Chapter 27:

Battling Stripes

Location: Driftveil Pokémon Center

I felt Cheren's head. It was only ten in the morning, and Cheren hadn't budged out of bed. The reason for that is because his headache was even worse. I had filled him up a hot water bottle and made him a cup of tea to go with some Tomato jam on toast.

"I hope this helps," I told him. "Is there anything I can do?"

Cheren tried to speak, but it wasn't easy for him. I could just about hear what he was saying.

"Secret…Potion…"

Now where would I get that?

I went downstairs to ask Nurse Joy.

"At the Driftveil Market. SecretPotion ships from Cianwood City all the time, you should have no problem with getting some."


Location: Driftveil City

The Driftveil Market was located under a small building with a grey flat roof. I had to say, it was a great idea. If it rains, you have no excuse to skip work! And even then, Mondays must be fun because the Market was buzzing.

"Come and get yer Herbs! You're Pokémon will hate you, but they'll get stronger!"

"Incense sold here! Breed with certain Pokémon to get their baby forms!"

"Will you buy any MooMoo Milk today mistress?"

I decided that the Herb Shop would be a good place to start.

"Hey!" I told the man at the counter. He had a green apron and black hair and was covered in the stuff you grind up to make medicine. "My friend is very sick. I need some SecretPotion to help him feel better."

The man rubbed the back of his head. "I am so sorry, but we're sold out."

I was taken aback. "But you always have them in stock. Why the hurry?"

"Well, a Team Plasma Grunt came along and bought all but one. Turns out they all got sick from that Cold Storage raid. I hate their views, but they sure to keep the business going!"

Well, I was mad. Did he have the one though?

"No, sadly. I sold the last one to our regular named Charles. He's a Motorcyclist. He was here about five minutes ago."


I ran out the Market and looked around Driftveil. I mean he should have hopefully had his Motorcycle on him. Well, there was one to get the job done quicker. I got out my Bike. Why look for him on foot when you could look for him on wheels?

I zoomed around the City, looking for the man. I tell you, the wind on my face was something I hadn't felt quite like it.

As I zoomed about, I saw a giant house made of stones on top of the hill. It looked significantly older than the others.

I was about to investigate when a man on a Motorcycle came along. Well, I should say he came riding up at high speed then skidded mere inches away from me. Who was he, Clay and his pickaxe? What was it with this City almost taking my head off?

"You wouldn't happen to be Charles, would you?" I asked.

The big man with a small motorcycle got off. He then took off his helmet. "That's me son. What can I do you for?"

I told him all about Cheren and that he needed the SecretPotion.

"Are you sure? Well, I'm not just gonna give this to ya am I?" He held up a yellow packet. That was it; the SecretPotion.

"Listen, I'll pay you."

"Does he need it though? Tell ya what. I'll give it to ya if you beat me in a battle. A Triple Battle. I would do a Rotation Battle, but no. Rotation Battles suck."

That seemed fair. I knew I had to win, because Cheren needed it. But a Triple Battle? That was new to me.


Hilbert Vs. Motorcyclist Charles

"I choose Scraggy, Dewott and Drilbur!" I shouted.

"Krokorok, Zebstrika and Basculin! Come out!" The only Pokémon I wasn't familiar with was Krokorok. It was a larger Sandile that stood on its legs.


Krokorok (ワルビル)

058

Ground/Dark Type

Desert Croc Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

73.6 lbs (33.4 kg)

The special membrane covering its eyes can sense the heat of objects, so it can see its surroundings even in the darkness.

Sandile -Lv 29- Krokorok


"Zebstrika, Spark!" Zebstrika galloped into Dewott. Covered in sparks, Dewott was knocked through the air and onto the ground with a thud.

"Drilbur, Dig!" Drilbur dug underground. "Now Dewott, Razor Shell!" Dewott sliced Krokorok for a lot of damage.

"Basculin, Aqua Jet!" Basculin lurched forward quickly. Covered in water, it crashed into Scraggy for a bit of damage. "Now Krokorok, use Low Sweep!" Krokorok swept Scraggy off its feet for Super Effective damage.

"Scraggy, counter with Brick Break!" Scraggy karate chopped Krokorok for massive damage.

"Zebstrika, Spark again!" Zebstrika charged into Dewott again, this time finishing it off.

I recalled Dewott, just as Drilbur came from above ground and hit Zebstrika. It was knocked out.

"Basculin, Aqua Tail!" Basculin's tail became covered in water, and it…

Barely missed!

"Krokorok, Double Team!" Krokorok quickly made copies of itself, raising its Evasion.

Just then, Scraggy started chipping at Krokorok. The Evasion boosts meant nothing to Scraggy's new move Chip Away.

"Nice!" I said as Krokorok fell to the ground and fainted. "Now Drilbur, Slash!" Drilbur slashed Basculin for a good amount of damage.

"Aqua Tail!" Unfortunately, this one hit. Drilbur was out.

"Scraggy, it's up to you. Use Brick Break!" However, Scraggy couldn't reach. Some mysterious force was preventing it. "Okay, Payback!" Couldn't do that either. "Err, Chip Away? Swagger? Why isn't anything working?"

Charles laughed. "Because in Triple Battles, it's about what moves can reach. Basculin, Aqua Jet!" Basculin charged into Scraggy. It kept doing that until Scraggy fainted.


"Nice try," he said. "Sorry, the SecretPotion is mine."

"Wait!" I said. "My friend has a terrible cold, you have to let me give it to him."

Charles sighed. He threw me a motorcycle helmet. "Come with me, I need to show you something."

I put on the helmet and got on the back of the bike. Now the legal age to ride a motorcycle in Unova is sixteen, meaning that I was two years too young. But I wanted to find out what was going on.


Charles took me to his house north of the Pokémon Center. We got off (well, I wobbled off) and Charles opened the door.

"Amber!" he yelled. "I'm back!" He opened the door to a bedroom, where a girl his age was laying their quietly, quieter than Cheren. "I have it. You'll be safe now." Charles got out the SecretPotion and fed it to her.

"Who's that?" I asked.

"Amber, my wife. She has a life-threatening illness, and it's a disease only the SecretPotion can fix. She just came back from hospital yesterday." As she ate it, she stuck out her tongue in disgust. "It's bitter, but you'll be better."

"I'm sorry," I said. "My friend just has a cold. Don't be angry."

Charles hit me on the back. "I'm not angry! You care about your friend! But another good night's sleep or two should do it! Thanks for the battle again today! As long as you don't do a Rotation Battle though, please just no."


Location: Driftveil Pokémon Center

"Did you get it?" Cheren asked.

I shook my head. "Nah, it's just a cold. It went to someone who needs it more. Sorry."

Cheren smiled "It's alright." He then coughed violently. "I'll be better soon."

There was a knock on the door. It was Bianca. She was holding up her Badge Case. She had a Badge that was brown and had two sections that looked like tectonic plates.

"Guess who won the Quake Badge?"

I clapped for her. Even Cheren was able to crack out a small smile.

"I'll take on Clay tomorrow. Bianca, you wouldn't mind staying with Cheren would you?"

Bianca nodded. "Not at all. He needs the support at the moment."


It looks like Cheren will have a fine recovery, as will Amber. Sometimes you need to think what's right for some people and who actually needs it. Me? I need the Quake Badge! Clay, tomorrow, you're going down!