Nimbasa Arc: Hostile
"Another question..." Jacky looked around. "How do we get out of here?",
"There's bound to be an exit somehow, we'd just have to look for it", Mari said, before her eyes fell on Kirlia. "...Or there might be a faster way.",
"What do you mean?"
Mari knelt down to Kirlia. "Hey, Kirlia... Can you teleport us out?" she asked.
'No problem', the psychic-type Pokémon replied, reaching out to Mari. "Great! Jacky, come here."
Jacky hesitated, but then nodded. She put her hand around Mari's wrist as she took Kirlia's hand. Two seconds later, the ground was ripped from under their feet and Jacky screamed.
She landed awkwardly in the desert sand and sank to her knees. She felt nauseous. "Are you okay?" Mari asked, who obviously had no problems. Jacky nodded. "I'm fine..." She looked around. They had landed in front of Relic Castle again. "...We are actually outside... Then we'd better not waste time." She stood up and rubbed her temple. Mari nodded and held the herb tightly in her hand. "Thank you, Kirlia." She withdrew her Pokémon and together, they walked back.
They found Flygon's den cave again and Jacky knelt down to Vibrava. Flygon hadn't let it out of its sight. The blonde-haired girl dug a small wooden bowl she used for Pokémon food out of her bag and poured the last bit of her water bottle into it. Mari handed her the herb, which smelled extremely strong, and she tore it into little pieces. She waited a while until the water turned a greenish color- a bit like tea- and then fished out the remains of the herb again. She then pushed the bowl towards Vibrava. "Here you go." The little Pokémon seemed weak, but tried to lift its head so it could drink. Mari stroked Flygon gently. "Don't worry, it'll be better soon. How is it now, Jacky?"
Jacky touched the little Pokémon. "...The fever is already going down. These herbs are working fast. I think it's on the road to recovery.",
"Great!" Mari grinned widely. "Then, it needs rest now so it can recover all the way. Well done, partner."
Jacky grinned. "So did you." The two raised their hands in a high-five. Then, Jacky stood back up. "Vibrava will be all right soon, Flygon. So don't worry anymore." The Flygon lowered its head gratefully before the girls left its den. Finally, they were able to go to Nimbasa City. They were sick of all this sand.
When they entered Join Avenue, they were amazed. Many stores lined up and it was mighty busy. "Woah... I didn't think it would be this big..." Mari admitted. "Awesome." They passed boutiques, restaurants, a hair salon and a dojo, with all kinds of lottery booths lined up next to them. Jacky stopped. "Hmm... Hey, Mari, how about waiting for me at a coffee shop?",
"Uh... okay? Why?",
"You'll see.",
"Alright... I'll see you in a bit." Mari looked around and then sat down in a café. Jacky disappeared into the hair salon.
When Jacky came back, Mari almost didn't recognize her. She had had her hair dyed red. "...?" Mari stared at her. "What... Oh, holy Basculin... You had your hair dyed?",
"That's what it looks like." She sat down with her. "What do you think?",
"Unusual." Mari tilted her head. "But red suits you. And I'm not saying that because it's my favorite color. How did it come about?",
"Well... It made me think about how much we've been through. Hypno, the thing with Vibrava and Volcarona... My two badges that I fought for... We have changed together. All of us. So I want to start a new chapter.",
"Hmmh..." Mari nodded thoughtfully. "For me, my hair would be too precious for something like that. I'd rather leave it as it is now. But... given the circumstances, I might change something small." She loosened her braids and her hair went long down her back. "I don't think you've ever seen me with my hair down, have you?",
"No, I haven't. It suits you, though. You should do it more often." Mari just waved it off. "I'm hungry. Let's treat ourselves to a piece of cake.",
"I'm starving." Jacky laughed. "I wouldn't mind a Mago cake.",
"Me neither. I'll be right back." Mari disappeared and got herself two pieces of cake. She gave one to Jacky. "Here.",
"Thanks."
When they had strengthened themselves, Mari leaned back. "I think Absol and Gabite still don't like each other... That needs to improve.",
"I agree..." Jacky nodded. "Hmph... Maybe the two of them should settle this the old tried and true way. Maybe, they can make up after a fight.",
"Don't you think that would make it worse if anything?",
"It's worth a try.",
"Hmm... If you say so..." Mari stood up. "I think we should have the battle on Nimbasa City grounds though.",
"No objections."
The two exited Join Avenue and were nearly slapped out of their shoes on the other side by the vast city that opened up before them. Nimbasa was a modern city with three huge stadiums looming in the background. "What are those buildings?" Jacky asked in amazement.
"The one on the far right is the Musical Hall, I think," Mari explained. "The one in the middle is the training hall and the one on the far left is the sports stadium.",
"Woah, insane...",
"Yeah, right? Come on, let's find a suitable spot."
They found a quiet spot on a street. Mari sent out Gabite and Jacky called Absol into battle. It growled with ruffled fur and scowled, while Gabite bared its teeth and raised his claws. They stared each other down with hostility. "Okay, Gabite... Start with Earthquake!" Gabite stomped its foot, making the ground move. "Bite!" Jacky shouted. Absol sprinted off and bit into Gabite's shoulder. The dragon snarled and aimed a Dragon Claw at Absol's flank before it hurled its adversary away with a loud roar. Absol landed on its paws, snarling, and slithered back. "We're on it! Psycho Cut, Absol!" Absol fired a sharp blade at the dragon. "Dragon Claw! Deflect it!" Gabite smashed the blade with his claws. "Shoot back at them! Dragon Rage!" Gabite reared up and spat blue flames in Absol's direction. It leapt to the side and then dashed toward its opponent. It lashed out with it paw and grazed Gabite's chest with his claws. Gabite growled and created distance between them upon Mari's command. "Pursue it! Don't let it escape!" Absol growled and followed Gabite, determined to end the fight here and now. "Strike, now!" Mari shouted. Gabite's merciless Dragon Claw hit Absol's legs and it howled. It quickly jumped back to gain distance itself. "Both are about pure strength here," Jacky noted. Mari nodded. "It sure looks like it... Gabite, Rock Tomb!" Gabite hurled the rocks at Absol. "Just like last time, Absol!" Absol nodded and jumped from one rock to another, pushing off from the last one and hurling some back at Gabite with Razor Wind. "But we won't fall for it this time!" Mari shouted. "Dodge them!" The rocks shattered on the road like glass without hitting the dragon. Absol landed on the ground and growled. The injuries on its legs were clearly bothering it. It squinted its eyes. "Earthquake!" Gabite made the ground tremble. Absol stumbled and tried to stay on its feet. Then, it reared up and lunged forward with Bite. It snapped at Gabite's leg and the dragon hissed in anger. A Dragon Claw as a retaliation strike followed and hit Absol's back. Absol lashed out with Slash and landed a hit on Gabite's head, who immediately struck back with Dragon Rage, spitting flames directly into his face. Absol backed away with a snarl, but this time, Gabite didn't let it get away. It jumped forward and tore his claws over Absol's shoulder. Absol struck with Psycho Cut, Gabite fought back with Dragon Claw and forced Absol back. It staggered more and more because of its injuries. It shook itself and then went after Gabite in a rage. "Razor Wind!" Jacky ordered, but this time, Absol ignored her. Instead, it lashed out at Gabite with Slash, aiming for the dragon's scaly belly. Gabite, however, dodged and slammed it to the ground with Dragon Claw in response. Absol collapsed, unable to fight more. Gabite roared triumphantly, but had to brace itself against the ground to prevent its own collapse. Mari looked at Jacky. "Absol ignored your command.",
"I don't know why." She rushed up to Absol and knelt beside it, "Still... Victory is victory and you've earned it.",
"You sound like a true gym leader." Mari laughed, supporting Gabite so it wouldn't fall over. "You did well." She stroked the dragon's head and it let out a sound reminiscent of a Purrloin purring. "You've earned yourself some rest." She withdrew it. Jacky did the same with Absol.