And I'm back! Am in a good mood. Got rid of every virus my computer had, so forgive me if the chapter is a bit festive. If it isn't, then I've really tried hard then haven't I ;) Haven't had a battle scene in ages, so will try to add one this chapter.
Thanks go out to general andrew, and MultiplePersonas for their review. Keep it up!
Hoping to introduce new characters and new team pokemon. Anyway, talk is cheap, here ye go!.
"Come on Sam, the forest is just up ahead!"
Samantha just looked at Mario in the fading light. All there Pokemon were resting in their Pokeballs for the moment. They would have little sleep during the night if the Poketch GPS system was accurate. Apparently Viridian Forest was a confusing maze filled with a variety of Pokemon eager to attack unsuspecting travellers.
Quickening her pace to catch up with Mario, she couldn't help wondering if Mario was still a little jealous of her friends and just wanted to be away as quick as possible. If that was so, she'd have words with him later!
Mario definitely was eager to be away. Just not for the reason Samantha thought. Well mostly not that reason. Remembering his first trip through the forest, he quickly repressed a shudder. Not that being chased by Beedrills, challenged by pathetic Bug catching trainers or shocked by the odd yellow mouse put him off travelling in the forest. Although he did remember how demented some of the trainers looked after being defeated. It was the green blur he kept seeing on the edge of his vision and the shrieks of pain from Pokemon beyond his sight that worried him. If anything, travelling by night, lessened the risk of both the trainers and Pokemon. Most of them were not nocturnal, at least he hoped not.
Soon enough they were surrounded by trees and any shred of light from the setting sun ceased to exist. Both trainers got out a flashlight from their bags and switched them on. Two strong beams of light lit their path, well what was left of their path anyways. Large trees diverted the dirt path they were following, while roots threatened to cause a sprained ankle at the least. Surprisingly not a sound was to be heard bar the heavy panting of both Mario and Samantha. Both trainers were more than unsettled by this, and the unnatural dead heat didn't soothe them. They travelled in the silence for an hour before they released both Buizel and Squirtle. Unseen eyes were following them, and there was safety in numbers.
"Squirtle, stay close and stay alert okay?" whispered Samantha.
"You too Buizel", muttered Mario. Upon seeing the look on Buizel's face though, Mario quickly added, "Playtime later. Focus now!"
"Bweee. (Awwww K.)" replied the downcast weasel.
"Squirt squirt (I'm invisible)," said the blue turtle looking down at himself and grinning.
Samantha's head dropped down upon seeing the turtle bemused with himself. Asking Squirtle to focus was like asking water not to be wet.
"Mario, how much further? It's kind of creepy here"
Nodding he replied, "I dunno. According to the Poketch were still heading North, which is good, but for some reason the GPS cant get a track on us. Probably the trees are too dense and no coverage out here."
Sighing at the itch she felt in between her shoulder blades, Samantha gripped his hand in hers and pulled him along, not noticing the blissful look on his face.
"We better keep moving then. Keep up guys!"
Well as they say, bad things come in threes. Being lost in a forest would be one. Lost in the dark had to be two, but being watched by a gleaming pair of bloodshot eyes would definitely have to be bad thing number three. Pity nobody told new trainers the philosophy of life.
Leaping silently from branch to branch, the eyes watched every movement the four creatures made, filing away each weakness. The orange one would have more of a limp in his left leg after their encounter, while the blue one would have a real reason to smirk. Small tracks of blood on each branch was the only sign that anything had been there. Pity there was no witnesses, but then again, they had already been taken care of.
After seeing Samantha and Mario off, and helping the two sick trainers to their beds, Alex went outside to get some fresh air. He quickly walked away from the Pokecenter holding his two Pokeballs. Passing a lake on his left, he continued a few feet until a signpost announced that he was about to enter Route 22.
Throwing the red Pokeball forward, Alex yelled, "Shai, rest times over!"
A flash of red light and the materialisation of Shai caused Alex to closely examine the second Pokeball. The black Pokeball or Luxury Ball, as Nurse Joy had explained raised a Pokemons happiness when caught so as to help them adjust easier to being captured.
"Well Shai… here goes nothing…".
Pressing the center of the Pokeball, Alex stared transfixed as the light released, formed into a small green creature with a red stomach. With a small green horn on its head, and a sturdy looking tail, he looked battle ready.
Looking around hurriedly it wailed, "Lar? Tar? laaar! (Where am I? Who are you? Leave me alone!) before curling into a ball.
Shai ran over to it but before he got even close he was blocked by a large green force field erected around the quivering green ball.
Alex, snapping out of his stupor, quickly scanned the creature with his Pokedex.
Larvitar the rock skin Pokemon. This Pokemon generally eats soil, and lots of it. Once it has consumed its fill, it will hibernate in order to grow.
Once that explanation was over, it continued saying,
Protect. This move erects a barrier which can block most attacks. With continued use, grows steadily weaker.
Alex and Shai just stared impressed. Alex seen the torment in Larvitar's eyes and tried to coax him out but to no avail.
Sitting down he took out the sheets that the attendant had given him, along with the Pokeball. On it were supposedly the Larvitars stats, attacks, and also numerous pages on its nature.
While Alex busied himself reading, Shai took another crack at the green barrier in front of him.
"Char char! Charmander! ( Hey you! Yeah you on the ground!)"
Shai watched him uncurl and look at him with a fearful expression.
Shai just sighed loudly. Why everything was afraid of him, he'll never know. According to Samantha, he was really cute, and she'd know.
"Mander char char mander…..(We aren't gona hurt ya you know…..)"
At that the Larvitar stood up and glared defiantly at Shai.
"Lar! Larvitar! Vitar…(Liar! That's what they all said! Just leave me alone…)"
Alex kept reading in shock. The poor Pokemon. No wonder it was afraid. Looking up to see it conversing loudly with Shai behind its barrier, Alex shook his head in pity. A life of being attacked and abused. That's what the little guy had before this. Attacked for not evolving, and used as a moving target to make some trainers other Pokemon grow faster. Apparently it had learned Protect itself due to the severe beatings it had received. Looking at Larvitar, Alex thought it didn't matter that the trainer was imprisoned for life. The damage had been done.
Putting the papers away, Alex slowly approached the barrier and sat down beside it. Shai sat down beside him while Larvitar lay down quivering on the ground. Alex noted the resentment it felt towards Shai, and could see the pure terror in its eyes when it looked at him. Shaking his head, he knew he had a long night ahead of him.
"Shai, ready to practice?"
Shai looked up curiously. Looking back at the Larvitar, he nodded slowly. Apparently, Shai already had feelings for the little guy.
Whispering into Shai's ear ( at least where he thought Shai's ears were), he said, "Look buddy, maybe if he sees you having fun, and me not killing you, he might lower the barrier long enough for us to at least introduce ourselves. I know we could eventually break through it, but that would do more damage than good, okay?"
Walking a few feet away so that the lakes edge was just in front of them, Alex deliberately put his back to Larvitar, while gesturing for Shai to stand in front of the water.
"Alrite Shai, the safest way to train fire, is to make sure we can put it out at a moments notice, so aim your Ember attack into the water."
Sneaking a peek over his shoulder, he refocused his attention on Shai. He had an audience now.
Shai thought it was a good plan. Both the method of training the fire, and the sensitive Larvitar. Lets just hope he could launch the fireballs. Last time he burped them up. Cringing at the memory, he focused his attention on the water in front of him.
Creating a mental picture of a flame burning in his mind, he opened his mouth to fire…..Nothing! Not even a wisp of smoke appeared.
He sat down devastated. He had been sure that there would be at least something!
Alex noticed the discomfort of Shai after he sat down defeated. Forgetting momentarily about Larvitar, he put Shai back on his feet.
"No worries Boy, just try again. I know you can do it."
Feeling the confidence from Alex, Shai nodded. The least he could do was try. This time he focused on his tail flame. Drawing on the heat emitted from it, he opened his mouth and yelled as a tickling sensation caused an itch in his throat. Seeing three fireballs fire from his mouth and hit the water gave him deep satisfaction. Turning from the steam created as fire impacted with water, he was surprised to find himself tackled by a laughing Alex.
"That was brilliant! I knew it. Your to good to give up like that. Want to try again?"
Shai nodded enthusiastically. Learning and training new moves made him feel really proud of his progress.
This time, Firing was easier as he new what to do and expect. He assumed the itch in his throat would leave in time. Watching the steam rise from the lake and hearing the praise from Alex made all the effort worthwhile.
Alex was thrilled for Shai. He obviously had difficulty at the start, but learning something new usually was hard. Shai was real sensitive to people's emotions. He noticed that when Shai automatically picked up on his own enthusiasm for training, and again when he seen the sorrow in Shai's eyes when he looked at Larvitar.
Mother of Mew! Larvitar! He had completely forgotten about the little guy, caught up in Shai's accomplishment. Looking around hurriedly to find him and his barrier gone was a huge shock.
"Shai! Where's Larvitar? Quick the little guy might have gotten lost!"
Shai just raised his head calmly and pointed to the left of him.
Looking down, Alex quickly relaxed while his mouth comically took the shape of saying the word Ohhh.
Larvitar was standing beside him, watching the steam form in the lake. Glancing at Alex he quickly lowered his head flinching.
Alex just reached down and gently rubbed the horn on its head.
"It's ok little guy. I wont hurt you." Seeing little response, he tried a new tactic.
"Do you think Shai is doing alrite?"
Larvitar slowly looked back up again. He turned to Shai, who just gestured to continue.
Nodding slowly, he mumbled "Lar lar. (Yeah I guess.)"
Taking that as consent, he sat down beside Larvitar, not ceasing the rubbing of its horn.
"Shai, lets see how far you can shoot it."
Giving a mischievous grin, Shai turned quickly to the lake and let loose a torrent of flames. Although many, they were smaller than when he fired less numbers. They all flew a few metres before simply disappearing.
"Impressive Shai. We keep on practicing, and soon you will be able to fire across the whole lake!"
Shai's eyes lit of at the prospect but with each fireball he produced, the lower his tail flame got.
Noticing this, Alex quickly ordered a rest. Larvitar was watching all this keenly and as soon as Shai sat down panting, he leapt up in front of the water.
"Hey little guy, you want to try?"
Nodding his response, Alex quickly scanned the sheets.
"Alrite, so it says here you know how to produce a strong Protect, a fierce Sandstorm, a piercing Screech and a spectacular Hidden Power, as well as being able to do basic fighting. Well I personally think the descriptions are just exaggerations in order to help trade you, but then again, that Protect is powerful…"
"Well lets see a Hidden Power then".
Larvitar nodded and closed its eyes. Suddenly, several purple coated orbs surrounded him, creating a purple aura before suddenly flying into the center of the lake. Upon impact a large wave rose up, crashing down on the opposite bank.
Alex and Shai just stared, mouths opened.
Larvitar looked a little shook at their reactions and hurriedly curled up on the ground.
Upon seeing this Alex quickly went over to him, rubbing the horn ( it seemed to be the best place to rub).
" That was fantastic Larvitar," he murmured soothingly to him.
Standing up with a light in his eyes, Larvitar looked to Shai and seeing him nodding as well, encouraged the little fellow to continue. Nodding to Alex, Alex quickly asked for a Screech attack.
Walking a little away from them, he turned again to the lake and opened his mouth.
Alex and Shai collapsed to the ground in agony as large ripples took over the lake. The force of the cry from Larvitar had caused there eardrums to pop painfully.
Alex laughed. Piercing Screech indeed! Earplugs next time he noted.
Larvitar quickly ran to Shai helping him up, while Shai then in turn, helped Alex up.
"Powerful little guy, aren't you"
Larvitar just looked at Alex confused. Compliments weren't his strong point, having rarely received them.
"Alrite guys, I think its getting a little late, so we'll do some more practice tomorrow okay?"
Both Shai and Larvitar nodded and with Shai leading the way, followed closely by Larvitar, the three made their way back to the Pokecenter.
By the time, they reached the center, it was very late, and there was few trainers about. Good thing too as the moment they entered the center and were greeted by Nurse Joy, Larvitar squeaked in terror forming the green barrier around himself. Pity Alex and Shai were beside him, as the forcefield literally forced the pair back a metre or two, causing them to topple over the furniture. It took Alex a half an hour to calm the little guy down again, and Nurse Joy made a mental note to not make sudden movements around him.
As if that was not enough, a message left to him by voicemail announced that his brother would be travelling up to Viridian City in the morning, having just arrived at Professor Oak's Lab, where he was staying overnight.
At least some good came out of Larvitar and Joys meeting. He got a single room for himself and his Pokemon, so as not to disturb Larvitar during the night. Alex had resigned himself to leaving Shai and Larvitar out of their Pokeballs for a while, so the three of them could adjust.
A half an hour later saw Alex watching Shai curled up on the end of the bed, with Larvitar curled up beside him, both fast asleep. Smiling, he lay down himself, hoping that tomorrow would bring a good day.
If he had known the troubles of the night ahead of him, he might of regretted not getting to bed a little earlier.
Dylan and Myles spent the last few hours of daylight, as well as most of the night recovering from their contest. Unfortunately Nurse Joy prevented the contest of who could be the sickest along with many other ones, with the vague warning of introducing them to an angry Blissey. Who in their right minds, would ever incur that wrath!
Blain gleefully rubbed his hands together. Lying down on the bed in the Laboratory, he eagerly awaited tomorrow. Already he had two Pokemon. The look on Alex's face would be priceless, especially if he beat Alex in a battle. He would make Alex regret the day he ever thought his little brother couldn't handle the stress of being a trainer. So what if he was a month away from reaching ten years old. He would just prove to him that he was the better his two Pokeballs beneath his pillow, Blain turned over and went to sleep.
Dimitri Evans was always a careful man. After an assassination attempt in Sinnoh, he knew it was time to leave. Here he had every alarm system available, with many patrols of both Pokemon and Humans patrolling his Gym. It just paid to be cautious.
With all this security, you cant blame the guy for being just a little startled when two people dressed in black, just walked into his main quarters.
Quickly grabbing up a loose Pokeball off his bed, he stood and watched the intruders warily. One male, one female.
"Dimitri, you have something we want," spoke the male.
"And we intend to get it….", finished the female.
Nodding that he understood, he casually shifted his footing on to a weakened floorboard.
In the office at the front of the gym, a loud siren sounded, and the noise of troops assembling was deafening. At least to all rooms not soundproofed.
"What is it ye want then? If you don't mind me asking that is?" he answered in a gruff tone.
Laughing sweetly, the female pointed to the glass cabinet behind him where a black shard was contained.
Hiding the shock on his face, Dimitri turned growling. "Never! Houndoom your assistance!
From the Pokeball emerged a large black coloured dog with two grey devil horns protruding from its skull (both curving behind his head). Down its back were grey ridges with plenty of battle scars on it.
The man in black merely chuckled. "You don't actually think we are asking to take it, do you?
Both man and woman simultaneously threw forth a Pokeball where a Gallade and Gardevoir emerged.
Dimitri quickly gave a faint smile, dropped to the ground and rolled beneath his bed grabbing another Pokeball.
"Houndoom! Faint Attack, Umbreon, Double Battle time!
As the Houndoom faded into the shadows of the room, yet another Pokemon that resembled a dog appeared. With yellow eyes, and its body, tail and ears adorned with designs of yellow bands, it too looked devious.
The man simple said in a bored fashion, "Protect."
The woman nodded to the Gardevoir, and standing beside Gallade, was enveloped in a green barrier. Pity Houndoom crashed straight into it.
"Gardevoir, Magical Leaf!"
Green eyes flashing, the Gardevoir made a throwing motion with her hand sending forth a single razor sharp leaf. Catching the surprised Houndoom in the throat, she turned her attention to the Umbreon.
Gallade dropped the barrier as the Houndoom collapsed. He wouldn't be cleaning this mess up.
Rushing forward he attempted to crush the yellow ringed dog with a swinging kick.
Umbreon was having none of it. With a quick command from Dimitri still under the bed, Umbreon darted off to the left, narrowly avoiding the round house kick that followed. Apparently Gallade had anticipated the move but having a chair in the way made accuracy difficult. The chair wasn't long staying on four legs.
Dimitri looked on in anguish as Umbreon dodged a flurry of attacks from Gallade only from a combination of speed and luck. His room was slowly being destroyed, piece by piece. Quickly circling the room, now Gallade was beside the cabinet, while Umbreon was in front of Gardevoir. Shards of glass and pieces of wood littered the floor.
Gardevoir at a mental command from her mistress, sent forth psychic waves which caused Umbreon to fall to the ground, the ShadowBall that was being formed faded into nothing upon impact. Hypnosis was a useful attack. Pity Gardevoir fell too.
Millie growled at the turn of events, while Derrick just nodded to Gallade.
"Synchronisation, a useful ability causing the opponent to gain the same status as the one inflicted. Pity Gallade wasn't affected. The Shard, Gallade, bring it to me."
Driving its fist through the glass, Gallade grabbed the Shard from its little pedestal, and fell to the ground unconscious.
Now it was Derricks turn to growl as he quickly returned Gallade, and gathered the Shard up with his cloak carefully.
Dimitri was finally up, and seeing the mess Houndoom was in, gave off a bellow of rage and charged at Derrick. Before he was half way there he too fell to the ground, on top of his dog. Both asleep together.
Derrick just glanced at Millie and Gardevoir. She was holding a half empty container of blue liquid.
"Cutting it close, aren't we?"
Millie just gave a quick grin and as the door was hammered open from the outside, a flash of white light left the security staring at a mangled room, with both Dimitri and Pokemon, down for the count.
So festivity was not in it in the end. I thought I was nice by…..well cant think of anything right now but I will! Hope ye enjoyed the chapter anyway. As usual read and review! Let me know what ye thought of it. Till next time, hope I'm keping ye somewhat interrested.
