Chapter 34
The Light at the End
"Sucker Punch!" Karen screamed.
Gengar came down from the sky, fist glowing with a red haze as it punched at Umbreon. Umbreon jumped at the last minute, flying into the air as the ghost made a crater where Umbreon just was.
"Shadow Ball!" I commanded while Umbreon was over Gengar. The ball shot out, but Gengar vanished, falling into the ground under it. Umbreon landed on the ground, looking around frantically as he tried to find the ghost. Suddenly two hands grabbed onto his front feet. He looked down and the ground began to crumble as Gengar rose up, almost like out of a grave.
"Sand Attack!" I yelled. With that Umbreon kicked his back legs forward, causing dust and dirt to go into Gengar's eyes. Gengar flinched, releasing Umbreon as it grabbed its eyes and turned invisible again, making the dirt and dust fall from its body.
"Once again, a narrow escape!" The announcer called out. "This has been one of the most epic battles this arena has ever seen! Nearly ten minutes into this battle and not one pokemon has landed an attack. Each one evading just before impact. How long will these pokemon last?"
Umbreon suddenly jumped sidewise, pushing his claws into the ground as Gengar reappeared where he previously was. Gengar pushed its hands together, forming a sparking black ball in the gap. Umbreon shot out another Shadow Ball, cutting through the ghost pokemon's attack as Gengar vanished again, making its attack fizzle out. The Shadow Ball passed through the fading image of the ghost pokemon and into the tree behind it.
Umbreon took a fighting stance, looking around the darkened room for the pokemon. Suddenly a bush moved behind him. He jumped, shooting out another Shadow Ball from instinct, but there was nothing there.
"GAR!" Gengar snarled as he appeared behind Umbreon.
"Nightmare!" Karen commanded.
Umbreon spun around in time to see Gengar fly after him with its fist held out, passing straight though his body.
"Ooonn!" Umbreon cried out in pain as Gengar laughed.
"Bite!" I screamed. With that Umbreon bit down hard on Gengar's exposed face.
"Gar!" The ghost wailed as it reached its hand up by instinct. In the split second of recoil Umbreon leaped back, putting distance between him and the ghost.
Umbreon was breathing hard, one eye closed, and his legs barely able to keep him off the ground. Whatever that attack was really did him in. it was almost like it went straight into his soul.
Gengar scratched at its face, and then turned to look at Umbreon. "Gen-en-en- gar!" It laughed. It picked up one foot, slamming it on the ground as it turned to face Umbreon. It then laughed again, slamming another foot down as it made its way closer to the dark fox.
"Last Resort!" I screamed.
"Focus Blast!" Karen yelled.
Both pokemon began to scream, yelling as the attacks formed. Umbreon focused all of his energy into the purple sphere that formed around him, while Gengar once again put his hands together to form a dark, sparking ball. It, however, released first.
The Focus Blast shot out, and in fear, Umbreon cast his attack prematurely. The Last Resort attack flew for Gengar, but the Focus Blast passed through it like it wasn't even there. Both attacks hit their targets. Umbreon was thrown backwards into a wall, and Gengar into a tree. They both fell, but only one rose back up.
"Gen… Gar." Gengar spoke, out of breath and badly hurt as he struggled to stand.
"Gengar has taken down the fox pokemon Umbreon!" The announcer spoke as I recalled Umbreon to his pokeball. "In the most drawn out battle I have ever seen Umbreon was finally taken down. This leaves the count at Karen 4 and Kyle 2!"
"Alright, that thing is almost out." I smiled. "And thanks to Bill I know that after Gengar is gone she has Vileplume and Houndoom." I touched the pokeball on my necklace as I saw Karen look at me with a smile. No… I thought to myself. She knows… I cant let her get a foot hold, if I do then this battle is already over. If I let her in my head then she has already won.
"Gyarados!" I screamed as I threw out his pokeball.
The ball flew out, and the serpent slithered onto the field. He glanced over, looking at the nearly knocked out Gengar gasping for air.
"Hyper Beam!" I commanded.
"Gengar!" Karen looked at him. "Now!"
Gyarados opened his mouth, forming the blast as Gengar stood there, not making a move. The beam shot out, crashing into its target, and passing straight through it. Gyarados looked at the fading figure he shot, and then looked up to the roof, seeing the ghost pokemon falling down on top of him. Gyarados screamed as the ghost passed through him and then laughed.
"Gar-Gar-Gar!" It laughed and pointed, making Gyarados mad. In his rage he formed another Hyper Beam and shot it at Gengar, point-blank. The attack hit, and this time throwing Gengar across the field, knocked out. But then, Gyarados started wailing. He tossed his body around the arena, slamming it into trees, and then the wall, until he passed out as well.
"What just happened?" I asked, jaw dropped. Shortly I was answered, and by the person that I gave the least credit to.
"What a show!" The announcer called out. "Gengar was able to take down a third pokemon with his Destiny Bond attack!"
"Destiny Bond?" I asked myself, replaying what had just happened in my head. Gengar passed through Gyarados. At that moment it must had bonded with Gyarados, creating a merge between the two. So when it passed out so did Gyarados.
"With one pokemon Karen was able to wipe out half of Kyle's whole team. The score is now 3 to 5 with Karen in the lead. Kyle has two more pokemon to defeat, but can he do it with only one pokemon left?"
"Looks like I'm going to have to." I said with a smile. "Hey, Karen." I yelled.
"Yes?" She answered.
"You may have the honor." I motioned, waving my hand to the field.
"Hmph," She grunted. "Fine." The pokeball flew onto the field, and in the dim lit room a pink light was present. Little pokadots were glowing on its pedals, and a light mist seem to be raising off of its body.
"Vileplume is the next pokemon of choice for Karen," The announcer said. "I wonder what pokemon Kyle will choose to battle this fierce plant type?"
"The only one I have left." I said, grabbing the pokeball off my necklace. "Go!" With a toss the red light formed into the large pokemon that already started to make a name for himself.
"Rrraaaaaaa!" Arcanine roared. He then lowered his head, snarling as embers fell from his mouth like drool. In the dark room you could see the flames building in his mouth. Red light flickered and burnt as the embers touched fallen leaves, catching them on fire. The small fire only caught the leaves that were on the ground, and then fizzled out.
"Pedal dance!" Karen commanded.
"Heat Wave!" I said.
Vileplume began to shake violently, and then spouted out leaves from the opening in its stem. Arcanine simply let out a low growl, and then covered himself in a protective dome of fire. In the dark room the light was like an enormous torch, lighting the entire arena. It was then that I was able to see the pokemon that I was up against, and in any other circumstance, I think I would have had some trouble out of it. It stood nearly six foot tall, only a foot or two shy from Arcanine, and had pedals that were scarred and frayed. This Vileplume is nearly double the size it should be, and all those scars. It looks like it was in more battles than anything should ever be in. The leaves shot out from Vilepule, heading towards Arcanine, but as soon as they hit the fire dome, they disintegrated. "Hmph." I smiled, confident in Arcanine.
"Vileplume!" Karen said. "Acid."
"Flamethrower!" I commanded.
Arcanine lowered his fire shield, and before Vileplume could build up the toxins need for the attack, Arcanine had already silenced the plant. The flames from the attack burned the leaves that were left over on the ground, and knocked Vileplume out cold. It was burnt all over, smoking even, but nothing else in the arena was harmed. Arcanine's flames are very precise. If he wanted to, he could even light a match from 100 feet away. But that was what I have been training him on since he was a little pup. Shooting those pop cans many years ago helped us both out more than we could ever imagine.
"The mighty Vileplume is out!" The announcer spoke as the crowd cheered. "This has become a one on one fight. Both trainers are down to their last pokemon." Karen then huffed, throwing out her last pokeball. The ball opened, and Houndoom stood on the field.
"Arrr…" Arcanine growled, lowering to the ground.
Oh man, I forgot, Arcanine hates a Houndoom more than anything. I then thought to myself about my past. My mother, my brother, my horrible life that I ran away from. I guess I can't blame him. Childhood trauma is hard to overcome.
"Oh my folks!" The announcer spoke again. "It looks as though Karen has put out her Houndoom! This fire pokemon is the strongest fire type that the Johto League has to offer! Will Kyle's legendary Arcanine be able to stand up to the heat? Or will it have to leave the cooking to Karen?"
"Flamethrower!" We both said in unison.
The dark room was quickly cast in a red haze. The fire attacks both hit their targets, and then grew exponentially. The flames began to bounce off of the pokemon, striking the trees and catching them ablaze. The arena was on fire. The trees were falling, crackling and popping, and smoke was filling the stadium. Fans kicked on, taking the smoke out of the stage and pumping it outside.
"Enough!" Karen said.
"Stop!" I commanded.
Both pokemon then stopped. Arcanine slowly began to walk around the arena, head down low with his back arched. Houndoom did the same, both of them keeping the same distance away from each other. The trees were still on fire. The stage was dark, lit only by the light of the burning field.
"It seems as though both our pokemon have Flash Fire ability." Karen said, and then laughed. "So that is where your Arcanine gets its power from?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Fire types with Flash Fire abilities are rare. It means that your Arcanine will only get stronger every time it encounters another fire type. Or when it catches itself on fire."
"Well, if yours has it too then we better use other types of attacks, shouldn't we?" I smiled.
"Right you are. Houndoom! Crunch!"
"Use Extreme Speed to evade!" I called out to Arcanine.
Houndoom ran after Arcanine, fangs bared as Arcanine took off like a bullet. Houndoom bit down hard on where Arcanine was, but it only bit air. It then glared as it turned its head, seeing Arcanine on the far side of the room.
"Raa!" Houndoom roared as it ran after Arcanine again. At the last second Arcanine vanished, using Extreme Speed to evade the attack again, but this time only moving by a few feet. Houndoom tilted its head, looking up to see the massive dog looking back down at it. In one quick move Arcanine placed one of his paws on Houndoom, pinning it to the ground as he bit down on its neck. Houndoom whined in pain as Arcanine picked it up and threw it across the field.
Houndoom tumbled end over end and then slammed into a burning tree. His neck was bleeding, but as pieces of embers fell on it, his skin began to heal. I suppose that's what Karen meant by growing stronger with fire. Houndoom stood up, shaking its head as it looked around for Arcanine, but he wasn't anywhere to be found.
"Below!" Karen said. At the last possible moment Houndoom leaped into the air right before the ground crumbled underneath of it. Out of the crater Arcanine sprang, leaping after Houndoom. He caught up to it, latching onto its leg as they began to fall back to the field.
"Hyper Beam!" Karen commanded.
The attack launched, and being in the air, and at close range, Arcanine couldn't dodge. The attack hit, knocked Arcanine off and sending him slamming into the ground. Dust flew up over the arena, and the crowd went silent. When the dust settled there was Arcanine, laying on the ground, not moving.
The ref held up one hand, signaling a count down. 5….
"Get up!" I screamed.
4…
"Arcanine!" I screamed. "Arcanine! Buddy!"
3…
"You cant let this mutt beat you!"
2…
"A Houndoom…"
Suddenly Arcanine opened his eyes and shot out a flamethrower attack into the air above ref. The ref stopped counting down, watching as Arcanine began to struggle to stand.
"Amazing!" The announcer said. "Despite taking the most powerful attack known to date, this fire type beast wont stay down!"
Arcanine is almost out. One more hit and he's gone… "Arcanine!" I screamed. "You don't need to use your power to beat him." I saw Arcanine look at me strange. "As long as he gets KNOCKED OUT…"
"Houndoom." Karen said. "Why don't you go enjoy this?"
Houndoom chuckled as it walked over to Arcanine, snorting fire the whole time. It then bared its fangs, growling as it attacked. Houndoom sunk its teeth in deep into Arcanines neck.
"Arrr!" Arcanine cried out in pain, but then slammed his head on the ground, causing Houndoom to flip over. Arcanine then quickly put one of his paws on the dogs throat, and put pressure down hard. Houndoom released Arcanine's neck, struggling to move and get away, be it couldn't. Arcanine held it down, cutting off the oxygen flow until the dog stopped moving. When Houndoom went still, Arcanine released it. It rolled over, gasped for air, and stayed on the ground, not moving.
The ref started the count down. Those five seconds seemed to last forever. 5… 4. 3… 2…
"Get up!" Karen screamed.
1!
"That's it!" The announcer called out. "That's it! Its over! We now have a new champion! Kyle Gray has won the Johto League!"
We both recalled our pokemon as the stadium roof opened once again. The light was blinding, but it was then that I realized how much damage two fire type pokemon could really cause. The field was charred black all the way down to the concrete that held it together.
The podiums lowered, and the crowd was going wild. People were screaming and before long I was already walking over to Karen. I was in such a trance that I almost didn't realize what was going on. This is what I wanted. This is why I do it. The feeling of actually doing something! I heard my book bag unzip, and out on my shoulder came Pichu, wearing his biker jacket and goggles on his head.
I smiled, looking at him as we walked. What am I talking about? I didn't do anything. It was my pokemon. All I did was sit back and watch, they were the ones that did all the work.
"It was a very eventful battle." Karen said as she looked at me. "I am proud to have battled a worthy opponent."
"I am sorry Karen." I said as I shook her hand.
"What for?"
"I was bluffing you the whole time. I was trying to hide my attacks from you, confuse you. In a way I was lying to you. I'm sorry."
"Kyle." She said with a laugh. "You did what you had to do to win." She then turned. "Follow me."
"Umm okay, why?" I asked, tailing behind her as we walked away from the screaming fans.
"We have to get your registered," She smiled.
"Karen…" I spoke. "I have a question."
"Yes?"
"How is that you obtained your grandmothers Gengar?" There was a long pause. "In fact, I have always wondered, how can someone even catch a ghost pokemon?"
"Kyle, how many ghost trainers have you met?"
"I, um… don't know… not many… four, five tops? Why?"
Karen didn't say anything for a while. "Ghost pokemon are rare. Very rare. In fact, to be perfectly honest, no one has ever captured a ghost pokemon. At least, not truly captured one."
"But, how can that be?" I asked, looking at her pokeballs on the belt she wore.
"I know what your thinking, and no I did not capture this Gengar." There was another pause. "Kyle, I am going to tell you something that has been ghost pokemon trainers most prized secret. Few people in the world know of this, and I feel that you should be one of them.
"Ghost pokemon are created when a trainer dies, and the bond that the trainer has with their pokemon are so strong that the pokemon die as well. But they don't die of the same circumstances the trainer does. Instead, they die from grief."
"That's sad." I said.
"Its not over." Karen continued. "Normally when a pokemon dies they realize they died. Such as when one dies in a battle, or one dies of old age. The pokemon realized they are dead and ascend to the after life. Ghost pokemon never go through this stage. When they die they die in grief, and they don't realize what had happened. They become blinded. A soul trapped in our dimension. Because of this they seek out a person that has a similar characteristic to their trainer."
"In other words, a person with a similar soul?" I asked.
"Correct. Even when the ghost pokemon finds the trainer, the trainer doesn't really capture it. Instead the ghost invades the person, thinking that it is supposed to be there. The ghost purposefully has the trainer catch it.
"Another thing about ghost types is their power. The more death that a ghost pokemon has seen, the stronger it becomes. It may take many generations for a ghost pokemon to evolve, but to them it is as though time itself stands still."
"So how does a ghost pokemon… well…"
"Die?" Karen asked, finishing my question. "A ghost pokemon never dies, in a sense. Instead, it ascends. Only when a ghost pokemon realizes that it has died, then it can finally cope with the loss, and be reunited with its friends in the afterlife."
"So you said that a ghost pokemon tries to find people like its original trainer, who share a similar being?" I asked. "If that's so then how can a person have more than one ghost?"
Karen paused with a smile, and then asked me the same question. "You tell me. How?"
"If I were to guess it would be because they have two different personalities?" Karen nodded, so I continued. "Which would mean that they are…"
"Generally insane or schizophrenic."
"That would explain some things…" I said under my breath, thinking back to Morty and how he acted so flip-floppy on everything.
"Here we are." She said as she pushed open two giant double doors. "The room of champions." Inside the room was nothing but a computer. That's it, just a regular computer with a pokeball hook up attached to it.
"Just place your pokeballs here," She said, patting the contraption hooked to the computer. "And your pokemon will be registered. "And your trainer card, here." She then pointed to the card insert on the main tower of the device.
"Alright." I said, taking them all and laying them on the reader, and sliding in my card.
"Pi?" Pichu asked, looking at his pokeball.
"Don't worry," I said with a smile. "It's like last time, remember? You'll still get your name in the book."
The screen flashed, and then began to bring up images of the pokemon in my party.
"Arcanine: Level 80. Pichu: Level 50. Pidgeot: Level 61. Gyarados: Level 57. Umbreon: Level 62. Dragonite: Level 72. Typhlosion: Level 43. Kabutops: Level 46. Scizor: Level 70. Beedrill: Level 65."
"Yep." I smiled. "That's all the ones I used."
***_-Scene Change-_***
The audience members were all outside now, standing around the front gate to the arena. Street vendors were all over the place, setting up all kinds of little trinkets and knick-knacks in their booths. "Buy your Johto Gym Badges here!" one said, "Pokeball seals over here!" spoke another, "Authentic Kyle Gray accessories!" screamed a person selling some chewed up gum and other items he pulled out of the dumpster earlier that day. The vendors quickly turned the audience into customers, but in reality they were not there to buy plastic junk, or some half eaten pizza that was 'ate by Kyle'.
"We are here, live, where just behind us Kyle Gray of Kanto's Viridian City was just crowned the Johto League Pokemon Champion." A news anchor said to the cameraman as she stood in front of the arena. She was wearing a gray pin-striped suit with skirt, long brown hair in a pony tail, and heels that made her stand three inches taller than she should be. "The young man fought through trainers, gyms, and the ever legendary Johto Elite Four. Not only that, but he has already made the record books once, for completing his first Pokemon League just one year ago. That is right, this Kyle Gray is the same boy who competed and won last years Kanto Pokemon League." She then looked over to her right and saw a teenage girl smacking some gum and wearing a 'I (heart) Kyle Gray' t-shirt. "Lets see what some of the fans think about this turn out." The news lady then motioned the camera over to the girl. "Excuse me ma'am?" She said. The teenage girl immediately turned around. "Could you tell us what you think about the turn out in today's championship?" The news lady then handed the girl the microphone she was carrying.
"Like, Oh My Gosh!" The girl screamed. "Like, Kyle was totally awesome! Like, I knew he was going to win!"
"So, you are a Kyle fan?" The news anchor asked.
"Like yeah!" The girl then looked right at the camera. "I have every item that has ever been sold of Kyle's, even this!" She then stuck out her tongue, holding the chewed up piece of gum that she just bought off of the street vender. She then stuck it back in her mouth.
"Wow… that's umm…" The news anchor then looked back to the camera, confused and grossed out. "That is some true dedication there! Ha… ha…" she then motioned the cut throat, killing the camera. "Cut, cut… That's enough footage. Lets save it for when Kyle comes out."
"When do you think that will be?" The cameraman asked. "It's been close to an hour since the match ended. Surely he would be out by now."
"I don't know." She turned, looking at the sky over the arena. She saw clouds start to form, and sparkles falling towards the ground. She looked closer, and noticed that it wasn't sparkles at all, but light reflecting off of snowflakes that were coming from the sky. "What weird weather." She commented. "Its not even fall yet."
"Should I get this on film?"
"No, save it for the good stuff." She then stuck out her tongue at the thought of recording snow. "Yuck, that's the last thing I want to be. A weather announcer."
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Are you sure that you want to leave off the roof?" Karen asked as we stood on the safety railing on top of the arena. Pichu was hanging onto my green jacket tight, making sure not to fall. The roof was open, and I could see the empty field, now covered in craters and cindering ashes.
"Yeah." I said, looking over the other ledge. Below hundreds of people gathered around the front gate, waiting for me to make my appearance.
"Any reason?" She asked, leaning over the edge.
"Hmph." I smiled as I held up Articuno's pokeball. "I just hate cameras, really. There is no other reason than that." I then spun the pokeball on my finger, opening my hand and catching it mid cycle.
"If you are positive." She then turned away to walk down the stairs. "Kyle? I know Bruno already asked you, but if you ever want to be a member of the Elite Four…"
"Don't worry." I smiled. "If I ever consider it, this league will be the first to know."
She turned to look at me, smiling as she paused in a half step movement. She then closed her eyes, turning as her light blue hair blew in the wind. "See you around, Mr. Gray."
I waited until she was out of sight before I made my move. "Are you ready, bud?" I asked as Pichu nodded. The pokeball flew from my hand, and in the red light the blue sparkling bird fluttered in the air. Her feathers, so cold that mist was rising from them, were glistening in the sunlight. It wasn't long until clouds began to form under her, making snow fall from the peak of the building.
"Congratulations." Articuno spoke.
"Thank you," I said, putting one foot on the railing as she turned around, back facing me.
"I was congratulating Pichu." Articuno answered back. "You did nothing but command pokemon."
I sat on her back as I gave her a pat. "That is true." I smiled. "I know that I always take the credit, but you guys are the real winners here. And I promise, I'll make it up to you."
Articuno turned to look at me as we fluttered in the air. "What are you planning?"
"Haha!" I laughed. "What are you talking about?"
"I sense you are hiding something from me. Something that you refuse to think about."
"Don't worry about it." I smiled, pointing to the training ground behind the champion suite. "Take us over there, land in the trees so no one will see."
"Is this part of the 'surprise'?" She asked as we took off, heading above the clouds to avoid detection of the fans that had gathered all over the Indigo Plateau.
"No, its not. I told you, don't worry about it." I then frowned. "I honestly don't know if you will even like it. I just thought it would be nice." I noticed her eye glance over to me. Those soft blue eyes were mesmerizing. Beautiful. It was like stars, in an empty night sky, or like snow flakes, falling onto a dark blue ocean that never stopped moving. It was almost as beautiful as… Shonna's eyes. Those eyes that I have missed for so long.
"Thank you." Articuno said, turning away. "A word of advice though. Next time you see 'her', you should tell her that… not me."
***_-Scene Change-_***
I waited for the snow to stop before I emerged from the old training ground. The dirt ring was very overrun. Weeds shot up in several places, shrubs grown around the path, and trees limbs littered the rim of the ring.
"Pi?" Pichu asked as I sat down my bag. I reached inside, grabbing an item holder and releasing the contents on the ground. Inside were my jacket, helmet and gloves, which I began to put on. Pichu already knew what was going on and immediately jumped head first into the open bag. He dug all the way down to the bottom, throwing out items and pokeballs until he emerged wearing his goggles and jacket. "Pi! Cha!" He said, giving the 'V' sign for victory.
"Ahh, Pichu…" I groaned, looking at all the items tossed across the ground.
"Pi?" He tilted his head.
I smiled, "Oh, never mind." I bent down and began picking up the items. One by one they were placed back into the bag, until I got to the Pokefute. I picked it up, holding it in my hand as I thought back to when I first got that old thing. I remember Shonna playing it, attempting to wake up the grumpy ol' Snorlax, but to no avail. I wasn't much better, but I remembered playing an old recorder back in elementary school. The teacher was teaching us how to play, "Mary had a little Mareep". I never liked that song, so I came up with my own tune. That tune was the only one I knew how to play. I played it, and Snorlax must had hated it so much that it awoke with a vengeance. But it did impress Shonna…
I finished putting the rest of the items up, but held that and my bike capsule in my hand. I placed the flute to my lips, and began to play. It squeaked, and wasn't very pleasant, but those old recorder lessons came back to me. Before long a tune came out, the one that I had learned so many years ago.
Do, Do-da-do, Do-Do, Do da-do, Da-Da_do.
I saw Pichu's ears move as he listened contently, so I continued. Suddenly the ground began to shake, and in confusion I turned around. Behind me I noticed the trees shaking, and some kind of roaring.
"This cant be good…"
Out from the greenery came a whole herd of Ursaring. "Raa!" They roared and screamed, shooting out Hyper Beam attacks into the air as they stampeded our way.
"Ahhhh!" Pichu and I screamed as I grabbed him up in my arms, slinging my bag on as I ran. I threw the capsule as far as I could. It hit the ground, opening up into the motorcycle nearly ten yards ahead of me. I turned my head as I ran; the Ursaring were gaining, and quick. I jumped on the bike, pushing the safety switches as I hit the ignition, and like a streak of light, we were off.
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Okay, really Kyle?" Bill said as I shoved him out the door of the Champion Lodge. "Why is there such an urgent need to depart so soon?" Bill had just returned from the league, and hadn't even had time to pack all of his clothes up. He had his computer, which is really all that he needed, but he was hoping to say a little bit longer. I think.
"Well," I commented back. "You know how I hate cameras?"
"Yeah?" He answered, standing on the porch as I locked up the lodge.
"Well, lets just say that there's going to be a lot of cameras coming this way, very soon."
"Why?" Bill continued, until he stepped off the porch and looked out to the training grounds. There was smoke raising up into the air, and Hyper Beam attacks shooting off like spotlights into the sky. Bill then turned to me, jaw dropped. "What did you do?"
"Sorry," I said as I yanked off the pokeball attached to my belt, "But I will explain everything later!" I released the ball, and in a red light Pidgeot appeared in front of Bill.
"Craa!" She cried, pushing her head between Bills legs and throwing him on her back.
"Whah!" He latched on to her as I threw out Dragonite. "Cant we just-"
"No time!" I cut him off. "Bill, hang on! Lets go you two, head…" I looked around, and pointed south east. "That way, and step on it!"
"What?" Bill asked as Pidgeot and Dragonie squatted, getting ready to take off. "Why would we be go-O-AHHHHH!" He screamed, hanging onto Pidgeot as we soared through the air.
Dragonite took off fast. In the sudden jolt I felt my broken rib move. "Arrggg…" I groaned, holding on to Dragonite tight, knowing that if I let go I would fall. Pichu and I were still wearing out biker outfits, but it was lucky for me, because of all the bugs that were landing on the visor of my helmet. I turned my head, looking behind me to see Bill screaming his heart out as Pidgeot bounced her head around, catching and eating bugs that flew their way.
I felt Pichu unzip my bag as he scurried up my shoulder and onto my helmet. "Pi-CHU!" He screamed out, holding up one hand as we flew through the air. At this rate we will reach Pewter City in about thirty minutes. Why Pewter? I don't know, perhaps because it is the closest place? But it doesn't really matter. I then lowered my eyes, focusing them on the scales on Dragonite's back. "I just need to focus on what's going to happen next."
***_-Scene Change-_***
"Fan-flippin-tastic, Kyle." Bill said as we both entered into the Pokecenter in Pewter City. It was about 2:00, and the center was full of people watching the TV. We came in unnoticed, and because of that we were able to walk around the crowd of people. "Can you now inform me on why we left the league so soon?"
I looked over my shoulder at the TV, seeing a news broadcast with the headlines of 'Raging Ursaring'. "You wanna know why?" I then pointed my thumb to the television. "Watch that." Bill turned his body to face the news station, and then listened contently.
"It seems that the enraged herd of Ursaring have finally been calmed." The news station broadcaster said. "We now go to our news anchor on the scene, Heather Corveck. Heather, how is the situation there?" The camera then changed to a news lady, whom was standing in front of the training grounds at the league.
"Thank you." Heather started off. "Right after the match with the new champion Kyle Gray, the training grounds at the Indigo Plateau was attacked by a raging group of Ursaring. The wild pokemon were soothed by the psychic abilities of the leagues own collection of Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam. The damage dealt to the training grounds is currently uncalculated, and officials say that there is no sign that this was intended. There were no injuries, but there was significant amount of equipment that was destroyed in the rampage. The league's construction team head says it will take them the majority of the year to finish repairs." Bill turned to face me again, wide eyed and jaw dropped. "Kyle Gray, the new pokemon champion, has not made his appearance yet from the arena. Elite Four member, Karen, made her appearance moments ago. She said that Kyle Gray left from the roof of the arena. Knowing Kyle's dislike of attention, some fans believe this to be a ploy to disperse the crowd. The truth behind his location is still a mystery."
"What a right fine mess you got me into, again." Bill said as he walked back to me.
"Oh calm down," I smiled, walking over to the front counter. "You heard what they said, 'no sign that this was intended."
During our argument Nurse Joy walked around the counter from the back. We stopped talking as we both looked at her. She stared at me, then at the TV, then back to me. "Hello Mr. Gray." She said with a smile. "I never expected to see you here." It was then that some of the twenty or so people that were in the pokecenter turned around to us. I turned to face them, and in that moment, it was like the calm before the storm. Instantly we were both swarmed.
"Oh my gosh!" One person ran up to me. "I never thought I would see 'The' Kyle Gray!"
"Really, I'm not that-" I half heartedly laughed.
"Its Bill too!" Another one said.
"I… ummm…" Bill stuttered.
"Will you two sign my PokeBalls?" Some one asked as she held up two red balls in her hand.
"You all." I said, raising my hand. "Hey!" I said a little bit louder.
"I don't think its working." Bill commented as the crowds voice continued to escalate.
"I know…" I groaned as I grabbed the pokeball off my necklace, releasing Arcanine in the center.
"RRRAAAA!" He roared, making the crowd go silent.
"Thank you." I said, taking a deep breath. "Hey you all, I don't mind to chat, but we have had a long day. Relax, okay?" I then took one pokeball from the girl, grabbing a marker from the desk and signing my name on it. I smiled, handing it back to her.
"Hey Kyle?" A person asked, stepping up from the crowd. "Can we see your pokemon?"
"I'll make you a deal," I said, smiling as I rested my elbows on the counter. "Get me a pop and promise that you wont call the paparazzi." I lifted my head, looking at the Nurse Joy that came to stand in front of me. In her hands was a clear glass bottle with words 'Poke'Cola' wrote on it.
"This is all we have, is that okay?"
"Yep," I said, taking it out of her hand. "That's great." I then twisted the metal cap off and tipped the bottle up, taking the first swig of pop that I have had in months. "Ahh…" I said with a smile. "That's good." I then took the pokeballs off my belt and laid them on the counter. "Heal these for me, please?" I asked, turning to face the crowd, seeing Arcanine sit down quietly beside me.
***_-Scene Change-_***
Time passed by quick, and before long it was nearly six-o-clock. Nurse Joy ordered pizza for us, and for the first time in a while, I actually had fun with people. We laughed, smiled, and talked. It had been so long since I sat down, since I stopped running that I… I forgot what it was like.
Bill and I snuck outside, evading the crowd. I had all my pokemon back in their balls, and safely on my belt. Pichu was sitting on my head, playing with my hair as Bill walked up beside me.
"Well, that was a nice way to end an adventure." Bill said with a smile as he turned to me. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't now." I said, looking at the sun as it slowly made its way behind one of the distant mountains.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I don't know that either."
There was a pause as Bill turned away. "Kyle," he said, back facing me. "If you ever need me, you know where I am." I heard him chuckle. "You crazy fool."
"Yeah," I smiled. "I am, I'll give you that." I then turned to him. "Where are you going?"
"Home. I have a ton of work to get caught up on."
"Well, here." He turned around as I dug into the inside pocket of my leather jacket. I threw him a pokeball, and smiled. "Just don't release her in public, okay?"
"What?" He asked, looking at the pokeball.
"I'm not giving her to you," I laughed. "Just use her to go home. She'll take you there, don't worry she's safe."
"You forget, I have rode her before." Bill said, holding the cold pokeball in his hand.
"Well, when you get there, just tell her to head back to me."
"Where would that be?" Bill asked.
"She'll know." I smiled as I dug into my pocket, taking out the capsule for my bike. "She has a way of tracking me down." I threw the capsule and in the smoke the bright red bike with the massive amount of stickers appeared in front of me.
"What do I do about the pokeball?" Bill asked as Pichu and I hopped on the bike. "Its not like she can be inside of it when she flies back."
"Give it to her to hold in her claw." I commented, sliding on my helmet. Pichu nuzzled into his cup holder, sliding his goggles over his eyes as he gave me the thumbs up. "Bill," I said, turning my head to look at him. "Thanks. For everything. You are a real pal."
"Yeah, well, you owe me." He smiled. "Don't forget that."
I smiled back, pushing the safety buttons as I started the bike. With that Pichu and I took off down the road, heading to Viridian.