Authoress note: I am alive! After English essays, AP Physics and Stage Crew, I have finally found time to write this chapter. I will try not to make the others have this much of a waiting period... but stuff happens. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me!
Disclaimer: Remember that one time, that one day, when I owned Pokemon? No? Neither do I.
A boy, small in stature, stood surrounded by trees and grass. His purple hair blew around his face in the false wind created by fans surrounding the gym walls. This boy was Bugsy, and he was the only thing standing between me and the next gym badge. Actually, there was also a pair of giant chasms in between us too, but I was trying not to think of that. I hate my luck.
I looked up to Silver, watching his face for any sign of thoughts. He stood still, composed, only moving when he took his first step forward. I followed closely, not missing a beat as we moved closer to the edge of the first hole.
"You'll fight Bugsy, Zubat will fight the other weaklings." Silver stated smoothly, not paying any attention as to whither or not I was actually listening. I nodded anyway and followed, slightly relieved that I didn't have to fight over the great holes, but also slightly angry at the fact the pest was going to battle for me. I got over my annoyance when we stepped onto one of the Spinarak platforms.
"Cover your eyes, my dear. It will be over soon." Zubat's voice rang past my ears as I instinctively shut my eyes. I was about to reply when the floor started moving and I chose to instead stay completely still and wait it out. What's there to be so scared about? It's just a drop, a huge drop. With no visible bottom, but I'm sure there is one made out of nice hard rock. Nothing to be scared of.
The floor stopped moving and I lifted one of my ears up. I heard Silver's calm voice ordering attacks and the flapping of Zubat's wings. I opened up one eye to see the battle and saw a Caterpie nervously crawling forward. I sighed, feeling sorry for the young bug. He's not going to last long. I was right, and before the other trainer had a chance to respond, Zubat had already landed a Wing Attack on the small Caterpie. The trainer gasped and ran to his Pokemon, and Silver walked back on the platform, ready for his next battle.
It seemed as if the battles were shorter than the platform rides between them. I slowly got used to the sensation of moving above the floor, and for the last battle I was able to completely sit up without freaking out. Just as long as I don't look down. Zubat was the one having the most fun. He smiled widely as he defeated trainers with ease and constantly riled me up about my irrational fear of heights. I really wanted to smack him, and just as I was about to, the platform stopped again. This time we were in front of the gym leader. The short purple haired guy. Bugsy.
I carefully got off of the platform and gave a sigh of relief as I planted my feet on solid ground. I looked up at Silver and noticed his uncaring demeanor. I couldn't blame him though. The other trainers hadn't impressed me, I didn't expect much from this kid.
"So you're my challenger, huh?" the young boy spoke. Silver nodded and motioned me forward with a nod of his head.
"Impatient are we?" said Bugsy. I walked between the trainers and took a battle position, preparing for whatever pokemon Bugsy was going to send. Bugsy smiled and picked a Pokeball from his grey coat pocket.
"Go! Scyther!" a large green bug type with wings on its back and scythes for hands appeared from the boy's Pokeball. I smirked at the sight of the formidable Pokemon. You might be worth my time!
Silver tucked his hands in his pockets and called out for a smokescreen. I jumped into battle and let a large bead of charcoal from my mouth. The field grew dark and visibility was close to none.
"Agility!" cried Bugsy from beyond the wall of charcoal dust. I squinted my eyes and saw Scyther running through the dark.
"Quick Attack!" Silver called. I sprang forward and dashed towards the green pokemon. His large body was an easy target and I hit him dead center of his chest.
"False swipe!" Bugsy called again. Scyther made a motion to cut me and I dodged, only to back into another swipe of his razor arm. I turned quickly, but Scyther had gotten behind me again and was placing meticulously planned cuts across my body.
"Ember on the ground." Silver ordered. I opened my mouth and blew a ring of red fire around the ground, preventing Scyther from hitting my back. The crimson light from the fires illuminated my opponent and I was able to get a good glimpse of his eyes. They were bloodshot red.
"Hey! Feisty! Are you in there?" I lifted my head and perked my ears up at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Gastly? How'd you get out of your Pokeball?" I called out, keeping my eyes fixed on the bloodthirsty Scyther in front of me.
"You are in there! Never mind how I got out, I have a riddle for you!" I growled in annoyance as the Scyther jumped through the fire wall and tried to slice at me.
"I'm a bit busy right now! Can't this wait for later!" I yelled back at my teammate. Scyther stretched one of its razor arms to try and cut one of my limbs. Something has changed, before it only tried to wound me, now it is seriously trying to kill me.
"I promise it will be worth your time!" Gastly called from somewhere amongst the dark charcoal. I sighed and dodged another close call from the Scyther's blades. It seemed as if he was starting to regain his sight.
"Smokescreen." called Silver from the darkness. I responded by aiming the charcoal ball in my mouth at Scyther's eyes. It was a direct hit, but the Scyther acted as if he was unaffected by the charcoal dust. I jumped back and bent beneath a horizontal slice by the enraged Pokemon. I hoped Gastly was right about the riddle being worth my time.
"Fine! What's the stupid riddle?" I called out before getting nicked on my cheek.
I could hear the smile in Gastly's voice. "What is green and sharp, and turns blood thirsty at the sight of Red?" I smirked and dodged another false swipe.
"Would the answer happen to be my opponent?" I asked, sidestepping another blow.
"That would be it! You're getting good at this, Feisty." I smirked.
"Yeah, that and I think my fire ticked this guy off." I dodged another slice and landed on the bug Pokemon's head. I was larger than his torso, so Scyther fell to the ground and struggled underneath me.
"Ember." Silver called coolly. I gathered the flames into my mouth until they were blue and got a critical hit on the Scyther pinned below me.
"Scyther!" Bugsy called, and a red light absorbed the fainted pokemon. The dust started to settle, and now only the ground was covered in charcoal. Gastly had also disappeared.
"Eh, This stuff is terrible. I can't believe you beat my Scyther!" Bugsy starred at Silver in awe. Silver huffed indifferently.
"It was weak; anyone should have been able to beat it." Bugsy's face changed from admiration to worry.
"What do you mean weak? That's my strongest Pokemon." Bugsy's voice lowered as he spoke. I sat down on my side of the field waiting for his next Pokemon.
"My Pokemon are strong! I'll prove it! Go Kakuna!" Bugsy sent out another Pokeball letting out a yellow cocoon Pokemon.
"Finish him quickly." Silver flicked his bangs out of his eyes. I rolled my eyes and sent an Ember at the cocooned Pokemon.
"Harden!" Bugsy called, but it was too late for the Kakuna. My flames had already enveloped him.
"Weak." Silver repeated.
"NO! Go Metapod!" The burning Kakuna was returned and in his place was another cocoon Pokemon of a green color. I sighed and sent out another Ember, defeating the Metapod with ease.
"Weak."
"No…no…I'm not weak. I'm a gym leader… I'm not weak." Silver walked over to the defeated boy and held out his hand in an expectant manner. Bugsy sniffled and glared at Silver's hand before slapping it away from his face, leaving the Hive Badge in Silver's palm.
"It sickens me to give people like you badges." Bugsy spoke, his words harsh and spoken between clenched teeth. Silver just turned and shoved his hands in his pockets again.
"It sickens me to see people like you running gyms." Silver walked towards the Spinarak platform. I turned to follow when a small, helpless voice reached my ears.
"How…how... were you… so much stronger…than us?" The Metapod coughed. I looked into his eyes for a second and looked away, not enjoying the feeling of helplessness hidden behind his eyes.
"My trainer is strong, and so to keep up with him, I am strong." I continued to walk forward, catching up to my trainer.
Outside the gym, Silver stopped to look at me.
"You're still placing all your balance on your right side. You'll never be strong unless you cannot be pushed around, and so far I could have Zubat tip you over." I growled at the mention of the pest, but I nodded and took the comment to heart.
Silver took out a potion and treated my wounds. I sighed in relief as all the scratches faded away. Silver stood up and pocketed the remaining potion and started off towards the gate on the west side of town. I quickly got up and followed him, making sure not to get left behind.
We walked through giant doors and passed an old woman and a Slowpoke, both of which yawned at us. Silver kept a steady pace until we reached the other door to Ilex Forest.
"Grrr, I forgot about the Pokeball maker Kurt." Silver turned to face me and smirked. "We have a house to visit." Silver walked back through the doors and into someone walking in the other direction. Both of the trainers landed on the ground with a thud.
"Watch where you're going, stupid." Silver growled out before looking up and realizing who he stumbled into. I growled and took my place beside Silver.
It was Kotone and Petal.
"Oh Silver! Hi!" The joyful girl called. Petal even gave a greeting that neither Silver nor I returned.
"So how are you? Did you beat Bugsy?" Kotone asked Silver. Silver huffed and smirked.
"Of course I beat Bugsy. He was weak, even for a bug type trainer." Kotone put her hands on her hips and glared at Silver.
"You shouldn't be like that. You should just appreciate the fact you won." Kotone placed a hand on her cheek as she stared at Silver, deep in thought.
"Hmm…Did you get a new bag?" She asked. Silver sighed and tried to push his way past her.
"Yes, now I have more important things to do than talk to a weakling like you."
"Thank you." Silver halted in his tracks.
"What?" He turned to face the now blushing girl.
"I said thank you, you know, the verbal way of giving thanks." Silver rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I got that. I mean, what for?" Kotone's smile widened.
"For saving me, of course." Kotone's blush lowered to a small pink and her face took a look of seriousness. I blinked, not believing that this girl had a serious face.
"I didn't realize what I was getting into when I went down the well. I thought I was just doing a favor for an old man and his granddaughter. I didn't realize Team Rocket didn't fight the way an official match is held." At the mention of Team Rocket, Silver's eyes darkened and his smirk faded. I held my breath and awaited his reaction.
"How did you know I was there?" Silver spoke, grating his teeth together.
"The Nurse Joy told me a boy with red hair and an unhappy face brought me in. I only know one person who fits that description." Kotone's smile returned and she giggled a bit as well.
"Whatever, you were in the way. Only a weakling like you would lose to a worthless team like them." Silver turned to leave again, only to be stopped by an arm grabbing his.
"Wait. I want to prove I'm not as weak as you think I am." Kotone spoke in a confident voice. Petal waved her leaf around in anticipation.
"Let's finish that battle. The one we started but was interrupted before we finished?"
Silver turned again and picked a Pokeball out of his coat pocket. "Fine, but don't cry when I win." He threw the Pokeball to reveal Zubat.
"Never crossed my mind." Kotone released her Pokeball, revealing a Pidgeotto.
"Let's do this Baron! Use gust!" The large bird Pokemon spread its wings and took to the sky flapping violently to create a wind storm.
"Wing Attack." Silver called out to his Pokemon. Zubat responded and pushed his way closer to the bird Pokemon, but when the attack connected, it did little damage. Pidgeotto took the chance to grab the Zubat in his claws.
"Tackle the ground!" Kotone called out. Pidgeotto preformed his orders with grace and slammed the defenseless Zubat into the ground.
"Get up you useless Pokemon." Silver called, but Zubat was heavily injured from the impact and could barley move. "Now, you stupid, lazy Pokemon!" Silver called louder, but Zubat refused to move.
Silver growled and returned Zubat to his Pokeball. He took out another Pokeball and sent out Gastly.
"Go, use confuse ray." Gastly nodded and rushed up to Pidgeotto's face.
"This sentence is false." Gastly laughed and swirling lights circled the bird Pokemon's head.
"Now use curse!" Gastly's smile faded and a needle appeared from his poison cloud. My eyes widened in horror as the needle pushed its way through Gastly's body. Gastly gasped and fell closer to the ground, exhausted. I looked up at Silver but he was engrossed with the outcome of this battle. After many turns of the curse wearing on Pidgeotto, he finally fell. Kotone returned him and sent out her next Pokemon.
"Go! Petal!" The Bayleef beside Kotone yelped happily and charged into the fight.
"So, you're new! What's your name?" She asked Gastly. Gastly looked at Petal with weary eyes and a confused smile.
"I beg your pardon, but what name? My name has always been Gastly." Gastly smiled and waited for Silver's command, but Kotone was first.
"Petal use Razorleaf!" Kotone called out to her starter. Bayleef smiled and swung her head, releasing a barrage of leaves. Gastly tried to dodge, but his low energy state meant sluggish movements, so most of the leaves manage to graze him.
"Faster, you worthless Pokemon." Silver called at Gastly angrily. I starred at Silver in wonder. You lost your cool so quickly. What is it about this girl that makes you so out of it? Gastly manage to hit Bayleef with Nightshade, but Bayleef had done enough damage to sufficiently harm Gastly.
"Curse!" Silver called. Gastly's and my eyes widened at the implications of the order.
"Don't do it Gastly! There is some other way!" I cried out, but Gastly shook his head.
"Feisty, wasn't it you who said to trust our trainer?" Gastly took the needle from his poison cloud and struck himself on it again. He fell to the floor, fainted. Bayleef cried out from the pain of the curse.
"Tch, useless, even at the end aren't you?" Silver spoke as he returned Gastly to his Pokeball. I growled, even angrier at Silver for ordering such a drastic move. Silver gave me a pointed look and then spoke.
"You better not fail like the other two did." I growled but nodded, knowing I could vent my anger during the battle. I stepped up to the field and watched Petal cringe at the effects of the curse. I opened my mouth and prepared a blue ball of fire.
"Ember!" Silver called. I shot the ball of fire from my mouth and hit Bayleef directly. Petal reared on her hind legs and sent a barrage of Razor leaves at me. I dodge expertly until a leaf hit my right foot and I fell off balance. Great Mew, Silver was right. I am too easy to knock down. I stood up again only to take the full force of a tackle attack.
"Quick attack." Silver yelled. I dashed toward Petal like a rocket. She moved over at the last minute, so I only grazed her left leg, but it was enough force to tip her on her side.
"Ember." I sent small flames at Bayleef until I was sure I got a critical hit. Petal yelped in pain and went down; finally falling prey to the curse Gastly had laid on her.
Kotone smiled and returned her starter. "You did well. I'm so proud of you."
Silver looked at me in disgust as he waited impatiently for Kotone to send out her last Pokemon.
"It's not over yet, Silver! Go Harrison!" out of the Pokeball came a small Pokemon. It was blue, had coral for ears. It also looked happy in a creepy way that made you feel uncomfortable. It was a Wooper.
The pain from the battle with Petal started to surface and my body started to ache from the force of the tackle I had taken. I took a deep breath and stared at the Pokemon before me. The Wooper's smile never left his face.
That was the smile I would see in my nightmares.
So, how was that? I hope I still have everyone's character set up right in my head. I don't want them to suddenly turn OOC because I forgot how they act.
My poll is still up, so please vote!
Reviews are love,
MyuuMay
