III-A Battle, Among Other Things
Torchic had completely forgotten the last part of his conversation with Psyche. It was just another beautiful morning but Aunt Hero lay despondently near the fence. The Poochys had gone to be with their father and later on, some won't be coming back. Torchic wished that they won't take away Light—the nice poochyena who still wanted to be his friend. His Mommy sat on the fence next to Hero, constantly cheering her up. Mommy had gotten in late yesterday, plopping herself on the pillows next to his cradle. She still said good-night. Aunt Psyche wore a nice bonnet and was watering the flower beds with a pail that looked like a blue fish with a mean look on his face. Torchic was running around Aunt Psyche, trying to catch her flowing robe. He never did.
Psyche tilted the pail upwards and her eyes glowed blue. Blaziken looked up, as did Hero, to the flowerbed which was next to the ranch's entrance. A kid with a red backpack and PokeBalls in his belt was tramping up the path. They all watched him warily as he stopped right in front of the low ranch gate.
He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and scratched his head. Seeing a Gardevoir in a flower hat, he decided that she was a good person to ask as any.
"Uhm...excuse me, but is there a Rowen del Sol here?"
Psyche assessed this new visitor. He was a human boy of prepubescent age with green eyes and messy black hair shaped like an Alakazam's whiskers stuck out from his red and white cap. He wore a silver shirt with a navy-blue jacket, black jeans, brown boots and a strange device similar to a watch was attached on his hand. The only strap of his red backpack was slung across his chest, decorated with button pins. A psychic aura radiated from him and she detected an aggressive streak towards her master.
The air shimmered around Psyche as she prepared to cast an attack. Torchic ran to his mommy because his aunt's vibes were scaring him. Blaziken, picking up the Gardevoir's signals, bristled and leapt in front of Torchic. The dark-type Mightyena wondered what's wrong.
"It's all right, Psyche," a voice echoed from the Gardevoir. Her eyes stopped glowing, having finished channeling her thoughts. "He isn't psychic."
There was a tap on his back. The kid, who had been quite unnerved by the Gardevoir, found himself looking up to the smiling face of a young man with wavy brown hair spilling out of a yellow bandanna proclaiming "Cool Combusken". He held out one hand clad in a red and black glove.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Rowen."
The kid stared at his hand a few seconds before posing into a challenge stance. "Rowen de Sol, I'm Gen Erik Stamina and I challenge you to a Pokemon fight!"
The wind passed them and Rowen blinked. He placed a hand to his mouth and tried to suppress his laughter.
"What? Did I do something funny?" Gen asked, annoyed.
Rowen smiled sheepishly. "Sorry but you see, I'm a Pokemon breeder. I don't battle much. I'm pretty sure you can find some other willing trainer."
The boy furiously shook his head. "No way! I've heard your name resound in Lilycove. When I heard you were in Mossdeep, I came with the hopes of specifically finding you." He pointed a finger at him. "Come on, even breeders can battle! Where's your honor—or you too chicken?"
Blaziken snorted at this remark.
"My honor's fine, Gen. Sorry but I don't battle anymore." Rowen expected a little more resistance from this zealous trainer so he was surprised when the kid actually sighed in defeat.
"Okay, I understand. It's just that—" he took the piece of paper again "Hilary told me to battle with you if I had the chance."
Rowen snatched the paper. "Hilary sent you! That's another story!" The breeder furiously scanned each line like a lifeline. "Sure, anything for a friend."
The battle area was set in the clearing consisting of grass, south of the ranch. Blaziken was perched back on the fence, leaning a little bit. Hero stuck her head between the space of the fence and Torchic squeezed underneath to the other side. They had the clear view of the two humans (and a Gardevoir) facing each other. They stood twelve feet apart and aside from the ranch, there were no other obstacles for at least twenty feet. Perfect.
"Mommy, what're they doing?"
"It's a battle, my dear."
Oh, boy! Torchic thought. He knew what battles were but hasn't seen one since the day he was hatched. It would be the first time he'll actually see one.
The Mightyena gave a pleasurable growl. "It's been so long since I've seen one."
"Rowen, are you sure about this? I've sensed strange alpha waves from this boy."
"Relax, Psyche, this guy is totally okay. I think I know why you got those waves-thingy. Now let's see..." Rowen looked around. Psyche was here and Soleil and Hero were over there...
"Hey, Gen, I've only got three Pokemon available so would a three-on-three battle be okay?"
"Sure! You'll be a good warm-up for when I challenge the Mossdeep Gym for my Mind Badge!"
"Heheh, this poor sucker doesn't know what's he's in for. I'll pummel him with my strongest three. Hilary's got to be impressed when I beat him!" Gen snickered.
"Uhm...how do battles start again?" The breeder called out apologetically.
The kid face faulted then quickly stood up, shaking his head. "Hoo-boy, what a chump! I don't see what Hilary sees in him. Maybe I should go easy on him... No! The sooner I get this over with the sooner I can find someone stronger to challenge. Then Hilary would be swooning in my arms."
"Uhm...excuse me...your drool's dripping on your boots."
"What?" He hastily wiped his face, embarrassed. "Just take out your PokeBall already!"
"PokeBall?"
"You've got to be kidding me!" Had he stopped training for so long that he had forgotten everything? Gen sighed at Rowen's ignorance and held out a ball with red on the top half and white on the bottom. He tossed it to the air and caught it. The breeder oohed and clapped. Gen felt the sweat dropping from his head. Was this the fearsome trainer he was supposed to beat for Hilary's admiration?
"My Pokemon are out in the open so I'll just call them when it's their turn." Rowen gestured to the fence where the other two watched. Gen studied the breeder's team. Aside from the Psychic who tried to attack him, there was a reddish and yellow thing called a Blaziken. He had battled one back in the mainland Hoenn and he knew it was a fire-type. A black dog resembled his Houndoom but without the horns and bone anklets so he had to assume that it was a dark and fire-type.
"Fine by me. Tell you what, I'm not going to go easy on you but I'll tell you the types I'm gonna to choose to give you a slight edge. First, Dark then Grass and my last will be a Psychic."
"This fool's gonna fall for my trap," Gen thought. "By luring him into a false of security, he'd be baited to use type advantage. And I've trained my team to disregard their type weaknesses!"
"This fool thinks we'll fall for his trap." Psyche channeled her disbelief. Her master unwound his arms from his head and gave a friendly smile.
"Thanks for the tip!" replied Rowen.
Gen pulled his hat backwards as he winded up and pitched his PokeBall to the middle of the battle area. "I choose you! Hellbringer!" In a flash of white, the form of a big black dog with, what where his ears should have been were two long curving horns. Along its back were several bones and a thin tail with end shaped like an arrowhead. Two shackle-like bones adorned each ankle.
Rowen clapped and gave a thumb's up. "Love your pose!"
"Really? 'Cause I saw it in TV. Once, there was this cool guy, Ash, and even if he lost, he's my hero and inspired me to go—" The Houndoom, quickly getting tired of the monologue, turned and unleashed a chain of flames. Gen quickly ducked, the flames just grazing his hat!
"Hell! You know that this is my official Pokemon League hat!" Hellbringer let loose another stream of fire, watching in enjoyment as his trainer rolled on the ground. Gen threw away his smoking jacket. Well, better his jacket than his skin.
The Houndoom howled and spurted fire, burning with desire to fight! Gardevoir, Gen and Torchic were filled with momentary dread at the wail; but Mightyena rose and growled in return; Rowen and Blaziken felt the urge to battle.
"Well, time to call my own." Rowen placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Hero squeezed through the fence and tentatively walked to the clearing. Gen was a bit surprised that he called the dog out; he had expected that he would save the dark-type for his psychic. But it makes more sense if he saved his fire-type for his grass and pit his Psychic against Psychic.
"C'mon, Hero! C'mon, girl..."coaxed Rowen.
Gen rolled his eyes. The guy needed to plead with his Pokemon! This was turning into less than a challenge than he first thought. His Houndoom seemed to feel the same way. "Hero? What's a bitch like you doing with a sire's name?"
The Mightyena's depression over her pups was replaced by the displeasure at this jerk's attitude. She wasn't insulted being called a bitch (she was, after all, a female dog). But Rowen thought that nickname just for her, even if he was so dense he didn't realize until she gave birth that she was a female. Any derisive comment concerning her pack results in retribution. She bounded in front of Hellbringer and laid her body low, her fur bristling and shiny white teeth bared.
"I like my name!" growled Hero.
Hellbringer was so surprised at having her at close range that Hero took this opportunity to lash out and bite his nose. The Houndoom gave a piercing howl. Hero was dazed and tried to get the ringing out of her head.
"Hero, behind you!" Rowen shouted.
"No mercy, Hellbringer, Flamethrower!" Gen called at the same time. The Houndoom reared back and unleashed a torrent of flames which swept over Hero.
"Aunty!"
"Mom!"
Torchic and his mother turned to find a beautiful light-grey poochyena running toward them. She had a worried expression on her face as she slid to a stop.
"Light, I thought you were gone?" Torchic repressed the hope springing in his body.
"The guys were being stupid again so I snuck away. Mom!" Poochyena placed her paws on the fence and yelped.
The flames receded, leaving a scorched Mightyena lying to the ground. Torchic gasped and Light slipped under the fence and scrambled. One long claw reached and grabbed the scruff on her neck; she flailed her legs in the air.
"Let me down! My mom's hurt!" Light glared down at Blaziken, returned it nonchalantly.
"Mommy! What about Aunty Hero!"
Blaziken held the poochyena on her lap and raised one sharp claw to the body of Mightyena. The smoking form stirred and slowly got up. She shook herself, sending soot flying; except for the burnt-off ends, her magnificent fur was fine. She bent her head and splayed her legs, keeping her eyes on the Houndoom, who was shocked. He had unleashed his powerful flamethrower; she should've fainted by now. Yet here she was, more of his name than he'll ever be. She took one decisive step forward, he stepped back. She swaggered in her walk; feral eyes fixed on his, and growled—baring her fangs. Houndoom fell back and whimpered.
"Hellbringer, don't be intimidated! Take down!"
Hellbringer lowered his horn and charged, but felt as if his spirit to fight had been seriously taken out. Hero easily evaded to the left and the fire dog painfully slammed to the ground.
"Hero, take this chance. Crunch." Rowen said it barely above a whisper but he didn't have because Hero already knew. She pounced on and bit into his back, sinking her teeth into flesh and cracking a bit of exoskeleton. The male yowled in pain.
"Trouble", thought Gen. "Hellbringer, spout some smog!"
The Houndoom opened its mouth and released a vast toxic fog. Her nose irritated and eyes irritated, Hero released her hold and tried to run. Something rammed her side and threw her out. The son of a bitch (what, he really was!) had used a Faint attack...
The fog dissipated to reveal a Houndoom with a grin matching his trainer's.
"Okay, time to K.O. that doggy, show them how to really...CRUNCH!" As the jaws swooped down Mightyena abruptly turned, so he only got a mouthful of fur.
"Hero, get up and run around." That was Rowen's silent command for her to use her strength and she was glad to sprint and drag the Houndoom. Her thick coat cushioned the pain but did nothing but be nuisance for the fire dog.
"Hellbringer, release! Release!" shouted Gen. But Hellbringer had clamped too hard and couldn't remove his teeth.
"Hero Leap!" The spectators by the fence watched as Hero pant, run, pant, and run until she built enough momentum then leapt over the fence.
"Now swim!"
Hero ran and splashed straight into the pond where finally, the shock had pried open Hellbringer's mouth. Half a minute: A few bubbles rose to the top and Hero surfaced, dogpaddling to land. Gen ran to the fence and screamed for his Houndoom. A few more bubbles rose and a black head broke the surface heading for land. As it got shallower it became clearer that the Houndoom was unconscious and was being carried by a lily pad. It tossed the dog onto land then poked out its head, a rather somber green face with red mouth squirted water to the Houndoom's face. Hellbringer stirred and coughed up steam; satisfied, the lily pad-wearing thing smiled and slowly immersed back into water.
Gen sighed with relief. "I guess I should've trained you to survive in water, not just water attacks. Still you did a great job. Hellbringer, return!" A ray of red light hit and retrieved the Houndoom to his PokeBall
"It seems this round goes to us," an elegant fusion of male and female voices sounded in his head.
"Aaaack! What the—" Gen searched for the source and saw the last traces of blue light glowing in Rowen's and his Psychic's eyes.
Rowen shook his head and chastised his Gardevoir. "Psyche, don't send our voices to his head. He might freak out and think we're trying to demoralize him."
"Sorry, I was just so happy we won."
Gen dashed back to his place with inhuman speed and scowled. "I AM NOT FREAKED OUT! I have a Psychic Pokemon too, y'know! Besides you won through luck and taking advantage of the environment. If this was held in a real Battle Area…"
"Yadda yadda yadda…Some humans talk too much." Hero slipped back to her former place, panting and still a bit unsteady. Blaziken released Light to the ground and got down herself. The Poochyena and Torchic crowded around her as she lay down.
"Aunty Hero! I thought you died!"
"Mom!" Light licked her face and Torchic pecked an ear.
"After what I take from your mom, that was nothing. Besides I can't look bad in front of my kid, can I?" The Mightyena chuckled then wheezed. At the cries of concern, Hero pulled the two young ones near her body, glad for the presence of her pup and Torchic's warmth. "That son of a bitch was a bit stronger than expected…Let's just watch the next battle…" She laid her tired head and began snoozing.
Blaziken knelt down and took the sleeping Mightyena into her lap, knowing her body heat would be appreciated.
"Mommy, you told me if both the Battling Pokemon get knocked out, the battle's a draw. Is the battle a draw then?"
The Blaziken placed a claw to her beak to indicate silence. Light found a place next to her mom and settled, thinking how cool the way her mom got burnt and looked like a devil dog. The females (except the snoozing Mightyena) turned to watch the battle. Torchic just kept on thinking "Was it a draw then?"
When Gen ran out of breath for his tirade, Rowen pulled up his band in anticipation. "Since you called out first awhile ago, I'll do it this time. Psyche!"
The graceful green Psychic with large red eyes floated to midpoint between the two battlers, looking as serene as ever. Huh? Why wasn't he calling for his fire-type? The PokeBall in Gen's belt quivered then shook violently, wild to get out.
Gardevoir's eyes flashed red and she held her arms to her head, where an ache wracked her mind.
"Psyche, link to me then use Calm Mind now." Gardevoir became rigid and faced the sky, her whole eyes glowed blue as did Rowen's irises. The light dimmed and settled for the circle of Psyche's eyes but they didn't disappear in the human's.
On the other side, Gen was holding down the trembling PokeBall. "Let me fight her…" A cool voice reverberated from it.
"You can't! I… promised that I'll use a Grass-type." The PokeBall stopped shaking and Gen sighed in relief. "Your turn will come soon, I promise. Now, I choose you, Leaf Cutter!" He picked another ball and threw it, opening in midair and sending a fresh Pokemon in a beam of white light. A large green quad pedal dinosaur with a huge red flower as big as its back appeared, strangely wheezing out "Saur..."
"Whoa! What is that?" exclaimed Rowen.
Gen tossed up a hand and smirked. "What's wrong? Never seen a Venusaur?"
"I've certainly never seen one sent to battle asleep."
The kid looked startled at this statement and sped in front of his Venusaur. Sure enough, it was breathing soundly, little spores sprouting from its flower. "Whoopsie..." He whipped out a Full Heal and sprayed it. Venusaur woke up and roared, grabbing Gen with two vines and hanged him upside down.
"Oh no! That Veno-thing has gone wild. Psyche, we must attack!" Rowen commanded. Gardevoir lit up in blue light and prepared to attack but stopped. "Psyche! What's wrong...?"
The Venusaur placed Gen on back and gave a happy roar. The trainer laughed and patted his back. "That's a good boy. Why were you sleeping though?" He slid off and took the Venusuar's head in his hands, playing with him. Rowen smiled wryly and pulled down his band. The bond was strong between this two.
Gen gave one last pat before resuming his stance. Psyche's eyes followed him, specifically the PokeBall emitting strange alpha waves.
"We shall see what the future brings..." Psyche thought to herself.
"Are you ready for Round Two?" shouted Gen.
"Sure!"
Gen wasted no more time. "Leaf Cutter, Razor leaf!"
As a multitude of leaves raced for the Gardevoir, who glared at the leaves. Some burst with blue light and dropped to the ground. Others slipped by and cut her unflinching face. Several small cuts appeared on Rowen's face.
"Hah! Your Psychic Pokemon wasn't able to block my attack. Leaf Cutter, again, Razor Leaf!" Psyche did not move even as the shower of sharp leaves continued. Gen gloated some more as Rowen stood by, arms crossed and head down. The Venusaur was doing routine attacks but strangely felt tired and out of breath.
"Mommy! What're they doing to Aunt Psyche!" Now Blaziken was holding Sly instead of Hero, the Torchic was about ready to defend his aunt for all his worth. Blaziken shook her head, knowing the inevitable outcome.
After some more Razor Leaves, Gen was getting bored. "All right, finish up with Solar Beam!" Leaf Cutter inclined his flower at the sun and at the same time aimed at Psyche. The Embrace Pokemon looked coldly with one eye. Judging from the charging noise the light was about ready to fire from the tropical plant. Gen took that moment to snicker. Defeating—no, pummeling this Pokemon who was probably the strongest of this team was much more satisfying than some dark dog anyway.
"Mommy! He's gonna hurt Aunt Psyche! Why doesn't she use her magic to vanish, or confuse him or something! Mommy, help her!"
"Maybe she's stupid," suggested Light. Even as she slept, Hero batted the puppy's head. "Ow! Mom!"
"She doesn't need help darling," Blaziken said. "She just feels sorry for them."
Psyche raised her arms and unleashed a powerful Psychic Attack. Venusaur saw flashes of red and blue—couldn't think—felt hot and cold at once—felt his whole being torn to pieces! The light fizzled out and he groaned, dropping on his front knees. A ball of light suddenly hit Venusaur, toppling him over. He did not move after that.
"I did not wish to strike without giving him a chance."
Gen silently recalled his Pokemon. It was his fault; he had gotten cocky and underestimated his opponent. He had lowered his guard and that had allowed the Psychic to do more damage to his Venusuar's psyche. Yet Rowen had not uttered a single word throughout the battle...
"For all intent and purposes, we have already won." Psyche turned back to his trainer, now running to her. The Gardevoir blushed and hugged Rowen.
True, they won two out of three battles. But...
"No."
Psyche and Rowen looked to Gen, who held out another PokeBall. "I might've lost the Battle proper but it's a three-on-three battle and I've yet to bring out my strongest. Your strongest against my strongest. That's all that counts!" He glared at Psyche. "This one for you, Leaf Cutter!"
"You're right." Rowen pulled away from Gardevoir's embrace. "Strongest against strongest then." He held out a hand towards Blaziken. "Ken! Would you kindly do honor me by doing battle with me?"
Gen was so shocked that he dropped the PokeBall. He was so sure that the Psychic was Rowen's strongest. The PokeBall opened with a flash that went unnoticed.
Psyche's eyes welled up in tears but hastily spun around so no one could see it. She floated for a few feet then quickly teleported.
But someone did see. A yellow, almost feline like creature standing on two legs watched as the beautiful Psychic disappeared.
Just then Rowen clutched his chest and began to fall. Blaziken sprinted and caught him before he hit the ground. Gen ran up to Rowen as well, concerned even if he was his opponent who knocked out Leaf Cutter.
"Dude, are you all right?"
"Owie...Unexpected rush of emotion caught me off guard. Feels like I'm hurt...and disappointed." He paused meditatively, still holding on to Blaziken's arms. He swerved his head as if searching for someone. "Huh, our psychic connection is gone. Where's Psyche, maybe she can find out what happened. Psyche!" He ran around the clearing calling out her name, not realizing the connection between the two events. "Huh? I guess she went for a break. Never mind, I guess!" Then he laughed robustly causing Gen, Blaziken and even a Kadabra to look at him, thinking "dimwit, doofus, dunderhead" respectively.
"Are we gonna battle or what?" said Gen through gritted teeth.
"Only if Blaziken choose to accept. What do you say, Ken?" The Blaze Pokemon caught the sight of her opponent at the same moment he did. It was Gen's released Kadabra, looking at her with sharp eyes, analyzing her every move. The flames at her wrist burst to life.
"All right, the last round that settles everything!" Gen declared. He snapped his fingers and he appeared beside his Kadabra.
Gen was giving last minute tactics. "Magic, this one is definitely this guy's strongest, so start off with your most powerful attack." Kadabra sniffed and an ominous blue aura surrounded him.
Rowen was whispering as well. "I bought some more cookies today, but don't let Sly eat any because it'll ruin his appetite for dinner." Blaziken nodded in agreement and crashed her closed up claws together.
"Ready…" started the young trainer.
"GO!" finished Rowen.
She dashed to the battlefield.
"Go Mommy! Go!" Torchic was happy for Aunt Psyche's victory but now its mommy's turn. He flapped his wings and hopped. Light sat up a little straighter, wondering if Torchic's mom was as cool as hers.
Blaziken took a moment to wave at her son but suddenly a blue aura wound around her body. Kadabra levitated her and his claws drew nearer as if crushing something. The bonds on Blaziken drew tighter and she became inflexible.
"Hahah! How do you like that! My Magician's version Psychic! Now, Magician, Confusion!" Kadabra probed deeper into Blaziken's mind to befuddle her, only to gasp in horror at the image of a hellish horde of fires. The flames snaked to his arms and scorched him; Kadabra willed himself to vanish. He was back in the real world and the Blaziken was still bound, staring at him with condescending blue eyes.
"The green Psychic had helped you..." The voice was deep and shrewd.
She breathed a whirl of flames that went around her body and flexed her arms. The bonds broke and she fell to the ground gracefully.
"Correct. Psyche had trained me before for mental attacks. What you saw was my psychic firewall. You caught me off guard but now I'm prepared and your psychic attacks will do little -if any- damage." In a fluid motion, she arched her arms and splayed her legs, drawing out her fierce claws. Kadabra was reminded of the martial artists he had faced in the Saffron City.
Rowen waved little banners for Blaziken. "Do what you can, Ken!"
"If mental won't cut it then we'd have to get physical! Kadabra, concentrate Strength!" Blaziken prepared for a direct onslaught but Rowen was struck by a thought. "Wait a minute, Psychics can't learn strength. Think Rowen, think... Strength usually involves moving boulders so that means..." Sure enough, a huge boulder appeared above Blaziken's head.
"Ken, up and Rock Smash!" The hidden machine barely had time to take effect; still Blaziken fired her fist up and met the boulder, smashing it into smaller pieces. "Ken, more behind you!" Several more rocks, smaller than the first boulder, was propelling towards her by kinesis. Blaziken punched and kicked each one purely with fighting instinct, avoiding the others that flew behind. She sensed another one coming from her right and as she swerved to kick it, she was startled to find it not a rock but a Shadow Ball. It connected to her chest and sent her flying to the ground, the shadow ball still grinding into her before dissolving. She levitated, her body a puppet to Kadabra's kinesis. Blaziken struggled but found her body paralyzed; frustrated, she spouted embers.
"That combo works every time," smirked Gen. "Magician, Psybeam!"
The effectiveness of the Blaziken's "psychic firewall" had been sufficiently lowered by the nebulous Shadow Ball. Kadabra aimed his spoon. Let's see her get out of this. The spoon reverberated and a purple beam blast from it.
Rowen anxiously watched her struggle then realized she can still move her head. "Overheat!"
Her body burnt up and a cyclone of flames emitted from her beak. It swept over the beam and bulldozed on to Kadabra. He swiftly put a wall of light to protect him and his trainer. Gen had to shield his eyes as the flames thrashed against it. As he lowered his arms, he heard the sickening sound of glass breaking and felt his Kadabra swinging him around his waist. They rolled on the grass and after Kadabra released him, had the queasy feeling of being transported across space.
"Wha'happen?" Gen asked, dazed. He was sprawled on the grass—next to Rowen?
"Nice Brick Break Ken! But you gotta use Bulk Up and charge!" Rowen cheered. "Oh, you're here. There's a reason why your Pokemon should be out on the battlefield, not right beside you." But Rowen smiled as he helped the young trainer up. Where was Magician? thought Gen. As if to respond to his thought, Rowen pointed to the battlefield. The Kadabra and Blaziken were fighting in a claw-to-claw battle!
"Your Kadabra fights very well in a physical combat," complimented Rowen.
Blaziken punched for his and Kadabra ducked, sweeping his feet for her knees. The Blaze Pokemon jumped and struck his head with a fiery foot. The Kadabra followed the momentum of the hit and somersaulted away from his opponent. Kadabra's feet struck the ground and little waves of shock shot up his legs. Forehead burning, he smiled, white light swept his body, healing all physical damage. Blaziken rolled her eyes. Great a…Recoverer.
"Yes because Magician already has a strong mind, so I made sure he had a strong body has well." Kadabra dashed, disappeared and reappeared behind Blaziken, tackling her to the ground. He held out his spoon and began charging.
"You gave him lots of Vitamins," continued Rowen watching as Blaziken jerked her body over and simultaneously elbowed the ground, suffocating Kadabra. She sat up and took Kadabra's neck with a claw and squeezed until his eyes bulged out. He flailed his legs and threw the spoon which struck between the Blaziken's eyes. She let go and he took the moment of falling to aim a Focus Punch to her stomach.
"I used the best Technical Machines and trained him relentlessly against my own," affirmed Gen.
Rowen meditated on this as his Blaziken got up and faced the Kadabra, who copied her pose awhile ago. In spite of herself, Blaziken smiled.
"You fight well."
"Your fight was only an excuse to divert my Psychic prowess because your special attacks and special defense had fallen short. Despite all of that, I'd say you fight well too."
Blaziken snorted, smoke coming from her nostrils. the flames at her wrist ebbing away slowly. "I haven't felt this thrill of battle since I came here."
"As have I." But Kadabra thought of another thrill, seeing the sad yet beautiful red eyes.
"Um...are you two finished with random fighting?"
"He's right. Magician, stop this haphazard roughhousing and finish off the Blaziken!"
Kadabra sighed and glowed blue, staring intently at Blaziken. He gestured for his spoon, which flew back to his hand. Blaziken jumped back and arched her claws.
"Psy-Shadow Combo!"
"Evasive-Mirror Tactic, Ken!"
Kadabra fired several Psybeams which Blaziken evaded with quick attack. As Blaziken got nearer, Kadabra formed a Shadow Ball between his hands and fired it. Blaziken raised one claw and fire engulfed it, punching through the nebulous black substance. She brought up the other claw, which held her own Shadow Ball! She thrust through his chest, knocking him down. Magician groaned from the pain.
"Now, Heaven and Earth!"
Blaziken seized his neck, tossed him and threw up a fist in a Sky Uppercut. While in the air, Blaziken grabbed his head and threw him under her feet and finished off by crashing him the ground with Blaze Kicks. Magician's eyes twirled from all the pain, a small fire erupted from his back. She walked off Kadabra's back, resuming her magnificent pose as if saying "This round goes to me."
She slowly started to walk back to her cheering son when she felt a searing pain on her back and simultaneously got hit by a dozen different beams of lights on the front. Plummeting to the ground, she tossed one look at Kadabra, who held his spoon out.
"I foresaw an attack... Synchronize..." his voice faded as he finally fainted. Blaziken gritted her beak, as she clawed to say up. It shouldn't hurt to burn; she was a fire Pokemon for crying out loud. As consciousness escaped her, she felt the alien feeling of being in a PokeBall.
Torchic's awe at seeing his mom battle turned into worry as he watched her fall. Rowen shouted and ran to Blaziken, taking a silver chain from his shirt. At the end of the chain was a small red and white ball. He shouted "return!' and Torchic watched in amazement as the large form of his mother disappeared in a red light and slipped to the ball.
-
"Mommy..."gasped Torchic. He looked solemnly to the ground, a shadow cast on his face.
"Hey, are you all right?" The Poochyena nudged him, worried.
"My...my...mommy..."
"It's all right darling," said Mightyena.
"Mom! Since when have you been awake!"
"Since Rowen began shouting those ridiculous names. Honestly—'Evasive-Mirror Tactic?' It's a wonder that Soleil understood that she was supposed to use Quick Attack and Mirror Move. Then again it might to do with battle bonds, ability to sense the move your trainer wants...eh...what is it?" Poochyena had scratched her paw and nudged to Torchic.
"Sly, darling, your mom is just a little tired, no need to worry. Sly? Sly?"
"My...mom...is...mom...is SO COOL!" Torchic looked to them with twinkling eyes. "Did you see the way she punched and kicked and did that black stuff! Then she fell like this!" Torchic mimicked before the sweat-dropping audience. "My mom is so cool!"
"I think your mom is red-hot!" Light piled on top of Torchic and they began to chase each other.
"Hero." She felt a huge hug from behind her, she barked in delight. "Great job, Hero." Rowen stroked her head and scratched that special place behind her ears. "I'll be leaving for awhile so would you look after things here?" At the Hero's inquisitive stare, Rowen responded, "I'm going to wake up Soleil and accompany Gen to the Pokemon Center while I'm at it. There are some things that I should tell him anyway." She saw the other human looking dishearten at a PokeBall in his palm. "So take care of things while I'm gone." She barked in affirmative.
'I knew I could count on you. And one more thing..."
"Can you fix the clearing while I'm away?" She looked to the clearing with all its burnt grass. Her ears drooped but she gave a yelp which meant "Yes."
"Great. I'll be back to help!" He ran up to the trail with Gen shouting after him.
"Kids...we have a chore to do. We're gonna put some life back to that area. Kids?"
"Did someone say life?" Hero turned to see a Lombre in an apron with gardening materials tuck in the pockets, a mischievous grin and the two kids tucked under each arm. "Kamusta! I'm just the man you need!"
"This is gonna take a while..."
The Mossdeep Pokemon Center was like most other Pokemon Centers. It was a bright cheery place where a the benevolent Nurse Joy and her assistant Chansey could heal your Pokemon. That day no new Pokemon were checked in, except for the Pokemon team of one Gen Erik Stamina, a trainer who hailed from the Kanto Region. Four of his Pokemon was to stay overnight but two of them, a Houndoom and a Kadabra refused to rest after initial healing and had opted to stay in the lobby to wait for their trainer.
Hellbringer paced the lobby, growling every so often. He had a cast on one of his exoskeletons but other than that he was fine. Why he needed a cast was beyond him... Why the image of that furred beauty attacking him kept popping to his mind was also beyond him...
He dropped down next to blue plushy waiting sofas where his companion, Magician, was reading a magazine. He growled again.
"If you want to eat and too lazy to get up, I could ask Nurse Chansey for some food," Magician said from behind the rustling pages. If Houndoom was a bit less compassionate, he would've aimed a flamethrower at his face. Magician's back and his head except for the left eye were swatted with bandages dripping with ointment. Hellbringer's heart wrenched at sight. And when he gets soft and worried he panics and turns it into fury.
"Don't you see! We never needed to have bandages before but look at us! We are Gen's strongest Pokemon but we were defeated by some bitch!"
"You were defeated by the female Mightyena. And you should really refrain from using that language, some humans find it offensive and Gen might pick up your foul mouth." He turned to the next page and chuckled at the speed of the newest super computer.
"Shut the friggin up! You never grew up in the streets or watched day time television!" He scowled, baring his teeth. "A female what?"
"Female Mightyena...the species are quite a common sight in the wild and streets of Hoenn." He held up the cover page of the lifestyle magazine, where a model and her Mightyena posed. Hellbringer scoffed at her, fur had puffed up with frills and bows.
"Ugh! She could've been cute. Now that bitch I fought...she was fine! I mean—" Houndoom clawed his nose. "She's fine a dirt meat bag! Get her stinking image outta my head!" He rammed his head against the wall and shouted more oaths, much to the disapproval of the passing Nurse Chansey. Magician walked over and pulled away the Houndoom from damaging any more public property.
"If I ever see that bitch again, I promise to rip her adorable fur to shreds! Did I say adorable, I meant abominable. Just where the hell are you dragging me?"
"To settle this. Excuse me Nurse Chansey, but may we use the computer?" Nurse Joy was in with the patients so he had to ask Chansey. The nurse glared dubiously at the Houndoom.
"I'm sorry for the rude behavior of my associate but I promise to keep him in line."
The Chansey nodded and took Kadabra's face into her little arms and squeezed it. She took a tray of medicine left on the lobby desk, blushed, and scurried away.
"What was that about?" asked Houndoom, sitting up. Kadabra had released him and was typing on the keyboard.
"That was the Chansey who treated my burns. I think she fancies me."
"Wha...?" Houndoom shook his head—that was just weird… And about Magic's burns… "In the name of blazes, couldn't you have used Recover?"
"It wouldn't have been as effective. Besides, she's new and had never treated burns before. Not to mention the bandages make me look dashing." A PokeBall with the words "Loading" flashed on screen.
"Dashing, my ass. Hey what's that thing?" The screen was totally white except for a small vertical line blinking in some small box.
"Watch your language. A National dex search engine. It would enable us to find information on any Pokemon stored in the official worldwide database."
"Watch your own. Huh?" That little thing has some world wide database?
"It's like Gen's Pokédex—the one you mistook for an apple and tired to roast, remember?—only much more expansive." He typed in the word "Blaziken" and waited.
"I said I was sorry! Hey...if you knew about this then why didn't you let Gen use it?"
"I just read about it in the magazine. It wasn't ready for public viewing yet but I decided for a sneak preview."
If Houndoom knew more about computers, he might've been impressed with Magician's hacking skills. Instead he was more interested at the human-like yellow and red thing. "What is that yellow and red thing?"
"It's the Pokemon who defeated me. Blaziken." There were some more information stated but neither Hellbringer nor Magician was interested.
"Fire-type, right? He looks kinda evil. I like him!"
"Actually, a "she" fought me." Another window popped up, this time with a Mightyena. He skimmed it while Hellbringer compared the one in the screen with the one on his mind. "It says here that she's also a dark-type like you and likes to bite...Hmm..." It listed statistics that Magician knew Hellbringer won't care about.
"What else, how about her likes or dislikes? Favorite food? Music? Not that I wanna know or anything..."
"It offers on information on Mightyenas as a species, not about the one you're in the heat with." He reverted the Blaziken page to the homepage and began typing a descriptions search: a floating Psychic Pokemon. The results: A Chimeco. No, no...add to the list, skin the color of spring leaves and haunting red eyes...
"In the heat? If that's your fancy way of telling me that you think that I think that's she's hot then...What's that you're looking at?"
Houndoom was suddenly distracted by a noise. The automatic sliding doors opened for a young trainer in a silver shirt and black jeans who no longer had a watch to his hand. He looked around the lobby and was happily surprised to find two of his Pokemon by the computer next to the desk. He ran up to them and kneeled down speak better with Houndoom, who was nearer. "Hey guys! Where're the others?"
But it was Kadabra who answered, back still turned to the two. "They'll stay overnight, as planned. But Bringer and I felt well enough to be out of our PokeBalls."
"Darn it, Magic!" protested the Houndoom. "Call me Hell or Hellbringer but never Bringer! It's not cool!"
"So I won't be able to fight the Gym until tomorrow." Gen sighed but cheered up. "At least I got to train with Rowen though I'm sorry I lost the battle for us."
Kadabra and Houndoom exchanged looks. Gen had never apologized before. It felt weird... but nice. "It wasn't entirely your fault. It was mine. That bitch probably used Attract on me," grumbled Hellbringer.
Clickety-clack went the keys. "Or probably scared you, which attracted you more."And the amusement couldn't be kept from his voice.
The truth's humiliating. "I'll have you know, she cheated! When we went into water, a green water-Pokemon suddenly attacked me and knocked me out! Gen, I demand we have a rematch!"
But Houndoom found himself ranting to air because Gen was showing off to Magician the new toys he got. "Look at this, Rowen gave me his old Pokédex. Still, It's much more advanced than the one Hellbringer broke. And look at this..." He held out a golden device much like a cellphone. "It's called a PokeNav. Rowen gave it to me as well since he didn't need it anymore. He erased all his previous information so it's like totally brand new. It's got a map; condition and ribbon charts; and get this—a feature called 'Trainer's eyes!' It's much better than the Pokégear I got in Johto—I can't call home anymore but I'll just buy a phone or call from Pokemon Centers..."
"What happened to the gear?" asked Houndoom, glad the Pokédex business was over.
Gen continued to scroll and explore the new features. "Eh? I felt kind of guilty for taking all this great stuff so I gave it to him. I learned a bunch of stuff too—it's been upgraded for wi-fi purposes!"
"What stuff did you learn then? Battle techniques?"
"How 'bout I tell you guys during lunch. I'm starved!" Houndoom heartily agreed and sprung for the door. Gen looked back to the Kadabra still glued to computer. "Magic, you coming? We're going to try some cafés plus I need you to figure out how to install this upgrade work properly."
Magician sighed, took one last scan at the page then logged off. There was always something to take care when it comes to Gen. Anyway, he would just ponder over the information as he eat. For example, what would it feel like to be hugged by an Embrace Pokemon?
Torchic watched over the surf break into the shore. He leapt down the steps and yelled as the water splashed around his legs. The wet sand felt nice under the his claws. He flapped his wings as he ran, searching.
Then he found him, sitting melancholy facing the ocean. A large pad tilted up then down, showing the wearer was sighing deeply. He stood up and started wading to deeper waters.
"Uncle Ridikus!"
A somber face turned back, breaking into an inquiring smile. He turned his green body around, his long arms ending with three fingers touching the sands. Torchic wasn't able to master yet the name of his uncle, Ridiculous the Lombre.
"Solsly hijo! Why are you being here?" Uncle Ridikus was the only one who calls him by full name and hijo, which was Uncle's way of saying, "nephew".
"'Why are you being here?'" Torchic repeated the strangely constructed sentence. Lombre thought the child was asking him the same question. Tears streamed from his eyes and he dramatically crossed an arm over his chest.
"Ah hijo... I come to watch the sea turn and judge her many moods. Today she is like me, depressed and weeping..." He gestured to the waves, which seemed the same to Torchic. He chirped and Lombre took this as a question. "Why, you ask? Because try as I might, I am not being accepted into this world of even as I spring my joyfulness."
Torchic stared at his Uncle, who sighed again. "Your Aunt Hero booted me out from cleaning the field. I hurt at most. I was eager watering and spilled a little water on her. Such unfairness! " The little water was a summoned surf attack from the pond. "I planted some fresh seeds so not only grass be growing but also flowers. At such happiness, I hugged her." Torchic involuntary shuddered, having felt the slimy coldness of Uncle Ridikus's arm. "She thrown me out and told me to be misplaced as she finished. So I went to the sea. But you, Sly hijo, why are you being here?"
"Aunt Hero told Light and me to play after we scratched away the burnt up pieces but Light wanted to sleep so I went to exploring by myself. What're you doing now?"
"Sly hijo, now I must swim for nothing exhilarates the blood more than a brisk dive with the waters herself, yes! Seeing my sea-borne cousins and challenging the currents, feeling the salty tang brush against my face, I emotion so alive!"
Torchic's eyes twinkled with excitement at Uncle Ridikus's imagery. Lombre waded further so half of his body was now submerged. There was the splashing of little feet and he was thrown a bit forward. The end of his pad was heavier that the others; he felt the weight slide to his front side; from that end, a little upside face appeared, smiled and chirped.
"Dios mio! Hijo, what're you doing up in my pad!"
"I want to swim the sea with you, Uncle."
"Sly, you cannot be for you are a fire that shall be extinguished by the water. Besides, your mother will flambé, grill, roast then kill me if she knew I'll taking to the seas."
"But you told me once my mom dived with you and Rowen. Without the PokeBall!"
"Your mother was Combusken and had sufficient training with the waters. It shall hurt your warmth body."
"It doesn't hurt me! I've had sand baths and water baths!" argued Torchic. "And I won't be in water, Uncle Ridikus. That's why I'm here on top."
Still Lombre was heading back to the shore. Torchic pulled the ridge with his beak. "Puh-lease, Uncle! I want to see the beauty of the sea. I want to know what's beyond. I've been waiting my whole life! Nothing would be better than my glorious Uncle showing me."
Lombre's mind changed the instant he heard "glorious" but gave a long suffering sigh and dived back to the water, making sure the pad floated on top. Torchic sat on the makeshift boat, just enough place for him to comfortably stretch his little legs. As they picked up speed, Torchic spread his wings and felt as if he was flying. The sun was shining and the sea was sparkling, Solsly, felt as if he was in for a life-changing adventure...
Maybe one day, beyond these waters will be the land I find my dad...
In a dry islet of three trees not too far off Mossdeep, a Linoone snoozed on the trees. Or was trying to. He unwound and swiped at its neck, the leather collar set too tightly, shining with all its metal hooks. It had tiny hooks inside as well which clung and tore at his throat. Add to that was the little zappers situated inside so his trainer could remotely electrocute him at any moment and you've got yourself a nice little torture device. Who needed to breathe properly anyway?
Linoone knew that if he didn't pick up some more stuff that night his current trainer would set it even tighter. He had tried and tried to slice it off and run away. He tried to be weak and disagreeable so he'd be abandoned. All that earned him was a hunt down, a psychic tracker and the brilliant idea of electrocution. He wished he had never evolved or that he didn't had such zest for living. His spirit had been broken but it's that innate belief that kept him from suicide. Pity.
And hope for the girl he fell in love with and wished never left.
He could give the single berry he found today on the trees, Deschaines wouldn't be happy either way so he decided to eat it. He took little bites but when swallowing became painful, he gulped the rest down. Better get it over with. His supersensitive ears pricked up picking out a soft sobbing sound. There was sudden drop of atmosphere—an aura of misery…or maybe that was just himself. He listened closely but heard no more. Maybe he should take a good look around…
He scurried headfirst on the trunk and looked to the shining sea. Such a beautiful day...bleah. What would that little Torchic be doing around this time? He thought as he watched a pack of Wailmers swimming in from his far left. He squinted. What was that speck of red among the Wailmer blues?
He dropped down and ran across the sands, splashing into the wet shore hidden under the high tide. From behind a tree, a tearful but curious Gardevoir watched.
"Sly?"
He kept running in a straight line, gaining speed. An earthly wail and loud sloshing of water just served to feed his fear. He dug his feet in, sliding and splashing for several feet before completely stopping. The image was much clearer now.
Right among the passing school of Wailmers was the Torchic...and he was drowning.
Linoone gaped for one more second before diving to ocean and swimming for dear life.
-
We were going fast...and Uncle Ridikus didn't see the blue Wailers in time...One Wailer crashed on us...Uncle Ridikus was pushed away...I heard him shouting, gurgling like in a bath tub...But this wasn't a bath tub... There were no happy aunts or uncles to pull me out if the water got deep... I flapped his wings to stay on top but a Wailer crushed his own wing on me...Uncle Ridikus was fighting a Wailer so he can't pull me out...Mommy...Where's my mommy...
I'm so tired of flying in water...it hurts...I don't feel hot any more...the light is going bye-bye...Light, don't go...Mommy, pull me out!
Torchic was drifting deeper from the surface, farther from the white shiny bellies of the whales blocking the sun. His Uncle Ridiculous was somewhere close by, being blocked and pushed back by an enraged Wailmer.
The Lombre blew Bullet Seeds at the incoming lord of the pack, a Wailmer of nearly eight feet. He got a rammed backwards instead. He spread his arms to slow himself and quickly dived under the Wailmer as he continued to ram forward. He anxiously searched the waters for Torchic before being whacked downwards by the tail.
"I am apologizing; I do not threaten your pack. I just want my fire hijo back!" Lombre explained, bubbles coming out from his mouth. Wailmer answered by another ear-splitting wail and slammed into him. Lombre grimaced and placed his hands against the Wailmer. He gathered his strength and pushed, diverting the humongous creature to his left. Funny how graceful he could be on water but not on land, he managed to muse as he continued for to search. He twirled as the Wailmer dived next him, slapping the end tail at him it passed. Funny how it applied to the ugly fish. Ugly fish be damned, every second counted. Lombre faced the incoming Wailmer, glaring.
"I get the feeling you be asking for death." He put his hands together, gathering energy. "Rowen asking me to use only in emergency, the Beam of Hyperness!"
The Wailmer opened its mouth to release its own hidden attack.
-
I want my mommy before I go...I want my daddy!
The last thoughts before fading out... a loud explosion, the last sound...a firm hold on his neck, the last feeling...
-
Linoone took the little creature in his mouth carefully and quickly headed to the surface. The little Torchic had been easy to find, a soft blue light had kept pulsating around him. Even if the Wailmer had moved on, he paddled up and away, making sure they were very far. The explosion did not deter him in any way.
-
Gardevoir floated over the submerged shores. She felt an overwhelming sense of danger and fear, over people she had loved or known. She gripped her hands and shrilled, causing the two Wailmers to fly due to her outburst. She sensed it—somehow it was the Wailmers' fault—felt it in the vibes left behind just a few seconds after the Linoone. Every pent emotion she gathered, and crying, threw her arms forward, lifting the whole pack and sent them flying away. This caused a noise much like an explosion. She crumpled to the ground, exhausted, hands clasped above the red bisector of her body, several more tears escaping. She mustn't cry now—what would Rowen think, the idiot. Someone she loved might be in danger. She chanted, focusing her mind and giving reason to be calm.
"Bring him to me—save the one from the danger—bring me the one I know or love, and let his appearance teleport here before ME!" She swung her arms backwards, leaving two blue blurs and opening a blue rift before her. From this rift spat out a huge hunk of ice with a Lombre shivering inside. Psyche took one look at this and screamed, breaking ice. The Lombre wobbled and fainted, eyes crossed and tongue sticking out. The Gardevoir took him up and started slapping him, pausing at every word.
"You-idiotic-Lombre-wasted-my-mind-worrying-about-your-careless-stupidity-Arrrrggghh!" She dropped him and zapped a Psychic attack, sending the body convulsing. She panted, exhausted but feeling better for releasing her upset emotions. The horror was not over yet for riding the waves was the Linoone. Psyche's eyes widened at the sight, especially the limp body of her beloved nephew.
Faster on land than on water, Linoone shot up and past Gardevoir, the beach, the steps up the island and guardedly laid the Torchic on safe, dry grass. He laid his paws on his tiny stomach and vigorously pumped it. Torchic shuddered, coughed and steam erupted from his beak. Tired and satisfied, Linoone breathed heavily, wincing at the effort it took him. And squinted sideways to the shocked Gardevoir.
"Sly?"
"Psyche, quick...Pokemon...Center..." panted Linoone. The dazed Gardevoir took Torchic in her arms, caressing him and looking oddly more like a human, in Linoone's opinion. He took a moment to wonder at a mother's touch before turning tail and running.
"Sly, wait! Don't you want to see Solsly, your son...?" Psyche implored but too late, he had gone. Torchic opened his eyes halfway and sleepily called out, "Daddy."
That evening, in the infirmary for baby Pokemon, a Blaziken kneeled beside a perambulator
"My baby..." The first thing he saw was his mother's teary face.
"Hi, mom..." was his weak greeting.
To Blaziken, it was the most beautiful words in the world. "Don't you ever do that again!"
"Sorry." He remembered his uncle's words. "Is Uncle Ridikus dead?"
"Close." She didn't have to do anything, Psyche had done it for her.
"Oh." Torchic looked up, where he saw the ceilings through the glass. "Mommy, tell me about daddy."
"Your father?"
"I dreamt that he was the one who saved me and that he visited me while I was sleeping. But that can't be right because Aunt Psyche was the one who saved me. I guess it's because I've been thinking about him a lot these days..."
"I'd imagine how he'd look like, if I'm anything like him. Am I mommy? Am I?"
"You were very inquisitive like him. Just rest now darling."
"What's inquisitive?"
"It means you asks a lot of questions, darling. But sleep..."
"Then I'd imagine how he'd look like but I could never get a clear picture. But I know he's like you and Aunt Psyche and Aunt Hero: very warm. He'd curl up around me and make me feel warm."
"Mommy, tell me about daddy. Didn't you love him?"
"..."
"Didn't he love you? Didn't he love me?"
"Mommy, please tell me..."
"Please...?"
A/N: Yes, Ri2, you are correct, the Linoone is indeed Sly's father. Subtlety has never been my strong point.