I know that it took me forever to get this chapter done. But I had other stories to do, and College doesn't exactly make things easier for me either. Anyway, here's the next chapter.
Chapter 10:Forest Battle! Viki's Washed Hope!
"Hitmonlee Double Kick!"
"Espeon, Confusion!"
Hitmonlee went for two consecutive kicks, but found himself lifted from the ground by an unseen force as the hue of Espeon's eyes changed to a bluish color. Hitmonlee was then tossed as he then came crashing down to the ground and landed on his head.
"Come on, Hitmonlee!" J.C. groaned in frustration as the Kicking Pokemon slowly recovered back to his feet as Rei just sighed. Since it was now the weekend, she didn't have any classes, so therefore wasn't wearing her school uniform, but a Blue Jean Jacket over a Black Camisole top, along with a matching pair of jeans, and black buckled boots, leaving a pink hair band to be her only accessory.
"If this is how well your Pokemon's doing against Espeon, what do you expect when they take on Kadabra again? Hell…what do you expect when you do find that Medicham?" She said. They've been at the Oldale Town Gym for over an hour since Rei offered to help J.C. train his fighting Pokemon for the eventual encounter with the Medicham at Mt. Pyre, as well as his rematch with Sabrina back at Saffron Gym.
"We're trying the best we can with what we can work with. The only thing Kadabra can do is special attacks. When it comes to hand-to-hand combat, he has no chance." J.C. Explained.
"True…too bad neither one of your Pokemon know Taunt like Rex's Umbreon…"
"Who says that they can't?" J.C. smirked at Rei, who just gave him a "Keep giving yourself confidence with those false beliefs" look. "Who am I kidding, I'm basically screwed."
"No you're not. You're just at a disadvantage!" Rei reassured him. Even though they didn't show it, they were both in shock at how they were treating each other. Weren't they verbally at each other's throats yesterday? And now they were talking as if they were old friends. "I mean, besides the obvious disadvantage, how hard could it be?"
"Good point…" J.C. sighed. "Now I definitely need to get that Medicham.."
"Let's save your fantasies for later, okay?" Rei suggested. "My Espeon needs more training."
"Alright…" J.C. took out an empty Pokeball. "Hitmonlee return!" The red beam fired from the Pokeball as it then engulfed, then captured the Hitmonlee. Returning him to the Pokeball. J.C. then grabbed out another Pokeball. "Go…"
"GUYS!" A blur of a white, blue, and tan mixture rushed through as it inadvertently knocked J.C. down before he could send out another Pokemon.
"Careful Viki…" J.C. muttered as he got back up on his feet, brushing off the dirt from his pants. "What's the big fuss about anyway?"
"Look what I got!" Viki exclaimed as she showed off her new Feebas.
"A Feebas?" Rei raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing exciting about that Pokemon!" She stated.
"How could you say that about Vivi!" Viki said in defense of her new Shiny. "It's more than just a Feebas, it's a rare Feebas! It's a Shiny!"
"You mean that's a Shiny and you caught it?" J.C. Blinked at seeing the Shiny Feebas.
"Nope, a sweet man sold it to me for 1000 Pokedollars!" Viki said proudly, much to J.C.'s shock.
"Please…tell me that you didn't use the money for the train…" J.C. said in a somewhat pleading tone. He and Rex had appointed Viki to be in charge of the funds of their traveling, despite knowing her one flaw: Shopping. Thus they didn't give her any of their money. But now it looked as if they were going to have to use it to provide for all three of them.
Viki looked down. "Yes…but I just couldn't resist! It's not everyday someone offers you an extremely-rare Pokemon!"
"Yeah…but with OUR MONEY!?"
"But J.C., it was such a rare opportunity…"
Rei, meanwhile went for a more thorough inspection of the so-called Feebas. It appeared to be wet…but something was odd. Consequently Viki was wet too, but why was it leaving coloring on her arms and shirt, let alone her not noticing it. She was probably too excited to realize. Rei's suspicions were proved justified as in the middle of the purplish scales was a brownish one. "Mmm-Hmm…"
Rei then reached into her pocket as she took out a pokeball and inflate it. "Vaporeon, use Water Gun on that so-called Shiny!" She ordered as she tossed out the Pokeball.
Vaporeon then popped out as she squirted the "Shiny," and consequentially Viki, who let out a shriek.
"Rei, why did you-" Viki's protests were interrupted as she looked down. Her shirt and skirt were soiled with what appeared to be paint as the "Shiny Feebas" was gone. In its place was an ordinary Feebas.
"You've been swindled Viki…" Rei simply said.
"But…I…and he said…" Viki was so speechless that nearly felt like crying.
"So let me get this straight: You're the Pacifidlog Town Gym Leader?" Rex asked Aurora, who was already prepared for battle as she held a Pokeball in her hand.
"That's right!"
"Then shouldn't this battle be at Pacifidlog, let alone in…you know…an actual gym!?"
Aurora sighed, "Rex, just because you're a gym leader from a city, doesn't mean that gym battles are only limited to being held in that city! It could be held just about anywhere that's convenient! Heck, a battle for a Hoenn League badge could even be in Johto for that matter."
"That's true…"
"Besides, what's more exciting than a surprise impromptu gym battle?" Aurora cheered. "Especially when the challenger's unprepared…"
"Unprepared?" That comment infuriated Rex as he then took out a Pokeball of his own. "I'll show you who's unprepared!" He snapped. "So anyway Aurora, what are your rules?"
"At the Pacifidlog Gym, it'll be a double battle-style match, but unlike the Mossdeep City Gym, we'll use up to four pokemon, but battle with two of them at a time!"
'I knew it would come down to this…' Rex sighed as his thoughts automatically went to Shellshock and Edge, knowing how there was no love lost for each other. So basically he was hoping that he wouldn't have to use them. "Fine…let's go!"
"Okay then!" Aurora tossed out a Pokeball, "Go Spheal and Delibird!" Spheal leaped to the "field" as the Pokeball opened, revealing the flying delivery Pokemon. Rex smirked, feeling that Delibird wasn't going to be that much of a threat as they only learned one move: Present. But then again, Aurora could've used some TMs to teach Delibird more moves.
"Okay then…" Rex grabbed out two Pokeballs, "Shadow, Brute, let's go!" He tossed them out as his Umbreon and Machamp were released from the respective Pokeballs as they then looked at his opponent's Pokemon. Rex knew that Brute would have an advantage over Spheal, but also have a disadvantage against Delibird in terms of type. But that was where Shadow came in. Hopefully she would be able to take care of the Delibird before Brute is targeted.
"Okay…" Rex looked around. "All we need is a referee and we can begin!"
"What's the need for a ref? The battle's all that matters!" Aurora smirked.
"So I'll know when you're Pokemon's knocked out and stop my relentless assault! But we'll play it your way!" Rex then ordered. "Shadow, Quick Attack on Delibird, Brute, Mega Punch Spheal!"
The two Pokemon rushed toward their opponents as Aurora grew a smile on her face.
'You're so predictable…' Aurora then ordered. "Delibird, Present! Spheal, dodge Brute's attack!"
As the Machamp's fist glowed, he threw a punch at Spheal, but the Ice Pokemon avoided the attack as Delibird tossed out a small sack at Shadow, who had a look of confusion and curiosity.
"Don't look at it Shadow. It could be a trap!" Rex warned as Shadow continued to examine the gift. She was curious to know what was inside.
"Your Umbreon's a curious Pokemon, isn't she?" Aurora said.
"I don't know what kind of trick you're trying to pull, but I'm not falling for it, and neither is Shadow!" Rex declared.
"You think so?"
"I know so!" Rex looked down as, much to his horror, Shadow peaked inside of the bag! "Shadow, don't!"
"Too bad!" Aurora simply said as the sack began to open. After it was done opening, a bright ball of light flew out and went to Shadow! As it collided with the shiny Umbreon, Shadow wasn't hurt at all, but quite the opposite: Shadow was refreshed!
"That was your plan…" Rex rolled his eyes. He expected the bag to be a booby trap but instead it just helped Shadow! 'Is she for real?' He thought.
"Rex, is this your first double battle?" Aurora answered his question with a question of his own.
"This is my second one actually, but where are you going with this?" Rex asked. It was true that he was in a double battle before, not counting the Charmeleon incident back in Saffron. He decided to take on a double battle during the time he and Viki were with their father on a business trip in Hoenn as kids. It was against a red haired little girl with two Slugma against him with Shellshock and Edge, who were then a Squirtle and a Totodile. Thanks to the Pokemon's constant disagreements, arguments, and at one point them attacking each other, Rex's team lost. Of course he blamed Shellshock and Edge's attitude problem, but he mostly blamed himself. Just what was it that made Shellshock and Edge hate each other so much, he wondered. That was the only time he had a double battle, let alone using those two Pokemon at the same time.
"It pretty obvious! I mean, you've just broke the first rule in a double battle: Always keep an eye on both Pokemon at all times! If your focus is only on one, the other's basically a sitting duck…more like a flame duck actually!
"What are you talking ab-" Rex blinked as he remembered. It was so horribly obvious it was pathetic! "Brute!" Rex looked over and saw his Machamp being barraged with Body Slams from Aurora's Spheal! He was so worried about Shadow opening the present which actually helped him that he completely forgotten about Brute and Spheal!
"Shadow, help out Brute! Confuse Ray!" Rex ordered as the Umbreon unleashed a sinister red ray at Spheal. Unfortunately, Brute went for a Karate Chop at Spheal, who avoided it, as the Machamp walked into the ray, thus becoming confused!
"Damn…" Rex seethed! This impromptu Gym Battle has just begun and already he was in trouble! His rescue attempt not only was not successful, but it backfired horribly as he watched a confused Brute going after Shadow! If he didn't hurt her, he hurt himself instead. To make matters worse, he still had Spheal and Delibird to deal with, and that was just her first team! He still had one more teams to handle…provided that he survived this one.
"This is getting too boring…" Aurora then ordered! "Spheal, use Sheer Cold on Shadow!"
With a "Spheal," Spheal unleashed what appeared to be a white stream of air at the Umbreon. As she tried to fight back, Shadow couldn't keep up her strength as she then fell down and out. Much to Rex's shock…
"…O-one hit!?" He exclaimed.
"That's right!" Aurora smiled. "It's my Sphealy's ultimate attack! I hope you liked it!"
"It was impressive…BUT ONE HIT!?"
"Think of it as an Ice type's answer to Horn Drill, Guillotine, and Fissure."
Rex narrowed his eyes as he sighed, "Great…just what I needed: A one-hit wonder to worry about…" He took out his pokeball. "Shadow return!" From the ball shot a red beam which retracted the unconscious Umbreon back to the confines of her Pokeball. He could use Drego or Charex, since they were both fire types, but from past experiences, Ice type Pokemon usually knew plenty of water type moves and vise versa. Brute, being a fighting type, was his best choice to take on Aurora's pokemon, but with him having a type disadvantage, thanks to Delibird, it wouldn't be easy.
"Alright then…Shellshock let's go!" Rex tossed out the pokeball as, after it opened, Shellshock jumped out and stood next to Brute.
"A water pokemon?" Aurora smiled. "Nice choice. Too bad it won't help you."
"We'll see!" Rex then ordered. "Shellshock Water Gun!"
"Delibird, Future Sight!" Aurora ordered as Delibird's eyes began to glow a hue of blue. However, it couldn't avoid the stream of water from Shellshock's Water Gun attack as it was knocked back.
"Future sight?" Rex blinked.
"You'll see!" Aurora said in a teasing tone.
"Let's get on with it…" Rex glared as a smile then came to his face. It was as if he had an idea to turn this battle around. "Shellshock, withdraw into your shell. Brute, grab the shell and roll it towards Delibird!
"Champ!" Brute grunted as he grabbed the shell with two of his four arms. Shellshock was then rolled as if Brute was bowling at a high speed and Shellshock was the bowling ball. The "pins" in this Bowling Game would be Delibird who managed to avoid it, but couldn't dodge it completely as he was hit on the leg.
"Oh no!" Aurora exclaimed as Delibird was now favoring his now-injured leg. "Nice bowling ball trick! Too bad it won't work again!"
"Aurora, this 'bowling ball' is a special one. You can call it a boomerang-ish bowling ball, because it's coming back and headed straight for Delibird!" Rex smirked as the shell then collided with the injured Delibird. This time a direct hit which knocked him down and out! "Looks like your Delibird couldn't cut it!"
"Delibird return!" Aurora recalled her Delibird. "You haven't seen anything yet, my friend." She took out another Pokeball. "Go Cloyster!" The ball opened as the Clam-like Pokemon appeared on the field.
'Good she's on the defensive…' Rex thought. He could have Brute hammer away on Cloyster, especially since he no longer had Delibird to worry about, as Shellshock could continue the fight against Spheal. "Looks like the tables have turned, eh Aurora? Any last words?"
Aurora grinned, "Four: Spheal, Sheer Cold now!"
"Not this again…" Rex muttered. "Shellshock, watch out!" He called out to the Wartortle, who had just poked out of his shell, recovering from the modified Rollout attack. However, it was too late for him as the same stream of air hit him. Like with Shadow, Shellshock couldn't keep up his strength as he soon found himself knocked out. "Damn…"
"Aurora: 2, Rexie-Boy: 1! Gee…it's just isn't your day, isn't it?" Aurora mock-sighed as she watched the challenger from Goldenrod return his fallen Wartortle.
"A wise man once said, 'I have yet begun to fight!'" Rex declared as then, one of his Pokeballs popped open as Edge jumped onto the field ready to fight.
"Edge?" Rex blinked at his Croconaw's enthusiasm to battle. But then again, wasn't his reason why obvious? This was just another opportunity for Edge to one-up Shellshock. Edge's personally grudge against Shellshock wasn't important at the moment. The bigger issue was Aurora's Spheal, or more importantly, Spheal's Sheer Cold attack. That move alone was the reason why Shadow and Shellshock were easily taken out. He would've used Jolt to easily take care of both Spheal and Cloyster, if he haven't had placed his Raichu in the box to take out Brute. He knew that he would just have to find a way to work against Sheer Cold. The result so far in this battle was embarrassing: A Wartortle and an Umbreon, two evolved pokemon, losing to a Spheal, a pre-evolution. But then again, it could've been worse. He would've been Brock, Gym Leader of the Pewter City Gym. Seriously, how the hell could aground type lose to an electric type? But that was a different story…
"Brute, Edge…" Rex called out to his Pokemon. "We're gonna have to look out for Spheal's Sheer Cold attack. We've already down two Pokemon while Aurora's team is only down one. Let's avenge Shadow and Shellshock!"
"Champ! (Right!)" Brute grunted.
"Naw! (Yeah!)" Edge agreed…for Shadow.
"I hate to break up your little huddle, but are you forgetting something?" Aurora reminded.
"Forget? What are you trying to-" It just hit Rex. Didn't Delibird predict an attack prior to being KO'ed? His question was answered as he saw a blue beam headed towards his Machamp. "Crud! Brute, watch out!" He warned as the blast made his way towards the Machamp. Fortunately, Brute managed to move out the way at the nick of time, dodging it. But then why was he now on the ground, withering in pain?
"Brute, what's wrong?" Rex asked, concerned as the Machamp struggled to get back on his feet. Apparently something was causing him pain.
"Is your Machamp okay Rex?" Aurora asked, just as concerned as, much to her horror, Cloyster fell over as well, now on his side as he then withdrew into his shell. "Oh no, Cloyster!" Soon, Edge and Spheal were feeling pain as well as they tried to fight against it, whatever it was... "What's happening to our Pokemon?"
"I don't know…" Rex sighed, "But it's effecting our Pokemon, especially my Croconaw and your Spheal." It seemed that there was some force nearby that was causing pain to their Pokemon…at least mentally.
"I said I was sorry!" Viki cried as she held Vivi, her newly purchased Feebas, while following an angry J.C. and a sighing Rei.
"Viki, who in their right state of mind would sell you a shiny Pokemon?" Rei asked the dirty-blonde-haired girl.
"But I…I said was-" Viki tried to explained, but was hastily cut-off by J.C.
"Sorry? You're sorry!? What good does your apologizing do for us now that you wasted our money on a Pokemon, a worthless one at that?" He snapped at Viki. "Sorry isn't going to get back our money!" J.C. sighed, "Rex is going to flip when he finds out about this…"
"How could you say that Vivi's a worthless Pokemon?" Viki snapped back at J.C. in defense of her Feebas. "You don't even know anything about her!"
"Well…it's not exactly the most beautiful Pokemon…" Rei commented.
"Well she is to me!" Viki declared. She was always the one to see the good qualities of people and Pokemon alike. Even if they did appear to be straight from the gutter, she knew that there was some beauty in them. True, she really liked cute Pokemon, but she wouldn't reject a Pokemon if they weren't attractive, unlike some girls back in Goldenrod. If any, the only Pokemon she would never want to have would be a Ghost, which she was afraid of, or, due to her sensitive sense of smell, a Poison-type Pokemon. Ivy apparently was the only exception as he was more Grass-type than Poison, but a Koffing or a Muk were definitely not on her "to catch list."
"Just keep on believing that Viki…" Rei simply said. "But that doesn't change the fact that your Feebas won't be exactly helpful to you in Contests." The Blonde-Streaked redhead took a glance at Vivi, who had a downed expression on its face. "She doesn't look so hot now…even factoring in it's usually unattractiveness."
After giving a glare to Rei, Viki looked down and saw Vivi's expression. "Are you okay Vivi? What's wrong?" She asked, deeply concerned as she glared at Rei again. "Now look what you did, you've hurt Vivi's feelings! I hope you're satisfied!"
"Viki, she's not down because her feelings are hurt. She looks like she's in total pain." J.C. informed, looking at the pained expression on Vivi's face.
Viki gasped at the news from her friend as she picked up Vivi and looked at her expression. "What's wrong Vivi?" She asked, deeply concerned as all she did was just let out a cry in response. "We should take her to the Pokemon Center!" Viki declared to her friends. "Something's wrong with my Feebas!"
"That's a good start." J.C. agreed with Viki's decision.
"Umm…Viki…you might want to take a number." Rei informed as she pointed towards a line of people waiting outside of the Pokemon center with their pokemon, equally in as much, if not more pain as Vivi.
"What's going on?" Viki asked as she saw a man clutching on to his ill Taillow, assuring it that it would be okay.
"I don't know…but it sure as hell's not good…" J.C. said as the three then walked over and took their place in line, followed by a few more trainers that had the same problem as them, and everyone else...
It appears that something is causing the Pokemon to become ill for some reason. What is it and who's responsible for it? Although it's somewhat easy to figure it out, find out for sure next chapter.