Author's Note: Great, now all the awesomeness of the last two chapters are going to really make it hard to keep it up. Now the action really starts up again with the hardest battle yet for Light (though by chance, not skill). Don't worry; this story still has a ways to go (at least in my mind). I'm actually surprised my story is this long already, though. This story seems to have a length of its own. All my other stories ("An Eevee's Life," "Eevee's Path," "Eeveelution Academy" with its first chapter, and "Silver" up to chapter 5) combined up to this point don't even reach the word count with this story so far. . . . I hope that's a good thing.
Light's Adventures
Chapter 18: Rocky Surprises
Light yawned as he awoke. Light carefully looked up without disturbing Cream and saw it was almost sunhigh. For a second, Light thought that they were late, but thought different when Nick suddenly started as his clock went off. Light was glad Nick had bought the clock yesterday.
Light waited until it was obvious they needed to get up, then he eased Cream awake. "Cream, Cream, wake up, honey. We have to go for the match," he said.
Cream stretched as she awoke and gently licked Light's cheek. Light returned the gesture and stretched himself. He went through his stretches to relax his muscles. Once that was done, they ate a quick breakfast and were out the door.
Nick rushed them to the gym and they waited as a newish trainer used a Squirtle against Brock's Onyx. The Onyx was quickly defeated and the trainer took the badge from Brock. That's not good, Light thought.
What's wrong? Cream asked, already used to their constant channel.
Onyx won't be battling, which means we're up against something else, Light thought, also sending the thought to Nick.
Nick swallowed when he realized this. "Well . . . I guess we keep up the first strategy still. We don't have much of a choice," Nick said.
Nick led them off the bleachers and to their position. The announcer raised two flags and said, "Welcome, challenger, to the ground and rock type gym of Pewter City. Brock, the gym leader, will be your opponent. This will be a one-on-one match with two Pokemon each. The challenger may, at any time, withdraw your Pokemon for another. The gym leader may at no time switch Pokemon. Both the challenger and gym leader may only use two Pokemon total. The first to defeat the other's Pokemon wins. Ready? Start!"
Brock threw a Pokeball. In the usual flash of red appeared a tall Pokemon. It looked like a tree and had branches with leaves for arms and hands. Light knew what it was as Brock said, "Come on, Sudowoodo, let's win this."
Blaze stepped forward and Nick studied the new Pokemon carefully, also bringing out his Pokedex. Sudowoodo and Blaze studied each other, waiting for a command.
Brock scoffed at Nick's choice, "A fire type Pokemon? A fire type won't be that good against a rock and ground type gym. Are you sure you're up to this gym, newbie?"
"I think my five other badges will speak for me. Blaze, use Double Team, and then split up with Dig and Iron Tail," Nick said without looking up from his Pokedex. Light was glad Nick was getting used to saying commands at a reasonable level.
Light smiled at the new strategy Blaze started. Knowing Earthquake or a number of other ground piercing moves could be used, they found a strong TM for both defense and offense in Nick's messy backpack: Iron Tail. Now Blaze had one more move that would be effective against the strong skinned rock types.
Blaze split into eight forms, though he could now hold nine, and they split the attack sequences. Blaze had finally mastered giving different controls to all eight without hesitation. Four of the Flareon went underground, while the other four surrounded the Sudowoodo, though out of close range attacks.
Brock frowned at the predicament, "Impressive, but you'll have to do better. Sudowoodo, use a twirling Rock Throw." Light was impressed that Brock was also using a calm voice.
Light watched eagerly to learn the strategy. The Sudowoodo smashed the ground near it, making digging harder while destroying any nearby clones, and picked up several stones. It then twirled and threw a large sized stone at each of the visible Flareon. Each one passed through and they vanished. Light heard a sigh of relief come from Blair.
That's an impressive attack strategy. It was as though it was made the opposite of our strategy. Go for strategy two, Light thought to Nick.
You came up with two strategies! Cream thought impressed.
No, four, Light thought back, changing the channel to the two of them again.
Cream's mouth opened in shock.
What? I just told Nick what could happen and how to avoid it. I didn't really do that much, Light thought humbly.
Cream snorted, It may be the reason we win, though. That counts for a lot.
Light blushed under her compliment and turned his attention back to the battle.
"Blaze, use Double Team again and then Flame Wheel," Nick called out, still checking his Pokedex.
Blaze shot out of the ground and split into eight again. This time, the Flareon surrounded the Sudowoodo and started to some at it with only a few milliseconds to spare between each Flame Wheel. This would make the Sudowoodo face eight attacks in a row.
"Use Brick Break," Brock commanded.
The Sudowoodo raised its arms and started to slash at extreme speeds at each of the flaming projectiles. However, each one disappeared. When the Sudowoodo made contact with the last one, Blaze shot up from the ground and leveled the Sudowoodo with Dig.
Light smiled as the strategy worked, playing off the last strategy. Blaze had used a clone still in the ground to use Double Team above ground, discouraging an underground attack. Nick glanced up and saw the strategy complete and started the next one, "Blaze, use Iron Tail."
Blaze's tail glowed white and he charged the Sudowoodo. The Sudowoodo started to get up, however, its back was to the approaching Flareon.
"Sudowoodo, use Seismic Toss," Brock said, not rushing his words.
He has an impressive patience, Light noticed.
But also good strategies. Look! Cream thought back.
Blaze ran full speed at the Sudowoodo. The Sudowoodo stopped on one knee and reached back. He grabbed Blaze by the head and effortlessly picked him up. The Sudowoodo stood up quickly and started to twirl around in the single spot. After several rotations, the Sudowoodo threw Blaze toward the nearest wall. Blaze hit it hard and slid to the ground. Blair gasped as he made contact.
He'll be dizzy after that spinning for a few seconds, Light thought to Blaze and Nick. He saw both give a slight nod. Nick put the Pokedex in his pocket. The last strategy worked on speed and without commands. Light had drilled Blaze until he was as good with orders as without on this last strategy.
But Blaze won't be able to reach Sudowoodo in that short of time after hitting the wall, Cream thought.
Watch, Light thought calmly, their link back to only them.
Blaze picked himself up and ran at the Sudowoodo, who took a second to prepare himself. Blaze stopped nearby, though, and run around Sudowoodo. Sudowoodo had planted its feet to help prepare after the dizziness, just as Light had thought it would. Blaze was now always barely out of sight as the Sudowoodo pivoted to stop him.
After three circuits, Brock said, "Finish this with Rock Throw."
The Sudowoodo had an extra stone in its branches still and readied it. However, Blaze kept up his speed and the Sudowoodo couldn't pivot fast enough. Then, Blaze executed the next part. He kicked up some dust and let loose a Double Team clone. The Sudowoodo saw the slower Flareon and threw the stone, which continued through the Flareon.
Blaze stopped and used Iron Tail right on Sudowoodo's back. It was a direct hit and a crack could be heard. It immediately fainted.
"Sudowoodo has fainted," the announcer said, holding up a green flag.
"Return, Sudowoodo," Brock said, returning Sudowoodo. "I guess I underestimated you, kid. I won't do that again. I'll let you face Steelix," he said, throwing another Pokeball.
A long, large Pokemon appeared. It was larger than the Onyx, but shared the same body shape and form, making Light guess it was the evolution. Its steel like body revealed its part steel and ground type. It would be a tough opponent.
Seeing Blaze was panting hard from exertion, Nick called him back, "Good job, Blaze. Light will take over from here."
Upon hearing his name, Light stepped into the area, but only after getting a lick on the cheek from Cream, "You can do it, Light. I know you can."
Light nodded his thanks and faced the Steelix. Light didn't like the grin that seemed plastered on the Steelix's face. Its body parts seemed to rotate every little bit. Light prepared himself for a long fight.
"An Umbreon? You have a Flareon and Vulpix, and you choose the Umbreon. Don't toy with me, boy," Brock said.
Light smiled. Brock was getting unnerved at what he thought was a lack of strategy. I would think it would make me more cautious, Light thought. Seeing Nick had his Pokedex out, light opened the channel to him, It's a ground and steel type combo Pokemon, right?
Right, Nick thought back.
Just making sure, Light thought.
Nick sat down cross legged and Cream jumped into his lap. Nick slowly petted the Eevee, now caring to send out a command.
"Don't get cocky, kid. This is long from over," Brock said, "Steelix, Dig."
Light watched calmly as it went underground. He checked its progress underground with Psychic and jumped out of the way at the last second, getting a squeal from Cream. Don't worry, Light calmed.
The Steelix had an obvious weakness with the move: it had to pull itself fully out. Light took the opportunity and used Dark Pulse. The glowing, black beam hit the Steelix hard. It pulled itself out of the hole and glared at Light, who shrugged.
Brock studied Light more carefully now. Maybe the Umbreon had a mental connection with its trainer. But he shook that off when he saw Nick was preoccupied with tickling his Vulpix. This trainer was definitely the strange one. Shaking off his thoughts, he broke his attention back to the battle. "Steelix, use Iron Tail and then Wrap."
The Steelix darted its tail forward. The end started to glow white as it approached Light. It has some impressive coordination, Light thought offhandedly, as he jumped out of the way. The tail returned to its normal state and it started to curve around Light.
Light may have been confused if Brock hadn't said to use Wrap, but he wasn't now. He grabbed the midsection of the Steelix with Psychic and squeezed. The Steelix howled in pain as a blue aura surrounded part of it. However, as soon Light stopped, the Steelix continued with Wrap, increasing its speed to twice the original.
Light smiled as he waited a half second before impact and used Protect, forming small shield around Light. The small orb was too small and transparent for the Steelix to notice and it completely surrounded Light. Light felt himself rise off the ground and soon, the Steelix had wrapped around the bottom, too.
Brock waited, but saw the trainer was still ignorant of his Pokemon's problem. He knew that if Steelix continued much longer, the Umbreon would suffocate. He would not let that happen to the poorly attended Pokemon. "Steelix, release upward," Brock said. The Pokemon wouldn't suffocate, but would still be injured.
Cream was holding her breath, knowing Light was starting to strain with Protect, but let it out as the Steelix threw Light upward. However, the motion was with the Protect, so when Light let it go as Steelix did, he landed easily on top of Steelix's raised, curled tail, right in front of its face. Perfect, Light thought.
Light sent a Dark Pulse right into its face. The Steelix recoiled from the close up attack, putting distance between them. Knowing his perch on its tail was dangerous, Light continued with Quick Attack. He ran down the coiled tail like a set of stairs and rammed the part of Steelix's body was on the ground. It might have not done much damage against the Steelix, but it still wasn't a wasted attack.
Light landed nimbly on his paws, but tripped on an upturned rock. He fell backwards and landed at the bottom of the hole Steelix had dug. The Steelix grinned down at Light from above. He heard a command, but didn't fully understand it. However, the Steelix had and it came down right at Light.
Using his rings as a light, Light ran down the tunnel, using Quick Attack to speed up. The Steelix's body, however, started to rotate quickly, allowing it to rush at Light as fast as he was moving. Great, Light thought as he saw the end of the tunnel approaching. He would have to stand his ground here.
Twisting on one paw, Light flipped around at a crazy speed to face the Steelix. However, the ground was soft and his paw not only got stuck, but also twisted. He quickly severed Cream's and his channel. Light fell to the ground on his side with a cry of pain. The Steelix didn't slow as it plowed right over Light. The rough body was hard and brittle, catching at his skin and pounding him into the ground.
Light struggled up and limped after the Steelix, keeping his fore left paw off the ground and pressed to his side, which seemed to be on fire. He reached to end of the original tunnel, though another led to the right, announcing the Steelix's plan to come around at him again. Knowing that climbing would be near impossible with all his paws, Light used Psychic to lift himself off the ground. The feel of it was almost comforting. This was the first time he had used Psychic on himself to levitate.
Breaking out of his trance, Light shot himself upward. He came above ground and he lowered himself back on the ground. The blue glow faded from his eyes. He glanced around and took everything in. The Steelix was still underground, while Brock was studying the extent of Light's injuries. Nick was once again standing, checking each injury. Blaze, Blair, and Red were looking at him concerned. But all of it combined was nothing compared to the look on Cream's face. She had a look of horror plastered on there.
He quickly opened the channel and said, Don't worry; I'm good.
GOOD! What do you mean good? You look like you were stomped by a stampede of Tauros, Cream screamed into her head.
Light flinched under the verbal assault, getting a confused glance from everyone but the two mates.
His attention snapped back at the confused roar of the Steelix. Using Psychic, Light picked up the scattered dirt and filled in the hole, slowing the Steelix down and hopefully injuring it. With some time, Light opened a channel to Blaze and Nick.
Light, come back. Blaze has rested and can barbeque that Steelix with Flame Wheel. You're in no shape to battle, Nick thought, though he held his verbal tongue.
Yes, Light, I'll be able to finish it. Let me go in there, Blaze added.
Get out of there now! Cream yelled into her mind. This time, Nick, Blaze, and Light flinched.
Okay, I'm coming, Light thought, starting to limp back to Nick.
However, Light recognized that the Steelix was under him and barely put up a Protect in time to bounce away from the Dig attack. He still painfully hit his leg coming down, though.
It would help to announce I'm returning, Light sent to Nick.
"Oh . . . uh, Light come back. Blaze, you're back up," Nick said.
Brock respectively waited as Light and Blaze swapped places. At least the annoying dark type was gone.
Before the battle started again, another battle started at the sidelines, though verbal, not physical. "Light, never push yourself that far again," Cream almost shouted.
"Come here, Cream," Light said calmly.
Cream stepped up to the side that hadn't been racked by the Steelix. However, that was the side that had been forced into the ground and was bruised. Light flinched with the contact and Cream pulled away, "Oh, I'm sorry-"
Light stopped her by pulling her next to him with his, ignoring the pain. "No, don't be. I can't promise not to push myself that far again, though," he said.
"B-but . . . why?" she asked, starting to tear up.
"Because, I already to promise to protect you with every breath of my body, remember?" he asked.
"Oh, Light," she said, starting to cry into his shoulder, though he now knew a good cry from a bad one. This was a good cry. Light silently rubbed her back with his tail and licked her head. He held her against him as she tried to struggle away, "Light, you're injured. You need to go to Nick and your Pokeball."
Light shuddered at the tight enclosed space as the Pokeball, "No, I've got the best medicine already."
"What's that?" she asked.
"I've got you. Please stay by my side. Your presence comforts me more than any other medicine," he said.
Cream's eyes started to tear up again, "Of course I will. You're too sweet, Light. At least sit down, though."
Light complied and looked back at the battle. Blaze was looking tired, along with his three copies, but so was the Steelix. Blaze and the three shadow copies turned into blazing projectiles and ran at Steelix. The Steelix whacked two with its tail. Unfortunately, the two were both copies and disappeared on contact.
Blaze hit the Steelix and it toppled, dissipating the other Flareon. The Steelix fainted at the impact of the ground.
"Steelix has fainted. The challenger has won," the announcer said.
"YES! We won; we won," Nick said, going into his dance. It looked even more ridiculous when Red and Blair joined in, with Ace doing a dance in the air. Blair didn't celebrate long, though, as she pulled away to intercept Blaze. Light was glad to see Blaze could still walked on his own.
Nick fast walked over to Brock after his dance and received the Boulder Badge and a handshake with Brock, who didn't look the greatest after being beaten. Light was surprised at his low sportsmanship.
"Let's start to the Pokemon Center before Nick does put me in my Pokeball," Light said.
"O-okay, but you have to take it easy," Cream said.
Nick, me and Cream are getting a head start to the Pokemon Center. No, I will not go in my Pokeball, Light thought.
Cream and Light headed outside when they saw Nick give a slight nod for no apparent reason. He was still talking with Brock, who was looking even madder.
"So," Cream started as they went down the empty street, Cream walking while he limped, "Why do you dislike Pokeballs so much?"
"I have a phobia about it. When I was born, I went sailing out of Nick's hands by accident and down toward the ground, though Blaze luckily caught me. The suffocating mane he caught me with and the stuffiness of the egg made me claustrophobic when I can't get out of something, such as the Pokeball. As long as I can get out on my own, I don't care, but inside the Pokeball, I can't see, smell, or hear anything until I'm randomly let out by someone else," Light confessed.
Cream nodded and they continued to the Pokemon Center in comfortable silence, enjoying the touch of each other.