Disclaimer: Don't own. Full OC credits below.

Chapter Two: The Wave of Power

-Dewford Town-

"Come on, Brawly," Dina whined, hurrying to catch up with the older man. She had challenged him to a battle as soon as she had returned from her wild excursion, me tailing her helplessly as she rambled about how she was going to be the best trainer in history. Her short lived dreams were crushed when the Dewford Gym Leader flat out denied a battle. "Can you really look me in the eye – me, your practically best friend since forever – and say no?"

"You're just a tiny ripple in a sea of whirlpools," Brawly said, walking faster, unaware that if he sped up, so would Dina, forcing me to practically run after them. "You've just begun riding your wave and haven't gotten your feet under you."

Dina took the deep breath signaling the start of her rant. "But Mom and Dad said I could go on my own journey as long as Fin is with me, and I manage to beat you, and you can't say no because that's against the rules, and I've known you ever since I was really, really small, and you're a nice guy, and please, Brawly, I've lived for this moment! You can't say no!"

Brawly sighed, shaking his head. "Even if you could beat me, you still wouldn't because my Gym rules dictate a two-on-two battle, and I'm not even going to bend them for you, wave-ling."

Immediately, Dina turned away from grabbing at his arms and jumped at me. "Oh, please, Brother, tell him that he has to accept my challenge because I will die if I can't go on this journey. You've seen how Wae was out there! He was amazing. I know I can win this; make Brawly say yes!"

She jumped up and down, stomping on my toes quite a number of times before I clamped my palms on her shoulders. "Dina, settle down."

She settled down, gazing into my eyes firmly. We remained like this for a minute or two, with Brawly waiting awkwardly until we were done having our wordless dispute.

Naturally, I caved in and handed her Mawile's Pokéball. "Have at it, squirt."

"Yes, I love you oh so much, Brother. You're so amazing; you've got to be the nicest person ever!"

Brawly gawked at me. "Fin, you let her beat you? Did you crash in the three years you were missing? You can't let her do this."

I hung my head low sulkily. "I didn't go missing. I was just aimlessly wandering. And you seriously don't know how soft she can make her eyes go."

"Well," Brawly said slyly. "If she goes on her journey, you'll have to tag along. You won't have a bed, you might have to face trainers you've met before, you might end up begging for food on the streets..."

Darn, he got me. I hadn't thought of that before, but as soon as I realized what the start of Dina's adventures meant for me, I panicked. "Wait a minute, Dina, I've changed my mind. I want Mawile back!"

My sister gave her weird cackle that she used whenever she's outdone me at something and ran away, holding Mawile in front of her. "You can't catch me! Brawly has to battle me!"

The mentioned Gym Leader merely winced away. "Well, Makuhita, buddy," he said to his Pokéball. "Looks like we actually will have to renovate the gym. Probably because it's likely not to be there anymore after today."

I could have sworn the Pokéball bobbed sympathetically.

XXX

-Dewford Gym-

The gym was comfortingly familiar. When I was younger, I had practically lived inside these shiny stone barriers. Dina, following my example, had done so even more, especially after I had left for my journey.

Both of us, and Brawly, were greeted by the blunt steely walls, the drab cemented flooring, the jagged boulders that emerged from the surface of the thin, rectangular stream that marked the battlefield. Home, was my immediate thought. I laughed, but I didn't know why.

"This is a battle between Gym Leader Brawly of Dewford," announced the judge, a young man whom I knew as Eric, "and Darlah—"

"Dina," snarled Dina.

"—Commons of...also, Dewford Town. Each trainer may use two Pokémon, and the match is ongoing until one trainer has no usable Pokémon left or until lunch break. Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon and—oh, screw this. None of you are listening to me anyways, and even if you were, Gym Leader has already heard it a billion times and Dina, you wouldn't care! This isn't even a formal battle. Why am I here? I'm not paid enough to work overtime..."

"So those are the rules," drawled Brawly, not listening. "Let's ride, Makuhita. Preferably not too big of a wave though, please and thank you."

The Makuhita popped out, and because I sat on Brawly's side of the gym, I scooted back. Bad Granite Cave memories...

"What?" Dina cried. "You think because I just started out that you won't have to go all out to beat me? How dare you."

Brawly replied, "No, I just think that I won't have to go all out on this Wae you're bragging about. That you will obviously send out first."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do."

Dina glared at him, smoke practically rising from her ears. "Oh yeah? Wae, go wipe that smirk off his face!"

The blue haired Gym Leader turned to catch my eye. We both grimaced, a common reaction to everything Dina did. "I have no comment for this."

"She's so not my sister," I groaned. "She's my parents' daughter, nothing more."

"Shut up, Brawly," said Dina, pointedly ignoring me. "Give 'im something to complain about; Rollout, Wae!"

"Focus Energy!" bellowed Brawly.

The blue ball jumped, accelerating in the air, before descending upon the Makuhita. Brawly's Pokémon stared at the approaching Wailmer, readying his fighting stance. They collided, the yellow Fighting Pokémon extending his arms to catch his opponent. Wae pushed, wearing away at the flooring beneath him, dislodging chucks of pavement and spraying them through the air. Makuhita was forced back despite his straining to maintain his ground.

"Alright, good work," said Brawly. "Now, use Vital Throw."

"Water Pulse!" countered Dina. "Knock him out!"

The Makuhita struggled to put a fist beneath the whale. Managing to place a firm grip on Wae's underbelly, he pulled upward with all his strength, just in time to catch a torrent of water with his face. Water Pulse sent Wae flying without Makuhita's efforts, and although it was a direct hit, Makuhita shrugged the damage off.

"Dina, you know better than to try a Water attack. We live in water; breathe it. It's our ally. Don't even try to turn it against us," Brawly smirked.

My sister whined, "Aw, no fair. I grew up here too. Why don't I get any cool advantages? Being the challenger sucks!"

"Give up?" I sat up straighter, hopeful.

Dina took her eyes off of the battle for a brief moment to stare at me. Then she laughed.

"N-n-not a ch-chance..." she giggled, wiping tears from her eyes. I looked away, cursing the feeling of foolishness that only a sibling could induce.

"Don't get distracted, wave-ling!" warned Brawly. "Tsunami time! Overcome them with the terror of your Force Palm, Makuhita."

He grinned in unison with his Pokémon, throwing a punch in the air as Makuhita drew a hand back, summoning a writhing plethora of raw energy.

"Water Pulse!" demanded Dina. I was beginning to wonder if she really knew any of her Pokémon's other moves.

Brawly thought so too. He taunted her, "That isn't going to work! A wave can try to tackle the cliff as much as it cares to, but it will always break against the rocky walls!"

A pulsing lash of Force Palm sliced through the air, towards Wae. The Wailmer inhaled, squeezed his eyes shut, and released a laser of water. I ducked down to avoid being drenched for the second time that day as the water went wild. Makuhita's boomerang of condensed power cut through the attack like butter, landing a fatal strike on Wae's stomach. My attempts at preserving my attire ended up futile. The remnants of the Wailmer's retaliation submitted to gravity, forming a shallow pool on the ground as well as nesting in my clothes.

I flinched as Wae hit the ground, dazed and battered and entirely unfit to conti—

"Wae is unable to continue battling. Leader wins." Eric checked his watch. "Raticates, a whole 'nother hour before we can break for lunch."

"No fair!" shouted Dina. "You cheater. There's no way that a Force Palm could overpower a Water Pulse."

"You forget that one masters a wave, not by power, but by experience," explained Brawly, somehow without really explaining anything.

Dina shrugged. "Unless that one is one in a million. You know, like me," she added, bragging. "It's not every beginner who gets to use a super-duper cool and strong Pokémon who's already been to the Ever Grande Conference! Me and my Mawile'll destroy you."

"H-hey," I shouted in indignation, "that's my Mawile!"

"My Mawile," called out Dina with unneeded volume, "let's win this!"

Mawile flipped through the air, landing daintily on her toes. Her second mouth gnashed its teeth together hungrily, dancing with vigor. Small bruises still spotted her back, but Mawile seemed not to feel them as she toed around, splashing in puddles.

Brawly observed Mawile's antics with slight hesitation. "She's grown, Fin. The last time I saw your Mawile...I lost. But my Makuhita is a recent addition to my team, giving me the advantage. I know Mawile's capabilities, but Dina, Mawile, you do not know mine. Makuhita, Arm Thrust!"

"Mawhile, do whatever you usually do when someone is Arm Thrusting you!" commanded Dina not-so-expertly.

Mawile looked at me, rolled her eyes, and flounced forward. She met Makuhita's flailing punches with her second mouth, ironed over with steely Iron Defense. As the Fighting Pokémon searched for a weak point, I saw both mouths crack open, recognizing the familiar gesture as a Sweet Scent. I felt satisfaction in my knowledge as Makuhita sniffed the air, his eyes vacanting, his head lifting as if drawn away with strings.

Mawile took the first chance, extending her maw to its widest, clamping down on her entranced opponent, and slamming him into the moist, splintered floor. When she released him, Makuhita did not rise.

"Makuhita is no longer able to battle. The challenger – or rather, Mawile, as Dina didn't do a darned thing – wins," announced Eric unnecessarily.

"I totally did too! I called her out!" retorted Dina. "Good job, Mawile. Of course, some day, Wae'll be just as good as you, so maybe then I'll return you to Fin."

Mawile smiled her prettiest scary smile, but I shot to my feet. "No way, Dina, you're returning Mawile this instant. This instant, you hear?"

"Lalala, I think I hear a Beedrill buzzing. Funny, I thought they weren't native to Hoenn."

"Darlah Beatricia Commons," I threatened, to no avail.

Brawly sighed, rubbing his temples. "I think your waves have washed away and left you stranded, my friends. Alright then, I've trained Machop for this rematch, Mawile. I present you my strongest typhoon; go forth, Machoke!"

Dina stared at the summoned Pokémon, taking in his kneeling form, the rippling muscles under the smooth, unmarred flesh. "W-wait a minute, Brawly," she said nervously, "what happened to not going all out?"

"I've been waiting far too long, wave-ling, to let this pass." He glanced at me. "Though, you weren't the foe I had in mind, Mawile is Mawile. I suppose I can let Fin's honor rest on your shoulders."

"Woah, wait, what?" I stammered. "What honor? I mean, not that I have no honor, I just meant that there's no way that defeating Dina equates to winning against me. Seriously, Brawly, you were joking, right?"

He didn't answer. I sank to my seat, feeling my heart plummet along with me.

"Don't worry, Bro," stated Dina with false sincerity. "I won't let you down." The gleam in her eye contradicted that, reading something along the lines of, "Ha! Win-win situation for me: if I defeat him, I get a badge. If I lose...Fin loses too!"

"Go, Mawile. Um, Bite him. Or something. You know, improvise if you have to." Dina shifted, pulling off a nonchalant look. I felt my hope dwindle along with her fading seriousness.

Brawly shook his head. "Nuh-uh, ain't working. You don't think that I wouldn't plan for a Mawile's Bite, huh? Bite is the first thing that comes in mind when one hears the name 'Mawile.' Cross Chop, followed by Revenge!"

Mawile leapt, widening her death trap once more. The crooked jaws clamped over the left forearm of Machoke's crossed arms, and Mawile reflexively clenched and unclenched them. Machoke gave a moan of discomfort, staring at her small form with red beady eyes. Then, emitting a strange gray haze, he roared and flung out both limbs. Mawile wailed, skidding to a stop on the floor after being thrown off her prey.

"C'mon, get up, I know you can do this," said Dina, pleading.

Mawile looked at Dina and sniffed, crossing her arms, refusing to budge. Brawly gave a wry grin. "Easy win for me, then. Sorry, Dina, Fin."

At my name, I looked up. Several strings of words ran through my head along with the possible actions that Dina could take. None of them were strategies that Dina could ever think up on the spot.

"This is probably against the rules," I muttered to myself, "but I'll just blame Eric since he chose not to say all of them. That's it, I'll feign ignorance. And forgetfulness."

I searched my short pockets, my hand repeatedly snagging against the damp cloth. In my furious haste, I heard Brawly shout out, "Alright, let's mop this up. Submission."

Where was it? My fingers groped at something small, smooth, and round. Jackpot, I mouthed as I fumbled to withdraw it.

Machoke strode steadily over to the pouting Mawile, grinning sadistically, tasting victory on the tip of his fingertips. That overconfidence I was glad for, as it no doubtedly was Machoke's downfall.

"Catch, Mawile," I cried, tossing the Occa Berry at her.

A bribe made all the difference, I witnessed, as her second mouth perked up, her face brightened, and fight reentered her eyes. Dina looked at my peculiarly.

"You have this in the bag," I said, my gaze not leaving the energized Mawile. "Promise."

"Thanks, Bro. Next time, you won't have to save me. Promise," she returned with a grin. "Now, to pull this wave in and tame it, Mawile! Crush him!"

Mawile rose to her feet, mirroring Dina's smile with her own feral smirk. Machoke dived; Mawile ducked away, sending a Sucker Punch at the Machoke's feet. He tripped, and Mawile feinted a Tackle, before disappearing altogether. Brawly saw her before I did, yelling out, "Machoke, behind you!"

Machoke took the exclamation as a chance to free-style, sending an unrequested Karate Chop towards his blind side. His hand clashed together with an Iron Defense as Mawile rammed into his back with Faint Attack.

Now locked in close combat, Mawile grabbed Machoke's hand in a Vice Grip. The gray Pokémon struck back with Low Kick. Mawile's knees buckled as Machoke struck a soft spot, and Mawile's decline in height forced Machoke to a kneel.

"Hit him! Hit him hard!" Dina cheered.

"Seismic Toss," ordered Brawly.

Machoke grappled with Mawile, trying to hold her. Mawile kicked, flailed, and bit, but her opponent was bigger and physically stronger. She was lifted by sturdy, relentless arms.

"He's open! Hit him now!" screamed Dina. I bit my tongue to prevent myself from catching her contagious enthusiasm.

Mawile gave another dainty smile, ill befitting her frightening figure. Her second mouth came loose, rose in the air, and bit down on Machoke's head. A firm Crunch allowed Mawile to use her grip as leverage to pull herself out of the Seismic Toss, flipping over and landing behind Machoke. Before he could turn around, Mawile had Iron Headed him, and he was lying on the ground.

"Drowned and flushed away," Brawly exclaimed, returning his fallen Pokémon. "I failed to realize that as Machoke's strength grew, so did Mawile's."

Dina stood still, with such a goofy grin plastered to her face that I didn't have the heart to tell her that Brawly just didn't want to admit that he hadn't thought her capable of commanding Mawile to her full ability. Revising my thoughts, I remembered that Dina hadn't actually commanded anything.

"I win, I win, I win, I win, I win, I win," she squealed as the past battle finally imprinted on her memory. "I win, I win, I win, I win, I win!"

I couldn't resist a smile, but Brawly caught it.

"You forget, Fin, that since she won, she's dragging you around the region now. Cold nights, no money, going hungry."

Well, he certainly knew how to dampen the mood.

XXX

-Route 105-

We set sail immediately after Dina's not-tearful farewell mini-party. Our parents joked about finally being rid of both of us, which Dina took lightheartedly. I moped around for a while before being dragged out to the beach. Brawly slapped me on the back, all grins, and wished me the best. I laughed with him and then discreetly stomped on his foot.

"Brother, isn't this the best? Good old brother-sister quality time, staring out into the clear, clear water..." Dina murmured gently.

"While sitting on a dancing whale," I finished for her, feeling nauseated. Wae shifted a bit to torture me.

"Well, on the bright side, it's beautiful. I can't wait until we get there!"

"Me neither. I need some firm ground on my feet, now," I grunted, trying to find a comfortable position to lie down in.

Dina curled up next to me. "So, where exactly is 'there'?"

I inhaled slowly. Count to ten and back again, I told myself. "Petalburg, provided this Wailmer knows where he's going."

"Of course he does," said Dina sweetly, though her attempts at soothing only served to fan the flames of my fears.

We drifted some more in some unknown direction. I only knew that we were headed away from Dewford, away from home, and away from safety. I closed my eyes and nodded off as Wae bobbed some more towards a place that I hoped was civilized. I imagined a soft, cushy bed and a warm dinner.

I didn't see the boat sailing a little ways away from us. A scrawny girl sat perched on the railing, not the least bit worried about falling. She wore a headband with large feathery wings glued to the top. Her face was delicate and confident, her posture better-than-you.

An old man hobbled out from behind her, a Wingull nested in his shoulder. "Ah, Miss Aisha, the old engine just doesn't want to work with me today. It seems we'll be moving at a much slower pace than anticipated. I apologize for the inconvenience, and even after all you've done for Peeko and me!"

"It is naught to fret over, Mr. Briney," said the girl, peering out into the sea. "Take as long as you fancy. In fact, I believe I have already located the individual I set out to find."

"Oh, really?" chuckled Mr. Briney. "Good for you! We'll be in Petalburg by tomorrow, I promise."

He left her alone on the deck, but Aisha didn't show signs of noticing. She stared out at the drifting Wailmer and the two figures atop it.

"This promises to be fascinating," she murmured, delighted. "That woman who informed me of the Commons...well, this is most probably a trap. I predict that it will be satisfying to play along, at least for a while."

Her mouth twisted into something resembling a smile, her chestnut hair falling over her eyes to give her a ghastly appearance. To herself, she began to hum a tune. The sad melody reached out over the water, falling only on the ears of the rocks isolated in the ocean.

XXX

-Route 105-

Tabitha was alone, this time. The mistress had left, off to go carry out some harebrained scheme of hers. Tabitha didn't understand her sometimes, but he felt he didn't need to. He had his orders, and he followed them solely out of respect. A direction to head towards, and motivation to get going. What more could he need?

The submarine he was using was stolen property, of course. A large MAGMA insignia was painted on the side. There would be no one coming to retrieve it, Tabitha knew, since Team Magma had disbanded years ago. As an ex-commander, he had been in the perfect position to locate one of the subs. Now, he put it to good use, tailing the Commons children.

The mistress saw potential in the girl, Dina. There was an elaborate master plot planned out to capture her and use her, and both Tabitha and the mistress knew it would succeed this time.

The previous two attempts to carry out the Apocalypse Project were unsuccessful for two reasons: first, interference from that pompous pink-haired nuisance, and second, Fin Commons' incompetence.

This time, both would be incapacitated. Success was inevitable. Tabitha spat on the floor, narrowing his eyes as he squinted into the binoculars. Yes…

This time, they would bring the end of the world.

-stretches- I'm hoping to get to the good parts soon. Not that, of course, I have any idea what 'the good parts' entail. Ah, well. The craziness is just beginning, so stay tuned~ ;)

To clear it up, Dina's real name is 'Darlah.' She just goes by Dina, so don't go thinking that they messed up her name or anything.

Drop a review, and I'll love you forever.

Credits

Aisha belongs to Jigglypuff's Pillow

My beta was iflip4dolphins

Brawly, Mr. Briney, Tabitha, and Pokémon belong to Nintendo

Fin, Dina, the mentioned mistress and the pink-haired nuisance towards the end belong to me