14. Lakeside battles and special balls.

Kaida was walking down to see Lapras when a small body collided into her. She fell to the ground, winded, and tried desperately to suck in air.

"Whoops," the voice said.

Once she had recovered enough she saw that the body belonged to Holly, who was looking rather concerned.

"Did I hurt you?" she asked.

"No, it's fine," Kaida said, still clutching her stomach.

"Oh, good," Holly said. Her frown instantly evaporated and she grinned.

Behind Holly stood her brother, Bugsy, with his green hair in disarray. It looked like he was responsible for her that day and was having a hard time keeping her under control.

"Where are you going?" Holly asked.

"To the lake," Kaida said.

"Can I come?" Holly asked.

Kaida hesitated.

"She doesn't want you following her around, pest," Bugsy said teasingly to his sister.

Holly pouted and folded her arms across her chest. "No fair!"

"It's not that," Kaida said. "It's just… I have the Lapras down there. The one that attacked you. It was a bit crazy in those caves so I'm trying to make it better. Only, it's not really going so well. It won't go back into the Pokéball."

"Oh," Holly said.

"Maybe I could take a look," Bugsy offered.

Kaida thought about it. Bugsy was a very experienced Pokémon trainer, even if his speciality was bugs. He probably knew a lot more than her. Besides, it could never hurt to get some extra help.

"OK," she said. "Thanks."

Holly grabbed Kaida's hand and started to drag her down to the lake. For someone so small she possessed quite a lot of strength. Kaida almost tumbled over several times. She glanced back at the green haired gym leader. He just looked amused. Kaida scowled.

They reached the lake and Holly ran to the shore. She didn't seem to have any fear of the Lapras even though it had hurt her. It was quite strange. Kaida wondered if it was the tenacity of small children or just Holly.

"It is quite cute," Holly said.

Lapras was gliding around the other side of the lake. It didn't seem to tire of just swimming around in circles, savouring the open air. Kaida opened her bag and brought out some Pokéfood. She offered it to Holly.

"Just throw it as far as you can into the lake. I bet some fish Pokémon will grab a bit but Lapras will be over in a minute."

A few Goldeen popped up to gobble some food before Lapras came over. Once Lapras was there, Kaida began to throw in the bigger pieces of food.

"This is why you need to go to the sea," Kaida told Lapras. "There isn't enough food for you in this lake."

She was ignored. Holly giggled as Lapras gobbled up more food. It looked up at the sound of her giggle and regarded her closely. Then, suddenly, it splashed her. Holly looked shocked for a moment but then she chucked off her shoes and waded a little way into the lake so that she could splash Lapras back. Soon they were engaged in a full fledged water fight. Lapras looked happier than Kaida had ever seen it and Holly was laughing her head off.

"Wow," Kaida said.

"I know," Bugsy said. "Holly does have a way with Pokémon."

"Yeah," Kaida agreed. "It's impressive. I've never seen Lapras playful like this."

They watched the little girl move further into the lake. Eventually Lapras lowered its head and Holly clambered onto its back. Kaida was a little worried at first, and she thought Bugsy shared her concerns, but Lapras stayed close to the shore as it ferried the laughing girl up and down.

"Holly has done a lot more than I have," Kaida said.

She was slightly disappointed that she hadn't been able to get through to Lapras so quickly. Yes, she had helped calm it down and they had struck up some friendship, but Lapras had never wanted to play games with her. Not to mention, she had spent all this time with Lapras and now it seemed wasted. She could have been preparing for her gym battle with Bugsy. She still was short a Pokémon.

"What's wrong?" the gym leader asked her.

Kaida shrugged. "I feel sort of useless."

"You shouldn't. Some Pokémon just click better with different people. It is all about their natures."

"I know," Kaida said, "but I wanted to challenge you to a gym battle and I haven't been training at all recently. I don't even have enough Pokémon. It's annoying."

"You don't have three Pokémon?" Bugsy asked, surprised.

"Well," Kaida said defensively, "I haven't been a trainer long and I don't see much point in catching any random Pokémon."

"How many Pokémon do you have?" Bugsy asked.

"Two," Kaida said.

Bugsy looked pensive. Finally he said, "There is nothing in the rules that says I have to use three. Normally I wouldn't but you did help my sister out. So what do you say? We can have a two versus two right here. I know we're not at the gym but it can still be an official gym battle."

Kaida's eyes popped. "Seriously?" She hesitated. "I don't know. I haven't been training much."

"Well, no pressure," said Bugsy, "but what do you have to lose? You can always try again. Besides, you could gain experience fighting me now."

He did have a point.

"All right then," Kaida said determinedly. "Let's go."

They lined up against the lake shore. Lapras and Holly stopped to watch as they both sent out their first Pokémon. Ariados burst from Pokéball and Kaida sent forward Cyndaquil.

"Go, Cyndaquil, use Flame Wheel."

"Shadow Sneak!"

Ariados slammed into Cyndaquil before Cyndaquil could use its attack but the flames on Cyndaquil's back still made contact with Ariados. Kaida grinned. That would teach the bug Pokémon to get too close to the fire type.

"Agility!" Bugsy ordered.

"Quick Attack!"

Ariados had raised its speed but Cyndaquil was fast too. Using the speedy attack it managed to hit into Ariados.

"Follow it up with Ember!"

The fire move hit the bug type Pokémon and badly damaged it.

"Ariados, use Spider Web!"

"Dodge it!"

Cyndaquil narrowly missed the attack that had strung Mareep up so successfully in Nila's fight with Bugsy at the gym. Cyndaquil was quick though. It could evade these attacks and hopefully would keep doing it for a while.

"Leech Life!"

Cyndaquil couldn't avoid these clinging seeds. There was only one consolation and that was that, as a fire type, Cyndaquil was better equipped to fight bug type moves.

"Fury Swipes, Ariados!"

"Tackle!"

Ariados raised its glinting claws and managed to get a few swipes in as Cyndaquil barrelled into it. Both Pokémon obtained damage from those attacks and they both retreated for a moment to recuperate.

"Spider Web!"

This time Cyndaquil was strung up but a quick blast from its fire managed to burn away the sticky substance. In that time, however, Ariados managed to use Shadow Sneak again and deal more damage to Kaida's Pokémon.

"Flame Wheel!"

Ariados managed to avoid the spinning fire send in its direction but, afterwards, it stepped right in the way of a well placed Ember attack. Kaida smiled proudly. Cyndaquil had come a long way. It was a quick Pokémon both physically and mentally.

"Agility!"

"You can keep up," Kaida insisted. "Use Quick Attack!"

Ariados was a little too fast this time and Cyndaquil's attack missed. It also got caught in another Spider Web attack and, this time, Bugsy was prepared for Cyndaquil to burn its way free and ordered Ariados to send it flying into the lake. Cyndaquil's flame was extinguished immediately and it struggled back to shore. It was now wet and miserable and its flame wasn't relighting properly. Kaida cursed. Of course, she had failed to consider the natural environment as carefully as she should have. She should have told Cyndaquil to keep far away from the water.

"If you can't use your flames then use Quick Attack!"

Cyndaquil bobbed its head and darted forwards. Ariados dodged but Cyndaquil went straight for a second attack and used Tackle to send Ariados crumpling to the floor. Ariados was getting weak. Cyndaquil was quick and Ariados could not avoid all of its moves.

"Try Shadow Sneak!"

"Quick Attack!"

Both Pokémon slammed into each other at the same time. They both went reeling backwards. However, only Cyndaquil managed to stagger to its feet again. Ariados was down and out.

Bugsy checked on his Ariados before returning it to its Pokéball.

"Well played," he complimented. "Now, go, Scyther!"

Scyther erupted from the Pokéball and flashed its blades about menacingly. Kaida looked to Cyndaquil. It looked as if it was dry enough to use its fire again. She ordered it to attack with Flame Wheel. She hadn't expected what came next.

"Swords Dance!"

Scyther completely negated Cyndaquil's fiery attack by blowing the flames away with its well placed move. Kaida goggled. That was seriously impressive.

"Try and get closer and use it!"

She thought maybe Scyther wouldn't have time to use the attack but she was wrong. Its performance of the move was impressive. She would have to try a different tactic.

"Cyndaquil, use Quick Attack!"

"Scyther, Agility!"

Scyther was speedy. In fact, it was probably quicker than Ariados, which was a little surprising considering its bulk. Cyndaquil managed to hit Scyther but Scyther quickly lashed back out with a Slash attack.

"Now, Wing Attack!"

The forceful wings sent Cyndaquil recoiling. It staggered weakly and then dropped. It had fainted. Kaida rushed to its side and petted its flameless back. She then released her final Pokémon.

"Go, Gastly! Try Shadow Punch!"

"Wing Attack!"

The Shadow Punch sneaked in and dealt a fair amount of damage to Scyther. Then Gastly was buffeted backwards by the vigorous wings.

"X-Scissor!"

"Gastly, dodge and use Curse!"

Gastly avoided the speedy attack and then made its sacrifice. This was a large gamble. Scyther would eventually faint now, without any further attacking, but Gastly had lost a lot of health and would have to go on the defensive to keep it in the match. Preferably Scyther needed to be hit with Hypnosis. She ordered it to do just that and, to her surprise, it worked, and Scyther fell down, snoozing. Seconds later, however, it was up again.

"I hate Hypnosis," Bugsy told her, "so I equip all my Pokémon with a berry to deal with it."

Yes, Kaida thought, but a berry was one use only.

"Hypnosis again!"

"Get away with Agility!"

Scyther avoided Gastly's attack and then returned to use X- Scissor. It was hardly effective but it was still a powerful move.

"Keep back out of the way," Kaida ordered.

Gastly moved higher but Scyther drew out its wings and flew towards it. Gastly turned tail and ran and Scyther began to pursue it. It managed to catch up but its instinctive Slash attack passed straight through Gastly. Normal moves did not deal any damage at all.

"Use Wing Attack!" Bugsy called.

Scyther managed to hit Gastly and Kaida groaned. It was losing too much health. She hoped her decision to use Curse had not been the wrong one.

"Turn around and use Lick!"

Gastly wagged its tongue and obeyed. Scyther recoiled and shuddered. It retaliated with X-Scissor attack but Gastly evaded it.

"Come on, Gastly," Kaida said, a little annoyed. "Don't you remember when we met? You were the master of hiding!"

Gastly seemed to consider this and puffed itself up. Then, to Bugsy's amazement, it seemed to disappear.

"Use the natural environment," Kaida called out. "You are a lot smaller than Scyther! Get in the trees!"

She couldn't tell if Gastly had heard but, either way, it was hiding very successfully. Scyther was flying around, confused, desperately trying to find something that would tip it off to Gastly's whereabouts. It was slashing apart trees and listening for the slightest sound. Gastly was nowhere to be found. Kaida just hoped it hadn't gone too far. She wondered if that counted as cheating. There wasn't an official arena, however, so it was difficult to say.

Scyther was getting weaker and weaker and it eventually had to land due to the effect of the Curse that Gastly had inflicted it with. That was when Kaida felt something press cheekily behind her back. So there it was. That was somewhat reassuring.

Then, in front of her, Scyther fell to the floor. The match was over. Kaida had won. She couldn't help it. She screamed in joy. From around them came the sound of flapping wings as birds left their perches, alarmed.

"Good job Gastly," Kaida beamed.

Gastly licked the side of her face. Kaida was too elated to care.

"You are getting a LOT of food as a reward," Kaida promised.

"Woo," Holly called. "Go Kaida!"

She jumped off the Lapras and paddled to shore. From there she hugged Kaida tightly.

"You're so cool," she said. "I love your Pokémon!"

Bugsy looked a little affronted that his sister preferred someone else's Pokémon over his but the look of offence soon changed to resignation. Of course, it was his sister. She liked to annoy him.

"Well done," Bugsy said.

He handed her the glinting Insect Badge. Kaida received it joyously.

"Thank you!" she said, hugging him now.

She was so happy that he had let her fight two on two because now she had this badge and her face was practically splitting in half from smiling so much.

"As long as you remember to come back someday so we can have another battle," Bugsy said. "I want to fight you three on three. I think Metapod could make all the difference!"

"No way," Kaida said. "But, yeah, sure!"

"We'll see then," Bugsy said, smiling in return.

They watched Holly play with Lapras for a while longer. Kaida looked at the Pokéball for Lapras and sighed.

"Maybe Holly should keep Lapras," she suggested. "She gets along well with it."

"Yes," Bugsy said, "but I think she's a bit young for that sort of responsibility. She likes to play with it, sure, but it needs a more experienced person to deal with it in the long run. Besides, you said you were going to take it back to the sea."

Oh, yeah, she had, Kaida thought, though she had no idea how, short of dragging it along behind her.

"You have time left to get it in there," Bugsy said, noticing her attention fixed on the Pokéball. "Your friend Nila still has to beat me and that isn't going to happen easily."

"I suppose," Kaida said.

Bugsy was right. She couldn't expect miracles. She had to wait for Lapras to recover a bit more and gain more trust in her. Then, and only then, would it go to its Pokéball and she could take it back to its natural home.

"Anyway, I should take Holly home for lunch," Bugsy said. He called out to his sister and she reluctantly returned to shore, waving goodbye to Lapras. He then looked at Kaida. "You should go and visit Kurt. He makes custom Pokéballs. Maybe you could try and get one out of him."

"OK," Kaida said.

She watched Bugsy and Holly leave and she turned back to Lapras, who was looking dolefully after them.

"And I bet you are still too scared of the Pokéball, aren't you?" Kaida said.

Lapras nudged her hand. Kaida held the Pokéball up. For once, Lapras didn't shy away with fear.

"You mean…?" Kaida trailed off, astounded.

Lapras butted her hand again. Kaida clicked the Pokéball and, with a flash of red light, Lapras was sucked into it. Kaida blinked several times. Wow. She couldn't believe it. This had to be the best day she had ever had.

Well, apart from meeting Matt. After the whole confusion thing, of course. But then he had left that day too… Well, OK, this was the best day she had had short of her future wedding to Matt. Wedding? Oh dear. Her crush was worse than she had thought…

-

John and Nila were battling each other for training (John had once again decided to take a stab at raising up his Dunsparce) and Flo and Rina were watching with boredom. Flo was polishing her egg, yet again, while her Pokémon bounced happily around her. Wooper and Weepinbell were tussling and Hoppip would occasionally bump into them. Rina's two Slowpoke, on the other hand, were curled up at her feet. They looked to be asleep. This made Rina even more bored. She watched Sandshrew scratching Dunsparce, who would only use Defence Curl in response. Then, suddenly, Dunsparce used Yawn and a little later Sandshrew was snoozing. However, Dunsparce didn't appear to know any attacking moves to deal damage to Sandshrew while it was asleep so this didn't do much good.

Chikorita, Totodile, Hoothoot, and Mareep were watching on the side lines. Rina picked up Mareep, to its alarm, and carried it off. The fluffy sheep was so warm and snugly but she didn't really think it was practical in this weather. She had seen farmers doing it on TV and, while she didn't exactly have a proper sheep razor, she had found her mother's electric leg shaver and was hoping that would work. She clicked it on. It whirred into life and she held Mareep down. Mareep looked increasingly alarmed and this fired up its electricity. Rina gained a nasty shock from its static coat. At the sound of Rina's cry, everyone looked towards her. Nila saw the razor in her hand and her eyes narrowed. She stomped towards Rina and yanked Mareep away from her.

"Were you about to shave Mareep?" she demanded.

"Look at its thick coat," Rina said. "It is hot!"

"No, it isn't!" Nila said furiously. "If I catch you anywhere near my Pokémon with a shaver again then I will shave your hair off and see how you like it."

Rina went into day dream land as she imagined how she would look bald. Not good, she thought, not good at all.

Nila made another angry noise and walked off, her Pokémon running behind her. John and Flo were both staring at Rina like she was a strange, alien specimen.

"What?" Rina squeaked.

At this point Kaida appeared. She ran towards them with Gastly bobbing behind her in the air. She was grinning madly.

"I won against Bugsy!" she cried happily.

"You fought Bugsy?" John asked.

"Yes. I won! Look!"

Kaida showed them all her new badge. Rina's eyes widened at the shininess. Her eyes looked like two buttons in her head.

"Ooh," she said. "Can I stroke?"

"Um, OK?" Kaida said, confused. She let Rina stroke it for a moment and then she pulled open her jacket. "I'll put it right here next to the other one… Hey! Wait! It's gone!"

She patted herself in confusion and then began to search the ground. It had been there this morning! She was sure of it! She had even buffed it up using a little of Flo's egg polish. But now… Where could it be? Had it fallen off in the battle…?

"Um," John said. "Kaida, look."

He pointed at Rina who was now standing several feet away stroking and cooing at a small shiny object. Kaida growled. She ran over and snatched it back.

"You, don't touch them!" she ordered.

She clipped it back on and then added her new badge. Two badges already. This was great. She was so happy.

"Bugsy said that we should visit Kurt because he makes customised Pokéballs," Kaida said.

John looked interested. "I've heard of him. We definitely should pay him a visit. He makes them out of these strange apricorn things. They are meant to be really good! Much better than ordinary, shop bought Pokéballs."

In agreement, they walked back to Azalea Town and asked Rina to lead them to Kurt's house. She shrugged her shoulders in response.

"You've lived here your whole life," John said, exasperated. "How do you not know where it is?"

"I dunno," Rina said, shrugging again.

Eventually John consulted his guide book and managed to find Kurt's house. It was a little out of the way of the town but it was a nice day and a pleasant enough walk since Rina was keeping to herself and plucking random flowers and Flo was still polishing her egg while she walked. This led to her tripping over a tree stump but John caught her before she went flying.

Kurt's house was small and quaint and had a sturdy wooden door. John rapped on it once and an old man came to the door.

"Got apricorns?" he asked.

"Um, no," Kaida said.

"No apricorns, no Pokéballs," the man, presumably Kurt, said.

"Oh," Kaida said, disappointed. "But Bugsy didn't say–"

"Bugsy?" queried Kurt. "He's a nice enough lad. Come in."

The inside of his house was as quaint and cosy as the outside. He offered them all a seat on the sofa or an armchair and went back to his workshop table. From there he began to chisel at a peculiar apricorn. John went to speak to him and they were soon talking a mile a minute about various Pokéball making devices. Kaida sighed. Trust John.

However, it wasn't all a waste of time, because Kurt offered them biscuits and at the end he offered to give them a Pokéball each. He had many varieties.

"Do you have a Slowpoke one?" Rina asked eagerly. She then spotted a pink one. "Slowpoke ball!" She grabbed it. "Can I have this one?"

"It's a Love Ball," Kurt said, "but, yes. Use it on a Pokémon that has the opposite gender to yours."

Rina cocked her head to one side, confused. What did gender have to do with Pokémon? It was all a mystery to her.

"I'm not sure which one to pick," Flo said. "I just like cute and friendly Pokémon."

"Have this then," Kurt said, holding out a green ball. "It's a Friend Ball. The Pokémon will like you more if you use that."

John and Kaida inspected the other balls. There were Moon Balls, Heavy Balls, Fast Balls, Lure Balls, and Level Balls. In the end Kaida picked a Fast Ball, reasoning that many fire Pokémon were fast and it would be useful. John picked a Lure Ball. He loved fishing.

They thanked Kurt and left, promising to return if they found apricorns. Kaida grinned. The day was just getting better and better. Now she had an even better tool to capture more fire Pokémon as well!