Chapter 4: The Night Is For Sleeping
Peppy Le Hare: I'd like to hear some comments about how Zero is going and whether he's interesting or not or whatever. And all the other general feedback. Thanks.
Pandabot: And I'd like to hear whether this shows a bit more of Lyra's character, particularly her dynamic with JT. You lovely readers you.
The moon shone down, dusting the grass lining the track with a silvery glow, illuminating the steps of JT and Lyra. Lyra marched along the track, humming happily, as JT and Zero trailed behind; JT had his gaze locked on the ground. Lyra stopped and swivelled on her heel, bouncing impatiently, "Hey! Come on slowpokes!" she called cheerily.
JT sighed and quickened his pace to catch up to his impatient companion who bounced on the track ahead of him. "What's your problem Jordy? We're going on an adventure!" she squealed, dancing around on the path with her arms thrown above her head. "Nothing. Can we just get going?" he said shortly, setting off along the track again; Zero followed faithfully in his footsteps.
Lyra caught up to him, a thoughtful frown marring her features. "Ok seriously. What's wrong?" JT sighed exasperatedly. "Look can we drop this? Let's just get on with it" he muttered. Lyra eyed him thoughtfully for a second, then silently took the lead again. She hoisted her pack more securely on her shoulders and harrumphed impatiently. Then she began talking, mostly to herself - her voice echoed in the silent night.
JT was still anxiously mulling over recent events - he couldn't quite believe that he really had run away from home. He dropped a gloved hand into his pocket and thoughtfully felt the shape of the Pokedex. Wonder why the Professor didn't try and stop us leaving?
Lyra's voice still echoed around the track, bouncing off the trees; a wild Hoothoot called out from the trees lining the road. Lyra finally stopped talking and turned to JT impatiently, "You could at least try and talk you know" she said petulantly. JT just looked at her, annoyed at her exuberance; his eyes widened as a wild Hoothoot threw itself out of a tree at her.
He grasped her arm and flung her out of the way, the meager contents of her pack spilling over the ground. The Hoothoot slammed into JT sending him flying into the grass on the side of the track. It was only now that JT realised how big it was; almost twice the size of an ordinary Hoot Hoot. JT lithely rolled to his feet as Zero swiped at the Hoothoot, driving it away from JT and the fallen Lyra.
JT narrowed his eyes, glaring at the Hoothoot silently tapping it's toe in perfect rhythm; he brushed his jacket clean of dirt and adjusted his right glove, tugging it on tighter. Zero took a wide stance, crouching slightly and spreading his claws; JT stepped off to the side of the track, standing protectively in front of Lyra. Taking out his Pokedex he pointed it at the round owl-like pokemon:
'Hoothoot, the Owl Pokemon. It always stands on one foot. It changes feet so fast, the movement can rarely be seen. It can employ the power of hypnotic suggestion to make the target fall into a deep sleep'.
"Ok Zero let's take this guy," he said threateningly. "Let's start it off with Metal Claw!" Zero crossed his claws over his chest; his claws gained a silvery sheen as the Hoot Hoot calmly watched, still tapping it's toe in perfect rhythm. With a sudden burst of speed, Zero shot towards the Hoothoot, swinging silvery claws at it. The Hoothoot leapt, still using only one foot to move, dodging Zero's attack easily. Zero looked taken aback by it's swift movement but leapt back into the attack; on the sideline JT watched the Hoothoot's movements carefully. Again the Hoothoot leapt away from Zero, leaving him swinging at air.
Suddenly JT smiled - Gotcha. "Zero!" he called out. "It keeps jumping to the right! Read it!"
Zero smiled back at him and nodded; he rapidly covered the ground seperating him from the Hoothoot. He withheld his attack running straight at the Hoothoot, it jumped to the right. Zero copied its movement and lashed out with a silvery claw. The Hoothoot cried out in pain as the attack connected solidly with its side, sending it flying through the air to land in the long grass by the road side. Zero faced the area where it landed - his senses alert for signs of movement. Suddenly the Hoothoot hopped out of the grass, its overlarge red eyes glowing with an eerie glow. Zero slowly dropped his claws, staring at the Hoothoot. JT looked confusedly at Zero.
"Well? Finish him!" he said, annoyed. Gradually Zero's head dropped and he fell forward, asleep; JT's mouth fell open in shock. JT stared over the collapsed body of his faithful Scizor at the Hoothoot, calmly tapping its toe. So that's Hypnosis huh?
JT glared at it as he reached to his waist, grasping the second Pokeball hanging from his belt. He threw out the Pokeball, watching as the Cyndaquil emerged from the resultant flash of white light with a mewling cry. He flipped his Pokedex open, pointing the scanner at it; 'Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokemon. It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or suprised, it shoots flames out of its back.'
"Fire type huh?" JT said, smirking, "Ok then lets go buddy. Use Smokescreen!" The Cyndaquil gave its cry and then opened its mouth, letting thick black smoke pour out and surround the battlers; in the confusion JT returned Zero to his rarely-used pokeball. The smoke lay between the wild Hoohoot and Cyndaquil, effectively blinding both battlers; and also stopping the Hoothoot from repeating it's Hypnosis attack.
JT called out to the small mouse -"Ok buddy just back off a bit. When it comes through hit it with a Tackle attack" The Cyndaquil cautiously backed up, swinging its head from side to side. A moment of silence settled over the group, waiting for the inevitable attack from the Hoothoot.
Suddenly, with a flurry of movement highlighted by the smoke, the Hoothoot burst out of the cover and was met by a heavy Tackle as the Cyndaquil threw itself at the Hoothoot. It fell to the ground in pain and began struggling to its foot, rolling weakly in the dirt. JT reached down to his belt and unclipped a spare Pokeball; he pressed the button in the middle, catalysing its growth to full size. Keeping his eyes locked onto the struggling Hoothoot he drew his arm back and, with a small grunt, launched the Pokeball at the owl pokemon. The ball made direct contact with it and the Hoothoot dissolved into a mess of red light that was quickly sucked into the ball.
JT held his breath as the centre button began flashing red and the ball wobbled on the ground. The whole group stood poised waiting for the pokeball and, after a wait that seemed to take forever, the ball finally stilled and the button stopped flashing. Letting out an explosive breath JT walked over to the ball and picked it up, clipping it back onto his belt, next to where Zero hung. He ran his hand through his hair and turned to the Cyndaquil staring calmly at him. "Good job buddy." He cocked his head and stared thoughtfully at the Cyndaquil - Now what to call him?
He ran over several names in his head before the memory of a Pokemon battle he had seen on television years ago jumped into his head. An Arcanine had used the never-before-seen manouvre Flare Blitz. Flare Blitz. Blitz. Yeah Blitz!
He looked back down at the Cyndaquil waiting patiently before him. "Hey buddy. How 'bout I call you Blitz from now on?" The Cyndaquil jumped up and down, seemingly happy with its new name, drawing a chuckle from JT.
An irritated voice cut through the night"Oh don't mind me, strewn on the ground over here. You just play with your pokemon."
Jumping guiltily, JT turned sheepishly to where Lyra sat cross-legged on the ground, arms folded angrily. "Uh sorry I got a bit carried away there" he said apologetically - Lyra just glared threateningly at him. Suddenly an evil smile crawled across her face, "Well then if you're really sorry I guess you won't mind paying for my next visit to the Pokemon Centre will you?" she said sweetly.
A bead of sweat rolled its way down JT's head as he considered how much that could potentially set him back. "Uh I don't know about that Lyra…"
Lyra smiled sweetly at him. "Oh but Jordy, you have to prove you're sorry somehow." With a cheeky giggle she leapt to her feet and marched off, heading towards the lights of Cherrygrove. JT stood in shock, Blitz standing next to him - "Oh hell. She's gonna take all my money" he muttered to himself.
"Lyra! Can't we talk about this!" he yelled running after the laughing girl, Blitz in hot pursuit.
