Adventures in Hoenn

Chapter Twenty-Three: Enter Groudon

*Alex's p.o.v*

We arrived at the Lilycove City hospital to get dad treated for his wounds.

''Well, thankfully nothing serious is wrong with you,'' Dr. Kozumi said confidently. ''You just have many bruises and scratches. But, we'll get those treated right away.''

''Thank you, doctor,'' dad responded.

''Thank goodness things didn't get worse,'' I said relieved. ''You really gave Maxie a beating back there!''

''I don't like to fight, but he would've hurt you, Alex,'' dad said. ''I would do anything to protect you. That's just my job as a father and I'm proud of it!''

''Yeah, you're my big strong dad,'' I said hugging him. Dad chuckled in response. Dad was bandaged up and we exited the hospital. ''Team Magma said that they're going back to Mt. Chimney,'' I said to dad.

''Really?!'' dad said surprised. ''What are they up to? We have to get there and stop them!'' Dad looked at Tropius' Pokeball. ''Sadly, Tropius is worn out from the battle with Team Magma.''

''You go take him to a Pokémon Center and Brendan and I will go stop Team Magma,'' I suggested. ''Vibrava and Swellow can fly us there.

''Okay,'' dad said. ''But, please be careful, you two.''

''We will,'' I said kissing dad on the cheek. Brendan and I summoned Swellow and Vibrava respectively.

''Take care, you guys,'' May said.

''Don't worry! We'll return as heroes!'' Brendan said as Swellow grabbed his shoulders with his talons. Vibrava grabbed my back with her feet and lifted me off the ground.

''Take us to Mt. Chimney, guys!'' I commanded the flying Pokémon.

''You got it!'' our Pokémon replied. We flew through the air and soared over Fortree City.

''This is awesome!'' I yelled happily.

''I never flew with a Pokemon before!'' Brendan called back. We saw Mt. Chimney in the distance and could make out Team Magma's red suits from up in the sky.

''Take us down!'' I ordered. We descended to the ground out of sight from Team Magma's view.

''They're guarding the entrance to that cave,'' Brendan observed. ''How do we get in?'' I chuckled in response causing Brendan to look at me curiously.

''As any good action hero, or heroine, would,'' I answered taking out Gallade's and Marshtomp's Pokeballs.

''I read ya,'' Brendan responded taking out Grimer's and Sceptile's Pokeball. We summoned our Pokemon and charged Team Magma. Team Magma took out their Pokeballs in surprise and summoned their Pokemon. We made short work of the group, returned our Pokemon, and made headway into the cave. The cave was hot and had machinery scattered around on the cliffs.

''This cave is pretty stuffy,'' I said fanning myself with my hand.

''We gotta stay frosty,'' Brendan said.

''You're SO funny!'' I said sarcastically. Brendan laughed in response.

''HELP!'' a voice called out. We looked around a bend and saw a Magma grunt putting his foot down on a Vulpix.

''Worthless, disobedient Vulpix!'' the grunt said angrily.

''Please don't hurt me!'' the Vulpix pleaded.

''STOP IT!'' I yelled while charging the grunt.

''Alex, wait!'' Brendan called. I ignored him though as I tackled the grunt to the ground.

''Who do you think you are hurting this innocent Pokemon?!'' I demanded as I grabbed the grunt's collar.

''Just who the boss wanted!'' the grunt said smiling. The grunt grabbed me and put my arms behind my back. Gallade instantly came out of his Pokeball and put his blade up to the grunts neck with a fierce look in his eyes.

''You want your head to go soaring off your body?!'' Gallade snarled.

''Are you okay, little guy?'' I asked the Vulpix.

''I-I think so,'' Vulpix replied. Gallade chased the grunt down the cave as the grunt screamed.

''Are you okay, Alex?'' Gallade asked me regaining the friendly look in his eyes.

''I am,'' I responded. ''I'm just happy this little cutie is safe!''

''Thank you so much!'' Vulpix said rubbing up against my arm. ''That mean human used to be my trainer. He abused me anytime I lost a match. I hated living in fear. Can I be your Pokemon? I sense great kindness in your heart.''

''Of course!'' I said cheerfully. I picked out a Pokeball and put Vulpix inside it.

''Alex! Don't do that ever again!'' Brendan yelled angrily. ''You almost got captured by that grunt!''

''I had to save that Vulpix!'' I shot back.

''There could've been another way to do it though!'' Brendan retaliated.

''You're not my dad so don't yell at me!'' I said angrily. ''C'mon Gallade. Let's go stop Maxie with or without Brendan.'' Gallade and I ran down the cave leaving Brendan behind.

''ALEX!'' Brendan yelled as we ran.

''Don't you think you're being a little unreasonable, Alex?'' Gallade asked.

''I don't deserve to be treated like a child,'' I responded. ''I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone to tell me what to do!'' We entered a massive room and saw Maxie standing in front of a giant pool of magma. ''There they are!'' I said. ''What is Maxie doing?''

''Awakening Groudon, of course,'' Alice said from behind me. Alice then seized me by my arms.

''Take your hands off of her!'' Gallade said as he charged us and extended his blades. Alice then turned to Gallade and shocked him with a tazer causing him to collapse.

''Father, I've brought the little rat that you wanted,'' Alice said to Maxie.

''Excellent, Alice,'' Maxie replied. ''How convenient that you always seem to follow us when we're up to our schemes.'' Maxie then held my chin and forced me to look at his face. ''Your precious father isn't here to protect you, my dear.'' Little do you know that my dad is alive, you scumbag, I thought. ''Now, I will awaken Groudon and begin my quest for world domination!'' Maxie said as he hoisted the Blue Orb into the air. The Orb emitted a blue light and suddenly the ground shook. Out of the magma came a red lizard-like creature with blue markings on its body.

''That's Groudon?!'' I said in horror.

''That is correct, darling,'' Maxie responded. ''And you're going to control it!''

''How?!'' I asked.

''With this headband, you will obey my commands and commandeer Groudon!'' Maxie responded pulling out a headband that Pikachu had on her. Maxie then came towards me with the headband.

''NOOO!'' I yelled trying to get away. ''GET AWAY FROM ME!''

''It's pointless to resist, sweetheart,'' Maxie said getting closer. Suddenly, Sceptile tackled Maxie and Gallade punched Alice causing her to release me.

''No one lays a hand on my girlfriend!'' Brendan yelled as he came out from around the corner. Brendan ran up to me and helped me up. ''Are you okay?'' Brendan asked me concerned.

''Yes,'' I replied blushing.

''Thank goodness,'' Brendan said hugging me. My heart instantly picked up in pace. ''I'm sorry for yelling at you. I was just worried about you,'' Brendan continued.

''No, I'm sorry, Brendan,'' I said sadly. ''I was being unreasonable and bratty. I love you.''

''I love you, too,'' Brendan replied smiling. Brendan and I then stared at each other dreamily and we started to lean in towards each other's faces. Oh my Arceus, I thought. We're going to kiss each other on the lips! Suddenly, Brendan got blasted with a Flamethrower attack causing him to yell in pain causing me to snap out of my daze.

''Brendan!'' I yelled panicked. I looked at Maxie who had his Camerupt out. ''YOU CREEP!'' I screamed.

''Aw, did I ruin your romantic moment?'' Maxie said condescendingly. ''Camerupt, finish them off!'' Camerupt then charged towards us. Gallade then sliced Camerupt with Night Slash knocking him down.

''Marshtomp, help us!'' I yelled summoning Marshtomp.

''Ninetails, battle!'' Alice said summoning the fox Pokémon.

''Marshtomp, Hydro Pump on Camerupt! Gallade, Psycho Cut on Ninetails!'' I commanded. Marshtomp doused Camerupt with water while Gallade attempted to slash Ninetails.

''Camerupt, Magnitude!'' Maxie ordered. Camerupt then stomped the ground causing the ground below us to open up. Brendan was about to fall into the crevice but I grabbed him. However, I was losing my balance and grabbed the ledge. Man Brendan, you're heavy! I thought straining to hold Brendan up. I looked below us and magma seeped into the crevice. Maxie and Alice then stood over us triumphantly.

''Need a hand?'' Alice asked smirking evilly.

''If you want, we can help you or you can have a bath in magma,'' Maxie offered.

''As if I'd want your help!'' I snapped angrily. Maxie snarled and stomped on my fingers causing me to yell in pain. Gallade then sliced Maxie in two causing him to fall into the magma. Marshtomp then tackled Alice knocking her to the side. The two Pokemon then helped us up.

''HOW DARE YOU KILL MY FATHER, YOU STUPID POKEMON!'' Alice shrieked at Gallade. Alice then charged at Gallade with tears streaming down her face. Gallade then held his blade up to her throat.

''Want to join him?'' Gallade snarled angrily. Alice growled in response. Suddenly, Groudon roared and leapt through the cave roof.

''What the-?!'' Alice reacted. Alice then glared at us. ''Come, Ninetails, Camerupt! We're going after Groudon!'' Alice then ran out of the cave.

''Good riddance!'' Marshtomp yelled angrily.

''Brendan! Wake up!'' I yelled at Brendan while shaking him. Tears welled up in my eyes. Brendan then groaned and opened his eyes.

''What…happened?'' he asked weakly.

''A lot of things happened,'' I responded. ''We need to get you to the hospital NOW!'' I recalled Gallade and Marshtomp and Sceptile for Brendan and summoned Vibrava. ''Vibrava, get us to Mauville Hospital quickly!'' I commanded.

''Oh dear,'' Vibrava commented on Brendan's condition. Vibrava then picked us up and we exited out the cave roof.