Chapter Four- Prideful Flame
Draco let out a loud yawn, wandering through the mountain town. He was a young blue haired boy dressed in a simple grey collar jacket and jeans. The surrounding area was covered in ash from the volcano adjacent to Amber. His Dratini slithered behind him, following his every movement. He stopped in front of a hot spring, looking at the few patrons inside.
"Where are you going, boy?" A familiar strict voice called out from behind him. Draco turned around to face his father, Fafnir Fang "Don't go wandering off."
"Yeah, yeah." Draco sighed, holding his hands behind his head. His father donned his usual dragon scale cape reminiscent of old vampire tales. "Why are we here again?"
"I've decided to throw you into Mt. Rebirth." His father informed, stone faced. "I'm tired of feeding you."
"Please don't joke like that." Draco groaned. "You're too straight faced…"
"Fine." His father sighed, almost disappointed sounding. "We're looking for a Charizard that got loose."
"How and why?" Draco inquired, confused.
"A trainer probably decided that this would be the best place to release it." His father explained, scratching his head. "So, it technically didn't get loose per say... Be careful where you release your Pokemon, son."
"I know. I know." Draco rolled his eyes, following his father through the town.
…...
"It's hot…" Airi groaned as she and Mailys trekked up the mountain. The path leading them to Amber had slowly replaced the lush greenery with soot and ash. However, despite being covering in ash, a few trees created a small woodland around the road. "I hate it here…"
"Then why did you want to come here…?" Mailys remarked, annoyed.
"Because I didn't want to suffer through it later!" Airi whined, slumping her shoulders. "At least it's not raining…" She chuckled gently, shaking her head. "Actually, that'd be really nice."
"Don't jinx it." Mailys dissuaded. "I really don't want to get drenched."
"Bah." Airi scoffed, standing proud. "This heat is nothing to me! I'm invincible!"
"Keep telling yourself that!" Mailys laughed, amused by her arrogance. Before she could say anything else, a loud, booming roar tore through the sky. The two of them glanced around, jumping back as a massive, black and blue Charizard descended upon them. "What!?"
"Ralts!" Airi immediately called out, sending out her partner. "Confusion!"
"Ra-" Ralts cried, flying back as the Charizard slammed into her without hesitation. She was flung into Airi, knocking her to the ground.
"Run!" Mailys ordered, helping Airi up. She quickly broke into a sprint, proceeding up the mountain. Airi trudged behind slowly. "Hurry up!"
"Dizzy…" Airi mumbled, holding her head. Her legs gave out, causing her to fall on her face. "Can't go…"
"Airi I'm not letting you get eaten by a Charizard!" Mailys snapped, trying to help her up. "I'm too nice a person to let that-"
"Dratini, Extreme Speed!" A young boy shouted out. A Dratini blitzed forward, striking at the Charizard from multiple directions, causing it to stagger. As the Charizard recovered, the Dratini returned to its owner's side when he revealed himself. He was a blue haired boy about Mailys' age. A tall caped man stood behind the boy with his arms crossed. "Fair maidens! I have arrived to save you! Thunder Wave!"
"Tini!" His Dratini cried, evading the Charizard's Fire Blast. It countered with a jolt of electricity, causing the Charizard to stiffen up. The Dratini rocketed towards the Charizard once again, striking at it from all directions with swift motions. The Charizard bellowed loudly, slashing wildly with its claws, kicking up dirt. The Charizard soon slowed down, panting heavily.
"Now!" The boy announced, revealing an Ultra Ball. "Fly!" He shouted, hurling a spinning curve ball at the Charizard, striking it on the cheek. The Charizard was enveloped in a blinding red light as it was dragged into the ball. The ball fell to the ground, before making a gentle click noise.
"Good work." The man behind the boy congratulated, clapping rigidly.
"Piece of cake!" The boy celebrated, retrieving the ball and giving it to the man. The boy then jogged over to Airi and Mailys, holding out his hand to Airi. "Fair maiden, I have protected you. If I may assist you further?"
"Why thank you for recognizing my stature as a maiden." Airi sneered at Mailys, taking the boy's hand.
"Maiden. Yeah let's go with that." Mailys snickered, rolling her eyes as she stood up herself.
"It's my duty as a gentleman." The boy grinned, ignoring Mailys. "I am Draco Fang. May I ask what your name is?"
"I am Airi Tailor, the cutest girl in Spes." Airi bragged, taking her usual pose. "And this peasant is Mailys Whatever."
"LeBlanc." Mailys corrected.
"It's a pleasure Ms. Tailor and Ms. Whatever." Draco flattered, stepping. "I must go, but before I do, is there anything you wish to know?"
"Where's the gym?" Airi inquired.
"A-a-a-a…" Draco stuttered, jumping back. His eyes were filled with excitement. "A trainer! A challenger! Father! This is the one!" He celebrated, running over to the man. "I want her!"
"Settle down." The man groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Your bride must be a member of the Fang clan."
"But none of them are perfect!" He argued. "The fair maidens aren't tough! And the tough ones aren't maidens! But her! She challenged the Charizard!"
"She then got knocked on her behind and collapsed." Mailys reminded.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Airi argued. "Have you ever taken a projectile Ralts to the face? No? Then be quiet!"
"Enough." The man commanded. "We'll show her to the gym. Then we're going home, understood?"
"Yes… sir…" Draco sulked.
"Good." The man let out a sigh of relief. He turned to leave, Draco following close behind. "Come on. We'll show you the way, Ms. Tailor and Ms. LeBlack."
"LeBlanc!" Mailys snapped, chasing after the man. "It's not that hard!"
Behind a tree in the forest that lined the mountain, a woman in a lab coat observed them from the shadows. Her sharp eyes followed them closely as she retrieved a communication device from her pocket and brought it up to her mouth.
"Experiment F-006 was a failure." She calmly informed. "Returning to the lab."
…...
Airi and Maily followed Draco and his father, eventually stopping in front of the town's gym. Two totems stood on each end of the entrance, illuminating the surroundings.
"We're here!" Draco proclaimed. Airi ran inside without hesitation, dragging Mailys behind her. Draco hastily turned to his father in excitement. "May we witness Airi in all her majesty, father?"
"You need to stop talking like that." Draco's father bemoaned. "Talk normally."
"If we get to watch her battle, then I will." Draco negotiated, a sly grin on his face.
"Fine." Draco's father accepted.
"Sweet!" Draco laughed, his tone shifting. "Let's go!"
Inside, Airi marched forward, pointing out her finger at the woman organizing items inside. "I challenge you to a battle!"
"Another idiot?" The woman sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She was a serious looking woman with long auburn hair and sharp hazel eyes. She dressed in a red vest over a white long sleeve shirt and black pants. "Can't you tell I'm busy?"
"An active Gym Leader should always accept a challenge!" Airi persisted. She paused for a moment, before stomping her foot on the ground. "Wait! I'm not an idiot!"
"Could've fooled me." Mailys jabbed, prompting Airi to stick her tongue out at her. She chuckled, before turning to the Gym Leader. "Why are you busy?"
"Hey! I was gonna ask that!" Airi puffed out her cheeks in irritation.
"If you mouth breathers must know, I am preparing to meet with one of my suitors." She explained, finishing up her organizing. "And before you ask, because I know you will, I was merely here organizing my things before I left."
"That explains why you were in here…" Mailys nodded, contemplating the convenience.
"I thought Gym Leaders lived in their gym or something…" Airi confessed, fiddling with her bangs.
"Yes. I sleep under the bleachers." The woman rolled her eyes. "Stupid child."
Airi glared at the woman as she passed by, muttering something beneath her breath. After the Gym Leader left, Airi let out a howling scream, barely muffling it with her shirt. "What a total… Ugh!" She growled, stomping her foot on the ground. "I'm gonna wipe that smug look off her stupid face!"
"Do you… hear what you say half the time?" Mailys gawked, surprised by Airi's outburst. Airi let out a small annoyed laugh, mocking her.
"Boo!" Draco groaned, walking up to the duo. "That was a let down. She was a complete..."
"Draco." Draco's father interrupted, as if knowing his next word.
"...Jerk." Draco finished, giving a long sigh. "I was gonna say jerk."
"Sure you were." His father dismissed, shaking his head. "Either way, we're going home."
"Wait!" Draco panicked, flailing his hands in front of his face. He glanced around, before smiling nervously. "What if I travel with them!"
"Huh?" Airi and Mailys gasped in unison.
"...I get the feeling I've already lost this argument." Draco's father groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Whatever. Have fun."
"Yes!" Draco celebrated, jumping up and down. Draco father chuckled slightly, turning to the duo.
"That fine by you?"
"...Sure?" Airi allowed, puzzled.
"But… why?" Mailys asked in confusion.
"Because I know my son is as stubborn as his mother." Draco's father elaborated, a nostalgic smile creeping onto his face. "By the way, is there anywhere you would like to go? I can fly you there if you so please."
"That's amazing!" Mailys beamed. "We were planning to go to Gold Shore Marina next, actually!"
"It's a lovely place." Draco's father informed, smiling gently. "I'm guessing that you want to face Ms. Auburn, the rather… self absorbed woman we met, before we leave."
"That's the plan." Airi sneered, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Hey, you know anywhere I can get a Water Type? Preferably Fairy Type as well?"
"There's a stream further up the mountain chain. Would you like to go there?" He offered.
"Of course." Airi accepted, smiling eagerly. "Let's go!"
"You guys can go on without me." Mailys notified, turning to leave the building. "I need to go visit someone."
"I'll go with you!" Draco asserted himself, pushing Mailys out of the gym. He shut the door as soon as they were out and let out a sigh. "Dang it..."
"Mind… explaining?" Mailys paused, shocked by Draco's decision.
"I… just want some time away from Dad." Draco confessed, leaning on the wall. "Sorry if I'm intruding."
"You can join me if you want to." Mailys allowed, gesturing for him to follow her. "Come on."
"Alright." Draco chuckled, pacing behind her. She led him through the town, looking around for the town's Kiyoko. She noticed a library, calmly walking over to enter.
"We're here." She announced, entering the building. Inside, rows and rows of bookshelves were lined up along the first floor. The second floor circled around the first with books lined along the walls. Mailys cupped her hands together and placed them in front of her mouth. "Yoko! I'm making a loud noise! Loud noises!"
"Why are you yelling?" Draco inquired, caught off guard. Mailys twisted to face him, still shouting.
"Because I'm looking for-" A meter stick came down on her head, cutting her off. An elderly woman revealed herself, holding the measuring tool.
"No yelling in my library." She commanded. She wore clean grey and red robes and a pair of scholarly glasses. "Why are you here?"
"Who… are you?" Draco inquired, his eyes wide in surprise.
"I'm Kiyoko." The elderly woman introduced herself. "Once again, why are you here, Mailys? Did Kiyo send you?"
"No, Yoko." Mailys sighed, rubbing the top of her head. "Kiyo-Chan sent me to check on the stones."
"Ah yes. Those." Kiyoko nodded in understanding. She gestured with her meter stick to a room in the back of the library. "I have some lava for you."
"Lava?" Draco gawked. Mailys followed Kiyoko into the room without answering, forcing him to follow. "What do you mean, lava?"
"I mean I put lava in a jar." She answered, opening the door to a storage room. She walked in, pulling out a glass jar with molten lava inside.
"How!?" Draco shouted, baffled by the jar. "Why!?"
"No yelling." Kiyoko ordered, hitting him on the head with her meter stick. "Because I'm old. I don't like hiking up the volcano every time I need to check on it."
"Don't question her." Mailfys sighed, holding her hand to her forehead. "Whatever logic powers her schemes are beyond us…"
"Anyway." Kiyoko interrupted, continuing to speak. "As you can see, nothing is wrong with Mt. Rebirth. No stone has formed from within."
"That's good." Mailys smiled in relief. "Thank you, Yoko. I'll be going now."
"You're wasting your time, Mailys." Kiyoko stated, placing the jar back in the storage room. "You should just return home. Kiyo is obviously trying to keep you out of the house again."
"Maybe." Mailys chuckled, depressingly. "But I need to do this sooner or later." She determined, turning to leave. "Goodbye, Yoko."
"Farewell." Kiyoko waved, making her way to a desk. She sat down behind it and began to read a hefty looking book. Mailys and Draco took their leave, exiting the library.
"Do you think-" Mailys attempted to speak, before running into someone, falling onto the ground. Mailys rubbed her bottom, looking at the woman she ran into.
"Well if it isn't the little girl from before." The red haired woman sighed. "If you'll excuse me."
"Hold it right there!" Airi shouted from the distance. The three of them all turned to face the pink haired girl bolting down the road. She came to a halt with a hop, kicking up dirt with her landing. "I challenge you to a battle!"
"You know what…" Auburn groaned, exhausted. "Why not?"
"Wynaut!" Mailys joked, earning glares of various emotions from everyone. "Sorry. Force of habit."
"Ignoring that. Let's make our way to my gym." Auburn directed, leading the group to her gym.
"Alright!" Airi celebrated punching her fist in the air.
…...
Back at the gym, Auburn and Airi sat on opposite sides of the battlefield. The field was a dirt and stone field, littered in jagged rocks with a noticeably large one on Auburn's side. Steam slowly seeped up from small crevices, only to be cleared up by the ventilation system.
"I'll be using three Pokemon." Auburn informed, sending out a Torkoal. "I take it you're fine with that?"
"Of course!" Airi nodded, posing with a new Pokeball in hand. "Azurill!" She announced, tossing out a blue, ball like Pokemon. It bounced around on its ball, confused by its location. "Bubble Beam! Let's do it!"
"Flame Wheel." Auburn countered. Torkoal barreled towards Azurill, coating its body in flames. Azurill hastily bounced out of the way, spraying Torkoal with a stream of bubbles.
"How's that!?" Airi taunted, an arrogant smirk on her face. "Bubble Beam!"
"Try Ember." Auburn tested. Torkoal belched out a volley of small flames as Azurill spat out a beam of bubbles. The attacks collided, with the bubbles overpowering the flames. Torkoal fell back when it was pelted with the bubbles. It slumped over, defeated. "A shame. Slugma!"
"Oh no! Another Fire Type!" Airi sarcastically berated. "Bubble Beam!"
"Smog." Auburn sighed, unfazed by Airi's taunts. Slugma breathed out a fog of poisonous air, causing Azurill to gag. Azurill toughed through the poison, firing another beam of bubbles. Slugma evaded the attack by hiding behind a noticeably large rock. "Rock Throw."
"Don't miss this time!" Airi demanded. Azurill stood perfectly still, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Slugma hopped into the open, tearing up the ground to launch rocks at Azurill. As it did so, Azurill blasted it with bubbles. Both Slugma and Azurill took the attacks, resulting in both being defeated. "No!"
"What's the matter? No other advantages to abuse?" Auburn snickered, deducing Airi's weakness. She tossed out her final Pokemon, a Darumaka.
"Go Ralts!" Airi sent out her starter. She quickly took her usual pose. "We have no chance of losing, Ralts! Show her our power!"
Ralts glanced to Airi in confusion, unaware of what to do.
"Confusion!" Airi directed. "Give it all your strength!"
"Fire Punch!" Auburn ordered. Darumaka rushed Ralts, sending her flying with a flaming punch. Ralts rolled upside down, onto her back, sending an orb of psychic energy at Darumaka. Despite not aiming, the attack struck Darumaka, staggering it. "Finish it off! Headbutt!"
"Ralts get up!" Airi demanded. Ralts attempted to roll onto her stomach, only to get launched back by a powerful blow from Darumaka. "No! Confusion!"
"Incinerate!" Auburn commanded. Darumaka fired a large fireball at Ralts. Ralts flinched as the attack hit her, causing a small explosion. The field was covered by a dirt cloud.
"Ralts!" Airi panicked, looking into the cloud. It slowly cleared, revealing a small barrier. Inside, Ralts cowered with her arms tucked in. "Protect...?" Airi questioned. She turned her head, noticing that the dust hadn't fully cleared on Auburn's side. "Confusion now!"
"What?!" Auburn gasped, caught off guard. Ralt's began to glow a bright white. Her body grew taller, gaining a tutu like dress, and long green hair that resembled pig tails. Her horns changed place, becoming symmetrical on both sides of her head. "Fire Punch!"
Darumaka leapt forward, ramming a flaming fist into the barrier that protected the newly evolved Kirlia. Kirlia swung her hands out, using the barrier to surround Darumaka, suspending it in the air, before launching it away. Darumaka slammed into the large rock on the field, shattering it. Darumaka groaned in pain and defeat.
"We win!" Airi shrieked at the top of her lungs, completely ecstatic. She ran over to Kirlia, lifting her in her arms. "You're amazing!"
Kirlia smiled in pure joy of Airi's praise. The two held each other tightly, celebrating their victory.
"Congratulations." Auburn congratulated, retrieving her Darumaka. She reached into a case on a shelf, retrieving a small badge and bringing to Airi. It was shaped like volcano emitting steam. "I present to you, the Steam Badge."
"Thank you very much!" Airi sneered, swiping the badge from her hand. She winked at Auburn arrogantly. "Maybe you shouldn't underestimate people! Especially me!"
"This is beneath me…" Auburn sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I'm doing this because… whatever…" She cut herself off, before gesturing to the door. "You can leave now."
"I will!" Airi grit her teeth, forcing herself to smile. She turned to leave, making an annoyed expression as she returned to the others.
"Yo! That was awesome!" Draco praised, placing his hands behind his head. "I got serious Aika vibes from you!"
"Well I am going to defeat her!" Airi boasted, holding herself up high. "But, Aika is amazing! I modeled my appearance after her after all!"
"That explains it…" Mailys sighed, understanding Airi's flair. "I'm guessing you dyed your hair that… blinding shade of pink?"
"Nope!" Airi giggled, straightening her hair with her hands. "It's my natural gift! I got it from my mother!"
"Well, that's disappointing." Mailys groaned jokingly. "I was hoping I could find something to lord over you."
"Well, jokes on you!" Airi continued to boast. "My family is the only one in Glamour to have this shade of pink!"
"It… can't be that rare." Draco's father mumbled, shaking his head. He let out a long sigh, stretching his neck. "Never mind. You want a ride to Gold Shore Marina, correct?"
"Correct!" Airi affirmed with a grin.
"I have business there as well, luckily enough." Mailys grinned, gently. "So, we're in agreement with our destination."
"Does it have to do with those 'stones?'" Draco inquired, tilting his head.
"Yes." Mailys confirmed, giving an honest smile. "Shall we go?"
