The Platinum Adventure
Disclaimer: Check first chapter.
Kenshin: Where is it?
Ester: Where's what?
Kenshin: The painting! You said you would be painting something you were passionate about.
Ester: Yeah well, I don't know what motivates me anymore…I don't know what to do now…
Kenshin: I have an idea!
Ester: Really?!
Kenshin: Yeah, we…no wait, I forgot. Sorry.
Ester, leaps in front of Kenshin: Wait, I just got an idea!
Journal Entry 5: The Aura Pokemon vs. Burning Summer
Lucas wakes up the next day at 7 o' clock, stretching his arms out while yawning. He looks to the other bed and sees Cheryl tying her boots together. It seems she is already dressed and ready to leave.
"Ah, good morning." He says to her, gaining the long braid hair girl's attention.
She smiles at him and says, "Morning, Lucas. Your clothes are over there."
"Ah, thanks." Lucas rises up from under his blanket and walks over to his clothes, even though he was still clad in boxers.
Cheryl blushes and quickly turns away. She couldn't bear to look at him in this attire for the moment. It wouldn't do well for their friendship. Soon he finishes pulling up his pants and has to put on his running shoes and jacket then his hat.
"Let's go get some breakfast before going to the gym." Lucas suggests, as they head off to get some food.
After he finishes getting dressed Lucas and Cheryl walk into the cafeteria area of the Pokemon Center, and orders breakfast; in this case okonomiyaki and rice. It's a regular carbohydrate-fest. In case you don't know, it's a pancake filled with various ingredients. It's actually quite good.
After letting out their Pokemon they await their food, after serving out the meals their Pokemon eat. When it comes to them Lucas does not hesitate to cut a piece off.
"I hope you like okonomiyaki Cheryl." Lucas says as he takes his first bite of the day out of a piece of pancake. "Mmm, carbs…"
"Lucas, if you can stop making references then you'll probably need to remember that you have to battle this city's gym leader." Cheryl says to him, and then takes a bite of the okonomiyaki. Her taste buds dance on contact with the delicious breakfast. "Mmm, delicious!"
"Don't worry, I won't. We're heading there right after I check out the department store." Lucas says through chews, enjoying his tasty pancake.
"Department store? There's one here?" Cheryl asks him. "This would be a great opportunity to shop and purchase new clothes and items!"
"So it's settled; I'll take you shopping then we'll head to the gym for a battle with the gym leader." Lucas states, pointing his fork in the air. Cheryl smiles at his enthusiasm and clings her fork with his.
After their meal Lucas and Cheryl return their Pokemon to their capsules, and our male protagonist walks up to the pc and places a Pokemon in it. He then rejoins Cheryl and head out, going to the Veilstone Department store first. Inside the two friends look around the interior in awe. "Wow. This place looks so big!"
"Well, here's your share." Lucas hands her enough money for her chopping needs, which is actually more than his own. "I'll meet you at the gym."
"Okay. Thanks Lucas." Cheryl says to him while smiling sweetly. The two then split up, with him going in the elevator and her using the stairs.
Lucas ends up on the fourth floor, and finds that this stop has plenty of jewelry and such. He was right where he wants to be. Lucas walks up to the cashier and asks her, "Hey uh, do you buy nuggets?"
"Yup, we sure do! Golden nuggets are just one of the things we purchase from customers, although they are very rare!" She says, putting on a fake smile like all saleswomen.
"Well, I would like to exchange…" Lucas looks over the items in stock, and sees a platinum necklace with a diamond-crested heart in the center. He then takes out the nugget he got and hands it to her. "This nugget for that necklace."
"Okay then. Now, let me get a good look at that nugget." The lady takes the golden ball and looks it over, checking for any paints or alterations to it. After looking at it for a few minutes, she smiles at Lucas and says, "This is pure gold. Your offer is accepted."
"Ah, thank you!" Lucas thanks the lady as she snakes her hand under the glass and takes out the necklace. "Cheryl's really going to like this."
"Oh, a gift for your lover eh?" She taunts, bringing Lucas to blush at her words.
"What? Cheryl and I are just friends. I'm only buying her this gift so she'll accept my apology." He explains to her, but the counter lady still wasn't convinced.
"Riiiiiiiiight, and I read shotacon comic books." She replies with happy sarcasm. "Here you go. Have a nice day!"
"Sure…" He takes the item reluctantly and walks off defeated, by someone he doesn't know.
Lucas enters the elevator and presses the 1 button, taking notice that he's the only one there. Once he reaches the first floor he exits the building, and seeks out the gym building. He sees it south west of his position, and walks down towards it.
Meanwhile, Cheryl grabs two sets of clothes for her and Lucas, mainly so she doesn't end up in another awkward situation with him like last time. That last night continues to infest her mind; sure she thought Lucas in his boxers was kind of cute but it also got her heart beating. She couldn't help but dream about him that entire night.
So here she is, standing before a cashier paying for the items she bought for her and Lucas. She hands the money needed for payment, and walks off with her purchases. "I hope Lucas likes what I got him."
After purchasing clothes she buys HP potions for her Pokemon; she believes the best trained Pokemon should have lots of health. Afterwards Cheryl looks around and finds the stairs then walks to it so she could head downstairs. As she heads down the steps she notices a couple walking up past her, being intimate and lovey-dovey. She blushes as she thinks of Lucas and her holding hands, sleeping together, even kissing. 'They look happy together…'
"I would like something like that." Cheryl whispers to herself, stepping down each step while sighing.
She exits the department store with her items in bags, walking to the gym. As Cheryl gets closer to it her earlier depression starts to disappear. "I hope he does okay this time…"
Upon realizing her doubt she shakes her head from side to side. "What am I thinking? Of course he'll win! Lucas is strong! I know he'll do fine, with or without me!"
--
Lucas comes before the Veilstone, looking up at it. As he is about to enter he sees Dawn standing by it. "Huh? Dawn?"
Dawn looks at Lucas and gasps in a glad way. "Oh, Lucas! How are you today? Where's Cheryl?"
"She's probably still at the department store. What are you doing here?" He asks her, getting to the big question.
"Well, I thought you would be here fighting for your next badge so I came by. It would seem Team Galactic's base could be somewhere in this city." She informs him, instantly gaining his attention.
He quickly dismisses this though. "Ah, don't worry about them. If I can handle two of their top four then you'll have no trouble against them."
"I hope so. Anyway, good luck in your gym battle!" Dawn says with a smile. Lucas smiles back and gave thumbs up, and she walks away.
Lucas then makes his way inside the gym, but as soon as he reaches for the doorknob it opens up, and someone comes out. Lucas falls to the ground after being knocked back by this person, and then looks up at him. This guy is a really tall wrestler clothed man with what looks to be the biggest gut in the world, and gray hair combed up inside of a winged crown.
"Eh? Sorry kid." He says, noticing the person he just pushed down. He then notices the pokeballs around his waist and the badge case that fell out of his jacket. It opens up and reveals his badges. "So, you're here to challenge Maylene?"
"Huh? Oh yeah." Lucas says, standing back up after recollecting his badges into his case. "Who are you?"
"That's not important right now…but good luck. She may be a cute little girl, but she's deadly." He tells her. The man then walks past Lucas and goes on his way.
Lucas finally straightens himself out, watching the wrestler walk away. "Now, it's time to finally get that badge," Lucas says confidently, walking inside the gym.
"I'm here to challenge the gym leader." Lucas says after entering the gym. All the gym trainers take a look at him, then turn to the back of the gym.
This time the building actually looks like a normal gym, unlike the others. All the gym trainers, who look just like regular black belts, form a line with Lucas facing their approaching gym leader: a young girl who is just as old as him. She has red hair with the sides brushed up to look like hedgehog spikes, the Sega kind. She also has a Band-Aid over her nose, a blue sleeveless shirt with cobalt gloves and pale white sweatpants on. She is also barefoot.
"Are you here to challenge me?" She asks him, stopping in front of him.
"Yup. I'm Lucas of Twinleaf." He says to her. "What battle format will this be?"
"I'll fight you one on one. I just battled against someone before your arrival, and the only one able to stand is my star." She says to him, taking out a Pokeball attached behind her. Turning to her trainers she yells, "Everyone form space!"
And they all listen to her. She makes a cartwheel to the other end of the gym, easily landing on her two feet. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Maylene, and I'm the Gym Leader."
"You just said that…are you new?" Lucas asks her, to which she sighs depressed.
"It's true; I don't really know what it is to be strong, or how I even became Gym Leader, but I will do my best as one." She says, now showing true confidence in herself. "People may underestimate me because I'm a 'cute little girl' but I fight my battles seriously."
"Well, whenever you're ready. Go Natsu!" Lucas throws out his ball, releasing Monferno. The playful monkey screeches in anticipation.
"A fire type eh? Well don't think this will be an easy one! You're up, Lucario!" Maylene tosses her ball, releasing the Aura Pokemon Lucario.
A referee stands between them on one side of the gym, and shouts, "The gym battle between Maylene of Veilstone and Lucas of Twinleaf shall begin!"
Lucas quickly scans Lucario, and it is labeled as a Fighting and Steel type. "Well that's lucky! Natsu, use Ember!"
Monferno opens its mouth and fires a ball of flame at Lucario. Of course we all know how much of a challenge this guy is going to be; instead of taking the hit Lucario holds its right hand at the attack, and energy pulsates from its palm and cancels out the Ember.
"What?" Of course Lucas would be surprised by his strongest Pokemon's attack being stopped, even if it was one of the weakest.
"Lucario…" On Maylene's words her Aura Pokemon disappears in a flash and comes before Monferno. "Force Palm!"
Lucario places its right palm on Monferno's chest, and blows it away. Natsu stands its grounds and glares at Lucario. Lucas shouts, "Don't let him get in a good hit! Use Ember!"
Monferno fires three fireballs, to which Lucario dodges with the use of Quick Attack, and strikes Monferno in a tackling attack. 'What's going on? It's like he doesn't need commands from Maylene.'
"Lucario, use Drain Punch!" Energy collects in the blue Pokemon's left fist, as it throws a punch at the monkey.
"Counter with Shadow Claw!" Hoping his Pokemon can use the attack Fantina could utilize Lucas commands Monferno to strike head on. Darkness forms around the monkey's right hand as it rushes in after the aura Pokemon.
The two attacks collide with one another, but neither gives out to the other. Their attacks finally subside, and they glare at one another close up.
"Close Combat!" Both trainers yell. The two then continue their brawl in Close Combats, doing crazed and super fast Dragonball Z-class fighting. This continues for seconds, with Monferno's tail smacking into Lucario's face.
They glare at one another angrily, as if they've hated one another forever. It's like a dispute between a monkey and a dog. Lucas then shouts, "Use Flame Wheel!"
"Another fire move…counter it with your Aura Sphere!" With speed unmatched Lucario leaps away from Monferno, who covers itself with flames. It then runs at the dog, which collects energy into both its palms held together.
"Ike!" Both trainers yell, as Monferno charges headstrong into the sphere of energy. This attack blows him away and cancels the Flame Wheel. Lucario throws two smaller ones at the ape.
Monferno rolls along the ground to dodge them, and shoots four Embers at the dog. Lucario easily dodges the first three, but receives the last to the face. Maylene was hesitant to run to her Pokemon's side. 'He hit him in the same spot…'
"Mach Punch!" Monferno rushes at Lucario full speed, preparing to land another blow.
"Lucario, finish him off with Drain Punch!" Lucario prepares his second strongest attack, and rushes at Monferno.
"Monferno, now grab its arms!" Lucas commands, as his partner agrees with him and takes hold of both of the dog's arms.
"What are you doing?" Maylene asks frantically.
A grinning Lucas then shouts, "Flame Wheel!"
Monferno covers itself with fire, and head butts Lucario in the face. This strikes him in the exact same spot as the other three attacks, making it an effective hit. Lucario takes a few steps back from receiving the hit, just as Monferno leaps at him.
"Fury Swipes!" – Lucas
"Bone Rush!" – Maylene
Lucario's bone attack reaches first, slamming the fire Pokemon in its chest and sending it crashing backwards. Before it could fall Lucas shouts out, "Ember!"
Monferno breathes to release an ember attack, but instead the fire monkey releases a stream of fire, which consumes the dog completely. Monferno crashes on its head, and passes out. At the same time Lucario falls to the ground and faints.
"Both Lucario and Monferno are unable to battle. It's a draw!" The referee shouts, as both Lucas and Maylene gawk at their defeated Pokemon.
"Really?" Maylene was the first to rush to her Pokemon, as Lucas walks to his. "Lucario, are you okay?"
"You did a great job Monferno!" Lucas says to his Pokemon, picking up his star and returning it to its ball. 'That last move was a Flamethrower. It must have just learned it.'
"Well it seems you're stronger than you look Lucas. Not many Pokemon Trainers can beat Lucario one on one." She says to him, as he smiles embarrassed.
"I'm just lucky I guess." He says to her. It is at this moment that he is grabbed from behind by a pair of arms. He turns around and sees Cheryl hugging him. "Cheryl?"
"You did great Lucas!" She says, looking up at him from behind.
"Lucas, you were able to win. If this had been a true gym battle and all our Pokemon were ready, then there would be trouble on my end. I can really learn from this battle." Maylene says to him. She then digs into her pocket and holds out a badge. "This is yours; the Cobble Badge!"
Lucas takes the metal object with two fingers, and a thumb, and holds it in the air. "I got the Cobble Badge! This puts me halfway there!"
"Halfway? So you already had 3 badges?" Maylene asks him.
"Yup!" Lucas takes out his badge case, and shows her the badges he has. "I have the Coal, Forest and Relic Badges. With yours this makes 4."
"Wow. You were able to beat Fantina too…" She says surprised. "Then you more than deserve that badge."
"Thank you Maylene. Hopefully we can battle again soon!" Lucas says to her with a smile.
"Sure. I would like that." Maylene says while a tiny blush appears on her face. Lucas was oblivious to this, but Cheryl did see it. As the two of them leave, Maylene continues to watch Lucas, while Lucario finally wakes up.
Lucas and Cheryl exit the gym, with his badges safely secured away. "I see you did well without me cheering you."
"You only cheered for me once, and against Fantina I really didn't need it." Lucas replies with a cocky voice. Cheryl could only laugh at his alternate voice.
"Well then I won't anymore." She replies with the same zeal as him.
"Lucas, Cheryl!" A voice calls out to them. The duo looks ahead and sees a bruised Dawn limping up towards them. Tears could be seen coming out of her eyes and snot down her nose.
"Dawn!" Both Lucas and Cheryl rush to her, looking at the red mark on her face. Lucas digs into his bag and takes out a first aid kit.
"Lucas, they took them…" She whispers to them, her voice sounding scared and raspy.
"Who took what?" Lucas asks her, bandaging up her wounds the best a kid with no degree medication could do.
"Team Galactic…they stole my Pokedex, and my Pokemon…" She cries to them, her tears pouring out of her eyes.
"What?! Where are they?" He asks her, prepared to avenge her.
"Why did you go after them?" Cheryl asks the blue haired damsel.
"I didn't; I accidentally dropped my Pokedex near their HQ, and they wouldn't give it back. So I challenged the two who…who took it beside their warehouse and lost…they nabbed Clefairy…Kadabra and Grotle too…" As Dawn tells her story, Lucas finishes with her treatment. Both him and Cheryl stand up with stern confidence.
"Where are they?" He asks her once again.
"North…northeast of here…" She replies, wiping her tears away.
Lucas and Cheryl lift up Dawn over their shoulders, taking her with them. Her tears begin to dry upon their kindness. The two friends make it to a warehouse beside the headquarters and lay Dawn beside a nearby building. Lucas and Cheryl turn to face the building, and see two members of Galactic standing outside of it.
"Huh? Hey look, more kids!" One of them says, as the other looks at Lucas and his female friends.
"Hey you're right, and look! One of them is the pathetic chick who lost to us." He says, pointing to the sitting girl.
"So, she brought some friends to fight her battles." The other says in a taunting voice. They both take out their Pokeballs, and release Zubat and Stunky.
"Ready Lucas?" Cheryl asks him, taking out a ball.
"Of course. This is for Dawn; Go!" Both of them throw a ball out, releasing Gabite and Spiritomb.
"Spiritomb, use Psychic!" Cheryl shouts to her Pokemon. Spiritomb's green eyes glow light blue. Zubat is covered in the same glow, and sent crashing into the ground.
"Gabriel, use Sandtomb!" Gabite presses its claws to the ground, and sand rises up and grasps the Stunky.
"What the?! They've got some weird and rare Pokemon!" The first grunt seems scared at the moment.
"Wait, I think I know that guy!" The second says, shakily pointing his finger straight at Lucas. "He's the one who defeated Commander Mars and Jupiter!"
"What?! The same guy?!" They then return their Pokemon inside their capsules, and take out a Pokedex and three Pokeballs.
"Those are my items!" Dawn shouts, pointing to the things they had.
"Here, you guys are here for these right!? You can have them back!" The first one says, tossing a Pokeball and the Pokedex to the ground.
"Yeah, we don't even need them if they aren't strong enough to handle us!" The second grunt drops the two balls he hand, and they soon run away.
"Well that doesn't slate my anger." Lucas says, returning Gabriel to its ball. Cheryl does the same for her ghost and they walk over to the items to pick them up.
"Dawn, here you go." Lucas says to her. The two friends return to Dawn her precious Pokemon and Pokedex, and she is brought to tears.
"Lucas, Cheryl, thank you both." She hugs her items with all her heart, afterwards placing them in their respective place. She then leaps up and hugs Cheryl. "I'll always be grateful to you guys."
"It's okay Dawn. We're friends after all." Dawn releases the green braided girl and turns to Lucas, who she gives a quick peck on the cheek.
Cheryl immediately blushes in anger, but she tries her best to keep it down. 'She's just thanking him…there's nothing between them…'
"Have no fear! Looker's present!" A voice calls out from behind them. Everyone turns around to see that same cop from before.
"It's that weird guy from Jubilife!" Dawn shouts, pointing at him.
"Who are you calling weird?" He yells at her.
"Don't mind her; she's still upset over losing to Team Galactic." Lucas says to him. Looker then walks up to the warehouse, noticing the door is open.
"Whatever…I'm here to conduct an investigation. Lucas, I want you to come with me." He says to him, grabbing the star trainer's left arm and running towards the warehouse.
"Hey, wait up!" Cheryl says, as Dawn and her try to catch up.
Looker releases Lucas and grabs hold of the window, trying his best to open it up. But regardless of how hard he tried, he still could not open the thing. Even worse it was bulletproof glass. "WHAT'S WITH THIS STUPID WINDOW?!!"
Lucas walks up to the door, and grabs hold of the doorknob. He then pulls tightly, and opens the door. Looker is brought with total embarrassment. "Damn you…"
Inside they see the place is nothing more than a giant mess, the kind of mess you can only see in a warehouse, or a homeless shelter. Looker goes up to a door and tries to open it, but fails.
"This one is locked too. Guess we won't be getting through." Looker says to the others.
"Lucas, look here." Cheryl says, pointing to a disk lying on the floor. Dawn picks it up and looks the device over.
"It's HM 02, Fly. With this and the Veilstone Badge one can teach their Pokemon Fly and use it outside of battle." She explains, just as Lucas comes over to it. "You deserve this more than any of us."
"I agree." Cheryl says with a smile.
"Wow, thanks." Lucas says while taking it.
"Well this was a big waste. I'm heading to Pastoria; I heard one of those grunts saying that they're dropping off an item back in the Gambling district." Looker says, leaving the warehouse and the three friends behind.
Lucas, Cheryl and Dawn exit the building together, with the male protagonist looking over the HM disk. Dawn asks them, "So what will you two be doing?"
"We'll be heading to Pastoria as well. There's a badge waiting for Lucas to claim, right?" Cheryl says while looking at Lucas.
"Of course. I guess you'll be returning to the Professor right?" Lucas asks Dawn.
"Yup; of course I'll be resting at the Pokemon center before leaving tomorrow." Dawn says to them.
The trio of friends then head to the Pokemon center to rest their Pokemon. Dawn books a night's stay, and Lucas and Cheryl leave with heart-warming goodbyes. After passing through the gate Lucas takes out the two-seated bike and they both sit on it.
Lucas and Cheryl pedal their way down the road, checking out many trainers on the way. They also spotted some interesting Pokemon on the way, including a Rhyhorn that tried to attack them.
Before Lucas could reach the next route, he flinches suddenly, and stops by a set of trees. Lucas stares at them with glazed interest. 'What was that…it felt like, something called out to me…'
"Lucas, what's wrong?" Cheryl asks him. He shakes it off and turns to her.
"It's nothing, Cheryl. Let's keep going." Lucas continues pedaling the bike with her, going past a Houndour.
The dark dog looks up and grows, since they ran over its tail, and it goes after them. Cheryl looks behind her and sees the dog chasing them, and then screams. "Lucas, there's a dog chasing us!"
"Let's lose it!" He says, increasing his pace. But even with Cheryl's feet adding to it Houndour could keep up.
It opens its mouth and fires a ball of flame at them, which is practically an Ember attack. The Ember hits in front of them, and they are forced to stop and crash to the ground. Lucas gets up and stares at the dog while helping his green haired friend.
"Cheryl, you okay?" He asks her.
She nods, and they glare at the dark firedog. "You want him or should I catch it?"
"I could use a dark Pokemon. Go Geyser!" Lucas sends out his Floatzel to battle, it staring down the angry dog. "Give him a Water Gun!"
Floatzel opens its mouth and releases a stream of water, but Houndour leaps out of the way and opens its mouth to release Smog. It covers and blocks Geyser's vision, leaving it unable to see the Bite coming at its tail.
"He can't fight back without sight. Use Aqua Jet to escape!" Floatzel covers itself with water and propels out of the smog, with Houndour attached to its tail. "Now use Sonic Boom!"
Floatzel swings its tail and blows the dog away, knocking it to the ground. It quickly gets up and releases a Flamethrower at the airborne weasel. "Water gun!"
Floatzel releases a stream of water to counteract the flame, canceling it out and knocking it to the ground. Floatzel lands gracefully, raising its arms up in triumph. Houndour glares at the weasel in rage, as light covers its body.
Lucas, Cheryl and Geyser watch its evolution in amazement, as it grows in size. The glowing ends and its silhouette reveals it to be Houndoom. The black dog rushes at Geyser, but on Lucas' command it strikes back with an Aqua Jet and knocks it back down.
"That wasn't very good at all. Oh well, go Great Ball!" Lucas tosses a blue Pokeball, and captures the hound inside. After ten shakes it finally ends and Houndoom is finally his.
Lucas bends down and picks up the ball, looking it over. "What a hassle. Let's continue to Pastoria."
The two friends continue down the road, battling many trainers along the way. This was great training for Cheryl's Pokemon, since she doesn't have to for Gym Battles. By the time they realized it, they have made it to Valor Lakefront.
"Hey, let's check out the lake before it gets too dark. I heard there is a Legendary Pokemon there." Cheryl says to Lucas, as they pedal into that direction. Lucas stops in front of it, and sees two cameramen blocking their entrance. Cheryl then asks them, "Uh, could you please let us through?"
"Sorry kids. We can't let anyone inside. We're trying to catch a Legendary Pokemon on film, and it won't appear when people are around." The first one says.
"I was the guy who filmed the Red Gyaradous." The second one states.
"Okay fine. We'll come back at a later time." Lucas says, as him and Cheryl pedal off.
They head down the road as day becomes night quickly, and lucky for them they find a hotel nearby. Cheryl was ecstatic. "Wow! A place we can stay without having to go to a Pokemon Center."
"You don't like going to centers?" He asks her. She sticks her tongue out playfully.
"I think a hotel is much better than a Pokemon center. Let's book a night and continue in the morning." Cheryl says to him while smiling brightly.
"Sure, whatever." He says to her.
As they ride up the stairs the two come before a hotel building. Standing outside it is a woman who suddenly calls to them, "Hey, you two!"
"Huh?" Cheryl asks her, as Lucas stops the bike.
"I've lost my key to my place, and I am in need of assistance. Can you two help me find it?" She asks them, as Lucas rises up from his bike.
"Well, we were about to book a room here, so we'll keep an eye out for you." He says to her. Turning to Cheryl Lucas asks her, "Right Cheryl?"
"Of course." – Cheryl
"Oh thank you!" She says to them, clapping her hands together. "I've checked everywhere but at the front of the lobby. It could be there!"
"Okay, we'll search for it." Lucas says, sitting back down and pedaling towards the lobby.
The two friends end up inside the lobby of the hotel, and stop by the counter guy. He places his bike back inside his bag and walks up to him. Cheryl straightens her appearance and fixes her hair back, after it changed due to the wind.
Lucas stops by the counter and asks the man, "Hey um how much is it for a night's stay?"
"I'm sorry sir. We are totally booked at the moment." The counter person says to the cap-wearing boy.
"What? There are no more rooms left?" Lucas asks the man with his voice sounding upset.
"Our last two rooms went to a group of reporters who went out to Lake Valor." He explains to Lucas, who sighs in defeat. Guess they would have to either camp out or keep moving.
He turns to Cheryl and walks up beside her. "Cheryl, it seems we can't get a room. They're all taken."
"Aw. Then we'll have to camp out, and with no supplies." She states morbidly. The girl really expected to sleep in a comfort hotel. "Oh well. At the very least we can find that lady's key before leaving."
"Yeah. We did promise to help her look for it." Lucas remembers all of a sudden. Cheryl and Lucas then walk out the doorway opposite the one they came through, and exit the lobby.
Pretty soon it would get really dark out, enough to activate the street lamps and get a policeman's attention. But since Lucas and Cheryl were out by the beach it was blacker than normal. Cheryl moves closer to Lucas as they look around, searching for the key that lady lost.
"She said she lost it around here. Where could it be?" He asks himself as he continues to skim through the ground.
"Hey, we could use our Pokemon. They might have better eyes than us." Cheryl suggests to the stronger trainer.
"Hey, that's a great idea! I choose Blitz!" Lucas tosses a ball out and summons Luxio. The lynx Pokemon releases electric sparks around its body upon appearing. "Blitz, you have keen eyesight right? I need you to search around for any metal object that resembles a key. Can you do that?"
Luxio nods in agreement to Lucas's question, ready to serve his trainer and friend, and his friend. Luxio scans the ground with its super sharp eyesight, until it comes before a golden object shaped like a key. Making a growl it signals where the object it and gains Lucas' attention.
"Good boy!" Lucas runs up to his Spark Pokemon and bends down in front of it. With Luxio staring right at the key Lucas runs his fingers through the padded surface until he touches something metal. Gripping it tightly he picks it up and looks at it through the use of the moonlight radiating down on them. "Now, let's go find that lady."
"Okay!" Cheryl agrees with him. The two friends and Luxio hurry back to the first hotel building they came by before entering the lobby, and see the same lady standing there looking rather frustrated.
"Oh it's you two. Have any luck?" She asks them. Lucas holds up the key he found, and she quickly grabs it without them even realizing until the end.
She inserts the key inside the slot and turns, and to her expectations it clicks. The lady opens the door and breaths a sigh of relief. She then turns to her saviors and gladly says to them, "Thank you so much for helping me find it. I'm not sure if I can help you two with anything though."
"That's okay. We have to go to Pastoria now and find a place to sleep." Lucas says in response.
The lady lifts an eyebrow in shock and looks at them. "Huh? Didn't you two book a room?"
"It was taken by someone else." Cheryl replies, both of them bowing their heads in defeat.
The lady begins to think of something, then comes up with an idea. "Hey, why don't you stay with me? It's the least I can do for nice young kids like you."
"Really?! That would be awesome!" Lucas shouts in happiness. It was way better than sleeping near a bunch of trees, or even on top of sand.
"Thank you so much!" Cheryl gives her thanks as well, clapping her hands together and holding them under her chin.
"Sure thing; come in!" The nice lady invites them inside her home, and the two kids don't hesitate to enter.
After having a nice dinner, one involving their Pokemon getting fed as well, the nice lady hands them comforters and pillows. She then pulls out the couch bed so they could sleep in it. Lucas and Cheryl return their Pokemon to their balls just as the female owner turns off the lights.
"Goodnight you two. See you in the morning." She says to them, entering her room while dressed in her alluring nightgown.
"Night." Both friends say out of sync. Lucas lays on the left side of the couch bed while Cheryl rests on the right.
Both of them look up at the ceiling, hoping to fall asleep soon and avoid having to deal with the awkward truth that two different genders are partially nude and sleeping in the same bed. Lucas then says, "You feeling okay there?"
"Uh huh." She replies, a blush and a smile creeping up on her face.
"Well, if you feel uncomfortable here in anyway then I can sleep on the floor." He says to her.
"No it's okay. I trust you Lucas. I always will." She confesses, closing her eyes slowly.
She quickly falls asleep without realizing it, as most people do when they shut their tired eyes at night. But seconds after entering dreamland Cheryl turns to the side so now both her arms were lying under and over Lucas. Our diamond protagonist blushes at this contact and tries to wiggle out, but once Cheryl realized she was on something warm and safe she snuggled up closer and hugged him tightly.
'Wow…she really feels warm now…it's making me feel warm and happy inside…' He begins to think in his mind. This feeling he was getting is starting to grow on him. Lucas could no longer deny it and label it as uncomfortable.
So giving in he shifts his body to face hers, pulls her head up closer to his chest, and embraces her. He easily falls asleep in this position, with her safe in his arms.
--
Cheryl opens her eyes slowly, adjusting herself to the light of day, and sees her best friend sleeping snuggled with her. After she realizes that her arms were around him, Cheryl blushes deeply after gasping. 'Oh no! I wrapped my arms around…wait…'
She looks down at her person, and sees that his arms were around her as well. 'Does he…does he like me as well?'
"Sand…wich…" Lucas whispers in his sleep.
Cheryl chuckles in her sleep while looking at him, and then move a hand up to his cheek. She then rubs it lightly, intent on waking him up. Her plan works and the dark haired trainer open his eyes to look at Cheryl's, that blush he had last night coming back full bloom.
"Cheryl?" He mumbles, snaking his hands from around her. "Nice to see you're awake."
"Mm, you two." She says to him. The two of them then rise up from the bed, sitting next to one another. "Should we tell her that we're ready to leave?"
"I already know." A voice behind the couch says. Both teens turn their faces toward the owner of the suite, gasp and quickly stand up beside the couch.
"How long were you standing there?" Cheryl asks her.
"Long enough to see you caress him face." She replies.
"Um, well, that was…" She stumbles for words to bail her out, but fails and is subjected to embarrassment.
"Ah, I remember being young once. Boys were all I could think of, and now…" The lady holds her cheeks while blushing. The two teens could only look at her with shock.
--
"Bye, good luck on your journey!" The older woman shouts to them, as her two younger friends pedal down the road for the next city.
As Lucas and Cheryl pedaled on their bike she rests her head on his shoulders the whole time, as if comfortable on that spot. Lucas sighs in content and let's her rest there. Why wouldn't he?
They ride across the sandy beach attached to the hotel, following the pathway to Pastoria. As they bike Lucas stops in front of someone, who was blocking his way intentionally. This guy has a white overcoat on with black hakama-esque pants and a silver zipper on his coat. He also has silver boots and black gloves on. Around his waist is six Pokeballs, all Premier.
"Hey, you there." He calls out to Lucas, who just stares in shock. "Are you a trainer?"
"Yeah." Lucas answers honestly.
"I challenge you to a battle. Do you accept?" He asks him, pulling down his white hood. He reveals himself to have silver spiky hair, gray eyes, and bright white skin.
"Heh, sure. I could use some training for Pastoria gym." Lucas says confidently, lifting up off the bike. Cheryl holds the bike up on her own, until she hits the kickstand.
"Good luck Lucas!" She calls out to him.
"You'll be my 12th battle of the day. Hopefully you'll do better than that blond kid." He takes out a Pokeball and releases Croconaw. "Now, send out your Pokemon!"
"That's a weird Pokemon; it's not even in the dex. But it's a water type eh? Go Blitz!" Lucas sends out Luxio, who releases a surge of electricity around its body. Its Intimidation brings the crocodile down.
"Battle!" Both of them yell, as Croconaw and Luxio leap at each other. Croconaw grapples Luxio, lifting it up into the air so it wouldn't run away.
"Use Spark!" Luxio surrounds itself with electricity, shocking the crocodile due to having direct contact.
Croconaw tosses the lynx away, still standing from the attack. "Water Gun!"
It fires a blast of water from its mouth, aiming straight for Luxio. Lucas commands with, "Charge," and the Spark Pokemon gathers magnetic energy around it, taking in the special attack and increasing its next move.
"Now, use Shock Wave!" Lucas shouts, as it releases a pulsating wave of electric energy out all around it.
This attack would reach Croconaw if his trainer hadn't yelled, "Dive!"
Croconaw leaps into the seawater close by, effectively dodging the inescapable move. Croconaw leaps up from that attack, and descends below to Luxio. "Alligates, strike with Aqua Tail!"
Croconaw's tail glows bright blue, and slams down on Luxio's skull. The lynx falls to the ground as Croconaw lands. "What do you know…I've already won…"
"Don't think so! Luxio is much stronger than you think." Lucas says to him, as his sole electric Pokemon rises up. It would seem that Intimidate worked quite well.
"I guess you train your Pokemon well…But this battle isn't over. Alligates can finish this with his Ice Beam!" Croconaw opens its mouth and creates a light blue ball of pure ice energy in between his jaws.
Luxio prepares itself for his partner's orders. Lucas begins to weight his options. "What can I do…it won't survive with another charge…guess I'll have to use that move…Use Flash!"
Luxio illuminates a bright light from its body, blinding everyone's vision. Luxio then rushes in after Croconaw while covered in sparking electricity. "Spark Attack!"
Croconaw randomly releases the Ice Beam, and misses Luxio. The lynx runs up to the blind gator, and crashes full body into it, frying it to its core. Croconaw falls to the ground fainted, giving the battle's victory to Luxio and Lucas.
"I win!" Lucas shouts out in glee, as Luxio joins him by leaping up happily.
"Lucas won!" Cheryl squeals, caught up in their excitement.
"Alligates, return." The white trainer collects his Water type to its ball, and places it on his belt. He then walks up to Lucas, and says, "Well it seems I got my share of fun. I should get going to Veilstone; after winning 4 battles today Croconaw definitely needs a rest especially after losing to you."
"This was his 5th battle? I won against a tired Pokemon?" Lucas shouts in disappointment. He almost lost to this guy in a one on one and his Pokemon was already worn?
"You two have a safe day; Yusei out!" He then tosses out a Pokeball, releasing Rapidash. Leaping onto the back of the fire Pokemon he rides off into the direction Lucas and Cheryl came from, leaving them confused.
"Who was that guy?" Cheryl asks Lucas, stressing out the word 'was' to make it sound very important.
Lucas could only shrug. He then walks up to Luxio so he could brush its mane. "Who cares? He was probably some foreign guy. His Pokemon didn't register in the Pokedex. You okay, Blitz?"
Luxio makes a happy cry, inciting that it's okay. But as it does light begins to gather around it, giving it the characteristics of a silhouette. Shocked at first Lucas tells his Pokemon, "Hey, stop using Flash. The battle's over."
"I don't think it's using a move; it looks like evolution!" Cheryl comments as she approaches Lucas from behind.
The silhouette of Luxio grows bigger, taking a much more defined shape than normal. The light slowly dies out, and Blitz has finally evolved from Luxio to Luxray. Lucas could not contain his excitement. "Wow! Blitz has evolved twice!"
"It looks like a Luxray. Your team seems to get stronger each day." Cheryl compliments, causing Lucas to blush and give off that look that says, 'aw, shucks'.
Little did he know that he would need Luxray's power in the practically immediate future, against both the next Gym Leader and Team Galactic.
Yusei: Wow…I have silver hair?
Kenshin: I thought you'd have black hair like me and everyone else in my family with D in their name. How come you can enter the story and not me?
Yusei: Because, I was chosen.