Welcome back! Sorry that it has been a while. I am an elementary teacher, and, as you know, the world is distance learning right now. It hasn't been an easy transition, needless to say. I have spent so many hours per day on the computer that I haven't wanted to spend time writing. I hope that I find more time as I get used to my new role.
Also, I hope you are all well and staying healthy.
Part 9
"Charvo!" Phoenix gasps as his Charmeleon is tossed across the battlefield.
The fight hadn't taken long. The referees declared a one on one battle, and Charvo was quickly surprised by the abilities of his opponent.
"Kadabra, psybeam." The gym leader known as Sabrina, orders her psychic Pokemon
The Pokemon disappears momentarily and then reappears behind Charvo. .
"Char!" Charvo screeches as he dodges out of the way of the powerful beam.
"Flamethrower!" Phoenix requests urgently.
"Disable." Sabrina's voice is unconcerned and smooth. Kadabra raises its spoons, and its eyes glow blue.
"Char?" Charvo coughs out a dark cloud of smoke. He is confused when his flamethrower doesn't work.
"Psychic," Sabrina orders. Kadabra's psychic abilities lift Charvo off the ground and slam him back to the ground.
"No!" Phoenix growls as his Pokemon disappears beneath the dust.
"Not every battle can be so easily won, Mr. Ketchum." Sabrina states as the dust clears to reveal Charvo knocked out on the ground.
"Charvo!" Phoenix runs across the battlefield to his friend.
"Your Charmeleon is very strong," Sabrina complements, "but if this is the first time you've faced psychic types, you will need to rethink your strategy."
Phoenix returns Charvo to his Pokeball. His eyes cast downward. This is the first complete loss he has faced so far.
"I will welcome your challenge again tomorrow, Mr. Ketchum," Sabrina bows to him out of respect and then exits the arena.
"She is amazing!" Austin exclaims as he runs out to where Phoenix stands on the field. "So chill!"
"Yeah," Phoenix's shoulders slump.
Ferra approaches and wraps an arm around his shoulder, "you know, people don't usually win the Marsh Badge until they have earned at least five or six badges. Besides, most people lose to gym leaders the first time. That's why they're the gym leaders and we're the trainers."
"Yeah," Phoenix groans softly, "it just stings a bit."
"Rai Raichu Raichu," Raichu chirped.
"I know dad lost a lot of gym battles," Phoenix chuckled at the large mouse.
"Are you really understanding him that much better?" Ferra asks, eyeing the large rodent.
"I don't know. Sometimes I just have a feeling about what he's saying and I take a guess."
"Seems like a good guess," Austin laughs heartily.
"We should probably get Charvo to the Pokemon Center," Phoenix says, putting the ball back on his belt.
"Your Charmeleon is feeling much better, Mr. Ketchum," Nurse Joy smiles as she hands Phoenix his tray of Pokeballs.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Phoenix nods gratefully and returns to his friends who wait on the couch in the lounge area.
"What's next, Phoenix?" Austin asks curiously.
"I think of a good strategy and challenge Sabrina again tomorrow!" Phoenix states determinedly.
"And this is just going to come to you, I suppose?" Ferra grins, knowing that Phoenix will figure it out.
"Well, I don't know yet," Phoenix laughs sheepishly, "I have time to figure it out."
"Oh my Mew! It's QT!" a shrill female voice sends shivers through the trio's spines causing them to turn to investigate.
"Yes, it is I, QT," another platinum blonde girl, dressed in a fabulous display of flashy designs, says while flipping her hair over her shoulder.
"QT?" Phoenix watches in confusion at the exchange.
"She looks familiar," Ferra cocks her head to the side, trying to figure it out.
"Can I pretty please have your autograph?" the fan girl asks with starry eyes.
"Yes," the girl called QT signs a slip of paper that the fan girl holds out, "remember to always believe in beauty!"
"Thank you! I will!" The girl dashes off, clutching the autograph to her chest.
QT turns to look around the Pokemon Center and spots Phoenix. They lock eyes, and Phoenix immediately recognizes her. The girl shrieks quietly and turns away quickly.
"Wait a minute!" Phoenix leaps over the couch to catch her before she can leave the room.
"Oh uh, another fan?" the girl asks, pulling a pen from her pocket. "What do you want me to sign?"
"Not quite, Quinny," Phoenix smirks as he pulls the fake glasses off her face.
"Phoenix, shut up!" She reaches out and covers his mouth, looking around to check if anyone heard him.
"BMUM QUI!" Phoenix mumbles under her hand.
"OH GROSS," she pulls her hand away quickly, "you licked my hand!"
"You wouldn't take it off my mouth!" Phoenix argues.
"Just stop," the girl shushes him and grabs his arm, "come talk in my room."
"Wait, wait," Phoenix complains as she drags him away, "my friends!"
"Bring them!" she exclaims as she turns on her heels and walks towards the rented rooms.
The three follow quickly, trying to keep up. When they reach the room, the girl slams the door behind them.
"You almost blew my cover! I'd be recognized in Kanto!" she screeches at Phoenix, pulling the platinum hair off her head revealing her brown hair slicked back in a wig cap.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Phoenix asks, bewildered by her sudden anger towards him.
"Just because you prance around claiming your daddy's name doesn't mean I have to." She crosses her arms in annoyance.
"Quinn," Phoenix grabs her shoulders and looks her in the eyes, "for the love of Arceus, just talk normally, please."
"I don't want to succeed because I am an Oak." Quinn finally states. "I play my own game."
"And I almost outed your secret identity?" Phoenix asks, dropping his arms from her shoulders.
"Can someone explain what's happening?" Austin requests, baffled by the scene occuring.
"Where are my manners?" Quinn takes a deep breath.
"Did you ever have any?" Ferra questions, causing Phoenix to shoot her a curious glance.
"I'm going to ignore that," Quinn rolls her eyes, "and start over."
"I'm Quinn Oak," she introduces herself with a little showy bow.
"I'm Austin," Austin waves happily at her.
"Hi cutie," Quinn purrs, kissing his cheek quickly.
"Woah," Austin falls away, shocked by the affection.
"Uh, okay," Phoenix scratches his head over Austin's reaction, "and you might remember Ferra."
"Ferra?" Quinn asks, looking her up and down. "Of course! Phoenix's little girlfriend."
The comment causes the blunette to fume.
Phoenix notices that Ferra is set off by Quinn and decides it best to play on her good side.
"Actually," Phoenix hesitantly reaches out to grasp Ferra's hand, "yes."
Ferra's eyes snap back to look at his face and soften.
"Yes what?" Quinn asks curiously, a sparkle appearing in her eye.
"Yes she is my girlfriend," Phoenix states as confidently as he can, but falters, "kind of."
Quinn looks between Phoenix and Ferra and bursts out laughing.
"What?" Phoenix asks nervously.
"She can't be 'kind of' your girlfriend," Quinn explains, "she is or she isn't."
Ferra is about to comment and tell Phoenix it's okay not to answer when he surprises her.
"What do you know about any of this? You're like fourteen." Phoenix defends himself. "But if it's yes or no, then it's yes, she is my girlfriend."
Ferra can feel the Butterfree fluttering their wings against the inside of her abdomen. A warmth spreads throughout her body at his boldness.
Quinn looks him up and down and smirks.
"Too bad," she shrugs, "you've grown up to be quite a catch. And I'm almost sixteen, thank you."
Before Ferra can respond, Phoenix rolls his eyes, "Quinny, you know you're like a sister to me."
"I know," Quinn winks at him, "but I wasn't lying when I said I play my own game."
"What are you even doing here anyway?" Phoenix asks, changing the subject.
"I was on my way home to visit Pallet," Quin shrugs her shoulders, "I came from Johto on the magnet train. Figured I would stay overnight here since it's almost evening. Who's in a hurry anyway?"
"Don't you think your parents want to see you?" Phoenix asks, knowing that her father misses her dearly.
"Yeah, I admit it has been a while." She shrugs nonchalantly. "What are you up to here in Saffron?"
"I challenged Sabrina today," Phoenix fills her in.
"And lost?" Quinn asks knowingly.
Phoenix huffs at her know-it-all attitude, "so what?"
"Everybody loses to Sabrina on their first try," Quinn explains, "she knows how to surprise new trainers. Just because you're basically royalty in the trainer world, doesn't mean the gym leaders are going to go easy on you."
"I know that," Phoenix bites back, "I just thought that I had a better chance."
"You still have to think of a strategy, Phoenix." Austin reminds him.
"Kadabra was too fast." Phoenix concludes, "Charvo couldn't keep up."
"Maybe it isn't about speed as it is about focus." Ferra ponders aloud.
"Focus?" Phoenix repeats as a question.
"Let's go," Ferra grabs his hand again and begins to pull him towards the door, "we have work to do!"
"Hey! Wait up!" Austin shouts as he races after them.
Quinn watches as they go. After a moment of contemplation, she tears the wig cap off and fluffs her brown hair. She checks her face in the mirror quickly. Then she rolls her eyes at her own decision and leaves the room to catch up with the group.
"The battle will be a rematch. Phoenix Ketchum of Pallet town challenges the Saffron City Gym Leader, Sabrina." The referee declares, "each trainer shall use one Pokemon each. Begin."
On the gym leader's side, Sabrina gracefully throws her Pokeball to reveal her Kadabra once again.
Phoenix smirks, confident in his strategy. He pulls Charvo's Pokeball off his belt and enlarges it.
"You got this, bud," Phoenix speaks softly. "Go, Charvo!"
Charvo appears flexing his muscles and roaring his name.
"The same Pokemon?" Sabrina asks, surprised, but not shaken. "Then we shall reach the same outcome."
"Charvo, dragon rush!" Phoenix makes the first call.
Charvo races towards Kadabra, glowing a light shade of purple.
"Teleport," Sabrina orders calmly.
"Charvo, 180!" Phoenix shouts out.
Charvo slides across the dirt and turns around in a blink. Just as Phoenix predicted, Kadabra teleports directly behind Charvo to prepare an attack.
"Dragon rush!"
Charvo slams his entire body into Kadabra, sending it streaking across the dirt field.
"Kadabra!" Sabrina's nonchalant demeanor snaps as she witnesses her Pokemon hit the ground.
"Kadabra," it shakes off the hit and pulls itself onto its feet.
"So you learned a new game." Sabrina smirks when she sees that Kadabra can continue, "I'm ready to play,"
"Kaaaadaaabra!" It yells out.
"We've got this, Charvo!" Phoenix encourages.
Charvo stands facing Kadabra, prepared to continue.
"Psychic!" Sabrina orders.
Kadabra's eyes glow blue and it holds out the spoons it grips tightly to. Charvo falters, looking back at Phoenix.
"Don't fight it!" Phoenix calls out.
Kadabra's powers lift Charvo up in the air. Charvo startles momentarily, but then calms his body down. Kadabra uses its psychic power to throw Charvo across the room. However, Charvo is prepared and lands gracefully; immediately catching the dirt with his back claws.
"Dragon rush again!" Phoenix cries.
Charvo takes off towards Kadabra at full speed.
"Teleport!" Sabrina shouts, now fully invested in the battle.
"Stop and focus!" Phoenix orders a quick change.
The battle field fills with silence as Charvo closes his eyes and stops in the center.
Ferra lets out a soft gasp as tension grows. Austin remains a silent observer.
Phoenix watches closely, every muscle in his body tensed.
"Psybeam!" Sabrina orders suddenly.
"Kada!" Kadabra appears to Charvo's right and prepares a strong blast of psychic power.
However, Charvo beats it to it and blasts a flamethrower directly at Kadabra's face. The fire throws Kadabra backwards.
Everyone in the room watches intensely, wondering if Kababra will get back up.
"Recover," Sabrina orders, once again calm and in control.
"Kadabra," it mutters as a shining light momentarily flashes across its body. Then it slowly pulls itself to its knees.
"This is my game, Mr. Ketchum," Sabrina smirks, "and although you are proving to be a fierce opponent, you won't win easily."
"Charvo, dragon rush!" Phoenix orders quickly, trying to take the advantage again.
"Teleport," Sabrina says calmly once again.
This time, Kadabra teleports to the other end of the gym.
Phoenix finds himself growling in frustration. Charvo pauses when he hears Phoenix.
"Char?" he asks, concerned.
"I'm fine, buddy," Phoenix tries to reassure him, "you're doing great! Just do your best!"
"Char," Charvo sets his eyes towards Kadabra, a new determined look forms across his face.
"You can do it, Charvo!" Ferra yells out from the sidelines. Austin, Quinn, Raichu, Kuro and Mari cheer him on.
"Chaaaaaaaaar!" Charvo cries out and releases a massive flamethrower in Kadabra's direction. Kadabra teleports to the other side of the gym and begins shooting beams of psychic energy Charvo's way.
Caught in rage, Charvo dashes towards Kadabra in a fiery sprint, dodging Kadabra's beams.
"Charvo!" Phoenix calls out to him, but he doesn't hear.
In a surprising split second change of events, Charvo is airborne, expanding a deep black set of scaly wings forged in flames, and soaring straight for Kadabra.
"Kadabra?" it's eyes widen as it is lifted off the ground and over Charvo's head, then slammed back into the dirt.
"GAHH!" Phoenix's jaw slacks at what he has witnessed. The entire room is silent apart from Charvo's heavy breathing.
"Kadabra is unable to battle," the referee calls after a few moments, "the challenge,r Phoenix Ketchum of Pallet is the winner."
Sabrina gasps softly at the outcome, but quickly pulls a Pokeball out of her pocket and returns kadabra. "You did wonderfully," she tells Kadabra softly.
"Charizard?" Phoenix stares up at the unfamiliar form of his best friend.
Deep, black scales cover the majority of his body, but red scales line the inside of his wings. His belly remains a soft yellow. The flame on the tip of his tail burns fiercely. Charvo looks down at him, standing proudly, and flaunting his new evolution.
"Charvo!" Phoenix cheers as he jumps up and wraps his arms around Charvo's neck.
Charvo roars happily as his trainer hangs from his neck in excitement.
"Charmeleon!" Kuro cries, running up to him. Mari follows close behind.
"That was amazing!" Ferra hugs Phoenix when he finally lets go of Charvo.
"It was all Charvo!" Phoenix beams.
"Way to go, Charvo!" Austin commends.
"I am impressed enough that I might even have to battle Charvo," Quinn crosses her arms snottily, but then winks and laughs.
"Phoenix Ketchum," Sabrina interrupts.
Phoenix lets go of his embrace with Ferra and faces the gym leader, "yes ma'am."
"You have proven to be a worthwhile opponent," she reveals a sincere smile, "and a man I know your parents would have been very proud of. I present to you and your Charizard, the Marsh Badge."
Sabrina extends her hand to reveal the small symbolic trinket.
"Thank you, ma'am," Phoenix nods happily and grabs the badge.
He thumbs it and stares at it momentarily; then whispers, "I got the Marsh Badge."
"Come back again sometime," Sabrina encourages him with a smirk, "when you're ready to face Alakazam."
"You can count on it," Phoenix assures with a smile on his face.
"So where are we going now?" Quinn asks as they leave the gym.
"We?" Ferra asks in surprise.
"Like I said," Quinn shrugs, "I'm in no hurry to get home."
"Your dad won't like it," Phoenix smirks.
"My parents can wait another month or two." Quinn rolls her eyes.
"I, for one, am happy you will be joining us, Quinn!" Austin gushes, holding onto her hand.
"Aw, thanks cutie pie," she giggles and kisses him on the cheek.
"On second thought," Phoenix grabs Ferra's hand and starts to run, pulling her along, "I think we'll go along without you two!"
"Wait up!" Austin yells from a couple dozen feet behind.
Phoenix and Ferra giggle as they dash away from their friends who pick up their pace to keep up.
"This is the location that we traced the hacking to," Lance points at a spot northwest of Fuscia City.
"Is that where their new base is?" Ash asks, his brows furrow over his eyes.
"It's possible," Lance contemplates, "but it could also be a decoy. The signal could be rerouted."
"I think we should check it out," Ash asserts.
Lance pauses in thought, "Ash, it's all or nothing on this. If it turns out to be their base, it won't be an easy fight."
"I'll go," Ash says eagerly, "I can fly over and just look."
"It sounds risky, Ash," Lance debates.
"I have been in riskier situations, Lance," Ash argues.
Their eyes catch in a silent debate for a few long moments.
"If I believe in anyone, I believe in Ash Ketchum," Lance nods softly, "just be careful out there."
"You've got it."
Phoenix: Charizard, Fletchinder, Luxio, Primeape, Pichu, Sandshrew, Kabuto, Psyduck, Oddish, Rattata, Nidoran
Ferra: Alolan Vulpix, Marowak, Clefairy, Charmeleon
Austin: Charmeleon, Bellsprout
I hope that you enjoyed!
Like I said before, the story skips along quickly. I don't have the time or patience to chronicle every moment. So imagine that they are having adventures and training for weeks/months between chapters. If I wrote everything, I would never get to the main climax!
I'd really appreciate if you would review and let me know what you think!
Love, Alert, Review