Adventures in Hoenn
Chapter Thirty: An Old Foe Resurfaces in Shoal Cave
*Alice's p.o.v*
We were all crossing the sea heading for Sootopolis City. Alex and Brendan were riding Swampert, Alex's father and May were on his Blastoise, and I was on a Wailmer that Brendan caught yesterday.
''Thank Arceus for seasick pills,'' Alex's father said to himself.
''I can't wait to get to Sootopolis,'' May said. ''I heard it's so pretty! And I bet the boys are even better!'' May said squealing happily and almost falling off Blastoise. Alex's father quickly caught her.
''Don't let go now!'' Alex's father said.
''Hey, look at that cave!'' Alex said pointing to a cave on the beach. ''Can we check it out, dad?''
''Okay if that's alright with everyone,'' Alex's father replied.
''I'm game!'' Brendan said.
''Okay,'' I added.
''Let's go!'' May chimed in. We then made our way to the cave. We got off the Pokémon and called them back to their Pokeballs. Upon entering the cave, we were greeted by a cold chill.
''MAN is it cold!'' Alex said shivering.
''Here, take my coat,'' Brendan said taking his coat off and putting it over Alex.
''Aw, you're so sweet,'' Alex said cuddling up to Brendan as he blushed. Brendan hugged Alex as he got a contented look on his face.
''I brought some extra coats just in case,'' Alex's father said giving May, Brendan, and I some coats.
''Ah, much better,'' May said relieved. ''Thanks!''
''Thank you, sir,'' Brendan and I said.
''It's no trouble at all,'' Alex's father said smiling. ''Wouldn't want any of you to catch a chill.'' We then made headway into the cave.
*Unknown p.o.v*
''So they're here,'' I said sinisterly. ''And Alice is with them! Time to exact my revenge on those scum.'' I then followed the group into the cave.
*Brendan's p.o.v*
We marched across the sandy bottom of the cave. There were paths leading to upper areas of the cave with brides leading to other areas above us.
''This cave must be massive!'' Alex commented. ''I wonder what Pokémon live here?''
''I'd imagine Pokémon who can handle the cold,'' Alex's dad proposed. We then noticed a Spheal sitting on the sand bank barking.
''A Spheal! HOW CUTE!'' May exclaimed. ''This one's mine!'' May then pulled out a Pokeball and summoned Beautifly. Spheal then turned itself our way curiously. ''Beautifly, Gust!'' May commanded. Beautifly flapped her wings madly and knocked the Spheal into the water as it yelped in pain. Spheal then resurfaced with an angry look on its face and blasted Beautifly with Aurora Beam knocking out Beautifly. ''Oh no!'' May exclaimed running up to Beautifly concerned. The Spheal then swam away angrily. ''And I was so close, too!'' May said returning Beautifly.
''Sorry May,'' Alex said sympathetically. ''Maybe you'll catch another one.'' Right then, my feet felt wet. I looked down and was horrified at what I saw.
''Guys, look down,'' I said nervously. Everyone looked down and noticed the rising water.
''The tide's coming in!'' Alex's dad exclaimed. ''Get to higher ground now!'' We made a b-line for the stairs as the water rose up to our knees. We went up the stairs and crossed the bridge to another room that was caked in ice.
''It's even colder in here!'' Alice said shivering.
''Be careful, everyone. The ice is very slippery here,'' Alex's father cautioned. ''Proceed SLOWLY.'' We crossed the ice as Alex's dad told us. My feet were slipping like crazy and I was yelling like an idiot. I almost face-planted into the cave wall until Alex caught me by the back of my jacket.
''Thanks Alex,'' I said gratefully.
''Sure!'' Alice said smiling. ''That's what a girlfriend's for!'' Alex and I held hands and made it across followed by Alice and May who fell into the snow.
''You okay, May?'' Alice asked helping her up.
''Yeah, thanks,'' May said spitting out snow.
''Good, because then you can see all of you die!'' a voice said from behind us. We looked and saw Archie who was soaking wet and holding a gun.
''Archie?!'' Alice exclaimed shocked.
''Long time no see, Alice! I see that you are hanging out with these people instead of Team Magma!'' Archie observed.
''What do you want?!'' Alex's dad said coming forward.
''Revenge, of course!'' Archie snapped. ''You all caused the Red Orb to be lost! For that, you all must die! By the way Alice, Alex killed your father didn't she? Why don't you join me and get your revenge? You know you want it.''
''Never! I've had it with evil!'' Alice snapped. ''Get out of my sight!'' Archie growled and shot Alice in the knee causing her to yell in pain.
''Alice!'' all of us exclaimed.
''You monster!'' Alex yelled.
''Don't move or you'll turn into Swiss cheese!'' Archie shouted pointing the gun at Alex.
''You want to get to her, you'll have to go through me!'' Alex's dad said getting in front of Alex protectively.
''Don't mind if I do!'' Archie said smiling wickedly. Archie then shot a bullet into Alex's dad's shoulder causing him to flinch and yell in pain.
''Dad!'' Alex yelled. Archie shot another bullet at Alex's dad's right arm and left shin filling the air with more yelling as he collapsed on the other leg.
''Now, for the killing blow!'' Archie said pointing the gun at Alex's dad's head. Alex suddenly leapt at Archie causing him to miss his shot. Alex punched Archie furiously, took his gun, and pointed it at his head. ''Go ahead missy, shoot me,'' Archie mocked. ''You know you want to.'' Alex had tears of anger streaming down her face and she was shivering with rage. Archie then punched Alex in the groin causing her to howl in pain and clutch the area in pain. Archie then picked up Alex by the neck and pointed the gun to her head.
''ARCHIE! YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!'' I screamed angrily as tears fell from my eyes.
''Make one move and you'll see this girl's brains scatter!'' Archie snarled. I growled angrily at this beast of a man as he held helpless Alex. All of a sudden, a Flash Cannon hit Archie from behind causing him to drop Alex. Alex ran towards us where I hugged her happy that she was safe.
''That was scary,'' Alex whispered to me.
''It's alright, darling. You're safe now,'' I whispered gently. We looked up and saw a dome-shaped Pokémon pick up Archie with its long fingers wrapped around him. Steven came out from behind the Pokémon.
''Good job, Registeel,'' Steven said smiling.
''Steven!'' I exclaimed happily.
''Yeah, long time no see!'' Steven said smiling. ''I heard you guys scream and came running. Now, we can send this horrible man to jail for a long time. C'mon, let's get out of here!''
''But, the tide!'' May said.
''It's down now. But, let's hurry,'' Steven said. I carried Alice bride-style and Alex and May supported Alex's dad as we followed Steven.
*Alex's p.o.v*
We took my dad and Alice to the hospital in Mossdeep. We waited for several hours as they were treated for the gunshot wounds. A doctor came out of the double doors. ''How are they?'' I asked running up to the doctor.
''They'll both be fine,'' the doctor replied smiling. ''They'll both need casts for their legs. The lady will need a couple months at least while your father needs six weeks or so. Also, your father will need a spring for his arm and just a bandage for the other.''
''That's good,'' I said sighing in relief.
''After they get patched up, they're free to go!'' the doctor added.
''Thanks, doctor,'' I said gratefully. ''Can we see them?''
''I'm afraid they're both asleep. I wouldn't disturb them if I were you,'' the doctor answered.
''Alright, thanks,'' I said somewhat disappointed. The doctor then went back through the doors.
''How are they doing?'' Steven asked coming into the room.
''They're going to be fine,'' I answered. ''Thank Arceus you arrived or things could've gotten bad! Did you turn Archie in?''
''Yes,'' Steven replied coolly. ''They'll decide his sentence tomorrow.''
''Good. I couldn't stand to see him hurt Alex,'' Brendan said crossing his arms angrily.
''Don't think about him, Brendan. I'm okay and that's what matters,'' I said hugging him and then kissing him on the lips.
''You're right, Alex,'' Brendan said as I forced myself from his lips. ''I love you.'' Steven chuckled at us.
''Well, I should get going now,'' Steven said. ''Take care, guys.''
''Thanks. You, too,'' I said waving to him as he walked away. ''I should call my mom and tell her what's up.''
''Yeah, she must be worried,'' Brendan agreed.