Reunions, Chapter 60
It was a day-and-a-half long trip back to Oldale Town. I will not be sharing much of what happened during that time, as there is little to share. Wild Pokemon attacked me, Vulpix and Wingull took care of them, and I camped out on Route 103 when it got too dark to keep moving. Had my bike not gotten ruined near Lavaridge, I'd have made it to Oldale in under a day, but no sense whining over that anymore.
Well, when I finally got back to Oldale Town, I wasn't surprised to see that little had changed since my earlier visit. My first stop was the police station, and to ask after Yunie. The cop that had locked me up before was still looking over the front desk, and shared my lack of surprise when I walked through the door.
"Well, if it isn't Star. I had a feeling you'd be back here eventually, just not so prompt," he said, offering me a handshake.
"Does that mean Yunie already came to pick up her things?"
"Matter of fact, she left just this morning. That Pichu of hers was ecstatic, must've been close to a month they were separated." I was happy Yunie had finally reunited with Starly, but disappointed I had just missed her.
"Do you happen to know which way she went?"
"Sure do, said she was headed west to Petalburg, then south to Dewford across the sea. If I were you, I'd hurry along, wouldn't want to miss her!"
~o~
And so I ran out of the station, dashing through town and towards Route 102. If Yunie made it past Petalburg City before I got to her, I'd never see her again. I had my own adventure to resume, so I couldn't keep up this chase beyond that. Of course, as my luck would have it, I ran into a trainer, and I feared a battle that would hold me up. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized it was someone I knew!
"Nancy! I didn't expect to see you here!" If your memory isn't as good as mine, Nancy was the girl that practically saved my life when I got sick on the way to Meteor Falls.
"It's so good to see you, Star. You make it past Meteor Falls after all?" Because of the rain and my sickness, I hadn't noticed how well dressed Nancy was. She was dressed much like a regal lady, in a get-up far too formal for exploring the wilderness.
"I did, thanks to you. Oh! Here's your umbrella, I didn't think I'd ever be able to return it to you," I said, digging through my bag.
"It's okay, you can keep it. Help prevent you from getting sick again in the future."
"Thanks. Um, if you don't mind me asking, why are you dressed so... well, fancy?" Nancy paused for a moment to look at her attire, and giggled at the question.
"Oh this? It's nothing, just my everyday attire. The weather continues to get colder with every passing day, you know, so you should consider wearing more than just a sundress."
Comparing my outfit to hers, I suddenly felt underdressed. She had a point, though: we were already in October, and the weather was colder more often than it was warm. Then again, when I came to Hoenn, I hadn't exactly planned to even be in the region. I'd have to find a department store to do some shopping, and save money for it all as well.
"If you'd like, Star, I could help you pick out some new clothes? I know this great boutique in Lilycove City, my treat!" My ears perked up almost as if I were Vulpix.
"Your treat? As in, for free?" I asked, a bit bashful.
"Why, of course! Anything for a dear friend!" Now I really felt like I was taking advantage of Nancy. She not only saved my life back then, but was willing to treat me to a full shopping spree? Just who was she?
"Nancy, I don't know... Wouldn't that be expensive?"
"Perhaps for a common trainer, but not at all for my friend! I insist, Star: you simply must come with me to Lilycove!" Without awaiting my response, Nancy grabbed my hand and started dragging me back towards Oldale Town. Much as it hurt me, I had to pull my hand away from her.
"I'm sorry, Nancy, but I have something to do in Petalburg City first. Is it okay if I catch up to you later?" I almost couldn't bring myself to say it. Who wouldn't drop everything for a shopping spree?
"Very well, I'll be waiting for you in Lilycove City. Just ask for me, and you'll find me! Tootaloo!"
What that actually meant, I wouldn't find out until I was actually in Lilycove later in the month. With that small distraction out of the way, I hastened my step towards Petalburg.
~o~
Petalburg was the same as I remembered it, but I wasn't there to take in the sights this time. Once I was within the city, I leaned down to Vulpix's level.
"Alright girl, somewhere in town is Yunie. I need you to find her as quickly as possible, okay?" The small fox nodded, and ran ahead. With her nose on the job, I was sure to find Yunie in no time. I went down a different street, releasing Wingull to help me with the search. After informing my Pokemon to keep an eye out for a girl with a Pichu, Wingull took to the skies. There was no way I'd leave Petalburg without catching Yunie.
After just a short while of searching, I ran into Vulpix again, who was eager to get me to follow her. Indeed, it was because she had found Yunie. After so long, she was finally there, just the way I had last seen her. She just smiled and waved at me, as if nothing was wrong at all.
"Star, been a while! Thanks for making sure Starly was taken care-" I cut her off, giving her a powerful bear hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" I felt my eyes welling up, so I didn't let go.
"Take it easy, Star, I wasn't dead or anything, you know."
After the initial shock and excitement died down, we went to a local diner for lunch. Yunie treated, having amassed a wealth in the time she was gone. Though I was grateful for the food, I was far more curious about where she had vanished to. I have to say I didn't believe her story at all.
"So... you were turned into a Pokemon?"
"Yup! It was crazy! I was a Chikorita, and I had a Charmander for a partner, and we were in this group called Team Starly, and we had to save this town of Pokemon from this evil Pokemon, and-"
"Okay! Okay, just, one thing at a time," I interrupted. Any other person would think she's just telling lies, or was absolutely bonkers. Yunie took a bite out of her burger and continued.
"You don't know how long I've wanted to taste something like this. Those Pokemon only ate berries and water! I was going crazy," she said, to which I could only reply in thought 'or are crazy already'.
"Any idea how you got to that place? Or how you turned into a Pokemon?" I went with the same thing, also having been months since I had a burger myself.
"Strangest thing, the last thing I remember was falling asleep under a tree on Route 110. Next thing I know, I'm a Pokemon." If she hadn't gone missing for nearly a month, I'd argue she just had a wild dream.
"Okay, and when you came back? How'd that happen?"
"Well, Team Starly saved the town from Groudon, so I went back to see Xatu, the seer, and he offered me the choice to return home. I thought he meant the clubhouse, then I woke up in the middle of Route 110. Starly was no where in sight, so I went to Mauville, and I learned that I had been missing for all that time. Guess it really was all real."
By all accounts none of this could possibly make any lick of sense. I was about to try and piece it together, when I stopped myself with a french fry in the mouth. Yunie couldn't possibly say anything else that would help make all of that true, so why bother? What mattered was that she was finally back, alive and well. With Team Magma's hideout on Route 110, I was more afraid of the fact she could've been a prisoner. And had she been, it didn't even occur to me while there to look for her. Best keep that thought to myself.
"Well, that's what I was up to, how about you? You collect anymore badges from Hoenn?" It was nice to see she was still as spontaneous -and obnoxious- as ever.
"I did. I have four, so far, but I don't know if I'll be collecting anymore. I was invited to the Battle Frontier by Roxanne, the Rustboro Gym Leader, but that isn't until later this month."
"Aww, that's no fun! You should show up to the place with all eight badges! No offense, Star, but without badges you look like a kindergartener that's gotten lost with her pet Vulpix. With badges, you can show them!"
"It's okay," I replied, taking a drink, "I'm fine with just traveling. I mean, I'll face the gym leaders at least one time, but if it goes bad, I won't go through the trouble of returning to town for a rematch."
"How about this gym? You got this badge yet?" Yunie pointed out the window, and right across from us was the Petalburg Gym. Memories of my first match there with Norman filled my mind. Memories of my utter loss. How to respond to Yunie's question was now at the forefront of my thoughts.
"I... I tried to beat Norman, but I couldn't," I said. Yunie's smile went from ear to ear.
"Then why don't we go in there for a rematch!"
"No, I told you, I wouldn't be doing any rematches."
"Nuh-uh! You said 'I won't go through the trouble of returning to town for a rematch'. You're already here, so why not?" Drat, caught in my own web. I let out a heavy sigh, and looked across the street to the gym. Yunie wouldn't leave me alone unless I went over there and challenged Norman again. And to be honest, I didn't bother to fight her over it either.
Deep down, I wanted that rematch. There was a time when engaging in these gym matches was a necessity for the sake of Deneb, an act I hated. Now, I wanted to prove myself as a Pokemon trainer. I wanted those badges displayed proudly on my trainer card, no matter what it took.
"Let's go," I said, rising from my chair. "I have a match with Norman."
"Alright, Star!" She cheered me on.
~o~
"Welcome to the Petalburg City Gym," Norman began, before realizing it wasn't my first time here. "Ah, if it isn't Star. You've returned for a rematch?"
"I have, and this time I intend to win." I picked out Wingull's Pokeball, ready to call him out first. Norman selected one of his own critters before giving me the rules.
"As before, you have up to four Pokemon at your disposal. The first to knock out the opponent's team is the victor. Are you ready?"
I nodded, and allowed Norman to select his Pokemon first. As I expected, it was Spinda. I threw my Pokeball out onto the field, releasing Wingull. Yunie cheered me on from a chair near the entrance, as did her Pichu. A bell chime echoed throughout the gym, and the match had begun.
"Spinda, Teeter Dance!"
"Wingull, fly up high!"
The small white bird flapped his wings as hard as he could, taking himself high above Spinda. The small bear went through the motions of his dance, but Wingull was too far up to be affected. Wingull couldn't keep their altitude for long periods of time, so I had to time his descent just right. Meanwhile, I kept a constant eye on Norman's reactions, hoping to anticipate his next move.
"Spinda, Encore!"
The small bear started clapping furiously towards Wingull, and the praise was actually getting to him! Despite my orders to level off, Wingull kept flapping his wings harder and harder, crashing into the ceiling before long. The bump was hard enough that he went crashing back to the ground. Hoping to salvage the opportunity, I yelled out one more order.
"Wingull, use Wing Attack!"
It was close, but Wingull pulled back his wings, speeding up his descent. Just as he was about to crash into the ground, he altered his trajectory towards Spinda, and flapped his wings just before landing. Powered by his momentum, his attack sent Spinda rolling towards the gym wall, well out of bounds while Wingull touched down on the ground without a scratch. Norman recalled his Spinda, an admission of his folly for using Encore.
"Congratulations, Star, that was a superb reversal." His words of praise lifted my spirits, until he released his next Pokemon, a slender and furry critter I wasn't familiar with. I quickly pulled out my Pokedex to scan it.
"Linoone, the Rushing Pokemon. It is exceedingly fast if it only has to run in a straight line. When it spots pond-dwelling prey underwater, it quickly leaps in and catches it with its sharp claws."
Wingull hopped back to my side of the arena before it took to the air again. Norman was remaining silent, his eyes closed. Linoone looked back at his owner, almost as confused as I was by his silence in the middle of a battle. I wasn't sure why, but I also wasn't about to let a pre-emptive strike go to waste.
"Wingull, Water Gun!"
Norman's eyes shot open. "Linoone, Tail Whip!"
Wingull swooped by Linoone, dropping the small globe of water on the Pokemon. However, Linoone made a swift turn, using his soft tail to bounce the globe right back at Wingull. Shocked by the attack, Wingull fell to the ground, wide open to further attack.
"Linoone, use Headbutt!"
"Wingull, fly up high again!"
Wingull wasn't able to recover fast enough, and was launched into the air by Linoone's headbutt. Before Wingull could even recover in midair, Norman continued the assault.
"Follow up with Fury Swipes!"
The slender Pokemon chased after Wingull into the air, claws bared. He slashed away at Wingull several times within the span of a few seconds, then delivered one final swipe that sent Wingull back to the ground. He was badly hurt, not to mention missing a number of feathers that were now stuck between Linoone's claws. He made an effort to get back into the air, but Norman wasn't finished quite yet.
"Finish with a Slash!"
"No!" I screamed out, my Pokeball aimed at Wingull. The beam connected with him just before Linoone's last attack struck him. He couldn't battle anymore, so why make him suffer more?
"Your next Pokemon, Star," Norman said coldly. I didn't want to jump to the conclusion that he was a sore loser, but that was the impression I was getting. I knocked out his Spinda so quickly, he decided to return the favor with interest. To keep this battle going in my favor, I called Beedrill next, another aerial fighter.
"Linoone, Sand-Attack!"
"Beedrill, Toxic Spikes!"
Both Pokemon launched their attacks at the same time. The sand Linoone kicked up managed to blind Beedrill completely, but it also managed to cover up the spikes he had released all around him. Unable to keep his balance, Beedrill fell back to the ground. He was wide open, but to strike him Linoone would have to go past the spikes. Figuring this decision would buy me a bit of time, I started brainstorming ways to get Linoone out of bounds as well, when Norman ordered his next attack.
"Linoone, Slash!"
Almost hesitantly, Linoone tried to jump over the sandy arena, but landed right on a few of the spikes, which dug into the Pokemon's paws. Despite this, he delivered on his command, a powerful swipe with his claw that knocked Beedrill out in one shot. I put Beedrill back in his Pokeball, and managed to catch Norman cracking a smirk. His Linoone was poisoned badly, but the battle was now in his favor, and he was liking it. I immediately released my next Pokemon, Smeargle.
"Smeargle, Flamethrower!"
Not even giving Linoone or Norman a chance to act, Smeargle waved his artistic tail, summoning a blast of flames that completely overtook Linoone. Between the poison and the burns, Linoone collapsed, and Norman was forced to return him. That smirk was gone again, as the battle was even once more. His next critter was Vigoroth, who had managed to win the battle the last time I was here. Fortunately, this time I was prepared.
"Vigoroth, use Focus Energy!"
"Smeargle, step over there," I yelled, pointing to the right hand corner of the arena on my side, "and use Sketch!"
It wasn't apparent at first, but the order for Smeargle to sidestep to the right was critical. The two critters mimicked each other it seemed, as they both began storing up energy for the next blow.
"Vigoroth, Focus Punch!"
"Smeargle, keep storing energy!"
The monkey like Pokemon began a mad dash towards Smeargle, while he just stood there, biding his time. My plan would probably knock both of them out of the battle, but I couldn't risk leaving Vigoroth standing. As Vigoroth passed over the sandy part of the arena, he slowed down slightly, the spikes from earlier that had been left by Beedrill still concealed. It was now or never.
"Smeargle, Flamethrower and don't budge!"
In a flash of magical paint, Smeargle blasted Vigoroth with the fiery attack, but it didn't stop the monkey from pressing onward. Vigoroth reeled back his fist as he pushed through the superheated flames, and delivered the devastating punch to Smeargle. As per my orders, Smeargle did his best to remain grounded, which in turn caused Vigoroth to crash right into him and send the two rolling just out of bounds.
By this point, Yunie wasn't sure when to cheer anymore. It may have looked like a failed plan, but it had panned out the way I wanted it to. Smeargle was out cold from the punch, while Vigoroth was still standing, if poisoned and burned quite badly. Not that it mattered, as he was now officially disqualified. Once both critters were put away, it was time for the final round. He released another unfamiliar Pokemon, while I decided to counter with Vulpix. I scanned the Pokemon to get some idea of what she'd be up against.
"Slaking, the Lazy Pokemon. Slaking spends all day lying down and lolling about. It eats grass growing within its reach. If it eats all the grass it can reach, this Pokemon reluctantly moves to another spot." As if to confirm this, the massive Pokemon let out a dangerous yawn, which got me yawning as well.
"Slaking, use Focus Energy!"
"Vulpix, Quick Attack!"
Slaking let out another loud yawn, but didn't follow through with the order given him. Instead, he just scratched his belly as Vulpix zoomed in for an easy attack. Granted, her attack didn't do much in the way of damage, but Slaking did nothing to prevent it either. How was it a Pokemon as energetic as Vigoroth could end up fat and lazy like this?
"Slaking, Focus Energy!"
"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"
She backed away a bit, and blasted Slaking with fire. This time, Slaking did a bit to prevent the damage by covering his face and chest with one of those massive arms. And again, he ignored Norman's command to scratch his belly and yawn. Something had to be wrong here, but that didn't stop me from going in for one more attack.
"Vulpix, Quick Attack again!"
"Slaking, Hammer Arm!"
Because she was so close, Vulpix's attack happened pretty much instantly. Again the damage was low, but it's what happened after that left me stunned. Finally, after all that time lounging about, Slaking made an effort to fight back. Using that same arm, he swung it at Vulpix with an unmeasurable force, so much so that I swear the point of contact between them must've lasted over a second. Vulpix, being much smaller than Slaking, was sent flying all the way to the ceiling, crashed into it, and crashing back down to the ground. Forgetting my place, I ran out into the arena to retrieve her.
"Vulpix! Are you okay?" My eyes were watery, and my heart was racing. She opened her eyes slightly, letting out a weak bark before licking my face. She was hurt badly, and needed to get to the Pokemon Center right away.
"This battle is over, Star. Your last Pokemon has fallen." Just as I was about to scoop Vulpix into my arms, Norman had declared his victory. I froze on the spot, defiant of this proclamation. I wouldn't let it all end like this.
"Yunie, I need a favor," I called out to my friend. She ran over to my side, and I picked Vulpix up.
"Take Vulpix to the Pokemon Center for me. I need to finish this battle." I carefully passed Vulpix to her.
"Finish the battle? But Star, he's already beaten all your Pokemon! Just let it go, and come with me to the center!" However, I just shook my head.
"Just go, okay? I'm not finished here."
Rather than fight me on the issue, Yunie quietly nodded and ran out of the gym. I walked back over to my end of the field, and turned to face Norman. He was just as perplexed as Yunie was over my claim.
"I'm sorry," I began, "for breaking the rules and stepping into the arena."
"Apology accepted, Star, but I don't see what else we have to do here. All your other Pokemon were knocked out or disqualified." With that, I smiled as I released Wingull once more. He was badly scratched up, but he was still on his feet, and within seconds in the air, if just barely.
"Wingull still has a bit of fight in him, Norman. Let's continue this battle."
"Star, I should end this battle right now. Your Pokemon cannot possibly hope to win in that condition." Norman's words were true, for the most part.
"You're welcome to forfeit. I won't be backing down." I myself could hardly believe the words coming out of my mouth. Norman sighed, and shook his head in my direction.
"Very well, you leave me no choice. Slaking, Flail!"
For the first time, that beastly Pokemon got up from the ground. Slowly it stomped towards Wingull, who was doing his best just to stay afloat. With every step Slaking took, my heart raced that much faster. What I was planning was a once in a lifetime deal. Slaking raised his arm as he prepared to deliver the final blow.
"Wingull, now! Use Roost!"
One strong flap, and Wingull just barely dodged Slaking's attack. The small bird landed on the Pokemon's head, taking the time to rest his body and regain his strength. Slaking, apparently overburdened by the extra weight, lost his balance and was forced to sit down. Norman himself couldn't believe what was happening.
"Slaking, finish that bird off! Flail!"
Rather than obey his master, Slaking just sighed, taking his time to rebuild his own energy before attacking. In the meantime, Wingull continued to rest and restore his health while sitting on Slaking's head.
"Slaking, Hammer Arm!"
"Wingull, Agility!"
Some of his strength back, Wingull took to the air again at newfound speeds. Meanwhile, Slaking remained on the floor, yawning loudly against Norman's orders. Now was Wingull's time to fight back.
"Wingull, Water Pulse!"
From above, Wingull unleashed a ring of water at a blinding speed, crashing into Slaking with enough force to leave the heavier Pokemon confused.
"Now, use Air Slash!"
"Slaking, snap out of it!"
Wingull flew up higher, and swooped down on Slaking, slicing through the Pokemon's belly enough to force it onto its back in pain. Just as I was about to order the next blow, I saw Wingull's entire body flash. Scrambling for my Pokedex, I just barely caught his most powerful ability and Pokemon Power.
Wingull started flying around in a circle above Slaking, gaining speed with every loop. Within seconds he practically disappeared as the wind itself became visible, forming a small tornado right in the middle of the arena. The force of the attack was enough to carry even Slaking into the air, where he was spun around several dozen time before being shot out of the tornado like a cannonball. Slaking smashed into a wall, cracking it all around him and just shy of taking the wall with him outside. The tornado dissipated, and Wingull touched down on the ground.
His Pokemon Power, Hurricane, as well as his evolved form's ability. Right after the battle was over, Wingull's entire body flashed again, this time as he evolved before my eyes. Though I admit his new form wasn't as adorable as the old one, I was all the same proud of my valiant critter. For starters, I scanned him into my Pokedex.
"Pelipper, the Water Bird Pokemon. It acts as a delivery service by carrying small Pokemon in its bill. It bobs on the waves to rest."
After a little impromptu celebration of my victory, I put Pelipper back in his Pokeball. Norman, who was still at a loss for words, silently handed me the badge I had worked so hard to obtain.
"Congratulations, Star, you've rightfully earned the Balancebadge. Let me just say, you handled your Pokemon like a true master, playing on their strengths and working around their weaknesses far more creatively than I'd ever have imagined. And one final thing..."
Without warning, Norman, bowed before me, which left me at a loss for words.
"My apologies for my actions during the match. I'm afraid I was lost in the heat of the moment, and made some rather aggressive commands when there was clearly no need for them. I'm also sorry about what I said after Vulpix was knocked out." By this point, my face was as red as Vulpix's fur.
"Oh god, you don't have to apologize- I mean, it was just a match and all!" When someone was wrong, it was of course right to apologize and seek forgiveness. Yet the fact that Norman heaped it all on me at the last second had me feeling terribly embarrassed for some reason. It wasn't until he gave me a smile that I started cooling down.
The smile of not only an honest, good trainer. But also a father; something entirely foreign to me.
~o~
I could hear a Pokemon in the distance cawing. The sun was setting, and I was standing outside the Pokemon Center. Again, I'd be parting ways with Yunie. But this time, it was on our terms.
"I'm afraid this might be the last time we meet, Star," she said, trying her best not to make eye contact, lest she break out into tears.
"I'm sure we'll find each other again on the road!"
"Doubt that, see, I'm headed back to Johto for a while. I know you'll probably keep trekking over Hoenn, and by the time you do come back I'll probably be gone again."
"What? Where to?"
"The Orre region, way out in the deserts across the ocean. I got a call from a Doctor Kaminko there, he's an old friend of the family. Said he could use a photographer for something or other, so I'll be moving out there for a while."
"Well, maybe I can visit?" Yunie just smiled at me, a tear starting to form in her eye.
"It's okay, Star. You don't have to worry about me bothering you ever again," she said, doing her best to hold back her sobs.
"Yunie? What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, I just- I just thought you always thought I was bothering you wherever we went." She did her best to calm herself down, but I just remained perfectly still. Suddenly, all those bad things I ever thought about her were amassing within me, wracking me with guilt. Could she have noticed it all those times we hung out together?
"I'm sorry," she said again, now perfectly calm, "I'm just not good at saying goodbye to a friend. My only real friend, that is."
This time, I moved in for a hug, also to hold back the tears. I so desperately wanted to apologize, to say I was sorry for ever thinking those things about her, when all she ever did for me was be a friend. I bit my tongue, though, when she finally pulled away.
"Enough of this mushy stuff, right? At least we got to have one last day together." She wiped away the last traces of tears, and turned around, starting for the west exit of town.
"Bye, Yunie! Be careful out there! Don't fall asleep under anymore trees!" I called out to her.
In the distance, she turned around and waved at me, right when she was just far enough away so I couldn't make out her eyes. No doubt she was doing her best to hide the tears. After all, had I not come looking for her, she could've left Hoenn without ever having to say goodbye. Yet in a way, this was better for us both.
Goodbye, Yunie. Maybe we'll meet again someday.