Welcome to chapter three! Yeah it's been awhile but work has been boggling me down not to mention that I just moved into a new apartment!
Thanks to Riverlightillusion for catching my multitude of mistakes. This story would be a disaster if it weren't for them!
Onward to the story!
"What do you mean we can't stay here? This is a Pokémon center! You are required to give Pokémon Trainers a room at night!" Ellie snarled at the red-headed nurse whilst disregarding the judging looks from those pacing the lobby.
"I'm very sorry ma'am but Falkner has ordered us to not allow any trainers to stay overnight." Elise's brow furrowed at that. A Gym Leader held no jurisdiction over the Pokémon Centers. The rest of the town yes, but the friendly healing center was off-limits. Gym Leaders held responsibility for the state of their city and buildings but more importantly they were to protect their citizens from danger. Pokémon Centers were charitable organizations and were deemed off limits to any Leader by the Pokémon League representatives themselves.
She smacked the counter, toppling over the few pamphlets for what little tourists the town received. The only site worth seeing in town was Sprout Tower and even that wasn't great. It had been years since renovations had occurred within the other structures. Even the Pokémon School was close to ruin. She huffed, knowing full well that any further arguments would just have her thrown out of the building.
"Any ideas, guys? Cause quite frankly, I have none." The blank stares said enough. "What's another day in the woods…with the bugs…ugh…" Her groans amplified by the thought of Spinarak…conniving and icky Spinarak. She trembled, taking solace in the warmth secreted from Fenrir's fur.
"This is so unbecoming of a noble man, such as myself! I reside in nests made from the finest twigs! I will not deign to rest in the cold when better conditions are available! Shall I go back and pester that woman into submission?" Andor hovered, swatting wind gusts into Fenrir's face.
For Fenrir's part, he struggled, paw stretching outwards for the bird. "Let me go, Ellie! I'm going to throttle that bird-brain!" She stiffened her arm around his body, patting down his fluffed fur.
"Aren't you supposed to be a serious Pokémon? And don't you two start competing on who the strongest or best Pokémon is, okay? I don't want to clean up the mess from the destruction that we all know will ensue if you two fight."
Fenrir paused, staring at Andor before looking upwards at Ellie. "So what you're saying is…if we clean up our own mess or we don't destroy anything…then you don't mind?" Andor perched atop his head, bobbing his beak.
"Well said, hamster…for once. Very well, I accept your challenge though it's obvious who the winner is going to be...me of course!" He sang despite the protests of their trainer.
"What? No! Don't find loopholes in my words!" By then, they had already droned her out, lighthearted squabbling passing between the two.
"It chert beats a boring trip! Haha, it chert is going to be agate adventure, woah ho!" Halvar slapped her on the back, his chortles blocking the infighting. At least she could rely on Audun keeping in line. The gym, turned out to be the only building not in shambles. However, the glass doors reflected none of the activity inside.
Taped horribly on the panels, was a loose leaf piece of paper with chicken scratch sprawled over its lines. 'Gym closed, challenge in process.'
"What is he thinking? Has he really changed so much?" She punched the glass doors, hissing as her knuckles swelled while a methodical throb pushed against her skin.
"Do you know him, Ellie?" Audun's head poked out from her beret, his padded feet glued to the fabric.
She taped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, his father, the previous gym leader that is, and my father were quite good friends up until my father moved. We hung out almost every day we could…but I didn't think he was capable of something like this." Her gestures towards the ruins were unnoticed by the twitchy inhabitants. In a few years, archaeologists would be excavating this place just like the Ruins of Alph.
She pointed towards the strip of green escaping the desolate town. "There. We head south and train for a bit. When we return to town perhaps we can convince Falkner to give us a room…or something…it's better than waiting around here for hours upon hours."
It was like moving from a cemetery to a meadow of flowers. Hoppip drifted, sifting through the flora mindlessly. It wasn't seconds later that the herd pressed together,their leaves linking together like puzzle piecesGale swiveled, sending the flowers into a dance and the Hoppip above the treeline.
"Based on my calculations…it appears the average wind velocity needed to uplift Hoppip tallies up to be right around…38.6 kilometers per hour. How interesting and…" A small, yellow sheep murmured to himself while entranced by the hapless Hoppip trapped in the sky. "If the speed were to increase, I wonder how that would affect my research...maybe it will-"The sheep fell silent, finally noticing Ellie's appearance. "Oh dear…it seems I've been spotted. Ok, you're a Mareep, mother has trained you for this day since you started weaning. Just like mother said…" The Mareep waddled around, its back now towards Ellie. "Good, that was great! Now where was I?"
Elise looked between Fenrir and the others before cocking an eyebrow at the Pokémon. "You do know that we can still see you, right?" The sheep turned back, startled.
"Oh…oh this is not good. What would mother do…think…think…ah I know! I'll just close my eyes! Then she won't be there anymore!" Was this sheep as smart as first made himself out to be or was he really just as idiotic as he appeared to be now?
"Excuse me…what exactly are you doing?"
"It's speaking to me now…what would mother do…Human! I am enjoying learning about the flight pattern of Hoppip! Fear me and my intelligence you bipedal…person? Oh that fell flat, like a cold instrument…" Its voice boomed before decreasing to a mere whisper.
Why is it that every Pokémon she came across had to be so eccentric? "May I ask a favor of you?" The Mareep paused, its mouth slightly ajar.
"Well that would depend on the favor would it not, human?
Andor squawked, throwing himself at the yellow blob. "That is Lady Elise to you…you imbecile! Must everyone, besides Lady Elise and I, be utterly poor in taste and character. What plebians!" He snorted, pulling on the Mareep's fur. It shook its body, sending sparks emitted from friction. "I'm hit! Mayday! Hamster, catch me you fool!" Fenrir merely snickered, small puffs of smoke escaping his mouth.
"It's all right, you guys. I'm sure he meant no harm. As to my favor, how would you like to join our adventure? I'm going to become the Pokémon champion. You'd learn so much coming along." That sparked his interest.
"Learning, eh? It would be quite the journey…think of the things I'd learn! You strike a hard bargain, Miss Elise. Very well, I'll join you!" In reality, it was quite easy to see that the Pokémon was ecstatic about the situation.
"Lady Elise, are you sure? Your decisions for choosing companions seem questionable in some aspects." Andor seethed, his eyes directly on Fenrir.
"You're here because of that same decision making…" He shot back, shocking Andor.
"You guys are too much like the elves and dwarves of my newest book…anyway…welcome aboard, Tue."
Tue's head tilted at that, allowing the name to register. "Peaceful man, huh? Well I guess it's okay…for now. Where too now, Elise?"
"Back to the gym…Falkner and I need to have a nice, friendly chat."
Audun's eyes sparkled at that. "Friendly chats are so peaceful! Are we going to go to lunch with him as well?" He was too naïve. It was that kind of thinking that would end in terrible consequences.
Tue's eyes gazed at the rolling sky. "We best hurry, those Nimbostratus clouds are getting closer each minute." Tue was met with expressionless faces. "Here, I'll explain it in simpler terms, it's going to rain. A lot." Even before he had finished, she had hobbled away, almost colliding with the mingling civilians.
She kicked the glass doors, hoping it would shatter. The note had been replaced by another equally horrible note. 'Gym closed due to weather.' Her head fell against the panels, a thud resonating outwards. "Now what? We can't stay outside if it rains…" Ideas built up by her mind were immediately chiseled down by logic.
"I have an idea! My mother taught me how to make a protection leaf should I ever be away from the hive when it was raining!" Audun was practically bouncing atop her shoulder. Whatever it was…it couldn't hurt.
It was utterly brilliant. The leaves had been glued together like silk creating a small canopy. "Audun, you are a genius." She patted the Weedle's head, this time, only shuddering slightly at the touch. At least one thing was improving. Above, thunder crashed as lightning ricocheted off each cloud. She leaned back, her head resting atop Tue's fluffed body. Fenrir lay on her stomach, his warmth soothing her muscles and eradicating her accumulated stress. He was perfect as a blanket.
A somber sound resonated near her hip. It was peaceful as rain pitter pattered against the canopy. When the verse repeated, she hummed along, beaming as Andor whistled against her cheek and Fenrir rumbled against her chest. Sleep latched to her eyelids, pulling them down each second the song continued. "What is this song?"
The song skidded to a stop and Audun shifted awkwardly at her hip bone. "I'm sorry; it's just the song my mother would buzz when my brothers and sisters couldn't sleep. I'm scared of those loud noises in the sky…I'll stop now…" She ushered him towards her face and she was more surprised by the gentle smile she held for the bug.
"Does it have any words?" He fervently shook his head. "We'll have to think of some words for that…but please, play some more." The song hummed out again from the blade of grass, dragging her down into a dreamless darkness.
A foot nudged her side and she did what she did best. Turn on her side and ignore the intruder and return to her comforting sleep. The warmth that had embodied her disappeared and she patted the ground, grumbling for it to return.
"And here I thought I'd find you up in a tree. Glad I'm not too far from it. Why didn't you call me? I'd have gotten you a room." She propped herself up and found herself face to face with Fenrir.
Sleep refused to release her and she yawned, removing herself from the ground. "Says the one who closed the Pokémon centers to travelers and didn't allow anybody to visit yesterday." She grumbled while retrieving her blanket from Falkner's extended arms. She nuzzled against Fenrir, drawing her knees up. "So, what do you want?" Her eyes were still bleary from the sandman as her eyes closed once more.
His foot jabbed her side and she toppled over. "Your sister." She narrowed her eyes at that. "Eleanor, that is, made note of your 'timely' arrival and how you were going to challenge the League. I came to check out the competition."
She rubbed her back as her balance waivered. "Well? Like what you see?" He snorted much to her annoyance.
"You should beat the master of Sprout Tower before you take me on. That way, it'll end in much less tears for you." He pinched her nose, waving as he retreated back into town. "If you end up staying another night, feel free to stay at my place."
Her tongue extended at his retreat. "Jerk…" Her eyes fell downwards though. "He's right…in a horrid way…we're nowhere near ready to take him on. So, we train some more today then head to Sprout Tower. Then, we should be ready. Any complaints?"
"I'm sorry but yes!" Audun squeaked from the ground. "I…uh…oh this is so embarrassing. I seem to be unable to move." He wiggled his body, panicking at its complete stiffness. Halvar set him upright, while Tue circled him.
"Not to worry, young chap! You're just evolving! In about…oh I'd say, a few minutes, you'll be a brand new Pokémon!"
"I…oh!" A light as bright as the sun, enclosed the group and blocked any vision of what was going on inside. "What's going on? Where are my legs going?!" Audun shrieked as the light diffused, revealing a yellow cocoon where Audun last was.
"Welcome, young Kakuna."
"Where are my legs?! Ellie, help me!" He sobbed, his body immediately flopping over.
He was set upright once more. "It's okay, we'll wait till you're used to it before we move on." It only took a few minutes before Audun was comfortable in his shell.
"Oh this is so strange and…hello? How may we help you?" A small Rattata strolled into view, a few berries rolling to sight.
"I. Finally. Found. You." It hissed, hair rising on its neck. "My friend became a trainer's pet because you lot! You could've stopped it but nooooo." He snarled, eyes darting between each member. He barreled forward, slamming into Audun. A sickening snap echoed through the forest before the sound of glass shattering followed. Audun toppled over, a small whimper escaping his body.
Fenrir moved first, a fire erupting from his back. He tackled the rat into the ground before setting its body alight. Its legs twitched before it passed, a defiant smirk stretched on his face. Ellie scrambled next, scooping up the bug in her arms with any trace of her fear, gone. "Audun…?" Her fingers shook as she rubbed the Pokémon's head.
His eyes cracked open and a soft buzz passed between the fissures expanding along his shell. She hummed along, tears plodding across the bug's body. "I did good, right Ellie?" A gentle smile painted itself on her face as tears stained her face. She nodded, her sobs remaining silent. "I guess…I won't get to see my mother again…I know you'll beat the League so…" His voice was ragged as the cracks encompassed the entirety of his body.
She clutched him closer. "No! No…Audun…please…no…no…" She sobbed, hunching over. Not like this…" Audun didn't respond and the light that had once filled his eyes fell to darkness.
She didn't know how much time passed afterwards, only that soon Fenrir and Halvar were prodding her, trying to bring her back to reality. It wasn't going to happen to her. She was supposed to protect them…so why? "Ellie…we need to bury him…" Halvar's lack of puns was disconcerting but her mind pushed it aside, focusing still on the motionless figure in her arms.
She finally nodded whilst her mind resided in shambles. A hole had already been dug, no doubt by the others. She wobbled towards it, the depth of the situation, completely lost to her. She hummed quietly and the somber tune shakily escaping her throat soon turned to a guttural sob joined in by her Pokémon. "Come on guys…he wouldn't want us grieving so much…he'd want us to continue on…despite how much it hurts." Her face puckered up as she pushed away, the town looking so desolate and empty now.
Her phone felt unnatural in her hands as she dialed up the one number she could get the consoling she needed. "Hello, Eleanor here, what's up Elise?" She didn't speak, listening to the silence reverbing between the phones. "Don't tell me…" The silence was deafening. "You're still in Violet City, correct? Go distract yourself, I'll be there momentarily."
A finger tapped her shoulder twice, forcing her muscles to flinch. "Sorry 'ta scare ya' ma'am but aren't ya' Lady Eleanor's little sister? Ahah! I thought so! Here, take this egg! I assure ya' it'll do ya' some good! It'll be close to hatching so take care of the little fella', alright?" The man, whom she recognized as Primo, bolted before anymore could be said.
She didn't even take three steps before it began hatching. "What? Oh…oh no…uhh…guys what do we do?!" Just like her, they were of no help. What emerged, was a blue fish like creature.
"Woop!" It squealed as it scampered up her body to nuzzle her cheek.
"What is that…thing?" Andor peered at it before turning his head upwards. "Whatever it is, it's disgusting and so unbecoming."
"It's a Wooper and I think it's cute. Hello, Fiske." The Wooper grinned back, its tail wagging at her presence.
"Fiske?! Fiske Fiske!" It cheered as it hopped in her hands. She hugged it tightly as an image of Audun lashed out in her mind.
"Err…anyone know how to take care of a child? I know we need to go and train in Sprout Tower but…" She watched the young Pokemon with an unsettling feeling. Thankfully, the Pokemon Center was more than equipped with the help she needed.
"Everything checks out fine. Here, your Wooper back and as an apology for being unable to give you a room last night, take this. It's a guide for raising newborn Pokemon. You may already know this but Pokemon mature a lot faster than us so take him back for another check-up at a center in a week or so. He should be able to fend more for himself then, as for now...watch him carefully for any changes in his condition...okay?" At least it seemed easy enough. For now, she needed to continue to Sprout Tower to continue her training.
The inside reflected the outside. Most of the wooden floor was rotted as a rank smell of mold filtered in from the walls. "How disgusting." She spat, shuddering at the draft siphoning in from the hole-filled building.
"Travelers, are you lost?" An apparition floated towards them, scrutinizing her appearance.
"No, I know exactly where I am, why do you ask?" The Gastly wafted from side to side, not convinced.
"I don't think you understand. You are lost inside, whether you know it or not. You are conflicted, you blame yourself yet it wasn't your fault. You don't know if you should continue lest you lose any others. Allow me to join you, I wish to help you of your pain. I am already dead, I cannot lose anymore…please, do not fight against it, this is my wish." She opened her mouth to counter but found no words forming.
"Very well, welcome along Einar." The spirit danced in the air, pleased with the turnout.
"Now, let us continue onwards, I sense something wrong with the master." Einar's words proved to be right. At the top, Silver snatched a small CD from the Elder, scoffing at the words of advice the man was trying to spew at him. He eyed Ellie, shoving past her.
"Out of my way, idiot." He snarled while his disgust was obvious.
"His Pokémon will not last…I can do no more…Greetings young one, what is your purpose here?" The man's smile warmed her, almost resembling a kindness from a fond grandfather.
"I wish to undertake the gym challenge but I am nowhere near ready. Please allow me to train." The man's smile didn't falter, instead growing broader.
"I will allow it. Come, show me your skills." It was surprisingly easy. Fenrir and Einar easily toppled the Elder's Bellsprouts and Hoothoot without so much as a scratch. (This got rid of the Mary-sue, pretty sure? I wrote this segment at like 11 P.M. last night and rereading it this morning showed me the Mary Sue you were talking about.)
"Ahh…how elegant, you are ready for Falkner. Take this as well, may it light your way when you are trapped in the dark. I wish you luck, younger trainer."
"Thank you Elder…thank you so much!" She turned to her Pokémon, scooping Fenrir into her arms. "C'mon, let's go defeat Falkner…for Audun." Her face had whisked away the despair, replacing it with hard determination. "We can do this…no…" She buried the pain to be dug up another day. "We will do this."
The gym was chilled as birds soared through the ceiling. This wasn't just a journey with friends anymore. This was a life or death scenario and she wasn't going to lose.
At the end we are! I was so sad when I lost Audun mainly because I had just evolved him and I wasn't paying attention...
As for Fiske, I did look up Primo's stuff for my ID # (Yeah, yeah I know, kinda cheatsy but hey I hatched him in town fairly!
My team currently :
Fenrir level 12
Andor level 12
Halvar level 13
Tue level 13
Einar level 12
Fiske level 11
Death count: 1
Feel free to ask me any questions or let me know of any comments to make this better!
See you next chapter...
=NIR