Brianna stopped at the top of the hill overlooking Viridian City and took one last look towards her home.
Roxy jumped up on her shoulder. "Vulll…"
Brianna pet Roxy's head. "I think I am finally ready." She spoke softly to Roxy.
"Vul!" Roxy cheered happily.
Ash and the others, realized that she had stopped. "Is everything alright?"
Brianna took a deep breath and turned away from town and did her best to reignite her smile. "Of course."
They made camp further down the valley.
Brianna assisted with making dinner and even showed Brock how she makes her pokemon food.
Pikachu cheered loudly after experiencing her recipe. "Pika Pika Pika CHU!"
'I am so glad you like it.' Brianne smiled cheerfully, getting into the excitement of traveling.
Pikachu froze for a moment, and tilted his head in confusion. "Pika?"
Brianna's eyes went wide when she realized she communicated telepathically. It was only natural for her to do that with wild pokemon, but with trainers, she didn't want anyone to know her secret.
Roxy jumped in to eat with excitement to distract Pikachu from its curiosity. "Vulpix!"
Pikachu, as a result, got back to eating like the rest of their pokemon.
Brianna pulled out her pokeball and released Ponyta. She encouraged him to eat and after a few caresses and pets, he finally took the food and whinnied in sheer happiness.
"I need to give you a name." Brianna thought deeply and her thoughts flowed through her ponyta, searching for a name that would be suitable.
"Do you name all your pokemon?" Misty asked.
Brianna chuckled. "When you have a stable full of rapidash, it helps to give them all a name." She thought harder. "What about… Firelight?"
Ponyta whinnied happily.
"Then that is what I shall call you."
"How did Firelight get a blue mane anyway? You said you were studying color variations in pokemon breeding." Misty asked, taking a seat on the log next to their fire.
"I believe it has something to do with their genes." Brianna explained.
"Ponyta don't wear jeans, do they?" Ash pressed in confusion.
"No. They don't." Brianna giggled. "I'm talking about genetics. In my research there are certain factors you can introduce to ensure that one of your pokemon is born shiny."
"Shiny?"
"It's the name the Science Association gave them to describe pokemon of a deviated color."
"How do you do that?"
"I traded a ponyta with a trainer from Johto. Each pokemon from different regions have adapted to new environments. These changes, sometimes so subtle, can reflect in their genetics. However, even that wouldn't cause color variations at random. I needed to look deeper."
"And what did you find?" Brock asked curiously.
"Certain materials can produce different frequencies. When you combine them with other materials with frequencies that produce the desired results, you create a bond share. This bond share can be altered when adding other substances…"
"K… you lost me." Ash complained.
"I call it the shiny charm. If you give it to the pokemon you're breeding, the likelihood it will produce the desired trait is strongly increased." Brianna shared her excitement.
"Wow. That's so awesome." Ash chimed.
"What do you think the Science Society will do with it once they endorse your shiny charm?" Brock enquired.
"Promote diversity, I suppose."
"But if they are common, wouldn't they lose their special charm?" Misty added.
"Perhaps it is just a childish fantasy." Brianna relented. "Even so, the probability of a shiny being born is still against them. Without breeding pokemon from different regions, it may as well be impossible."
"You really know your stuff, Brianna." Brock complimented.
"Hardly… this is only scratching the surface in the mystery of shiny pokemon."
"What inspired you to look into the shiny traits for your ponyta?"
Roxy eyes met with Brianna and reminded her of things she had forgotten.
"... I saw a shiny rattata in the woods near Viridian City. I wondered how it could be so different from its family. After doing some research I learned that trainers catch rattata in other regions and return to Kanto, forgetting all about them. Rattata are weaker than many others, so they release them into the wild here. After trading my ponyta with a trainer from Johto, I started my research on cross genetic breeding."
"How long have you been breeding ponyta?" Brock pressed.
"Ever since I can remember." Even if what Brianna could remember was very little, it was still true.
"Would you accept me as your personal protege?" Brock asked now still as an elm tree.
Misty, Ash and Pikachu all stood up in shock. "You're kidding right?!"
"Brock… I am moving onto the field of scientific discovery. I am not sure you will learn much about pokemon breeding from me at this time." Brianna explained as gently as she could.
"Even in passing, I'm sure I would learn a lot more from you than anyone else." Brock was flushed, holding his breath, hoping for a satisfactory response.
"Even if that were true… You don't belong in a laboratory. I would only hold you back from your own adventures."
Brock took the rejection hard. "O-kay…"
"We get to see all kinds of pokemon on our journeys. You will learn a lot from other trainers too." Misty encouraged.
"Yeah, why don't you stay with us, Brock?" Ash agreed.
"Pika! Pikaachu!" Pikachu chimed from Ash's shoulder.
"Right… I'll do that."
Brianna met with Roxy's gaze.
"Vul! Vulpix!"
Brianna returned her smile.
Daylight crept over the mountain tops without a hint of civilization in sight. Team Rocket was sitting in hiding behind a tall bush, searching for the 'Twirps' and their pikachu with a spyglass.
James searched everywhere through the spyglass, from the tall forest covered trees to the wide open clearing. As he scanned the creekbed he spotted the group, near the treeline. He caught the glimpse of blue light and focussed closely on the cause of it. "What is that? Is it… a ponyta? But that color…"
"Let me see!" Jessie ripped the spyglass out of his hand and looked through it, instantly becoming infatuated with her discovery. "She's so gorgeous. A ponyta as fine as that one belongs with someone like me."
Meowth ripped it away and looked through it. "I can imagine what the boss would say when we give him that rare ponyta. He will kick that persian off his lap and I will be the boss' new lap cat."
"That beauty can serve its purpose better in my hands." Jessie growled.
Meowth roared back. "We should give it to the boss! It is the rarest we have ever seen."
"I am going to keep it and that is final."
Meowth fought with her and scratched her face. After realizing what he did, he cowered.
Jessie exploded. "Why you…!" She pounded him hard in the head. "You have ruined my pretty face!"
Meowth was throttled.
James spoke up. "Hey, they're leaving."
Jessie recovered from her rage and took her place at the spyglass. She saw that the path the twirps were following would lead them right past Team Rocket. "Alright. We will wait for them here and then we will make our move."
As Brianna and her group trekked through the bush, Roxy and Brianna shared the feeling they were being watched. Soon after, they could sense them in the bushes and learned of their actions telepathically. Brianna reached out and grabbed Ash's shoulders to stop them from taking another step into a net trap. "Paths are overrated. If you want to learn about pokemon, it is best to go through the forest."
"That's a good idea, but what if we get lost." Misty argued.
Brianna raised her watch and revealed it wasn't just a watch. "This device has the time, compass, map and all sorts of other features. We can't get lost unless we find ourselves in a field full of iron."
Team Rocket grew furious when their trap wasn't tripped.
Diverting from the path, they came across many pokemon living in their undisturbed habitat, living in peace and harmony with each other.
Brianna took a deep breath and the same threat entered her mind. They came to a bridge and the ricketiness was terrifying. However, Ash was fully ready to cross it to get to the other side of the river.
Brianna and Roxy could sense it was rigged. Roxy used Psychic to keep the bridge trap from activating, and it stayed stable through everyone crossing over it. No one noticed.
Team Rocket stormed out of the bush when another one of their traps didn't work. Jessie growled. "How did it not go off!"
Upon saying that, the bridge broke and they were held above the river in a cocoon of their own making. "Ahhghhh."
Brianna and Roxy kept the others ignorant of her actions. It was far less complicated that way. They spent the afternoon letting the pokemon play in the stream, where the currents had calmed. Roxy played chase with Pikachu and Firelight around the area. Suddenly, there was a wisp of strong breeze and then a contraption flew through the air like lightning to catch Pikachu and Firelight, but Roxy used quick attack to push them both out of the way before they could be caught.
One firespin on the Team Rocket contraption sent it flying through the air in pieces.
Pikachu and the others returned to their trainers after the incident and only Brianna realized what had happened.
'I thought maybe they would back off after not succeeding, but they sure are persistent.' Brianna sighed.
'They're gone now.' Roxy cheered.
Ash and the others called back their pokemon into their pokeballs, everyone except Pikachu, Togepi and Roxy.
"Vermillion City should be through these mountains and on the other side." Brock updated.
"It might save us some time if we travel through Pallet Town. The map shows that the ocean is just on the other side of it."
"I'm from Pallet Town. There aren't any ports along those beaches." Ash added.
"That does present a problem. How about using water type pokemon?" Brianna turned to Misty. "You were saying you want to be a water pokemon trainer."
"Yes… but they aren't the best at travelling long distances..." Misty answered shyly.
"Do you have any water type pokemon?" Ash asked.
"Can't say that I do." Brianna met Roxy's gaze. 'I wouldn't let that stop me.'
"Vul!" Roxy waved her six fluffy tails in excitement.
"Let's go through the tunnels then. It should take us straight through to Vermillion City."
"Lead the way." Brianna smiled at Brock making him blush a little.
He guided them into the caves, where the darkness closed in on them. Nothing but darkness and a cold stale breeze, testimony of the lack of sunshine and heat in the depths of these dirt-filled, rigid halls.
Ash pulled out one of his pokeballs and tossed it. Charzard appeared, filling the cave walls with light and an attitude.
Charzard lay down on the cold rock floor and went to sleep.
"Charzard! We need you to guide us through this tunnel! Charzard! Wake up!" Ash pulled on Charard's tail and angered it.
Charzard responded with a blast of fire.
Ash stumbled back and then fell over. "It still won't listen to me…"
"Oh my." Brianna turned to Charzard. 'Charzard, would you please show us the way through?' She asked confidently.
Charzard stood up and gave a proud grunt, before taking point.
"Now it listens…" Ash complained as Misty and Brock helped him to his feet.
Brianna reached out and patted Charzard's head. 'You may not have much faith in Ash as a trainer, but I do believe he will grow up to be worthy of your respect someday. Maybe he needs you to believe in him too.'
Charzard took one good look at Ash and then turned up his muzzle to the roof. 'No way. He is so weak. The best he could do is the gyms. What he wants to achieve is impossible for someone like him.'
Brianna giggled. 'You might be surprised. He may seem immature, but he is only a child. Children grow up. His skills will get better and one day, that determination might grow into true strength.'
"Brianna?" Ash noticed that the two of them were staring at each other.
"Your charzard is very strong. Keep that in mind when bringing it into a fight. I sense that it wants to battle opponents of equal strength or greater. It prefers to prove its strength. One day you might earn its respect." Brianna enlightened.
Ash locked eyes with hs charzard and it pointed its muzzle back to the cave roof. "Alright. Then I will earn your respect, Charzard, and become a trainer you can trust!" He tightened his fist in determination.
Shock filled Brock's features. "You got all of that just by looking at it?"
"No way…" Misty's mind was also blown.
"It doesn't take much to understand pokemon. There is always a reason for their behavior. As their trainer, it is your job to find out what that is." Brianna kept her calm, using truth to cover up what they almost witnessed. "Lead the way, Charzard."
Charzard led them through the cavern, but the spaces got tighter, and Charzard was becoming increasingly bigger than the tunnels.
Ash returned Charzard to his pokeball. "How are we going to see now?"
Brianna smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Ash. Have you forgotten, I have a ponyta?"
"Oh, right!" Ash's hope was reignited.
"Firelight, please help us out." Brianna released her ponyta from his pokeball.
Ponyta was only a few days old, so it stayed pretty close to Brianna.
Some markings on the walls started to glow in response, that were invisible before.
Brianna studied the markings. "It would seem that these markings only reveal themselves in the presence of blue light. That means they must have relied on moonstone to navigate these tunnels in the ancient past."
"Incredible." Misty stared at the many drawings on the walls with the others.
She saw a metal surface embedded in the walls around it. "I find all of this quite fascinating." Brianna placed her hand gently on a smooth surface and quickly knew what it was. "We need to leave, Now!"
"What? Why?"
The walls started to shake and crumble to the cave floor.
Brianna, Firelight and Roxy ran, but the others were caught in shock, observing the situation before following her lead.
A giant steel head broke apart from the rock, along with its steel body.
"That's a steelix!" Brock shouted as the whole cavern started to cave in.
"What did we do to make it mad?!" Misty cried out in panic.
"We disturbed it from its slumber." Brianna answered. A few giant rocks fell between Brianna and Roxy, dividing them up. Brianna circled around some of the falling rocks to make sure that she found them before they were buried. One big rock was falling towards Firelight and she had a decision to make. Save her ponyta, or get blocked in with the others. She tackled Firelight and the rock landed with a good portion of the pressure on her ankle. "Owgha!" It had her pinned down, without knowing the extent of damage to her foot.
Firelight tried his best to move it, but it only rolled further onto her leg.
"Stop! That's enough… Maybe you can get some help." Brianna tried to move it back to no avail. "Aghhh…" She pressed herself against the other boulders that boxed in her friends.
Firelight looked around and cried. Being only a few days old it would be too dangerous for him.
Brianna pulled out her pokeball and released Clover from it. "Clover, go with Firelight and find help!"
"Eeveeee!" Clover intended to go, but Firelight was too scared to leave Brianna's side.
"Clover will protect you. You will be fine."
Firelight shook her head in fear.
"Firelight, please. Clover can't see in the dark. She will need you to show her the way." Brianna encouraged.
Firelight teared up. It was a lot of pressure to ask of a pokemon that was fresh from the hatchery.
"Alright… you can stay here… Someone should come through here soon…" Brianna felt the numb sensation filling her leg, but pushed the fears down. "It will be alright…"
"Looks like our luck has finally changed." A voice came off the walls.
Brianna looked around, feeling disoriented being seperated from Roxy. "Can you help me? My foot is stuck under this boulder!"
"We are here to help someone." Jessie stepped out from the rocky wall. "And it is going to be helping me to that gorgeous ponyta."
Brianna filled with fear. "You won't take her! Clover, use quick attack!"
Clover ran into Meowth, but Meowth used the momentum against her and tossed her to the side.
Jessie and James both released their pokemon from their pokeballs. "Ekans, take care of that little rat!"
"Weezing, smokescreen!"
Jessie threw her fireproof rope around Firelight and dragged her out while the smokescreen filled the whole cave.
Brianna was choking on it. The smokescreen continued to fill the area and didn't disperse for a short while.
It cleared enough to breathe, but the darkness filled every corner of the cavern. "Clover! Clover!" Brianna cried out, but there was no response. She pulled on her leg harder but she couldn't free it.
Ash, Brock, and Misty with her Togepi sat in the cave waiting for the dust to clear.
"What now?" Misty cried. "It's pitch black and we don't know if Brianna made it out."
"What about Pikachu?" Ash had previously called Pikachu's name many times, but still no response.
The dust finally settled, revealing a little crack in the top of the cave. It shed very little light, but provided some hope as to an exit.
"Onix! We need you now!" Brock tossed his pokeball, calling forth his onix. "Break a hole in the roof and get us out of here!"
Onix roared and burrowed through the crack, causing the rest of the rock to crumble. The light filled the cave, but only this section of it.
"Now we can see." Brock and the other's turned to the piles of rocks that closed them in. "We need everyone's help to get through here." Brock let out all of his pokemon and the others did as well.
With everyone helping, they were bound to get through eventually, hopefully they wouldn't be too late. As some were cleared, more rocks filled in their empty slots.
"Maybe Onix can burrow through it." Misty suggested to Brock.
"The rock here is too tough. Only a steelix could get through this." Brock heard the sound of Steelix as if on cue. "It's coming from down that tunnel." Brock pointed down the second tunnel in the dome they were blocked in.
"I've got an idea."
"Oh no you don't. If that steelix comes back here, it could squash us and everyone else on the other side." Misty protested.
"But if we don't do something soon, Brianna might be in real trouble." Brock defended.
"OHhhhh, I hope you know what you're doing." Misty grumbled before going along with their plan.
Pikachu and Roxy managed to burrow through the ground, and made it to the cliff of the mountain. Roxy had taken the form of Arcainine to get through.
Pikachu took one look at Roxy and surprise and shock took over. Pikachu wiped its eyes, thinking it was seeing things.
Roxy changed back to vulpix and Pikachu removed its paws from its eyes to see vulpix. Pikachu was even more confused, but shook it off for there were more pressing matters to attend to.
"PIKA PIII!" Pikachu called out to his friend from a greater height. Its voice carried through the wind and echo'd through the mountains.
Roxy scanned its surroundings and noticed a flash of blue light. She honed in on it, but they were too far away to tell. She turned into pidgeot and accepted Pikachu on its back.
Pikachu was now aware that it hadn't imagined the transformation.
Roxy flew down the mountain range until they were close enough to see what caused the blue flash.
Brianna was still alone in the cave and she worried more about the others than herself. She reached over and pulled some rocks, closer to herself that she thought she could use to prop up the big boulder, but the more sure moved, the more pain shot up her leg. The rocks provided no leverage, but she wasn't about to give up. If she wasn't careful, moving around too much could result in breaking her ankle. "Roxy… wwhere are you…? I need you. Protect Firelight… he's been taken by Team Rocket. Please hurry."
Roxy flew down towards Team Rocket's camp, that was hidden only slightly by a few rigid edges of rock and a couple misplaced trees. 'I found Firelight. I will protect her and then come find you.'
Brianna relaxed back on the ground floor, relieved that Roxy was alright and would rescue her ponyta.
"Hey, are you alright?!" A voice came through the cold darkness and this voice was accompanied by a small torch. The light drew closer and she could see a young man hastening over to her side.
"I'm so glad to see you. My ankle is stuck under this boulder. It won't budge." Brianna felt relief upon seeing him.
He tried to move it, but the position of it caused it to shift and it slid again, now further on her foot.
She cried out in pain.
"Sorry." He stood up straight. "Machop, remove the boulder off her foot!" He tossed his pokeball and a machop appeared in the cavern void. Machop picked it up with ease and the man pulled her out from under the boulder. Machop dropped the boulder again.
Brianna pulled herself up, but couldn't put any pressure on her one ankle. It was definitely sprained, that she noticed immediately. "Some friends of mine are on the other side of this cave in. Would you help me find them and make sure they are alright?"
"Sure." The man turned to his machop. "Clear away all those boulders."
Machop removed a few boulders, but found the end of his strength with the boulder that was so large and holding it all in place. The machop pulled and pushed to no avail. It gave one strong push, and kept pushing till finally a bright flash filled the tunnel and machoke was left in its wake. Machoke pushed the boulder through and the rest of the rock wall collapsed.
Ash and his friends were running for the wall, but it came down. They saw Brianna and another man with her. This was definitely a bad idea. "RUN!"
Steelix was hot on their tail.
Unable to run with her sprain, she just dodged the angry hunk of steel, and fell on her ankle. "Oww!"
The others kept running, along with the man joining them in the retreat.
Pikachu jumped off of Roxy's back in midair about the enemy camp and used thunderbolt on Team Rocket.
Firelight was tied to a tree and crying for help. Clover was in a cage of her own, being coddled by Jessie before the electricity got a hold of her.
Clover tackled the cage and it fell out of Jessie's grasp as the electrecution filled her body.
Roxy dove towards the cage and used sky attack on the cage. Clover sprung into action and chewed through the fireproof rope keeping ponyta restrained.
Roxy took her place in between them and Team Rocket.
Jessie, James and Meowth recovered just in time to get a whirlwind in the face, tossing them to the sky.
Roxy observed the rocky cliffs. Knowing that ponyta couldn't make it down on his own and his hooves would make it impossible for him to hold on if she tried to fly them out of here, she tried to reach Brianna with telepathy. 'Come find us. I will guide you.'
Brianna's voice came through her mind. 'I won't be able to reach you in my current state. That's alright. You can come to me. I will show you where I am.'
'But Firelight-'
'-will be fine. Don't forget, a psychic form enables you to use teleport. I will meet you all at the pokemon center in Vermillian City. Good luck. I know you will all be alright as long as you stay together.'
Roxy changed into abra, quickly using teleport on those with her.
Brianna looked around through the crisp darkened air, studying for any shadows and shapes. Something that would give her hint to what direction she could take. Going back wasn't a good option. 'Pikachu must know Roxy can transform by now. Since I am the only human, I know, that can communicate with pokemon, our secret should still be safe.'
A bright flash got her attention and moments later she was standing in front of the pokemon center in Vermillian City.
Pikachu, Clover and Firelight all ran over to greet her.
She was greatly relieved to see that everyone was alright. It did take her eyes a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight, but the town came into view. The salty air welcomed her, assuring her that she was at the port town. Her attention turned briefly to the ocean and then the docks. "Looks like we made it." Brianna took a deep cleansing breath and Roxy jumped back onto her shoulders as a vulpix. 'That was way too careless… someone could have seen you transform. If anyone knew what you were, you would be hunted just like that Mewtwo in the articles…'
"Vuullll…" Roxy cried.
`There will be times when you can be yourself. There is no way of knowing who we can trust with our secret… Even Ash and his friends could be greedy for power when given the chance. Please be more careful.' Brianna advised.
Pikachu locked pleading eyes with Roxy. "Pikaaa!"
Brianna kneeled down to Pikachu's level. "I'm sorry, Pikachu, but this needs to be our little secret. No one can know about Roxy. Can I count on you?"
Pikachu nodded. 'But with teleport… Ash would be here with us too.'
Brianna released a sigh. "Not quite. Roxy would need to connect with Ash's heart to find him in those caves."
Pikachu's fur stood up on edge. 'Did you just understand me?'
Brianna nodded with a smile. "Don't tell anyone. People might think I'm crazy."
'I don't think so! I bet Ash would think it's awesome!' Pikachu cheered.
"You seem to know your trainer well. I can see the strong bond you two share. It is something special." Brianna stood up tall and turned towards the pokemon center. "I need to get off my ankle. Let's rest for a bit, just until Ash and the others catch up. I will find the ferry schedules too."
Clover sat down, looking lost in depression.
Brianna sensed her feelings and took her side. "What's wrong, Clover?"
'I tried… but I'm not very strong… I couldn't protect myself…' Clover whined.
"You did a good job. You tried."
'I should have been better!' Clover jumped to her paws and defended. 'Brianna… I want to be stronger, like Pikachu! No even stronger than Pikachu!'
"What you lack in strength you make up for in agility and intellect."
'I wanna be strong too! Teresa was wrong! I'm not just good for cuddling on a couch! I will protect you.'
Brianna was surprised. She had no idea this was how Clover felt. Thinking back on her time with Clover, she was always watching her back. 'Clover…' She turned to ponyta and then Roxy. "Alright. Then we will train… all of us."
Clover cheered in excitement. Being around the police pokemon and watching her train with Roxy tirelessly at the station, Clover desired to be stronger too.
Pikachu took a position across the courtyard and challenged Clover to a battle.
Clover sprung into position.
Brianna didn't have to use telepathy to read the situation. It was clear what Pikachu was offering. "Alright, Pikachu will be our opponent."
"Pika!" Pikachu started with a thunderbolt.
'Dodge it. Remember speed is the best defense.' Brianna instructed.
Clover dodged it with ease.
Pikachu used quick attack next.
Clover was very light on her paws since the academy and outran Pikachu. It wasn't running that Clover wanted to improve.
'Alright, Clover, use take down.'
Clover rushed towards Pikachu and smashed right into it, sending it flying across the stone court.
Pikachu regained its stance, just in time to be rushed by a quick attack. Pikachu sparked at its cheeks.
"Hey! Pikachu!" Ash's voice came around the corner of the city street.
"And there is Brianna!" Brock announced.
"Glad to see you are all okay." Misty and her togepi chimed.
Brianna stopped her battle and Clover bounded into her arms. "I had faith in your arrival."
"I was so worried that you would be lost and need me to come save you. But I should never underestimate the strength of your beauty." Brock held her hand tenderly.
"I believe beauty doesn't help in our situation. I am relieved to see you too." Brianna played it off.
Brock straightened out.
"We should probably find the ferry schedule and a place to stay for the night." Ash suggested.
Brianna chose to follow them, but the pain shot up her ankle and she cringed stiffly.
"Oh no. Brianna's hurt." Misty declared in realization.
The other two were shocked.
"It's alright. It's just a sprain. I'll be fine." Brianna assured them.
"Still, you should rest it." Ash insisted.
Brianna chuckled, seeing as Ash felt the need to tell her that. "I will do that."
Brianna entered the pokemon center with Ash and his friends, taking the pokemon to Nurse Joy for treatment.
Nurse Joy greeted them and turned to Brianna. "I see you left Viridian City. Where are you going to, next?"
The three friends looked at Brianna with shock. "Wait, you know each other?!"
Brianna was not sure of anything, but like she knew to do in the past, act as if she never forgot them. "Yes. We have had dealings in the past." Brianna gazed at Roxy for confirmation. 'Right?'
"Vul!" Roxy confirmed with cheer and jumped from Brianna's shoulder and landed gracefully on the counter.
"I see Roxy is in perfect health." Nurse Joy observed.
Brianna knew that if Nurse Joy knew Roxy's name then they definitely crossed paths before. "As always, I take pokemon care very seriously."
"I know. You were always top in our class."
"What class was that?" Brock pressed. "Maybe I could join?"
"You're training to be a pokemon breeder. Those classes wouldn't bring you any closer to achieving your goals." Brianna informed.
"I would gladly be in any classes that Nurse Joy is attending!" Brock announced with his eyes sparkling.
Brianna giggled. "Alright. I'm sure we could get you all signed up."
"Brock, we are going to Cinnabar Island, remember?" Ash pointed out.
"Right…" Brock looked defeated.
"Cheer up, Brock. You have your whole life ahead of you." Brianna encouraged.
That put the energy back in Brock's disposition. "That's right. I do. I will make a girl fall in love with me, if it is the last thing I do."
"Okay, then." Brianna chuckled and turned back to Nurse Joy. "would you please have a look at these pokemon?"
"Of course." Nurse Joy observed Brianna limp away from the counter as she collected the pokeballs from Brianna's companions. "What about your ankle? It looks injured. I have some ointment you can put on it. That should help."
"Thank you, Nurse Joy. That will help me a lot." Brianna picked up the tube of ointment that Joy placed on the counter. She sat down on the bench that lined the white windowsill and spread the gell over her exposed ankle. "We should all get some rest tonight. It seems that the ferry will be leaving in the morning."
Next morning came with cries of the wingull. The sound of the ocean tide pulling the waves up to the breakers, welcomed them as they approached the large luxury vessel docked at the end of the pier.
"We are going on that?!" Ash was stunned. "It's even bigger than the S.S. Anne."
"It won't be like last time. Team Rocket isn't here to give us free tickets." Brock reasoned.
"How will we afford it?" Misty complained.
"Your last experience on a ship didn't go so well?" Biranna figured.
"You could say that." Brock checked his pockets for money, to find he was almost broke.
"Last time, Team Rocket caused a ruckus and then the boat sank." Misty complained.
Roxy and Clover were already bounding towards the ship with Pikachu right behind them.
'Could they be the same people that tried to steal Firelight?' Brianna wondered.
Brock played with his nearly empty pockets. "It doesn't matter anyway. We couldn't afford to board this ship, even if we wanted to."
"That's alright, Brock, I've got that covered." Brianna retrieved four tickets from her handbag.
"Wow! Thank you so much, Brianna!" Ash claimed his, immediately.
"Wow, really?" Misty hesitated.
"Yes."
"Thanks, Brianna!" Brock took her hand and claimed his. "We will go on this cruise together."
"Duh." Misty ditched Brock and followed Ash towards the ship.
Everyone was aboard and ready to go.
Down below there were tables set up nicely and live entertainment.
"It's so fancy."
"Let's eat." Ash chose a table for them and the others joined him around the table.
A jigglypuff from the crowd saw the stage and imagined singing in front of everyone. It jumped up to the mic while the musicians were setting up and she started to sing.
"No! Wait! Not jigglypuff!" Ash cried while his eyes grew heavy.
"And I was just about to enjoy this…" Misty slowly fell into a deep slumber and her face planted on the mashed potatoes and steak on her plate.
The crash of a few bodies and silver platters rang through the dining hall, and the food dressed the floor with gravy, beverages and appetizers.
Brianna had fallen asleep sitting up, but Brock and Ash both joined in the food mash facials.
"Mommy! Jack!" Brianna lived the flaming events out in yet another nightmare and she rose with an upstart.
It took her a few moments to clear her head of the memories that couldn't be shaken for very long. Her focus turned to the room around her and she saw a large mess of disrupted table settings, passed out passengers and food going to waste, with everything in the room as its canvas. The faces of each individual were drawn on like a preschooler got ahold of a felt pen. "Oh my… Jigglypuff…"
Brianna scooped Roxy in her arms, still passed out, having sweet dreams. She recalled her eevee into her pokeball and felt the emotions of her nighterror resurface. 'That's something, I wish I could forget…'
She excused herself from the room, accepting the inevitable situation that the other passengers would find themselves in upon waking up. She leaned over the railing, feeling the breeze running through her long, thick, lavender hair. Smelling the rich salty air and hearing the sounds of a wailmer pod launching out of the water, quite a distance away. The ocean waves were mostly settled causing the surface to glisten like glass and sparkle with the rays of sunlight reflecting off of it. Even that couldn't bring her enough comfort to shake off the fright.
She clasped the locket in her hand, wishing she could just remember what they were like.
Roxy stirred in her arms and then she looked up towards her trainer. 'What's wrong?'
'Same as every night… Why can I remember that night like it happened yesterday and not even know who my parents were?' Brianna looked out to the horizon. 'Everything is hazy… like I should know them and I am so close to remembering them… but they won't come to my mind.'
'Maybe… you should let it go?' Roxy placed her paw on Brianna's hand. 'You are who you are today because of the person you chose to be. Remembering them won't change anything.'
Brianna blinked a couple times. "You mean I should just forget them?"
"Vul!" Roxy nodded.
'I think deep down in my heart… I do know the people I've met. Like it is familiar somehow. I can't really explain it.' Brianna turned around and leaned back against the railing. 'Maybe that is enough.'
"Vul!" Roxy jumped down onto the deck and ran around playfully. 'We are on a cruise ship.'
Brianna released both of her pokemon from their pokeballs. "Have fun."
Clover chased after Roxy and Firelight did the same. Clover tackled Rxoy and the two of them rolled around, nipping at each other's ears. Firelight started to run around, kicking and rearing like a young colt.
Brianna leaned against the side and relaxed. The pain she had felt in her foot just yesterday had almost completely faded.
"There you are. We were looking for you." Ash's voice came from behind her.
"Sleep well." She smiled sincerely.
Ash felt kinda sheepish. "Yeah… I guess so. Jigglypuff is always trying to take the spotlight. It's too bad that there isn't anyone who can stay awake long enough to hear her whole performance. I kinda feel bad for it."
"It's too early to give up on that pursuit. The world is full of pokemon that are so diverse. Their abilities are equally unique. I know somewhere there is a pokemon who will appreciate Jigglypuff's talents."
"You really think so?" Ash smiled widely. The squiggles all over his face made it hard to take him seriously.
Brianna handed him the same kind of wash cloth she used to clean off the markings on her own face.
Ash accepted it and wiped off the impressions of Jigglypuff. "I hear we will be docking at any moment. It's a shame we didn't get to enjoy the buffet and entertainment planned for the trip."
"You can thank Jigglypuff for making the time go faster." Brianna chuckled.
"That's so true."
"Pika!" It was in agreement.
The sound of the other guests approached the halls of the top deck.
Brianna recalled her ponyta to its pokeball.
Clover and Roxy were still somewhere on the ship, probably playing like children.
Land came into view at the prow of the ship.
"We're here." Brianna smiled warmly. "What are your plans when we dock?"
"I'm heading straight for the Cinnabar Gym." Ash spoke in full confidence. "I have to win my Volcano Badge."
"Good luck."
"Why don't you come watch, Brianna? It'll be fun."
"Sure."
The group walked through the markets of Cinnabar Island, but with Ash's determination to battle the gym first, they ignored the fancy merchandise.
They reached the the center of the city to find a large volcano shaped building. Inside they found lava streams lining the halls and large boulders blocking the paths.
"Looks like we need to climb these rocks to get there." Brock began his ascent.
"None of the other gyms required physical activity before a match." Ash complained.
"It must be a test to ensure that only trainers that are serious about battling challenge the gym leader." Brianna climbed the rocks with ease.
Ash rushed up the rocks after Brianna. "There's no way you're beating me!"
"I think Ash just evolved into Primeape." Misty snarked. "You just tell me how it goes, Ash."
Ash stopped for a moment. "You aren't coming to watch?"
"Climbing isn't really my thing." Misty cringed at the rocky slope getting steeper up the side.
"Come on, Misty!" Ash pleaded.
"PIkachu!" Pikachu begged as well.
"Alright. Fine. But I am doing this for Pikachu! Just remember that!" Misty started to climb too.
Brianna now waited on the top of the volcano's edge. On the other side, there was a winding staircase without any stairs carved into it. Over the edge of the winding ledge, you could feel the intense steam rising and see the flaming lava at the bottom, if you managed to keep your eyes open. 'Looks like they built this gym right over a volcano… Not a good idea if it ever erupts.'
Ash made it to the top, but he was exhausted, laying hunched over the other side. "We have to go down there? Aw man…"
Brock helped Misty get up too, but they were equally tired.
Ash observed Brianna for a moment. "How are you not tired?"
"A daily dosage of physical activity keeps the body fit." Brianna could only assume that was the reason. Asking Roxy to remind her of things she would likely forget again, was a waste of Roxy's energy.
"Yeah, Ash. Maybe you should work out more and give your pokemon a break." Misty teased.
Once everyone was ready, they followed the slopes till they were at the bottom ledge, just above the magma pit. There was a rockbridge to the other side and when they crossed it, there was an arch, dividing them from an incredible magma and rock battle stadium and the winding staircase.
As they walked past a couple torches, they lit and created a flaming atmosphere.
There were two ledges that guided the audience to their places. The rocks carved for seating was raised above the battlefield so they could observe the fight without feeling as much heat as the challenger.
Ash stepped towards the field. "Excuse me! I'm Ash Ketchem and I am here to challenge you to a battle!" He looked around to see if anyone was around.
"Ash Ketchem, I accept your challenge." A young woman's voice echo'd off the walls of the volcano.
Ash looked up to see a ledge that was high above the stadium and there stood a woman with blonde hair dyed with red tips pulled back in ponytails, reminding Ash of two fireballs. She jumped down and landed gracefully on her side of the stadium.
She wore a short, white skirt that had the bottom hem lined with flames and as she spun around, it looked like actual flames were claiming the skirt. Paired with a red and white baseball t-shirt, bearing the emblem of fire, the look was complete.
"I am Teresa, leader of the fire gym. Let's see what you're made of."
Brianna was overcome with shock. 'Could it be?! Is that… my sister?!'
Roxy focussed on Teresa and then jumped up from her spot. 'It is her! It's Teresa!'
Brianna could only stare, not sure what she was going to say to her after however long they had been apart.
Ash called on his Pikachu to start things off.
"The rules are simple. We will have a double battle. When both pokemon on either side are unable to battle, the other trainer wins!" The referrie announced.
"A double battle?" Ash wasn't prepared for this.
Teresa pulled out two pokeballs. "Flareon! Ninetails! Time to shine!"
After a gentle toss, the two pokemon to emerge were Ninetails and Flareon.
Ash took out his nextt pokemon. "Alright… then I choose you, Squirtle!"
"Who knew that they would require Ash to battle with two pokemon at once." Brock watched with anticipation.
Brianna could only watch and she felt something familiar about that flareon.
'Eevee!' Roxy cheered.
Ash prepared his strategy.
"You may have the first move." Teresa offered.
"Alright, Squirtle, use your water gun and Pikachu, use quick attack!"
"Counter with a double flamewheel!"
Squirtle blasted water towards Ninetails, but Ninetails spun around in her flamewheel and combined with Flareon's flamewheel, they both slammed into Pikachu.
"Ninetails, use confuse ray! Flareon, use flamecharge!"
Ash panicked. "Squirtle, withdrawl!"
Ninetails used confuse ray on Pikachu as it was still recovering from the last hit. Pikachu used its thunderbolt striking its surroundings and a straying bolt struck squirtle.
"Pikachu! Squirtle!" Ash called out to his pokemon. Ash looked around, but he couldn't see Flareon anywhere.
"Ninetails, firespin!"
Ash called out to his pokemon to dodge Nintails' firespin, but then he was confused when he discovered it was aimed at either of his pokemon.
Out of nowhere, from the magma, Flareon jumped behind Pikachu and Squirtle, using flame charge, with a spinning flaming oat given to her by Ninetails' firespin, she blasted both of them off the battlefield and the two of them fell towards the magma.
"Pikachu! Squirtle!" Ash cried out desperately.
Flareon and Ninetails caught them before they touched the magma.
"Ash's pokemon are unable to battle! Teresa is the winner!" The referrie announced.
Teresa recalled her pokemon to their pokeballs.
"You both did your best. You should rest now. You deserved it." Ash comforted them and recalled his squirtle from the battlefield.
Pikachu was still a bit confused and struggling. Pikachu used thunderbolt on Ash.
"Snap out of it! Pikachu!" Ash took the hit and kept holding Pikachu.
Pikachu blinked a few times and calmed down. "Pika… pi?"
"Yeah, I'm alright."
Teresa approached him. "You need to learn to coordinate with your pokemon. Things are much more challenging when you have to work with two pokemon at once."
"I want a rematch!" Ash cried.
"You should let your pokemon rest first, train harder and no doubt, we will have that rematch." Teresa encouraged.
"Ash!" Misty and Brock both joined their friend.
Brianna still waited at her seat.
'What are you waiting for?' Roxy asked her.
'She left me… all this time I had wondered why… I still don't know what happened. What would I even say to her?'
'What about, Hi?' Roxy smiled warmly.
Brianna built up the courage and joined the others on the battlefield.
Teresa froze at seeing her. "Wait… Bri?" She saw the vulpix on her shoulder and that only confirmed it. "I never thought you would ever come here. It's really good to see you."
"You know each other?!" Ash and the others gasped.
"Teresa is my… sister." Brianna explained.
Brock burst. "What?"
"You never told us your sister was the leader of this gym." Ash pressed.
"That's because until now… I had no idea." Brianna clarified.
Teresa released her breath. "Sorry about that. I meant to tell you."
Brianna tried to relax.
"Bri, why don't you and I have a battle?" Teresa suggested. "I would like to see how your battle style has developed."
"Yeah, come on, Brianna. I haven't seen you battle yet." Ash and his friends encouraged.
"I do not wish to battle you at this time, Teresa."
"Very well." Teresa hid her disappointment. "Allow me to treat you to lunch."
"Yes, please." The others chimed.
Brock stepped forward and took Teresa's hand. "I would love to go out for lunch with you, as long as you agree to go out for lunch with me."
"Alright… sure." Teresa was a bit uneasy by the gesture.
"Thank you. You won't regret it." Brock cheered happily.
"But you will." Misty dragged Brock away by his ear.
Teresa smiled at Brianna, but was only returned with confusion.
Teresa guided them to a very nice restaurant in the center of the city. Everything was top of the line and the food was served as a buffet. Most of the people who dined here were dressed very well, but being the gym leader, they paid no mind to the attire of her company. "I want to hear all about what you have been doing since I've been gone."
"There's not much to tell, honestly." Brianna already forgot everyone and everything from wherever she came from.
"I doubt that." Teresa sighed. "You had so many dreams. So many things you wanted to do. You can't tell me you didn't pursuit even one of them."
"She is a pokemon breeder. Her rapidash and tauros are the best I've ever seen." Brock bragged a little on Brianna's behalf.
"I see. You rebuilt the ranch. Mother would be so proud of you."
"There is something else she has been working on. She calls it the shiny charm." Ash added to the portfolio. "I can't believe you wouldn't want to share that with your own sister."
"Shiny charm? What does it do?" Teresa grew curious.
"It makes it easier to breed pokemon of a variant color." Brianna briefly explained.
"Does it work?"
"I believe so. It is hardly conclusive at this point."
"Still, what an amazing discovery. You took after dad after all."
"And you took after mom."
"Dad always had a passion for a good mystery, and mom loved pokemon."
'So that's what they were like…' Brianna imagined them in her mind based on the pictures she carried in her pocket.
"I think you took after them both." Brock pointed out. "I can see you care deeply for pokemon, Brianna."
"You might be right about that." Teresa stood up with a plate. "Shall we get something to eat?"
"Yeah, I'm starving!" Ash quickly followed them.
They approached the buffet, took their plates and sampled everything available on their plate. Once they took their seats, they started to chow down… everyone except for Brianna.
All this time, her sister was off on some adventure. All she knew was that her sister had abandoned her. She didn't remember why and it was troubling.
Brock noticed this. "Brianna, aren't you hungry? You barely touched anything on your plate."
Brianna stood up. "I don't have much of an appetite. You all enjoy. I think I will make preparations for tomorrow."
"Vul?" Roxy could sense her unsettled feelings, but didn't understand them.
'Whether I remember her or not… my feelings are still real. Somehow I know in my heart what she did.' Brianna walked out of the restaurant and made her way towards the ocean. Roxy followed her close and then she saw the waves washing up on the beach as they got closer. She turned into an eevee, dashed right for them and she started to play with them.
Brianna felt lighter watching Roxy play. Her playful spirit always calmed Brianna down.
She heard the sound of crushing the sand underneath someone's feet and she didn't need to use any psychic powers to figure it out either.
"Bri…"
"It's so peaceful here." Brianna always chose to be strong and not let on that anything was bothering her, but she couldn't really hide it from a sibling.
"This is about my journey… isn't it?"
Brianna decided it was time to let her know what she was feeling. "You abandoned me. How could you do something like that?" Beating around it wasn't going to work this time.
"In a way… I can understand you might feel that way." Teresa remained calm as if she had prepared for this conversation. "I was scared and confused… You didn't need me to make you feel worse. I wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. I knew leaving might hurt, but I hoped one day you might understand. It was selfish, but I had my whole life ahead of me and I wasn't ready to let go of my dreams." Teresa finally got the courage to face Brianna and so she walked around her, till she could see Brianna's expression. "I will never stop loving my little sister. I promise, I never forgot you once. I suppose the reason I stayed away was because of how bad I felt for leaving."
"You were just a child… It doesn't matter anymore." Brianna cried. 'I don't remember my past anyways… she may as well have made the most of hers.'
"You are very mature for your age. I suppose tough childhoods will do that to you."
"Maybe."
Teresa changed the subject before things continued towards harder feelings. "So what's this I hear about tomorrow? You are leaving Kanto?"
"I am pursuing science and discovery. Once I enter my research to the society, I will receive access to the plethera of knowledge they possess and land a position in the Science Society."
"That's intense. You are really doing it." Teresa smiled knowingly. "Are you sure that is really what you want to do?"
"What?" Brianna was surprised by that comment.
"Is it really your passion… to be in a labratory?... for the rest of your life?"
"I-I don't know… I have pursuited many things, but I am not really sure I have discovered what I want. I do possess a passion for inventing and research. That is just the next thing for me. What I discover along the way, may cause my true passion to surface."
"And maybe you have already found it. Only time will tell." Teresa chuckled and looked out to the horizon. "It's hard to believe we're sisters. I've always known what I wanted to do with my life. Travel the world and train hard. Maybe someday I can take my spot in the elite four." She locked eyes with Brianna. "Just don't waste your life looking for your sweet spot. If you enjoy doing a little bit of everything, then do it. Life is short and you should make the most of it."
"Great sisterly advice." Brianna smiled. "Maybe I will."
"Now for someone with a passion for discovery, that was a very weak explanation you gave me earlier about your special project."
"You want to hear about the shiny charm?" Brianna smiled warmly in surprise.
"I would."
Brianna began to explain all the different details.
"I don't think I understood most of that, to be honest. But I can tell you really know your stuff."
"Why don't I just show you." Brianna pulled out her pokeball and released the baby ponyta from its pokeball. "This is Firelight."
Teresa instantly became infactuated with his blue flames. "Amazing! Ponyta looks absolutely brilliant in its blue veil. And blue flames are nearly ten times hotter than red flames. What a punch."
"You know the flamescale?" Brianna grew even more shocked.
"I know my flames. I'm a fire type gym leader after all. I specialize in everything to do with fire."
"I'm impressed." Brianna pat Firelight's muzzle.
"I suppose this little one still needs to learn fire control." Teresa caressed the side of Ponyta's muzzle.
Firelight whinnied in delight.
"Until he learns to control the fire's intensity, I am not comfortable using any of his fire type moves."
"I understand. Flames like this would melt metal without even touching it. I wouldn't even want to know what it would do to the human skin or the skin of the pokemon."
"The only reason why we can touch him is because his flames haven't fully developed yet."
"Don't forget forest fires. Raising this little cutie is going to be a fulltime job."
"Something tells me that you would love that challenge."
Teresa didn't hold back her laughter. "True, but such a special pokemon needs a special trainer. Besides, if I brought it into my gym, the volcano would erupt."
"I have a few ideas on how to teach him to control its heat."
"I sure hope so."
Morning came and Teresa, Ash and the others watched as Brianna and Roxy boarded the ship bound for Sinnoh. It promised to be a long trip ahead but she was ready for it. A couple of goodbyes from friends and she was on her way. She made her way to the back of the vessel and watched as the town slowly disappeared from sight, fully consumed by the vast ocean on the horizon.
Brianna released Clover from her pokeball and the two pokepals made a dash around playing with everything they could find. She let out Firelight and he ran to the front deck and allowed the breeze to fill his mane. The flames got stronger as the wind blew through them. "Firelight… We need to start training. That fire is getting hotter every day. If you don't learn to control it, it will hurt and destroy everything around you."
Firelight returned to her side. Like she had warned, just being near Firelight felt like she had her face sitting just above a bonfire.
"Let's work towards controlling the intensity of your mane and tail before working on your moves."
Roxy returned, noticing her friend needed her.
'Roxy, please help Firelight contain his flames until he is ready to do it for himself.'
The wind from the ocean currents picked up Firelight's mane and the combustion became intense.
"Firelight, focus on cooling yourself down!" Brianna started to worry. 'Out here with all these wind currents, we could be personally responsible for burning down this ship. Roxy change to a water type form and use water gun on Firelight. Bring down his blaze.'
Roxy changed into a vaporeon and blew water straight towards Firelight. The water evaporated just before touching her and a powerful mist filled the air. Soon a fog built up and they couldn't see the ocean from the deck.
Firelight's flames became stronger, like the wind was feeding them. The ship started to rock and Firelight lost his footing and fell to his knees. The flames on its shoulders started to burn holes into the deck.
'We should have stayed below deck. If I bring him down now, he will burn through the hull and if I recall him to his pokeball, he will melt through it.' Brianna concluded.
Blue flames caught on deck and started to spread rapidly.
'The passengers are in danger! The longer we stay, the worse this will get!' Brianna turned to Roxy. "Use safeguard on the ship and then use Hydro pump!"
A few people stepped towards the deck, seeing the blue blaze taking off. "Ahhh! What's going on?! We're going to drown!"
Roxy jumped in front of them and used safeguard and the blue flames bounced off of it. Roxy was shifting the safeguard to the whole vessel. Then she used her hydro pump on the ocean water, causing a huge wave to slam the ship's deck. The fire was out, and briefly cooled the ponyta down a little.
Brianna realized that there wasn't enough time to teach Firelight to control his flames before he would put all their lives in jeopardy. Brianna panicked and recalled ponyta to his pokeball but the pokeball became too hot to stand. The waves hit the side of the ship and knocked her pokeball into the waves.
Horror painted her features. "Firelight!" She climbed up onto the railings.
"NO! Get down from there!" One of the sailors called out.
Clover heard the commotion and came running over, dropping the bouncy ball it was playing with.
Brianna dove into the growing waves, Roxy came right behind and launched itself in with her.
Clover quickly snuck between the chaos of sailors trying to rescue the woman overboard. 'Wait for me!' She bounded off the ledge, just before one of the sailors could stop her.
"Man Overboard! Man Overboard!" One of the sailors called, suddenly turning around to see the devastation left by the fires from ponyta.
Roxy swam back for Clover, before she drowned. They rose to the surface and pretty soon were dragged back to the ship. 'It's alright… this time, Brianna and Firelight need to work this out.
Brianna swam down to the bottom of the ocean and fetched the pokeball. It wasn't hot like before. It was deeply surprising how long she had already held her breath, but it was too late to swim back to the surface.
"Go Mantine!" The captain released it from his pokeball.
The mantaray pokemon appeared in the ocean.
"Mantine! Man overboard!" The captain called and his mantine knew just what to do. It dove down to the depths, searching for the drowning victim.
Brianna's lungs filled with water and her eyes started to close. There was a large shadow approaching and she didn't have the strength to fight it and it dragged her away.
Roxy and Clover waited on the boat, hoping that mantine would return to the surface with Brianna. The mist was still descending on them and the boat had finally come to a stand still, besides the occasional pounding of the waves.
'Brianna!' Roxy called out to her, but she couldn't connect with her telepathically as normal. 'Something is wrong. I can't sense her out there.'
A dark shadow rose to the surface. The water pulled back, allowing the creature to jump out at impressive speeds. It was mantine. It had returned, but it wasn't accompanied by anyone. THis search and rescue had failed.
The people started to panic.
Roxy filled with determination to search, but a sailor quickly restrained it.
A heaviness fell on the crew and passengers after mantine once again returned without the drowning victim.
It was too late. It became clear to everyone that the female passenger didn't make it.
Clover and Roxy started to cry.
The storm became even more intense and the passengers took cover below deck. The sky flashed, with an enormass rumbling to follow. The waves crashed against the hull and pushed the ship off course.
The sun shown on the warm sand and the sound of the peaceful waves crashing on the beach, brought the most calming feeling to Brianna as she awoke. Her hand still clasped around the pokeball she sacrificed herself for.
A cheerful sound broke the peaceful silence.
Brianna's eyes slid open and the light almost blinded her. As her eyes came into focus, she saw a Lapras pod in the bay, but one lapras in particular was hovering over her, making sure she was alright.
"You saved my life. Thank you." Brianna focussed closely to lapras' feelings and built a connection with its heart.
'You would drown trying to save a pokemon.' Lapras commented in relief.
"Yes. I care about every pokemon I meet." Brianna reached out and caressed its muzzle.
One of the other lapras cried out in aggression. Brianna could sense the distrust the rest of the lapras had for humans and currently, her. So why did this one save her?
She cautiously got to her feet and had a look at her surroundings. At first glance she could tell it was an island and the obvious look of it, gave her the idea that this island has been undisturbed by human existence. A quick look out to sea, gave her the impression that she was a long way from any other land mass. The ship wasn't even in view suggesting help was most likely not coming. Without human interaction, the island held a certain appeal. The pokemon were very happy here. The island was deceptively large and the bay was closed off, except for one little opening at the end of the cove.
Many pokemon gathered around, like they had never seen a human before. There were a very unique variety of pokemon benefitting from the seclusion.
A tropius flew over the beach with a few of its friends, landing just on the other side. Riolu stopped their play to check her out for themselves. There were shinx and their evolutions, pancham and kirlia. The chatot in the trees were singing a beautiful toon. Many trees hosted the harvest of pineaps while holding their lush palm tree fronds in the air proudly. Among them hid several exeggutor.
The middle of the island rose high all the way to the top of a volcano and it looked like it was ready to erupt.
The urgency of the situation increased dramatically.
This wasn't just a rescue, it was a cry for help! The lapras must have sensed the islandls destruction and resorted to finding human help.
Many of the pokemon were getting increasingly anxious as the top started to blow. What was peaceful only a moment ago was being filled with devastation and panic.
"You wanted my help. I understand. But why find a human if you don't trust them?"
Lapras whined. "The lapras here have been terrorized by pirates. But I know not all humans are bad. I travelled all over Johto with a human.'
"I will help you, but I will need your help too."
'My pod is ready to do whatever it takes.'
Brianna turned to the forest pokemon now gathering at the shores for a completely different reason. "Listen up, everyone! This volcano is getting ready to blow its top. This island is no longer safe for you! Everyone small enough should get on the back of one of these lapras! Hurry!"
The lapras came in to shore and every pokemon small enough and could hold on, boarded a lapras.
"Everyone who can fly, follow them!" Brianna ordered.
The bird pokemon took flight and stayed with the lapras who were leaving the bay which used to be their home.
"Everyone else, get to the far side of the cove! We will come back for you as soon as we can!"
The pokemon started charging towards the end of the cove, pushing and shoving in panic.
Brianna started running for the other side of the island.
Lapras cried out to her. 'What about you?! Where are you going?!'
"It's alright. I need to relieve the pressure from the volcano! It will buy us more time!"
'Wait!' Lapras hesitated when the top blew and flaming rocks started spitting all over the island.
The pokemon panic grew and several pokemon fell into the bay. Some were rock types like Onix and Graveler and others were fire type like growlithe.
'Based on my studies of volcanos, if we open a hole at the base of the volcano, the pressure will release. This is going to be tricky though. If I don't do it right, it could cause it to erupt faster instead of slowing it down.' Brianna stopped for a minute to catch her breath. The volcano was closer to the far side beach and the island is huge! She climbed a rock cliff that was hanging just above the ocean, trying to get closer to it.
Lapras had followed her to the cliffs. 'You're going to the other side?! I can take you there!'
Brianna didn't have much time to waste and lapras could get her closer to the other side of the volcano in much better time. She angled herself so that she could dive away from the rocks lining the base of the cliff. She performed it quite well and sprung forth from the water, as soon as she regained control over momentum. She climbed onto lapras' back and held on tight.
Lapras were very fast and it became obvious that whoever trained this lapras did a fantastic job. The rocks tumbled down from their resting places and Lapras maneuvered around them with precision and grace.
They drew closer to the other beach and Brianna prepared to spring forth from Lapras, quickly discovering that this side two had sheer cliffs.
"Lapras, launch yourself next to that cliff. I will make a jump for it. If I should not make it, use hydro pump and push me the rest of the way."
Lapras agreed. She dove under the water to gain more speed and momentum, then she jolted out of the water with all the strength she had.
Brianna made contact with the top of the cliff, but the rocks gave away under her and she sprung over to the next set of rocks before she lost all the ground she had taken.
'I will wait for you here! Hurry!'
Brianna had to admire her spirit. This lapras was no doubt scared like the rest of the pokemon, but her strong belief in humans brought her courage and determination. She was definitely a rare find.
Brianna quickly made her way through the many jungle trees, towards the base of the volcano. "I need your help, Firelight! You can do this!"
The blue ponyta came forth from his pokeball and quickly panicked after seeing the events. He galloped right behind her, trembling.
"I know it's scary, but I promise you, you can do this. Trust me, alright." Brianna encouraged.
Firelight stepped forward cautiously, still trembling with fear.
"Your fire is so powerful. The heat will go right through these rocks. Concentrate the flow of heat towards your mouth. Let it build until it must go somewhere. Close your eyes and concentrate." Brianna remained calm and that gave ponyta a little bit of confidence.
Firelight cringed, but focussed just as Brianna said.
"Now! Use flamethrower!" Brianna called out.
Firelight opened his mouth and the blue flames blasted forth towards the side of the volcano. It burned through the rocks and a blast of magma shot out of the new opening.
Brianna quickly recalled ponyta back to his pokeball before the magma could take him. It only took a moment and the hole increased in size. Lava was pouring down the sides until it ran into the water.
It was time to go. Lava was trapping her on boulders. She jumped from boulder to boulder with the threat of burning to death if she miss-judged one landing.
Lapras cried out to her, as the water was filling with lava rock. It instantly cooled once it reached the ocean.
Brianna watched the base of the trees catch fire, while she reached for one, just to get away from the lava. There were a couple flat surfaced rocks that managed to get carried away by the lava. This was her only chance. She jumped over to it and landed it well. However, the rock split in half, and if it hadn't been for her falling to the other side, her foot would have made contact with the lava.
The lava stream led her towards the cliffs, leaving a large pocket of steam around the contact point. If it wasn't presenting imminent danger, it would have been quite a sight to see.
Her foundation was just about to be lost in the endless mists, before making a leap for safety.
The lapras blasted out of the water and caught her, before she had to find out if she made it.
The two of them made a hasty retreat, but it was becoming clear that lapras did not get away unscathed. Her one flipper was singed painfully, slowing down their exit.
"It worked. Thank you for coming back for me."
Lapras chimed happily, but then her spirit dwindled with the pain shooting through her flipper.
They met up with the other lapras and the flying pokemon.
"Lapras, please find a new island for your friends! Chatot, please come back to me when you have found a place. I will bring the rest of your friends there as soon as I can."
The lapras were upset, but they followed along with Brianna's plan anyway. The bird pokemon and tropius guided the lapras into unknown waters. Some flew ahead to scout for islands. The sun was starting to set over the horizon. This situation was going from bad to worse.
"I need to go back to the ship for a friend. I can't do this without her."
Lapras chimed and pressed forward.
"Will you be able to do this in your condition?"
Lapras' response proved that whether she could or not, didn't matter. The island pokemon needed her to make it.
"Alright then. Let's do this." Brianna held on tight and they swam well into the night.
Clover and Roxy both curled up on Brianna's bed in the room she had been staying while on the ship. They had both been crying, while Roxy held tightly to Brianna's shoulder strap handbag.
It was subtle, but Roxy heard Brianna's voice. Her ears twitched and she sprung from the bed with a reignited excitement.
Clover bound towards her, suspecting Roxy could connect with Brianna.
The two of them bound towards the upper deck and made their way to the edge.
Off in the distance, the sound of lapras' call could be heard.
'Roxy, we need your help. I'm sorry we got separated. Please forgive me.' Brianna's voice rang through Roxy. Roxy, still being a vaporeon jumped up onto the railing, with Clover right behind her.
"Hey! Come back here!" One of the sailors spotted the two jumpers.
Roxy dove in before he could wrap his arms around her and after he failed that, he tried the same thing with Clover, but she dove in as well.
Roxy swam them both to lapras and the three of them left for the island.
The sailor merely got a glimpse of a lapras on the horizon, although it was barely even a silhouette in this darkness.
The chatot flew around the island that the lapras discovered and turned back towards the island. The sun was rising again shedding new light on their surroundings. The others settled into their new home, but this island wasn't deserted like the other.
Chatot made the journey to the island, where Roxy was taking in the devastating sights of the island and the panic of the island pokemon.
'Remember where we are. I want you to teleport them to another island.' Brianna asked.
Roxy instead bound off of lapras' back, changed into alakazam and used psychic on the pokemon. The pokemon rose into the sky as if they were flying.
"That'll work." Brianna was caught in awe. After knowing her friend for longer than she will ever remember, she is still learning about Roxy's power.
The pokemon were relieved knowing that their fate was not going to be burning to death or sinking into the ocean.
Brianna watched them and could see that so many of the pokemon needed medical treatment. 'Once we get to the new island, I'll need to care for them.'
"Alaka-kazam." Roxy agreed.
Chatot came to rest on Brianna's shoulder, watching all of its friends flying like chatot. "An island! An island! Find! Fiindd!" It spread its wings like it was saying it with its whole body.
"Lead the way, Chatot." Brianna met her gaze with Lapras and she already knew what to do.
Brianna's heart connection with lapras was already deepening.
Chatot took point and soared through the sky in the direction that the others must follow. Chatot panicked when it looked back to see a steelix coming right towards it. It flew faster like its own life depended on it.
Lapras stopped to look back at the island they lived near for so many years. The volcano exploded and the whole island was being blown apart. Tears came to Lapras's eyes.
"I'm sorry about your home." Brianna knew the pain of losing everything familiar in a single moment in time. She felt its pain. "I lost mine too…"
Lapras whined.
Clover jumped to Brianna's shoulder, watching the last of the island disappear beneath the waves in a wake of flaming smoke.
Lapras followed the others to the new island.
Brianna watched as the island pokemon explored their new home, unfortunately, there were others that already lived here.
Brianna sent Clover and Roxy to collect certain berries to concoct the medicines she would need to care for the injured pokemon. Roxy parading around in vulpix form, used her ember attacks to burn through the branches holding the berries in their canopy.
Brianna treated lapras' wounds first.
Lapras closed her eyes and enjoyed the gentle soothing message, Brianna was giving it using the ointments she had made for a healing pultous. Lapras began to sing. The sound was so beautiful that it brought the remaining fear to rest in all the pokemon. The pokemon waiting for treatment started to fall into a sweet rest and their wounds started to heal.
"Lapras, you are truly amazing." Brianna smiled warmly listening to the sweet melody.
Roxy came running out of the forest with Clover in a panic. 'The pokemon are fighting for territory!'
"I should have known this would happen. By bringing the island pokemon here, we have completely changed this island's ecosystem." Brianna quickly inspected the remaining pokemon on the beach for injuries. It seemed that Lapras' song healed them all up.
Lapras cried out and the other lapras surfaced just off shore.
The islander pokemon were chased back to the beach and cornered there. Mightyhyena surrounded them along with ursaring and nidoking and they weren't about to let things go.
The lapras sang their perish song. The sound was so strong and many of the pokemon attacking were stunned by the song.
"No! Lapras, this isn't the way to solve this conflict!" Brianna knew it was already too late. In a few short minutes everyone who heard the song would collapse and that included the lapras.
There was only one way out of this and it relied on Lapras. She recalled Clover back to her pokeball. She pulled out another one and showed it to lapras. "Hide inside of here. When the perish song has run its course, come out and use your healing song.
Lapras studied Brianna, as Brianna's legs gave out.
Lapras was feeling her energy depleting too. Lapras made her decision and tapped the pokeball with her muzzle and was drawn inside for safe keeping.
Brianna looked to see all of the pokemon falling over and back out at sea, the lapras had vanished beneath the surface. Brianna fell to her hands and knees, feeling the effects of perish song removing everything she had left. Roxy used all her strength to get to Brianna and she curled up next to her. Brianna fell to her side and the sand pushed the pokeball an inch.
Lapras came out to see everyone unconscious. She began to sing her healing song and the pokemon started to fill with life once more.
The pokemon just listened to Lapras' song and the aggression towards each other faded.
Brianna felt all of her strength return and she approached the forest pokemon. "Please allow them to stay here! Their home has been lost to a horrible tragedy!"
Roxy showed them telepathically what happened to their island.
The pokemon grew somber and left the beach back into the forest.
"It seems they finally understand." Brianna relaxed just before getting a playful attack from Lapras' muzzle.
She cheered gratefully.
Brianna held out the pokeball. "I will release you, if you should desire to stay here. I believe that my journey would be far more exciting if you would join me. I am on a journey of self discovery and my next stop is the Sinnoh region. We have already been through so much together."
Lapras thought about it for only a moment and then she cheered happily.
Brianna picked up the pokeball and called back her newest member. "Everyone of my companions gets a name. For a water pokemon, you can really fly through the air, so I believe that Ariel suits you the best."
"Is everyone alright?!" A few scientists came running over from the other side of the beach.
"We are all fine here." Brianna smiled reassuringly.
"We heard some terrible sounds from the other side of the island and then all the pokemon started to collapse. They have recovered but do you know what caused it?"
"You can add it to another one of life's mysteries." Brianna didn't want to receive any recognition for her efforts. She knew if she said anything they would push it.
"How did you get here anyway? I didn't see any boats dock here."
"I rode in here on my lapras."
Before leaving the island, Brianna called out Ariel and let her pod say goodbye.
Their voices sounded like singing and they cheered their friend on as Brianna got on her back.
Lapras swam fast off the coast and into the distance with Roxy holding onto her horn.
Roxy spread out her tails and stood up like she was flying. "Vuuuull!"
Brianna looked down at her watch and studied the navigation application. "We need to be going north. That's where we will find the Sinnoh region."