Link is in the corner, tied up.
Kotoha: Why is Link wrapped in my vines?
Tsu: Because I said so.
Oculus: Master, you're being unreasonable.
Tsu: I just might. But hey, he needs to stahp being so pessimistic. This is his story just as much as it is mine.
Auron: Yes, yes, you only came up with the concept and the region.
Tsu: Shut up! I claim only half like he should.
Kotoha: Master, that Wisp girl is eyeing me oddly.
Tsu: Wisp, come out here.
*Wisp enters the room* Wisp: Uh, untie my boyfriend! I'll burn you and your little Lilligant, too!
Tsu: Auron? If you would?
*Auron puts a paw to Wisps head. She falls to the floor. There is a visible red aura around Link.*
Kotoha: Master, Link looks like he's about to set fire to himself and completely wreck your face.
Tsu: Oh, Wisp is perfectly fine! She's just asleep. Not like, unconscious, she just got an overwhelming urge to move into a state of sleep.
*The aura is calmed but still there*
Tsu: There now, Link. Will you stop being so pessimistic on your chapters?
*No answer*
Tsu: I'll take that as a yes. Oculus? Would you kindly bite his vines off?
Oculus: I will if you drop the Bioshock jokes.
*Oculus bite the vines off. Link immediately tackles Tsu*
Link: I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, KID!
Tsu: OH GREAT GODDESS KOTOHA START THE CHAPTER BEFORE I DIE!
Link: NO! THIS HAS TO BE SEEN! I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU!
Brandon and that Shin guy came walking to me and Himari enjoying ourselves in the water. Kotoha and Auron were visibly enjoying themselves, Oculus just hanging around my legs. He was obviously not that fond of water. That didn't stop Auron from pelting the little Shinx with it.
"Get your Pokemon, kid. Master Sei has an opening for you." Brandon said. I took my Pokeballs and touched the sides, the red light shooting out to encapsulate my little friends. I flipped out my Pokedex and checked the moves for the guys. As it turns out, Petilil had hit 'LVL10,' whatever that meant. She earned 2 more moves, being Leech Seed and Sleep Powder. Auron had Foresight, Quick Attack, Endure, Feint, and Counter, being LVL11. Oculus had Tackle, Leer, and Charge. Not very useful at the moment, but he'll get there, I know it! Himari had grabbed Leviathan, not wanting to return him. I started to run into the city, not having any idea as to where I was going. I'm way too excited to care.
Okay, somehow I found my way there. No I didn't get lost, I just… didn't know the exact way there. The gang was waiting for me at the entrance, Brandon visibly pissed.
"Dumb kid. I question why I'm friends with you sometimes."
"No you don't, you love me. Let's go!" I said, entering the gym. I passed a beast of a man before i hit the door, but i paid it no mind. I was surprised, actually. There were six pools of water, arranged in a 2*3 pattern. At the end was an aged man sitting on his knees. His hair was a grayed blue, long and slicked back, in a sense. It was as if it naturally fell behind his ears. No bangs. He looked up at me, ice gray eyes piercing my soul. I suddenly wasn't so confident anymore. I clenched a fist and stepped forward on the path before me. The man at the end stood up as I made my approach. He bowed when I was about 2 meters in front of him, and I returned the gesture.
"You have requested a challenge, my grandson tells me."
"I have, sir. My name is Sonata Shirot, of Riki Town. My friend Brandon and I have come to get your badge."
"I admire your tenacity. Let me personally welcome you to Bluefire City. We live with the water, feed from the water, and fight with the water. I have surmise that you know of the proper typing of our gym?"
"Yes sir. You are the water type gym of the Marsen Region."
"Well, I accept your challenge, but I always like for my challengers to relax before. Get their mind and I had a long meeting just before this, so please understand if I wish to relax my own body. Would you and your friends like to join me for tea?"
"I- uh- Yes, sir!"
"While I understand that you are trying to respect me, I would rather you call me Master Sei. It is how my students have taken to calling me, and it has grown on me rather well in the past decade."
"Uh, yes, Master Sei."
"Good. Now, come." He placed his hands in the opposite sleeves, obviously due to how large they were. Shin, Brandon, and Himari all started to follow us into the back rooms. We were led to a perfectly aged room with cabinets, a hot pot, and sink. I say perfectly aged, and I mean it as in… Well, it's obvious that this room has inspirations from older times, and feels as though it were built there, but holy Arceus does it look brand new! I feel like I walked into history! Well, I don't believe that all homes back in the day looked like this, but still!
"Sit." Master Sei requested. We all sat at the small table in the middle of the room, Master Sei rummaging through cabinets and retrieving things. Long explanation short, he made us this lovely green tea. The aroma was heavenly, the taste like warm heaven down my throat. I couldn't get enough, honestly. I didn't just gulp it down like it sounds like. I had to drink this thing slowly to get it's full taste. I felt wrong asking for more, so I didn't. Master Sei filled my glass again. It was like he knew. I felt so happy! This tea made me feel rather, well, relaxed, as he said. I felt like all my muscles were losing tension. Suddenly, I felt a head bop on my shoulder. Himari fell on me with a blush on her face. A very heavy blush across her face, at that.
"Oh my! It seems that little Himari has a bit of a drunken state on her!"
"Wait, what?"
"An ingredient in my tea is a small amount of sake. It, along with the herbs I use, it creates a relaxing effect on my challengers. It also can put my challengers to sleep if they're not hardy enough."
"I've had more than her, how are me and Brandon not drunk/asleep, too?"
"Because, you two somehow have a higher tolerance."
"She's had half a glass."
"She's a lightweight."
"Yeah, I can see that."
"Carry her to our nursing wing. She'll be alright in a few hours." I grabbed her in a princess style and stood. Shin exited and I followed. It was a bit of a walk until we hit a white room, a few beds and a nurse sitting at her desk. I placed Himari on a bed, taking off her jacket and pulling the covers over her. I stood for a moment.
"Ahem." Shin said, knocking me out of a daze. I turned around and ran to him, getting led back out to the main floor. Master Sei was standing where he greeted me, and I took my place at the other end. Master Sei's eyes opened suddenly and he tossed out his first Pokemon: A Dewott. My XTranceiver flashed and I threw out my first Pokemon: Auron. Speakers popped out from the walls and music started to blare out, adding a certain mood to our engagement. I whipped out my Pokedex to scan Dewott. As it seems, it's the evolution of Oshawott, so Himari has a cool looking Pokemon to look forward to after the adorableness of her Leviathan. I put my Pokedex away and readied myself.
"Alright! Auron, [Quick Attack!]" I commanded. The Riolu quickly enveloped himself in a white light and rushed the Dewott. It didn't see it coming. Auron, the black, white, and blue blur, circled behind the Dewott and cracked him in the back of the head. The water type was shot forward, but he had quick reflexes, allowing it to recover quickly.
"Dewott, [Razor Shell]!" Sei yelled. His Pokemon took one of the scalchops on its hips, a white glow arising from it. Dewott began to slash wildly with it, Auron barely dodging.
"Auron, wait for an opening and [Counter]!" I commanded. Auron brought his arms up and blocked all the slashes at him. I looked to my wrist, and Auron's meter was going down steadily. Auron tensed up and thrust his arm out, hitting that Dewott right in the gut. Dewott flew back from the sheer force and rolled toward my side of the field.
"[Quick Attack]!" I yelled, and Auron rushed that Dewott again.
"Get up and dodge!" Sei barked. Dewott had trouble standing, but he managed to barrel out of the way in time.
"Jump, [Razor Shell]!" He commanded. Dewott made his way above Auron and brought his glowing scalchop down into my Pokemon.
"Get outta the way!" I shouted, but it was too late. The shell made contact, practically slicing through Auron.
"You're green in the ways of battle, boy. Dewott, [Razor Shell]!"
"Come on! You can do it!" I yelled. But that second Razor Shell connected with Auron's head. He was knocked unconscious. I cursed and grabbed his Pokeball, returning my friend to rest.
"Oculus, go!" I shouted, tossing his Pokeball to the field. Out popped Oculus with a "Shi!", readying himself for battle.
This was a bad idea, but I have to save Kotoha for last. I thought.
"Oculus, [Tackle] that Dewott!" I commanded, Oculus rushing forward and barreling into Dewott with pure strength. The screen on my XTranciever flashed, exclaiming 'Critical Hit!' Dewott was knocked back towards Sei, the hit doing a massive number on the Pokemon. Dewott was on the ground, unable to act further.
"Hm. Dewott, here." Sei said, pulling out his Pokeball and returning his Pokemon. He placed it into his expansive sleeve and retrieved another one.
"Staryu, fight!" He called, tossing his Star Pokemon to the field.
"[Water Gun]!" He called, the StarShape Pokemon blasting water from the red jewel at it's core.
"Get out of there!" I shouted, Oculus quickly leaping out of the way. Staryu kept blasting at my Shinx, Oculus dodging all the while.
"There, [Tackle]!" I shouted, Oculus charging forward between blasts and hitting the Staryu right in that red jewel of a core. Oculus actually glowed a light blue after the attack landed, so I nabbed my Pokedex. I flipped out the move screen, two new moves actually there. [Baby-Doll Eyes] and [Spark]. I put away my dex and made my decision.
"[Spark] it, Oculus!" I called, Oculus coming aglow with sparks and shooting the mass of them at his Staryu opponent. I quickly called Oculus back to his Pokeball and reared my final Pokemon to the fight.
"Kotoha, finish this! [Leech Seed]!" I shouted, my Petilil blasting seeds at Staryu. They latched on, vines growing out of them. The vines enveloped the StarShape Pokemon and drained it's life.
"[Absorb!]" Kotoha's oblong leaves shined and the lingering energy of Staryu transfered into my Bulb Pokemon. My screen flashed with 'It was super effective!' and the Staryu's core ended its glow, falling to the ground.
"Sweet Arceus." Sei said, returning his Pokemon. He placed it into his expansive sleeve and turned around. Leaving into a back room, he came out with a box. Walking to me, the box popped open. There was a circular emblem, a symbol of three distinct waves of water emblazoned upon it's shing metal surface. I reached out and touched it, the medal coming alive with color. Light, dark and regular blues flowing out from where I touched it. I kind of felt like I was in water myself.
"For defeating me in battle, you have earned the River Badge. Walk where the water flows, and secrets will now come unto you. You are one step closer to the league. I expect you will do well like your father."
"Wait, how do you know my dad?"
"It's not every day that two champions from a different region enter another, now is it?"
"I, uh…"
"You have a lot to live up to, child. I expect great things."
"Uh, thank you, sir!" I said, pinning the River Badge to my inner shirt. I felt a new power surge through me. Petilil hopped over to me and I picked her up, nuzzling her face.
"You did great, babe! I'm proud of you!" Brandon came up behind me and tapped my shoulder.
"Sei, keep your schedule open tomorrow. I'm challenging you, next." Brandon said, a serious expression on his face.
"I await your presence, greenhorn."
"Uh, Brandon, you look a bit mad."
"Get Himari and let's go."
"Okay, okay!" I ran towards the back rooms and the nursing wing. Himari was still asleep in the bed, but we had to get out of here. I grabbed her and held her piggyback, her arms draping over my shoulders. We headed out of the gym and towards the nearest Pokemon Center. Brandon got us a room with 4 beds, dropping his stuff in there and sitting on the bed. I placed Himari down and sat with her.
"Dood, what's your beef?"
"Did you see how you battled in there? How am I supposed to compare to that?"
"You just go with the flow, really. Do what you think is best to do."
"It's not that simple, man! He's calculating! It was like he pierced our eyes when we showed up. I could swear he knew who I had with me. The only Pokemon I have that won't be at a disadvantage is Kura, and he can't do much yet! If I throw out Heph, he'll be crushed!"
"Brandon, calm the hell down! Grab Kura and Hephaestus, also your spare pokeballs. "We're going hunting!"
"Wait what?"
"You heard me! If you're gonna make a big deal, we're gonna make your time a hell of a lot easier! You're capturing another Pokemon!"
"You think it's that easy?"
"It is that easy, you dark dolt!" Brandon shot a fist at my face. I dodged with some effort and landed a hit in his side.
"Brandon, this isn't as complicated as it seems. Yeah, this journey is going to be hard, but we decided to do it! There's no going back, now!"
"Yeah, I know! But I feel like i'm under a good deal of pressure!"
"Oh, because I just beat a gym leader? Brandon, you know that i'm the son of two champions. You don't just live up to that, man! Master Sei said it himself, he expects great things, as do a lot of other important figures here in the Marsen Region. I don't even want to be the champion, I just want to fight with my Pokemon and explore!"
"Yeah, So do I! Just… Dammit, Sonata!"
"What?" Brandon then stormed out of the room.
"What in the world…"
"Sonata…?" That was Himari. I turned to look, and she was barely awake.
"Himari! I… I'm sorry for waking you."
"I heard everything."
"You did?"
"Yeah… It seems as though Brandon feels inferior to you."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, look, you already got another Pokemon before he did. You also beat Master Sei in the same day."
"Well, this isn't anything, really."
"I think it means a lot to him. I mean, he probably thinks that people would rather hang around you than him."
"He shouldn't think that. He's freaking awesome! Look at me, I'm nothing cool."
"Well, think about it. A lot of people judge based on appearances. People think he's just a loner. Plus, he's tall."
"That shouldn't stop people!"
"... You're so dense."
"Eh?"
"Sonata, he… When he comes back, get him motivated to fight another day."
"Of course I will!"
"Alright. Thank you."
"Yeah, of course. But, why do you know these things, Himari?"
"I've always been in tune with emotions and feelings and such. I mean, it's why me and Leviathan get along so well."
"I wish I could be like that."
"Well, I can tell that your Pokemon like you very much."
"Thanks, Himari. I mean it."
"Let's just wait for him to come back, okay? Come on, let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry and we haven't had lunch."
"Alright."
Hey everybody! Welcome back to Two Lives! I think I dropped some bombs here, so there's that at least.
Link: Yeah, Yeah, get on with it.
Tsu: Brandon, I will kill you.
Link: Sonata, I will kill you first.
Tsu: So says the person who is being held back by a Lucario and a Lilligant.
*Vein pops on Links forehead. He starts thrashing.*
Link: KID GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE! HOW YOU MANAGED TO GET ME LIKE THIS IS BEYOND ME BUT I WILL DESTROY YOU REGARDLESS!
Tsu: Why didn't I think of this, earlier? Kotoha, dear, use [SleepPowder], will you?
Kotoha: Of course, Master.
*Kotoha emits a purple powder over Link's face.*
Link: DAMMIT YOU White haired Lilligan…. lovin'...
*Link hits the floor.*
Kotoha: Wasn't that a little harsh?
Oculus: I have to agree.
Auron: He's a strong kid.
Tsu: No matter. If you guys liked this chapter and all chapters before it, please consider dropping it a subscrizzle! Oh wait, this isn't YouTube. Please consider Following and Favoriting the story so that you can get updates every time Brandon and I get around to adding onto this story! I implore you to review, too! PLEASE REVIEW. DO IT. It means a lot to us that you would do it!
If you want to keep up with me, personally, you can go and check me out on Tumblr and YouTube! It means a lot! Speaking of Youtube, I started an Oracle of Ages let's play! Unfortunately, I don't have a mic, but we're getting that fixed thanks to my editor's generosity! (Obligatory birthday gift, actually.)
My birthday is March 26th, a Thursday, this year. If you want, you can donate to my shushiroto or even do a longer lasting donation to my page. It would mean a lot to me because it means that I can relax and get chapters out faster. Plus, I would like to be able to let's play other stuff, so there's that! Shameless self promotion over.
Thank you all, wonderful readers, for sticking with this story. I hope to take it places!
As always
Keep Sparki
~Sonata Haruka Tsuzihri VII, Head Seraph of the Electric Angels.