Chapter 21 : New Bark, Tohjo Falls, and Victory Road

i.i Okay, so I can't lie to the viewers : I think this chapter sucks. I haven't had as much inspiration for my fanfics lately. Axy's been bored out of her mind during summer vacation. SOMEBODY HIT ME ! XD

In a matter of minutes, Kris was back in old territory. It turned out that ledges are made for jumping down, and even though a person could get seriously injured if done incorrectly, the leaders of Johto decided it was a suitable path for traveling. Somehow, however, a person could not jump up the ledges, which proved extremely inconvenient if a person dropped something along the route. Somehow, that's life for you.

She walked through the thick grasses and finally reached paved concrete and loose gravel. The wooden sign with 'New Bark Town' scribbled across it sluggishly greeted her as she took her first steps back into her hometown. Very reluctantly, the girl sauntered over to Professor Elm's laboratory for whatever reason he called her several minutes ago. An index finger shakily pressed the rusty doorbell before the door creakily swung open.

The inside of the lab was dark except for a few dimly-lit candles. Professor Elm was sitting cross-legged on a couple of flat pillows with his eyes closed. Kris angrily closed her eyes at the sight of the light-headed man and crossed her arms. " Hey, Professor, if you're going to demand on the phone, the least you can do is stop acting like a stiff-jointed moro- "

" Shushy, Kris. "

A bony hand gripped onto her left shoulder. She turned around to find the disoriented assistant, Greg breathing closely to her ear. He placed a finger to his lips, tawny eyes looking a bit too paranoid. " Shushy, Kris, " he repeated in a low tone as his eyes kept glancing to the silent professor. " Elm's in a state of meditating that's between consciousness and semi-consciousness. "

" He meditates ? "

" Yes. This meditating is equal to him sleeping upside-down in the broom closet. So many times I've screwed up by making an inappropriate or loud noise. Today is the day, though, Kris. I have a rusty razor blade in the folds of my assistant lab coat that I've been wanting to use for fifteen years. A simple knick just below his Adam's apple should do it. It'll be clean and not incriminating, and we'll finally be rid of that pompous, arrogant, stupid son of a bit- "

" Ah, Greg, I see you're trying to attempt a plot to kill me again. As usual, it'll fail, though, as Nintendo has reincarnated me in the updated games. Hehehe..."

Greg practically jumped out of his shoes as Professor Elm smiled crookedly upon him. Scurrying like a Rattata to the other side of the lab, the bony assistant left Kris with the semi-evil professor. She lowered her head in morbid greeting. " I see you're not dead, " she muttered.

" I see you're not incarcerated, " Elm retorted, switching on the light switch. " It's very pleasant to see you again, Kris. Did you get my message ? "

" Why else would I come here ? "

Elm huffed. " Hmph. All I wanted you to do was to congratulate you. Thanks to you, my research is going fantastical ! "

" What research ? "

" Shut up. Anyway, I want you to take this as a token of my appreciation. Take it or die. "

He handed her a purple and white object and grinned rather malevolently. " This is a prize of beauty, " he breathed, snorting the air rather loudly. " It's the best of its kind - the Master Ball. The ultimate ball and ten times better than the Ultra Ball, the Master Ball can catch any pokemon without fail. You can't find this beauty in stores, Kris. It's only given to recognized pokemon researchers, and I managed to nab one off of Professor Rowan in Sinnoh after sitting in his chrysanthemums for a week. I need to get rid of the evidence, though, so I'm giving it to you. "

Kris sweatdropped. " You sure you didn't do a heist and steal it from a museum, Elm ? "

" Nah, I can't afford heists. I suppose you may want to leave now, but if not, we could always have a tea party with the funny party hats. "

-poof!-

" .......DAMMIT ! " Elm turned to Greg, who was visibly shaking. The elder smiled crookedly again. " Gregory, it is time for my arithmetic lesson. Get the sponge and hose ready. "

" NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! "

(Tohjo Falls)

After arguing with the guy that greeted everyone who came into Kanto from New Bark, Kris looked at the two giant waterfalls, dubbed Tohjo Falls by locals, that was in the miniature cave. It was rumored that a person could get into Kanto nature-style only by rushing up the entrance waterfall, and zooming down the exit waterfall. A lot of people laughed at the rumor. Some of them even threw rocks at the Kantonian greeter.

Unfortunately, that rumor was proven to be correct : either use the waterfalls, or cough up some money to use the train.

Kris stared at the waterfalls, wide-eyed. Suicune stood beside her, examining a pebble that seemed to be out of place. The pokemon swatted the small rock into the water before turning to her trainer. " You seemed to be dismayed. "

" I am dismayed, Kuuni. What idiot places two waterfalls in the middle of nowhere ? "

" Nature, young trainer. Patience is a moral to learn. "

" .......Am I being insulted by my own pokemon ? "

" Yesss.....I apologize on your behalf. "

The trainer sighed rather wearily. " 'Kay. I was just thinking, Kuuni, and I was wondering if you had the power to get up and down on a waterfall, um....Waterfall. "

" I do, but there is a little boy with a pair of goggles on top of his head that is standing behind you. Perhaps you should settle that matter first before you ask me of my abilities. "

-.- " Yeah, I should. "

PUNCH !

" WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME ?! " Kris demanded as she grabbed Gold by the shirt collar.

" A party. "

" What the hell do you mean, a party ? "

Gold shrugged. " I was researching parties from the sixties, and I decided that those kinds of parties would be the lifestyle for me. I think I would look good in short-shorts, don'tcha think ? "

" No. Go away. "

The boy sniffled, eyes tearing up melodramatically. " I've been nothing but nice to you these past few months, and all I get in return is a bombardment of insults from you. It's really sad. I know that I look like a jerk most of the time, but you have to trust me at least once in your lifetime. Hell, I could even make you one of those punch cards that gives you a free sandwich whenever you complete the card....or wait ! I could offer you one of my sweet deals involving my rockin' body ! Normally I charge an outstanding fee to touch me, but since you're my neighbor, it'll only cost you $19.9- "

SMACK !

" Fiiive..." Gold mumbled weakly, eyes quickly turning into swirlies.

Kris turned back to Suicune with her arms crossed. She pointed to the injured Gold, who was twitching from obvious pain. " Matter's settled, Kuuni. Do you want to use that waterfall power of yours now ? "

" Yesss...."

-poof o' the complicated waterfalls-

(Victory Road)

" This is not what the average person would call a road. "

A simple-minded cave, otherwise known as Victory Road, was the only thing that now separated Kris from the Pokemon League. No longer was the young trainer in Johto, as explained in the last mini-adventure. She was now walking upon Kantonian soil, with the slightly hotter climate and oddly-colored pebbles.

Two Machop were sleeping on both sides of the cave, snot bubbles leaping out of their noses. A pack of Rhyhorn rushed towards a small spring of water. Geodude floated in the air, doing whatever a rock pokemon does while floating. Graveler and Golem rolled on nature-made ramps, seemingly having giddy fun. There were people, but these people were the ones who were too stupid enough to read a map. In other words, they were stupid trainers, but let's not get in depth on that subject.

Kris drew out a flashlight from her backpack and turned on the battery-powered device. The cave design was similar to that of a game of Chutes and Ladders. A Machoke eyed her warily before going back to its task of throwing boulders around to test its strength. Ignoring the rather nasty look, she passed the Machoke in order to get to a ladder.

" Who goes there ?! "

The Machoke glared at the young trainer. Kris sweatdropped. " I'm trying to get to the Pokemon League....."

" NO ONE PASSES ME ! "

o.o " Since when do Machoke talk ? "

" Ya wanna argue with me ?! "

" No ?....."

" Good, 'cause I'd have to kill you if you wanna ta argue with me. "

" Nuh-uh. I'd kill joo. "

Kris and Machoke turned around to see Steve out of its pokeball and smirking like a madman. The egg thing started to cackle evilly at its meaty superiors. " I am evil ! " he chirped at Machoke, waving his tiny paw things back and forth. " Lo, if you shall choose to attempt to be eviller, I shall have to kill you harder. I am not a psychopathic pokemon for nothing ! "

"....Since when can these pokemon talk ? " Kris thought to herself, scratching her head in bewilderment.

Machoke scoffed at the Togepi's threat and swatted the air carelessly. He picked up Steve in his hands and chuckled. " You're an egg ! I could cook ya up for breakfast ! "

" Oh, really ? "

PSYCHIC ENERGYYYYYY !

(Machoke) " X.X "

Steve turned to his trainer and started to chirp cheerfully as it pointed to the exit sign. Kris's sweatdrop grew bigger as she picked up the egg in her arms and put him back into his pokeball. The exit ladder seemed to be glowing brightly as it beckoned Kris to come forward with its wooden freshness. Though not the nicest girl, nor the gentlest, the narrator says that Kris has a pretty good chance of kicking the Elite Four's asses. Shall she defeat them, though ?

We shall see.

End