Mari's mind raced. 'It's obvious Powder Snow deals more damage on Kendar than Water Gun, but he has a likelier chance of avoiding it with that Iron Tail of his.' "Okay, Castform," she said aloud. "This is it, use Powder Snow!"
"Kendar, Iron Tail!" Atzie countered, praying he had enough speed to pull it off.
The two Pokemon were about eight meters apart, and each had sweet victory on their minds. Both were determined to make the other fall.
Kendar moved first, heading with as much speed as he could muster towards Castform, his tail shining silver.
The rainwater was pouring down, and Castform allowed that to fuel her transformed body's soul. She charged up her attack with all her remaining strength, and waited for Kendar to come closer.
When he reached a distance of five feet from her, she gushed a freezing Powder Snow over him. Not fast enough to deflect it, Kendar fought the onslaught with pure willpower. Charging through the icy attack, he raised his tail, aimed for the attack's source, and connected with Castform. The Powder Snow stopped; Castform was flung hard onto the ground. Seviper stood shivering, looking over at his fallen opponent. Her eyes were closed, and her battered body did not budge. Castform would not be getting up this time.
"Castform!" Mari dashed over to her unconscious Pokemon, cradling her in her arms. "You did so great, thank you," she whispered.
Kendar collapsed as his victory was acknowledged. Atzie raced to his side. "They sure gave us a run for our money, huh?" she joked to take his mind off his aching body. He weakly smiled, still shivering from the cold. Atzie held her umbrella over him and continued. "Don't you worry. There's a Pokemon hospital on our ship, and you'll be all better soon." She recalled him into his Pokeball and walked over to Mari.
Mari stood up and faced Atzie, holding Castform in her arms. "Thanks for the battle," Mari said. "I doubt I'll ever forget it!"
"Good," Atzie smiled. "Now don't you get discouraged if you lose on occasion. I plan on battling you again someday!"
"You bet! I've learned a lot already, and I plan to learn more. Next time, I'll beat you for sure!"
"Sure you will. Well, I have to go catch my ride," Atzie said as she turned away from Mari. "I know we'll meet again, seeing as we'll both be traveling a lot."
"Do you want me to walk you to your ship?" Mari offered.
"Nah," Atzie waved it off. "I can take care of myself. Besides, you need to get that Castform of yours to a Pokemon Center ASAP! It's just down from where the mall was, on the left side."
"Thanks," Mari replied, and looking down at her still unconscious Castform, wasted no more time. "Bye!" she said and ran back towards the Pokemon Center.
The Pokemon Center was not far, and Mari easily found it with Atzie's directions despite the pouring rain. Stepping inside the round building, Mari pulled the hood of her jacket off her head. Still carrying Castform in her free arm, she approached the check-in counter. Nurse Joy sat at the counter, filling out paperwork.
Upon looking up at the injured Pokemon Joy said, "Oh, goodness. Looks like someone's had a tough battle! Let's get her to the recovery unit right away. Chansey! Get a room ready." The pink-haired nurse took Castform from her owner's arms. "Don't worry, dear," she reassured Mari. "Your Pokemon will be fine. But I must ask, what kind of Pokemon is it?"
"She's Castform. Right now she's a water type, but now that's she out of the rain, she'll become a normal type again soon." Mari's prediction was already proving true as Castform was already slowly returning to her original form and color.
"Alright, dear," Joy said. "Why don't you go get some dinner while you're waiting?"
Mari nodded and walked towards the dining room, leaving Joy to do her job. Slateport's Pokemon Center was quite large, and its dining room was no exception. It was large enough to be a full restaurant, although at the moment there were only a few scattered trainers about. Mari sat at a booth next to a window. A menu had been left on the table, and she glanced over it. A Chansey promptly arrived.
"Chansiiii?" it chirped.
"I'll have a Club Sandwich and water, please," Mari said to the large egg. Despite her worry over Castform, Mari could feel her stomach churning from hunger.
The Chansey bowed slightly in acknowledgement and walked off into the kitchen to get her order. Mari dug into her leather backpack, bringing out a worn cloth wallet. The Pokemon Centers were a free service, but they weren't free to run. She had been taught at the Academy that it was always good to give a donation to the Centers you stayed at.
Mari leaned on the table and stared out the window, into the entrancing dance of water droplets splashing on the stone streets. Her eyelids were heavy, and she glanced at her watch. 'Wow, seven already?' she thought to herself. 'I guess it has been awhile since we got to Slateport. When Castform gets out of recovery, she'll probably be starving. Then again, I'm sure Nurse Joy or one of the Chansey will make sure she's eaten.' A smile flickered across her lips. 'Heh, that was so cool when Castform turned into a water type. I should call Dr. Ghilbee soon and thank him again.'
The food arrived and Mari gave Chansey some Pokedollars. The Pokemon graciously accepted it and left to attend to other matters. Mari ravenously ate her sandwiches, not realizing how hungry she'd been. A half hour quickly went by, and Nurse Joy approached her in the dining room, a fully grey Castform in her arms.
Mari started to get up form the table, but Joy waved her off. "No need to get up, miss. I gave your Pokemon all the proper medications, and now all she needs is rest."
Castform silently and slowly settled in next to Mari, resting on the booth's cushioned bench. "Thank you so much, Nurse Joy," Mari said.
"No problem. Just make sure she gets a good night sleep, and no battling for at least twenty-four hours."
Mari nodded and Joy walked away. The Chansey, as if on queue, arrived at their booth once again, this time with a bowl of Pokemon food for Castform. Castform floated up from the booth and onto the table, slowly but gratefully eating her food.
"You feeling any better?" Mari asked.
"A little, but I'm so tired."
"Once you're done eating," Mari said, "We can go get a room and get some sleep."
Castform nodded as she chewed, and finished up the entire serving. After she was done, Mari picked her up and walked over to the nearest Chansey. Mari wasn't sure if it was the same as before, as they were all overgrown pink eggs to her.
"Excuse me, Chansey, but can we get a room for tonight?"
Chansey nodded and led them up to a second floor of the Pokemon Center. Handing them a key from a purse strapped around its body, it pointed to the number on the key, which was '103', and then gestured down the hall. It then walked back down the stairs, leaving Mari to find room number 103. On either side of hallway were doors, each labeled with a number. She walked down until coming across her room, and walked in.
It was a small, one room area with a single bed, a window, a desk and chair, and no bathroom. A small card was on her pillow, reading, "Facilities at end of hallway." 'Goody, a communal bathroom,' Mari though to herself. Placing the half-asleep Castform on the bed to rest, Mari sat at the desk and looked out the window. Glancing at her watch, it proved to be almost eight o'clock.
She dug into her backpack once again, and this time uncovered her journal and a pen. Flipping it open, she began to write.
It's my first official day as a Pokemon trainer. That's right, Mari Donovan, Pokemon trainer. After waiting so long, it's so surreal. Castform is so sweet, but I can tell she's got a real fighting spirit. Especially after our very first battle today, with my new friend, Atzie Barrone.
Mari looked up from her writing into the dark rainy night. The sound of the water soothed her nerves, and she again found herself staring out into the city. The street lights were on now, and their luminescence permeated the thick air in orbs of light.
While watching the rain fall, a glint of pink caught her eye. Squinting, she saw a blotch of pink in an alleyway across the street from the Pokemon Center. With the rain, it took her a moment to identify it.
"Oh!" she gasped as she recognized it as a small and soaking wet Skitty.