Inferno, Chapter 12
Okay all, I'm back! Now then, we'll start things off with a bang! Well, not really. Nya nya! Story Spotlight; The Extended Unova Pokemon Guide, by Gentleman Xerneas. Ratings; 1st) United States 2nd) United Kingdom 3rd) Australia 4th) Canada 5th) Mexico. Keep it goin', guys!
Making My Move...
It had now been a week since Lora started expanding the crystal. It was now triple its capacity, which was beyond her original plan, but nobody minded. That process took her about three days, during which time both Loki and Blaze had taken many trips to the Pokemon Center. They worried that the nurse was getting suspicious, but they would soon be gone.
At the moment, Lora was filling the crystal with the last of her energy. It was near full, and hopefully there would still be some leftover power for an emergency getaway. Due to the properties of the pokeball, she wouldn't be able to recover while in it, at least until they got to a Pokemon Center. Loki and Blaze debated whether or not to use the one on Cinnabar Island, but eventually settled to get it done in Vermillion City, even though it would be a bit out of their way.
Once Lora was finished, she collapsed in Blaze's arms, and he held up her pokeball, saying to her
"Don't worry, you'll be out before you know it." She grinned lazily at him until she was sucked back in, relieving Blaze's arms of her near-dead weight. Then he stood and placed the pokeball in his front pocket. Loki stepped forward with training bandages and began to wrap up Blaze's hands.
Over the course of the week, Blaze had warmed up considerably to Loki after realizing that he really meant no harm at all. That didn't mean he welcomed him with open arms; rather, he had allowed a little more leniency for his trust. But he was still keeping a close eye on him.
Once his claws were well-covered, Loki carefully tied the string around Blaze's head, making sure to frequently check that Blaze was still comfortable. Once he was fully disguised, Loki placed a hand on Blaze's shoulder, and Blaze used the crystal, both of them vanishing with a bright flash.
Diglett's Cave, next to Vermillion City
Some Diglett were poking their heads in and out of their holes, happy as could be, up until a bright white flash permeated the normally dark, dank cave. Blinded, the Diglett quickly retreated and fled. Blaze and Loki however, checked their surroundings, hoping nobody caught their entrance. Fortunately, there was nobody but them and a stray Diglett who managed to conk himself on the head due to a rock he was unable to spot.
Both males heaved a sigh of relief, then Loki started forward. He brought out a flashlight and directed Blaze to the ladder which would take themn out of the tunnel. Blaze eyed the exit warily and asked Loki
"You sure no one will be suspicious with us walking out like this?" Loki nodded and replied
"Absolutely. People go in and out of this tunnel all the time. Even if someone spots us, they won't think anything of it." Blaze nodded and exited the tunnel, followerd by Loki. Blaze took a deep breath of the fresh air, smelling more plants than water now, for which he was glad. However, that would change soon.
Nevertheless, they pushed forward, Loki leading him to the Pokemon Center, whereupon the nurse there said
"Hello, and welcome to the Vermillion City Pokemon Center! How may I help you today?" Blaze took Lora's ball out of his pocket and handed it over, saying
"I need my pokemon healed, please." The nurse nodded and asked
"Just this one?" Blaze nodded and the nurse told him
"Okay, it'll only take a couple of minutes." Blaze thanked her and leaned against a wall, keeping his eye on the entrance for any suspicious characters. Soon the nurse came back, saying
"Okay, your pokemon is all fixed up." Blaze took Lora's pokeball back, saying
"Thank you." The nurse nodded, and as he and Loki left she gave her signature line, making Blaze roll his eyes. After they were out of the Center, Blaze said dryly to Loki
"She sure was more festive than the nurse back on Cinnabar." Loki chuckled and replied
"Well, she's out on a remote island, probably seeing no one for days, even weeks at a time. This one's in a bustling city, where she has to mind her manners." Silencew fell between the two of them as Loki walked to Vermillion Port, Blaze following but keeping a sharp eye and ear out for any suspicious characters.
When they arrived, Loki walked up to the desk, saying
"We need the next boat to the airport island." The attendant nodded and asked
"Passports?" Loki passed his forward, and after some hesitation, so did Blaze. The attendant looked them both over, pausing for a moment at Blaze's. He looked up, a confused expression plastered on his face. Blaze rubbed the back of his head nervously and said
"They were a gift... from an old friend. And after his accident..." The attendant's face closed off, and he handed the passports back, saying to Blaze
"Sorry to hear that. Enjoy the trip." Blaze nodded his thanks, and both he and Loki passed through the gate to board the ship. After they were out of range, Loki pushed against Blaze's shoulder with a sly grin.
"You sneaky dog, you. That was brilliant! Where'd you come up with that?" Blaze shrugged and replied
"Just came to me." Loki grinned and shook his head, then sighed and told him
"Well, that was a good maneuver, but don't get complacent yet." Blaze grunted and told him
"I'll never think about that until I'm well out of Kanto, and even then I'll always be on guard." Loki nodded understandingly and the two got on board. Blaze turned to Loki and asked
"How long will this take?" Loki answered'
"Well, this is a high-speed cruiser, so it'll take a couple hours at least, although if the tides are bad, then it might take longer." Blaze grunted, then said
"Then let's hope for smooth waters."
Two and a half hours later...
Blaze and Loki got off the ship, looking around. They were on one of the Sevii Islands, which had in the last five years been transformed into an airport. The island itself was fairly large to accommodate the amount of passengers it saw everyday.
Blaze and Loki walked to the main counter, and Loki asked
"When's the next flight to Unova?" The attendant looked over the schedule, then winced and replied
"Ooh, sorry, you just missed it. The next plane won't be here until noon tomorrow." Blaze nearly roared in frustration, but a look from Loki helped him keep it sighed and asked
"Alright, where's the nearest hotel?" The attendant brought out a small map of the island they were currently on, marking their location, the location of the hotel, then drawing out the route she recommended. She handed it over and said
"Again, I'm sorry about this. I don't control the planes, I just send people through." Loki waved her apology off and told her
"Don't worry, you've got nothing to apologize for. I guess we'll see you tomorrow." The attendant bowed and Loki and Blaze left the terminal. Blaze punched a nearby wall, huffing in frustration. Loki patted his shoulder, telling him
"Calm down. I know this is a set back, but we just have to make due for now. It's less than an entire day, so that's something to be thankful for." Blaze merely grunted, and Loki continued.
"And we can sleep in tomorrow! That'll feel good, won't it? Especially since those long flights can take a toll on you." Blaze looked at him questioningly and asked
"Really?" Loki nodded and answered
"Oh yeah, a long flight with nothing to do but sit in one spot for hours on end? That actually seems to make people tired. And who knows, it might affect you worse than others." Blaze raised his eyebrow skeptically and asked
"What makes you say that?" Loki looked around covertly before answering in a whisper
"Well, considering that you're part human and part pokemon, and motion sickness affects each differently, you might get the short end of the stick for both." Blaze's eyebrows came together in a frown as he asked
"What makes you think I get motion sickness?" Loki shrugged and replied
"Well, you were looking pretty pale on the ship. I figured you were feeling sick from the rocking of the boat." Blaze's frown didn't fade, but he shook his head and responded
"No, I wasn't motion sick; I was worried that we might have been discovered by Team Rocket, especially after that encounter with the attendant back in Vermillion." Loki frowned and said
"Well, the chances of that are fairly unlikely, especially with the brilliant excuse you came up with. I think we've left them pretty far in the dust for now." Blaze hesitated, then nodded. When they arrived at the hotel, they both walked up to the counter, where Blaze attracted some attention, but not an overly amount.
"Hi, one room, please." The desk attendant nodded and pushed over a clipboard, saying
"Sign your names, please." Loki took the pen and signed his name, then passed it back. However, the attendant said, motioning to Blaze
"He needs to sign his name, too." She pushed the clipboard over to Blaze, who now appeared terrified. Loki thought fast and said
"Oh, he can't right now." He pulled out one of Blaze's bandaged hands and said
"He had a bad burn accident with a campfire. Poor guy can't really use his hands right now." Blaze hung his head, feigning his shame. Then Loki pulled the clipboard and pen over to him, asking
"Is it okay if I sign in for him?" The attendant hesitated, then nodded. Loki quickly scribbled Joe Ramirez on the line, then handed the clipboard and pen back, along with the money for the room. The lady behind the desk fished out a room key and handed it to Loki. Both he and Blaze nodded to her and made their way to the elevator, keeping as calm as humanly possible.
Once they found their room, Loki quickly unlocked the door and they both veritably rushed in. Once the door was closed, they both sighed in relief, and Blaze took out Lora's pokeball and held it up to release her. She blinked and asked
"Wow, that was faster than I thought. So, what does Unova look like?" Blaze fidgeted and told her
"Actually, we're not in Unova yet. We just missed the plane for it, and have to get the next one tomorrow at noon." Lora slapped her palm into her face and said
"Damn it, Blaze, didn't I tell you not to let me out until we were safely in Unova?" She held up a hand, forestalling his answer.
"I don't want to hewar it right now. I'm sorry, but we can't take any risks. If we're still in Kanto, then there's a chance that Team Rocket will have spies." She walked up to him and said
"Don't call me back out unless it's an emergency or we're safe in Unova." Then she tapped the button to her pokeball, getting sucked back in. Blaze looked forlornly at it, then sighed. Loki patted him on the shoulder and said
"Tough break, buddy. But don't worry, we're almost there. We can sleep in tomorrow, which will cut some time, and when we get on board, it'll be smooth sailing from there." Blaze looked up and nodded with determination. Then Loki asked
"You want the bed?" Blaze shook his head and replied
"I'd rather have the couch." Loki eyed him and asked
"Are you sure?" Blaze chuckled and replied
"Yeah, I'm sure." Loki hesitated, then nodded and patted him on the back, saying
"Alright, good night then. See you in the morning." Blaze nodded and went over to the couch, laying down on it and falling asleep shortly after."
The next day; 11:50, the terminal
Blaze and Loki were waiting for their plane, Blaze shifting Lora's pokeball between his hands, Loki just looking around the terminal. When at last the plane arrived, they both gathered up their belongings and took the appropriate terminal.
They boarded the plane, took their seats, and after the preliminary flight attendant warnings, the plane took off without a hitch. Loki grinned and looked over at Blaze, telling him
"We're on our way now." Blaze simply nodded, tilting his head back and breathing a sigh of relief, wondering what wonders awaited him in his new home.
Okay, that finishes this off. Hope you enjoyed it, and don't forget to review.