Chapter 6: Violent Violet (Part 1)
Pandabot: This...this was a pain to write. This chapter really sets the scene for the rest of Johto and Peppy and I really wanna get this right. That is why it took so long to get here. But fear not! This is where the good stuff starts. So once again read and review, if you have any suggestions or complaints. Or praise, that would also be nice. And yes this is a two-part chapter, it felt too long to just put in one
As the pair ascended the hilly track, its rugged coat of trees and tussock began to fray; rural sections and small houses began to dot the hillside while the gnarled dirt track became smooth and paved. The road split as suburban streets sprung up along the hillside.
"It looks like Violet City centre is only 15 miles west of here…"
Lyra was inspecting a slightly worn sign at the intersection. "Must just be over the hill!" she exclaimed, turning keenly to JT before setting off for the plateau.
The road began to level out as the pair approached the summit. Violet's impressive vista unfurled before them – their vantage point allowed them a view of the city nestled between the hills below. The new day's sun had mirrored their ascent; it hung in the clear sky, highlighting the expansive tableau of jumbled apartment blocks and suburban streets, with modern glass towers rising above the confusion. Swooping lines of carrier Spearows added to the frantic hum that radiated from the city.
"Is that…smoke?' JT asked uneasily, spotting a thick line of bellowing smoke rising from the other side of Violet. Lyra returned JT's concern and answered with a nervous shrug.
The pair took one last glance at the ground they had covered; like a plush Persian rug, the blanketing forests of Newbark and Cherrygrove were rolled out to the edge of the southern coast. JT and Lyra left the sight behind as they descended through the hilly suburbs and into the heart of Violet.
"Hm. That's...interesting" the tall man mused, reading over the message he had just received. A tiny cough, almost unnoticeable, came from his right. He sighed.
"Tell him I will do it for our usual price...with a bonus for its success" he said, gaining a shark-like smile. The young messenger wasted no time and, clearly intimidated by the tall figure, sped out the door with the short message.
The dark eyed man tapped his finger against his leg thoughtfully.
"This could be fun."
By midday, JT and Lyra had plunged into Violet's centre. The sprawling streets were banked with worn but sprightly apartment blocks and towering, cliff-like concrete office blocks; they swam with people and pokemon alike. A procession of carrier Spearows shot up each side of each street, filling the mail pipes that jutted from every building like knurled chimneys. At a construction site, a foreman directed a team of Geodudes shifting heavy materials. Many people simply commuted with pokemon companions. There seemed to be an air of panic as the tower of smoke billowed high above Violet. Shrill speakers hanging from the lamp posts blared what sounded like an emergency radio broadcast.
'All Rockets...above report to...eat...Rank Two...report...Junction', JT could make it out in fits and starts only…
Lyra pulled JT into a bustling arcade crowded with stalls and shoppers – many of the stall owners were accompanied by exotic pokemon, presumably to attract attention. A Mr. Mime stumbled awkwardly up to the pair, shoving a basket of berries into JT's hands and tugging at his wrists a little too jerkily.
"Uh…sorry I.." he stammered, taken aback somewhat.
Lyra, who's attention was elsewhere, dragged JT out of the Mr. Mime's grasp (much to the despair of the down-on-his-luck pokemon) and urged his attention to the impressive sight just before them. Beyond a small cluster of people, a large, elegant Ninetails was parked in the middle of the arcade, lolling its jet-black eyes to and fro, a nonchalant motion mirrored by its sleek, golden tails.
"Oh look…isn't it jus-" JT's stern hand on her shoulder stopped her as the Ninetails' owner slunk into view. He was swathed in a jet black uniform with a tight black cap. He strutted around the small clearing in the crowd that formed around him. He was certainly not a stall owner. He shot a cold look at JT and Lyra, shattering their captivated stares and flashing the red 'R' emblazoned across the front of his cap.
"Let's just keep moving…we should probably go check in at a Pokemon Center" muttered JT anxiously to Lyra, as they shuffled past the Rocket Grunt who was accosting a man for the contents of his shopping bags while his Ninetails looked on, seemingly unmoved. "Then we can decide our next move."
The pair poured out into another main street again to be greeted by a peculiar sight – all the way down the road the sea of pedestrians was parting as they fled into narrow side streets. The cause of the panic became clear as a rush of people swept past JT and Lyra into the arcade they had just passed through – a wave of around thirty Rocket's, some riding steaming Gravellers, some running with their vicious Raticate, were barreling down the street.
JT, who had crept onto the paved road to get a view of the oncoming gang, was sent stumbling back into Lyra's unsure arms as the Rocket's bolted past them without notice. They barely had time to gather themselves before a cold voice rose from behind them.
"Tell me…do you kids have anywhere to be?"
JT and Lyra snapped around to the steely gaze of the Rocket Grunt from the arcade; his Ninetails was perched serenely behind him. Lyra spoke up:
"We were actually wanting to go to a Pokemon Centre…but we appear to be lost." The Rocket narrowed his eyes as Lyra continued. "You…couldn't give us some directions could you?" she asked with all the nerve she could muster.
The Rocket responded coolly. "The closest Pokemon Center is just a few blocks that way, on the corner of Fielding and Arrow street. You kid's better have some cash on you."
The Rocket marched off in the opposite direction with his pokemon in tow; pedestrians were beginning to flood the deserted street again, shooting anxious looks at the destination of the Rockets – the tower of smoke. JT shot a look of admiration at Lyra which coaxed a nervous smirk from his companion.
"Let's just get going shall we?" she uttered bashfully before setting off.
"Totodile! Use Bite!" a red-headed boy called out, a runnel of sweat trickling down his face. The tall figure facing him across the battlefield tutted in disappointment, "Bad move Silver". His Arcanine leapt across the field at high-speed, flattening the small crocodile before it could lock its jaws on it.
The Totodile rolled backwards, coming to a halt against Silver's leg, quite clearly unconcious. He glared up at the tall figure and his growling Arcanine, "Well its a little difficult to call a good move when I know your Arcanine is just gonna hammer him before he can use it" he snapped, cradling the lolling head of his Totodile. The tall figure chuckled in amusement, "Perhaps...but Arcanine is not so good at dealing with ranged attacks," he mused, stepping forward to pat the shaggy head of his pokemon.
Silver frowned in thought, "So what? Water Gun?" he asked. The figure chuckled again, "Well I would certainly hope that Arcanine can deal with a Water Gun but that's the idea, yes". As Silver frowned again, lifting Totodile into his arms, the figure spoke again, "Although you do make a good point. Perhaps I should set you against a more evenly-matched opponent".
Silver grinned, "Thank you sir" he said. The figure waved a hand dismissively as he laughed, the sound echoing around the gym, "Please Silver, I have told you before. Call me Jericho" he said, turning and leading his Arcanine out of the gym.
"Can I help you two?" JT turned and faced the Nurse Joy at the counter, smiling at the familiar sight.
"Uh, hey. Yeah we want a place to spend the night thanks" he responded politely.
Nurse Joy (though her face showed none) cast an appraising eye over Lyra and then, raising an eyebrow, spoke dryly:
"Bit young to be selling yourself aren't ya?"
There was a shocked silence. JT gaped at the brazen Nurse Joy. Then the room exploded.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?" Lyra shrieked, deafening JT in his left ear. As he stumbled away clutching his ear in agony, Lyra stormed forward, pinning Nurse Joy in place with her glare. She ripped Marill's pokeball from her belt and released her blue, mouse-like partner. She then leaped onto the counter that separated the two and grabbed Nurse Joy by her collar.
"WELL?" she screeched.
"Okay that's enough!"
A hand grabbed Lyra's shoulder and tore her away from her glare at Nurse Joy. JT caught her eyes with his own, surprised to see tears building in her eyes. Her Marill stood, utterly confused at the situation, its gaze switching between the three motionless humans. The silence was suddenly shattered as Lyra called Marill back to its pokeball and fled out of the doors; JT just caught her sob as she disappeared into the crowds.
He swung around, fixing Nurse Joy with a filthy look, and then chased after her. Nurse Joy slid down the wall behind the counter, a terrified look still on her face.
Lyra pushed through the crowds, feeling the tears spill over her eyelids; she was ashamed of herself, it was such a stupid thing to get upset about. Slowing to a walk near an empty park she began to think.
Lyra was snapped out of her reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps. She snapped her head up and saw the red-headed boy they were after with a cocky smirk on his face.
"You!" she gasped, her expression hardening. With eyes fixed on the boy, she tensely reached for her pokeballs on her belt. He retained his smirk.
"Hurry up, I don't wanna have to wait all day" he drawled as Elm's Totodile stepped out from behind his legs. With a flick of the wrist, Lyra threw out her first pokemon Marill. The Totodile adopted a more battle-ready stance.
Silver smirked. Well this won't take long he thought. "Totodile! Bite!"
Totodile leapt forward, jaws snapped open in preparation for the attack; Lyra jumped at the small pokemon's ferocity.
"Marill! Use Water Gun!" she called out. Marill quickly shot out a jet of water at the charging Totodile; the Totodile slowed and stopped, looking disbelievingly back at his trainer. Silver grinned at Lyra.
"Are you kidding me? You attack a water-type with a Water Gun?" he said scornfully.
Lyra glared at him. "Marill use Tackle!"
Marill charged at Totodile who's back was still turned, ready to ram it with its shoulder. Silver frowned.
"Step left" he said boredly.
Just as Marill was about to ram Totodile it stepped alertly to the left, sending Marill tumbling to the ground as its attack missed. Seeming to almost sigh with boredom, Totodile leapt onto the back of Lyra's Marill and clamped his jaws on its head. Marill yelled out in pain as the Totodile tightened its jaws.
"Marill! No!" Lyra yelled. She quickly pointed Marill's pokeball in the direction of the struggling duo. A flash of red later and Marill was safely in its pokeball. Silver sighed in boredom.
"Come on hurry up" he said to Lyra as she cradled her next pokeball in her hands.
Shooting him a glare she tossed the pokeball into the air, with a flash of white light Chikorita emerged, tossing the leaf on its head haughtily. Silver began to laugh.
"Oh that's one of the ones I rejected! It's got no chance against Totodile!" he said mockingly, in between laughter.
Lyra glared at the teen before barking out an order - "Chikorita! Razor Leaf!"
Chikorita jumped into the air and swung its leaf, sending tens of leaves spinning towards Totodile. Totodile was caught off guard and was struck by the attack, taking numerous hits from the leaves. Totodile cried out in pain and swung around to face Chikorita. Its eyes were glowing an ominous yellow. Silver smiled coldly.
"You just managed to activate Totodile's special ability. Essentially it allows me to do this," he stated smarmily. "Totodile! Water Gun!"
Totodile bared its teeth at the intimidated Chikorita and then threw its head back. A split second later it threw its head forward, opening its jaws to shoot a massive stream of water that sent Chikorita flying to collide heavily with a lamp post.
"Chikorita!" Lyra cried out, running over to pick up her battered pokemon. She cradled it in her arms, gently rocking the pokemon as it cooed weakly at her. Behind her a sneering voice piped up.
"Pathetic."
A quick burst of water slammed into her, knocking her off balance, before the sound of retreating footsteps drew her eyes to the thief. He calmly slipped away into the crowded streets.
"Lyra! Lyra!"
A voice called out and the sound of running footsteps reached her as JT emerged from another street and into the park. He stopped just in front of her and knelt down, taking the weak pokemon from her arms and gently lifting her to her feet. With Lyra following in his footsteps he began to retrace his steps back to the Pokemon Center.
Pandabot: So once again we have another pretty important chapter, plenty of things going on. Hopefully you all got to see a bit more character development and a bit more scene setting. With any luck we'll have the second part up soon. So 'till next time!