Good morning everyone! Mango is baaaaaack! How is it going everyone? I know, I missed you guys too! So, the last chapter I did something unexpected. I know that in the games you must defeat Roxanne to head to Dewford, but I plan to do this my way. So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And those of you wondering about my other two stories, my keyboard is still shot. BUT to all of you that like my first work two works, I have a surprise for you. Now, that being said, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon! All of its characters and content are owned by Game Freak and Nintendo.
Chapter 10: The Feisty Crustacean!
The sun shone brightly through the window of Satoru's room in the Pokémon Center. He awoke rather groggily considering he had a rough night, it was to be expected. Images of Annelise bombarded his dreams without cease, making it difficult to sleep. Yawning, Satoru slid out of bed, stretching as he got up. Ralts, sensing her trainer was awake, also stirred and rubbed her eyes cutely. She wondered how he was doing.
She could still feel that same mixture of emotions from him the day she stepped out of the underbrush. It was as if there were a cloud of sadness looming over him only, instead of rain, there was a single ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds like a spotlight. The pain of loss was still hanging over him. There was another thing bothering her. She had panicked at a critical moment and cost Satoru the match. She didn't feel any anger coming from him, even after the match.
So what was the issue? She couldn't figure it out. Satoru could feel the confusion rolling off of her, and turned to face her. He could see a look of uncertainty on her face, even though her eyes were veiled. He knew one of the reasons for that look. He breathed a deep sigh and sat back on the bed with her and looked at her.
'It wasn't your fault you know...'
'It wasn't? But...I lost. I...I panicked, I'm sorry Satoru...'
'Don't be. We weren't ready for her. But I promise you this...next time we will be.'
'Do you really think we will be?'
'Yes...now come on...we need to get going.'
'Okay!'
X-X-X
Allen had also rolled out of bed, but a little earlier than Satoru. In fact, he wasn't even in the center. He was outside of it, training his team.
"Alright! Let's run through that again! Zigzagoon, I wanna see more speed. Lotad, keep Zigzagoon dodging!" Allen shouted enthusiastically, watching as his Pokémon obeyed his orders.
Karen was out there with him, watching how he worked. She had her hair in pigtails and wore a pink sleeveless top with a white skirt and pink stockings. As she observed Allen, the door to the center opened and Satoru walked out. A smile crossed the little girl's features as her silent new friend made his way over to the group.
"Morning sleepyhead!" She chirped, getting a tired smile from Satoru in return.
"Good morning Karen...how long have you two been up?"
"Ummm...since seven. Allen was up first and as you can see..."
Zigzagoon slipped on a wet patch of grass and slid into Lotad who blasted him with bubbles to knock him away.
"That's okay Zigzagoon! Just try to keep your footing!" Allen called out.
"He's really working hard I see. He must really want to improve. I will admit, he is getting better."
"Yep! Though he still has quite a ways to go before he is ready to face Roxanne again."
"Ah...you heard about that. Yeah, she beat us pretty badly. I only managed to beat her first Pokémon. I will have to work on my strategy a bit more next time around."
"Yeah...he told me that you were awesome, even though you lost. He also told me about how you beat that mean bully when you met him. You must really be something."
It was my friend that claimed the victory. All I did was call the shots really. Beldum just responds as directed. No more, no less..."
"True, but it takes skill on a trainers part as well. Give yourself some credit!" Karen giggled.
Another thud was heard as Zigzagoon was knocked away again by a burst of leaves. Allen sighed and shook his head. He seemed so fixed on getting everything just right. He would eventually get a good strategy down in order to face Roxanne again.
"So, are you ready to head to Dewford? I went ahead and talked to Mr. Briney and he is ready whenever we are!" Karen beamed.
Satoru smiled softly and nodded. He couldn't help but notice how cheerful Karen was. She and Allen shared that same child-like innocence couples with an unexplainable happy aura that seemed to surround them. Satoru knew he needed those two around. He wasn't sure how his journey would be without the two.
"Allen my darling! We're heading to Mr. Briney's now!" Karen called out.
"I am not your darling!" Allen shot back, flushes in the face.
Karen giggled at the frustrated expression on Allen's features.
Ralts sat atop Satoru's right shoulder, her crimson hues peaking out at the individuals before her. Beldum floated on Satoru's left, simply observing as it always did. After Allen finally returned his Pokemon, the trio headed back towards the Petalburg Woods.
X-X-X
The trip didn't seem to take too long for the trio. A few hours after they had started out, they had made it out of the woods and were already heading towards Mr. Briney's Cabin.
"Not much farther! Come on, his cabin is just up ahead! See the boat!?" Karen chirped excitedly.
"Sheesh you're loud..." Allen grumbled, still disgruntled that Karen was tagging along.
"I'm just a very happy person. So get used to it!" Karen laughed.
Satoru shook his head at the two. They were like siblings in a way.
"Hello over there!" Mr. Briney's voice called out as he heard and saw them coming.
"Hello again Mr. Briney!" Karen called out as she ran up to the old man.
"Well, if it isn't the youngsters who helped me get my darling Peeko back. What brings you here to my home?"
"We have a letter to deliver to Mr. Stone's son," Karen smiled.
"The President of the Devon Corporation?"
"Yeah, and we were wondering if you could bring us to Dewford," Allen interjected.
"Dewford eh? Well, I suppose I can spare some time and sail there. It sounds like an adventure! Alright, if it's that important then hop aboard! Peeko, we're setting sail!" Mr. Briney shouted, calling his Wingull to him.
The trio loaded onto the small ship after Mr. Briney got on and began loosing the ropes that kept the ship docked. Within minutes, the crew was off and sailing for Dewford.
X-X-X
Satoru sat in the back of the boat, his eyes looking up at the clouds. He seemed to be in his own little world at this point. Karen was sitting by Allen who was attempting to coach his Pokémon on what they ought to be doing.
"Okay! Lotad, you're getting better at the power output. We just need to work on your evasion next. Zigzagoon, we have your speed up, we just need to work on you hitting harder and faster. With enough training we will be able to win!" Allen said confidently.
Satoru smiled faintly at this. Allen seemed to barely grasp the strategic aspect of battling, which didn't seem to help him much. And then there was Karen. She had Pokemon, but he had no clue what they were. Come to think of it, he didn't even ask. As the trio relaxed, he couldn't help but notice that Ralts seemed a little distracted. Beldum did as well.
'You two okay?' Satoru inquired, glancing over at his two companions who were looking over the edge of the boat.
'There is something swimming alongside of us. I cannot detect what it is just yet, but it seems to have an interest in the boat.'
'I wonder what it could be Beldum.'
'Analyzing. Processing. Ah. I detect a crustacean swimming beside us. More specifically a Clauncher. He is using Aqua Jet to follow us.'
'He must be a pretty fast Launcher then...we aren't exactly going slow here. In any case...I think I want to catch it. I got this Dive Ball for the sole purpose of finding something that could help me against Roxanne and a Clauncher sounds about right...'
'I have pinpointed its location...should we engage?'
'I'll have Ralts do it...you have nothing ranged.'
'Ah. Right, I do not.'
Satoru glanced down at the water, drawing the attention of Allen and Karen who became curious. Why was he watching the water so intently? Neither of them knew, but they would soon find out. As they watched, suddenly, Satoru snapped his fingers, signalling Ralts to spring into action.
Ralts began to channel psychic energies through her tiny frame, expelling them outwards, connecting with the water.
"Why is Satoru attacking the water?"
"Not sure Allen...maybe he saw something?" Karen thought aloud.
As the two looked on, a small blue crustacean looking Pokémon was lifted out of the water. It did not look too happy.
'What be the big idea? What business do ye landlubbers have treatin' me this way!?' The Clauncher growled as he glared at the Ralts that held him in her grip.
Satoru blinked as he looked at Clauncher. What he was saying almost made no sense to him. without much of a care, he snapped his fingers once, signalling for Ralts to slam him onto the deck. Ralts complied. She used her psychic abilities to send the crustacean crashing onto the deck. Clauncher, clearly not happy, whirled around and fired off a Water Pulse towards Ralts. Two snaps from Satoru sent Ralts into a Double Team which Clauncher didn't seem fazed by in the least. Correcting his aim, he charged up aquatic energies and with the help of his ability, Mega Launcher, fired off a massive Water Pulse. This took out all of the doubles and nearly flattened Ralts had she not avoided it.
"Whoa! That nearly hit us!" Karen called out as she barely avoided getting blasted off the boat.
'There be no runnin' from me ya bilge rat!'
'Bilge rat? That term is unfamiliar. Explain.'
'I don't need to be explainin' nothing' to the likes of ye! Now engarde!'
Clauncher's body began to glow with aquatic aura. Within seconds, he darted off, cloaked in water with his larger claw glowing with the light of Crab Hammer. Satoru snapped his fingers twice to signal Beldum to switch into a defensive mode, coating itself with a layer of metal. The attack hammered home, the impact reduced a bit more due to Iron Defense. At that point, another psychic pulse battered into Clauncher's side, sensing him skidding along the ground, Clauncher stood back up and fired back at Ralts who took a clean hit from the Water Pulse. This nearly knocked her out.
"What's going on back there!?" Mr. Briney called back, checking on his passengers.
"Nothing! Satoru is playing with a Clauncher!"
There was a loud crash!
Beldum rammed Clauncher straight into the side of the boat and then retreated as soon as Clauncher began to open fire with another Water Pulse. The blast missed Beldum by a slight margin and detonated on the water, battering the boat. Allen and Karen both faltered a bit, knocking heads in the process.
'So. Huff. Ye be stronger than I first thought. I must say...huff...I didn't expect it...'
'My trainer directs me quite well. He is very familiar with the ways of battle as he graduated with high honors and as an Ace.'
'A what now? Don't go confusin' me with all this gibberish. Let's continue our fight!'
'If that is what you desire.'
Satoru snapped his fingers and that alerted Ralts to be on the offensive. A pulse of psychic energy shot out and took hold of Clauncher as he fought Beldum. As Clauncher struggled against the invisible force that held him, the 209 pound bell rammed into him, coated in violet aura. This caused the crustacean to wheeze painfully. As he fell to the ground, a blue and white ball hit him on his small forehead and absorbed him inside. The ball twitched thrice and then...click.
Satoru smiled in satisfaction as he picked up his new companion. As he did, he looked around at Allen and Karen who were ducking for cover. He scratched the back of his head nervously and then clipped Clauncher's ball to his belt.
"Was that a Clauncher? Wow, those are cool!" Allen said enthusiastically.
"Yes...and I do believe he was a pretty strong one at that. He injured Salts and took several hits from Beldum. I think he will be quite useful..."
"You will definitely win at the gym with Clauncher. Roxanne won't know what hit her!"
Satoru chuckled soundlessly as he typed back to Allen.
"I don't know about that just yet. I will cross that bridge when I come to it."
"Hey you two, look! I she Dewford!" Karen called back to Satoru and Allen who ran up beside her to the front of the boat.
Within minutes of the island being in sight, the trio had finally reached Dewford, two hours after setting sail.
And that takes care of that! So, yeah...Clauncher. I figured he would be a good one for Satoru. Clauncher can be quite powerful with his ability Mega Launcher. 120 power Water Pulse anyone? So yeah, he's a thing. In any case, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter because there are more to come! Find out what happens next time on Rising!