POKEMON KNIGHTS
Characters
Zach Atsaws: A 15 Year-Old Orphaned Boy with Attitude!
Cale: A Pokemon Ranger who will go a long way to do the right thing.
Leaf: A 10 year old Girl with Street Smarts, and expert sneak skills.
Mightyena: Leaf's Sidekick. A Talking Mightyena who is smarter than he looks.
Chapter 6
Racer Riot
Zach Swasta has won the Water Race for the Sealed Silvers. But the leader of the Dark Emeralds, Spiner, was a little less than enthusiastic about handing over Sapphire to a rider for his enemies, and refused to give her up. But in an unlikely turn of events, Sapphire freed herself using her Bulbasaur! It appears that the compentent girl is readying to take on the entire Dark Emerald unit and their leader head on. But with no other Pokemon to help her other than bulbasaur, how will she get out of this mess? And what can Zach do to help?
Sapphire: Spiner, your Dark Emeralds are through!
Spiner: That's what YOU think, girlie! Emeralds, attack!
The Emerald Grunts start jumping onto the stage, and releasing their Pokemon of all shapes and sizes.
Sapphire: Bulbasaur, get ready!
"Bulba, Saur!"
Zach: She can't fight these guys with just that Bulbasaur! Man, what should I do, especially since they'll come after me too...
Zach forgot that he was still holding the Ultraball. It suddenly started shaking, and out came Dragonair!
"Draaaaaag!"
Zach: Eh, Dragonair!
Dragonair looked at the opposing Pokemon from the grunts. It then started to use a very familiar move...
Zach: Surf?! Uh oh...
Dragonair suddenly unleashed a giant tidal wave. It washed right over all the Pokemon and their masters. Most of them were unconcious.
Zach: Man. I gotta remember this.
He patted Dragonair on the nose. But some of the grunts and their Pokemon weren't through just yet! They back up to start round two. Zach got on Dragonair's back.
Zach: Alright Dragonair, we've got this! Let's battle!
Dragonair charges into battle with Zach on it's back. The Dragonair battled on it's own will with Zach cheering it on. It used every move it knew on the Pokemon, from Whirlpool to Dragon rage. All that was left was a pile of fainted Grunts and Pokemon. To top off the mound, was the unconcious Victor. Spiner looked very unhappy at the sight of all this.
Spiner: *Grr* You insolent pest!
He looked over at Sapphire and her Bulbasaur.
Sapphire: Better not keep your guard down!
Spiner grinded his teeth, and tossed a Pokeball. Out came a Hitmonchan.
"Hitmo-Chan!"
Spiner: Let's see your puny little grass frog against my hitmonchan!
Sapphire smirks.
Sapphire: Try me.
Spiner: Fiesty. Hitmonchan! Use thrash!
Hitmonchan charges at Bulbasaur, with it's arms flailing punches in a rattleing.
Sapphire: Bulbasaur, use Grass Knot!
"Bulba-Saur!"
Bulbasaur gives Hitmonchan a dirty yet suspicious look. And then, Hitmonchan tripped and fell forward!
Spiner: What?!
Spiner saw Hitmonchan's foot caught in a grass knot, growing out of the ground.
Sapphire: It's Grass knot. It stops your Pokemon dead in it's tracks no matter where. Now Bulbasaur, use Vinewhip and Poison Powder.
Bulbasaur released a cloud of purple dust towards Hitmonchan, poisoning it. Then, it let out it's vines and started whipping Hitmonchan.
Spiner: Two moves at once?!
Sapphire: What? Like you were playing fair from the start, spineless spiner.
Spiner: *Grr* Insolent little...Hitmonchan! Get up and Dynamic-punch!
Hitmonchan got up, broke the grassnot, then charged and threw a glowing boxerfist at Bulbasaur.
Sapphire: Dodge and use Solarbeam!
Bulbasaur jumped out of the way of Hitmonchan's Dynamic punch. Once it landed back on the ground, the hole on the top of it's bulb started glowing.
Zach was watching the battle on the back of Dragonair, wondering if or when he should step in.
Zach: I don't get it. Why is it just sitting there? He's not even attacking!
Spiner: I wouldn't expect a Dynamic Punch to work anyway, what with it's inaccuracy. Resume your previous attack and Thrash!
Hitmonchan once again charged at Bulbasaur, who's bulb was still glowing, in a Thrash attack. Sapphire smirked.
Sapphire: Now!
Bulbasaur then tilted forward, and unleashed a powerful ray from it's bulb! It hit the Charging Hitmonchan with Tremendous force and sent it flying backwards past Spiner.
Spiner: What the-?!
He looked at his Hitmonchan: It was fainted.
Zach: Oh I get it. Solar Beam has to wait to charge before it can be used! Thats why it's so powerful.
Spiner: How the-?! No way a mere Bulbasaur could've had a Solar Beam that Powerful!
Sapphire: Never underestimate my Bulbasaur! Besides, it had that effect because your Hitmonchan was poisoned by Poison Powder! It took damage between every move it made, weakening it more and more. Don't you ever scan you Pokemon's Status?
Spiner growled and recalled Hitmonchan. Then he got out another Pokeball.
Spiner: Let's see how you deal with something twice his size! Get out here, Piloswine!
Spiner lets out his next Pokemon, Piloswine.
"Piloo..."
Zach: Aw no! That things pretty big! It could mop the floor with Bulbasaur!
Spiner: Piloswine, use Takedown.
Piloswine did nothing.
Spiner: Er...use takedown!
Still nothing happened.
Zach: Uh...
Spiner: Aw come on! Why won't you listen to me?
"..."
Sapphire: You're um, Piloswine seems to be disobedient. Er, when did you even get him?
Spiner: He just evolved from Swinub two days ago! I don't get it. He was a mischevious brat before then, now he's a freakin slackoth!
Sapphire: Hmm, well you know it's a normal nature for Piloswine. They are among the laziest Pokemon on the charts. Especially since yours just evolved, I mean a Pokemon's personality always changes during evolution.
Spiner: Well of course I know that! I wasn't born yesterday-hey! Why am I making small talk with you?! Piloswine! GET MOVING!
Piloswine started snoring.
Zach: And...now it's asleep. Nice.
Spiner: AAAAAAAGGGHHH! WAKE UP YOU LOUSY FLEABAG!
Spiner kicked Piloswine real hard. So hard that it woke up, and wasn't happy. It started flailing all around, going crazy and ready to outburst any minute!
Spiner: Oh boy! Not good! An Angry Piloswine means misfortune all around! Well, at least it's not a Mamoswine.
Suddenly, it became frozen in ice!
Spiner: Huh? What the?
Dragonair had slithered beside Piloswine, and now sits there.
Zach: Ha! Nice ice beam Dragonair! Now, finish this off...the awesome way!
Dragonair then let out a hyper beam and it hit Piloswine so hard that it broke the ice barrier. The impact caused Spiner to lose his balance and fall. Piloswine suddenly looked calm, even after the attack.
"Piloooowwww..."
It was apparently fainted, because it then tipped to the side, where Spiner stood!
Spiner: No! No-No-No-No-No-No-No-Nooo!
He tried to crawl away and then get up and run, but Piloswine already fell and landed on Spiner. Spiner's body from the naval down was trapped under the fainted Piloswine. His hands were also trapped, he couldn't even pull his arms free. He was completely trapped under the heavy Pokemon.
Sapphire looked up at this stranger rider boy. Even she had to agree that that was a good call, so she gave a brief smirk.
Spiner struggled, but he could not get free. Midway through struggle, he heard a familiar voice.
Tannen: Under heavy water are you, Spiner?
Spiner looked up and too his utter irratation was none other than his old mentor Tannen Grest, with Xandra standing beside him.
Zach: Tannen?!
Tannen: Excellent job in the Race, Zach. We all knew that we could count on you.
Spinner: *Grunt* What do you want, old man?
Tannen: We all watched the race down at the base and saw that your selfish grasp for power still overcomes your dignity just because your plans didn't go as you expected. When we saw the riot happened we got here as fast as we could.
Xandra: A wonder we didn't expect this all to happen.
Tannen: Yes. I know you've expected the Silver's downfall today. But now, it looks like thanks to these two teens, you've resulted in your own downfall. And now that my own men have yours captive, I guess you have no choice but to surrender.
Spiner: ...rrrrrr- Never!
Tannen: So you'd rather stay loyal to your lost cause and remain trapped under your own beast? Just look what you've become, Spiner. You're pathetic. You can give up and be freed, or you can call yourself "The Superior Being" and let your body decay in a few years.
Spiner: Aaahhh...Ulghhhh...fine...I give up.
Tannen laughed.
Tannen: Now thats starting to sound like the Spiner I once knew. Hahaha!
Two Sealed Silvers Grunts appeared to Tannen and Xandra.
Tannen: You and Xandra get that Piloswine off him, then put him with the rest of the Dark Emeralds. I'm sure the island's main authorities would like to have a word with him.
Grunts: Sir!
Tannen went over to Zach and Dragonair while Xandra recalled Spiner's Piloswine to it's own Pokeball, and the two grunts pulled Spiner off the ground and dragged him off the stage. There were other Sealed Silver members dispercing the crowds.
Tannen: You alright, Zach?
Zach: Uh, yeah.
Tannen: Excellent. That was some very good racing out there Mr. Atsaws. I admit that part of me had doubt that a boy your age would be able to tame a Dragonair, especially for a race. But now I can completely sleep easy knowing I've picked the right rider.
Zach: Heh, thanks.
Lindsey suddenly came up beside Tannen. She looked excitedly at Zach.
Lindsey: Okay kid, you ROCKED! I don't know what was cooler, how you've handled Victor, or mopped the floor with Spiner and his men! Tannen, you really have good taste in riders.
Tannen: I only know from Experience, Lindsey. But I think we owe everything to young Atsaws, and the girl Sapphire. Afterall, not only did we beat the Emerald's in the race, but in the war completely!
Lindsey: All-RIGHT!
Zach: Really Tannen?!
Tannen: Yep. You sure did. I couldn't be anymore proud of you. I see a fine career in Pokemon Training for you, Zach.
Zach blushed and rubbed the back of his head.
Zach: Heh...I guess...
Tannen: Lindsey, you better help everyone else clean up the mess.
Lindsey: Okay.
She smiled at Zach, then went off the stage to go help out the other Silvers with fixing the damage the Emeralds did.
Tannen: Now Zach, there's still the matter of the Dragonair. I know that you've already had quite a bond with it, but I need to give it the proper medical care. Besides, I still think it needs to get aquainted with our own tamers.
Zach: I understand, Tannen.
Zach went over to Dragonair and hugged it.
Zach: Thanks alot Dragonair. Would'nt have been able to do it without you.
Dragonair made a sad whinning noise, but it hugged Zach back, rubbing it's face againsts his.
Zach: Aw thanks. Now return.
Zach recalled Dragonair to the Ultraball, and handed it over to Tannen.
Zach: Here you go.
Tannen: Sorry it has to come to a goodbye. And I'm sorry I couldn't reward you now, but I have to collect some "Reparations".
Zach: Uh, that's okay Tannen. But I gotta-
He looked over at Sapphire. She had recalled her Bulbasaur, and was hovering over a couple of Chests that were near her old cage. It must of had her belongings in it.
Zach: Uh, I gotta take care of my mission.
Tannen nodded.
Tannen: Indeed. And so should we. However, I would just like to say you and your friends are welcome at the Sealed Silver's base anytime.
Zach: Thank you.
Tannen held out his hand.
Tannen: No, thank YOU.
Zach shook his hand. Tannen then turned and tended to his group. Zach went over behind Sapphire. He was a little nervous, after all she was kinda pretty.
Zach: Uh...hi...
Sapphire looked at him through the corner of her eye. Then back at the chest. Kneeled down, opened it, then stood back up. Inside were a bunch of clothes that were the attire of a female Pokemon Trainer. They were obviously hers.
Sapphire: Maybe next time, foolish scum like those Dark Emerald freaks will think twice next time they mess with me! And on that note...
She turned and swept her foot on Zach's ankle, knocking him down on his butt.
Zach: Hey, what the-
Sapphire then grabbed his collar and pulled him up to her face. She didn't look too happy.
Sapphire: *Angrily* So little perv, you thought you could keep me as a "prize", didja?!
Zach: ...what?! No...uh, I...
Sapphire's eyes then caught on a small patch on Zach's jacket. Her eyes widened and her angry face softened up and melted away.
Sapphire: Wait a minute...I recognize that logo! It's from that shelter, the refuge! Are you one of those kids from there?
She let go of Zach, who was able to straighten himself up.
Zach: Well yeah, but I'm not a kid. I'm 15.
Sapphire: Well I figured. And apparently you are my age. So tell me, who are you?
Zach: I'm Zach Atsaws, I'm here to rescue you.
Sapphire: Rescue me? Ha! Incase you haven't noticed, I happened to have saved myself.
Zach was getting pretty mad himself.
Zach: Oh come on! I rode on that Dragonair just to save you from captivity! To win your freedom.
Sapphire: ...Really? You did all that for me?
Zach: Yeah! And not to mention the fact that I saved you from that Piloswine.
Sapphire: Like I needed it! My Bulbasaur could've taken out that thing as quickly as that Hitmonchan.
Zach: Oh Really?! Against a giant freakin-?!...N-Never mind, this is pointless! Cale's waiting for us.
Sapphire instantly brightened up completely at the mention of Cale's name.
Sapphire: Cale? Cale Orski? The Pokemon Ranger?!
Zach: Yeah.
Sapphire: Yes! Finally, good news! Cale was one of my escorting Ranger company, and I heard all sorts of stuff about him, even before we met! He's helped countless Pokemon in their time of need, as well as humans! He's a true hero. But how do you know him?
Zach: He helped me escape the Refuge Raid, and I wanted to help him find you.
Sapphire thought for a moment.
Sapphire: Hmm...you know, if Cale seems to trust you...
She actually smiled at Zach.
Sapphire: Then I should trust you.
Zach: Oh, uh, thanks.
Sapphire turned to the Chest, and started taking her things out.
Sapphire: Now I don't believe there were any of Team Rocket at the race, was there?
Zach: I didn't see any grunts, but it's possible there may have been spies.
Sapphire: Well we must hurry then. They probably won't recognize me instantly because of these rags I'm wearing. But I know Team Rocket. Suspicion turns to investigation, Investigation leads to Confirmation, and Confirmation increases the search. They'll know my face in every fashion soon enough.
Zach: Oh...man...
Sapphire grabbed her handbag from a chest and fit her stuff in it.
Sapphire: Please, take me to Cale right away. But I have to change somewhere close to him, but secret.
Zach: Right.
Zach and Sapphire were able to sneak out of the Underground undetected. Even the guard at the top didn't seem to care about the boy and the girl in rags. His job was only to keep people out, not in. When they followed an alleyway maze to an alley close to the Pokemon Center, Sapphire quickly changed behind a dumpster with Zach not even peeking, into her top, skirt, and shoes with a hat. She looked like a regular Pokemon Trainer. Then they made their way inside the Pokemon Center without being spotted by anyone of suspicion. They went into the room Zach and Cale rented, where they both saw Cale, Leaf, and Mightyena.
Cale sprung up when he saw Sapphire.
Cale: Sapphire!
Sapphire: Cale! Ranger Orski!
She hugged Cale.
Cale: I'm so glad you're safe!
Leaf: Zach, we were so worried! When that cheapshot Spiner cheated you and that outburst erupted, the TV went out an we started panicing!
Sapphire: Say Cale, who are these two?
Cale: Oh, this are the Duo that helped me and Zach be able to get to you. This is Leaf...
Leaf: Hi!
Sapphire bowed.
Sapphire: Nice to meet you.
Cale: ..and her partner, Mightyena.
Mighytena: 'Sup.
Sapphire jumped.
Sapphire: A talking Mightyena?!
Zach: Yeah well...you see...
Mightyena: It's a long story...
Sapphire: Oh, well...I won't pounce on your personal abilities. I just think it's odd, and cool at the same time.
Mightyena: Oh thanks.
Cale: But I have to say, I think Zach's the hero today.
Sapphire: Yeah, I agree. But we'll have time for recognition later. I gotta get back to Pallet Town to make a report to Professor Oak.
Cale: Well, now that you're here, we can finally figure out a way how to get off this island.
Sapphire: Wait...you mean, you don't have an escape plan yet?! Wait have you all been doing this time?!
Zach: Uhh...looking for you?
Sapphire:...Oh, uh, good point. *Giggle*
Zach: So how we do get out of here?
Cale: Looks like the three of us will have to decide together. But Sapphire, you look like you could use a rest. You too, Zach.
Sapphire: Yeah, I suppose you're right. Especially with Night coming on. Maybe we should save escape for tomorrow.
Zach: Agreed. But the sooner we get off this island, the better.
Sapphire has been found at last. But only one last objective remains: How will the group find their way off Mandarin Island while avoiding the Team Rocket blockade?
To Be Continued...