CHAPTER FIFTY THREE
Natalie entered the Gym, hoping that Daniel would win the Pokemon battle with Alesha. Heart pounding, she approached the intercom and pressed the buzzer, preparing herself for another round of questions but to her great surprise and relief, the mechanical doors slid open. She walked through to the battlefield.
Alone on his podium stood Blaine, moustache bristling as he watched Natalie ascend the podium opposite.
"I was expecting the quiz," she called, her voice echoing in the subterranean space.
"You already completed it with your friend," Blaine explained. "So you're the Water-type Trainer, huh?"
"That's correct," Natalie nodded.
"Do you intend to be the next Gym Leader of Cerulean City?" asked Blaine.
Musing, Natalie replied, "I haven't thought that far. Do Gym Leaders retire?"
"Some do. Others stay on to teach the next generation of Pokemon Trainers how to battle," Blaine chuckled. "As for myself, I intend to be the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island for a long time. Shall we begin?"
White-hot flames surrounded the battlefield. Natalie placed her four Pokeballs in the holder. Apprehensive, she selected her first and tossed it onto the battlefield.
"Go, Poliwhirl!"
Bounding forth, Poliwhirl flexed its arms to ready itself for the coming fight. Unafraid, Blaine threw his chosen Pokeball into the fray.
"Let's ride, Rapidash!"
Rapidash stomped its hard hooves into the battlefield and haughtily tossed its fiery mane.
"Poliwhirl, Hypnosis!" cried Natalie.
"Rapidash, Take Down!" Blaine shouted.
Poliwhirl's spiral had barely glowed when Rapidash cantered forth into Poliwhirl, where he sailed across the field and slammed into the bulk of Natalie's podium. Suffering recoil, Rapidash slowly slumped on its side, asleep.
"Poliwhirl!" cried Natalie, as the Water-type Pokemon managed to stand upright. "Water Gun!"
Shooting a jet of water at Rapidash, its fiery mane was doused as Blaine reached over to spray an Awakening onto Rapidash, hurt greatly by the attack.
"Poliwhirl, Bubble!"
Just as Rapidash roused, Poliwhirl fired forth a series of bubbles which lowered Rapidash's speed, harming it further but enraging it greatly.
"Rapidash, Stomp!" shouted Blaine.
"Poliwhirl, Hypnosis!" cried Natalie.
This time knowing what to expect, Rapidash leapt over the hypnotic wave and landed upon Poliwhirl, hard-as-nails hooves dealing a severe injury to Poliwhirl.
"Poliwhirl! Are you OK?" Natalie glanced over her podium.
"Stomp, Rapidash!" shouted Blaine.
"Hypnosis, Poliwhirl!" Natalie cried.
Blasting Rapidash with the hypnotic wave too late, Rapidash managed to stomp on Poliwhirl again and further its existing wound. Slumping to the battlefield again, Rapidash fell asleep.
"Poliwhirl, I'm not letting you get hurt further! Return!" Natalie held out her Pokeball, red light flashing bright. She selected her second of four Pokeballs remaining as Blaine reached for his Awakening. "Go, Horsea!"
Bouncing forth, Horsea's eyes widened at the sleek, sleeping figure of Rapidash and sucked in its breath.
"Smokescreen, Horsea!" cried Natalie.
Horsea released a spurt of ink upon the horse Pokemon which clung to its pristine fur and prevented Blaine's Awakening from taking effect. Tasting triumph, Natalie cried, "Finish it! Water Gun, Horsea!"
Blaine watched in amusement as Horsea directed a jet of water towards Rapidash, partly washing away the Smokescreen but rendering it close to unconscious.
"Return, Rapidash!" demanded Blaine, holding out his Pokeball. Fiery mane and red light flashed momentarily to leave Horsea on the battlefield alone, glowing.
"Nice job, Horsea!" smiled Natalie. "Oh! Horsea, you're - "
"Evolving?" asked Blaine. "It cleaned up your Poliwhirl's leftovers!"
Horsea glowed and changed shape, evolving into Seadra with a sharp trill of pride, with a larger body, sharper fins and a longer tail which curled.
"My Seadra is strong," smiled Natalie. "Perhaps it is my love for Pokemon which helps them to learn."
Brow raised, Blaine selected his second Pokeball. "Perhaps. You may be a good teacher, but I am an excellent battler! Go, Ninetales!"
Ninetales purred as its many tails unfurled in a ferocious fashion, utterly beautiful. Distracted, Natalie watched it.
"Seadra, Bubblebeam!" cried Natalie, snapping to her senses.
"Ninetales, Quick Attack!" shouted Blaine.
As Seadra shot forth a surge of bubbles, Ninetales disappeared into thin air and avoided the barrage. Cautious, Seadra glanced about -
"Seadra, Smokescreen!" cried Natalie.
Seadra directed ink from its mouth in a sweeping fashion across the battlefield. Reappearing, Ninetales tripped on the ink and stumbled, but managed to leap for Seadra and tackle it across the field, close to the fiery barrier.
"Seadra!" cried Natalie, as Ninetales leapt for an ink-free spot, paws stained. "Water Gun!"
"Ninetales, Confuse Ray!" shouted Blaine.
Ninetales emitted a ghostly echo that resounded amid the roaring fire, while Seadra shot a jet of water at Ninetales, who cried in pain.
Suffering from confusion, Seadra stumbled into the barrier of fire and leapt back in fright, not greatly damaged but suffering burns on its body.
"No!" Natalie was close to tears, seeing Seadra so helpless. "Return, Seadra!"
"Ninetales, Flamethrower!" shouted Blaine.
Ninetales' burst of flame incinerated the surrounding ink and blasted through the empty projection of Seadra, safely absorbed into red light within the Pokeball.
"Your Water Pokemon are becoming a nuisance!" Blaine called, from atop his podium. "My Ninetales will take them down!"
Losing hope, Natalie glanced at her remaining two Pokeballs. Squirtle was a Water-type Pokemon, so his attacks would be effective against Ninetales. But though Butterfree would be susceptible to Fire-type attacks, she held a secret weapon...
"Come on, then!" cried Blaine.
Determined, Natalie threw her third Pokeball into the fray. "I choose Butterfree!"
Soaring forth, Butterfree could not have been more fearful of the surrounding flames and of Ninetales, who purred contentedly at this easy prey.
"The heat must be going to your head!" shouted Blaine. "Unless the smoke's clouding my vision, that's a Butterfree!"
"It is," said Natalie bravely. "Don't doubt her for a second. Ready, Butterfree?"
Puffing up her chest in pride, Butterfree nodded and glared at Ninetales.
"Let's show this Butterfree how hot our flame burns!" shouted Blaine. "Ninetales, Flamethrower!"
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!" cried Natalie, heart pounding.
Ninetales burst flame from its mouth which narrowly missed Butterfree, who soared and ducked to avoid the trajectory as she released shining powder onto the battlefield. Wincing as the heat came close, Butterfree returned to Natalie's side as Ninetales fell asleep.
"Good job, Butterfree!" Natalie tightly gripped the podium, her jaw sore from clenching her teeth. "Confusion!"
Suddenly still and glowing brightly, Butterfree released a telekinetic force that knocked the sleeping Ninetales back a few paces. Clutching his Awakening, Blaine began to administer it to his Fire-type.
"Gust, Butterfree!" shouted Natalie.
Flapping its wings fiercely, Butterfree conjured a cyclone which blew the spray bottle's liquids in the opposite direction and slightly injuring Ninetales.
"Nice tactics, Butterfree, n - " Natalie paled. "NO! BUTTERFREE!"
The butterfly Pokemon wailed in fear as its tornado had sucked up the surrounding flame, absorbing it into the swirling mass where Butterfree was centered. Trapping in the flaming vortex, Natalie held out her Pokeball and in a flash of red light, returned the immeasurably injured Butterfree inside.
Sweat pouring off her forehead from the heat and stress, Natalie slumped her shoulders in relief. "That was close."
Blaine made to spray the remaining contents of his Awakening onto Ninetales, who began to stir. Flushed, Natalie held close her fourth and final Pokeball.
"I'm counting on you, Squirtle - we're all counting on you!" Natalie tossed the Pokeball into the battlefield. "Let's win this match!"
Squirtle bounded forth, hidden within his turtle shell as he materialised and spinning through the air, only to emerge once he had slowed upon the ground, peeking out.
"Ninetales, take out that turtle! Quick Attack!"
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Suffering confusion from Butterfree's earlier attack, Ninetales bit itself in confusion as Squirtle's jet of water bowled it over. Shivering and in great injury, Blaine cursed loudly as he returned the fox Pokemon into its Pokeball.
"It's so hot up here," Natalie said to herself, fanning her face with her hand. "Two down; one to go, Blaine!"
"Don't think for a second you've had me beat!" raged Blaine, face beet-red. He tossed his third and final Pokeball into the fray. "Show 'em who's boss, Arcanine!"
Growling ferociously, Arcanine was a sight among the flames with its crimson fur, black stripes and snarling gaze.
"Arcanine, Take Down!" shouted Blaine.
"Squirtle," cried Natalie. "Withdraw!"
Hiding into his shell, Arcanine was a blur as it charged across the battlefield and tackled Squirtle through the air and into Natalie's podium. Slightly hurt, Squirtle emerged with a dazed expression on his face while Arcanine winced, suffering recoil. Facing each other in a stand off, both Trainers were quick to order,
"Arcanine, Take Down!"
"Squirtle - "
But Squirtle had launched himself forward, head glowing as tackled Arcanine who launched forward into the ruckus. Flailing throughout the battlefield, Arcanine suffered recoil from its Take Down attack as it tried to stand, greatly injured by the impromptu Skull Bash.
"Water Gun!" cried Natalie.
"Roar!" shouted Blaine.
Squirtle was unaffected by Arcanine's feral roar and drenched the Fire-type Pokemon head to toe with a jet of water. Growling in pain, Arcanine could barely stand and disappeared into red light, subsumed into the Pokeball where Blaine stood silent, expression hidden.
"Squirtle! We won!" Jumping up and down in joy, Natalie could not conceal her excitement, laboured though she was with the exertions of worry and flush of heat and sweat that drenched her body.
Slowly, the flames surrounding the battlefield began to die down. Natalie ran down from the podium, chest heaving as Squirtle ran to meet her, quite injured and she swept him up in a hug, spinning him around the battlefield until she realised he was already dizzy from the battle's exertions.
"Sorry, Squirtle," Natalie apologised, holding out his Pokeball. "I'll let you rest."
Blaine walked forward, watching as the flashing red light disappeared and Natalie approached further. Almost sullenly, he handed over the Volcanobadge.
"Thank you, Blaine," Natalie smiled wide as she held the shiny Badge in her hand. Glancing up at him, she added, "When I first began my journey, I had a Type advantage over the Pewter Gym Leader, Brock; but since then, I have had to learn to rely on my Pokemon's alternative strengths and tactics to win. Watching you battle, I now better understand how Pokemon with a Type disadvantage towards their opponent can learn to adapt and change to the situation. Most notably, your Pokemon's speed is difficult to directly combat."
Blaine smiled slightly. "I underestimated you. Not as a Trainer - I knew your Water-types would be a handful, and I thought you were on your wits' end when you sent out your Butterfree - but as a person, to empathise with your defeated opponent and not remain superior. Just before you entered my Gym, I faced a girl not dissimilar to yourself in appearance but the opposite in personality, who got more angry the closer she came to defeat. It spurred her on to victory."
Paying utmost attention, Natalie nodded. "She's my older sister."
"Well," Blaine continued, not too taken aback. "She demonstrated an uncanny knack for bringing out the worst in people. What her Pokemon lack in aptitude, she settles the score by undermining the Trainer's spirit and reducing their willpower. Naturally, I am old and wise enough not to succumb to such low cunning, but I fear she uses that passive aggression in an everyday battle of wills."
"She's very stubborn," added Natalie grimly. "She never gives up, especially when backed into a corner. I hope she didn't trouble you too much."
"I am no longer troubled by her actions. Her Pokemon are strengthened by her indomitable aggression and she won the Badge, however merited. I am glad to see that her undue influence has not rubbed off on you, in fact; by undergoing such harsh treatment as her younger sibling, you are all the more sympathetic towards other victims of bullying."
Glowing, Natalie set aside her pleasure and continued, "I like to help where I can, Blaine."
After the battle with Alesha, Daniel returned his Pokemon to their Pokeballs and headed back up the coast, the bitter taste in his mouth as he walked towards the Pokemon Center. As he passed the Gym, he regretted not being able to watch Natalie battle Blaine, feeling like he had abandoned her when she had been there to cheer him on.
Entering the Pokemon Center, Daniel approached the nurse and placed his four Pokeballs in the tray.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Center! Thank you - " the nurse turned to Chansey, who wore a neatly ironed white cap with the red cross symbol for health upon it. "Chansey, could you heal this Trainer's Pokemon for me?"
Nodding happily, Chansey took the tray and placed the Pokeballs in the machine, where they glowed with a bright light.
"Did you just return from battling our Gym Leader, Blaine?" inquired the nurse politely.
Stiffly, Daniel nodded.
"To a satisfactory conclusion, I hope?"
Managing the smallest of smiles, the nurse nodded and took the tray of healed Pokeballs from Chansey, who bowed.
"Thank you for visiting the Pokemon Center!"
Morosely, though he tried to hide it, Daniel turned for the exit. He tried to abolish his negative thinking by refocusing on the prowess of his own Pokemon, who despite the interruption near the end, had battled with gusto and timing. He felt proud of them and of himself, though now he knew to be more cautious from now on.
He almost bumped into Natalie as he exited, who was joyous by contrast but immediately became concerned when Daniel's face fell.
"What - what's happened?" Natalie gestured to a pair of vacant seats facing the waiting queue of Trainers before the nurse. She had not seen Alesha upon the coastline and knew if Daniel looked this sad, her sister had done something to make him so. "Tell me. Did Alesha - "
"What could she have done?" Daniel replied, almost fiercely. "There's a running list? She's a piece of work, I can tell you that."
Daniel felt guilty for blatantly lambasting Natalie's sister, whom he barely knew other than this one incident but Natalie nodded, not out of obedient acquiescence to his feelings but because she personally understood, having had been a witness to Alesha's irresponsible actions growing up and often the unfortunate recipient of them.
"Did she - did she beat you?" Natalie hesitated, knowing her older sister had strong Pokemon, but so did Daniel.
Breaking into a smile, Daniel shook his head in disbelief as Natalie watched him in surprise, not expecting the reaction.
"I beat her," said Daniel bitterly, recounting point-for-point the action as it had unfolded, as if he could've prevented what had happened near the end.
Natalie listened intently, her curiosity growing as Daniel described the clash between his and Alesha's remaining Pokemon, Seel and Dodrio.
"Dodrio was on its last legs, so I told Seel to finish it off with Aurora Beam, but - " Daniel placed his head in his hands, not overwhelmed by emotion, merely stressed now that he had recounted the tale. He glanced up and continued, "This Fearow came out of nowhere and - "
"No," Natalie replied. "Don't tell me - "
"Seel's Aurora Beam would've been effective against either Flying-type, so I told Seel to aim for Fearow, thinking Dodrio was out of action. Boy, was I wrong. Not only did Fearow's Mirror Move rebound the Aurora Beam upon Seel; but in tandem, Dodrio released a Tri Beam attack that knocked Seel out of action."
Greatly upset, Natalie cried, "Ugh!" and began pacing about the room, shoulders heaving with fury and attracting more than a few stares from waiting Trainers. Trying to control herself, she sat down, furiously fidgeting.
"My Seel would've won," Daniel implored, as though he needed Natalie to know that despite Alesha's foul play, he could still hold his own in front of a girl who had emasculated him.
They sat in silence for a while. Natalie thought she had it bad, but seeing Alesha's actions harm those closest to her made her mad, it really did.
"She didn't demand prize money, did she?" asked Natalie suddenly.
Daniel shook his head. "We never got to that. I think after the verbal abuse, she would've got round to it - but having glimpsed the real side to her, I took the initiative of releasing Meowth from his Pokeball. Against her Dodrio and Fearow, I think it's fair to say Meowth and Seel would've been too much trouble for her to dispatch."
Natalie nodded. Alesha was stubborn to win, but not stupid enough to put herself in a place where she would have to own up to her actions.
Slowly, she revealed from her pocket the glint that was the Volcanobadge. Daniel's face broke into a wide grin.
"You won? Nice job!" Daniel cried, previous torment forgotten. "Tell me all about it. I hate that I wasn't there."
"Well, for one thing, my Horsea evolved... " Natalie began, smiling.
Meanwhile, across the sea, Amy's hands were frozen, holding tightly onto Goldeen. Cinnabar Island was but a speck in the distance. She felt her pulse increase, wondering what challenges lay ahead.
"Almost there!" cried Connie. Like a legion, the many swimmers formed an escort which had taken them safely across the sea. There were only a few Tentacool to be seen, preferring to attack stragglers in the night.
Amy was fatigued from the long trip. It had been bliss at first, to enjoy the sights and smells that the open sea had to offer. But come late afternoon, her stomach rumbled with hunger and she was tired, wanting a long rest before she challenged the Gym Leader. Amy stroked Goldeen without risking her grip, glad the Water Pokemon had held up for so long.
Not until a few minutes later did Cinnabar Island come into full sight. Though it was a small town, perched on the sea it looked like a carefree place to live.
"We're here! Woo-hoo!" cried Connie, as the Water Pokemon swam up onto the coast, and everyone disembarked onto the hard, stony shore.
Amy stretched her limbs, glad to be on dry land. She saw the other swimmers congratulating their seaborne Pokemon and returning them into their Pokeballs.
"Thank you, Goldeen," Amy's foot banged into a stone as she walked forward, biting down on her tongue to restrain the profanity. Goldeen blinked in assent as Natalie patted the wet, smooth fish Pokemon.
"Hey, Amy!" cried a voice from afar. It was the girl who had lent Goldeen to Amy so that she could travel to Cinnabar. "How did you like the trip?"
Gratefully, Amy smiled. "Exhausting. Your Goldeen is very competent."
"We're heading to the Pokemon Center to heal our Pokemon, then swimming out again to battle some Trainers in these parts. Do you want to come along?"
"I would like that, but no, thank you. I should find a bed to sleep in or else I'll be as dazed as a Slowpoke."
"OK," the girl smiled widely, hugging her Goldeen and returning it inside its Pokeball. "I'll see you around. Thanks for coming!"
"Thank you for including me," Amy nodded. "Tell Connie I say hi."
Fetching her three Pokeballs out of her backpack, Amy released Growlithe, Cubone and Nidorina into their new environment.
"Here we are, guys," Amy smiled as they rushed forth for a pat. She retrieved a screwed-up packet of Poketreats from her bag, distributing them as equitably as could be managed in the mad rush to get their share first. "Cubone! That's Growlithe's; don't be greedy."
Walking up the coast, Amy shivered despite the warm breeze and fetched a long-sleeved jumper out of her bag to wear over the swim top and shorts she resolved to return to the girl when she saw her next. Amy had enjoyed the efficiencies of sharing a room with others and splitting the bill that she had done in Fuchsia, but understood that though Connie and her friends were welcoming, their topics of conversation would be limited because Amy did not have that much in common with them other than Pokemon.
Having friends for friends' sake was good, but Amy preferred meeting others with whom she shared interests. Though training her Pokemon was her chief focus, especially while collecting Badges to take on the Pokemon League; her adventure through Kanto so far had emboldened her to meet people from all walks of life. If she won the Pokemon League, the prize money would go far to alleviate her current mindset of impoverishment and instability.
Having become used to wearing clothes for comfort rather than style, leaving her face bare of make up and her hair flowing loosely over her shoulders, Amy was more relaxed and down-to-earth; while before, she was rigid and on edge with the effort of maintaining a flawless façade. There was something to be said for just letting your worries go, even if that became a more trying task than winning the Pokemon League with a freshly caught Magikarp.
