Chapter 20: An Understanding
I rushed back to the PokeCenter, double checking the PokeTech to make sure everyone was okay. It had been an seriously close battle, everyone other than Lola and Armstrong was at 30 HP or less. I picked up the pace a little, tearing down the street as fast as I could. Finally, weary and out of breath, I reached the center. Handing my wounded pokemon over, I collapsed in a nearby chair, admiring the Relic badge I still had clutched in my hand. Glancing at the TM, I had an epiphany, letting Lola out of her pokeball.
"Hey, what's going on? Did we win?" Lola asked, looking around the center. I grinned, holding up the badge. "That's great! Congratulations!" she cheered, jumping up and down a little. I couldn't help but share her happiness. It was infectious. I held out the TM, catching her attention. "Oooh, what's that?" she asked, leaning in to sniff at the disk.
"It's a TM, kinda like the HM's I use for Rebecca." I explained. "This one's got Shadow Claw in it, I was thinking of teaching it to you so you can have a new move. I can actually use you in battles against ghost-types."
Lola shook her head. "I haven't heard of a Lopunny ever learning that move Nick, I don't think it'll work."
I paused for a moment, going over all my memories of playing the games. Could Lopunny learn this move? Did I even train a Lopunny before this? Shit, I can't remember. I sighed and brought up my PokeTech. "Let's see what my watch says." I muttered. Sure enough, the device had a list of all the TM's Lopunny could learn. Shadow Claw wasn't on the list. "Dammit!" I grumbled, shoving the TM back in the case I had. As I did, I noticed another TM, one I had been holding on to. I hesitated slightly before taking it out of the case.
"Is that another TM?" Lola asked. "What's that one teach?"
"Return." I answered, staring at the disk. "It's a move that does more damage the happier the user is. I planned on using it on Franklin after he evolved into Torterra, but..." I trailed off, still looking at the disk. Lola stared at it too, probably thinking the same thing I was.
"Can I... can you teach it to me?" she asked softly. I nodded after a short pause, placing the disk lightly on her head. The disk glowed, as did Lola, a small wave of white energy. After a few seconds, the glow faded and the disk cracked, disintegrating in my hand. "So, think you can use the move well enough?" I asked. Lola thought to herself for a second before nodding.
"Yep, that disk told me everything I need to know." she said cheerfully. "It's not a ghost-type move, but I'm still glad I can learn something useful like this."
"Don't get ahead of yourself now, we haven't had a chance to test it out." I scolded lightly, hearing the nurse at the counter call my name. I picked up the rest of the team and went out to eat, celebrating our victory.
Later that night, I was back at the center, having rented a larger room so they could all sleep outside their pokeballs like they were used to. The room wasn't any different from the other rooms for rent, other than the fact it was double the size and had a nice large rug in the center to provide some color. Everyone was sleeping in different places. Mufasa was curled up under the desk his head and ears facing the doorway, always on watch even while asleep. Sora was perched on top of the desk, head tucked away in her wing. Lola was just kinda splayed out on the rug, choosing to sleep wherever she wanted to. Armstrong was in the corner by my bed, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Trish was near Armstrong, the only sign she actually was asleep was her steady breathing and closed eyes.
Rose wasn't asleep, instead standing on the windowsill, looking out at the city. The window being right above my bed, I couldn't help but notice her restlessness. "What's going on?" I asked sleepily.
She was silent for a moment before answering. "I'm just thinkin' about what you said back at the gym. About whether I wanted to die or not."
I sighed, knowing already this was going to be a big talk. "Look, what I said...I was frustrated. Everyone was hurt, you were hurt, I didn't want a repeat of Eterna, or worse!" I sat up, looking out the window with her. "I didn't want anyone else to die."
"I know that." she murmured. "It's just, at that moment, I think I might have wanted to die."
That got my attention. I was silent for a while before speaking again. "Why would you want that? Is this just a long, drawn-out suicide mission for you?"
"No, nothing like that." she muttered. "I'm just scared. I just wanted to run around, see the world. Now, after seeing what happened to Lin, seeing what my family did..." she paused, sighing. "I feel like maybe I'm not going to make it. Like one day I'm not gonna be strong enough, or you're gonna make some mistake and I'm gonna pay the price for it." I started to protest but she held up a hand. "Let me finish." she snapped. "Before you get all self-righteous about how you're not gonna make any mistakes, let me remind you, as I'm supposed to do, about Franklin. Anyway, I'm not holding it against you and I'm not suicidal. I'm just saying, I've accepted my fate. When it comes, tomorrow, at another gym, or even fighting the champion, I'm ready. I just want you to know that."
She leaned back against the side of the window, closing her eyes. "Let's get some sleep, we've had a rough day." I nodded and fell back on the bed. "G'night Nick." she muttered drowsily.
"Night Rose." I yawned, already halfway asleep.
The next day, after breakfast and the usual morning craziness that results from six pokemon and a human stuck in a hotel room, we were on our way out of the city. I strolled down the street, still mulling over Rose's words from the night before. I feel like I should be mad at her just throwing her life away like that, but I don't think that was her point I thought. I guess I'm not gonna get a straight answer from her. I shrugged walking through a square. A large fountain formed the center of it. Standing at the edge of the fountain, leaning into the water, was a familiar orange and white striped shirt.
"Hey Barry!" I yelled, waving. He yelped loudly and jumped back, almost loosing his balance and falling into the fountain. He managed to recover, looking around wildly until he caught sight of me. "Nick! Hey man, what's going one!" he said happily, running over.
"Just got my third badge the other day, making my way to the next one." I said proudly, digging out my badge case to show him. His eyes shined as he gazed at the purple badge.
"Awesome man! I was going to challenge today, but apparently Fantina only takes challengers every other day. Just my luck I showed up now, huh?" He groaned. "Hey, I've got an idea! Since you beat her, let's see if I've got what it takes to beat you! You know, for practice!" he already had a pokeball in his hand, not even waiting for my reply. Not that I could have refused anyway.
"Alright, let's go Lola!" I called, releasing the tall brown bunny.
"William, I choose you!" Barry cried, releasing his flying-type. It had evolved into a Staravia since the last time I had seen him. "Let's start things off with a Double Team!" he cried. The bird shifted back and forth, moving fast enough to create multiple clones of itself, surrounding Lola.
"Focus Lola! Let's try out your newest move. Return!" I called. Lola stood still, closing her eyes and focusing. Suddenly, her eyes shot open and she launched herself forward. She pulled back one of her fists, which started to glow white. She punched right into one of the clones, which revealed itself to be the real William. He squawked in surprise before fainting, the blow knocking him out in one hit.
"Holy crap!" Barry and I cried at the same time.
"Wow." Lola gasped, watching as the white glow faded from her hand. "Nick, this attack rocks!" she cried, hopping around in joy before striking a victory pose. "Score one for Lola and her new signature move, Return!"
"It's your signature move now huh?" I asked deadpan. "Seriously though, that was awesome!" I cheered.
"Let's see you do that against my next pokemon." Barry challenged. "C'mon George!" he called, releasing his starter. Like William, George had evolved, becoming the larger Monferno. His tail had grown out, still ending in a burning fire. He had grown blue markings around his eyes and some golden plates on his arms and chest, the beginnings of an Infernapes' natural armor.
"Lola, as awesome as your new move is, let's use someone else." I said. "I don't want you going up against a fighting-type." Lola groaned softly as I returned her to her pokeball. "Alright Trish, let's see what you've got!" I called, releasing the relaxed Shellos.
"Alright George, use Leer!" Barry ordered. The large monkey stared down at Trish, who seemed only slightly discouraged from his gaze.
"Yeah, don't think that's gonna work to well on her." I said. "Trish, let's show them what you can do. Water Pulse!" She had learned the attack shortly before the gym battle, but had never gotten the chance to use it. Now, she charged up a small ball of water before launching it at the Monferno. When it got close, it exploded, soaking the fire-type and doing plenty of damage.
"Shit, this isn't working out. Come back George!" Barry called, returning his injured pokemon. "Let's see how my newest catch holds up. Go, Henry!" I was put on edge, wondering what random pokemon he was going to send out next. What he did send out was probably the last thing I would have thought.
"It's you." I growled. The Roselia, Henry apparently, glared back at me. It was the Roselia leader, the one that had killed Lin. Rose's Pa. The missing thorn was unmistakable.
"You know this guy? Yeah, I caught him yesterday, he and a large group of Budew started attacking William out of nowhere. I figured he must be pretty tough to have been in charge of all those guys." Barry explained. "Anyway, no time to explain. Leech Seed!" Henry swiped the air with one of his hands, throwing out plenty of small green seeds. Some managed to land on Trish, instantly sprouting into small seedlings.
"Trish return! This isn't the fight for you." I said, recalling her. "It is, however, a good match for you Sora." I said, sending out the flying-type in question. Henry's eyes narrowed as Sora materialized. She glared right back at him.
"So what happened? Couldn't find any more innocent Graveller to kill, had to join up with a trainer?" Sora hissed. Henry spat something right back, but I couldn't understand it. "Oh, so you wanted a rematch, huh?" Sora asked. "Alright then, see if you can keep up!" I didn't even have to tell her what move to use, she just took off, gathering speed for an Aerial Ace. Henry put his arms up to defend himself, but Sora had been stronger the last time they fought and it didn't look like Henry had toughened up at all. Sora slammed into him, probably a lot harder than she should have and knocked him back into the fountain. Barry quickly ran over and returned him to his pokeball.
"What the heck was that all about, it was like it was personal or something." Barry wondered. I decided it was probably best not to tell him about what had happened with Lin. After all, that would involve explaining the challenge to him and I'd rather keep one of the few people who didn't know I was a Nuzlocker out of the loop. "Anyway, props to Sora, she's looking strong. Bet she's not faster than this guy though." Barry boasted, sending out his next pokemon. "Let's go Erik!" A Buizel appeared, it's sleek fox-like body covered with orange fur. He puffed the inflatable yellow tube around his neck and twirled it's two tails in an act of intimidation that just came off as laughable. Barry seemed to agree. "Dammit Erik, stop that! We've been over this, that doesn't look scary!"
I recalled Sora, preferring to use someone who hadn't gotten a fight in a while to finish it. "Come out Armstrong, let's see what you've got." I said. The gray pokemon flexed proudly, smirking over his bicep at his opponent. This seemed to have some kind of psychological effect on Erik, who froze up a little before staring at the ground, obviously depressed. I felt kinda bad about it. "Uh, Armstrong? Let's just end this with a Karate Chop." I said. Armstrong nodded, striding over and lightly chopping Eriks shoulder. The Buizel fell over, not even bothering to get up.
"Man, he's gone all depressed again." Barry groaned, returning the water-type. "He thinks that move of his is scary cause it worked on some Bidoof back at his home. I've tried to get him to stop, but if he sees a flashier entrance, he gets really down about it." Barry shook his head. "I'll deal with it later, right now, we've got a match to finish. Come back out George, let's win this!" Barry roared, suddenly really energetic. The Monferno returned, still injured from the Water Pulse from earlier. "Take him down with Mach Punch!" Barry cried.
Monferno sped across the battleground faster than my eyes could follow. One second he was next to Barry and the next, he had slugged Armstrong across the jaw, knocking the Machop off his feet.
"Armstrong, end this with Seismic Toss!" I called. Still in midair, Armstrong reached out and grabbed George's arm. George's eyes widened in shock as Armstrong landed on his feet and twisted, tossing the larger pokemon over his shoulder. George flew through the air, crashing to the ground a few yards away. Barry groaned as he stalked over, recalling his fainted pokemon.
"You win again Nick. But I'll get you next time!" Barry promised, looking determined.
"I'll bet." I said. "Nice job Armstrong, glad to know you haven't lost your touch." I said, turning to the Machop. Only it wasn't a Machop that greeted me. Somehow, while Barry and I were distracted by the Monferno flying across the square, I had completely failed to notice the tell-tale glowing that comes with evolution. Armstrong was now a Machoke, standing as tall as Lola, which was about my chest. He flexed and posed in his new body, showing off the new definition his muscles had. He seemed to have grown some spandex underwear and a belt, which looked similar to a champions wrestling belt from the real world. Red lines marked his arms, following the curve of his muscles.
"Outstanding!" he cried, his voice much deeper than it had been before, more mature. "This is a fine body, one that will help me crush my opponents. Truly a body worthy of the strongest pokemon in the world!" he announced.
"Still haven't changed." I muttered before saying goodbye to Barry. I patted Armstrong on the shoulder in congratulations and together we made out way to Route 209 and the next challenge that awaited us.