Pokemon: Radiant Ruby and Shining Sapphire / Separation

Chapter 6

The City of Hot Springs

Ruby_The next morning

Ruby opened his eyes to see the camp that he had set up last night overhead. He stretched out and yawned before flipping up to a sitting position. Combusken was still asleep in his personal 'nest' that was a garbage bag that he had packed with hay and fur from some of the Pokemon they had hunted over the past year. Ruby still didn't like the concept of killing Pokemon, but every now and then he had to do what needed to be done for survival on his extended missions. That being the case, he usually just stuck to restaurants when they served 'his kind'.

The boy then stood up and started to put on his Team Magma uniform. As he slid on his jacket, Combusken's voice asked, "Can't we sleep just a little longer?" The orange and red chick stood up and started to pack down his nest before sitting back down in it and closed his eyes once again.

Ruby chuckled and thought, "Sorry buddy, but we've got plans today. I plan to get my fourth badge today, and then travel to Petalburg tomorrow. I've kept my dad waiting long enough, wouldn't you say?"

Combusken scratched the side of his head as he responded, "So that's the plan, huh? You wanna use the first few days of your given leave to keep your deal with your dad? I guess I'm down to do that, but just remember that we're on a timeframe."

Ruby nodded and gave a thumbs up to his partner and said, "Don't worry, I think I have a lead as to where we can start looking for clues about proving A.Z.O.T.H. as too much of a threat when I'm done running my personal errands."

His partner stood up again and folded up his nest before saying, "All this time I've known you, you've rarely been wrong, so I'll trust you." He then slung his garbage bag over his shoulder and said, "So I'm assuming that we're taking on the Lavaridge Gym next, correct?"

Ruby stepped out of the tent to reveal that they were up a steep hill just west of the south entrance to Mt. Chimney. He nodded and thought, "Yeah, that's why we took the cable car to get over here after all."

Combusken followed him out of the camp and the two packed up rather quickly. Then the two walked about a mile west and had already reached the entrance of Lavaridge. The town was filled with cabins made of bamboo. There was also a near constant cloud of steam over the entire town due to the dozens of small hotsprings scattered throughout the area.

Upon entering, he almost immediately heard a couple of children's voices express, "Ruby's back! Ruby's back!" A group of four kids ran up to him, two boys and two girls.

Ruby waved and expressed, "Hey! It's been a while guys!" The people of Lavaridge were the only people that knew his true nature. He had helped them out plenty of times settling affairs with a local gang that he managed to disband on Maxie's orders. Since Maxie didn't want people thinking he was growing soft, Ruby did all of this while undercover, however the Team Magma uniform this time around didn't seem to deter the children.

The youngest was a small blonde girl who was nine with a gentle expression and blue eyes whose name was Nanalie. She smiled and ran into the boy's legs and wrapped her arms around them.

The second was a hot spirited redhead with spiky hair and brown eyes by the name of Clause. He expressed loudly, "Hey, did you come here to fight! I'll take you on!"

The other boy, Conner, laughed and said, "Oh please Clause, like you'd stand a chance against Ruby!" He had light brown hair and was the 'leader' of their little squad.

The final girl, Viviana, stayed back and just smiled. She had long green hair and eyes and she was incredibly shy.

Ruby leaned down and said, "How are you holding up guys? It's been almost four months, right?"

Clause nodded and said, "Yeah, and I've been dying to fight you!"

Ruby rustled his hair and laughed before saying, "Yeah yeah. Maybe when your older. Once you're my height, I'll take you on."

Conner was the first to notice his uniform, "Yo Ruby. What's with that getup? It's pretty risky to be dressed up like a Team Magma member."

Ruby smiled and said, "Oh, that. Yeah, the thing is, I'm actually part of Team Magma."

After hearing this, Nanalie laughed and said, "There you go again with your crazy talk. Last time you were here you tried to tell us that Geodude was a flying type just because it can float."

Ruby laughed and said, "Oh yeah! I forgot I said that! Haha!"

Conner then asked, "So what are you here for this time? Are you working?"

Ruby nodded and said, "Kinda. I'm actually here to challenge the Gym here."

Clause folded his arms and said, "So you'll fight sis, but you won't fight me? What the heck's with that, huh?!"

This response led the whole group to laughter except the boy. As they laughed, a small crowd started to form around the five. The adults, of course, noticed the outsider boy's attire immediately.

One of them ran out and picked up Vivian and Conner and stepped back. Another called out saying, "Nanalie, come here!" The girl clearly recognised the voice and left Ruby's side to run to the source of the sound.

Clause looked from side to side before asking, "Hey, what's the big idea? Why isn't everyone trying to talk to you Ruby? You saved us before. Why are they…"

Before he could finish, a young woman's voice called out, "I kinda figured that you were working with them, I guess I'm just a little sad that I wasn't wrong." Through the crowd came a redheaded girl with a ponytail had split apart in sections to make a spiral formation. She was wearing a black tank top that was cut just below her chest. She also wore jeans that had holes all the way down the leg. She was the spitting image of Clause, and she called out, "Clause, come here!"

The boy shook his head and said, "Sis, what the heck is going on?"

The girl placed her hands on her hips and said, "Now Clause!"

Clause looked up to Ruby for a second, before walking towards his sister.

Ruby chuckled and said, "It's been awhile Flannery. Quite the welcome you've prepared for me. A bit cold for someone who saved the entire town a few months ago, don't you think?"

Flannery smirked and said, "Yeah, I have to appreciate what you've done for us in the past, but there's no way in hell you really expected to waltz in dressed like that and expected a different response. So, why the hell are you here?"

Ruby shrugged and said, "Well the short and easy version is that I'm here to challenge the gym."

The redheaded girl gave a half hearted laugh and asked, "And what if I refuse? It's pretty clear now that you weren't honest about who you were the last time you were here, so why the hell should I trust that that's all you're here for?"

The boy shrugged and said, "Why not cash it in as my IOU then? Cause quite frankly, you do owe me. It's not like I'm asking for your money or the rights to the town or anything crazy like that. I just want to challenge this gym."

Flannery sneered and said, "Like your kind can ever be seen as honest! Get out of here now and I won't call in authorities to have you arrested."

Ruby sighed and shook his head, "Sorry, but no can do, I need one more badge to keep a promise of mine."

Flannery snapped at this, "Fuck you and whatever promise you're talking about! How many people have you murdered in that little group of yours? If you could honestly say zero, I'll let you challenge me! But I know for a fact that you can't! Team Magma is full of thieves and murderers, and why the hell would you be any different!?"

The Team Magma Admin sighed and said, "I'm going to change your little question for you real quick. This new question will be, 'have you killed anyone not from Team Aqua" and to that, I can answer no."

The Gym Leader scoffed as she expressed, "Yeah fucking right! Like I'd believe that bullshit either! I can't forgive Team Magma! Never in a million years!" She turned around and grabbed Clause's wrist and started to walk away, but then stopped to say, "This is your IOU Ruby. I won't call the police now, but in one hour I will. Do what you need to in that time and then get lost! And if you even think of hurting anyone here, I'll kill you myself." She then stomped away and the crowd began to disperse.

Combusken chirped sarcastically and thought, "Yep. that went just about as well as I thought it would."

Ruby let out a long sigh. But then something unexpected happened. Viviana ran out from the dispersing crowd and grabbed the boy's hand and she said softly, "Come with me."

Ruby looked at Combusken, and the two shrugged and decided to let the girl lead them to wherever. The green haired girl brought them into a bamboo building. Inside these was a lobby looking area with no one at the front desk. The boy asked, "What is this place Vivian?"

The girl said quietly, "This is my sister's hot spring. You should be able to stay here for a bit. Wait here, I'll grab my sister."

The two then waited as the girl rushed behind the counter. A few minutes passed before Viviana returned with an older girl, roughly around age 17, with long green hair and green eyes, nearly identical to Viviana. Her green hair was braided and she wore a long dark green dress with a light green jacket on. Each article of green was slightly different in color. Ruby nodded and said, "Hello, you must be Viviana's sister. My name's Ruby Plake, it's nice to meet you."

The young woman looked at his clothes for a second and then said to herself, "I see, so that's what the commotion was about. No need to introduce yourself to me, Viviana has told me all about how you saved her from that gang awhile back. Thank you for that. My name is Cheryl. I'm a jack of all trades of sorts, but for right now, I'm running this hotspring for my parents who live in Sinnoh."

Ruby smiled and asked, "So you're not just going to kick me out because of my clothes like everyone else?"

Cheryl gently shook her head and explained, "Oh no, of course not. I'm not from around here, and from what I know, you've only done good for this town as well as Viviana. You won't receive any hostility from me, I promise."

Ruby nodded and said, "I really appreciate that, thank you!"

Combusken, upon hearing that they were welcome, walked over to a corner and threw down his nest to sit on again.

Ruby laughed and thought, "You know, that doesn't mean we'll be here long. We've got places to be you know."

Combusken stretched and closed his eyes and thought, "And I leave the arrangements in your capable hands. I'm going to catch up on the sleep you deprived me of earlier."

Cheryl then walked up to the counter and asked, "Well seeing how your partner is resting, would you like to join me in the hot springs? We can talk about the situation you're in."

Ruby's face lit up red upon hearing this, but Cheryl assured him, "Oh please, I've just met you, of course we won't be bathing together. There is a divider, however, we can still talk. Plus, this spring is up the hill a bit so no one will find us there. I'm assuming your here to lay low, so it couldn't hurt, am I right?"

Ruby shook his head to eliminate his embarrassed expression and said, "Yes, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!"

Cheryl then directed him to a changing room. He undressed and wrapped a towel around his waist before heading out the back door, which led to a stairway up the mountain. He walked up and was greeted by a scene of steaming water. He took off the towel and dipped himself in. He groaned as he felt some of the stress he was feeling fade away as the warmth of the water enveloped him. He sat there for what seemed like at least five minutes.

Eventually a thought rang through from Combusken, "Oh, this will be interesting."

Ruby thought back, "Hey, aren't you like asleep or something? What's going to be interesting?"

Combusken just responded with, "You'll find out. Just enjoy your little bath, I'll tell you when you get out."

A few more minutes passed before Ruby heard someone get in on the other side of the wooden divider. Ruby asked, "Cheryl, is that you?"

The woman's soft voice responded, "Yes, of course. How are you enjoying the waters so far?"

Ruby answered, "Honestly, it feels amazing. You have no idea how stressful the last few days have been on me."

The young woman gave a small laugh before saying, "I'm just glad I could help. But just know that this isn't just coming from the good of my heart. I still want something from you."

Ruby chuckled and said, "Yeah, I kinda figured. It's a business after all, I'll pay you for this, I promise."

Cheryl responded, "Actually, I have something else in mind. I want to ask you some things and you're going to answer them truthfully, ok?"

Ruby again gave a faint chuckle, but agreed, "Yeah, that's fair I guess. Ask away, I have nothing to hide."

Cheryl led off her questions, "So first of all, what's a young boy like you doing in Team Magma?"

Ruby sighed and said, "Yeah, that's what I figured your first question would be. It's kind of a long story, so I hope you're ready."

The woman remarked, "Yes, I have all the time in the world. I closed down shop for the day so no one will be coming in to interrupt."

Ruby took in a deep breath and began his explanation. He started with him moving to Hoenn and meeting Sapphire. He explained his travels with her and Combusken and even tried to explain aura bonds. He expected to hear some sort of disbelief from her about his connection with Combusken, but it never came. Ruby then explained what happened with Emerald and how they all wound up in Slateport on the day that Team Aqua attacked the Contest Hall. He told her about how Sapphire was taken away and how he joined Team Magma to find her.

The green haired woman asked when he stopped, "So the reason your in Team Magma is to find Sapphire. That's incredibly risky of you. You know the negative stigma that the uniform you wear carries, and yet you still decided to wear it here?"

Ruby explained, "I'll get to that a little later. Let's just say that my reason for being in Team Magma NOW has changed a little since back then."

Cheryl, clearly interested, now asked, "Oh really? So why are you still in their ranks then?"

Ruby then went on to explain the last few days to her, starting with the letter he got from Emerald about Sapphire and Team Aqua's plans to attack Mt. Chimney. He described his bittersweet reunion with Sapphire during the attack as well as their meeting two days afterwards. He then finished with his deal with Maxie and how he wound up there today.

Cheryl chuckled and said, "Sounds like quite the little adventure, huh? Are you ready then for my second question?"

Ruby nodded and said, "Yeah sure, fire away."

The woman then proceeded to ask, "Why did you come into town wearing that uniform, even knowing the effect it would have on the townspeople?"

Ruby answered, "The thing is that there are two reasons for doing it. The first reason is that I wanted the people here to know the truth about me, I thought they deserved to know who I really was. And the second reason is that I wanted it to be public knowledge that Ruby Plake, the Team Magma Admin, had defeated his fourth gym."

Cheryl, clearly confused by the second reason asked, "Why would you want that information to go public?"

Ruby smirked and explained, "Oh that's simple. My dad made me a promise. He said that once I had four Gym Badges he would let me challenge his Gym. But the thing is, I don't want him to hold back because of Pokemon League rules. Normally, he would have to use only three Pokemon because the rules state that's how many he can use against someone with four badges. But if he heard that I was in Team Magma, and destroying the Gym Leaders, he would have no choice but to give it his all against me, to try and get me to leave Team Magma."

The scene remained silent for a few moments, but then Cheryl finally began to laugh. Through her laughter she said, "That's the…. Craziest thing… I think I've ever heard. You did it so your dad wouldn't hold back? You're something else Ruby."

Ruby agreed, "Yeah, I guess most people would want a handicap when facing the Gym Leaders, but I just want to see what my old man's got!"

Cheryl, clearing her throat said, "Alright then, last question. Is it true about what you said to Flannery? You've never killed anyone not in Team Aqua?"

Ruby suddenly came to a realization, she had no idea about what went on earlier in town. He responded, "Of course, why would I lie about something like that? But you weren't there when I said that, so I'm assuming you aren't alone on that side of the spring, are you Cheryl?"

Cheryl, clearly shocked, responded, "You really are smart, huh Ruby. Well Flay, guess our cover's blown."

Then Flannery's voice rang from the other side of the bath, "Well damn, oh well, I heard what I wanted to hear."

Ruby asked, "So does that mean you believe me then?"

Flannery laughed and said, "Well I kinda have to ya idiot. Say a lie and you'll see what I mean."

Ruby thought for a moment and said, "I had Tauros Flakes for breakfast today." Immediately the spring water reacted and became pitch black. The boy screamed in shock and jumped out of the water, "The fuck kind of hot spring is this?!"

The two girls laughed from the other side of the divider. Cheryl then explained, "This hot spring was mixed with a mineralized red gem of a Sableye, which makes the water turn black when someone is lying. My family are detectives, so it comes in handy when questioning suspects, however it's inconveniently placed in a different region from them, so they sent Viviana and I over here to manage it until they move to Hoenn."

Ruby asked frantically, "So, it's just water?"

Cheryl answered, "Yes, it still acts as a normal hot spring, except for that unique detail. The black water is still basically just water."

The boy sighed in relief and planted himself on the ground, "Man that was terrifying, I bet criminals are scared shitless all the time by that."

From the other side of the divider, Flannery stated, "Yeah yeah, whatever. So, you wanted to challenge my gym, right? How about we get some food first. We have a steak bar that I've been craving forever here in town. Seems like the proper time to get some food. Get dressed and I'll meet you in the lobby, ok?"

Ruby nodded, "Right, sounds good to me." The boy then dried himself off with his towel and again wrapped it around his waist. He then walked back down the stone steps of the mountain and got dressed back into his uniform. When he stepped out into the lobby, Combusken was asleep in the corner where he had left him. The boy smirked and started to walk towards his partner, intending to scare him awake. But before he made it there, he felt a heavy strike hit the back of his head. "What the hell was that!?" He turned around to see a large pink oval shaped pokemon with an egg in a pouch on the front of its belly. It then saluted with its stubby arms and gave off a small cry.

To this sound, Combusken stretched and thought, "I thought you might try and pull something quick on me like that, so I had this girl keep watch just in case."

Ruby turned back to his partner and said aloud, "You bastard! That really hurt damn it!"

Combusken chirped and responded, "You're complaining to the wrong Pokemon about that. I just told her to give you a little smack, I didn't expect her to actually use Pound. Oh well, nothing to be done about it now."

To this commotion, Cheryl and Flannery emerged from the women's changing room, wearing their normal attire. Cheryl giggled and said, "Oh I see you've met my partner, Chansey. She helps around here as a nurse of sorts. Mostly just for injuries not serious enough for a Pokemon Center."

Ruby nodded and laughed saying, "That smack really hurt Chansey. But I guess it's nice to meet you anyway." He then pulled out his Pokedex and scanned the pokemon. However, this time the Pokedex just responded with "Pokemon data not found."

The boy looked down at the device confused. Cheryl explained, "I'm assuming that your Pokedex is only built to register the Pokemon native here to Hoenn. Chansey here was originally discovered in the Kanto region and later in Sinnoh. Don't worry though, if your set on learning about all the Pokemon around the world, I hear the Professors are trying to develop an upgrade to the Pokedex that's supposed to be out in the next few years."

The boy then gave a dismissive shrug and put the pokedex back into his pocket. He then looked over to Combusken, who's eyes were still closed, and thought, "Oh come on! Get up! We're gonna grab a bite to eat with these fine ladies."

Combusken then opened his eyes and started to pack up. Cheryl smiled at this and thought, "So that's what you meant by an aura bond. You never spoke a word to him and your partner responded. I was honestly really surprised when the water remained normal when you described that part. We had you lie at the end because we weren't sure if the water wasn't being effective on you for some reason. It seems you two really are connected."

Ruby smiled and said, "Yeah, well, I don't really blame you for thinking it that outlandish. I don't think I'd ever have thought aura bonds existed either unless I had one." He then started for the door and said, "Anyway, I'm starving! Let's go eat!" The first sight he was greeted to outside was Viviana standing with the other children behind her. Once Flannery walked outside too, Clause asked, "So is everything alright?"

The girl nodded and said, "Sure is! You kids wanna come eat with us? This meal's my treat!" The children all jumped for joy and swarmed around Ruby. Clause jumped on Ruby's back while Viviana and Nanalie grabbed his hands. Conner just put his hands behind his head and casually said, "See guys, told ya it would all work out. There's no way Ruby is actually a member of that awful group."

Ruby laughed and said, "Yeah, about that… I really am an Admin of Team Magma."

Flannery reassured the children, "Yeah, but the thing is that he's undercover. Think of him like a cool spy that's trying to take them down from the inside." All of the kids awed over this and Ruby just decided to sigh and not push it further, regardless of that only being partly true.

Combusken finally came out to witness his partner being swarmed by the children, He sarcastically thought, "Well aren't you popular? If Sapphire were here, she'd be jealous."

Ruby, ignoring Combusken's taunts, just started walking further into town. Flannery led the way through the thick of the bamboo village, but then stopped in front of a normal, wooden built structure. On the building hung a sign with the picture of a black and purple snake pokemon that looked like it had a mask on. The gym leader proclaimed, "And here we are! The best steakhouse in Hoenn! The Serviper's Den!"

The inside looked like it was themed around an old western Unovan setting, with ornaments around the room glorifying the 'cowboy' lifestyle. They were immediately greeted by a girl wearing shorts and a shirt that was tied up above her belly. She also wore large boots and a hat. She brought all eight of them to a large table. Ruby, Combusken, Cheryl, and Flannery all sat down, but the children decided to wander off and explore the outside deck area.

Once situated, Ruby began, "So, I was wondering, I know Team Magma is known for doing some pretty awful things, but you seemed like you hated them beyond that Flannery. Mind telling me why?"

The redhead sighed and said, "It's nothing to do with you honestly. It's just that about two years ago, my old man was mugged by a group of grunts a while back. They beat him within an inch of his life. However, he was already suffering from an illness, and his body gave out within the next couple of days."

Ruby's eyes widened, "Oh, wow. Yeah, I wouldn't…"

Flannery chuckled and said, "Oh please, I wasn't telling you that to get any pity or anything. You just asked and I answered. But in all honesty, my dad and I weren't close. I'd venture to even say that I despise the burden he left on me. He was the gym leader here before me, and so this 'title' was basically forced upon me. The reason I was acting so cold was because I was worried about Clause. I remember him looking up to you as some kind of hero, And if you were anything like the Team Magma I'd heard so much about, I had to get him away from you as soon as possible. No hard feelings though."

Ruby gave her a thumbs up and said in a joking tone, "Look at you, being such a good sister. But no, my hard feelings will go away when you pay the bill."

Flannery chuckled and said, "Fair enough. But don't get too buddy buddy with me just yet. We still have to dish it out in my gym later. You better bring your A game. Just cause I'm relatively new at this doesn't mean I'll be a pushover."

Ruby nodded and explained, "Oh don't worry. I don't plan on underestimating you. However, I'm pretty confident in my strategies. League rules will make this a three v three with one non-held item, which is good because I only have three Pokemon."

Flannery glared at him and inquired, "Didn't you say you wanted your pops to go all out against you? If that's the case, he'll use all six of his pokemon. You plan to win with just three?"

Ruby acknowledged, "I know it sounds crazy, but I'm pretty sure I can pull it off. Combusken and I have dealt with a lot of shit, we've got this."

Cheryl laughed and said, "Quite confident. This one's trouble Flay. I'm more concerned about YOU not bringing your A game now."

The gym leader looked directly into Ruby's eyes and said, "Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun."

After this conversation, the children returned and the waitress came in and took their order. The eight ate to their heart's content. After the meal, the children all parted ways and scattered into town to play a game. Cheryl also departed back to her hot spring. As for Ruby, Combusken, and Flannery, they headed down south. After a few minutes, they reached the entrance of the orange roofed gym. Then finally, Flannery extends her fist out and says, "I'll see you soon Ruby."

The boy extended his fist out to meet hers with a grin on his face. Ruby responded, "Yeah, just hope your ready for me when I get there."

The three then entered the Gym and Ruby's fourth gym challenge began.