Goodbye, for now.
None of the three travellers had expected this to be so difficult. Blaze and Persephone said that they would be perfectly fine with it when the time came around. Gertrud was confident in her abilities to keep Blaze from sitting in a corner and rolling on the floor in embarrassment or shyness.
But now Blaze and Persephone were struggling to go their separate ways. Amy and Spiny had also been released from their Pokéballs as well, Laxus was kept in just to keep him from causing trouble. Everyone was just looking at each other with a weird sorry look in their eyes. They had all started their journey together, and even the two newer Pokémon were having trouble separating from the other trainer.
"So, you were going to go up to Snowpoint and I was going to go to Hearthome. That was what we agreed, right Blaze." Persephone's voice had a heavy note of sadness.
Blaze was rubbing his arm awkwardly. "Yea, I think it was." He was uneasy about this. Part of it was that he would be separated from Persephone for the first time in a long time. He would have Gertrud though, Persephone only had Spiny and Laxus, the latter of whom was the biggest pain in the ass that Blaze had ever met. She wouldn't have any company on the road.
"I've got an idea, how about we go to Eterna City together. Then we can both face the gym there." Persephone's face brightened up at the idea before she saw that Blaze was shaking his head.
"The same thing will happen again and we'll keep putting it off. I'll video call you when Gertrud evolves so you can watch too, but I think we should split off from here." Persephone frowned but saw Blaze's logic.
The girl looked at the ground and kicked a bit of dirt out of the way, trying to avoid the situation. She had really been dreading this moment for the same reasons as Blaze. She would be alone and Blaze would at least have Gertrud, although that wouldn't be very much benefit on his end either.
"Okay… I gu-"
Blaze, Persephone, I thought you two would have been off by now. Persephone searched for the source of the telepathy and saw a Zorua grinning and running towards the two of them.
"Zufi, what are you doing here? Where is Hextilda?" Persephone cheered up slightly at the sight of the little fox Pokémon. Suddenly she had an idea. "Hextilda's planning on going down to Hearthome soon, right Zufi?"
The Zorua nodded before cocking her head quizzically. What was this girl planning?
"Why don't I travel with Hearthome City with Hextilda!" The sound of what seemed to be a telepathic facepalm resounded through the thoughts of everyone there.
As if by some the mention of her name had summoned her, Hextilda appeared behind Persephone. She put a finger up to her mouth to make sure he didn't alert Persephone of her presence. The boy noticed and nodded but said nothing.
"What, did Zufi or Gertrud say something to you and not me, or do you just normally nod at the air?" Persephone was still not aware of Hextilda's presence behind her, and both Blaze and his little Roselia had to stop themselves from laughing.
"So, what was this about the two of use traveling together?" Persephone practically jumped, making a high pitched squealing sound in her surprise. "I'm not completely opposed to the idea, but don't get clingy on me, I'm not like your friend here, I don't like clingy."
"Arceus damn it, you scared the life out of me Hextilda. And I promise that I won't got clingy. I'll split off after we both at least challenge the Hearthome gym, unless you weren't planning on doing that." Persephone tried to make a pleading action with her eyes, like a Purrlion.
Hextilda rolled her eyes in irritation. "Listen, I was going to accept the idea without the weird eye thing. Stop that, you just making it worse for yourself." Persephone smiled, absolutely grateful to the dark type trainer. "Is she always like this?"
Blaze looked down to the ground, trying to think of any way to say it without Persephone getting mad. He gave up. "Yes, yes she is like this a lot of the time."
"What have I gotten myself into?" The dark type trainer had a sullen look on her face, realising how much trouble Persephone was going to be for her. "How do you two put up with her?" Blaze and Gertrud both shrugged in unison.
You get used to it after a while I guess. Gertrud, looking anywhere but at Persephone, said to the group.
"You do realise I'm standing right here, right guys?" Persephone was starting to get annoyed with everyone talking so negatively about her right next to her. She folded her arms and started walking towards the south exit to Jubilife City. "You coming Hextilda?"
"You realise I'm doing this moreso for Blaze's sake. I don't think you realise how weird it would be if the two of you walked through Eterna Forest together." Persephone sniggered at the thought. Blaze blushed and hid his face from view.
Blaze adjusted his jacket before holding out his hand for Gertrud to climb on. Amy started floating around her trainer's fiery hair, cheering encouragement to Blaze. He smiled at the Flabébé before Gertrud settled on his shoulder.
"Alright, I-I'm off." Blaze's voice quivered as he left, half from the embarrassing idea of himself and Persephone walking through Eterna Forest together and the fact that he would be alone with only Gertrud and Amy by his side. Amy started rubbing her tiny pixie face against Blaze's cheek while Gertrud was leaning against her partner's face, looking back on Persephone and Hextilda. Blaze just kept looking down.
Persephone was waving goodbye to her friend when she noticed something. "Blaze, you're about to walk into that po- Nevermind." The other trainer was now rubbing his head walking away faster than before after crashing into a streetlamp. His cheeks were blushing even more from embarrassment, but thankful that his face was turned away from his friend.
"He really is a curious guy Persephone. Seriously, how did you two actually start communicating?"
Persephone grinned in satisfaction as she got to tell a story to someone who wouldn't stop her for once. Hextilda suddenly regretted the question, but was at least glad that Persephone's mind was off the idea of leaving for now.
"So, one thing I've found with Blaze is that if you pester him long enough, he gives up trying to ignore you. The first time I figured that out, I decided to try and break down his wall. Eventually enough pestering and he gave up even trying to ignore me at all and we actually got to know each other. He hasn't been too fond of me all the time, but we've become very tight." The girl smiled with satisfaction.
"I feel sorry for him, what about you Zufi?" Hextilda's Zorua nodded at her trainer. Hextilda knew this was going to go on for longer, that was just the short version. She was willing to take anything to make sure that Persephone noticed that she was not with Blaze anymore without any major repercussions.
Hey, Floaroma Town is just ahead. You don't mind if we stop off there, Amy wants to hang out among the flowers. Gertrud was still on Blaze's shoulders as the two of them walked towards the Ravaged Path that Route 204 was known for.
Blaze smiled at the thought. "Make sure you chaperone Amy, okay. With her size she could get lost amongst the flowers and we'd never find her again. I hope she doesn't outgrow that playful personality when she evolves." Amy was twirling around, once again manipulating the wind to push her in circles around her trainer's head.
"Flabé" Amy sounded excited at the idea. So many flowers in such a small space. It would be like heaven for a Pokémon who was always around flowers.
"So, the book said that Flabébés will choose a flower that it likes before protecting it for the rest of its life." Gertrud nodded while Amy continued to float around aimlessly. "How does the Flabébé find its flower in the first place and what if the flower types aren't abundant in the area that it chooses."
Gertrud shrugged, not knowing enough about the nature of most other Pokémon's lives to know many species' bizarre behaviours. Maybe its parent will travel around with it until they find at least some flower. I've noticed that Amy's flower isn't very nice looking though. Probably wasn't a great patch of flowers.
Blaze hadn't paid all that much attention to Amy's flower, mainly because he didn't want to offend his Pokémon. The flower did look slightly poor of health though, some edges looked wilted.
"Maybe we can find a cute new flower for her in Floaroma Town. She would like that, and maybe she'd be stronger for it, although she never seems to be out of energy when she's playing." As if on cue the little flower pixie did a backflip in the air.
Blaze and Gertrud both just looked at the little pixie, smiling at her playfulness. They were both glad to have Amy on this trip. She was able to lighten up almost any mood.
"Well, I guess we'll find out when we get the-"
"Hey, you. Do you want to battle? Parading your Pokémon around like that is practically asking for one." Gertrud's thought was cut off by a voice from nowhere. Suddenly, the notice that there was people nearby made Blaze's gaze return once again to the ground.
"Seriously, guy with the Roselia and Flabébé. I challenge you!" The boy sounded slightly irritated by now. "I've just started my journey, so we should be an even match.
Blaze mumbled under his breath. "Please, no, I don't need to talk to anyone. I can do this with as few interactions as possible." Gertrud was trying to shift Blaze's attention to the trainer who was challenging him.
"I think even your Pokémon wants to battle." Blaze decided to turn around and had a look at Amy, and inevitably, the trainer who was challenging him. It was one of those 10 year old trainers who thought a sideways baseball cap and shorts was "cool." So many 10 year olds… So many…
Amy was floating around the boy's head, glancing menacingly while occasionally sticking out her tiny tongue. Blaze started giggling. "You know what, sure. I'll accept on behalf of my Pokémon." He glared quickly at Amy and whispered, "Doesn't mean I have to enjoy it."
Blaze nodded Amy, who flew back over to him eagerly. The Flabébé tapped her head to her Pokéball and was absorbed inside it with a flash of red light.
Smart little thing, isn't she. Gertrud smiled while their opponent looked around wildly for the source of that noise.
"Gertrud here has telepathy in case you were wondering." Blaze motioned towards his Roselia, who was still standing on his shoulder. The other boy just looked confused, having no idea what telepathy was. "Basically she can speak directly to your mind." The other boy looked less confused, but still confused none the less. "What's you name anyway?"
"It's Mark." The boy grinned and then turned his blue cap back. "And how about we begin this battle now, I'm getting impatient. Bidoof, I choose you."
Blaze had to hold back his laughter and the little beaver Pokémon. The official entry said it was a mouse Pokémon, but he though it looked like the general idea of a beaver. Not only did it look stupid, but it was a bad Pokémon in itself. Then again, this kid did say he had just started his journey.
"Alright, Amy, we'll start with you then." He send the Flabébé out of her Pokéball, the little pixie being a bit groggy. "Were you trying to take a nap in there?" Amy nodded, Blaze sighed.
"What is that thing anyway?" Mark looked confused once again. This was probably his first time seeing both of his Pokemon, especially Flabébés. The boy got out his PokéDex and searched up what Amy was.
Flabébé
The Single Bloom Pokemon.
Flabébé chooses a favourite flower at the beginning of its life and takes care of it from then on.
"That's so girly, why would you choose a Pokémon like that mister?" Blaze sighed. He knew he would get this reaction from some kids.
He didn't respond very loudly, only so that Gertrud and Amy would hear. "First of all, I'm only 14, so how and I mister? Second I choose my Pokémon for how interesting and friendly they are." Amy smiled at him while Mark just looked at him, wondering what Blaze was saying to himself.
Blaze turned on his Pokétch and scrolled through the options. He got to the Magikarp coin flip and tilted his head to tap Gertrud so he wouldn't have to talk again. Karp or Ball, the winner makes the first move.
Almost instantly the boy replied. "Karp!" Blaze tapped the screen and the virtual coin tossed itself. It landed with a Magikarp face up.
You win, you move first. Mark looked straight at his Bidoof and called out the firt move of the match.
"Alright Bidoof, use Headbutt." The beaver mouse started to charge at Amy's little form. Blaze's Flabébé was already getting ready to dodge the attack.
"After you get out of the way, use Lucky Chant. Let's make sure we don't take any unnecessary risks in this battle." After Amy moved above the Bidoof, she began singing. Blaze listened intently. He hadn't really paid much attention to the pixie's singing in his battle with Hextilda, but it was surprisingly soothing compared to how some Pokémon used the move.
Blue musical notes streamed out from Amy's mouth as she sung, surrounding both herself and Gertrud. Blaze wasn't surprised, Gertrud was technically on Amy's team and the move affected the user's entire team.
"Hey, your other Pokemon isn't participating right now. Why is it getting a buff from the move? You're cheating." Blaze shook his head at the boy. He didn't have the time to explain how team based moves worked. "And your Pokemon is too high, Bidoof can't do anything about that."
"Alright, I'll give you that last one. Amy, keep close to the ground. Let's give this guy a fair fight, Bidoof won't be able to touch you if you're too far off the ground." Amy turned around at Blaze with a disappointed look. "You can still go left and right Amy, you're not just going to be stationary." This seemed to brighten the little pixie up a bit. She didn't like the idea of sitting still.
As Amy lowered herself to the ground, Mark took the opportunity to call out his next attack thinking that the Flabébé would be unprepared. "Alright, Bidoof, use Rollout!" The beaver mouse Pokémon curled into a ball and started rolling rapidly towards Amy.
"Move to the side and hit it with a Vine Whip Amy." Blaze commanded as the pixie Pokémon started to playfully taunt the oncoming opponent. Given Amy's small size, it was extraordinarily easy for her to avoid being clipped by any part of the attack.
Meanwhile, a vine was sprouting from one of the buds that formed a yellow ring around Amy's head. It moved towards the Bidoof at high speed before hitting the brown Pokémon. This didn't stop its rolling as it came in for another attack with Rollout, wanting to make sure not to miss. This time the move was coming faster and stronger.
"Amy, same again." The Flabébé was able to dodge, but the Bidoof's rollout missed only narrowly this time. "Make sure you don't stay still after this, keep moving to make sure you don't get hit." The pixie Pokémon nodded as a vine came out of the yellow buds around its head again. It launched straight towards Mark's Bidoof. It struck the Pokémon across the side as it continued rolling.
The Bidoof kept on rolling towards Amy, building up speed on each passing. The third and fourth time, Amy managed to dodge and punish with Vine Whip like before.
On the fifth attack though, the Biddof was rolling too fast for Amy to avoid on either side. She was about to use Fairy Wind to blow herself into the air, but Blaze said that the height advantage would be unfair on the Bidoof and Mark.
The little pixie Pokémon braced for the impact of the Bidoof. Blaze gritted his teeth, hoping the best for his Pokémon while Gertrud turned away. As the beaver mouse Pokémon made contact, Amy was sent flying through the air toward Blaze. The fiery-haired trainer caught his Pokémon in his hand.
"Hey, are you alright?" Blaze hoped that Amy wasn't too badly hurt, but that attack had done a huge amount of damage. Amy nodded, wincing slightly at the action before giving her trainer a strained smile. "I'm going to put Gertrud in now Amy, you watch from the sidelines."
The sidelines practically being Blaze's shoulder, Amy and Gertrud switched places. Blaze reached into his backpack and grabbed Gertrud's Big Root. The thorn Pokémon took it and wrapped it around her neck.
Don't worry, I'll get him for you. Gertrud winked at Amy before facing her opponent. She pulled her right flower in as if it was a fist and made a punching action. It didn't quite have the same impact it should've, but Gertrud was ready to fight.
"Alright, since we switched out, it's Mark's turn. Make sure you do everything you can to avoid his next attack, the Bidoof looks like he's on his last legs." Blaze was watching his opponent closely. The Pokémon was panting heavily and there seemed to be a bruise on its leg.
Mark didn't seem to notice the injuries on his own Pokémon. He just shouted at his Bidoof. "Let's do this, go and hit it with Headbutt."
The beaver mouse Pokémon charged, its head being covered by a white light.
Blaze thought of something that could end the battle there. "Gertrud, Extrasensory. Throw it." The Roselia's eyes began to glow with a gold light, the same light that surrounded the Bidoof as it was lifted off the ground mid charge.
"No fair!" Mark had never seen any sort of psychokenesis attack, so he didn't realise this was a standard attack. "That can't be allowed, your Pokémon isn't even touching mine."
Blaze and Gertrud both rolled their eyes almost in sync. Newbies would be a pain in the ass. Gertrud kept the majority of her concentration on getting the Bidoof into a position to throw for large damage. Since the Bidoof hadn't experienced psychokinesis before, it wouldn't know how to break free very fast, so she could take her time. She also enjoyed watching Mark whine about how unfair her attack was, so the longer she could mess around, the better.
"That's enough Gertrud, finish the attack." Amy looked disappointed, clearly enjoying her ally's little performance. She cheered up when she saw the faint traces of a smile on Blaze's face.
"Fla-Flabé"
Whatever Amy had said, Blaze was glad she said it after Gertrud threw the Bidoof, since the little rose Pokémon cracked into laughter. Oh my god, is he really? Sucks that I couldn't see it.
Blaze instantly knew that Gertrud was talking about him. The smile was cleared off his face as Amy stared at him. None of the three noticed that Mark's Bidoof had been knocked out.
"Well, I guess you win." Mark was holding his Bidoof, worried about its safety. Blaze rummaged through his backpack for a spare Revive. He found a Potion, while he gave to Gertrud and told her to use it on Amy. Right at the bottom of his bag, he found a few of the orange crystals.
He took the item out of his bag and threw it to Mark. "Feed this to your Bidoof and he'll be fine." The trainer did what he was told and his Bidoof awoke from unconsciousness.
"Thanks, I guess I should probably give you a reward for winning. How does 240 Poké sound?" Blaze was about to refuse before Gertrud reminded him that it was common practice. He accepted the reward from the boy before both went their separate ways.
See, that wasn't too bad, was it? Gertrud was back up on Blaze's shoulder, trying to be convincing.
"He was a bigger prick than a pissed off Primape." Blaze looked back and the distant figure of the boy in "Youngster" clothing. "But I guess there were moments that were fun. I think a few double battles would be fun though to."
Yea, you'll have to tell people that, I'm not sending out battle requests for you. Amy started laughing while Blaze just looked away. Anyway, the Ravaged Path is just ahead. We are almost to Floaroma Town.
Suddenly Blaze shivered. "I just realised. Zubats. Zubats in dark caves. Everywhere." He had heard stories of trainers being swarmed by countless Zubats the moment they walked into a dark cave. It was a good thing he bought Repels.
On the outskirts of the cave, Blaze started to rummage through his bag to search for repels. He was almost certain that there were some when he left.
Persephone put them in her bag, didn't she. Blaze smacked his head against the wall of the cliff face. Please tell me that we are going to go back to Jubilife City and get repels. Please.
"Sorry, but we're going to risk the Zubat swarm. We just need to stay quiet. Amy, that means Pokéball time for you." Amy nodded her understanding before pressing the button for her Pokéball.
And here I was thinking that you would never have an irrational thought in your life. Oh how I was wrong. Gertrud was overacting her annoyance at Blaze's decision. What happened, you got hit by a Confuse Ray back there or something?
Blaze stared daggers at the Roselia. "You realise that your telepathy will likely wake up Zubats just as easily as speech." Gertrud was sticking her tongue out at her trainer. She was just trying to irritate him. "Just, please, stop."
Whatever you say boss, I'll be quiet. Blaze was about to step into the cave when Gertrud's voice echoed in his head. HEY ZUBATS, THIS KID FORGOT HIS REPELS. SWARM TIME!
Blaze picked Gertrud oh his shoulder and positioned himself ready to throw the Rose Pokémon into the cave. "I know you didn't project that into the cave, but do that one more time and you can roam around in there while I go get repels."
I'm just messing with you Blaze, it's a really small cave. Even if they do swarm we'll get out of there in no time. Gertrud smiled at her trainer, who gently dropped her onto the ground.
Blaze began walking, speaking at almost a whisper at the entrance of the cave. "Well, you can walk. When you evolve you'll have to walk on your own. Seriously, you're being cheekier than a Chimchar." Gertrud walked behind her trainer, her scowl displaying her disappointment at her trainer's inability to get a joke.
I think after we get to Floaroma Town, we should train Amy some more. She learns fast, so I think the three of us can find some interesting strategies. Light footsteps echoed through the cave as Blaze tried to progress without disturbing anything. It was bright enough in the tunnel that Blaze could see in front of him. Gertrud's leafy feet barely made a sound across the floor, her face smug anytime Blaze looked back to check on her.
There was a whole lot more to the Ravaged Path than where Blaze and Gertrud were going. It was quite an expansive cave, but the quickest path was fairly short, and no one wanted to get swarmed by Zubats if they were trying to be quick. Blaze was unlucky forgetting his repels, otherwise he could make as much noise as he wanted and Zubats wouldn't come near him from the chemicals.
We're almost there, just a few more metr- Gertrud's foot accidentally tripped over a Geodude. It rolled for a short amount of time before slamming into a wall with a thud.
The sound of unfurling wings echoed throughout the cave. Blaze quickly turned his head to see a bluish blob heading towards him rapidly. Without a second thought, he picked up his partner Pokémon and ran for the end of the tunnel.
"Damn it Gertrud! I thought you were being careful!"
Hey, all these rocks look the same. And Geodudes are pretty much sentient rocks, and that one moved as I tried to step over it. Both of them were in full sprint, trying to reach the end of the cave before the swarm can down on them.
Just as the dark blue swarm was about to descend on the trainer and Pokémon, they finally stepped into the light away from the Ravaged Path. The bat Pokémon, feeling the warmth of the world outside the cave, retreated back, having driven off their intruders.
That was frightening. I didn't realise how fast Zubat could be. Both Blaze and Gertrud looked at each other and sat down on the grass. Floaroma Town was in sight, the cliff that the Ravaged Path allowed easy climbing was in front of them. Blaze and Gertrud both looked at each other and laughed.
"We should get going. I'm sure Amy can't wait to see the flowers." The beautiful smell was already noticeable, and Gertrud looked ecstatic.
Hooray, I crammed tons of random stuff into one chapter. I just wanted to get some stuff out of the way in this chapter, including the first trainer battle. I'm not sure how I'll progress between Persephone and Blaze from here, but the next chapter will definitely be the focus of the next one.
Also, I've just done a collab with another writer, Airenee. It takes place after Blaze has four badges, so he will have two Pokémon he doesn't have at the moment, but there isn't too much in terms of spoilers except for the ends of the collab. Anyway, I encourage you guys to read her fanfic "Shadows of the Night," it inspired me to write my own Pokéfic.