Okay, I have found a pattern in all my fics...the first 6-8 chapters are the hardest to write. After that, it's practically smooth sailing.
~~**VIII**~~
The Next Step
Liana left the Violet Gym in a great mood. She had her first badge right in her hand. It shone in the afternoon sun. "How's that Cyndaquil?" she asked her Pokemon from right beside her. "One down, seven to go." Liana didn't feel too daunted by that prospect. What kind of journey would it be if it were to end so quickly?
Zuki kept in step beside her. "If your Gym battles go like that, then you'll have some smooth sailing," she commented.
"You think?" Liana asked, a bit skeptical. "I mean, Falkner is known as a rookie leader but he wasn't exactly easy."
"You miss my meaning," Zuki replied, shaking her head lightly. "Winning a badge isn't just about beating the Leader's Pokemon. It's about the bond between trainer and Pokemon, working together to overcome an obstacles."
Liana nodded. "I can understand that," she stated.
"So where are you headed next?" Zuki asked.
"Well," Liana mumbled, thinking, "one of my friends may be in Goldenrod City and I know there's a Gym there as well. Perhaps I'll head there."
"What about Azalea Town?" Zuki asked. "There's a Gym there was well."
"Really?" Liana inquired, pulling out her PokeGear. She looked up Azalea Town and saw that it did indeed have a Gym and it was south of Violet. But there was a slight problem. "There's a cave between here and there, not to mention it's gonna take three weeks to get there as well." The cave would probably take weeks to travel through as well. Liana didn't want to complain, but that was a long time.
"Don't worry about that," Zuki told her. "There's a shuttle that goes down to the village and it's at the foot of the mountains."
"Really, when does it come by?" Liana asked. That could be great. She wasn't against doing so much traveling, but that was a lot of it.
"We can check at the Pokemon Center," Zuki told her. "They should have schedules. I need to take one back to Ecruteak City tomorrow."
"Already?" Liana said, feeling disheartened. She liked Zuki.
"Don't look so surprised," Zuki replied. "I've already been here for over a week. It's time to go home. But don't worry, we'll probably see eacn other in the future when you head toward Ecruteak. There's a Gym there was well and while you're in town, you can stop by the dance studio."
Liana nodded. "That would be great."
~~*.*~~
Both Liana and Zuki purchased their shuttle tickets at the Pokemon Center. Since Liana had her Gym Badge, she didn't see any reason to hang around the city and longer than she had to. While Liana was getting her Pokemon healed, she requested to see her egg again. The nurse had said there was the faintest bump from inside about an hour ago.
Liana and Zuki sat at the sofa in the Center lobby where they both gazed at the egg on Liana's lap. There was no movement now, but both girls couldn't stop talking about what Pokemon could be inside.
"What Pokemon would you like to see?" Zuki asked.
Liana shrugged. "I don't know," she replied. "Professor Elm wants to see what Pokemon will hatch from it and he may want it back once that's happened."
"What if you want to keep the Pokemon?" Zuki inquired.
"I could ask the Professor if I could keep it," Liana answered, rubbing her hands down the sides of the egg, feeling its warmth.
"What if it's a Pokemon you don't want?" Zuki commented lightly.
"What do you mean?" Liana asked, confused. Why would someone not want a Pokemon?
"I mean, one you wouldn't want for your team," Zuki clarified. "You have ideas for which types of Pokemon you would have on your team and what if this one didn't fit in?"
Liana still didn't really understand what Zuki was trying to get at. She knew what made a good team, variety of types as well as whether the Pokemon is a physical battler or a ranged one, but how would a Pokemon simply not fit in with that?
"What if it's a type you already have then?" Zuki clarified further when Liana didn't answer.
Liana shrugged again. "I don't think that it would matter. I mean, Gym Leaders have a slew of Pokemon that are a single type and I already have three different ones. Four if you consider that Pidgey is two types. What would it matter if I have two Pokemon that are the same type?"
"So how would you choose your Pokemon team?" Zuki asked.
Liana thought on how she had come by her three Pokemon. Cyndaquil had been the last of her litter and seemingly just as lonely as Liana was but still hyper and energized. Pidgey had been her first catch since she was one of the last of her flock to fly away when Marill scattered them. And Mareep wanted to be a battler.
"That depends," Liana answered finally. "I mean, Mareep and I chose each other for one. What if other Pokemon decide to choose me as well? I don't think I have an idea of which Pokemon to get right now. I'll take it as I come. I don't solely choose the Pokemon, they choose me as well."
Zuki smiled. "I like that," she said.
Liana nodded. "So do I."
Archer had sent out the message to Petrel three weeks ago for him to make his way to Azalea Town for the excavation. The plan was working well, just as it had before. This was the first time they took Slowpoke Tails for distribution. Despite most regions being vegetarian, there were some people interested in the delicacies such as Raticate Tails and Tauros Steak to name a few. Archer himself sometimes indulged on Goldeen stew every once in a while. Life all comes to an end sooner or later and it's proven that half of them live about two-thirds the average life-span of a human. That was why it was easier to keep Pokemon at arms' length. It didn't do to form attachments one will eventually lose.
Again, Archer had to shake himself from his thoughts. His former family still liked to creep up on him from time to time nd he wouldn't have it. He was completely committed to Team Rocket and nothing would stop that. His wife and child meant nothing to him, would always mean nothing. He wasn't like Giovanni, keeping his son around as a potential heir. Archer had met the boy, Silver, and he had a weak heart, expecting his father to spoil him. It wasn't surprising when the boy ran away. It had broken Giovanni's heart and, Archer realized too late, weakened his drive.
It was an unfortunate event that nearly shattered Team Rocket if it weren't for Archer. He kept Team Rocket standing and there was no way he would let it fall again. He would die first.
Archer typed in the number on his computer to contact Petrel in Azalea Town. Seconds passed before Petrel's face appeared on the monitor. "Sir."
"How has the excavation been going?" Archer inquired.
"It's been running smoothly," Petrel answered. "We've calculated the population of Slowpoke and are acquiring enough to fund our research."
Archer nodded. "Very good." They had to make sure not to overdo it there. They didn't need to drive the Slowpoke extinct. That would be dangerous. The Slowpoke Tails were to fund money into Team Rocket business as well as the other goods. That, and they couldn't attract attention. "Has there been any inquiries?" Meaning has the Azalea Gym Leader or authorities noticed anything.
Petrel shook his head. "Jansen has made sure to keep them off our scent," he answered. A spy, good. Just as Archer liked it. He had plenty of spies here throughout Goldenrod as well as Olivine and Mahogany.
"Make sure it stays that way, Petrel," Archer told his executive.
Petrel nodded. "Of course."
Archer cut off communication and leaned back into his chair. His heart slowly began to fill with triumph. He would finally succeed in a way that Giovanni had only dreamed of.
"Not even the Champion will know how this happened," Archer mused with a sly grin on his face.
The shuttle going toward Union City came at eight in the morning and it was before Zuki's headed toward Ercuteak. Surprisingly it was Zuki's shuttle that would take longer to get to its destination. When asking why, Zuki explained that there was more sight-seeing on her road then Liana's was bound to have. Route 32 was a dense forest area and was perfect for camping and hiking. Three quarters of the way toward Union Cave were the Ruins of Alph. Some of the passengers planned to head there.
There were ten other people on the bus other than Liana and the driver and it made enough space for most of them to get an aisle seat of their own. She had Cyndaquil out who was resting on her lap and Pidgey as well who nested on top of the incubator on the seat next to her.
Liana stared out the window, watching the scenery pass by. Zuki was right, there was little to see here. The road was straight for miles, making their way through dense forests that outlined the road as well as the occasional radio towers a quarter mile off.
Some slight boredom began to set in when the first half hour past and Liana shoved the headphones into her PokeGear and turned on her radio. One of her favorite bands was playing, The Psychedelics, and it took all Liana's will power not to bust out singing. She had to be contented with just mouthing the words and not pretending she had a microphone in hand. To combat this, she pulled out one of the magazines from the back pouch of the chair in front of her and flipped it open.
Liana wasn't one for reading magazines, her curiosity was more idle and not easily roused. And more importantly not many of the featured subjects peaked her interest. Liana didn't care for the latest fashions of Goldenrod or Cascade City. She didn't watch the show Lovely Persian City like her mom did. Yeah, she loved The Psychedelics but she didn't need to know the inner workings of their lives and Liana didn't mind that lead singer, Aiden Scott, was engaged. Sure he was very attractive and when she was eight, imagined herself meeting him and singing a duet with him, but those were childhood fantasies that she didn't really indulge in now.
Though in her skimming, Liana did find something worth reading. It was an interview on Agatha's retirement from the Elite Four.
"The Elite Four is going to get a new member soon," says reporter Selena Daniels. "This isn't the first time the Elite Four has gained a new member. With Lance Blackthorne's, age 20, rise to Championship three years ago, member Karen Peyton, age 27, took the top spot as Elite Four member. Not only that, but after the retirement of Lorelai Delany, age 35, beckoned Will Alistar, age 29, into the group to put a new twist to the region's top trainers. The formidable Lorelai took leave two years ago when she married League Official, Ryan Abernathy, age 32, and recently announced to be expecting her second child. Now Agatha Montrose, the eldest Elite Four member at age 67, will now be retiring.
"Agatha Montrose is not only the oldest Elite Four member to hold position, she is also the longest running member as well. Taking a place in the Elite Four at the age of 22, the youngest ever of her generation (the next record wouldn't be made until Champion Lance at age 16), she held her position for 45 years. While she may not be the Champion, she has seen and been a part of more legends than anyone will ever see. She's seen the rise of new Champions and Elite Four members, surveyed new coming talents in the Indigo League, and has been a strong woman that many girls strive to be. When interviewing Agatha, she gave insight as to why she finally decided to step down. "I've spent a lot of time with the Elite Four. Forty-five years is a long time," Agatha comments. "My Pokemon and I have been through a lot together. In that time I lost my dear Gengar and that was when I knew that my time was coming to a close. I do wish battling is something I could do for the rest of my life, but unfortunately I'm not as young as I once was, my Pokemon as well, and our battling has shown this. It's time for us to pass down the torch and slow down. I'm still very much a trainer and don't anyone dare doubt it." Agatha will be spending her retirement in Lavender Town where she was born and raised and even met her beloved Gengar when it was but a Ghastly.
"No word has been given on who will replace Agatha. Some fan wonder if anyone will ever be able to replace such a legend. None of the members, or even Champion Lance, will give any hint as to who they have in mind. "Picking an Elite Four member is not a simple task," says Champion Lance. "These are top trainers from the two regions. Not only that, but the rest of us need to decide whether he or she is qualified enough for the position. And since this is Agatha they're replacing, they've got some big shoes to fill. We need to make sure they can handle it."
"And handle it they must as the semi-annual Indigo League is due to begin in the coming month. The Pokemon League gathers trainers who have collected badges across Johto and Kanto. So long as a trainer has eight of them, it matters not what combination they have. These trainers then come to compete in the league where the top four trainers will go on to face the Elite Four. The last person to have ever accomplished this was trainer Red Williams at age 16, who climbed the ranks with his impressive Pokemon, showing passion and determination in his battling. He paved through the Elite Four and won the Championship. Despite earning the Championship title, Red only stayed for a single season as well (one season meaning from the first League to the next). No reason was given as to why Red left, bequeathing the title to Lance and left for an unknown destination. The rest of the Elite Four could offer no explanation as to why their new Champion left prematurely. Perhaps he wasn't up to the challenge.
Now Lance Blackthorn of the Blackthorn Dragon clan has held onto the title of Champion for six whole seasons and he's been quite the popular one. Taking a place in the Elite Four at age 16, he's the youngest to ever make the slot. Though coming from the dragon clan this isn't too surprising as dragons are known to be formidable Pokemon. Lance's own cousin, Clair Blackthorn, age 19, is the leader of the Blackthorn City Gym and is reported to have only ever lost to two trainers during her leadership. Strong trainers must run in the family.
Does he have anything to say about his success as Champion? "Well, in Blackthorn we live close to the Ice Paths and dragons aren't too fond of the cold. It makes for the perfect training," Lance explains. "Sometimes I expect my Dragonite to grow fond of the cold weather."
Not only strength but charm can be found in our young Champion. It's no secret that Lance is a favorite of the ladies...
And Liana stopped there. She did care for reading about girls swooning over a guy they've never spoken to and will probably never meet. Liana wasn't going to be a fool and say that she wasn't in some way attracted to Lance. He was very attractive, but she wasn't one for swooning. She had more important things to think about than boys.
She closed the magazine and put it back, returning to her view out the window. The Indigo League. It was the goal of most trainers to compete. The last few years, apparently trainers got younger and younger upon entering the League due to the influence of Red and Lance. Liana remembered how Izzy always aimed to be a trainer like Red (she admired Lance as well, but being a Dragon Master wasn't exactly her first option).
And why did Liana want to take on the League? When she departed from home with Cyndaquil, the path seemed obvious. There was no thought on how Liana wanted to make for Violet to get her first badge, then traveling for the next one and the one after that. But the reason for taking the challenge...?
Izzy wanted to show the world that girls can be just as strong of trainers as boys. She was hardly the first person to pursue such an ideal, but Izzy liked to think that there was always more room for female empowerment. There's only ever been one female Champion in the Indigo League, she once said to Liana. And less than a third of the Elite Four have been female. We ladies need to prove to men that we can be just as strong as them and they need to know it.
But Liana didn't know exactly what her drive was.
Lance's short vacation came to an end as he needed to head back for the Indigo Plateau to supervise the semiannual league. It annoyed that he had to set aside time that could be better spent searching for Team Rocket. But he had little choice, he was the Champion and he had responsibilities.
Lance and Cassia took the bus up to the market where they would meet Martin and he and Lance would take the next ship back to Olivine.
The two of them stopped at one of the booths selling fabrics. It was run by one of Cassia's close friends, Alayne. The two of them saw it convenient for their booths to sit right next to each other since Cassia made and sold jewelry. Lance stored away the box of new merchandise his mother had finished during the last few days while Cassia and Alayne caught up. Gible was at Lance's heel and he had to watch and make sure he didn't chew on anything. The bark he had for the week had been all chewed up two days ago but it lasted far longer than Lance would have thought so he had a few more pieces tucked away in his bag for later.
"Lance, look at this."
Lance turned to see his mother holding a deep blue tunic with gold embroidery at the collar and cuffs. It was too big for her slight frame and it wasn't made for women. Did she buy that? And why? Lance didn't ask for fear of the answer.
"Do you like it?" Cassia asked.
"Why?" Lance asked.
She merely waved it. "Answer the question."
"It looks nice," Lance answered, almost dismissively. "Why do you want my answer?"
"Because I want you to try it on," Cassia told him.
Lance blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Try it on," Cassia insisted.
"What? No," Lance stammered.
Cassia made a slight pout. "Please."
Lance groaned. He was the region Champion and still his mother managed to get to him. Hopefully the papers would never learn that. "Fine."
Cassia beamed and handed him the tunic. Lance shrugged off his shirt and pulled the tunic over his head. It had long sleeves and the collar almost brushed at his chin. He now noticed that the embroidery at the collar was in the likeness of two Dragonair. Lance would have almost saw it fitting when he still had his two Dragonair.
Cassia beamed and clapped, apparently liking the tunic on him. She turned and pulled open the tent flap. "Alayne, come look."
Oh no. "Mom!" Lance snapped, feeling mortified that his mother was using him as a dress-up doll. In front of one of her friends too.
But she didn't listen and Alayne popped her head inside the tent. She too beamed. "Perfect!" she squeaked.
Lance groaned. So the two of them were in on it. They better not make him try on any more clothes or he was leaving.
Just then Martin popped up behind them. Cassia and Alayne greeted him warmly and Lance gave him a look that he hoped said "Save me". Martin nodded and gestured for Lance to follow him.
"Ship's nearly here," he said. "We've gotta go."
Cassia turned to Lance, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Keep the tunic. It's yours." Lance merely nodded, to annoyed to argue with her. Cassia then knelt down to Gible. "Take care, dear one." Gible growled lightly in response. He liked Cassia and again Lance almost felt betrayed. But at least Gible was coming with him and not staying here.
Lance followed Martin out of the market, only speaking once they left. "So, I went to Ogi Isle just as I said," Martin said. "No one was there."
"You searched thoroughly?" Lance asked. Just because no one was there didn't mean that there was nothing to be worried about.
"No one was there," Martin answered. He lowered the pack over his shoulder and opened the drawstring, pulling out an audio recorder.
Lance looked up at Martin. "What does this have to do with anything?" he asked.
Martin plugged in the headphones and handed them to Lance. He then played back the recording. The machine was slightly damaged so the sound wasn't very clear and half of it went completely silent. Lance listened for several moments as he heard the cry play out. It was the cry of a Pokemon, but he wasn't sure just which one. He asked Martin.
"It's the cry of Lugia," he answered.
Lance stammered. "Are you sure?"
Martin nodded. "All of us who've spent enough time on Ogi Isle have heard it enough to recognize it. It usually comes near the summer solstice, which was just before those people had come to the isle."
"So they were looking for Lugia," Lance murmured.
Martin nodded. "They didn't find him though. Every one on the islands would have known it."
"But that doesn't make me feel any more easy," Lance countered.
"Me neither," Martin agreed. "I have a friend keeping an eye out so don't you worry. You have your own responsibilities."
Lance clicked his tongue. "Don't remind me."
Think of The Psychedelics like Queen, but about 8-10 years old in this universe. A random inspiration when I was listening to Queen on a road trip. I just had to, lol.
So, a couple things that differ or need to be fleshed out in my fic. Yes, Agatha and Lorelai's retirements are from my imagination because it's never spoken about why those two never made an appearance in 2nd gen. Agatha's reason can be quite obvious but I began wondering about Lorelai's and had to make an explanation for her. I didn't want to leave her unanswered for. Also with Blue becoming Champion, it didn't really strike me as right when I was coming up with this fic. I am going by game-verse, but I'm also putting my own ideas and how Pokemon can seem like a genuine world. Trying to explain that Blue got the Championship just before Red wasn't fitting in.
And I did say that the League will be open so long as a trainer has eight badges, but Liana will be getting them solely from Johto. I want to keep as straight on the HGSS path as I can be.
Another thing I wondered was whether Ghost Pokemon actually die. Pokemon do die as we have learned early on, but what about Ghosts? I actually had the idea, whether or not Ghost Pokemon are actually living that they can become weary of existing and decide to move on to the afterlife. Whether or not you agree with it is your decision but I'm keeping with this idea.
And finally, yeah I was kinda disgusted on Archer's thoughts about eating Pokemon (and to think, I wrote it *shivers*). In my heart, I don't think that people would be inclined to eat Pokemon, but I can't deny that there will be some sickos out there who wouldn't bat an eye at it or just see it as a guilty pleasure.
