Chapter 27
Route 108
Our weary group of girls had spent the last week hopping from island to island. They had missed their boat and didn't want to wait an extra day in Dewford.
"I was all for this in the beginning," Saki sighed, "But I am almost out of juice."
"So is Gorebyss, I don't think we can keep doing this." Ariel added.
Mira stood tall on her Sharpedo, looking out toward another outcropping of islands. "Ariel what's located on this route?"
"Uhhh, nothing that I know of... Wait, there is the Abandoned Ship Inn and Reef."
"Whats that?" Saki asked.
"A long time ago a ship got marooned on some high rocks and its passengers were forced to flee. Eventually the Coast Guard found it and sunk it, creating a reef for water pokemon to play in. Then on the surrounding islands they put up hotels that were all under the same name. This allows travelers to rest and for the tale of the Abandoned Ship to live on."
"Well from the look on the horizon, I would say we are not even a mile from this little resort." She handed a pair of binoculars to Saki and she confirmed it.
"Good, does that mean we are almost to route 109?" Sakinah asked.
"Yeah, its at the edge of 8 and 9," Ariel replied.
"I think that settles it," Miracle smiled, "Lets book it over there,and maybe take a couple of days to recharge." The other girls smiled at Mira and started off in the direction of the first hotel they saw.
As they reached the shore they noticed just how big this hotel was, there was a large lush lawn out front and a great big water slide from the roof into the ocean.
They returned what pokemon they had out and began the short walk to the front doors. Kids and parents were enjoying time with each other and wild bird pokemon were enjoying the many newcomers that were on the island.
"Well I'm more then convinced this is the right idea," Mira smiled.
"I agree." Saki said. They swung the doors open and made a bee-line for the desk. They were met by a larger dark skinned woman who happily greeted them.
"Welcome to the Abandoned Ship Hotel, my name is Gabrielle. Are we all looking for a room for the night?" She asked.
"How much are we talking a night?" Miracle asked.
"Well all rooms have at least two beds so, we charge a minimum of three hundred a night." She smiled.
"Holy shit!" Mira spouted.
"That is a bit steep for a vacation spot?" Saki added, "Even with its popularity."
"Well we do have free singles for trainers registered to the league for this year." Mira immediately pulled out her pokedex and let the woman scan it. "Well Ms. Ketchum you and one of your guests are allowed into a room. But I'm afraid we still cannot give you a room with two beds."
"Why cant I just sleep in my sleeping bag on the floor?" Ariel asked.
"Its not a big enough room, the trainers quarters are just big enough to maneuver around the bed, and that's it." The woman added.
"Then we just have to move on, we cannot have one of us out in the cold...so to speak." Mira sighed.
"Well we do have a room challenge. Its a set of one on one battles that allow for room upgrades for free." She smiled hesitantly.
"Well I'm game then." Miracle smiled.
"Too bad, this is my time to earn something," Saki smiled, "I have a little guy who is bursting with energy."
"This is good, we have four combatants. We will start up in an hour on the field out front." The receptionist said.
"Well that's a welcoming turn of events," Ariel laughed.
"Amazingly its not as an unusual event as you think." Mira told the little girl, "More and more of these fancy places cater to trainers as much as possible and get a tax ride off in the process."
"Well Torchic is going to get a good work out," Saki smiled, "He has gotten so strong in the last couple of weeks."
"I thought you would go with Absol or Gardevoir." Ariel said, "Take the sure thing."
"Nothing is ever 100% Ariel, and whats the fun in battling if its all guaranteed." Mira added, "The fight, the uncertainty is what makes you feel alive."
"My moms say you should always strive for perfection."
"And you should, but you have to know perfection will never be achieved." Saki told her.
"Yeah, perfection is merely a figment of our imaginations." Mira added, "But nothing can be attained unless its worth fighting for." The three of them walked out of the hotel and began to prep for Saki's matches.
AN HOUR LATER
"Welcome everybody to our daily room upgrade battle royal!" A man announced. This got a huge charge from the crowd. "Today we have four combatants, Lou from Canalava Town, Shana from Cyllage City, Gremmy from Virbank City, and Sakinah from Saffron City."
The four trainers all stepped up to the stage to meet the referee, "Welcome everyone, this is a simple free for all match. All four of you will have your pokemon out at the same time, and will be eliminated when your pokemon is unable to battle." He ushered the trainers to the four corners of the field and took his spot in the ref box. "Okay Lou, you throw out first."
"Go Munchlax."
"Breloom you're up," Gremmy added.
"Gothorita time to shine." Shana smiled.
The three pokemon appeared and they looked strong, "Torchic lets go." Saki said. He appeared and was a bit taken back at the other three pokemon. He looked a little out of place and was beginning to step back. "Don't worry buddy, we have this in the bag." With his confidence returned he puffed out his chest and tried to match their stoicism.
"Let this battle begin," The referee yelled.
"Munchlax use roll-out." The pudgy pokemon rolled into a ball and began to chase after the others.
"Breloom dodge using double team," Gremmy ordered. The grass pokemon stood his ground and then split up as soon as Munchlax got close.
"Stop him with confusion Gothorita." Shana yelled.
"Torchic use mirror move." Saki smiled, "And direct it at Breloom." Both pokemon's eyes turned blue and ensnared their opponent in the same blue hue, then slamming them against the ground.
"Breloom get up and hit Torchic with Mach punch." The grass pokemon jumped back to his feet and sped right after the fire bird.
"Dodge with low kick." Saki smiled. Torchic took a few steps and slid right under Breloom's fist, he kicked him hard and with the extra speed he took a hard tumble onto his face. "Now use flamethrower."
Torchic took in a deep breath, and shot the huge burst of flame. Totally encompassed in flame, Breloom could barely hold on. "Breloom use absorb on Munchlax." Breloom got in close and both pokemon were covered in a green aura, the grass pokemon sucked as much energy as he could and was in good condition again.
"You jerk," Lou said, "Munchlax its time to use belch." The pudgy pokemon pulled out a couple berries and quickly shoved them into his mouth. His belly began to grumble and he let out a grotesque burp that echoed out onto the field. This did considerable damage all the way around, but it had knocked Breloom to the ground out cold.
"Breloom is unable to go on, Gremmy is done." The referee declared, Gremmy returned his pokemon and left quickly. "Now you may continue."
"Lets clean them up with roll out," Lou yelled. His pokemon re-rolling into a ball and taking off.
"Torchic use agility, and mirror move." The orange bird pokemon began to speed up exponentially and then he to rolled into a ball. But Torchic was infinitely faster then Munchlax. "Try to knock him off course."
The two kept colliding with one another, and were on a collision course with Gothorita. The black clad psychic, stood her ground, "Use signal beam right in front of them." The little pokemon focused her mind and shot the rainbow colored beam down at the ground, this created a huge trench and launched the two other pokemon high into the air. "Confusion."
"Torchic let your wings out!" Saki yelled. Her pokemon's wings popped out and stopped its rotation, then it slowed his descent. This caused Munchlax to take the attack full force, and by himself. He was shot so high into the air, that when he finally came down he hit so hard. And he was no longer able to battle.
"Munchlax is no longer capable of battling," The referee declared, Lou followed Gremmy, and made a hasty exit., "Now continue."
"That was a pretty smart thing you did," Shana smiled.
"I knew exactly what you were doing when you called for signal beam." Saki replied, "Ive seen my girlfriend do some thing's like it before."
"She must be good, but she cant help you, Gothorita use shadow ball." The psychic pokemon began to throw shot after shot at Torchic, but the fire type was fast enough to dodge. "It wont work, you are too fast, but I am too strong."
" I'm not so sure about that," Torchic began to glow, then his evolution took place.
"Combusken!"
"Oh this gets even better," Shana smiled, "Confusion."
"Get away and use flamethrower," The now bigger bird used his speed to stay ahead of Gothorita's attack, and then used his fire attack to create a wall of fire to guard himself.
"Damn he's still fracking fast."
"Dynamic Punch!" From the flames, Combusken leapt. His fist was ensnared in a large ball of light, and he brought it down right on Gothorita's cheek. The ball crackled for a second then exploded in her face.
"What just happened?" The announcer yelled.
When the dust settled Gothorita was barely standing, her body beat up, bruised and battered.
"Nice try, but she is still standing." Shana taunted, "Gothorita use attract."
Nothing happened, Shana looked over to her pokemon and she was on all fours bashing her head on the ground. "Dynamic Punch has a one hundred percent chance of causing confusion if it hits. Now finish this with Dual chop."
Combusken slowly walked up to the confused psychic, his forearms colored a dark orange. He raised them up and swung them down ending the match.
"Gothorita is unable to battle the winner is Sakinah and her Combusken. She has received a free room upgrade and room service. I thank you all for joining us today."
As the crowd dissipated Miracle and Ariel ran to her side and congratulated her.
"That was awesome!" The little red head screamed.
"Dynamic Punch putting down a psychic. It looks like you no longer lean on your psychic abilities." Mira replied.
"True, I just know how to combat them now," She smiled, they walked over to the announcer and received their room keys, "He does have a pretty bad ass move pool though."
"But its not as bad ass as yours," Mira whispered into her girls ear.
"Behave Miracle, I do not have any clean clothes if these ones happen to get...wet. So be on your best behavior."
"I will take that request under advisement. Now lets go get cleaned off, but I am more then happy to share a shower." She laughed.
"Stop talking about sex you two," Ariel sighed, " I swear its like you two cant keep your hands off of each other."
"Red, when you are in the prime of your life, and with the person you are meant to be with. Well its hard not to."
"You are worse then my moms."She sighed, leaving a laughing couple behind her as she ran to the room.
"Well lets not keep her waiting," Saki said.
"Let her have some time, she will have a shower and by the time we get there we can have ours." Mira replied. "I just want to spend time with you. I like the kid, and Sarah was cool. But I enjoy your company most of all."
Saki merely blushed a bright red, and snuggled into Mira's shoulder, enjoying what life had led her to.
