Metamorphosis

Chapter 10

They spent the next few days training inside Celadon Mall. Occasionally, crowds would gather to watch. Few trainers were willing to battle them, and none of them had strong grass types.

"I'm pretty sure we could wipe out every fire-type gym from all the training with Foo and Ponyta," Kayla lamented, "but I just don't feel prepared to take on the gym here."

Emma sighed. She shared Kayla's worry, but what could she do? They would just have to hope that strong general battling skills would make up for the lack of specific experience against grass Pokemon.

Even though they now sat under a tree, casually watching their Pokemon, a small group of people gathered to observe them. They were becoming minor celebrities.

How could Gary stand this? Emma longed to hole up in the suite and hide from everyone. Perhaps that was exactly what he did. However, she had to admit, the feeling of constant scrutiny had done wonders for her battling.

A middle-aged woman wearing a kimono left the group and approached Emma and Kayla. She wore her hair back in a bright yellow headband. It looked more appropriate for someone ten years younger.

"Do you intend to challenge the gym?"

Kayla squinted one eye up at the visitor. "Eventually, yeah."

"What's the reason for the delay?"

"No solid experience against well-trained grass Pokemon."

The woman laughed. "Most challengers who approach me don't have any. I have been hearing stories of you two, though."

Emma sat up taller. "You're the Gym Leader?"

"Yes, I'm Erika. I was just here to restock the perfume shop," she pointed her thumb over her shoulder, "and I figured I'd introduce myself."

Emma shot Kayla a nervous glance, then stood. "I don't suppose that would include a willingness to have an official battle out here." Might as well get it out of the way.

"Of course." Erika grinned and pulled a pokeball from her kimono sash. She asked to see Emma's trainer card, eyes widening upon seeing the color. "Oh! An elite trainer!"

"No, just Professor Oak's assistant."

Erika nodded and returned the card. A few trainers made their way towards the center of the field, already anticipating a good battle. Emma would definitely not miss being a celebrity here, and the sooner she got the badge, the sooner she could leave.

"Pidgeotto, you're on backup duty." He happily settled on a branch to watch. Foo and Jonah trotted after Emma as she took her place on the field opposite Erika.

"Are you only using two?"

"Pidgeotto is there if I need him."

Emma's unorthodox approach to battling seemed to baffle Erika. But soon her posture shifted to resolute and determined. Another woman from her group called out the standard three on three rules. Emma noticed some people setting up a few large cameras along the perimeter.

Of course. City of celebrities. They'd have cameras ready to deploy anywhere, at any time.

She closed her eyes and cleared her mind. She could do this.

"Ready, Foo?"

Erika sent out a Tangrowth.

"Let's start off with a bang."

Foo burst into flames and charged at Tangrowth, so fast he became a blur.

"Wrap! Keep it away from you."

Three vines stretched out and began to wrap around Foo's legs, causing him to stumble and lose speed. His momentum kept him going just quickly enough, and he slammed into the Tangrowth, covering it in fire.

"Magical Leaf!" Erika's voice remained steady. Glowing purple leaves sped towards Foo, unaffected by the Embers he shot at them. They followed his movements, too.

"Just take them, Foo." He stood resolute as they slashed. His fur was thick enough to ward off most of the damage. "Flamethrower!"

Tangrowth had only just put out the previous fires all over its body, so it beat a hasty retreat. Emma didn't know they could move so quickly.

"Stun Spore!"

"Keep away from those! Burn them up if you can." He toasted the grass where they landed. "Get close."

"Wrap!"

"Let it." It would be risky. Erika gave her an odd look. But Tangrowth faced Foo towards it. "Now!"

This Sunny Day took far less effort than breaking the shroud over Sabrina's Gym. Foo quickly blasted a Flamethrower at Tangrowth.

"Ancientpower!"

Emma's eyes widened. Foo tried to dodge, but Wrap held him in place and the attack hit head-on. However, despite the heavy impact, he held on and fired off another Flamethrower, knocking out Tangrowth.

"Take a break, Foo."

Erika recalled Tangrowth and waited politely for Foo to walk back to Emma's side before sending out a Victreebel. Jonah stepped forward, tail twitching. He was as close to grinning as his face would allow.

"Solarbeam!" It fired off instantly.

"Rain Dance!" Jonah narrowly dodged the attack. Clouds bubbled out of thin air and began storming over the field. Erika frowned.

"Sludge Bomb!" It splattered all over Jonah, soaking into his fur. He began to look a little sick - then so did Victreebel. "Ah! Synchronize. I should have figured."

"Beat 'em up, Jonah." He stood completely still, eyes glowing as he unleashed a barrage of Psychics on Victreebel. It was nearly overwhelming, though Victreebel did manage to fire another Sludge Bomb at Jonah before collapsing.

"I am truly impressed," Erika mused, returning Victreebel to its pokeball, and pokeball to pocket. "It's been a while since I battled someone who would give her a challenge." She reached into her sleeve and pulled out an old, worn-looking pokeball. A Bellossom materialized at her feet. The crowd gasped.

"Erika has brought out her legendary Bellossom! As a Gloom, it was the very first Pokemon she ever trained!" A woman with a microphone excitedly narrated the history of this Pokemon into a large camera.

"You got this, Jonah?" He stood his ground, though he looked like he might vomit. "Shadow Ball!"

The attack had a negligible effect on Bellossom. She raised her arms and the sky cleared. In a flash, she fired off a Solarbeam, blasting chunks of sod out of the ground as it hit Jonah.

"Morning Sun!" Emma called. She'd never had to use it in battle and didn't know if Jonah could pull it off.

It seemed to help, though, and Jonah looked far more energetic than before. Perhaps it had been amplified by the Solarbeam? Bellossom took an aggressive stance and began draining Jonah's energy.

"Whoa! Jonah, Psychic! Break her concentration!"

It didn't work, though it did a substantial amount of damage. Jonah then charged, knocking Bellossom to the ground, biting and scratching any vulnerable skin. A close-range Solarbeam knocked him back.

And knocked him out.

Every organ in Emma's torso sank. Never since Pewter had Jonah been completely knocked out of a fight. Even the crowd fell silent. Emma could see the look of horror cross Kayla's face. This was Jonah; he was supposed to be unstoppable.

She unclipped his pokeball from her belt - when was the last time she'd even touched it? - and returned him. Sobs bubbled up in her throat, but she held them off. She turned to assess Foo.

A whitish blur rushed past her and slammed into Bellossom.

Pidgeotto was in the arena, and he was not pleased. Thick clouds once more obscured the sky. Emma could work with this.

"Aerial Ace!"

But Pidgeotto didn't listen to the command, instead flying up into the clouds.

A powerful Hurricane whipped Bellossom around the field.

Emma had no idea Pidgeotto even knew Hurricane. Of course, once it was steadily tearing up the park, he tracked the progress and knocked into Bellossom with Aerial Ace. And again with Wing Attack.

Backup? Nope, he was back with a vengeance, and he was letting everyone know it.

"Leaf Storm!"

Even through the vicious cyclone of leaves, Pidgeotto banked and dove at Bellossom once more, battering her with a final attack before collapsing on the grass.

Bellossom cleared the sky, and only then did Emma notice how fatigued she was. She began to cast Synthesis.

"Flare Blitz! Quickly!"

Foo took off like a rocket, slamming into Bellossom at full speed and engulfing her in flames. Emma held her breath. Erika looked truly anxious. Murmurs crept through the crowd.

When the flames subsided, Foo stood over Bellossom, chest puffed out in a victory pose. She was out.

Emma had won.

She fell to her knees, holding her arms out for Foo. As he limped into her embrace, the sobs broke from her throat, and the crowd burst into wild applause and cheers.

…

Across the sea, a young researcher in a canvas tent leapt to his feet and jumped around in celebration, high-fiving all the other archaeologists and researchers who had gathered around the portable TV to watch the match. He pumped his fist in the air.

"That's it, Emma! You're gonna be unstoppable."

…

Erika positively glowed as she approached Emma. "That was a fantastic battle! Are you quite sure you're not an elite trainer?"

"Quite sure." Emma wiped her eyes and rose to her feet, brushing the grass off her knees. "This is only my third badge."

"Wow. You'll definitely go places!" They shook hands and Erika presented the Rainbow Badge. She bowed politely and joined up with her entourage, wandering over to the exits. "Cheryl! Let's go for a walk through the meadow. I'm feeling inspired!"

Emma stood for a few moments to simply relax in the victory before being assaulted with a microphone.

"Trainer, do you have any thoughts on the battle?" The reporter jabbed the mic at her face. "What is your training philosophy? How do you feel about the victory?"

Emma flinched away from the mic, but the reporter kept following her face. "I have no comments, thank you." She pushed the mic away, but the reporter was undeterred. "Please, leave me alone!"

Kayla crossed her arms, releasing Wartortle when the reporter followed Emma to the tree. "You have five seconds to leave us alone before Wartortle destroys your equipment."

The reporter seemed willing to stay, but her camera man got out of there as quickly as possible.

"I am definitely not having my battle out here." Kayla turned to Emma, eyes twinkling.

"I don't blame you at all. I wanted to just get it done, but this seems like more trouble than it's worth."

The crowd began pressing towards Emma. Kayla quickly gathered their things.

"Back to the center?"

"Best idea I've heard all day."

…

Nurse Joy took Emma's pokeballs and congratulated her on the spectacular battle. It had apparently been broadcast live on a major Pokemon-specific channel. Emma groaned.

Well, Oak had predicted Emma's fame. She just didn't expect to stumble into it by her own stupidity.

An hour later, she returned to the first floor to retrieve her Pokemon.

"They're completely recovered. You must train them quite well for them to be so well conditioned." Nurse Joy handed the pokeballs back to Emma. "Also, your Pidgeotto evolved."

"What? I missed it?" She let him out of his pokeball right there in the lobby. Sure enough, his head feathers were longer and sleeker, and he had nearly doubled in size. He preened his wings, not quite use to them yet. Emma gave him an excited hug, to which he fluffed up his chest feathers.

"Pidgeots are supposed to be strong enough to carry their trainers on their back while flying."

Emma patted his head. "I hadn't thought of that. Let's go back to the room." He was too large to carry, and his wingspan too wide for the hallway, so she returned him to his pokeball.

Kayla had dozed off on the couch, and Emma didn't deem it worthwhile to wake her when she could just see Pidgeot later.

The sun was setting and the nightlife rising. Emma yawned and retired to her room, where she released all her Pokemon. How crowded would this be with a team of fully-evolved Pokemon?

"Jonah, Pidgeot, check it out." She opened her badge case to show off the newest addition. They glanced at it, then found places to settle down and sleep. Badges were nothing special; all in a day's work.

…

Kayla and Emma couldn't get even halfway to the mall before the whispers spread and crowds began to form, so they turned right around and decided to train in the fields along Route 7. They kept their Pokemon in their pokeballs; their free-roaming teams had become a part of their image. Today they just wanted to train in peace.

"Ponyta is just about to evolve." Kayla grinned. "Once she does, I'll challenge Erika."

"And then you can ride her everywhere, and trips will take half the time."

"I know! It'll be so awesome. Do you think you'll evolve Foo soon?"

Emma shrugged and veered north, looking for a secluded area to train. "I'll consider it if I can get my hands on a fire stone."

"Ooh, yeah, those are pretty rare."

A stand of trees shielded them from the view of the road, and both girls released their teams. After several hours of training, Ponyta finally evolved into a Rapidash, shaking her mane proudly. After a little while, she adjusted to her new body, and soon was carrying Kayla around the field.

"This will make traveling so much nicer!" Rapidash ran up to Emma's side and pawed at the ground. "What will you do?"

Emma scratched Rapidash's chin. "I'm not sure. Apparently Pidgeots can carry people, but I haven't tried yet." She beckoned Pidgeot over. He landed by her side, almost crashing into Rapidash. Emma examined the wing he had broken so long ago. "The bone healed just a tiny bit off, so if I do fly on you, it'll have to be for short distances."

Rapidash reared back and Kayla laughed. "We're gonna go challenge the gym now. I'll meet you back at the room!"

"Wait! Don't you want me to go with you?"

"You attract too many cameras!" Kayla stuck her tongue out at Emma, then waved and rode off.

Emma waved after her, then sighed and smiled. Now she could at least talk to Gary and finalize their plans. She had to return to the lab in three days, and She wanted to head straight to Sinnoh afterwards.

She called him and smiled when he appeared on her screen. Her heart began to pound when a dazzling grin lit up his face.

"Emma! I saw your battle yesterday. You were phenomenal!"

"Thanks - wait, what?" She nearly dropped her Pokegear. "All the way in Sinnoh?"

"Yeah!" His smile faded as he saw the panic on her face. "What's wrong?"

Emma swallowed hard. "My mom… and… Professor Elm. If you saw it in Sinnoh… they could definitely see it in Johto."

"Oh… well, what's the worst that could happen?"

"My mom could latch onto it for fame and attention, and he could… well, she would tell everyone about him. Her version." She wanted to curl up on herself and shrink into a speck of dirt. Blow away on the wind, perhaps.

"Emma, I swear, if you keep looking so miserable, I will find an Alakazam to teleport me to you, just so I can give you a hug." He briefly smirked when that drew a chuckle from her. "Besides, there's a warrant out for your mom's arrest for the damage to the lab. And, uh, probably for how she treated you, too. She gets within any distance of a reporter and officers will lock her away for good."

"I suppose," Emma mumbled.

"What's wrong?" The concern in his voice made her want to sob and rage at the same time.

"No one ever did anything to help before!" She wound her arm to throw the Pokegear, but stopped, balancing it once more on her knees. "I'm sorry. You don't deserve this."

"What? That's bullshit." Gary scowled at her attempt to protest. "No. I don't care if you think I'm too good or whatever is in your head."

"I just -"

"Not another word. It doesn't matter if I don't deserve this. I want this. I…" He stammered and a blush crept over his face. "I want you."

Emma stared at him in shock, face also red. Did he…? Her heart danced somersaults in her chest. A smile tugged at her lips, eventually conquering them. She couldn't frown even if she wanted to.

"Please tell me that's a happy smile and not a pitying one."

"It's a happy smile." She laughed, then sighed and rested her head in her free hand. "This is too good to be true."

"Excuse me a moment." Gary put his Pokegear face down, so Emma only heard his shout of "Yes!" and the thud of feet hitting the ground. When he slid back into view, his hair was slightly tousled, and his gorgeous smile had returned. "When do you go back to the lab? I'll meet you there."

"But you just got back to the dig!"

"So? It'll just be two days. Meet you there, bring you here. I mean, if you want to come so soon."

"I was actually going to suggest that myself." And just when Emma's heartbeat returned to normal, Gary smiled once more.

…

"I won!" Kayla nearly mobbed Emma as she entered the suite, showing off the badge.

"Awesome. Tell me all about the battle!"

Kayla needed no more encouragement and launched into her story. Wartortle had taken down a Weepinbell, but fainted himself. Kadabra nearly defeated a Jumpluff, which was apparently the cutest thing in the world. Rapidash finished off the Jumpluff and a Vileplume with minimal trouble.

"Erika definitely held back on me."

Emma shrugged. "Don't all the Gym Leaders? I mean, they can't be that great if they keep getting honestly beat by beginners."

Kayla hummed. "Yeah, that makes sense. And Erika's Bellossom was fierce! I'm really glad she didn't pull that on me."

They sat in silence, broken only by Kayla's brief but bubbly victory dance as she put the Rainbow Badge back in its case. Emma stroked Jonah's ears, ignoring his irritated twitching. He swatted at her hand, then purred and rubbed it with her head.

"So what are your plans, Emma?"

"The lab, then Sinnoh. Yours?"

"My parents really want me to visit. I might try the gym there, too."

"Keep in touch?"

"Of course!"

…

On their last day before leaving Celadon, Emma and Kayla wandered around the city, taking in all the sights there had missed while focused on training.

Emma didn't really like this place. Even after over two weeks here, she never got used to the constant tension. She would be completely fine if she never saw this city again.

Her Pokegear began to ring, and she nearly panicked when she saw it. Kayla paused.

"Who is it?"

"Tracey. I, uh, forgot to tell him that I'm not interested."

"Ooh. You might wanna do that. Like, right now."

Emma took a deep breath and answered. She tried to stay positive, thanking him for his congratulations on the battle, apologizing for not keeping in touch, but she felt clumsy and helpless with every word. They reached a lull in conversation, and she stumbled into what she needed to say.

"Listen, Tracey, I…" Her heart sank and she swallowed hard. "You're a really awesome guy and all, but I…"

"It's okay, I already know."

Emma nearly dropped the Pokegear. "What?"

"Gary called a couple days ago to say he was stopping by to get you. And… other things. I heard him talking to Professor Oak." His smile was a bit sad and disappointed, but completely devoid of malice.

"You're okay with it? You don't hate me or anything?"

"Gosh, Emma, who do you think I am? Sure I'm disappointed, but it's not a big deal, really."

She exhaled heavily. "Okay."

"You look like you just dodged death! Relax. It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

Emma laughed and they both said their goodbyes. Kayla tapped her foot.

"Well?"

"Remarkably painless." Emma nestled her Pokegear in her bag.

"No, what he said about Gary!"

Emma groaned. "Well, it's nothing official, but… it's something."

Kayla bounced between her feet, barely concealing her squeal. "Oh my gosh! You are so lucky! Let's go out to eat to celebrate. Somewhere cheap, though. I don't have much money."

They settled on a small diner that served massive bowls of ramen soup. Emma's had vegetables and Kayla's had seasoned tofu. Kayla offered to share, but Emma declined, not really a fan of tofu.

"I haven't had ramen in so long. My cousin has a restaurant in Cerulean, and the ramen there is to die for." Kayla slurped some of her noodles and giggled, wiping the broth splatters off her nose.

…

"Best of luck to you, Emma. I'll let the Joys in Sinnoh know you're on your way."

"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy."

Luggage in hand, both girls made their way to the Celadon train station. Kayla's mother stood at the front gate and held her arms open for a hug.

"Mom!" Kayla broke into a run, nearly dropping her bags.

They looked so similar they could have passed for sisters, minus the few strands of gray in her mother's black hair. Kayla introduced Emma, and her mom smiled widely.

"You can call me Mrs. Archer. Thank you for traveling with Kayla. I get so worried when she's on her own!"

"Mom! I was fine!" Kayla whined in protest.

Emma glanced around. "I'd love to stay and talk, but my train is about to leave." She hugged Kayla goodbye, then dashed off to her platform, getting there just in time. The conductor glanced at her card and waved her on. She hadn't even found a seat before the train lurched forward.

"Cutting it a little close, huh?" A young man about five years older than Gary smiled at her. They were the only passengers in the trainer car.

Emma sat down on the couch opposite his armchair. She pressed Jonah's pokeball on her belt and he materialized next to her.

"What other Pokemon do you have?"

"A Growlithe and a Pidgeot."

His eyes widened. "You were the trainer on TV! Battling Erika! How did you get such a lucky break?"

"Lucky break?" Emma viewed her minor fame as a burden, not an asset.

"Do you know how hard it is to have a televised battle? There's only guaranteed coverage of the top 32 in major tournaments. Everything else is Contests."

Emma shrugged and stretched her arms. Jonah jumped off the couch and approached the stranger, trilling and rubbing his legs.

"He is very friendly. Would you like me to evaluate him? I'm a Connoisseur. Oh, my name is Bradley."

"No harm in an evaluation, I suppose. I'm Emma."

"I was surprised when they didn't show your name on TV." Bradley lifted Jonah into his lap and examined his head. "He is in excellent condition. Very happy. His ability is Synchronize, very useful. Uh, you don't call him Espeon, do you?"

"Nope. His name is Jonah."

"Ah. Your personalities are not an ideal match, but you seem to work well enough together that it doesn't hold you back." He placed Jonah on the floor. "A wonderful Pokemon. You two will go far."

"Thank you." Emma patted the couch and Jonah returned to her side.

The rest of the trip passed in silence. Emma departed at Saffron and jumped onto the train to Viridian. This route was now so familiar to her that she recognized the furniture on the train car. There were quite a few more people on this car, so much so that Emma kept Jonah in his pokeball. No one talked, and the hour passed in silence.

It was late afternoon when the train stopped in Viridian and Emma disembarked. She hadn't actually walked south to the road to Pallet since her initial trip here from Johto. It felt strange, not meeting someone here to drive her.

Outside the city limits, Emma released Pidgeot from his pokeball. They had practiced flying a little bit before leaving Celadon, and he seemed to be getting used to it.

The meadows looked like little puzzle pieces from above, and the trees like bushes. After a half hour, Emma could see tiny houses and a large building illuminated by the sunset - Pallet Town. Flying was certainly much faster than taking the twisty, winding road.

Pidgeot recognized the scenery as well, and he quickly gained speed, aiming directly for the lab. He landed somewhat clumsily at the patio, sending Emma tumbling onto the tiles. She couldn't help but laugh, though. He was exhausted.

"You did great, Pidgeot." She hugged him and returned him to his pokeball to rest.

Peeking in the garage, she saw Gary's car and broke into a grin. He was here! She tiptoed up to the patio door and slipped into the kitchen.

It was empty. Emma couldn't remember a time when no one was in here, especially right before dinner. Well, they would be here soon enough. She leaned against the counter and watched the field steadily darken.

The patio door slid open and she nearly jumped. Tracey stared at her with surprise and something like panic in his eyes.

"Emma, come with me, quick!" He grabbed her hand and dashed down a few hallways, taking Emma to a part of the lab she had never seen.

"What's going on?" They paused for breath and he dropped her hand.

"We got an unexpected visit from -" He jumped back. Emma froze.

Oak and Gary stood maybe ten feet ahead of them, having just rounded a corner. Oak's face was twisted into an open-mouthed grimace, and Gary's an expression of sympathy.

Between them, her father stared at her with a mix of every emotion minus happiness.

Author's Note

It had to happen.

There will eventually be a cover picture for this story, once I finish one I like.