Chapter Twenty-Six- Friendly Fighters
"Get the hell back here!" A man dressed in black shouted as they continued along the mountain path. He was joined by five others, dressed the same way. They surrounded a Lucario and a Scrafty that protected two eggs.
"What are you doing!?" Lux wailed as he charged the men, sending out Meowstic and Axew. His mother jumped after him, sending out Gardevoir. Sam paused, grimacing, while Albert watched carefully.
"We've been ordered to capture this Lucario for New Order." The man explained, noticing Sam. "Berk, a little aid, if you will."
"Sam?" Airi interrogated, glaring at Sam. "Are these your friends?"
"No…" He sighed, causing his allies to wince. "I'm an Agent. They're field grunts."
"What are you doing!?" The man wailed. "You're supposed to help us!"
"Yeah, well you see, my job is to watch the greened eyed boy there." He explained, pointing to Lux. "I have to make sure he gets stronger… So, sorry?"
The man paused for a moment, reacting after a minute. "Crap!" He gasped, reaching for a Pokeball. Before he could toss it out, the Lucario kneed him from behind. As he fell to the ground, it and the Scrafty fled up the mountains, prompting two of the grunts to chase after. Two of the remaining grunts sent out a Nidoking and Nidoqueen, while the other helped the man up, sending out a Golbat. The man retreated after the Lucario, swearing beneath his breath.
"Psyshock!" Airi shouted. Gardevoir eyes glowed as she fired numerous psychic blasts at the Nidoking, defeating it. The Nidoqueen took the opportunity to fire a poisonous sludge at Gardevoir, injuring her.
"Psybeam!" Lux commanded Meowstic. Her eyes shone brightly as she countered the Nidoqueen with a psychic beam. "Slash!" He directed Axew. He pounced the Golbat, knocking it to the ground. Gardevoir took the opportunity to let out an echoing scream, defeating the Golbat and Nidoqueen. The three grunts returned their Pokemon, fleeing in defeat.
"Let's go!" Airi commanded, running ahead with Gardevoir. Lux, Albert and Sam quickly followed behind.
They caught up to the remaining three grunts, battling the Lucario and Scrafty with a Escavalier, Trevenant, and Xatu. The Lucario's fists shone brightly as it jabbed the Xatu fiercely, switching to strike Escavalier with a flaming fist, before finally punching the Trevenant with a frozen strike. It cried in victory, before noticing the group.
"Damn it!" The man grimaced, fleeing alongside his allies. "I'll get you for this!"
"Hey, are you alright?" Airi approached the Lucario. It jumped back, clenching its side. She slowly approached it, Gardevoir soothing it. "It's alright. They're gone now."
"Car…" It groaned, returning to the Scrafty, who held their eggs.
Scrafty quickly placed them down as one began to shake. It observed the group, before smiling warmly. They approached steadily, Lucario watching them carefully. The first egg cracked open, revealing a Scraggy. It blinked awkwardly, stumbling out of its shell. The group turned to the second egg, which didn't move. The Scrafty slowly stood up, jumping down as the egg shook. The side of the egg fell off, causing a small golden Riolu to fall out. It looked around, picking itself up, hastily.
"Cute…" Airi chuckled, turning to leave. "Let's leave them be."
"Yeah." Lux beamed, pausing as the Riolu approached him. The rest of its family paused to call it back, prompting it to run after them. He shook his head, returning to the walk.
"So, do you know what that was about?" Albert asked Sam. He shrugged in response.
"Sorry, don't know everything that goes on in our organization." He chuckled. "Honesty, I'd tell you if I did know. My guess is that the Lucario is special or something."
"Hmm." Lux averted his gazed, jogging ahead. "We're almost at Ether, come on!"
…...
"Look at those Pelipper!" Luna squealed as numerous messenger birds flew overhead when they entered the city. Gena sighed, patting her back.
"They're just Pelipper…" She rolled her eyes. "Nothing special."
"I know." Luna smiled. "But, I've never seen one before."
"So, what did you catch on the way here?" Gena grinned. "I'm actually curious."
"Um." Luna recalled. "A Teddiursa, Caterpie, Weedle, Wurmple, Starly, Pidgey, Taillow… and a few of their evolved forms."
"Good for you." Gena nodded. "Keep at it."
"Did you not catch anything?"
"No."
"Hey guys, I'm back~!" Rina announced, entering the city. "What did I miss~?"
"Nothing much." Gena confirmed. "What've you been up to?"
"Just catching some new friends~" She grinned, scratching her head. "But, nothing I feel like using…"
"Oh, that's too bad…" Luna sulked. "So, where's the gym?"
"Airport, I believe…" Gena thought out loud. "Let's go."
"You two go on ahead." Rina smiled. "I want to explore the city first."
"Got it! See you!" Luna waved as Rina left, turning to look for the airport. They passed numerous buildings, finally reaching a large clearing. A large gym with a round roof stood at the edge of it. A familiar bee dressed queen sat in a chair outside of a home next to it. Luna ran over to her, waving eagerly. "Amanda!"
"Hmm?" Amanda looked up, noticing Luna and Gena. "Hey, Luna. How are you?"
"Just great!" She beamed, approaching her. "How about you?"
"Eh, been better." She frowned. "Amelia's locked up in her room." She gestured to the house behind her. "I might've been too blunt…"
"What do you mean?" Gena questioned, catching up.
"Well, there are probably better ways to tell someone that their role model is a 'dirty stinking traitor'…" She chuckled, putting her face in her hands. "Helix, I'm an idiot…"
"Wow, that's some anger…" Gena sighed, amused. "Either way, she needs to accept… whatever this is about…"
"Oh right, you weren't there." Luna pondered. "Their friend is a member of New Order."
"That sucks." Gena grinned. "Well, she'll get over it."
"So, are you here to challenge her?" Amanda questioned, standing up. The two nodded in affirmation. "...Give me a minute." She groaned, sending out Beedrill. She flicked to the window on the second floor. Beedrill flew to the window, forcing it open.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop it!" A loud shriek rang out. After a moment, Beedrill flew back down, a loud stomping coming from the house. The door swung open, a visibly irritated girl emerging. "What the hell, Sis!?"
"Do your job." Amanda ordered, pointing to the girls. "You've got challengers."
"I'm in the middle of something…" She grimaced. "Can we-"
"Now."
"Fine." She groaned, heading into the gym next to her. Luna and Gena followed. Inside, the building was completely empty, a catwalk along the perimeter. "Let's just get this over with… two v. two Double Battle." She sighed, sending out a Gligar and Yanma.
"Alright!" Luna jumped, Gena nodding in agreement. They sent out Char and Wartortle. "Ember!" Luna directed. Char fired a volley of flames at the Yanma, knocking it back. Wartortle followed up with a blast of water, striking Gligar fiercely.
"Uproar! Slash!" Amelia commanded. Gligar rushed Char, slashing at her swiftly. At the same time, Yanma fired a large sound wave at Wartortle, sending her flying.
"Now!" Gena shouted, Wartortle flipping in the air. She spun rapidly, slamming into the Gligar, defeating it.
"Go!" Luna followed up. Char slashed at Yanma before it could react, defeating it as well. The duo celebrated simultaneously.
"Good job…" Amelia stretched, holding out two crescent shaped badges. "I present to you, the Soaring Badge."
"Victory! Victory!" Luna chanted, accepting the badge. Gena subtly smiled, before accepting her badge with a frown.
"Well, I'm going home." Amelia exhaled, returning to her home. The two exited the building after, running into Amanda outside.
"I take it you won?" Amanda smiled, depressingly. "I guess you'll be leaving now?"
"No, we're going to find Lux first." Luna elaborated. "We've been traveling together."
"Okay-" Amanda agreed as a man's scream pierced the atmosphere. "The hell?"