Iriana and Harry nodded, already taking their spots. "Fine by me, as long as we can finish before the evil fan girls show up." The emerald eyed teen said, shuddering at the thought of the women getting to him.
"Ah…poor Harry, traumatized by his adoring fans!" Iriana teased, laughing when Harry glared at her.
Toxica just laughed at the two's banter. "Come on kids, battle time! Roselia and Nidoqueen, come on out!"
"Snivy, show 'em what you got!"
"Kirlia, kick their butts!"
The first Pokémon was a large, blue Pokémon with both mammalian and reptilian features. She had a thick tail and mouse-like ears with spikes running down the length of her back and has a horn on her forehead. Her lower-jaw, chest-plates and lower torso are cream-colored. Harry's Pokedex said: Nidoqueen, the Drill Pokémon. Nidoqueen has thick skin covering its entire body, protecting it from whatever techniques are used against it.
The second Pokémon was a small Pokémon with a light green body with a leaf skirt and holding a rose on each of her hands, a red one in her right and a blue one in her left. She has leaves extending from her shoulders like epaulettes, and a pointed streak of yellow extends from her neck down the forefront of her leaf skirt. Visible from the back is a small stretch of yellow coloration around her neck much like a collar. She also had three horns on the top of her head. Roselia, the Thorn Pokémon. Roselia's aroma can bring serenity, but the thorns on its head contain a vicious poison.
"Roselia and Nidoqueen, use Poison Sting!" Toxica called out the first attacks. The Drill and Thorn Pokémon launched the poison needles at the Emotion and Shellfish Pokémon.
"Kirlia, use Teleport and then Confusion!"
"Snivy, dodge and use Vinewhip!"
In a flash of light Kirlia vanished, while Snivy disappeared in a teal flash. Just in time too, for the poison attack just landed. The Poison-types were stunned for a second, and that was all the challengers needed. Nidoqueen found herself floating up in the air, while Roselia got knocked down by the little but powerful Grass type. Kirlia then threw the larger Pokémon straight at the smaller, effectively knocking them both out.
"And the winners are Harry and Iriana!" The referee yelled.
The two teens blinked, "We won? Wow that was fast." Iriana said to her friend. "Kinda anti-climatic don't you think? I mean…seriously. That had to be a record or something."
"Where the heck was that guy? He just popped out of nowhere…" A confused Harry mumbled, absently returning his Pokémon and staring at the referee.
Toxica meanwhile, was laughing her ass off at the expression on the two's faces. "Man, you should see yourselves!" She managed to say. "I also think that you two set the record for the quickest battle here, good job! Now, you two earned these." The Gym Leader handed them their Badges, which were in the shape of a skull and crossbones. When they looked up at her for an explanation, she shrugged, "Can you think of any symbol that 'Poison' could go with? Neither could I. Now, onto more important business, your next battle is against Spectra, the Ghost Queen, on Phasma Island. But here's the catch, there's this weird fog all around the area that prevents any boats from going near the island, so you'll have to either swim or fly to get there."
"Not a problem!" Iriana grinned. "My Gyarados can get us there easily."
Toxica grinned, "Well then, good luck. And I expect to see you at the League!" She picked the two up and tossed them out the window, landing them in a pile of limbs.
"She's crazy…" Harry grumbled, getting back up.
"Yeah, but she's also awesome." Iriana added, heading for the exit of the city. Since it was such a nice day, they decided to let all of their Pokémon out to stretch their legs (or whatever it is that they had) as they headed for the coast. As they walked, Harry was busy fiddling with his Badges while Vulpix happy chewed on his hair. Snivy was on his shoulder just enjoying the view.
"Man, I have too many Badges now, can't keep them in my pocket any more otherwise they might fall out."
"I know what you mean, so what do you suggest we do?"
The emerald eyed teen thought for a second, staring at the Badges. Suddenly, if there could have been, a light bulb appeared over his head. "I got it." He started to attach the Badges to the bracelet he always wore, the one the three Rockets gave him at the start of his journey. "There we go; what about you Iriana?" He glanced over to see the girl fiddling with the band she wore around her head. She was attaching the Badges that that.
"Practical yet functional." She laughed, placing back around her head.
Continuing the peaceful walk, a sudden thought struck Harry. "Hey, are you going to tell me what that surprise of yours is yet?"
Iriana blinked, and then laughed, "I completely forgot about that! Here you go, found it in one of the shops, got it for a bargain if I say so myself." Reaching into one of her pockets, she proudly gave Harry something. Taking a closer look, he saw it was a Fire Stone.
"Why in the world did you get this?"
"Thought it looked pretty cool…whoa!"
She reached forward to try to grab Vulpix, who had been trying to get a closer look at the stone but slid down Harry's arm and touched the stone.
Everyone stopped walking as a now glowing Vulpix jumped to the ground and began changing shape. There in her place, was a beautiful nine tailed fox with bright turquoise eyes. Her fur was a gleaming snow white and when the light hit it just right you could see ice blue accents. The tips of her tails, paws, and tuff of hair was a dark but rich blue and her underbelly was a light cream color, just a shade darker than the rest of her pelt.
"Wow, you're beautiful." Harry breathed. As Iriana was petting the fox, Harry brought out his Pokedex: Ninetales, the Fox Pokémon. Ninetales is the evolved form of Vulpix. Each of its tails contains a different mystical power.
"Pops, I feel powerful now." Ninetales' voice had an echo-y quality to it, hinting at the power within.
"I believe you my dear, I believe you." Harry grinned at his 'daughter'.
The group was about twenty minutes outside Venenum when they heard the unmistakable sounds of fighting. The two share a look and sighed.
"Why can't we just have a nice stroll to the coast?" Harry mock-groaned, already running in the direction of the noise.
"Your luck sucks like that my friend." Iriana teased, keeping up easily.
"My luck? What about you?"
"Are you kidding me? Everything weird that's happened has been cause of you, so it's your luck!" Iriana laughed at the stumped look on the teen's face.
The two quieted as they reached the source of the commotion. Hiding in some bushes, they decided to see what they were up against, and boy they were shocked.
In the middle of a large clearing were two groups facing off, Pokémon at the ready. On the right was Jesse, James and Meowth, along with several Rocket Grunts behind them. Every single one of them was glaring at the figures at the other end. A woman with orange hair in two low pigtails and a guy with greenish hair were sneering; both were wearing black Rocket uniforms. Beside the guy was a Raticate, growling and by the girl was a Houndour. What shocked the two most was the tied-up figure behind the two.
"Isn't that Giovanni? The Rocket Boss?" Iriana whispered.
"Yeah, but what the heck is going on?" Harry whispered back. He didn't have to wait long to get the answer.
"Let Giovanni go and maybe we'll take it easy on you!" Jesse called out, eyes glaring at the girl.
"Fat chance Jesse. With Giovanni out of the way, we'll turn Team Rocket back into what it once was, a feared power in this world! Our 'Boss' has gone soft, ordering us to only steal miserable and sad Pokémon." The girl sneered.
The guy went next, "Why don't you give up? Maybe we'll let you stay in a member in our organization."
James growled, "Fat chance 'Bob'."
'Bob' fell anime style, and then was back on his feet in a rage, "My name is BUTCH! B-U-T-C-H! Tell them Cassidy!"
Cassidy barely glanced in his direction, "Whatever you say 'Bill'." Butch just started to pull at his hair. "Now, to get rid of you…" She said, turning to a tussled Giovanni.
"I've heard enough." Iriana said, grabbing a Pokeball.
"Me too, I'll get Gio, can you distract Tweedle Dumb and Dumber?" Harry asked.
"They won't know what hit them."
As one, they burst through the bushes and threw their Pokeballs, startling everyone in the clearing.
"Riolu! Use Aura Sphere on Houndour and Raticate!"
"Snivy, use VineWhip and grab Giovanni!"
The Grass type extended his vines and grabbed the Rocket Leader just time. Not even a second later, a large bluish ball of energy slammed into Butch and Cassidy, along with their Pokémon.
"Harry! Iriana!" The Rocket Trio called out happily. Harry was passed around for hugs while the Rocket grunts helped their Boss out of his bindings. Iriana was happily keeping the others at bay with Snivy and Riolu. "You came at the perfect time kid." Jesse said with a grin.
"Indeed you did Harry, I'm indebted to you." Giovanni said with a small smile. He surprised his Rockets by pulling the teen in a hug, which was happily returned.
"Don't mention it. By the way, where's Persian?" The emerald eyed teen asked.
"In her Pokeball, resting. She put up a great fight to protect me, but they knocked her out." Giovanni answered.
"Hey Harry! I hate to break up the bonding fest going on, but I could use some help!" Iriana called out.
Grinning sheepishly, Harry said, "Sorry gotta go help Iriana kick some butt."
"Go get 'em kid!" Meowth cheered.
Harry ran up to stand beside the lavender-eyed girl and stared at the scene before him. Snivy and Riolu were unharmed, but were panting slightly. Raticate and Houndour had more injuries, but they weren't panting at all.
"Give it up! You'll never beat 'Ritch' and Cassidy!" The orange haired woman gloated, ignoring her teammates 'My name is BUTCH!'
The duo shared a smirk. "Let's knock them out in one move. That should knock them down a peg or two." Iriana suggested.
"Great minds think alike."
"Riolu, use Force Palm!"
"Snivy, get 'em with Leaf Tornado!"
As one, the two Pokémon blurred out of sight. Butch and Cassidy didn't even have time to order their Pokémon to dodge when the attacks hit. Houndour was knocked out by the powerful glowing punch from the Aura Pokémon, while Raticate was lost to the sea of leaves surrounding him.
"You lose." Harry said coldly, reminding everyone of a certain Boss.
Butch and Cassidy gulped, returning their Pokémon. "Well…would you look at the time? We'd better…" They didn't even finish the sentence when they tried to make a run for it, only to be stopped by Absol, Ninetales, Gyarados and Dragonair.
"You were saying?" Iriana asked with a smirk. She turned to the grunts, "Tie 'em up nice and tight guys."
As the grunts were being tied up, everyone froze when Snivy was surrounded by a white light. After the light faded, everyone took in the new Pokémon. At first glance, it just looked like a larger version of Snivy, but there were differences. He had a yellow collar-like structure that started at the chest and proceeded behind the shoulders. He also had three palmate leaves growing along his back and tail. The Pokémon had four short limbs and a small crest protruding from the back of his head. His eyes were narrow, red and had an almost sneering face. Iriana's Pokedex said: Servine, the Grass Snake Pokémon. It moves along the ground as if sliding. Its swift movements befuddle its foes, and it then attacks with a vine whip.
"Wow, this feels weird." Servine commented, looking at himself.
Harry just grinned at the Grass type, "I'm sure it does, why don't you take a long rest? You battled hard and great." Harry returned his Pokémon as Iriana returned hers. She was watching with their Pokémon to make sure Butch and Cassidy didn't make a run for it.
"Thanks Harry. I don't even wanna think about what might have happened if you and Iriana hadn't shown up when you did." James said, clapping the teen on his back.
"Pure luck, we were on our way to Phasma when we heard the noises all of you were making."
Giovanni blinked, "Phasma? You've already gotten six Badges?" Blushing, Harry nodded. "Well done Harry. You'll both make it to the league, no doubt about that."
Hearing laughter, they saw Iriana coming back with their Pokémon. After returning them all, she turned to Harry. "I swear there's nothing in this world that won't make you blush like a tomato!" She just started to laugh harder when Harry blushed a darker shade of red.
"Aww, but he's so cute this way!" Jesse gushed, little hearts in her eyes. Everyone around her took a step back at the look in her eyes, Harry most of all.
"Well…we gotta get going…BYE!" He took off, a dust cloud showing which direction he went.
"I don't think I've ever seen him move so fast." Iriana commented with a grin. She turned to the Rockets, "Well, been nice seeing you again. I gotta catch up to the Boy-Who-Blushes-A-Lot." The Rockets waved good-bye at the girl, who was still snickering at the new name she gave Harry.
"Those two kids will go far." Meowth said. "They might even win the League!"
"Man, wouldn't that be a sight to see? I don't think we've seen those two battle all out yet." James commented, dragging a still 'heart-eyes' Jesse.
Giovanni just smirked, "Well, I do have three extra tickets to go to the League…"