Chapter Ten - To Safety
Alain could only stare as he watched the Aerodactyl slowly pull himself to his feet, letting out a long roar as it raised its head. Alain took a step back, regretting it as he felt a wave of pain flare up his ankle. He gritted his teeth, watching the Aerodactyl flex its wings. This was impossible– it should have been down after a Guillotine! Alain's Bisharp raced in front of him defensively, his blades gleaming. The Aerodactyl snorted, and began advancing.
The golden, axe-like blade on Bisharp's head began to glow, and Bisharp charged forward with an Iron Head. Alain turned, eyes desperately scanning the clearing for Mairin. She was sitting a ways behind Team Rocket, amber eyes wide and lined with tears. Her face was tinged purple, her whole form shaking. A ping of guilt raced through Alain at seeing her poisoned, but he had no time to help her– she would be safer if he got rid of the main threat. He quickly turned back to the battle– he couldn't let this Aerodactyl get the upper hand.
"Thunder Wave– Now!" Alain cried, and Bisharp raised his arm. A small electric pulse was released at the Aerodactyl, hitting it in the chest. The Aerodactyl recoiled, as if expecting pain from the status move. The large fossil Pokemon blinked slowly as the paralysis took hold, its whole body sparking with electricity. Bisharp smiled, its blades gleaming.
"S-shadow Rush!" Cassidy cried, and the Aerodactyl lowered itself close to the ground– preparing to charge. Alain shivered as he watched a dark red energy suddenly surrounded the Aerodactyl. Shadow Rush– an attack he had never heard of before. He couldn't even decide what type of attack it was. The name suggested a ghost type, but the red aura looked more like a fighting type move.
He watched as the rock type charged forward, running straight at Bisharp. The bladed Pokemon leapt up, dodging the slower Pokemon with ease, releasing a Focus Blast down at it from mid air. Alain felt himself relaxing in the slightest as the paralysed Aerodactyl was hit– the last thing he needed was for this Pokemon to be immune to status affects alongside surviving Guillotines...
How on earth had it able to get back up after the Guillotine?
The Aerodactyl screeched, stumbling back to its feet, snarling at Bisharp angrily. Alain let his gaze slide from the Pokemon to Team Rocket. They had seemed just as startled at the Aerodactyl's recovery from the Guillotine as he had been, staring at the creature in awe as it sank a Crunch into Bisharp's armored body. Like Mairin, you could clearly see that they were poisoned from the Toxic, skin slowly turning a sickly shade of purple, limbs shaking, and coughing between their cries. Unlike Mairin though, they seemed to have much more control over themselves. Butch was still standing– though he was leaning up against a tree for support. Cassidy was shouting comands at the top of her lungs at the Aerodactyl, though she swayed as she sat on the ground.
Mairin was quivering where she sat, a Quilladin trying to support her as her eyelids fluttered weakly. Alain had no time to question to the new Pokemon, simply barking a sharp order at Bisharp as he reached for another Pokeball. He expanded the sphere in his hands, throwing it up into the air.
"Fez!" Unfezant cried as he was released, wings flapping as he surveyed the area.
"Unfezant!" Alain called, "Keep the Aerodactyl distracted and from attacking Bisharp!" He ordered, and the bird glanced down at him, nodding. Alain couldn't let Bisharp get hurt, he was still depending on the steel type on taking down this Aerodactyl, "Don't let it land any attacks on you!" Alain cried as Unfezant sped forward, "Retreat if you must– but don't let it touch you!"
Alain gulped as he thought back on Weavile, the blood pooling from her stomach... He clenched his fists, Bisharp and Metagross probably only dealt with the attacks from this thing due to their steel typing shielding them from the direct damage. But Weavile... she had nothing to protect her this Aerodactyl's attacks– and neither would his Unfezant. He didn't want to see any more blood on his Pokemon... That wasn't suppose to happen...
Unfezant sped by the Aerodactyl with a Quick Attack, nicking him in the side. The normal type move did nothing to the rock type, but it was enough to take the Aerodactyl's focus off of Bisharp. The Aerodactyl's gaze followed Unfezant as he took to the sky, allowing for Bisharp to land a powerful Focus Blast on the rock type. The Aerodactyl shrieked, stumbling to the side.
Alain bit his lip, ignoring the pain coming from his left ankle. He could still feel the sensation of it twisting under him when he had dodged the Aerodactyl's attack earlier. He didn't know bad the damage was, but it hurt to stand on it. He couldn't focus on that however, and his blue eyes remained glued to the battle.
"Guillotine!" He cried, and Bisharp gave him a hesitant glance. Even though the attack had failed to take down the Aerodactyl the first time, it still had done a ton of damage to the Pokemon. While still fighting at full power, pushing the limits of its paralysis as it whipped its head around to follow Unfezant's movements– Alain had seen how much the first Guillotine had weakened it.
Bisharp's blades began to glow white once more, charging up power for the attack. Unfezant flew around Aerodactyl's head with the grace of a Swanna. He avoided every snap of the creature's jaws, taunting it as Bisharp focused. Every time the paralysis acted up, forcing the Aerodactyl to go still, Unfezant would strike with a Steel Wing, slowly chipping away at its rocky armor. The Aerodactyl let out a hiss when he was hit, spit flying from its mouth.
"Get into the a-air!" Cassidy cried, watching as Bisharp formed his attack. Like Alain, they had seem to realize that while able to keep fighting after one Guillotine– two would be pushing the Aerodactyl's limits.
Aerodactyl looked towards the Rockets with narrowed eyes, only for Unfezant to land another Steel Wing on the back of his head. The Aerodactyl seemed to be listening to the Rockets, but... there was just something about its eyes. They were dark, empty, almost emotionless. Alain could simply tell that this Aerodactyl had no care or respect for the two Rocket's ordering it, but yet it still obeyed. Alain watched as it opened it's rocky wings, barely able to take to the skies just as Bisharp ran forward to strike with his second Guillotine.
Aerodactyl took to the air, wings flapping wildly as electricity crackled around his form. The Guillotine missed– striking the ground where the Aerodactyl had stood instead. A huge wave of white energy released on contact, releasing a plume of dust into the air. Bisharp stumbled away from the failed attack, the ground scorched black where the Guillotine had landed. Unfezant threw himself into a powerful Sky Attack at the Aerodactyl, trying to keep it from flying higher and out of Bisharp's reach. The Aerodactyl's jaws snapped at Unfezant, missing his wing by mere inches.
"Aero!" He snarled, but Alain knew it wouldn't be long until he would be forced to land. The paralysis would act up again, and he would be unable to remain airborne in the state. Bisharp calmly raised his arm, the blue light glow of a Focus Blast forming at the tip of his hand as he aimed. White orbs of energy gathered around Aerodactyl at the same moment, each of them slowly solidifying into the jagged rocks of a Stone Edge.
"Unfezant, dodge!" Alain cried, but Unfezant had already dove into another Steel Wing. The bird Pokemon attempted to pull out of the attack, but the Aerodactyl released the Stone Edge straight at him. At the last second Unfezant brought his metallic wings in front of him in hopes of blocking the attack, but Alain knew it wouldn't be enough.
"Fez!" Unfezant screamed as the Stone Edge stuck him. Alain felt his gut twisting as he watched the jagged stones slam into his Pokemon, the sharp edge slicing through his feathers and skin. The Aerodactyl flew forward, glowing with the aura of Shadow Rush. With blood running down his feathers, Unfezant was knocked from the sky by the Shadow Rush. The Pokemon fell, wings limp as the ground rushed up to meet him. Alain aimed the Pokeball up at the falling Pokemon, the return beam recalling him moments before he crashed into the ground.
Alain shook with relief, and Bisharp released the Focus Blast. Alain clutched the Pokeball close to his heart, watching the Aerodactyl glide towards the ground, as the Focus Blast missed. Electricity was crackling around him as the paralysis acted up, and his claws sank into the ground. There was no remorse in the creature's eyes as he raised his head– dark eyes glaring at Bisharp. This Pokemon not only spilled blood, but it seemed to enjoy it. Alain slipped Unfezant's Pokeball away, throat tightening.
"Bisharp, Iron Head now!" Alain ordered, voice turning cold. Bisharp obeyed, running forward, the blade on his head glowing. The super effective attack was rammed into the paralyzed Aerodactyl, colliding with its chest. The Aerodactyl cringed from the force of the blow, allowing Bisharp to slide back and prepare another attack, "Focus Blast!"
Bisharp raised both arms, forming the powerful fighting type move. Aerodactyl's eyes gleamed with a pure hatred as he watched the orb grow, his movements slow and jerky from the paralysis. The Aerodactyl attempted to open his wings, and both Cassidy and Butch were screaming at it to dodge. Alain glanced towards the Rockets, who were now both unable to stand due to the poison. His gaze then slipped towards Mairin, chills racing up him as he saw her laying on the ground– out cold.
The Focus Blast landed with explosive force– the blow sending the Aerodactyl across the clearing. The Pokemon landed on its back, a burn running down his scales from the attack. It weakly raised its head, just in time to see Bisharp racing towards him, the blades on his arms starting to glow.
"End this," Alain said, his voice as sharp as his Bisharp's glowing blades, "Guillotine."
Bisharp jumped, raising his arms above his head. The Aerodactyl's eyes reflected the white glow of the Guillotine attack as Bisharp brought the powerful attack down on him. Gleaming blades clashed against the Aerodactyl, releasing their energy with a powerful flash of white light as they struck. Alain's eyes were cold as the Aerodactyl let out a cry of pain, the force of the Guillotine sending up dust into the air. Bisharp leapt back from the Aerodactyl, huffing with exhaustion. He watched nervously, waiting to see if the Aerodactyl would rise again.
The dust settled, and they could see the Aerodactyl laying there, all energy gone from the monstrous Pokemon.
There was a burst of red light, and Cassidy was holding up a black Pokeball. The Aerodactyl was recalled to the sphere, and she shakily slipped it away. She coughed and quivered, glaring at Alain with pure hatred. Butch's mouth opened, but no words came from him. Alain kept his gaze level with the Rockets.
"Got anything else up your sleeves?" He asked quietly, "Or are we done here?"
Cassidy pulled out another Pokeball, and Bisharp lowered himself into an attacking position. She released a Hypno, causing Bisharp to grin– knowing his dark typing would protect him from any psychic attack.
But Cassidy didn't seem interested in attacking. She coughed out a single word to her Hypno, her whole form trembling from the poison, "T-teleport!"
The Hypno began to glow. Alain's eyes widened, but before he could give Bisharp a single order the glow from the Hypno expanded, surrounding Cassidy and Butch. The Hypno's glow brightened, and with a flash of light he teleported himself and Team Rocket from the clearing. Alain gritted his teeth, swearing.
A small whimper was enough to pull him from his anger though.
"Mairin!" He cried, turning. He regretted the action, pain flaring up his twisted ankle. It took his entire will to hold back a cry of pain, and he limped towards Mairin. Now with the distraction of the battle gone the pain of his ankle was impossible to ignore, "Mairin, are you alright?!"
She didn't reply, simply laying on the ground. Her skin was entirely tinted purple, sweat running across her small form. Guilt twisted through Alain– he was the one that asked her to use Toxic. He was the one that asked her to put herself in this state. And despite all that he had done to her, she had gone through with his desperate plan.
"Quill!" Alain recoiled as a Quilladin leapt in front of Mairin, holding his stubby arms out in front of the girl. Alain stared at the grass type, noticing the purple tinge of poison running across his face.
"Chespie," Alain muttered, recognizing the Pokemon. The evolved Chespin twitched in acknowledgement, but didn't move from his defensive position. The Quilladin was glaring at Alain, confusion and distrust in his eyes. Alain could only imagine what was going through his mind at the moment, "Chespie, let me see Mairin," Alain said hoarsely.
"Din..." Chespie growled, shifting uncertainly. Alain knew that he could get Chespie away from Mairin with a single attack from Bisharp– but he wasn't going to do that. Alain lowered himself to his knees– both so he was closer to the Quilladin's level, and to take some weight off of his ankle. He looked the grass type in the eye, watching Chespie shake from the poison.
"I'm not going to hurt her," Alain said quietly, "We need to get out of here, Team Rocket could be back at any moment. Chespie– I promise you that I would never hurt her– I just want her to be safe. Please, trust me."
The poisoned Quilladin watched Alain, then glanced back at his unconscious trainer. Mairin's whole form was quivering, sweat running down her skin. Chespie looked back at Alain, desperation in his eyes, "Quill..."
Alain smiled, "You love her," He whispered, "You'd do anything for Mairin, and you are Mairin's world. Chespie, you can't help her in this state. Let me get her out of here," He reached towards the Quilladin, "Alright...?"
Chespie recoiled from Alain's hand, but his eyes remained glued to the human. Several seconds of silence passed, and at last Chespie stumbled back, allowing Alain to approach Mairin. He scrambled forward on his hands and knees, drawing up to her side. His fingers twitched as he reached for Mairin, but Alain only hesitated for a second before running his hands over her face. She was burning up, her body turning fervish as it attempted to fight off the poison in her. He knew that she wasn't about to wake up anytime soon, not until he got the poisoned cured.
"...D-din..." Alain turned in time to see Chespie collapsing to the ground, unable to stand any longer. He was breathing heavily, looking at Mairin with tears in his eyes. Alain reached for Mairin's bag, which sat near her, fumbling for the pocket where he knew she kept her Pokeballs. He withdrew Chespie's, and held it out towards him.
"Rest," Alain whispered, "I'll help her, I promise."
Chespie looked up at him. The Quilladin took in a shaky breath, struggling to stay conscious. Finally something in his gaze softened, and the grass type nodded. He reached out with one arm, and Alain offered the Pokeball again. Chespie touched the small button, and he was recalled to the sphere with a burst of red light. Alain carefully replaced the Pokeball into her bag, knowing that while in it Chespie's poison wouldn't get worse.
But of course the same wouldn't hold true for Mairin.
Alain was still kneeling next to her, hands shaking as he tried to figure out what to do next. They couldn't stay here– it was more than possible that Team Rocket could return with back up of some kind. As much as he wanted to stay here and cure her poison first, he knew that they needed to get moving.
Alain glanced back at his Bisharp, who was calmly waiting to see what Alain would do. Alain had no Pokemon that could help him carry Mairin out of her– Metagross, Weavile, and Unfezant were too injured to do so. Tyranitar wouldn't be able through fit in this forest– while sparse, the trees still grew too close together for the giant rock type. There was Charizard... but she was still resting, and then Bisharp... Alain looked at the bladed Pokemon and shuddered. He loved his Pokemon, but there was no way he was letting Bisharp carry Mairin– he simply had too many sharp blades on him for the task.
So that left him.
Alain looked down at his ankle, which was starting to swell slight. He could only hoped that he hadn't fully sprained it in his fall– but he knew what he was about to do wouldn't help it either. He looked back towards Mairin, hesitating for a moment. He then reached for her neck, untying the yellow scarf she wore, and then sliding off her small green poncho as well. It wasn't much, but with the way she was burning up it was best to have less cloth trapping in her body heat. Alain tucked the poncho into her backpack, along with her hat– which he had been carrying in his pocket. He held onto her scarf however.
"Bisharp, will you carry our bags?" Alain asked quietly, sliding his off from his back. The steel type nodded, stepping forward. Alain turned his attention back towards Mairin, trying to keep his mounting panic under control. He held the scarf in his hands, then looked down at his ankle, "I'm going to borrow this..." He muttered, though he knew Mairin couldn't hear him.
He wrapped the small scarf around his twisted ankle, tightly wrapping the joint to give it some support for when he walked. While it was no cast or bandage, it would have to do. Once he made sure it was secure he looked over towards Mairin. He took in a deep breath, bracing himself, and carefully scooped up Mairin's small form into his arms.
His ankle screamed in pain as the extra weight was added to it, but Alain remained silent. His teeth were gritted as he forced himself to his feet, Mairin's limp body resting in his arms. Bisharp was watching him uncertainly, flinching as his trainer stumbled to find balance on his injured ankle.
"I'm fine," Alain hissed through gritted teeth, but Bisharp still took several steps towards Alain. The steel type looked drained from the battle, but his injuries were minimal, especially when compared to Alain's other Pokemon. He carried the two backpacks over his shoulder, the bags carefully placed away from the bladed parts of his body. He blinked, but didn't comment on Alain's watery eyes as he limped forward out of the clearly, face twisted with pain. Mairin shifted slightly in Alain's arms.
Trainer and Pokemon slowly made their way into the forest in silence, trying to get the poisoned girl to safety.