Chapter 17
Ecruteak Battle Dome
"Hello, may I help you?" Nurse Joy asked, turning away from the computer screen in front of her.
"I need a circuit change and I'd like to organize a match against someone in a higher class." Blake replied.
"Alright, all I need is a Battle Circuit License."
"Here you go." Blake handed her his Pokedex which Nurse Joy accepted with one hand while typing with the other. Once she entered Blake's Pokedex into the system, all his Battle Circuit information appeared on the screen, showing Nurse Joy his record as well as his most current Pokemon team.
"The Rookie King, nice to meet you." Nurse Joy said, giving Blake a smile which only received a blank stare. "What Circuit would you like to be transferred to?"
"The Regular Circuit."
"Alright…There you go. Now you're aiming to battle someone from the B-Class?"
"Yes. I want to become a B-Class trainer as soon as possible." Blake replied.
"To do that, you'll need to battle and beat two trainers from the upper B-Class to enter the next trainer class."
"Easy picking. Are there any matches here tonight?" Blake asked.
"Yes, I'll line up a match for you."
"Thanks."
5/28/0046/Night
Stadium
"And now for the seventeenth match tonight. In the blue corner is Blake the Johto Rookie King with a record of 24-24-0 against the B-Class trainer known as Mariah with a record of 31-23-8." The announcer said, introducing the trainers.
"Hey, I saw the Rookie King in Goldenrod City! He was a beast!" Someone shouted.
"Yeah, he may be good, but now he's facing someone that's a lot stronger than his previous opponents."
"Trainers, Clash!" The ref shouted.
Blake and Mariah selected their Poke-balls and threw it onto the field, Blake using the Spin Counter in attempt to make this battle one-sided from the start.
Instead of using a basic throw, Mariah threw her Poke-ball in a wide horizontal arc, the Poke-ball swinging around at Blake's Poke-ball from the side, creating a large burst of sparks as they met.
"The Hook!" Many observers said, impressed with the Clash that started the battle.
Bagon and Staryu appeared on the field, each of them sliding backward on their feet.
"Battle begin!"
"Staryu, use Swift!" Mariah shouted. Staryu rose into the air, beginning to spin rapidly as it produced several tiny gold stars from the jewel at the center of its body.
"Ryuu, use Dragon Breath." Blake said, watching Bagon roar before spewing green flames out its mouth to counter the Swift attack, the two attacks canceling each other out. "Now use Dragon Breath again."
"Staryu, counter with Rapid Spin."
Star began to spin, hovering a few inches off the ground. As the green flames hit Staryu, they began to swirl around the star shaped Pokemon, causing no actual damage to the Pokemon.
"Now use Water Gun."
Staryu sped up for a moment, blowing away the Dragon Breath while pointing one of its five ends at Bagon, firing pressurized water at the Dragon type Pokemon.
"Ryuu, hold your ground and use Thunder Fang." Blake said, watching the small Pokemon cross its tiny arms in front its body, to block the Water Gun attack.
After a few moments, Bagon opened its mouth, revealing an electrical charge that began to run through the water, back to Staryu who was electrocuted by the attack.
"Staryu!" Mariah shouted.
"Use Headbutt." Blake commanded. Bagon charged forward at the wobbling Pokemon, lowering its head as it prepared for impact. Bagon rammed its head into the center of Staryu's body, lifting the Pokemon off the ground. "Dragon Breath."
Bagon spewed a wave of green flames at the airborne Staryu, the flames engulfing the Pokemon.
"Staryu, use Water Gun and Rapid Spin!"
Staryu began to spin, blowing away the flames before firing water out of all five of its points, which kept it hovering in mid air.
"Ryuu, use Thunder Fang again." Bagon jumped up at Staryu, sparks beginning to fly from its mouth only for it to slapped away by one of the streams of water Staryu was releasing.
"Nice try, but you're not going to be able to hit Staryu anymore." Mariah said, proud of their successful attack. "This is its all purpose defense that intercepts physical attacks as well as special attacks."
"We'll see about that. Ryuu, use Dragon Breath on the ground to get yourself into the air above Staryu." Blake said, the small purple Pokemon spraying green flames out its mouth to push it into the air, cutting off the flames once it was above Staryu. "Now use Skull Bash and put a spin on it."
Bagon fell into a nose dive, beginning to twirl rapidly as it dropped toward Staryu. Several streams of water from the spinning Staryu lashed out at Bagon, but the spinning Bagon blew away the water, hitting its target at full force, smashing Staryu into the ground.
A dust cloud was formed upon impact, preventing the ref from making a decision until the cloud cleared. Bagon stood on top of Staryu whose jewel was flickering.
"Staryu is unable to battle. The winner is Bagon and Blake." The ref shouted, lifting the blue flag.
"The Rookie King makes his first step toward the B-Class with a one-sided match!" The announcer shouted as the crowd broke out into the cheers.
"Yeah Rookie, you can make it to the B-Class!" Several fans in the crowd shouted, impressed with Blake's match.
"Come on Ryuu, we got work to do." Blake said, inviting the Pokemon up onto his shoulder. Blake gave Mariah and the crowd a few waves with Bagon before leaving the Stadium.
5/30/0046/Sunrise
Mr. Mortar
Blake looked up at the small mountain path way he would have to use in order to get up to the area of Mr. Mortar where the Pokemon were located. On his shoulder was Larvitar who Blake had let out to act as a guide for him while he was in the mountains.
"Is it safe Larvitar?" Blake asked, receiving a nod from the Pokemon. "Alright, but if something happens to me, you're going to pay for it."
Blake slowly began to move on the path, leaning against the mountain side for safety.
After a full hour, Blake had reached the end of the path, entering a large rocky area where multiple Pokemon were going about like it was any other day.
"Kirlia." Blake said, releasing the Pokemon from its Poke-ball. "I'll be training you the most since that Dawn Stone will be ours in a week. Use Magical Leaf on the Graveler."
A dozen multi colored leaves appeared around Kirlia that were fired at a nearby Graveler, taking out a portion of its health while getting the Rock Pokemon's full attention.
"Grav-ler!" It shouted, tearing a large chuck of earth out the ground before throwing it at Blake and Kirlia.
"Split up, then use Confusion." Blake said as the two of them took off in directions. Once the two of them had safely avoided the Rock Throw, a blue outline appeared around Graveler, lifting it into the air. "Now toss it."
"Kir!" Kirlia shouted, thrusting both its arms forward which sent Graveler flying into a duo of Machoke's that had been watching them. Graveler lay on top both Pokemon, its eyes replaced with black swirls.
"Perfect." Blake said quietly as the two Machoke's lifted the Graveler up so that they could return to their feet, both of them enraged.
"Machoke!" One of them shouted, pointing at them while the other tossed the Graveler at Kirlia.
Kirlia stopped Graveler's approach using Confusion, placing the unconscious Pokemon on the ground.
"Get ready Kirlia, this could get ugly." Blake said, taking notice of the group of Machoke's and Machop's that had suddenly appeared.
5/31/0046/Morning
"Do you think we lost them?" Blake asked Kirlia, the two of them panting and drenched in sweat after a full day of battling. After picking a fight with that family of Machoke's and Machop's, Blake and Kirlia left the scene, heading inside Mr. Mortar where the duo met up with a nest of Golbat's. The whole day was nothing but trouble, but Blake was pleased with the amount of battles Kirlia had won against the local Pokemon.
"Rest up Kirlia." Blake said, returning the tired Pokemon to its Poke-ball, hooking it back onto his belt in trade for another. "Larvitar, let's go."
Blake and Larvitar followed the sounds of nearby Pokemon battle and the shouts of a trainer that was giving its Pokemon several commands.
"Electivire, use Thunder Bolt!" A feminine voice shouted.
Blake peered out into the open section of the cave, spotting a tall Pokemon with yellow and black fur battle several Golbat's at once.
"Electivire!" It roared as its fur became spiky, launching multiple bolts of electricity in all directions, hitting all but one of the surrounding Golbat's, finishing them off. The remaining Golbat opened its mouth to reveal a pair of purple fangs which meant it was using Posion Fang.
"Larvitar, use Rock Throw." Blake said to the small green Pokemon who gave him nod before following his command.
"Electivire, behind you!" The girl shouted, warning her Pokemon of the oncoming danger. Just before the Golbat could sink its teeth into Electivire's shoulder, a large piece of earth hit it from its blind spot, sending it flying into one of the cave walls. "Huh?"
"Nice Larvitar." Blake said, making his presence known. "That was pretty close."
"Blake? What are you doing here?" Grace asked as the two of them observed the bruises they had received during their training session in Mr. Mortar.
"I was sent to get you by a group of psychos who keep saying were related." Blake replied, taking note of Grace's newly evolved Electivire. "Are you planning to enter the IBF Tourney with this Electivire?"
"Yup." Grace replied, giving him a nod. "But who sent you to get me?"
"A few girls living in Ecruteak City and Stanly from the Committee." Blake replied, approaching her Electivire who met Blake halfway, looking down at him.
"Stanly…I still haven't given him a report from our mission in Olivine City." Grace said, taking a deep breath which invited a wave of exhaustion to wash over her which she hadn't felt at all during the time she had been training. "And I guess I should take a break and get to a Pokemon Center."
"So you're coming?" Blake asked, receiving a nod from Grace.
5/32/0046/Evening
Mr. Mortar Mountain Side
Blake and Grace looked up at the gray sky, a heavy rain falling on the duo. Grace sneezed again, getting Blake's undivided attention.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Blake asked for the tenth time, halting the two of them from continuing their trip down the mountain side.
"I'm alright." Grace replied groggily, sniffling a few times as she spoke. "Let's keep going."
Blake placed the back of his hand against her forehead.
"No, you're not going anywhere. You've got a fever." Blake said, removing his jacket which he draped over Grace's head to reduced the amount of rain that was hitting her. "Come on, we'll wait out the rain somewhere drier."
Blake sat inside the small indent in the side of the mountain, Grace quietly sleeping farther inside with Quilava resting next to her to keep her warm. The sky had gotten much darker during the time they spent resting, thundering booming every so often.
"The rain isn't getting any lighter." Blake stated while putting his hand on Grace's forehead again. "And Grace isn't getting any better."
She was red faced now and Blake wasn't sure whether he should be trying to keep Grace warm, or get her fever down.
"Quilava, return." Blake said. "This isn't getting any better."
Blake wrapped up Grace's torso in his jacket which he dried off with Quilava help and lifted the girl up by her thighs, her body resting against his back.
'Alright Blake, full speed back to Ecruteak City.' Blake said to himself, taking off into a full sprint down the pathway that led down the side of Mr. Mortar.
Blake glared at the duo of Graveler's that were blocking his path that led down the mountain side.
"Grav-ler." One of them said, unaffected from the heavy rain that was falling on it.
"Poliwhirl, Blake said, releasing the Water type Pokemon since the Graveler's had knocked him back twice when he tried to pass them. "Use Water Pulse."
"Poli!" The Pokemon said, firing a condensed sphere of water at the Graveler's one of them dogoding the sphere while the other took the blast full on which knocked it off the mountain side.
"Graveler!" The remaining Graveler roared, curling itself up into a tight ball as it began to roll toward Blake, Grace and Poliwhirl.
"Poliwhirl, hold it back with Water Gun." Blake said, watching Poliwhirl fire water from the center of its torso at the Graveler which successfully kept the Pokemon at bay. After a few moments, Graveler's roll came to stop, the Water Gun eliminating a large portion of its health. "That's enough Poliwhirl."
Graveler came to a weary stop, swaying back and forth before.
"Finish it with Ice Punch." Blake said, Poliwhirl following his command. With a one solid blow to its chest, Poliwhirl sent Graveler tumbling down the mountain said. "Nice Poliwhirl."
Blake quickly returned Poliwhirl to its Poke-ball and continued to travel down the mountain. His clothing was weighed down from the rain, not to mention the extra weight from Grace's body which only slowed down Blake's pace. His chest was on fire and he was struggling to breath, his hair was drenched from the rain and covering his eyes.
Blake stepped onto the area where Poliwhirl had held Graveler back with Water Gun, the pathway crumbling beneath him.
'Huh?' Blake exclaimed before his side hit the ground, beginning to the roll down the mountain side, Grace slipping out of his grasp which separated the two. After a few moments of rolling, his body hitting many jagged rocks on the way down, Blake came to a halt on a flat platform that was completely isolated from the pathway above.
Blake rose from the ground, clutching a sore spot when he noticed Grace's unconscious body sliding across the wet platform toward the edge which meant another roll down the mountain side and probably a more painful one. Blake lunged forward, hitting the platform with a thud as he slid across it, planning to intercept Grace's body, but everything didn't got according to plan.
'No!' Blake shouted as his body was pushed over the edge with Grace's. In a split second, Blake threw out both his arms, his left hand managing to grab a hold of the ledge to hold him up while his right hand grabbed Grace's left wrist, preventing her from dropping to her death.
Blake sighed, taking a moment to catch his breath before he realized that just his right arm wouldn't be able to lift Grace back up to the safety of the platform. Blake ignored this fact and attempted to lift Grace back up to the platform, but not matter how hard he tried, he could lift her more than half of the way up.
'Come on Blake…Grace is counting on you to get her back safely.' Blake said, looking down at her sleeping face before his eyes widened in shock.
"Grace!" A small boy screamed as he entered a small room where the the ceiling had collapsed, a small piece of the ceiling resting above the head of an unconsicous gil that was resting amidst the flames. "Grace!"
The boy ran into the flames, ignoring the fact that his pants had caught on fire. As quick as he could, the boy picked the girl that matched him in size, taking notice of the small trickle of blood that was coming from the top of her head. With that, the boy took off in a sprint, leaving the room in search of an exit.
The boy came to a dead end, unsure of where he was with all the smoke that was starting to fill up that. Before long, he began to cough and gag, unable to find one of the exits to the house.
'Grace is counting on me to get her out of here…' The boy said to himself, using the last of his strength to take off in a full sprint, racing toward the end of the hallway where the smoke seemed to clear. 'I made it!'
The boy looked up at the night time sky that was incredibly blurry from the smoke that was coming from his home.
"Yumi-nee-chan!" He shouted. "Where are you?"
"Fearow!" A large brown bird said as if dived at the boy, scooping him off the ground along with the girl.
Blake snapped out his thoughts, recognizing Grace's face from one of the memories that he had from time to time.
"Don't worry Grace, I'll keep you safe." Blake said out loud before taking two deep breaths. 'I'll give everything I have, to protect you.'
Blake attempted to lift Grace once again, all the strength he had lost earlier returning to his body from his right wrist. Unseen by Blake, a gray line design began to extend from an outline of a pentagon made up of five smaller triangles, traveling up his arm to his shoulder and then to his neck where it swirled around it before branching out to the right side of his face. Grace's left wrist lit up in a golden light which was ignored by Blake who's consciousness was beginning to slip away.
With ease, Blake threw Grace into the air, giving himself a small interval of time to climb back onto the platform and catch her. The design covering a portion of Blake's face, neck and arm began to glow as Blake shifted Grace back the position she was in before they fell, knotting the sleeves of the jacket around his neck so that Grace would remain with him as he scaled the mountain side.
After a short while, Blake was back on the pathway, sprinting at full speed with renewed energy.
6/1/0046/Early Morning
Kimono Girls Estate
Miyu yawned as she approached the front door the estate where a continuous knocking sound had been coming from for a while now.
"I'm coming." She said groggily, opening the sliding door which revealed a damp Blake and Grace. Grace was resting on Blake's back, out cold, but really woke Miyu out of her early morning daze was the design covering his face which she had traced back to his wrist. "Nozomi! Yumi!"
The Kimono Girls, Lana and Stanly looked down at the sleeping duo who each lay in their own cot.
"It still hasn't receded." Nozomi said, closely observing Blake's Crest after removing her hands from her head.
"What did you see?" Yumi asked.
"A few memories of Grace returned to him when the two of them almost fell of the cliff. After that his Crest took over as a defense mechanism and he sprinted for two days straight back to Ecruteak City from ."
"For two days?" Miyu shouted. "He must be exhausted with the Crest being open for so long."
"I already checked his Crest. It's not harming him in anyway, Blake is just unconscious right now." Nozomi responded.
"May I see his Crest?" Stanly asked, getting a nod from Nozomi. Stanly gently took hold of Blake's right arm, turning it sideways so that the bottom side of his wrist was facing upward so that he could see his Crest. "Its shape is funny."
"It's because he's the King." Yumi said. "His Crest keeps in contact with the Great Five. If something happens to them, we can tell using his Crest."
"So this proves it, we've found the King." Stanly stated with a smile. "When are we going to take him to Mr. Tsuji?" Stanly asked.
"Right after we restore Grace's memory. That is the top of our list, and then we can check the situation."
6/1/0046/Evening
Grace's body jerked upward before her eyes snapped open. Instead of checking her surroundings, Grace screamed.
"Fire!" She shouted, frantically looking around the room. "Wait...there's no, fire. Hiroko, is that you?"
Grace's vision cleared up, taking a moment to squint at Hiroko.
"You remember me?" Hiroko asked in return, ready to grab Grace in a tight hug.
"You got old." Grace exclaimed, emphasizing the word old, much to Hiroko's dismay.
"Oh, you're so funny." Hiroko said sarcastically with a smirk, roughly ruffling Grace's hair.
"Whoa, when did my hair get so long?" Grace exclaimed, taking note of her long bangs that dropped down in front her face before jumping up to her feet. "And when did I get so tall?"
"Grace, it's been so long!" Lana said, tackling the girl in a hug.
"Lana, why are you so big too?" Grace asked, returning the hug.
"Why's she asking so many questions?" Stanly asked, glancing at Nozomi.
"Well now that her memory is back, it's still merging with her experiences during her time without them so she still doesn't understand the fact that she has grown since then." Nozomi explained.
"That makes perfect sense." Stanly said, rising from the floor. "Come on, we have no time to waste. To Mt. Tsuji!"
The past is merging with the present. Secrets will be revealed as the Connections Arc continues.
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