"Ugh," Ray slowly opened his eyes and looked around at the quaint room. When he took a closer look at the bed he began to understand where he was.
"He's awake!" Ray's eyes shifted to see Misty, who was now standing over him. She leaned over and looked closely at Ray. When both of their eyes met, her green eyes to his blue, "Thank goodness!" immediately she wrapped her arms around him.
"Ow, that hurts." She quickly let go, but smiled looking back at him. "How did I get here?"
"Some of the people who were watching that fight between you and Team Rocket brought you here after they left. You were in bad shape, at least that's what the doctors said." Lou came running so fast that she slipped right past the door and the doctor that was on her tail managed to squeeze in front of her with a sharp cut.
"So how are you feeling? And yes that is a formality I know you must be in a bit of pain from those broken ribs." It was as if the doctor's words were a trigger because as soon as he finished a sharp pain in his abdomen area forced Ray to shift uncomfortably in pain. "Well you are looking at a bunch of fractured ribs and your left arm is broken." To that Ray smiled, "Is something funny Mr. Griswald?"
"Well I was wondering why I had this cast on, and I guess you answered the question doctor, but I've been in worse situations."
"I see," the doctor stroked his grayed beard for a time, "Well despite your risk taking nature my advice is to rest for at least two days straight. Even then I will only recommend slight movement until you are cleared. Now I know you are a trainer so you won't stay here for the weeks that you'll need to recuperate, but I will have medical papers giving a detailed report of your condition so that you can have it. I want you to get a check up from a doctor every time you reach a city or town that has a hospital, and when you do I want you to give them the papers. Eventually one of them will see fit to remove your cast, but until then just keep in mind that you are still in a critical state so keep the amount of work on you to an absolute minimum. I cannot stress that fact enough."
"Yes yes, I think that's all for right now doctor." The doctor nodded and left the room leaving Ray with Lou and Misty. "How long have I been in this bed?"
"Two days, Misty came back after the first."
"I rushed over as soon as I heard the news. I'm glad you're up now though."
"Me too, but I won't be leaving Slateport for the rest of the day perhaps even longer."
Misty stroked Ray's hair with a smile, "Don't worry so much about it. I just want you to recuperate." She sat back in the chair after standing up in her earlier outburst. She changed the channel on the TV. "You should find this interesting." What was on the TV was none other than Lorelei standing across from a defeated looking sea Captain.
"It looks like Lorelei wins the battle against Drake thus taking his spot, that he took, as the Frontier Brain." The voice from the TV steadily increased as it spoke because Misty was raising the volume.
"Oh is this the televised competition between the Elite trainers?" Ray sat up a little bit as he looked more intentively at the screen.
"It sure is."
For all you who are just tuning in this is the "Frontier Brain Extravaganza" brought to you by the Battle Frontier. Scott, the Frontier's creator, has come up with a new way to create the Elite four and rank other Pokemon Trainers. This method has of course been accepted by each of the region's leagues so a consensus has been made. Now ranked battles, between to Trainers with Pokedexes, will now be able to be recorded using a new updated Pokedex model, all trainers will be required to get the upgrade at the nearest Poke Mart. Official battles will only occur when a Referee is present and can log the results. The records of all the trainers will be kept for each region as well as other factors such as Captured Pokemon, Gym Badges, and minor Tournament victories will come into play. Now every known region that holds a Pokemon League will be allotted 100 ranked spots. The top 100 trainers will be officially ranked, giving them some measure of fame, but the true goal is to reach the top four. In the past the Elite four have been judged to be the 2nd through 5th place contestants in the last Pokemon League event of the given region. Now, after this Battle Frontier event is over everyone will be reset to base standards and all Trainers statistics will be recalculated. Now recall when I said your goal is to be one of the top four? Well that is because from now on those top four Trainers will hold the prestigious title Elite Four. This way the competition will always be heavy and the best trainers will always rise up. The "Frontier Brain Extravaganza is not just Scott wanting to shake things up in his own place, but it is more of a reward to those who have held the title of Elite Four for so long and to say goodbye to the ancient traditions and usher in the new way of Pokemon ranking. Now let's continue with the show!
"Wow I didn't know anything about that!" Ray was taken aback by the deliverance of the new information. Ray watched as Lorelei simply smiled as the camera zoomed in on her as if waiting for a celebration dance.
"Yeah I had Lou take our Pokedexes to the Poke Mart, she said that she didn't have one."
Lou's face light up and subsequently she chimed in, "Oh yeah, thanks Misty," she began rummaging through her knapsack. She drew two Pokedexes from the first compartment and handed them to Ray and Misty, "I asked the Poke Mart owner what the updates were and he said that they now emit orbiting cameras the size of pokeballs when a referee inputs the correct audio code, I think it is a rotating code that changes every time it is used so as to keep trainers out of the loop, but it is easily accessible by the referees. Pretty exciting huh?" Lou looked at the two for answers, but they were already pressing buttons on their Pokedexes. "Hey!"
Ray looked up, "I'm sorry what?"
Lou folded her arms, "Nevermind." with a pouting face she sunk back into a nearby chair.
"What's your rank Ray?"
Ray managed to pull up a screen and upon seeing it he frowned slightly. "Unranked, what about you?"
"Unranked, but the Rank 100 only has a total of three badges, nothing spectacular, just six captured Pokemon."
"Shouldn't be too hard to top, after all we are in Slateport, right next to Mauville where the third badge is." Misty nodded approving of Ray's sentiments. As if completely forgetting the small insult earlier Lou sat up.
"Hey Misty what about that Doubles Tournament in Mauville you were talking about? You know, the one you heard about while you were away."
"No!" Lou wore a mischievous grin on her face as Ray's face changed to excitement.
"Yeah Misty, what about this tournament?"
"It's not important, you should just rest right now."
Ray took Misty's arm into his hand and pulled her a little closer to the hospital bed. "We both have the same dream, becoming a Champion. To do that we need to get stronger, and at least knowing about the tournament would greatly improve the chances of getting that done. So please," he smiled faintly.
"I knew you were going to do something like this." There was a slight pause as Misty tossed the idea over in her mind. "Fine, it's a paired tournament where everyone registers solo, but they randomly slap you with a partner. They call it "Mix Battling". It's being held at the Mauville Gym. Registrations end in two days." Ray released Misty and pulled the covers off of the Hospital bed. "Wait no, we can't go now I mean we have so much stuff to do. I mean we never even delivered the package to Capt. Stern." To that Ray snapped his fingers and Misty gave a sigh of relief.
"First I wasn't going to suggest leaving this very instant, we're going to leave tomorrow morning, if we rents some bikes we can reach Mauville in about six hours on the straight cycling path as apposed to the day long walk using the winding path below cycling road. That way I can get some much needed rest, I was getting up because I'm already sick of this hospital smell and I wanted to get some fresh air out at the base of Route 110. While I'm doing that would you mind taking Lou and delivering that letter?"
"Sure, I mean it is the least I can do while you are in this condition."
"Yeah," Ray began to think as his hand subconsciously moved to his PokeNav.
"We're sorry boss!" Attila cried out as he hovered over the scorching flames. He hung, along with Hun, from the rafters of the very spacious room. On the ground Calvin looked up along with Jessie who had her arms wrapped lovingly around Calvin's neck.
"I never gave you permission to injure my little brother! I thought you two were the senior field operatives, yet you still don't have the hang of following orders to the letter. You can't even imagine my state of mind when I got the report from the hospital. Three broken ribs, a fractured ulna, not to mention the countless bruisings. Something like this is unforgivable, after I finished paying the bill I knew that you two would get what was coming to you. Turn up the heat Charizard!" The Charizard heard the orders and shot another beam of fire into what seemed to be an already burning pile of wood. The result was that the flames reached closer to Attila and Hun.
"It won't happen again boss, I swear it!" Attila was still pleading for the pain to cease as he began to realize his muscles were actually cooking under the intense heat.
"You're damned right it won't happen again. As of this moment you are hereby stripped of your status as senior officers, and any chance of you becoming one of the elites. Taking the spot you had a chance at will be none other than this fine lady next to me."
"Really!? You're making me an elite operative?"
"Well James managed to defeat Tyson, and you were able to defeat James, so it's only natural that I should at least put you on the same level as him. Plus you've already proved yourself in the fact that you haven't failed me once since I brought you in from the field." The giddy Jessie gave Calvin a slight peck on the cheek in appreciation.
"That bitch!? You're giving an elite position to that bitch!?" Attila began squirming around in his shackles that were now also beginning to conduct the heat that was enveloping them.
"Replacing your positions as Senior field operatives will be, come in here." On Calvin's command two familiar faces appeared both were smirking at Attila and Hun's predicament. "Say hello to Butch and Cassidy." They both give a halfhearted salute to their former seniors. "You two are even going to be stripped of your ranks as field operatives. You two will be returning to the academy for further training as you clearly don't understand that Rockets complete their missions "to the letter" and since you aren't at the top you aren't afforded that luxury.
"You son of a-"
"Just shut up!" Hun finally spoke up as he sat there enduring the searing fires.
"Charizard, aerial ace on the chains." On command the giant fire type cut through the steel chains letting the two former operatives fall into the fire. "Extinguish Charizard," Charizard flapped its large wings a grand total of two times before the flames were gone. "Butch, Cassidy, take these to the medical sector." Butch and Cassidy nodded and went about their duties. "Let this be a warning to you three, I won't hesitate to do this to you if you do your job properly."
"Right boss."
It was raining out on route 110 as Ray a ways away from the building that received the cyclists coming off of cycling road. He was wearing a dark green hoody with a light blue stripe going down the right side of the chest. He had on dark blue jeans and black shoes. His hood was up as to protect his face from the rain. His face had a bandage on his right cheek were there was a bruise and his cast was still on him. "I couldn't exactly come out here in that stupid hospital gown." He let out a sigh as he watched the rain fall. Ray began squinting as he thought he could see something of interest through the rain drops. It was a figure approaching him through the rain. The closer it got the more Ray could tell what it was, and it happened to be a Pokemon. "Interesting," Ray drew his Pokedex and pointed at the white furred Pokemon.
Absol: The Disaster Pokemon, it sharply senses even subtle changes in the sky and the land to predict natural disasters. It is a long-lived Pokemon that has a life-span of 100 years.
"Absol huh?"
"Ab-" as if breathing the Absol took a pause, "sol," it glared at Ray with his crimson eyes. Ray got into a stance as if getting ready to fight.
"Ray!" Ray turned around to see Misty calling his name as she approached flailing her arms. Lou was only two steps behind her.
"Stop, you don't have any Pokemon to battle with you, not to mention you're injured!"
"Yeah, remember what the doctor said, you shouldn't exert your-"
"I remember Lou, and unfortunately it was only advice. This time I can't follow that advice because I need to capture this Absol. Even if I had Pokemon it wouldn't accept a defeat from them. I can tell from his eyes that he wants me."
"What? How can you tell that!?"
"I spent a year with Pokemon, I know that glare all too well. My Absol has had a bit of trouble in recent times and I am looking to lend him a hand so he no longer has to have any worries, but he'll only let me do that if I can prove myself to him."
"Wait, you're Absol?"
"Yes Misty, my Absol, I already know that I am going to prove myself here and now. So let's go Absol!" During the entire conversation Absol's eyes never moved from Ray and when he heard the final words that started the engagement he charged Ray. As Absol's body progressed the scythe on his head sliced through the water droplets. Absol rammed into Ray, but the trainer grabbed onto Absol's scythe and took the Dark Pokemon along for the ride. Using momentum Ray was able to throw Absol off of his feet mere seconds before he himself crashed into the ground. Ray winced as all the pain he received from his earlier fight began to resurface all over his body.
"Ray, just let me help you!" Misty reached for her poke ball, but stopped when she saw Ray's open palm directed towards her telling her to stop.
"I'm going to get Absol to become a part of my team, and this is what I have to do to do that." Ray took a deep breath and rose to his feet to meet Absol who was waiting for him. Seeing that Ray was up for another round Absol charged through the rain and Ray started backpedaling. Ray managed to sidestep the attack this time and he grabbed Absol's scythe so he could once more put Absol on the ground. "You're to brash Absol, use the techniques I know you have." Absol looked at Ray as he rose to his feet. Absol began whipping up fierce winds and Ray began his own charge for Absol.
"Absol!" he launched the fierce mini cyclone towards Ray forcing the latter to stop and brace himself. The winds began cutting into Ray like razors. When the attack finished Ray's clothes were in tatters and Absol was charging in.
"I said you were to brash." Ray moved to the side and left his right leg out forcing Absol to trip. It was than he pinned Absol down using his arms to hold one of Absol's hind and fore legs. The Absol struggled for a moment but then surrendered the victory to Ray. "Don't worry Absol, all your troubles are going to wash away now that you're with me." Ray opened his bag that was conveniently within arms reach and pulled out a pokeball. The red-white ball opened up and turned Absol into crimson energy which it then sucked into the chamber. The pokeball closed and Ray let it shudder in his hands until the ding came. Misty and Lou just watched Ray as he laid on the soaked ground. After a while he began to laugh. "I did all that and I can't even stand in celebration it hurts so much." Misty gasped and rushed over to Ray. She helped him up and put his arm around her shoulder.
"We won't be able to get to the Pokemon Tournament in Mauville if you can't move by tomorrow morning, so let's get you back into that hospital bed for nice IVs."
"Thanks Misty, I appreciate you," Ray quickly realized what he had said, "I mean it." Lou noticed the slip up and held her hand to her mouth muffling her giggle. Again much to Lou's delight both Misty and Ray's faces turned beet red.
"The doctor was furious with you." Misty had a smile on her face as she looked at Ray, who had his hand on the back of his head. With his other hand he held out the pokeball that stored his newly captured Absol.
"Yeah, I couldn't think he was shouting so much." Ray laughed a little, "But I would do it 20 more times if each time it would give me a valuable partner like Absol."
"It's nice to know that you would go so far for Pokemon, it shows that you really care." Ray nodded agreeing with Misty's words wholeheartedly. As Misty looked at Ray's smiling face her own smile disappeared being replaced by a sad look.
"What's wrong Misty?"
"I just finished speaking to Nurse Joy, and she said Poochyena suffered some serious injuries and wouldn't be fighting fit for a couple of months. But the worst is that she said that it is 100 certain that Taillow won't ever be able to use his wings in battle atmosphere again." The news shocked Ray to the core as he dropped the pokeball that contained Absol from his hands. The pokeball fell onto his lap as his eyes showed the terror that was in his heart. Misty didn't know what to say as the eerie silence filled the room. Finally she reached out and enveloped Ray in her arms. The doctor came in and looked at the two, and he stopped. He had come in with the intention of yelling at Ray some more, but when he saw small stream of salted water trickle down from both of his eyes his anger dissipated.
"No matter how much he might want to escape it he is still just a kid," was what the doctor thought to himself as he watched the scene.
"That's not fair, I mean how can they just do that?" Ray spoke as if in a trance, his entire person wasn't in his words as he spoke. "Taillow, he was a part of my team, but Team Rocket just," in need of comfort he embraced Misty with his own arms. "Now he can't enjoy battling. He can't have the thrill of pushing himself to the limits like everyone else. That's not fair," at this point Misty began her own share of tearing.
"I know Ray," she had personally seen the two Pokemon. When she was at the Pokemon Center she stood behind the glass as Taillow laid on the small bed made for injured Pokemon. It was sleeping, but at the same time it seemed to be in so much agony that Misty surmised it couldn't have all been directly from the wounds. It was as if Taillow knew the predicament it was in and he too was shedding a tear over the opportunities that would be found. Poochyena looked to be in much worse shape as it was hooked up to a number of machines via cords, and without Nurse Joy's evaluations Misty would have sworn that both were on their deathbeds. It was a such a painful sight that she had to send Lou away from the glass. It was Team Rocket's cruelty that did this to Poochyena and Taillow. As the two grieved for Taillow and Poochyena something beeped inside of Ray's bag.
"It sounds like my Poke Nav," Ray released Misty and she did the same to him. After a couple of sniffs and a forearm to wipe away his tears he reached for his bag. He looked up briefly to see the doctor who upon seeing that Ray had noticed his presence decided to leave. Ray pulled out his Poke Nav and looked at it. He was receiving a call from an unknown number. Not seeing any harm he accepted the call and on the small screen on the Poke Nav a very familiar face appeared. Immediately Ray's face flared with rage, "Damn you! Why did you do this you bastard!?"
"Calm down Ray, you know I would never authorize someone to hurt you."
"Then what the hell was that Calvin? I wouldn't call it a "friendly greeting"! Wait maybe I should just call you Hawkeye from now on, you've obviously forgotten your humanity!"
"Are you done!?" The voice blasted out of the Poke Nav, and it was just loud enough to settle down Ray who was beginning to tear up again at the sudden resurgence of intense emotions. "I've already taken care of Attila and Hun, since they can't follow the orders I give them they have received punishment and a stripping of rank. They're no more than common grunts now, but I only wanted them to find you, get a way to rekindle contact with you. That way I could tell that I have a plan that would shake Team Rocket to its very core. I could only see this plan after you told me why you left Team Rocket. I'm going to let you know right now that to do this I will need your help along with some others, but that is only when we get to the final stage."
"Then why did you need to put me through this so early? Why contact me now and not at later stages?"
"I already told you I didn't want this to happen. I've already squared everything away for you in the way of your hospital bill. Is it so wrong for me to want to see my baby brother's face? Please don't make me feel worse than I already do?"
"Fine, but you better tell Attila and Hun if I "ever" see their faces again...no restraint!"
"That's my brother, always so caring about Pokemon. Well I'm sorry, and I'll see you-"
"Are you talking to Ray Calvin? Quick tell him I said hi!"
"This isn't the time for-"
"Please, just tell him. I'm begging you here."
"How dare you address Hawkeye so informally!" There was some rustling in the background as Calvin smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Hawkeye please tell him I said hello, and that I'll be over in Hoenn again in just a little bit."
"Fine, fine, Jessie says "hi" and Cassidy says she'll be back over there in just a little bit. I have to go, I'm sorry about this whole mess Ray, and I really do have a plan to fix Team Rocket, to make them even better." With that the connection cut off leaving Ray looking at a blank screen.
"Well we really need to get some rest. I've decided to send both Poochyena and Taillow to my mom's house to recover with Professor Oak's assistance. I'll just sleep here." He handed Misty a card, "That should be enough to get you and Lou a room for the night."
"I'm sure you can check out of the hospital now, why not come with-"
"I just want to be alone for the night. Please understand," and she did understand. She gave Ray a final hug, as if trying to take some of Ray's troubles away with her, and left the room. Ray slumped back into the hospital bed and closed his eyes.
Axelpro: Sorry there isn't too much of the Battle Frontier event, but I will try to get some of it in during the next chapter.