Well howdy there folks! We are now getting to some very serious complications in this story, mostly that involving something known about mermaid myths. But anyways, the title might clue you in about what the big issue is, but there's another to come.
Also, before I forget, someone had reminded me that Drew(Drake) didn't have a certain Pokemon in the anime. So, I fudged by accident on this one, but it should still work for my intents and purposes. Just a little forewarning.
But enough gabbing, time to get reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or its characters. All rights to Game Freak, Nintendo, and all related parties.
Chapter 14:
The Revealing
It was a quiet night as the Aura sailed onward to the next Chieftain's island. But all was not well with its passengers. Rina lay awake in her hammock, incapable of falling asleep. She had been haunted by dreams of Sora ending up in some horrific danger, unable to escape. And not just him, but Kari, Sarah, Pikachu, even Drake and Kenneth were suffering alongside him. Each time, Rina was helpless to save them, somehow bounded to simply watch in horror at what happened to her friends.
So she lay awake, tormented by the tantalizing fear of having another dream like that again. While she couldn't bear the horror of something happening to Sora, her sisters, or the others, she often questioned why these matters pressed in on her. She was fascinated with Sora, that she could not deny. He was far different from most other humans because of his great love for Pokémon. But why was he such a concern to her to the point that she never wanted Sora to end up in harm's way? Why was she so driven to want to protect Sora? Angry and confused, Rina quietly snuck away into the sea once more.
Rina surfaced near a ladder leading on deck, swimming beside the ship as it coasted over the waves. The full moon cast a fluorescent glow on the ship, chasing the darkness of the night away. These were one of the few times Rina felt she could calm down and enjoy the brisk air. This whole journey had been making her feel all jumbled inside, and most of it involved Sora.
The thought of the guardian made Rina contemplate what she thought of him on a deeper level than before. The last few times, Rina was found questioning what she had once come to believe about humans. Even more so did she begin to wonder about what she thought about her friendship with Sora. Every time she was near him, Rina's heart went haywire, and she often felt scared that she would say something that would turn him away. She also found how concerned she was about how Sora behaved, what he did, and how he acted on a regular basis. Why was she becoming such a nervous wreck about him? He was a human, she was a mermaid. No matter what, that fact could never change. So why did they still remain friends, and why was Rina so taken by the young guardian?
As she began to think she was going to be driven mad by all these questions, she heard someone grunting and shouting up top. Curious, Rina hosted herself up the ladder as best as she could to find out what was going on. Setting herself on a board jutting out on the side, Rina looked up to find Sora, training with his staff and sword transformations and forms. Sora would practice a bit with his staff, then change it to the Aura Sword and resume, then repeat with his staff. He continued this cycle for a while, growing fiercer and faster as he trained. But on his face wasn't a stoic look of a warrior in training, but instead one of fear. And it was this fear-filled expression that seemed to drive Sora to grow. Even so, it looked like he would exhaust himself with this training to the point of collapse.
Rina was about to call out to him after he finished another sword stroke, when she heard Yolanda call out softly, "Sora? What are you doing?" Rina shied away to avoid being spotted as the princess approached the guardian.
Relaxing his stance and returning his staff to normal, Sora panted, "Just… fighting something off."
"Are you sick?"
"No, nothing like that. It's…" Sora went over to the side Rina was on, and Rina hid herself as best as she could while still remaining nearby to hear what Sora was talking about. "It's about Pikachu."
Coming up next to him, Yolanda asked, "Did something happen between you two?"
But Sora shook his head and said, "No, that's not it. It's just… this feeling I have. Like something is going to happen to Pikachu with where we are going next."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. I can't make sense of it myself."
"Sora, nothing is going to happen to Pikachu, You're just being worried about your partner. You and Pikachu are inseparable, a prime example of the bond between people and Pokémon. With you two together, there is nothing you cannot overcome."
Chuckling softly, Rina thought, You know, for such a love struck human, she makes a good point. I've seen people bond with Pokémon, and Sora rises higher than any of them.
However, Sora disagreed, "We may be inseparable at heart, but what if something happens that takes Pikachu away? I just can't bear the thought of not seeing my best friend ever again." Rina heard Sora begin to cry shortly following, which made her very concerned.
Holding a fist over her heart, she whispered, "Oh Sora."
Then she heard Yolanda tell him, "Sora, on my honor as princess, and as your future wife, I promise you that we shall prevent this from ever happening. My brother, the crew, and myself, we will all help to keep this separation from ever coming to pass."
"But… how?"
"However we must. You and Pikachu shall never be kept apart." Rina thought that was a lot of a big words for a human. There was no way they could EVER keep it from happening. Some powers could not be overcome with such a pledge. Even so, Rina made a conviction to aid Sora whenever trouble struck. He had protected her all this time, keeping her secret from most of the crew. So she would help him however he could.
When she looked back up, she saw Yolanda inching closer to kiss the guardian. Afraid, she slipped her hand on the plank, losing her balance on the perch, and fell back into the ocean.
Hearing the splash, Yolanda looked around and wondered, "What was that?"
"Probably just some Wailmer having fun near the ship." Sora told her, "Which tells me we should get back to our rooms to rest." With that, the two returned to their quarters. And a certain mermaid did likewise.
The following afternoon found the crew docking at a part of an established island, known as Resplendent Province. But why they were docking at such a place confused Sora and at least half the crew. Even Princess Yolanda had been kept in the dark on this detour. For most everyone's knowledge, it was just a straight shot to Salure Island and the next Chieftain battle. So what was the reason behind this trip?
As Drake and Kenneth were finishing docking procedures, Princess Yolanda demanded of her brothers, "What is the meaning of this?! We should be halfway to Salure Island by now!"
"Apologies sister." Prince Pewter replied rather calmly, "But to reach Salure Island, we'll need sanction to pass further on."
"Why would you need imperial sanction?" Sketch came up, "Shouldn't the Chieftain's challenge be enough to grant us passage?"
"I thought so too. But I received a message from the royals on this island that no one may venture onward without their permission, no matter what."
"That's just rude!" Sparky complained, popping out of nowhere.
"Surely, there is another way to circumvent such a claim." Cancer said as he adjusted his spectacles. Prince Pewter sighed, giving the idea that the royal's word was law.
"I think it'll be fine." Sora assured everyone, "Once we make our plight clear, they will most definitely let us pass on."
"I don't know." Yolanda stated her skepticism.
"It'll be alright." Her brother eased, "Sora and I are part of the emissary group. Captain Drake and Sketch will accompany us too."
"That just makes me more worried. I should go too."
"I'd rather not risk it. Especially with your engagement." Sora couldn't argue with that, but the idea continued to drill into him rather painfully. Especially with a certain someone onboard.
"Right then. All ashore that's going ashore!" Drake announced. So the small group went down the gangplank, and made their way along a road leading to a goliath castle complex, with spires and fences topped and covered with gold. The remainder of the crew stood on the deck, watching the crew venture up to the castle. As she watched, Yolanda held a fist over her heart, remembering Sora's concern from last night.
The four friends arrived at the main gate to the castle at long last. The Aura was now a mere dot behind them, a speck in the distance. Sora and Pikachu looked back at the ship as they waited with Prince Pewter and the others to receive an answer on having an audience with the royals of this island. Who could be so important to line their home with actual gold? A Cofagrigus would be jealous of how much was used here.
Eventually, a maid approached Prince Pewter, looking rather stone-faced. "May I help you?" she spoke in monotone.
"We wish to speak with the rulers of Resplendent Province." Prince Pewter requested firmly.
"Follow me. We have been expecting you." So they did, but Sora felt uneasy about all this.
If the amount of gold used outside was excessive, the inside was just extravagant. Paintings had rims decked in gold, the stained-glass windows had traces of gold in them, even the floor and walls were decked with gold.
"Pika Pika." Pikachu remarked at how much gold there was.
"How can someone have so much wealth?" Sora wondered aloud.
"If you ask me, I'd steer clear of these kinds of folks." Drake grumbled, "Wealth like this often goes to someone's head."
"But we still need sanction to proceed to our destination." Prince Pewter reasoned, "We'll work out someway to convince them."
"Let's hope you're right, my prince." Drake mumbled.
The four soon arrived in front of two grand doors covered in gold decorative artwork. Quite the display to Sora, as he wasn't used to such elaborate displays.
"In here is where the prince and princess will meet you." The maid informed. Taking the initiative, Prince Pewter opened the doors, and entered an expansive room with a rather long table in the center.
The prince was a young boy like Sora, with smooth, blond hair tied into a ponytail, beige-green eyes that conveyed some kind of cockiness about him, and he wore a golden-yellow royal tunic signifying his status.
The princess was adorned in various jewels and gems, some in her curly, red hair that hung around her head, her deep-brown eyes commanding some kind of authority beyond herself, and she wore a flashy pink dress further adorned with trinkets.
"Welcome, Prince Pewter of Aurora." The prince bellowed, "Welcome to our humble home."
"Yeah. Very humble." Drake muttered to Sketch.
"I am Prince Reggie."
"And I am Princess Kimberly." The princess curtsied.
"It is a great honor to grace us with an audience." Prince Pewter bowed, "Allow me to introduce my companions. Captain Drake, who commands our ship, the Aura; Sketch, a Pokémon watcher; and our guardian—"
"Sora!" Reggie interrupted, approaching the guardian, "An absolute honor to finally meet you in the flesh."
"Oh my! So you are the great guardian Sora!" Kimberly squealed, "You are simply amazing! We've heard all about your battles with that meanie, Ragnar."
"Um, great?" Sora replied, flustered by the exuberant attention, "So, can we go to Salure Island then?"
Grabbing him by the ear, Prince Pewter chastised, "Sora, show respect!"
"Oh, it is alright." Reggie interjected, "We would be glad to let you be on your way… with the right tribute."
"Tribute?" the emissary party gasped.
"I fail to follow." Sketch made a query, "What do you mean by 'tribute'?"
"To grant you passage, you must pay a tribute to us. Everyone who comes our way must do so."
"What must we pay?" Prince Pewter asked, "We have little of value on our vessel."
With a sly smile, Reggie suggested, "I hear you have a sister, good prince. If you gave me Princess Yolanda's hand in marriage, I might decide to grant safe travels."
"No way!" both the prince and Sora refuted together.
"Princess Yolanda is not to be bargained for!" Sora argued further, "No deal!"
"Pikachu!"
"EEK! A Pikachu!" Kimberly shrieked with excitement, "It's so cute!" In her excitement, she relieved Pikachu from Sora's shoulder and began hugging it tightly. "You're cheeks are just the perfect shape! Such a cute Pikachu!"
"Well, that settles that." Reggie said haughtily, "You may leave now."
"What?! No, you can't take my Pikachu!" Sora scorned.
"You mean MY Pikachu now. So, go away!"
"Pika!" Pikachu pleaded with his partner as Kimberly snuggled it excessively.
"I won't leave without Pikachu!" But he had no choice, as guards came up and began escorting them out, dragging Sora away.
"If you desire this Pikachu, seek out a potential Pokémon to trade for it." Reggie told them as they were led out, "Consider this your final option." Then, the doors were slammed shut.
"PIKACHU!"
It was a sad state to find Sora in. After they had returned, he had shut himself away in his cabin, and refused to come out. This happened for an entire day, with no signs of improvement. It looked like this would remain the way it was forever, maybe even longer. They had to get Pikachu back.
Prince Pewter called everyone on deck, declaring an assembly on how to rescue Pikachu.
"Now listen everyone, this matter is starkly important, for all of us! Our guardian has had his Pikachu stolen from him, and we must find a Pokémon worthy of trading to get it back."
"Why can't we just take Pikachu back?" Violet requested strongly, "I can sneak in and retrieve it."
"Not an option. Princess Kimberly keeps Pikachu extremely close to her. There's no way we could steal it back."
"Then our only option is to find a Pokémon to trade with them." Cancer concluded.
"Right. And we need all hands on deck. Drake, Kenneth, remain on the ship and monitor Sora. Everyone else, let's go save Pikachu!" With a mighty cry, everyone ventured off to find a Pokémon to trade for Pikachu.
After they left, Drake and Kenneth went down to the secret room to meet with the mermaids. They had already told them about Sora losing Pikachu, and were just as devastated. Ever since, Kari and Sarah began looking for ways to get inside the castle grounds and rescue the cherished electric mouse. Rina, on the other hand, was pondering, which seemed very unlike her, according to her sisters. She was usually one to take action, use whatever she had, and take down whoever stood in her way. So, as a precaution, Kari asked the sailors to watch her for them.
When they entered, the two mermaids returned in the hatch leading to the ocean. Their elder sister sat across from the entrance, eyes closed in concentration. While Drake was concerned for her, he decided not to act on it right away, and went to his Stormstress for an update.
"Find anything?" he asked them.
"Nada." Sarah huffed disparagingly, "Absolutely bupkus."
"There are no streams or rivers leading inland." Kari told him, "We're stranded out here in the ocean, so we can't help you."
"Well, there's gotta be some way to get those royal pains to let Pikachu." Kenneth pondered.
"Good luck. There's no way we can help you there." Sarah pointed.
"Can't Kari cook up a storm or something to flush them out?"
"I can only sense storms Kenneth! I don't control them."
"Sorry. Still learning."
"Forget it. Ultimately, if we don't do something soon, we may never see Pikachu again." Drake reminded, "And Sora's chances at beating the Chieftains vanishes."
"Isn't Larvitar trying to help him out?" Kari inquired.
"Yeah. With no luck. No matter what, Sora isn't moving. So we need to come up with something and fast."
"I think I can settle that." Rina finally said, "But, it will involve a lot of risk." Taking what was said into consideration, Drake ushered for her to proceed with her plan. "If I recall, you said this Prince Reggie was looking for Yolanda's hand in marriage, right?"
"Right."
"And he claimed he would consider releasing Pikachu to us if she came, right?"
"Something like that. What are you getting at?"
"Well, what if she challenged the princess to a battle, for Pikachu's freedom?"
"Wait, what?!" Kenneth sputtered, clearly in disbelief.
Drake however considered, "It's a good plan. Royals usually will do battle to avoid full-scale conflicts and reach a compromise. But, there's one hitch to your plan: Yolanda has little battle experience. It would be expecting too much of her."
"The real Yolanda, maybe. But what about another Yolanda?"
"Wait, you're not saying—"
"Yes. I will go to this prince, disguised like her, and battle for Sora's Pikachu."
"Um, Rina, ARE YOU MENTAL!?" Kenneth shouted.
"You look nothing like the princess, nor do you sound like her." Sarah tried to reason, "And, you're a mermaid. It'd be suicide."
"I know what's at stake, but we don't have any other options."
"Yeah there is. Storm the castle!"
"Maybe not so extreme, Sarah."
"What's wrong with that, Kenneth?" Before they could start, Drake cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"From what I heard, the prince hasn't seen Princess Yolanda before." He said to clarify, "So, if we can hide Rina's tail AND make her appear to be a princess, then we can battle for Pikachu's freedom."
"But Captain—"
"Let's do it!" Kari agreed.
"Anything to show up such a snobbish human." Sarah boasted.
"But we'll have to be quick," Drake foreboded, "Or everyone else will reveal our ruse."
Sometime later, Drake and Kenneth stood guard outside of Yolanda's room, where Rina's sisters helped to make the eldest with her disguise. As they waited, Kenneth shifted around uncomfortably.
"I don't know about this captain." He muttered, pulling on his collar, "Shouldn't we try something else?"
"Sora's in no state to battle, and everyone else is off on a wild Mew chase." Drake replied coldly, "This is our best chance at saving Pikachu, and getting Sora back on his feet."
"I know. But how will Rina pull this off?"
"I don't know. But, I could see some similarity between her and Yolanda. Somewhat."
"We're doomed." Kenneth groaned with a face palm.
Eventually, Sarah called out, "Okay. You two can come in now." So they did, and they couldn't believe their eyes. Rina was absolutely stunning, with a beach-blue, sleeveless dress held by two straps on her shoulders and two on the sides of her arms. The dress perfectly hid her tail, making her look human. To finish, Kari fitted a familiar tiara into Rina's hair, completing the ensemble.
"Whoa!" Kenneth gasped.
"One question Rina:" Sarah posed, "How will you walk?"
"Sora's Torterra." Rina answered, "I used it before."
"Before?" everyone questioned.
"On Topaz Island. Sora took me around before he battled Akito. We can use Torterra."
"We can't." Drake told her, "Unless Sora summoned it, we can't use Torterra. It wouldn't really work anyway. But, I have another idea."
Drake arrived at the castle gates once more, accompanied by 'princess' Rina. She was riding his Arcanine, a dog Pokémon almost as large as Charizard, keeping the skirt around her tail to keep her true identity hidden. The gold accessory display the mermaid noticed did not impress her. She couldn't hide the fear she held, but she also felt something stronger: a resolve to help her friend. Sora had already done so much for her, keeping her secret and sheltering her. What had she done in return? Not much she thought, besides rescuing him in that storm. She would not be a damsel, she would not hinder Sora anymore. She was gonna help Sora, as he had done for her.
When the maid approached them, Drake ordered, "Let Prince Reggie know that Princess Yolanda requests an audience with him and Princess Kimberly."
"At once!" And she led them into the castle.
No turning back now. Rina thought to herself, trying to psyche herself for the task ahead. Drake guided Arcanine by its mane, leading it and Rina forward. The mermaid looked back at the ship before the doors shut, and whispered, "Sora, don't lose hope." And with that, the Aura disappeared behind doors of gold.
"Marvelous!" Reggie proclaimed in the great hall, "At long last we meet, Princess Yolanda, the famed flower of Aurora!"
"Oh indeed! How charming." Kimberly cooed, nuzzling Pikachu who clearly looked unhappy with whom he was with. But when he saw Rina enter, hope reignited in him. Sadly, Rina shot down Pikachu with a stare, hoping he wouldn't give her away, which he acknowledged understandingly.
"I must say, I am quite surprised you came of your own volition. I suppose you heard of my proposition?"
"I beg your pardon? Proposition?" Rina inquired.
"Marrying you, of course. Your brother must have told you about it."
"It might have slipped his mind. But, I come with my own proposition."
"Oh? And what is that?" This was it, it was all or nothing here.
With a fierce gaze, Rina issued, "I challenge you to a battle for Pikachu!" Silence followed, creating an awkward feeling atmosphere. And then, both Reggie and Kimberly burst out laughing like gleeful Aipom. This embarrassed both Rina and Drake, as they did not find anything hilarious about the challenge.
After finally calming down, Reggie replied, "My dear, if you are making a wager, you need to have something to offer should you lose. Otherwise, it is a useless gambit."
"So you'll refuse?" Drake defended.
"Quite the contrary. I accept. And if Princess Yolanda loses, she agrees to marry me." Rina's hand tightened into a fist as she gritted at this human. There was no way she would agree to something like this. If she lost, not only would Pikachu be kept prisoner and Sora sent further into despair, but her secret would also be found out. There was no way she could agree to this. Then again, if she didn't, how could she save Pikachu? She had come here confident in her skill in battle.
With resolve, and to Drake's utter amazement, she answered, "I accept, as long as you will return Pikachu into my company should I prove victorious."
"Very well. The wager is set, my dear." Now Rina knew she couldn't lose. She had to win, for Sora.
Reggie and Rina faced off in the inner courtyard, where a battlefield was marked off. Kimberly stood behind her brother, Pikachu nicely tucked in her arms. Drake was beside Rina and Arcanine, keeping things well with their plan. Arcanine could feel Rina tremble with nervousness, puzzling it. To Rina, this was her first true battle against someone other than her sisters, and a human no less. Would it be the same kind of battling? Would it be like what Sora did with the Chieftains? She was confident her Pokémon could hold their own, but what about her?
Seeing Rina in such a state, Drake calmed, "Don't let it get to you. Just trust in your Pokémon, and they'll trust you to battle."
Taking a deep breath, Rina said, "Okay. I will."
"This will be a two-on-two Pokémon battle, sweetie." Reggie declared, "First trainer to lose both Pokémon loses. Use any Pokémon you desire."
Snapping back into the battle, she replied, "Very well. I accept those conditions."
"Let's root for my big brother, Pikachu." Kimberly giggled, "He'll give us a new sister soon." The distressed look on Pikachu's face affirmed to Rina the need to save him. Now, she felt more than ready to battle."
"Now, let us begin!" Reggie pulled out a Pokéstone, and summoned, "Nidoking, serve and defend!" From the beam of light came a purple, dinosaur-looking Pokémon with spikes on its shoulders and back, trunk like legs that it stood upright on, fangs glistening on the sides of its mouth, and a menacing horn that protruded from its head. When it stomped out, Nidoking roared out proud and fierce.
But Rina did not back down, as she tapped her pearl and called out, "Go, Politoad!" From her pearl came a green, toad Pokémon with a spiral imprint on its belly. When it appeared, Politoad clapped its hands cheerfully, like it was ready to make friends rather than battle. At this, the prince and princess let out outrageous chortles, and Drake became quite dumbfounded that Rina would use a Pokémon like this Politoad.
"My dear Yolanda, I thought we would be having a Pokémon battle, not a cheering contest." Reggie guffawed. But Rina was confident now. This prince had no idea what he was in for. "Nidoking, Mega Punch!" The titan stampeded over to Politoad, fist geared to flatten it into mulch.
"Politoad, dodge!" The instant Nidoking slammed down, Politoad hopped out of harm's way.
"What?! Nidoking, hit it!" It struck again, but Nidoking missed once again. And Politoad merely clapped in response to the situation, making Reggie begin to lose his cool. So he ordered more Mega Punches. And Politaod hopped out of the way of every single one. Each time it did, Politoad merely clapped in gleeful response.
On the last Mega Punch, Rina called, "Politoad, use Water Gun!" Dodging out of the way, Politoad squirted Nidoking with a powerful jet of water, knocking it back and causing it to grimace.
"Nidoking, Double Kick!" Nidoking rushed at the cheerful Politoad, and tried to deliver a pair of kicks. But the toad Pokémon ducked and bobbed out of the way once more, then it squirted Nidoking playfully. And no matter how many other attacks Nidoking used, Politoad dodged and played with it like this was all a game. It's antics made Rina laugh, and gave Drake a slight chuckle.
Appalled, Reggie cried out, "Hyper Beam!" Nidoking reared up, and began charging up an orange energy sphere in its jaw. Sensing the imminent danger, Rina hastily looked around for a way to save Politoad. Then, her eyes spotted a pond far off to the side of the field.
"Politoad, jump into the pond!" Politoad hopped as fast as it could to the pond Rina pointed out, but it looked to be too late. Nidoking aimed at it, and blasted Politoad with a Hyper Beam. Smoke and fire erupted as the attack landed, obscuring Politoad from view. Reggie and Kimberly's smiles grew as they waited for the result, and their victory.
When the smoke cleared, there was nothing there. Politoad had disappeared… until it resurfaced in the pond.
"What?! How-?!" Reggie exclaimed.
"She cheated!" Kimberly protested fervently.
"On the contrary, Princess Yolanda has played it fair and square." Drake pointed out, "You all just were not able to catch her Politoad."
Feeling in control, Rina ordered, "Politoad, end this with Water Gun!" From its refuge, Politoad scored a direct hit on Nidoking. And as it hopped out of the pond, Nidoking fell backwards and fainted.
"Yes!" Rina cheered, "Way to go Politoad!" Politoad just clapped I response.
"I gotta admit, I was a little worried there that you were making a mistake." Drake said to her, "But, Politoad did have a distinct advantage over Nidoking." It was more than that, and Rina knew it.
As he returned Nidoking to his Pokéstone, Reggie huffed, "We shall inform the Guten family that their tribute does not serve us well."
"Indeed, brother." Kimberly agreed, still keeping a tight hold on Pikachu.
"But this tribute shall not fail us." Then Reggie summoned, "Arise to serve, Cradily!" Then out came a Pokémon neither Rina nor Drake had ever seen before. It had a slender, green body like some type of plant, tendrils jutting out from behind its intimidating head, and a large, stubby base that it stood on. "Say hello to the rarest Pokémon around, dear Princess Yolanda." Reggie smirked, seeing the astonished faces Rina and Drake displayed, "This is Cradily, an ancient Pokémon."
"Drake, what's a Cradily?" Rina whispered urgently, "I've never heard of such a Pokémon before."
"Sadly, neither have I." Drake regrettably answered, "I don't think anyone has heard or even seen such a Pokémon. So how does he have it?"
"Well then, ladies have the first move." Reggie offered, "Come at my Cradily however you wish." Despite that she had never seen it before, Rina remembered that this was still a battle. And no matter who her opponent was, or what they used, she couldn't back down.
"Politoad, use Water Gun!"
But before Politoad even opened its mouth, Reggie called out, "Constrict!" The tendrils around Cradily's head zoomed over and tied up Politoad's mouth, then bound its arms so it couldn't attack, or even clap. Rina got a little worried, but she didn't let it get to her.
Sensing an advantage, she called, "Bounce Politoad! Use Bounce!" With its legs still free, Politoad kicked off from the ground and leaped super high into the air. The thought following the maneuver was that Cradily would become vulnerable if it got lifted a bit into the air. But when Politoad reached a certain height, it was stopped. Cradily wasn't lifted even a millimeter off the ground. Rather, something on its base was keeping it rooted. Now Politoad was completely vulnerable, suspended and unable to attack.
Brushing his hair to the side, Reggie yawned, "Slam it down, Cradily." So it did, yanking Politoad into the ground with a fearful 'smash!' Then, completely disinterested, he instructed, "Use Ancientpower now." And Cradily centered an ancient and powerful energy in front of it, launching it right at where Politoad lay. The attack made impact, evoking a billowing cloud that obscured its target.
"Politoad!" Rina cried out, almost losing her balance on Arcanine and revealing her identity. Luckily, Drake helped her recover, but nothing could be done for Politoad as it had fainted from Cradily's attack.
Returning Politoad to her pearl, Rina thanked it for putting up a tremendous fight, and requested it get some rest. But she was frightened by this 'ancient' Pokémon. That move it had used, Ancientpower, was a Pokémon attack she had barely heard of. The only other Pokémon she knew that could use that move was one called Relicanth, and she along with her sisters had only met it once in their whole lives. It knew how to use Ancientpower too, and showed it to the mermaid's when it protected them. The fact that she was facing another Pokémon that could use it as well scared her scales off.
"Come now sweetie," Reggie tried smooth talking, "We both know how this battle will end. I offer you the chance to surrender."
"Surrender?" Rina questioned.
"Indeed. Admit defeat now, and we can spare everyone the frivolous nature of this contest. You would be the wealthiest queen in all the kingdoms, and Aurora would be the second-greatest place ever. All the wealth and power at my disposal would be yours."
"And all the finest clothes, jewelry, and Pokémon would belong to you too." Kimberly added, "How could you refuse?" Drake growled at the sibling's attitude. He absolutely loathed people who would value wealth over everything else, and lord it over those that didn't have it. He was sickened by it, completely irked. But Rina's clenched fist caught his attention, as well as the proud face the mermaid displayed.
"You can take your offer…" Rina muttered first, then proclaimed, "And cast it away! I would never betray my friends for wealth or power. I need neither of them to truly be happy. For I would… I will never betray my kingdom."
"Sweet Yolanda, you misunderstand. We aren't asking you to betray Aurora. Merely unite your kingdom with our resources. All it takes is the union between you and me." And here was one time Rina saw Yolanda's engagement as a good thing.
"I'm afraid that is impossible, my prince. For you see, I am already engaged to someone else. Someone far kinder and more powerful than you could ever dream to be."
"And pray tell, who is that?"
Smiling, Rina answered proudly, "His name is Aura Guardian Sora! And it is for Sora that I battle you. For everything, and everyone he cherishes. Something you will never fathom in a thousand lifetimes."
Nice Rina. Drake thought to himself, Show these royals where true power lies. If only Sora could be here to see this.
With a sigh, Reggie spoke, "An utter loss. You see, my dear Cradily is unbeatable. You'll never win this useless battle."
"Your Cradily? 'Useless battle'?" Rina questioned, "I wouldn't count my Horsea before they hatched. Go Staryu!" Out of her pearl appeared her starfish Pokémon, Staryu.
"My dear, if you are going to even try, you might want to use a stronger Pokémon to make an effort." Reggie said like this was boring him.
"Like I said before, Prince Reggie: don't be too sure victory is yours already."
"Do recall I have an ancient Pokémon. The rarest of all Pokémon, save for legendary ones."
"My brother is gonna beat you." Kimberly sang, "Victory is his!"
"Then enough talk. Staryu, prepare to attack!"
As Staryu braced for battle, Reggie nonchalantly commanded, "Cradily, Constrict." And once more, Cradily sent out its tendrils lightning fast, binding Staryu before it could react.
"Oh no, not again!" Drake gritted.
Rina thought on how to get out of this fix, when Raggie called out, "Fire your Bullet Seed." From its mouth, Cradily shot a barrage of orbs at Staryu, pelting it and dealing heavy damage. "You might as well give up." the snobbish prince offered, "I told you. My Cradily is unbeatable." Rina wouldn't believe it one bit. She knew there had to be a way to escape this predicament. Seeing that she wouldn't take up his offer, Reggie yawned, "Ancientpower." And once again, Cradily centered an orb of its ancient force, and blasted it into Staryu. When the smoke cleared, the gem in its center began to blink, signaling that it was low on energy. If it took one more hit, it would be game over.
"Please tell me you have some kind of plan." Drake whispered, beginning to wig out that Rina had frozen over. But she gave no response.
So Reggie sighed with regret, "A frivolous contest, as always. Solarbeam." And that was when Rina made her move.
As Cradily began charging energy, she commanded, "Staryu, use Swift to break out of that Constrict!" Revived and willing, Staryu shot stars from its jewel, hitting the tendrils that had it ensnared and causing them to retract. Once it was free, Rina shouted, "Now, dodge with Rapid Spin!"
Taking a sudden interest, Reggie called, "Fire your Solarbeam!" By the time Cradily could fire, Staryu had spun out of the way and slammed into it.
"Now, use Water Gun!" Staryu blasted Cradily back again by shooting water from the arm above its gem.
Getting desperate, Reggie barked, "Cradily, Constrict NOW!"
"Counter with Rapid Spin!" No matter how hard it tried, Cradily's tendrils could not latch onto Staryu as it spun faster and faster, soaring around like it was a bird Pokémon. Drake and Pikachu began to see new hope, sensing that she could win. However, Reggie would never surrender. He only needed to hit Staryu once to win, just one hit to end this absurdity.
So he ordered, "Bullet Seed!"
"Staryu, Swift attack!" This time, Staryu countered Cradily's Bullet Seed with swift, and even sent some stars and seeds back at Cradily to deal damage.
Enraged, Reggie roared, "I will not be made a fool of. I am invincible! I am unbeatable! Cradily, annihilate that pest with Solarbeam and make Yolanda mine!" Once more, Cradily began charging energy, gathering sunlight to decimate its opponent. But Rina had figured out a weakness it had.
So she directed, "Staryu, Rapid Spin at its base!" So Staryu spun low to the ground, zooming towards Cradily's base. It tackled hard, spinning faster and faster in order to knock it down. As it did , wind was being generated by its spinning, and started lifting Cradily. It tried staying fastened down, but the combined forces overcame it, and it toppled over while releasing its Solarbeam. To cinch victory at long last, Rina called out, "Now, Water Gun!"
"Fight back with Ancientpower!" But Staryu was the fastest, and hit Cradily before it could even complete its attack. Despite its blinking gem, Staryu stood strong. Cradily, on the other hand, had fainted.
It was over. Rina had won. Her very first battle against a human ended in her victory.
"You did it Yolanda!" Drake cheered, "You did it!"
"Pika Pi!" Pikachu cheered. The little mouse managed to squeeze out of Kimberly's grasp as she and her brother reeled from the loss. He then raced across the battlefield, and leaped up to his friend. Rina caught him as he soared, crying with joy at her victory.
"Pikachu, I did it." She wept, "I won."
"Pika Pika, Pi Pi Pika. Pika Pikachu."
"Yes. Sora would definitely be proud. And now, you're back." And Rina hugged Pikachu, living the moment of her greatest triumph.
At the gate, Reggie relinquished Pikachu into Rina's care with much reluctance, reciting that the ancient laws dictated the loser upholds their end of the wager. He also added that the Aura had sanction to travel through their domain, anytime they desired.
"Many thanks, Prince Reggie." Drake thanked.
"Farewell Pikachu." Kimberly remorse, "I'll miss you."
"Now, find your party and be off with you." Reggie said with disdain. Glad to be done with it, Rina steered Arcanine back to the sea, with Pikachu resting happily in her lap. They were home free, safe in the knowledge that they accomplished their task. That is, until Prince Pewter and the remainder of the crew arrived at the gate, all looking exhausted.
"Prince Reggie," Prince Pewter called out, "We have a Pokémon that we wish to trade for Pikachu." It was then that everyone noticed Drake accompanying some stranger on his Arcanine.
"Oh, Prince Pewter. That won't be necessary." Reggie explained, "You see, your sister has bested me in battle. I am impressed at Princess Yolanda's skill."
"What?!" Yolanda gasped, "But, I am Princess Yolanda."
Way to blow it, Ms 'I-Love-Sora'. Rina chastised in her head.
"Captain Drake, what is the meaning of this?!" Prince Pewter demanded.
"Indeed." Reggie added, then ordered, "Guards, seize that imposter and the others!" All of a sudden, several armed warriors appeared around the crew and released a slew of Scyther and Bisharp. After that, they all began pressing in, closing the circle in.
"We have to get back to the Aura!" Sketch yelled.
"Give me some space!" Drake barked, "Arcanine, clear the way with Flamethrower!" Barking in confirmation, Arcanine spewed out a streak of fire that forced some of the guards and Pokémon to scatter, clearing a straight path to the Aura. "I'll explain on board." Drake told everyone, "For now, we need to leave!" There was no time to argue, so Prince Pewter ordered everyone to rush to the ship
As they fled, Kimberly screamed, "Don't let them get away! I want my Pikachu back!"
So the chase was on. Rina helped Sparky and Tidus on Arcanine so they wouldn't get left behind. But Drake had Arcanine stay close in case he needed its fire attacks again. But the Scyther and Bisharp were quickly closing in, blades shimmering their sharp edges.
As a few Scyther pressed forward, Opal quickly turned around and summoned, "Crustle, stop them with Rock Wrecker!" Out of his Pokéstone appeared a hermit crab Pokémon that looked like it had a slab of earth for a shell. Crustle, upon being summoned, sent out a colossal boulder that it slammed into the Scyther. Having delayed them, Opal recalled Crustle as he continued to run with the group.
But then, some Bisharp went after the real Yolanda, so she called, "Fennekin, push them back with Ember!" But instead of small embers after it appeared, Fennekin billowed out fire that fried the Bisharp in their tracks. She quickly caught the fire-fox Pokémon, and continued to run as best as she could, celebrating in her mind about Fennekin's new move. Rina spotted how exhausted Yolanda was getting, and knew she would be caught if she didn't help her.
Directing Arcanine to fall back to her, she reached out and ordered, "Give me your hand!"
"And why should I listen to you, faker?!" Yolanda panted, "I don't even know who you are."
"Listen, we can argue about this later. But right now, we need to return to Sora. That's all that should matter."
"C'mon princess!" Sparky urged.
"Those Bisharp and Scyther are closing in!" Tidus warned, Seeing little alternative, Yolanda took up the stranger's offer, and was helped onto Arcanine.
The group continued to flee to the sea, bearing closer to the ship. As they fled, the others along with Lucario continued fighting back and doing what they could to hold back their pursuers. Pikachu and Fennekin did likewise to protect those on Drake's Arcanine. But no matter how many foes they defeated, more seemed to take their place. But everyone didn't give up, and pushed to make it off Resplendent Province.
After much battling and running, the crew eventually reached the Aura. Only to be completely cornered by an army of the guard's Pokémon. Everyone had their backs to the ocean, facing a sea of enemies. They were all exhausted, their Pokémon spent, but the Scyther and Bisharp looked ready to attack and finish the small band of fighters. Striding up to the front on the backs of Dodrio, Reggie and Kimberly laughed at the predicament they had put the heroes in.
"Did you remotely believe that you could take what you want and get away with it?" Reggie chortled, "What simpletons! The naivety of it all."
"You're one to talk, taking my master's Pikachu!" Tidus shouted back.
"Such arrogance. But, we will offer you some form of forgiveness… if you surrender Aurora and your princess to me."
"I will not surrender my people to you." Prince Pewter gritted, "Nor my sister. You're no royal. You are a tyrant! A spoiled brat!" Everyone gasped in shock at his outburst, completely taken aback by such an attitude.
Enraged yet calm, Reggie sighed, "Very well. Guards, kill them all. But spare Princess Yolanda, my future wife."
"You will have to get through me to get to her!" Rina defended, surprising Yolanda.
Standing between them and the army, Sketch added, "Me too."
"And me." Drake volunteered.
"I as well." Opal offered.
"Same for me." Teller spoke.
"Over my dead body." Violet scorned, joining the others.
We will not surrender. Lucario boldly said. Everyone took a stand against the army, ready to protect their friends.
Growing bored, Reggie commanded, "ATTACK!"
But just as they all rushed forward, they heard someone else call out, "Infernape, Flame Wheel!" And a huge fireball raced across the front line, knocking all the Bisharp and Scyther back. Then the fireball blazed across the next seven lines of Pokémon, defeating them all in one go. Then it stopped in front of the group, and revealed Infernape inside, who was eager to fight. "Now," the voice barked again, "Fire Spin!" And Infernape released a tornado of fire that ensnared all Pokémon opposing them. Not one Scyther or Bisharp had the strength to battle afterwards. And when everyone looked up to the ship, they saw Sora standing on the railing, staff held high over his head, and Larvitar perched on his shoulder.
"Impossible." Kimberly gasped.
"SORA!" the crew cheered at his arrival.
Leaping down onto the shore, Sora went next to his fire-chimp partner, and spoke in disappointment, "You're a coward, to try and do anything you want to get what you desire when it is beyond your reach. How low will you go to take what is not yours?"
"I will not be lectured by some boy with a stick!" Reggie spat. Then, Sora willed his staff into the Aura Sword, demonstrating his control of the situation.
"I am Aura Guardian Sora!" he proclaimed, "I protect the innocent, and punish those that do harm! Do not mistake my power for trickery!" Reggie and Kimberly clammed up after that, seeing as how they had no control anymore. "You will let my friends go, you will grant us passage no matter what, and you will not require tributes from anyone ever again. Do I make myself clear?"
With a a silent growl, Reggie replied, "Perfectly. But on what grounds do you make such atrocious demands?"
"The one who battled you was victorious, wasn't she?" Sora smirked, "You are subject by the ancient law to adhere to the victor. And, she is my friend." Everyone was amazed at how authoritative Sora was. This was a totally new side he was demonstrating, even to Rina. Reluctantly, both the prince and princess conceded to his conditions. With that settled, the crew boarded the Aura, and departed at long last. Yet, departure was far from pleasant.
Sora and Drake helped to carry Rina onto the deck, setting her down on some crates while keeping her tail hidden from the others.
Once they did, Sora whispered, "Thank you for saving Pikachu, Rina. I am forever in your debt."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a bow.
"Larvitar." Larvitar mimicked.
"Sora, you have already done so much for me." Rina returned, "I felt like I had to do what I did. You owe me nothing." Before Sora could argue his gratitude further, Prince Pewter got their attention as he and the rest of the crew came up to them.
"Sora, Drake, explain yourselves." He ordered, "Clearly you know this imposter, yet we have never seen her until today. Speak!"
"Your Highness," Sora stepped up before Drake could utter a syllable, "I have known her since we began our voyage. She had no intention of tarnishing the princess's name, nor claiming to be her. She did so to help rescue Pikachu."
"Pika Pika."
"Lar."
"Regardless, you have not told us who she is." Yolanda criticized, "Now, who is she really?"
"Well… you see… I mean, that is… um…" However, Sora couldn't find a way to describe who Rina was without revealing more than he should. And he couldn't fib to his friends about her. What was he to do?
"I believe it would be best if I told you all my true identity." Rina offered, seeing the internal struggle Sora was having.
"Rina no!" Sora pleaded in a hushed voice, "Don't do this! I'll think of something."
"Sora, it's too late. I can't stay hidden forever, and I shouldn't hide the truth. So I must do it." Sora wanted to argue, but the look in Rina's eyes told him it would be pointless to try. So he conceded.
Clearing her throat, Rina elaborated, "My name is Rina. I met Sora before you departed from your kingdom. I have been on your ship ever since, hidden so I would not be found."
"A stowaway?" Prince Pewter quizzed, "But why must you hide? If you had earned Sora's trust, surely we would have welcomed you as part of the crew."
"Because…" then Rina hitched up the skirt of her dress a bit, revealing the truth, "I am a mermaid." Everyone was blown away, except for those who already knew who she was. Sketch, Opal, and Tidus were fascinated that she was a real mermaid; yet the prince and princess were both stunned and outraged.
"A mermaid?!" Yolanda gasped, "But, why would you follow us?! Unless, you had come to take Sora away."
"No, that's not true."
"It's completely true! You probably bewitched Sora with a spell, and are slowly turning him against me. Yes, that must be it. You have cast a spell on him, one of your mermaid charms to win Sora over. Well I won't stand for it! I'll see to it that you are—"
"Yolanda, stop!" Sora scolded, surprising Yolanda. He rarely ever got mad with Yolanda, and that was a severe rarity. "Rina is my friend, not an enemy. She had saved my life once before."
"Saved your life?" Teller questioned.
"During that storm back in Aurora, Pikachu and I fell into the sea. We would have drowned to our deaths, but Rina saved us. She's been my friend ever since."
"Hmm. Still, we can't rule out the harm mermaid's bring." Prince Pewter spoke, "We have been hit with storms a few times while she was onboard. That makes her a danger."
"These storms were not her doing." Drake defended, "In fact, we were guided to safety through them because of her."
"How is that?" Cancer inquired.
"Because Rina has sisters onboard, and one of them can interpret storms." Kenneth blurted. His big mouth caused Sora to face palm, and Drake to growl in frustration.
Concerned, Prince Pewter interrogated, "Are there other mermaids on board?"
"No. I'm the only one."
"No she's not!" came Sarah's voice, drawing everyone's attention to her and Kari on the dinghy, "And we'll stand by each other no matter what!" Behind her, Kari was shaking her head at her sister's rashness.
Frightened, Yolanda screamed, "Th-There are… three o-of you?!"
"Your Highness, please." Sora begged, "These three mean no harm. They are dear friends, and amazing trainers. Do not mistake them for those spoken of in the old tales."
"Yeah! Rina is really nice!" Spraky pitched in, "She's like Princess Yolanda: kind, pretty, strong—"
"And that's enough out of you." Cancer interrupted, pushing her away.
"Even so, Sora," Prince Pewter considered, "They have stowed away for an extended period of time. By law, they must be cast away."
"No, this can't be!"
"I'm afraid so. But as they are mermaids, this punishment is light compared to others." Rina figured something like this was bound to happen. But the deed had been done, and the repercussions had begun. She was at least glad to have known Sora in person, and seen him in action. She had no regrets.
"Well, if you cast her off." Sora said firmly, "You'll have to send me away too." Everyone stood aghast even more at Sora's decision, unwilling to believe their ears. "She saved my life, so I owe her my own. And, I never abandon my friends."
The first to recover from the shock as Tidus, and he announced, "Then that means me too. I'll stand by my master to the end."
"Count me in." Kenneth added as he took a stand by Sarah, "I'll defend Sarah however."
"Gee thanks, Exploud-lips." Sarah mumbled. Sparky joined Sora too, a pouty look on her face. Clearly, no words were needed for her point to be made.
Stroking his bangs out of the way, Drake told the prince, "My ship, my rules. And I say that no one is getting cast away. Not even the Stormstress who has saved us twice now from sinking." This was quite the predicament the prince found himself in. There was no denying that punishing them would look bad for himself and his kingdom. But what else could he do?
"I admire everyone for your willingness to defend those you care about," he pondered, "But, punishment must be dealt. These mermaids are still stowaways." He was right. It was required by the ancient rites that wrongdoing must be punished.
Kneeling, Sora volunteered, "Then I take responsibility, for my action's and Rina's. Let the punishment fall on me."
"Sora no!" Rina protested.
"Master, you mustn't!"
"Pika!" Yet Sora held out his staff, and surrendered it to the prince, signaling his commitment to the decision.
With a heavy heart, Prince Pewter responded, "Very well. Tomorrow, Guardian Sora will face punishment for the misdeeds represented today."
With hands over their hearts, both Yolanda and Rina whispered, "Sora, no."
Sora: Well, we're here at Salure island!
Rina: It's quite a cheerful place, isn't it?
Sora: It's supposed to be a grand retreat for royals. Now, where's that Chieftain?
Rina: I think we have more troubling matters right now.
Next time,
Vacation Day