Chapter 11: Pesky Bugs!
Roku's P.O.V.
Azalea Town Pokémon Center
I woke up on the floor of the Pokémon Center, noticing that Luna and I had stayed up all night. Her head was resting on my lap, and she was snoring softly.
Heh…she looks so peaceful, I thought to myself.
Being careful not to wake her, I stood up and went to the dressing room to wash my clothes, which had become dirty after digging those graves. When I was finished and dressed, I walked out to see Luna just beginning to wake up.
"Hey," I said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm still a little shaken up, but I'm OK," she said, yawning and stretching out her body.
"I bet a Gym Battle can take your mind off it," I said, smiling.
Luna perked up at these words. "Really?"
"Well, sure," I said. "Bugsy is the Gym Leader. If we take him out, that's our second Gym Badge."
"Yeah, but we'll be going up against Bug-types," Luna said. "As far as I know, I've got a disadvantage against Bug-types."
"Then you'll stand back as a reserve," I said. "I've got Fennekin to deal with him, and Reia has Lyra. With two powerful Fire-types in our arsenal, we can't lose!"
Just then, Fennekin released himself from his Poke Ball and said, "Let's fry some bugs!"
I laughed and went outside to try and find Reia. She was sitting on a bench with Zuki, surrounded by Slowpoke.
"The Slowpoke showing you gratitude?" I said, walking up to them.
"Yeah, actually," Reia said in a rough tone. "They're saying thank you for helping them out and for showing so much respect towards their fallen brethren."
"I didn't mean it as a joke! I was just asking a question!" I shot back, sensing what the tone was for. "Sheesh, lighten up, will ya? We've got a Gym to conquer."
"So, we're gonna challenge Bugsy?" Reia asked.
"Yeah, so let's get a move on!" I said, heading to the Gym.
Latias' P.O.V.
New Bark Town
Latias woke up back in her den. She yawned loudly and floated out, looking around for the people who were doing their daily routine.
But no one was around.
Latias floated to Roku's house to find no one there, either. What's going on…she thought to herself. Curious, she moved to the entrance of Route 29 in the hopes that they were in Cherrygrove somewhere. But right as she was about to enter the grass, she bumped into something and moved back slightly.
What the hell?
Latias tapped the invisible wall in front of her. She then heard a door open. Latias turned quickly to see who it was. But then, she gasped.
She was back in the Legend Keeper HQ.
"Ah, Latias, you're awake," Cedric said as he walked in. "I hope you got a good night's sleep."
"You!" Latias said, flying forward and tackling Cedric to the ground. She extended her claws and held them up to Cedric's neck.
"How do you want me to kill you?" she said aggressively. "Quick and painless, or slow and miserable?"
"Latias, calm down!" Cedric said. "You're safer here! We can protect you here!"
"I can take care of myself!" Latias shouted. "I was perfectly fine on my own!"
"Team Prime would've found you sooner or later!" Cedric argued. "You need to stay here!"
Latias screamed and slashed Cedric across the face, leaving 3 nasty gashes. Then she floated up and away to take shelter in her den.
Roku's P.O.V.
Azalea Town Gym
"Hi! I'm glad you came!"
We had walked over to the Gym. Once we stepped in, Bugsy was at the door, greeting us.
"So, ready to battle?" I said, pulling out my Poke Ball.
"Are you both going to be battling?" Bugsy inquired, looking at Reia.
"Yep! Pick your partner and let's get to it!" Reia said enthusiastically.
Bugsy nodded and motioned for his Bug Catcher to come forward. We took our places on the battlefield.
"Time to show you how great Bug-types are!" Bugsy said, throwing out a Poke Ball. "Go, Scyther!"
I winced as Bugsy threw out one of the strongest Bug-type Pokémon in the Johto region. I pulled out my P*DA and pulled up Scyther's entry.
"Scyther, the Mantis Pokémon," the Pokedex said. "It tears and shreds prey with its wickedly sharp scythes. It rarely spreads its wings to fly."
"So, that means it has high offensive capabilities," I said to myself. "And the way Scyther looks, he's got good agility as well."
The Bug Catcher sent out his Pokémon, which was a Spinarak.
"Alright, Fennekin!" I shouted, throwing my Poke Ball. "It's your turn!"
The small fire fox flowed out of the ball and went into a battle stance.
"Luna, front and center!" Reia shouted, sending her partner into battle.
"This is an Azalea Town Double Battle challenge!" the same fat guy from before shouted. "In this battle, each Trainer is permitted to use 3 Pokémon. Only the challengers may switch out Pokémon. The first team to knock out the opponent's Pokémon wins! Battle Begin!"
"Scyther! Use U-turn!" Bugsy ordered.
Scyther dashed forward with incredible and sliced Fennekin with a vicious claw, then went back into Bugsy's Poke Ball.
"What?" I said. "But I thought only the challengers could change Pokémon!"
"U-turn allows the user to switch with a waiting Pokémon in the owner's team," Reia explained. "It's a perfectly legal move."
"Damn…he's using guerrilla tactics!" I said. "We'll just have to take out his reserves as fast as possible. I'll take Bugsy, while you make sure that Bug Catcher doesn't get a chance to get involved."
"No problem," Reia said, irritation showing through in her voice.
"I know you're itching for a chance, but I'll need your help once Scyther is alone," I reasoned. Reia nodded and ordered Lyra to use Ember on the Bug Catcher's Spinarak, which inflicted a burn.
"That'll teach him to play with fire," Lyra said cockily.
Bugsy sent out his next Pokémon, a Metapod. I ordered Fennekin to hit it with Flame Charge, and Metapod was being sent flying before Bugsy could do anything. I took this opportunity to switch out Fennekin with Pidgey, while Bugsy sent out his Scyther again. At this time, the Bug Catcher's Spinarak fainted, in which he replaced it with a Weedle.
"Scyther, U-turn again!"
Scyther dashed forward and struck Pidgey hard, knocking it out and moving back to his Poke Ball. Bugsy sent out his next wall, a Kakuna. I sent Fennekin back out.
"Fennekin, use Howl!" I ordered.
Fennekin howled loudly, pumping himself up. Kakuna retaliated with Poison Sting, dealing a slight amount of damage.
"Now, finish him with Flame Charge!" I shouted.
Fennekin burst forward and slammed into the Kakuna, taking it out. Scyther was wide open, and I knew I had a chance to secure victory. Reia had taken out the Weedle, and was now up against a really fuzzy worm Pokémon that I'd never seen before. I pulled up the Pokedex and looked up its entry.
"Spewpa, the Scatterdust Pokémon, and the evolved form of Scatterbug," the Pokedex said. "It lives hidden within thicket shadows. When predators attack, it quickly bristles the fur covering its body in an effort to threaten them."
"Reia! Be careful!" I shouted.
"You're talking to someone from Kalos, Roku," Reia shouted. "I know what I'm doing when it comes to a Kalosian Pokémon. Lyra, Confuse Ray!"
Lyra launched an eerie light into Spewpa's face, confusing it. Lyra followed up with an Ember to the face, knocking it out instantly.
Now, it was only Scyther. Lyra and Fennekin looked at each other, then nodded.
"Lyra!" Reia shouted.
"Fennekin!" I yelled.
"Ember, now!" we shouted in unison.
Fennekin and Lyra released their attacks as one, creating an even stronger Ember attack. Scyther took both of them head on and flew back, his whole body singed.
"Scyther, use Quick Attack!" Bugsy shouted desperately.
"Priority won't save you this time, Bugs! Fennekin, Flame Charge!" I shouted.
Fennekin blasted forward and collided with the speeding Scyther, but Fennekin's attack was stronger, blasting Scyther back. Scyther hit the ground and slid at least 5 feet before stopping. He wasn't moving.
"Scyther is unable to battle!" the fat guy yelled. "Fennekin and Lyra are the winners! The victory goes to Roku and Reia!"
"Yeah! Number Two goes up in smoke!" I shouted victoriously. "We did it!"
Then we both stopped as Fennekin started glowing brightly. I knew that Fennekin was about to evolve.
Once the light faltered, I was left staring at a fox creature that was standing on its hind legs. It looked like it was wearing some kind of skirt, and a twig was sticking out of its thick bushy tail. It was weirding me out, so I looked it up in the Pokedex.
"Braixen, the Fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Fennekin," the Pokedex chimed off. "It has a twig stuck in its tail."
Thank you, Captain Obvious…I thought to myself.
"With friction from its tail fur, it sets the twig on fire and launches into battle."
"Braixen, huh?" I said, closing the app and looking at the new Pokémon. "You definitely look different."
"No dip, Sherlock!" Braixen scoffed.
"Screw you, Wattson," I shot back.
We scowled at each other for a short moment, then busted up, laughing.
A short while later, Bugsy gave Reia and I the Hive Badge, as well as a TM for U-turn for the hopes of us using it as well as he did.
"My research still has a long way to go," Bugsy admitted. "When I find something new, I'll be sure to find you so we can battle again!"
"Yeah, that'd be great," I said. "Good luck with your research."
We waved goodbye to Bugsy and headed to the Pokémon Center for a rest before we headed out to our next destination.
Darius' P.O.V.
Azalea Town
Darius stood beside the gate to the Ilex forest, waiting for the Trainer to show up. He had to get vengeance for the last two battles that he had lost, and he would win. Nothing was standing in his way this time.
Except the guy resting at the Pokémon Center.
Darius couldn't understand why he was so kind towards Pokémon. All they were was tools for battle. Darius couldn't care less about a bleeding heart like him. To Darius, they were just dead weight.
Darius stood up as the Trainer and his girlfriend, as well as a strange woman he'd never seen before, exited the Pokémon Center and were making their way towards the gate. He took this opportunity as a chance to fight, and he ran up and stopped them in their tracks.
Roku's P.O.V.
Azalea Town
"Hey!"
I turned away from Reia to find Darius running up to us.
"Tell me, is it true that you saved a bunch of Slowpoke from getting their tails cut off?" he asked.
"And what if he did?" Reia snapped.
Darius shot a sharp look in Reia's direction, and then started towards her.
"You're not gonna touch her," I said, stepping in front of her. "I already know what you're here for. So let's get down to it."
Darius nodded and stepped back a ways. We faced each other, pulling out our Poke Balls.
"Go, Riolu!"
"Go, Pidgey!"
We sent out our Pokémon. Darius laughed once he saw my Pidgey.
"Ha! That's what you chose to start with?!" he scoffed. "Pathetic! Hit it with Force Palm!"
Riolu dashed forward, palm drawn back. I told Pidgey to dodge upwards, and he flew up in the air, dodging Riolu's attack.
"Now, use Gust!" I shouted.
Pidgey flapped his tiny wings to send a small blast of air at Riolu, who took it full-on and flew back.
"Riolu, use Foresight!" Darius shouted.
Riolu's eyes gleamed slightly. Once I told Pidgey to use Gust again, Riolu dodged flawlessly, and was then ordered to use Copycat. Pidgey was blasted out of the air, where Riolu finished him with another Force Palm.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Darius said evilly.
I returned Pidgey to his Poke Ball and said, "I'm just getting started. Go, Braixen!"
I threw out my next Pokémon, who burst out of the Poke Ball and went into a battle stance.
"Braixen, use Howl!" I shouted.
Braixen howled loudly, bringing its offensive power up. Riolu dashed forward with another Force Palm, but Braixen swung its twig out of its tail and fired off an Ember attack, dealing some damage before being hit himself.
"Now, use Flame Charge!"
Braixen exploded in flame and charged at Riolu, who had his guard up. I then saw a smile creep across Darius' face.
"Riolu, Counter!" he shouted.
Riolu wound up his fist and smashed Braixen in the face, sending him flying. He hit the ground hard, not moving after impact.
"Dammit…Braixen, come back," I said with frustration, returning Braixen to his Poke Ball.
"Heh…I knew that you just got lucky in those last two battles," Darius said. "You're just as weak as the Violet City Gym Leader."
I growled and sent Luna into battle, telling her to use Swift. Riolu was blasted back by the force of the attack and knocked out.
"Damn…worthless Pokémon," Darius scoffed, returning his fallen Pokemon. "Go, Gastly!"
Darius sent out the ghostly Pokémon, whom I was slightly scared of. I pulled up the Pokedex to find out if Luna had anything that could save us from defeat.
That's when I noticed a new technique that I never knew she had.
I put the app away and shouted, "Luna, use Confuse Ray!"
Luna shot an eerie ray out of the ring on her forehead and sent Gastly floating aimlessly in the air. But I knew that was all we could do. Luna didn't have any Dark-type moves in her set, so I had nothing else to do.
Then I got an idea.
"Luna, switch out!" I said, pulling out another Poke Ball. "Go, Riolu!"
Luna backed off, and I sent out my last resort.
"Gastly, use Curse!" Darius shouted.
Gastly did an odd ritual, looking like it was in pain. I at least knew that Curse, if used by a Ghost-type Pokémon, halved the user's HP to put a hex on the target, damaging it every turn. This was the perfect moment.
"Riolu, use Foresight!" I shouted.
Riolu's eyes gleamed. I also knew that Foresight allowed the user to hit a Ghost-type with Normal- and Fighting-type moves. Gastly still floated around aimlessly, this time smacking into the gate.
"Sheesh, that's pathetic," I said. "Riolu, use Force Palm!"
Riolu dashed forward and smashed into Gastly with an outstretched palm, sending it flying and knocking it out.
Gastly was soon replaced by Darius' final Pokémon, a Magnemite. I ordered Riolu to use Force Palm again, and victory was sealed before Darius had a chance to react.
"Yeah! That's how it's done!" I shouted.
Darius was stunned. I could tell that he didn't see that coming. He returned his Pokémon, and stepped up to me.
"You got lucky…again," he said.
"Wow, then I must be on a real lucky streak," I said sarcastically. "The only reason you lost was because you were cocky."
"Humph…whatever," he scoffed. "Just make sure you stay out of my way." He shoved past me and headed to the Pokémon Center. I waited until he left before I did the same.
Author's Note: There's another Gym conquered. I've actually been playing through HeartGold again so I can plan ahead for future events. Gee, aren't I smart?
Anyway, the next chapter will be the journey to Goldenrod City, where Roku's next Gym awaits. I'll be running them through the Ilex Forest before that, and the Daycare after that. So, maybe I'll stretch that through 2 chapters, maybe even three. Who knows? Only I do.
Oh, and one of the other Kimono Girls will be making an appearance as well. I'll have to Google their names, 'cause the only ones I can remember are Zuki, Sayo, and Naoko.
That's all for now. Strato Abyss signing out.
