There appeared to be a trail in the forest to the south of the volcano's mouth. The forest looked dark. As I looked up, I realized that it was starting to get dark.
"Great, stuck in a forest, in the night time." I groaned while running.
"Yeah, this situation really isn't ideal." Gardevoir agreed.
"We lost so much time back there too. This sucks. I wanted to be in town by now." I complained more.
"Yeah, but that happens. Just make sure you watch where you run. I don't want you to fall or drop her." Gardevoir said looking to Jigglypuff.
"Yeah, cause I might trip, right?" I looked at her as I mocked her. " Crap!" As I turned around.
Gardevoir reached out and grabbed me by the bag. "As I was saying." She said.
"Yeah." I agreed as I looked down there is a drop of about 8 feet. "Wow." I said with a deep breath.
"Come on let's go!" Gardevoir rushed, grabbing me and pulling to the side.
"Come on, slow down, I almost died back there." I whined.
"Quiet and hurry, the others are in bad shape." She reminded me.
"I know." I said.
On that note, we ran in mostly silence. It took about 30 minutes to reach the town. It was further than I thought. We ran right to the center.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Center." Joy greeted us.
"Nurse Joy, we were just in a really tough battle, my Pokemon are mostly in bad shape." I told her. "She got off the easiest. But, not the others." I said pointing to Gardevoir.
"Okay, hand me your Pokemon." Joy said. "And you come with me too." She said pointing at Gardevoir.
"Thank you Joy." I said as she went to go to the back.
While they all went to the back, I went to go sit down. I set Jigglypuff beside me.
"Jiggly?" She seemed to ask me.
"Are you asking about mommy?" I asked.
"Jig." She said shaking her head no.
"The battle?" I asked.
"Jig." She nodded her head yes.
"That was a tough one. Everyone tried really hard and did their best. Even uncle Swampert." I told her. "Even though he said he couldn't go on, he knew it, there is no shame in knowing when you can't continue."
"Jiggly, Jigglypuff." She said seeming to understand.
"One day you'll battle like that too." I told her.
"Jig." She said slowly shaking her head no.
"Yes you can, you just need practice and belief that you can." I told her.
"Jiggly." She replied nodding her head once as if to say okay.
We sat there for a short while longer. It took longer than I thought it would. But, as long as my family was okay in the end, that's wht matters the most.
"Hey Jigglypuff." I said to get her attention.
"Jiggly?" She replied.
"There will come a time, when you won't be with mommy and I anymore. We made you grow strong to take care of yourself. One day, you may find your own trainer, and go on a different journey."
"Jig?" Jigglypuff replied as if asking why.
"You're getting old enough that we can send you on your own soon. Then you can grow further." I told her.
It was at that time, that I heard the familiar tune." So, I walked up to the corner with Jigglypuff behind me.
"Your Pokemon have made a full recovery." Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you so much, nurse." I said as Gardevoir walked to my side and picked up Jigglypuff.
"That looked like it must've been a tough battle." Joy observed.
"Yeah, some how Team Aqua and Team Magma, their leaders teamed up on me." I said.
"Both of them?" She asked.
"Yeah." I responded.
"But, they've never been able to work together on anything. That's why they are separate." Joy said.
"Yeah, but my family pulled through. Each of them tried their absolute hardest, and that's all I can ask for." I said as I grabbed Gardevoir's spare hand.
"That's good to hear. And are you taking the Hoenn League Tournament?"
"Yeah." I replied.
"Did you face Flannery yet?" Joy asked.
"Not yet, that's on our list next. We're going to do that in the morning." I said.
"Oh in that case, would you like a room?" Joy asked.
"Yes please." I said.
"Okay." She said reaching under the counter. "Here's your key. Your room number is 152. It's down that hall and to the left. Also, feel free to enjoy the free hot spring outside it's free for both people and Pokemon, but no roughhousing." Joy told us.
"Thank you and we may take you up on that offer." I said as we went to our room.
"Tony, what's a hot spring?" Gardevoir asked.
"Exactly what it sounds like. I spring filled with hot water." I said.
"Oh okay. Can we use it?" She asked.
"I don't see why not but is there a way for your dress to stay down?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Well the water could make your dress-tails float and then everyone would be able to see under them." I explained.
"Oh." She said as her face turned bright red.
"Maybe we buy you a swim suit to wear underneath." I offered.
"Yeah, that would work." She said as we reached our room.
"Jigglypuff?" Jigglypuff asked.
"She wants to use the spring too." Gardevoir translated.
"You can try but it might be too hot for you." I said as she nodded.
At that we went to the Pokemart to get something for Gardevoir to wear into the spring.
Didn't take long as she found a plain white top and bottom that she liked.
"So, why this one? I asked as we headed back.
"It looks more natural. So if my dress floats up, everything will just look smooth-like, almost like there's nothing there. That make sense?" She explained.
"Yeah I got you." I replied as we got back to the center.
We went right out the back door leading to the spring and I set down Jigglypuff.
"Okay dip your foot in and see if it's too hot." I said s Jigglypuff proceeded.
"You too." I said to Gardevoir who didn't move at first.
"Okay." She replied as we saw Jigglypuff bounce back.
"I guess it's too hot for you." I sighed.
"I'm fine though." Gardevoir replied pulling her foot out.
"Okay, let's put her back in the room then we'll come back." I said.
"Okay." Gardevoir replied.
We got back to the room and Gardevoir went to put on the swim suit under her dress. Then I got changed into some swim trunks before we left. We walked back to the spring eager to relax. I watched her slowly lower herself into the water. I then, followed behind her as we went to a wall on the far side to leave the entrance available for others.
"This is nice." Gardevoir said.
"Yeah, but let me know if you start feeling light-headed. Don't want you to pass out in the water." I warned her.
"Yeah, okay." She replied.
"Hey, Tony?" Gardevoir got my attention after a couple minutes.
"Yeah, what's up?" I asked.
"Do you think Jigglypuff is okay in the room by herself?" She asked.
"Yeah, I don't see why not." I replied.
"But, what if she leaves the room for something?" She asked.
"Then, we'll look for her." I said.
"But, what if we can't find her?" Gardevoir started to panic a little.
"Then, we will have to trust that her mother trained her enough to handle herself." I said putting my hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"Thanks, I needed that." She said.
"But what if she gets scared?" Gardevoir asked.
"I had that talk with her during your check up." I said.
"What did you say to her?" She asked.
"I told her that there will be a time where she won't be with us anymore and she'll either be on her own, or have to find her own trainer." I replied.
"Okay." Gardevoir said.
We sat there for a few more minutes before Gardevoir spoke up again.
"Tony, I think I'm ready to get out now." She said.
"Okay, sounds good." I said as we stood up and headed to grab our towels and go back inside.
"Ah, it's cold now." Gardevoir said grabbing her shoulders.
"Ha ha ha, that's because the spring was hot." I laughed at her.
"Don't laugh at me." She punched my arm as she grabbed her towel.
"Why do I have a bad feeling in my gut?" I asked as we went back to the room.
"I wouldn't know, Gardevoir said.
"I don't know what it is, but I can tell that it's not good." I said as we went back into the room.
"Jigglypuff, we're back." I called out.
My call didn't get us a response, so this worried me.
"Jigglypuff?" I called out again.
"Where is she?" Gardevoir asked.
"I don't know." I replied.
"Was the door locked?" She asked.
"No." I answered.
"Is anything missing?" She asked.
"No, nothing." I said.
"She must've got out then." Gardevoir said as I ran to get changed.
"Let's go, we gotta find her." I said after changing, and pulling her with me.
We headed out and split up briefly. I went to go ask around while Gardevoir checked the nearby wooded area. After asking around, I lastly went to the herbal shop to ask the worker.
"Of course they're closed, it's late." I groaned as Gardevoir came over from the north.
"Any luck?" She asked.
"No, you?" I asked back.
"No, nothing." She replied.
"That sucks, come on though, let's look a little more." I said as I pulled her to the south eastern woods.
We spent some time looking around. after a while, Gardevoir spoke up.
"You don't think she went to find herself a trainer, do you?" Gardevoir asked me.
"I don't think so, but it is a possibility." I said.
"No, I want her to come back." Gardevoir whimpered as she stopped moving.
"This could be what's best for her though."I replied.
"How can it be?" She asked.
"This could be the best way for her to grow further. I really don't want to hold her back like that." I explained.
"Yeah but..." She started and trailed off.
"Look, we've been out here looking for about 2 hours. She's probably long gone by now. Let's head back to our room, and get some rest, she might even show up on her own." I told her to calm her down.
"But, what if she doesn't?" Gardevoir asked.
"Then, it's her time to move on." I said.
"But.." Gardevoir trailed off.
"Come on." I said softly as I grabbed her hand and led her back to the Pokemon Center."
We walked about 20 minutes back to the Pokemon Center. Then we walked to our room, once inside I spoke.
"Hun, go take your bathing suit off and then you can lay down." I told her.
She just nodded and went to the bathroom with out saying a word. When she was out I went to do the same and take a shower. When I left the bathroom, Gardevoir was just sitting on the side of the bed.
"You're not laying down?" I asked as she shook her head, no.
"Why not?" I asked as she did nothing.
I sighed as I walked over. When I got over I moved the covers, moved her over, laid her down, and covered her. Then, I laid down next to her.
"Gardevoir, try to get some sleep, I really feel like we need it." I said as I rolled over and kissed her. "Goodnight."
I woke in the morning, with Gardevoir sleeping next to me. I was glad that she was still there.
"Huh, that's funny. I thought that she would've woke up early and went to search more." I mumbled to myself. "I might as well get up."
With that, I rolled over and got out of bed. I went to get dressed. Then, I went to wake Gardevoir up.
"Hey, it's morning. It's time to get up." I said softly as I shook her shoulder.
I didn't get a response. So I tried some more.
"Come on, it's time to get breakfast. I know you're hungry, because I am too." I tried to coax her with the thought of food.
"Uhhhh..." She groaned as she started to stir.
"Come on, let's go get food." I begged to her.
"No, go ahead, I'm not hungry." She said as she sat up.
"Why not?" I asked sitting down next to her.
"Because Jigglypuff is gone." She replied.
"But, starving your self won't help, it will only make you feel worse." I argued.
"But, eating won't bring her to us either." She pleaded.
"Right, but if you have no strength, then you won't be able to look." I said.
"But, we aren't looking today. You wanted to challenge the gym today." She said.
"This is true. But, honestly I think we should move on." I said.
"Why do you want to do that?" She snapped back in confusion.
"Because, this is probably a sign, that we were meant to part." I replied.
"But, I wasn't ready to part!" She yelled back.
"I know, but the time came early." I said.
"But I, didn't want to lose her." She said softer.
"I know you didn't, but she did want to move on. And thanks to you, she was ready." I said pulling Gardevoir closer.
"But, I... I... I don't know, I just want her back." She said sobbing slightly.
"I know. I know you do." I said as I held her while she attempted to calm down.
"Maybe we will see her and her trainer in the future. If we become champion, maybe we'll face her someday." I said.
"You think so?" Gardevoir asked.
"Yes, and it would make me so proud to face her like that. And I know that she would be over thrilled to face off against us." I told her.
"Yeah your probably right, she was around battling for most of her life, so she probably enjoys it." Gardevoir agreed.
"That's what I was thinking." I said.
"Yeah." She agreed.
"Do you feel better know after talking about this?" I asked her.
"Yeah, lots." She admitted while wiping away her tears.
"You gotta stop holding back your feelings and what's bothering you. You did this on the boat too, and you remember what happened?" I reminded her.
"I would've rather left that in the past." Gardevoir replied wincing slightly at the memory.
"Yeah I know you would've. But, oh well, I'm still hungry. Let's go get breakfast." I said standing up and holding out a hand.
"Of course you are." She chuckled.
After getting breakfast, we went to go challenge Flannery.
"Tony, I have a bad feeling about this battle." Gardevoir said.
"How so?" I asked.
"I don't know but I think we should ask questions." She said.
"Okay,I got it." I said as we arrived.
After we walked in, I got the attention of that guy that stands right there.
"I have a quick question sir." I said.
"Sure what is it young trainer?" He asked.
"What are the rules in this gym?" I asked back.
"That depends on the amount of badges you have." He replied.
"I have six." I told him.
"In that case. four on four." He told me."
"Okay, thanks." I replied.
"Should we go get Vibrava and Sharpedo?" I asked Gardevoir as I turned to face her
"Yeah I think that would be smart." She said.
"Yeah, okay, let's head back real fast." I said.
On that note, we went back to the Pokemon Center and went to the PC. I deposited Mawile and Breloom, to withdraw Vibrava and Sharpedo.
After that, we went back to the gym.
"You have any more bad feelings about things this time?" I asked Gardevoir sarcastically.
"Nope, none." She replied with a smile as we entered the gym.
"Welcome, to the Lavaridge Gym! I assume you guys are fired up!" Flannery exclaimed.
"You bet!" I exclaimed back.
"Then let's go! Come on out Macargo!" She called as she threw a ball.
"Go Swampert!" I called in response.
"Macargo, let's start with Light Screen!
"Swampert, use Earthquake!" I called.
Then the referee held up a flag. "Macargo is unable to battle, Swampert wins!"
'Um okay.' I thought.
"Wow, nice one!" Flannery yelled over. "This is just what gym leaders like, a challenge."
"Oh, yeah? Let's see your best shot then." I yelled back.
"Go, Rapidash!" Flannery called.
"Rapidash, use Sunny Day!" Flannery commanded.
"Swampert, slow it down, Rock Slide!" I called in counter.
Rapidash took a flexing stance and cried upwards as an artificial sun formed inside. As this happened, rock started to materialize above it and started to fall.
"Rapidash, Solarbeam!" Flannery called.
"Swampert, counter with Muddy Water."
"Swampert summoned up a wave of brown, murky water that was sent towards Rapidash. As the wave approached, Rapidash bowed down with it's horn pointing to Swampert, then it fired a yellow beam. This cut right through the wave striking Swampert in the chest. This pushed him back a little bit, bit he kept on going.
"Swampert Mud Shot." I called.
"Rapidash, dodge with Bounce.
"Swampert Earthquake!"
With this, Swampert shot some mud from it's mouth in Rapidash's direction. Rapidash dodged by jumping incredibly high with bounce. As it came back down, Swampert used earthquake. After landing on Swampert and knocking him out, Rapidash jumped back off onto the currently crumbling battlefield, falling over and getting struck with rubble, also getting knocked out.
It's a double KO." The referee yelled out, holding up two flags.
"Those were some strong moves." I complimented.
"Thanks, but even I'm fired up now, let's keep going." Flannery responded.
"Go VIbrava." I called.
"GO Torkoal." She responded. "Torkoal, Overheat!"
"Virbava, Rock Slide!" I called.
Torkoal let out a cry followed by an immense wave of heat that engulfed Vibrava. Although resistant to it, it was obvious that VIbrava still felt it. After the attack, Torkoal ate what looked like a White Herb. After that, Vibrava let let out it's own cry, as it buzzed its wings and materialized rocks above Torkoal who was also resistant due to a partial Rock typing.
"This one won't be easy, and I don't have any attacks to do much." Flannery mumbled to herself.
"It looks like shes struggling. We got this." I said to Gardevoir.
"Torkoal, end this one! Explosion." Flannery called.
"Vibrava! watch out!" I called in panic, due to the recent battle with Aqua and Magma.
Torkoal started to glow a bright white; followed by beams of white light coming off of him. Then, as Vibrava moved backwards in an attempt to get out of range, Torkoal became engulfed in a bigger, brighter light and exploded. The whole battlefield Was covered in a thick smoke for a minute.
"Vibrava! Are you okay?" I called hoping for some kind of response.
When the smoke cleared, obviously, Torkoal was lying there, knocked out. However, Vibrava was still standing.
"Torkoal is unable to battle, Vibrava wins!" The referee called holding up a flag.
"Good job Vibrava!" I called over as he let out his own cry
After its cry, Vibrava was engulfed in its own white light. While in the light, his silhouette changed. He was evolving. Once the light dispersed, my new Flygon let out a new cry.
"Wow, amazing, he evolved." Gardevoir said.
"Well, that wasn't the expected outcome." Flnnery said rubbing the back of her head. "No matter, go Camerupt!"
"Flygon, do you want to keep going?" I asked.
"Gon!" It replied with a nod.
"Alright, it that case, use Dragon Claw!" I called.
"Camerupt, Counter with Overheat!" Flannery retaliated.
Flygon flew in, with it's claw glowing. He struck Camerupt in the back with his claw. After that, Camerupt opened his mouth as a familiar heat wave came out throwing Flygon back and knocking him out.
"Flygon is unable to battle, Camerupt wins!" The referee called.
"Alright, do you want to go?" I asked Gardevoir.
"Nah, I'm good." She replied.
"Okay, let's go Sharpedo!" I called.
"Camerupt, Earthquake!" Flannery called.
"Sharpedo, use Surf!" I called.
Sharpedo, summoned up and rode on a wave of water that went towards Camerupt. In the meantime, Camperupt jumped up, and slammed back down causing an Earthquake. The ensuing earthquake caused Sharpedo to lose control of the wave and fall. The wave went rouge and split but still hit Camerupt.
After the attacks, but Pokemon still stood their ground. Sharpedo still ready to go, while Camerput looked to be reaching his limit.
"This has been a great battle, I think it's just about over." I said. "Sharpedo, use Surf again.
"Camerput, counter it with Earthquake again!" Flannery called.
Sharpedo again summoned up and rode on a giant wave moving towards Camerupt. This time, Camerupt didn't move, he didn't have the energy to use the attack again and that was that. Camerupt fell forward and the battle was over.
"Camerupt is unable to battle, the winner is Sharpedo and the victor is Tony!" The referee called holding up a flag.
"My Pokemon tried their hardest but yours were just better trained." Flannery said to me as we both approached the center of the crumbled battlefield.
"Thanks, my family all tried their hardest and that's all I can ask for." I said.
"Here you go, heat badge, proof of your victory here." Flannery said handing me the badge and a CD. "This TM is for Overheat, but be careful, it will lower a Pokemon's special attack."
"Thanks and I'll keep that in mind." I said as I put the items in my bag then we shook hands and I left.
"That one was intense." Gardevoir said as we headed to the Pokemon center.
"Yeah, when she called for Explosion though, I got terrified." I admitted.
"I could tell. I felt you tense up instantly." Gardevoir replied.
"That attack is just too much to deal with." I said as we entered the Pokemon Center.
"Good Afternoon, and welcome back. How did it go?" Nurse Joy asked.
I simply smiled and showed her the badge.
"Good job. I assume you wanted to get your Pokemon checked up on again?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes I do." I said handing her the three that battled.
"Thank you and we'll get them check up as soon as we can." Nurse Joy said as she went to the back.
Apologies again are in order. But life sucks. quit my job, lost the new one had to go back to old job with trash hours. Trying to find time to write between sleep, friends, and family and yeah. Anyway, like i stated, I have no intention of letting this story die.