Chapter 27
A Near Travesty
"Pull up!" I screamed. "Bill! Pull up! Pull up! We're going in too fast!"
The airship was dropping altitude while still going at full speed. Dead ahead of us, no more than about five miles away was in Indigo Plateau, where the world championship 'Pokemon Master' cup is going to be held. The ships landing gear was blown off, being released too early, and all the sirens, beeps, and cautionary ventilations were going haywire.
"I can't pull up!" Bill screamed back.
"Why not?" I screamed over the noises of the ship. "Too strong?"
"Not… exactly…." With that Bill pulled up the broken and unattached throttle. "I kinda… broke it!"
"How did you 'kinda' break it? What the heck did you do?" I watched as the League came close and closer. "Bill! If we can't stop we need to at least miss the League!"
"How?"
"Fly over the dang thing! I don't care!"
"We can't!" Bill said. "We're going down! I can't stop it!"
I stood there for a moment and watched little specks of people running away as the airship was flying right at the League. "Darn!" I grabbed Pichu from the passenger seat and shoved him in my book bag, grabbing my cane and running as fast as my legs could limp out the door. "Bill! Move your big butt!"
"What are you going to do?" He asked as I reached for two pokeballs, throwing them out the window as Dragonite and Pidgeot flew beside us.
I grabbed Bill's shoulder and shoved him out the open door as Pidgeot caught him. "Get him out of here!" I screamed to her as she took off. I then put one hand on the door as Dragonite let me on her back. We took off in the air. "Get under it!" I screamed. As she flew under the ship I held on tight to her neck. "Now! Turn upside down and use Hyper Beam on it!" I felt Dragonite's body turn over, leaving my legs hanging down off of her. The knife wound in my back tore, causing blood to seep out and stain my shirt.
I felt her muscles tense up as the powerful attack shot out of her mouth. It hit the ship, cutting through the lower decks and causing it to pull up, but only a little. I looked in front of us, the League was getting bigger. "Again!" I called out, and as I did I watched as other trainers joined me. Another Dragonite and its trainer flew up beside me, giving me a wave as they too turned over, releasing a Hyper Beam attack, doing about the same thing that my attack did. I turned to the left, feeling some heat hit me as a trainer and their Charizard came to help. The Charizard also turned on its back, blasting the ship with a massive Fire Blast that gave the ship more lift.
Before long more and more trainers joined in. Charizards, Pidgeots, Fearows, a Togekiss, and even a group of Butterfrees. As all of us worked together the ship was soon soaring over the League, and crashed in the ocean behind the training grounds, far out of harms way.
Dragonite turned me back around as I reached around for my back. "Ah, crap…" I said as she landed on the ground. I was feeling dizzy, light headed. I rolled off of her back, falling on the ground as I pulled my hand away from my back. I looked at my hand. It looked so… strange. I heard footsteps all around me as trainers flooded me.
"Are you alright?" A man asked, turning me over.
"My God." Another one said.
"He's hurt!" A girl screamed. "Get a doctor over here!"
I brushed them away as I struggled to stand, forcing myself up on my cane. "I'm fine." I said, noticing that my hand was covered in blood. I watched as blood began to drop from my shirt, staining the black wood on the cane.
"Move out of the way!" I heard Bill say as he flew in on Pidgeot, landing right beside me. "Kyle! Kyle! Can you hear me?"
"Yeah… why? Stop screaming."
"Hang on." He said, but, then everything went fuzzy.
***_-Scene Change-_***
My eyes batted open as I glanced around the white room. The walls were not really walls at all, they were a cloth, and, well, lets just say that I could already figure out where I was.
"Hey, you're up." Bill said, walking over to the bed.
"Bill…" I groaned.
"Hey, chill man." He patted me on the shoulder. "You pulled your stitching out, lost a lot of blood and passed out."
"Bill…" I leaned up, still feeling a little dizzy. "How is it, every time, when it is related with you, I end up… in the freakin hospital?"
"Chill." He looked around then back to me. "You had an 'A Class III Hemorrhage'. You know what that means?"
"I don't know, and I don't care." I groaned.
"It means you lost over 30% of your blood and passed out." Bill then walked over to a stack of clothes in a chair. "Here." He tossed them to me. "You have been out for a few hours. Doctor said all you needed was some sleep and more blood. They pumped you up and told me that you're free to go when you come to." He pulled back the curtain. "Oh yeah, Kyle?"
"Yeah?"
"You've got a line out there waiting on you. Seems you're pretty famous around here."
"Oh great." I groaned.
"Hmph." He smiled. "I thought you'd like that."
"Wait! Where is Pichu? And my stuff?"
"Oh yeah." Bill turned around, digging into his pocket as he threw me a key. "I already got us checked in. Hope you don't mind us sharing a room, I couldn't get two on such late notice. And besides, for some odd reason the 'returning champion' gets the fancy housing. I couldn't miss out on that." He then turned away. "I put all your stuff and pokemon in there. Come over and see us when you're ready." With that he pulled the curtain shut and walked out.
I looked down, noticing I was in a hospital gown, again, but still had on my boxers. "Oh well." I groaned, looking at the clothes Bill picked out. "Oh, come on. Bill, I am not going to wear this." I threw down the yellow striped polo and tan shorts on the bed as I walked out of the room in my gown. With my cane in hand, Arcanine's pokeball on, and my muddy as sin tennis shoes, I walked down the hall, making my way to the nurse's station. I walked up, looking at them as they glanced up.
"Oh, well I hope you are feeling better, Mr. Gray." The young lady smiled.
"Yeah, that's great." I brushed her off. "Hey, where is the nearest PC system?"
"Are you feeling okay, Mr. Gray?" She questioned.
"Yes, I'm fine, now where is the PC? I would like to get dressed if you don't mind."
"Your friend Bill said he dropped you off some clothes." She then typed away at the computer in front of her before turning back to face me. "Did you not get them?"
"No, I got them. Now where is the PC?"
"Were they not adequate?"
"Darnit, woman!" I slammed my hand down on the desk. "Where is the freakin' PC?"
"It's right there." She pointed down the hall. I turned my head, looking behind me and seeing a big sign that said "Personal Computer STATIONS" in neon letters.
"Thanks." I turned away, heading down the hall.
"Um sir!" The lady stood up. "Mr. Gray."
"Argg…" I turned around. "What?"
"It is our goal here at the Indigo Plateau to provide our customers with courteous and timely answers and customer support. Would you say that your visit met those standards?"
I stood there, looking at her confused for a moment. Is she making fun of me?
"Sir?"
"I'm sorry!" I said, limping over to the PCs. "I'm going through a tunnel, I'm losing ya'! I'll call you back later."
"Smart-aleck." She spat, sitting back down and typing away at her computer. "I don't know why I even try."
"Yeah, nether do I." I groaned, pulling up a seat and plugging in my information. "Now lets see. Item storage. And… yeah, those… and… might as well get that too… alright." After I made my selection I clicked the transfer button. In the slot an item holder appeared, which I took and limped down the hall into the bathroom, where I changed into my new outfit.
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Yeah, this feels great!" I said, walking on to the elevator. I was wearing my old beat up blue jeans with frays on the bottoms. The biker boots were so comfy, and so much better than those worn out tennis shoes I had been wearing for months. The white tee was also old, but only worn in, not dirty. And the biker jacket, ah, that thing never got old. The glasses Bill gave me just made it look even better, and the black gloves always fit me like a charm. I would have to admit though, the cane was a little out of place, but hey, I'm starting to get used to it. All I need now is a monocle and about fifty years tagged onto me. I'm going to be sportin' when I get old.
I pushed the button on the elevator, taking me down to the lobby. I guess I did expect to see a crowd, from what Bill said, but what waited for me when I opened the door shocked me more than I would have thought. When the door opened, close to a hundred trainers, cameramen, news stations, people of all ages, and even the faculty of the hospital were all over the lobby. As I stepped out they all jumped up, running up to me and screaming at me.
"What an entrance, Mr. Gray!" A reporter said, shoving a microphone in my face. "Tell me, was that part of your plan this year?"
"Mr. Gray!" Another reporter said, "Is it true you traveled all of Johto in 6 months?"
"I love you Kyle!" This girl trainer came up to me in her little pigtails as she blinded me with the flash of her camera.
"Ahh…" I said, trying to shield my eyes.
"Have my babies Kyle!" This creepy fat guy said as he ran up to me and gave me a hug.
I hit him with my cane. "Get off me." I groaned. "All of you, go away." I said, but it was greatly undertoned by all the noise in the room. "Get lost!" I screamed, but nothing happened again. "I said-"
"Slllaaaaasssshhhh!" Everyone went quiet as a giant Sandslash appeared in the room.
"I'ma thinkin' that Mr. Gray here has somethin' he wants to say'." This fairly large country bumpkin said. He was wearing a brown hide cowboy hat with some wheat hanging out of his mouth with a crooked looking smile. "Well? Heck, go on."
I took a breath as everyone looked at me. "I'm not going to answer any questions now. I am tired, it's late," I looked at the clock to see it was almost 3am. "and I don't care what you have to tell me. If you are a trainer I'm sure you will fight me sometime in the next two weeks. If you are a news crew I'm sure you will interview me sometime as well. If you're some kind of crazy fan… well… I don't know. Just, everyone leave."
"You heard the guy." The hick said as him and his Sandslash motioned every one away. "Get goin'. You can see him' later. Get outta' here!"
One by one the people left, leaving the lobby as I took a deep breath. Once everyone was gone the guy came over to me. He wore a button-up shirt, plaid, tucked into his wranglers with a giant belt bucket on. Something else I noticed, around his neck was a pink bandana with little Miltank on it. He looked so familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Name's Travis." The guy said as his spit out the piece of wheat.
I groaned. "Sorry, I'm not really in a situation to make friends right now. I don't have too good of a record of that, if you know what I mean."
"Hey, come on." He smiled. "That's how you thank some one for helpin' ya?"
"Listen, Travis." I stopped as I walked out the door. "I've had a heck of a day. You want to hit me up with something, do it tomorrow."
"So where's your cottage?"
I reached into my pocket, pulling out the key and holding it up to the street light as I began to walk again. "Champion Housing." I said, shoving the key back in my pocket. "Wherever that is."
"Oh, I see now." He laughed. "So, you're the Mr. Gray? Tha' Pokemon Master. That's why all those people were in there."
"So. I take it you're not one of those stupid fan people?"
"Nope." He smiled. "Just some country bumpkin trying to make a girl happy." He then put a hand on my shoulder as he pointed up to the housing. "Your place is right-ched there. The big one upfront."
"Wow." The thing was huge! A lot bigger than the one me and Shonna stayed in last time.
"Yep. I've been here for about three weeks already. Got to know this place pretty well." He then walked off. "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you around. You take care, kay?"
"Yeah. You too."
I walked up to the house. It had a lot more to offer than the regular four room little town houses that the other trainers stayed in. This place even had it's own lawn! Given that it was only about twenty feet of a lawn, but it was a lawn nonetheless. The porch was wooden, with a little swing outside, overlooking the trainer's battle field. The door to the place was white, and the walls on the outside had windows that looked out over the entire place.
I fumbled with the key, putting it into the lock and walking in. Inside it was evident it was more than four rooms. The first thing I saw was a large staircase, that went up to the second floor. The living room was huge as well, probably the size of any regular one of the town houses. There were chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and marble titles in the kitchen, the full size kitchen.
"Wow." I smiled. "I like how they treat the Champions here."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Bill said from behind me. I turned around, looking at him as he drank milk out of a glass jar, something I have only seen in the movies. On top of that he was wearing a fleece bathrobe with the words, 'Pokemon Master' embroidered on it. "They got a Jacuzzi!"
"That's great." I said, walking by him as I went to go upstairs.
"Hey, don't worry!" He shouted. "There's one in your room too!"
"Really?" I asked, turning around and watching him come up the stairs.
"Yeah, come on." He walked on by me. "I'll show you your room."
I followed him as he led me upstairs. To the left I saw two rooms, and to the right two more. In each one, I'm guessing, because I only went into mine, there was a master's bed, plasma screen TV and a hallway that lead into a master's bathroom with a Jacuzzi that doubled as a shower, if needed.
"Wow." I said, flopping down on the bed.
"Piiiii!" I heard Pichu yawn. I turned over, looking at the pillows on the bed as I saw Pichu raise up. He had one of those eye covers on his eyes, except the thing was too big, so only one half of it covered his whole face.
"Bwahaha!" I laughed at him.
"Pi?" Pichu lifted it off of his eyes as he put on a smile. He threw the eye cover off of his head and ran over to me. "Pi! Pichu!" He leapt into my arms, giving me a hug as he laid there on my chest.
"Man…" I looked up to the ceiling, watching as the lights glimmered off the brass of the chandelier. "Two days ago, I never thought I would be here." I then frowned. "Nor, one year ago. At least, not like this." I then stood up, holding Pichu in my arm as I limped over to the lights, turning them off, and heading to bed.
***_-Scene Change-_***
Ever since that incident with Ricky, my sleeping pills were destroyed when I fell into the water. Though, I cant really explain it, but, I think I may be coping with the fact that Shonna is gone, and that she is never coming back. I have slept without dreams, those horrible dreams of her leaving me at the docks, finding some other guy that treats her like crap, and let's not forget the ones where she is cursing my name. All of those are now memories, and it seems as if I will never have to revisit them again.
I woke up to the sound of trainers calling out orders. I guess with the competition only being seven days away they want to get as much practice in as possible. The sun was already up, and the clock on the nightstand read 10:27am. I rolled over, pulling the red bed comforter off of me, tossing it on Pichu as he squirmed in bed, dreaming about something.
"Yaaa!" I yawned, raising up as Pichu did the same, almost mimicking the way I stretched.
"Piiii!" He stretched, then ran over to me, hopping on my shoulder.
"Hey." I smiled, scratching behind his ear. "Have a good sleep, bud?"
"Pi! Pi-chu!" He squeaked, burrowing his head into my hair.
"Eah…" I winced. Gosh, something smells bad. I tilted my head around, sniffing Pichu. "Phew!" I pulled him back, holding him in my hands far away. "Wow, kid. You smell bad. Like Kabutops kinda bad." I then chuckled. "Lets go hop in the shower, okay?"
"Pi…" Pichu held his head down in a glum way.
"Oh come on." I laughed as we made our way down the hall to the bathroom. "You need it!"
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Piiiiii-cha!" Pichu shook off in the towel that I held him in.
"Hey." I laughed. "Chill. Let me get you dried off." I rustled the towel over him, scrubbing and drying and then pulled it away fast.
"Pi…." Pichu groaned as he looked in the mirror. The little yellow mouse looked more like a puffed up Mareep.
"Oh, Pichu!" I laughed. "It doesn't look that bad! You look just like mom when she gets a new perm!"
"Pi! Pi! Pi!" He shook his head violently as he began to lick his paw and pat his hair down like a cat.
"Well, while you do that I'm going to get dressed." I smiled, walking back into the bedroom with a towel draped around me. I opened up my bag, pulling out my belt, change of clothes, and all six of my pokeballs.
I kept the same white shirt as before, but it was a little too hot for the leather jacket, so I swapped that out for my green one I wore in Kanto. The boots were always comfy, and so were those worn in jeans. The cane, well, I left that behind. I don't think I need anymore, honestly. I have been limping a lot, but, I think I'll be fine without it. I also put the gloves back up because, once again, it was rather warm over here.
When both me and Pichu were done we walked out of the door, him on my shoulder, as always.
"Hey." Bill said. He was waiting outside my door, foot propped up on the wall with this hands behind his head.
"How long have you been out here?" I asked as Pichu ran up on my head.
"Oh, just a few minutes." He kicked off the wall as we walked down the hall. "Heard your shower going so I figured it wouldn't take you too long to get ready." He then looked at me as we walked down the stairs, me holding onto the railing. "So what happened to the cane? Not need it any more?"
"Nah. I feel a lot better." I smiled. "Don't think I really needed it anyway. Oh yeah, that reminds me, when did the doctors say the stitches needed to come out?"
"Oh, they said that those are the kind that dissolve after you are healed. They said about five days and you'll be as good as new."
"That's great." I followed Bill as we went into the kitchen.
"So." He said, sitting at the table. "Are we going to eat one of Kyle Gray's world famous breakfasts?"
"Nope." I smiled, reaching into the cabinet pulling out two bowls. "Actually, it's been kinda a tradition for me. First morning here I always enjoy some of the complementary cereal they offer." Bill gave me a blank face as I put the bowl in front of him on the table.
"You're kidding? Cereal?"
I walked back over to the fridge, pulling out a fresh gallon of milk and then over to the cabinet again, pulling out the frosted flakes. "Hey, you try eating nothing but camp fire cooked meals for six months, then you will appreciate the little things."
"Yeah, well, I live at home and eat cereal every day." As I was pouring my bowl he stood up, grabbing his tie as he draped it over his shoulder. "Sorry, Kyle, but I'm going out to the food court. I'll catch up to you later, okay?"
"Sure." I waved to him, pouring the milk. "I'll see you later. Have fun."
"Later! Oh yeah, I forgot. I already got you registered for the league, they said they will give you your battle times via PC transition in your box. " I watched him leave the kitchen then head for the door. I continued eating as I heard the door open, but then he started talked to someone. "What?"
"Mr. Gray? Is he available?" I heard a girl's voice.
"Yes, but he is eating." Bill spoke. "I'm sorry but you will have to wait until he is done. He will be out shortly." Then the door shut, and it was silent.
"So…" I chomped down another bite of cereal as Pichu poured out the box on the table, picking up little pieces of flakes and munching away at them. "Let the interviews begin." Raising up from my unfinished bowl I walked over to the door. I put my hand on the knob, taking a deep breath as I opened the door. Outside, on the porch, I saw a woman, about three or so years older than me, in a blazer type business suit, skirt combo. She had her back to me, but I could tell she was practicing some lines she was going to say by the way her short brown hair and head were bobbing around. In front of her, standing with a camera facing me, was a guy in a plain white T-shirt, some baggy cargo shorts, and this red ball cap which was turned around backwards on his head. I smiled as he pointed to me, making the woman stop talking to herself and turn to face me.
"How long have you two been standing out here?" I asked.
"Excuse us, Mr. Gray." The woman spoke somewhat nervously. "I am Jane with the Jubilife News crew, and we were wondering if we could get an interview with the Kanto Champion, Mr. Kyle Gray."
"Hmph." I smiled. "Well, you still haven't answered my question."
"We have been out here five hours, sir." The cameraman spoke up, lowering the camera.
"Charlie!" Jane spat. "Pick up that camera! We need this recorded."
"Haha." I chuckled as I opened the door. "Well, come on in. You can interview me while I eat my breakfast."
"But…" Jane stopped at the door. "Mr. Gray…"
"Please, call me Kyle." I smiled.
"Alright, Kyle. But we are not allowed in there." She then pointed her finger into the building. "We were told that we were only allowed on the public area."
"Ever heard of 'Freedom of the Press'?" I asked, motioning them to follow me into the kitchen. "I of all people should know that news crews don't stop for anything." I sat down, watching then walk into the house and pan the camera around in all directions, then back to Jane.
"This is Jane with Jubilife News, and I am reporting to you from inside the Pokemon Champion Housing here at the Indigo Plateau in Kanto. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that very few individuals ever get to see. We at the Jubilife News have been given special permission by Kyle Gray himself, the Pokemon Master, so forth proclaimed at the Kanto League Championships last year, to interview him in this rare location. Now, if you will follow me into the kitchen area, we will begin the interview." She walked towards me, motioning for Charlie to follow. When they both got in there, however, Pichu began to squirm inside of the box. "Umm… what's that?" She said, pointing at the cereal box that was moving on the table.
"Oh, sorry." I smiled, sticking my hand in the box and pulling out Pichu. I saw Charlie jump a little as I brushed off the small frosted flakes from his yellow fur, putting him on my head as I kept talking. "This is Pichu. I take it he likes this cereal too."
"So, you eat, 'Froslass Frosted Flakes', Mr. Gray?" Jane asked, picking up the box and then putting it back down on the table. "Would you say it is your breakfast of choice?"
"I really don't know." I slurped at the bowl of milk. "You see, being on the road most of the time getting gym badges, you cant bring cereal along with you. What I normally eat is camp fire cooked meals that I share with my pokemon."
"Speaking of your pokemon, are you partial to any specific type?"
"Um.. what do you mean?" I asked, eating the last of the cereal before pushing the bowl to the side.
"Well, do you prefer water types, fire types, grass types?"
"I really don't fill comfortable saying that at this time." I smiled. "With it being so close to the competition someone might be able to use that against me."
"Well how about another question? How many pokemon do you currently own right now?"
"I currently have 14… I mean, 13." I then frowned a little as I remembered Magcargo, and Ricky.
"13. Well, it seems as if you have over doubled what you had from last year's competition. Would you say that your new pokemon have made your party stronger?"
"Oh course." I smiled. "But, I don't have to tell you that. You can see for yourself if you stick around for another two weeks."
"So, you feel confident about your abilities during this year's league championship?"
"I don't know. Honestly you can't ever know how things are going to turn out. That is one of the lessons I have learned in my travels this year."
"Speaking of your travels." Jane shoved the microphone in my face. "I am sure that all of your fans would love to know something. Is it true, Mr. Gray, that you made it through all of Johto, collecting all the badges, in six months?"
"Yeah." I sighed. "It's true."
"Mr. Gray, could you explain to us the difficulties you encountered along the way?"
Difficulties? I thought. Lets see, I made a friend who stole all of my pokemon, was a serial killer, and I almost died. Yeah, I really want to tell that story.
"Mr. Gray?"
"I'm sorry." I said, standing up. "I am done with this interview."
"But, Mr. Gray?"
"Please." I walked in the living room, holding the door opened as I motioned them out.
"Okay, cut it Charlie." Jane motioned the 'cut throat' signal as she walked over to me. "Thank you, Kyle." She nodded and then they both walked out.
"Ahh.." I sighed as I shut the door.
"Pi?" Pichu looked down at me from my head, poking his little face in front of mine.
"Oh nothing." I smiled, walking into the kitchen and picking up my bowl from the table. I went over to the sink, turning on the water and began to wash the bowl out. There was a dishwasher beside the sink, but I never knew how to work those stupid things. Besides, it's much easier and faster just to do it by hand.
When I was done with the bowl I put it back up, as well as the spoon, grabbed my book bag from the table and walked to the door. Pichu, for whatever reason, jumped off my shoulder and ran upstairs. I watched as the little mouse stopped half way up. "I'm going out, little bud. Are you going to stay here?"
"Pi!" He nodded, running up more stairs.
"Alright, I'll be back in a few." I waved my hand as I turned the knob. When I opened the door Jane and Charlie were gone, but they were replaced by something, or rather someone else that was just as unexpected.
"So, ya feel like makin' friends with me today?" Travis said through a lip of chewing tobacco.
"I'll have to think about it." I walked out, letting the door shut behind me as I walked off the porch.
"I bet that it's nice in that house." Travis said, following behind me. "I got to share my place with four people, and it's bout the same size as your yard."
"Hey I went through the same thing last year." I smiled. "If you would of got here earlier then you could have got a house to yourself."
"I've been here for almost a month! How much earlier you get here before?"
"Me and…" I paused. "Me and the person I was traveling with got here about two or three months before the competition."
"Well, I bet that's only cause Kanto is easier than Johto." Travis said, kicking up some dirt as I followed the path behind the Champion Housing, which led to the training ground. "You know, everyone says that."
"Well, it took me three more months to travel Kanto then it did Johto, so you do the math."
"So why are you here?" Travis asked, changing the subject.
"That's one of life's great mysteries. Why am I here?"
"What?" He looked at me funny. "I mean why'd you come here? Why compete this year?"
"Oh…" I walked beside one of the fields, taking a seat on the bench and watching a Crobat and Nidoking go at it. "I don't know. I guess, a girl."
"Yeah, me too." He smiled. "She told me if I win, she'll go steady with me."
"Hmph." I smiled. "Mine left me alone on the docks." What? Why did I just say that? I haven't told that to anyone, why tell it to him? I don't even know this guy!
"Oh. So that's the story." He chuckled as he turned to look at me, then he laughed more.
"What the heck is your problem?" I narrowed my eyebrows.
"Oh nothing." He laughed. "How bout this," he stood up as he brushed off his wranglers. "I'll tell you all about it later. As for now, we'll keep in touch." With that he smiled a crooked smile and walked away with a wave. "Catch ya' later, slick."
I grit my teeth as he walked out of sight. "What does he know? As if he could even comprehend what all I have been through." I looked down to my belt, pulling off a pokeball as I let it sit in my hand. "Speaking of which, I guess I should try to work things out with you." I gripped onto the ball as I tossed it out in front of me. A bright red light appeared and out came Primeape.
"Prime…" Primeape glared, turning around to face me with red eyes that almost looked like they were glowing.
"Listen, bud," I started off, putting a hand up to try to calm him. "I know that a lot has happened, and I just want to say that I'm-"
"PRIMEAPE!" Primeape screamed so loud that trainers turned to look. He began to run at me, leaping into the air and focusing his fist into a Mega Punch.
"Whoa!" I jumped, rolling on the ground as the punch came down and landed on the bench I was just sitting at. The punch went through the wood, causing splinters to fly out in all directions. I reached for the pokeball around my neck as Primeape began to charge again. He ran at me, leaping into the air again with another Mega Punch, but as he was coming down, Arcanine appeared between us.
Primeape fell into Arcanine, and then fell to the ground. He looked up at Arcanine, growling. "Prrrriimmmeee…"
"Arrr…" Arcanine snarled, causing embers to sizzle on the ground. With that, Primeape turned his head, and walked over to his Pokeball. He put his fist to it, and he was sucked back inside.
I looked around, and saw all the trainers looking at me as I struggled to stand.
"Here." I looked up to this boy who was offering his hand to me. "Let me help you."
"Thanks." I smiled, taking his hand as he pulled me up.
"Man, I thought you were toast."
"Nah." I said, placing my hand on Arcanine's mane. "Not with my trusty Arcanine."
"So, what happened?" The boy walked over to Primeape's pokeball and picked it up. "I have never seen a pokemon do that to a trainer before." He then walked over to me, placing it in my hand. "How long have you had it?"
"About year now, I guess." I put the ball back on my belt as I patted on Arcanine, who lowered down for me. "Well, thanks." I smiled. "But I need to be heading to the pokecenter."
"Don't mention it." He smiled. "Anything to help a Pokemon Master."
I nodded, and then nudged Arcanine to turn away. When my back was to the boy I rolled my eyes. Man, is everyone going to refer to me as that? You know, I do have a name. I guess I should expect it though. I am the returning champion, I suppose I am somewhat of a role model for those kids as well.
The ride to the pokecenter was short, with the location being only about an eighth of a mile away. But during this trip I couldn't help but thing about Primeape. He obviously isn't going to listen to me, I mean, he wouldn't even let me get a word in without attacking me. But that isn't what's bothering me. What is bothering me is what Articuno said yesterday, before the gym match…
"-Articuno looked at me blankly before nodding. "Kyle, I am so very proud of you right now."
"What?" I asked. "Why?"
"Because you have finally realized you have met your match with a pokemon."-"
I have met my match? Articuno wouldn't say that unless she foresaw that I would be having problems with Primeape. She also wouldn't say she was proud of me unless I caught on to something faster than I was supposed to. That would mean that she saw Primeape wouldn't listen to me, and never will. She saw that he… would never trust me again.
When Arcanine arrived at the pokecenter I hopped off of his back and recalled him. Walking in I noticed the place was packed. Trainers all over the place, running and scrambling to the PC's and the front desk.
"When do you fight?" A little boy asked another, as they both looked on one of the PC's together.
"It's not up yet!" The other boy screamed. "They said it would be posted up in a week! Then we will still have another week for training!"
"Oh yeah…" The second boy then walked away, head hung low as he passed through the sliding doors going out into the street.
I waited for a computer to open and then took a seat beside it. I moved the mouse, and realized that the last person didn't log out of their account. "Hmm…" I smirked, looking at their Pidgeotto, Golbat, and Rattata that was pulled up on the screen. "Kid, you'll learn one day. And I hope not the same way I did." I logged out of his account and then opened mine up. Yep, all my pokemon seem to be there. I then brought up the videophone program. Once the line was established I dialed in Professor Oak's number. It rang only once before he picked up.
"Hello? Oh, nice to see you again Kyle." He smiled. "I see that you made it to the Indigo Plateau, and with a week to spare. I say, nicely done. Completing the entire Johto league in six months, and making to the championship for a second time. At first I never thought you could accomplish such a task, but well done."
"Thank you." I sorta chuckled. "Um, Professor Oak, I have a few questions."
"Yes? Go ahead Kyle."
"First off, did my pokemon make it their safe?"
"Of course they did." He laughed. "I must say, I was rather surprised to see them all at once, especially that Kabutops." He then darted his eyes around the monitor. "And the other one, we won't mention."
"Alright, well my next question is… how would I go about getting rid of a pokemon?"
"You can release it, if you choose to."
"No, I cant do that. You see, Primeape is a great pokemon, but he is a bit mischievous. If I release him I'm afraid he will get into trouble." I sighed as I looked at the screen. "You see, he needs a better trainer than me."
"Oh… so you are thinking a gym leader in need of a pokemon?"
"I haven't really thought about it. He is really strong through, and would do good as a gym's pokemon. Maybe not the leader's though."
"Kyle, will you be at that computer for a while? Primeape is a fighting type, if you can stay there for a while then I would like to call around and see if I can find a good placement for you. I might know of someone that would be perfect."
"Really?" I smiled. "Thanks. How long will it take?"
"I'm not for sure. If I cant get a hold of them within the next few minutes I'll call you back and work something out."
"Alright. Thanks Professor."
"Anytime, Kyle. Good luck in the league." With that he cut the phone call.
I leaned back in the chair, raising the front two legs off the ground, looking to the ceiling. So, what to do till he calls me back. "I got it!" I went back to the PC as the chair fell to the ground. The videophone was already open, so I dialed the operator.
"Operator." A woman said as she began to fiddle around with stuff off the screen.
"Yes, the bike shop in Cerulean City, please."
"Please state the official name of the business you are trying to reach, sir."
"I don't know the official name." I shrugged. "It should be the only bike shop there, at least it was a year ago."
"Let me see…" There was a pause as she looked off screen. "All I'm finding is a 'Dave's Bike and Auto Shop". Is that what you are looking for, sir?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"Alright, patching you through."
The screen then went to static, and began to ring. It rang for a while, probably seven or eight times before Dave picked up. "Hello, and thank you for calling Dave's shop. This is Dave, how may I help you?" The large fat man said. I saw his eyes get wide as he looked at the screen. "Well hey, looky there! How are you, kid? It's been like two months, I thought you just wanted me to keep the bike."
"Phft. No!" I laughed. "I'm sorry, I just got caught up in stuff. They don't really have video phones in the woods or up in mountains, ya know?"
"Haha! I guess that's true!" Dave then put up his pointer finger. "Hang on one second, I'll be right back." With that he ran off screen. A few seconds later he came back, this time holding up a capsule that looked different than the one I had. "Hope you don't mind, but I gave your capsule a different color. The pink and yellow combo didn't look to good, so I changed it to red and black, you know, to match the bike."
"That's fine. I hope the bike wasn't too much trouble."
"Speaking of which, what all did you do to that thing? Transition was out of whack, blown head gasket, wheel axel was busted, frame was mess up all to heck, and on top of that it looked like you ran it through a barb-wire fence."
"Well, ya know, when you are a trainer you go lots of places."
"Yeah I guess so. But, anyway, I am a man of my word. Free of charge." He put the capsule on the deposit unit and pushed the button. In milliseconds the unit on my end flashed, and there sat in front of me my brand new red and black capsule bike. "Also, I gave your bike a new paint job. I hope you like black pin stripes around the windshield." I watched the screen begin to blink as a Professor Oak icon came up.
"Call waiting." It said.
"Oh that's great." I smiled. "Thanks, but I got another call. I'll swing by there sometime later to catch up with you."
"Alright, see ya!" I cut the call, answering Professor Oak's.
"Hello? Professor Oak?" I asked.
"Oh yes, Kyle!" He smiled. "I am glad to see you are still there. You will be happy to know that I have found a new placement for your Primeape. It turns out that a gym leader has been looking for a new pokemon for quite a while, but fighting types are very rare on his island."
"Fighting types? Island?" I put a finger to my chin. "Chuck?"
"Not exactly. Good guess though." He laughed. "The leader is Brawly. He runs the Dewford Town gym in Hoenn. But, anyway, I have already arranged it with him and all you need to do is transfer your Primeape to me and I will take care of the rest."
"Would you like me to now?" I asked, holding up his pokeball.
"Of course."
I opened the container for the deposit unit, taking out my capsule bike and putting in Primeape's pokeball. I stuffed the bike in my pocket as I pushed the send button.
"Got it!" Oak said, taking the ball and holding it up in the air. "So, would you like to take one of your pokemon back, Kyle? The only thing I ask is not to take Kabutops or the 'other one'. I am currently still doing tests on them, and Kabutops seems to highly enjoy my Omanyte. Although, I do wonder, what he eats. Omanyte seems to enjoy little fish, like minnows, but Kabutops isn't having any of it."
"He eats pond scum." I said. "He isn't to keen on mud though, he mostly likes the green moss that grows on the bottom of ponds and lake beds."
"Oh, I see. Fascinating. This requires much more research."
"So, can you send me over Umbreon?" I asked. "I think he would be a good addition to my current team."
"Sure, right away." With that he went off the screen and came back around a minute later holding a pokeball. "This is Umbreon's ball. I'll send it over right now."
I watched as the unit on my side flashed, and then a pokeball appeared. "Thanks." I said with a smile. "Take good care of my pals, okay Professor?"
"Will do! And I will get Primeape to his new home right away."
"Thanks." With that I smiled, cutting the call and logging out of my account. I grabbed my stuff up from the chair and let the next person in line take my seat. The table was vacant, so I laid my book bag on it, digging through it and pulling out the item holder that had my bike gear in it. I pushed the button, rolling it on the table as it opened up, bringing out my jacket, gloves, helmet and shades. I picked up the helmet, sucking the rest of the items back in the holder and putting it back in my book bag. I threw the bag over my shoulder, walking out of the sliding door and into the sunlight.
It was getting later, about 12 or so, at least that was what it looked like. I reached in my pocket, pulling out the red and black capsule which held my motorcycle. I pushed the button and threw it down on the street. In a big puff of smoke, unfolded my motorcycle. It was just a big as I remembered it, and the paint was even brighter than before. All the dents and everything was gone, leaving only a beautiful red finish, with some new black pin striping design on the hood which crossed and circled around under the curved windshield. I smiled, slipping on the helmet as I raised the hood to the bike, climbing in and sitting down. I closed the lid, which covered over my legs.
"Wow!" I heard a kid say as he walked out of the pokecenter. "Awesome motorcycle!"
"Thanks." I smiled, turning the key. The engine revved as the navigation system and radio kicked on. My CD was still in it, and the song "Free Will" began to play from the speakers under the seat. I felt my heart race as I twisted the accelerator on the handle, watching as the green lights by my feet, and under the two wheels, began to light up. Wow, this feels so cool. It's amazing what two months on your feet can do to your perception of transportation. I glanced up, waving to the group of kids, both boys and girls, with some teens in there. I then slipped on my helmet, revving the bike as I sped off, down the road to the stores and food court.
***_-Scene Change-_***
Before I caught up with Bill I decided to do some shopping at the gift shop. I mean, I did just get a new bike, pretty much, so why not deck it out? I walked into the shop, glancing around at all the bumper stickers, and picked out a few that I liked. One had an Arcanine roaring, so yeah I had to get that one. I never was much for the bumper stickers that said things on them, like 'If you can read this SLOW DOWN' or 'Say NO to SLOW'. I don't know, they never really did much for me. But I was able to find some I liked. One that said "IMMIGRANT" on it and a few from some of my favorite TV shows, games, and even a few badges from both the Kanto, and Johto leagues. They even had a few badges from the Kanto Navy, Army, and a few rank badges as well. I especially like the one of my favorite game growing up with a blue hedgehog. After purchasing the twenty or so bumper stickers I went out of the store and pulled out the bike.
"Hmm…" I looked the bike over. "The only real place I can find on here to put the stickers would be on the front hood." This part raised up for the driver to get in the bike, then closed up around them. This was the best place, that I could see anyway, because on both sides it was a long stretch of metal that didn't have any bolts, nuts, or exposed gadgets on it. I pilled off the first sticker, slapping it on there. The black bumper sticker took up a large portion of the right side, with the white words 'IMMIGRANT' on it. Next was the Arcanine, which went on the wheel cover on the right side. Then came the army, navy, and air force badges and patches, which I arranged under the windshield. The Kanto and Johto badges went under them, and last was the TV shows and game stickers. They were just put on there in a random assortment on the front. "Lets see…" I said, holding up the last one. It was a sticker of a circular radiation sign, and the only place left to put it was on the left side right beside the tire. I step back, looking at the stickers as I smile went on my face. "Tell you what, Kyle. You just turned a beautiful looking bike into a rolling advertisement." I laughed as I raised the hood and hopped in. I lowered it down and then revved the engine, taking off to the food court.
The court wasn't that far away, and it didn't take me long to find Bill walking around. He was shocked to see me in my bike, but knew right away it was me.
"Hey! Kyle!" He waved, flagging me down. I pulled over to him, lifting up the glass cover of my helmet so he could see me. "Wow, you weren't kidding when you said it was a prototype. I don't think I have ever seen anything like this before. Is that a built in navigation system with a 5 cd disk changer?"
"Um…" I looked down to the screen between my knees. "I don't know. I have only put one CD in it at a time."
"Hey, you think you would let me drive it?" Bill smiled, putting on a big grin.
"Sorry Bill." I laughed. "I customized this bike myself. It's too crazy, you couldn't handle it."
"Oh come on, I have drove an airship before." I looked at him blankly as he spoke again. "Yeah, okay, bad example."
"Well, how about this." I reached up, pulling off my helmet off as I took off my necklace as well. "Would you like to ride Arcanine back? He can out run this bike if you want him to."
"How fast does that thing go?" He asked, looking at the digital speedometer. "Wow, does it really red line at 25 RPM's?"
"Yeah, if you get it down below 5 RPM's it dies on you. So you have to really get it up to speed to shift gears. But, to answer your question, the speedometer won't go any higher than 199 miles per hour."
"You have got that thing up to 200?" He jumped. "And you're telling me Arcanine can go faster than that?"
"Well, we are working on it. The last time he did, however, he really hurt himself bad, but it is possible." I handed him his pokeball as he took it in his hand. "Let's have a race if you want." I smiled.
"I don't know." He smiled back. "Arcanine might not like it." He pushed the button, releasing Arcanine as he stood in front of us. People at the food court moved out of the way, making room for the giant dog as he walked over to us. He looked at me, then to Bill, giving him a big lick on the face.
"What was you saying about not liking it?" I laughed. "Hey boy."
"Arf!" Arcanine looked at me and began wagging his tail.
"Bill wants to have a little race. You and him against me and the bike. What do you say?"
"Hey now, I didn't agree to thi- Whoa!" Arcanine didn't let him finish. He bent down, picking Bill up with his nose and tossed him on his back.
"Woof! Woof!" He lowered down in a pouncing position as he began to wag his tail.
"Well, looks like you don't have a choice Bill." I laughed, revving the engine. "Oh yeah, a word of advice."
"Yeah?" Bill said with more than a hint of fear in his voice.
"You might want to hold on tight." I grinned. "Come on, boy!" I took off, doing a half doughnut as I took off down the street, Arcanine flowing right behind.
Arcanine kept right on my tail up until I hit 60, then, in a show of speed, he leaped into the air, soaring right over me and landing in front of the bike. I heard Bill screaming as he touched down. He then took off, like a bullet, running down the street and jumping over trainers as the crossed. I sped up to 80, trying to catch them, but they only pulled away that much faster. I can't accelerate any more, not with all these curves up here. So I had to slow down, taking a few curves and then remembering something I saw this morning.
I grinned as I took a detour. We were racing to the Champion Housing. I didn't have to tell Arcanine that, he already knew. But there was something I saw earlier, something that would be of use to me now. Behind the house was a training ground, and the training ground consisted of about a quarter mile of nothing but open field. Besides that there were a few roads that led there, and a few houses with miniature yards separating them. That's my ticket. I took the next turn, cutting up behind some houses and speeding between them in the little ten-foot gap. I accelerated, getting up to about 90 or so, before I hit the open fields. I revved up more, getting the bike up to about 120. The trainers saw me coming and jumped out of the way, recalling their pokemon as I sped by them. Soon I was right behind the house. I locked up, sliding the bike around on his side and laying it down, almost flat on the ground. It swerved around, curving in the slide as it slid around the house, coming to a stop in the yard as it faced the porch, the porch with Arcanine on it and Bill white as a sheet.
"Arf!" Arcanine barked, running up to me as Bill held on tight.
"Was that a good run, boy?" I asked, raising the hood of the bike as I climbed out. I looked up to Bill, who was holding on Arcanine's mane with a death grip. "Bill, did you have a nice run too?"
'T-t-that wa-asn't a –r-run…" He trembled. "That was just… scary."
"I told you Arcanine is fast!" I laughed, but was soon stopped when I heard the sound of police sirens coming up road. It as an Officer Jenny, the one stationed here, on her police motorcycle with the lights on. She leaned the bike over, taking the turn as she rolled up the driveway and into the yard of our house.
"Stop right there!" She screamed as she got off her bike.
"Is there a problem officer?" I asked, almost with a laugh. Come on, what could I have done? I mean, I was just going 120 in a 35.
"Do you have any idea what you just did? Or how many laws you have broken?" She screamed pointing her finger at me. "And I could care less about you being the pokemon master! No one gets away with a crime when I'm on duty!"
"Well, you see Ms. Jenny, I was doing some training with my pokemon." I placed my hand on Arcanine's back as I talked. "We were working on his Extreme Speed attack, and we needed some room to work on it."
"That's what the training fields are for!" She screamed.
"Oh…" I put my hand to my mouth. "I was unaware of that. I thought that best place to test out an attack like that would be on the road, a vacant road. You see, I was afraid that the training field would be too crowded, and I was also afraid of someone getting hurt. When you are in a pokemon battle the battling fields only have two pokemon on them, so it is pretty open and no one gets hurt." I walked over to her. "I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience, Ms. Jenny, but I didn't know I was breaking any law." Yeah right. "But, I do take full responsibility for what I have done. I would gladly pay for any damages I have caused today."
I saw her groan as she looked at me. "There have been no damages that you have caused today, so I guess I'll let you go with a warning. You seem to just be stupid." She went back to her bike, then turned and pointed a finger at me. "From now on use the training ground, you stupid kid! And if I catch you speeding again you'll go straight to jail!"
"Yes ma'am." I nodded as she drove away. I smiled, turning back to Bill. "You see, Bill, you just got to know how to talk to them." I stopped talking when I noticed Bill was still on Arcanine's back, white as a sheet. I put a palm to my forehead. "Oh Bill…"
***_-Scene Change-_***
After I got Bill out of the trance and recalled Arcanine we walked back inside. The first thing I noticed was a little squeaking sound coming from the kitchen. It was strange. It sounded familiar, but like something I have never heard before.
"Huuuuuuuooooo…" It squeaked in a groaning kind of way. I walked in the kitchen, finding two cereal boxes of 'Lucky Chimechos' opened with the cereal on the table, but all the marshmallows gone. Beside them, laying belly up, was Pichu, who was rubbing his belly and groaning. "Chuuooooooo…"
"Pichu!" I scolded. "Did you eat all of those marshmallows?"
"Chaaa…"
"Oh man." Bill slapped his forehead. "Looks like this little guy is coming off of a sugar high."
"Yeah, I know. He's done that before. But last time he ate about 5 gallons of ice cream. At least this time it was only two boxes."
***_-Scene Change-_***
The rest of the first day went pretty good. A few trainers challenged me, which was not much of a challenge seeing as how I whooped all six of theirs with only one pokemon each time. Last year it didn't seem this easy, though. Perhaps I just keep getting better, or maybe the gyms have been slacking as of late. I also had a few TV crews come up to me, but none of them did a full bio like Jane and Charlie. After a few of those I cooked dinner for Bill and I as we watched a movie that we rented from the movie gallery at the shop. The movie was about some secret organization that fought aliens, or something like that. I must say, it was pretty funny, but Bill seemed to hate it.
"Where's all the technology?" He would say. "That's not even logical! How could they possibly have a week in one hour? That would completely be illogical and unsustainable. That would mean their home planet would have a year that lasted 52 hours? That would mean their planet orbits their star at such a close range that it would be unfeasible."
Never the less, it was a good movie. After that, me and Pichu washed up, and headed to bed. You know, it does make me wonder. Now that I'm here, and it took me six months of constant running to do it, I now have two weeks to do nothing. What am I going to do? I rolled over, closing my eyes. Guess I'll just have to work on it."