Chapter 23: The Barefoot, Fighting Genius
I woke up groggily, slowly getting out of bed. I had been up a little to late last night gambling to get the TM. "That was a mistake." I groaned, getting to my feet and swaying a bit. "Can't even use Cerberus in the gym. Stupid thing to do." I quickly showered and packed my stuff, rousing the rest of the team. One member in particular seemed to be having trouble adjusting to our little morning ritual.
"Leave me alone dammit." Cerberus growled, trying his best to ignore Armstrong poking him in the side. "What is wrong with you people, getting up this freaking early. It's unbearable."
"You'll get used to it." Sora promised. "Just be glad Lin isn't here, she'd be poking you all day." She stiffened a bit, noticing what she had said. It was the first time anyone had mentioned a fallen comrade that wasn't immediately after their death. After a short, awkward silence, I chuckled.
"She's right, especially after you evolved so quickly, she wouldn't leave you alone." I said. The others shared a laugh with me, except for Cerberus who continued his campaign to sleep in. "Come on Cerb, you can sleep in your pokeball." I said, returning everyone else and holding up his, shaking it a little.
"Alright, fine." he relented, getting up. "Anything to get you to leave me alone."
The walk to the gym was a fairly long one. The center I had stayed in was halfway across the city from the gym, giving me time to enjoy the sights as I walked. I felt pretty good, the sky being overcast without really threatening rain. I had always liked the gray skies around winter back home. My mood quickly soured, catching sight of some Team Galactic grunts sneaking away down an alley. Probably after some poor trainers pokemon I thought. Wish I could take them on, would be a good warm up. Don't want to cops to be pissed at me though, everyone thinks they're legit here. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the person in front of me until I had bumped into her.
"Oh geez, sorry about that!" I apologized, taking a step back. "Wait, Dawn?"
"Nick? What a surprise, I didn't expect to see you here!" Dawn said cheerfully. "I managed to get some vacation time, so I flew out here to go to the Department Store." she said, holding up the many bags she was carrying.
"Wow, can you even afford that much on an assistants salary?" I asked.
"That's mean!" Dawn whined. "It's not that much, I just... found a lot of sales." she mumbled.
"Never-mind that, I'm starting to wonder if there's anyone else in this place I ever run into." I said. "It's either you or Barry. Honestly, I'm surprised the girl I saw in Solaceon wasn't one of you." I joked.
"We do seem to run into each other a lot." Dawn pondered. "I don't know, maybe it's fate or something."
"I wouldn't go that far." I backpedaled. Last thing I need is her thinking we're some kind of couple. "Probably just a coincidence. I'm bound to run into Barry at least, we're both taking the gym challenges. Which reminds me, I've got to go, don't want to be stuck at the gym all day." I said my goodbyes and set off down the street, this time paying more attention to where I was going.
Arriving at the gym, I found a rather large man blocking the front door. He had his back to me, but appeared to be shirtless, wearing diver leggings for pants. This guy must be crazy, wearing something like that in this weather I thought, glancing at the overcast sky. "Uh, excuse me? I need to get in the gym." I announced.
"What's this? A challenger for the young Maylene? Wonderful!" the man bellowed. He turned, revealing his face. Or at least, part of it. He wore a strange mask that covered his nose, three straps running behind both his ears, and over the top of his head, splitting his white hair into two spikes. Oh lord, not this guy I thought, recognizing him instantly.
"So, you think you've got what it takes to beat Maylene, eh?" Crasher Wake asked. The water-type gym leader leaned in, giving me a once over. I was surprised at how tall he was, easily standing a head above me. Seemingly satisfied with his inspection, he straightened, a broad smile on his face. "Oh yeah, you'll do well boy. I warn you though, Maylene's a strong one. Don't get overconfident." He laughed heartily as he moved past me, patting me on the shoulder as he went. "Come by my gym soon. I can't wait to squash ya!" he boasted.
Jeez, he's even crazier than he was in the game I shuddered, stepping into the gym. And what new hell is this. The gym looked like, well, a gym. Punching bags were suspended all over from a complicated array of cables and pulleys. Stacks of tires that I assumed were used as weights were placed randomly around the room, taking up even more space. A large boxing ring was set up in the center, two combatants squaring off inside. One was a rather built man in a white gi, a red band wrapped around his head. His opponent was Maylene, the gym leader. She was a short, teenage girl with pink hair. She wore a blue leotard under white sweatpants. Both combatants had MMA gloves on, protecting their hands. Apparently, they had been fighting for some time, both fighters drenched in sweat.
With a cry, the man ran forward, launching a swift right hook. Maylene ducked under the blow, kicking out at his feet. Unbalanced from the missed strike, the man couldn't avoid being knocked to the mat. Maylene rolled on top of him, drawing a fist back aimed at his head. A bell rang out. "Victor: Maylene." a man called.
Maylene got up, pulling her opponent up with her. "Excellent job, keep practicing." she encouraged. I clapped lightly to announce my presence. She glanced around as she moved back to her corner. "Oh, are you a challenger?" she asked, grabbing a towel and wiping off. Closer now, I could see the band-aid she had on the bridge of her nose. "Sorry about that, got caught up in my morning training. Go ahead and make your way though the maze there, we'll battle once you get to the ring." She explained, jumping out of the ring and moving towards a pair of doors, probably the locker room.
I looked around the gym, inspecting the hanging bags and stacks of tires. "Maze?" I asked.
As is turned out, the incredibly complicated set of punching bags and tires was, in fact, a system of moving walls for a maze. My progress was hampered by the occasional gym trainer. Sora made quick work of their assorted fighting-types, making excellent use of Aerial Ace. After defeating what felt like the hundredth straight Machoke, she landed in front of me. A faint glow appeared over her, and shortly afterward, she had evolved into a Staraptor.
Now even larger, the top of her head reaching my chest, her feathers had now almost entirely turned gray. White feathers still remained on her chest and around her face. The small plume she had as a Staravia was now a large crest, folding over one of her eyes and tipped bright red. She flapped her wings, showing off her impressive new wingspan. "That was an excellent workout. Let's move on to the main event." she crowed.
"Actually, I'd rather not use you right off the bat." I said.
"What!?" she squawked. "What do you mean by that? Have you forgotten what happened with Franklin?"
"No, I haven't. If it gets tough, I won't hesitate to send you out and clean house." I explained. "But I want the others to have a chance to battle. If I just use the pokemon that have an advantage, I'll be taking the easy way."
"I don't like this." Sora said. "But I'll follow your orders. Just don't let this be a repeat of Eterna."
Maylene had somehow made it back to the ring without me noticing. She stood in one corner, motioning for me to take the opposite corner. "I heard your Staravia evolved. Congratulations." she said. "Don't let that get you thinking I'll be an easy opponent." she warned.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I smirked. "Let's get things started. Armstrong!" I called, releasing the Machoke. He flexed his muscles mightily, as usual for him. I'd grown used to it by now.
"He looks pretty tough." Maylene complimented. "But let's see how he handles this. Meditite!" She released the small psychic-type pokemon. I was caught off guard, chiding myself for forgetting about the dual-type pokemon. Armstrong is at a bit of a disadvantage here. But it's weak, he should be able to take it out.
"Armstrong, use Karate Chop." I ordered.
"Fake Out." Maylene called confidently. As Armstrong approached, the small Meditite clapped it's hands together, creating a shock-wave that knocked Armstrong back, interrupting his attack.
"Shake it off buddy, hit him with another chop!" I encouraged. Armstrong got to his feet, grinning. He charged forward, slamming his hand into Meditites side. The smaller pokemon blocked the blow, still taking some damage but not being flung back like he should have been.
"You'll have to do better than that, Meditite trains with Machoke all the time." Maylene taunted. "Drain Punch."
Meditite lowered it's block, punching Armstrong straight in the gut. Armstrong backed off, and I saw Meditites light bruises heal instantly. That's going to be a problem I thought. "Amrstrong, switch out!" I called, selecting a new pokemon. "Mufasa, let's end this quick." The large lion pokemon stalked forward, slowly circling his opponent.
"Meditite, don't be intimidated by him, use Drain Punch!" Maylene shouted. Meditite leaped at the large cat, landing a solid blow to his shoulder. Whatever damage Armstrong had done, it was definitely gone by now. Not that I thought it would mean anything.
"Mufasa, while he's close, use Spark." I ordered. Electricity danced across the Luxray's fur as he rammed into Meditite with all his strength. Large bolts shot out, zapping the poor fighting-type into unconsciousness.
"Wow, you're Luxray is powerful." Maylene cooed, returning her pokemon. "I'm gonna have to go all out to beat him. Lucario!" she called. The humanoid jackal stood tall, fists raised in a fighting stance.
"Well, you're gonna have to wait." I said, returning Mufasa. "Armstrong, come back out." I said, releasing the fighting-type back onto the field. He was till a little injured from his fight with Meditite, but seemed no less energetic at the prospect of a fight. "Oh-ho!" he cried, looking over the Lucario. "Truly a master of the art, let us see who is stronger, you or I."
Lucario said nothing, merely twitching his ears slightly to indicate he even heard Armstrongs challenge. "Lucario, open up with Drain Punch!" Maylene cried. Immediately, he obeyed, moving across the ring with incredible speed. His fist connected solidly with Armstrongs jaw in a superb uppercut. Armstrong grinned widely as he looked back down. "An excellent strike. Now, it's my turn." he boasted. He chopped down on Lucarios shoulder, forcing the enemy pokemon to take a knee. The force of the blow made the entire arena creak, threatening to collapse. Both pokemon looked worn out, even though they had only exchanged a few blows.
If I heal Armstrong now, he can finish this fight I thought, fishing through my bags medicine pocket for a Super Potion. My hand found nothing but empty air. "Oh shit." I cursed, lifting the back so I could see with my own eyes. I didn't buy any potions! "Armstrong, come back!" I called, grabbing his pokeball.
"Oh well. I would have wished to fight you longer good sir, but I'm afraid I must retreat for now." Amrstrong said as the red light took him back into the ball. In another flash, Mufasa was back on the field. Lucario returned to his fighting stance, not even flinching at the change in opponents.
"This one's strong Lucario, let's end this quickly." Maylene warned. "Metal Claw!" The steel-type pokemon closed the gap between them, fists shining as they were coated with metal. He swiped repeatedly at Mufasa, landing a few good hits. Mufasa retaliated with a burst of electricity, forcing his opponent back. "Nice one Lucario, follow it up with Force Palm!" Maylene ordered.
"Mufasa, use Spark." I called. Both pokemon charged, Lucario bringing his hand back, preparing for his attack. Mufasa began emitting more and more electricity, until it flew from his fur. They struck, both hitting at the same time. Lucarios open palm shot forward, hitting Mufasa in his chest. Mufasas claws raked out, slashing Lucarios ribs. They both stopped a few steps past each other, standing still. After a short pause, Lucario fell, unable to continue. Mufasa roared in triumph.
"Excellent job, but I'm not done yet." Maylene said. Something about her tone made me think she didn't believe her own words. "Come on out Machoke!" she called.
"Yeah, I think we're done here." I said once the fighting-type materialized. "Mufasa, use Spark."
I exited the gym, Cobble badge in hand and a TM for Drain Punch in my bag. It wasn't even lunchtime yet, and the day was feeling pretty good. "You know, I bet if I left now I could make it to Pastoria before dark." I mused, turning toward the PokeCenter.
"Nick!" A voice called out. I recognized it as Dawn, and sure enough, she was running up the street behind me. I was about to wave at her when I noticed something off about her. Something's wrong I thought, jogging to meet her halfway.
"Nick, I'm glad I found you!" Dawn gasped. "It's awful, just awful." Tears started moving down her cheeks.
"Calm down, keep breathing." I comforted, trying to get a straight answer out of her. "What happened?"
She sniffed, taking a deep breath. "I was walking around town with Lizbeth, looking for more places to visit. I ran a little ahead of her, so she was behind me for a while. I heard her cry out and when I turned around, she was gone! I don't know who took her, please you have to help!" she cried, fresh tears coming to the surface.
"Don't worry Dawn." I said grimly, looking towards the Team Galactic building in the distance. "I know exactly where Lizbeth is."