Pokemon Quest
Start: Friday November 16
League Challenge begins: Sunday July 3rd (33 weeks total)
by Adrimiz7
-Begin Week Seven-
"Urhh, classes today were brutal. With Thanks Giving break coming in three days, we're either taking a test or reviewing for one. Well, everyone's ignoring me because of it, so that's a plus. But, even better, with the break, we'll have more time to travel to the far off places like Fuchsia city." Adrian longingly tells his pokemon.
"Yeah, and then we can do something about the poaching."
…..
"Pikaaaaa."
"Sprouuuut."
"Crawwww."
Adrian's pokemon complain.
"Yea, I know, I know. This isn't the right way" Adrian apologizes to his pokemon, "I said we would go to Fuchsia city once the classes ended, but Thanks Giving means we have to make a quick stop at home, sorry."
The pokemon give Adrian a questioning look.
"To be honest," Adrian sighs, "I doubt this family reunion will last too long."
The pokemon accept the answer and continue forward.
"Tch" Adrian clicks his tongue glancing off to the side.
As Adrian continues walking west threw the Viridian forest, he reflects on some earlier events.
"Before we dismiss for our homes and families, I believe it is necessary to reward those students who have over come the odds to reach the top." Principe announces to the lecture hall.
"…our newly ranked seventh student is Jarod P. Chase. Today we present Jarod with a blazing Magmar in hopes that he will advance on his path as a trainer…"
'He's seventh now... Oh I'm never going to hear the end this…' Adrian's face pales.
"In second place we have Caitlin Rehnquist and to her we present a beautiful Seel. Finally, having held his position since the first day, we present our valedictorian Samuel Roberts. To Samuel we have the pleasure of bestowing a powerful Beedrill. We ask that everyone continue their hard work and strive…"
'We've heard it before already. Be the best, reach the top, challenge the League, win. The path here guarantees victory and success, the privileged few, our future pokemon leaders, achieve your potential, number one!'
"Gah!" Adrian growls.
'I get it, ok I get it, I'm weak, worthless, and don't belong here. I am not her!'
…..
"Hey guys, we're home." Adrian announces to his pokemon. "I wonder if anyone is home yet?"
Entering the house, Adrian finds a note in the kitchen. Picking it up, he accidentally smears a word.
Adrian,
The League needs us to stay during the holiday due to increased activity of some kind. I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you what. We do not know when we will be able to return either. There is some food in the refrigerator and I've left some money in the cabinet if you want to order Chinese. We all regret not being able to be together this holiday but look forward to seeing you Christmas, even if for only a day. We won't ask about you progress in the academy, we know you're a student role model so your scores should be top of the class. You must have been granted your own pokemon by now as well. We all want to know who you were giving as your first partner. Once you graduate and join us here in the League, everything will be much easier. **** is already planning your graduation and League Challenge party for this year.
Love, Mom
Adrian stares at the smeared spot on the letter and silently fills in the name.
"Pff, called it..." Adrian states, his voice empty.
'But, it good they're confident about my supposed abilities, if they knew truth, things would be difficult.' Adrian sighs in relief. "But, they're going to find out one day..."
'Good thing the academy can't reach any of them or I'd be dead...' Adrian pales at the thought.
"Guy's we'll leave for Fuchsia tomorrow after breakfast. For now let's eat. I'm ordering Chinese." Adrian decides to ignore the problem.
…..
Adrian rides his bike threw the Viridian forest strait to the top of cycling rode. He then allows gravity to pull him all the way down to Fuchsia.
"A trip that would have taken us a day to walk barely took us half of one." Adrian smugly smiles to himself.
"You know, our trips would be a lot faster if we were allowed to have bikes on the academy." Adrian tells his pokemon while wandering Fuchsia city. "Although, to be honest, I can't train you guys either, but you're much easier to bring in and out of my room."
Adrian asks around and finds the Safari Zone's warden's house. He knocks on the door and waits for an answer.
"Hello?"
"Hi, I'm looking for a Professor Marilyn."
"I am her."
"My name is Adrian. Professor Oak sent me to help you with your problem."
"Ahh yes, I was expecting you, come inside."
Adrian enters the building in surprise.
'She just accepted what I said at face value...'
"As you may already know, I am the current manager of the Safari Zone. Lately, poachers have been stealing pokemon. I need you to patrol the grounds, if you find anything let me know immediately. Should you encounter them, if you can, take a picture and then leave. Do not engage the poachers directly. Do you understand?"
"Yes, what area should I check first?"
"Here's a map. Follow this river until you reach this valley. The area will somewhat resemble a quarry. Call me once you get there for further instruction."
"Roger."
…..
Adrian reaches the Safari Zone and enters the gate entrance.
"Ah, you must be Adrian. Come this way." A man in safari clothing says.
Adrian goes through a screening and meets with the man again.
"Here, these are for you."
The man gives Adrian a GPS, binoculars, and some safari balls.
"The river you're looking for is in that direction." The main points.
"Thanks." Adrian responds walking off.
…..
"A kangahskan!" Adrian exclaims to his pokemon. Quickly, he scans the pokemon with his pokedex.
Even though Adrian and his pokemon were patrolling the Safari Zone for poachers, they were still enjoying the time they had.
"Wow, so that was a Lapras. Guys, I think we're close. The bank is starting to-"
"Raaaaaa."
Adrian pauses at the sound.
'A pokemon's cry… further up the river!'
"Draaaaaaaa!"
"It's in pain! Let's go!"
They all run off as fast as they can. As they approach a river bend, they begin hearing voices and stop.
"Naaaaaa!"
'There.' Adrian glares.
Quietly, Adrian sneaks a look over the bend and sees a majestic Dragonair crying in pain as three electrabuzz torture it. Four men stood off to the side, three of them giving commands to the electrabuzz while the fourth stood by with a kadabra.
Adrian retracts his head thinking, 'The poachers…'
'And the boss.' Adrian recalls the man with the kadabra.
Adrian tries to send an SOS to base, but the signal is unable to go through.
"Draaaaa Naaaaaa!"
"Ghhh!" Adrian breaths in frustration.
"Here's the plan." Adrian whispers to his pokemon. "Spearow, fly around on standby. When things start looking bad, jump in and save us. Pikachu, you're going to start things with a thunderbolt, aim towards the kadabra. Haunter, at the same time, night shade on the electrabuzz. Bellsprout, as their distracted, use sleep powder on the kadabra. Let's do it."
…..
"Dahhh!"
"""Buzzzzzz!"""
Kadabra screams out in pain while the electrabuzz all roar in terror.
Adrian takes advantage of the poachers' shock shouting, "Now Bellsprout!"
"What the, a brat! Stop him!" the boss shouts.
"Bellsprout, razor leaf the electrabuzz! Haunter, sucker punch the electrabuzz! Pikachu thunderbolt again!" Adrian rapidly commands.
The shock from surprise attack wears off and the poachers begin their counter attack.
"Magmar, fire punch!"
"Geodude, rock throw!"
"Shelder, bubble beam!"
"Spearow, Shelder, protect!" Adrian shortens his commands. "Bellsprout, Geodude, vine whip!" Pikachu, keep at it! Haunter, Magmar, sucker punch!"
'Darn, I can't focus on them all.'
"Spearow, double team! Bellsprout, razor leaf. Pikachu... Haunter... no!" Adrian cries as kadabra uses psychic on Pikachu and Magmar uses fire punch on Haunter.
"Spearow, return!" Adrian calls as Spearow is frozen by an ice beam.
"Pikachu, Shelder, thunderbolt! Haunter, night shade!" Pikachu zaps the shellfish as Haunter covers him.
'One down, but I can't do this much longer...'
"The Dragonair is getting away!" the boss shouts.
"I'll get it!" two grunts reply.
"Tch, Bel-"
An explosion interrupts Adrian's command.
Turning, Adrian sees Kadabra over powering Haunter.
"How?"
"Nauuuuu!" Adrian hears the Dragonair cry.
"Sorry, you're just weak. Now Kadabra, fini-"
"Arcanine, flame wheel!" A teen interrupts, "Hey man, need a light?"
'A light? Whatever.'
"Haunter return." Adrian calls back Haunter who is hypnotized.
"Pikachu, flash and thunder wave!"
'We have to stop Kadabra or we'll lose.'
"Bell, Kadabra, giga-drain!"
"The Dragonair got away, we're leaving!"
The poachers throw smoke bombs and disappear with their pokemon.
As Adrian catches his breath, his savior approaches him.
"Hey dude, you ok?"
"I'm good, thanks for helping."
"Don't worry about it. Who were those people?"
"Poachers, I'm told they've been coming here for a while."
"Poachers…" The stranger's face angers as he says the word, "Arcanine and I will go after them, you wait here in case they come back."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, we won't let them get away. My name's David, but everyone calls me Duck."
"Pleasure, my name's Adrian. Best of luck to you!"
"Thanks, c'ya!"
Duck takes off on his Arcanine pursuing the poachers.
"Guess I should try reporting in again..." Adrian says to no one inparticular.
Adrian pulls out his pokegear and tries calling Marilyn again
"This is Adrian reporting."
"Continue."
"I've arrived at designated location and ran into some poachers attacking a Dragonair. I tried calling for help, but there was too much interference. The Dragonair is safe now, but they got away."
"I'm sending some guards to that area, stay there until they arrive. Once they arrive, come back to base."
"Roger."
'She ticked.' comes to Adrian's mind as he puts his pokegear away. 'Well, there is no way I was going to abandon that Dragonair. But, more importantly, if it wasn't because Duck appeared we would have lost...'
" Guy, we got lucky today. We need to get a lot stronger, strong enough so that we will never rely on anyone, strong enough so that no one…"
Adrian breaks off recalling the pain Dragonair suffered as it cried. He remembers attacking the poachers in his failed attempt to defend the Dragonair.
'If Duck hadn't come, what would they have done to that Dragonair?' Adrian asks sadly.
The possibilities to that answer anger Adrian. Standing, he shouts for everyone to hear, "We will protect all the pokemon we can!"
Yet, falling back, all he thinks of are his shortcomings and inability.
'Just moments ago, on our own, we were of no use to a pokemon...'
…..
"Adrian, although Dragonair is safe, the poachers got away. However, we encountered a boy who claims he was also searching for the poachers."
"Duck? He helped me fight the poachers."
"So, you know him. What else can you tell me about him?"
"Not much, after I told him I was fighting poachers, he got angry and ran after them."
"Would you recommend him?"
"Well, he loves pokemon and he's strong, he's looks qualified to me."
"Good, the two of you will be working together starting tomorrow. He told us the situation once he discovered who we were and even volunteered to help. We just needed to question you to see how well your stories matched. Go and get acquainted with your new partner."
Adrian leaves in annoyance that he has been given a partner.
'Even though I said he was qualified, I didn't mean I wanted to work with him. I work alone!' Adrian recalls his treatment during group projects in the academy.
With a sigh, Adrian resigns himself to the facts.
'But, right now, we aren't strong enough to do this alone, we... I need his help. Also, this isn't the academy.'
The moment Adrian enters the lounge, Duck calls out to him.
"Hey dude, over here."
'Was he waiting for me?' Adrian wonders.
…..
"Duck, Adrian, you're being assigned to Dragons' Spring. Even though the poachers failed yesterday, they are more then likely to capture dragon pokemon today. If you continue walking along the river from yesterday, you'll reach it."
"I never saw the name Dragons' Spring on any of the maps." Duck raises an issue.
"We don't want visitors disturbing the area so the name is privileged information. We need you to be informed to properly guard the location."
"Really, but getting there is pretty easy." Adrian comments.
Duck nods his head in agreement.
The professor laughs, "That place is actually one of the hardest places to reach. The true path is quite long and tiring. It takes over a day to walk there on it."
"And the safari closes at night." Duck quips.
"To attempt a direct approach," Marilyn continues, "leads to various dangers and obstacles. The fact that you two arrived there so easily demonstrates your love and respect for pokemon. We don't mind if such qualified trainers reach the Dragons' Springs."
"If this place is face poaching problems, why was I allowed in?" Duck asks. "Heck, why is this being kept secret?"
"Actually, we have cut down on the number of people entering the safari. We preformed a back ground check on you when you arrived before admitting you. Those who fail aren't let in and are asked to come back later and enjoy the tour instead. However, the trainers who are allowed in are done so in hopes that their presence hinders the progress of the poachers. Finally, the pokemon league can't lose face among it's people. To do so may lead to chaos and make apprehending the criminals even more difficult. The public will be informed once everything is resolved."
…..
Duck and Adrian are giving keys to a nearby cabin and then leave for Dragons' Springs.
"So you already have three badges?" Adrian continues their conversation from yesterday.
"Yeah, the Hive, Glacier, and Mineral."
"Never heard of them."
"That's the problem. I got them back in Johto and I'll only be able to use them in Johto."
"That's right, you mentioned you came to Kanto to fight the League Champion."
"Former Champion, she lost her spot a few years ago when she didn't show up to the League Champion title match."
"Once you fight her, will you be returning to Johto?"
"Nahh, I doubt I'll find her any time soon. Heck, she might not even be in this region anymore, but she might appear at the Kanto League. For now, I'll participate in hopes that she'll appear. Besides, I was able to get three badges in a different region, there's no reason why I can't get more here."
"Well, I'm sure she'll be at the League this year."
"Thanks."
"Hey, we're here. Might as well look around."
The two split up and survey the surrounding area for anyone else. Adrian continues to travel up the river and comes across a lake, filled by an underground springm almost completely surrounded by cliff sides. The only opening was the exit where the river started.
Looking to the side, Adrian sees Duck also staring at the spring. As the two approach the water, a dragonair breaches the surface ready to attack.
"It's the same one." Adrian mumbles after examining the pokemon.
The dragon pokemon calms down once it recognizes the two trainers.
"It's a female." Adrian states as he pets Dragonair.
"It's a mother" replies Duck as some dratini surface.
As they continue to observe the pokemon they notice that one dratini in particular is inseparable from Dragonair.
'Must be a baby.' Adrian guesses.
"Just how many more are underwater?" Duck asks.
As the two trainers continue to guard Dragons' Spring, they notice that another, older, dratini has an interest in the baby Dratini. Curiously, the dratini, he would present a cold, distant attitude to the baby dratini whenever the baby or the mother look towards him.
Fascinated by the situation, Adrian records it in his pokedex.
As night falls, Adrian and Duck retreat to the cabin. Duck decides to do a final patrol of the area and borrows the GPS while Adrian showers and prepares himself for bed. Wearing sweat pants and shirt, Adrian places his light jacket on a chair before crawling into bed. It is around this time he hears Duck entering the cabin.
Late into the night, Adrian awakens to cries of pain. Grabbing his light jacket, he and Duck rush out the cabin and see that the spring has become a battle field of fire and electricity. As they get closer, they see electric nets from helicopters fishing for the dragon pokemon.
"Bellsprout, razor leaf!" Adrian cried.
'We were naive to think no one would attack during the night.' Adrian realizes
The leaves ineffectively bounce off the nets.
'No effect...' Adrian ponders, and then shouts "The nets are metallic!"
"In that case, Arcanine, fire blast the helicopters!" Duck retorts.
"Haunter, Pikachu, Bellsprout, keep the other pokemon away from Arcanine! Spearow, distract the helicopters!" Adrian cries retrieving his pokedex from inside his jacket.
"Ursaring, protect Arcanine! Goldbat help Spearow!" Duck cries.
Ignoring the new to see pokemon, Adrian points his pokedex at the enemy pokemon.
"Bellsprout, Shellder, vine whip! Haunter, the squad of Machoke, night shade! Pikachu, keep everyone distracted with double team!"
'We can't risk electrical attacks here.' Adrian laments recalling the water.
"There's too many of them, some are getting away!" Duck yells.
"Haunter, shadow ball the helicopters!"
Adrian rejoices at the attack's success and commands, "Shadow ball the other helicopters too!"
"Ursaring, roar then scratch!" Duck commands. "Adrian, behind you!"
Turning, Adrian sees a stampeding heard of Tauros.
"Bellsprout, Stun sp-"
A ball of fire comes from the spring and disperses the Tauros.
"Nauuuuuuuu!"
Adrian turns and sees Dragonair angrily crying out..
Adrian follows Dragonair's gaze to a helicopter carrying a small Dratini.
'Her baby!' Adrian chills.
With a loud roar, Dragonair prepares to fire another dragon rage. During the process, another helicopter drops an electric net on her attempting to take her as well.
"No! Haunter!" Adrian calls.
Turning Adrian sees Haunter preoccupied against an uncountable number of Zubat. As he clicks his tongue in frustration, flames from a charizard disperse the zubat.
"Finally!" Adrian sighs in relief.
Adrian proceeds to recall his pokemon and runs after the escaping helicopters. Soon after, Duck pulls up with Arcanine.
"Need a ride?"
"Thanks."
Taking his hand Adrian jumps on.
"Did you call them?"
"Yeah, right when we started."
"How?" Duck asks confused.
"I left it on speaker."
"Clever."
Regardless of the poor night visibility, the cries of the dragon pokemon both guide and infuriate the two in their pursuit. Eventually, they reach a clearing and see the poacher's camp.
"Hurry up, get the cages loaded!"
"Where are the scyther!"
"Keep it moving people!"
The poachers appear to be rushing to pack and leave. One person in particular stood far off to the side surveying the situation. This man wears high a high quality suit and had two body guards with him. Behind them stood a helicopter preparing to take off.
"The boss," Adrian states, "you take him. I'll free the pokemon."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, right now you're stronger than me."
"Ok, make sure to free all them."
"Good luck." They say in unison.
Adrian jumps off Arcanine and continues towards the cages.
Before Adrian reaches the cages, he hears Ursaring's roar.
'Arcanine must be too tired to fight," are Adrian's last thoughts as he reaches his first enemy.
"Haunter," Adrian calls, "hypnosis."
Adrian continues the pattern and disposes of three more enemies until they notice him.
"Intruder!"
"Protect the cages!"
"Stop him!"
Immediately a wall of pokemon surround the caged pokemon. First to attack is a wave of Rhyhorn.
"Bellsprout, sleep powder! Haunter, hypnosis! Just take out the ones in front!"
Adrian's gamble works. The rhyhorn in the back, unable to stop, crash into the knocked out rhyhorn in front of them.
Next, a hoard of muk and kingler flank Adrian while venomoth attack from the air.
"Haunter!" Adrian calls
Haunter nods his head in understanding and disappears.
"Spearow, double team, keep the venomoth away from us. Pikachu, the kingler, thunderbolt! Bellsprout, the muk, stun spore!"
Looking up, Adrian sees the venomoth beginning to use a powder.
"Spearow, blow it back with whirlwind and counter with ariel ace!"
'Pikachu is doing fine.' Adrian confirms. 'But the muk are blocking Bellsprout's powder with poison gas.'
'No choice,' Adrian resigns himself to the facts.
"Pikachu, Bellsprout, switch! Pikachu, the muk, thunder bolt! Bellsprout, the kingler, razor leaf!"
'Tch," Adrian clicks his tongue. The muk are proving more resilient than he thought they would.
"Thunder bolt, thunder bolt, thunder b-ahhh!" Adrian cries out in pain.
The sudden pain ends as quickly as it began.
"Thanks Haunter." Adrian whispers. 'Looks like I was right, these pokemon are just distractions for the psychic types. But Pikachu is still struggling…'
"Pikachu, Spearow, switch! Pikachu, thunder bolt the venomoth! Spearow, try keeping the muk back with your wind! Bellsprout, great going, keep that path open, everyone let's go!"
Adrian looks to Spearow and notices that the muk are having difficulty getting past his gust. He pulls out his pokedex and discovers "muk lack a solid body and have a composition that makes them less dense than water."
'Interesting,' Adrian muses, "Spearow, whirlwind!"
As Spearow flaps his wing, a glow starts radiating from his body. His form begin to changing, slowly his short, stubby wings expanded and grow into magnificent, powerful wings.
"Evolution..."
"Fearowwww!" the pokemon cries.
Fearow continues his attack and easily blow away the muk.
The team continues its advancement to the caged pokemon. Meanwhile, the venomoth are temporarily called back to regroup.
As they get closer to the cages, they hear the trucks and helicopters the poachers are preparing to load the cages onto.
A buzz fills the air. Adrian turns and sees the Venomoth return along with Doduo, Dodrio, and Beedrill.
"Pikachu, thunder bolt! Bellsprout, razor leaf! Fearow, gust! Target them!" Adrian gestures to the incoming swarm.
"Pi-kaaaaa!"
"Bellllllll!"
"Rowwwww!"
'This isn't working.' Adrian laments.
The attacks either miss or the pokemon dodge. Worse, Adrian can hear the caged pokemon beginning to get restless.
'The cages are being loaded…'
"Fear, agility, try and round up the fliers! Bellsprout, stun spore,! Pikachu, thunderwave!"
Slowly the Doduo and Dodrio fall, but the numbers of winged ones remains strong. Fearow is beginning to tire and is overcome.
"Fearow, return!" Adrian recalls his pokemon as he falls from the sky.
"Draaaaa!" Adrian hears a familiar cry.
Turning, Adrian sees poacher loading the baby Dratini onto a truck. In response, the mother dragonair and other dratini begin rampaging.
"Pikachu, Bellsprout, we're making a run for it!"
Adrian finishes saying those words and pain again racks his body.
'Disable…' he realizes, 'Haunter hurry…'
Immobile and laying on the ground, Adrian sees the truck with baby dratini begin to drive away. As Adrian was losing hope, the dragonair breaks free from her cage and fires a dragon rage disabling the truck. The insect pokemon immediately shift their attention towards dragonair and attack. As Dragonair is about to fall, some other rampaging dratini brake free and protect Dragonair with flame thrower.
"Pikachu, Bellsprout,' Adrian struggles to say, "help protect Dragonair."
As the pair take off, a Hypno appears and tosses Haunter to Adrian's side.
"Nice try Haunter, although it looks like we're finished." Adrian manages to say.
"Haunta haunnn."
A smile creeps onto Adrian's face.
'I only regret being unable to save the pokemon.' He thinks staring down the hypno.
As Hypno gets closer, Adrian's expression becomes serious and he stares the pokemon in her eyes.
A light flashes and Adrian finds he can move again. Jumping to the side, Adrian, returns Haunter to his pokeball.
Once noticing Hypno is encased within an ice block, Adrian hurries to rejoin his remaining pokemon in battle.
"Tch," Adrian arrives on the scene only to recall his fainted pokemon, "I'm too late."
Adrian feels a rush of wind on his back. Turning, he sees a dratini protecting him from a rhydon's slam.
"Dratini, thank you."
"Troooow!"
'But there's nothing more I can do. Everyone has fainted…' Frustration wells up inside Adrian.
"Traaaa!"
Brought back to his senses, Adrian looks up and sees the dratini struggling with Rhydon, as though waiting for further instruction.
"Dratini, if you would allow me, wrap!"
Adrian takes out his pokedex and learns as much as he can about dratini.
'Ok, other than dragon, he can also use fire, water, electric, and ice based attacks.'
Dratini then discards the suffocated Rhydon and attacks the cages freeing more pokemon. Observing him, Adrian realizes this is the same dratini that pretended to ignore the baby dratini.
A far sounding explosion catches Adrian's attention. He turns and sees that Duck had destroyed the helicopter and was doing battle with the leader. The body guards were laying on the side.
"Dratini, let's help him!"
"Draaaa!" Dratini replies. He looks towards the Dragonair which had made her way to the baby Dratini. With the sight satisfying him, he turns ready to continue.
"By the way, thanks for saving me earlier." Adrian says recalling Hypno.
"Draa!"
The two barely progress seven feet when someone crosses their path.
'The man from the other day.'
"You ruined everything! All our work for nothing! Magneton, thunderbolt!"
"Protect!" Adrian roars as all his rage begins to surface.
There, before Adrian, is someone claiming to take credit for the poaching.
'All these hardships are because of him! He had to be stopped!'
"Dragon rage!" Adrian roars.
"You think that little fireball compares to our anger! Magneton!"
A direct hit, but Magneton appears unharmed.
"Darn." Adrian says returning to his senses.
"Now Magneton, sonic boom!"
"Dratini!"
"While he's down, magnet bomb!
'Dratini's getting trapped. Think, what can I do to free him. Think!'
"Now, detonate them!"
'That's it!' Adrian realizes throwing a safari ball.
'Good thing professor Marilyn gave us some.'
"Listen up you two, now that we've made contact with the poachers I'm going to give you some safari balls. If you encounter a situation where a pokemon is injured, trapped, or being taken away, capture it with a safari ball. We can release it again once it's safe."
Duck asks, "Why safari balls."
"Safari balls are the only type of pokeball allowed into the safari zone. Before either of you enter again, your bags will be search again as a procedure. Even though safari balls were used by trainers to capture safari pokemon, we've adopted their use to help our research and transport of safari pokemon when needed. If there are no further questions, you are free to go."
Adrian stores a few safari balls in his jacket as he and Duck leave.
"Come on out Dratini," Adrian resummons the pokemon, "flame thrower!"
"Magneton, light screen! Now, thunder bolt."
"Dodge it, agility!" Adrian cries. To his surprise, Dratini gracefully slithers around the attack.
"Body slam, now ice beam!" Adrian has Dratini counter.
Magneton becomes encased in block of ice and falls to the ground. Suddenly, the ice block begins vibrating. The ice breaks off freeing Magneton.
"Fool, did you really think that would work. All Magneton needed to do was emit sonic booms to vibrate the ice and break free. Now Magneton, tri-attack!"
'Why did he bother telling me?' Adrian questions while giving Dratini his next command, "Protect!"
'This guy's tough. The leader, he must be even stronger.'
"Dratini, ice beam, one more time"
"Draaaaaa!"
"Magneton, evade and counter with charge beam!"
"Agility, get close and use aqua tail."
"Magneton!" the enemy calls out in shock.
"Don't let up Dratini. Point blank flame thrower!" Adrian cries attempting to take advantage of Magnaton's metallic body.
"Magneton! How dare you! Magneton, self-destruct!"
"Dratini return." Adrian recalls the pokemon in horror.
As the safari ball recalls Dratini, the explosion is already engulfing over half of his body.
Adrian looks into the safari ball, and see that Dratini is hurt from the detonation. Fortunately, Dratini escaped soon enough to avoid any major injures.
"Thank goodness…"
Adrian looks up and discovers that his opponent has disappeared. With a sigh, Adrian looks over to Duck and sees him fuming near the destroyed helicopter.
'The boss must have gotten away.' Adrian understands and reflects on his current failure.
"To sacrifice a pokemon like that, what a monster… I failed a pokemon."
As the sun starts rising, Adrian makes his way over to Duck. Along the way, he calls Marilyn and reports the situation.
"Others are currently searching the area for any escaping poachers. For the time being, stay put and watch the pokemon." She orders and hangs up.
"They want us to stay here and watch the pokemon." Adrian calls out to Duck,
"...How'd it go?" Adrian asks after a brief silence.
"He got away."
"Tch."
"His last pokemon was an Abra. I had him, literally, I grabbed his coat, and he teleported. All I got was this burned up paper from him."
Duck hands Adrian a paper.
On the remaining part, Adrian read 'Interference has occurred. Shipment date will need to be postponed until further notice. Clear out immediately. Destroy once read. –Ω'
"Why would he still have something like this on him?" Adrian questions taking a picture of the Ω and letter with his pokedex.
"It must have just come in. He was burning it when I arrived. Goldbat took it before he finished."
"That explains why they were in such a rush."
"Who do you think the interference refers to?"
"No clue, but this is a large organization. Before I came, there were rumors of trouble back in Johto. Small things, but consecutive."
"Problems have also been arising here in Kanto." Adrian replies remembering the problems that arose with Bill and Professor Oak.
Finished speaking, the two stand there in the silence. Their failures and helplessness speaks loud enough.
Soon after, Adrian's adrenalin built over the night wears off leaving him cold.
'Duck should be cold too.' Adrian figures, 'We were sleeping when we first heard the commotion at the lake. Then we rushed out in our pajamas, sweatpants and undershirts. No socks or shoes. If it wasn't because I store my pokedex in my jacket, I probably wouldn't have left at hand or grabbed it.'
As Adrian's thoughts continue, help arrives. The new comers dismiss him and Duck and a helicopter takes them back to Professor Marilyn's lab.
After Adrian leaves his pokemon in the health clinic, all he can think of is a hot shower and sleep. He is unconcerned about his belongings, they will return them later that day.
…..
"Mhhhm." Adrian awakes. He looks to a clock and sees it is two seventeen.
"This has been some week." Adrian croaks.
'Break began Wednesday after my classes ended and I went home, on Thursday I left, came here, and began safari patrol, that took all day. The next day, Friday, guarded Dragon Springs' and nothing happened until I went to sleep. We fought all Saturday morning and now it's the afternoon.'
"Ahhh, that barely leaves me with two more days. Classes start again on Tuesday." Adrian resigns himself.
Adrian struggles out of bed and visits the clinic to retrieve his pokemon.
"Please return Dratini to Safari Zone later." the doctor quips Adrian.
…..
"Dude!" Duck calls out as Adrian heads towards the kitchen.
"Hey man, food?"
"Tch-yeah." Duck agrees.
…..
Duck and Adrian approach Dragons' Spring paying it one final visit. Various dragonair and dratini surface to greet them. At the front was the mother dragonair with her baby dratini.
"Dratini, you're home. Thanks for helping me." Adrian says releasing Dratini.
Upon release, Dratini swims to the Dragonair rubbing against her. He purrs happily while the smaller Dratini also rubs against him.
"Draaaaaa"
"Driiiii."
"Nairrrrrr."
It's then Adrian realizes they are a family.
'I get it now. The bigger Dratini is baby Dratini's older brother, hence his over protectiveness and cold shoulder.'
"Aww, they look happy." Duck comments.
"Yea, and everyone is safe too."
"Come on, let's get going."
The two turn and begin walking away. As they take a few steps an ice wall cuts off their path..
"Tiniiiii!" the older Dratini demands.
"Oh, he's mad," Duck states.
"I wonder... Dratini do you want to come with us?"
"Drati!" the pokemon nods.
"In that case, return!" Adrian holds out the safari ball, "Welcome aboard Dratini."
"So you're just going to take him."
"I am not stealing Dratii. He chose to come with us. There is big difference."
"You're just going to walk out with him?"
"Yeah, I doubt they'll check us considering everything. If they do, I'll just tell them Dratini choose to do this of his own free will."
"If that doesn't work?"
"I'll think of something."
"Why don't you just put him in another pokeball."
"Dratini is already use to the safari ball, plus it being designed for safari pokemon will comfort him more than a normal pokeball can. Letting him live in a pokeball more like his home is the least I can do."
"You ran out of pokeballs, didn't you?" Duck laughs.
"I used up my money buying Haunter's great ball." Adrian admits. "But, I really do mean what I said."
Upon leaving the Safari Zone, the pair find themselves drifting towards the Fuchsia gym. As they approach the door, a sign reads,
Fuchsia gym is currently closed due to recent events. Leader Janine will return soon. Thank you for your patience.
'How annoying…'
…..
Duck and Adrian return to the gym the following day.
"Ahh, closed again." Duck complains.
As the pair leave, a voice calls out.
"Hold it!"
They turn and Janine greets them.
"You're here to challenge my gym right? Say, weren't you two in the Safari Zone the other day?"
"Yes and yes." Adrian responds confusion evident in his voice.
"Then how about making this interesting?"
"What do have in mind?" Duck asks.
"Instead of individual matches, let's do a team battle. You both select one pokemon against my two. How's that?"
"Sounds like fun." Adrian responds.
"Easy." Duck replies.
"Then this is an official league match for the Soul badge in a two on two match. There is no time limit and the match will end when neither side is able to battle. The battle field will be this entire field. I warn you, my father has taught me everything I know about the poison type. Weezing, Arbok, go!"
"Then I'll choose Pikachu!"
"Arcanine!"
"Weezing, smoke screen! Arbok, acid!"
"Pikachu, double team!"
"Arcanine, protect!"
"Pikachu, thunderbolt!" Pikachu fires his attack but fails to hit anything.
'We have to do something about the smoke.'
"Arbok, acid spray!"
"Pikachu, agility!"
"Arcanine, counter with flame thrower!"
"Hehehe, Weezing, sludge bomb!"
"Pikachu, double team!"
'All we can do is keep them guessing on which on is real. Until this smoke clears, there is nothing we can do.'
"Arbok, crunch!"
"Tch, Pikachu!" Adrian calls out as Arbok attacks the real Pikachu.
"Arcanine extreme speed! Save Pikachu, now, hyper beam! Clear that smoke away!"
"Thanks Duck."
"Fufu, Weezing, smoke screen one more time."
"Pikachu, thunder bolt, while you still can!"
"Arbok, protect Weezing with rock tomb!"
Arbok creates a rock rock barrier stopping both the electric attack and smoke screen..
Adrian glances at Duck who motions that Arcanine still needs more time to recover from using hyper beam. Suddenly, Pikachu falls over as the ground around his feet begins to break.
'Dig.' Adrian realizes, "Pikachu, discharge!"
"Too late, Arbok, Venoshock!"
"Arcanine, roar!"
In response to the roar, both Arbok and Pikachu flinch.
"Now Arcanine, flame charge!"
Arcanine strikes Arbok giving Pikachu enough time to recover.
"Pikachu, thunder wave!"
The attack paralyzes Arbok making him unable to battle.
"Weezing, sludge! Come back Arbok."
"Arcanine, cover Pikachu, protect!"
Adrian smiles at the battle's progress.
'I distract, and he strikes"
"Again Weezing, smoke screen!"
"Pikachu, agility, charge Weezing!"
"Weezing, sludge bomb!"
"Pikachu, dodge, thunder bolt, then dig!"
"Arcanine, aerial ace!"
"Weezzzzz!" the pokemon complains.
"From your hole Pikachu, thunder bolt!"
"Zinnnnnnnnnng!" the pokemon faints.
"Weezing return. You two are good. Looks like I still have a long way to go before I can measure up to my father. As promised, here is the Soul badge. Now, honestly, was that your first double battle?"
"Well," Adrian starts, "not really. Our first would have been last night."
"Yeah" Duck continues "but this one was intense."
"Last night was much simpler, defend Arcanine while he shoots helicopters. Speaking of which, you didn't use any fire attacks."
"Smoke isn't flammable."
"Not enough oxygen?"
"Pretty much. Janine, did you do that on purpose?"
"Yes, a trick my father taught me when facing fire types. Smoke both hides our presence and disables fire attacks. I take it you've learned this as well."
"The hard way."
…..
With their new badges, Duck and Adrian leave Fuchsia city and begin down route 15.
"Stop right there!"
"No one passes here unless they defeat us first!" a pair of voices shout.
"This is perfect!"
"The two of you against the two of us!" they continue.
"Had there only been one,"
"Then it would have been the two of us against,"
"The sole individual!"
"Now,"
"Will you fair better than the others?"
"Our previous tag match opponents were truly inexperienced."
"One pokemon each!"
"Let us begin!"
"Go Hitmonchan!"
"Go Hitmonlee!"
The two voices send out their pokemon. As the two trainers reveal themselves showing they are twins.
"Fun," Adrian replies. "Go Dratini!"
On the side, Adrian wonders, 'What would they have done if we ignored them?'
"Perfect, come out Eevee!"
"Hey man, where did you get an Eevee?"
"Just caught it."
"Wait, when!"
"The other night."
'In the Safari Zone?' Adrian silently questions.
"Hitmonchan, comet punch!"
"Hitmonlee, focus energy!"
The commands remind Adrian of the impeding battle to which he shifts his attention to.
"Dratini, ice beam!"
The beam and punch clash and cancel each other. Hitmonlee is now prepared to strike.
"Eevee, follow up with bite!"
"Now Hitmonlee, rolling kick!"
"Dratini, cut him off with flame thrower!"
Hitmonless adjusts his roll to avoid the flames.
"Eevee, while he's dodging, take down!"
"Dratini, continue with ice beam!"
"Hitmonchan, block it with fire punch! Now, follow up with ice punch!"
"Eevee, protect!"
"Thanks, Dratini, Hitmonchan, wrap!"
"Eevee, quick attack on Hitmonlee!"
"Hitmonlee, double team and rock smash Eevee!"
"Eevee! Dodge with double team! Now, while he's guessing, shadow ball!"
"Hitmonlee!"
"Hitmonchan, hurry!"
"Sorry, but he's busy! Dratini, thunder wave!"
"Hitmonchan!"
"Match over!" Duck declares. "Alright!"
"We're surprised, you two are good."
"You need to, to defeat our tag team." The twins congratulate Duck and Adrian.
As Duck and Adrian continue along route 15, Adrian continues where their previous conversation left off.
"So, let me get this straight. You caught Eevee, Friday night, while we were in the Safari Zone?"
"Yeah, remember when we first met? I was already looking one."
"Then when you borrowed the GPS..." Adrian trails off.
"Yep, I found the habitat eevee are most likely to live in, took off with Arcanine, caught an Eevee, and came back." Duck proudly declares.
"Ok, how'd you sneak in a pokeball?"
"I hid one in Arcanine's mane."
Adrian blinks, "Pokemon can do that?"
"Yep."
"Ok, one more question. How did you know Eevee could use shadow ball?"
"I guessed."
"You guessed?"
"Eevee are capable of learning shadow ball, it was a desperate situation so, I winged it."
"Lucky."
"I prefer good judgment. I have faith in my pokemon."
Eventually, the two stop and set up camp for the night. This involves Duck continuously stopping his tasks to explain to Adrian how to set up the equipment.
Morning arrives and the pair of trainers set a new course for Vermilion city.
"You sure you wanna split once we reach Vermillion?" Duck asks.
"Yeah, I have to get back to the academy. Classes start tomorrow."
…..
As the two approach Vermillion city, they come across sign.
Diglett's Cave up ahead, a short cut to Viridian City.
"Are you gonna to take this path instead?" Duck asks.
"Actually, this changes everything. Let's go see that gym leader."
"Cool."
As the two continue forward, Adrian reflects on his decision.
'What I said is true, but that doesn't feel like the real reason I'm staying. Instead, they give us time to hang out longer. Wait, us? I'm actually enjoying someone's company? Yeah, that's why I'm willing to stay out longer than I originally planned.'
A smile creeps onto Adrian's face.
"So, what do you recommend we do first?"
"Me?" Adrian asks.
"This is your home region."
"Yeah, and you're the guest."
"You know the area better."
"Fine." Adrian yields. "How about the pier and then the gym?"
"Cool." Duck responds as they start walking. "So, is there anything special about the pier?"
"All I know is that the pokemon center is there. Although, when I was little someone said, 'If you're going to be a trainer, then visit the Vermilion city pier.'" Adrian quotes.
"I hear there's a ship that goes between Kanto and Johto through out the week."
"Really, which one?"
"Don't know. I got here using the magnet rail."
…..
"Dude, do you know where we're going?" Duck asks.
"Kinda. I saw map earlier. The pier should be in this direction."
"Dude, don't you have a pokegear?"
"Yeah?" Adrian answers confusion.
"You do know it has a map function, right?"
"Hehe, I forgot about that function."
"Stupid… read the manual."
"It's a hand me down. Besides, I enjoy getting lost, it's an adventure."
"Whatever..." Duck sighs, "So how far?"
"We're fine. We just have to turn right in a few blocks." Adrian responds putting the pokegear away.
"What about the gym?"
"Close to the pier actually."
"Makes sense."
The two continue stopping at times to look around and eat. Eventually, they reach the pier and ask around if there is anything for trainers to do. The common responses they receive is, "The battle ship," and "The ship to Cinnabar." They later discover that they are the same ship called the S.S. Suijin. Unfortunately, the ship has set sail and will return later that month.
"I don't know when, man, but I will battle on that ship one day."
"Dude, you want to battle on a ship? Come to Johto, we have a battle tower."
"That's awesome. We will one day."
"I look forward to it."
"Hehehahaha. You're awesome, man. We might as well go for the gym after visiting the pokemon center."
"You know how to get there?"
"I remember, it's down this way. You want to get first match?"
"What, not confident you can win without scoping the competition?"
"Please, I'm just being polite. Or do you want me to go first so you can watch?"
"Not a chance. Fine then, I'll go first."
…..
"Name's Lieutenant Surge. Which one of you kids is challenging me?" A large man says from inside the Vermillion gym.
"Both of us!" the trainers say in unison.
"Oh, a two on one ehy?"
"Actually, first him then me." Adrian corrects.
"Pehhh, boring! You two don't stand a chance against my electric pokemon."
"It's be too easy if we fought together!" Duck retorts.
"Ok then, the two of you, one pokemon each against three of my pokemon."
In annoyance, the two yell, "Fine!"
"That's right, get fired up. But don't worry, I'll show you what a real battle is soon enough. Now send out your pokemon!"
"He doesn't waste time, does he?" Adrian comments realizing he got caught up in the moment, "Very well, come out Dratini!"
"He just doesn't want us to strategise." Duck retorts feeling some embarrassment, "Fine then, Ursaring!"
"I choose Electrabuzz, Raichu, and Jolteon! Prepare to be fried!"
"Dratni," "Ursaring," "Flame thrower!" "Roar!"
"Hahaha, is that the best you've got? You'll never pierce our light screen! Time for our counter offensive: pin-missile, thunderbolt, shockwave now!"
"Dratini, protect!"
"Ursaring, counter with rock tomb!"
The two succeed in fending off the electrical attacks.
"So, you two aren't average civilians. No matter, Raichu, flash! Electrabuzz, thunder punch Ursaring! Jolteon, pin-missile, lock on Dratini!"
"Ursaring, hammer arm!"
"Dratini, ice beam! Freeze those pins and advance the beam onto Jolteon!"
'Advance the beam onto… his military talk is getting to me.'
Electrabuzz and Ursarings' arms clash and a power struggle ensures. While Raichu's flash didn't effect Ursaring much, it did blind Dratini. The ice beam freezes some of the missiles, but most go threw.
"Tiiiii!" Dratini screams out.
"Take down Jolteon!"
"Tch, Dratini, flame thrower!"
"Raichu, protect, stop the flames! Jolteon, thunder fang on Ursaring!" Lt. Surge changes his target.
"Dratini, stop Jolteon with ice beam!"
An ice wall blocks Jolteon's advance.
'That stops that, but he just ignored Dratini...'
"Dratini!" Adrian calls.
'I have faith in my pokemon' Adrian remembers Duck's words. 'Faith…'
"Dratini, dragon rush Raichu! Don't leave him an opening!"
"Raichu, protect!"
"Ursaring, double team and hammer arm!"
Ursaring suddenly appears behind Raichu and sweeps him away with his arm.
"My Electrabuzz! How did you- You ignored him!" Lt. Surge cries out in shock.
"Copying Jolteon?" Adrian remarks. "Dratini, Electrabuzz, flamethrower!"
"It was a good idea." Duck replies. "Ursaring, shadow claw Jolteon!"
"Yeah, ignore one and attack the distracted. Dratini, block the thunderbolt with light screen!"
"I trust you to watch my back. Ursaring, focus blast Raichu! Don't let them rest!"
"Let's keep this up! Dratini, double team!"
"I see how it is. Team battles are your specialties, aren't they? That's why you've survived until now. Well, that won't be enough against me! You think that double team will confuse us! Do you really believe Ursaring's power attacks will push us around! Everyone, thunder!" Lt. Surge interrupts their conversation.
'Nothing! Shoot, nothing!' Adrian runs out of ideas.
"Ursaring, Rock tomb!"
The thunder blinds all the trainers. When the light clears, Ursaring is unconcious and a pile of rubble covers where Dratini once stood. Lt. Surge's pokemon pant heavily from their attacks. They all show some signs of pain from the sheer power of their own attack.
Anger wells inside of Adrian.
'Again, there was nothing I could do. I was weak. Ursaring is out and Dratini is buried beneath stone and debris. Worse, Surge's pokemon clearly wouldn't last much longer. If only a little more and we would have won!'
"Hehe, looks like I win. Come back when you get stron-"
Suddenly, from the rubble, Dratini emerges. He is worn, but the rubble provided insulation against the attack. As Dratini stands there, everyone feels the anger radiate off him.
'"I trust you to watch my back…Ursaring rock tomb!"' Adrian remembers Ducks comments and actions.
'That my friend would protect me and trust me to such an extent!' Adrian's anger swells even more.
"This is... just... too much!" Adrian growls.
"What, giving up?" Lt. Surge teases.
"Dratini! Outrage!" Adrian roars.
Dratini begins his rampage. Lt. Surge is unable to react from his surprise at Dratini's appearance and Adrian's burst of anger. With this advantage, Dratini quickly defeats the fatigued pokemon.
"Hahaha, looks like I'm the one who got zapped in the end! As promised, here are your Thunder badges.
Duck and Adrian leave the gym and began walking towards Diglett's cave.
"Hey man, I guess I'll see you around." Adrian begins as the cave entrance becomes visible.
"Yeah, fighting with you was fun. Here, take this."
"An apricot ball? Cool."
"Yeah, you got really into the other day when I mentioned them."
"Pokeballs out fruit, that isn't something you hear every day. So, what kind of ball is this?"
"It's a Lure ball. Since you don't have any more pokeballs or a water pokemon, it should come in handy."
"Thanks man."
"No problem."
"So where you off to from here?"
"Not sure."
"How about Lavender town?" Adrian suggests. "Listen man, if I hear anything, I'll let you know ok?"
"Thanks."
"Later"
"C'ya"
Duck and Adrian then part.
…..
When Adrian and his team exit Diglett's cave, the sky is dark. By the time they reach the academy, the time is almost one in the morning. However, due to the lateness of the night, Adrian is able to sneak his bike up into his room. He then buries it in the bottom of his closet, showers, and goes to bed.
A/N: Dang, this one is long! I didn't realize I wrote this much until it was finished. But I had fun writing and editing it. In case anyone is wondering about the holiday, I am only familiar with American holidays so I'll be using those holiday's in my story. This is a made up world, so the location of Kanto isn't necessarily Japan, or the U.S., or Earth in general. It just takes place somewhere else where different cultures and people blend.
Also as you can see, I'm trying to write the story in present tense, I think it came out alright. I'm glad I'm finished editing this chapter, only two more to edit and then I can start writing new ones. Yes, I wrote these chapters a while back but then stopped. Now that my writing has improved some, I'm going over them and continuing the story.
But yeah, Adrian made a friend!