Chapter 14
Back at the base, Wynaut and Wobbuffet were waiting for them. They both jumped when the suddenly appeared in front of them.
Amez giggled, Absol smirked, and whereas Pikachu gently assured them everything was fine.
'Like we promised, we showed the Mankey gang they shouldn't monkey around!' he laughed at his own pun.
'That should teach them not to be so wild' Absol stated.
Amez nodded, but was more focused on her searing back. Why had she been so careless? At least now she knew her weakness was fighting-type attacks, and would need to work on her evasion, which shouldn't be too hard, considering how small she was in comparison to most Pokemon. Absol shared the same weakness, yet he was able to defend and type-cover with his Physco Cut attack. For the first time since arriving in the Pokemon World, Amez felt hopeless, but pretended to smile happily at their current clients, and worry about her type-weaknesses later.
'Everyone, thank you for everything, really' Wynaut gushed.
'Wobbuffet!'
'Yes, we're filled with gratitude!' Wynaut continued, as the Firebolts cast their sideways glances at the blue bobble head 'This is our thanks' Wynaut approached Amez, carrying something small and brown, however Pikachu intervened, accepting the object on her behalf.
'A peeled chestnut?' Pikachu questioned, fingering the object in his paws.
'Yes. It's a peeled chestnut' Wynaut nodded.
Pikachu stared blankly at the brown nut, his expression unreadable. Absol peered over his shoulder curiously.
'Thank you' Amez smiled politely.
'You see, we… don't have any money' Wynaut replied sadly.
'Wobbuffet!' Wobbuffet slouched onto the ground, his already scrunched up eyes looking as though they were wet.
'So we can only give you a peeled chestnut as a reward. Are you unhappy?' Wynaut asked, peering at Pikachu's now distraught face.
'Oh, um, no, not all all!' he replied quickly 'We're fine with this! Peeled chestnuts are delicious; I think they're great! Hehe' he laughed awkwardly.
'A little money would have been nice…' Absol whispered under his breath.
Amez gave him a look, and he sweatdropped, while she rolled her eyes.
'Hey, you!' a voice behind them yelled.
Amez groaned, her backing aching at the memory and thought of another battle. The three Mankeys were sauntering towards them, cracking their fists and smirking evilly.
'Aww, no, the Mankey gang!' Pikachu moaned.
'Wobbuffet?' Wobbuffet dried his eyes, looking up curiously.
'Did they chase us here to get back at us?' Absol enquired.
Wynaut and Wobbuffet retreated back to the safety of the base, squealing in fright. Pikachu growled, taking a step toward them, inviting them for a brawl. Absol hissed to, joining Pikachu at the front. Amez made a step forward, but the other two warned her to stay back; she was in no condition to fight. Pikachu handed her the peeled chestnut, in order to have his paws free. She grumbled involuntarily and took the nut from him, but stayed put. What use was she to her team if she couldn't even take part in round 2?
'That's right, you!' Mankey One sneered.
'You just got lucky! You don't mess with us!' Mankey Two gloated.
'We're not gonna lose this time! We'll pulverise you!' Mankey Three roared.
'Crush 'em!' Mankey One declared.
All three of them dived at once, Pikachu and Absol bracing themselves, however Amez, not wanting to be left out just because she wasn't fully healed, did the first thing that came to her mind. She chucked the peeled chestnut directly at Mankey One, hitting him square in the face.
'Ow!' he whimpered, as the nut bounced off his nose and rolled onto the ground.
While Mankey One was whimpering to himself, the other two were looking at the nut on the floor, chattering excitedly. Mankey Three leaned down and plucked the nut from the ground, his eyes shining.
'Whoa! Look at this!' he said to his companion.
'Chestnut!' Mankey Two hollered, jumping up and down ecstatically.
'Huh? Chestnut? You say chestnut?' Mankey One asked, turning to look at them, his nose forgotten.
'What?' Pikachu said, his face confused, Absol a mirror image at his side. Amez smiled, please with herself.
The Mankeys all grabbed for the chestnut at once, whispering to each other. Pikachu and Absol glanced at each other, then back to Amez, who just shrugged, and cocky smile plastered on her face.
'What are they doing?' Pikachu whispered suspiciously to Absol.
'They appear to be having a discussion' he replied discretely back.
'Wobbuffet?' Wyanut and Wobbuffet were slowly approaching them again.
'What's going on?' Wynaut tapped Pikachu on the shoulder.
Before Pikachu could answer, the Mankeys had stopped, and were now standing formally, no longer in battle stance.
'Listen' Mankey One began 'you got something we want. That peeled chestnut you have… can we have it?'
'We love peeled chestnuts!' Mankey Two squealed, completely out of character.
'Like, we love them so much, we can't think of a life without them!' Mankey Three elaborated.
'Can't you just get chestnuts by yourselves?' Pikachu cocked his head.
'You know how chestnuts have that spiky shell? Trying to peel that spiky shell… it hurts' Mankey One answered.
'That's why we end up losing our tempers' Mankey Two continued 'That's why we're asking. Give us that peeled chestnut'
'We'll do whatever you want!' Mankey Three begged.
'Amez, what do you think?' Absol asked over his shoulder.
'I don't see why not, it's not much use to us, and if it'll stop them rampaging about. Go ahead' Amez nodded.
'I know!' Pikachu cried 'Listen, Mankey Gang, how are you with physical labour?' he addressed them.
'Physical labour? You mean like muscle work?' Mankey One questioned.
'We have muscles… but we don't like to work' Mankey Two made a face.
'But if it's for that peeled chestnut…' Mankey Three stared at the chestnut in Mankey One's grasp.
'Ok! This is what we'll do!' Pikachu declared 'We were going to make our rescue team base something more impressive than this' he gestured to the hut behind him 'if you help us in the building of our rescue team base, we'll give you this peeled chestnut! How does that sound?'
The Mankeys all glanced at each other. Simultaneously, they nodded.
'Ok, we'll do it!' Mankey One spoke for all of them.
'Really? You'll help us?' Absol didn't appear completely convinced.
'Yeah. Leave it to us!' Mankey Two assured him.
'We'll carry in the materials and get the place built. Double quick!' Mankey Three insisted.
'In return, you hand over this peeled chestnut' Mankey One finished, tossing the chestnut from one hand to the other.
'Me to! I'll help!' a small voice cried.
All the Pokemon glanced to the right, as Caterpie shuffled excitedly toward them 'I'll spit silk for gluing things together!'
Amez smiled kindly at him, while he blushed in response. Pikachu gave him a thumb's up, while Absol winked.
'We'll help to!' Wynaut injected, stepping forward.
'Wobbuffet!' Wobbuffet agreed.
'I felt bad because we only had a peeled chestnut for your reward' Wynaut continued, looking slightly ashamed.
'Thanks, everyone!' Pikachu's brown eyes were gleaming 'Let's get to work!'
'Ok!' the Mankeys chorused together, making the rest of them cheer.
And so the Mankeys began construction of the Firebolts team base. They wanted to have it finished by sundown, so they brought in various wood from the forest quickly, Pikachu and Wobbuffet helping, and began to expand and create on the little hut. Absol and Caterpie stuck the pieces together, Absol fixing them together using his claws to cut them into shape, then Caterpie sticking them with his silk. Amez, still sore from her back, helped Wynaut peel some more chestnuts that he had on him, as Pikachu wouldn't let her do anything else.
Occasionally the Mankeys would get all mad and puffed out, by the aroma of peeled chestnuts was enough to get them back to work. Wynaut accompanied them back to the forest a few times to collect more chestnuts, leaving Amez to peel the rest they already had. And as the pile of ready-peeled waiting chestnuts grew bigger, it was enough motivation as the Mankeys began to work harder and harder, until, at last, they were finished!
All 9 of them gazed up in awe at new team base. It was a replica of Amez, it's structure resembled that of an Eevee's head. The eyes served as the windows, while the mouth served as the doorway. Pretty white flowers decorated the outlines, giving the base a welcoming, homely look. The mailbox had been painted to match an Eevee's tail, thanks to Wynaut's skill with a paintbrush that he also randomly had with him.
Pikachu stood proudly next to his leader 'Our… I mean, Firebolts team base!'
Absol chuckled behind them, but said nothing to embarrass Pikachu further. Amez smiled at them both.
'It's so cool! Every time I look at our base, I see only coolness!' Pikachu continued quickly 'It's resemblance to you is a nice touch, Amez!'
'We all worked very hard! But we did it!' Caterpie sighed happily.
'Yes, it was very hard, but it was worth it!' Wynaut agreed.
'Wobbuffet!' they all laughed.
'Thankyou, everyone!' Pikachu turned to all of them.
'Say, if we're done, does that mean we don't get anymore peeled chestnuts?' Mankey One asked.
'Of course' Absol replied obviously.
'But' Amez cut in 'Wynaut and I peeled some extra ones for you to take home!'
Wynaut nodded, and produced a sack filled to the brim with peeled chestnuts. The Mankeys eyes were wide, as they licked their lips dreamily. Mankey One accepted the bag from Wyanut, as the other two headed for the path that led back to their forest.
'See ya!' they hollered over there shoulder, as they made there way home, all fighting over the bag.
'Amez, you get some rest, I'm sure you're back is still feeling painful' Pikachu whispered gently.
She nodded 'Thankyou, Wyanut and Wobbuffet, for everything!'
Wynaut smiled 'We were happy to help! We hope to see you soon!' he waved, as the two blue ones followed the Mankeys back to their now peaceful forest.
'See you in the morning!' Amez parted with her team mates, desperately wanting just to fall asleep.
'Goodnight Amez' Pikachu and Absol replied, chatting happily as they walked off.
Amez smiled as she watched them go, then entered the newly refurbished base, feeling blissfully happy.