack, the pillar ensnares me.
“GAH!!!” As I struggled within the sandy mass, the pillar started to condense back down into the ground.
“Well that was rather careless of you.” Kalana said.
“Golett!” the partner Pokémon chimed in.
“Bite me…” I said.
“So…now you have me. Now what? By the way, I would figure that Horus would be wanting to fight me more than you.” I said.
“Eh, sometimes it takes a bit more finesse to down a brute like you.” She said.
I then felt the sand shift all around me…in ways I care not to feel. “UGH! Christ, lady! What the hell are you trying to do?”
“I’m trying to find that stone, wherever it is on you. Though you can do yourself some credit and go on ahead and tell me where it’s at. Otherwise, I imagine that feeling this is akin to having a belt sander have its way with you.” Kalana said.
“Oh…augh…go to hell, lady.” I said. After a minute, she stared in confusion. “…you…don’t have it!?” she said. “The competition just started! You can’t honestly tell me you already lost it to someone! Or…you didn’t…” She quickly thought on the various possibilities, only for one to cross her mind that didn’t gel too well with her. “…you honestly didn’t make that boy a target, did you!?” I remained silent. “YOU DID! I should squeeze you like a grape in this sand!” she said.
“You would care…why?” I asked.
“Ugh! I can’t believe you! Why would you do that!?” Kalana asked.
“Fooled you, didn’t it? It doesn’t matter. As soon as I get out of here, I’ll be taking the stone from you and it’ll all be good anyways.” I said.
“Taking it from me? How’d you know I have it?” She asked.
“I didn’t. You just told me.” I said. Quickly I started to focus chi in each of my entrapped hands. Just like with Tristen, I unleashed a hard burst in the pillar and freed myself.
“UGH! Blasted bird!”
I quickly jumped back, spreading my wings and gave them a few hard flaps, unleashing a hard Blizzard attack, blowing away the Channeler and her partner Pokémon. Since I now knew who had Kalana’s and Horus’s stone, I made the decision to go on fighting here. I kept in the back of my mind that Tristen still was in dire straits against Horus, but if I somehow get the stone from Kalana at the very least, we’d still be in decent shape for day 1 of this competition. I had to make this fast.
Kalana and the Golett managed to get back up, but as they done so, I was already readying my next attack. Kalana found herself surrounded by icy pillars that shot up out of the ground and started to converge on her quickly. The Golett rushed over close to Kalana then slammed its fist on the ground. The two of them then shot up from the ground on top of a sandy pillar as the Ancientpower attack crashed and detonated. “That was close…thanks, Golett.”
“Yea, thanks Golett.” I said. I appeared right behind the two of them in the air, readying another Ice Beam with both of my hands. The two of them went wide-eyed. Nowhere to go, nowhere to run. The icy shot rang out, blasting the two of them off the pillar and back plummeting back towards the ground.
Before the two of them made impact, Kalana grabbed her Golett and gave a wave of her arm. Sand then started to quickly pile up on itself, providing a soft cushion for the two of them to land on. She was hurting now, as was the Golett. She lifted her head off the sand then looked back up towards the sky. Much to her dismay, the icy onslaught wasn’t over. Up above, over my head, I was charging yet another attack, brighter and more furious than the last. As nowhere in tune with the likes of lake and wind chi as she is with the earth elements, even she knew the collection of chi was way dense. “This ends now, Kalana!” I shouted down towards her. With it primed and ready, I dropped the icy bomb, my Sheer Cold attack down towards the sandy beach below, right to her.
The blast rang out, sand flew out in all directions, and ice started to spread at a frantic pace from the impact sight. The beach then fell silent, sans the waves that washed up on the shore. I looked at the devastation that I wrought, but then suddenly stared in confusion. Something wasn’t right. I should be seeing two frozen bodies right now. I don’t. “Alright, I know that my Sheer Cold does a lot, but it doesn’t disintegrate!”
As I continued to scan the icy devastation, I became more and more convinced that somehow I missed my attack. My instincts then started to trip. I started to look around, trying to figure out what it is. Through the sheet of ice, sand broke through in a geyser like fashion and towered over me, forming what seemed to be a giant arm, hand and all. “WHAT THE HELL!?” The ‘hand’ snatched me out of the air then drove me back down into the beach below.
A brief moment later, I pulled myself out the side of the newly formed mound of sand. I tumbled down the mound and found my way to the base of it, gasping for air a bit, spitting out what grains that got caught up in my beak. “Ugh…pbbttth…great…I’d be inclined at this point to pluck every last feather just so I can wash off and don’t itch from whatever sand that’s caught up within them. Son of a…”
As I tried to pull myself up to stand again, Kalana and the Golett pulled themselves out from the top of the mound. “Thanks Golett.”
“Lett!” The Golett spoke up.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They literally buried themselves just so they wouldn’t get caught up in the Sheer Cold onslaught. But wait a minute…why am I trying to take Kalana out? I should have thought about this sooner. Unlike an Artifact user, the source of the channeler’s power is out in the open. Namely, their partner Pokémon. So obviously enough, instead of taking the user out of the equation, one should take out the power source. Unfortunately, that in itself lies a problem. While they have the disadvantage of having the power source out in the open, they do have one thing that puts them over the artifact user, or for that matter even a hybrid, is the fact that both the channeler and Pokémon can work synergistically. They attack together and defend together. One can see what the other cannot see and so on, therefore, making them a force to be reckoned with. An artifact user only got what their eyes and ears can provide them and for that matter the artifact itself is proverbially a rechargeable chi battery. Run out of chi and the artifact is useless to you. Hybrids, while they could have of a Pokémon’s perks to work with like variations of a Pokémon species’ actual attacks or acute senses, their endurance overall will be a grave issue if they can’t get their job done quick enough, which could very well be said about any one lone Pokémon, which unfortunately is currently starting to be my problem. I’m going to need backup.
As soon as I reached for one of my Pokeballs, Kalana looked down the slope. “Oh no you don’t! Golett!” Kalana and Golett waved their arms over and more sand started to shift about.
“Crap!” I quickly made a hard leap, averting the sandy onslaught, managing to pull out a Pokeball. “Porygon-Z! Go!” I threw the Pokeball out, having it fall right behind Kalana and Golett.
The ball landed right on its mark and out came the hyperactive pink Pokémon, ready to go. “Porrryyy!” The virtual Pokémon shrilled.
“Oh hell, it’s THAT thing!” Kalana shouted.
“Porygon-Z! Ice Beam! Shut down that Golett!”
“GOLETT!?” The Golett shouted, realizing that it was now a target.
“No you don’t!” Kalana moved her arms upward, bringing up a wall of sand, just as Porygon-Z fired the shot, and blocked it. I then fired one Ice Beam shot of my own towards Kalana, but the Golett then raised its own arms, blocking the next incoming shot. “I had enough of this!” Kalana then took out a Pokeball of her own. “Krookodile! Come out!” She tossed out a Pokeball of her own and in a flash of light, out came a Krookodile, ready to battle.
“What!? Can’t have what you already have out do the fighting!?” I asked. “I guess that Golett is just nothing more than a crutch for you then! I thought channelers were supposed to have a synergistic union with their Pokémon; something I honestly wanted to believe. Guess I was wrong.”
“Shows what you know about me!” She shouted back. “Enough talk! Krookodile! Meal time!” she shouted. “Crunch attack that Porygon-Z!” The Krookodile was more than happy to oblige. It rushed off, making a hard beeline for the virtual Pokémon.
“Porygon-Z! Move!” I shouted.
“Shut up!” Kalana shouted.
Kalana and Golett started to shift more sand around, unleashing a hard geyser like rush of sand towards me. I quickly dodged out of the way of it with Agility, going airborne to avoid the attack. Porygon-Z was quickly running off, trying to avert the fate of getting clamped in the croc’s jaws. The Krookodile leaped up and went to pounce down on the pink Pokémon. Porygon-Z managed to float off to the side, allowing the Krookorok to eat sand. I soon after landed close by Porygon-Z and got ready.
“Porygon-Z! Tri-Attack!” I shouted.
“Krookodile! Dig!” Kalana shouted.
The Krookodile dove right into the ground, averting the powerful Tri-Attack blast. “Blast it! I’m done with these games, Kalana!”
“So am I.” she said. “Alright Golett, go!” From the two of them I then sensed a hard chi spike. “Krookodile! Earth Power!” she shouted. The ground erupted with fury, sand shot up sky high. “Alright, Golett! PUSH!” The massive wall of sand started rushing for Porygon-Z and I, a gigantic wave of sand that threatened to bury the both of us.
“Oh…my…God…Porygon-Z! MOVE!” The two of us then darted down the beach as fast as we could. I was even using Agility to pick up the pace, but the hard sand wave was quickly approaching the two of us. “Blast it! Porygon-Z! Hang on!”
I quickly snatched up my Porygon-Z then took flight as fast as I could. I was going to try to fly over the wave before Kalana decides to drop the entire wave on us. As I was starting to ascend, the Krookodile finds its way to the top of the wave and got into position as if it was literally trying to surf on top of the curl. “Don’t let them get away!” Kalana shouted from afar. “Stone edge, Krookodile!”
The Krookodile leaped off the wave, dragging along several large stones that got caught up from the sandy rush and came down upon the two of us. The Krookodile made direct impact on me. “GAAAAH!!!” I fell right back to the ground, crashing down with Porygon-Z in my arms. I was about to get back up, but the moment I wearily looked back. The wave was way too close.
Kalana and the Golett moved their arms once more; the wave crashed down with no mercy for the two targets it was intended for. After the attack was over, once again there was nothing but the sound of the waves of the sea coming upon the beach. Kalana and Golett were breathing heavily. It was one attack of theirs that took a lot of focus and chi manipulation to do that kind of a deed. “Fool…” Kalana said under her breath. She then walked down the beach. She had to make sure that the deed was done.
She got close to the gigantic mound she formed from the wave. The Krookodile shot out of the sand to greet its trainer and the Golett; proud of the chaos that it contributed to. “Nice going, Krookodile.” She moved her earthen senses about the gigantic mound; senses that allowed her to feel the vibrations on and in the ground. It could be however faint. If it even so much made even a grain of sand shift, she’d know it. The victims…were still alive. Struggling. Seemingly fruitlessly. “Fighters to the bitter end.” She then perked up. One was actually making its way out in a frantic pace, seemingly panicked. “How in the…Krookodile, Golett, get ready!”
“PORY!” Out from the top of the mound, Porygon-Z managed to pull itself up. It managed to get its head out of the sand, and made one final struggle to pull the rest of itself out. It looked fatigued, rather beaten up. It didn’t have much energy to do anything else at the moment. It laid there to rest for a couple of seconds, but then a realization. It looked around; its trainer wasn’t up here. “Pory? PORY PORY!?” With its fin like appendages, it started to dig around in the sand in a hopeless search.
“Looking for something?” Kalana asked as she made her way up the giant mound. Porygon-Z glared at her. She did this. She did all of this. “If looks could kill…” She then said. “You might just want to run along; your friend’s fight is done.”
“PORRRYY!!!” It wasn’t running. The virtual Pokémon was infuriated; it lost its trainer to this woman!? With everything it had, Porygon-Z charged another Tri-attack and unleashed it across the mound towards Kalana.
It would all be for naught, Kalana and Golett made another wall to take the attack and render it useless. “Nice try.” Kalana said. Kalana then felt something. For the brief moment she was distracted by the Porygon-Z, the other supposed victim made his way up as well. It became all more apparent when a hand came out of the sand and grabbed on to her ankle and gave it a hard frozen grip. Kalana screamed out from the sudden chilling pain that rushed through her leg.
I pulled myself out just enough to get my head and my other arm above the sand. I gasped for air then coughed out a few times. I then took the free arm and raised it towards Kalana, charging an Ice Beam. “Surprise…” I warily spoke.
The icy shot rang out through the beach. The Golett and Krookodile would see their trainer rolling down the side of the gigantic sand mound, frozen with the look of shock and disbelief stuck upon her. The two Pokémon rushed to her aid. “Pory pory pory pory!” Porygon-Z shrilled out, trying to see if I too was alright.
“I’ll…be fine…maybe…ugh…” I gave a few more coughs, then pulled myself out of the mound. I then soon afterwards tumbled down the side of the mound and stopped at the base of it. I was exhausted. I wouldn’t have ever imagined Kalana putting up this kind of a fight; perhaps she really was trying to hold back at Challenger’s Cave. With that kind of power, she could have easily leveled the entire cave with us in it. After a minute break, I managed to stand back up and looked back at Kalana. She still had the stone I needed. As soon as I started to approach her, my instincts tripped. I quickly looked back. Out of nowhere, Horus was there with his own look of disbelief. He saw Kalana frozen and her Pokémon panicking and me standing…if only barely.
“What...what…what did you DO TO HER!?” he shouted. I looked about him. No Tristen.
“Probably the same thing to you, if not worse, once I find out what you done with Tristen, you b*****d!” I said. “Where is he!? What did you to do him!?”
“Try figuring it out while I tear you apart!” Horus shouted, spreading his wings wide. He was more than ready for a fight.
“I’d worry about your girlfriend first, pal, providing that you still have any heart.” I said. I then stepped a few steps back, watching Horus as I done so. I then turned around and ran as fast as I could in my beaten condition, which could barely be deemed as a jog, at this point. Porygon-Z floated after me, trying to make sure that I stay up. Horus ran over to Kalana’s side; he had to work fast to save her.
As I made some distance, knowing that Horus now does not have any intentions to pursue me, I once again took out the Pokeball that held Telia. “Telia, let’s go…” I said, tossing the ball and revealing the Gardevoir.
“Voir? Voir!?” Telia spoke up.
“Long story…can you sense Tristen? I can’t. I think Horus may have done a number to him.” I said. “I think he’s at Mt. Ember; I felt something go on over that way. Can you take me there?”
“Gardevoir…?”
“Don’t worry about me now, we got bigger issues. Come on, get us there.” I said.
With a nod, Telia focused and teleported the three of us off to the northern part of the island at Mt. Ember. When we arrived, I looked around at the dark sandy beach. “Blast it, where is he?”
“Pory! Pory porrryyy!” Porygon-Z shouted, rushing down the beach. I looked down the beach, seeing what Porygon-Z was rushing for.
“Tristen? Tristen!?” As Telia and I ran for the boy’s side, I could sense it. I could even smell it. The smell of o-zone dominated the area and a faint feel of thunder chi was still looming about. Tristen went all out only for him to eat dirt…ugh, poor kid.
I knelt down next to him and lifted his head up. “Tristen, come on, answer me. Tristen!”
“Blizz…” The boy spoke.
“Son of a…are you alright?”
“I’m sorry…Blizz…” Tristen spoke up. “…Horus…took the stone…”
“Don’t worry about that now. Come on, we need to get out of here before Horus decides to have his way with the two of us.” I said. “Telia, get us out of here. Island Six. Hurry.”
“Gardevoir.” She said with a nod. With that, she then teleported us off of Island One.
-------------
We arrived on the main island on Island Six. The main island was relatively small with just as small of a residential area on it, to say the least. I doubted any fighting was going to go on here with people about and catch everyone up here in the crossfire. It was probably the best spot to hide out from the rest of the competitors to rest up and figure out what we were to do next. “Telia, Porygon-Z, this way.” We made our way around a few buildings and into a shaded area, under a few palm trees. I sat Tristen up against one of the trees and then took my pack off. I knelt down and started to rummage through the pack, trying to think on what exactly to use. “Come on Tristen, talk to me…how are you feeling? Where does it hurt? How tired are you feeling? I need to know so I can help you. Anything that you may think is important. Leave nothing to chance.”
“Not too good…” Tristen said. “Horus tossed me around a lot with his psychic powers...” Not what I wanted to hear, though it does give me a vague idea of what’s going on with him. That said, there is no telling what kind of damage Horus could have done. Tristen does looked fairly banged up. The pressure of chi I sense coming from him doesn’t feel all that strong either. He also looks exhausted if anything. I guess I am going to have to take a chance…
“Alright Tristen, I need you take this.” I reached into the pack and opened up a water bottle for him as well as handed an aspirin for him to take, then followed that up with a couple of Sitrus berries. Just as with Pokémon, a hybrid could take berries for a general fix for some issues they may encounter. Pecha berries have anti-toxin properties, Chesto berries have bitterants to fight sleep, Cheri berries have muscle relaxants to stave off paralysis, and so on. Any Pokémon medicine such Potions, elixirs, revives, and the like are useless to a hybrid, despite having a fair deal of a Pokémon’s genetics because it’s their human side that will reject it and in essence treat the medicine almost as if it was a poison. That said, a hybrid can take a human’s medicine. However, a hybrid must be careful when taking things like over the counter medications because there is currently nearly seven hundred known species of Pokémon, and assumedly that many kinds of hybrids, and each species do have their own intolerances. That said, no berry or over the counter medicine is a substitute for a doctor. Unfortunately, a doctor is a luxury we don’t have at the moment.
Tristen downed the aspirin then soon after the berries. He then followed up getting hard chugs with the water bottle. “Slow down, Tristen. Geez, you’ll choke on that before you know it.” I said.
He stopped drinking the water and gave a hard gasp. “Sorry…I couldn’t help it…”
“Take it easy, no rush right now…”
Tristen drank more of the water then realized something. “Castform…” He then took out a Pokeball and released the Pokémon. Castform was still out cold from his earlier endeavor against Horus. “…Horus did this…he knocked out Castform just like that…”
“Horus really wasn’t going easy at all with you, was he?” I asked.
“I think he actually was until the end when I tried to Thunderbolt attack him.” He said.
“Beautiful…” I said, shaking my head.
“What should I do? Should I use one of the revives that I have?” he asked.
“Go ahead, but keep in mind that you and I are on limited supplies.” I said to him. “It’s not like we can go to a nearby mart and buy more while this competition is still active. Not unless we want to forfeit this competition, that is.”
“I know.” He said. He took off his own pack and started to rummage through it, pulling out a Revive and used it on his Castform. Castform started to wake up, but was feeling kind of groggy. A headache apparently didn’t help matters. All it could do was do a sad moan. “I’m sorry I put you through that Castform…” Tristen said as he held his Pokémon close.
I stood back up, but it didn’t come without a wince. Stretching out a bit didn’t help matters either, or at least it didn’t feel like it. “What about you, Blizz? Are you okay?”
“I’ll make it. I usually do…somehow.” I said.
“That isn’t making me feel any better about it…” Tristen said.
“Look, we had a rough start. I’m not going to deny it at all.” I said to him. “We still have the rest of today, and for that matter the rest of this week. We just need to make the most of what we got. Alright? We’re not going to get anywhere by complaining over a few bumps, scrapes, and bruises.” I said. “Though, I admit something…” I shook my wings a bit and small bit of sand fell out from between the feathers. “I’m REALLY going to need a shower after this…”
We sat under the shade for at least a half-hour, trying to recollect ourselves. Tristen was still reeling from his defeat a bit while I was still a bit out of it from my own. However, it was probably time to get going. “Come on, Tristen. Let’s get to looking around this place.” I said.
“Do you really think the two are going to be here?” Tristen asked. “You think we actually can fight them, too? I mean, we got kind of beat up badly.” He said.
“Well, as far as I can tell, it couldn’t be worse than what Kalana did, or at least I hope not anyways.” I told him. “We will just have to see. Anyways, we got two areas to explore. Off to the north is the Pattern Bush as well as Altering Cave. South of here is Ruin Valley. All of those places are decent enough places to hide in. We’re going to have to cross a water route for every spot though.”
“Couldn’t you just get Telia to teleport us there?” Tristen asked.
“I could, but it’s a short flight, really. Nothing that I probably couldn’t handle.” I said. “Besides, we could easily find them in transit if they are surfing down the routes, or if they, too, are in the air.”
“So which way first” Tristen asked.
“I suppose start from the southern end and work our way up.” I said to him. “Sounds good?”
“I guess.” Tristen said, getting up.
“Come on…” Tristen and I then walked down to the eastern end of this part of the island and followed the beach down to the southern water route that headed towards Ruin Valley. “Alright Tristen...” I took off my pack and held it by the straps in front of me, then knelt down. “Hop on my back and hang on, alright? Just be sure you’re not laying on top of one of my wings or we’re going nowhere.”
“Are you sure this is safe?” Tristen asked.
“I have no idea. Doubtful…” I said. Tristen stared at me, now scared to even do what I told him. “I’m kidding. If I didn’t think that I could do this, I wouldn’t have suggested it. Now come on.”
Tristen with a bit of reluctance climbed upon my back and held on tight around my neck. “Ack, Tristen, I do need to breathe. You don’t need to squeeze like that.”
“Sorry!” Tristen chimed in.
“Alright, hang on…” I then kicked off the ground and took flight off south off for Ruin Valley. The flight was short enough, just as I said it was. It was only a few minutes if anything.
When we reached the end of the flight and I landed, Tristen was quick to let go and just about nearly embraced the ground. “Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad…” I said.
“I’m the one who doesn’t have wings, remember?” Tristen said. “I think I know why Freth says you need to practice flying now.”
“You know, Tristen, you’re really pushing your luck now.” I said, crossing my arms.
Tristen sat there at the beach and looked at what was before him. “So, why do people call this place ‘Ruin Valley’?”
“Ruins, of course.” I said. “Yea, some people are not at all creative in naming things.”
“Oh…” Tristen then spoke. Simple enough explanation, he thought.
“This place got plenty to hide, rather it be history or Pokémon. There are many crags and crevices to look through, so we got to be extra careful when trying to comb through this place.” I said.
“Do you sense anyone here?” Tristen asked.
“Not…at the moment. I probably will soon enough…come on, we’re losing daylight.” I said. The valley was a pretty rocky area. Most of this part of the island consisted of a bunch of rocky crags and crevices that could possibly lead to the depths of actual ruins of a civilization that was at one time suggested to have been centered at the Hoenn region.
“Blizz, look!” Tristen said, pointing up towards the sky. I looked up and stared in confusion for a second, trying to get a good look at what was above us that got Tristen’s attention. It was a Pokémon apparently…though…
“Son of a…” I quickly pushed Tristen back up against a rock face, trying to get cover from being seen by it. The Pokémon was rather large, and way too rare for it just to be hanging around out in these parts. I took a second peek, making sure I was not going in any way delirious. A majestic flying dragon it was with somewhat of a pale orange sheen to it. “…a Dragonite.” I said.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:34 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 3)
“What’s wrong, Blizz?” Tristen asked, a little confused.
“Dragonite aren’t particularly native on this part of the region. You might hear about the occasional Dratini in the seas, but even that is a rarity on its own. It’s a real good chance that it might belong to someone else. If we plan on getting back on good footing, we need to be careful. Let’s try to avoid being seen by that thing and catch whoever owns it off guard.” I said.
We made our way through the various crags, trying to keep an eye on the Dragonite in the sky, making sure that it didn’t make any sudden movements towards us. For the time being, it seemed that it has yet to see us. That said, it was obvious that it was scouting the area for some reason. I then noticed the Dragonite stopped then went to go land close by. “Keep it quiet, Tristen…” I said.
We made our way through the passage. Tristen perked up then started to tug on my vest. “What is it?” I whispered.
“I think I hear someone…” He said.
“Close?”
“Yea…”
I crept forward, making my way to the end of the rocky passage. I started to look about, noticing a man accompanied by the Dragonite. The man was apparently talking to someone on some device of some kind. I also noticed the man was wearing a familiar uniform; the same one from back at the Pokémon center on Island One. He’s part of the competition. “It’s one of the rangers…” I said, backing up a bit. “…can you hear what he is saying from here?”
Tristen got in front of me and listened close. “…I think he’s talking to his friend…” He said. “…something about…he’s at Pattern Bush with no luck.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Talk about stroke of luck. If that was true, then right now the ranger was alone and any backup was a fair ways away from here. Unless his partner in this competition had a Pidgeot or any Pokémon that could teleport on him, it’d take him roughly fifteen to twenty minutes to get to where we were on a best case scenario. With this ranger, that would probably feel like an eternity.
“Alright Tristen…” I took out a Pokeball to get at the ready. “We’re going to try to rush this guy. What I want you to do is get ready to pull off a Flash attack for me. That ought to give us the upper hand for a moment. I’ll let you know to go for it. Can you do that for me?”
“Yea, I can.” Tristen said.
I moved back in front of Tristen to keep an eye out for that perfect opportunity. The ranger was still talking away on his device for the moment while the Dragonite apparently was awaiting orders from him. As Tristen waited for his moment to shine, Tristen braced himself along the rock wall, ready to rush out and blind everything unfortunate enough to be close by. He felt something then come down upon his arm. He looked over and a green mass with black beady eyes and a couple of fangs. “Spina-Rak!”
“YAAAAAH!!!” Tristen panicked, caught off guard by the surprise guest and unleashing a Spark attack to shock the bug right off. The tiny bug Pokémon fell right to the ground, twitching a bit from the hard sudden jolt.
I quickly turned around. “The hell, Tristen?”
“Dragonite!” The ranger called out. “Go get to it!”
“Crap. Cover’s blown!” I said when I heard the ranger.
My instincts then tripped. I looked up and right above us was a few more Spinarak, not all too thrilled that their comrade was shocked. The Spinarak each quickly fired off a blanket of silk that fell down upon us. “BLIZZ!”
“Blast it!” We were caught in the blanket’s steel grip like hold, unable to move. Much to my dismay, that wasn’t going to be the end of it. I looked back seeing the Dragonite swoop over. A large mass of chi collected before him. “Ohhhh, this going to hurt…” I said.
The Dragonite fired off the attack and blew the both of us away from the blast site. I didn’t even realize that both Tristen and I got sent flying off, nor did I feel the landing afterwards. When I came to, my head was ringing and I felt like a Snorlax belly-flopped on top of me. I managed to sit back up, if only barely. The ranger was coming through the massive dust cloud that the Dragonite made, walking almost casually. The Dragonite was right behind him, as were the Spinarak, ready to strike once again if it was called for. I looked over, seeing Tristen was out. I couldn’t blame the kid; he was still trying to fully re-coop from his ordeal against Horus. The Pokeball I took out was close by as well, still unopened and ready to go. I reached over and grabbed it. I heard a noise, it was muffled. I couldn’t make out what was being said. I looked back. It was the ranger; he was talking to me. I shook my head again, trying to come out of whatever daze that I was in. “…ow…ba…ou…wa…at…”
“Ugh…whaaa…” I continued to shake my head, wincing a bit. My hearing was starting to come back.
“I said I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” It was clear now. The ranger was threatening me, not to fight back.
“Not one for restraint, are you? Figures…” I said. I leaned back over towards Tristen and gave him a few shakes. “Tristen…Tristen? Come on, talk to me…” I warily spoke to the boy. The boy finally woke up, but he looked about as much of in a daze as I was. No telling when he was going to snap out of it.
“So, you two thought you were going to ambush us. That’s actually funny…” he said.
A digital chime was heard. The ranger went for his device once more. “Yea. Sorry…bagged a couple here…they’re part of the competition; not the ones we were looking for though. They’re the ones that were supposed to be at One Island. I think I got it handled, though you may want to hurry up on over here just in case, especially if you’re through up there. Alright, out.” The ranger stashed his device then looked back over at me. “Sorry about that. Anyways, since you were nice enough to come all this way, I’ll be more than happy to relieve you of that stone now, and please, don’t try any thing funny. I doubt you’d be able to take any more than what you just did.”
“Ugnnn…Blizz?” Tristen managed to fight through his daze and pushed his self up.
“Tristen, you alright?” I asked.
“I…dunno…” He said, sitting up, rubbing his head.
“Don’t fool yourselves…you’re in no shape to do anything right now. Very few people and Pokemon are able to walk away after being shot by a Dragonite’s, let alone my Dragonite’s, Hyper Beam.” He said. “Now, hand over the stone. I’m not asking again.”
I had to think fast. Tristen and I needed to regroup. “Ok, I’m done waiting…” The ranger took out his capture styler. “Spinarak, find the stone.”
As the multiple Spinarak started to make their way around the Dragonite, I threw my arm up. An icy piller shot up under one of the Dragonite’s feet, throwing it off-balance. With a surprised howl, the dragon flopped over on the ground, making the Spinarak scatter out of surprise. The ranger looked back for only a second, a second where I quickly summoned a thick Mist in the area. “Oh no you don’t! Dragonite! Twister!”
The Dragonite, now infuriated, unleashed a powerful gale within the area. The ranger ended up having to brace himself, making sure he doesn’t get blown away himself. The mist was blown away to the Dragonite’s force. The ranger looked back and couldn’t believe his eyes. “They’re gone!” He shouted. “All of you! Spread out! They couldn’t have gotten far! Check everything close by! Dragonite, you go the sky and see if you can’t find them!”
The Pokemon and the ranger split up to hunt down their opposition. The ranger would be right about one thing. We didn’t go far. In fact, we never left per se. For the couple of seconds that the mist was up, I carried Tristen off into a different passage and ducked into a small crevice to squeeze the both of us into to hide from them. We couldn’t stay here long though. With everyone on the hunt, one of the Spinarak or the ranger could easily stumble on us at any moment.
“This day is just getting worse.” Tristen said, sounding rather discouraged at this point.
“You’re telling me.” I said.
“Maybe we should just tell the ranger we don’t have the stone.” Tristen said.
“If he finds that out, then he’s not going to be inclined to stay and it will be a pain for him to stay put and we won’t get the stone from him.” I said. “We got to keep him assuming that we have it.”
“So what do we do then? The ranger has a lot of Pokemon with him right now.”
“The main issue with him is that Dragonite…” I said. “We need to take that thing out of the equation.” I quickly thought for a moment. “Tristen, I need you to do something for me. We’re going to split up again for the moment.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I need you to distract that Dragonite.”
“What? Me!? Why!? I can’t take that huge thing!”
“Tristen, stop it.” I said. “Powerful as it is, you’ve dealt with worse. You know that.”
“But…”
“Tristen, look, you got to quit doubting yourself for Christ’s sake. You didn’t get this far by running now, did you?”
“Well…no…”
“I know the Dragonite is strong, but I know you and your Pokemon can handle it. And besides, I’m not asking you to take it out of commission. If you do, great, more power to you all, but I’m just asking for nothing more than a distraction. While you do that, I’ll shut down the ranger and get the stone from him.” I said.
Tristen was silent for a few seconds then gave a nod. “Alright, Blizz.”
“Alright, go, get to it.” We left the crevice and went our separate ways. Tristen made his way back towards the beach, since he figured if he was to fight a Dragonite, he was going to need a bit of space to do it. It was probably a wise move on his part. I on the other hand went the other way to go hunt down the ranger. If anything, I was going to try to back him into a corner.
-----------
I made my way through the passages on the hunt for the ranger. It was rather difficult considering that he, like a lot of normal human beings, does not have a heightened chi pressure. Ever since Albedo was taken out of commission permanently by the likes of Miles and all of us who was with him during that whole ranger ordeal, the Rangers have fallen from grace pretty hard. Despite which, even though they no longer use Artifiacts, or at least anywhere near as liberally that I knew of, they still can pose a rather big threat if left unchecked just as this ranger is. For starters, unlike normal trainers, they only have with them one partner Pokemon which is a general use Pokemon, if anything, for them. The Pokemon is more generally trained to complete missions and help the ranger in question get around as opposed to specifically battle like a Pokemon trainers’ Pokemon would. To get somewhat of an idea of what kind of training a partner Pokemon has depends on the ranger’s rank. The higher the ranger’s rank, chances are the better trained they are. In the case of this squad leader and his Dragonite, if being demonstrated it wasn’t already evidence to me enough, the Dragonite could very well give a near gym-leader class beat down if it came to it. If not just that, another thing to worry about is their bread and butter, the capture styler, which is their main ‘weapon’ of choice in completing whatever mission they are on. They come in various models, from baton-esque devices to disc-shooters that are strapped on their wrist. They use them to call upon the aid of Pokemon that they find out in the wild. The problem is though is that the Pokemon are exactly what they are. Wild. No training other than whatever skills they developed to survive out in the wilderness, and the rangers very well know that. In light of which, a ranger will more often than not opt for quantity over quality. In other words, pray that a ranger does not find a Pokemon nest.
With all said, to be all honest, I wasn’t going to be in too big of a hurry to find him even though I should be. Right now, I was feeling pretty horrible. After the beating from Kalana from the start of this competition then followed up only a short while later for a Dragonite to have its way with me, the pain and the fatigue was starting to catch up to me in spades, and I’m pretty sure Tristen is feeling the same way right now. Truth be told, I couldn’t blame the kid for trying to object going after the Dragonite. Regardless of how this plays out, Tristen and I was going to need to hide somewhere for a while to regain any bit of strength that we can get. I have to admit, this is little discouraging, though, with me training as much as I have lately only to still be in a pretty bad rut like this.
As I turned the corner at the end of one passage to go into another, I felt a rumbling beneath my feet. “…?” A quake? Here? It couldn’t have been. I took out a Pokeball, walking forward a bit, on guard on what may come before me. The rumbling became louder. It was starting to come from behind me. I quickly turned around, taking a few steps back, ready to toss out the Pokeball if need be. From the corner, came an Onix that towered over the passage. “Son of a…” I wasn’t even going to try to toss the ball out. I quickly stashed it as I darted away from the Onix. The giant rock snake gave pursuit of me and was gaining ground quick. There would be no way I was getting away from this this like this. I quickly picked up the pace with Agility to gain some distance, but then quickly stopped and ran back towards the Onix. When I got close enough, I made a hard leap on top of the Onix’s head then leaped up again to reach the flat surfaces above.
I landed, going into a tumble, then coming to rest face down on the rock. I was breathing heavily a bit, trying to work the energy to get back up. I reached back, taking out a Pokeball again, then pushed myself up. As soon as I did, the Onix came out of the passage with a roar to follow. His head then came down towards me. I dove out of the away, avoid from being crushed from the Onix’s headbutt. I quickly tossed out the Pokeball. “Lucario! Get to it!” I shouted.
The ball bursts open and out came Lucario, landing on the ground and got ready for battle. “RA!” The Pokemon shouted.
“Lucario! Force Palm!” I shouted. The Lucario rushed forward, his hands forming a dark blue aura as it quickly approached the Onix. Lucario then leaped up then came right back down on top of the Onix’s head, driving it into the rock. The Lucario then leaped back as the Onix flailed about to shake the Lucario off of its case then managed to pull itself upon the rock on which we stood.
“Watch it, Lucario!” I said. The both of us stepped back a few steps, trying to be ready for whatever the Onix may do. The Onix grew angry. He quickly moved his gigantic stone tail around with all of his might, showing such Rage against the Lucario. Lucario got swatted aside, getting sent flying and skidding on the rock, nearly avoiding falling off into another rock path below.
“Lucario! You alright over there!?” Lucario pushed himself up, shaking his head a bit. Reeling a bit from the blow, but then out of frustration smashed his hand into the ground. He didn’t care that an Onix got the better of him like that. “Lucario calm down!” I shouted. “This isn’t the time for your pride to get the better of you! Now! Aura Sphere!”
Lucario stood back up and brought his hands together. He was more than happy to oblige on that command. A mass collection of Celestial Chi formed quickly between Lucario’s two hands, then unleashed it upon the Onix. The ball pelted the Onix with such ferocity that the Onix could not weather the blow. The Onix fell over, passed out upon the rock. “Well that’s over with…”
“RA RAAA!”
“Huh?” I looked back behind me, only to get pounced on. Something sharp dug its way through my vest and shirt, clamping down tight on my chest. I then looked, seeing the face of a Persain, fierce it looked, hissing, demanding I stay down. I looked over seeing Lucario preoccupied with three more Persian that were attacking him. Lucario was staving them off for now, but even with advantages going for him, it wasn’t going to last forever. The Persian would probably tire him out before long. “Get off!” I shouted grabbing at the Persian’s claws, pulling them off of my vest then kicked the large cat off of me. “I swear to God, I am going to put that ranger out of his misery myself!”
I took out another Pokeball and threw it out. “Typhlosion! Go!” I shouted.
In a flash of light, the Pokemon inside was revealed. “TY-PHO-SIOOON!” It roared with its mane erupting in a burst of flame. The three Persian surrounding Lucario looked back, one of which rushed off towards the Typhlosion.
“Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” I shouted.
The Typhlosion quickly turned and unleashed its mighty inferno upon the feline. The Persian seeing the incoming pyro quickly tried to come to a stop, skidding across the stone it was running across then made a hard about face, rushing off from the oncoming embers. The other Persian close by rushed at the opportunity and went to rush the Typhlosion. It leaped up and came right down with claws out, slashing Typhlosion. Typhlosion yelped out in pain a bit, looking back at the assailant. “Typhlosion! Strength!” I shouted.
Typhlosion quickly picked up the attacking Persian then slammed it hard with all its might to the ground. When the other Persian tried to come to its aid, Typhlosion looked back then tossed the first Persian towards it. Typhlosion hit his mark in his toss, having the two of them collide with each other.
The two Persian that remained with Lucario looked on in shock, not knowing what they were up against. Even Lucario, who spectated the show of strength that Typhlosion had was left awestruck. He then came out of his daze, realizing he was still in a fight. He quickly charged celestial chi in the palms of his hand then drove one of them into one of the Persian standing close to him, catching it off-guard caused considerable damage to it. The other one standing close by, leaped back, not wanting to suffer the same fate so easily. The cat then moved in and pounced on Lucario, biting down and clawing down Lucario with everything that it had. Lucario braced itself, not wanting to fall over so easily, but the gnawing and clawing of the cat was starting to get under the fighter’s skin. “Lucario! Ice Punch!” I shouted over towards him.
“RAAAA!” The Lucario shoved off the Persian then gave it a hard, chilling punch right across its head. The cat fell over, trembling, more so from the cold than from the pain.
With the Onix fallen and the Persians not really wanting to get up at this point, the each of us gave a sigh of relief. “You guys alright?” I then asked. The two of them spoke to me. They were fine, not caring for being scratching posts to these cats, however.
I perked up, hearing a loud, high-pitched buzzing sound behind me. Before I could look back, I see something fly right by me, heading right for Typhlosion. It was a spinning top of some sort, encircling Typhlosion at a frantic pace, forming a ring of chi that finally closed in tight and disappeared. “What the-?” The top then flew back behind me. I finally turned around and saw the Ranger there with his baton-styler out.
“I was hoping you’d make that mistake.” He said.
“What mistake?” I asked.
“Typhlosion, how about you show me that Strength again.” The ranger said.
“Wait, wha…?” I turned back around, seeing Typhlosion already behind me and took hold of me. “Typhlosion, what are-HEY!” Just as the Persian before it, I got slammed to the ground with all of his strength. Lucario quickly knowing this has went south in a hurry rushed for my aid, only to get stopped by Typhlosion throwing me at him. I warily pulled myself up once again, shaking my head. “Lucario! Are you alright!?”
“Raaa…” That one wasn’t kosher at all. Lucario pulled himself as well then looked over towards the ranger and Typhlosion.
“How…how did you do that?” I spoke up. “What the hell did you do to Typhlosion!?”
“Just like any other Pokemon, really.” The ranger spoke up. “You assumed that we only could use our Capture Stylers on wild Pokemon, didn’t you?”
“What the hell do you think?” I asked.
“Figures. Admittedly, at one time that was true.” The ranger said. “Years ago, when we were trying to spread our influence around, trying to stop the criminal organizations, our sights were set out on the Cipher group out in the Orre region. That desolate dustbowl however didn’t have too much in the way as far as wild Pokemon in concerned. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find them, even in the spots they are known to be in. Cipher would probably be the hardest bunch that we would ever had the ‘fortune’ of shutting down. However, in doing so, we stumbled upon something that they were working on. They had a smaller group of thugs that was doing some of their dirtier work; to them they provided the tool to get the one resource they needed most. The Pokemon. And quite effective the tool is, too.”
“Snag machines.” I spoke up.
“Yes, you would be familiar with such a thing. We modified our stylers with Cipher’s technology, so now when we see the need to, we can call upon the aid of Trainers Pokemon when we see fit. Trainers such as you. Not to mention, it comes with the added benefit of making sure that trainers don’t get smart and try to recall them back to their Pokeballs. The chi that encircles the Pokemon makes a protective barrier that disrupts the recall stream of a Pokeball, making them incapable of being returned until they are released from the styler’s hold.”
“You b*****d…” I said.
“Me? Really?” He asked. “Not like you are exempt from immorality…I very well know that you are part of Miles’s band of rogues and have used Cipher’s original designs for them. Tell me, how many Pokemon have you taken from trainers?”
“Not enough from jerkoffs like you…” I said. “…and apparently you guys are more out of touch than I thought. Miles isn’t around anymore. It’s been a couple of years since I even seen him in person now.”
“So, I assume the ‘spearhead of Miles’ that stands before me is leading the bunch?” he asked.
“Who? Me? Hell no.” I said. “Wait a sec…Spearhead of Miles…what the hell? Did I REALLY get that kind of reputation? Seriously?”
“It doesn’t matter. Now, I believe that there is a stone that you might want to hand over to me.” He said.
I was standing firm at the moment, trying to think of a way out of this. I really didn’t want to fight Typhlosion; not a friend of mine like this. Lucario already had other plans though. Lucario was angry. As far as he was concerned, if defeating the ranger by any means was how Typhlosion was going to come back, even if it meant harming Typhlosion, then he was going to do it, with or without anyone’s approvial. “RAAAAAA!!” Lucario shouted out. His body unleashed a powerful aura and he made a hard, reckless charge towards the two of them.
“Lucario! No! Don’t do it! You can’t take on Typhlosion now!” I shouted. Lucario made a hard leap, forming a powerful Aura Sphere in his hands and was about to come down upon the two with all of his might.
“Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” Typhlosion unleashed its powerful flames towards Lucario, blowing him back with impunity. Lucario only a couple of seconds later, flopped on the ground, burned all over and out cold. Lucario didn’t even stand a chance.
“Not all that well trained, I take it…” the ranger said.
“Lucario, return…” I said, recalling the fallen Lucario back to his Pokeball.
“Any other Pokemon you want to send out or are you going to give me that stone now?” The ranger said.
“You’re not getting it.” I said. Well, I wasn’t lying. “And I’m not sending out any others just so you can do to them what you did with Typhlosion, or have him burn them too.”
“So I guess you are up for becoming a fried Articuno yourself, hm?”
I may have my answer after all now. “Sure…IF YOU THINK YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO IT!” I shouted, charging an Ice Beam in my hand.
“Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” Typhlosion unleashed another powerful pyro, one that engulfed me in a large fireball.
“That idiot. How sad, being defeated by your own Pokemon.” The ranger said, shaking his head. “Pride goes before the fall.”
Typhlosion walked forward towards the inferno that he made, but then something in the back of his mind started to nag at him. A memory. This wasn’t right… “TY-SION! TY-PHO-SION!”
“What? What is it?” The ranger said. This was a weird reaction out of a Pokemon, he figured.
“He said to look out. I’m right behind you.” The ranger turned around, with the look of surprise that I could only wish I had a camera to capture. Little did he realize I deliberately took the attack, as was evidenced by the various burns on me and the charred smell from my clothes. I used it as an opportunity to hide from him for a few seconds to use my Agility. He found my hand quickly grasp at his neck then only a second later, found himself on the ground and my other hand around his hand that held his capture styler. I squeezed tight on the hand crushing not only his hand, but the capture styler within it.
The ranger screamed out, writhing in pain as soon as I let him go. I stood back up, looking back over towards Typhlosion. The Pokemon was soon in a daze, a sign that he was free from the effects of the capture styler. The Pokemon that was fallen by the likes of Lucario and Typhlosion started to come out of their trances, dazed from not only the styler’s effects but the beating they had moments ago. “Typhlosion, are you alright?” I asked.
“Siooonn...” Typhlosion spoke. He then perked up, looked at the burned spot where his flamethrower once was then looked back at me. “Ty-siooon.”
“It’s alright Typhlosion, it’s not your fault.” I said. “Now you.” I reached down and grabbed the ranger by the jacket, pulling him up. “Now you tell me where your piece of the stone for this competition.”
“I…don’t have it…” he said through his gritted teeth.
“What?”
“He said he didn’t have it.” I perked up and looked to my left, only to see a flood of water rush upon me and blew me away, breaking my hold on the ranger that I had and washing me away a good ways. “I got it.”
“Cameron…what…what took you so long?” He said.
“I came straight here. Geez Spencer, I didn’t think you would be anywhere in this bad of shape though. I thought you had this. Where’s Dragonite?” He asked.
“I had him to go look for this one and his partner. If he hadn’t come back yet, it might mean that he found his partner.” Spencer said, looking down at his crushed styler, irritated that he was put in this position.
“Go find him.” Cameron said. “I’ll take care of this.”
“Careful, that’s Miles’s spearhead there. Even though he’s taken a few knocks, he’s still a bit of a fighter.”
“Miles’s spearhead? Really?” Cameron asked.
“Blast it all…am I…really...that deep in that fox’s shadow!?” I said as I warily pushed myself up once more. “It’s Blizzard, you idiots!” I looked back, seeing Cameron, the pudgy guy with a rather peculiar choice in uniform. He was apparently accompanied by a couple of Swampert as well as a Pelliper, and they were more than ready to put up a fight.
“Spencer, Go!” Cameron shouted.
Spencer quickly rushed off as fast as he could with his hand close to his chest which is still in agonizing pain. I looked over towards this new opponent that was now squaring off with me. “This is just not my day…”
---------------
During my scuffle with Spencer, Tristen was still running, trying to make his way to the wide open spaces of the island so he could make his stand and fight. As he rushed, he only could wonder if he and the Pokemon that he had would have the capabilities to at the very least distract just as his teacher has told him.
Tristen then perked up then looked up towards the sky. Something was coming this way. The hard flapping of wings. Within the cover of the sun, the Dragonite was coming for Tristen. “YAAAH!” Tristen dove down to the ground, averting the attack that the dragon had for him. Quickly, Tristen pushed himself up and started running again, trying to find his way back out.
The Dragonite got back high up in the sky, looking down, seeing Tristen making a frantic run for dear life. The dragon then flew right back down, chi started to collect in his claws, ready to strike the boy down where he stood. Tristen looked back up, seeing the Dragonite making another pass. The boy quickly stopped; he wasn’t going to let this happen easily. The boy quickly focused and unleashed a hard Flash. The Dragonite received a huge eyeful of the bright light, stopping the attack and stopping in mid-dive to rub his blinded eyes. It howled in agony for a moment, trying to regain its sight.
The Electrike kid ran off at the opportunity, making every precious second to get out of this passage count. It was only a moment later where he was finally out in the open. Tristen heard the waves; the beach was in sight. He was wide open and was able to fight just as he needed. The Dragonite managed to regain his sight then looked around. The dragon Pokemon flew higher in the sky and took a look around. Off into the distance, there the boy was.
The boy heard the howl of anger coming from the Dragonite. The boy looked back behind him, seeing that the Dragonite was on another attack run. The boy was about ready to unleash another Flash attack, but before he could, the Dragonite stopped and started flapping its wings hard, unleashing a harsh Twister. Tristen tried to brace himself against the onslaught, but apart from the harsh gale and the winds feeling akin to a belt-sander on skin, he couldn’t hold his ground.
The boy got carried away by the dragon’s furious winds then hit the ground only a couple of seconds later. “Ugggh…” Tristen pushed himself up once more, seeing the Dragonite land as he got up. Tristen’s mind started to quickly race. He now had the Dragonite’s attention, rather he intended it in this manner or not. It was the matter of trying to keep it preoccupied so the ranger would be hard pressed in calling it for back-up.
“Castform! Mawile! Come on out!” The boy shouted. He tossed out the two Pokeballs and in a flash of light, out came the two Pokemon ready to go. Though as soon as they came out, they only wondered if they should have stayed inside. The two Pokemon looked at the Dragonite that practically towered over the two. “I know this looks bad but we got to try!” Tristen shouted. “Castform, try a Hail!”
The Castform floated back quickly then started to focus up chi. The Dragonite quickly rushed for the Castform to try to stop the weather change. “Mawile! Sucker Punch!”
Mawile rushed over, cutting the Dragonite off and gave it one of the hardest blows it could do to it. Unfortunately, its mighty blow only did nothing more than annoy it. The Dragonite quickly stop and made one hard twirl, smashing its tail hard into Mawile and sending it flying off towards Tristen. Much to Tristen’s surprise though, instead of making a crash course right into him, Mawile ended up forcibly recalled back into its Pokeball. “Mawile!? MAWILE!” Tristen took out the Pokeball, shaking it, trying to get the Pokemon back out. “Come on, I need you out here!” Tristen realized what had happened. A Dragon Tail attack. Mawile wasn’t going to come back out even if it wanted to right away.
The Castform squealed out just then and discharged a bunch of chi straight into the skies. The clouds instantly thickened up and ice fell from the sky. Dragonite winced once the first pellets came down and pelted his head and Castform squealed in glee at its handiwork as it morphed into its Ice form. The joyous cry would to a panicked scream as Dragonite rushed after the Castform with a Dragon Claw attack. “Castform, look out!”
The Dragonite hit its mark and sent the icy Castform flying down the field. Tristen ran off and dove, catching the Castform in his arms. Once Tristen hit the ground, he looked down at the cloud. Once again, in pitiful shape it was. It was not long ago just got revived from its ordeal against Horus. “Castform, talk to me…please…please say something.”
The Castform moaned if only a little. It was still conscious, if only barely. Tristen sat up, seeing the Dragonite make its way over towards him. The Dragonite then stopped. It looked back towards where the rocky crags were, feeling something off in the wind. Danger? There wasn’t any call for help though; however there was a unsettling feeling. The Dragonite then turned around, pacing off for a bit, getting ready for take-off. It was more than willing to go, if anything, to get away from the hailstorm.
Tristen was about to fail what he set out to do. Tristen became angry. This Dragonite was going to bully the likes of his Pokemon then run off as if nothing happened? “Castform, can you still fight?” Castform looked at Tristen as if he lost his mind. “I know, I must sound crazy to you. But we can’t give up like this now. We got to stop that Dragonite. I need you to try for a little bit longer, just a little. Can you please do that?” The Castform floated out of Tristen’s arms, giving a fatigued nod. “Thank you. Castform! Icy Wind!”
The Dragonite stopped its take-off, looking back only to get caught up in the harsh biting winds. “Where do you think you’re going!?” Tristen shouted to the Dragonite. Tristen took out another Pokeball. “Natu! Go!”
The Dragonite’s attention once again was focused on Tristen and his Pokemon. The Dragonite roared out in irritation. It didn’t care to be blindsided like that, even if it didn’t do any extensive damage. The Dragonite once again started to flap its wings furiously, unleashing the scouring winds of his Twister attack. Tristen once again tried to brace himself to the attack, and once again he was already feeling himself about to get blown away, just as his two light framed Pokemon were. The winds started to burn and scour the more that the three of them tried to resist. It was a matter of time before Natu and Castform was blown away once again.
Tristen continued to hold tight, but he too started to feel he was about to suffer the same fate for a second time. “No!” Tristen shouted. The boy focused as hard as he could then unleashed a hard flash once more, and once again the Dragonite gets an eyeful of the harsh light from Tristen’s crests. The Dragonite squealed out in agony and irritation. A second time he fell for it, a second time that his eyes cried out for mercy. Tristen realized that the time to act was now. “Natu! Power Swap!” Tristen shouted.
Natu hobbled back to its feet and focused as fast as it could. The bird then shrilled out, locking eyes on the Dragonite. An aura started to emanate from Natu as did the Dragonite. The Dragonite started to feel worn out quick, wondering why its strength was diminishing quickly. Natu started to feel invigorated, more than what it ever had before. The Dragonite finally fought through his blindness, then took a look at itself, wondering what just happened.
“Not feeling all that good now that you don’t have all that power with you now, huh?” Tristen asked the Dragonite. The Dragonite shook its head a bit, feeling the effects of his strength instantly drained but then rushed forward towards Tristen and his two Pokemon. The Dragonite gathered chi in its claws once more and swiped at the Natu, but to the Dragonite’s surprise, the Natu weathered the blow with fair ease. The Dragonite then realized the gravity of its situation.
“Natu, Power Swap again! Use it on Castform!” Tristen shouted. Natu then focused once again then traded its newfound strength to its Castform. Castform, near exhausted found a second wind in the Dragonite’s power. The Dragonite quickly flew backwards a bit then got ready for its next attack. The Dragonite quickly charged its strongest attack, the Hyper Beam, then fired it off towards the three of them. The blast kicked up a fair bit of dirt, but as the dirt cleared, the Dragonite realized that the beam may have only been for show at this point. Tristen, Castform, and Natu pushed their way through the dust cloud, staring down the Dragonite.
“Castform! Icy Wind!” Tristen shouted. What was originally a nipping breeze to the dragon was now a full-on blizzard as far as what it was concerned. The Icy Wind ripped by the Dragonite, blowing the Dragonite over onto the ground. The Dragonite felt sluggish. Numb more so from the cold. The Dragonite managed to fight through it and stood back up. The Dragonite realized that it was now outmatched just like that. What is essentially children was starting to take advantage of him, something that was supposed to be a near unrivaled powerhouse.
The Dragonite’s training was then starting to kick in. Rather the ranger needed help or not, the Dragonite knew that it had to go there for certain now to get away from these three and the hailstorm that continued to fall. The Dragonite turned around and kicked off the ground. “No! Natu! Confuse Ray!”
The Natu unleashed a hard flash of chi itself that fell down upon the Dragonite. The Dragonite fell back to the ground on all fours. The Dragon was quick to thrash about. Tristen wasn’t sure on what the Dragonite was hallucinating over, but it couldn’t have been pleasant with how it was trying to fight off all the various images flowing through its mind. The Dragonite charged another Hyper Beam and fired it off in a hard sweeping motion. “Look out!” The three of them moved out of the way, managing to avert the blast that cut into the ground.
The Dragonite was in pure agony; confused out of its mind and drained of its strength, it had the feeling of being a trapped rat in a corner. It was drooling, its eyes grew glassy, it backed up several steps as fast as it could, trying to keep up with the images that stood before it that haunted it. Tristen pitied this Dragonite. A tall, strong, proud beast now subjected to a writhing mess. He felt a little guilty. He was told to distract it, not torture it.
The glassiness of the dragon’s eyes went away as did the dragon’s hallucination. The three was still there before him. “Just stop, Dragonite. I don’t wanna do this to you anymore.” Tristen said. “Just stay here until Blizz gets back.”
The Dragonite got back on his two feet, growling. It was not something it was willing to accept. The dragon’s claws once again started to collect chi for another Dragon Claw attack. “Don’t do it…” Tristen said. The Dragonite rushed forward once more, not going for the Pokemon, but went for Tristen instead. “Castform! Icy Wind!” Tristen shouted. The Castform then unleashed another Icy wind attack, blowing over the Dragonite in its icy wake.
The Dragonite refused to stay down, however. It once again started to push itself up, wondering why is it fighting so hard like this. Tristen knew that this had to come to an end. Something then came to Tristen’s mind; something he learned over the couple of years he has been in these more populated regions. The Pokemon with the rangers are not owned by anyone. When a trainer captures a Pokemon, the ball that they are ensnared in are given a unique chi signature, a signature that associates a Pokemon to a trainer ID and by that extension, the trainer itself. Ranger Pokemon are only there out of an immediate need, or if not that, then it’s a Pokemon’s will that brings them to a ranger. While a Pokemon may be associated to a ranger, there’s really no ties to them. Even though a Pokemon is trained for ranger use, they are just as wild still as one found in the wild.
Tristen took out a Pokeball, a Great Ball. The Dragonite once again, pulled itself up. “Now stop!” Tristen shouted, tossing out the Pokeball at the Dragonite. The ball pelts the Pokemon and instantly the Dragonite entered the ball. The ball shook furiously; the Dragonite inside was still trying to put up a fight, trying to escape the confines of the Great Ball. Tristen’s Pokemon moved forward, waiting to see if the Dragonite would come back out of the ball. For at least a good ten seconds, the ball frantically bobbed and shook in the grass, then finally a click. The ball wasn’t shaking any longer.
As the hailstorm finally died out, Tristen moved ahead of the two Pokemon, a bit reluctantly, wondering if it was too good to be true. He then picked up the great ball and stared at it. “Guys…we…we did it.” Tristen said. “We…got…a Dragonite…” Even he couldn’t believe it himself.
Tristen then perked up, looking back towards the crags. Someone was frantically running this way. Tristen backed up a few seconds and his Pokemon got ready. Spencer turned the corner, seeing Tristen there standing there, but no Dragonite. “…I…could have…sworn that…” He noticed the Great Ball in Tristen’s hand. “…you…seriously did not do what I think you did!?”
“And what if I did?” Tristen asked. “You don’t have Dragonite now to do anything about it. I would be running if I would you.”
“Why? Going to send Dragonite against me?” Spencer asked.
“No. Castform. Thanks to Natu, he has Dragonite’s power.” Tristen said.
It dawned on the ranger what just happened. It wasn’t rocket science to him. Worse, he came to the realization that the ranger had lost everything in this competition. The Dragonite, his styler…he has nothing to fight with other than his two hands and feet and even he wasn’t sure in his situation how far that would get him.
The ranger simply stepped away. He knew he lost the battle, but he couldn’t lose the war. He ran back the way he came. He had to warn his partner. A realization then came to Tristen. “Natu, Castform, thanks you two, but this isn’t over. We got to go find Blizz.”
--------------------
I was literally on my own right now. I could have sent more Pokemon to help stave off this ranger, but then I risk Cameron turning my Pokemon against me just as Spencer did with Typhlosion, a risk I couldn’t bring myself to take. That doesn’t help my case now. While I had plenty of chi to work with, I didn’t have the physical prowess to actually do much with it sans maybe an attack here or there every so often. Long story short, I was exhausted and now I got a ranger fresh out of nowhere with three Pokemon with no qualms of kicking the crap out of me. I could only ask myself at this point just how much worse this can get.
“You know, it’s kind of hard to believe that you got the jump on Spencer like you did.” Cameron said.
“Guess he’s not as good as you thought he was.” I said warily.
“One encounter hardly makes a fair assessment.” Cameron said. “We could argue the point more, but I do have a stone to retrieve from you. Now if you don’t mind…”
“I actually do.” I said.
“Always the hard way.” The ranger said. “Go you two Swampert! Hammer Arm!” he shouted. The two Swampert moved in, rushing towards me as fast as they could. With them coming to me, I run the other way trying to get away from the amphibious duo. Quickly, I rushed to the ledge and jumped off the side into the passages below and started to run down the path before me. The Swampert stopped at the cliff, looking back towards Cameron. “What’s wrong!? You were talking high and mighty a moment ago!” Cameron shouted to me. “Pelliper, go to the sky for me. Keep a look out for him.”
Truth be told, I would prefer not to fight those Pokemon head-on with my own two hands. It’s kind of part of being raised as a human, let alone a Pokemon trainer. Despite being a hybrid and very well could land an Ice Beam or two on these Pokemon, I didn’t want to do it, not even in a situation like this. Basically, I feel, in short, humans and hybrids should fight their own, while the Pokemon fight their own. I didn’t want to raise my hand against even opposing Pokemon like this because very rarely it’s ever their own fault. They’re either minding their own business or, just as with this ranger, under the command of someone else. I couldn’t fight against them; it’d be against my nature. I care too much, really, as much as a strong face I tend to put on.
I looked up, hearing a loud squawk from above. Pelliper was signaling to the others where I was at. “Blast it…” It was clear that I needed to get my Pokemon to help me at this point, but at the same time, I didn’t want to run the risk of the ranger coming out of nowhere and using his styler. I needed to separate the ranger from these Pokemon. I may have an idea.
As I continued down the path, one Swampert jumped down from above to cut me off. The second one fell down behind me. The Pelliper above descended to make sure no escape was going to get made. “Alright…play it your way…” I said. I raised my arm, using my Ancientpower attack to raise pillars in front of me to block one of the Swampert off. “Swampert!” The ranger shouted from the cliff above. “Muddy Water!”
“Son of a…” The Swampert stomped on the ground and water started to shoot from the ground, mixing up with the rock and dirt within the passage. I braced myself against the rock wall, hanging on tight as the muddy water washed by me. I ended up eventually losing my grip and washed down the passage, eventually grabbing onto the icy pillars that I formed. “Ugh…not what…I had planned for this!”
By the time the attack mostly washed away, I found myself being grabbed by the second Swampert. He braced himself through the entire attack, waiting for that opportunity. I get dragged between the pillars then slammed to the ground, then eventually pinned there.
“PERT!” The Swampert yelled in my face.
“Your mama…” I said back to him. An unamused look came from the Swampert. Yea, piss poor comment, but I was kind of in no mood to think of any good retort.
“Nice work, Swampert! You. Try to find that stone on him.” Cameron shouted to his two Swampert.
If I didn’t move now, the jig was up. I quickly snapped an arm away from the Swampert pinning me and grabbed a Pokeball. Now it was desperate times. There was no way I was getting out of this without help of some kind. “Porygon-Z!” I shouted, tossing the ball. The ball bursts open and out came the Porygon-Z, ready for battle. “Porygon-Z! Tri-Attack!”
Porygon-Z quickly took aim and fired its Tri attack at the Swampert pinning me down, blasting the Pokemon off of me. I pulled myself up, seeing Cameron pull out his Capture Styler. “NO!” I quickly gave a wave of the arm, pillars shooting out of the cliff around Cameron. With a clinch of the fist, I detonated the attack, the rock loosened and fell apart. Cameron tumbled down the cliff, down into the passage with the rest of us.
“Porygon-Z, we got to move!” I shouted. As soon as I got up, I cringed for only a second then started to move. Apparently I didn’t have as much chi to use as I thought I had. I probably could pull off maybe one more Ice Beam shot if I didn’t bother to focus a lot to charge, but I doubted that it’d be any use. Furthermore, I probably used Ancientpower too much at this point. I could feel the earthen chi starting to get the better of me from my Ancientpower’s chi trade-off quirk.
“Augh!” Cameron pulled himself up, rubbing his head. The shot Swampert looked a little dazed, the other two Pokemon were looking at Cameron out of concern. “I’m fine, I’m fine! Pelliper! Follow those two!”
The bird started to ascend once more, looking down from above. My senses tripped. I looked back up. “Porygon-Z! We got a scout!”
“Pory!” The Porygon-Z fired a Tri-Attack up towards the Pelliper. The Pelliper managed to avert the shot, flapping in a near panic to right itself back.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:38 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 4)
“You’re not going to get a good shot off unless it starts coming closer…” I said. I looked up ahead. The path split off in two ways just up ahead. “Porygon-Z, I need you to be careful. Go left up ahead…I’ll go right. We got to try to sandwich these guys. In the meantime, if you can peg that Pelliper, go for it, but don’t get caught. Got it?” I asked, taking out another Pokeball.
“Pory!”
“Go!”
Quickly the two of us split up down the separate paths. The Pelliper stopped staring in confusion for a moment, but then went to go follow me. As I ran, I tossed a Pokeball forward. “Typhlosion! Come back out!” I shouted. When the ball landed, a burst of light came forth and out came Typhlosion back on the field. “Come on, Typhlosion! This way!”
“Ty-Sion?”
“No time to explain! Come on!”
I heard the Pelliper squawking above once again, trying to warn the ranger about my next Pokemon released. “I can only wonder if that Pelliper knows for certain if that ranger can actually understand Pokemon like I can…” I said.
“Ty-sion…”
“No matter…Typhlosion, wait here.”
“Sion?”
“Smokescreen. Now.”
The Typhlosion’s mane lit up and the Typhlosion exhaled a hard dark plume of smoke. The smoke quickly started to fill up the passage way, covering the two of us up.
“Woah woah, wait!” The ranger was close behind me, probably was gaining on me at this point with as little steam I had at this extent. I probably did a good thing in getting the Smokescreen up at this point. Within the cloud, I could sense the ranger, the two Swampert, and the Pelliper starting to descend upon the cloud. “Pelliper! Whirlwind! Blow out this cloud!”
“Per!” Instead of a windstorm, a hard shot rang out in the chasm. The Pelliper fell and hit the ground no more than two inches from me, frozen solid.
“Porygon-Z, I love you.” I said silently.
“What the!? Pelliper! No! It came from over there! The bird got the slip on us!” Cameron shouted.
The two Swampert and the ranger then started off from where the shot rang out. My instincts then tripped suddenly. Someone was coming. “Cameron! Cameron!” I picked up the frozen Pelliper and got out of the smokescreen for air and made my way to the corner, listening in. Spencer came back.
“Spencer! What’s wrong? Where’s Dragonite?”
“The kid...” Spencer said, breathing kind of heavily. He was running as fast as he could. “…he got Dragonite. He captured him in a ball…”
“He what!? How!?” I couldn’t help but to put my hand on my beak, trying to hold back a gasp of surprise. Did I just hear that right? I asked the kid to distract that thing. He apparently did that and then some. The tide turned heavily in our favor. This was the time to pounce.
I made one hard whistle in the area. Porygon-Z got out of hiding, readying a Tri-attack, training it on the rangers and the Swampert. I turned the corner, charging what was essentially an Ice Beam that was bluff, but an Ice Beam none the less. Typhlosion with his mane lit was putting on his best intimidating pose. “Well gentlemen, I can relate a bit…I’ve been having a pretty bad day, too.” I said, putting the Pelliper down back on the ground and slid the bird over towards the rangers.
“Blizz!” Tristen shouted. The Electrike kid turned the corner a few seconds later, alongside his Natu and his Castform, seeing the standoff between me and the rangers.
“Hey Tristen, you guys okay over there!?” I asked him.
“We’re okay!” he said.
“Good…” I said, looking back at the rangers. “Now…I think it’s my turn to ask again for the stone, isn’t it?”
Tristen realized what was going on and got ready himself. Cameron started to lift up his styler, slowly, as if trying to get ready to capture one of the two Pokemon I have out. “You can try pal, but I can’t guarantee how well it’ll end.” I said, pointing my Ice Beam towards him.
“Cameron…” Spencer spoke up. “He’s got us. We can’t fight like this. Hand it over. We got the rest of the week.”
“…are you sure?” Cameron asked.
“They win the battle. For now.” Spencer said. Cameron put down his styler then reached into one of his pockets. He pulled out a hankerchief, and within it was the stone he was guarding. He tossed the rock over towards me. I caught the rock and looked at it. It pretty much looked similar to what we had before losing it to Kalana and Horus. “Take your leave. Tristen, Porygon-Z, clear the way.” I said.
Tristen and Porygon-Z moved aside, leaving the path open for the rangers and the Pokemon to move through. Cameron picked up his frozen Pelliper then walked off along with Spencer. As the two left, Tristen and Porygon-Z came up to Typhlosion and I. “Tristen…did you really capture that Dragonite?” I asked. Tristen pulled out the Great Ball in question. “Oh man…do you think you could handle it?”
“I…didn’t think about that…” Tristen said.
“Oh boy...”
“I don’t think it would be able to do much now though…I kinda…did a lot to it…” Tristen said.
“Looks like he did a bit of a number to you, too.” I said.
“Yea…”
“I don’t know about you, but we better get out of here before something else happens. I’m exhausted…we may need to find some place to hide and assess the damage here. That said though…I think I’ll keep the rock this time.” I said.
“Yeah.”
“Typhlosion, Porygon-Z, you two return for now. Good job.” I said. With the nod from the two of them, I took out my Pokeballs for them both and recalled them.
“You too, Natu and Castform. You guys did great.” Tristen recalled his own Pokemon back into their respective Pokeballs.
I then took out one more Pokeball and released Telia once again. “Telia, Island Four…get us out of here.” I said. “We need a break.” Telia gave a nod and started to focus. In a flash, we were gone from Ruin Valley.
-----------
In an instant, we arrived at Island Four. I guided Tristen to the far side of the island, one part rarely visited, unless someone was specifically trying to capture a Pokemon here, and that is a rarity in of itself. On the far side of the island was a cave that was practically the coldest spot in all of the Sevii Islands – the Icefall Cave. Rather there was an actual scientific explanation why there is a cave packed to the brim in ice, or is it just a natural fluke would baffle professors world over today, it would be to our advantage at this point as a hideout spot to recollect ourselves. “Blizz…do you really always have to go to the coldest spots?” That said, it probably would be to the disdain to some.
“Well, while I will admit it’s a little out of bias, not many actually comes up this way.” I said to him. “Besides, what’s wrong with the cold?”
“Well nothing. Other than it gets kinda…um…” Tristen tried to think on the best words for this.
“Kinda…?”
“…well…much?” Tristen asked. “Your real home is an ice gym, you work out of a mountain that four months out of a year where it snow piles up as high as me, and-“
“…I’m thinking the word you’re looking for is ‘old’.” I said. “I would have figured that you would have been liking it considering what conditions Tails and I found you in. For that matter, I’d figure you’d be used to it by now.” I said.
He thought about that. Steamy hot hut in the middle of the desert and overbearing, narcissistic adults on one’s case at every turn. “I guess it could always be worse.”
“Uh-huh…at any rate…” I took off my pack and sat it right at the cavern’s entrance, giving a hard sigh then sat down on the ground. “Ugh…I am out of it.” I said, rubbing the back of my head. “I could just pass out so easily...”
“What about our Pokemon?” Tristen then spoke up.
“So much for that idea…” I said. “You’re right. How are yours anyways?” I asked.
“Well Castform is probably tired now since it doesn’t have Dragonite’s chi…” Tristen said. “Then Dragonite itself…um…I dunno…”
“…that…doesn’t sound good.” I pushed myself up again. “…let Dragonite out and let’s see what you got to work with.” I told him. Tristen took out the Great Ball and tossed it out. In a flash of light, the Dragonite was revealed…only…not in the best of shape, or for that matter, moods. It laid there, flat on the ground, cringing a bit, still cold from the souped-up ice attacks dealt by Castform, and it looked pretty angry. “Good God, Tristen, what the hell did you do to him?”
“Uh…battled…him?” Tristen said.
“Yea, I’ll say...”
“Hey, he was a hard fight! He made Mawile run back into her ball almost soon after the battle started!” he said.
“Well, it doesn’t matter now.” I said, going back over towards my pack and bringing it over towards the Dragonite. “Get a couple of your potions out and let’s get him back to shape, alright?” I said.
“Alright, Blizz.” He took off his own pack, taking out the first potion he had then started his way to the Dragonite. The Dragonite snapped at Tristen, growling a bit. Tristen, from the sudden move, jumped a bit, dropping the potion.
“Tristen, you can’t let him intimidate you, got it? If anything, he’s a Pokemon in need of help. He may resent it, probably too prideful to want it, but help him anyways.” I said.
Silently, Tristen gave a nod to me, picked up the potion he dropped then started to try to tend to the Dragonite. The Dragonite started to kick about, but cringed some. “Dragonite, don’t do that!” He said. I’m starting to fear that Tristen capturing the Dragonite was a bad idea. Tristen up until now wasn’t using Pokemon no taller than he was at most, let alone all were unevolved. Now he was dealing with a Pokemon that could potentially waste him in a blink if he wasn't careful, providing this Dragonite was in any shape to do so. Dragonite didn’t want to seem to listen to Tristen at all, despite Tristen’s worried pleas. Being intimidated by this brute, despite being weakened, wasn’t helping matters either.
I gave a sigh and went to help Tristen tend to the Dragonite. As I started around, I noticed something around the dragon’s neck. “Hey, what’s this?” It looked like a little chain of some sort; doesn’t look all that strong. Similar to what you probably would find on jewelry and the like. It even had a latch that held the chain around the Dragonite’s neck. I unlatched it and went to pull the chain off. The Dragonite flailed just a little, making Tristen step back a couple of steps. “HEY! Calm down. You’ll get it back. I’m just curious.” The Dragonite stopped once again, wincing a bit.
I took a look at it, seeing a tag on the chain. On the front was a blue and gold emblem of some sort; an emblem making up of two letters. “D.B.?” I spoke up. On the back of the tag looked as if some sort of ID number perhaps. Not really too sure. “You want to tell me what this is about? ‘D.B.’? That a nickname of yours?” I asked. The Dragonite only growled at me, giving me the evil eye. “Okaaay…plan B then…”
I then went back over to my pack and pulled out my SNAG. I took a picture of the front and back of the tag and then made a call. “Hopefully she isn’t having TOO much fun…” I said.
It took a few seconds but then an answer. “Blizzard?” Video came up on the SNAG’s screen. I saw Freth, apparently under some sort of shade, maybe an umbrella, and a pair of sunglasses.
“Freth, hey. Yea, it’s me.” I said.
“I thought you couldn’t ask for help.” Freth said.
“I’m not. What makes you think I need help anyways?” I asked.
“Well first off, you look like you had the hell kicked out of you pretty badly.” Freth said.
“Ok, that’s a given. Yes, but I’m still standing anyhow.”
“There’s also considering that you haven’t even made it through day one and I already see the remains of an attempted Sheer Cold attack a ways down the beach. Who the hell deserved that one?” she asked.
“Kalana. Long story.” I said to her. “Anyways, the reason why I called you…I need you to recall your bounty hunting days real quick for me.” I said.
“Providing I can remember much. It was short lived, remember?” she asked.
“True, but maybe you can tell me something…here, let me send you something.” I send the picture file to her, waiting a second for her to look at it.
“Where did you find this?” Freth asked.
“On that.” I said, holding the SNAG over to the Dragonite that Tristen is trying to tend to.
“Was that a Dragonite!? It belonged to those Rangers, didn’t it?” Freth asked.
“It was with them, yes.” I said. “Tristen captured it.”
For the next moment, I could hear nothing but frantic laughter coming over the SNAG. “I-I-I can’t believe that-HAHAHAHAHAHA-that Tristen…Tristen of all people caught a DragonitHAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Tristen perked up, staring at me, hearing the frantic laughter blaring over the SNAG. “Is Freth going to be okay?” Tristen asked.
“I wonder that myself.” I said.
“HAhaha…I’m sorry…I’m sorry haha…It’s just how hilarious…that Tristen may have just stranded the rangers to the islands for a short while.” Freth said over the SNAG.
“Come again?” I asked.
“Oh sure, they could go from island to island if they get lucky to find water Pokemon, but if they plan on getting back to their station, which I don’t think there is one anywhere on these islands, they are stuck here unless they can find a ferry out of the island chain to take them back to the likes of the Fiore region!” Freth said, laughing a bit still.
“How do you figure?” I asked.
“That emblem that you have there is an insignia that recognizes a Dragonite to be part of the Dragonite Bus system! It’s a bunch of trained Dragonite to transport a ranger, usually from ranger post to post. The Dragonite Bus system in particular is centered on the Fiore Region, and I think they’re the only ones that does. I think the other regions just use maybe Staraptor or Pidgeot. At any rate, there are even fewer Dragonite that are part of their inter-regional travels! Either way you look at it, Tristen just hijacked their ride!”
“Huh…well, that happened.” I said.
“…you’re such a joykill at times, Blizzard.” Freth said.
“Sorry…too exhausted to laugh along. I’ll make up for it later, I’m sure.” I said. “Besides, you’re not the one in this competition, you know. Speaking of…enjoying yourself?”
“Oh yea. Got the beach to myself for the moment.” She said.
“…at this time of the day? How the hell did you manage that?” I asked.
“Well when you got a boyfriend that turned a beach into a warzone…” She said.
“Sorry I asked.” I said.
“So, I’m enjoying the peace, under the sun and all before someone gets the same idea. It’s actually quite peaceful.” She said.
“And what of Doc?” I asked.
“Oh he’s around. I think he’s hitting up a store somewhere. I think he’s finally a little self-conscious now.” Freth said.
“How?” I asked.
“Well you’re not the only one who made fun of his swimsuit yesterday.” She said. “Let me take that back. Not so much as make fun as…um…mistaken him for an old lady. Orderly wouldn’t let him hear the end of it. I never seen a Machamp laugh so hard.”
“Wow…won’t listen to me, learn the hard way.”
“Hypocrite.” She said.
“Yea, yea…”
“Freth, is this any better?” Doc’s voice was heard in the background. Freth turned away from the SNAG for a second, dropped her sunglasses down, making sure that she was not hallucinating, then looked back at the SNAG. “Blizzard, I may have to let you go…I don’t think I’ll be able to hear you over the sheer loudness of Doc’s shirt.”
“Have…fun…with that…” I said, tilting my head. Suddenly I was scared to know. “Later, Freth…”
I ended the transmission then went to stash the SNAG. “Apparently, I’m not going to be the only one in for a long week.” I said to Tristen. I then went back to Tristen to help tend to the Dragonite.
“So what do we do now, Blizz? Are we just going to sit here all day?” Tristen asked.
“We may as well…we already been through two fights and we’re out of it, Dragonite is out of it, and thanks to Typhlosion being brainwashed momentarily, Lucario needs a bit of help too, and considering we can’t hang around a Pokemon Center unless we want to call it quits…”
“This is even harder than Challenger’s Cave…” Tristen said to me.
“I’d have to agree with you on that one. We’ll be fine, though…” I said. “Just have a bit of faith here, alright?
-----------
Through the rest of the afternoon and on into the evening, we tended to the tired and injured Pokemon outside of the Icefall Cave, had a small little campfire cookout, grilling a couple of hot dogs from a pack that we brought along to eat. As soon as the meal was over, we decided to call it a night at the entrance of the cave. As the sun started to come back up over the horizon the next morning, Tristen started to wake up to a stirring. He sat up from his pack that he used as a pillow, rubbing his eyes. He noticed that the Pokemon that were being helped, such as Castform and Lucario were still there on the ground, sleeping away. One was unaccounted for, however. The Dragonite, still a bit bandaged up and reeking of potions from the day before, was up and walking away from the cavern.
“Dragonite?” Tristen pushed himself up and started his way over to him. “Dragonite, where are you going?” The Dragonite started to spread its wings, ready to take off. “Hey! Dragonite, wait!” Just as the Dragonite kicked off the ground, Tristen jumped off and grabbed the dragon’s tail. Dragonite looked down, staring at Tristen with irritation. He couldn’t go up as high or as fast as he wanted to with Tristen weighing it down a bit, more so with Tristen’s own training wear. “Don’t go! You haven’t healed fully yet!” The Dragonite flailed his tail about, trying to shake Tristen off of him, Tristen hanging on for dear life.
From the commotion, I woke up as well, as well as the other Pokemon. Lucario looked down the path away from the tunnel. “RA! RARARA!”
“Huh? What the hell!?” I quickly pushed myself up, trying to go help Tristen, only to find help wasn’t needed. In the midst of Dragonite’s flailing, the Dragonite winced a bit; the injuries starting to ache and it slowly made its way back down. Tristen let go of the tail and got out of the way of the Dragonite’s landing. Dragonite landed a couple of seconds later, cringing a bit.
“I told you…” Tristen said. “Why were you trying to leave?”
The Dragonite turned around and roared loud to Tristen. Tristen quickly backed up, intimidated by the gesture, not wanting to get caught up in any attack should the dragon try it. “Tristen, recall Dragonite!” I shouted.
Tristen quickly searched himself, finally pulling out the Great Ball. The Dragonite didn’t want any part of the ball again and started to hobble off as fast as it could. “Dragonite, come back!” Tristen shouted. There was no avoiding the recall beam from the ball; the Dragonite was ensnared and was pulled back into the device.
“Tristen, what just happened?” I asked when I started to come up to him.
“Dragonite was trying to leav-“
“Not what I was talking about. Why did you back away from him? I told you that you can’t be scared of him. He’s going to bully you if you don’t stand up to him.” I told him.
“Maybe capturing Dragonite really was a bad idea…” Tristen said. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“Tristen, stop. Just…stop. It was bound to happen someday…one way or another.” I said to him. “You got to learn to not let a Pokemon, no matter how big they are, no matter how strong they are, get the better of you like that. The Dragonite’s pride is hurt right now; it may be a while before it even wants to accept the fact that you’re the trainer now, or accept the fact that it might not be hanging around with the rangers anymore. Who knows? You got to remain firm against it regardless.” Tristen remained silent, taking it all in. Thoughts crossed the boy’s mind to perhaps at one point return the dragon back to the Rangers should he ever see them again or leave it locked in the Pokeball, the latter being severely frowned upon.
I gave a slight sigh, rubbing my eyes. I took out my SNAG to check the time. “…well, we might as well be up and about now.” I said. I went back to my pack, opened it up and grabbed a couple of breakfast bars from it, tossing one to Tristen. “Eat up; it’s going to be another long day I’d imagine.” I said.
After recalling the remaining Pokemon that were out, we went back down the hill away from the cavern, snacking down on the breakfast bar on the go. I looked down on the small little town of sorts below us. Nothing going on at this hour; just as expected. A situation that can change drastically in an instant if yesterday was any evidence. “Blizz, wasn’t those two people that you didn’t like supposed to be on this island?” she asked.
“You’re talking about Prima and Lee? Yea, I believe so.” I said to him. “I kind of wonder what happened after we left them in the dust on One Island yesterday.”
“Maybe Horus and Kalana got them?” Tristen asked.
“Personally I kind of hope that, but then, considering the damage I did to Kalana, I doubt the two of them are all that willing to go have at it with anyone right away after that.” I said. “If Horus has any heart for her, he wouldn’t even try it.”
“So where do we go?” Tristen then asked.
“Good question…everyone had a while to move around the islands now ever since yesterday afternoon. I don’t suspect the rangers in particular to want to pick a fight with anyone right now, though. Horus and Kalana are probably back ready to fight by now, perhaps. I don’t want to have another run in with them anytime soon with that said.” I said. “I honestly don’t have any idea other than maybe check back on One Island and island hop.”
“So we’re back to our very first problem.” Tristen said with his mouth full after taking a bite of the bar.
“That may be a common trend until this is over.” I said. “I still want to find that hybrid, however. No telling where he is right now. Blast it, we couldn’t even find him yesterday. I almost suspect after the other night, he’s trying to avoid me. At this point, it’s probably going to be real easy for him.” I gave a near defeated sigh then looked down at Tristen who was finishing his last bite of his bar, then he looked back up towards me. “Let’s just skim the town real quick and then head off for somewhere else. It shouldn’t take long. If we do find someone, we’ll figure out if we will stay and fight or not.”
Tristen and I then went off into the town. The place in general was pretty small; a wonder if this place could really be called one. A village perhaps? Regardless, the houses were pretty spaced apart, leaving a good majority of them a grand view of the beach in some light or another. True to what I said, it didn’t take all that long to look around. “Figures…let’s go…” I said, taking out a Pokeball.
“Ice Beam!” Two voices shouted in unison. Two icy shots rang out across the town. My instincts tripped and before I looked back, the two shots blasted me and knocked me over onto the ground.
“BLIZZ!” Tristen shouted, looking back towards where the shots came from, quickly taking out a Pokeball himself.
“Like you said, Blizzard! Everyone is open game! Even you!”
“Blizz, it’s-“
“I know…” I said, lying there for a second. Did the attack hurt? The Ice Beams making impact did more damage than the attack itself, to be all honest. If anything that did get hurt was my pride in allowing Prima and Lee of all people to get the jump on me like that. I pushed myself up and shook off the ice that caked on my back from the Ice Beam shot, then turned around. “Blast it, it’s too early in the morning to deal with stupidity…” Across the town I saw Prima and Lee accompanied by a couple of Ice types.
One of which was a Cloyster which was more than likely owned by Prima. Prima was primarily defensive oriented. She carried around with her such tanks such as this Cloyster and a Lapras on most occasions; Icy Pokemon that could take a massive hit when need be. The right Pokemon was a Glalie, my guess was more than likely owned by Lee. Using Pokemon such as Glalie and here recently as I understand it, a Beartic, Lee was essentially the offense to Prima’s defense. Why they can’t emphasize both on their own is beyond me. Apparently, no one believes in pure balance anymore, I guess.
Regardless of their fighting styles, even I had to admit that I may be a little pressed now. In the past, I only went one on one with either one of them, never the both, which is probably how I usually beat the hell out of them. If I get caught up in a Pokemon battle here, right now, they’d probably be prone to pick on Tristen if anything. Then again, these guys made it clear this probably wasn’t going to resort to that after shooting me in the back with their Pokemon’s Ice Beams. “So, Blizzard! Ready for another go! Or you want to hand over your stone now!?”
My answer? As soon as after I stash the Pokeball I took out a moment ago, I fire couple of quick Ice Beam shots back towards them from my own hand.
“WATCH IT!” Prima, Lee, and the Glalie ducked behind the Cloyster, who instantly withdrew into its shell as the icy shots pelted it.
“Tristen! Come on!” I quickly grabbed Tristen’s hand and quickly ducked behind one of the houses to take cover real quick.
Lee peered over the Cloyster, seeing us nowhere in immediate sight. “Ugh! CHICKEN!”
I stayed behind the building and gave a hard sigh. “I really didn’t want to see them today…”
“Blizz, I don’t think you ever wanted to see them.” Tristen said.
“And you’d be right.” I said. “Well, whatever. They’re part of the competition too…meaning they got something we need.”
“Their stone…”
“Right. We’re going to have to fight these guys; might as well get it over with now and put them out of commission.” I said. Before I had the chance to start quickly thinking on a plan, the Glalie made its way down the path and saw us.
“Crap! Tristen move!” Tristen and I went down the side of the house. When we turned the corner, I skidded to a stop, seeing Prima with the Cloyster.
“Cloyster! Ice Shard!” Prima shouted. The Cloyster unleashed a flurry of ice towards Tristen and I. I got in front of the Electrike kid to shield him from the attack, having the icy shards hit their mark.
“Ugh…”
“Blizz, you okay!?” Tristen asked.
“I’m fine…” I said.
Tristen thought for a moment as he looked down the ways, seeing Prima and her Cloyster. The Glalie was floating towards him with Lee following behind. Tristen thought for a second; trying to think back all he was taught. If anything, he was thinking the same thing as I was. We had to separate these two.
Tristen quickly ran off towards the Glalie as fast as he could. “Tristen, what are you doing!?” I shouted.
“Oh no you don’t! Glalie! Ice Beam!” Lee shouted.
The Glalie quickly charged the icy shot and fired at Tristen; the boy however unphased by the threat. He quickly slid under the attack as well as the Glalie, then quickly brought himself right back up heading for Lee. I sensed Tristen’s chi was about to spike – I knew what he was going to do. Only problem is that, while the boy’s skills are growing, I didn’t think he would be able to take out Lee in the long run. But maybe that wasn’t his intent anyways.
“Surprise!” Tristen shouted. A hard bright flash was unleashed right in front of Lee. In that few seconds the light blanketed the area, I made my move, disappearing before everyone with my Agility.
“Lee! Are you alright!? Blizzard is gone!” Prima shouted. Before she knew it, a wall of ice rose before her, blocking her and her Cloyster off in an instant from Lee and Tristen. “No I’m not…you and Lee wanted to get to me so bad, Prima. You wanted to berate me, belittle my very existence despite the fact that if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have a job right now. You look down on anyone who isn’t the so-called ‘elite’ material, when really, ‘elite’ is nothing more than a title that’s empty unless you actually show your worth.”
“Like I need you to tell me that!” Prima said. “Just like you; always disrespecting anyone that has a position of power over you. I’m entitled to respect, Blizzard!”
“Respect is earned, heifer! I don’t care if you are the freakin’ champion in every blasted region. I don’t know why Lorelei chose you. Perhaps she took pity, or maybe the woman actually saw something. To be quite frank, I didn’t care that she picked out a couple of apprentices. To each their own. Was I jealous? Hell no, I already got who I felt was the best teacher ever, anyhow. And incidentally enough, years later, fortunate enough to find another real good one. What got you to be on my bad side is how you take advantage of whatever privileges you received when you went under her wing and how you tend to be around my teacher, then turn right around and try to be all so innocent puppies around Lorelei. Blast it, in case you didn’t realize, my so called ‘mercenary superhero’ work as you so aptly called it consists of me mainly kicking the hell out of people with your kind of stupid mentality, just to see to it that it doesn’t screw anyone over! The rangers are a testament to that one, for example…” I told her. “Though in your case, it doesn’t seem to matter how hard my Pokemon stomp yours into the floor, I’m still somehow the inferior apprentice, and by extension the inferior trainer? Right. That’s a laugh. While you’re at it, how about make petitions about banning Garchomps from being registered in the Pokemon League and disallow the likes of Pokemon using weather based attacks and abilities. I’m sure that’ll go over well.” I gave a hard sigh, taking out a Pokeball.
“You talk as if you truly know me. I had to work just to get Lorelei’s attention, in case you didn’t know, Blizzard, just as you had to with Pryce! We’re not anywhere near self-centered as you’re giving us credit for!” Prima said. “Besides, are you done talking already or can we get this over with?”
“Finally we can agree on something…by the way though, by the time this is over, you best pray Lee doesn’t go overboard on Tristen. Let’s end this…”
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After the flash discharge, Tristen ran off for cover behind a nearby house. If a Gym Leader apprentice’s Pokemon was tough, then it wasn’t rocket science to Tristen just possibly how tough an Elite Apprentice’s Pokemon was. Even though his teacher downplayed these two quite a bit over the past couple of days, they were still a major threat regardless to the Electrike boy. Furthermore, Tristen already had one rough run against Dragonite yesterday, and knew he couldn’t afford to get in an all-out confrontation with Lee’s Pokemon with his own if he valued his standing in this competition. His one ‘ace in the hole’ his Natu with the likes of his Power Swap wasn’t something he didn’t want to send out so quickly since Natu was considerably frail, only made worse by the fact that, just as Tristen’s teacher, Lee carries a favor to the Ice type. He was left at a loss as to what to do other than to stall all he can while the father-figure tries to have his way with Prima.
“UGH! Blasted kid!” Lee rubbed her eyes, trying to force them open through the sheer pain of getting blinded as she did only a moment ago. Lee padded herself down, then pulled out a pair of sunglasses and put them on to help with the recovery process. Furthermore, it could very well help from getting blinded easily again by the Electrike kid. “Alright, brat! Where are you!?”
Tristen peered around the corner, then sighed in disgust. “Why did it have to be sunglasses?” he asked himself.
Lee thought for a moment then simply cracked a grin. She could only wonder something that was worth a test. “Prima, I’m coming!” Tristen quickly stiffened up then cleared the corner, charging up his electricity for a Thunder Wave. “Gotcha! Glalie! Ice Beam!” Tristen slipped and tripped then stumbled off back for cover, barely averting the ice beam shots that were sent his way. “Glalie! Get to it!” The Glalie went forward quickly, Lee taking out another Pokeball and started to make her way around the house. “Come on out, Cryoganal!” Lee then called out, sending out another Pokeball, revealing a Cryoganal ready to battle.
Tristen, trying to recollect himself as fast as he could, found himself running once again once the Glalie cleared the corner. The Electrike kid rushed the opposite way of the Glalie, rushing out of cover and right in sight of Lee and her Cryoganal. “Frost Breath!” Lee shouted.
Tristen looked over, seeing the Cryoganal reer back then unleashed the chilling breath towards him. Tristen made a hard dive, averting the attack, and hitting the ground face first. Not a graceful landing, but there were worse fates. Tristen quickly reached back for his Pokeballs, grabbing one of them and got it at the ready as he went to push himself back up in a hurry. “Blitzle!” Tristen shouted, tossing out the Pokeball.
The ball lands on the ground and out came the Blitzle, ready for battle. “A Blitzle? Is that really the best you can do?” Lee asked. “And Blizzard said we were the ones out of our league…”
“I can handle myself, thank you!” Tristen snapped back; if only to put on a show if anything. Lee was right, he was in over his head at the moment.
“Tch, that’s cute.” Lee spoke up. “Ugh, why am I still bothering talking to you in the first place? Let’s get this over with. Glalie! Cryoganal! Ice Beam!”
The Ice Pokemon trained their sights on the lone Blitzle, readying their chilling attacks. “Blitzle! Agility! Hurry!” The Blitzle stumbled but quickly regained its footing, blazing off a path away from the two ice beam shots. It was about all it could do at the moment. Tristen quickly took out another Pokeball. “Mawile!” Tristen shouted, tossing the ball out.
The ball hit the ground and out came the Mawile, ready for battle. “Rah!” The Mawile shouted out.
“More for the pickings, I’d say.” Lee said. “Glalie! Ice Beam!”
Tristen’s eyes went wide. Resistance or not, this attack was going to overpower Mawile easily. “Mawile! Sucker Punch!” Tristen shouted. Mawile quickly rushed for the Glalie with great speed, smashing into the thick floating hunk of ice. “Blitzle! Flame Charge!” Tristen then commanded. The Blitzle followed it up, its electrical sparks igniting fires about it, then smashed into the Glalie soon after. Despite such an onslaught however, the Glalie wasn’t too harmed from the ordeal. The difference in training, all the more obvious at this point. The Glalie got back around and fired the Ice Beam in retaliation at the two Pokemon, blasting them away in its icy wake. The Pokemon cried out as they the two of them were sent flying back, while not frozen, but frosted over. Shivering and hurting.
“Well, that was reckless. Cryoganal! Use Night Slash!” Lee shouted. The Cryoganal rushed forward, then flew horizontally. Its body exuding darkened celestial chi, its body spinning around as if a rotary saw.
“Blitzle! Mawile! Look out!” As the two Pokemon started to push their way up off the ground, they looked on to see the incoming Cryoganal. As the Cryoganal rushes right by them, they get caught by the chi in its bladed form, getting slashed hard and sent them back down to the ground. More to Tristen’s dismay, they weren’t getting back up. Tristen winced as he recalled his two Pokemon.
“Well that was easy.” Lee said. “Anything else you want to throw out?”
Truth be told, Tristen was afraid to send any others. The only one that could possibly stand a chance would maybe be Dragonite, but it was still injured from yesterday and furthermore, it didn’t want to have anything to do with Tristen in the first place. Natu and Castform on the other hand would get tossed aside as quickly as Mawile and Blitzle. Being in this predicament upset the kid. Nearly two years of training thus far and he’s still not putting up a fight like he hoped to.
“Yea, thought as much…” Lee said. “Glalie, Cryoganal, watch him. I got to go check on Prima.” She went to go run off, taking out another Pokeball to get at the ready.
A chill ran down Tristen’s spine. He knew that this wasn’t going to end well if Lee joined in on Prima’s fight. Forget Pokemon battling – just as his teacher said. She was just as open game as her Pokemon was. So it was probably time for her to get fighting, too.
“Castform!” Tristen shouted, tossing out a third Pokeball.
Lee turned back around, staring back a bit frustratingly. The kid actually did work up the gall to fight back still. “Seriously?” She asked.
To this he answered “Sunny Day!” The Castform unleashed a hard discharge of chi towards the sky. The sunlight intensified greatly and Castform transformed into a rather happy sunny bubble.
“Alright, suit yourself kid! Glalie! Crunch attack!” she shouted.
“Castform! Weather Ball! Shoot the ground!” Tristen shouted.
As the Glalie rushed forward, The Castform fired its weather ball towards the ground. The ball breaks and flames scatters and rise high off the ground. The Glalie stopped its attack, staring at the flames in confusion. The Cryoganal rushed forward and unleashed another Frost Breath to put out the flames. As it was doing so, however, Tristen rushed forward, through the remainder of the flames and by the two icy Pokemon, rushing straight for Lee in an all-or-nothing push.
“Leave Blizz alone!” he shouted. His body sparked and discharged his own electricity, unleashing a Thunder Wave attack, straight for Lee. Lee quickly tried to react, about to throw the Pokeball that was in her hand, but the electrical attack paralyzed her instantly and dropped her to her hands and knees. “Just like Blizz said, you’re part of the fight, too.”
“Y-you kn-kn-know, though?” Lee spoke up. “S-so are you. Glalie! Headbutt!”
Tristen went wide-eyed and turned around just in time to have Glalie ram it full-on into him. The attack sent Tristen back, tumbling backwards a bit, coming to rest face down and writhing. Lee, fighting the paralysis, pulled her way back up, bracing herself against the side wall of a nearby house. The Glalie then floated over, showing the look of concern to Lee. “Gah, this is…going to be d-difficult. I don’t know why Prima thought to take these two on r-right now; we didn’t need to be fighting them, we got bigger w-worries than them.”
Tristen managed to sit up, overhearing Prima talk to the Glalie. Something struck him as off. What would two elite apprentices be more concerned about than a fight they started? It didn’t even seem like they were concerned about the competition at all actually. It would be a thought that he would end up telling his teacher later. For now, he had to get up.
The Castform rushed over towards Tristen, squealing, showing concern for its trainer. “I’m okay…” Tristen said, getting up. He rubbed his chest a bit, still feeling the full blow from the Glalie’s headbutt. He looked over towards Lee, stepping forward a bit. “What were you talking about just now?” Tristen asked Lee. “The bigger worries. What bigger worries?” Tristen asked.
Lee’s face nearly flushed. That wasn’t something she expected him to hear. “Mind your own b-business, kid.”
“I can do worse than the Thunder Wave, you know.” Tristen threatened.
The Glalie then quickly got into position as did the Cryoganal, putting themselves in front of Lee. “S-so…so c-can I.” Tristen thought for a moment. Lee was being slow on the uptake now that she was stuck under the effects of Thunder Wave. She can’t communicate too well without the spits and stutters in nearly every sentence thanks to the electricity coursing through her. For that matter, even if she was attacked, it wasn’t like she was going to get away all too well. She would have to move about and limber up again for a while just to work off the paralyzing grip if she plans to get away without taking any medications or anything of the like, which would be time she couldn’t afford right now. It was an effect that was going to last a while if left untreated, he figured. He might could take advantage of this; actually beat her in a Pokemon battle now. He was still left at a disadvantage though. Slow communications maybe, it was still the matter of getting through her Pokemon. Castform on his own couldn’t do it, and Natu was still a disadvantage no matter how one cuts it. The only one who had force still to put on a major threat was Dragonite, but that was only providing that Dragonite would listen, or for that matter was in enough shape to do it. Both roads lead to potential major disaster. With a resigned sigh, Tristen made his move.
“Dragonite! Come out!” Tristen shouted, releasing the dragon.
The Dragonite roared out as soon as it appeared from the ball. It quickly looked around, noticing that he was still on the island. Tristen still was around as well, much to his dismay. In front of him, two Pokemon, threatening to strike at any moment. Lee looked at the Dragonite, intimidating that it might look, but the threat diminishing when noticing that it still had a few bandages on it, relatively fresh at that. Recent injuries yet to fully heal.
Tristen quickly recalled everything that he had to contend with against Dragonite back on Island Six. “Dragonite! Dragon Claw!” Tristen shouted, pointing to the Cryoganal. The Dragonite gave an irritated look towards Tristen. “Dragonite?” Dragonite simply crossed his arms, it was refusing to battle. “Dragonite, nooooo.” Instantly Tristen started to think he should have went with Natu anyhow. He can only imagine this was going to be another revive used up, providing that there would be enough medications after this battle anyhow. He used a bit just yesterday alone.
“W-well, if…if you’re just going to make it easy…” Lee said. “Cryo-ugh…Cryo-ganal, Ice Beam!”
“Castform! Weather Ball!” Tristen shouted. Castform rushed in front of Dragonite and shot another fiery bubble thanks to the beating sun above towards the Cryoganal just as the Cryoganal fired the chilling beam. The Ice Beam overtook the Weather Ball with fair ease and blasted the Castform instead. The Dragonite stared, a bit confusingly, then looked back at that Cryoganal. That beam was meant for it, it realized. Dragonite then started to walk away from the battlefield, leaving the Castform to cringe in pain quite a bit, only being saved from total knockout by its temporary fire typing. It wanted no part of this battle, let alone the supposed trainer.
“Dragonite!” Tristen said, rushing in front of Dragonite, looking up to the Dragonite, dead in the eyes. “Don’t leave!” The Dragonite leaned over and roared right into Tristen’s face, threatening the boy to back away now. Tristen was trying everything he could not to back away, remembering the words spoken to him earlier. He knew even in Dragonite’s still injured state, he could still lay a beating right now upon him.
“G-glalie, Ice B-beam!”
Tristen perked up, looking around the Dragonite. “Dragonite, look out!” Tristen grabbed the Dragonite’s arm and turned him around as hard and as fast as he could, staying on Dragonite’s front, only for he to take the Ice beam shot instead of Dragonite. Tristen fell over, at least half his body, caked with a thick layer of ice. The boy’s teeth chattered, every inch of him felt numb from the extreme cold; he couldn’t even feel where the beam made impact anymore.
Dragonite stared at Tristen, growing ever more confused. First he was fighting him now he was either nursing him, ordering him, or protecting him? The Dragonite then made a defeated sigh then stepped over Tristen. “Dragonite?” Tristen said, looking up towards the Dragonite. “Are…are you going to battle?” The Dragonite didn’t answer. Where Tristen laid, he couldn’t see the Dragonite merely roll his eyes. Tristen electrified his whole body with his Spark attack, breaking the ice on him, then finally stood back up.
Dragonite walked over towards the Castform and picked up the bubble. The Castform squealed in fright but found itself only lobbed in the air. Dragonite was helping the Castform back up; though it was only merely a gesture of getting this battle over with.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:41 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 5)
Tristen could tell that Dragonite was still not happy with being commanded around, but was figuring that it was sucking up his pride, if only for the moment. It was a gesture that Tristen wasn’t going to waste here if he could help it. “Thank you, Dragonite…” He said.
“If y-you t-t-two are done kissing up with each o-other, then le-“
“Shut up! You’re taking too long!” Tristen said. “Dragonite! Dragon Claw attack Cryoganal!”
“Cryoganal, F-F-fff-Frost-“ The Dragonite was already up and moving as fast as it could, chi flowing out of its claws then came down on the gigantic snowflake. The Cryoganal gets sent flying back, taking a great deal of damage from such an attack.
“Castform! Weather Ball!” Tristen shouted. The Castform floated around the Dragonite and fired another Weather Ball. Once again, the ball caught fire and rushed over towards the Cryoganal and pelted the snowflake.
Lee soon realized she was in trouble. The Dragonite was listening for some reason and was now a major threat. “G-glalie, Iyyyyce Beam Dragonite!” Lee forcefully yelled out. The Glalie quickly turned its attention to the dragon and fired its chilling beam towards the Dragonite with everything it could. Dragonite gets toppled over hard by the chilling blast and hits the ground hard. The Dragonite moaned out in pain. The injuries from yesterday was getting the better of it and the icy shot only compounded the problem.
“Dragonite! Can you get up!?”
“Y-y-you should stop. H-hooow could you bring yourself t-to send out a injured Pokemon like t-that?”
“Dragonite, I’m sorry I brought you out here, but I really need your help, please! Can you get up!?”
The Dragonite forced its way back up to its feet, though it wasn’t taking another shot like that one. “S-suit…yourself. Gl-glalie-“
“Dragonite! Use Dragon Tail on Glalie!” The Dragonite quickly rushed over towards the Glalie and smashed its tail as hard as it could into the floating ice chunk. Without any contest, the Glalie was forced back into its Pokeball.
“Glalie!” Lee shouted. She tried to move her arm back down to grab another Pokeball to replace the benched Glalie, but quickly, Tristen discharged a bolt of lightning near her. “Touch another one and I promise I won’t miss the next one.” The boy threatened; a stone cold bluff it was, knowing that he still had a hard time aiming his Thunderbolt attack. It was a bluff that Lee wasn’t challenging.
Lee looked towards Cryoganal. It was still reeling from taking the Dragon Claw and the fiery Weather Ball. Lee realized what the boy just did. Against all odds, the inexperienced youth pulled one over on her. By being paralyzed, she wasn’t able to call out the attacks as fast as she needed to. The Dragonite, even in its injured condition, would be able to do damage fast enough before she could get commands out fast enough to evade or counter attack. She wouldn’t get the opportunity to send out a new Pokemon because paralysis had a tight grip, she wouldn’t be able to get it out fast enough without Tristen making good on his threat. Her hand was forced, and what hurts the worst about all of this: it was all legal under the competition’s rules. “Cry-cryoganal…don’t…do anymore.” She said. “I…hope y-you’re happy, kid…I su-su…surrender.”
As far as Tristen was concerned, he was. Lee was just another bully put in her place.
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“Cloyster!”
“Weavile!”
While Tristen was trying to hold off Lee, I ended up having at it against Prima. In the back of my mind, I had to end this battle as fast as I could with little damage as possible. Considering I was fighting someone who preferred to go defensive more often than not, damage probably wasn’t going to be an issue. Time on the other hand was a whole other matter.
“Cloyster, Spike Cannon!” Prima shouted.
“Weavile, move!” Weavile quickly darted out of the way with the Cloyster’s barrage. Cloyster tried to follow along the speedy Pokemon, constantly missing its mark by only a half-second. “Now move in, Weavile!” Weavile rushed in, dodging left and right, speedily approaching the Cloyster as it continued its Spike Cannon barrage. “Brick Break!”
“Cloyster! Withdraw!” The Cloyster quickly stopped its barrage and withdrew into its shell, just as when Weavile smashed its claw into its thick shell. Weavile jumped back then shook its claw a bit. Weavile may have done a bit of damage; just nowhere near as much as the both of us would have cared for however.
“Figures…” I said.
“I certainly hope you haven’t forgotten about how hard a Cloyster’s shell can be, have you?” Prima said.
“Hardly.” I said.
“Oh good. I was worried that your escapades lately would have made you slip.” She said. “Cloyster! Icicle Crash!” The Cloyster’s shell opened up and fired off a gigantic icicle towards the air.
“Weavile! Night Slash!” Quickly Weavile darted towards the Cloyster once again, its claws exuding a dark mist from its tips just as the icy attack came down upon him, completely averting the attack.
“Withdraw, Cloyster!” The Cloyster once again closed up its shell and Weavile gave a couple hard swipes with its Night Slash attack, only to once again cause minimal damage to the giant clam. “Right there! Clamp!” Quickly the Cloyster sprang forth from its shell and came down on the Weavile, clamping the Weavile down in a vice-like grip. The Cloyster from the attack fell down to its side when it sprang at Weavile, bringing Weavile down with it.
“VILE!!!” Weavile struggled all it could in the Cloyster’s grip, clawing with his free arm and kicking to no avail.
“So much for you not slipping! Weavile is as good as a crushed grape at this point!” Prima shouted over. To make her point known all the more, the Cloyster tightened its grip on Weavile. Weavile started to yell out in pain, desperately looking for a release.
“Weavile, hang in there!” I shouted. “Try to get out of there!” Weavile turned all he could towards the clam and wedged his claw into the giant clam. He struggled, trying to force the Cloyster open. It took a bit of time, but eventually, the Weavile managed to open the clam just enough to free itself and kick itself away. The Cloyster then opened up wide and managed to right itself back up, continuing its smirk that Cloysters are notorious for.
“This is getting ridiculous now.” I said. Weavile looked pretty winded already. He probably expended a great deal of energy to get out of that Cloyster’s grasp.
“So now what? Just going to continue to come to keep attacking like you have until trumpets sound and that such thing, hm?” Prima asked.
“Or you could surrender.” I said.
“Are you for-UGH! Cloyster! Water Pulse!” The Cloyster unleashed a large ring, full of lake chi, right off towards Weavile. Weavile braced for impact but got blasted back by the attack.
“Weavile! Brick Break!” I shouted.
“Again!?” Prima asked. “Cloyster, Withdraw!”
Weavile once again rushed for the Cloyster, the Cloyster quickly withdrew into its shell and braced for impact. “Weavile, stop!” I shouted. Weavile skidded to a stop, took a small hop back, and looked at the Cloyster.
“Well if you’re just going to make it easy, Cloyster! Spike Cannon!” she shouted.
The Cloyster opened back up quickly, readying to fire its barrage of spikes. “Now! Counter!”
Prima knew just as I did; sure, hiding in its shell, it’d take nothing short of something more specialized such as electrical attacks to bring this Cloyster to submission. If you wanted to brute force it, it’d take something stronger than a Slaking using Giga Impact just to even make it flinch. Thing of it, however, for a Cloyster to actually attack, it has to expose its center, however briefly, otherwise a battle goes nowhere for it, for that in itself is a risk. It would be a lesson that Prima was going to be reminded of.
Weavile got under the barrage of spikes and got right in the Cloyster’s face, claws at the ready. With one brutal upward slash, the Weavile strikes right down the middle of Cloyster. Its core and all. The Cloyster immediately clamped up, cringing inside the hard shell. Moans was heard coming from it. “Well that had to hurt. I certainly hope you didn’t forget that it probably will be a while before Cloyster even thinks on coming back out. If it wasn’t so much the fact that the shell compensates for quite a few things, Weavile claws burn like that.” I said. “I guess it’s what you get for trying to play too offensive just as you did now with a defensive minded Pokemon. And here you wonder how I tend to outclass you more often than not.”
“So this is the game that you’re going to play? Fine then…” she said. “I’m sorry, Cloyster, come on back.” Despite being up and still active, Cloyster was recalled back to its Pokeball. “Walrien! Go!” Prima tossed out the Pokeball and in a flash of light, her massive Walrien was out and ready to go.
“Well…no hard shell to save her now…it’s a few layers of padding.” I said.
“Weavile…” The Weavile spoke, readying his claws. He was ready to cut away the blubber on this Pokemon.
“Weavile! Night Slash!” I shouted. Quickly, the Weavile rushed for the Walrien, exuding the darkened celestial chi from its claws.
“Defense Curl!” Prima shouted. The Walrien braced for impact, curling up tight and taking the slash. “Now! Rollout!”
“Well that’s basic of you!” I shouted.
“Still effective, you have to admit!” The Walrien then curled up and started to peel out on the ground, kicking up dirt. “Besides! You wanted to play with speed and raw attack power, right!? How else do you think anything in the Spheal evolution line gets around on land with any sort of decent pace?!” The Walrien as soon as it gained traction sped off straight towards Weavile.
“Weavile! Move!” I shouted. Weavile leaped out of the way of the Walrien, looking back for a second, staring in disbelief at what it was seeing.
“Ice Ball!” The Walrien flopped out and skidded about, turning one-eighty back towards Weavile. The Walrien fired an Ice ball off towards the Weavile.
“Night Slash!” I shouted. Weavile rushed towards Walrien full speed, slicing the Ice Ball in two on his way to the opposing Pokemon.
“Rollout!” Prima shouted again.
“Crap…” Figures. She baits me just as I did her and her Cloyster just a moment ago. “Weavile! Back it up!” Weavile skids to a stop and tries to get out of the way of the oncoming Walrien. The Walrien manages to catch up however and smashes into Weavile with brutal force. Weavile gets sent flying off then hits the ground.
“Weavile, tell me you’re alright!”
“Vi..leee…” Weavile struggles back to his feet, breathing heavily. It wasn’t taking another hit like that.
“He won’t be for long! Walrien, Body Slam!” Prima shouted. The Walrien made a hard u-turn in mid rollout and made the hard run back for Weavile. The Walrien then sprang up and the Walrien uncurled, body spread out as far as he could and went to fall on Weavile.
“Weavile! Watch it!” I shouted.
Weavile leaped out of the way of the slam, leaving the Walrien to flop on the ground hard. “Weavile! Brick Break!” I shouted. Weavile kicked off the ground, rushing for the Walrien once more as fast as it could, smashing his claw right into the Walrien with great force. The Walrien jerks back hard, roaring out in its severe pain.
“Walrien! Blizzard!” The Walrien grits its teeth, shaking its pain off for the moment then unleashed a furious Blizzard assault upon Weavile. Weavile digs his claws into the ground, bracing for impact as the biting snow and winds rush by the Weavile. Weavile, unfortunately in the state that it was in, couldn’t weather the attack and gets blown off by the furious onslaught. Weavile hits the ground a ways away and couldn’t bring himself to get back up.
Apparently Prima has picked up on her A-game over the past year or so. I never recalled her being this relentless, especially with this Walrien of hers, and for her to take out Weavile like that was a bit of a heavy hit to me. “Weavile, return.” I said, recalling my Weavile back to his ball.
“Well, so much for that! Who else for the pickings, huh, Blizzard?” she asked.
I was irritated now. I couldn’t afford for any other Pokemon to get taken out. Both Tristen and I already used a great deal of medications only in a day for our Pokemon and couldn’t afford to continue our trend of ‘come-from-behind’ victories. It’ll get to the point where we won’t be able to do that if this keeps up. I had to shut Prima down. Now.
“Psy! Get to it!” I shouted, tossing out a second Pokeball.
Upon the field, in a flash of light, out came Psy, the Gallade, out for battle. “Gal-lade!” Psy spoke up, readying himself.
“A Gallade?” Prima spoke up. “No more ice types? Seriously, Blizzard?”
“As much as I love the ice type, I’m not stupid enough to come here loaded down with them in a competition like this.” I said. “You brought down the only Ice type I brought here, and now it’s payback time. Psy! Psycho Cut!” I shouted.
Psy gathered celestial chi in his blade like arms then gave a hard wave, unleashing the Psycho Cut attack towards the Walrien. The Psycho cut hits its mark, causing a good deal more damage to the Walrien. “You are not going to pull one over on me, Blizzard! I’ve had enough of that as is from you!” she shouted. “Walrien! Shut that Gallade down! Sheer Cold!”
“YOU IDIOT! Psy! Close Combat!” Psy ran full speed towards his foe as the Walrien started to charge large and dense mass of chi at a frantic pace. Walrien launched the attack towards Psy. Psy dove down to the ground, sliding under the attack as the Sheer Cold attack flew over his head and off towards me. I dove off to the side of the attack and hit the ground as the Sheer Cold attack detonated a ways behind me. Ice and sand kicked up everywhere as arctic winds blew from the blast site. “Psy! Move it!”
On command, the Gallade rushed back up and made his way for the Walrien and started pummeling away at the Ice Pokemon relentlessly with his Close Combat attack. Walrien took the attack, blow for blow, unable to get away from the frantic beating provided by Psy. With one final smash, the Walrien rolled over from the force of the attack and couldn’t bring himself back up. The Walrien was out of commission.
“Next.” I said to Prima.
Prima knew she was in a bind now that I had a Fighting type out. Even trying to be defensive against the likes of Gallade was going to be pressing against the raw assault power of this Pokemon.
She recalled the fallen Walrien, and switched Pokeballs. “Cloyster! Back out!” Prima shouted.
“Come again?” I asked. The Cloyster appeared in a flash of light, shell open wide. The Cloyster didn’t have the smirk most are famous for, but instead the look of severe irritation. Justified, considering that Weavile’s handiwork was apparent on the Cloyster’s face. “Are you seriously going to go on with this?” I asked. “You know you lost. And if by some miracle you got through Gallade, I got a Lucario to back him up that is pretty capable as well.
“It doesn’t help that you already lost.” Prima and I looked over. Tristen came forth with Dragonite carrying Lee, still paralyzed and numb from Tristen’s Thunder Wave. “You can put her down, Dragonite.” Tristen said. Dragonite, without a care, just simply let her drop out of his arms. “You could have been gentle!” Dragonite went back just crossing its arms again. As far as it was concerned, charity was done for the day.
“Lee! What on earth did you do!?”
“Fight her.” Tristen said.
“Heh, you asked…” I said to Prima.
---------
Tristen and Psy went up to me as Prima went over towards Lee, seeing her still suffering the effects of paralysis. “So…you two are a bit at a loss now. Do you really want to keep going, or are you going to hand over your stone piece now?” I asked.
“We...we don’t have it.” Prima spoke up.
“What.” I said.
“Whaa? You mean all of this was a waste of time?! Lee’s Pokemon beat up Mawile and Blitzle for no reason!? We could have left the entire time!?” Tristen shouted.
“Tristen, calm down.” I said. “They were trying to get back in the competition just as we were, only they picked the wrong ones to do it against. Though question…Horus took it from you two after all?” I asked.
“Th-th-the Xatu hy-brid?” Lee sputtered out. “N-no.”
“No?” I thought back to yesterday then stared at them in confusion. “You didn’t honestly lose it to-“
“That farmer duo…” Prima said, a bit ashamed. “That Xatu hybrid did come back to try to get our stone, but by the time he came back, those two already made off with our stone and ran off.”
“Woah. Suddenly I got to meet these two.”
“That means they have at least two on them now, doesn’t it?” Tristen asked.
“Providing they haven’t lost them to anyone else.” I said. Despite which, while Prima and Lee were put in their place, I did kind of share Tristen’s sentiment a little. By what Tristen was saying, Lee did do a number to his Pokemon before Tristen turned things around, if only by some miracle considering he resorted to using Dragonite. “I suppose we better go then while the getting is good.”
Tristen perked up. “Blizz, wait. I need to tell you something. Lee was saying something about ‘bigger worries’. What would be more important to them than this competition right now to people like them?” Prima looked at Lee in irritation, a stare that I took notice of.
“Care to explain?” I asked the two of them.
“Frankly? No. Cloyster! Explosion!” I nearly forgot about the Cloyster still out of Prima’s Pokeball.
“CRAP!” I grabbed Tristen and dropped on top of him to shield Tristen all I could from the blast as Psy dropped to the ground next to me. The Cloyster unleashed a mighty explosion, kicking up dust and sand all over the place. I perked up when I heard the recall beam of a Pokeball. “Tristen! Psy! You two alright?”
“Yeah…” Tristen said.
“Gallade.” Psy spoke up.
I quickly stood back up, spread my wings wide and unleashed a Blizzard in the area to clear the dust as fast as I could. Tristen stood back up, looked around, not seeing Prima and Lee. Dragonite was still around. He took to the skies to avert the blast, but instantly landed after it was over, aching from the battles prior.
“Well, son of a…they gave me the slip. Those two heifers gave me the slip. Ugh…I wonder what’s going on…” I rubbed the back of my head in confusion.
Dragonite perked up and looked off towards the seas, staring a bit unamused. Tristen didn’t notice until he finally took out the Dragonite’s Pokeball and was about to recall him. “Dragonite? What’s wrong?” Tristen looked as well towards the sea, seeing Prima load Lee upon the back of a Lapras then got on herself. “Blizz, look!”
“Well, it would be their only escape route…” I said when I saw them.
“Are we going to go after them?” Tristen asked.
“With what?” I asked.
“Oh…”
“We’ll probably stumble upon them again this week, so when we do, we’ll grill them then.” I said. “In the meantime, let’s assess the damage. Psy come back for now. Thanks for your help.” I took out Psy’s Pokeball and recalled the Gallade back into his ball. “Come on, let’s hide out back at the cave.”
“Ok…” Since they were just making their way back to the cave, Tristen opted to instead put Dragonite’s Pokeball back since it was just a short walk back to the cave. “Come on, Dragonite. Let me try to help you out again.” Dragonite just sat down. He was done moving. “Urrrgh, please don’t do that, Dragonite. Come on. You just WANT to stay injured?” The notion was left on deaf ears. Tristen looked back up towards me for guidance.
“Well, what are you going to do?” I asked Tristen.
Tristen walked over towards Dragonite and pushed up against him, trying to get him to get up again. “Come on, Dragonite, don’t do this, please?” Dragonite got annoyed at the pushing then turned around and snapped at Tristen. Tristen jumped out of shock and backed off from the dragon. Tristen sighed then took out a Pokeball and recalled the Dragonite back to the ball. “I wish Dragonite would be nicer…” Tristen said.
“You’re scared of him, aren’t you?” I asked.
“…well…a little. I mean, you seen what he could do, right?”
“Yea? And?” I asked. “I’m telling you Tristen you can’t be afraid of him. He’s going to bully you at every step if you don’t stand up to him. That’s how a good few trainers end up quitting because they can’t handle what they get their hands on. It doesn’t matter if you catch them fully evolved, or you trained them since they were babies, if a Pokemon gets to thinking that they are too good for their trainer, they’re going to make it known. There’s got to be equilibrium between you and your Pokemon; I’ve told you and Tails this countless times.” I said.
“I know.” Tristen said.
“Come on, let’s go.”
We finally made our way back off to the cave. When we arrived there, before sending out any of our Pokemon, we started to pull out the supplies we needed. After pulling out another Revive from his pack, Tristen noticed something. He then frantically searched his bag, double and triple checking every pocket. “Oh no…” Tristen spoke up.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“This is my last Revive! Mawile and Blitzle both needs it and I can’t just split this medicine up!” Tristen said.
“Ugh, geez…” I looked back in my own bag. While I still got a fair stash of my own, it would take a big hit not only reviving Weavile, but trying to help his Pokemon as well. Tristen has been picked on quite a bit through this competition, I have to admit. If there was anything that was going to kick us indefinitely out of this competition, it was us not being able to help our own Pokemon.
I quickly thought for a moment; trying to figure out something that could be done. An idea did come to me, but it wasn’t going to be pleasant. “Pack back up, Tristen, we’re going to Three Island.”
“What’s over there?” Tristen asked, starting to put his stuff back in his pack.
“Our medicinal resupply.” I took out a Pokeball, releasing Telia once more out of her Pokeball. “Telia, we need to go to Three Island. Can you please take us there?”
“Gardevoir.” As soon as Tristen was ready, he got close and only a moment later, we were teleported off the island and arrived almost instantly on Three Island.
Unlike the island prior, this one has a little more civilization on it, probably not as great as say Island One, but whatever. This island is generally, at least used to be back in the day, a trading hub for all the islands, namely for all the berries and herbs that grows out here. Without this island, the other islands probably wouldn’t have prospered so easily.
“So where do we go, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“East.” I said, recalling Telia back to her ball. “There’s a forest on this island, believe it or not, that the people here don’t really go into a whole lot, sans a nature walk or a Pokemon capture.” I said to him. “Its called the Berry Forest.”
“…you’re right, people aren’t creative with names.” Tristen said.
“Yea. At any rate, unlike what the name suggest, it’s not just loaded with various berry plants.” I said. “It also got herbs that we can use for medicines if we prepare them right. The one we’re looking for is a rather leafy bush, known as a Revivia bush. The bush grows a Revival Herb that we can use.”
“Wait, doesn’t Pokemon hate that herbal stuff?” Tristen asked.
“Everyone hates it. It’s bitter as hell and the Revivia bush itself, in particular, smells kind of like bleach.” I said. “Unfortunately, we do not have much of a choice in the matter. Besides, it’s better to get a Pokemon back up and going and make amends later than leaving them passed out. And on the plus side, at least the herbal meds can be used universally anyhow, rather it be human, hybrid, or Pokemon. Not something that I would care to use myself, mind, but well…you do what you got to.”
“I think I’m going to have a hard time with Mawile later.” Tristen said.
We made our way north a short ways then east, going through a hilly path and across the Bond Bridge, making our way off into the Berry Forest. I looked around the entrance then gave a sigh. “This is probably going to take a while.”
“Well, you keep saying that we have all week.” Tristen said.
“Yea.” I said. “Come on, let’s get started.”
The two of us trekked deeper into the forest, keeping mindful of every last plant; trying to make sure I didn’t misidentify anything. When you have a teacher that grew up on some of the older ways of being a Pokemon trainer, he would be good at teaching you the ins and outs of extreme roughing it, because there may be that time that a Pokemon Center or a Mart is not going to be readily available to you - a lesson that I would end up teaching Tristen here today inadvertently. When on the field, chances of misidentifying a plant is outrageously high if you don’t know the key characteristics of the plant you’re looking for because some plants could very easily look like another. Knowing what you are looking for in a plant will be all the difference on actually healing you and your Pokemon or putting yourself in even worse of a situation.
Minutes in the forest soon turned into several hours. With a lot of thorough scanning and slow soft stepping in grass so we wouldn’t provoke the wrath of wild Pokemon, we had no luck in finding the plant. “Crap…someone please tell me that there is at least one bush here.” I said. “We spent longer than I cared to in here. It’s actually making me nervous; it’s like we’re asking to get jumped on in here.”
“Maybe there isn’t any Revivia bushes in here.” Tristen said. “I think we covered this entire forest by now.”
“I’m starting to think that as well. We still got a couple of spots over that way though…” I said pointing over eastward. “We got nothing to lose at this point, we may as well go look.”
Through more forest we went, scanning every inch as we went along. Tristen then stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“I hear…buzzing…” Tristen said.
Instantly, I got on my guard, looking around. “Where?” I whispered. The last time buzzing noises were involved, they came from a ranger’s capture styler. I didn’t want to see those rangers again, nor did I think they would dare come to us like that. Were we followed?
“…above us…lots of buzzing…” I looked above us, staring, trying to look within the limbs of the trees above us. I nearly got a cold chill from what I managed to see. Beedrill. Dozens of them. Kakuna dangling alongside them. A few of the Beedrill was giving us the evil eye.
“Tristen…slowly…walk…this…way.”
The two of us slowly stepped backwards, away from the tree, but then something else caught Tristen’s attention. An odor that graced his senses; a stench of bleach. “Blizz…is that it?”
I looked over. Right at the base of the tree, a leafy bush had grown out of control. “I need a closer look…” I said to him. Of all the places of that one plant to be; right under a Beedrill’s nest. I crept towards the tree once more then started to thoroughly examine the bush, taking close note to the leaves. “…this is it.” I said. I went to take off my pack and started to dig around in there as fast as I could, trying to find something to put the Revival herb into for the time being.
My instincts then tripped. I looked behind me, seeing Tristen watching me, waiting for something good to come of this. The Beedrill were still above me, for now. But there was someone else here. It was a familiar presence too. “……” I remained silent, continuing to dig in my pack. I was waiting.
The tall grass nearby Tristen shook, something moving by Tristen in a blur and was rushing straight for me. I quickly turned around and stopped the blur, catching him right in my hands. “I knew it.” In my hands, sure enough, was the Liepard hybrid, with a shocked look on his face. “I got a bone to pick with you…petty theft? Really?”
The look of shock turned into a Cheshire-like grin. “I like to think of it as trying to gain an advantage.” The Liepard hybrid, what seemed to be beyond reason, dissolved into a black mist in my hands.
“Subsitute again?” I asked. This was going to get old very quick before this week is over.
“Air Cutter!” I perked up and looked around, only to see a hard burst of wind chi rush for the tree above me.
“Freakin’ hell!” The buzzing then became loud and frantic. The Beedrill flew out of the tree and were on the attack. “Tristen, ru-GAHH!” The furious swarm was quick to cover the area and started to come down on us.
“BLIZZ!” Tristen shouted. Tristen was trying hard to make a run for it, doing all he could to deter the bugs with a Spark attack as he ran, but the bugs were leaving no opening.
“Blast it! Get off!” I shouted, spreading my wings wide and unleashing a Blizzard attack, blowing back the bugs, if only a couple of seconds. It’d be a couple of seconds I was going to use. “Go! Typhlosion!” I shouted, tossing out the Pokeball.
The ball bursts open and in a flash of light, the Typhlosion was revealed and ready to go. “Ty-pho-siooon!”
“Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” I shouted. Typhlosion’s mane lit up and unleashed a hard powerful flame within the swarm of Beedrill, making the Beedrill scatter even more than before. “Tristen! We got to move!”
“HELP!” The Electrike boy shouted. Some of the Beedrill wasn’t being deterred quite yet by either the electric shocks or the embers from the Typhlosion and with their relentless mentality, managed to make Tristen trip and fall, leaving Tristen down on the ground and bracing all he could for the worst.
“Typhlosion! Go!” Typhlosion unleashed a flame right for Tristen’s direction, managing to finally make the bugs scatter. Quickly I rushed over and snatched up the boy and started to make a run for it with Typhlosion close behind.
“Thanks, Blizz…” Tristen said while he was still in my arms.
“Don’t thank me yet!” I said, looking behind me for only a split second. The bugs were still in hot pursuit. “Blast it, we didn’t need this! We need cover…Typhlosion, stop!” I said, skidding to a stop myself, then putting Tristen down.
“Ty-sion!?” Typhlosion asked.
“Smokescreen!” I shouted. Typhlosion turned around and unleashed a thick plume of smoke in the area, catching the bugs up in the cover. “Tristen, Typhlosion, this way!” Tristen, Typhlosion, and I rushed off into nearby brush, by more trees, throwing discretion to the wind at this point, all in order to make distance from the irritated hive.
“Blast it! Why now!? Why here!?” I asked. “Of all the times!”
“What do we do!?” Tristen asked as he followed behind.
“I’m working on-“ Instincts tripped once again. “LOOK OUT!” I quickly stopped, just barely in time to see another hard rush of wind chi come by me by only an inch. I quickly charged an Ice Beam and aimed it off in the direction the air slash came from, but I didn’t see any target to shoot at. “We’re being toyed with…” I said.
“Ty-siooon…” Typhlosion was on high alert, looking around behind us, trying to make sure we weren’t to get blindsided.
Tristen quickly perked up, hearing something in the trees, above us. “BLIZZ!” My instincts soon picked up what Tristen was talking about and looked up as well, seeing the Liepard hybrid jumping down from the trees above, hands exuded the darkened celestial chi of a Night Slash, coming at the two of us with great speed. Tristen, Typhlosion, and I quickly scattered, nearly averting the aerial strike as well as the hard slash that he attempted when he landed.
My instincts tripped once again. The moment I managed to look behind me, a Drapion rushed out of the tall brush and leaped out at me. “Good God!” In an attempt to avoid it, I slipped and hit the ground. The Drapion jumped on top of me then went to drive its sharp claws into my head. I managed to move off to the side, barely avoiding the claw, then retaliated, pushing my arm up, reading an Ice Beam and quickly firing it. The Drapion however, leaned back, averting the shot. Typhlosion quickly rushed over and rammed into the Pokemon, repelling it back only for a moment.
Tristen would have his own issues; the Liepard rushed over towards him and easily kicks the boy aside towards me. “Tristen!” I shouted.
Before I went to check on him, though, through a few coughs from having the wind knocked out of him, Tristen pushed himself up and got at the ready. “I’m okay…”
“Well, a little on the tenacious side of you.” The Liepard hybrid said.
“I’ll say…” A trainer came out of the bushes, accompanied by a Togekiss, making their way next to the Drapion. “…can’t say that luck is on their side for this one though.”
“I swear to God, you picked the wrong two to mess with…” I said. “You already did a good job pissing me off the other night.” I then held up my arm to show. “I got a score to settle with you.”
“Ooooh, Cleo, he sounds miffed.” The human trainer said.
“Alex, it’s not nice to tease.” The Liepard hybrid said.
“Blizz…” Tristen spoke up. “She’s a trainer, isn’t she?”
“Looks that way…” I said.
“Let me fight the cat.” Tristen said.
“Come again?” I asked.
“Both Dragonite and Castform are still in bad shape, we haven’t brought back Blitzle and Mawile yet, and I know Natu and Eevee can’t take on ALL of her Pokemon. It took a partner for Natu just to take on Dragonite the other day.” Tristen said. “And even though you and the other Snagems might be able to do it, it would be really, really, REALLY hard for you to fight the Liepard hybrid and concentrate on Pokemon battle at the same time. It’s not something that you or any of the Snagems like to do.”
As much as I hated to say it, Tristen was right. To be honest though, given the circumstances, although Tristen had been showing promise, I wasn’t feeling confident in him lasting for any great length of time against this Cleo person. Speed, precise hits, this cat was a literal ninja just about. I gave a hard, frustrated sigh, taking out a Pokeball, looking towards Alex. Typhlosion got on all fours, readying to strike on a moment’s notice.
“Be careful, Tristen…”
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Before I could get another Pokemon to help Typhlosion do battle against Alex, Cleo wastes no time going back on the attack, sprinting straight towards me. “Blizz! Look out!” Tristen rushed next to me, right in Cleo’s path, discharging a Thunder Wave the Liepard hybrid’s way. Cleo skidded to a stop and tried to get out of the way of the attack, but ended up caught up in the electric pulse. It didn’t dawn on Cleo until he realized he didn’t really get hurt. The most that really happened was his fur standing on end for a few seconds. Cleo tried to hold back a laugh.
“Surely, you must be joking.” The cat hybrid spoke. “Was that it?”
“So…he’s got a Liepard’s Limber trait. Good to know.” I said, a bit out of sarcasm. “Tristen, are you sure that you do not want to sit this out after all?” I asked.
“I’m sure…” Tristen said. That said, there was no confidence in his tone of voice.
“Then you best get ready to move. Now.” I quickly charged an Ice Beam in the palm of my hand and fired it Cleo’s way as fast as I could. Cleo quickly dodged out of the way of the shot, diving for the brush and making tracks from there. “Find him. Go!”
Tristen rushed off after him, through a lot of brush and by a lot of trees, trying to listen for anything out of the ordinary all the while following the scent of this Liepard hybrid as fast as his two feet could carry him. “Ugh, I wish Tails could have taught me how to use Quick Attack.” Tristen mused, growing frustrated as he went along. The Liepard hybrid was as fast as the Pokemon he personifies, and for that matter, apparently shows the same kind of relentlessness. Part of Tristen hoped that this fight wouldn’t go as far south as it did with Horus yesterday. It wouldn’t be any surprise to the kid if it did, however.
Through more bushes and into a small clearing, there was faint smell of burning around the area. He recognized this spot; he was just here only moments ago. It was where Typhlosion helped avoid the wrath of Beedrill with his Smokescreen. Since the Beedrill were nowhere around here, the boy only assumed the massive swarm returned back to their tree for now. A reprieve, a minor one.
Tristen tried to get a feel for the area once again, but much to his disdain, Cleo’s scent is fresh everywhere, confusing the boy’s senses. He couldn’t hear any sort of frantic movement; just only the occasional chirps of birds above the forest. Tristen lost the trail. He stood there as he looked about, trying to figure out what to do at this point. He wondered if he should go back, to see if the Liepard hybrid double-backed towards where the Pokemon battle would transpire and potentially ruin it.
Tristen turned around and started to go back, but then something pressured him. He couldn’t figure out just what, however. He was worried for his teacher, but at the same time, something nagged at him. Provoking him. He wanted to run, but yet, he wanted to stay too. His mind raced in circles, tormented by such massive confliction. It started to hurt. His head felt as if it was ready to split open. The pain intensified, becoming unbearable; Tristen fell to his knees, grasping his head from the sudden pressure. It started to dawn on the boy in the midst of his grief that this wasn’t right. Cleo had to be doing this, but he couldn’t figure out how that is. This torture, he thought, was reserved for a psychic like Horus. He looked around frantically, trying to find the Liepard once again to no avail. He felt the need to run away from this pressure, but he also felt the need to stay and fight. More confliction. Tristen started to shed a tear from the agonizing pain continually intensifying in his head, more so to the point he started to moan out.
The torment ended with a swift blow to the back of Tristen’s head. Tristen got sent forward about a foot in front of him, soon after hitting the ground, leaving him dazed, unsure on what just happened. “It’s amazing how such a simple mind game can cripple a mind; especially one as particularly weak as yours.” Tristen pushed up, getting back to his hands and knees. He looked back, seeing Cleo there with the Cheshire grin. He then pushed himself all the way up, managing to stand up on his own two feet, wincing a bit, trying to shake the effects of Cleo’s handiwork. “Surely you don’t think you have any chance at me, do you?” If a little dark-type mind trick was enough to bring you to your knees, could you only imagine what the rest of my repertoire could do to you?” Cleo asked.
Tristen without any warning rushed for Cleo, charging his body with electricity by means of his Spark attack. The infuriated engage by Tristen would only be merely side-hopped out of the way, averting the attack altogether with such ease. “Temper, temper.” Cleo said. “Though to be honest, really, I’d prefer you to have been a good little puppy and just stay down. While I don’t doubt my partner’s skills in the least, I don’t like leaving her alone to have fun any longer than she should. I was kind of hoping my Torment skill would have done the job.”
Tristen couldn’t believe what he just heard. That was him using Torment? He knew that Torment prevented a Pokemon from constantly using an attack, he never thought it could prevent someone from actually making a decision. Apparently even Dark types could have their weird quirks as well.
Regardless, Tristen knew if he was going to get any shot in taking down this hybrid, he had to find any means in outsmarting him. However, he also knew that his options were gravely limited. Thunder Wave was already out of the question; which left only one other to get the upper hand. Quickly, Tristen focused and unleashed a hard, blinding Flash, giving Cleo an eyeful. “Augh!” Tristen quickly rushed for Cleo, charging his Spark attack once again and actually hit his mark this time, not only electrifying the hybrid, but knocking him down to the ground as well. Tristen then jumped on Cleo and went to try to beat him down all he could before the Liepard hybrid could retaliate, but before Tristen could deliver the first punch, the Liepard discovered right under him.
“Oh no…” Another substitute; another trap. The grass nearby rustled softly for only a split second. The second that Tristen looked, the Liepard was already within striking distance, the cat hybrid’s fingertips exuding a darkened chi for a Night Slash attack. The slash connects, tearing through the thick, heavy tank-top under Tristen’s vest. Tristen then found himself flat on his back, chest burning from the brutal slash.
The Liepard skidded to a stop, shook his hand, then examined his claw-like hands. “What is that shirt made of? Steel?” Probably one of the few times the hybrid was caught off-guard in such a fashion. Tristen managed to sit back up, staring at the damage of his shirt. Completely ruined. Regardless, better the tank-top than him, he thought. The boy took off the vest, just long enough to strip what remained of the shirt off. “Well I got to honor your commitment…” The Liepard hybrid spoke when the boy finally stood back up once again. “…wearing such a thing to get stronger, I would imagine. I’m afraid, though, that it isn’t doing you any good at the moment.”
“Shut up!” Tristen shouted, irritated, not caring for how much of a mockery he is being made once again. The boy’s body crackled and he unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt towards Cleo in retaliation. Cleo, however, averted Tristen’s attack and rushed him with great speed. Tristen felt the wind knocked out of him; Cleo’s fist drove deep into Tristen’s gut. A Sucker Punch.
“Too slow…” Cleo spoke. Cleo followed up, dealing a cruel beating, finishing up with one more kick to drive the kid back to the ground. Tristen, however, refused to go back down, catching himself then rushed back to grab Cleo, the boy’s Spark attack once again discharging to give the Liepard hybrid the shock of his life. Cleo, unfortunately, split up three ways before Tristen’s eyes, all three moving in different directions. “Double Team…” Tristen said to himself. More trickery out of the Dark type.
Tristen couldn’t figure out which image was the real Cleo as the three images turned to stare the boy down. Again, more of the Cheshire grin from the Liepard hybrid. Tristen was trying to decide which one to attack before Cleo tried to attack again. The stress started to get the better of Tristen. A headache started to form once again. Tristen could feel it; Cleo was using Torment again. It was even worse than last time. Too many choices nagging at the boy’s mind. Once again, the pain became unbearable, Tristen fell to his knees, then fell over to his side. The pain intensified further at a rapid pace. “Stop it! Stop it!” Tristen shouted.
The boy heard Cleo give a sinister laugh as he started to approach the boy. As the boy’s vision blurred from the constant mental torture, he noticed each of the copies readied a Night Slash attack. Tristen desparately tried to figure out how to find solace in this excruciating pain, but the more he considered, the worse Torment got. All the more choices ate away at Tristen’s mind. Tristen, who at one point was grasping his head, finally dropped his arms to his side. No more moaning. The boy was quiet.
The Liepard hybrid stared at him for a few seconds. The illusions finally vanished. Only one Cleo stood before him. “Perhaps I should have just kept doing that in the first place. A boy like you shouldn’t be indecisive like that. For that matter, a kid like you shouldn’t be having to make decisions like this at all; you’re a bit too young to take part in battles of this caliber.” The Liepard hybrid, while pretty sure he won this fight pretty handily, he was still cautious. He didn’t want to be blindsided later when he went to go help his partner, not that he thought Tristen could do that anyhow. Cleo got beside Tristen and gave the boy one hard nudge with his foot. Still no reaction. “Pathetic.”
Tristen then lunged out and grabbed the cat hybrid’s foot, then discharged a hard Spark attack. The Liepard hybrid yelped out, then leaped back. When he came to a stop, Cleo ended up hopping on one foot, shaking the raised leg for a second, then looked at Tristen, not only in shock, but in mild irritation. “Who…are you calling…pathetic?” Tristen asked as he wearly got back up. To say the least, he was uneasy from being under such Torment for so long. However, in feigning passing out, Tristen slightly tilted the odds. The shock that Tristen managed to deliver now made Cleo smell of singed fur and copper. A smell now distinct opposed to everything else in this forest. No more hide-and-seek.
“Ok, boy, my generosity has ran out.” Cleo said. Cleo went forward, making the hard dash, his Double Team illusions reappeared once again, in greater number no less. Five copies, all readying a Night Slash. Once again, Tristen started to feel Torment trying to take hold, but there was no longer need to contemplate which image to attack. Tristen charged his Spark attack once again and went to tackle at one of the images. The image was solid; it was the real thing, or so Tristen thought. Another Subsitute copy, but the odor was still around. Tristen unleashed another Thunderbolt into tall grass nearby. Before the bolt struck, Cleo flew out from the grass at a frantic pace, going straight for the boy. Another Sucker Punch. Another meeting with the grass.
As Tristen laid there, writhing from the pain of Cleo’s last attack, something bewildered Cleo. There should have been no way that the boy has gotten THAT good in only a minute. A realization then dawned on the Liepard hybrid. Quickly, Cleo pressed his arm against his nose and inhaled deep. “So THAT is what you did! And here I thought I was getting slower for a moment there!” he said. “You were trying to track me by smell! You left your mark on me! Ugh…now I need a shower…” Tristen managed to push himself back up once more time, rubbing the side of his head where he got struck. The boy tried to hold back the tears of the pain that was starting to become dominate everywhere on him. “Please tell me that you’re honestly joking with me.”
“I’ve been through worse than you in this game. If you hadn’t beaten me yet, you really won’t stand a chance against someone like Blizz or Horus, especially if all you can do is hit and run away.” Tristen said.
This wagered a slight laugh out of Cleo. “Are you suggesting that I cannot stand up to the likes of you? That I am apparently guilty of cowardice?” Cleo asked.
“I thought it was called ‘Scaredy Cat’.” Tristen said.
“Oh, THAT’S IT!” Cleo went back on the assault. Tristen discharged another Flash, stopping Cleo’s advance. Tristen rushed for Cleo once more and jumped on him and struggled to pull the cat hybrid down to the ground, only for Cleo to dissolve in the boy’s hands.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:53 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 6)
“Oh come on!” Tristen shouted. Something then dawned on the boy. Cleo’s fighting style changes between confusion with the likes of Double Team and Torment to counter-attacking, using tactics involving Substitutes and Sucker Punches. Cleo though always apparently erred in the side of caution, having Substitutes at the ready to take the brunt of whatever comes his way. However, all these precautions should be costly. Tristen remembered while Substitute can be handy, it takes a lot of Chi to perform such a stunt. Just this skirmish alone, Tristen lost track how many doubles were used. Then with Cleo using the likes of Night Slash, Double Team, and Torment, at times all in tandem, Tristen was compelled to ask himself just how much longer can Cleo do this? A question that the boy was now asking about himself now that he thought about it. Just the couple of Thunderbolt attacks alone in this one fight did a pretty hefty number on his chi reserves. It was going to come down to who exhausts themselves first.
Tristen started to look about, picking up on the scent once again. Tristen, instead of waiting, followed the scent, wanting to try to get the jump on Cleo for a change instead of the other way around. A couple of moments later, after going through more brush, Tristen came to a stop. The trail didn’t go cold, though…it moved up. Tristen looked up, seeing Cleo already on the descent to pounce on the boy. Cleo then vanished in thin air, though it was different this time. He vanished way too fast for it to be a substitute. Tristen then found himself taking a harsh blow out of nowhere; blindsided by Cleo by means of a Faint Attack. Tristen quickly pulled himself up, bracing himself upon a nearby tree, but instantly dove back down when he saw Cleo went to slash at him with a Night Slash attack. Tristen was frantically trying to get back on guard, avoiding Cleo as best as he could, until it came to the point where Cleo finally stopped attacking. Tristen looked at himself, then everything around him, then stared at Cleo. “You missed!”
“Did I now?” Tristen was left confused as to what was meant by that, only to eventually hear the tree bark from a few nearby trees snap. The trees then shifted and started to fall. “Tell me if this hurts, puppy…”
Tristen frantically ran for his life, averting one tree, then another, however, the boy was quickly cut off and no other way to go. Tristen then dove down, and hugged up against the bottom most tree, closed his eyes, and waited for the end to come as the remaining trees fell and piled on top of one another.
It was silent just then. The boy opened his eyes and discovered he avoided getting crushed, but now, seeing how the trees laid out on top of one another, it was going to be a matter of trying to get out. Tristen crawled up the side of the tree he pressed up against and fought through the numerous, tense branches that scratched and scraped nearly every inch of Tristen as he pushed his way through to salvation. One of the trees shifted from the sudden change in weight. Tristen in a panic grabbed on to a branch tight, praying that he doesn’t get crushed or impaled by other tree branches. Once the trees stopped moving once more, he started back up once again.
He eventually found the tree at the top of the pile and managed to pull himself out. This ordeal suddenly had him extremely worried. The competition rules were rather loose, but even so, he didn’t think that it permitted killing anyone. This was rather extreme just for one rock. He only wondered how ticked off the Liepard hybrid was at him for lasting this long.
The copper scent graced Tristen’s nose once more. It was strong. He quickly turned around. “Well aren’t you a lucky one.” The boy was then kicked off the gigantic wood pile, tumbling all the way back down outside the bottom of the stack. Tristen found it was getting extremely hard now to push himself back up. He was exhausted from the constant electric attacks, evading, and forcing his way through the chaos that Cleo caused.
Another familiar scent graced his nose; the smell of bleach. A noise that gave the boy chills. Kakuna high up in the tree. He found the Revivia bush once again, as well as the Beedrill’s nest. Tristen pushed himself back up, breathing heavily, looking at Cleo. “Heh, déjà vu. Not really anywhere to go without inciting the wrath of something, hm?” Cleo said as he focused his claws to ready a Night Slash once again.
Tristen took a deep breath. “Well, let’s make someone mad…” Tristen said. Tristen charged more electricity, quickly releasing a Thunder Wave pulse once again. Cleo felt the Thunder Wave grace by him and gave a laugh, his fur once again standing on end. “Your one and only chance to actually do any significant damage and you mess it up. Don’t you remember earlier?”
“Yea. I do.” Through the branches flopped a Beedrill, twitching from the grip of paralysis. The Beedrill started to fly furiously out from the tree again. Cleo stared in shock, stunned that Tristen dared to provoke the Beedrill himself this time. “While I’m at it, here!” Tristen discharged a Flash once again, however Cleo wasn’t getting fooled by such a ploy. He quickly shielded his eyes before the flash discharge, then looked back. The Beedrill buzzed ever more furiously as several of them got caught up in the flash. When Cleo uncovered his eyes, he realized the Flash was only a trick to cover his own tracks, not blind him. The Beedrill only saw one target before them and down they came on the assault.
“…clever boy…” Cleo said. Quickly he darted off as the Beedrill went on pursuit on the Liepard hybrid. He quickly darted through the brush and various trees, trying all he can to avert the onslaught out to befall upon him. Before the swarm of Beedrill, Cleo split apart three ways, confusing the infuriated swarm a bit until the Beedrill divided their forces to chase down all three images.
As the Beedrill left the area, out from a nearby tree, Cleo dropped down out of the branches and landed on the ground. He was breathing a bit heavily, tired from the overall ordeal with Tristen as well as having to run for his life from the Beedrill. He had to brace himself up against the tree he was in, just to take a breather. “I swear, I will slit that boy’s throat before the week is over.”
Cleo then perked up; he felt something latch on to his own tail. Tristen stood there with probably the most ticked off look anyone would ever see on the boy, the Liepard’s hybrid tail in his hands. “Tell me if this hurts, kitty…” The boy said. Before Cleo could jerk away, Tristen discharged one more Spark attack. The Liepard hybrid gritted his teeth, ended up on standing up on his toes. The cat hybrid felt every muscle lock up as Tristen poured every ounce of electricity he had left for the few seconds he could. Tristen then stopped the Spark and put out a hard sigh as Cleo fell forward, face first upon the ground.
Tristen stared at Cleo for a few seconds as he tried to recollect himself. The boy wanted to nearly celebrate, toppling a foe such as this, but he’d do it later. He then kneeled down and started to check Cleo, searching him for the stone. As the seconds tick by, Tristen grew frustrated. Nothing in the pockets, nothing…anywhere. No stone. Tristen gave a frustrated sigh, wanting to kick the cat hybrid while he was still down. All of that for nothing, it felt. He decided against it, though. For now, he trudged off, leaving the hybrid behind to go back to his teacher.
---------
Back on my end, it wasn’t any prettier.
“Lucario! Get to it!”
I tossed out a Pokeball out upon the to-be battlefield and in a flash of light Lucario was out and ready to get to fighting alongside Typhlosion. The two Pokemon stared down the opposing Drapion and Togekiss, itching to jump in and engage the two before them. “Huh…you’re the apprentice in Mahogany, right? I thought you carried around Ice types all the time.” Alex said.
“You’d be surprised. So…who are you? Can’t say I’ve heard of you at all.” I said.
“Well, I’m not a gym-leader wannabe or whatever.” She said. “I wouldn’t be unless I just so happened to reign champion somewhere, not that I care. I’d like to think there be more to life than just a title.” She said.
“That’s rather philosophical of someone such as yourself.” I said.
“Eh, whatever. Besides, it wasn’t like I hadn’t tried…wasn’t really lucky enough, I guess.” She said.
“Luck is only a small issue.” I said.
“Actually, it’s bigger than you really want to realize.” Alex said. “Togekiss! Air Slash!”
“Lucario! Ice Punch!” I shouted.
Lucario rushed for the Togekiss, his fist surging with lake and wind chi, giving off an icy mist. The Togekiss backed away and then fired a wave towards the Lucario. Lucario got stopped in his tracks after being pelted by the Togekiss’s assault. There was more to the attack, however. Lucario found it hard to push himself back up at first – the blow was harsher than what anyone would have experienced. “Well that was easy…Drapion! Thunder Fang! Finish off that Lucario!”
“Not if I can help it! Typhlosion! Cover Lucario! Flamethrower attack!” Typhlosion got in front of Lucario, squaring off with the Drapion and unleashed a mighty Pyro towards it. Drapion gets caught up in the roaring flame and backs away instantly. “Lucario! Are you alright!?” I then called out.
Lucario managed to get back on his feet, cringing from the Air Slash still. “Ra…” Lucario spoke up. Even it wondered what exactly hit it.
“Aw…your Lucario isn’t looking too good. Maybe I can make it all better.” Alex said with a sinister giggle.
“No thanks.” I said.
“Suit yourself.” She then said. “Drapion! Acupressure!”
I just stared in confusion, only for a second though. Acupressure? That was a bit random. Regardless, all roads could lead to disaster no matter what benefit the Pokemon gets from it. “Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” I shouted. Typhlosion lit up its mane once more and breathed out another hellacious pyro upon the Drapion. The Drapion focuses quickly then looked back towards the incoming flare, dodging off to the side of the massive pyro. The Drapion was apparently feeling real good and limber at the moment. I could already tell it was going to be hard pegging this Drapion if it keeps that kind of evasiveness. “Lucario! Aura Sphere!” Lucario fought through the pain and focuses its aura in its two hands. Typhlosion quickly ducked out of the way, leaving Drapion wide open to the incoming shot. The Lucario fired the Aura Sphere and pelted the Drapion with great force, making it stagger back a bit.
“Togekiss! Metronome!” Alex shouted.
“Are you actually freaking serious!?” I asked. Suddenly, I started to wonder what this person’s deal is. Why is she leaving all of her Pokemon’s attacks to pure chance? The Togekiss landed and started to give a wave of its wings around, focusing its power into the Metronome attack. I was hesitant to get either Lucario or Typhlosion to move in to attack the Togekiss, because of the nature of the attack. Anything could come of it. Something as pathetic as a Splash to ungodly devastating as a Hyper Beam, or even some attacks Legendary Pokemon are known for like a Ho-oh’s Sacred Fire. The Togekiss then gave off a faint light then…nothing. The Togekiss stood there as if to brace itself for impact. An Endure, maybe? It’s hard to tell when a Pokemon does something that they aren’t supposed to do in the first place. I looked over towards Alex; even she appeared to be a little stumped as to what Togekiss was doing. I couldn’t let the opportunity go to waste. “Typhlosion! Strength attack that Togekiss!” I shouted.
“No! Drapion! Cross Poison!” Alex shouted.
“Lucario! Cover for Typhlosion! Go!” I shouted. Lucario got in Drapion’s way, bracing for impact, stopping the Drapion’s Cross Poison attack as Typhlosion rushed by. The Typhlosion snatched up the Togekiss and smashed it hard into the ground.
“Togekiss! Don’t just stand there anymore! Use your Air Cutter!” As the Togekiss righted itself up, it didn’t follow the command. It continued to stay there, bracing itself. “Oh forget it! Drapion! Crunch attack! Get Lucario off of you!” Drapion moved its head forward, biting down hard on Lucario. Lucario yelped out as Drapion’s steel like jaws clamped down on him. Lucario struggled then managed to kick away from Drapion.
“Lucario! Forget it! Get that Togekiss! Ice Punch! Typhlosion, cover him! Smokescreen!” Typhlosion breathed out the dark smoke in the area, blanketing the battlefield, giving Lucario the go-ahead to go for the Togekiss uncontested. The Lucario smashed the Ice Punch right into the Togekiss, causing great damage to the Pokemon.
Togekiss was starting to look worn down after the hard assault, but regardless the Pokemon stood back up once again and was apparently trying to brace itself. Endure was out of the question now considering the disregard in command. I then noticed the way Togekiss was starting to squirm, as if it was trying to hold something in… “Son of a…LUCARIO! Get out of there!”
“Ra?” Lucario looked back in confusion for a second, only for his attention to go back to the Togekiss when it started to fiercely glow bright. The Togekiss unleashed an abhorrent amount of chi, catching Lucario up in its wake and blowing him away. As the dust finally settled, Togekiss was floating over the hole of its own blast site, breathing a bit heavily. Lucario was down on the ground, unmoving from being caught in the blast like it did.
“Blast it, of all the things, it had to be Bide.” I said. “Lucario, return…” I was a bit upset with myself now, not realizing it any sooner. I stupidly allowed the Togekiss to gather all the energy it needed to finish off any one of my Pokemon.
“Well, that was fortunate. Ha!” Alex said. “I love it when luck is on my side.”
Two Pokemon down, four to go. Typhlosion was still fine for the most part, Porygon-Z probably would do me some justice right now, and then there was Psy and Telia, who I was still trying to avoid using. I shook my head in frustration then tossed out a Pokeball. “Porygon-Z!” I shouted. As the ball landed, the hyper, pink Pokemon was revealed for battle.
Something just dawned on me when Porygon-Z was finally out. Alex is playing the odds quite a lot. While leaving it to fate is quite dangerous, especially using the likes of Metronome or Accupressure, she works it to her favor regardless. On other occasions, she apparently is playing with a proverbial stacked deck. Togekiss’s Air Slash for example tends to naturally have the means to pierce defenses and cause critical amounts of damage, and on top of that, a Togekiss has been known to have the trait known as Serene Grace to even bolster that kind of power. Furthermore, now that I am looking at that Drapion since the Smokescreen faded out, upon its head, an eye piece of some sort. A Scope Lens; an item legal within the leagues ranks which promotes executioner like precision in a Pokemon’s strikes. Suddenly, I feel it’s a fortunate thing that I had Lucario to stop the Drapion’s Cross Poison a moment ago. Still though, with how she’s playing out this battle, her luck is going to continue unless I can find the means to shut her down.
“A Porygon-Z? Really?” Alex spoke up. “You must be getting desperate.”
“And pray tell what is that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“Oh, I’ve been around enough to hear about, despite being a big Ice Pokemon lover and all and being an apprentice of a Pokemon gym, you use that Porygon-Z to bail you out quite a lot.” She said.
“Apparently you haven’t been around long enough.” I said. “It’s foolish to think that any one Pokemon of mine is a ace in the hole. Thinking like that is what gets so many stomped on by me and my Pokemon.” Though admittingly, I had to confess, it did feel like a little that I did use Porygon-Z quite a lot. Then something struck me as off; she couldn’t have been referring to my gym battles. I stuck solely to my Ice type Pokemon in them. How could she even remotely know anything of that?
“It doesn’t matter.” She said. “Fortune has been pretty good to me so far, and considering how things are going, I’m doubting that will change. Drapion! Acupressure!”
“Again!? Porygon-Z! Ice Beam!” I shouted.
Drapion watched as the Ice Beam rushed its way then slinked off to the side, averting the chilling beam and then proceeded to perform its own self-therapy. “Blast it! Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” Typhlosion followed up, unleashing its inferno once more towards the Drapion. Much to my dismay, it came too late as the Drapion finished and allowed the flames to rush over him. The Drapion looked a little singed, but really, it wasn’t all that worse for wear at all.
“Looks like fire isn’t going to do jack to Drapion, now!”
“This is getting ridiculous…” I muttered to myself.
“Togekiss! Metronome!” Alex called out, laughing out as she did so. The Togekiss landed once more and gave its wings a wave. The Togekiss glowed the faint light once again for only a couple of seconds, mocking Typhlosion. Typhlosion became infuriated; his mane lit up, spouting fire higher than anything I ever seen before from Typhlosion. The Typhlosion then roared out in pure rage.
“Typhlosion! Calm Down!” I shouted. “Typhlosion!” The fiery Pokemon wasn’t listening. “Crap…Swaggered.” I said. Typhlosion then rushed for the Togekiss in its blind rage and recklessly went to pounce on the Togekiss, only for him to miss his mark and hit the ground, eating dirt and hurting himself.
“This is getting hilarious!” Alex said. “Everything is falling apart on you and you can’t do a thing about it!”
“This Togekiss is being too much of an x-factor to be left alone. I’ll deal with that Drapion in a minute. “Porygon-Z! Tri-Attack that Togekiss!”
“Togekiss! Look out!” The Tri-Attack shot rushed by the Drapion and went straight for the Togekiss, pelting it with all different sorts of chi, finally bringing the Togekiss out of commission.
“Finally, that’s one down.” I said. Typhlosion managed to get back up, shaking its head. It looked back, seeing the Togekiss was brought down, but it was still infuriated. It then noticed its partner was still standing. Typhlosion quickly rushed for the Drapion with fury in its eyes. “Typhlosion, wait! Don’t do it!”
“Drapion! Cross Poison!” Drapion turned, seeing the Typhlosion rush for him and came down upon the fire Pokemon, stopping him right in his tracks with its powerful venomous slash. Typhlosion tried to push himself up from such a devastating blow, but with poison now starting to course through him, the attempt was futile. Typhlosion flopped back down on the ground, passed out.
“Welp, so much for that one.” She said. I didn’t have any words to be honest. Usually, I could punish such ploys, but hers didn’t seem different somehow, and I’m not sure as to why. All I could do now was recall Typhlosion back into his Pokeball. Alex in turn also recalled her fallen Togekiss off the field. Despite losing one of her own, she was enjoying this way too much. “Delibird! Your turn!” She shouted. Alex sent out another Pokemon to pick up where Togekiss left off. She apparently still had a ways from being done from having to cut off her fun.
In a flash of light from the Pokeball, the Delibird came forth, sack and all, ready to do battle. I got a Drapion that was gaining way too much steam at this point, and I wasn’t quite sure as to how to go about this. The inevitable had come for me. With a resigned sigh, I took out another Pokeball. “Psy! Go!” I shouted, tossing the ball out onto the field. In a flash, the Gallade appeared, ready to fight.
“Huh…okay then. Delibird! Present!” Alex shouted. Again with the randomness. Why am I not surprised at this point? The Delibird leaped out and tossed out a few glowing orbs upon the battlefield towards Porygon-Z and the Gallade. Only a couple of seconds, each one detonated, cracking and popping like fireworks. It wasn’t all that much damage to the each of them, but it was enough to keep the two at bay for a couple of seconds. “Now! Acupressure, Drapion!”
“Not this again…Porygon-Z! Tri-Attack!” I shouted, pointing towards the Drapion. Porygon-Z quickly fired its multicolored attack towards the Drapion. The Drapion went to move off to the side, but the Tri-attack manages to hit its mark. Unfortunately, much to my dismay, the attack didn’t do the kind of damage that I hoped for. The work of one of Drapion’s Acupressure, no doubt. The Drapion administered its Acupressure once again, feeling good about itself now. I wasn’t sure what he bolstered now; nothing good, I’m sure. One thing I noticed, however. After finishing the Acupressure, the Drapion winced and looked down at itself. A burn where Porygon-Z shot him only a few seconds ago. “Thank you, Tri-Attack.” I said silently. It was a minor change in luck, but as far as I was concerned, I’ll take any change for the better. I had to capitalize. “Psy! Close Combat!” Psy rushed for the Drapion as fast as he could and went in a frantic assault upon Drapion.
“No, you don’t! Delibird! Present!” she shouted.
It suddenly dawned on me as to what exactly Alex was trying to do. It isn’t so much as the randomness itself as it is the intimidation factor from it. The very uncertainty that would make anyone hesitant to take unneeded chances. Alex plays on such worries; I’ve been playing into her hands probably since moment one. She is more than likely banking on me to tell Psy to back off. She’s protecting Drapion; a Pokemon getting closer and closer to becoming an unstoppable juggernaut with every Acupressure. “Psy! Push through! Porygon-Z! Lock-on!” Psy rushed through the Present bombardment, taking only minor damage once again from what apparently turned about to be another weak attack. After clearing the blast sight, Psy lunged forward, smashing into the Drapion.
The Drapion writhed from the brutal blow, howling out for a second. “Drapion! Cross Poison!” Alex shouted. Her excited demeanor left her, now a bit in a panic. She knows she’s been found out. Regardless, the Drapion retaliated, coming down with his claws and struck the relentless Gallade. Psy shouted in agony, taking the full blow of the Cross Poison attack.
“Porygon-Z! Zap Cannon!” I shouted.
“Delibird! Present!” Alex shouted.
“This is getting old, lady! Porygon-Z! Gun that Drapion down!” I said.
Delibird turned its attention towards Porygon-Z, tossing out more glowing orbs upon the battlefield. The Explosions were now considerably larger and more powerful in magnitude. “Probably should have stayed after all!” Alex shouted back to me.
“Porrrry!”
“Uhhh…nope.” The Dust Cloud from Delibird’s bombardment parted from Porygon-Z’s zap cannon shot as the attack rushed for the Drapion and connected with great force. The Drapion cried out in pain as the damage started to add up. Despite such a gambit, the Drapion was still standing. Not for long, however…Psy was starting to pull himself back up, looking kind of sick, but still was wanting to finish this battle while it still could. “Thank you, Psy…Close Combat!” I shouted. Psy rushed back over towards Drapion and smashed into him once more, another frantic pounding, causing even greater extensive damage. The Drapion couldn’t keep up with the assault and finally succumbed to the pain.
“Finally…” I said.
“Drapion!” Alex shouted. “Get up!”
“Nice try, but it’s not happening.” I said. “Got anyone else or is the rest of your team meant to be a meat shield for that Drapion of yours?”
“Now you’re the stupid one thinking that there was all there was to me!” she snapped back as she recalled to the fallen Drapion. She pulled out another Pokeball, which had me to sigh frustratingly. I was hoping that she’d call it quits at this point, but then, she probably figures she still had the upper hand. Truth be told, she did. I wasn’t sure how much longer Psy had before Drapion’s poison got to him, leaving me to use Telia. Furthermore, I wasn’t sure just how much of her party she had still and what Pokemon for that matter.
I then noticed Alex trying to lean over to look behind me. I perked up from instincts tripping off. A faint chi signature. I quickly charged an Ice Beam in the palm of my hand, waiting on whatever it was to reveal itself. Tristen pulled himself out of the brush, tired and beaten. “Tristen?” I spoke up, stopping the icy charge.
“Hey! Where’s Cleo!?” Alex shouted.
“Back in the woods. He’s out cold though.” Tristen said warily. “I left him a bit…shocked?”
“Ok, Tristen, for one, if you’re going to do a one-liner, commit to it instead of coming off as if asking, and two, we got to keep you away from Sub now. I think he may be rubbing off on you.” I said. Tristen merely tilted his head. He thought he did a decent attempt.
“Ugh…Delibird, return!” Alex shouted. “Fine, you win this one, but I swear it won’t be the same next time!”
“Hey! Wait a minute!” Tristen spoke up. “He didn’t have a stone on him! Where is it!? Do you have it!?”
“I…don’t have it. Neither of us do.” She said.
“Another waste of time? Seriously!?” I shouted. “Who took it?” She didn’t answer. I then charged the ice beam again, training it on her. “I’m not asking twice!”
“The Xatu hybrid. He took it from us this morning on island seven. He caught me alone; blindsided me. Cleo couldn’t help because he was out scouting the island before he decided to leave to come here. We only fought you because we thought it would have been an easy pick-off.” She explained.
I thought for a moment. Horus could have in fact done that if Kalana was well enough to fight on her own again, which as of this morning, that could have been the case. If that was true, then those two are back on the hunt. Worse news is that they now have at least three stones now. If we were to succeed, we would have to fight those two again, perhaps soon. With a sigh, I stopped the Ice Beam charge. “Beat it.”
As she left, I looked back down to Tristen. “We best get to work now.”
-------
After the ordeal with Cleo and Alex, I recalled my Pokemon then made my way back to the Revivia Bush. The Beedrill were still out of the tree above it from Tristen’s disturbance of the nest a short while ago, so we grabbed as much as we needed from the bush as fast as we could then went off before the Beedrill decided to come back. We then left the bush, going a good ways off from the nest to set up camp. It would be a long day to follow after that preparing the Revival herb and tending to our fallen Pokemon.
On into the night, a campfire was made. Our Pokemon laid about, trying to rest the night out and recover from their injuries. It upset me seeing them all like this. “Blizz?” Tristen spoke up. “What are we going to do tomorrow?”
“I’ll be honest, I don’t know. This competition actually has me worried. I’m not sure if our Pokemon are going to be up for it tomorrow to be all honest. Cleo and Alex proverbially caught us with our pants down.” I told him. “You’re banged up from Cleo, Alex managed to shut down two of my Pokemon, nearly got a third if the Poison took its toll on Psy, and with me already losing Weavile to Prima and Lee earlier, ugh…suddenly I’m douting our chances now. We can’t keep only getting by only a hair.” I sighed out, rubbing my eyes. “Bah, I’m sorry…I’m getting frustrated when I shouldn’t.” I looked over towards Tristen. Despite an apology, he apparently was feeling a bit bad right now. “Christ, I really am a wet blanket, aren’t I?” I rubbed the back of my head, trying to think of a topic change, if only a minor one. “Uh…so…how did you do it?”
“Do what?” Tristen asked.
“Beat Cleo. You went up against a hybrid twice your side and your skill perhaps and you still came out on top. That’s actually quite remarkable.” I told him. “You’re really coming along, you know that?” Tristen now was the one rubbing the back of his head, cracking a faint smile from the sudden praise.
“It wasn’t easy.” The boy said. “Though…I think he was taking the fight way too seriously…”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You saw all those fallen trees earlier, right? Cleo did that; he tried to crush me under all of that.”
“He did THAT!?” I asked, now ticked off. “Why in…ugh…Tristen, I’m sorry for having you to go fight him. I shou-“
“Blizz, it’s okay…we didn’t have a lot of choice, remember?” he said.
“It doesn’t exactly make me feel better about it. Though now that you mention seriousness…something is nagging at me.” I said.
“What?” Tristen asked.
“Hold on a sec…” I took out my SNAG and started to make a call to Freth once again, but this time, no answer. “Huh. Strange. Freth isn’t answering.” I then checked the time, then just gave up on the call. “Well, it’s late, she probably called it a night. We might want to do the same. It’s been a long day and we still got more coming.” Tristen adjusted himself, resting his head on his pack and looked at the sky above. I fired an ice beam at the campfire to put it out then rested my head on my pack as well.
The next morning, another serving of breakfast bars and another bottle of water. While checking back up on the condition of our Pokemon once again, I gave another call on the SNAG. “Blizzard?” Freth spoke up on the other end.
“There you are…where were you last night?” I asked.
“Oh, down on the beach again…kind of regretting it though.” Freth said.
“Regretting it?” I asked.
“Well, after saving Doc from his fashion crisis, we went down to the beach last night and a lot was going on, remarkably. There was in fact a beach party going on in honor of so-called ‘Guardian of the Sea’. Doc however wasn’t really getting into the festivities all that well. He kind of reminds me of you. Though, at least I didn’t have to drag him kicking and screaming to such events.” Freth said.
“Gee…thanks. I’d like to think I’m getting better.” I said to her.
“Regardless, I thought ‘Well, we can’t have that’ so…I bought Doc a drink.” Freth said.
“…Doc doesn’t drink.” I said.
“We’ll…not until last night until after he tried his first Mai Tai.” In the background of the call, I heard a loud retching. “What was that?”
“That was just Doc heaving in the bathroom.” Freth said. “Apparently the first one is the worst.”
“Obviously.” I said. “Well as soon as you get Doc back on his feet, I got something for you to look into if you can.”
“Something told me that this vacation wasn’t going to be that peaceful.” Freth said. “I swear Blizzard, you’re too freakin’ paranoid.”
“Freth, just humor me, will you?” I spoke up. I need you to look into someone in the competition. There is probably more to that Liepard hybrid and his partner than those two let on.” I said.
“Apart from the fact that said hybrid broke into our hotel room the other night.” She said.
“It’s a bit worse than that, actually.” I said. “But if they are just a couple of thug wanna-be’s, I won’t sweat it too much. I just want to cover my bases, really.”
“Fine, I guess I can do it.” Freth said with a sigh. “You owe me.”
“Add it to my tab and keep me posted. Thanks, Freth.” I said, ending the transmission on the SNAG and stashed the device. “So how’s everything on your end, Tristen?” I then asked the Electrike kid.
“Well…they kinda are upset with me giving them that herb. Mawile said it was the worst thing he ever smelled and tasted.” Tristen said.
“He hasn’t dealt with Typhlosion’s cooking yet.”
“Ty-SION!” Typhlosion shouted out to me.
“Hey! You and Tails are the only ones that can stomach that chili!” I said. “At any rate, let’s get moving. We should be alright if we are careful enough, but we really got to pick our fights from now on.”
“Easier said since the past two fights we didn’t even know they didn’t even have a stone.” Tristen said. “They did the same thing that we were trying to do at first.”
“That was to be expected, rather we do so or someone else.” I said.
“So, where do we go? Who do we go try to find?” Tristen asked.
“Well, we still only got our one stone, so someone is still sure to hunt us down. Horus and Kalana have at least three that we know of. The Berry Duo, providing they haven’t botched anything, should still have two, considering they humiliated Prima and Lee.” I said.
“That’s only six, Blizz. If Horus got our first one and the one from Cleo and Alex, and the farmers got theirs and Prima and Lee’s, and we got the one from the rangers, who’s left?” Tristen asked.
I thought for a second. “Those two channelers.” I said to him. “Come to think of it, they really haven’t made themselves known all competition that I know of yet. I honestly nearly forgot all about them.”
“Should we find them?” Tristen asked.
“Personally, I kind of want to find that Berry Duo. If we team up against those two, we might be able to overtake them and get the stones from them. They couldn’t be that much harder to take down than Prima and Lee, I’d imagine.” I said.
“Wouldn’t that make us a big target if we get two rocks like that?” Tristen asked.
“No bigger than Horus and Kalana is right now.” I told him. “Though I have no idea where to look. We might as well go back to what we were going to do yesterday and island hop and pray we don’t have to make a detour back here anytime soon again.”
We eventually recalled our Pokemon and packed everything we had up. We trekked out of the forest and went to go check around the island to make sure that no one that we figured that had the stones found their way onto the island. When the coast was apparently clear, we found ourselves free to leave the island. The trend would continue on into the afternoon hours as we scanned every island, starting from Island One.
Nothing much to really note going from Islands One through Four as we searched the islands. Those still with a shot in the competition are probably laying low right now; trying to slow this competition down, perhaps regroup. In hindsight, that was probably what we should have done in the first place instead of getting into one fight after the next and put ourselves in such poor shape. Then again, the first fights we couldn’t necessarily help.
When we arrived on the mainland of Island Five, we made our way north with the plan to start from the top of the group of isles and work our way down. To the north was Resort Gorgeous. White sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and extravagant beach homes that only a choice few can afford to sit in. When we would arrive, however, it was in total disarray. War was done here. Recent too. Upon the beach, we found four people, two of them down on the ground. The Berry Duo…they were passed out. Their various Pokemon, scattered about the beach and beaten. The two standing, the two Ranger Leaders.
“What the hell!? Did you two do this!? Overkill much!?” I shouted.
“What the-YOU!” Spencer shouted. “You got a lot of gall to accuse us of doing this! Even so, do you think after the way you two did us in back on Island Six, we’d actually have the means to cause this much chaos with only one Capture Styler between us and one particular Dragonite MISSING!? Do you know what kind of hell that I got to go through now just to get my Fearow back from the Ranger headquarters!? The Dragonite was on loan!”
Tristen slowly scooted back behind me, not wanting to tempt his fate. “Easy, Spencer.” Cameron stated. “We’re not out to start trouble here. Look, we just got here ourselves only about twenty minutes ago. We found the place like this and found these two passed out here. We’ve been trying to bring them to since and find out what happened.”
I walked forth and looked down at the berry duo and shook my head. “Now who the hell thought they deserved this?”
One of them started to wince then finally come to. “Hey, buddy. Hey, can you hear me?” Spencer spoke up. “Easy does it. Come on, who did all of this?”
“Liepard…person…” he spoke.
“…what does that mean?” Cameron asked.
“The Liepard hybrid?” I asked. “Well he sure recovered kind of fast…”
“What do you mean?” Spencer asked.
“We had a run in with him and his partner yesterday. The fight was pretty ugly only to find out they didn’t have a stone at the time. We ran them off, regardless. Bastards didn’t even have one of the stones on them. Regardless though, that was back on Island Three.” A thought occurred. “I wonder how those two get around the islands…the three Pokemon I seen Alex used couldn’t carry the two of them around. Not unless that Drapion of Alex’s is a real good swimmer.”
“We got to find those two and get answers.” Spencer said.
“Sure, wave your little magic wand and big burly Dragonite and threaten them-oh wait, it’s just as you said earlier.” I said to him. “What are you going to do? Huh? Do you even know which way they went? I doubt you do. And what of these two? You going to just outright abandon them when you two are more suited to take care of them than we are? WE will try to find them.”
“Now what gives you the right to boss us around?” Cameron asked.
“Given that you are in no position to bargain.” I said. “Let’s go, Tristen.”
We left the rangers to tend to the fallen duo, heading back to the mainland of Island Five. I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it though. Apart from two rocks, why go through that kind of chaos? Why completely ruin the resort? It didn’t fit their M.O. compared to the past couple of days where subtlety was the name of the game. Then again, Cleo had no qualms of trying to drop a few trees on Tristen, but then, at that time, they were stuck in a full-on confrontation, and that was only after Cleo and Alex made their move to snatch the rock from us before getting caught. I’m left to wonder if it had anything to do with how Prima and Lee ran out of us.
“Are you okay, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“I don’t know.” I told the boy. “I can already tell something is not right in this competition and everything leads back to Cleo and Alex. Why are they doing this? Do they want all eyes on them? They tried to steal from us. Twice. They ruined Resort Gorgeous. And from moment one, they had the rangers on their case when we found them on Island Six.”
“I don’t know about that last one.” Tristen said. “They didn’t act like they were trying to look for them when we were talking to them back on the island. Was Alex and Cleo the two that started on Island Six?”
“You suggested it.” I told him.
“I said Six or Seven. I didn’t remember.” Tristen said.
“...” I thought for a moment, then shook my head. It really didn’t matter at this point, I figured. “Well, let’s make sure Cleo and Alex are not on the island chain then move on.”
-------------
As the search started on Island Five, Freth was doing as asked back on Island One. Not too thrilled. She was trying to find the records of Cleo and Alex on a Pokemon Center’s PC, trying to find anything. Trainer info, Pokemon, league sanctioned match histories, criminal histories, the works. She wasn’t expecting anything to come of it; at least hoping it. In the moment nothing does, she was already dressed in beach attire, ready for another stroll down the beach and laying out in the sun or maybe even a swim if she felt like it. Doc was close by, only in his normal attire, sitting down on a sofa nearby, rubbing his eyes. “How are you holding up over there?”
“I do not know HOW the likes of you and Night can do this!? I never experienced a headache this horrible. This headache could even make a Psyduck cringe.” Doc said.
“Lightweight.” Freth said. She looked back towards the computer, shaking her head, trying her hardest to hold back a laugh.
“Hey, I would imagine that for my first drink, my condition is rather tame.” Doc said.
“…for someone with a doctorate, you obviously have no idea.” Freth told her. She continued to look through the PC then stared at something in confusion.
“Something the matter?” Doc asked.
“…I don’t know. I guess no one would think anything of it so much, but given that I was once part of the ‘underground’, it leaves me to wonder just a bit.” Freth said. “I can’t find anything.”
“Well, that’s good right?” Doc asked.
“No, I mean, I literally can’t find anything. The two that Blizzard is wanting to find out about do not exist. No Trainer Data, no criminal history, no nothing.” She said. “Not even on the human trainer of that duo and for that matter, not a single Pokemon of hers are registered under Pokeball use data.”
“When she is supposed to update every time a trainer goes to a Pokemon Center; which would eventually happen, one way or another.” Doc said. “That…is quite peculiar. But even so, that wouldn’t disqualify anyone from partaking in this competition, would it?”
“Well, probably not, but I would imagine someone would be asking questions just in case.” Freth said.
“And the only ones that would be allowed to ask such things is the ones overseeing this competition.” Doc said. “Right?”
Freth gave a hard sigh. So much for her vacation time. “Ugh, and if I was to tell Blizzard this, he’d want me to dig deeper into it. Come on, Doc.”
“Do I really have to get up from here?” Doc asked.
“Come on. I’m not going through a ruined vacation alone.” She said, grabbing Doc and pulling him out of the seat.
With no official headquarters, office, or anything of that sort for the festivities, let alone the ongoing competition, and furthermore the Pokemon League is currently overseeing this event for possible future endeavors, Freth found it wise to go investigate the Pokemon League representative. The first place to start would be the representative’s hotel room. As far as she was concerned, such a person wouldn’t have anywhere to go on this island unless he was one of those ‘party hard’ types. Leaving the Pokemon Center, she made her way through the crowds and stands on the boardwalk, making her way to the first hotel.
After a couple of hotels, Freth still was continuing on. However, the longer Doc continued, the less he wanted any part of it. With his hangover still looming, he was trying hard not to heave on the boardwalk in public. “Freth. Wait. Stop.” Doc said, making his way over to a nearby railing, taking his glasses off.
“My God, Doc, you only had ONE Mai Tai!” Freth said. “There is no way in hell that it should still be kicking you around like this.”
“Easy for you to say.” The owl told her. The doctor stood there at the railing, taking a few breaths, trying to fight off the queasiness that wanted to dominate him. When he managed to stave off the sickening feeling for now, he slipped back on his glasses. He then took notice to something off into the distance. A man, formally dressed it seemed. He did have some markings of being a League official. “Freth, could that be him?” He asked, pointing towards the man.
“I can’t tell from here.” Freth said. “You think it may be him?”
“He seemed to fit the part. Are you going to question him now?” Doc asked.
“Hell no. That’s the last thing that you want.” Freth said. “You only do that when you either have no other choice, or you got plenty to grill someone on. Otherwise, if you got nothing on what you’re accusing someone of, and he so happens to be in on any scheme, he could lie through his teeth and you’re screwed.”
“Then what was the point in asking if he’s staying in these hotels?” Doc asked, staring at Freth as if she lost her mind.
“Look, the one thing you got to realize is that regardless if you are one of the good guys or the bad guys or anything inbetween, you can’t trust anyone. Since we can’t deal with him directly yet, you got to go find whatever evidence first. If he has anything in his hotel room that we can use against him, THEN we can twist this guy’s arm for information. Look at it this way, you wouldn’t simply trust a person’s medical history by word of your patient’s mouth, are you?” she asked.
“I…suppose not…” Doc said.
“Then come on, let’s go.” She said.
Doc left his spot against the railing then started following. “Pray tell, though. What do you expect to find in there if you are not going to bully the representative for any sort of information? I would imagine that’s why some may get another alone somewhere and do what they need to do.”
“And here I thought Blizzard watched too much television.” Freth said. “If there’s anything that I got to find out by having a boyfriend within the Pokemon League’s circles, they are quite sticklers for a paper trail. Anything ranging from Pokemon registries, hosted events, hell, for as all Blizzard knows, what brand toilet paper that an elite uses. They do it for the sake of liability, should they show up.”
“So, I’m assuming now that you want to see firsthand what the representative knows. Perhaps written documentation and the like?” Doc asked.
“Now you’re thinking like a Snagem.” Freth said.
“I doubt it.” Doc said. “You, Blizzard, and maybe a couple of others within the team are the only ones that show such subtlety, and even then, it’s rare. If there’s not at least one explosion, then it’s a sad day for Sub.”
“No one is perfect.” Freth said.
A few minutes later, the two hybrids arrived in the hotel and looked about the lobby, soon finding the check-in counter. Doc made his way over towards a chair to sit out the queasiness that was starting to reoccur as Freth walked up to the desk. “Excuse me…um, the Pokemon League representative, he’s one of your guests, isn’t he?” she asked.
“Yes, he is.” She said.
“He isn’t in by chance?” Freth then asked. The lady at the desk pulled out a thick book, checking the room where the representative is supposed to stay, then shifted towards her phone and dialed in three numbers. Freth glanced down at the phone, quickly trying to make out the number from upside down. ‘503’ was on the display.
“…Hmm…I’m sorry, I’m afraid he isn’t answering. He may have left.” The clerk said. “Would you care to leave a message?”
“Nah, I think I might know where he might have left off to. I guess I’ll have to meet him there.” Freth told the clerk. “Thanks anyways.”
Freth left the desk and went back to the Doc, still trying to compose himself. “Come on, Doc, we got work to do.”
“Tell me, why am I involved in this instead of staying back in my hotel room?” Doc asked.
Freth pulled Doc out of the chair and took him off to a nearby elevator and went up the floors, making their way to the fifth floor. Once there, they started to go down the hall, checking the numbers on the door. Freth noticed at one of the rooms, one of the maids of the hotel was in the middle of straightening it up. Her cart was placed right outside the door. Freth checked the room, seeing where the maid was at in the room then quickly swiped a card from the cart; the key to open any room in the hotel. “Now you’re making me nervous.” Doc said in a whisper.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:57 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 7)
“Relax.” As soon as they found 503, Freth checked back down the hall then used the card key in the door slot and the door unlocked. The two hybrids then entered the room and closed the door behind them. The beds were straight and there was a hint of disinfectant spray in the air. The maid was here not too long ago. At the very least, they wouldn’t be bothered by her. “Alright, where is this guy’s luggage?”
The two would creep about the room, Freth checked under the bed as Doc slid open the closet door. “Freth…” Doc spoke up. He reached in and pulled out a couple of suitcases and a brief case with a key lock. Freth immediately checked the brief case only to find it locked. “Freth, I doubt it would have been that easy.”
“Hush. Check the other cases; see if he left the key in one of them.” She said. The two went into the suitcases, sifting through the clothes, eventually coming across a little brass key. “There we go.” She took the key and checked the briefcase lock with the key. A perfect fit. With a twist of the key, the briefcase opened. Freth started to look about the papers that was contained within the case, staring at them in confusion. “Um…there’s nothing here…” She said.
“Nothing of any importance?” Doc asked.
“No. Literally nothing. Just…a bunch of whatever.” She said. “There’s nothing on what’s going on now. Not even so much as a sticky note.”
“Perhaps he’s putting it off until closer to the end of the event?” Doc suggested. “What is all of this, though?” Doc said, picking up a few documents of his own. He quickly scanned through it, taking note that they were apparently about the entrants of the competition. He started to go through the pages, trying to find anything on Cleo and Alex. But then something Doc noticed. He put down the papers and took a closer look at the briefcase.
“What’s wrong?” Freth asked, staring at Doc in confusion. Doc looked both at the inside and outside of the briefcase, then gave a couple of knocks on it from the outside of the case. A weird, hollow sound. “A false bottom? Here, let me see.” Freth took the case from Doc and started to feel about the edges of the inside of the case. “Ha.” Freth pulled out a slat within the briefcase then stared in confusion as to what they found. Four stones; stones that signified one’s entrance in the competition. “What on earth?”
“Apparently someone isn’t playing fair.” Doc said.
“Which meant Blizzard was in fact on to something after all.” Freth said, rubbing her eyes in frustration. Bye bye vacation time, she thought.
“So what do we do now?” Doc asked. “Apart from telling Blizzard what we just found, that is.”
“I almost want to say to take these with us, but then we’d look like the guilty party, in turn making Blizzard look bad as well, and possibly killing all chances to getting to the bottom of this.” Freth said.
Doc then perked up. His senses, being a considerable more sensitive than Freth’s started to feel a presence coming about in the room. “Freth” would all he would get the chance to mutter before the two were joined by two others that appeared in the room out of thin air.
The presence was actually three of them. Standing before Doc and Freth was Kalana, her Golett, and Horus, who brought them in with his Teleport. “Well, I’m legitimately surprised to find you here. You’re the bird’s significant other, aren’t you?” Horus asked. “Hmm…even more surprising, apparently you were asked to do some investigating by him while he runs about the islands. Heh, I tend to forget that even he has his moments.”
Freth grabbed Doc by his shirt and pulled him over behind her, knowing good and well Doc would not stand any chance against the likes of either of them. “So. Do tell. Shouldn’t you be running about the island as well instead of hanging around in a comfy hotel like this?”
“Eh, we’re just passing through.” Kalana said. Kalana looked on the bed, seeing the case with the four stones, giving a Horus a quick tap on his shoulder, then pointed towards the briefcase. “Quite the find you have there.” Kalana reached over to the briefcase. Freth grabbed the bed spread and pulled it towards her as hard as she could. Freth then catches the briefcase and shuts it.
“That wasn’t smart.” Horus told her.
“Quite, Freth. I thought you said it would be bad for us to take it.” Doc said.
“Better us than them right now.” Freth said.
“Don’t make this harder than what it needs to be. Well, that’s what I would say, but like your lover, you’ll do the contrary. The only difference is, however, you don’t have his kind of odds in winning.” Horus said.
Freth’s eyes narrowed, growing irritated. “Suddenly, I think I know why Blizzard punched a hole in your rib cage.”
“Give me the case!” As soon as Horus took his first step to reach out towards Freth, Freth tossed the case backwards behind her, through the glass double doors, and out past the balcony. Horus quickly grabbed the case with his telekinetic power, holding it in place, only to get caught off guard by Freth driving her fist in Horus’s face by means of her Frustration attack. The devastating blow sends him crashing through the hotel room door, across the hall, and through another door, into the room across the hall, scaring the maid from the sudden crashes just a short ways down the hall from her. “Horus!” Kalana shouted out, concerned for the Xatu hybrid. She then watched Freth make her way out of the hotel room and across the hall, going after Horus, only to soon after get blown back by Horus springing back up and unleashing a psychic burst, sending her back across the hall and back into the original room, and further still, getting blown through the glass double-doors and out past the balcony.
“Freth!” Doc shouted. Doc went to make his way to the door as well, but soon backed away when Horus stomped his way back into the hotel room and went for the glass doors.
“Watch him…” Horus told Kalana as he made his way out the door and down to the ground below.
“Yea, fine.” Kalana said, giving a shrug.
“Yes, please do. Watch me.” Doc said. Kalana stared at Doc, staring at him in confusion. An opportunity that Doc used to unleash his hypnotic wave, catching Kalana in its wake and have the woman pass out upon the floor.
“GOLETT!!!” The Golett cried out.
The Doc pushed up his glasses a bit. “Sleep tight, miss.” Doc then made his way out of the room, seeing the maid standing there in shock at the carnage before her. “Um…sorry about the mess.” Doc looked back at the room, then back at the maid. “She’ll pay for the damages.” The doctor then ran off as fast as the hybrid could go, making his way towards the hotel’s stairwell and making his way down the stairs, stopping occasionally to heave over the railing from the queasiness.
Back outside the hotel, Freth was pushing herself off the ground, shaking her head for a second, then readjusted her wig. Horus landed on the ground a few yards away from her, still rubbing the spot on his face where he was punched at. “You know, you really got a lot of nerve.” He said.
“I get that a lot.” Freth said.
“I swear, you lot must share the same stubborn streak. I have never grown so irritated at anyone before until my encounter with your lover at Challenger’s cave. I only lament the fact that I wished what happened there would have stayed there.” Horus said.
“Well, if you didn’t come off as a pompous b*****d, you might have had a better time against him.” She said. Horus only rolled his eyes, then noticed the case nearby. Freth looked back for a split second, trying to figure out what Horus was looking at. When she too saw the case, she quickly turned and fired an Ice Beam off at the Xatu hybrid.
Horus teleported out of the way, reappearing right before her. Freth, unable to retaliate, gets blasted once again by another Psychic attack, blowing her off and sending her tumbling, smashing right into a gate leading to the hotel’s pool. Horus shook his head in disgust, then went to go pick up the case. Freth managed to stand back up, placed her hands together then pulled them apart, forming a watery ring before her. Horus’s instincts tripped, seeing Freth readying and soon after firing her Water Pulse right at him. Horus lifted his hand, a barrier of golden light, his Light Screen, formed before it, shielding himself from the assault.
Freth then rushed off towards Horus, disappearing herself and showing up before him with her Agility. When she reappeared before Horus, she had a Ice Beam charge waiting in her hands. She unleashed the powerful shot, engulfing Horus in its icy wake and sent him flying right into the wall of the hotel, mounting him to the wall.
“Tch…jerk…” She said, dusting herself off a bit. She then went to pick up the case. After doing so, she looked back towards the ice on the hotel, only noticing Horus wasn’t trapped in the ice. “…wha?” Her instincts tripped. The moment she turned around, she saw a hand grab her around the face. She felt herself lifted up then slammed down on the ground.
“I already had one to pull one over on me like this! I refuse to allow another!” he shouted. Freth strugged in the Xatu hybrid’s grip, but suddenly started to feel her strength, her very power, draining and going through the Xatu’s fingertips. She remembered being told this. Power Swap.
Horus remembered this feeling. Muscles tightened, the power coursed through him, it was nearly overwheming. He let go of Freth soon after, looking at himself. “All that power, no skill.” Horus said. “What on earth have you people been doing to achieve such heights as this? Whatever it is, you don’t know how to use it.” Freth pushed herself up back again as Horus walked off, grabbing the case.
“Hey! Wait a second!” Freth said, pushing herself back up. She started to charge another Ice Beam, training it on Horus.
“Go away.” Horus turned around, unleashing a Shadow Ball attack towards her. Freth couldn’t even try to stand up against it. The ball made impact right at her feet, blowing her head over heels. She couldn’t help but to scream out until she fell flat on the ground, unable to continue.
Doc finally made his way back out, seeing the aftermath of the ordeal. “What on…Freth!”
Horus looked over, staring in confusion. “What the…? Where’s Kalana!?”
“She…found the hotel room comfy?” she said.
A quick read of the Doc’s mind. He saw the Hypnosis attack…which put Kalana in a hypnotic comatose. “Blast you…” He then disappeared, making his way back into the Hotel room.
“Freth. Freth!” Doc went over to Freth’s side, trying to check her condition.
“Ugh, blast it…” Freth moaned out. “I swear once I get my hands around…”
“You’re not doing anything, not with him doing his whole psychic trickery on you.” He said. “Let’s just go find someplace to lay low for the moment. You and Horus stirred up quite the commotion around here and you’ll need to contact Blizzard.”
“Later…first, since we now know for sure about that league rep, NOW we can have a few words with him first.”
---------
The search on island five would prove to be uneventful. There was probably no telling how long gone the likes of Cleo and Alex were before the rangers showed up. “Blizz, I think we’re too late.”
“Looks that way…” I said. “We may have to just check somewhere else.”
“Where?” Tristen asked. “They could have gone anywhere.”
“I don’t know…ugh…how the hell are they getting to island to island so fast? They got to have some Pokemon with Teleport. But what, though?” I was growing a bit frustrated. Cleo and Alex was causing all sorts of chaos for everyone and for what? A polished rock? Why? Are they desperate to see Lugia?
“Blizz?” Tristen spoke up. I looked down at the boy, seeing the eyes of concern. I couldn’t help but to give a bit of a sigh.
“Let’s just go on ahead and try our luck elsewhere.” I said, taking out a Pokeball. “How about let’s go to Island Seven, since we haven’t been out that way yet.”
“Alright.”
I took out Telia’s Pokeball once again and tossed the ball out, sending the Gardevoir back out. “Telia, Island Seven please.” With a nod the Telia took us off on a very short trip, arriving on Island Seven in a mere couple of seconds.
When we arrive, Tristen would soon find out that Island Seven is similar to that of Island Six in regards to the various ruins that takes up a whole section of the island chain. Unlike Island Six, however, this island has been in development for at least the past decade, starting things off by putting a Battle Tower on the northern reaches of the island. From there, a Marina would be built for all purposes – transit stations for inter-regional shipping, a costal market place for tourists and inhabitants alike, and so on, with plenty more land south of it all to expand upon. Speaking of the land south, Sevault Canyon lost its ruggedness over the years, thanks to the industrial expanding, however, it was still a good place to make into a battleground, if not an oversized hiding spot.
After recalling Telia back to her ball, Tristen and I made our way south into the canyon in hopes to make any sort of contact. About twenty minutes into the canyon, exploring the various crevices and avoiding the likes of some wild Pokemon about the area, it was starting to feel like this place was a no-go as well.
A tugging came upon my pack. “What is it, Tristen?” I asked.
“What? I didn’t say anything.” Tristen said.
“You tugged on me.” I said.
“No, I didn’t…” A harder tug, a pull even more.
“The hell?” I looked behind me, staring in confusion. Something was pulling on my pack, too strong to be Tristen’s doing. There wasn’t anything there. Before I knew it the pull was even greater. “Hey! What the…!?” It was starting to drag me, whatever it was.
“Blizz! What’s happening!?”
“Hell if I know!” I started to notice that the straps on my pack were starting to vie way. I quickly slid the pack off, turned around, and grabbed the back with my bare hands. I couldn’t understand it; I wasn’t sensing anything nearby and yet something was trying to take my pack away from me. I pulled hard as I could, trying to fight the unknown force until the fabric of the pack gave way. I fell backwards, hitting the ground then looked back at my pack. A small hole was made…something got out.
“Blizz! The stone!” Tristen shouted.
I looked back up. Sure enough, the stone was flying off into the distance. “How in the-after it!” I quickly got back up, rushing off, trying to keep up with the stone. My instincts then finally tripped, and I quickly skidded to a stop, just in time to witness a rift in the ground open up and pool up with lava.
“Thanks for the stone, you two. This competition is a lot more taxing than we would have thought in trying to find everyone. We’ll be the ones making the offering to Lugia.”
“Well that answers the question where you two are…” I said, looking ahead. Two people were visible through the steam and ripples of heat coming from the ground, a male and female, accompanied by a Charizard and an Armaldo. They were one of the pairs that stood in the Pokemon Center with us during the introductions.
“Yes, well, it’s kind of hard to get around quickly when two people has to rely on one Charizard to go from island to island.” The man spoke, only for the Charizard to growl in protest.
“Yea, Roshi, seriously. Don’t be too hard on him, it’s not like he’s used to that.” The woman spoke.
“Apologies…though speaking of, Mai, we best be off.” Roshi said.
“The hell you are!” I shouted.
“Blizz! Get me over there! Hurry!” Tristen shouted.
“Go!” I grabbed Tristen by the vest and gave the boy a hard toss, sending him over the lava. As Tristen made his way over and went for a landing, his body crackled with electricity and discharged one hard Thunderbolt down upon the two.
“Armaldo!” Roshi shouted. The Armaldo stomped the ground, raising up a giant rock by means of his Rock Tomb attack. Roshi held the boulder up in place, shelding the bunch from the bolt. As Tristen landed, I jumped forward myself, over the pit and readying an Ice Beam.
“Charizard!” Mei rushed forth with her Charizard. The Charizard spat embers towards the ground, catching patches of grass on fire.
“Mai! Wait!” Roshi shouted.
Mai guided the small fires, making a trail that encircled the small area around me. “Burn…” she said. The small embers intensified dramatically into a roaring hellfire pillar, engulfing me. “Heh…toasty.”
Out the flames, I came forth with the Ice Beam charge, rushing right for her with the Ice Beam charged trained on her. A bit burned I was, but nothing worse than what I’ve encountered before. “Not quite…” I told her, blasting Mai with the Ice Beam shot.
“Blast it!” Roshi tossed the rock he was hovering over him as a shield and tossed it towards me. I quickly stepped out of the way of the attack. “Armaldo! Come!”
“Blizz! Look out!” Tristen started to rush over, taking out a Pokeball, getting it ready to toss it out.
“Armaldo! Rock Tomb!” The Channeler and the Pokemon struck the ground when both Tristen and I were close. Boulders everywhere started to rise out of the ground, encircling everyone.
“What the hell!?” I spoke up. “Seriously? You just literally trapped yourselves in here with us!”
“Have I now?” Roshi asked. “Armaldo!” With a wave of the arms, one of the boulders started to shift behind Roshi. It popped out of place in its formation and made a huge rut through the ground, making its way towards me. I leaped out of the way, only to notice out the corner of my eye more shifting. Another boulder was already moving and well on its way to me. The boulder managed to catch me, starting to shove me hard, threatening to crush me upon one of the newly formed walls. I couldn’t peel away from it. I could only close my eyes and brace for the worst.
The opening to the trap opened up and I was quickly shoved right out of the enclosure, falling flat on my face onto the ground. “Blizz!” Tristen shouted from inside.
Realizing I wasn’t paste within boulders, I pushed up off the ground and quickly flew up, making my way to the top of the builders and looked down in the pit. On the far side of the enclosure, Roshi opened up the trap for himself, making his way through it with his Armaldo and Mai’s Charizard, carrying its channeler partner in its arms. Tristen tried to follow behind the bunch, only for the Armaldo to stop the boy by warding him off with a Stone Edge attack, stopping the boy in his tracks and preventing his immediate escape.
Tristen then noticed me back at the top of the pit. “Blizz! Hurry! Get them! I’ll be fine! I’ll get out somehow!”
Brave as it was for Tristen to say that, I couldn’t leave him down there. There would be no way to climb out. The erected rocks were way too smooth for that. For that matter, I doubted Natu could get him out either with such an unhoned teleport or if Dragonite will be willing to cooperate so well. Furthermore, from where I stood, the channelers were already on their way back to the port, probably to hide until Mai got thawed. They weren’t going to be set to go anywhere anyhow. I had time.
I jumped back down into the pit and landed next to Tristen. “What are you doing!?”
“Relax, Tristen. This fight isn’t over yet and I’m not doing it without you.” I said, picking the boy off the ground. “Hang on.” I then kicked off the ground and made my way back up and over the rock formation, landing on the other side and placed Tristen back down.
“Why did you do that!?” Tristen spoke up. “You could have came back you know if I couldn’t have gotten out. You could have caught up to the two of them and gotten the stone back.”
“I told you that it’s fine Tristen. I have my doubts that they aren’t going to get far with one of them being frozen.” I told him. “Furthermore, I know that you’re trying not to hold the two of us back. You shown that dealing with Cleo yesterday. However, this isn’t the time to take so many risks, okay? Especially if we got an opponent that can do something like that.” I then said, pointing towards the giant boulders. “Understand?”
“Yes.” Tristen said, looking down towards the ground as he said it. He really didn’t sound too upbeat, though.
“Now come on. Let’s get back that stone.” I told him
The two of us ran off, making our way back to the shipping yards and looked about. I was trying to get a feel about the area, seeing if I could finally pick up on Roshi or those two Pokemon in particular. “Alright, they couldn’t have gotten far.”
“Maybe we should split up and try to find him?” Tristen asked.
“…ehh, I don’t know.” I said. “I’m worried on what that rock channeler could do.”
“Do to me, you mean.” Tristen said.
“…Tristen, are you alright? What has gotten into you?” I asked.
“You’re doing it again…like you do with Tails. Worry a lot.” Tristen said. “I know I would have a hard time fighting him, but then, do you think he would do what he did back there in the canyon in a place like this?” Tristen asked.
“Well, considering the rest of our competition…”
“Let me try to go on my own again, like I did with Dragonite and Cleo.” He said. “I’m trying to show you and Tails that I’m trying to get stronger, but I can’t do that if you are always wanting to protect me. This isn’t a ‘no choice’ thing like it was with those two. Let me do it.”
Sad to say, I almost wonder if it was a point that Tails was trying to get across to me, but couldn’t bring himself to say to me. I gave a defeated sigh. “Alright, fine. But promise me if you do manage to find him, shadow him and call me first on the SNAG. Do not fight until I get there, okay?”
“Alright.” Tristen said.
As the boy ran off with the intent to do me proud, I stood there for a moment, rubbing the back of my head. “I’m such a piss-poor father…”
--------
Tristen started his way down through the shipping yard, moving his way around the cargo containers, trying not to get spotted by anyone, let alone the likes of Roshi and the two Pokemon. As the boy hugged up against one container, he moved his way down the side of it then peeked around the corner. The boy was nervous, paranoid about slipping up. He started to second guess his decision about slipping up, but he then soon shook his head of the thought. He couldn’t back out now. He listened close to all that went on around him. The noises of the heavy machinery drowned out most everything else around. The smells that graced the boy’s nose – sea breeze with a hint of oil, but then there was something else. Something out of place. The smell of lingering ozone. It was a faint smell, but just because it was here meant it wasn’t here not too long ago. It was Tristen’s tracing mark that the boy placed on a foe only a day prior. Cleo has been here.
The boy had to be sure. If he was in fact here, he would be sure that he would tell his teacher all about it and the possible danger that came with it. Tristen looked around, trying to guess where the trail began and where it ended. He started moving once more, following the scent trail, all the way to what looked like a warehouse of somekind to the boy. He made his way to a door on the side of the building. Cleo came through here, the boy thought. A quick check of the door. Unlocked. The boy slowly made his way inside and closed the door behind him.
Tristen slinked over towards a bunch of nearby crates and barrels then looked about the innards of the entire building. A pecular building it was to Tristen. There was a trench of some kind here full of water with a boat tied down along the walkway that circled the outer area of the building. There was an opening on the far side of the building that lead outside, big enough for a boat to make their way in our out. Up above, a catwalk was suspended above the boat, with smaller buildings mounted along the main building’s walls. Hooks were dangling above the boat, perhaps used to load things on the boat, the boy thought.
A couple of sniffs of the air…Cleo was here at one time. He wondered if this ship is the reason why Cleo and Alex were getting around so fast, but then, could this ship move around this quickly? It didn’t look like that it could.
The boy moved out of hiding, making his way down the walkway, and up a ramp that lead up upon the deck of the ship. Upon the ship, he saw an opening that lead down to the innards of the ship right in the floor. He looked down in the hole, seeing more crates and barrels as well placed about the room. However, something stood out. In the middle of the room was a large metal circle, some sort of technology that laid flat on the ground with wires leading from it to a control panel off to the side of the room on a far wall. Tristen was left to wonder what it could be for.
A loud squeal echoed through the entire building. Tristen perked up and made his way to the edge of the boat, then quickly snapped back, wishing what he saw wasn’t there. Cleo and Alex was making their way inside the building and was making their way for the ship. Tristen looked around, trying to find a place to hide and call for help. There was only one option he could find without causing too much of a commotion. Tristen rushed for the hole in the deck, quickly scooted to the edge, and then went to hang from the ledge then drop down to the floor below, making a loud thud upon impact. Tristen pushed his way back up off the ground and hobbled off to go hide amongst the barrels.
The boy started to search about hisself, trying to find his SNAG, but then stopped, feeling a little choked up from an abhorrent smell coming from one of the barrels. “Oil?” Tristen asked himself. The label told another story to him. “Pet…roll…” He tried to read out. “What’s a pet roll?” The door across the room opened up and Tristen ducked down low as he could, trying to see through the small spaces of barrels. He started to hear the voices of Cleo and Alex, making their way to the console. “’Accelerate plans’ he says…’Not doing our job’ he says. We’re doing all we can; I can’t help it if that guy ended up losing the stones.”
“Let it go, Cleo. It’s his head anyways; he’s the one who brought him into this loop.” Alex said. “Regardless or not, if he is intending on speeding this along, we got to make sure that this thing works.”
“What difference would it make if we brought this to a head anyhow? The Lugia will not appear any sooner than the final day, will he not?” Cleo asked. “And it won’t do any good at all regardless unless we have the stones in order and assembled correctly in the first place. He really messed this one up badly. Here I thought that Ein being put down in short order like he had was pretty awful. As far as I am concerned, we have done our task…perhaps too well in fact. Think about it, the rangers, actual people tied to the Pokemon league itself…though Im surprised they just didn’t out right send the champion after us instead of sending those two.”
“Stop complaining; we’d probably be screwed if the champion and the elites for that matter came down on us. We’re the decoys, we’re supposed to have attracted the attention to steer away whats really going on.” She said. “Furthermore, we’re already in pretty deep anyways. If you hadn’t realized, Snagem has someone here too.”
“Wait, what? Who?” Cleo asked.
“The Articuno hybrid.” Alex said. “He’s the one who put Ein down and also made a mockery of us in the Electric Gym in Unova. You should have seen the Electivire after that battle. Ugh…it wasn’t pretty. In hindsight, I’m actually surprised I came out of our battle like I did.”
“…why did he bring a kid with him though?” Cleo asked.
“To throw us off maybe? I don’t know. Heck, he probably could have really been here on an off day. Regardless, he’s not someone that I want to invoke the wrath of anymore than what I got to, which speaking of, forget about it and check this thing real quick for me.” Alex said, going over towards the control panel and flipping a couple of switches. A hum was heard and the round panel on the floor started to light up.
Cleo walked over to the device and eased his hand over. A loud, harsh snap of electricity was made and Cleo quickly pulled his hand back, shaking it. “It’s working…ugh…” Cleo said.
“I dare you to put your tongue on that.” Alex said with a giggle.
“I’ve already been through enough shocks to last a lifetime, thank you.” Cleo told her.
“You know. You’ll never live that one down. The sly, elusive Cleo, outwitted by an Electrike kid.” Alex said.
“Oh shut up. Not like you had any better of a time. ‘Ms. Random Master of Disaster’ frozen in her tracks.”
“Hey, I actually had him.”
Tristen listened to the two carry on. So, the device was for Lugia, the boy thought, and they were working for someone? Tristen patted himself down, finally finding his SNAG and pulled it out slowly. One press of the button for it to open up; a click, though quiet, was one to make Cleo’s ears stand up. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Alex asked, staring at the Liepard hybrid in confusion.
Cleo walked over towards the barrels of fuel. Tristen’s heart started to race. He was found out, perhaps sure as caught, he figured. He wouldn’t even get the chance to call now. He had to fight his way out of the confines of the ship if he wanted any chance of seeing daylight again, let alone get word out about what was going on here.
Cleo looked over the barrels, seeing the boy there with a look of shock on his face. “What on-“ Before Cleo was able to finish that thought, Tristen unleashed a mighty Flash. “Gah!”
Tristen scurried past the barrels and started to rush for the door across the room, only to be stopped in his tracks, getting kicked over hard upon the floor, dropping his SNAG. He looked up, seeing the look of an unamused Cleo. He looked back, seeing another Cleo, only this time, vanish in a dark mist. “I’d figure you’d learn after our encounter yesterday.”
“It’s…the kid?” Alex spoke up. “That would mean…”
“The Articuno hybrid must be on the island somewhere, maybe close by.” Cleo said. “This doesn’t bode well. Hm? What’s this?” Cleo walked over towards the SNAG. “Is this…hmm…well, we don’t want to take any chances now, do we?” Cleo said, smashing the SNAG under his foot.
“So what do we do with him?” Tristen managed to pull himself back up, looking up at Cleo. He had no way to call for help now; he was truly alone. Tristen’s body started to spark, not really wanting to go down without some sort of fight.
“WOAH! WAIT A SEC!” Alex said. “Are you completely off your rocker, brat!? You want to blow everything up in here? Us and yourself included!?”
“Huh?”
“These are barrels of gas, you dolt!” Cleo said. “You put on your lightshow, we all go up in flames.”
“…” Tristen looked at the barrels. This ‘pet roll’ is actually another word for gas? That explains why they smell so bad. And as much as there was here, they probably could go half way across the world if they needed to; at least that’s what he figured.
“I thought as much. At least you have the decency to respect death…” Cleo said. “Now be a good boy and come here.”
Tristen’s mind was racing quickly. The door was within a quick running distance. Cleo and Alex wasn’t going to let the boy out so easily especially with Cleo always on guard and set to counter anything one throws at him. Tristen gave a hard, heavy sigh, resigned to a fate that he was about to befall upon himself. Tristen rushed off towards the door as fast as he could. Cleo rushed over towards Tristen, slashing him and sending him to the floor with his Night Slash. “Now that was bad.” Cleo said.
“No, this is…” Tristen looked back, unleashing a hard electrical discharge, sending the bolt across the room, striking one of the barrels across the room. The barrel exploded, causing a chain reaction all about the far wall. Tristen rushed over and jumped onto Cleo, holding onto the Liepard hybrid tight, giving a Spark-level shock upon him, and then pulled the hybrid to the floor. A meat shield Cleo was going to be. Shrapnel flew and flames started to spread out throughout the room in a rampant hurry, catching the other barrels and cargo on fire. The roar of the flames and the barrel explosions drowned out the yelps of agony out of Cleo. After the first few initial explosions, Tristen struggled out from under Cleo then rushed for the door.
Tristen made his way through and started to go through various corridors as fast as he could. This ship was a time bomb at this point, or so he figured, especially if barrels of gas exploded so easily. Another explosion within the cargo area shook the ship, bringing Tristen to his knees when he tried to climb up a set of stairs. The boy found his way to salvation, out upon the deck. He saw the flames rising from the cargo area and smoke started to fill the seaside warehouse. He ran down the ramp on the side of the ship then ran straight for the door. Salvation awaited.
Cleo and Alex soon appeared out of thin air, however, right at the exit. Burned, coughing quite a bit. “Whaa…how…did…” Down next to them, the answer was there. They got out of the building…Alex had a Smeargle that teleported the two out of the boat. Tristen remembered that Smeargle has the means to mimic various Pokemon abilities to great effect – practically any move one can think of, and incorporate it into its own moveset if albeit permanently. This had to be the reason why Cleo and Alex was able to get around the islands so efficiently, or for that matter, the reason why they made their escape from the flaming ship.
“Where…in the world...do you think you’re going?” Alex said to Tristen with a few coughs inbetween.
“…uh…out?”
Another explosion rang out, making all three of them jump. Fire started to spit in all directions from the ship. Tristen quickly then focused and unleashed another Flash upon the two, trying to cover his tracks. Cleo, Alex, and the Smeargle gets a massive painful eyeful of the blinding light, leaving Tristen the opportunity to rush down the walkway. There was another way out of this place. Before leaving, however, Tristen turned back around and unleashed another Thunderbolt attack at some of the barrels that lined the walls of the warehouse. More chaos was unleashed, a wall of flame separated him from the two trainers.
“UGH! I can’t believe he done all of this!” Alex shouted.
“This isn’t good…” Cleo said. “Hurry. This catastrophe will catch the attention of everyone on this side of the island; we have to get out of here.” The two rushed out the door behind them, making their way out of the shipping yard.
Meanwhile, Tristen rushed through the flames that rained down and the smoke that filled the warehouse, making his way past the ship and to the other end of the massive building then jumped without hesistation into the water. Tristen swam as fast as he could out of the building and around the island.
A few minutes later, Tristen arrived on a beach a good ways away from the pandemonium he wrought. The boy was tired from the swimming, the pain from what Cleo did to him earlier started to catch up. He sat down on the beach and looked off into the distance, seeing smoke rising up from the building.
“Blizz isn’t going to like this…”
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From the burning building, the explosions were heard across the commercial area. Smoke rose high, perhaps could be seen for miles out from sea. If anything, the smoke as well as the alarms attracted the attention of everyone on the island, myself included. I was over on the other side of the island, still in the search for Roshi. Fearing the worst, I abandoned the hunt and rushed to the otherside of the island as fast as I could, fighting through the various foot traffic at first, but averted it altogether, hopping on and running across the buildings in the area as far as I could until I made my way into the shipping yard. From entering the shipping yard, I hopped on top of the cargo containers, rushing across and making my way for the burning building.
As I rushed, I noticed two running as fast as they could away from the area through maze of cargo containers. Cleo and Alex, accompanied by a Smeargle, was trying to find their way out of the shipping yard. As the two were running, I noticed that Alex was apparently on the cell phone, looking pretty ticked about something as she ran and talked. I jumped down, cutting the two off, readying an ice beam and pointing at the two. “Really guys? Just REALLY!? Did you honestly start that fire!?”
“Afraid not. Not that you’d probably believe us anyways.” Cleo spoke up.
“Call you back…company.” Alex said, stashing the phone.
“I’m not really inclined to believe much out of you.” I said.
“Then I suppose you wouldn’t believe us when I say your partner instead did and we left him inside that place before the two of us burned in that place.” Cleo said.
“What?”
“We warned him about using electricity next to barrels of fuel, but children these days just don’t listen.” Cleo said.
“…Tristen.” I couldn’t believe it. This may be nothing more than a trick to get me running towards that burning building; but Tristen did run this way when I left him earlier.
“You can run now.” Cleo said.
“BLAST IT!” Quickly I rushed off, hopping back towards the top of the cargo containers, cutting my way across, making a hard dash for the burning building. It was only twenty seconds later until I made my way to the side door and pulled it open. Flames blew out of the door with such fury for a couple of seconds before pulling back into the warehouse. “TRISTEN!” I shouted in the building. I couldn’t hear a thing over the various snaps, explosions, and the roar of the flames in the building. “TRISTEN!!!” I yelled again. Another explosion, the metal of the building started to creak loud, then finally the roof collapsed down in the building. I backed away in a hurry, then looked back at the building. I couldn’t sense the boy inside, or anywhere close by. I feared the worst may have came after all. I lost another one…to my own ignorance. “Tristen, I’m so sorry…” I said silently.
I rushed off back towards the Cargo containers, on the hunt for Alex and Cleo. What the hell were they doing in a place like that, let alone Tristen? I hopped back upon the cargo containers, blazing a trail on top of them. I could already sense them; they didn’t get far from where I left them. They found their way out of the shipping yard, heading right into the market place. I jumped upon the rooftops once again, looking down. I saw Cleo down there, pushing his way through the crowd as fast as he could. Alex though was no where in sight. “Wait a minute…” A realization occurred. My instincts tripped immediately after. I dodged off to the side. Vines rushed through the roof, tearing the roof apart.
I looked back, seeing Alex and Cleo there with her Smeargle. “Smeargle, we really need to work on your aim.” Alex said.
“So, how’s the boy?” Cleo said. My eyes narrowed. “…not good, I take it. I figured though you’d be coming back for us. Out for revenge or something of the sort? I told you the boy did that. You have nothing on us.”
“Really? Then what the hell were you three doing in there?” I asked.
“Perhaps we were taking a rest, out of sight by the likes of people such as yourself, and the boy stumbled upon us.” Cleo then remarked. That only warranted another Ice Beam charge out of me.
“I don’t think he’s buying that.” Alex said.
“Quite.” He said.
“You got quite a bit to answer for, in case you haven’t realized.” I said.
“Do we? I’m afraid we’re not in-“ Before he was able to finish that line of thought, the Liepard gets blasted with the Ice Beam shot. The beam made impact, only for Cleo to disappear again.
“God forsaken Subsitutes!” I shouted.
“Gotcha! Smeargle! Use Hyper Beam!” The Smeargle then braced itself, hunching down then unleashed the powerful beam right for me. I quickly dodged out of the way with Agility. My instincts then tripped. To my left, Cleo was right already near me, claws exuding the darkness of the Night Slash attack. Cleo unleashed the mighty slash, catching me right across my chest. I screamed out, ended up falling over to one knee.
“Ugh, blast.” Cleo shook his hand frantically. “I was putting extra power in that one fearing that you may have been wearing something similar to what the boy was, and though you were, it STILL hurts. What is WITH you people!?”
“Ergh…committed training…” I said.
“Well, this is going to be problematic.” Alex said.
“You’re telling me?” Cleo retorted.
I quickly took out a Pokeball. “Go! Psy!” I shouted, tossing out a Pokeball. The ball lands on the roof and out comes the Gallade, ready to fight.
“Gallade!” Psy shouted upon appearing.
“Psy! Psycho Cut!” I shouted. Psy gave one hard wave of his arms, unleashing a hard telekinetic force that started to slice through the roof, heading towards the Smeargle and Alex.
Cleo jumped in front of the attack and took it, not even flinching from the force of the shot. “I’m sorry…was that supposed to hurt?” Cleo asked.
With near lightning speed, I disappeared away from Psy and appeared right before Cleo. “That wasn’t for you…” I said, kicking Cleo away from Alex and the Smeargle. “Psy! Move!” Psy then rushed forward, jumping up and kicking off of me, readying another Psycho Cut.
“Smeargle! Teleport!” Alex then dove out of the way as the Smeargle vanished right when the Psycho Cut was unleashed and struck nothing but rooftop.
Before I knew it, the Liepard hybrid was already up and sped his way over towards me. I could sense Cleo was trying to put his all in his Night Slash attacks. I ducked and weaved all I could. That said, I could feel every last slash graze me – every attack burned gravely. I then managed put my arm up, grabbing one of Cleo’s arms. I pulled hard, then jerked forward, headbutting the Liepard hybrid as hard as I could. Psy rushed in during Cleo’s daze and smashed one of his fists right into Cleo, sending him flying off away from us.
“Nice shot.” I said.
“Gallade.” Psy spoke back.
“Frenzy Plant!” I heard Alex right behind us. The two of us perked up and looked back. The Smeargle was working all it could, summoning a bunch of gigantic vines that tore through the roof even more.
I dove off to the side as far as I could, but still got flung off anyhow by the massive display of force the Smeargle exhibited. Psy took the full brunt, getting caught up in the assault and got flung hard, all the way down the roof and over the edge. Psy managed to grab on to the edge and hung on for dear life. Psy then Teleported and managed to get back onto the rooftop, sighing a relived sigh.
“Psy! Are you alright!?”
“Gallade…” The Gallade spoke back. Worse for wear, but generally fine for the moment.
My instincts tripped once more, I quickly turned around and tried to go on guard, only to take the Liepard’s foot to my face. I fell over, hitting the ground. The Liepard jumped on top of me, trying to pin me down. Then he drew back his arm, readying another night slash, only his darkened claws formed like a spear instead of any claws. When he drove his hand down, I managed to catch his arm around his wrist and fought it off. I then took my other arm and started to press against his face, trying to push the Liepard off of me. “OH TO HELL WITH THAT!” I shouted. As my hand pressed against his face, I quickly charged an Ice Beam shot and fired it. The icy shot knocked him off of me and I managed to get back up.
“Gallade!” Psy shouted over to me. I looked over towards Gallade for a split second, then looked back at Alex. She had tossed out another Pokeball, revealing her Togekiss for battle.
“Blast it. That thing again…NOT HAPPENING!” I shouted, spreading my wings and then gave a few hard, furious flaps, unleashing a Blizzard attack upon her. Alex screamed out, trying to brace herself as the harsh, biting winds and snow started to rush upon her and her two Pokemon. Neither one of the three could withstand it and were overtaken by the icy gale.
A loud smashing sound was heard directly behind me. I saw only a dark mist and what looked like Psy smashing his fist into the ground. My instincts tripped, grabbed Psy and pulled him back as Cleo appeared with great speed. I gave one hard kick as if to punt the hybrid, but as soon as I connected, he dissolved into mist once again. “This is getting REAL old!”
“GALLADE!” A shriek of pain. I looked back behind me, seeing Psy fall over. Cleo dealt upon the Pokemon a Night Slash to try to bring him out of the fight.
“NO!” I fired an Ice Beam, only for Cleo to avoid it with great speed, then drive his fist into my gut. A Sucker Punch it was. I ended up hunching over from the blow. Cleo followed up, slashing with pure malice, one swipe after another. It became clear to me that he wanted to end this fight, let alone end me, right now. One more charge of a Night Slash. My instincts once again tripped. I had to act, otherwise there probably will be another casualty in this competition.
I side-stepped the slash as Cleo came down with it then drove my knee right into him, dealing one blow after another in retaliation, only for Cleo to dissolve again. Without hesistation, I turned around, swinging my arm and found myself connecting with Cleo, trying to perform another sneak attack. The Liepard hybrid stumbled back. “Wide open…” I said. My fist drove right into him. He wasn’t dissolving again. This wasn’t another Subsitute. “You’re mine.”
Psy managed to get up, seeing me relentlessly pound away at the hybrid, then deliver one hard uppercut, sending him airborne. Psy teleported, appearing in the air, sending him up further by smashing Cleo with a Brick Break attack. With Agility, I followed up after that, sending the Liepard hybrid up even higher. The process repeated itself until I went on to deal several more blows, true to my Aerial Ace fashion, then dealt a hard smashing kick, sending him straight down into the streets below.
Several screams of shock was heard. Many were standing around, trying to figure out the commotion that was happening upon the rooftop, only to see a Liepard hybrid laying down. A cough came from the Liepard hybrid. He struggled to sit up, using what strength in his arms to push himself up. The effort was cut short when I came back down to put an end to the fight, and a end to his run in this competition, by dropping all the way from the air and stomping him into the ground.
I got off of Cleo a second later, then picked him off the ground, holding him up by his shirt. “WAS IT WORTH IT!? HUH!? Now you’re going to tell me what the hell is your malfunction, you b*****d! Why all of this chaos, huh!? Is this your idea of a good time, you psychopath!? You took something infinately more valuable than a stupid rock from me! What do you have to say for yourself!?” Cleo wearily moved his head, looking down at me with weary eyes for a few seconds, then spat upon my face, gave a choked laugh and strained to give his fanged grin. He was going to resist right to the end. I tossed him hard into a nearby alley then fired an Ice Beam, blasting him and freezing that grin upon his face.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:03 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii ( Part 8 )
Psy teleported right next to me, looking up at me in concern. I wiped the spit off of my face with my vest collar. “Ugh…Liepard lugie.” Well, if Cleo wasn’t going to say anything…perhaps his partner will. I left the street and flew my way back to the roof where I left Alex. As I landed, Psy teleported once again right next to me. All around, the rooftop was devastated, perhaps beyond proper repair. Though, amongst this carnage was no Alex. She got away…
“……” All I could do now is sit down there upon the roof and lament.
“Blizz!!!” I perked up, looking around, praying it wasn’t my imagination. “Blizz!!!” It wasn’t.
I rushed over towards the edge of the roof and looked down. Tristen stood there, looking up at me. “Tristen!” I quickly jumped back down, without hesistation, I gave the boy a big hug. “My God, you’re okay! I thought those bastards did you in!” I said.
“They just about did…also, you’re…squeezing…me!” Tristen said.
“Sorry…” I let the boy go then knelt down. “Are you alright? You’re all wet. What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” The boy said. “Cleo and Alex was trying to do something. I heard them. They are trying to capture Lugia for some reason. I think I might have stopped that.”
“Is that what the fire at the warehouse is for?” I asked.
“Yea…there was a ship in water in there. In the ship, there was something that was probably to hold Lugia there.”
“Why were you in there? Why didn’t you call me?” I asked.
“I was going to. I got caught.” Tristen said. “That’s what lead to the fire; I was trying to get away.”
“As long as you’re alright. I guess its over then…I pretty much put an end to Cleo just a couple of minutes ago.” I said.
“I…don’t think so…” Tristen said. “I heard them talking and they sounded like they were working for someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know. They didn’t say.” Tristen said.
“……” This is just getting more confusing by the moment. Who the hell else is involved?
Instincts then suddenly tripped. I turned around, seeing off in the distance a plume of fire erupting a ways away on the northern parts of the island. “…crap…I think someone is out of her ice prison. Tristen, let’s go.” I said.
----------
Tristen and I rushed off towards the northern beach then looked around. There didn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary…did I misjudge where the fire came from? No…I can literally feel the heat still here. “Blizz, look.”
I stared in confusion, walking over towards a nearby spot on the beach. A sheet of glass; freshly made for that matter. It wasn’t really shaped into anything. It’d be similar to pouring water out anywhere and freezing it. “…we’re too late. They’re gone.”
My SNAG started to ring just then. I took it out and opened it up. “Blizzard.”
“Blizzard, it’s Doc.” The voice on the other end spoke.
“Doc?” I spoke up. “Where’s Freth?”
“Oh she’s um…busy…” Doc said. From the background noise, I could hear Freth yelling and perhaps things breaking and another person crying for dear life.
“Busy. Right.” Doc said.
“Yes…um...Freth and I went to investigate on that representative from the Pokemon League, and we didn’t exactly have the best of times.” Doc said. “I decided to make the call, otherwise you would have had a banchee of a girlfriend talking to you instead.”
“I HEARD THAT DOC!” Freth yelled from the background.
“Ahem…uh, right, at any rate…apparently the representative is involved in your little mystery, Blizzard. He apparently was keeping a few of the stones in circulation under his safe keeping. Four of them, to be precise. Not to mention, this representative is no legitimate Pokemon league representative anyhow.” Doc said.
“Really now?” I said.
“He’s apparently an agent of Cipher.”
“Come again?”
“I’m telling you that Cipher is involved in your ordeal.”
“…they’re after Lugia.” Tristen said.
“Obviously. But I don’t understand why go through all of this trouble.” I asked. “Why cause such a mess? It’s like they want to be caught.”
“Because that’s it. Kind of.” Tristen spoke up.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“They are…decoys?” Tristen said, trying to remember what was said exactly.
“I see.” Doc said, overhearing the boy. “Perhaps a means to divert your attention from the bigger picture. If they just flat out just made their intentions known, you, perhaps the rangers, or maybe even Prima and Lee if they found out that the Pokemon League Representative is an imposter, they’d give you a reason to go after them instead of who’s pulling the strings at hand and achieve their goal.”
“But who’s pulling the strings?” I asked.
“That much we couldn’t get out of him. Despite having one-“ Doc was cut off, hearing a loud crack close by. “-make that both legs contorted in ways they shouldn’t be, he refuses to tell us. I SUSPECT HE DOESN’T KNOW!” Doc then yelled at Freth.
“Don’t Care! Venting here!” Freth shouted back.
“Hooo…at any rate. That’s about as far as we gotten. If anything, we’re pretty much assured that Cleo and Alex are Cipher agents as well.” Doc said.
“Yea…well, Cleo is out of the picture in particular.” I said. “I took care of that one.”
“I hope you had some restraint.”
“Umm…”
“…never mind.” Doc said. “At any rate, we didn’t get the stones. At first it was just to make sure that no one accused you of any cheating, but then it turned into a case of having to trying to fend you two’s rivals off.”
“Rivals?” I spoke up. “Who? Horus and Kalana?”
“Yes. They made off with the stones soon after we found them. Freth tried to hold off against Horus, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Now I was the one trying to keep my temper in check. Horus got the better of Freth? Oh he was really asking for it now. “He may be a Cipher agent as well.”
Tristen perked up. “Blizz...how many stones did he have?”
“Who have?” I asked.
“The Pokemon League guy.”
“Four.”
“Well…if Cleo and Alex was one, those two that we found hurt on the island was another, and Prima’s and Lee’s was another, since if those two beat them, they’d have theirs. Who had the fourth one?” Tristen asked.
“Tristen…may be on to something. You only told Freth about this and no one else, I’d assume.” Doc said. “And Horus is no where about, correct?”
“I don’t imagine so.” I said.
“Then how did he know that we’d be in there? I didn’t take him for being that clairvoyant as a psychic and neither do you, correct?”
“Not that I am aware of.” I said.
“So who pray tell does that leave?” Doc then asked.
“Well, we took the one from the rangers after Horus took ours.” Tristen said.
“It’s not Prima and Lee nor the berry duo either, since they’re the accounted for ones.”
“So that’s four. You and Tristen makes pair number five, and the Liepard hybrid and his partner makes six.” Doc said. “That only leaves one other.”
“……could it really be that simple?” I asked. “Mei and Roshi? Seriously? We heard nothing out of them though.”
“Unless it was them that beat up the berry duo and not Cleo and Alex.” Tristen suggested.
“That…is possible…” I said. “Roshi alone could probably cause that kind of chaos to the resort if our earlier encounter with them is anything to go by. Maybe the berry duo was attacked because they stumbled on something they probably wish they didn’t. The only ones that would have that answer would be those two. And they were in no shape to be talking to anyone. And I doubt it now. Even then, I doubt the rangers will be willing to allow us to talk to them again. Then again, I doubt Cameron could do much on his own without Spencer and an army of Pokemon.”
“What are you going to do about Horus, though? He does have the majority of the stones now, does he not?” Doc asked.
“He’s not the priority now. I honestly don’t care what he does, as long he doesn’t get in my way. We got to go find Mei and Roshi now. If Cipher is after Lugia, then nothing good can come from it. Blast it, why can’t we ever go to one competition and have it stay that way without crap hitting the fan?”
“Better question. How long is your apology to Aden?” Doc asked.
“Huh?”
“You accused HIM of being the weirdness magnet.”
“…later, Doc.” I said, shaking my head and closing the SNAG.
I stashed the SNAG then looked over towards Tristen. “…so, we got to find them now. You wouldn’t be able to be all bloodhound again and try to find them, would you?”
Tristen shook his head. “No…I can’t smell much other than the heat around here. I can’t smell which way they went.”
I thought for a moment. “We need to find either one of them, or just as well, find Alex. She managed to get away when I was finishing off Cleo; probably realizing that once I got done with that cat, I wasn’t going to show any more mercy to her and probably wasn’t going to Pokemon battle over it either.” I said.
“So where do we go? You think they’re still here?” Tristen asked. “If Alex is with Roshi and Mei, they can just teleport off the island.”
“Wha…?”
“Alex has a Smeargle that leared Teleport.” Tristen said. “That’s how they been getting around; it was just like us.”
“Crap…that’s not what I wanted to hear. Now I’m wishing that I managed to take out that Smeargle when we fought.”
“Maybe we can go find Horus after all?” Tristen suggested.
“What? Why? He’ll know we’ll be there following him if we did that.” I said.
“Well, they need to find him if they want any chance of seeing Lugia right? Perhaps we can make Horus show himself and make him be bait? Six stones would be way too good not to pass up, wouldn’t it?” Tristen said. “Even if he does figure out what we’re out to do, he wouldn’t be able to run so easily if you keep attacking him.”
“That’s a little too risky for my liking.” I said to him. “If something goes wrong, the Ciphers could end up with all the stones in one fell swoop. That’d be exactly something they’d want. I’ll tell you what. Let’s play it by ear, here. Let’s see if we cannot find anyone before they bail the island.”
My instincts then tripped. I felt the sand underneath the feet shift. “CRAP!” I gave a hard flap of my wings, blowing Tristen away with a Blizzard gust, only to be dragged down, buried to my neck in sand, saving Tristen from the same fate.
“So much for keeping you in the dark.” Tristen and I looked up, seeing Horus and Kalana make their way over. “I suppose it was inevitable, considering Cleo and Alex wanted to do their jobs a little too well.”
“Get me out of this sand…I swear, I will tear you two apart, DOUBLE for you Horus! I heard what you did to Freth, and considering what you did to Tristen a couple of days ago, trust me, Challenger’s cave will be TAME compared what I intend to do!” I said.
“Then perhaps it will be best that we keep you there.”
“Why are you two doing this!? Why stop Blizz from stopping Roshi and Mei!? Are you Ciphers too!?” Tristen asked.
“Tch, as if.” Kalana said. “Unlike that stupid bunch, we actually put our gifts to good use. That said…” she looked down at me as I tried to struggle. “You don’t need a giant band of misfits to make a difference in the world.”
“Now do yourselves a favor and stay out of this.” Horus said. “You stay right here and we’ll do what you and the rest of your band couldn’t.”
“Stay out of it!? Horus, what on earth gives you the idea that you can take those two yourself!?” I asked.
“You see, your problem is that you use your past experiences to judge the here and now. You remember how you beat me, however barely, and compare that to how Mei and Roshi pulled one over on you a while ago, am I reading you correctly? Of course I am.” Horus said. “But of course, what you’re failing to see is that a year will do a lot for someone, and for that matter, there is a bit less need for restraint since we’re no longer confined in a cave. A thought that didn’t grace your mind when you barely won out over Kalana a couple of days ago. If there’s anyone without any sort of a chance, it’d be you and the boy. Though one thing good did come of it. You did save us from wasting our energy on the cat and his partner.”
A few crackles was heard. Kalana and Golett then raised their arm up, raising up more sand. A bolt of electricity struck the sand, leaving the two unharmed. “Be quiet! It’s all easy for you to say when you do nothing more than try to sneak attack people just like Cleo and Alex! Cowards!”
“Tristen! Don’t give them any reason! Stop it!” I shouted as I continued to struggle in the sand.
“Bold words coming from you, boy.” Horus said. “Considering that you’ve been nothing more than dead weight. Your attempt at hard work and trying to make a difference is nothing more than a distraction; hampering those who try to achieve greater heights themselves.”
“A little cold of you, you think, Horus?” Kalana asked.
“Please, a boy his age should realize that harsh truths exist. Something that I learned when I was his age.” Horus said. “Not to mention, I could have sworn that we pretty much told him as well that children should learn their place.”
A few more sparks started to come from Tristen’s body. The boy was angry. More comments about being dead weight, being worthless. He’s had enough. “Tristen! Don’t do it!”
Horus unleashed a powerful psychic blast towards Tristen, blowing the kid away with great force. The boy tumbled hard, bouncing on the sand before coming to rest. He wasn’t getting up. “That settles that…” Horus said. He took a look at his hand. “If only this strength was permanent.”
I was severely ticked off now myself. Looks like we’re playing it Tristen’s way again, like it or not. I charged the icy energy in my hands that were buried under the sand. With one hard blast, the sand loosened up. I then unleashed a Blizzard to clear the sand, sending it everywhere, freeing me from the sand. The clear skies clouded up and the area grew cold. “Horus! You’re dead!” I shouted. Horus’s eyes narrowed. Despite having this power, I could see a slight sign of nervousness on his face, despite having Freth’s strength for the time being. He was probably reminded of what happened a year ago; what such anger and such a passionate intent lead to the prideful Xatu hybrid’s defeat. I didn’t know. What I was sure of, I was going to remind him of it in spades.
Tristen pushed himself up, shaking his head, then reached over towards a Pokeball and pulled it out. “I’m telling you two to back down now. Your petty squabble over us is irelivant.” Horus said.
“Actually, dear, I think they got a beef with you, not me.” Kalana said.
“Not…helping, Kalana…though…really, their vendetta isn’t the only reason for wanting to fight us.” Horus said. “It won’t be necessary though.”
“What are you talking abo-“ My instincts tripped again, I looked down the beach, seeing Mei and Roshi making their way down the beach as well, accompanied by the Armaldo and Charizard.
“So…the gang is all here.” Kalana said.
“Which one, Roshi?” Mei said.
“Both of them…three a piece between the Xatu and the girl.” Roshi said.
“Yea, try to take them, you two. See how far it will get you.” Kalana said to them. “Your rock channeling and my ground channeling share the same traits, you know.”
“Besides, what are you two going to do with a Lugia, anyhow?” I spoke up. “A washed-out group like yourselves can barely keep together let alone decide to square off against a Legendary.”
“That’s for us to contend with.” Mei spoke up.
“Stay out of our way, you two. You’ll only get in the way.” Horus spoke up.
“Not a chance!” I said, charging an Ice Beam. Before I was able to make use of it, I too take a hard Psychic blast, blowing me off. “Blast it!” I pushed myself up, as I did, I watched as the sand started to kick up to points where I couldn’t even see Horus and Kalana, let alone Mei and Roshi. I then rushed towards the swirling sandy dome, trying to push my way through it, only for my hand to be scoured immensely. I snapped back, looking around, trying to find some way in.
“Blizz, are you alright?” Tristen asked.
“I’m fine.” I said. “Blast it, Horus is so freakin’ full of himself, it’s not even funny.” I sensed the battle rage on between the two forces. I could hear the earth shift and flames spewed out everywhere for at least a couple of minutes. “Tristen, step aside.” I said.
I jumped back some, charging an Ice Beam within both of my hands. I was going to try to pierce this dome some how. Thing of it, I couldn’t see a thing within that dome. I had to let my senses guide the shot. The area lit up with an icy blue as I continued to put everything that I could in one shot. I tried to focus, trying to feel out the four within the dome.
“What are you doing!?” Tristen shouted.
“Trying to put an end to this fight!” I shouted back at Tristen. “I’m going to see if I can’t peg either Mai or Roshi or their Pokemon!” Another minute gone by, more has been pressed into the Ice Beam charge, I continued to try to feel out the four as they constantly moved about the dome. “Here goes something!” I pushed my hands forward, unleashing the powerful icy blast towards the dome. The Ice Beam smashed right into the swirling dome. I continued to push, trying to punch through. “Come on!”
There came a point where I was realizing I was doing nothing more but wasting energy on the swirling dome of sand. I couldn’t break through it. If I didn’t know better, both Kalana and Roshi were both contributing to it, making sure that neither one got out or anyone coming in to interfere. “Ugh, why…just why!?”
“Now what, Blizz?” Tristen asked.
“We’re just going to have to wait and jump on Roshi as soon as the fight is over with.” I said to him. “I need you to be ready, because we may not have a whole lot of time on our hands to jump on them.” With a nod, Tristen took out a Pokeball, and tossed it out, sending out his Blitzle. He’d try to unleash the biggest electrical onslaught that both he and his Blitzle could upon the two. Tristen had the same idea that I had. Bring a quick end to it at first opportunity.
I continued to wait another few minutes. I started to feel each presence starting to waver a bit from such excessive use of their power. I waited…ready to pounce the second the dome dropped. “AAA!” Through the sand, Kalana flew out of it, tumbling a bit, followed along side her Golett. A flaming geyser of flame then shot out of the top of the dome, Horus getting propelled out with such force by it.
“I knew it…” I said. The sandy dome then started to fall. There before Roshi, six stones floated before him, and a battlefield that was torn asunder. Pools of lava and boulders lie everywhere where they once fought. The two Ciphers however looked a bit winded, as did their Pokemon. Perhaps Horus and Kalana proved to be useful after all. The battle must have taken a toll on the both of them. “Tristen, now!” I shouted, rushing in.
“Roshi! Look out!” Mei shouted.
“Armaldo!”
Roshi and Armaldo guided a couple of boulders and put them in my path when I leaped up and went to pounce on them. I landed feet first on the boulders hard, then sprung off of them. Roshi and Armaldo then threw the boulders off towards me, leaving me to make a hard leap back to avoid being crushed. “Blitzle! Shock Wave!”
The Blitzle unleashed its electrical onslaught towards the two, as did Tristen with his Thunder Wave attack to try to hold the group down. “Mei, look out!”
Mei looked back, only for her to get caught up in the electrical onslaught, bringing her to her knees. “Blast it! I am tired of this! Charizard!” The Charizard moved in. “Blast Burn!” The Charizard retaliated, unleashing a mighty inferno. Tristen was ready to rush off to the side to avoid it, but something Tristen had not expected. Mei managed to get back up and started to move her arms about. The attack split in two then quickly encircled the boy and his Blitzle. “Go away.”
“TRISTEN!!!” I shouted, but it would be all in vein. The attack engulfed the boy with a furious fiery explosion and all I could hear was Tristen and the Blitzle scream out as they went flying off then hitting the ground hard. “Blast it!” I said. I went to charge up a Sheer Cold attack, intending to put an end to either one of the two immediately. Roshi had different plans, however as stone pillars shot up out of the ground then smashed right into me with great force.
“Nice Rock Tomb, Armaldo.” Roshi stated. “Come on, Mei, this isn’t over yet. We must hurry.”
“Not…so…fast…” Horus came back, charred, breathing heavily.
“Air Slash!” Horus’s instincts tripped and instantly went to counter attack. The attack however, already made it to Horus and sent him down into the sand. Alex stood by from a nearby hill side, accompanied by her Togekiss.
“Alex, is everything ready?” Roshi spoke up.
“A crew is en-route to Naval Rock Island as we speak. I already told them about the containment field being put up in flames, and they can’t get another one to us so quickly. Higher-ups say we got to do it the old fashioned way.” She said.
“After this, I don’t care if we got to give that Lugia R & R and T.L.C. in the long run after we capture that stupid thing in some sort of Pokeball, just as long as we get it. We put way too much into this as is.” Mei said to Roshi.
“I don’t know why they couldn’t just get us to do that in the first place. I’d save us a lot of trouble. Get us over there. Now.” Roshi said.
“Stop…” I spoke up, struggling to pull myself out of the Rock Tomb. It fell on deaf ears, however as the Armaldo, Charizard, and their trainers made their way over to Alex as she brought out her Smeargle and teleported off.
“Blast it…” I gave one more hard push to get myself free from the Rock Tomb, finally managing to get myself unstuck, then fell over the rocks and fell on the sand beside the tomb. I then pushed myself up and then hobbled as fast as I could, rushing over towards Tristen.
I got over the boy’s side, seeing the boy burned considerably, as was his Zebstrika. “Tristen. Tristen. Come on. Wake up, Tristen. Come on.” The boy started to moan out as he started to come to. “Tristen, are you alright? Come on, speak to me.”
“…thirsty…” The boy spoke.
“…just hang tight, Tristen…sit up for me. Come on.” I helped the boy sit up as I managed to get him another water bottle. I then rushed over to check his Blitzle. The Pokemon looked as bad off as Tristen was at the moment. “Blast it…this…son of a…” It ticked me off. Even after such a hellacious fight, those two still managed to pull a fast one. “Recall your Blitzle when you’re done, Tristen. It’s probably out of this for a while.”
I then looked back towards Kalana and Horus. Horus was helping Kalana back to her feet. I walked on over towards the two. Horus looked up towards me as I found my way to him. Without any word of warning, I gave him a right hook sending him to the ground. “I hope you’re happy you b*****d! Prideful psycho-stork gets stomped on again! And it wasn’t even me that did it this time!” I said. “I swear, is your head up your hide just for the warmth or what!? Maybe you should be the one to just stay out of the way.”
Kalana looked up at me, appauled that I gave her partner a rather cheap shot like that. “Do you feel better now?” Kalana said rather sarcastically.
“Nope.” I said, walking off. After getting some distance from the two, with a raise of my arm, icy pillars surrounded Horus as he started to push himself back up. The pillars then closed up tight on Horus then detonated with a clinch of my fist, catching the bird up in the furious attack without even me looking back. Kalana stared in horror, rushing over to Horus’s aid.
Tristen was just finishing recalling the Blitzle when he heard the blast from my Ancientpower attack. When I went back over to him, he stared at the sight in confusion then looked back up towards me. “You’re not okay, are you?”
“Nope.”
-----------
After tending to Tristen on the beach, we walked off, leaving Horus and Kalana behind to nurse their injuries. I was frustrated, obviously enough, at the events that just transpired before us. I was trying my best to regain my cool, trying not to make any rash decisions within my anger. “So now what Blizz? They got all the stones now.”
“This fight isn’t over. They still have to summon that Lugia, and even if they’re going to try to force its arrival, it’s probably going to be a pain to do for those guys.” I said. “We got to get over there and try to stop them.”
“How?” Tristen asked. “We couldn’t stop them and they were tired out!”
“……good question.” I said. I took out my SNAG and started to make a call.
“Yea?” A voice with a bit of frustration spoke, feminine it was. Freth apparently got done beating up the false representative.
“Feeling better, dear?” I asked.
“Not really. Well, mentally anyways. Physically, I think Power Swap wore off a short bit ago.” She said.
“Explains why Horus had the hell kicked out of him in the end.” I said.
“Really? Did you stomp on him again?”
“No, Mei and Roshi did.” I said.
“So it was them? Doc was telling me about that idea.” Freth said.
“It’s all gone far south, Freth. I’m going to need your help on this one. Maybe the others back at HQ.” I said.
“That bad?” Freth asked.
“That bad. Horus and Kalana screwed that one up for us.” I said.
“Great. Where do you want me to meet you at?” Freth asked.
“Naval rock island. I think things gotten so out of hand for everyone, Ciphers included. They’re trying to speed this up so they can get it done and over with. Their whole decoy stunt backfired on them.” I said.
“Alright, I’ll get on it.” Freth said.
“Thanks. Excuse me if I start the party without everyone though. We got to try to keep them busy at the very least.” I said.
“Just leave some for everyone else.” Freth then said. The transmission ended and I stashed the SNAG again.
“Are we really ready for this?” Tristen asked.
“We better be.” I said, taking out a Pokeball. I tossed it out and revealed Telia once more.
“Gardevoir.” The Pokemon spoke up.
“Alright, Telia…Navel Island.” I said. “We’re in for a fight, so be ready when we get there, okay?” The Gardevoir nodded and focused. In an instant we were teleported off in a flash. Naval Island was right there before us in a matter of a split second.
The island, for what it is, was calm for the time being. I didn’t sense anything out of the ordinary, but then, what one sees on the surface is only a farce. Below this spit of land was a series of tunnels that span out under the waters, with a couple of tunnels that lead out to special particular areas. About a half mile away from here lies another spit of land with a huge pillar like mound which one of the tunnels leads to. It is said that the Legendary Pokemon Ho-oh occasionally makes its mark there. However, the place of interest is directly below us, at least 50 stories below that is. There is apparently a wading pool attached to an underwater cavern where the legendary pokemon Lugia makes his way in and out at. A place to rest, almost akin to how the Whirl Islands are for such a mythical Pokemon. The offering is perhaps to make the Pokemon appear, but only at a certain time, a time that was supposed to be set four days from now.
Considering that I do not see Mei, Roshi, or Alex here leaves me to think that they got a head start on us. We had to move. “Let’s go, Tristen.” I said. The two of us made our way into the cavern and started our descent downwards as fast as we could to the depths of the cavern.
A half-hour had passed, making our way through the various corridors, trying to find every opportunity to go lower into the depths of the caverns. The cavern grew darker the deeper we gotten; so much to the point where Tristen took it upon himself to use Flash to light the way. “Blast it, they must know the fastest way down to the bottom. We’ve should have been on them by now.” I said.
“Do you even know where we’re going?” Tristen asked.
“Eh…sort of?” I spoke up. “Don’t worry about it, I can sense them. We’re getting closer, I do know that much. Though you know…” I stopped and looked around, looking down.
“What?” Tristen asked, staring at me in confusion.
I took out a Pokeball. “Tristen, stand back. Far back. Typhlosion, Go!” I shouted. I tossed out the fiery Pokemon from its Pokeball.
“Ty-pho-sion!” Typhlosion roared out.
“Typhlosion! Earthquake!” I shouted. “Let’s see how sturdy this floor is.”
“SION!” Typhlosion jumped up and stomped down hard, unleashing a hard quake in the cavern. Rubble got shook loose in the cavern, the floor started to crack up a bit.
“Again!” Typhlosion stomped hard once again, the floor started to crack even more now. “Once more for good measure, Typhlosion!” Another jump up then stomp down on the floor again. The floor started to give way, prompting Typhlosion to quickly run as fast as he could so he wouldn’t fall through himself. A loud shout was heard as the rubble started to fall down upon someone. “Look out below…”
The rubble stopped for a moment then floated back up through the giant gaping hole. “You know. You’re not too bright if you try to use a bunch of rocks to stop me!” Roshi shouted from below.
“Just seeing if you’re paying attention, jerk off!” I then shouted down to him. “You honestly didn’t think that you were going to just leave the beach without someone tailing you, didn’t you?”
“Actually I expected it.” He said. “It is of no consenquence to us, as so.” More of the floor gave way, though this time it was difference. I could feel it. He and the Armaldo was pulling the floor right out from us.
“Crap! Typhlosion, return!” I shouted, recalling the fiery Pokemon as I started to rush for Tristen. Without even stashing the ball yet, I made the mad dash towards Tristen who was also trying to run from the collapsing floor. I quickly scooped up the boy and hovered in the air a bit, allowing the floor to give way then made my way down to the floor below.
I landed only a couple of seconds later, putting Tristen back down then finally stashing the ball. I looked back at the three before us. Behind Roshi and Mei and their Pokemon, Alex was apparently carrying two cases, one of which I assume held the stones. I could only imagine what the second case was. “You know, you’re being quite annoying.” Mei said.
“I get that a lot.” I said.
“Don’t you have any indication you’re outclassed?” Alex then spoke up.
“Tough talk for someone hiding behind a couple of people more adept than you right now. I swear, the moment I stomped Cleo out on the streets of Island Seven, you turned tail right in a hurry.” I said.
“That’s enough. Armaldo.” Roshi then started to move his arms up. All the fallen rocks from the floor above started to rise. “No room to dodge effectively, especially against so many projectiles, no matter how fast you are. All you have done was provided Armaldo and I ammunition, fool.”
“…ok…I admit it, I completely didn’t think that one through.” I said.
“Good bye now.” Roshi then shot the debris, crowding the corridor. Roshi was wrong about one thing. There was only one way to dodge.
“Tristen, come on!”
“WOAH!” I snatched up the boy then made a mad dash with agility down the corridor.
“I got to try to get beyond this guy’s influence so we’re not target practice!” I said.
“Why couldn’t we have gone the long way around!?” Tristen then asked.
“Not now, Tristen!”
“Blizz! They’re gaining on us!” Out the corner of my eye, I could just about see them in fact gaining on us. I looked back up ahead, seeing a corner turn. I continued to press on as fast as I could, then started to run against the wall for a couple of seconds, then jumped off, going into a tumble. I heard the many rocks smash against the wall at the corner.
I held Tristen there for at least a couple of seconds. When I realized the coast was clear, I let the boy go then looked back behind me, then gave a sigh of relief. “Blast it, I hope Freth gets here soon.” I said, breathing a bit heavily.
“What do we do until she gets here? Do you think we can fight all three of them on our own?”
“We got to. The odds are stacked against us though. Roshi has a clear, distinct advantage over us right now. This entire cave is a weapon to him.” I said. “I kind of figured that much before we came down here, but we had to do something. At least slow this guy down somehow until backup arrives.” Down back at the corridor, we heard more rock crack and break. “What’s that?”
Tristen was trying to listen as hard as he could with his sensitive hearing, trying to make out what voices were saying. “Blizz, I think they’re trying to go through the floor. They’re trying to hurry to the bottom now that we’re here so they can beat us to Lugia.”
“Blast it, no! They’re trying to bide for time so they can solve that puzzle in peace. Come on!” I quickly rushed back down the corridor as fast as I could to try to stop them, charging an Ice Beam. I made a blind shot down the hall. The light from the beam lit up the corridor. I noticed that Mei and her Charizard was already on the way down, the two others must have already gone through.
By the time I managed to get back to the large fissure Roshi made, Mei was sealing the fissure back up with such extreme heat. “Ugh, come on.” I said running off. “After what just happened, I rather not trying to go through the floor again.”
I rushed off down the corridor with Tristen following me. We rushed down various paths, trying to make our way to the depths of Naval Island, making our way down at every opportunity. About another twenty minutes later, there was the light at the end of the tunnel. “Blizz, I hear running water! Is that it over there?” Tristen asked.
“It’s got to be! Move, Tristen!” I said, rushing for the exit. As soon as we made our way through, we ended up stopping in our tracks. Eyes, many of them, fell upon us. At least a couple of dozen Cipher grunts, all in white uniform and helmets equipped with shaded visors, not counting Mei, Roshi, and Alex who stood at a pillar with the seven stones, stood about with Pokemon standing by. “Well…crap…”
“I wouldn’t even try anything funny if I were you. You two are out numbered and out-gunned.” Mei said. “Good as you may be, by no means are you and your Pokemon that good; that much we’re sure of. And just to be sure that no unexpected miracles happen…” The Charizard unleashed a roaring flame, Tristen and I ducked as Mei guided the flames to the rock above the exit. The rock turned molten and started to seal off the exit.
“Blizz…” Tristen looked up at me, concerned he was.
“Funny how you all come this prepared now and not when we kicked the crap out of you guys on a constant basis.” I said.
“Sadly, no one is perfect, despite how hard they try to achieve it.” Roshi said. “It was many Ciphers downfall, when you think about it. Nascour…Evice…Ein…I would imagine you would know about that. Some actually realize that mistakes are bound to happen. Like mine trusting our spy in the Pokemon League to do one simple job of guarding the stones in the first place.”
“So the Pokemon League was interested then?” I asked.
“Yes, which made things a little complicated in getting the stones altogether. We couldn’t just out-right rig the competition with such prying eyes such as Lorelei of the Elite Four. What also didn’t help was how out of the blue the Pokemon League, with a bit of reluctance due to them once being lead by Albedo, called upon the services of the Pokemon Rangers to take part of the competition, which they were apparently more than willing to do because they some how got wind of our operations.” Mei said.
“Then we found out that Snagems were involved too, but by the way you had reacted, you absolutely had no clue. Did you?” Roshi said.
“Not until your so-called decoys caused more chaos than what they probably should have had.” I said. “A simple burglary? Fine. Attempt to kill my son? A couple of times no less? And for that matter caused more damage to wherever he was unnecessarly just to win said fights? Um…taking a competition a little extreme, you think? Not to mention, I don’t think the berry forest needed a clear-cut operation on it.” I asked.
“Hmm…” Roshi looked at Alex.
“Hey, that was all Cleo’s doing. I was actually stuck in a Pokemon battle with the bird.” Alex said, raising her hands up. “Besides, we didn’t count on some others like that other bird hybrid and that channeler to start messing things up.”
“I think they may have known about it from the start somehow.” Mei said.
“Blast it, did everyone know but me?” I then asked Tristen. That only warranted a shrug. “Ugh, I am so killing Sub if we get out of this.”
“Not likely. You will be relieved of your Pokemon now.” Roshi said.
“Blizz?” Tristen spoke up.
“I know, I know.” I said. I tried to think as fast as I could, but was coming up with nothing at the moment. We couldn’t get out the way we came in, the only way out was underwater, but I doubted Tristen and I could make the trek through the tunnel on one breath, and that’s providing he and I could even make it to the water. We were out numbered, both in Pokemon and in man power. I had to admit, we were truly pinned with no way out.
The Cipher peons started to converge around us, being cautious, on guard for any sudden movements that could be made by either me or by Tristen, but they would soon find that no resistance would come upon them as they pulled the belts containing our Pokemon off of us.
“Hm. I see you can be reasoned with.” Roshi said. He turned back, looking at the stones before him. He constantly rearranged the stones on the stone pillar, trying to figure out the puzzle before him, until finally, he figured it out. The stones formed a figure, roughly in the shape of a Lugia, that fit pretty flush into the stone pillar. “There, I think we have it.” Roshi said.
“A lot of good that does you. You’re four days too early.” I said.
“Well the original intention was to get the stones and stall out the competition until the last day. But with all that went on, the need of a back-up plan needed to happen. Hand me that…” One of the Cipher Grunts handed a case over towards Roshi. Roshi opened it up and placed over the stone figure some sort of device. He latched it on the pillar, locking it into place.
“That isn’t what I think that is, is it?” I asked.
“Thank your fearless leader for the Chi converter.” Mei said.
“Blast it, why the hell Sub had that thing made is beyond me.” I said. “It’s been nothing more than a headache after he showed that off infront of you guys.”
“I’m frankly not complaining.” Roshi said.
Roshi then activated the device. I could then sense it. Chi was starting to make its way through the pillar, but apparently it wasn’t enough to draw a reaction anywhere. “Ever considered that Lugia might not actually be HERE or anywhere close to this cave? Or even anywhere near the Sevii islands?”
“Actually, quite the contrary. Have you ever once wondered why Lugia would come here on one particular day only when the figure is assembled in this pillar, providing anyone solves the puzzle?” Roshi asked. “The offering is no offering at all. It’s a beacon.”
“A…beacon?” I asked.
“A beacon that draws the Lugia to this very cavern, a sign to show that this place is safe haven for the Legendary Pokemon. This cavern here would provide all what the Lugia needs for a rest and those who provide the figure would assumeably receive its blessing, hence the whole legend of the tide caller, should you look into it within Sevii Island’s lore.” Roshi explained. “Long story short, the Chi in here needs to have a particular balance for the Lugia to benefit most from it, and all of that is affected by the moon affecting the tide. The Sevii island inhabitants take great pride and great discretion when planning the yearly event to make sure the offering is placed just at the right time.”
“But you’re forcing the process now with that converter.” I said. “You’re going to piss off a Legendary that will kill us all in this one cavern once it sees us and finds out you’re not here to play nice. Can’t anyone learn you do NOT screw with a Legendary Pokemon!?”
“It’s not going to be any of your concern here within the next minute.” The Ciphers looked upon us, their Pokemon getting ready to attack with various attacks. Leaf Blades extending from the arms from Groviles, Flamethrowers primed by Ninetales, Shadow Balls ready from a few Dusclops. We were set to be gunned down. “When we’re done here, now only we’ll have a Lugia in tow, but I can go to my superiors and tell them we will have one less worry out of Snagem.”
My instincts then tripped. It wasn’t from the Pokemon readying their attacks, it was from directly behind us, back behind the melted exit. Something powerful was there. “Tristen, get down!” I shouted. I grabbed the boy and pulled him down as the wall was blasted apart and reopened from the other side. The Ciphers ducked down, for a little bit, then looked back at the door.
“What the hell are you doing down on the floor, you two?” I looked back behind us from the floor. When the dust cleared, I saw Horus, Kalana, and the Golett there standing close by. “Get up.” Horus said.
“You actually got a lot of nerve coming here. What makes you think that you actually have a shot this time, in here of all places, Horus!?” Mei shouted.
“Calvary.” More started to come in behind from the three that stood at the exit. The berry duo and Prima and Lee started to walk in, followed by Cameron and Spencer, accompanied by a couple of Walrien and Cameron’s Pelliper, and through the bunch one more came in.
“Hi, Blizzard.” Freth spoke up. “Not what you were expecting, huh?”
“No, not necessarly.” I said, standing back up.
“I thought you were going to call the HQ?” Tristen then spoke up.
“Well, I was. But then, I come to find out that we got a good few here that have a bit of a score to settle with everyone here.” Freth said. “Not to mention, you two try confessing to Sub that this was even too much for you to handle on your own.”
“…I’d never hear the end of it.” I said.
“Heh, you know, it’s pretty satisfying to know that ‘O invincible Blizzard’ has to call for help.” Prima spoke up.
“I don’t even have words for this. Wait until Lorelei hears about this.” Lee then said.
“Ugh…did you have to bring those two, though?” I then said.
“Now that’s a hell of a thing to say about someone who is saving your icy butt.” Prima said.
“Fine, fine, whatever.” I said.
“Team Cipher, I’d imagine this would go without saying, but you all are under arrest. I’ll save the laundry list of charges for you all until we get back to Island One and transport you on a nice special ship for people such as yourselves.” Spencer said to them.
“Not to mention, before they go off, I would like a few words too.” One of the berry duo spoke.
“Me too, Razz. I didn’t care being crushed like that back on Resort Gorgeous.”
“Neither did I, Bluk.” The other spoke.
“…Razz and Bluk…I hope those are nicknames…” I silently said to myself, rubbing my eyes. What makes it so bad is that considering what they even smelled like, I can’t say I’m too surprised.
“So its war you want, is it? So be it…you all should have stayed down when you had the chance.” Mei said.
“We need time for Lugia to appear. I don’t care how many of you have to fall to accomplish this, we will not lose this day!” Roshi shouted to the Ciphers.
“Ciphers, go!” Alex then shouted, taking out a Pokeball.
-----------------
“Tristen! Come on!” I shouted.
The moment the the attack was called, Tristen and I rushed for the two Ciphers that took our Pokemon immediately. The two of us tackled the grunts, Tristen having to go the extra mile by using his Spark attack to bring his Pokemon’s captor to the ground.
“Hey! Bird!” Kalana shouted out. I looked back as we started to put on our PokeBall belts back on. “We’ll handle the cannon fodder! Try to take pot shots at the big fish!”
“Well that’s a change of tune out of you!” I shouted.
“Not the time, bird!” Horus shouted.
I looked down at Tristen. “You know, its one thing about Kalana. Horus though…he realizes he too is one, right?”
“I dunno.” The boy said.
“Still though, they’re giving us cover. Come on, Tristen.” I said.
“Right.”
We rushed through the fray, the two of us blasting Ice Beams and discharging Thunder Wave attacks where we need to in order to get through the chaos that erupted in this huge chamber. “Go away!” I shouted. I unleashed a powerful Blizzard attack, blowing back several grunts and their Pokemon. “I told you to go away…”
“Blizz, look out!” From down the path, a Drapion rushed in, trying to pounce down on either one of us. Tristen and I dodged out of the way, but as soon as we did, my instincts tripped. I looked back ahead, seeing a wave of air coming straight for me. I braced myself as hard as I could, taking the attack. I stumbled back from the impact, wincing a bit from the blow. Up ahead, I saw Alex standing there with her Togekiss, taking out yet another Pokeball.
“Blast it…” I said, taking out a Pokeball myself. “Weavile! Go!”
“Dragonite!” Tristen shouted, tossing out a Pokeball itself.
“Wait. Dragonite!?” I shouted.
The balls burst open, revealing the two Pokemon out for battle. Typhlosion and Dragonite came out with a roar. The Dragonite looked around, seeing chaos right around him. He then looked forward. Beyond Alex, two figures that looked familiar to the prideful dragon. Mei and Roshi. The Dragonite snorted a bit. It knew who those two were. With a roar, without any command, the Dragonite rushed forward, past the Drapion and Alex. “Dragonite! Wait!”
“Blast it, I was afraid of that!” I said.
“No you don’t! Togekiss, Air Slash!” Alex shouted.
“Urgh! Typhlosion! Flamethrower!” I then called out.
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:05 pm
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Seven Days of Sevii (Part 9)
Typhlosion unleashed the powerful pyro upon Alex and the Togekiss as the Togekiss unleashed its Air Slash upon the Dragonite. The Air slash hits its mark on the Dragonite, making it stumble over a little. Alex moves out of the way of the oncoming Flamethrower, leaving her Togekiss to fry, however, it wasn’t for long as the Drapion rushes over and rams right into Typhlosion with great force, stopping the onslaught. I quickly fired an Ice Beam towards the Drapion, freezing its feet in place. “Typhlosion, you alright!?”
“Dragonite!” Tristen started to rush ahead, trying to go after the dragon’s aid.
“Tristen! Wait!” The Drapion quickly pulled itself out of its icy shackles as Typhlosion pushed himself back up.
“Drapion! Cross Poison!” Alex shouted.
The Drapion roared out, looking square at me. With venom oozing from its claws it was ready to come down on me. The Drapion however was blasted away in a chilling wake of Ice Beam. I looked over, seeing where the shot came from, seeing Lee accompanied by her Cryoganal. “No time to be caught off guard now, Blizzard!” Lee shouted to me. “Get that kid of yours before he ends up in over his head! I’ll take this heifer.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice!” I shouted back. “Typhlosion, let’s go!”
“Get back here!” Alex shouted.
“Your problem is with me now.” Lee shouted to Alex. “You and I are going to have a few words about playing the Pokemon League for fools.”
Dragonite rushed off for Mei and Roshi, its claws exerting its draconian energy for a Dragon Claw attack. “Charizard!” Mei shouted. The Charizard rushed forward, its claws started to light on fire, then rushed in and met force with force. The Dragonite and Charizard struggled, complete locking the claws, fangs bared out.
As the Charizard held Dragonite at bay, Roshi and his Armaldo moved about, getting into position to shut the Dragonite down. “Armaldo, Stone Edge!”
“No! Dragonite! Mawile, go!” Tristen shouted. Tristen quickly pulled out a Pokeball and tossed it out. As soon as the Mawile was out of the ball, Tristen wasted no time in giving a command. “Sucker Punch!”
The Mawile rushed in, making a hard dash for the Armaldo, smashing into the Armaldo. The Armaldo winced from the sudden blow, but it wasn’t harmed that much. Dragonite looked over, seeing it was saved from the wrath of the Armaldo for a moment, but in turn, the distraction left the Charizard to bite down on Dragonite with all its might. Dragonite cried out in pain.
“Go away…” Roshi said. A massive pillar shot out of the ground near Mawile, launching the tiny steel Pokemon off.
“Mawile!” Tristen rushed off and went to make a diving catch, catching his Mawile and preventing it from hitting the ground.
Meanwhile, the Dragonite continued to struggle a losing battle against the Charizard. The Charizard let go as Mei got close. The Charizard then gave a swift kick, knocking back the Dragonite a bit. “Burn it!” The Charizard unleashed a mighty pyro, its flames engulfing the dragon in its Flamethrower attack. “NOW!” With a wave of Mei’s arms, the pyro intensified and Dragonite roared out in agony. Not even it could withstand such fury from the flames. The Dragonite was blasted back and landed on the ground, singed from head to toe.
“Blast it! Typhlosion! Smokescreen!” I shouted.
Typhlosion let loose a thick plume of smoke towards Mei and Roshi. “Do you think this is honestly going to affect me!?” Mei shouted. Charizard gave a few hard flaps of its wings, blowing the smoke off and once again clearing the field.
“You truly underestimate us.” Roshi shouted. “Armaldo, Rock Tomb!”
The Armaldo summoned up several boulders that shot out of the ground around Typhlosion and me. I quickly leaped up as the boulders converged, averting it. Unfortunately, Typhlosion got caught up in the attack’s wake. It roared out as the boulders started to crush the fiery Pokemon. “Ugh, Typhlosion, come back now!” I shouted, recalling the Pokemon back to his ball.
“Got you!” Mei shouted. I looked up in front of me, finding the Charizard already took flight and was readying a fire attack itself. The Charizard unleashed point blank a Fire Blast attack that drove me back down into the ground below.
“Blizz! No!” Tristen shouted. Tristen then looked over, seeing the Dragonite managing to get back up. The Dragonite was angry, mad that it was overtaken by what it thought Charizard as a wanna-be dragon. It started to stomp forward, only for Tristen to run over and grab the Dragonite by the tail and pull back on him. “Dragonite, no! You’ll just get hurt again if you go in like that again!”
The Dragonite looked back, then snapped its tail out of Tristen’s grip then roared out in the boy’s face as a threat to back off now. Tristen was intimidated, froze only for a couple of seconds. But in that two seconds, Tristen realized something. There was more things to fear than a disobedient dragon. There was too much riding on the battle at hand. Tristen regained his nerve then, jumped up and grabbed the antennae-like horns on the Dragonite’s head. The Dragonite yelped as it ended up leaning over more than what it’s used to. Tristen stared at the Dragonite dead in the eye. “LOOK! I know I’m not all that good of a trainer, but I’m trying! Right now, my skill doesn’t even matter! We need to work together and you need to stop acting self-centered…I think that’s what it’s called…whatever. The point is, you joined the rangers because you wanted to help people and Pokemon. Right? RIGHT!?”
“Arrro?” The Dragonite spoke back, a bit shocked that the boy grew this large of a backbone like that.
“Then help me help people!” The boy then let go of the Dragonite’s head and stared at Dragonite for a second. The Dragonite was dumbfounded then shook its head, then gave a sigh. “Will you?” Tristen asked.
The Dragonite perked up, seeing out the corner of its eye an orange-reddish glow. The Dragonite rushed in front of Tristen and braced for impact. Flames started to rush upon the Dragonite, shielding Tristen from harm. “Dragonite!” When the attack was over, Dragonite fell to one knee, more burned from the flames of Mei and her Charizard.
“Haven’t any one told you to pay attention to your opponents!?” Mei shouted. As soon as those words were spoken, she gets blindsided by a Ice Beam, fired from the palm of my hand.
I sat there, breathing a bit heavily, where I made impact after taking the Fire Blast shot. “Yep…” I said. I pushed myself back up off the ground and took out a Pokeball, getting ready to go another round. Mawile, after taking the rocky launch, was up as well, as did Dragonite, ready to square off with Mei and Roshi once more.
“Why won’t you people stay down!?” Roshi shouted. Mei shook out of the ice that caked upon her body and got ready for another fight.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” I said.
“We may have to take it up a few notches, Roshi.” Mei told him.
“Quite. Armaldo!”
“Charizard!”
The Pokemon rushed over to their owners. Mei and Roshi slapped their hands upon the ground. My instincts tripped and I quickly leaped off to the side as the ground started to heat up immensely at a rapid pace. “Everyone, watch it!” I shouted to the fray. The bunch ended up seeing a trail from where Mei and Roshi stood heat up and glow a fierce red then turn molten in a matter of a few seconds. The challengers and the Cipher peons scattered, trying to avoid taking a lava bath.
Mei and Roshi then moved their arms, Mei to the left and Roshi to the right. The lava started to move out from the path, spreading out, threatening to take out everyone. Everyone started to back up – those who were capable started to bombard the molten rock with various ice and water attacks, solidifying the molten rock back again, stopping the attack.
“Dragonite! Hyper Beam!” Tristen shouted. The Dragonite trained his sights on Mei and Roshi, unleashing the powerful attack upon them.
“Too slow!” Roshi then moved his arm up, rocks shot out from under the ground, shielding Mei and Roshi from the massive blast.
“Psy! Get to it!” I shouted. I took out another Pokeball, tossing out my Gallade out for battle. With a flash of light, Psy was out and ready for battle. “Psy! Psycho Cut!” I shouted. Psy gave a hard wave of his arm, unleashing his psychic attack towards the four.
“Charizard, Night Slash!” Mei shouted. The Charizard moved forward, meeting the Psycho Cut with its claws, neutralizing the attack. The Charizard however was caught off guard because right behind the Psycho Cut, I was following it, charging an Ice Beam in one of my hands. I leaped up over the Charizard and trained the shot on Mei, firing it. She ducked off to the side averting the shot.
“Don’t get cocky!” Roshi shouted. “Armaldo! Stone Edge!”
“Tristen!” I shouted.
“Mawile, Sucker Punch!” As the Armaldo summoned up the sharp stones, Roshi took control of them, setting them point first right at me. The Mawile rushed for the Rock channeler, ramming right into him. Unlike Armaldo, it didn’t have any sort of natural armor to weather such a blow and was knocked down hard, losing concentration and dropping the stones. Tristen was following right behind as fast as he could, charging his electricity to course through his body. The boy rushed by the Armaldo, running straight for Roshi.
As Roshi was managing to sit back up, set up to take a full-on Spark attack out of Tristen, Mei saw the attack coming. “Charizard! Flamethrower!”
“Psy! Stop him!” As Charizard was rearing up to belch up the hellacious flame, Psy hopped on the Charizard’s back, wraping his blade-like arms around the Charizard’s neck and hung on. In the meantime, Tristen tackles Roshi back down to the ground, electrocuting the channeler. Roshi screamed out as every last volt coursed through him. The Armaldo rushed to his trainer’s aid and smashed the boy off of him with his tail.
The Gallade continued to struggle with the Charizard until finally the fiery lizard managed to grab the Gallade and toss him off of him. I then landed and rushed over to my Pokemon’s aid.
“Roshi!” Mei shouted as she rushed over to her partner in crime. “Come on, get up. Are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine…a mistake I’m not going through again.” He said, pushing himself off the ground.
“Rahh! Rahh!” The Mawile rushed over towards Tristen. Tristen shook his head as he sat up off the ground.
“I’m…fine, Mawile…” Tristen said.
Before the two had a chance to fully recover, I started to rush for them once again, but then I stopped. My instincts tripped. A massive pressure came over me; one that rocked me to my very core. “BLIZZARD!” Freth shouted.
“I KNOW! Crap! This isn’t happening!” Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to deny it, it was. A massive splash came from the large pool of water behind Mei and Roshi; with a commanding screech, it revealed itself, silver feathery sheen and all. Lugia had finally arrived. Everyone, friend and enemy alike, stared on, completely awestruck.
“It’s too late. We win.” Roshi said.
Roshi and Mei turned to face the massive legendary leviathan. Roshi reached into his pocket, taking out, something small. It quickly expanded with a push of a button, revealing a purple over white tone. “BLIZZ!”
“A Master Ball! Blast it! No! Tristen move!” Tristen quickly got up and started to rush for the two, as did his Mawile. Dragonite, done with his respid from the hyper beam shot started to rush for the boy’s aid as well. I quickly rushed in, as did Gallade. Allies alike went to go rush in as well, but quickly ended up tied up by the Cipher grunts once more, trying to put up however much fight they can put on, however little they had left for that one last stand to achieve their victory.
I quickly fired off an Ice Beam towards Mei and Roshi, Tristen unleashed a Thunder Wave attack himself, both of which caught the channeler’s attention. Roshi quickly got behind Mei, raising up another rock wall, shielding them from the icy shot as Mei quickly heated up the nearby mass of water, guiding super heated steam to deflect the Thunder Wave, making it nothing more than harmless sparks. The Charizard and Armaldo then went on to counter attack. The Charizard unleashed another powerful pyro towards Gallade and I. The two of us had to break off the rush, ducking off to each side, averting the inferno. The Armaldo went to go after Tristen once more, Dragonite however blocked off the Armaldo’s advance, holding it at bay for a moment. Tristen quickly slid down, going under both the Dragonite and the fossil Pokemon, making the hard rush for Mei and Roshi.
“Leave Lugia alone!” Tristen shouted. His crests sparked then unleashed a powerful Flash upon Mei and Roshi, blinding the channelers. While it was a notion to get the upperhand, it only made things all the more dire as the Lugia also caught an eyeful of the blinding light. The Lugia screeched, more so out of fury than of pain. The cavern started to rattle as the Lugia started to exert its influence everywhere. “Uh-oh…” Tristen spoke.
Lugia started to thrash blindly, firing stray Aeroblast attacks about the cavern. Everyone had to duck and take what little cover they could to avert taking the full wrath of the legendary Pokemon. “I’msorryI’msorryI’msorry!” Tristen shouted, trying to run off to take cover as well.
“Tristen, time and place! I keep telling you!” I shouted over to him as I ended up ducking for cover as well.
“Well, it seemed like a good idea!” the boy shouted back.
“Next time, make sure there’s not an all powerful legendary near your intended targets!” I shouted back.
“Can you two discuss after we try to stop the rampaging legendary and not die doing it?!” Kalana shouted.
“Any more bright ideas you two!?” Horus then shouted.
“Working on it!” I then shouted.
Roshi and Mei managing to avert the Lugia’s wrath managed to regain their vision for the time being. They looked up, seeing their moment of opportunity. “Roshi! Hurry!” Roshi lined up his target, getting ready to toss the ball. I managed to get out from behind the rubble I ducked behind and quickly took aim at Roshi with an Ice Beam. “Charizard!” The Charizard then unleashed another pyro in my direction, leaving me to duck down. I noticed though the boulders that I took shelter behind were starting to melt from the Charizard’s intense blaze.
“Psy! Where are you!?” I shouted.
“Gallade!” Psy popped out behind a rock formation, looking up towards me.
“Psycho Cut!” I shouted, pointing towards Roshi.
Psy pulled out of hiding then unleashed another razor sharp wave, sending its way over towards Roshi. “Roshi, look out!” Roshi quickly saw the attack coming out the corner of his eye. He raised his arm, making a boulder appear from the ground. The Psycho cut left a deep gash right in the large stone, leaving Roshi unharmed.
Tristen looked on, seeing that the seconds were getting ever more crucial. He looked over, seeing that the Dragonite was still in gridlock with the Armaldo, but was wearing down quickly. Tristen rushed over towards the Armaldo and hopped on the giant fossil Pokemon’s back. “Dragonite, let go!” Dragonite pushed off the Armaldo quick as it could, stepping back. As soon as the Dragonite complied, Tristen unleashed a powerful Spark attack, electrocuting the rock bug where it stood as hard as Tristen could. The Armaldo thrashed, trying to shake off Tristen. After a few seconds of electrocution and shaking, Tristen lost his grip on the bug, slipping off and hitting the ground. Tristen quickly pushed himself back up. “Dragonite, Dragon Claw!” A command that Dragonite was all too happy to comply with. The Dragonite rushed for the shocked Armaldo, and before it realized what was coming right at it, Dragonite with all its fury struck the armored bug with its Dragon Claw attack, sending Armaldo down to the ground. “Good job, Dragonite.”
Another screech rocked the cavern. The Lugia finally regained its vision and looked down upon the field. All this fighting. All within its safe haven. It grew more enraged; its presence starting to become all the more dominant. Roshi quicky got the Master Ball ready again. “Mawile! Sucker Punch!” Tristen shouted.
“Not this again!” Roshi shouted. As Mawile started to rush for Roshi, Roshi tossed its shield from the psycho cut and tossed it at Mawile, pelting the tiny Pokemon. As Roshi was distracted with Mawile’s attack, the Lugia trained its sights first on Roshi and Mei. With a loud screech, it charged another Aeroblast attack. Roshi went wide-eyed, then started to push Mei. “RUN!” The two channelers and Mei’s Charizard avoid getting blasted head-on by the attack, but the raw, concussive force blew the group away hitting the ground. Upon impact, Roshi hit the ground, dropping the Master Ball, leaving it to roll off.
Mei and Roshi scrambled back up, Mei running for the Master Ball with her Charizard following after her. She dove for the Master Ball, snatching it up in a tumble then looked up towards the Lugia as the legendary bird scanned the area, looking for the next group to devastate. “Enough of this!” Mei shouted. She then gave the Master Ball a hard toss, sending it on its flight towards the legendary bird.
“NO!” I tried to leap out to block its trajectory, but I was only a split second too late.
“Dragonite! Twister!” Tristen shouted.
The Dragonite unleashed its furious draconian wind. The Twister cut the Master Ball off, sending its swirling up in its wake. The helpless capture device flew out of the top of the twister then off into the pool of water.
“Nice!” I shouted. Though as soon as things started to look up, my hopes soon turn into worry as I watched the Lugia unleashed another powerful Aeroblast attack, sending it sweeping right into the brawling masses. Prima and Lee gets blasted away, as did Alex and a few Ciphers. “Son of a…” We’re not going to do much of anything if this Lugia continues to be left unchecked.
“Cameron!” I shouted.
“A little busy!” The ranger shouted back as he was getting cornered by a couple of other Ciphers. The two Walrien and the Pelliper he came in with were getting quite winded; each of them not used to such long, extreme battling like this. I quickly fired off a couple of shots of Ice Beam, pegging the grunts. “…or not.”
“Get that capture styler of yours working!” I shouted, pointing towards the Lugia.
“I…never attempted to capture anything that large and that powerful before!” he shouted.
“First time for everything, Cameron!” Spencer shouted. “Seriously, you’ve been through worse than this!” Spencer clocked a grunt, sending him to the ground. “You got to try; you’re probably our only shot at this without causing a lot of harm to it!”
“Jesus Christ, and you are supposed to be a leader of a ranger squad!? I thought you had more backbone than this!” Freth shouted.
“I’d actually have to concur!” Horus then chimed in.
“Me too!” Kalana said.
“Alright, alright!” Cameron said. “Geez, enough ganging up on me! Just do me a favor and try to keep everyone off of me!” The ranger pulled out his capture styler and extended the baton.
“I think we can arrange that…” I said.
“Mei!” Roshi shouted.
“I heard it!” Mei shouted back. “Charizard! Roast the pudgy one!”
“Dragonite! Dragon Claw!” Tristen shouted. Dragonite rushed across the cavern, rushing for the Charizard. As the Charizard started to form the flames in its mouth, the Dragonite rushed in and struck the Charizard, making the winged lizard stumble a bit and stopping its attack.
“Get off of him!” Mei shouted, forming up scalding-hot steam from the waters nearby, ready to burn the likes of the Dragonite.
“Leave Dragonite alone!” Tristen shouted, rushing in as fast as he could, firing off a few stray bolts, making Mei jump back to avoid getting shocked.
“Armaldo!” Roshi shouted. Armaldo managed to push itself back up after the attack on it only a moment ago. “Stone Edge!”
“Hold it!” I shouted. “Psy! Close Combat!” Psy rushed in, smashing its fists right into the Armaldo, sending the Armaldo back down to the ground. I leaped right over the two Pokemon, giving a hard wave of my arms. Pillars of ice shot up out of the ground and converged on Roshi for an Ancientpower attack.
“Foolish!” Roshi shouted to me. With a stomp, the ice shattered, leaving no harm to the Cipher channeler.
One attack after the next, was unleashed. Allies tried to keep the enemies at bay all they could. All Cipher eyes laid on Cameron as he got into position. Everyone tried to converge on the lone ranger, but two words rang out which got all accounted for attention. “Capture on!” Cameron shouted. With a couple of clicks, the top fired off from the baton and off it flew straight for the Lugia. With a loud constant whirring, the Lugia looked on at the strange device that orbited it.
“No!” Roshi pulled up another boulder with a wave of the arm, but I landed right in front of him and grabbed his arm, then gave him a hard right hook into the ground.
“Roshi!” Mei shouted from across the way. “Blasted brat! Charizard! Flamethrower!”
“Dragonite! Dragon Tail!” Tristen shouted. The two winged beasts clashed. The seering flames of Charizard rushed upon Dragonite, burning the dragon extensively. The Dragonite fought on through the blazing pyro, stopping the source by smashing its tail right into the ferocious Charizard. The Charizard stumbled back a bit, caught off-guard by the force of the Dragonite.
“Charizard, watc-AAA!” The Charizard inavertingly fell over and made Mei stumble back a bit. She then hit the ground herself, only to tumble right over into the water. Tristen walked over towards the water’s edge, looking at Mei as she broke through the surface, pulling the wet hair away from her eyes. She looked up at Tristen, the boy that had the tired, frustrated look at his face. The look that didn’t have any mercy to give. “Oh no…nonono…”
Another bully, the boy thought. The world was full of them. Always a lesson needed to be taught to such ones. A lesson the boy was all too willing to offer. The boy’s body sparked and with one passionate yell, the boy discharged a hard Thunderbolt attack down into the pool. Mei shrieked for the couple of seconds the Thunderbolt attack was discharged, then simply floated on her back. Completely humiliated. Defeated.
“Mei! No!” Roshi shouted, witnessing the relentless attack upon his partner. “Get away from me!” Roshi slammed his arm into the ground, another pillar shot up, smashing into me and sent me flying off. The Armaldo managed to get back up and twirl around, smashing its tail right into Psy to send him off on his way as well. Roshi then took the newly formed pillar and plucked it out of the ground and tossed it right at Lugia. The boulder smashed into the giant legendary, breaking the orbit of the styler and sending the Lugia flying off into the wall.
“No! The Lugia!” Cameron shouted.
“This is not over!” Roshi shouted.
I managed to sit back up, seeing the top return over towards Cameron. Cameron caught the device and examined it. Apparently no immediate damage could be found. “Cameron! You got to do it again!” Spencer shouted.
Lugia peeled itself off the wall and shrieked once more, probably infuriated more than it ever has been in its life. Its power started to become immense. The cavern furiously shook and threatened to take everyone out in it. “Alright! Capture-“ Before Cameron was able to fire off the styler again, the Lugia fired an Aeroblast straight for Cameron. A wall of rock and dirt formed right infront of Cameron, shielding him from the mighty attack.
“Watch yourself!” Kalana shouted, moving that wall of sand away from him then going to bury a Cipher grunt under it. “Hurry! Go!”
“Hey you two!” Spencer shouted over towards Razz and Bluk. “Are one of you two free!?”
“Razz, you got this?” Bluk asked his partner.
“Go! I’ll handle it!” Razz said.
Bluk rushed away from Razz, taking out a Pokeball. “I think I’m already ahead of you, ranger! Tropius!” With a toss of a Pokeball, a flash of light, a Tropius was out, ready for battle. “Tropius! Sweet Scent!”
The Tropius spread its leafy wings. The dust and smoke filled chamber from all the constant fighting started to get the aroma of a tropical paradise; a soothing, intoxicating smell. The Pokemon, both allies and enemies started to feel at ease. Admittingly, as I managed to sit back up, it was funny seeing Psy laying there where he fell from Armaldo’s look drunk out of his mind. The thrashing Lugia also caught wind of the smell and stopped its rampage. “Cameron!” Spencer shouted.
“Right! Capture on!” Cameron shouted, firing off once again the Styler’s top blazing a trail straight for the Lugia and started its orbit once again around it.
“Armaldo! Snap out of it!” Armaldo too got caught up in the intoxicating smell. His trainer’s pleas barely registered.
I managed to push myself back up and rush off for Roshi. Roshi saw me going for him. He quickly slammed his hand onto the ground, having more rocky pillars shoot out, trying to trip, cut me off, or out right smash me between them. He then threw up several pillars in a row, just before him in order to stop me. I quickly leaped over the onslaught, over Roshi’s head. As soon as I landed behind him, we both turned, but I was already on the attack. My fist landed right in Roshi’s gut.
The channeler gave out a hard cough, the wind completely knocked out of him. Several hard, fast blows later, I gave one hard thrusting kick, plowing him through the wall he made.
The styler continued to orbit the Lugia until finally a white ring formed around the leviathan and then converged on it. “HA! Capture complete!” Cameron shouted in victory.
“Good! Now you might want to move…” I said, charging the icy energy in the palm of one hand and recalling Psy back to his Pokeball with another. Cameron stared at me in confusion then looked down close by to him, seeing Roshi trying to crawl back up to his feet after such a devastating onslaught.
“Oh sh-“ Cameron muttered, hobbling off. “Lugia! Outside now!” the ranger shouted. The Lugia as commanded dove back down into the pool and out the tunnel whence it came.
Horus instantly read my mind, completely going wide-eyed, but as far as what Freth and Tristen was concerned, it didn’t take a Psychic to figure out what I was about to do. “Um…run…NOW!” Freth shouted. “Everyone out!”
“Dragonite, Mawile! In the ball! Hurry!” Tristen shouted, recalling the two Pokemon back in.
The Ciphers however were left a bit confused by the sudden retreat, seeing everyone rush off for the exit; all except Alex however. She recognized this, just as she recognized the Porygon-Z a day prior. “Roshi!” Alex shouted.
“No running...THIS ENDS NOW!” The mass of energy grew large and dense.
Roshi shook his head then looked back, staring on in shock. “Sheer Cold…” Roshi muttered. “Armaldo! ARMALDO!” Armaldo was still stuck in the stupor, unable to hear the pleas.
“Drapion! Togekiss!” Alex shouted. They too weren’t comprehending. As far as what all Pokemon were concerned, it was just a giant, pretty blue ball.
Two seconds later, a blast rocked the cavern, ice rushed right out of the exit and froze over the waters nearby. I stood there, breathing heavily, looking at my handiwork. Grunts, Pokemon, Roshi, Alex, and Mei were frozen where they stood. A moment later, the rangers found their way back in, followed by Prima and Lee, then the berry duo, finally Freth, Tristen, Kalana, and Horus.
“Huh…I like the décor.” Lee spoke up.
“You know, Snagem, a little warning could have been nice!” Spencer said.
“I did.” I then said.
“Longer than five seconds in advance!” Spencer then snapped back.
“My word, bird. Do you NOT know the meaning to ‘subtle’!?” Horus exclaimed.
“’Subtle’? Tch…this is tame compared to what mess we tend to go into on any other crisis.” Freth told him.
“…what makes it so bad is that you’re telling the truth.” Horus then said, rubbing the back of his head.
“Guys…” I spoke up. “…let’s get out of here.”
--------------
After destroying the Chi Converter planted on the column by the Ciphers, exausted, we made our way out of the cavern. It was a cool evening breeze that was felt as we exited. The sun was trying to set upon the horizon. As soon as we got out, a loud splash was heard. The Lugia surfaced from under the water and floated on top of it. The Lugia was unharmed from Cipher’s influence…and my icy wrath. Yea, I admit it. Overkill, but whatever. “Lugia, you’re free to go.” Cameron said. With a wave of the capture baton, the link between the ranger and the legendary Pokemon disappated. Lugia then dove down into the water.
The each of us watched as the Lugia took his leave. It was upsetting to know that Lugia probably lost a place to rest today thanks to the Ciphers, but still knowing that the Ciphers has one less weapon at their disposal is a relieve for all involved. With one final farewell out of the Lugia, it gave a huge leap into the air and dove right under the sunset in the distance.
“You know? That was so cliché.” Freth spoke up. A collective grown came out from the rest of us.
“And you call me the joykill.” I said to her.
“Well, I suppose we all must go our separate ways here.” Spencer spoke up. “Though I’m going to have a serious time trying to explain why I got to have a crew equipped with ice picks and spatulas.”
Cameron gave a slight laugh. “There have been weirder requests. Remember that situation in Almia where-“
“NO! Let’s not…bring that…up…again…” He said, throwing his arms up.
“Dare I ask?” I spoke up.
“Just…forget it.” Spencer said. “I don’t need you to give that leader of yours any ideas, because I would suspect you’d tell him.”
As the conversation continued, Tristen thought for a moment, then made a sigh. Tristen stepped forward. “Excuse me…” The two rangers looked over towards Tristen as the boy lobbed the Great Ball containing the captured Dragonite on the ground. With a flash of light, the Dragonite was revealed. With Tristen’s head hung down. “I’m sorry.” He told the rangers.
So Tristen was resigned to do this after all. He felt too guilty about it, even though the rangers pretty much had it coming a couple of days ago. I guess I can’t blame the kid too much though. I just stepped aside and crossed my arms. “Dragonite! Are you alright?” Spencer said making his way over towards the Dragonite. “Man, you got roughed up a bit over the past couple of days…and yet, you seemed to have been tended to about it.”
“Tristen did the patch work, probably much to Dragonite’s reluctance to accept his help.” I said.
“Really? Huh…not bad.” Spencer said. The Dragonite was glad to be back with the trainers, overjoyed even. But it took one look at the resigned Tristen and his mood changed. “What’s wrong?” Spencer then asked.
“I’m guessing Dragonite is having second thoughts about going home.” Cameron said.
“Really, Dragonite?” Spencer then asked. Tristen looked up, staring in confusion. He hadn’t expected this. Dragonite stepped back over towards Tristen, looking down upon the boy.
“Arrrroo.” The Dragonite spoke up to Tristen. Tristen didn’t even know what to say at this point. Dragonite actually had second thoughts? What happened, the boy could only wonder. He didn’t ask why though. All he could bring himself to do was to hug the dragon.
“Ah geez…I guess my hand is forced.” Spencer said. “Now it’s really going to be a headache getting Fearow back.”
“Eh, you’ll get him back. It was all part of the game, and he’s not technically a tamed Pokemon, you know.” Cameron said. “The worst you’ll probably go through though is knowing that you’ll never be able to live down the fact by anyone that you got suckered by a kid.”
“Oh shut up.” Spencer said. “Just do me a favor at the very least and treat him well, alright?”
“I will.” Tristen said.
After a few more words, the myself, Tristen, and the Calvary as it were made our way back to Island One. Another party was had that night, since technically the festivities were not over yet. It was pretty much agreed to at least get a couple of days of rest and relaxation. No one wanted to leave quite yet. It was probably one of the few times where friends, rivals, and former enemies could actually get together, have a drink, converse on mutual terms for a change. Hell, Cipher got shut down with a passion this day, why the hell not?
The next day, it was a clear sky day. One that Freth was going to take the opportunity to take advantage of after a whole day being ruined on her. She sat there on a wooden lounge chair in her snow-white bikini and a pair of sunglasses, umbrella over her. Accompanying her was apparently Kalana and her Golett in a one-piece herself, and oddly enough Doc Owl, in a beach shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and a wicker hat, tolerable compared to what he had been wearing this whole excursion. Tristen also came along too, wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks. After some fun in the sand with Kalana’s Golett, he found himself under the umbrella with Freth and got comfortable and fell to sleep pretty quickly in her arms.
“Huh, innocent tyke, isn’t he?” Kalana spoke up.
“Yea, I think that I finally understand what Blizzard had been getting at all this time now; though I still don’t condone it too much. It’s gotten way too annoying.” Freth said.
“What has?” Kalana asked.
“Well, he has another adoptive son. One that he’s gotten about a couple of years before this one named Tails.” She said. “He went missing a while ago, probably on some soul searching journey, without really a word said and Blizzard had been worrying sick over him even before coming to the islands.”
“Ohhh, I think I heard about him. Actually, I think that’s…why…Horus isn’t even here. In all my years, I don’t think I even seen Horus relate to anyone like the Ice Bird for some reason.” Kalana said.
“In all your years? You’re talking like a old lady.” Freth said.
“Pray tell. How old do you think I am?” Kalana looked towards Freth, cracking a smile.
“42.” Doc then spoke up. “Rough estimate mind.”
Freth then looked over towards Doc. “Doc!”
“Actually he’s right.” Kalana said.
“I figured it was somewhere in that range. Real hard to tell. I’m guessing ground channeling kind of plays around with your human carbon make-up.” Doc said. “I can only guess.”
“Huh…well, that happened.” Freth said.
“At any rate, Horus found out about Blizzard’s spout of depression and decided to take it upon himself to give the depressed bird a bit of a distraction.”
“By distraction you don’t mean…” Doc then spoke up.
“Uh-huh.”
“My Lord, they just been through three days worth of battles, they’ve been bandaged up like mummies since last night, and they’re still going to go have at it? Just how stubborn are those two?!”
“Very.” The two girls said in unison.
Meanwhile, on the northern parts of the island, closer towards Mt. Ember, two people were standing there along the blackened beach. “So…it’s good with Kalana that you’re doing this?” I asked as I started to unravel the bandages around my arm. It stung a little doing it. I was pretty much showing off the several burns and scrapes that I ended up getting over the past few days.
“She wouldn’t have stopped me even if she objected.” Horus said, taking off a few bandages himself. “It’s a wonder how our lovers put up with us, wouldn’t you agree?”
“We don’t deserve them.” I said.
“Probably not.”
“So.” I then took off my vest, throwing it aside. “How do you want to do this?”
“Anything goes…minus the bone breaking please. It wasn’t pleasant the last time. Though it’s pretty much a far-fetched request to someone with not much restraint.” Horus said.
“No promises.” I said.
“I figured. Well, I think I better plot what I should say to my health insurance provider.”
With the last of the bandages taken off and tossed to the side, we squared off once more. After one more ocean wave broke upon the beach, the fight went on.
Mission Complete
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2015 11:49 pm
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Quote: Verdanturf town is in an interesting spot geopolitically in the Hoenn region, being smack dab in the middle of it. It appears to be just a small hamlet, but sometimes even sleepy little hallows can have dangers and intrigue. As the Virus begins to spread across the Hoenn region, the smaller towns and hamlets will also be the most likely to come under attack from aggressive wild Shadow Pokemon, so if there is such an outbreak whilst you are there, please do your best to contain it. We don't need any more Shadow Pokemon than what already exists and is spreading, so if you can spare these poor people their town, the more's the better. Objective - Scout the town of Verdanturf and see if there's anything interesting there. Opposition - Probably some wild Shadow Pokemon available at your rank from the surrounding area (Route 117 or Rusturf)
This would be a first for Tristen. Never before has he went out, assigned to a mission, and was on his own for it. He always had someone there with him at nearly every step of the way, rather it be his two parents, or someone from Snagem, if not the entire team at a time. The boy was a bit nervous though. While he wanted to show that he could be relied upon when it came to it, he wasn’t sure if he was truly ready. The farther that he got from the headquarters, knowing that no back-up was coming, the more pressuring it became. It was a different pressure than what he experienced out at the Battle Frontier. There was plenty at stake here, although all he had to do in this case was a scouting mission. All he had to do was to explore the area of Verdanturf, and nothing more. Try to avoid a fight, but help out where needed. He wasn’t there to go on a crusade of any sort.
The flight back to the Hoenn region on the back of Dragonite would go smoothly enough. Flights like these is still wasn’t something that he was used to, and his Dragonite knew it. The dragon avoided from going too fast, if not only for this boy’s safety, but perhaps the boy’s sanity as well. When the two eventually arrived, the boy landed on the outside of the town in order to avoid any confrontation if he could help it. He remembered that he, although a kid, had a bounty that was rather sky high. Upon landing, he quickly recalled his Dragonite and started to set off to Verdanturf town.
The boy would soon make it within the small town’s streets, trying to see what was going on. This place was supposed to be a place of tranquility, he was told. He didn’t see it as he trekked down the streets and the back alleys. The people were silent, seemingly looking behind themselves occasionally. The silence seemed to be that of tension instead of peace. Apparently what was going on in the rest of Hoenn was starting to affect even these people. The boy started to wonder how much worse things would get if they found out that the “Kid Dynamo” with a sky-high bounty was around. As if the boy wasn’t nervous enough being out here.
With all said, right at the moment as far as he could tell, there was nothing out of the ordinary. Other than extreme tension in the air, the boy couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Maybe he came in at an off-the-wall time? Perhaps he had to stay for a while to make sure nothing was set to change. There really wasn’t anything happening around here right now.
The boy started to hear a vehicle come down from the street. Quickly he went back down the alley and took cover. This vehicle wasn’t like the others. It had a loud roaring engine, compared to a lot of other cars that were around here. It was something big. Tristen peered around a garbage can he hid behind and looked down, seeing a big van that made its way across his view. He then left the can and walked down the street. The van was rather large, bigger than what people would normally have. A lot of metal, virtually reinforced. The back two doors open and out came a few people in uniform. The uniform of HAZARD. “Oh man…” Tristen spoke up to himself. “I guess it was supposed to happen sometime.” With the outbreak more widespread, it was going to be a no-wonder as to why they were here.
He tried to listen close to what the men were saying as they gathered around the back of the van. He picked up things like moving to somewhere and stuff in the van. He couldn’t really tell from where he stood, even with his heightened hearing. “…” The notion of going closer made him uneasy. He had to see why they were here. The boy took out a Pokeball, just in case. He would try to avoid a fight, but if there was one, he wanted to be quick on the draw. The boy perked up again. Another roaring engine. Tristen backed away from the exit of the alley and back to the trash can. He peeked out as the vehicle went by. Another military like vehicle, about the same size as the van that went by, but a different shape at first look. Tristen slinked back away from the can and looked over, seeing the vehicle. It looked like a jeep, but a fair longer instead of compact like most were. The boy didn’t know what those were. From it, only two more people. One of which, the rest of the men stood to attention to. The HAZARD officer took off the hat and let hair roll down to the shoulders. “…a girl?” Tristen asked silently to himself. And the way that everyone stood to attention, perhaps their boss? The woman started addressing them. Once again, Tristen tried to listen in, hearing things like ‘surveying’ and ‘defense’, but still couldn’t really understand what anyone was saying fully from where he stood. Suddenly the men then rushed back in the van and started pulling things out from the van and the back of the vehicle the boss came in and in only a moment, the vehicles doors were closed up and the HAZARD group went away, off in various directions.
“…” Tristen had to see what was going on with them. Why were they there? Defense? Survey? What did she mean? Too many questions. Tristen checked around then scurried off towards the vehicles as fast as he could. He looked around again, then started to check the doors to the van first. The back of the van, locked. Passenger side of the van, locked. Driver side? Locked. Windows all the way up. No getting into this thing. He went to the jeep thing the lady came in. The back, locked. The driver side, though, not locked. Tristen quickly looked around again, making sure no one was around, then scurried in, closing the door behind him.
Because of the darkened windows on most of the vehicle, most of the inside was somewhat dark. Despite which, one thing that got the boy’s attention was between the laptop that rested on a panel that sat between the passenger and driver position in the car. Maybe Sub or someone back at the headquarters could use it. The boy stashed the Pokeball he had in his hand, then reached over to the laptop and started to pull on it, only to find that not only it held down by the wires, but the base of it was bolted down on the panel. The laptop wasn’t going to budge. The boy then started to press at a couple of buttons, finding that the laptop was actually on, only in a sleep state. When the laptop came back to ‘life’, on it was apparently a map of Verdanturf town with a bunch of numbers that he didn’t understand, accompanied by the words ‘long’ and ‘lat’.
Tristen started toy around with the touch pad on the laptop, trying to find something that could be of use. The screen could scroll up and down, he could find. Beyond the map was apparently the same map, only got markings on it that surrounded the city, the city filled in with a green in color, stating ‘safe zone’. It struck the boy as off, wondering as to why this place was safe? As far as he figured, it wasn’t. Maybe they were going to try to make it safe. On the map was more numbers on each side of the city. He recognized those numbers. They were measurements. Each side was measured in meters. Maybe they were going to build another quarantine zone, just like the ones outside of Petalburg? The town was small enough that it might could happen, the boy thought. It would actually make the people safe, but then people here may be ‘safe’ but it would be like they were living in a prison, the boy then thought. Did such a thing really need to be built? Was the region that bad now?
Something graced the boy’s hearing once more. He quickly looked back, seeing the woman on her way back to the vehicle through the window. He quickly scurried over the connected driver and passenger seat and made it to the middle seat. As an extra precaution, he dove over the next set of seats, all the way to what’s essentially a place to put various things like equipment. The woman opened the door to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened up the glove box. As she was digging through various papers within it, she stopped, taking notice to the laptop. It was still on.
She pulled out a small radio from her side. “…101 to 104.” The woman spoke up.
“104.”
“…104, did you come back to the Hummer for anything?”
“10-74.”
“Did you leave on the laptop?”
“I did, but left it on sleep before we got in town.”
“Two-Five.” she said.
The woman stashed her radio again then took out a Pokeball herself. Tristen peeked above the seat, noticing it, then ducked back down. This was bad. This woman was suspicious on something. He was good as caught, he thought. The door to the middle section opened up, started checking under the passenger and driver seats, trying to see if anything was missing. Then the moment she peeked her head over the middle seat to look at the back, Tristen without hesitation, in fear of having no choice in the matter, reached up and gave the woman a hefty shock, that of a Thunder Wave. Her muscles locked up; she couldn’t yell, she couldn’t pull away until Tristen stopped the electricity, to where she fell over on the seat. “Sorry, sorry, sorry!” He scurried over the seat, taking the radio that she was talking on, then rushed out the middle door. He quickly rushed off as fast as he could, rushing back to the alley from where he came from.
One of the HAZARD members finally came from behind one of the building, staring in confusion for only about a half-second until his walk went into a full on sprint to the hummer. Tristen could hear the man yelling, trying to see if the woman was alright. Then a voice came on over the radio. “104 all units, 10-78! 101 down! 101 down! 10-78, 10-18!”
Tristen stared at his radio in confusion. What was this code gibberish that guy was speaking? Before the boy knew it, he saw every HAZARD member rush for the vehicle as the one that Tristen figured was called ‘104’ pulled ‘101’ out of the Hummer. The boy then rushed off as fast as he could before there was some sort of hunt for the one that did that to her. Part of him figured that it was high-time that he had to bail out. He did find out that HAZARD was maybe setting up shop, perhaps, but that was based on stuff that he couldn’t really understand. He needed something more concrete. A few pictures perhaps. He wouldn’t mind getting his hands on that laptop too, but given what’s involved to perhaps get that out, it was a far cry. Maybe he could get a picture of what was on the screen. Or the HAZARD members as well for that matter to find out who they are.
The boy looked at the group again, seeing the woman was coming to. All but two of the HAZARD members then broke off from the woman. The bunch then brandished Pokeballs and tossed them out. A mix of Mightyena and Growlithe came out from the balls. “Oh no…” Tristen said. The boy had to work fast. Those canines were going to lead that bunch right to him. The boy quickly thought, knowing that time was very short now. He took out a Pokeball once again and tossed it out. “Xatu.” Tristen spoke up. In a flash, the tall green bird appeared before the boy. “Hurry. Teleport me over there behind that building.” Tristen said, pointing to the building across the street. The bird nodded, focused, and the two of them vanished, just before the bunch of canine Pokemon turned the corner, continuing on their hunt.
Tristen sighed in relief. “Thanks Xatu.” Tristen said. “Come back for now.” The boy recalled the bird then took a look around. He stared off, trying to find a way back to the vehicles without being seen, trying to be cautious with every step once again. He had to work fast. Tristen then noticed something. A short ways away, the boy noticed some things; looked like some of the things that one of the HAZARD crew brought out of the vehicles, hastily left when they rushed back for the boss. A can of spray paint and a spray-painted mark on the ground. A few notes, also with some more gibberish of some sort. It was bad enough not being able to understand what was on the laptop screen, it was another thing when your handwriting seemed to be pretty bad on top of that. Still, maybe someone could make use of it back at Snagem. The boy took the pad and stuffed it in his bag. At least he was going to leave with something. Among more of the pile of goods were a few rods, a couple of electrical devices, and a set of tools in a cloth roll of some kind. The boy took it; it may come in handy.
Knowing that he couldn’t stay in one place for too long, he made off with what he had for the moment. The vehicles were still something to look into, let alone the crew. If HAZARD really was the good guys, in a matter of speaking, then Tristen and HAZARD were there for the same reasons. But given that HAZARD weren’t up for listening to the Snagems, let alone cooperating unless forced to, then the boy figured to try to find out, one way or another, what they knew. Tristen found his way to an alley that was the closest to the two vehicles. He went down the alley then peered out from around it, trying not to be seen. One of the HAZARD guys from earlier that stayed by the boss was gone. It was only that ‘104’ guy and the boss. “…” Tristen reached to his pockets and pulled out his SNAG and fumbled with it for a moment, trying to get it to where it would take a picture. Once the setting was made, Tristen leaned over, lined up the picture and captured the frame of the female boss. Tristen looked at what he took. It wasn’t exactly good, but at least it was clear enough to see who it was.
Tristen stashed the SNAG, then looked back, the two were talking, starting to listen in on the two.
“I don’t know…it happened too quick. All I saw was a hand! Literally five fingers! And then I…was electrocuted! That’s it!” The woman clearly was frustrated. She knew she was blindsided somehow.
“We’ll find who or whatever did that.” He said.
“102 to 104.” A voice came on over the radio. Tristen heard it come up over the one he pilfered from the boss.
“104.”
“It’s no use. The trail is dead. These hounds are hovering the same spot as if whatever got her dug underground or vanished in thin air. That said, I’m more favoring vanishing since there’s no dug up tunnels.” The voice over the radio said.
“10-12.” The man to the voice on the radio. “Well?”
“The coward.” The woman said. “If he teleported out then he would be a complete idiot to come back this way. You got your cell?”
“Yea?”
“Call to HQ. Get a patrol squad in here. Get everyone else to get back to their stations but be on high-alert. Have Pokemon by their side all times, just in case. No exceptions.” The woman said.
The man then relayed what the boss said over the radio to the rest of the bunch then started to walk off, taking out his cell and started to make a call as he started to reach about himself to take out a Pokeball, revealing another Growlithe. The woman too pulled out a Pokeball herself, only unlike her subordinates, she reveals a Manetric on high alert. The man apparently walked off in one of the directions, perhaps where his work area was. The woman wasn’t going anywhere, though. She apparently was keeping guard on the vehicles. He had to drag the woman away from the vehicle.
The boy thought for a moment then came up with an idea. Tristen took a deep breath then started to discharge electricity. He continued discharging a few sparks from his crest until the Manetric by the woman’s side perked up. “What’s wrong?” The woman asked. She looked down the way, looking towards the alley that the Manetric was looking. The Manetric curiously started to walk over towards the alley, with the boss following close by, leaving Tristen make a mad dash as fast as he could back down the alley and around to rush to the next alley. It took about thirty seconds, long enough to see that the Manetric already having his nose to the pavement, trying to feel about the electricity in the air and the odd odor that was around. With those two distracted, Tristen rushed to the vehicle then checked the door. Still unlocked. Probably though there was nothing that any burglar could grab quickly. Everything of importance was already taken out when they first arrived.
Tristen hopped back into the hummer and closed the door behind him, quickly getting to work. He took the cloth roll full of tools, trying to figure out what to use. Tristen checked the panel. It looked like something in a cross pattern. Maybe a screwdriver. Tristen grabbed the screw driver from the cloth roll and started to turn on it. It took a moment, but the first screw started to give way. It was only a minute later until the first screw was out. Tristen got to work on the next, frantically working on the next one. His hearing started to pick up something again. He lifted his head. The woman was coming down the alley he rushed down with the Manetric. The Manetric still on the hunt for whatever it was that got its attention.
“Uh-oh…” The boy muttered. Quickly once again, he hopped the seat to the middle section. The Manetric outside perked up then rushed to the Hummer and started barking, propped up against the middle door of the hummer.
Stared in confusion then came to the Manetric, pulling him back some. “Back up. Back up. Here. Get ready. Get ready…” The boss reached for the door as Tristen got a Pokeball at the ready. The boss pulled the door open and the Manetric leaped in. Before Tristen managed to toss his own Pokeball, the Manetric had Tristen pinned to the floor of the inside of the Hummer, gnawing away at the kid’s arm. Tristen struggled pretty hard against the Manetric. He wasn’t able to use his own electricity; it wouldn’t phase this hound. “GAH!” Tristen then unleashed a powerful flash in the hummer, giving the hound an eyeful, and making it yelp out, breaking the hold. The woman, before she too was caught by the flash, pulled away from the flash before she was phased by it. Tristen pushed the hound off of him with the opportunity there and he leaped out of the hummer, hitting the ground.
“What on…” She recognized the boy. “Kid Dynamo.” She also quickly noticed what Tristen had. The radio that was taken from her. “Clever scamp…Manetric!” The Manetric stumbled about but finally managed to get out of the Hummer.
“What’s going on!?” A voice came down the street. Tristen quickly rushed off from the scene, running.
“KID DYNAMO! DO NOT LET HIM GET OUT OF HERE! CONVERGE!”
It was not even a moment before there was more radio traffic over the radio until someone stopped mid-sentence. The boss finally came over the radio. “Halt all traffic! The kid has my radio on him! Do not announce anything until apprehension! Be advised that he has capabilities of using Flash and Thunder Wave!”
This made Tristen even more worried. Now the radio was useless if they weren’t using it to talk to each other and now they would be waiting on him to use Flash. Before he had time to lament on it, one of the HAZARD members came over with his Growlithe cutting off his way out. It was one HAZARD member after another, making the kid frantically shift directions as he was trying to find the means and the time to make the great escape. He just needed to get out a Pokemon. Any one Pokemon would do at this point. Another turn down another alley until he ended up stopping. A wooden fence. He wasn’t like a good number of hybrids that could leap nearly everything in a single bound. He was just a kid in weighted clothes. He didn’t have the time to climb over it either.
Before he knew it, he found other HAZARD members at the entrance. “Surrender kid, you got no where to go. On the ground and hands behind your head! Do it now!” Tristen pulled out a Pokeball, his mind quickly going at near warp speed. He knew he couldn’t surrender to these guys. No way. “Don’t do it kid! You toss that, you’re cooked Growlithe chow! Don’t do it!”
The Growlithe and the Manetric took the lead, waiting on the next command, the next reaction, with the Mightyena and the HAZARD members were all there, blocking off the way out. Tristen gave a hard sigh. This was going to get ugly and he knew it. One more look at all in attendance and Tristen dropped the ball, quickly jumping backwards as the ball hit the ground. The ball flashes and out came the Dragonite as a Thunderbolt and Flamethrowers started to fly down the alley. The Thunderbolt rushed for Tristen making stand right up as the energy coursed through him. A case of nirvana, really. The flamethrowers however, blasted the Dragonite…with very little effectiveness. “Um-uh, Dragonite! Hyper Beam!”
“FALL BACK!!!” The boss shouted. Quickly the hounds and HAZARD crew scrambled as fast as they could, rushing out of the alley as fast as they could. No where to go but backwards. The beam rocked the entrance, blasting the members and hounds in proximity to the blast site. The Pokemon and Members weren’t badly hurt, but they were reeling from the massive concussive force that the Hyper Beam produced.
“Thanks Dragonite! Come on, hurry. We don’t have much time! Come on!” Tristen said, rushing down the alley with the Dragonite following along. With the HAZARD members incapacitated for the moment, Tristen quickly rushed back to the Hummer, going back to the front seat and frantically tried to get the laptop loose from its mount. It probably took longer than it should. Tristen’s heart was racing. He knew he really got in over his head now, and no one other than his Pokemon to help him. One more screw. Then the next. The next following. Then quickly pulling off the wires from the back of the laptop. That was it. No more scouting. If one could actually call it that, anyways. He wanted out. He wanted to leave. The Dragonite saw it all over the boy’s face. “Dragonite, come on. Back to HQ, okay?” The boy got on and made his hasty exit.
Summary:
General notes:
---HAZARD is currently setting up shop in Verdanturf Town. Reasons currently unknown.
---Shadow Pokemon hasn’t invaded the area that could be found as of yet. Plenty of unrest amongst the populace, however.
---Items taken:
*One picture via SNAG of ranking officer in HAZARD, only known as “101” due to radio chatter.
*Notes from one of the other members; perhaps mission orders or other miscellany notes pertaining to Verdanturf
*One laptop stripped from HAZARD vehicle, hopefully to be hacked by other Snagem members |
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