A/N: Summary: Sticks and stones could break your bones but they can always be fixed. The power of words can build you up, fill you with joy or tear you down and dispose of all happiness. But once they've been said the damage, good or bad, has been done and nothing can reverse it or heal it completely. Sure it can repair itself mostly but those words will follow the target till the end of their days and will affect a choice they make in the future. So what happens when someone has complete and utter control over that power? Will they use it to maintain the balance or will they favour? This is the tale of a girl who did not follow the path that destiny had wanted when she was gifted with her talent. Not a true hero nor a true villain; meet Phoenix Rivera, the Antihero. (All credit for this idea goes to Michael Mind's Antiheroes)
Disclaimer: I do not own pokémon. I swear on my life but I wish I did. If I did Ash would be a girl and not an idiot but I suppose his stupidity is entertaining for kids. Also he would not restart his journey and abandon all his pokémon after he's used them.
Disclaimer: I do not own Antiheroes
Hey guys and gals! Sorry it's a bit short but I really want to get this out of the way so the real journey can begin.
The Phoenix Chapter
Episode 6: Enter the Red Head
"Saffron! Wait up!" Phoenix called as she ran after her troublesome eeveelution, Athena and Dusk at her side. Saffron had taken off almost as soon as they'd left the tree line of the route without warning and was not responding to anything the trio said so Nick was fretting over the most adventurous of her little ones' wellbeing. "Saffron come back!"
The brown fox pokémon didn't even turn her head as she bounded towards the city. The wind rushed past as she raced forward, eager to explore. Nick growled softly and stopped. "Saffron stop!" she ordered, compulsion and silent authority woven into her tone. The eevee froze mid stride and turned as if in a trance and padded back to her family. Dusk and Athena exchanged a glance and wisely backed off slightly. Saffron's journey ended at Phoenix's feet, the trance broken. Almost instantly she was scooped into Nick's arms.
"Young lady do you have any idea how worried I was?! You scared me! You can't just run off like that!" Phoenix scolded, checking her over for any sign of injury or pain. "What if you had been stolen? Or hurt? Or worse?! How do you think Athena and Dusk would feel? How would Nike, Nya and Enyo feel? How would Hearth, Ilex and Storm feel? How would I feel?"
With every word, Saffron felt guiltier and guiltier. Phoenix could make even the most heartless and uncaring of beings feel remorse and guilt just by talking. The worried mothering wasn't helping matters. Saffron wasn't stupid, not in the slightest. She knew how overprotective and motherly Nick was and how she despised having any of her family leave her sights for a moment because of past happenings so it was expected that she would feel this way over something so seemingly insignificant. Nick would only blame herself if anything happened to them although only the eldest trio seemed to know the full extent of the issue.
After at least 20 minutes of mothering and guilt tripping, Phoenix let Saffron down onto the ground so she could face her siblings. Athena wasn't too concerned but Dusk was in ruins, having been in a similar mindset to Phoenix in thinking he'd never see her again. Saffron was soon picked up again with her siblings on Nick's shoulders. At Saffron's questioning look Phoenix replied.
"Don't think for a moment I'm going to let you walk around after that stunt."
Saffron pouted but snuggled into her sister's embrace.
Phoenix strode into the pokémon centre, her jacket zipped up and the eevees' back in their pokeballs. Nurse Joy smiled at her in greeting and happily took the team of six she handed over. Stella popped out of her pokeball and leapt into Phoenix's arms. Rubbing the star shaped pokémon's head fondly, Nick headed to the video phone after booking a room. It was high time she called home.
"Hello?" the sweet yet strong voice of Alex asked as she picked up.
"Hey Alex, it's me."
Alex became visible almost instantly.
"Nix! It's wonderful to hear from you. Tell me, how has your journey been and who might this little one be?"
"Well it's been rather eventful," Phoenix admitted as Stella cocked her head cutely at the image on the screen. "After I left Pewter, I mostly trained with Hearth, Ilex and Storm having their first assessment which they passed with flying colours."
Alex clapped her hands gleefully.
"Oh that would have been most exciting. Do film the next one and send it to me. I'd love to watch their progress. You have a film option in the camera feature on your pokédex."
Phoenix smiled. "I'll have to get Storm to work that one out for me. Anyways we travelled through Mt Moon and helped the Clefable/Clefairy colony there keep their home. I broke two ribs when I took a 'head-butt' from an onix to protect the cleffa-"
Alex scowled in anger. "You did WHAT?"
Phoenix winced and explained in further detail what happened, barely succeeding to pacify the enraged lady.
"-and Stella here along with a clefairy chose to accompany me on my journey. Clefairy is searching for a trainer that isn't me and Stella just wants to see the world."
Alex was still furious. "I'll forgive you this once Phoenix but if you do something stupid or reckless like that again I will personally drag you back home and force you to take up a far less dangerous carrier, got it?"
Phoenix nodded hastily, unwilling to anger her further.
"On the way down the mountain I was confronted by the professor's grandson over them," she began hesitantly. Alex's face changed to one of complete and utter worry and concern.
"What happened?" she asked gently, her earlier fury long gone. Phoenix gazed at her miserably.
"I was terrified. He held the eevees' hostage, forcing me to release them."
Phoenix continued to explain the events that transpired, Alex's fear for her only rising higher and higher with every word.
"I don't know what to do," Phoenix finished quietly, head in her hands. Stella cuddled into her neck, trying to comfort her.
"Do as you have always done," Alex suggested as Blaziken strolled into the room. Phoenix's head snapped up.
"What?"
Alex smiled softly. "He isn't going to turn you in, correct? Then why worry over it? You'll be fine possibly even more so. It appears you have found an ally."
Phoenix sighed. "You're right. I have to go. Thank you for talking with me."
"You're always welcome Nix. Don't worry so much. Call me when you get to the next city or when you can, okay?"
"Okay," Phoenix replied, ending the call and heading for the desk. Her pokémon should be ready by now.
Phoenix flung open the doors of the marine styled gym and strode in purposefully, Stella in her arms. The star shape pokémon desperately wanted to watch the battle and provided she was quiet, Phoenix was willing to allow her to do so. A ginger haired girl stood on the opposite side, looking surprised at the sudden entrance. Nick internally smirked. She'd unsettled her. Good.
"Are you a challenger?"
Phoenix resisted the urge to face palm. Was this gym leader an idiot?
"Yes."
"Alright the rules are 3 vs 3 with substitutions on the challenger's side only. Are you ready to be swept away by the power of water types?" the gym leader asked confidently before releasing her first pokémon. It was a rhetorical question but Phoenix really wanted to say 'uh no' in the most sarcastic tone ever. For some reason this gym leader was grating on her nerves.
"Storm unleash mayhem!"
"Misty calls Staryu!"
Nick just stared. Did this chick talk in third person? Yet another thing that was more than likely going to tick her off.
Staryu the Star Shape Pokémon. An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle. Staryu's centre section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
"Well that doesn't sound painful at all," Phoenix muttered. "Storm use rapid spin!"
"Bubble Beam!"
Staryu released a powerful torrent of water at the rotating shell, each exploding on contact but none jeopardizing Storm's task. Phoenix's eyes narrowed. Hmm the Staryu wasn't particularly strong, possibly around the level of Brock's Onix, however Phoenix knew that if her trainer was any good it would know a move that could completely ruin her plans. At least her current ones. Phoenix wasn't all brawn and no brains after all. "Swift Staryu!" Misty yelled desperately but it was too late as Storm crashed into the star pokémon. The tiny turtle popped out of her shell and scowled at the star pokémon in annoyance.
"Are you for real? Did you really just let me hit you? Geeze my rock buddy in Pewter did better than you," Storm taunted much to the chagrin of Staryu.
"How dare you insult my attacks! They are very strong thank you very much!" The star screamed. Storm stared at her bewildered before she cracked up.
"Arceus you actually attacked me? I didn't even feel anything! Oh Arceus!" she laughed, holding her stomach.
"Storm! Use Water Gun followed by Tackle!" Nick ordered, trying to prevent Storm from aggravating yet another opponent.
"Staryu use Swift!" Misty called as she glared at Nick. Stars surrounded Staryu in a wreath before flying at the squirtle. A high powered water gun ploughed through the centre stream and slammed into Staryu as the turtle rushed forward, ignoring the pain the stars caused as they sliced at her skin. She tackled the Staryu into the water, taking both down. Phoenix studied the water closely. From her position she couldn't see either of them however that didn't mean that she couldn't read what was going on.
"Storm, use Rapid Spin continuously!"
"Staryu, dodge!"
Phoenix continued to watch the water, hoping for some sign that her plan was working. That sign graced their presence a few scant seconds later as Staryu was flung out of the water and became embedded in the ceiling. Phoenix sweat dropped. That has got to hurt.
Storm back flipped out of the pool and shook herself, sending water droplets flying. She smirked smugly at the star fish who dropped from the ceiling to smash straight into the platform.
"Uhhh, um, Staryu is unable to battle. Squirtle wins! Gym Leader send out your next pokémon," the referee announced awkwardly as Misty returned Staryu, dumb struck.
"Misty calls Cloyster!" Misty cried, throwing another pokéball.
Cloyster the Bivalve Pokémon.Cloyster is capable of swimming in the sea. It does so by swallowing water, then jetting it out toward the rear. This Pokémon shoots spikes from its shell using the same system. Once it slams its shell shut, it is impossible to open, even by those with superior strength.
Squirtle jumped back to Phoenix's side, showing that he had been 'withdrawn'. Stella cheered and hugged the turtle, congratulating the water type on her win.
"Hearth, unleash mayhem!"
"Yeah!" Hearth roared as she flipped out of her pokéball and onto the platform. Misty blinked.
"You're sending out a fire type to combat my water type on a water field? Are you an idiot?"
"Yes, I'm sending out a fire type. Cloyster is a dual Ice and Water type so it doesn't have resistance to Hearth's attacks. Yes, I'm sending her out on a water field. No I'm not an idiot," Phoenix replied calmly, ticking the list off on her fingers, successfully pissing Misty off. She didn't know why, she just had and it was going to make the battle easier on Hearth. "Besides, you evolved your Cloyster straight away before it learnt any moves right?" Nick questioned, receiving a nod. "I feel sorry for Cloyster for suffering from your poor judgement. Cloyster's move set is limited after it evolves."
This caused the red head to scream.
"How dare you insult my judgement!? Cloyster, use Aurora Beam!"
"Blast straight through with Flamethrower!"
A rainbow coloured beam was unleashed from the bivalve pokémon at Hearth who offered it a sympathetic/bored look as she fired a flamethrower to counter. Unsurprisingly, the flamethrower made quick work of the ice type attack and struck the vulnerable Ice/Water type dead on. Misty screamed again and let out a string of curse words along with the command, Hydro Pump.
"Hearth, avoid it!"
The charmander did as ordered, diving into the water and resurfacing as soon as the opponent ran out of juice. She breathed a flamethrower on her tail to reignite it before turning back to face Cloyster. "Smokescreen than Brick Break!"
"You got it," Hearth replied, saluting before snorting out a cloud of smoke that cloaked the entire gym and diving into the water. Hearth loved water. She swam at every chance she could after learning that as long as she relit her flame five minutes after it had been extinguished she would be fine. Phoenix had capitalized on this and had Storm teach her sister how to swim. She knew it would come in handy.
"Cloyster find that lizard and use Hydro Pump!"
"It's a tad difficult," Cloyster retorted sarcastically. "In case you haven't noticed, I can't see."
Phoenix smiled sympathetically and the grinned as she heard Hearth scored two direct hits with Brick Break.
"Finish it up with a Flamethrower and Brick Break!"
"Hydro Pump!"
The smoke lit up a brilliant orange with the release of the flamethrower and Cloyster was sent flying with a brick break courtesy of Hearth. Cloyster didn't go down without a fight though as he fired one last Hydro Pump at the charmander.
"Hearth!" Phoenix yelled worriedly. The smoke gradually dispersed to reveal Hearth on one knee, panting hard and a knocked out Cloyster.
"Cloyster is unable to battle, Charmander wins! That means the victory goes to Phoenix Rivera!"
Phoenix wasn't listening as she ran and leapt between the platforms to Hearth's side, Storm at her heels.
"You alright, girl?" Phoenix asked concerned, picking up the exhausted charmander. Hearth nodded tiredly, snuggling into her elder sister.
"I'm tired…wake me up when the world stops spinning."
Storm clambered up Phoenix's side and perched on her shoulder. The referee tapped her on the shoulder.
"Here's the badge miss. I apologise for the gym leader's attitude."
"No harm done," Phoenix replied warmly. "Although do you mind showing me the quick way out of here? I don't fancy jumping across those platforms again."
The ref laughed, heartily.
"Sure thing. Fancying a swim?"
"…preferable dry."
A/N: Phoenix's Team:
Absol (Nike): Female. Pressure. Justified.
M: Pursuit, Night Slash, Sucker Punch, Bite, Quick Attack, Slash, Razor Wind, Detect, Double Team, Attract, Future Sight, Iron Tail, Ice Beam, Thunderbolt, Flamethrower, Hyper Beam
EM: Play Rough, Megahorn
Salamence (Enyo): Female. Intimidate. Moxie.
M: Dragon Claw, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Tail, Aerial Ace, Roost, Double Team, Attract, Protect, Hyper Beam, Earthquake, Fire Fang, Flamethrower, Steel Wing, Stone Edge, Brick Break
EM: Hydro Pump, Dragon Rush
Arcanine (Nya): Female. Flash Fire. Justified.
M: Thunder Fang, Extreme Speed, Fire Fang, Flamethrower, Crunch, Heat Wave, Flare Blitz, Agility, Overheat, Wild Charge, Double Team, Attract, Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Giga Impact
EM: Iron Tail, Close Combat
Charmander (Hearth): Female. Blaze.
M: Scratch, Flamethrower, Smokescreen, Brick Break
EM: Dragon Dance, Dragon Pulse
Bulbasaur (Ilex): Female. Overgrow. Chlorophyll.
M: Tackle, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Sleep Powder, Razor Leaf
EM: Leaf Storm, Power Whip
Squirtle (Storm): Female. Torrent. Rain Dish.
M: Tackle, Water Gun, Withdraw, Rapid Spin, Protect
EM: Aura Sphere, Water Spout
Eevee (Saffron): Female. Run Away. Anticipation
M: Helping Hand, Tackle, Growl, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes
EM: Covet
Eevee (Dusk): Male. Adaptability. Anticipation
M: Helping Hand, Tackle, Growl, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes
EM: Covet
Eevee (Athena): Female. Run Away. Anticipation
M: Helping Hand, Tackle, Growl, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Baby-Doll Eyes
EM: Covert
Clefairy (Unnamed): Male. Cute Charm. Friend Guard
M: Metronome, Moonblast, Wake-Up Slap, Sing, Pound, Growl
EM: Mimic
Cleffa (Stella): Female. Magic Guard. Friend Guard.
M: Sing, Copy Cat, Pound
EM: Heal Pulse
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