DWA: So in this chapter Mike gets into a few battles, and some other stuff happens. Now starting here, I am simply going from the top of my head. Hopefully this doesn't affect the quality. Also, just a reminder, a new chapter will hopefully be uploaded once a week, on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
"Speech"
'Thought'
-Telepathy -
[Translated Pokespeech]
Chapter 9: Pastoria City. Next day. Time: 11:07am
I told Maylene a good chunk of my past. I left out some of the more gruesome details, that and Shoros Town. She took it rather well, though really doesn't condone my methods. She said she'd get some kind of weapon to help defend herself. After that we spent most of the day around town and spent the night in the Pokémon Center. All in all, good day.
We had recently left for Pastoria City, the location of my next Gym battle. There's supposed to be a contest in Pastoria soon, we haven't decided if we want to watch it. Normally we wouldn't but a change of pace would be nice.
At the time Cassidy and I were walking side by side holding hands. Then we heard a voice shout out.
"LOOK OUT!" I looked to my right to see a ball of fire barreling towards me. I sigh and teleport out of the way. When it passed the area I was it stopped to reveal a Typhlosion. Then a familiar face came running up to us.
"Oh Arceus not again, are you- Mike?" I smile.
"Sup Dawn. I thought I said less fire energy, not more." She laughs sheepishly and looks at Cassidy.
"So who's this?" Cassidy gives a slight bow before introducing herself.
"My name is Cassidy, I'm Mike's girlfriend. Pleased to meet you. I have seen you on the covers of coordinating magazines. If I recall correctly, you are Sinnoh's top coordinator."
"Yep that's me! It took a while but I'm finally as good as Mom!" She said with a smile while Typhlosion gave an approving growl. I looked behind her and saw to people walk out of the trees. One wore a red vest and had red hair that spiked up a bit. The other wore a purple shirt under a black vest and had purple hair and a frown on his face. He gave off some bad vibes, but nothing evil.
"Hey Dawn, who are those two!" The red haired girl yelled out. Dawn turned to the other two.
"Oh this is Mike and his girlfriend Cassidy. I met Mike when he first came to Sinnoh a while ago. Mike, Cassidy, meet Zoey and Paul." She said waving a hand for them to come over.
"Nice to meet you." I said with a bow, Cassidy doing the same.
"Hiya!" Zoey said while Paul scoffed. I shrugged it off and asked.
"What brings you out here?"
"Me and Zoey are out getting ribbons for the Grand Festival. Can't stay Top Coordinator if I don't compete! Also were trying to get Paul to try a contest."
"And it's not happening!" Paul said with anger.
"Am I sensing hostility? Why not Paul, I've taken part in contests before. Granted I won't do it again, it did give me some ideas." I said with a smile.
"Not. Happening." He said scowling with a death glare. Dawn and Zoey seemed a little scared. No, only Zoey, that's odd.
"Ooo, so scary. How bout this?" I held up Blade's Luxury Ball. "You and me, 3v3, loser competes in the Pastoria contest. What do ya say?" He smirked and threw a Poke ball.
"I say fine! Electivire, stand by for battle!" He said and his rather powerful looking Electivire appeared.
"Okay then, Ethan, front and center!" I shouted as Ethan appeared on our makeshift battlefield. Cassidy had made her way over to Dawn and Zoey by now.
(POV Change 3rd Person)
"What's he doing bringing a Prinplup to battle an Electivire!" Dawn said, and her Piplup popped out of its Poke Ball to watch.
"Even I don't know. Mike can be reckless, but he always has a reason." Cassidy said.
"Ha, a Prinplup? Are you an idiot? Electivire, Thunder!" Electivire shot a huge bolt of electricity that struck Ethan head on, causing and explosion.
"Well that was stupid." Zoey said with a frown. Then the dust cleared, revealing and unharmed Prinplup.
"WHAT!?" Everyone exclaimed while Mike smirked.
"Ethan has a rare mutation that gives him a resistance to all electric attacks. Impressive right? Now, let's use that new move you got! Scald!" Ethan fired steaming water from his mouth that hit Electivire head on. He was visibly burned, but barley hurt.
"Well, this should be interesting" Mike said before calling out another attack.
-(ooo)- Time: 11:32am
The battle had raged on for a long amount of time and both Paul and Mike had lost two Pokémon.
"Blade, front and center!" Mike shouted and Blade appeared on the field.
-Blade you're my last hope. Paul is one tough guy!-
-When was the last time we were pushed this far? The Hoenn League? Heh, this will be fun.-
"Magmortar, stand by for battle!" Paul shouted bring out the familiar Pokémon. Mike smirked, he had the advantage, he has a Magmortar of his own, so he knew how to fight it.
"Magmortar, Flamethrower." Paul said.
-Dodge, then Psycho Cut.- Blade jumped out of the way but Magmortar just redirected the fire, though the Psycho Cut cut through the flames and struck Magmortar, sending him flying.
"What the-? You didn't give a command!"
"Yes I did. I said it with telepathy. By the way, your Magmortar is having quite a bit of trouble it seems." Mike said and Paul looked back to see Magmortar writhing in pain clutching his head. Blade's Psychic was mentally assaulting his mind.
"Blade's Psychic can immobilize any foe. Well, except Dark types. There is no way he's getting-"
"Psychic!" Magmortar's eyes opened and were glowing blue. Blade was shoved back as his hold was broken.
[Impressive, he broke my link.] Blade said with an approving look.
Paul smirked at is success but saw Magmortar was on its last leg. He knew he couldn't win if he tried at this point. He frowned knowing that his Gallade could sweep his entire team if it dodged all the hits.
"I concede. I know when I'm beat." Paul said with a smile. Granting a gasp from Dawn and Zoey.
"He got Paul to smile! Holy crap." Zoey said. Dawn ran up to Paul and jumped on him with a hug.
"I knew it! I KNEW you had a good side!" Dawn said while continuing to hug Paul who look confused and had a light blush.
"Get off Dawn!" He yelled and Dawn quickly obeyed.
"Thank you." Paul said dusting himself off.
(POV Change 1st Person)
I laughed at the display.
"Wow, how long have you known each other?"
"About eleven years. We all met through a trainer named Ash Ketchum."
"Ash huh? I heard a lot about the guy while in Kanto. If I ever go back I should try to find him." I said as Cassidy walked over to me.
"So Paul, you lost and I hate to say that a bet's a bet. You gotta compete in the Pastoria contest."
"Damn it." He said. "Well, I might as well start training for it and get it over with. But before I do I have to ask. I have been training with my Pokemon for a long time. Occasionally taking breaks and such. How are you so strong?
"Heh, well strong is what you get from the Champion of three regions." I said.
-Three, two, one.- Blade said in his telepathy.
"WHAT!?" Dawn, Paul, and Zoey shouted.
"Yep, I beat the Leagues of Hoenn, Kanto and Johto, also beat there Elite Four and their Champion. They asked if I wanted the position but I technically turned them down. I said I wanted to travel but wouldn't mind the pay, even if it's cut in half. I still make enough to easily get by. If you want to know how I'm strong. I put my Pokemon through some harsh training. I treat them well but the training gives scars." I said as I pointed to a scar on Blade's upper arm. Zoey seemed to be a little angry at that.
"SO YOU HURT YOUR OWN POKEMON?! WHAT KIND OF TRAINER ARE YOU!?" She shouted while running at me.
'Scratch a little angry and replace it with an all-out Ursaring rage.' I thought to myself.
I sighed and sidestepped her punch and tripped her with my leg. She fell face first in the dirt.
"Yes I hurt them, do I like it? No, so I make sure that they get proper care. Hey, Zoey." I said kneeling down. "You have a family right? Loving mother and father. Maybe a sibling." She nodded.
"I don't, my family was completely murdered, killed. My brother, my father, my mother, aunts, uncles, cousins. All dead." Zoey had a look of pure shock on her face.
"Because of this, my town thought I was cursed or some shit and ran me out. Cassidy followed because she felt my pain. She knew I was hurt, and followed." Cassidy had a sad smile and nodded.
"And now," I let out all my Pokémon, who had sad smiles on their faces too. I sat down and Leaf climbed onto my lap and purred as I pet her. "Now these Pokémon are my family. Ethan is a new brother, Blade has been my brother for 3 and a half years. Mag is a brother as well and Leaf is my sister. Sky is different however, since I hatched her, she's my daughter." Zoey now wore a look of regret.
"If you ever accuse me of hurting my Pokémon without some type of benefit again, I will do more than trip you." I said in a dark voice. Leaf hopped off my lap as I got up, and turned to Dawn and Paul.
"Sorry about that, I won't let anyone insult how I train my Pokémon, or how I seem to give little care. We're going now, see you in Pastoria." I then gave a Full Restore to Ethan and Sky, seeing as they were very tired from the battle. We then walked away, as Cassidy slipped her hand into mine and kissed my cheek.
"That was odd of you to tell how you got started, just because someone angered you. Still I understand why but please, no more threatening people we just met." I laughed and nodded.
"Sure, sure. Come on, we gotta get to Pastoria." She nodded.
-(ooo)- Location: Engulfing Shadows HQ, true location unknown. Time: 12:09 pm
(POV Change 3rd Person)
David was sitting at his desk bored out of his mind looking up at the black ceiling and white lights. No one had seen hide nor tail of Max since he shot him in the shoulder. Many of the grunts say he bled out, but David knew better. The kid probably has a Chansey or something for wounds, he's still out there.
'Bruce is even harder to find, ever since we started that arrogant son of a bitch has been harassing us.' David thought to himself. His intercom buzzed and a voice was heard on the other side.
"Sir, Alex is here with some information, should I send him in?" David pressed the button on the small device.
"Yes, yes, send him in." He removed his finger from the button. "Anything to kill the boredom." The door to his office opened.
"If it's excitement you want then I may have something for you." Alex said, walking in.
"What is it Alex?"
"Heh, our sources tell me Bruce was spotted in Hearthome City." David smirked.
"Send a small force, 10-15 men. If that is not enough then we'll go personally."
"He'll move by then."
"Not to kill him, just to watch. I want to see if he interacts with, if anyone important shows up, put them on your list.
"I shall do as you wish, however I will only send seven men. Less chance of being noticed." David nodded and motioned for Alex to leave. Alex nodded and walked out.
'So Bruce, I wonder. Do you fear the what lies in the shadows?' David thought with an evil smirk.
-(ooo)- Location, Lake Valor Resort. Time 12:55pm
(POV Change 1st Person)
Cassidy and I stopped by the famous Five Star Restaurant at the Lake Valor Resort and were enjoying a nice meal.
"I can see why they are so famous. This food is amazing." Cassidy said before taking a sip of her drink.
"Mmhmm." I replied with a mouth full of food. I swallowed what food was in my mouth before talking.
"I also hear that some of the customers will challenge others to battles. I wonder if anyone will challenge us." We finished our food, paid and left a good-sized tip. Before we could leave, a man and his daughter walked up to us.
"Excuse me sir, I was hoping that you could treat me and my kid to a battle, she's on her journey and came by to tell me that she had saved enough to eat here. Now that we have, she wants me to help her battle better. Can you help?" The man asked. I smiled and extended a hand.
"Of course sir, the name's Mike, and this is Cassidy. What are your names?" He took my hand and shook it before replying.
"My names, Clint, and my daughter's name is Sally. Say hi Sally."
"H-hi." She said with a blush of embarrassment and hid behind her father.
"Haha, hey there Sally, my guess is she's very shy and that's why she need help?" Clint nods.
"Well, let's get outside." Cassidy said and held the door open. I smiled and let the other two go first before stealing a kiss from Cass.
(POV Change 3rd Person)
Everyone took their side and Mike noticed a window that allowed Patrons to watch the battles, he shook his head and grabbed Leaf's Ball.
"Us first! Leaf, front and center!" Mike shouted, and his Leafeon showed on the field.
[Yes, ready to fight!] Leaf said.
"Garuda, battle stance!" Cassidy said, releasing her Pseudo-Legendary dragon. The fearsome dragon roared as a signal it's ready to go.
"Houndoom, go!" Clint said, sending out his fiery hellhound.
"Let's win Sneasel!" Sally said, sending out the icy weasel.
"Well, where's that shyness now! You can go first." I said.
"Thanks, now Sally, I need you to use Icy Wind on that Garchomp, it will hurt it a lot, and slow it down. Now, Flamethrower on Leafeon, Houndoom!"
"Sneasel, Icy wind, hit them both!"
"Nice idea, slowing us down while hurting us. Leaf, move."
"Garuda, take to the skies."
Leaf dodged the attacks by running away at high speeds, ending up behind Sneasel. Garuda simply flew up and avoided the cold winds.
"X-Scissor." Mike said
"Dragon Claw!" Cassidy yelled, due to Garuda being in the air.
"S-Sneasel dodge now!" Sneasel avoided the attack, but the Leafeon disappeared again, and Sneasel was hit from behind by an X-Scissor. The super effective attack knocking it out.
Clint couldn't give Houndoom a command by the time the Dragon Claw hit, severely damaging Houndoom.
"Mike, if you would be so kind?" Cassidy asked. Mike nodded.
"Leaf Blade, give it a "push"." Leaf vanished and reappeared next to Houndoom, who was hit by a weak Leaf Blade meant to push, Houndoom flew into the sky.
"Dragon Rush!" Garuda was covered in a swirl of blue draconic energy, and slammed into Houndoom, knocking it out.
(POV Change 1st Person)
"Aww, that was too quick." Sally said pouting.
"Sorry, it's hard for us to hold back. Sally, just be confident, analyze your opponent, and try to adapt to them. That's the best advice I can give. I'd like to be in Pastoria before nightfall." Sally nodded and Clint patted my shoulder.
"It may have been short but my daughter basically records the battle and analyzes it to see where she went wrong. She then works on that point. Her memory is something else." I smile and nod, return Leaf, while Cassidy returns Garuda.
"Well, see ya. Good luck!" I said walking away with Cassidy beside me.
As I walk I look down and see my amulet glowing blue.
"Um, what the hell?"
"What's wrong-oh, why is your amulet glowing?" Cassidy asked.
"I don't know." I said, and it suddenly lost its glow.
"Weird." I said. I shrugged it off and kept walking.
-(ooo)- Time: 1:54 pm
We walked out of the building that served as a gate for the town and saw Pastoria. It was a nice town, with a lotta grass. As we walked we saw a lot of people with Pokémon, which were apparently from the Marsh that was like the Safari Game in Kanto. As we continued to walk a gray and yellow blur flew by me, the wind knocking me and Cassidy down.
"Holy hell what was that?" I asked as I got up and helped Cassidy.
"Stop you monster!"
"Get it!"
I looked to see townspeople running and looking around. A man that looked like some kind of wrestler came up to me.
"Young man did you happen to see a Dusknoir around here?" I tilted my head.
"Maybe the thing that knocked me down but Dusknoirs aren't that fast." I said looking at the direction it was heading.
"Why are you looking for a Dusknoir?" Cassidy asked.
"It attacks trainers, and steals food from the Pokémon Center and shops, it's been a menace since it got here. I can't even give a challenger a good gym battle."
"Hold on it attacks the trainers?" I asked.
"No just their Pokémon, I'm Crasher Wake by the way. Pastoria's Gym leader. Now I know you're a trainer but until this Dusknoir is stopped I can't give you a battle." I shrug.
"I'll help I guess. Just get it to stay still and maybe I can find out why it's doing this."
"No kid, it needs to be taken down. Killed or captured, it needs to go." I got a little mad.
"So you'd kill something without knowing why it was acting in the manner it is?"
"Well how are we supposed to find out?"
"I can understand Pokémon, let me talk to it." Wake shakes his head.
"Sorry, no can do. I need to make sure it won't hurt anyone else." I was about to send this guy flying, or kill him, one or the other, but then I felt Cassidy's hand on my shoulder. I looked to her and she shook her head. I sighed and started to walk to the Center, but not before stopping to say this to Wake.
"You got off lucky here Wake, trust me. If you corner this Dusknoir let me talk to it. I may be able to stop this without violence. If I have to resort to fighting it, do not interfere." Wake stares at me before turning and walking away. I continue to walk to the center, hoping that he heeds my warning.
-(ooo)- Time 8:30pm
I was sitting in my room at the Pokémon Center, waiting for any word of Dusknoir from Nurse Joy. She shared my sympathy and didn't mind it taking food. It seemed to take very little anyways.
Cassidy had gone out to see if there are any good Pokémon in the Marsh. She may not take on the Gyms, but she loves Pokémon nonetheless. As I was lost in thought, I jumped when the door flung open.
"Mike, they've cornered Dusknoir! They're near the Gym!" My eyes widened.
"WHAT?! Those Arceus damned . . . when Cassidy gets back, tell her where I am." She nodded and I ran past her. I was soon out the doors and running towards the gym at high speed.
When I arrived I shoved my way through the many trainers and saw the Dusknoir battling a Floatzel that looked as though it belonged to Crasher Wake. I grabbed Leaf's Ball and threw it.
"Leaf, full power Leaf Blade!" Leaf appeared, her tail glowing a very bright green. Many trainers were cheering, thinking I was attacking Dusknoir. They were shocked when Leaf hit the Floatzel.
The Floatzel flew into a wall, getting knocked out on impact. Crasher turned to me, while I was glaring at him, Leaf by my side.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING KID?!" He said, extremely angry.
"I said I wanted to talk to it, until then Leaf will attack, no, kill, any who try to attack it." I said calmly.
"Oh really? Buizel, Water Gun!" A random trainer called out. Leaf vanished and reappeared in front of the Buizel, and used her tail to cut a large gash in its chest. It fell, unconscious from the pain. She then ran over to me.
"Anyone else wanna try?" I said as I looked at the trainer who had a shocked and terrified expression. I shrugged and walked over to the Dusknoir. The ghost type backed up, looking ready to fight. I held my hands up.
"I am only here to talk."
[Then why do you kill?] It said in a masculine voice.
"To protect you." His eye widened.
[So, you can understand me. Interesting. I thank you for helping, but murder isn't necessary.]
"I know, that's why if that kid gets his Buizel to a Pokémon Center it may live!" I said loud enough for the trainer to hear. I heard him grab his Buizel and run off.
"So why are you attacking trainers?"
[I fight to get stronger, I was once forced to kill when we raided a Psychic type village, the Ralts line I believe. I had to kill a mother and father, in front of their son.]
-Wait, what?- I heard Blade say in telepathy.
"Well kid? Why is it doing this?" I heard Wake say. I turn to him.
"He wants to get stronger, that way no one can make him fight against his will." I ignored any further comments and turned to the Ghost.
"Where was this attack?" He looked down in thought.
[In Hoenn, near Petalburg City. If I am correct.] My eyes widen and I feel realization from Blade.
"Oh boy, buddy, you're not gonna believe it but-." Blade came out of his Luxury Ball.
[Man, you killed my parents. I finally found their killer.] Blade looked down as the Dusknoir recoiled in shock.
[I-I, my Arcues, there were survivors.] I turned to the other trainers and I saw Leaf had a shocked expression.
"Everyone, leave now, this is no longer any of your concern!"
"What? WHY!?" Someone shouted. I sighed and got a mental "okay" from Blade.
"This Dusknoir killed my Gallade's parents, we need to be in private." I said looking back. Many took on looks of shock and they all started to leave, even Wake. I grabbed his shoulder and handed him 10,000 in notes.
"This is for the kid's Buizel." He looked at me and nodded, and then left. I turned.
"Blade? You okay? I asked and he chuckled.
[I dunno, I found the 'mon that killed my parents.] He said
[If it's any consolation, I fully regret my action and give my condolences. I was forced, kill or die. I didn't want to.] There was a long silence. Blade walked up to the Dusknoir and looked up. I felt, happiness, understanding, and forgiveness.
[I know, and I forgive you.] The Dusknoir looked shocked.
[Wh-what?]
[If not for you I would have never met Mike, gone on this journey, meet all these people. Hell, maybe even fall in love. So I accept your unspoken apology. One more thing,] Blade held out his hand.
[Wanna join up? If ya do, I promise, the only killing we'll do is of evil people.] The Dusknoir looked like he'd been hit with a bomb, while I smiled.
'Blade really must've had this on his mind. He forgave him rather quickly.'
Dusknoir looked down as I came out of my thoughts, pondering the question most likely. He then looked up
[I killed your mother and father. How can you forgive me so easily?] Blade gave off a wave of amusement.
[Man, I was thinking for over the course of two years what I would do with you if I found you. However, after seeing so much, I just came to the conclusion that I would ask you to apologize and that would be that. But, seeing the predicament you're in, I thought it better to come with us.] Dusknoir looked around, then at Blade's still outstretched hand. Dusknoir then took it, with a new fire in his eye.
[Sure, why not? I'll be fine in one of those balls as long as it's not cramped in them.] I laughed.
"Nah, they're my own design, extra space and an environmental generator, you'll love it." Dusknoir nods and floats up a bit.
[Ready.]
I enlarge an empty Luxury Ball and throw it at Dusknoir. It lands and sucks him in, pinging before it even hit the ground, the stripes turning a deep purple for the Ghost type inside. I walked over and picked up the Ball.
"Now I have a surprise for Wake when we battle." I said with a smirk. I return Blade and Leaf, and head to the Pokémon Center, to rest up and learn more about our new teammate, Dusk the Dusknoir.
DWA: Woot done, and now Mike has Dusk on his team. Now if anyone reads this, a kid in my school died over the weekend, Claudio….Damn can't spell his last name. Now I didn't know him but he definitely was a good kid. Had a lot of friends, many of which mourn his death. Wish them well. Also with Thanksgiving, I may be a little late in putting up a new chapter next week. We'll see.
Mike: According to Mike's thoughts, we may be nearing a climax in the near future.
DWA: HEY GET OUTTA MY HEAD!
Mike: Okay, Okay, jeez. Remember people, Read and Review!