Magic Knight Pokémon
Chapter 4
Battles (Part 1)
By Wanderer D
o.0.o
"Feels like a storm is coming." The man in a blue marine coat, with a white captain's hat said stealing a glance at the sky as he stepped out of the boat. He looked at one of the sailors. "I will meet you in two weeks, in the mean time, you guys make sail for Vermilion City at your own pace."
"Aye, Aye, Captain!" the sailor said. "If it is not much to ask, Captain, where are you going?"
"First to Pallet Town, to meet with Prof. Oak. I have some technical Pokémon questions for him. Then I'm off to Vermilion."
"Good luck, Captain!" the sailors chorused.
The Captain nodded, throwing a knapsack over his shoulder as he stated walking. "Just listen to what the Prestley says and you'll be fine."
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
o.0.o
"I accept your challenge!" Hikaru said, a look of determination clear in her features.
"I will make mince meat out of your Pokémon!" the opposing trainer, a young girl in a summer dress said. "My name is Melissa and this is my shining morning! Go, Victreebell!"
"Preee!" Togepi cheered from the sides as Misty, Ash, Brock, Mokona and Pikachu overlooked the battle.
After a quick check on the Pokédex, Hikaru nodded.
"My name's Hikaru, and this is my personally trained Charizard! Go Ryukari!"
She threw the Pokéball into the air, releasing the large Charizard.
Melissa looked at the fire Pokémon and gulped. It was almost twice as massive as a normal Charizard should be and for some reason a bit darker too.
"It doesn't matter, Victreebell!" she said, seeing her Pokémon hesitate. "We have fought Fire Pokémon before! Razor Leaf!"
Victreebell jumped back, whipping its vines and releasing several spinning leafs.
"Ryukari! Just like target practice!" Hikaru shouted. She then smiled at the other trainer. "Nice try, but I won't let you get enough distance!"
With short, controlled bursts of flame, Ryukari eliminated all of the leaves before they got too close to him.
"Now, Fireball!" Hikaru shouted.
"Victreebell, Hyperbeam!"
But it was too late. Just as Victreebell started charging its Hyperbeam, Ryukari's Fireball exploded against it, sending it sprawling.
"Victreebell!" Melissa recalled it into its Pokéball. "You did good." she glared at Hikaru. "Try this one on for size! Go, Beedrill!"
As the insect type Pokémon appeared, Hikaru recalled Ryukari. "Let's see how your Beedrill does against my Scyther! Go, Lafarga!"
The Bug Pokémon appeared in a haze of red energy as it was released from the Pokéball.
"Scyther!"
"Beedrill Fury Attack!"
"Lafarga, Quick Attack!"
Hikaru's Scyther blurred as it shot forward, slicing at Beedrill. The bee-like Pokémon managed to pull back to avoid the worst of the attack, but suffered several cuts along its sides. Ignoring the pain, it started its Fury Attack, throwing several punches at the Scyther.
"Lafarga! Improved Sword Dance!"
Scyther seemed to divide into two as it twisted around the Beedrill's attacks. Some got past his defense, leaving their mark on his exoskeleton, but he managed to dodge most, and with each turn, he would use his blades to slice a bit into Beedrill's body.
When the fury attacks finished, Beedrill was covered completely in cuts, and was barely able to stay in the air.
The Scyther had not been left unscathed, as several puncture wounds decorated his body. However, he stayed steady on its feet as the other bug Pokémon collapsed.
Melissa ran to her bug Pokémon to check on it before recalling it. The girl looked at her last Pokéball and shook her head. "You win, Hikaru."
"But what about your last Pokémon, Melissa?"
The girl shook her head and released a Bellossom. "This is my Bellossom." she said with a smile. "I know when to pull back. She always makes me proud, but it would be foolish to let it fight your Charizard."
Hikaru nodded. She looked at Lafarga. "Well done, Lafarga." she said recalling it. She knelt in front of the Bellossom. "It's really beautiful."
Melissa smiled. "Thanks! I would love to stay and chat," she said pulling out a card and giving it to Hikaru. "But I have to hurry to the Pokécenter." as she ran off waving Hikaru looked down at the card.
"Melissa's Floral Arrangements. Vermilion City." she read aloud as Ash and the others approached.
"Pupu pupu pupuuu!" Mokona jumped onto Hikaru's arms and nuzzled her.
"Congratulations, Hikaru!" Brock said.
"Prriii!"
"Pika!"
"Not bad." Ash said. "But you shouldn't have used Lafarga against the Beedrill. Ryukari has a clear advantage over Bug Pokémon, you should have used it."
Hikaru nodded. "I know... I realized it when the battle finished and Lafarga was covered in punctures and scratches." she looked down. "Sorry bro, you keep telling me to think a bit more about the elements and abilities of Pokémon before battling."
"Don't worry too much about it." Misty said, elbowing Hikaru. She smiled sweetly at Ash. "It's not like your dear brother really stops to think things through either."
Ash glared at her.
Hikaru laughed. "You are truly a master of the backhanded comments, Misty."
The Cerulean Gym Leader bowed. "Always a pleasure."
o.0.o
"So who is the Gym Leader of Vermilion?"
"Lt. Surge" Ash said. "He's tough, you'd better be careful while battling him."
"Hey guys," Brock said. "The food is getting cold. Come on."
Brother and sister walked up to where Misty had laid down the picnic mat. Mokona, Pikachu and Togepi were already eating their meals. Taking out her Pokéball, Hikaru released her Evee.
"Evee!" it said, nuzzling close to her.
Hikaru smiled as she sat down and scratched behind its ears, giving it some food to eat. She bit absently into her own food as her thoughts drifted away.
Brock and Misty looked at the pair.
Ash munched away, as slowly Pikachu, Mokona and Togepi looked at their friends with concern. Finally Ash looked up, stopping his eating. "Why has everyone gone quiet?"
"Huh?!" Hikaru looked around, startled. "Sorry, I zoned out for a moment."
"You're thinking about your friends in Cephiro, aren't you?" Brock said with a small smile.
Hikaru blushed a bit, but nodded.
"So was I." he said, earning a startled look.
"Brock!" Misty looked at him, earning a curious glance from Hikaru and Ash.
Brock sighed. "I think it's time we talked about it, Misty."
"What do you mean?" Hikaru asked, blinking.
"Yeah!" Ash put down his food looking around the befuddled group. "What are you guys talking about?"
Brock coughed into his hand. "Well, Hikaru, Misty and I did not tell you this but... while we were dolls we were able to see and hear everything that happened around us."
As Hikaru's eyes grew with understanding Misty nodded.
"We heard everything... and we saw your friends."
Hikaru was silent as Brock continued.
"We decided not to say anything then, because... well, it was a very private matter. And we didn't want to intrude." Brock sighed. "But every time Evee comes out, you get that homesick, faraway look..."
"Guys..."
"Listen, Hikaru." Misty took her hand in hers. "You will find your friends Umi and Fuu, and you will be able to go home..."
"But, I wish you could also see this world as home too." Brock said. "We all care for you, Hikaru."
"Uh... guys, I'm completely in the dark here..." Ash ventured. "When you were dolls? Are you talking about Sabrina? That was almost two months ago."
Hikaru sighed. "I know... It's just, I miss my friends... Umi and Fuu are like sisters to me. We risked so much..." she smiled at Misty and Brock. "I love you guys, really. I can't help getting worried about them, but, I promised Clef that if they were here I would find them."
"Clef?" Ash looked around.
"I do think of this place as home too." Hikaru said. "I promise I will do my best not to get angsty any more."
"Okay..." Ash said.
Misty punched him on the back of the head. "Fine, you made your point! We'll tell you what happened. Now, eat your meal!"
o.0.o
"Evee, Sand Attack!"
"Bulbasaur, Vine-whip!
"Bulba!" the plant Pokémon tried to use its vines, but Evee's attack had hit him straight in the eyes. The vines flailed about, once getting close, but not actually hitting Evee.
"Evee! Tackle!"
"Bulbasaur! Dodge it!"
Bulbasaur's eyes were watering, and he could barely see the Evee as it rammed into his side.
"Quick Bulbasaur, Absorb!"
"Evee, let's finish this! Quick Attack!"
The Evee slammed again into the Bulbasaur, this time knocking him against a tree. The plant Pokémon groaned and fell down, barely conscious.
"Bulbasaur!" The young boy ran up to his down Pokémon. "You'll be okay, Bulbasaur! It was a good fight, we'll be better prepared next time."
The plant Pokémon nodded at his master. "Bulba."
The young boy recalled the Pokémon and looked at Hikaru. "That's a very strong Evee you have there."
Hikaru nodded. "And that was a very good fight, Mikey." she shook hands with the ten year old. "Until we meet again."
Mikey nodded. "I'll be much stronger, Hikaru! Just wait and see!" he then waved at Ash and Co. and went away.
"Well done, sis!" Ash said running up to her. "That was very well handled."
"I agree." Misty said with a smile and a thumbs up. "You are definitely getting better, Hikaru."
"Well, with three experts giving me hints, how couldn't I?" Hikaru laughed. "That's two battles for me today, against the four you've had Ash."
Ash shrugged. "Don't worry about it, we'll be in Vermilion in an hour or so, you'll find lots of trainers there."
Hikaru nodded. "But first, the Pokécenter. Lafarga needs to heal. You guys go ahead and shop for the stuff you wanted, Ash. I'll meet you later to go meet Lt. Surge and get my badge."
o.0.o
Nurse Joy smiled at her as she walked into the Pokécenter, and up to the counter. "Hikaru! It's been a while."
Hikaru smiled back. "Yeah, four months or so."
"Puu!" Mokona greeted from the backpack.
"Hello Mokona! I guess traveling around in a Pokémon Trip is long and arduous work!" Nurse Joy said. "I heard from the Nurse Joy in Saffron that you got a Marsh Badge from Sabrina." She took Hikaru's three Pokéballs putting them in the analysis machine.
"Yeah, Sabrina and I became really good friends after that." Hikaru answered. "I've been keeping in contact with her ever since. She's been very happy these last couple of months, with her new Ghastly keeping her company."
"It had some of the city folk worried for a while." Nurse Joy confessed. "They never expected Sabrina to be such a nice girl."
Hikaru shook her head. "Sabrina's great. She just needed some people who were not afraid of her."
Nurse Joy nodded. "Well, your Pokémon will be ready in about half an hour. I'll check them myself." She poked Hikaru on the forehead. "I don't expect any problems from the most promising Pokémon Nurse outside of my family!"
Hikaru laughed. "You give me too much credit, Joy. I guess I'll go make a few calls in the meantime."
As she was about to go, a tall man in a blue coat and a white captain hat walked up to the counter. "I know you told me it would take about half an hour more, but I just came to check how my Onyx was doing, Nurse Joy." The man said.
"Your Onyx will be okay, Captain." Nurse Joy said. "But it's still being treated. The last check-up should be finished by then."
The man nodded and left to sit down on one of the couches.
Shrugging, Hikaru went to one of the video-phones and dialed a number. When a woman's face appeared on screen, she smiled. "Hey mom."
o.0.o
By the time she had finished talking with her adoptive mother and Prof. Oak, her Pokémon were ready. She stepped next to the man in the coat, who was also waiting for his Pokémon.
"Well Hikaru, here are your Pokémon." Nurse Joy said, giving her a tray with the Pokéballs secured in special indents. "Did you have a good chat?" Joy then proceeded to give the captain his Pokéballs.
"Yeah, talked to my mom and Prof. Oak. It's been a while since I talked to them."
"Wait," the man interrupted, looking down at her. He was an elderly man, with a white beard and penetrating eyes. "Did you say Oak? I guess you must be Hikaru Ketchum then?"
Joy and Hikaru shared a look before the Magic Knight nodded.
"Heh, imagine meeting here. My name is Captain Drake. I'm a friend of Prof. Oak of Pallet town." The man said with a big grin. "I met your mom, there. She seems to be taking good care of the professor. If she wasn't there the man would never stop to eat!" the Captain laughed. "She told me a lot about you and your brother, Ash."
Hikaru smiled a bit. "Well I hope they didn't tell you only the bad stuff."
Drake was about to answer when the Pokécenter doors slid open and two sailors ran up to them.
"Captain!" one of them shouted, spotting them.
"Mr. Dibbs." Drake nodded. "What's the matter? You weren't due to arrive here until a couple of days more."
"Captain, something horrible has happened!" the other sailor shouted, drawing the attention of a lot of trainers. "While we were on our way a sudden storm brewed up, the waves were huge, and then the biggest Tentacruel I have seen in my entire life grabbed hold of the S.S. Dragonite and almost shoved the whole of starboard underwater before we managed to get the tentacles to release us!"
"But that isn't the worst!" Dibbs said. "It wasn't just the one Tentacruel, there were hundreds of them! Prestley was ripped off the wheel before we even knew what hit us! It was all we could do to activate the emergency motors and get the hell out of there!"
Drake's countenance had darkened as the story was being told. When his sailors were finished he looked at Joy and Hikaru apologetically. "I'm sorry ladies, it seems I must be on my way. It was nice meeting you." He started walking away at a brisk pace.
Hikaru looked at Joy. "I'll go help him." Hikaru said. "Please tell Ash what has happened if he comes around."
"I wish I could help." Nurse Joy said as Hikaru ran after Drake. As the doors started to slide shut, a resolute look crossed her face.
o.0.o
Drake slowed down a bit as Hikaru caught up with him.
"No offence, Hikaru, but what are you doing here?" he asked as they made their way to the pier.
"I'm going to help you. I'm guessing you are going after your friend, right?"
Drake nodded. "We don't know what we might encounter there, besides those Tentacruel." He said. "Are you sure you want to risk it?"
Hikaru smiled. "If any of my friends had come running back to me to tell me something had happened to another of them, what would you do?"
"But we just met."
"And you are a friend of Prof. Oak, who has done a lot for me and you are an acquaintance of my mom's too. What kind of name would be Ketchum if we simply ignore those bonds?"
Drake laughed. "You are a strange one."
"And it's about to get stranger!" a voice announced behind them.
"Nurse Joy?!" Hikaru looked at her friend in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Joy blushed a bit. "One of my cousins is taking care of the Pokécenter for me. I decided to leave the message for Ash with her and come with you."
Drake started walking again, followed by the sailors, who shot curious glances at the two girls. "Well girls, if you want to come, that's fine with me. More Pokémon mean more chances to rescue Prestley if he's still out there."
"What?!" the unidentified sailor stopped, looking in horror at Drake. "Captain, you can't be serious! We barely escaped with our lives!"
"Jim, shut up!" Dibbs said. "I'm afraid he won't be the only one to complain, captain. Everyone is at the last of their nerves."
"We'll see about that!" Drake growled as he walked into the pier.
o.0.o
The S.S. Dragonite was in a bad shape, but still sea-worthy. Some of the rails of the ship had been ripped out, and dents adorned bits of the hull, but Dibbs had informed them that nothing had punched through.
"Men!" Drake roared at his crew. "I'm going back to look for Prestley, who's with me?"
Most of the sailors looked away. A small group, Dibbs included stepped forward. Drake looked at the others with obvious disappointment, but shrugged. "Fine, you stay here. The rest of the crew will come with me. We set sail as soon as possible!"
As things were being prepared, one of the shore-staying sailors was escorted up to Drake and the girls. "Captain, I thought you should hear what this man has to say!"
Hikaru and Joy stood to the side of the captain as he approached the man. "Speak sailor."
"Captain… when the storm brewed and the sea Pokémon attacked us… I could swear I heard the laugh of Davy Jone's himself! His voice ordered the sea creatures to attack us!"
"You heard a voice?" Hikaru asked.
"Many of us did." Dibbs said. "Most of them are staying ashore tonight."
"That's very strange…" Joy said. "Wild Pokémon normally don't attack like that without provocation…"
"Tell me, are there any islands close to where you were attacked?" Hikaru asked.
"Pepper Island is pretty close to where we were attacked. We were on our way there for shore leave before it happened." Dibbs answered.
"I get the feeling that you might know what is happening Hikaru." Drake said.
"You don't think…" Nurse Joy looked a bit worried. "It's the same thing that happened in Hop Hop Hop?"
Hikaru nodded. "Frey might be behind this."
o.0.o
"So let me get this straight." Drake said, slowly turning the wheel to guide the S.S. Dragonite out of the pier. "What happened in Hop Hop Hop, was not only Team Rocket's doing, but also a strange winged creature is involved in the whole thing?"
Joy nodded. "Hikaru was the one that destroyed the machine. Later on there were reports that she had been in a sword fight with that creature." The nurse shook her head. "That last might have been an exaggeration, but several eyewitnesses described a monster jumping from the top of Hop Tower and flying away. No one could agree on what it was though."
"And you think this guy Frey is behind what happened to my ship?" Drake asked Hikaru.
"Sabrina and I fought against him in Saffron city a few months back. He stole some equipment with the help of Team Rocket. I think they might have rebuilt the machine they used in Hop Hop Hop." Hikaru said.
"What worries me the most is Pepper Island." Joy said. "If the machine did the same thing as in Hop Hop Hop… Pepper Island is inhabited."
Hikaru looked away at the sea, not answering for a moment. "Frey has a lot to answer for."
o.0.o
"This is where it happened, Captain!" Dibbs said. "Latitude and Longitude to the dime."
Hikaru looked at the clear blue waters around them. In her backpack she could hear Mokona snoring, as the rocking of the boat had made her fall asleep.
The sky was clear, and there didn't seem to be any Tentacruels around. Next to her, Joy suddenly shouted and pointed at a lone serpentine figure that approached the ship. On its back was a dark skinned man, barely hanging to life.
"Man overboard!" Drake shouted.
"That must be the Dratini he just captured a week ago!" Dibbs shouted. "He must have let all his Pokémon out when he had the chance!"
"But then where are his other Pokémon?" Joy asked as she took out the first aid kit.
"I don't think they made it…" Hikaru said, looking at the Dratini as the sailors dragged Prestley onboard. "Look at the wounds on the Dratini…"
"Dratini, I'll put you in a Pokéball for now, ok?" Drake said as the water Pokémon hovered over the rail, calling at her trainer. "We'll take care of both of you."
The Pokémon nodded tiredly and Drake recalled her into a Pokéball.
Nurse Joy looked over Prestley, cleaning and bandaging the wounds on his body. "There's not much I can do for him," she said. "We need to take him to a hospital as soon as possible."
"Can he make it back to Vermilion?" Drake asked.
"I don't think so." Joy said, standing up. "He's been in the water for almost two days now. He's dehydrated and in serious need of real medical treatment, not the little I can do with a first aid kit."
"I wonder why Dratini didn't take him to Pepper Island." Dibbs asked.
"I think she tried." Hikaru said. "She was covered in wounds. She might have attempted it on several occasions, but if the island is surrounded by hostile Pokémon…"
"We don't have much of a choice then." Drake said. "Pepper Island has a hospital with specialized equipment."
"I'll organize the men, Captain." Dibbs said. "We'll be on the constant look out. Just take us there."
o.0.o
Surprisingly, the hour that it took to arrive at Pepper Island was completely eventless. No howling packs of Gyarados attacked the ship, nor any giant Tentacruels attempted to drag the S.S. Dragonite down to the bottom of the ocean.
Once the ship dropped anchor in the harbor, a small party consisting of Drake, Hikaru, Nurse Joy and two sailors carrying the unconscious Prestley disembarked, keeping a wary eye around them.
"Take the S.S. Dragonite back to Vermilion and get help, Dibbs." Drake said. "There is no point in keeping the boat here, where it can be attacked again. Make sure to call Prof. Oak."
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
They watched the S.S. Dragonite leave the harbor before making their way through. Drake had been to Pepper Island before, and led them out of the harbor and into town.
"Where are all the people?" Joy asked.
"There's no-one around…" Hikaru said. "Can't you feel it? There's no life in this town. It's been completely deserted."
"There's no use in worrying right now." Drake said. "Come, let's take Prestley to the Hospital. Even if there are no Doctors there, the equipment should still be there."
The subdued party started walking again until they reached the central plaza. Joy cried out in horror, looking away and grabbing Drake's sleeve to stop from swaying. The two sailors swore and almost dropped Prestley to the floor.
Hikaru forced herself to look. She had to. She would remember what she saw the rest of her life. She had seen pictures of war and starving countries back on Earth. She had been in battles of life and death. She had seen towns burnt down by monsters.
But she had never walked into a nightmare such as she found herself standing in. She gulped down saliva, trying desperately not to throw up. "Drake… there must be another route to the hospital." She managed to say at last.
"Follow me." Drake said, turning around. They started walking away but stopped when they saw Hikaru wasn't following them.
"Hikaru…" Joy whispered, trying to focus on the back of her friend and not the sight beyond her.
"Come on Hikaru. This is not a sight for young eyes." Drake said. "Or any eyes for that matter."
"This was done by Pokémon." Hikaru said.
"I know." Drake nodded.
"They were being controlled. But… when they return to their senses… they can't see this."
"There's nothing we can do for now, Hikaru." Joy called.
"Once we've made sure Prestley is in the Hospital and that it's safe to release our Pokémon perhaps we can make a funeral pyre for them." Drake said.
"But won't their relatives want to bury them?" Joy asked.
"It might be better for them not to see what little remains." One of the sailors said in a subdued voice. "My cousin is somewhere in there." He didn't turn around to face the plaza. "Or bits of him are. This town is cursed. It would be better if my aunt and uncle never have to see this… or look through the body pieces trying to find some bit of their son."
"We can't do anything right now." Drake repeated. "Let's go."
He turned around but Hikaru remained standing. "I'm sorry." She said. "I can't leave them like this. I don't care if Frey finds out we're here. Leaving them like this…"
"Don't release your Pokémon!" Joy warned as Hikaru's hand came up.
Drake was about to march back and grab Hikaru by the arm when she started glowing red. "What the…"
Slowly flames started to spiral around her as she raised her hand higher. The spiral flowed up around her arm and coalesced on her open palm. Then the red energy shot up into the air as she shouted, "Fire Rain!"
The group watched aghast as thin slivers of flame rained into the plaza, consuming the bodies in there. The fire didn't spread. Hikaru turned around and walked towards them. "Let's go."
o.0.o
"Hikaru?" Joy asked, walking towards the silent Magic Knight-turned-Pokémon Trainer, who was hugging a subdued Mokona.
"How's the patient?" Hikaru asked.
"Mr. Prestley is in a very bad condition." Joy said, shaking her head. "I suspect he won't make the night."
"I really hate Fray." Hikaru whispered. "In all my battles I had never seen such a sadist. Using those Pokémon against their will to kill their trainers and families."
"Puu…" Mokona said, patting Hikaru's hand.
Joy looked a bit uncomfortable, but with a resolute sigh, she sat down next to her friend. "I don't think Pokémon battles can prepare anyone for something like this…"
Hikaru looked in surprise at Joy then, smiling to herself she looked down at the floor again. "No, I guess not."
"I know that Captain Drake was part of the marines for a long while." Joy said. "I've heard he and his crew have been to harbors attacked by pirates and small armies. He's seen war up close. I guess I'm not surprised that he was able to control himself… it was all I could do not to throw up… the smell…"
"The corpses must have been there for a few days already. Probably even before the S.S. Dragonite was attacked."
Joy looked at her friend with worry and pity. "How can you know this, Hikaru? You are just a bit younger than me… what kind of life have you led that you could stare at those corpses and even think?"
Hikaru didn't move. "I have led a complicated life. It has been full of sorrow, but also happiness. I've had adventures I could never share with anyone other than my two sisters. I have seen horrors of war; I've fought monsters with my bare hands, known despair… I have blood in my hands."
Joy didn't say anything. She could see the tears falling from Hikaru's eyes down to splash on the floor of the hospital.
"When I saw that… all I could think was, I can't let Ash see this. I can't let Ash end up like this." Hikaru said. "He wouldn't understand. It would break his heart."
Joy reached out, hugging Hikaru as the girl finally cried.
End Part 1 TBC
o.0.o
Hey guys, well if you are enjoying this, don't hesitate to let me know! And also, if you think there is room for improvement, I'm open to suggestions. The story is pretty much done, but it doesn't mean it's set in stone!
-WD