Chapter 4:
The Journey Continues
A/N: Wow. Thanks to all the readers, this has now become my most popular story! Thanks for the reviews so far; keep 'em coming.
Sarah was just about to fall asleep when she felt the change come over her. Any pain she would have had was now nonexistent. It simply felt natural; like it was something her body did everyday. She twisted out of the covers mid-change and shrugged off her clothes. She let the change finished and sat on the bed. Light fell through the nearby winder, causing her to look up. It was the moon, full and bright. Sarah started to think. Why did she change at night? How did she change? So many questions. Hopefully she would get them answered.
There was a scratch at the window. Sarah looked out. The Rattata from last night was sitting on the sill. She jumped down and used a vine to open the glass.
The small rat jumped onto the floor. "Wow. You weren't kidding about being human."
"Of course I wasn't. What are you doing here?"
"After I saw you change, I got curious, so I decided to follow along. Besides, I also figured you could use someone to help you around this side of the world."
She laughed. "I guess I could. Would you like to join my Pokemon team?"
"You mean like battling?" Sarah nodded. "Eh, why not? I ain't got a family or anything."
"Great." Sarah went over to her bag and fished out a pokeball. "But before you get in, I have one question."
"Shoot."
"Do you have any idea about why I change at night?"
The Rattata thought. "Well, many Shaiyas have always had an affinity for the moon. Supposedly, it's the symbol for the goddess who created Shaiyas. Perhaps that's why." He eyed the little ball with a little suspicion. "I hope it's roomy in there."
"I wouldn't know." She cocked a leg back.
"One more thing."
She stopped.
"Name's Lars. Just so you know."
"Good to know." Sarah kicked the pokeball into the air. It struck Lars' head and he was sucked inside. She placed the ball back into her bag and jumped onto the bed.
The moon. That was a better reason than anything she could come up with. Oh well. She'd have to find out tomorrow.
She twisted, softening the cushion, and lay down to sleep.
The next morning, Luke was waiting in the main lobby. He had his bag packed and was tapping his foot in anticipation. If it weren't for Sarah, he would have been gone.
Sarah ran out of the hall, completely bagless. Luke stood. "What took you so long? Aren't you ready to go?"
"Not really. Listen, there's something I have to do before we go."
"And what would that be?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Just then, Prof. Oak burst through the door. "Sarah! There you are."
"Please, Luke," she pleaded. "This won't take too long." She turned away and pulled Oak with her back down the hall.
Luke sighed. "Sure. I can wait."
It wasn't until two hours later that Luke heard a door creak open. "Thank you again for calling me. I'll get up with you as soon as the tests are done," he heard someone say.
Prof. Oak then came out of the hall and jogged outside. There was an engine rev and a car sped off.
Sarah came back out to the lobby. This time she had her pack slung over her shoulder. "OK. Now I'm ready to go," she said with a smile.
They stepped out and continued their walk to Pewter City.
A nervous silence covered the air for most of the walk. Finally, Luke gained the courage to ask what was on his mind. "What was that visit from Oak all about?"
Sarah continued watching the pathway ahead. "Nothing really. It's kind of personal, so I'd rather not talk about it."
Luke nodded and the silence returned. They didn't say another word to each other until they finally arrived at the city.
Pewter wasn't as much a city as Viridian. It was actually more like a very large town. It even had its own museum, which the pair took some time to explore.
After stopping at a restaurant to eat, they made their way to the gym. It was large and had two large rock images next to the sign. "I'm guessing this is a rock gym," Luke said as the two walked in. Sure enough, the center of the building was covered in a rock-type field. They were standing now in a lobby. No one was at the front desk. "Hello?"
Sarah noticed a small door on the left wall. She went over and peered in. Someone was inside. She pushed the door open a bit. "Excuse me."
The man turned his head. "Yes. Can I help you?" In his hands was a Vulpix.
"We're looking for the gym leader. We would like to challenge him for the gym's badge."
"Is that so," the man said as he put the Vulpix down. He stood erect and turned to the door. His skin was dark and he was tall, easily topping Luke's five and a half feet. "And what makes you think you're ready to face this gym's leader?" he asked as he completely opened the door and walked out.
"I'd like to give my battle training a test. Also because I'd like to compete in the Kanto League," she answered.
The man nodded and turned to Luke. "And you?"
"I want to challenge the gym leader also. I'm going to show the world that I'm the best."
The man laughed. "Strong words. But I'll warn you, arrogance won't get you very far." He turned back to Sarah. "I am Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader, and I accept your challenge."
"Really?"
"Hey," Luke interrupted. "What about me?"
"I accept your challenge as well, but this young lady will be first."
Luke made a sneer.
"My name's Sarah," she said, holding out her hand.
Brock accepted it. "Nice to meet you. Are you ready to begin?" Sarah nodded and Brock gestured to the door.
The two walked in. Brock went around to the far side of the field and Luke took a seat in the stands. "How many Pokemon do you have?" he called over.
"Three," she called back.
"Then it will be a three-on-three match. You may switch out Pokemon as you choose, but I cannot." He reached back and pulled out a pokeball. "I'll choose first. COME OUT, GEODUDE!" He hurled the pokeball and a rock Pokemon came forth.
"A Geodude, huh? Then I choose RATTATA!" She threw her own ball and Lars popped out.
"Hey, when did you get a Rattata?" Luke asked.
"Last night, actually. You ready?"
"I haven't done this in a while, but yeah," Lars answered.
"Just do what I say and you'll be fine."
"Don't be so sure," the Geodude called over.
"You may make the first attack," Brock said.
"Great. RATTATA, USE QUICK ATTACK!"
The small rat pushed off and quickly gained some serious speed. With a quick leap, he rose into the air and connected with Geodude. Geodude was thrown back against a rock.
Brock smiled. "Well done. But it will take more than that to hurt my Geodude." The dust cleared. Geodude was still floating without a scratch. "Being a rock type, Geodude has a very high defense. USE ROCK THROW!"
Geodude leaned down and picked up a massive boulder.
Lars took a step back. "Don't worry, Rattata," Sarah called out. "You're small. Use that to your advantage." The Geodude pulled back and let the rock fly. "Now DODGE!"
Lars took two steps to the side and the rock flew by.
"Very nice," Brock said. "KEEP USING ROCK THROW!"
"KEEP DODGING!"
The Pokemon went into a game of target practice. Geodude threw rock after rock which Lars dodged.
"Gotta come up with something quick," Sarah thought to herself. "Use the rocks for cover!" Lars quickly jumped behind a rock. Geodude threw another boulder and the rock was torn to shreds. "Now Quick Attack behind another one!" Lars quickly jumped behind another rock. Geodude threw another rock, but Lars was already gone.
Lars continued to leap from rock to rock. Geodude tried to keep up, but the little rat was going too fast. Eventually it completely lost track. Even Brock couldn't find it.
"Great. NOW TACKLE IT!"
Lars jumped out and up, right into Geodude's underside. The rock monster went up into the air and came down hard on its head. The creature rolled into another rock and lay motionless.
"Well done," Brock said as he recalled Geodude. "That's one down. But my next Pokemon is a bit stronger. GO DIGLET!" A little Pokemon that looked like something I can't describe popped out into the ground.
"Now that's an interesting Pokemon." Sarah instantly thought about ways to go about this. She knew this Pokemon was a great digger, so it would be hard to find a chance to attack.
"USE DIG, DIGLET!"
The Pokemon suddenly disappeared underground.
Lars started looking around. "Where'd it go? What should I do?"
"Don't worry. You'll be fine. Just be ready."
The Diglet came up without warning. It connected straight into Rattata's stomach. The rat screamed as it was hurled into the air.
"Hang in there. Turn your fall into a Quick Attack."
The rat angled his head down and used his arms to direct himself.
"Get underground, Diglet!" The creature vanished back into the rock.
Lars angled straight into the hole Diglet had escaped into. There was a fountain of dust as he impacted.
It took a moment for the smoke to clear. When it finally did, Lars was lying on his back, knocked out. The Diglet reappeared several yards over. It was hit, but not enough to take it out.
Sarah held out her pokeball and Rattata vanished into it. "Great job," she said to him. "You did very well for your first battle."
Sarah put that pokeball back and grabbed another one. This was exciting. Sarah's heart began to beat faster. "So this is what being a trainer feels like."
A/N: Not so much stuff this chapter, but the next one is big, so stay tuned!