Scene 2: Back to the Start
It's been more than 3years since Kari made a visit to the Pewter City Gym. She thinks back to the day she met Brock and the rest of his siblings… They had been so kind to her. They fed her and cared for her as if she was apart of their family. Then the next day she took on Brock in an official Gym Battle. He had made the mistake in underestimating her back then, but even at a young age Brock seemed to recognize Kari's potential as a powerful Trainer.
Kari smiled. She looked up at the tall rock shaped building. She turns to look at Eevee, "Guess we should say 'hi,' huh?" Eevee nods. She walks straight up to the door, leaning her bike against the wall. She's about to knock when someone calls out to her. Kari turns to see a younger boy running her way. He had similar features to her friend, Brock, though he was smaller. The same eyes, hair, smile… He stopped just in front of her, catching his breath. He looks up, a smile on his face, "It's been so long!" Kari blinks, "I'm sorry, but do I know you..?"
The boy looks a bit defeated. He points at his face as if trying to trigger an old memory in her brain, "You seriously don't remember me?" They stare at each other for a long minute. Silent. Then it clicks.
Kari gasps, pointing at him, "Forrest!" He nods vigorously, "Yep! That's me!" Kari is now looking at him with new eyes. She measures herself compared to him, "You sure have grown..!" Forrest laughs. He blushes, a little embarrassed, "Well, yeah! The last time you were here I was just a kid!" She leans in tauntingly, "Oh, yeah..? You still look like a kid to me..!" He gives her a look, pouting, "I'm the same age as you were when you started on a journey, you know!"
[ "That's right." ] She smiles. Forrest wasn't the first kid that had taken her story as inspiration for themselves. According to Yaxley, several kids were now speaking out about wanting to go off on journeys and become professional Trainers, just as she had…
Kari reaches out and scruffs up his hair. She laughs, "Just because you're older doesn't mean you're mature enough to take on a pro like me…" She knows just how to push his buttons. Forrest steps forward, "Oh yeah!? I can show you how good I've gotten! Let's have a battle." Kari raises an eyebrow, "Brock won't get mad at us for using the Gym, will he?" Kari's statement seems to remind him of something. He freaks, "Ah! That's right! I have to hurry back!" Forrest runs around Kari and pummels through the Gym entrance. Completely perplexed, Kari follows after him.
Kari watches from the door as Forrest scrambles about, as if looking for something. He's ducking in and out of the bleachers overhead and looking in between each and every nook and cranny. Kari tries to ask questions. As he runs about Forrest explains, "Suzie forgot her dolly here earlier, so now she's throwing a fit! If I don't find it soon, Dad's gonna have problems!" Now Kari's really confused. She looks at Eevee then back up to Forrest, "Wait. Did you just say 'Dad'?" Forrest pops his head out of the last seat, triumphantly, "Found it!"
Forrest runs back down the stairs, grabs ahold of Kari's arm, and drags her off… Not much has changed since the last time she visited, that's for sure…
Kari and Forrest arrive at their house. He opens the doors to a tumultuous sound of applause. Suzie comes running from the back room to claim her dolly. The others have gathered around their big brother, excitedly. Kari giggles. They all really love each other. [ "I wonder if this is how all siblings are to each other…" ]
"Well, well, well, who's this we got here? A visitor?" Kari looks up to see an older man wearing a pair of jeans and a yellow shirt. He sure does look a lot like Brock. The other kids hadn't noticed her presence until that moment. The youngest, Tilly, runs right up to her and smiles. he hic-coughs a cute little giggle, "Kah-ree..!" There's a sudden rush to get to her. They remember her, now! The kids ask if she'll be staying the night- will she be eating dinner with them- or maybe they could play together..?
The older man steps up to them all. Unlike the others he has yet to meet this interesting girl, though she looks familiar. Forrest steps forward in between the two of them, "Dad, this is Kari. The Kari- PokéIdol, Extraordinaire!" He gestures, "And Kari? This is our Dad." The man offers his hand to the girl, "You can just call me Flint." Kari does her best to shake his hand as the little twins, Billy and Tilly make to pull her away. Before she can really say much more, Kari is dragged off by the younger kids. Whether she wanted to stay and play, or not, she didn't seem to have a choice in the matter…
As they all sit together for dinner Flint and Forrest tell Kari about Brock's decision to leave on a journey of his own. Kari nearly drops her fork back onto her plate of pasta, "You mean, Brock is gone..?" Flint nods. He takes a chug of his drink, "He's gone off to begin a journey of self-discovery. And I'm sure he'll become a fine man when he finally decides to return..!" As Flint continues to speak, bragging about his oldest, Kari looks down at her plate.
She had been hoping to see Brock. She smiles, thinking back… He may have underestimated her as a young Trainer, but even in the end he took his loss with kindness and respect… He had been one of her first friends when she began a journey all those years ago.
Forrest looks up and notices the sad look in her eyes. He pokes his father, "Did you know that Kari is a League Champion?" She looks up at the comment, her face a tinge of pink. Flint, having been living under a rock all these years (almost literally), didn't know much about this girl. He was certain he had seen her face somewhere before, perhaps on TV? He sits forward, "A Champion, huh? Is that right?" Forrest nods, "Yup! She came here a long time ago and challenged Big Brother to a battle. She beat him." The others pipe into the conversation, inserting their own recollections of that day all those years ago.
Kari fidgets, "It wasn't a big deal, or anything, really." Flint looks at her a little differently now. He takes another drink, emptying the cup. He sets it down, looking straight at Kari now, "Well, if you're really that good, how 'bout a battle?" Kari sits up a little straighter. Was he serious? Forrest is looking between the two of them. He smiles, "Ever since Brock left for his journey, Dad's been in charge of the Gym. He's pretty good." Flint messes up his son's hair, "You're just saying that." He chuckles, "But I've gotta be good… for their sakes." He smiles at Forrest, "I need to set a better example now that I've come home, that's for sure." Kari looked between the father and son duo. She wondered what he meant by that…
"Alrighty then, I'll do it." Forrest, Flint, and all the rest seemed a bit surprised that she answered. Kari was, well, Kari… A celebrity..! Forrest's smile grew wider, "Wow, Dad! Did you hear that? Kari said that she'll battle against you!" Flint laughs boisterously, "Guess that means I'll have to be careful so as not to ruin my reputation!" He suddenly stops laughing and looks at Kari straight in the eyes, "But Forrest was right, you know…" Kari blinks. Flint gives a smile, "Who do you think taught Brock all that he knows? Before he took over I was the Gym Leader here. I'll be glad to show you my power, Kari, but it won't be easy."
Kari gives a grin. It's been a while since she's had the chance to enjoy a battle challenge like this. This feeling… She lived for it…
Yolanda, the next oldest of the siblings after Forrest, leads the rest of the family up into the viewing stands. Forrest decides to stand on the sidelines as the match's ref while Kari and Flint prepare themselves on the battlefield. Forrest looks between the two of them, "This will be a two-on-two Pokémon Battle! The winner is determined when one Trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle!" Kari pulls out two Pokéballs, ready. She gives them a toss. She has a Sunkern and her Shiny Chimchar. Tilly and Billy are smiling at the two Pokémon, "How cuuute!"
Forrest clears his throat, "Uhm, Kari? The match hasn't even started, what are you doing?" She laughs, "Oh, sorry! Guess I was just excited." She looks across at her opponent, "But it's not a problem. These are the Pokémon I plan on using in the match anyways." It's Flint's turn to laugh, "I can understand being excited, but it seems to me that you might be underestimating me and my Pokémon."
Kari gives Flint a blank stare, blinking, "Not at all." She shrugs, "Quite the opposite, in fact! I'm just really confident in my team & I just know these two have been itching for a good fight." Forrest looks back between the two of them. He gets a nod of approval from his father.
"In that case, since both Trainers are ok with the arrangements…" He gestures to Flint who calls out his first Pokémon: a Shuckle. Kari looks at her sweet little Sunkern, "You ready for a battle?" She hops forward and the match begins!
Immediately Shuckle disappears into its shell and starts spinning. It's Rollout Attack slamming straight into Sunkern and sending her flying. Kari smiles, glancing across to where Flint is standing on the other side, "I see we waste no time." She calls up to Sunkern as she begins to fall, "Spin and use Seed Bomb!" Flint is stunned by Kari's and Sunkern's Contest Battling Style. The attack puts a stop to Shuckle's spinning and starts to push it back.
"Quick! Counter with Rock Throw!" Shuckle shakes off the attack and dashes forward at spinning-top speed. It pops out of its shell just as Sunkern lands back onto the battlefield. The field shakes as Shuckle slams into the ground and sends up a flurry of rocks towards Sunkern.
"Dodge it!" Sunkern dances around, barely missing the brunt of the attack. But before they can recover, "Rollout, once more!" Sunkern is thrown again. She lands in front of Kari. As she watches her friend struggle to get back up Kari looks across at her opponents, [ "Not bad… They're definitely a lot tougher than I thought they might be." ]
She remembers challenging Brock for the very first time- she had barely won that match. She stops to take a breath. Kari opens her eyes and smiles, "But that was a long time ago now… And I'm a completely different Trainer now..!" Sunkern shakes herself. She's ready.
"Use Sunny Day!" The harsh lights coming from the windows become more harsh. Up in the stands, Salvadore (third oldest of the boys) shields his eyes, "So bright."
Forrest has been watching both sides of the battle closely. [ "Dad's been a Gym Leader for a very long time, so no wonder he's got Kari on the ropes right now, but… even if it looks like he has the advantage…" ] He can see the glint in Kari's eyes. Her Chimchar is bouncing around on the ground beside her, Eevee cheering along. [ "She's a League Champion. There's no way she's going down without a fight." ] He looks back at his father and speaks quietly to himself, "Be careful, Dad…"
Flint is smiling. He's heard the rumors of this girl who's supposed to be so tough, but he was still more experienced, that's for sure. She may have caught him off-guard a few times, but he couldn't lose. He looks over to where his kids are watching and to where Forrest is playing as referee. [ "I can't let them down. Not after I just started earning my respect back..!" ] He remembers sitting at home around the table with his family. The look on Brock's face when he suddenly resurfaced some time ago. Flint shakes his head, "No. I will make my family proud!"
"It's time to finish this! Use Shell Smash!" Shuckle's body begins to glow as it launches itself forward for the next attack. Kari's surprised with this daring move.
"Now, Sticky Web!" Sunkern is caught, "Oh no!" Kari and the others gasp. Flint and his Shuckle are in perfect sync- they're moving so quickly! Shuckle begins its move before the command is even given, "Now use Rollout again!" Sunkern goes flying.
Flint gives a smirk, "Nowhere to run. Use Rock Throw." Shuckle prepares for the attack as Sunkern's body starts to fall. She may be trapped in the webbing, but that doesn't mean they can't still fight back.
For better aim Shuckle goes just below Sunkern. There are rocks in its tentacles and they're ready to send them flying, but Kari's got a trick up her sleeve.
"Do it, Sunkern!" As she's falling Sunkern takes aim. A powerful Solar Beam hits Shuckle straight on, creating a crater in the battlefield. Flint is shocked. He wasn't expecting such a little Pokémon to have such a powerful move. As he and Forrest look at the field they can barely make out Shuckle in the dust. It isn't moving, "Shuckle is unable to battle! The victory goes to Sunkern!" She hops on over to where Kari and the others are celebrating.
"Aw, Daddy lost..!" Suzie looks over at Yolanda. Tommy (the 4th son of the family) tilts his head to one side, "I guess Kari really is the strongest Trainer alive, huh?" Suzie nods, "That's what the TV lady said." Flint's shoulders are trembling. He can hear them talking up there. He still can't believe he couldn't beat that little girl. He pulls out his next Pokéball and throws it.
The Golem stomps its feet on the field. Kari and Forrest are surprised to see how fast Flint was willing to move on. Kari pulls off the rest of the webbing covering Sunkern and looks over at Chimchar, "You ready to go on?" He slams his fists and stomps his feet. Chim! Chim-char! He's more than ready for such a tough opponent!
Flint takes a moment to collect himself. Forrest watches as his father gathers his composure- he's never seen him be pushed this hard. [ "Sure, he's lost to Trainers in the past, but he's always given them a run-for-their-money."] He turns to where Kari and Chimchar are standing and smiles. [ "He's never faced someone like her. Come on, Dad! I know you can do it!" ]
The battle moves quickly: Golem, like Shuckle, goes straight into an onslaught of Rollout Attacks, but Chimchar's much more limber than Sunkern. He jumps and dodges easily, laughing the entire time. Forrest clenched his fists. He didn't like the easy-going nature of this Pokémon, "Does it think this is a game, or something?" He looks over at his father thinking he must be upset about it, too, but was shocked. Flint was smiling, laughing a bit to himself, even.
"Man, am I really that rusty?" He scratches his head, "I thought that girl and her Sunkern were one thing, but this little Chimchar isn't even fazed by our attacks." He gives a chuckle, smiling, "Then I guess that just means we have to fight even harder, aye, Golem?" Grar!
"Well, it's about time!" Kari gives him a look, "And we'll be sure to do the same! Chimchar, use Double Team!" Multiples of the little Pokémon appear. But a simple move like that wasn't going to bother them. Flint looks at his partner, "You know what to do."
Golem jumps up high and slams into the ground using a powerful Magnitude and demolishing the entire field. All of the copies disappear upon impact and Chimchar is thrown by the attack. It's super effective! Chimchar gets back to his feet a little wobbly. Kari looks him over, "Are you alright?" He nods. She sees the destruction of the field and gulps. Her eyes land on Golem and Flint, "Such power."
"Now let's keep going! Use Rollout again!" Somehow faster than before, Golem is now on top of them, "Quick! Dodge!" Last minute, Chimchar jumps. But he doesn't get too far..!
Chaaarrrrrr~! Having accidentally landed on top of the moving Golem, Chimchar struggles to keep his feet moving at top-speed. Eevee and Sunkern look at each other. Kari makes a face, "W-what are you doing, Chimchar?" The kids are all laughing at the top. Forrest looks over at his father, "This is his chance-! HUH?" Flint was laughing, too!
Kari's shoulders slump, "Great. Now how are we supposed to get out of this one?" But something on the battle field catches her attention… maybe…
"Chimchar! I need you to focus, now, ok?" He looks over at her, his feet moving like crazy still. She calls out to him, "I want you to bump it up a notch- use Flame Wheel!" Now he was really confused… Use an attack while standing on top of Golem? But when he gives Kari a look she just smiles. Kari gives him a reassuring thumbs-up.
Chimchar shrugs. His body erupts in flames as he starts to spin, too. It's Chimchar's Flame Wheel still on top of Golem's Rollout. Even Flint is impressed, "I have no idea what she's up to, but it certainly looks exciting..! Guess I can't let her show me up!" He calls to Golem, "Let's go out in style, old friend!" Golem knows exactly what to do.
Golem starts to build up the energy as he continues to move. Flint nods, "That's it… We may lose, but we're going out on our own terms. One way or —!"
Suddenly, Golem slams into something, catapulting the two Pokémon into the air. A jagged rock spire created when Golem tore up the battlefield. They're flying! Flint can still see that Golem's body is blinking- he's almost ready- but with the two Pokémon thrown off-course, they've been separated! Golem and Chimchar fall out of their spinning attacks, as if in slow-motion, facing one another. Golem seems just as surprised as Flint, but not Chimchar. He and Kari are smiling, "Now, Chimchar! Use Brick Break!" He gives a spin midair and attacks with a swift chop! Golem slams into the ground and explodes!
Kari is thrown back onto her bum, Chimchar landing beside her. Yolanda and Salvadore hold onto the little ones so they don't flying. Forrest barely manages to hold his ground, though he's still shocked at the outcome. Kari coughs up some dirt, her eyes wide. She looks over at Chimchar, "Jeeze… That sure was one powerful hit..!" Char..?
Flint can be heard laughing through all the dust in the air. He walks onto the battlefield, "That wasn't your attack. No, no… Seems like my plan backfired." He stops at the edge of the crater and looks down to where Golem is lying unconscious. He looks over at Kari, "I had hoped to take you out with me, but…" He shrugs, "Looks like you were two steps ahead of me the whole time." She blinks, thinking back…
"You used Self-Destruct, didn't you?" Forrest looks at his father who nods.
"That's right. But Kari already had control of the show." He holds out a hand to help her up, "You were maneuvering us the entire time, weren't you?" She takes his hand and stands, "Well, I knew I had to get Golem to stop moving somehow." Flint didn't realize at the time, but she was pulling the strings that entire battle.
"Well, son?" Flint looks over at Forrest. Flint smiles, "Make the call." Forrest understands. He throws his hand into the air, "Golem is unable to battle! Chimchar wins! The match goes to Kari, the Challenger!" Flint shakes her hand as the kids all stand and cheer from above.
...
Flint chugs his drink quickly at the dinner table. Everyone is enjoying a dinner whipped up by Forrest and Yolanda in honor of their battle. They're all in high spirits, still talking about the exciting match. Kari has her Pokémon out running around in the open yard. Abra suddenly appears and scares Sunkern who comes hopping up the porch, landing in Kari's lap. She laughs and pats her, trying to calm her down.
Flint stands and disappears for a moment, talking as he does so, "You know, I was surprised by your power. And not just yours, Kari, but your Pokémon's as well. Goes to show you that size doesn't matter if you have a strong will to battle… but it doesn't hurt either…" He leaves the room for a moment and returns with a box. He sits beside Kari.
"I found this awhile back when I was traveling." He opens the box to reveal a Sun Stone. The kids all crowd around to look. Flint smiles, "It's great to be strong, but you can still be even stronger." Kari looks down at the shining rock. She knows that he's talking about her Pokémon and the fact that Sunkern could evolve, but… some part of her felt that he was talking about her, too…
She reaches in and takes the Sun Stone. Sun? The other Pokémon come running in to check what's going on. Kari looks down at the little Sunkern. They've been traveling for a long while now and not once did she really think about evolving her, but…
"It's your choice, you know. So what do you say?" Sunkern looks at Kari then at the stone. After a moment, she makes her decision. Sunkern smiles and leaps forward, touching the Sun Stone. Her body begins to glow.
The little ones are watching with their mouths open as they witness Sunkern's evolution into a Sunflora. Billy and Tilly push their way forward wanting to hug her, the others are talking rapidly with excitement. The Pokémon go to congratulate their friend on her evolution. Forrest is watching the scene with a strange look on his face. Kari notices.
"You know, Evolution isn't just for Pokémon." Forrest looks up, catching her eye. She smiles back, "People can evolve, too. It just takes time." Though embarrassed, Forrest returns her smile. Flint doesn't say it out loud but he certainly appreciates the confidence Kari seems to be giving his son. He sighs, smiling to himself. [ "Brock… I'm sure you'd be proud if you saw your brother right about now…" ]
The next day the little ones are almost in tears as they say goodbye to Kari. She gives them all hugs, "Don't worry! I'll come back to play real soon!" Kari steps up to Forrest, ruffling his hair. She giggles, "And you need to hurry up and become a Certified Pokémon Trainer, already!" He cocks an eyebrow, "Huh? Why do you say that?" She smiles widely at him, her hands interlocked, resting over the back of her head, "So I can challenge the gym for a 3rd time and beat you!" Forrest starts blushing. [ "Me? The Pewter City Gym Leader..?" ]
A hand appears on his shoulder. Flint gives a hearty laugh, "Of course! But with my Training you bet that won't be an easy battle!" He peers down at his son, a look of pride in his eyes, "After all, being a rock-solid Trainer runs in the family!" He laughs again. Kari joins in along with the rest. She winks at Forrest before turning away, "That's a match I'm looking forward to."
Everyone says their final goodbyes and gives a wave as Kari turns her bike towards the edge of town, Eevee on her shoulder. She may not have been able to meet with her old friend, Brock, but the time she spent in Pewter City did remind her of one thing.
She thinks back to the look on Forrest's face... the faces of his brothers and sisters… To over three years ago, now, when she was full of innocent ambition and her dreams kept her going… She giggles to herself, "To think… There was once a time I was just like them…" She looks up into the clouds high above her, smiling. She wonders, "If it was there once, though, who's to say I can't find it again..?"
{{ Current Team: Eevee, Machoke, Sh. Chimchar, Sunkern - Sunflora, Abra, Jolteon }}
Move List
Eevee: Double-Edge, Dig, Shadow Ball, Hyper Beam
Sunkern: Giga Drain, Solar Beam, Sunny Day, Seed Bomb
Machop: Focus Energy, Low Sweep, Dual Chop, Brick Break
Abra: Teleport, Thief, Trick Room, Energy Ball
Sh. Chimchar: Scratch, Ember, Double Team, Flame Wheel
Jolteon: Thunder, Double Kick, Pin Missile, Double Team
Reading Legend:
Normal Story.
[Setting the Scene]
"Normal Speech"
Pokémon Speech
"Character/ Narration VO"
[ "Inner Monologue" ]
{{ Flashback }}
