CHAPTER 2
The next day...
"Corphish, I need you to go with Sunflora today." Chatot said after that morning's routine.
"Wh-What for?" Corphish asked nervously.
"She's been tracking this outlaw for quite some time now." Chatot explained. "He's a fire type and every time she fights him, she loses so you're there to help her."
"Yeah, I could really use your help Corphish." Sunflora said. "So what do you say; can you help me out?"
She smiled in a way that made it hard for Corphish to say no. "Alright, I'll go with you Sunflora." he finally said.
"Really? Thanks Corphish, you're the best." He had to turn away to hide his blush.
"The outlaw was last spotted at Steam Cave." Chatot mentioned.
"Don't worry about it Chatot. We'll get him." Sunflora said confidently.
Chatot nodded and Corphish and Sunflora headed towards the ladder. As they did, Loudred spotted them walking together. He chuckled and winked; Corphish bit his lip and hurried up the ladder.
"What's up with Loudred?" Sunflora, who clearly noticed this, asked.
"Uh, nothing! It's nothing. So uh...who exactly are we looking for?" Corphish asked hastily changing the topic.
"His name's Rapidash." she answered. "He's really tough so I really need your help with this Corphish."
"Don't worry Sunflora; I won't let you down." Corphish said bravely.
She smiled. "Thanks a lot Corphish. Well, we're here."
"They were standing at the entrance of Steam Cave. The two of them looked at each other, nodded and entered the dungeon.
The steam from the cave made the air very humid. Whenever a Pokemon showed up and attacked, Corphish and Sunflora would take it out together. But when a Slugma, Magby or any other fire type showed up, Corphish would always be the first to hit it and is ussually the one who finishes it off.
"Wow Corphish, you're really going all out on all those fire types." Sunflora remarked. Corphish had just BubbleBeamed a Numel into submission.
"Really? Sorry, it's just...I just wanna make sure you don't get hurt Sunflora."
"She gave a small smile. "Aww, that's really sweet of you Corphish but-"
She suddenly stopped mid sentence. Her smile faded and she began to look around.
"hey, what's wrong?" But Sunflora shushed hi. He strained his ears listening to his surroundings until he finally heard it: the sound of hooves galloping.
The sound stopped; they turned around to face a large, tough looking Rapidash. He snorted at the sight of them while the flames on his body intensified.
"Haven't I beaten you enough?" he told Sunflora. He then eyed Corphish. "What makes you think your friend can help you?"
"I've got faith in him." she replied proudly. "I know that together, the two of us can beat you once and for all!" Corphish turned red slightly.
"Rapidash sneered. "We'll see about that."
He neighed loudly and charged in with Megahorn. Sunflora and Corphish jumped away at teh last second and the latter hit the passing Rapidash with Crabhammer. The force of the attack knocked him off his feet making him crash to the ground.
"Grr. You're stronger than I thought." he said angrily to Corphish. "But I can fix that."
He neighed loudly again and the whole area was bath in warm light. "Sunny Day, this is bad." Corphish thought before dodging an instant Solarbeam.
"I've got your back Corphish!" Sunflora yelled before firing Razor Leaf. It cuts across Rapidash's skin and he turned and charged at her with Flame Wheel but she dodged it with amazing speed.
"Thanks for activating my Chlorophyll ability!" Sunflora yelled running around firing Razor Leaf as she did.
Corphish jumped right back into the battle and fired Bubblebeam but,, because of Sunny Day's effect, it didn't do much damage and only seemed to annoy Rapidash. The latter noticed this and charged at Corphish with Flame Wheel; Corphish stopped attacking and waited until Rapidash was close enough before using Crabhammer on his forehead.
Unfortunately, his attack was overpowered and Corphish found himself knocked back several feet. He recovered and saw in incoming Solarbeam but at the last second, Sunflora rushed in and brought him out of harm's way.
"Thanks Sunflora, if that attack hit, that'd be the end of me." Corphish said.
"No problem." she replied and they noticed that the light faded. "His Sunny Day's over. This is our chance."
Together, they looked at the exhausted Rapidash and nodded. They both unleashed their attacks on him and Rapidash was slowly being pushed back.
"Go! I've got you covered!" Sunflora yelled. Corphish nodded and while Sunflora kept up her Razor Leaf, he charged in unnoticed by Rapidash. By the time he did notice Corphish, it was already too late.
Corphish's Crabhammer uppercut lifted Rapidash off his feet and was air born fro a few seconds; he fell down on his back, rolled to the side and promptly fainted.
Sunflora stopped her attack at once and silently stared at the fallen Rapidash. Corphish slowly approached him and prodded his cheek. He didn't stir. "He's out!"
"We did it...Corphish, we won!" Sunflora cheered. She ran up and gave him a big hug and spun him around joyously.
"I think that's enough Sunflora." Corphish said dizzy from the spinning and blushing from the hug.
"Oh." Sunflora stopped and giggled embarrassingly. "Eh heh, sorry."
Magnezone was called in and hauled Rapidash away. Before leaving however, he gave them their reward for catching Rapidash: 700 Poke.
"Alright, here you go Sunflora." Corphish said offering the money bag to her.
"No; you take it Corphish. You did deliver the final blow." she said pushing it back towards him.
"But he's your outlaw." Corphish insisted.
This whole thing went on for several minutes until they decided to split the money equally between them.
"Now that that's settled, we can go home now." Sunflora said taking out her badge to teleport home.
"S-Sunflora wait." Corphish said before she could activate it.
"Huh? What is it Corphish?"
"Well..." he eyes darted around nervously and he started blushing again. "Y'know that beyond here's Fogbound Lake right?"
"Yeah." she said nodding slowly.
"Well I was wondering...y'know...if you'd like to go there with me?"
"You mean go and see the view there?" Sunflora asked.
"Yeah. N-Not if you've got other plans 'cause that OK with me." Corphish added quickly.
Sunflora thought about it for a while. "Well I don't have any other plans so sure, sound like fun." Sunflora said with a smile.
"Really?" Corphish smiled too. "Thanks Sunflora. c'mon, it's this way."
And the two of them went further into the cave.
