Steel (Poke)Ball Run

Chapter 26 - VS TRAINER PORK PIE HAT KID

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Despite distraction from Stroheim, Gyro and Johnny were making good pace once more. Despite the whole thing with Johnny's hand too. It had come fine so Johnny didn't pay much mind to it. Worse has happened to him after all.

Also, his Egg was safely wrapped up in his blue blanket speckled with stars. The Egg looked odd wrapped up in it since it was so dark in colour compared to the near pastel of the fabric. Still, the Egg was getting warmer and sounds could be heard. Though, that might me the Egg is a lot older than both of them had expected since that would imply it was already close to hatching. Moreover, Gyro assured Johnny that despite the Egg's rough start in life, it was likely going to hatch happy and healthy.

The Tubeline Bridge was still a fair distance away thought; perhaps getting closer to twenty kilometres away. Johnny couldn't wait to get a little bit closer so he could work in a story from his old days as a professional jockey, just a thing about this girl from Opelucid City, into the conversation he and Gyro were currently quite thick in. Right now, Gyro was dominating but he was on a roll with his jokes and Johnny didn't mind. Gyro was a funny guy. With a fashion sense and a eccentric as head of him, it seemed natural for him to have this humorous streak and being bit of a dull guy, Johnny could appreciate that.

'Here's a question for ya, Johnny-boy, you ever been to the opera?' Gyro asked. A complete turnaround from whatever he'd been yapping on about two seconds ago.

'Opera? Oh, those music shows where they start singing out their lines stead of like talking about their situations like a normal person? Hm, nope, never seen one though. Why do you ask?' Johnny replied.

'Well, these here are opera glasses because you use 'em to watch the opera.' Gyro said as he produced a pair of binoculars, though a very fancy looking pair, from his belongings. 'But the people singing on stage, all have huge bodies. Like one hundred and twenty kilograms to a one hundred and fifty kilogram-sized bodies. Or more!'

'Yeah, but maybe that's why they can sing so well.'

'But why look at 'em through opera glasses? You don't need to, they're already so big.'

It was such a silly observation, if you could call it that, or maybe a stupid joke but Johnny didn't care. It got a silly smile out of him anyway. Something Gyro was very chuffed about. He'd never seen Johnny's eyebrows arch up like that; let alone his lips. It was great.

Gyro placed his opera glasses over his eyes. He tipped his head to the sky and swung around his line of sight a bit. There was a huge flock of Pidove and Tranquil flying over from the west. As they flapped wildly in closer, overhead, they certainly grew in volume. They made an utter nuisance racket of themselves.

'Maybe, you're supposed to zoom in on their buttons on their fancy clothes and watch them as they're about to fly off.'

'Now that you mention it,' Johnny started off, trying not to sound smug as he was half proud of what he'd thought up next, 'but dude, since they all have the same type of body, maybe you can't tell the difference unless you zoom in?'

'Nyo ho, ho, ho, haha! Not a bad one, Johnny!' Gyro shrieked.

That was also something of a stupid observation but by the stars if it didn't get a huge laugh out of Gyro. He was laughing loud enough to rival the fifty-odd Pidove and Tranquil in the sky now. Johnny had also somewhat gotten more used to that peculiar laugh of Gyro's too. Having made him laugh, it felt really good - especially after yesterday's little gag at the Zombie Salamence which had bemused Gyro more than amused him.

'Look, Gyro! That's the Tubeline Bridge. But still no sign of that damned chosen Trainer of the President's. Reckon someone beat us to the punch somehow? Or is he just M.I.A.?' Johnny piped up.

'You're dreaming, there's no way anyone's found the reclusive bugger. I'm certain he's waiting on that bridge. Mark my word.'

In the distance, the architectural beauty that was the Tubeline Bridge became ever more prominent. Here, the wetlands met seaside cliffs. It made for a strange experience: weird, muggy smells and a breeze that alternated between horribly muggy and bitterly cold.

'Well, either way, we're probably gonna cross it before sundown in a few hours' time. Reckon we should speed up?' Johnny asked.

'No! This pace is fine. We'll be first no problem and I'll bags that badge waiting up there.'

'If you say so.' Johnny replied; he half nodded. He had no preference.

That flock of flying types began to drop feathers. They flitted through the air. They didn't quieten down but still, Johnny was certain Gyro could yell over them. Surely he would say something inspiringly confident about the "five-three" split they were after. That's what he usually had something to say about but instead, silence. So, Johnny checked over his shoulder, see if Gyro had gotten distracted by something.

Instead, Gyro wasn't there at all.

Mudsdale was slogging along without its rider. A little further back, a steel PokeBall had been dropped. It was spinning viciously in the ground, riling up the mud and grass and turning it into a pond-like ripple. Johnny hoped to goodness that that PokeBall was empty.

'Gyro!' he yelled out.

He tugged on his Zebstrika's reins. It whinnied as it reared up onto its hind legs at the surprise irritation of its muzzle. Out of concern for its companion, Gyro's Mudsdale did the same. Now both mounts were in something of a tizz.

Johnny's mind raced at a hundred miles a minute as he tried to work out what was going. Gyro made all sorts of jokes but not jokes like this. This had to be a bad situation. Another one already today, just great. Johnny went through the slightly more pleasant possibilities which involved if Gyro had fallen off or had gotten injured somehow which had caused him to fall off his mount. Still, it seemed highly unlikely with how good of a rider he was.

Johnny circled around a little bit. He inspected the ground for nooks and crannies. He was hyper ware now of how close to the sea they were. He didn't want to think about if Gyro had hit his head on the fall and had tumbled off the cliff completely. That was horrific even hypothetically.

'Gyro? Gyro!' Johnny yelled. 'Answer me! Where are you? Gyrooo?!'

Johnny strained his ears for a reply. Nothing, at first. Just the movement of trees but then and then he heard Mudsdale whinny. Johnny turned his head back to it and he watched as a Skarmory attacked. Mudsdale fought back Skarmory's claws; bucking and whatnot, Mudsdale sent Gyro's supplies flying. The Skarmory hissed and spat, ultimately giving up. As it flitted its wings, Johnny was attacked from behind.

His back was torn to shreds by a sharp wind: an Air Cutter. He whipped around and his face tore, blood dripped from the cuts. He squinted into the distance. The attacking Pokemon had been a Sigilyph and now it was flying off. Johnny glanced around; the Skarmory had disappeared - had it flown off or had it been returned to its PokeBall?

These attacks were coordinated quite well so a human had to be master of these species which were not native to the area by Johnny's memory. He gritted his teeth as he scanned his surroundings. Plenty of vacant space over the soggy moors so there wasn't much to hide beneath; a few trees here and there, a rocky outcrop over there, but nothing which would make for a good hiding spot. Unless, Johnny had a crazy thought, unless he was being attacked from the sky. The flock of Pidove and Tranquil grew noisier yet.

Then, there was an unnatural snapping and crunching sound in the opposite direction from where the Skarmory had fled from. Johnny looked around and he saw something unusual in the flock of bird Pokemon. They were noisy and in-fighting. From the centre of them, a Swoobat was pushed out and attacked.

'Hey, hey! No fighting!' someone yelled; a sort of slurred and sloshing voice. 'We're friends; feathers, she-she! Two legs good, four legs bad!'

Johnny saw that on the back of a Swoobat, there was a small but not necessarily young boy. The Swoobat sent a Psybeam or two back at the Pidove and Tranquil attacking it.

'Huh? Wait…'

The boy leaned out from over the back of his Swoobat. He mustn't have been a racer; flying type mounts were banned after all. His eyes widened - he had these Seismatoad-like eyes - and he grinned maliciously when he locked eyes with Johnny.

Johnny swallowed. He had sighted his enemy. He was certain this boy was the cause for Gyro's disappearance. Johnny's heart raced. It was inopportune, but he was suddenly recalling what the Boom Boom Family had said about him. They had called him a wimp and a coward who relied on Gyro's help, let him do the dirty work. It was true. He was yellow-bellied, he did rely too much on Gyro to trade the knockouts but not anymore, Johnny resolved.

It had been a fair few years since Johnny had been in a proper battle. His Pokémon had probably forgotten how to fight. Now, the most they had done so far was playing support to what Gyro had been doing but not anymore. Not when this race was worth more than winning and losing.

Johnny knew exactly who to beckon on in a situation like this. This Trainer clearly favoured flying types and Johnny had the perfect counter for such a favouritism. But first, Johnny decided, was that he needed to find Gyro and recover that PokeBall from back there as well.

Johnny tugged on his reins and he whipped back. The Trainer on the back of the Swoobat allowed him to do so, watched even; followed slightly in his wake. There was a curious twinge to what the Trainer did. He was hard to read.

'Wired, use Sky Drop!' he yelled.

'What?' Johnny said.

He froze, he thought that there was a chance that the attack on him was a mistake. After all, Gyro was the bigger threat but given that the Skarmory from earlier had whipped back around from the flock it had been flying with and was now charging straight at Johnny.

'Rh-Rhiannon!' Johnny's voice quaked as he clicked the button on one of his PokeBalls.

From a jagged bolt of silvery light, an Ampharos appeared. It squealed and the orb on the end of its tail lit up. It seemed upset, though slightly, that Johnny had awoken it from its sleep to battle.

'Use, Discharge!' Johnny instructed.

He pointed at the Skarmory which zoomed at him. It flashed its claws and fangs. His Ampharos whipped around and electricity crackled atop its head. From deep within itself, his Ampharos let loose a wild bolt of lightning. It jumped and sizzled in every direction. Skarmory charged; taking it head-on and seemed somewhat affected.

It snapped its beak at Johnny, but it didn't grab at him. With a moment's thinking, he hugged tight onto his Egg and resolved to keep it safe at all costs. He leapt out of the way despite its target truly being his belongings. He crashed into the softened ground and made sure his body took all the shock. His Ampharos waddled after him and was somewhat concerned. His Zebstrika did not take well to being swooped at. It let off warning shots of electricity but not enough to harm anyone, let alone Skarmory.

The Skarmory began to circle the scattering of Johnny's belongings. The Trainer atop of the Swoobat began to clap and make celebratory gurgling noises. In his distraction, Johnny made his escape but first, he made sure to recollect Gyro's PokeBall. He needed a safe spot to guard his Egg too. His Ampharos and Zebstrika would be fine without him crowding them, he hoped.

He saw the rock shelf slightly further down. Without hesitation, he dragged himself beneath it and kept his chin to the ground. The Egg was safe and so was he. It was cool and damp under here; smelt a lot like bugs and mud though but there were smells in the world. In his ear, he could hear more strange noises emerge from within his Egg's shell. Johnny quietened his panting breaths and tried to assess what was happening.

Gyro and their luggage, for some reason, appeared to be this Trainer's goal. He didn't seem like a common thief though. He behaved as though under orders. Strangely methodical despite seeming playful. Clearly, his enemy was searching something but what?

Johnny's left hand tingled slightly. He swallowed. Surely the raised bump that had been in his palm had been a hallucination of some description but what if… this enemy of his and Gyro's was searching for it?

Whatever "it" was.

What if their enemy had attacked Gyro first thinking that he had this thing instead of Johnny? It would explain why he was fixated on their things. What's more is what if Oyecomova and Stroheim, what if they had been after this thing to do. But Johnny was no closer to working out just what that rock-like thing inside his hand was.

The Trainer had landed. The flock of Pidove and Tranquil dispersed. Not a single one remained close to the Trainer, so it was probable that all of them were wild and none belonged to this peculiar enemy trainer.

'Yoshi, yoshi, good, good, Ysabel.' he murmured to his Swoobat.

He patted its head with loud thumps, but the Pokémon seemed used to it. His Pokémon - the Skarmory, Swoobat, and Sigilyph - flitted about. They didn't bother either mounts. Ampharos, who was half standing away from Johnny, awaiting next order. For now, Johnny wanted to discern more of their enemy's goal, so he allowed Ampharos to the keep guard over them. It watched the other Pokemon beadily, suspiciously. The three flying-types were happy to do their own thing such as peck at the ground since their Trainer was occupied as began to rifle through the scattered belongings on the ground that were slowly soaking up water.

The Trainer squatted down by Johnny's sleeping gear and other bits-and-bobs. He grabbed a rock and began bashing Johnny's blanket in. He grinned maniacally as he did so. He mashed through the soft bits of Johnny's belongings until he heard an odd clunk which pursed his lips over. He put his ear closer to the end of the bag and hit it with the rock a few more times before satisfied with the sound.

The enemy Trainer reached into Johnny's bag and pulled out a broken pen. Its navy-blue shell was utterly crushed, and it was leaking. The Trainer inspected it as though he had never seen a pen before. It was bizarre, how he toyed with it.

He wobbled it in the air, in front of his eyes. He was amused by how it dripped. He made noises which might have been laughter, but he had such a wet voice, it sounded like a grotesque gurgle. He sniffed at the ink then lapped at the leak. He put his whole mouth around the end of the pen and slurped down the ink. He sputtered out more than he could swallow than more but sounded oddly satisfied with the taste, even remarking upon it.

'Aah! Good shtuff.'

With black ink on his mouth, he tossed away the pen then began to go through Johnny's things again. Though, this time he was quick to finish despite his utter delight over rummaging around other people's things. He peeked underneath the blanket then tossed it aside. He pouted, crossed his arms over his abhorrently green, khaki shirt.

'Gooood shtuuuuuff but not what I'm looking for.'

From crouching down, he jumped up. He wandered over and he left Johnny's line of sight. So, Johnny slightly emerged from his hiding spot. His Ampharos' shoulders rose protectively having heard Johnny scratching about. Johnny craned his neck and he saw the enemy Trainer go through one of Gyro's bags. That was one of the bags with Gyro's sleeping gear and a few spare sets of clothes. Johnny's heart dropped. He didn't have any evidence that this Trainer wasn't a thief or after whatever was in his hand, but Johnny knew there was something valuable in that bag.

And the trainer had fund it. He had found a small velvet bag. He played with the golden drawstrings until they fell apart. Then he squeezed it open because he could feel something as round as a marble inside of it. That was the jewel from the Zombie Salamence's eyes.

'Ooooh…' the Trainer admired. 'What's thish?'

He sat down and crossed his legs. His black eyes became extremely excited as he analysed the tiny orb. Johnny wondered if he could get any more information on the curious gem, but he didn't want to compromise his position. If that Trainer tried any more attacks on him, he'd be black and blue in no time thanks to his terrifying Skarmory.

The Trainer licked the gem and slobbered on it. It was as though he were testing if it were candy. He spat it back out of his hand and screwed up his face. Apparently, it tasted worse than pen ink by his standards. He brought it close to his eye again and watched as a rainbow was illuminated from its cyan centre. His eyebrow twitched.

'This isn't… it.' he said. 'Doesn't… feel right.'

And, with that, he lost interest in it. Maybe it was just some coloured glass; not even anything excited as a jewel or Evolution Rock. The enemy Trainer huffed as he clamped his hands over his knees. His Pokémon curiously circled back to him. His Skarmory and Swoobat nudged his staunch shoulders with their noses. He made strange noises as he thought hard about whatever it was he was looking for.

'Gyro Zeppeli didn't have it either. Nope, nope… Wait!'

He looked as though he had had an epiphany.

'Sho that means… Jyawnee… What's his name…? Jywanee Jyawshter? Sho he's the one who's got it. He musht be hiding it in his body…'

He paused a moment. He got up and straightened out his back. He seemed taller now than before, when he was crouching and scrabbling around. He licked his lips and left thick trails of saliva on his upper lip and around the corners of his mouth. He wiped his face with his arm. He took a breath.

'You can't hide from me, Jywanee Jyawshter!' he yelled. 'I am Trainer Pork Pie Hat Kid and I am challenging you to a battle. I'm one of Preshident Valentines' Choshen Trainers.'

Johnny swallowed. Was that true?

Pork Pie dug into his pants and he drew out a fold-up fishing rod. He looked around, his head searching dramatically, for Johnny as he shook out his fishing rod. It was lined with sturdy wire like they would use on a construction site and the hook that hung off it was monstrously large.

He lumbered towards Johnny's hiding spot. His Pokémon were in tow. Johnny's Ampharos attempted to challenge them but it was quickly outnumbered, pinned in the middle of a triangle formed by Skarmory, Sigilyph, and Swoobat. Pork Pie seemed oblivious to Johnny himself.

Johnny's heart pounded in his chest. In all likelihood, despite being missing, Gyro was alive so that was something he didn't have to worry about. And the fact that it is not the Zombie Salamence's eyes that this Trainer is after, likely confirms that he wants the rock - or whatever it is - that is in his hand. But that left the unconfirmed claim that he was one of being one of the President's chosen Trainers. Surely someone as unhinged was not chosen by Valentine.

He watched as his Ampharos was occupied by Pork Pie's Pokémon. Mostly, it was left alone but still, the danger was present. Now Pork Pie had left Johnny's line of sight and that didn't bode well; left a bad feeling in Johnny's gut. With his left hand on his Egg and his right hand on the steel PokeBall he had rescued, Johnny thought to himself. What was he supposed to do in this situation?

All things considered, Johnny only had two goals in this race. The first of which was to learn the Spin technique in the hopes that it'd do what the doctors couldn't for him. The second of his goals was to come second. He didn't want to win - that was Gyro's thing.

Johnny could feel his bad habit coming back now too. He had a lot of bad habits but this one was just aesthetically ugly. He did it when he was nervous or panicked or even just bored. He was something of a nail-biter. Bit of a kiddy habit and one he had never quite kicked. And as his fingers curled around the curve of Gyro's steel PokeBall, he could feel the urge come back. The urge to pick apart his nail.

'What should I do, Gyro? I don't want to put you or Rihannon or myself in danger.'

Once more, the useless feeling crept over Johnny. Once more, he was behaving cowardly even though minutes prior, he had resolved to become a better and braver person: the battler he used to be. He hoped for a miracle - like with Cobalion. But that was selfish and impossible. That sort of lightning didn't strike twice.

It was quiet beneath the rocky shelf. In the slight distance, Pokémon hissed and spat but then something human grew louder in volume. A wet voice singing.

'Row, row, row, yer boat… gently down tha shtream, merrily, merrily, merrily, life'sh but a DREAM!'

The monstrous hook that had been hanging off of Pork Pie's fishing line swung beneath the rock shelf. It hooked Johnny's cheek and dragged him up, he hit his head. Blood pooled in his mouth. Pork Pie jerked it around and Johnny's body rag-dolled beneath the shelf. He braced himself and all he could think was if this Trainer was after that thing in his left hand then fuck it, he could have it!

With his brain rattling, Johnny couldn't think straight. Noises blurred together: Pork Pie's nursery rhyme and the Pokémon bickering among themselves, but something cut through it. The Egg began to hatch.

Johnny could see it jump and leap next to him. The top of it began to crumble and something began to pierce through where the Egg was damaged. He couldn't believe it.

The shell shattered. It was like glass that had been frozen: an explosion with shards going every which way. Johnny yanked on the hook, his motivation to change revived. Perhaps that's all it took with him and his moods. He didn't have to do this for him. He just had to do it for Gyro and Rhiannon and now this Pokémon, whatever it was.

Johnny ripped the hook out of his mouth. He had a hole there now but maybe, if he was lucky, a Moonlight or Synthesis would fix him up and Gyro could patch up the rest. Johnny threw the hook back at Pork Pie. He wasn't going to cower anymore.

The Pokémon crept by his side. It inspected his wound and Johnny stared into its eyes. It had a mopey looking face that was hard to take it seriously. He knew this Pokémon or at least he thought he did. He'd never seen anything like it. This creature… it gleamed.

It was bright blue. Partially: a black face and body with these yellow eyes that were utterly watery-looking. It possessed sharp claws but being a newborn, they could not be wielded despite the somewhat fierce pose it took as it inspected Johnny.

It chattered to him. Whimpered. It was as though speaking in tongues. His left hand felt aflame. The rock inside of it rising to his palm and he could see the patterns once more. This creature was convincing him that Johnny shouldn't barter away his life using that stone in his palm.

The Pokémon glanced around, timid and frightened but then decided to charge. It thrust one of its blades into the air and bolted. Johnny wriggled out of hiding and his voice rasped against his throat. He called out to his Ampharos.

'Discharge!' he yelled.

His Ampharos' eyes gleamed. It let rip a great, thunderous charge of energy. The orb upon its brow and its tail, they sparkled with unknowable intensity. The three flying-types were swept up in the attack and all were left with critical injuries. Ampharos chattered bravely.

Pork Pie bent over the rock and he glared at Johnny.

'Sha, I knew you were hiding there, twerp!' he growled.

Johnny glanced at his Pokémon. It was expertly clambering up the rocks and it passed Gyro. Johnny hadn't seen him earlier because he was slightly obscured by the rock formation, but he was there. His hair tied up in a knot over an overhanging shaft and his body, limply dangled. He'd been so close and, yet Johnny hadn't even noticed. Johnny licked his lips. He counted the seconds until his Pokémon, whatever it was, reached the summit.

'Give me the Dragon Shtone, Jyawnee! Gimme! Preshident Valentine shed that you can't have it!'

'Dragon Stone?' Johnny echoed.

Johnny's eyebrow twinged. That was a familiar thing to hear but that couldn't be right. Dragon Stones were just… myths. But then again, he'd always been wishy-washy on spirituality.

'Chumimi!' Johnny's Pokemon chattered.

'Huh?'

Pork Pie reeled back, and he turned around to defend himself, but it was too late, Johnny's Pokémon had already attacked. Johnny had never seen a newborn Pokémon attack like that - and this wasn't Johnny's first time raising a Pokémon from an Egg too.

His Pokémon appeared to have used Psycho Cut.

The blades upon his Pokémon's arms glowed white and the energy, when released with a cross-shaped thrust, had turned pink. The cuts crisscrossed against Pork Pie's back and pushed him far, far away from Johnny. He skidded over the ground; carving up mud and grass. He groaned in pain and for now, he wasn't a priority.

Johnny's newborn hopped down from where it was and put on a brave face for him. It got up on his toes and whimpered.

'Yeah, you did great, pal.' Johnny replied as he stroked the Pokémon's head. It felt vaguely metallic; as though it wore armour or perhaps a shell.

His Pokémon's blade clattered against his arm and he lowered it. His Pokémon cut through the arm warmer he wore.

'Hey, don't do that, bad!' he roused.

'Chumimi.' it chattered to him as it revealed something written on his arm.

Johnny inspected. These were letters he knew. It wasn't Unovan nor Kalosian; probably not oriental either. He couldn't tell. What did they mean? It seemed like a two-word phrase given there were two distinct sections; one curling around his wrist and the other carved into his forearm.

He frowned. There was too much happening at once. Too many mysteries - Gyro, this Pokémon, the Dragon Stones, the Zombie Salamence, now this writing, the terrorists, and even Stephen Steel came to mind - that honestly, he was scared to solve but he knew he was going to now. He was immersed too far in it. Completely in the thick of it with no escape.

'Just what's happened to me in this fuckin' race? The race… Wait,' Johnny glanced at Pork Pie, 'is it possible that if he's after the Dragon Stones, then so's the President? And if the President's after 'em and they're clearly real, does that mean… No?'

It sounded too insane.

Johnny didn't have his head up his ass. He read the newspaper, and even someone as lonely as him sometimes catches wind of gossip. All in all, there was no one who didn't know to be honest. Even kids knew. Everyone knew about Team Pax Unova and their stupidity.

There is a group of thugs - misfits and outcasts with their heads in the clouds, really - who were bragging about wanting to find the Heroes of Truth and Ideals. They wanted the power of the dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom, openly and loudly. They were pathetic really and were often thieves and other never-do-wells, so no one listened. Called them insane but really, if it is possible that Pork Pie was a member of Team Pax Unova then that would put the President in a bad spot since Pork Pie if he really is who he says he is, is a chosen Trainer.

No, the President surely had strict picking regimes. It was too insane to even ponder that. But still, maybe this has been the goal of the terrorists who had attacked them: to find the Dragon Stones and resurrect the legendary dragons.

And, potentially, it ran deeper than that. There was the possibility that the Steel Ball Run was just a facade and its true conception was not birthed so that Unova could pick a Champion but rather the disaster of old; bringing back the destructive forces of the dragons which had once ruined it.

Johnny shivered. Unova had survived that sort of chaotic onslaught once but it couldn't twice. Not with the population and infrastructure in place today. Then, he had another terrifying pondering, did Gyro know about the existence of the Dragon Stones and was that knowledge he had entered this race with or were his questions about Dragonspiral Tower genuine?

Johnny glanced at his Pokémon. It had amused itself during his reverie by playing the steel PokeBall Gyro had dropped.

'It's full, mate.' Johnny told it. 'But I'm sure you'll be friends with it. Pokémon take after their masters after all.'

It whimpered, and Johnny was still no closer to working out just what had hatched from the red and black Egg. It was similar to something he'd seen before, but he couldn't tell. It wasn't even on the tip of his tongue though.

The PokeBall whimpered and Johnny's eyes widened. Knowing Gyro, it was going to be a big Pokémon because Gyro was a steadfast believer in bigger is better; even his "smaller" Pokémon tended to be about as big as Johnny. He raised his arms protectively, waiting to be squashed but it didn't happen.

Instead, there was a pale red flash of light and his Pokémon had been absorbed into it. Johnny couldn't believe his luck. Gyro had dropped an empty PokeBall and just when Johnny needed one, really. He'd have to make up for pinching it, though.

'Dyammit…' Pork Pie muttered.

Johnny lifted his head. Gyro! He had to be quick and get Gyro loose.

Pork Pie hefted himself up and he counted the teeth that had been knocked loose in the fight.

'One, two… shree…' he muttered. He glared daggers at Johnny. 'I won't forgive you for thish!'

Now his speech impediment was more pronounced than it had been before. He was drooling all over himself as he changed, became more viscous.

'Beck!' he cried out.

He tossed out a PokeBall and an Unfezant free of magenta plumage sprung free. It took to the skies with a gorgeous soar. It swirled back around and dived on Gyro. It took him by the scruff off his neck. He groaned and seemed to have become half-conscious which was unfortunate given the height he was about to be dangled from.

'Wired!' Pork Pie snapped.

His Skarmory lifted its weary wings and crooned. It flapped and got off the ground. It swooped around, and Pork Pie managed to pull himself onto its back in the nick of time.

'Oh no, you don't!' Johnny yelled. 'Power Gem!'

Out of thin air, small fragments of rocks swirled around Ampharos' head. With a dramatic push of its arms, the rocks were sent flying through. From ochre brown to a brilliant, jewel-like blue they turned. Skarmory's wings were battered with the rocks but it didn't seem like it had done a lot of damage.

The Unfezant flew ever higher with Gyro in tow.

Johnny placed his newly filled, steel PokeBall on his belt. He crawled out of hiding and knelt up. He was going to run away. With the rock in his hand as his new hope, he would save both Gyro and himself. With his Ampharos by his side, he would battle Pork Pie Hat Kid and win. If that boy truly had a badge, then Johnny was going to be the one to claim. Otherwise, knowing that he knocked out three of his teeth would do.

Now the real fight between Pork Pie Hat Kid and Johnny was to begin.

Johnny took out a second PokeBall. He tossed it out in the direction of Unfezant.

'Go, Sara!' he yelled.

Out of a silver flash, his ever playful Emolga tossed and turned, loop-de-looped and generally kicked up a fuss. He rolled his eyes over its dramatics. He glanced at Ampharos who was still fairing strong; especially against Swoobat and Sigilyph who were quite injured.

'Sara, you keep an eye on Gyro. Rhiannon, use Discharge!' Johnny instructed.

'Nuh-uh-uh!' Pork Pie taunted. 'Attack Beck and I kill Gyro.'

Pork Pie sounded serious for someone likely insane. His Unfezant began to unhook its claws around Gyro. Gyro must've slipped back to unconsciousness because he didn't seem to recognise.

'Never mind, Sara, come back!' Johnny yelled.

His Emolga swooped back and began to hover close to him, awaiting further corrected orders. The Unfezant dug its claws back into Gyro's shoulders ago and Johnny saw a squirt of blood. He swallowed. He could be easily wrapped around Pork Pie's pinkie finger with Gyro's life hanging in the balance like this, but he'd be brave, bold; like Gyro had been against Stroheim, unafraid to gamble his life and the lives of the others. As idiotic and dangerous as that had the potential to be.

Pork Pie licked his lips. He had Johnny right where he wanted him: locked between attacking and defending which made him a sitting Ducklett.

'Oi, Jump Monk, ushe Hypnoshis on that fuckin' Emolga!' Pork Pie instructed.

Johnny clicked his tongue and returned his Emolga to its PokeBall. With no target, the attack would either fail or he'd be the one hit with it. Pork Pie spat in disgust and changed his mind though.

'Nevermind, use Shybeam on that dyam Apharosh!' he yelled.

And Johnny had another bright idea as the spiralling, mystic energy spiraled out from the belly pattern on his foe's Sigilyph. There was a vulnerability in Pork Pie's strategy to use Gyro as leverage over Johnny. There was a small, tiny moment in which blows could be safely exchanged.

'Rhiannon!' Johnny piped up nervously.

Pork Pie eyed Johnny and slobbered, panted, was just a breath away from delivering instructions to his infernal Unfezant. Johnny hoped that his Ampharos could see the opportunity that Johnny could see without him pointing it out. It was reliant on whether or not his Ampharos had value in keeping Gyro alive, he supposed.

He sputtered. 'Do whatever you want.'

His Ampharos' shoulders raised, and its tail lowered. It was something of a defiant act and Johnny wondered if he had placed too much trust in his Ampharos as it took the brunt of the Psybeam. But then, its tail gleamed; a pale scarlet. It threw its head back and butted it forward. Around its face, rocks manifested out of thin air and were thrust forward.

As the rocks were sent flying, they transformed mid-air. From dull and angular to gorgeous gems, they battered Sigilyph. Sigilyph moaned, an odd chirpy noise that was dragged out over an agonising moment, and its wings fluttered in futility. It crumpled in on itself and Pork Pie was forced to withdraw his Sigilyph from the fight.

It would appear that Johnny's Ampharos had seen the same opportunity as Johnny. When Pork Pie attacked, his Pokémon became too concentrated on the first order and would be delayed in accepting any further orders until the first one had been completed. Therefore, the vulnerability that Pork Pie had was that when he had attacked, there was a small gap in his defenses in which Johnny and his Ampharos could fight back using.

'I'LL KILL YOU JYWANEE JYAWSHTER! AND THAT PIESH OF SHIT GYRO TOO!' Pork Pie raged. 'Ysabel! Use Assurance!'

His Swoobat flapped its wings and cooed. Pork Pie gripped tightly onto the shoulders of his Skarmory and breathed heavily. Globs of his slobber dripped down from his gaping mouth; due to the change in his teeth, it seemed like he was having troubles with keeping his mouth closed.

'Beck! Sky Drop, now!' Pork Pie shrieked.

Johnny's heart dropped as he swung himself around as quick as he could. His hand began to ache. His throat burned, and he could taste bile at the back of his tongue. But he wasn't scared. He was petrified for Gyro's life as he could only watch as that Unfezant took him ever higher, but Johnny wasn't frozen. He still moved; blood still pumped, and he knew what he had to do.

His right hand unclipped a PokeBall from his belt. His left hand's pain grew stronger. He could feel himself reject the Dragon Stone lodged in his palm. It was a horrid, horrid feeling of pushing through blood and bone but all the same, electrifying.

Johnny could feel the pulse of electricity inside of him. From the twitch of his brow to the tips of his toes, he could feel it. It pushed him forward when he didn't think he was strong enough to haul through. The toe his boots pushed into the ground and it was weak, weaker than the crawl of a toddler's first experimentation, but he moved. It was slight; barely an inch forward but he had moved.

Johnny trembled as he realised that his lame legs had moved. His mouth dried. He was suspended in utter disbelief as his body and his mind began to move independently of each other. He didn't even remember instructing his arm to toss a PokeBall, but he saw one of his Level Balls sail through the air in a half-hearted arc.

His fingers curled into his palm. His nails chinked against the stone slowly rising out of his palm, stretching out his skin and cutting forth. There was no blood, but it made his stomach churn regardless. The stone was warm, and it sent jolts of electricity through Johnny but it didn't hurt him. Yet, despite it, his legs numbed once more. Not even the slightest sensation remained. It was as though it had been a dream but behind him, Johnny could see where his boot had scuffed up the ground; sincere proof that he had moved.

Pork Pie slung his fishing rod cross his chest so that the hook, bloodied and all, dangled just behind his shoulder. He wiped his mouth.

'I thought you were a crip…' he slurred.

From Johnny's PokeBall, his Unfezant popped out. It kicked its PokeBall back to Johnny and it flew fast but he was afraid to catch it. He didn't know what to say back to Pork Pie so all he did was glare. A stalemate appeared to have been induced between them. There was near silence; only the beat of wings.

'Beck! Pork Pie yelped. 'Drop 'im!'

Pork Pie whipped his fishing rod towards Johnny. The hook flew out and impaled Johnny's hand. Pork Pie struggled with Johnny's weight just slightly but managed to drag him around regardless. Pork Pie's eyes gleamed when he saw something unusual manifest in Johnny's palm.

Johnny whimpered slightly as he got a face full of grass and mud. He kept his neck craned and he yelled out to his Unfezant.

'Save Gyro!'

Pork Pie's eyes widened, and he salivated. 'Sho that's where you were hiding the Dragon Shtone!' he gasped.

Johnny's Ampharos rushed to his side and murmured. Johnny grabbed hold of his Ampharos and told it to take him the opposite way; away from Pork Pie and more importantly, closer to Gyro. He yanked at his hand and despite Pork Pie's best efforts, Johnny was able to remove the hook, but it was at a cost. The Dragon Stone embedded in his palm popped off but for now, Johnny couldn't care. He could steal that back later, and a badge too if he was lucky because he was certain that despite how grim this situation seemed, he was going to win against Pork Pie Hat Kid. His hand bled profusely so that was another serious wound and he still had his cheek to worry about. But, again, Gyro took all priority.

Pork Pie's Unfezant had flown up as high as it could muster. Any further, and it and Gyro would have been specks in the distance like stars. There was a horrible pause and the Unfezant dropped Gyro.

'Hah! He'sh dead fer sure!' Pork Pie spat.

Pork Pie leapt at the ground. He scrabbled around. Johnny was dragged away just in time, but he wasn't Pork Pie's goal anymore. Johnny positioned himself, so he was close to his Unfezant who was circling, waiting for the opportunity to recapture Gyro. Ampharos guarded Johnny. It was still battling well despite the scrimmages with Pork Pie's Pokémon.

Gyro was dropped. He plummeted like a rock. Johnny's heart stopped, and he couldn't look. He clenched his eyes shut and he tried to barricade himself from dreadful thoughts, but they permeated his headspace. He could only hope and pray that Unfezant would be there to catch him.

'Un!'

There was a cry. Johnny hesitantly opened his eyes and he breathed a sigh of relief.

'Skies?' he called out.

The Unfezant nodded. Thank goodness, that was his Unfezant. Being both females, it was a little bit difficult to distinguish his Unfezant from the foe's. Johnny got out a PokeBall. He smirked as he opened it.

'Sorry to bother you again Sara but this time, you'll battle for real.' he told the Pokémon that resulted from the silver flash.

His Emolga danced through the air, perhaps eager to join the fight once more after being prematurely recalled. His Unfezant swooped in beside Johnny. Gyro's body was limp, and Johnny held onto him.

'Sara, attack that Unfezant, use Shock Wave.'

'Ga!'

His Emolga flew off; a determined look in its eye. It was as though simply having his motivation rejuvenated was more than enough for his Pokémon to start responding better. Johnny's breaths remained uneven. He glanced over his shoulder at his Ampharos.

'Rhiannon, we're getting that Dragon Stone back from that kid.' he told it. 'Attack the Skarmory first, it's on its last legs, surely. Use Thunderbolt!'

His Ampharos nodded and dashed forward. Johnny turned his attention back to Gyro whilst battles were happening left, right, and centre around them both. Not to mention, Pork Pie was still searching for the lost Dragon Stone, but it didn't matter. None of that matter.

'Gy-Gyro…' Johnny whispered to him. 'C'mon, wake up Gyro.'

He swallowed. Gyro was sporting some light injuries, all things considered, but it wasn't good. Johnny popped another PokeBall and now it was his Clefairy joining the fray.

'C'mon Angel, be a good girl - for Gyro. Use Moonlight.' he told it.

'Fairy!'

Johnny sighed. Relief swept over him immediately as an illusory full moon bloomed and pink mist wafted. He clutched Gyro tight around his shoulders. He was heavy, but Johnny was strong. He had good faith in his upper body muscles. Johnny kept whispering Gyro's name, gently like he was trying to wake the baby from his nap.

Gyro's lips parted, and his sandy eyelashes fluttered. His eyebrows twitched, and he seemed like he had been revived. His vision was out of focus, but he'd know that starry beanie anywhere.

'Johnny?' he murmured. He shook himself awake and Johnny's grip on him loosened; he sat up and was essentially in Johnny's lap. 'We're under attack.'

'Ha!' screamed Pork Pie. 'I found it! I found the Dragon Shtone!'

He sprung up and Gyro, despite the delicate constitution he was of, was alert and ready to fight.

'What does that mean? Dragon Shtone? Stone?' Gyro asked.

'Yeah, I know but I've got it handled; this is my battle. I'll protect you.' Johnny's eyes started to water. 'Because I can't give it up; the Dragon Stone that was in my left hand. I don't want to hand it over. Gy-Gyro, my legs moved, Gyro.'

Johnny's tears became heavier and Gyro couldn't believe the news.

'I'm so thankful.' Johnny's voice tripped over his sentence with the utmost sincerity. 'I'm thankful that I joined the race. And I'm gonna risk my life for that Dragon Stone. I was really thankful that a useless person like me could have a purpose for living.'

Gyro noticed a green glint on Johnny's waistline.

'The Egg… Where's it gone? Ah, you brought my PokeBall back too. Lucky, it was empty so it wouldn't have been a big loss. No matter, c'mon, Johnny, protect me, you say? Then stop babyin' me and get out there, that pipsqueak's got something you want, right? I'm fine thanks to you an' Angel.'

'Y-Yeah.' Johnny replied weakly.

The moon over them faded. Gyro wriggled out of Johnny's way. Johnny faced Pork Pie who was slobbering excitedly over the Dragon Stone in his grubby, chubby fingers.

'I DID IT! I TOOK THE FIRSHT DRAGON SHTONE!' he shrieked. 'They told me I was a mistake; that I'd never be more than a grunt for Pax Unova but I showed them! I'm invinshible! Now everyone will reshpect me and I can climb the ranks! I DID IT!'

'C'mon Johnny, whilst he's distracted.'

'Rhiannon, use Thunder Punch!' Johnny yelled: confident, puncturing all reverie of Pork Pie's.

'Wire-!'

He glanced around and realised that his Pokémon had been felled by Johnny's. Johnny's naughty little Emolga twirled around his head as though to tease Pork Pie that such a small critter had been more than enough to knock out his precious Unfezant. In his panic, he was slowed. Already, Ampharos had closed the gap between them in its dash.

Ampharos swung its arm back. Its paw glowed with great, electrical energy that left a blinding, crackling blur of yellow in its wake. Ampharos' punch connected with Pork Pie's chest and he was sent flying. He crashed into a tree and sprawled out like a doll at its base.

'Fantastic.' Johnny said. 'Now, we've got the first Dragon Stone back! And, if that fugly asshole isn't a liar, the first badge too!'

'The first, what?!' Gyro exclaimed. 'Whoa up, did you just say first badge? Him? A chosen Trainer? That pipsqueak? Fuck me, you better be pulling my leg. Here, why don't I go see what I can sticky finger from him.'

'You better not be cheating me, Zeppeli. Or else you'll be getting a Thunder Punch too.'

'After you disgustingly heartfelt declaration that you'd protect me, naw. Cross my heart and hope to die, I'd never do that to you, Johnny.' Gyro said as he began to leg it which only did more to rouse Johnny's suspicions.

He knew a guy like Gyro would want the claim of the first badge since it was all he thought about. Still, Gyro quickly picked up the Dragon Stone and he rifled around in Pork Pies pockets. He was completely out like a light. Head lolled back and tongue poking out of his mouth. He looked to be on death's door.

'Ah ha, what is this, my friend?' Gyro muttered to himself and he soon turned on his heel.

Gyro returned to Johnny.

'One Dragon Shtone for Johnny Joestar, I believe anyway.' Gyro said as he handed Johnny a black in colour stone with strange patterns on its top surface. 'And, the first badge of the Steel Ball Run.'

'Thank you muchly.' Johnny replied as he accepted both objects from Gyro.

Gyro flicked the brim of his holey hat with his thumb. 'Now, it seems things got exciting back there, so we must have a lot to talk about.'

Johnny returned his Pokémon to their PokeBalls. He got out another two to replace them; a Level Ball and a Zeppeli original steel PokeBall.

'Yeah, you could say that.' Johnny replied, wry.