On the Wings of Council

by TopazSoarhire

Ok, Topaz thought it would be easy, until she meets her Cyndaquil, Fury, things start going on a different track, next thing you know she's jumping off buildings, outrunning forest fires, and that's the least of it!

9. WOC 9

Hi guys welcome to the Prelude of one hell of a Special. Hope you enjoy this, not totally adventurous but cool nether the less. Any created Pokemon belong to me so tell me where you use them at Shirasharmi@hotmail.com Ta!

Love at first Fight
The next morning I had figured out the Pokemon I'd use to battle Bugsy and paced apprehensively in front of the Gym. The Gym resembled a huge beehive. Ring upon ring stacked on top the other. The door was like a honeycomb cell and a sweet scent strayed
from inside.
I took Aqua's and Artemis's Pokeballs off their clips and rolled them in my palm like stress balls, clipped them back on, paced some more and removed them again. I muttered to myself about were the others were.
"Stop it," Fury said irritated from where she lazed in the sun. "You're giving me motion sickness."
What a joke, she didn't even have her eyes open.
Nevertheless, I obliged and sat down besides her, leaning my back against the beehive. I sighed, frustrated. The others were meant to meet me here. This was my first actual Gym Battle and didn't know what to expect. I had waked up early and had Nurse Joy give a last minute checkup, before I went to the Gym.
I was also starting to come up with theories that all Jenny's and Joy's were some type of androids, that's why they're all-identical and never need sleep. I lasted about another two seconds before I let out an exasperated sigh and jumped to my feet. I released Artemis and Aqua from their balls.
"Are you sure your ready?" I asked in a pleading voice.
"Give it up, Topaz." Fury said idly, still not opening her eyes.
"No ones gonna beat me. I'll tear 'em all to shreds!" Eevee grinned wickedly.
"After my own heart," I smiled wryly.
"We'll be fine," Aquatro cooed reassuringly. "You've trained us well, now it's up to us."
Before I could answer, a familiar face poked through the door of the Gym. Matthew with a Pikachu sitting crookedly on his Kanto League cap and a Quarral, a Dark type that looked like a Tasmanian Devil on a really bad day, at his feet. They all grinned from ear to ear.
"Topaz!" he yipped cheerfully. "I see your feeling better and from what I've heard you've been up to more trouble." He flashed a smug grin and continued. "We've been doing great! Pichu just evolved and Quarral had a ripper of a battle. Way I see it, we'll be up at
Indigo Plateau in no time, won't we Pikachu?"
Pikachu lit up like a light bulb, Matty with it.
When Matt was cooked, well done from the smell, he breathed a puff of smoke and rasped, "Still a few kinks to work out."
"Yahuh," I said sceptically. "Well if a half wit like you can do it, so can I!"
Matthew provided me with an amused look. "I don't know, Kylie quit her journey as soon as she left Union Cave. Anyhow, we gotta get through Ilex forest." He smiled slyly. "If you want, I can wait around so you don't have to go through the forest all alone. It is pretty scary in there." He snickered. "No? Fine we'd better gets going towards the PokeCenter."
As soon as they were out of earshot, I exploded. "How dare he feel superior! To be protected by that stick! That uncredible speck! I've done more then he'll do in entire journey. More then any of those beginning could even hope to achieve!"
I admit I was being a contemptuous little bitch and it was going to get me in more difficulty.
"Is that so, Topaz?" Sky looked down at me from the doorway of the Gym, an evil gleam in his eye.
15 minutes later I was hanging from a nearby tree by my shoelaces, my raven blue hair standing on end and a sooty complexion. My mind was still frazzled from Flaffy's Thundershock and swing back and forth wasn't making me feel any better.
"You know, Topaz," Fury chided. "It seems whenever you open your mouth, it's only to change whatever foot was previously there."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME!" I raged. "Better yet, WHY AREN'T YOU HELPING ME NOW! GET ME DOWN!"
"Hmm, no. I think I let you cool off." Fury sat loftily beneath the Golden Raintree.
Luckily I didn't have to wait long, Suma and Cal ambled up the path. They stood at the crest of the hill and stared at me swaying in the wind, my arms crossed and a scowl upon my face.
"I think she actually took what you said about turning her frown upside down seriously," Cal spoke when he came within hearing.
"Shut up and get me down or you'll sorely regret it."

I finally had my Orange League hat sitting properly on my head and I entered the Azalea Town Gym. It was vast. A miniature forest grew inside. I watched as bug type Pokemon flitted between the trees and skittered beneath the leaf litter.
Cal led the way through the maze of trees to the centre of the floor. He had a confident air about him as Vaporeon padded at his side. In the middle of the gym was a grassy area devoid of trees.
"We challenge Bugsy of the Azalea Gym," Cal called in a loud clear voice. Pokemon grazing inside the faintly marked rectangle scurried to the side of the Gym, each looking anxiously at the challengers.
A girlish giggle came from the trees. "If you want to battle our brother, you gotta fight us first." Two tiny 10 year olds stepped out of the trees at the opposite ends of the field. The identical red mop tops stood ready for us. I couldn't help but feel scorn for them, too young to be any real challenge because children were always impetuous and implosive. Oh well a good chance to test Bolt on the field.
"You will....." the first started.
"Battle both of us," the other finished.
"One Pokemon...."
"For two of you."
This was of talking was tedious and time consuming. "Fine, I choose Bolt," I interrupted.
I tossed his Pokeball he landed in the middle with a facial expression blanker then a clean sheet of paper. He perked up when Suma released her Pokemon.
"I'll use Fireline." Suma released Fireline. Both Pokemon in the middle looking like the original Odd Couple. One anxious and alert, the other dead to the world.
"Pokeballs go!" the twins tittered. The Pokeballs split apart and in a flash a Ledyba and Spinarak were poised for battle.
"Tackle, Ledyba."
"Poison Sting, Spinarak."
Spinarak inched forward ready to inject Fireline full of venom while Ledyba was on a collision course straight for Bolt who was still in a stoned out of his mind. Fireline lashed out with her scratch, leaving Spinarak with a gash down the length of it's abdomen. It shrank back trying to regroup it's wits. Then, before Suma or I could do or say anything, Fireline covered the ground between it and Ledyba in a flash. She pounced and knocked Ledyba to the floor.
"Comet Punch," Twin One cried. Ledyba let loose a flurry of jabs, each landing square in Fireline's midsection. Fireline screeched and her fur turned a fiery red, a tongue of flame engulfed it.
"Behind you Fireline!" Sumalee alerted her to the Spinarak scuttling toward her from behind.
"Leechlife," ordered the other twin. Spinarak clawed onto Fireline's back and dug it's mandibles deep into her shoulder. Fireline hissed and raked it away. Tossing it aside, she raced to save Bolt a second time from Ledyba's Fury Cutter attack.
All this time I'd been yelling out commands, which he had placidly ignored. He watched Fireline with a dreamy expression, his eyes not leaving the wildcat once. I would see his eyes widen every time Fireline attacked.
Spinarak tried again. As soon as Ledyba was out of the way, he fired a sticky net of thread. It fell over the feline, trapping her. She slashed and snapped but the Spider Web stayed firm. Now that she was contained, Ledyba came at her from one side with her Comet Punch while Spinarak attacked the other with his Fury Swipes. Fireline struggled hard but her energy was running low. She bowed her head in submission.
But just when it looked like Fireline was done for, there was an enraged "Mreeeeep!" and Bolt leapt from where he'd been sitting idle moments before. He landed in front of the two bug Pokemon and let loose an almighty roar.
Ledyba turned tail and fled to arms of her trainer where it sobbed and whimpered. The Spinarak stood frozen to the spot, paralysed with fear. It's mandibles clicked and snapped frantically.
Bolt tore at the Spinarak just as it broke from it's petrified state. It had Bolt in it's sights and used it's Scary Face technique. Bolt flatly ignored it, he had eyes only for Fireline. He bounded into the air above Spinarak and released a jagged shaft of lightning striking venomous stinger on its head, which acted as a brilliant conductor. Within moments he was high fried. Bolt landed flat on his sturdy feet and turned his attention to Ledyba. If looks could kill, Ledyba'd be halfway to Hades.
"There Ledyba, now you're all better," Twin laughed and poured a potion over her Pokemon. Ledyba, now revitalized was ready to face what ever Bolt threw at it. It took to the air.
"Swift!" her trainer commanded in sugary sweet voice. Ledyba waved its six legs in intricate patterns and a cluster of tiny stars manifested in the air about it. It flung its legs wide and they flew at Bolt. They exploded into sparks it they came into contact with anything. Bolt bleated as they burst against his skin and face. He was losing HP fast.
"Tackle," I yelled. Bolt raised his head and charged the Ledyba. He caught Ledyba in the midsection as it prepared another barrage of stars. Both fell to the floor clawing and biting and rolling about to get an advantage. Then, when Bolt was held down, he lifted his paw and smashed it against Ledyba's chin in a burst of electricity.
Both fell back, trying to get some distance between them and their opponent. Bolt was breathing hard and tuffs of wool were missing but he was still grinning, probably thinking of the big fat kiss he'd get from Fireline. Ledyba picked itself off the floor. It was raging mad. Ledyba shot at Bolt, less then a blur, a glimmered of light within shadows. Bolt froze. He stood petrified as Ledyba was closing in. His eyes flickered to me.
"Now what?" he murmured.
I narrowed my eyes. I had to focused, wait until the very last moment, till Ledyba was amillimetre away.
"Wait for it, wait for it," I chanted softly to myself. "LIGHTSCREEN NOW!" I screamed, silently praying he actually knew the technique.
I saw everything in slow motion. Ledyba loomed closer, closer, closer. There was one horrifying moment when I thought Bolt was through... Suddenly a golden shield shimmered into view. Too late to stop, Ledyba crashed into the flaxen pane of light with a sickening splat.
"Yes!" I cried running forward to pick up Bolt and congratulate him, but the Mareep ignored me completely and trotted to where Fireline was still snared. Suma emptied the contents of a vile over her. Fireline fur glowed red again and the spider web melted away.
Fireline padded towards Bolt. She licked his cheek and bounded into Suma's arms. Bolt sat back down, blushing a furious crimson and the orb on the end of his tail flashed like Christmas lights. Fireline only purred content in her master's arms.
Sumalee exchanged knowing looks. I rolled my eyes. Now that I'd seen what the dimwitted Pokemon could achieve, I was determined to curb his attentions for my own use. But not now, he was still swooning from his, er, triumph.
"We lost!!" the twins bawled. They each held their fainted Pokemon and wailed again.
"Bugsy!!"
"What now?" came an irritated voice from the trees. A hand pushed away the foliage revealing the owner, a boy about 16 or so with shaggy purple hair and deep purple eyes. He wore a green polo shirt and khaki ¾ pants and carried a insect net over his shoulder.
"They fainted our Pokemon," sniffed the girl who trained Spinarak. Bugsy took a handkerchief from his pocket and put it took the girls nose.
"Blow." The girl blew her nose into it and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her dress as her sister came closer to hear her brother's words of wisdom. "You have to expect that. You can't win every battle but no matter whether you win or lose, you and your Pokemon gain experience." He reached into his pocket and counted out some notes. He split it in half and offered it to Suma and I.
"Oh no," Suma protested, note even asking me who was already reaching for it. "We couldn't take it."
"Don't worry," he smiled warmly. "If I win I get it back anyway. Hey Cal coming back for another try?"
"Yeah, and this time I'll win."
"We'll see about that. Just let me go get my more experienced Pokemon, can't go easy on you, you know." Bugsy sized Sumalee and I up. "Your Sumalee and Topaz aren't you?"
"How's you know?" I asked, curious.
"There was a poster spread of the winners of the Trainers Challenge in this months Pokemon Pal. There was a pretty big article on you about the bush fire. They mentioned you too Cal."
"Only mentioned," he grumbled.
Bugsy disappeared back into the trees. There were some flashes of red light and he returned again carrying six Pokeballs in his net. "Usual rules Cal, two on two." He selected his and tossed one of them onto the field. A Scyther escaped his personalized
orange Pokeballs.
Cal held out a ordinary red and white one and from the beam, Lapras materialized.
"Laa," she murmured glad to be free of her Pokeball.
"Scyyyytherrr!" echoed the challenge. She raised her bladed arm and brought it down in a swift arc across Lapras's breast.
"Laaaa" she moaned in pain and anger. She swung her head wildly trying to use her head butt, but couldn't get close enough to hit Scyther, who taunted her just out of reach.
"Lapras, aim your Icebeam at the ground," Cal called. What kind of tactic was he using?
Either way Lapras obeyed and soon the Gyms grassy floor was a glassy ice skating ring.
"Now Body Slam." Lapras glided across the ice, head down hoping to stab Scyther.
"Double Team, Scyther." Bugsy frowned in concentration. Scyther closed her eyes and hummed to herself and glowed an unearthly green. She screeched loudly ferociously and split into three.
Meanwhile Lapras was coasting across the ice at top speed towards the centre Scyther. She crashed through it and the Scyther disappeared. Lapras wheeled around to face the two remaining Scyther. She stared at them bewildered. If she chose the wrong Scyther it was more then likely it would defeat her.
"Confusion Ray!" Cal ordered throwing his arm in the direction of the attack, in the middle of the two statue like Scyther's. Throbbing waves of purplish light emitted from the tip of her horn and hit the ice between the Pokemon. The waves rippled across the ice and spread beneath the two Scyther's feet.
Their eyes rolled around in their skulls. When they became focused they ignored Lapras and stared at each other with chilling malevolence. Suddenly each released a hair-raising shriek and launched themselves across the room at the other Scyther and slashed with a quick downward stroke. The one on the left vanished but the original still exchanged blows with her nonexistent foe.
Lapras used this chance and used its Icebeam. The Scyther was frozen in mid strike.

"Return Scyther," Bugsy said recalling her. "I seen you trained well since your last visit but you haven't won yet. Go Pinsir!" The stag beetle Pokemon zapped onto the ice, but his feet slipped from under him. He scrambled to get up, but they tripped beneath him again.
"This is easy," Cal scoffed. "Return Lapras, go Vaporeon!"
"Pinsiiiirr!" he wailed as he fell again. Vaporeon meanwhile padded gracefully across the ice, ridiculing him with her bubbly laughter. Pinsir finally wobbled to his feet and stood steady, or so it appeared. Before it had a Chansey, Vaporeon blasted it with a torrent of water and it sprawled onto it's back.
"Time to finish it Vaporeon, Whirlpool!" Vaporeon nodded at her trainer and glowed an iridescent blue. The water she had used on Pinsir ran together, swelling larger and larger. The beads gathered into one huge pool of water in the centre of the ice. Vaporeon burned brighter and the pool swirled and churned and twisted. Suddenly a water funnel erupted from the puddle and snatched up the stumbling Pinsir. It sucked it in and tossed it within it's walls of water. When the cascade was done playing it spat Pinsir out like a toddler with a broken toy.
"Well done Cal," Bugsy said recalling his fainted Pokemon. "You've defeated me and so I bestow upon you the honour of the Azalea Town Hive Badge." Bugsy snapped his fingers and a Venonat slipped from behind a tree with something clasped between it's
stubby claws. Bugsy took the item and offered the Venonat a pellet of PokeChow. He crossed the frozen battle with ease that his Pinsir didn't and held it out in the centre of his open palm.
Cal grinned in exultation and pinned it to the inside of his uniforms jacket where I caught a glint of the silvery Zephyr Badge. "Awesome battle Vaporeon. Bugsy didn't have a hope in hell," he said with a snide undertone. Modesty was not one of his virtues.
Vaporeon lapped up the praise and swished her tail with pleasure.
"Now," Bugsy said turning to us. "Who next?"
"Her!" Sumalee and I responded with lightning speed, each pointing to the other.
"Alright, I will." I sighed and took position in the trainers square. "Wait, let Fury melt the ice." Fury grumbled but thawed the field within seconds. Bugsy made it across the wet grass of the field to take his position. "All right Artemis," I whispered. "You first, attack with Extreme Speed."
"Right," she grinned, baring her teeth and poised for the ensuing battle.
"Go Shuckles!" Even as it touched the floor, Artemis rocketed from her half an through herself at the strange bug type with everything she had. The Shuckle's rocked, it's wormish appendages windmilling wildly trying to right itself, but gravity took it's toll and it rolled onto it's back. He writhed and slapped the air in a supreme effort to get up.
"Skull Bash!" I ordered, a smile playing my lips lightly. My fingertips brushed my Badge case at the prospect of a new badge. Artemis crashed head long into Shuckles. The attack rolled it onto it's base again and I cursed my carelessness.
"Constrict!" Bugsy yelled, waving his net about feverishly. Shuckles four appendages coiled around Artemis while she thrashed against him. But the more she struggled, the tighter her restraints became. Shuckles dragged her in close and pounded her with it's
Headbutt. Artemis's strains became weaker as her Hit Points drained away.
"Bite, Artemis." Artemis's eyes fluttered open at the sound of my voice and clamped her teeth into Shuckles fleshy tentacles. It's wheezy screech echoed through the Gym and retched it's arm away. Artemis fell to the floor and rolled away. She pushed herself up on wobbly feet and shook her head, trying to clear way fatigue.
"Tri Attack!" I yelled and implored that she had enough energy to perform the critical hit. Artemis lifted her languor stricken head, her eyes blazing and a searing white aura encompassing her as her fur sparked with tiny static volts for her attack.
"Wrap!" Bugsy called, a hint of unease in his voice as Shuckles tried to entwine her again. It's limbs brushed her bristling fur a massive electric flood coursed through its body. It jerked as spasms retched its entire body. Artemis broke contact with the
Shuckle and puffed a gust of icy wind in his face. His usually yellow skin took on a faint blue cast and its movements became sluggish. Artemis bowed her head, totally exhausted, just as Shuckles. She lifted her tiny head and bayed plaintively. Drops of liquid
fire rained down and pelted Shuckles hairless skin and soft shell. It whined once more, then fainted dead away.
"Ahh! Now I see how Cal improved so much since his last battle. You talents must have rubbed off on him." Bugsy winked and recalled Shuckle. I leapt across the field and picked Artemis up from where she collapsed just after the battle.
"You were awesome, Artemis!" I grinned as I held her in my arms.
"Really?" she murmured weakly.
"Really," I answered firmly. "Now you need to rest in your Pokeball. I promise I'll let you out later. Artemis agreed and slipped inside without a whisper more. I moved back to my square and stroked Aqua's head nervously. Artemis had only just beat Shuckles.
"I don't know what your worried about," Fury yawned from beside me and looked up listlessly. She was no help at all. "OK Aqua. Same with Artemis, it's surprise that will give you an advantage over your opponent. Don't give them a Chansey!" she mumbled a
response and flew into the air, hovering above her side. Bugsy regarded my choice with careful eyes. They darted between the Aquatro and his remaining three Pokeballs. He selected one and tossed it into the centre.
"Parasect!" it spat and slashed the air viciously with it's claws, looking up at it's opponent.
"Let the battle begin!" Aqua plummeted from the ceiling and stuck the Parasect's mushroom with all the strength she could muster. She struck, and bounced back! Aqua rolled across the floor. She sat up startled as I was.
"Parasect, Slash!" Parasect scuttled across the grass where Aqua still looked dazed. She finally understood the Pokemon advancing upon her and with a mighty pump of her exquisite cobalt wings and lifted just as Parasect scathed her breast feathers. Parasect acted swiftly, impaling the long flowing tail feathers on his claw and drove it into the dirt. Aqua was yanked back to earth as her tail ran out.
"Stun Spore!" With one claw still firmly in place, it began to quiver, shaking the tiny particles loose. Now trapped on the ground, Aqua panicked. She fluffed her feathers and tugged on her plumage. With a final jerk, she pulled free leaving the offending feather
behind. She fluttered above, still evading the powder.
"Razor wind, now!" I called. Aqua slashed her wings in alternating strokes, each releasing a wave of pressurized air. The bubbles scattered the pollen so it drifted harmlessly to the floor. Those that weren't aimed at the Stun Spore, pummelled Parasect
ruthlessly.
"All right, Parasect," Bugsy mumbled in a low voice, deadly serious. "Giga Drain."
In response to the command Parasect sucked in a gulp of air. With that swallow a tiny prussian blue sphere was dragged from Aqua's throat. She looked not only startled but wearier. Parasect inhaled again and the ball swelled. Aqua's head drooped a little more.
"Aqua! Dodge! maybe he can only get you when your still!" Aqua skirted around the edges of the field, always on the move. She weaved in and out of the trees and behind Parasect but he kept breathed in a third time a I growled in frustration. Suddenly I dimly recalled the chamber of the Zubats. The waters churning and seething.
And her voice.
"Perish Song!" I yelled as Parasect inhaled for a forth time. Aqua heeded my command and then softly, very softly, she began to sing. It was a strange song, with a twisting, turning ever changing melody with breathy catches and lilts but extraordinarily compelling and beautiful. Parasect already looked weaker and Aqua drew strength from that weakness. She pulsed with a sapphire haze. Her plumes swirled around her like those of a professional dancer in a breathtaking display. A new strain weaved in and out of the melody till it created a wondrous new pattern. Then in a heartbeat her song boomed into a thunderous canticle of virtue and respite. Her voice helixes up and up and through the ceiling where it hung in a breathtaking display of lung capacity then spiralled down and down. The final note penetrated Parasect and collapsed.
Bugsy recalled Parasect with an expression caught between complete amazement and totally stupefied. He was at a loss for words and his jaw had dropped to the floor and very much resembled a stunned mullet. I admit, not even her performance in Union Cave could be compared with this. Seeing we weren't going to be doing anything anytime soon, Aqua drifted listlessly down and snatched it from Bugsy's hand where he starred at her dumbly. She dropped the Badge at my feet. I gazed down at it and flicked eyes back to her. I picked up the Hive Badge and examined it, a mirror image of the Gym.
"Thanks," I managed at last, to both Aqua and Bugsy. I swore I'd change her name to something more a little more majestic.
"How am I meant to compete with that?" Sumalee huffed. "All right, we'll fight fire with fire. Butterfree, I choose you!" I had never got a good look at Butterfree, it had been to dark in Union Cave, but now I saw it was clearly unlike the other Butterfree that lined the
wall. Instead of the usual black on white gossamer wings, hers were white on black. I directed my Pokedex at the Pokemon.
"A rare breed of Butterfree. The white on black wings indicate that it's Psychic traits are stronger then it's Bug traits."
Bugsy heard this and chose his own Pokemon, a Beedrill. The Beedrill droned angrily as it jabbed the are with its needled arms.
"Begin the battle!" Beedrill rushed across the field and thrust it's Twinneedle attack, each missing Butterfree by a whisker. Butterfree's were not as agile or nimble as most bug types and was quickly tiring. Unexpectedly, Beedrill feigned left parried with his right
stinger. The sting grated across her belly. Butterfree screeched and emitted a powerful Confusion from her antennae that sent Beedrill crashing into the wall of the Gym.
Beedrill buzzed more furious then ever and shot across the room, tail sting extended and aimed for Butterfree. Within a hairsbreadth of hitting her Butterfree screamed again and a Barrier of Psychic energy winked into view. Beedrill hit the Barrier with massive force and a sound like the shattering of glass rang through the air. Beedrill fell to the ground his stinger shattered. Now that his strongest
weapon was useless he let out a pitiful moan and fled back towards his Pokeball. But before he could make it back to his trainer, Butterfree to a final passing shot, a Psywave.
Telepathic waves rolled over him like the irrepressible tide. He fainted just before his trainer.
"I guess Call got some of it from you too," said with a Bugsy cynical smile at Cal's objections. He wryly produced his last Pokeball. "Go Heracross!" Heracross snapped to attention as soon as he appeared.
"Time for my secret weapon, I call Shahman!" Shahman blasted from his Pokeball in a wave of red. His high pitched scream echoed around the Gym. Bugsy gapped at the rare bird Pokemon. He glanced at Heracross and doubt paled his face. It suddenly hardened,
surprising for on so soft. "Horn attack." Heracross lunged at the grounded bird, taking him by surprise. He scooped it up between the fork of his horn and before Shahman could react, heaved him into the far wall, exactly where Beedrill had landed earlier. I noticed a small crack had formed and Bugsy shook his head, frowning. Again Shahman screamed, in pure rage. A miniature thunder cloud blossomed above Heracross which he failed to see. When he finally did heed the crackling overhead he looked up in
amazement.
Big mistake!
"Hera!" he screamed as the lightning surged down his horn and through his body, but a thunder clapped drown put the cry. Time crawled by as the bolt illuminated the air. Shahman swept into the middle of the lightning strike, his silver body glowed with
electricity as it bonded with the lightning. A blazing ball of light blinded me and exploded. I was thrown to the ground by the blast. The electric white light roared around us, threatening to pull me into blackness.
The scotching heat finally disappeared. I winced as I opened my eyes and scanned my surroundings. The Gyms lush green leaves had caught fire and were eating the foliage away at a rapid pace. Bugsy at the other end clutched his sobbing sisters while regaining his own muddled thoughts. Suma had bore the attack well and was still standing, grinning ecstatically as Maverick at her side. She sent him to douse the flames and recalled Shahman to her outstretched arm. He perched happily as he watched his fallen opponent return to his Pokeball. Heracross wasn't the only one who had fainted.
Cal and Aqua were barely hanging on but Vaporeon and Fury had lapsed into consciousness, as had most the bug types that lined the walls.
After 15 minutes everything had been straitened up and our Pokemon healed in Bugsy's own restorative hold. Man Fury was angry and her collar flames leaping threatening to ignite the Gyms again. Finally we stood outside, each feeling pride in our victory against
the Azalea gym, no matter how much damage we caused. I regarded my new Badge with interest. Another step on the way to stardom, another step on the way to facing the Champion, Ash Ketchem. I was scaling the stairs, slowly but surely and soon I'd be at the top.
Bit arrogant wouldn't you say?
"I bestow upon you the honour of the Hive Badge," Bugsy said with Calm prestige. "May it bring you closer to your goals. You are each worthy of the path you have chosen. Stand strong against the challenges and hardships you will face and you will never lose your way. Even you Cal," he added mockingly.
Cal scowled but then widened into a broad grin. "Bugsy, if I beat you, you better shape up or you'll be the laughing stock the Johto League."
"Is that a challenge? I still have Sizzor, Yanma and Druean." Druean was evolved Fruean.
"Thank you Bugsy. That was my hardest battle ever and I learnt tons," Sumalee beamed.
I shrugged. "Yeah, well, they said it everything I wanted to say. Might see ya round."

We had passed the main gate out of Azalea and hour ago and were now walking the well worn track. I had renamed Aqua, Aria, meaning lullaby. She had taken to it like a Golduck to water. We'd stocked up on Antidotes and Potions as well as stopping by
Kurt's for some of his custom Pokeballs. Suma and I bought a variety of each will Cal spent his money entirely on Lureballs and as a reward, I really should stop taking these, for rescuing Pokey, his daughters Slowpoke, he gave us each a Charcoal amulet. I
attached mine to Fury as they were said to make fire attacks more powerful. It was pretty, a single flickering flame inside an amber casing.
After leaving Azalea, I had argued what was the use of Lureballs in a forest of Grass, Poison and Dark types until he flatly ignored me.
Suddenly the forest loomed in front of us, dark and menacing in the twilight. The three of us disputed whether or not to enter after dark. Our decision was waylaid as a shadow slipped from the trees.
"Not so fast," Tobias barked. Fury growled at my side as the moons grey cast illuminated his form. His long red hair swished in the night breeze and he still bore the angry red scars Fury had given him. I tensed and surveyed the area for Angel but there
was no sign of Tobias's partner. That still didn't mean he wasn't there.
"What do you want," Cal glared and readied his hands on his Pokeballs.
"Only to challenge you. Angel and I missed you at Slowpokes Well. I offer you the same rules as there. 3 Pokemon to me, one each for you."
Suma eyed him warily and kept glancing behind her in case of an ambush. "And if we refuse?"
"I take them!" he snarled.
"Fine, we accept your challenge." Suma and I stared at Cal wide eyed. "Go Typhoon!" Typhoon escaped his Pokeball, his blue Chinese dragon form ready for action.
"Gastly go!" I gasped, as a Ghost type reformed itself outside the Pokeball. Ghost type had only one weakness, Dark type moves and from what I knew none of our Pokemon had learnt those techniques.
"Water Gun!" Cal yelled. The raging torrent blasted Gastly in the middle of it's misty body. It spluttered and coughed and tried unsuccessfully to avoid the water.
"Mean Look!" Tobias roared, frustration already entering his voice. Nevertheless, Gastly cleared the water and glared at Typhoon. He abruptly stood rooted to the spot. He thrashed where he was trying to free himself before Gastly attacked. Too late! Gastly
cackled as a black mist engulfed Typhoon. The night shade sent spasms though him body. The convulsions ceased as he fainted. Cal moaned as he recalled his Pokemon. Water had been useless against the ghost so it was time to try fire. "Go Fury!" Fury over
came her surprise quickly and bounded to face Gastly. The two faced each other.
"This isn't a staring contest! Ember!" Fury broke eye contact and instead of the usual ember attack, the fire wrapped around Gastly like a blanket. After two suffocating minutes Fury released it from her fiery hold and it's semi solid form dissolved.
"Pathetic Pokemon! Return!" Gastly moaned as it disappeared into it's Pokeball, a woeful sound. "Go Noctowl." I gasped again, a day full of surprises.
"Fury, Flame Wheel." I yelled as I recognised the attack. The columns of flame reached out again, but Noctowl flitted aside easily.
"Foresight!" Noctowl eyes blazed red and before you could blink a beam of light cut through the night air and Fury was caught in the centre.
"Quick attack!" Fury launched into the air and tackled her former companion in midair. They slammed into the ground, Fury on top.
"Hypnosis!" Sleep inducing waves exuded Noctowl eyes, sinking deep into Fury's skull. Noctowl shoved her off herself and crowed victory. Now it was up to Suma.
"OK Maverick, Bubble!" The Totodile sucked in a mouth full of air and blew it out at Noctowl. The each collided with the mark with deadly accuracy. Tired from her last battle, Noctowl fainted.
Now it was down to one on one, which Pokemon would Tobias choose? "Wartortle!"
Wartortle zapped from the ball, a cruel smile across it's lips. I tried to imagine the dozing Squirtle in Professor Elms Lab, but failed. I wonder what would have happened if that Squirtle had a different trainer.
The two Pokemon faced each other, Maverick growled under his breath, the triangular red fins lining his back seemed redder than usual, the yellow stripe on his chest glowed. His blue skin shone in the moonlight.
Pointing, Tobias cried, "O.K. Wartortle! Tackle attack!"
"Wartoooortle!" He tucked into his shell and flew at Maverick with phenomenal speed just like the day outside of Violet, but we'd all come a long way since then.
"Dodge him!" Suma shouted. Maverick side-stepped, he missed him by inches, "Now, Watergun!" Turning, he aimed a torrent of water into the rampaging Wartortle's shell.
"Wartortle!" he howled the high pressurised water slapping him in the face. "Now, tackle attack!" Maverick powered into his opponent, who was blinking water from his eyes. He screamed in pain as Maverick hit him.
From the other side of the field, Tobias yelled to his Pokemon. "You idiotic Pokemon. Attack with Psybeam!" Tobias must have used a TM on Wartortle, there was no way the water Pokemon could have learnt it naturally.
Sumalee knew she had to get him before he got up, "Maverick, Watergun! Hurry!" The Pokemon nodded, quickly gathering its energy for another torrent of water. But Wartortle struggled up and lifted his head defiantly, his eyes began to glow the Psybeam attack pushed at Maverick.
Maverick let out the strongest flood of water I had ever seen, at the same moment Wartortle powered out his shaft of raw psychic energy, the two collided, struggling against each other. I turned back and looked at Maverick, and everything exploded. It was deafening, and bright, I had to close my eyes and cover my ears with my hands to stop them from hurting, but it didn't help much, I felt as if there was a gong banging inside my head. My closed eyes stung, it was like looking at the sun with your eyes open.
After a few seconds the brightness was gone and the noise began to fade away. I opened my eyes, I felt dizzy and disorientated but it cleared after a while and all I could see was smoke and steam. I coughed choking on the smoke, my throat getting itchy.
"Maverick?" Suma croaked. I couldn't hear him, I could hardly even see him. "Maverick!" she screamed frantically, breaking into a coughing fit afterwards. I heard Suma crying.
"Please let him be all right. Oh please, please, PLEASE let him be all right."
I could hear Tobias call out to his own Pokemon, but not in worry "Wartortle! Get up NOW!"
There was a faint groan from the side of the area, I wasn't quite sure if it was Suma's little Totodile, or Wartortle. The smoke and steam began to clear, and I could see two forms lying on the ground, one to the side and the other in the centre. Maverick and Wartortle. The breeze blew the remaining smoke and steam away. The form on the side was Wartortle Maverick lay in the centre.
I stared in shock, at his lifeless body, it lay unmoving, his eyes, closed, "Maverick,"
Suma whispered, "No."
Wartortle began to stir, but he didn't get up. Tobias's voice cut through the silence, "Wartortle!" It echoed around in the night air, then faded away. Silence.
"Please get up, please get up, please, please, please," I prayed under my breath, in desperation. My heart began to beat furiously, as it always did when I was worried and nervous, I couldn't breathe properly, like there was something stuck in my lungs. I could feel droplets of sweat run down my face.
Everything seemed frozen, my friends, the air, the Pokemon and especially Suma. Wartortle groaned, "Wart," and struggled to his feet, he stood there wobbly, I could see him trembling, see the sweat of his effort, and the tears of his pain, slowly run down his face. But there was something else too. Determination.
Despite his trainer, he was the type of Pokemon that wouldn't give up, till every bone in his body had been broken, till every muscle had been torn, till he lay, dying, stripped everything but pride. I admired him for that, but I also knew that Pokemon like him were the hardest to beat, and Maverick and Suma would have to work hard to triumph. I also knew that if Maverick didn't get up in five seconds, they'd lose the match.
Time ticked by, and Tobias smirked. "I wi..."
A slight movement, the twitch of an arm. Suma shouted, "Wait! Look, he's getting up!" I looked at Maverick, slowly; he struggled to his feet, stumbled, then straightened himself.
The red haired Tobias saw him, and growled, and nodded, turning to her. "Fine, continue the match!" he sneered.
Tears of relief ran down Suma's face, "Maverick you're all right!" She looked like she wanted run to out there and hug him, he gave her a tired grin. It seemed that the little Totodile drew his strength and energy from the Sumalee's smiling face, because he had begun to look much better, stronger, more confident.
"Woohoo! Scratch attack, Maverick!" she yelled.
Opposite me Tobias grinned, "Wartortle! Quick attack!" All I saw was a flurry of blue running towards Maverick, weaving in and out of his punches and scratches. "Now," Tobias cried, 'Tackle attack!"
"Watch out!" I warned, but I didn't need to, Maverick was ready for him, he turned, so his red finned back was facing her, he ran at him, like a speeding baseball, and with his tail, Maverick whacked him away, as if he were the baseball bat. Wartortle fell back. But immediately jumped to his feet.
Tobias whooped, punching his fist into the air, "Your mine!"
"Hurry!" Suma cried, 'Watergun!" Water spurted furiously from his mouth. "Quick, Wartortle, quick attack, again!" He dodged the water and rammed into Maverick's stomach, "Tota!"
The flow of water immediately cut off. Recovering quickly he jumped to his feet, the little Totodile leapt onto Wartortle's head, and soared, like and arrow, into the deep blue sky. Just as he began to fall, he threw his head back and screamed at the heavens,
"TOTADILE!"
Everyone stood, silent, staring in awe, and we all watched, as the most extraordinary thing happened.
Maverick began to glow, he became the colour of a deep ocean, then he began to change. He turned, from living flesh and blood, to pure, liquid, water, it sparkled, reflecting the moons rays. His body was still the same shape and size, but now he was made of water. He began to glow, a bright blue aura surrounded him, and I could see things in the air begin to rush towards him, sticking to his skin, becoming a part of him. As this happened, the air began to get dryer and the air seemed hotter than usual. I came up beside Suma, still watching the spectacle in the sky.
"What's happening?" I whispered
Cal spoke quietly, "I know what it is." We both turned curiously towards him. "It's called 'Rainsong'. It's an attack that only a few Water Types can perform, because it requires extreme concentration, as you can see, the Pokemon leaps into the air and transforms himself into the purest water, he absorbs all the moisture in the air around him and then, when he's finished, and has gathered it around him, he unleashes it upon the opponent Pokemon. Combined with his energy and water, it becomes a furious storm, rain pours, like a waterfall, onto the Pokemon, and the sky darkens and lightning shoots down, and the Pokemon faints. It's a Water types ultimate attack, it's like a miniature hurricane, or cyclone or something unleashed just onto the opponent Pokemon, when it happens, Wartortle will immediately faint, and will be in a critical condition,"
I breathed slowly, absorbing this into my brain. Maverick continued to surprise me with his strength, now this. I looked up at him. He had finished absorbing moisture, and he looked down at Wartortle.
"TOTADILE!"
Clouds formed from the remaining moisture in the air, they darkened, a steel grey. Without any warning, Maverick unleashed all his energy and water at Wartortle. It struck him, stunning the Pokemon. Furious winds picked him up and tossed him around the place, he cried in pain every time he thumped against the ground.
Desperately, Tobias cried, 'Quick, use psybeam!" But it was useless Wartortle didn't have the strength.
Rain began to pour, like a huge waterfall, onto his head, soaking him, and pinning him to the ground. There was a roaring clap of thunder, and a sharp bolt of lightning zapped from the sky, sizzling him.
Tobias cried out. "NO!"
Wartortle let out an agonizing scream of pain. Then silence covered the air, like a white mist, engulfing us all in its quiet embrace. The sky cleared, and everything looked back to normal. Maverick fell to the ground. Landing safely on his feet. Made of flesh, blood and scales once again.
Maverick grinned enthusiastically and chattered to Suma about his victory in his Totodile language. Suma cut to the chase. "Hand over the Pokemon!"
"Nooo!" he shrieked. "If I can't have your Pokemon...!" He ripped something form his pocket and tossed it into the air, laughing maniacally.
Maverick, thinking it a game of fetch, sprang after it, jaws wide. Suddenly, Fury snapped awake. She saw Maverick chasing the strange rock.
"NO MAVE!" and rocketed into air. Time slowed to a crawl. The space between each heart beat seemed and eternity. As Maverick's jaws clamped on the object, Fury's paw touched it to bat it away. Both began to blaze and iridescent white light, brighter even then Maverick had just before. They hung in the air until I thought that if I encountered anymore bright light I'd be blind for life. I screwed my eyes shut and waited for the light to die. When I opened my eyes, the sight broke my heart. Maverick sat on the ground ginning his perpetual grin, but Fury lay on the ground sobbing.
I rushed forward and took her in my arms. "What's wrong Fury?" I cried, my voice rich with anxiety. She only sobbed harder. I looked up to see Sumalee and Cal looking grimly at the stone and Suma's Pokedex.
"What are you doing here?" A sharp voice cut through the darkness. I jerked my head to see Angel. He spotted me at the same time and only glared venomously. I ignored him and turned back to Fury. Angel did likewise. "Now what?" He didn't have to ask he saw the stone. "You idiot! What good are is her Pokemon now? Not only did you abandon your post but waste a valuable item! Forget it, we've more important things to deal with!"
"It's done?" he gawked.
"Yes, no thanks to you," Angel snapped. "Now move it." He glanced at us again and smiled his chilling smile, his cold eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Johto is ours!" He tossed a smoke bomb to the ground. It exploded and the two were gone. I didn't care.
"What kind of stone was it," I asked though I didn't have to.
"An Everstone," Suma murmured her eyes downcast but they kept straying back to Maverick who simpered moronically. He didn't care if he evolved or not.
"Is there a cure?" I pleaded, my voice cracking.
"A Metamorphus Stone but their so rare they're practically a myth."
Cal and Suma Set up camp, a hard thing to do in the dark, while I rocked Fury before the
campfire until she cried herself to sleep.