~ Chapter Ten ~
"It will never rain roses: when we want to have more roses, we must plant more roses."
- George Eliot
"Tom, you are always bringing home strays, I swear," Matilda Grayly harrumphed, bustling throughout their cozy, country side home to arrange a platter of tea biscuits and cold water on the table. She ushered Charley hurriedly into an open chair before whirling to place a bowl of Pokémon food in front of Hermes, who hooted gratefully before diving into the food beak-first. Charley just stared at the round woman as she moved, her blonde-gray Ponyta-tail swishing as she twisted this way and that. Her quick moves to show hospitality would even have put Steven's Skarmory to shame. She was constantly muttering to herself. Charley caught phrases like 'inconsiderate old fool' and 'don't ever tell me anything' and she shrank back into her chair, wondering if she should've offered to help the old man after all.
"Now, there, Matilda," Tom caught his wife around the waist, halting her bustle. "The lass here just offered to help me find Meowth. You don't need to get all up in a tissy 'bout it."
Matilda's little gray eyebrows shot up and she turned towards Charley.
"Is that true, dear?" her voice was suddenly much softer, kindlier.
Selfish witch, Charley couldn't help but think, but aloud said, "Yes, ma'am."
"Why, how kind of you dear," Matilda purred, pushing a glass of water towards Charley. "You look a bit toasty now don't ya. Drink up. I'll get you some Rawst Berry salve for that sunburn and y'all can be on your way."
Even though Charley had already put Rawst Berry salve on her sunburn earlier that day, she accepted the old woman's 'good will' and let her tend to her sun burn while Tom fetched Meowth's bed. It was a round purple and green spotted bed that had bluish-gray hairs plastered to the inside. Like a Pokémon slept in it regularly.
"Luna, come give it a sniff," Charley said as she unclipped Luna's Great Ball, calling the Rockruff out of her quiet home. The brown puppy shook her head, fluffing out her fur as she came to rest out of the burst of red lightning. She approached the bed, giving it a hearty, deep-lunged sniff. Charley giggled as the little Meowth hairs tickled the puppy's nose, making her sneeze violently. "Awww, good girl. Did you get a good smell?"
Luna yipped in reply, wagging her tail excitedly.
"Ahhh, what a lively little Rockruff you have there," Tom chuckled, patting Luna on the head. She put two paws up on his thighs and licked his hands, happily wagging her tail. Charley smiled as she watched the puppy. As intense as the Rockruff could be in training and in battle, she was, after all, still a puppy.
"Here's a little snack for the Rockruff before you head out to find Meowth," Matilda said, placing a blue ceramic bowl of Pokémon food in front of Luna. The puppy attacked it, greedily gulping down huge mouthfuls at a time.
Charley just shook her head, smiling to herself as she finished off the bottle of water. Finally, some energy was beginning to seep back into her bones as she rested in the cool kitchen. In the hustle, she hardly had a moment to take in the little family's living area. It wasn't a large house, but it was cozy. And cool. The small kitchen was adjacent to a dining room, both checkered with black and white tile, which turned into hard mahogany wood as it merged with the living room. Two worn blue arm chairs sat side-by-side, only separated by a small table with a lamp. As in many family homes, even her own, family pictures littered the walls. Pictures of Matilda and Tom in their younger days, holding small children tight in their arms. Charley could almost see the evolution of a little boy and little girl become a handsome man and beautiful woman, one graduating from college to move off to the Coast Guard in Johto, the other teaching at what seemed to be a University in another region Charley didn't recognize. There were pictures of their children with Pokémon, of course, and Meowth was in almost all of them. Charley's eyes widened at the sight of the Meowth. It was so different from her mother's Maggie. The Meowth was a bluish-gray color with long, slick whiskers, and a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Must be one of those Alolan variants, she realized. This region is just so weird.
As Charley's eyes wandered, she spotted the flickering of a television, which was tucked away in the corner of the living room. Captioned news feed scrolled across the screen as the journalist interviewed a very familiar detective.
His dark brown hair had that messy look, as if he had just rolled off the trail, and his worn brown trench coat seemed much the same. His hard blue eyes held the journalist's gaze coolly, with an intensity that could cut air like a knife. He was, in fact, trying very hard to get away from the press as he pushed his way out of a black sedan and strode up to some important looking building Charley didn't recognize.
Are there any updates on the murder of Ash Tajiri?
None that I can disclose. We don't want to compromise our position. Please, no more questions ma'am.
Is it true that Team Rocket is gathering is forces to strike against the Kanto and Johto regions once again?
Is it possible that other former Teams may be on the rise?
What can you tell us about Ash's Pikachu? Where as he been taken?
Ma'am. No questions, please.
She tore her eyes away from the television. "It seems you've had Meowth for a very long time?"
"Oh, we have indeed," Tom smiled as he gazed at the old family photos that hung on the wall. "My daughter Natalie found him in a cardboard box as just a little malnourished thing, just laying on the side of the road in Hau'oli. I'll never understand how some people can be so unkind to Pokémon," he clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "But, I suppose it was our own good luck. He was always so good with the children. But he is getting on in years and that's why I'm worried about him. I've heard a nest of Ekans have begun to move about here on Route 2 and he'd be too slow to fend them off now."
Tightness seized up in Charley's throat. She tried to take another sip of water but the bottle was empty. Instead, she pursed her lips, willing her wildly beating heart to calm down.
…blood… so much blood…
Charley shook her head, swallowing to clear her tightened throat before speaking. "Well, I guess we better go out and start looking for him! Luna, you ready?"
Charley looked over at Luna, who was licking an already perfectly empty bowl. The Rockruff looked up at her, ears flopping awkwardly against her head. She laughed and patted the Pokémon on the head.
"Enough snacking, we've got work to do."
"Why did we volunteer to do this again?" Charley groaned, pushing against a broken-down tree branch for the hundredth time. They had been in the woods for hours, Luna's nose pressed hard against the ground, snuffling, searching. The Rockruff's ears twitched with every sniff, as if trying to make out a sound to attach to the scent. Hermes sailed overhead, his large, round eyes scouring the ground for any sign of the Meowth.
Shaking her head, Charley cupped her hands to her mouth and hollered, "Meowth! Where are you? Come here, Meowth!"
They continued walked, bushing aside leaves and underbrush. In the distance, Charley could make out the beginnings of a small white building. She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better look. She picked up her feet high, leaping over tall patches of poison ivy with gritted teeth. The last thing she needed on top of her sunburn was poison ivy.
Eventually, the trio managed to push their way out of the forest. They found themselves standing on an old, rugged path, which was lined with broken and cracked boulders. Before them rose what appeared to be an old hotel, the ancient white plaster on the side of the building cracked and frayed, its weather-worn green porch littered with holes and splinters. A pair of beaten down white trucks rested in the tiny dirt parking lot.
"Gosh, who would have a hotel out here in the middle of nowhere," Charley wondered, rubbing the back of her head.
Rotom buzzed in her pocket. "zzz-Thizzz izzz a rezzzt zzztop for beach goerzzz. It izzz called the Zzzeazzzide Inn."
"The Seaside Inn, hm? Beach goers, but I don't see…"
Then, she heard it. It was faint, but she could could just make out of crashing of ocean waves. The sound of a crowd, cheering and whooping. The sound was so soft, it was like the whisper of water from a shower. Charley cocked her head, letting her feet carry her towards the sound. On the other side of the parking lot, the road dropped suddenly to the edge of a fairly tall cliff. She poked her head through some tall, bushy trees.
Sound exploded all around her, as well as harsh, bright sunlight. She had to blink a few times to clear away the blinding light before she could finally make out the tiny, ant like people scoured across the beach. People stood on towels, reclined in beach chairs, and rolled in the sand, cheering and wooting as they watched two surfs out on the waves… standing on the backs of… were those Mantine?
"How cool," Charley whispered, an excited breath caught in her chest. She watched as a sun-tanned surfer bent down low on the back of his Mantine. He brushed the ray's back before they road up the side of an impossibly tall wave. The crowd hollered and cheered as the pair sailed through the tunnel of water, their reflection rippling and distorting as they moved, as if they were traveling through a portal to a different world. They burst out of the tunnel wave, riding up the side of a new one for a jump. Charley covered her mouth, eyes growing wide as she watched them roll once, twice, three times! – before landing back on the waved and riding it upto the beach in victory.
"That was amazing," she breathed. "Guys, we should…"
Barking suddenly caught her attention. Charley yanked her head out of the bushes and whirled.
Luna stood crouched by the bumper of one of the trucks, her fur bristling, normally curled tail straight at a pin. She bared her long, white fangs, barking and snarling at the bumper. Beneath it, Charley could suddenly make out the sound of muffled mewling. She rushed over to Luna's side and crouched down.
All of the blood drained from her cheeks. Despite the hot air, coldness gripped at her chest. She couldn't move, she couldn't breath. All she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears, her heart raging violently against her chest.
Its long, purple body wrapped in tight coils, its color marred by a single yellow stripe around its throat. Long, poisonous white fangs glistened with saliva and hunger in the sunlight.
The Ekans turned its hungered black eyes onto her.
… blood seeped between her fingers. She held his hand tight.
"Please, don't go. Sun… please…"
Don't… leave me…
"zzz-Charley! Zzz-Charley! It hazzz Meowth!"
Rotom's voice sounded strangely distance, as if he was in another land. She could see the Meowth now, its tail lashing between the coils, a single bluish-gray paw scrabbling and scratching for purchase.
She needed to help. She had to save the Meowth.
But the Ekans' maw was open. She could see that deadly forked tongue flickering in and out. The poison sacs on either side of its fangs bulged, ready to inject its prey with a deadly poison that with kill it in a matter of moments.
Go, my little Moon, you'll be fine.
Don't leave me… please…
Take care… of Charmeleon…
Blood, it soaked through her hands, through her shirt… it stained the field all around her…
Pain shot through her body like lightning. Charley shouted, eyes wide as she realized that Luna was biting down on her ankle. She yanked her ankle back instinctively and Luna released her, the pup's tiny blue eyes holding her gaze hard. Charley glowered at her, rubbing her ankle. The Rockruff hadn't drawn any blood but damn did it smart.
"zzz-Charley, do zzzomething!" Rotom all but screamed as the Ekans reared its head back.
Tears formed in her eyes but she gritted her teeth. "Hurry, Luna! Rock Throw at the Ekans' head!"
Luna didn't need telling twice. The Rockruff howled, head thrown back as she stomped her scarred back foot against the ground. Rocks launched at the snake Pokémon with a voracious speed, smacking the Poison-type in the head while its fangs were only centimeters away from Meowth's body. The Ekans hissed, uncoiling to release the cat from its wrap. Meowth hissed, coughing and spitting as he raced with scrambling paws from beneath the truck. He must have sensed that Charley was here to help him before he immediately cowered behind her legs, his tail wrapped around her injured ankle.
The Ekans slithered towards Luna at an unbelievable speed, hissing an, "Ekansssss!"
Charley suddenly noticed purple light gathering in its maw. She would recognize that attack anywhere.
"Luna! Use Rock Throw to dodge the Poison Sting and come in with a Thunder Fang!"
Luna howled, rocks launching into the air in an instant. As they had practiced for so long, she jumped up onto the Rock Throw just before the jagged light of the Poison Sting could strike her. She leapt from rock to rock, her feet landing with delicate ease and accuracy. Charley felt a burst of joy and pride erupt in her chest as the Rockruff careened down, snapping the Ekans on the back of the neck with a burst of thunder and lightning. It hissed and screeched, wiggling its long body panickily as Luna shook it back and forth, biting down hard, drawing blood. Eventually, she let the snake go and it hurriedly slithered into the underbrush, leaving droplets of blood in its wake. Luna barked, chasing after it as it slithered away. She howled as it finally disappeared into the forest, cheering her own victory.
The breath Charley hadn't realized she was holding slipped out of her lips. She sank to the ground beside Meowth, who still lay beside her, trembling. She reached out a hand tentatively, letting him sniff it. He looked up at her, then her hand, wary. Eventually, he gave her hand a big sniff and, deciding she was safe enough, rubbed his head against it. She chuckled, scratching him behind the ear. Noticing the way he favored his left paw, she reached into her pack and pulled out an Oran Berry. The Meowth attacked it greedily, purring up a storm.
"Luna, that was really amazing," Charley congratulated her Pokémon as the Rockruff padded back over to her, fluffing out her tail proudly. Luna laid her head in her Trainer's lap, allowing Charley to stroke her head and scratch her behind the ears. She smiled at the little puppy, a strange sadness welling up inside her. "You are so much braver than I, you little rascal."
Finally leaving the confines of her pocket, Rotom sailed into the air, opening his hands. He eyed her warily.
"zzz-Charley, what happened back therezzz?" he asked, concern clear in his buzzing tone.
Charley sighed. "Seeing the Ekans it… it brought back some old… bad memories… I… I can't…" Hot rushing tears flooded her eyes. She gritted her teeth, her nails biting into her palms.
"zzz-It izzz okay," Rotom said hurriedly. "zzz-You do not have to talk about it…"
"Thanks, Rotom," Charley gulped, choking back the tears. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, placing the other on Meowth's head. He vibrated beneath her touch, clearly contented. "Come on, buddy. Let's get you back to your Trainer."
"Meowth! Oh my darling Meowth!"
"There's my old pal! Come here!"
Tom and Matilda stood on the cabin's porch, arms open wide. Meowth rush from Charley's side, all but leaping into their open arms. He flicked his tail, mewling and purring, clearly happy to be back, safe in the arms of his family. A warmth blossomed in Charley's chest and she and Luna shared a glance. Even the Rockruff seemed proud of their accomplishment in restoring the family back to normalcy.
"Oh, Charley, thank you!" Matilda yanked Charley into a sudden hug. She gasped at the woman's tight grip on her, laughing.
"Oh, it was no problem," she said, shrugging. "Meowth, I hope you learned that wandering around doesn't do you any favors."
The Meowth just mewled and curled up in Tom's arms, his tail flicking around lazily. He licked one paw, cleaning himself behind the ear.
Charley just shook her head at him, unable to believe the Meowth could be so relaxed after almost being poisoned and eaten by an Ekans. He just purred, nestling down into his Trainer's arms, loving the warmth and attention from them.
"Well, we should be off now. We need to rest up at the Center before our Trial tomorrow," Charley said.
"Ahhh, you're undergoing the island challenge," Tom said, brushing his chin. "Makes sense that a good Trainer such as yourself would undertake it. Well, let me get something for you, just to say thank you for helping us out. Hang on just one moment!"
Before Charley could speak a word, the older man dashed back into the cabin. Matilda just smiled after her, a surprisingly girlish sigh slipping out from between her lips.
"You know, Tom used to Train back in the day as well," she said. "That's how we met. When we were on a journey."
Charley smiled. "I feel like that's how many couples meet."
"Pokémon are funny that way," Matilda said, stroking Meowth's fur absently. "We think that we bring them together to form great and powerful teams but, really, they bring us, humans, together so much closer than we would have been otherwise."
Charley crouched down, stroking Luna's head. The puppy looked up at her with those wide, round blue eyes. Warmth settled in to Charley's chest. There was so much trust staring back at her, an instinctual love she didn't realize she could see in another creature. She thought about how they had trained together, on the beach of Hau'oli. Of Steven, who stood by her side, taught her and her Pokémon new techniques. Those soft, gray eyes…
She shook her head, scratching Luna behind the ear. "They do indeed."
"I knew I still had it!"
Charley lifted her gaze to see Tom rushing back out of the house, breathing hard, his fist held tight around something in his palm. He approached Charley and crouched on his knees, patting Luna with his other hand. She yipped at him, giving his hand a quick lick. Tom laughed at that.
"Once upon a time, I had a Rockruff, much like yours here. Oh, he was a feisty little thing. And he became even feistier when he evolved into a Lycanroc," Tom said.
"A Lycanroc," Charley whispered, looking at Luna. So, Rockruff could evolve. How interesting. But how?
"Anyway, when I was on my journey," Tom continued. "I happened across this Z-Crystal. It's called a Lycanium Z. I know you can't use it now but I'm sure if you and your Rockruff keep training hard, it won't be long before you can put it to good use."
He opened his palm and, in it, rested a russet series of diamond shapes, all connected together into one smooth, reflective crystal. In the center of the crystal was a black emblem that reminded her of the shape of an Arcanine's head, except sharper, with jagged teeth and long pointed fur.
Charley looked up at him. "A-a-a-are you sure? This much be… gosh, this much be very valuable…"
Gently, Tom took Charley's hand in his and placed the Z-crystal in it. "Charley, my Lycanroc passed away many years ago. It is of no use to me now save for memories. And you brought back a very precious member of our family to us today, you know. I'm sure it wasn't easy." He winked.
He knew.
He knew about the Ekans.
She took a deep breath and closed her hand around the crystal. "Thank you, Tom. Really."
Tom bobbed his head. "And thank you. For bringing Meowth home to us." Grunting, Tom pushed himself back onto his feet and gave Charley a light pat on the shoulder. "Go show 'em what for kid! Give that Trial everything you've got."
She grinned. "We will."
An exasperated sigh slipped from Lillie's lips as she stood at the edge of Route 2, Repel in her hand. She was so tired of the sickly sweet smell of Repels clinging to her like a Gloom's Poisonpowder. After spending so much time at Professor Kukui's, she had become spoiled on the true Alolan smell, the warm scent of the sea, the Alolan flowers…
Yet, here she was, out again, trying to find her way to the next Tapu temple.
"Pixxx..."
Lillie glanced down, meeting the cool blue eyes of Snowy. The little Vulpix gazed up at her, tails flicking back. There was an eagerness there, a determination…
Lillie pursed her lips, running her thin hand through her soft blonde hair. "Snowy, I'm sorry, I… I can't. You know I can't…"
The sparkle of hope, the tiny bit of light, faded from the Vulpix's eyes. She whined, hanging her head. Snowy's sadness and disappoint rang through Lillie's bones, shaking her to her core.
She felt like a monster.
"Snowy…" Lillie crouched down, placing a hand on the Vulpix's solemn head. "I'm sorry… I really am… I just… I can't…"
…blood streaked across white fur, spilling onto the cold chrome floor… staining her hands…
"Frost… Frost… no…"
"How could you? How could you?!"
Tears brimmed in the corners of Lillie's eyes. She gritted her teeth and pressed her forehead against Snowy's head. The Vulpix's fur was warm, despite her nature as an Ice-type.
In truth, she wanted to battle with Snowy. After seeing the excitement in Charley's and Hau's eyes, the joy they shared with their Pokémon after victory. She remembered that feeling, the rush of the battle, the thrill of the challenge, when you and your Pokémon became one…
But it was too dangerous. The stakes, the risks, they were too high. She promised herself she would never lose Snowy, not like…
A frantic chiming woke Lillie from her thoughts. She leaped up, peering into her bag. In it, Nebby trembled with fear, his galactic hands quavering. She placed a hand on his cool body calmingly.
"Nebby, what's…"
"VUL-PIX!"
Snowy leaped in the air, snow and light bursting from her maw… just before a Yungoos could crash into her. The weasel-like Pokémon howled and hissed as it was tossed through the air, struck true by Snowy's Powdered Snow. Lillie gasped, stumbling backwards as the Yungoos scrambled to its feet, charging at her.
"My Repel!" She had dropped it! Where had it gone! Damn it, she knew she should have used it right away. She hurriedly reached for her back, bumping the terrified Nebby as she scrambled for a new Repel. The Yungoos was getting closer, quickly, if she could just…
"Vul…Pix!"
Snowy smacked Lillie's leg with her tail before leaping in front of her Trainer defensely, tails bristling with rage. Lillie looked up at her.
Snowy gazed back at her. Those sky blue eyes. There was such trust in them. Confidence. She could do this. They could do this. It was just some bratty wild Yungoos right? It wasn't some over-powered Fire-type…
But…
Yungoos leaped, its fangs readied and sharp. It was coming in for a Bite.
"Damn it!" Lillie screamed. "Fine! Fine! Snowy, USE ICE SHARD!"
Snowy grinned, then opened her mouth. Bright light gathered there for the briefest moment before jagged icicles began erupting from the tiny creature's maw. They struck Yungoos head on, tossing it through the air. The Yungoos screeched in pain as it slammed into the ground with a thump. Growling, it managed to skitter to its feet and rush back into the underbrush.
Lillie released the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Her cheeks were flushed from the rush, sweat racing down her palms and her back. She pressed a palm to her chest. Damn, her heart was going a million miles an hour.
She had done it… Oh my God, they had done it! They… they had been in a Pokémon battle…
Tear welled in her eyes. She couldn't hold it back any more. Her knees buckled out from under her and she collapsed, gathering Snowy into her arms. Sobs wracked her body. Snowy nuzzled her Trainer's cheek comfortingly.
And they sat there, taking in the moment, the sorrow, the joy, of their first real battle together.
The air was thick with humidity and the threat of a storm. Electricity danced between clouds sodden with anticipation. A hot breeze force sweat down Charley's back as she and her team crested the hill of Route 2. Thunder clapped, reverberating across the valley as she stared at the two multicolored posts that guarded the entrance to Verdant Cavern. Behind them, a cove of trees faded into darkness, almost blending into the mountain's side. Around her, the usual Pokémon sounds of Alola were hushed, each creature scurrying towards shelter from the approaching storm.
When she had awoke this morning, Rotom had warned her it was going to storm, as had the Nurse as the Center, as had every Trainer she had passed on the final leg of her journey to Verdant Cavern, each rushing towards safety. However, her determination was hard pressed, a fire that consumed her very soul. Not even a hurricane would stop them now. They had worked too hard, come too far, to push this off any longer. Even her Pokémon itched with eagerness, ready for the fight. At her heels, Luna padded, her fur bristling, despite the lack of any approaching danger. Hermes restlessly fluttered in the air at her side, his Focus Sash snapping in the humid air. Sparky, though she knew she would be sitting out this particular battle, emulated her peers' anxiety all the same, her jagged tail twitching nervously, lightning cavorting on her cheeks.
"Well, you dare to brave the storm."
A shadowy figure began to take shape in the dim of the cavern's entrance. After a few moments, light began to reveal the features of Ilima, Captain of Melemele Island.
"Or is it foolhardiness that brings you here now?" Ilima asked, tossing an Ultra Ball in one hand, catching it lightly again as it fell.
"We've come to challenge you and take on your Trial, Ilima," Charley said, trying to keep an even-keeled tone in her voice. She wasn't sure it worked. There was so much determination in her that it bordered on restless anger. She wanted to battle and she wanted to battle now.
Calm the fuck down, girl, she forced herself to take a slow, deep breath. She had to stay level headed, stay focused. If she let go of everything they had learned, everything they had worked for now, she would just be letting her friends down again. And that was something she would not let herself do.
"Did you not learn your lesson from our last bout, Charley?" Ilima taunted. "You are not ready to face the creature that awaits you on the other side of this cavern. And that is most certainly true if you cannot even defeat me, the first of the Captains on your arduous journey."
"That was true of us before," Charley admitted. "I was foolhardy and reckless. But I have learned a lot over the past week and now we're ready to take you on."
Ilima snorted. "Do you truly believe you've grown enough in a week to defeat me, girl?" He shook his head. "Very well, I'll give you another chance. But let's up the ante this time, shall we? A true Trainer's Wager?"
Charley gritted her teeth. Hau had warned her about this. He said that Hala had told him that whenever challenging a Trial Captain repeatedly, they would ask for a Trainer's Wager, to make the stakes higher, to reduce the number of times they have to battle the same person day after day.
She knew what the Wager would be even before she asked.
"And what would that be?"
"If you lose to me a second time, you will remain here on Melemele Island for one year and train. Only then can you challenge me again."
Even though she was prepared for them, the words cut through her like a knife. Although she had come to enjoy her time here in Alola, she wanted nothing more than to return home, to Kanto, to begin a new journey there. And the only way she could ever do that was as if she finished this one as quickly as possible. The thought of her remaining not just in Alola, but on Melemele Island alone for another year, was more than she could bear.
They would not lose. They couldn't.
Swallowing hard, Charley said, "I accept your Wager, Ilima."
"My, my, you do have some spirit," Ilima laughed. Finally, he stopped tossing the Ultra Ball and caught it. Thunder, distant and muted, rumbled overhead, like the empty stomach of a Charizard. Lightning passed across the sky and Charley noticed Sparky sit back on her haunches, her own electrical affinity resonating with nature's across her small, red cheeks. Luna growled deep in her throat, kicking at the dirt with her paws. Hermes finally alighted onto her shoulder, his claws holding onto her a little more tightly than was comfortable. Rotom buzzed out of her pocket.
"zzzz-You can do zzzhizzz," he hummed.
"Well then, let's waste no time. Two-on-two, true rematch?" Ilima asked.
Charley nodded, glancing at Luna. The Rockruff had already gathered her legs, ready.
Ilima shook his head. "Ah, Charley. You'll learn from your mistakes one day. Let's go, Yungoos!" He tossed the ball into the air and the familiar tan and yellow weasel-like Pokémon leapt out of it in a burst of red lightning. He skittered across the grass, raising back up to hiss at Charley.
She smiled. "Go get him, Luna!"
The Rockruff tossed her head back and howled. The sound echoed eerily in the afternoon air. Loud, audacious thunder shook the ground beneath them as Luna jumped towards Yungoos, growling fiercely.
"Rock Throw!"
"Hidden Power," Ilima laughed, snapping his fingers.
Charley grinned. "Onto the boulders, let's go!"
In truth, the command was almost not needed. Just as Yungoos had hurled its head back and let forth the burst of blue light, Luna kicked her foot out. Light surrounded her and boulders shot out of the ground in a burst. Some deflected the Hidden Power away from her but the attack still charged forward. She leaped onto the first boulder, bouncing from rock to rock as Yungoos sent a barrage of Hidden Power blasts at her.
"Come down for a Thunder Fang!"
"Dodge and use Bite!"
But they had trained. Long and hard. And Luna was fast now. Her tiny brown paws soared off of the boulder and she cascaded towards the Yungoos in a blur. Before he could even move, Luna clamped her sparkling jaws on the creatures tail.
Yungoos screamed a blood curdling cry as the grass filled with electricity. Above, thunder clapped. The first spatters of rain smacked against Charley's forehead, though she hardly noticed. Instead, her eyes were trained on Ilima. He was perspiring, his fists clenched until his knuckles began to turn white.
She grinned.
Gotchya.
"We are not gonna fall for this again. Yungoos, Mud Slap!"
"zzz-That move izzz zzzuper effective againzzzt Rock-Typezzz!"
Fighting through the pain, Yungoos dug his paws into the earth and pushed. The ground suddenly became damp beneath his feet and, as he kicked, the sodden earth flew into Luna's eyes. Finally, the Rockruff released the Yungoos as she teetered back, howling in agony. A streak of mud covered her eyes, almost blinding her. She growled and snuffled, swiping her paws at her eyes.
"Luna!" Charley shouted, panic rising in her throat. Tightness gripped her chest.
No… no no no no! She was not going to let this happen again! When the hell did the Yungoos learn Mud Slap?
"Focus Luna!" Charley shouted that as much to herself as her partner. She needed to calm down. They were going to get no where if Charley just lost her head every time something went wrong.
I'm letting myself be consumed by fear… she realized slowly, as Yungoos lashed out at Luna with a Bite. Fortunately, Luna was able to see just enough to dodge the attack.
"Yungoos, finish this! Hidden Power!"
CRACK!
Lightning ricocheted across the sky. As if Tapu Koko himself had imbedded the idea into her mind, with the light, came a thought, and before she could even process it, she was shouting.
"Luna, charge into it! Use Thunder Fang! You can do it!"
She thought the Rockruff would hestitate, would ignore her and dodge. She wasn't sure if it would work.
But Luna glanced at her for only the briefest moment. One eye was squished completely closed, blinded by mud. The other, just barely holding on. But, in those sky-blue depths, Charley saw trust.
Yungoos opened its mouth and a burst of blue light struck towards Luna. The Rockruff howled, gritting her teeth, eyes snapped shut as she lunged forward.
The Hidden Power struck clean and true. Luna's tail stood on end, her body trembling in clear and apparent pain.
But she moved forward. Even as the water of the Hidden Power rushed across her face, she moved forward.
"How is she still moving?" Ilima gasped, placing a hang to his mouth.
Whether it was the sheer determination in her step, in her heart, Charley wasn't sure. But, the Hidden Power did exactly as she hoped. The water attack wiped the mud clean from Luna's eyes.
Her blue eyes snapped open. Her howl pierced the humid air like a knife and she leaped forward, clamping electrified jaws around Yungoos' throat. The weasel squealed in agony.
"Enough!" Ilima shouted. "I call!"
Caught between relief and exhaustion, Luna released her grip on Yungoos' throat. The weasel slumped to the ground, heaving, unable to battle.
"My, my, you do have a few tricks up your sleeve," Ilima said, calling Yungoos back into the safety of his Ultra Ball.
Well, not as many as she would have liked. That trick had cost Luna a lot. Despite the glow surrounding the Rockruff's body from the chime of her Shell Bell, the healing only took a small edge off the damage she had taken, which, admittedly, had been a lot.
"Well, I'm not going to push her any farther. Luna, return," Charley called.
The Rockruff's head shot up, ears folded back. She growled, stomping her foot, but there was still the panting, the hard sweating. She was tired.
"zzz-Luna wantzzz to keep goingzzz," Rotom buzzed.
"I know, honey, but you've done enough. That was good, you did really good work. You need to rest now," Charley bit her lip. "Please… Luna."
The Rockruff heaved a heavy sigh and slowly trotted back over to her Trainer. She harrumphed, flopping on the ground next to Sparky. The Pikachu rushed to her friend's side, patting Luna on the snout comfortingly.
"I see," Ilima nodded slowly. Was that approval in his eyes? Charley couldn't be sure, but there was no time to celebrate their small margin of victory over Yungoos.
The real battle was about to start.
"Well, let's finish this, shall we Charley?" Ilima asked, unclipping a second Ultra Ball from his belt. He tossed it into the air and Smeargle formed in the shadow of the red lightning, painted tail in hand.
A slow breath slipped between Charley's lips. She glanced over at Hermes. His moon-like eyes stared into hers. Trusting. Knowing.
We can do this. We won't be defeated again.
"We can do this, Hermes," Charley whispered. "I believe in you."
Hermes crooned softly, nuzzling her cheek briefly before taking to the sky. The Rowlet narrowed his eyes, focusing hard on Smeargle.
Ilima grinned. "Let's get this over with. Smeargle, Ember!"
"Hermes, dodge and use Peck!"
Skarmory and Hermes' flight training, put into practical use, showed her just what a great teacher Steven actually was. Hermes shot through the air like a blur, easily moving past Smeargle's Ember. His beak grew long and thin in a shine of bright white light.
Ilima realized his mistake too late. "Quick Attack to dodge!"
But Hermes was already too close. The Rowlet careened into Smeargle's chest. The force of the blow threw the bipedal Pokémon through the air. He screamed in agony, dirt and grass flying into the air as he was driven into the ground. Hermes screeched a hoot of triumph, looping in the air to face this opponent.
I will win this! I will show her that we became partners for a reason!
I won't let Charley down!
The air swirled around her, the torrent of her wings holding her aloft. Her heart thundered with the battle, her blood boiling with excitement. She was ready! She needed the next command!
Charley…
Hermes…
"What?"
Her vision blurred, fuzzed. The world tilted and swayed around her.
It's happening again… What was happening to her? To them… The feeling was so tangible in her now. She was the one on the battle field. For the briefest moment, she felt it. She and Hermes had become… one? Is that how she would explain it? Or was she so hyped up with adrenaline that her mind was losing in?
Angry, Charley dug her fists into her eyes.
"Get up, Smeargle!"
Ilima's ferocious cry snapped Charley out of her daze. No matter what was happening to her, and to Hermes, they couldn't lose sight of the prize.
Looking up, Charley saw Smeargle struggle to his paws. Amazingly, that one Peck had done incredible damage. Smeargle had released his tail and was gasping for air. But his little brown eyes were narrowed, wrought with determination.
"Don't let the runt beat you, Smeargle! Quick Attack!"
"Leafage, Hermes!"
Smeargle lowered to the ground and, in a blur, disappeared. He reappeared on the left side of the field… no the right… Damn, he was moving so fast! Even with his energy depleted, the Smeargle crossed the field as if he was flying. Hermes released burst after burst of jagged green light, trying to pinpoint the bipedal Pokémon's location. Each of his hits struck the ground just as Smearlge dodged.
Charley gritted her teeth. "Fly in closer!"
Hermes swooped down, hardly hovering above the earth. Then, he streaked forward in a wide swooping motion, light erupting from his tiny, almond shaped beak. The sky lit with the light of his Leafage and the newest crack of thunder. It sent an uneasy shiver up Charley's spine.
Yet, even as the light consumed the field… Smeargle was no where to be seen.
Ilima smirked. "Gotchya."
Cold horror dripped down Charley's spine. She and Hermes looked up.
Smeargle had used his Quick Attack for leverage. He now hovered in the air, for the briefest of moments, just above Hermes.
"Ember!"
"HERMES!"
The whirling torrent of flames cascaded upon the Rowlet like an unkind god's hand to end all. All Charley could hear was his agonized screams as he was consumed in the flames, disappearing as a dark shadow within the fire. Hot tears streaked down her cheeks. There was so much pain… fuck, it blazed all around her… Her skin was on fire… her hair… her feathers…
I'm letting her down…
Why couldn't I have been faster…
I could be so much more… I let her down…
No, you didn't let me down, I let you down…
No, Charley….
I.
Won't.
Lose.
Pain shot up Charley's knees as she collapsed to the earth, though she could hardly sense it, overwhelmed by the agony in her heart, the feel of Smeargle's fire along her own arms. How could she have been so thoughtless? So blind sided by such an obvious move…
"What the heck?"
At Ilima's exclamation, Charley raised her eyes. In the torrent of Smeargle's Ember, a brilliant, white light began to irradiate. Shocked, Smeargle closed his mouth, rolling as he came in contact with the ground.
CRACK!
With the burst of thunder and lightning, the light in the center of the battle field burst. Rain, hot, humid droplets, hailed from the sky, pelting the two Trainer's in its powerful deluge. Sparky dashed to her Trainer's side, trying to hide from the rain. Afraid of the watery onslaught, Luna bumped her nose against Charley's hip, opening her own Great Ball and disappearing inside.
A new creature now hovered in the air, beating long brown and white wings. Twin green leaves covered the Pokémon's forehead and left eye, almost like long bangs, and a little green, leafy bowtie could be seen poking out from beneath the Pokémon's chest feathers.
"zzz-Hermezzz evolved into Dartrixzzz!" Rotom exclaimed, who had chosen to seek shelter in Charley's side pocket.
"Hermes…" Charley covered her mouth. There was no sign of injury on him anywhere. He did look terribly exhausted, his wing beats were much longer and slower, but it was still him. Hermes looked up at her with smaller, but still brown eyes.
He hooted.
"My God," Ilima chuckled. "You and your Pokémon have an unwavering spirit, I will give you that much. But, even a mid-battle evolution will not give you the upperhand! Smeargle, get in there! Ember!"
"zzz-Charley, uzzze Hermezzz new move! Uzzze Razzzor Leaf!" Rotom said hurriedly.
"Huh, okay… Give it a shot, Hermes! Razor Leaf!" Charley shouted.
Hermes easily veered out of the way of Smeargle's oncoming Ember. As he moved, green light began to gather beneath his wings. He swooped into the air, soaring high over Smeargle, unphased by the rain and wind that began to berate them. Bringing a wing to his chest, he cast the light out in a flash. Jagged leaves burst from his wing, sailing directly towards Smeargle.
"Quick Attack to dodge!"
The attack came too quick and Smeargle was too tired. He took the full brunt of the Razor Leaf, which opened up searing cuts along his arms and back. Drops of blood spattered the ground as Smeargle cried out in agony. He clenched his paws tight, collapsing to one knee.
"Fuck!" Ilima spat. The one cool and collected Trial Captain spat with venom and anger. It wasn't towards Charley or Hermes, she realized, but at himself, for letting his Pokémon become so battered. She could see the pain Smeargle was in. If he had been her Pokémon, she would have called it.
Much to her relief, Ilima sighed, "I call, Charley. You win. You and Hermes win." He unclipped Smeargle's ball from his hip, calling his friend back to safety. He pressed his lips to the top of the ball. "You did well, my friend."
As quickly as it had come, the adrenaline began to fade from her limbs. Charley sighed, suddenly terribly exhausted. Even still, Hermes the Dartrix flew over to her side. He was so much bigger now, he came all the way up to her knee! He settled on the ground beside her and she placed a calm hand on his head. She could almost feel the pleasure and exhaustion pouring off of him.
She smiled. "I am so proud of you, Hermes." She kissed his head and the Dartrix cooed, bashfully shuffling his clawed feet.
"That was quite some display out there, Charley."
Charley glanced up to see Ilima standing in front of her. He held a hand out and helped her up in one fluid motion.
I can't believe he can go back to cool, calm, and collected just like that, she thought, mentally shaking her head. Ilima really was a strange fellow.
"You really have grown in just a week's time," Ilima chuckled. "I am going to expect great things from you and your team now, you know that?"
A blush warmed Charley's face. She was suddenly overly conscious of how soaked through she was. The rain was unrelenting and hard hair was awkwardly matted against her face. Ilima wasn't fairing any better, his pink hair was sopping wet, pushed over his forehead, his once sterling white jeans now awkwardly pasted to his skin.
"I won't let you down, Ilima," she said finally.
Ilima nodded. "I know you won't and, though I'm sure you're ready to start my Trial, I think you and your team have earned some rest. Come, let me treat you to a dry home and some warm food."
Charley sighed wearily. "I would love that."