CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
Amy emerged from the Pokemon Center with her Pokemon fully healed, but her arm in a sling. It wasn't broken as feared, only dislocated, but the nurses had advised her to take it easy for the next week and not strain herself too much. She had looked for Joshua to thank him, but he was gone.
I owe him some money, that much at least, thought Amy, checking her purse. There was only a hundred dollars left, not enough for one night's accommodation -
Her heartbeat increased as she realised with growing dread something was missing. The Moon Stone! Rifling through the used lipsticks and worn makeup case, there was no doubt about it. The Moon Stone must've fallen out when she was thrown from the bicycle - or the thugs stole it when they searched through her purse. She felt stupid for taking on the Cycling Road by herself. She had endangered herself, her Pokemon and her possessions in her foolish pride.
Morosely, she released her Pokemon from their Pokeballs and they crowded round, concerned for their Trainer's injury and upset. Amy hugged them all, the soft fur of Growlithe, tough hide of Nidorina and bone mask of Cubone. Together they walked around the town, due north where a sign announced 'Pokemon Zoo'. There were all sorts of Pokemon in large enclosures, with explanations of each. There was a spherical Voltorb similar to a Pokeball and pink-hued Slowpoke lapping gently at its bowl of water, more commonly found in Kanto; but then there were rarer sorts, too.
"Lapras," Amy read, glancing up at the large, Water Pokemon swimming in its pool. It was blue with a cream underbelly, gentle temperament and turtle shell covering its back. It mooned softly and little girls watching nearby clutching the bars in fascination.
"I want one, Mummy!" cried the daughter.
"They're not for sale," admonished the mother.
"Kangaskhan," Amy read. Kangaskhan was huge, bipedal with brown scales over its body, nurturing its young in a pouch on its cream-coloured belly. It looked vicious, but had a gentler nature to its brood.
The next Pokemon Amy came across was one she recognised, because they were notable in Pokemon Centers. Chansey's rotund shape was pink-hued, carrying an egg in the pouch on its chest. It smiled at every passer by who came near, full of sunny optimism against Amy's tangible shroud of doubt. Amy waved to Chansey with her uninjured hand, feeling self-conscious.
Growlithe, Nidorina and Cubone followed Amy as the four of them stopped in front of a large building functioning as a checkpoint, with an engraved plaque beside the door reading 'Safari Zone'. Intrigued, Amy knocked and entered, into a reception area with cashiers manning the counters on either side. There were a number of rest chairs and a vending machine, mostly occupied by young Trainers who were discussing tactics in a low voice and readying their equipment. On first glance they looked like bug catchers, but it was only that they were dressed for outdoor travel. They eyed Amy as she passed, hunched closer as though discussing trade secrets.
"Welcome!" greeted the receptionist, carefully arranging a display of pamphlets that were nearly empty. "Is this your first time at the Safari Zone?"
"Yes," replied Amy. "What is the Safari Zone?"
"It's a place to catch wild Pokemon, but using bait and traps instead of the traditional method of battling. The Pokemon you'll find in the Safari Zone are a lot tougher here, but they're rarer, too."
Amy glanced over to the group of Trainers who, upon noticing her interest, stared back defiantly and huddled over their equipment and maps.
"Trainers must be adept and agile, most of all able to escape danger if the Pokemon decides to attack. They don't have their Pokemon to defend them, so caution is required."
"The Pokemon must be on their guard, if they're used to Trainers staking out their territory," noted Amy dryly. "I can see why it would be dangerous."
Amy noticed the receptionist's gaze upon the sling in which her arm was healing. "I tripped on my bike down Cycling Road."
"Ouch," winced the receptionist, grimacing. "It's not an easy trek. Many beginners think it's a piece of cake."
Amy went red but kept silent. "How much is entry to the Safari Zone?"
"Five hundred dollars. It's pretty steep," added the receptionist, as Amy blanched. "But we've got to cover costs for upkeep on the grounds."
"I would," Amy hesitated, motioning her arm. "I'm not in any fit state to creep through long grass at the moment."
Never mind being close to broke on funds...
"That's OK," the receptionist beamed. "We offer free tours once a day if you're interested. Entrants sign a waiver, we climb onboard the jeep and from a distance, show potential enthusiasts where they would be allowed to range if they decide to pay the entry fee."
"What kind of waiver?" asked Amy.
"Well, though we only drive around the outside, there is always the chance that wild Pokemon come out of their territory and might be alarmed. We also don't want to interrupt the paying customers who spend a lot of time and effort carefully planning routes to catch the rare Pokemon."
"I understand," Amy nodded. "When's the next tour?"
"It begins in just under an hour," smiled the receptionist. "Shall I put your name down? We're almost booked to capacity."
"Sure."
Amy exited the Safari Zone reception, out into the broad expanse of the Pokemon Zoo, children running about licking ice creams and exhausted parents trying to catch up. She walked alongside her Pokemon through the town and found a PokeMart, browsing the aisles but unable to afford anything. She envied the children their free spirit, but then even as a child she had been strictly reprimanded for carefree behaviour, always told to sit or stand or smile, always to smile, her jaw aching from the effort.
Now Amy headed south, towards the glittering ocean that beckoned many local citizens to spend their lazy Sundays napping in the sand. Towels were laid, sunblock applied and picnic baskets crowded around as families congregated on gingham mats and ate fruit or drank iced lemonade. Amy heard a buzzing from above and shielded her eyes from the sun as she glanced up to see some Beedrill flying about, their bodies striped black and yellow with sharp pincers at the ready.
"Let's sit down here, guys," said Amy, wincing in pain as she bumped her arm trying to lie on the ground. She arranged herself into a more comfortable position, kicking off her sneakers with difficulty while Growlithe took one in his mouth and tried to pull it off for her.
"No! No - Growlithe, I'll do it," Amy smiled, fearing her ankle would be pulled out of its socket. Mollified, Growlithe gave a bark as Amy pulled off her woollen socks and wriggled her toes in the sand, such indulgence. Her toes were frightfully unpedicured but the same could be said for the rest of her. Scratches and bruises on her face and body, covered up by the chunky jumper and track pants she now wore, her hair coarse but returning to its natural colour. She was back to being a brunette, the softer colour suiting her high cheekbones and pale face that she did not trouble to conceal her vulnerable state.
She wore a tank top underneath her sweater, tossing it aside so she could feel the sun warm her shoulders. Amy ruffled Growlithe's fur, gave Nidorina a pat and played fetch with Cubone's bone, more often than not Growlithe grabbing it before Cubone's waddling little feet could reach it first. Stoic, Nidorina settled back on her hindquarters and opted to watch, above such play, wanting to defend her Trainer from further harm.
Watching the children play and the adults discuss grown-up matters concerning play dates for their charges, Amy glanced up as she saw a lithe girl her age emerge from the beach, water dripping off her pink bikini as she came close. She was trim and in shape, curly blonde hair bouncing in the wind as she beckoned her Staryu to come forth. With a splash, the spinning star Pokemon followed the girl who stopped near Amy, where her towel and supplies were located.
"It's so hot, isn't it?" beamed the girl.
"Sure is," replied Amy, feeling dour and homely compared to this swimmer. She had never worn a two-piece bathing suit in her life, never even learned how to swim.
Unconsciously, Amy ran a hand through her light brown hair, trying not to cringe as the split ends as she glimpsed the beauty drinking thirstily from a water bottle, back arched so that the flat lines of her stomach were visible. Married men tried furtively to watch, caught out by their stern wives, while catcalls and jeers came from younger men who carried surf boards, had tousled blonde hair and walked barefoot in the sand with their shirts off. Amy felt invisible and realised she had now become second-best, no longer a butterfly but a moth by comparison. True, in polite company Amy never met the sort of boy who catcalled, but the narcissist that Amy was, she was jealous, something she hadn't gotten used to before.
"I'm Connie."
Amy shuffled a bit to adjust her injury and shook hands with her good arm. "I'm Amy. Nice to meet you."
Connie settled on the sand beside Amy, either oblivious to the stares or too used to them to care. She was panting frantically as though she had run a marathon, which Amy guessed she must be a good swimmer.
"Do you come here often?" Amy asked.
Connie shielded her gaze from the sun, not at all self-conscious. "Me? Yeah, I love it! My Staryu and I come whenever it's nice and sunny."
"That's cool." Amy watched as Connie's Staryu effortlessly performed cartwheels in the sand, while Growlithe and Cubone watched with interest.
Sensing her Trainer's unease, Nidorina refused to acknowledge Connie or Staryu, sniffing the wind for better prospects.
"Are you here on holiday?" asked Connie.
"I'm collecting Gym Badges," replied Amy. "I've just won my fourth Badge from Celadon City."
"Oh, how exciting!" Connie's face lit up, tanned and glowing with sweat, like a prized mare. She radiated confidence and summer freedom. "I still haven't decided whether or not to compete. I'd like to visit Cerulean City, though - I heard the Gym Leader uses Water-types."
Amy nodded. "That's correct. Do you know anything about the Gym Leader here?"
"Hmm, that's a good question. He keeps to himself mainly, but from the Trainers who pass through I gather that he uses Poison-type Pokemon."
My Nidorina's a Poison-type, she should be able to handle herself, Amy thought. Wait. Aren't Poison-types weak to Ground-type moves?
"I should go," said Connie, all of a sudden. When she stood, she attracted many sets of eyes as she shook the sand off her towel and waved Staryu over to follow. "It was really nice to meet you!"
"You too, Connie," Amy attempted a smile, wincing at the pain in her arm. She watched the girl run off and turned back to the glittering vista of ocean beyond.
Amy enjoyed the sun a little while longer before standing up with difficulty and heading towards the Safari Zone. Before entering, however, she realised that she would have to find a Pokemon Trainer first. She wanted to go on the tour, but priority to earn money came first. Regretfully, she headed east of Fuchsia City, towards a route where some Trainers seemed to pass through. It was hard having to hold back the allure of instant gratification when real world problems came first.
Through the checkpoint Amy passed, then out onto a sun-drenched path bordered on either side with forestry where Trainers were dime a dozen. Her eyes snapped to a boy and girl halfway through a battle, three Trainers trying in unison to catch an Abra before it teleported out of their Great Ball's trajectory, wild Rattata trying to catch airbone Pidgey and Bellsprout playing with Oddish in the tall grass.
Further on she walked, passing the furiously battling Trainers and wild Pokemon, hot sun beating down upon her neck until she noticed a girl slightly older than her, Pokeballs on her belt counting the wads of cash in her hand. Amy walked closer and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Excuse me. Are you interested in a Pokemon battle?"
Amy was taken aback as the girl turned round, red curls and freckles on her nose. Heart racing, Amy had thought it was Natalie.
"Could be. What's it to you?"
Amy hesitated. "Well - "
"How much money you got?" demanded the rough girl, eyeing Amy like a carcass.
"Enough," replied Amy, rather stiffly. "The question is, how much money do you have, seeing as I'll win?"
"Whoa. You're a feisty one, aren't you!" The rough girl's face broke into a wide grin, spitting out the gum she was chewing onto the path.
Appalled, Amy was quick to judge, "That's disgusting!"
Shrugging, the girl stepped back to make room for a battlefield. She wore denim shorts over her bronzed legs and a white peasant shirt to reveal the hint of cleavage. Sassy, brazen and uncouth, Amy thought that this girl was definitely the opposite of Natalie.
"I'm Amy, by the way." Growlithe, Nidorina and Cubone lined up, ready for battle.
"Uh huh. I'm Alesha." she selected the first Pokeball of three from her belt. "Go, Doduo!"
Doduo appeared in a flash of red light, as lone Trainers from nearby gathered to watch. Doduo was a Flying-type, with dual heads sprouting from a shared body, with long, thin legs. It was covered in brown fur and the heads had long beaks.
"I choose Nidorina!" called Amy, as Nidorina stepped forth.
"Nidorina, Poison Sting!"
"Doduo, use Fury Attack!"
Doduo leapt into the air, high enough to cause awe from the crowd and avoid the poison barbs. Nidorina jumped out of the way just as Doduo's clawed feet grasped hard dirt, but cried in pain as Doduo's beak pecked madly at Nidorina's hide.
"Nidorina!" cried Amy, as Doduo jumped back to safety's side near Alesha. "Tackle!"
Nidorina recovered and ran towards Doduo, narrowly missing as Doduo sidestepped and delivered a Peck attack that Nidorina fell prey to. Greatly injured, Nidorina struggled to stand.
"Boy, that Doduo's fast!" cried a watching Trainer.
"Finish it, Doduo! Fury Attack!" shouted Alesha triumphantly.
"Nidorina, Tail Whip!" cried Amy.
Doduo was faster, finishing off Nidorina with well-timed pecks into Nidorina's hide. Nidorina slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Nidorina, return," Amy held out her Pokeball, the familiar flash of red light shooting out.
"Come on, Amy," taunted Alesha. "I don't have all day!"
Amy turned to Growlithe. "Ready to take this bird Pokemon down?"
Growlithe nodded, turning to the battlefield with ferocity.
"A Growlithe? Not bad," conceded Alesha. "Doduo, Peck!"
"Growlithe, Roar!" cried Amy.
Doduo ran forth at a blinding speed, halting suddenly as Growlithe let out a fearsome roar. Growlithe took the opportunity to pounce on the rigid Doduo, delivering a Bite attack that made it squeal loud enough to hurt everyone's eardrums. Doduo kicked Growlithe off with its foot, stumbling in the dirt as it flailed to stand upright.
"Ember, Growlithe! Finish it!" shouted Amy.
Growlithe released a volley of flames which incinerated Doduo, leaving both heads quite immobile as it lay insensible. Alesha swore loudly and held out her Pokeball for Doduo to return inside.
"Nice going, Growlithe," Amy bent down, wincing to pat Growlithe as he barked happily. "I'm going to let Cubone have a turn now, OK?"
Unfazed, Alesha watched little Cubone waddle forth. Smirking, she tossed her second Pokeball into the fray. "Go, Paras!"
Paras was an insect, with an orange body, scuttling pincers and mushrooms growing atop its back.
"That's a bad choice, Alesha," Amy smiled. "Cubone, Bone Attack!"
"Paras, Scratch!"
Cubone waddled forward and Paras scuttled closer, each intent until Paras was caught off balance and Cubone's Bone Attack hit first. Paras merely shrugged it off and stabbed a pincer into Cubone, making him yowl in pain and clutch his injury.
Alesha cracked up in laughter. "What were you thinking? Ground-type moves are weak against Grass-types!"
"But I thought - " Amy remembered the Grass-types she had encountered at Celadon Gym. "Paras isn't a dual Grass/Poison type?"
"Paras, Spore!" cried Alesha.
Paras released an indistinct powder from the mushrooms on its back, coating upon Cubone and causing him to feel drowsy.
"Cubone!" Amy panicked, searching her purse for an Awakening. "This is not a good time to fall asleep!"
"Finish it, Paras! Leech Life!"
Paras leapt upon the sleeping Cubone, bit deep into his neck and restored energy to itself while taking it from Cubone. Delivering the finisher, Paras dealt a Scratch Attack that left Cubone out for the count.
"No! Cubone!" cried Amy, rushing forth to embrace him in his arms.
Alesha rolled her eyes. "Can you hurry it along? I've got to order some pizza before the shop closes."
Amy turned to her with fury in her eyes. "I will not hurry it along! I don't treat my injured Pokemon like unsatisfactory machine parts on a conveyor belt, to be thrown away!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Alesha replied, impatient. "Just get it over with."
Controlling her breathing, Amy returned Cubone to its Pokeball and turned to Growlithe, interpreting his Trainer's rage.
"Let's show this wench some tricks. Go, Growlithe!"
Growlithe bounded into the arena, reddish fur waving in the wind. Alesha smirked. "Now here's a challenge!"
"Growlithe, Ember!"
"Paras, Stun Spore!"
On the move, Paras released shimmering dust from the mushrooms on its back as it scuttled to avoid Growlithe's fiery onslaught. Caught in the blaze, Paras rolled over several times, quite weakened.
"Get up, Paras!" shouted Alesha. "Now!"
Amy rifled in her purse for a Paralyz Heal, as Growlithe lay paralysed upon the dirt. She noticed Paras struggling to get to its feet, burned by Growlithe's attack. Amy administered the Paralyz Heal and Growlithe roused into action.
"Bite, Growlithe!" called Amy.
Growlithe ran forth and sharply bit the burned Paras, where it squealed and rolled over on its back, moving no longer.
Amy gave Growlithe an affectionate pat as Alesha returned Paras to its Pokeball.
"Only one Pokemon left, Alesha," said Amy, tense. She needed that prize money.
"Same goes for you," replied Alesha, more serious now. "Time to end this battle! My trusted Pikachu!"
Pikachu burst forth in bright red light, electricity crackling around its person. It looked more feral than cuddly, certainly battle worn.
"Growlithe, Bite!" cried Amy.
"Quick Attack, Pikachu!" shouted Alesha.
Growlithe ran forth to chase Pikachu, but the Electric Pokemon disappeared into thin air. Glancing around uncertainly, Growlithe was tackled in its side as Pikachu charged into him with its head lowered.
"Growlithe!" shouted Amy.
"Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"
Pikachu charged up electricity in its cheeks and released it at Growlithe, who dodged the bolt in the nick of time and tackled into Pikachu. Together, they rolled around in a fury upon the dirt, Growlithe delivering its Bite attack to Pikachu's squeal in reply, then everyone shielded their eyes as Pikachu loosed a Thundershock that blasted Growlithe backwards.
Both injured, Growlithe and Pikachu stared daggers at each other.
"Ember!" cried Amy.
"Thunderbolt!" shouted Alesha.
Again, the crackle of electricity erupted from Pikachu's cheeks as Growlithe let fire rain down upon the Electric-type. Jolted by lightning, Growlithe yelped and quivered in pain upon the dirt. Pikachu struggled with the burns from Growlithe's attack.
Both Pokemon seemed unable to stand. Growlithe was paralysed, while Pikachu suffered burns. To gasps of astonishment, both Pokemon fell flat, unconscious.
"Growlithe!" Amy clapped her hands to her mouth.
"What!?" Alesha raged, reddening. She marched over to her fainted Pikachu. "Are you serious?"
"It's a draw!" called out somebody from the audience. There was relief, then applause as everyone congratulated the equal contenders.
"Stop clapping!" Alesha rounded on them. "You idiots!"
Amy gently stroked Growlithe's fur, returning him to his Pokeball. She glanced over at Alesha, who took the injured Pikachu in her arms.
"Well, this is it, I suppose," Alesha began walking.
"Wait a second - what about prize money?" Amy called after her, unable to catch up with her arm in a sling.
Alesha called over her shoulder, "Yeah right! It was a draw! I'm not giving you anything."
Amy watched Alesha march off in the direction of Fuchsia City. Slowly, the crowd began to disperse.