Steel (Poke)Ball Run

Chapter 30 - VS SCARY MONSTERS

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By the fifth day of the Third Stage, it felt like they were still no closer to Opelucid City but the map would imply otherwise.

'Less than fifteen kilometres!' Johnny excitedly announced from behind Gyro after messing about with that map of his. He pointed ahead, to a ridge. 'See, you can see where the course bends through! Better yet, look, you can see the same pattern on my arm up there! We're getting close! But can we make it today?'

The Route was a gorgeous vista but in the tall shadows of the ranges, the grounds looked like they would become precarious in the darkness of night. Opelucid City seemed to blend into its surroundings. It was squarish and well contained, fronted by thick trees and a river curved through the haphazard land. The sky was gradually darkening though, no doubt twilight would be upon them soon and then, before they know it, it will be night with the sun fully set.

Johnny and Gyro surged through the seemingly tranquil land. Johnny caught up slightly, racing by Gyro's side. Their mounts huffed at each other, more a greeting than anything.

'The sun's about to set…' Gyro's voice was growly. 'Today is too late.'

Johnny tugged at his wrist band, to check the pattern. He glanced up towards the range once more. They were perfect mimicries of each other and it couldn't be a coincidence. He was utterly certain. He could feel it not only in his bones but the air. Similar to how Dragonspiral Tower and the Zombie Salamence had carried strange atmospheres, the outskirts of Opelucid City seemed to exude a similar aura. Not necessarily a comfortable one, more one of power but it was magnetic.

Gyro's Mudsdale began to shake, not in an effort to throw Gyro but it seemed spooked. Gyro lifted himself from his saddle slightly and came in closer. He whispered into Mudsdale's ear whilst he stroked its neck. His comfort came to little avail.

He turned his head towards Johnny. 'Hey, Johnny! Something's weird, Valkyrie's freaking out.'

Johnny clutched at his map. Gyro threw his head over his shoulder and took a break.

'It's him! It's Dio!'

Johnny glanced at his shoulder. Before he knew it, a Sawsbuck with a star on its forehead was right behind him. Diego, of course, mounted confidently on its back. He grinned. On his left cheek, he a thick wad of an adhesive bandage stuck there. Something had changed about him but, it wasn't the sort of change easily placed. That being said, his confidence was as thick as a factory smog.

'He looks pretty aggressive, unlike before.' Gyro commented. He raised his voice: 'Don't let your guard down, Johnny! And don't let him pass you!'

Diego swerved out. He was nonchalant as he distanced himself slightly from Gyro and Johnny who were bunched together.

'Hey, come on now…' Diego made conversation despite the rush of hooves and movements. 'Don't take it that way. I'm done for today! The sun's starting to set… Let's all just stick together fro here on out, no competition; just company. You know, there are all sorts of ferals out here - and I'm not just talking about any vagabonds! The wild Pokemon here are something else! Gothorita are barely tolerable tamed but wild! Goodness, no, not something I would want to encounter after dark; no manners, no respect! Their concept of friendliness is creepy!'

Diego lifted himself slightly from his saddle. It seemed strange that he'd offer amity right now. Though, Gyro could understand where we was comin from. Back in Kalos, there were plenty of bizarre and unsettling myths regarding Gothorita or was it something else? Whatever it was, it set Gyro on edge and he knew Johnny was already on his hackles about this.

'Damn, I don't know what it is but I feel good!' Diego announced suddenly. He had a leery grin on his face as he threw back his arms and shoulders; allowing himself to be swept slightly by the wild. 'Everything is so refreshing! Splendid! My body feels so light! It's too bad the sun's setting!'

'Get away from us, Diego Brando! We're not travelling with you!' Johnny shouted.

Diego curved in slightly closer to Johnny and pointed at him. Though, Diego made a point to avert his eyes; a courtesy that was continued in Johnny as neither desired to stop right now. However, Diego did become serious.

'Johnny Joestar, I really ought to have given you a proper hello before. It has truly been a long time… with no see. Riding like this, reminds you of when we were kids, doesn't it? We should have a battle later, for old time's sake. No strings or gambles attached, just… violence for violence's sake, you know? It's been too long since we've had a catch-up, don't see you round often.'

Diego sounded venomous. Johnny tried his best to ignore him.

'I really ought to applaud you for your performance in the First and Second Stages; I've been told that's a polite thing to do in conversation. Better than pointing out your injury, I suppose. What a comeback this is… the biggest race of the century and Johnny Joestar's in it, lame legs and all.'

Johnny turned his head back in front of him. Diego, however, did not take well to the cue that he was being ignored.

'We're still talking, Johnny Joestar, I just decided.' Diego called out as he began to veer away from Johnny and Gyro. 'Hey, hey, you two are Pokemon experts but… can you do this?'

Johnny knew better to look but he saw by the way Gyro gawked, that this was a disaster in and a half. He hesitantly turned his head. He watched as Diego tried to get up from his saddle. He was certainly reinvigorated, for some reason, which was totally unlike him but here he was, attempting to be acrobatic. If memory served Johnny correct, off of the field, Diego had been known to be a bit inattentive of his physical surroundings yet hyper-observant in other areas. He was… eccentric to say the least but this was ridiculous.

If Johnny didn't know any better, he'd call it self-destructive risk-taking.

Diego attempted to heft himself onto his arms so he could stick his legs in the air, like a hand-stand. He grinned as he seemed to accomplish what he had in mind for approximately two seconds before almost toppling over. He went over th side of his Sawsbuck but grappled with its neck. He struggled greatly but was able to pull himself back up and rear back into his saddle. He was mighty lucky; one slip-up and he would've ended up under his Sawsbuck's hooves.

Gyro leaned in closer to Johnny. 'Your friend like this usually? Or are you jockeys this wacky? 'Cause, uh, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think you'd do something similar.'

'Rack off.' Johnny grunted.

He hated Gyro's comment because it wasn't completely wrong about him. There was a slight chance that if he got his miracle then yes, he might take some risks and be irresponsible just to enjoy it but this wasn't about him. It was about Diego's behaviour.

'...But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a theory about how in a few years time, they'll want him for some sort of analysis of the brain.' Johnny continued after a contemptuous pause as he mentally reviewed other instances of Diego's bizarre eccentricities. 'Anyways Gyro, reckon we'll be okay? Like, I thought he was badly injured but look at him. I really don't want all… that near me, to be honest.'

The sky was beginning to blacken now. The trees seemed to blur into the darkening background. It was eerie and the air was beginning to cool. The sunset had been strangely missable. Already, twilight was thick upon them and the air.

'Well, even if we do avoid him, we've got other troubles to worry about. What kinda Pokemon are native to the area, anyway? I dunno why but I get the feeling it could be dangerous.' Gyro asked. 'It could be risky for our mounts, we don't want them getting attacked. We should just shack up at Opelucid City, we're almost there after all.'

'Yep, plenty of Amoonguss and Gothorita and Pawniard about. All of them are very dangerous species if you're careless.' Diego called out. 'It's safest if we all head in for the night at Opelucid City.'

Johnny glared. Diego wasn't wrong.

'He really seems to want the company.' Gyro commented.

As the night began to draw in closer, soon the city limits of Opelucid City. It was a strangely symmetrical place. Buildings seem to mirror each other side of the street. They were all squarish and sandstone; completely different architecture to Driftveil City or even what had been glimpsed at Icirrus City. People, rugged up in thick coats, waved and greeted them in. Opelucid City was nowhere near the status of being Unova's biggest city. In fact, it was more akin to a large town hence the turnout of excited spectators who wanted to oggle at the top competitors for the race. It was very flattering, to be honest.

Gyro lapped up the attention. He waved and grinned at kids up past their bedtimes and gave special consideration to the attractive ladies greeting him as well. Johnny kept his head down and kept Diego in the corner of his eye. Diego seemed to detest attention. He skirted around it and tried to keep a fair distance between himself and the townspeople. He had a snarly expression and kept a finger plugged in his ear; a habit Johnny had seen in the races with Diego a few times, actually.

Eventually, Johnny lost sight of Diego but he had a feeling he was close by but that's only because Gyro distracted Johnny. Gyro headed into an inn first and lit up an oil lantern. The room they had been given was on a ground-floor and the doorways were large enough for even a Mudsdale to fit through safely. It was bit of a shack but it was better than just the sky as their roof. It also had all sorts of facilities - kitchen, showers, latrines - which was the best bit.

'Seems like even up in these secluded mountains, everyone knows about the race. It's kind of like being a celebrity.' Gyro said but Johnny was utterly uninterested in that sort of small talk, abruptly changing the topic of conversation.

'He's gone.' Johnny commented sourly.

'Who? Diego?'

'Yeah. I don't wanna share anythin' with him.' Johnny grumbled.

'Dunno… Maybe he's talking with the locals.' Gyro suggested with a shrug.

'I'm serious Gyro. I don't want him anywhere nears us. He's definitely the lowest sort of human being! Putting poison in our mounts' feed or tinkering with harnesses, that sort of sabotage is second nature to him.' Johnny insisted.

'I know.' Gyro said as he set down the lantern. 'We'll keep watch of our mounts, just like we do when we camp out.'

Gyro looked around. 'There's a furnace in the next room over. I say it's time for dinner… I'll go search for some dry wood.'

Johnny nodded and Gyro split off soon after. Johnny let Dinah Flo out of its PokeBall and his Leavanny was content to familiarise itself with the layout of the rooms. Gyro was only slightly surprised when Johnny's Leavanny surprised him by quietly sneaking up on him when he returned. He just hoped that Gyro was expecting Leavanny, it was a qiet Pokemon and he's been surprised by her odd meanderings of rooms before. Soon enough, he had a kettle and pot going and the room was beginning to feel warmer, homier even. With Leavanny about and the smell of coffee, the inn room was beginning to remind Johnny of his apartment back in Castelia City.

Johnny hefted himself up next to the stoves. He left a good distance between himself and the hot-plates. He reached around and poured out coffee from the kettle. He heard the distinct footsteps of his Leavanny about but something else. Something that caught his attention and alarmed him.

It sounded like it was coming from behind him so he twisted around again. The open window had been cooling his back and he squinted through the darkness. Closeby, there was a broken half wall, crumbly with bits of debris about. In the corner of that broken wall, there was a moving figure lit up by the lights in the room.

That figure was Diego. At first, Johnny couldn't work out what Diego was doing. He was crouched down and scrabbling about in the dirt. He was picking off bits of the sandstone which were weak and appeared to be stacking it with other rocks. It was hard to discern thanks to the darkness but it appeared, anyway, that Diego was playing with the rocks.

Diego shot up, suddenly, and Johnny flinched. He didn't even know why. Diego turned around awkwardly and made firm eye contact with Johnny through the window.

'Are you making coffee, Johnny? Smells like coffee. There's a pleasant aroma in the air.' Diego called out.

'What are you doing?' Johnny asked.

He wandered in closer. He crept through the door, peering in curiously but like he knew he wasn't welcome.

'Hey, don't come inside.' Johnny roused but Diego barged in any way.

He put his hands on his hips and Johnny glared at him. Both equally as indignant as each other.

'Earlier, you asked, "What are you doing?" - am I right to assume you were going to ask about why I was stacking those rocks?'

Johnny didn't reply.

Diego continued anyway. 'I don't quite know myself, either. Just an impulse, I suppose you could call it, Mr. Joestar. I couldn't stand how untidy it looked and doesn't everything look better orderly and I like to think stacking is the best order: largest and strongest and the bottom, smallest and weakest at the top. The ascending order is also fun to run my fingers along, to feel the differences in size. After doing all that stacking, I feel both splendid and parched.'

Diego leaned against the door and licked his lips. Johnny's Leavanny wandered in a tad closer to Diego and turned its head up at him. He ignored its curiosity towards him.

'You're making coffee, aren't you? May I have a cup? What type is it? I have a strong sense of smell, you know. If I had to guess, I would say that is Blue Mountain blend number two.'

Johnny changed the topic of conversation. 'Aren't you still hurt? I mean, that's a big bandage you've got on your face, there. It looked terrible when Gyro and I had checked up on you a couple days back now.'

'I told you, I'm doing great.' Diego replied, testy.

Diego held his hands in front of him like his fingers were clamped down over a rod in front of him and yet, the backs of his hands were quite close to his chest. He was still wearing his gloves too.

'Are your hands still sprained or something falling off your Sawsbuck the other day Why aren't you taking your gloves off?' Johnny asked, his innate sense of alarm was going off but even this felt ridiculous of an accusation.

'It's October, the nights are pretty chilly. I'll take them off when I wash my hands.' Diego replied. He smiled. 'Come on, let me have a cup of coffee.'

'I don't want to travel with you. I just want to make that clear, first up since I know you can be extremely thick-headed. Ugh, whatever. Just one cup. It's right in front of you.' Johnny relented, a touch bitter. 'But once you finish, you find somewhere else to shack up.'

'Thank you, Johnny, now was that so hard?'

Diego sounded nonchalant but his movements were stiff. He refused to release his hands from close to his chest so he awkwardly grappled at the cans before realising there was a nearby mug. Johnny watched in secondhand embarrassment.

'Sorry, a bit tired, I suppose.' Diego said as he took a whiff of his coffee's aroma. 'It truly does smell delicious.'

Diego took a sip, only to despise the coffee for an unobvious reason. He had been praising it a moment ago and now, he seemed utterly displeased with it. Diego's nose wrinkled. He set it down and his mouth curved downwards.

'A little too hot. I hear in the Orient, they say the inability to stand hot foods is called having a Meowth's tongue.' Diego quipped. 'Here in Unova, would it be more like having a Purloin's tongue? What about in Kalos, would it be having an Espurr's tongue? Isn't that strange?'

'Not as strange as you.' Johnny replied.

'Now, there was something I desired to discuss with you. It is of a most urgent and pressing matter.' Diego replied, his tone of voice had changed completely.

Johnny glared. 'Alright, so long as it's unrelated to the idea of bein' buddy-buddy. I've already got Gyro and hell, myself, I don't need to be around any more assholes.'

'No, this is a matter pertaining to the Third Stage of the race… and the second Badge.'

'The second badge?!' Johnny exclaimed.

Diego grinned. His teeth seemed strangely sharp. It was unnatural and it worried Johnny slightly but Diego had his attention so he could ignore Diego's eccentricities; just this once anyway.

There was a pause and before either of them could speak, Gyro had shrieked. He'd been walking through the doorway with a load of sticks bundled in his arms but now they were clattering on the floor. Johnny's Leavanny was at Gyro's feet, staring up at him with big curious eyes. The height difference between them was amusing.

'Shit Johnny. Didn't seen Dinah down there.' Gyro said.

'It's 'kay, oi, Dinah, help Gyro pick up those sticks for me.'

'Lea-vanny.' his Leavanny trilled.

'Now, back to what we were discussing before.' Johnny said pointedly to Diego.

'Where were we? I lost my train of thought.' Diego piped up.

'Huh? Why's he here?' Gyro asked.

'He wants to discuss something about the Third Stage with me - us? - and it's to do with the second Badge.'

'Ah, yes, the second Badge.' Diego continued and there was a strange, sardonic innocence in his eyes lit up with enthusiasm. He lifted his arm, he twisted around his hand to show Johnny and Gyro the back of it. Then, through some sort of sleight of hand, he had produced a small, metallic object now pressed between two of his fingers. 'This is it. The second Badge: the Fossil Badge.'

'What the…? Is he for real, Johnny? Are you serious?' Gyro exclaimed.

'I can assure you, I am very serious.' Diego said. 'If you don't believe me, check the SBR Handbook and on the second last page, descriptions of the badges can be found and this is no forgery. I earned this Badge in a very hard fight.'

'Then why wasn't there an announcement?' Johnny asked.

'There's no rule against keeping it secret. Not all of us are as easily excited as you, Johnny. Some of us prefer to keep quiet about our good fortune.' Diego explained.

Johnny scowled. It was true, he had been awfully quick to send a message to Maria about his winning of the Feather Badge but it was more out of courtesy than anything else. It was better for the other Trainers to know Valentine's chosen Trainer was knocked out and the Badge passed onto a rival than for them to squander time in search of a decommissioned Trainer.

'I believe you.' Johnny said.

'Keeping that knowledge secret was but one part of someone else's plans. I do not have the full details but I have reason to believe you already know. I won this Badge so that he didn't have to get his hands dirty dealing with you two. Johnny Joestar, Gyro Zeppeli: I challenge you to a Pokemon battle. This Badge and two Dragon Stones will be our spoils for the victor. Understand?'

'You know about the Dragon Stones?' Johnny asked.

'Not exactly. I know you are in possession of one and I know there is one to be found somewhere close to Opelucid City.' Diego replied. 'I'm just the middleman.'

'Alright, we accept your challenge.' Gyro said.

'Good. Now, I suggest you run because I intend to hunt.' Diego said.

'We're just your Grumpig for truffle sniffin', aren't we?' Gyro snorted.

'I don't know what that means but I presume yes.' Diego replied.

Diego made eye contact with both Gyro and Johnny.

'As per the rules, our eyes have met so a battle must begin. Immediately.' Diego said.

Diego was the first to call forth one of his Pokemon and it was a great creature the likes of which neither Johnny or Gyro had seen, only heard of.

'Scary Monsters, I choose you.' Diego yelled as he threw a Heavy Ball forward.

From a crash of glittering sparkles and a scarlet flash, a large Pokemon manifested; it would have been slightly taller than Mudsdale. It was a majestic looking creature with shining blue scales and spines resembling regal attire. It opened its mighty maw and gave a great roar that shook the very foundations of the room.

'What the fuck is that?!' Johnny yelped.

'A fossil! It's a fucking fossil! I thought those were myths!' Gyro shouted back.

'Scary Monsters, use Draco Meteor!' Diego instructed.

His Scary Monsters - his whatever it was - opened its jagged fang-lined maw once more. The roar it let loose was deafening. Once more, it caused damage to the foundations but what it was summoning, was far worse.

Purple rocks engulfed by red flames manifested from thin air, seemingly coming through the ceiling.

'Argh, fuck, Jailbreak use Protect!' Gyro said.

There was barely any room now with the furniture, Scary Monsters, Leavanny, and everyone inside the room and Gyro had let out another gigantic Pokemon - and in the nick of time too.

Jailbreak roared and summon protective barriers around Gyro, Johnny, and even Leavanny. The meteors pelted down around them but turned to dust upon contact.

Diego ground his teeth.

'Dinah Flo, use Leaf Blade!' Johnny panicked.

'Vanny!' his Leavanny cried out.

'You call it a Fossil… Fossils are rocks, right?' Johnny said to Gyro.

'Yeah but this one gives me some bad vibes.' Gyro replied, terse. 'We need to get out of here quick smart.'

Leavanny's arms began to a glow a vibrant, almost neon green. It surged forward and repeatedly struck Scary Monsters' knee with a slash. It huffed at Leavanny and it retreated upon realising that its attack been ineffectual.

Diego threw back his shoulders and laughed. 'Scary Monsters is resistant to grass type attacks, you fools. Someone as regal as me deserves such a Pokemon, wouldn't you agree? Scary Monsters is a Tyrantrum: King of all the Fossil Pokemon! An ancient Pokemon that ruled the lands beneath its regal claws! A perfect fit for someone like me, wouldn't you say? It's a Rock-Dragon type. And his next attack won't fail.'

Diego pointed to Gyro and Johnny. 'Obliterate these fools, use Earthquake!'

Another harrowing cry followed Diego's command. The floor beneath them began to tremble. It shook and bounced; cracking in two and the walls followed. The inn began to fall in on itself. Panicked, Gyro grabbed Johnny by the scruff off his neck and threw them both through the windows; not giving a second thought to either of their Pokemon. At least not until they had reached safety, anyway.

The two landed outside where the ground wasn't shaking. They were a jumbled mess and turned back.

'Dinah! Dinah Flo!' Johnny yelled at the top of his lungs. His heart trembled in his chest as he strained his ears.

'Protect won't work a second time around…' Gyro lamented. 'Jailbreak, get out of there an' take Dinah with ya!'

Diego's Tyrantrum butted through the debris. What was left of the inn cascaded in broken bits into a pile. Gyro's Aggron moaned but ultimately pulled through. Debris slid down its back. Distantly, they could hear Dinah Flo's cries but they were faint and weak.

'Return, Dinah Flo!' Johnny yelped as he thrust out his hand with his fingers clamped tightly around Leavanny's PokeBall.

A thin streak of silver was exerted and found its mark. His Leavanny was soon transported back to safety but was likely in bad shape. Johnny frowned. He swapped out PokeBalls but at least now he knew what he was up against. Scary Monsters the Tyrantrum was a Rock-Dragon type and he had just the Pokemon for the job.

'How's Jailbreak holding up?' Johnny asked.

'Another attack like that and she's a goner; even if I can deflect it using Protect, the turn after will be a graveyard shift.' Gyro replied.

'Angel's a Fairy type but there's no way she can stand up to that all by herself. Diego's trained his 'mons as close to their cap as he can get, quite clearly.' Johnny replied.

'Yeah, even if I can get Problem Child in there safely, the same sort of deal for us. And who knows? Water mightn't be as effective as we'd like, just like with that Leaf Blade from Dinah.' Gyro replied.

'You know… Two on one isn't very fair, even if Scary Monsters is one of the most powerful Pokemon known to science.' Diego's voice piped up from out of nowhere.

He removed himself from the rubble and sauntered towards them. His Tyrantrum must have protected him during the destruction of the inn.

'Art Decade, I choose you.' Diego said and he tossed another Heavy Ball into the fray.

From a scarlet flash, another bizarre Pokemon lumbered forward. It brandished large pincers and had dull grey and blue colouring. It watched with nearly detached eyes. It was creepy.

'And the hell is that?' Johnny asked.

'It's another Fossil, but fuck if I know where it comes from. Tyrantrum're from Kalos, I know that but this thing? No clue, not Unova I'm gonna guess.'

'Quite right, Gyro. You truly do possess approximate knowledge of many things. I can see why Johnny finds you so fascinating. You would be correct in assuming my Art Decade is not native to neither Kalos or Unova. This is called an "Armaldo" and it hails from Hoenn.'

'That's just great.' Gyro grumbled. 'We've got too much happening at once.'

'Art Decade, attack that Aggron with Brine!' Diego shouted.

'Shit, use Prote-!'

Gyro's command for his Aggron had come a touch too late. So, now, the situation was continuing to worsen. Diego's Armaldo threw its pincers forward and crooned: a hideous sound. From its open mouth, spilt forth a wave of oceanic water. The water was a wet slap against Aggron's hide. Gyro's Aggron's shoulders arched and it let loose an exhausted roar. There was no point battling any further with Jailbreak so Gyro recalled his Aggron in a quick flash.

He glanced around. If he had to get himself and Johnny out of this situation. Once more, the stars in the sky - the Big Dipper - caught his eye. He continued to furtively search and he grinned. The drainage pipes would offer some protection. A plan began to revolve through his mind.

'Don't call out Angel jus' yet, we're rearranging our priorities first. Diego's just toying with us because he needs us to find the next Dragon Stone for him so we're gonna go and get it first.'

'Yes, as much as it pains me because it goes against the "rules", I'll allow this battle to be put on hold just so I can hunt you down.' Diego interjected.

'Because I've cracked the code, Johnny, those marks on your arm. You were onto something when you said that it's too bizarre of a coincidence that the ridges behind Opelucid look similar to those scars.' Gyro pointed to the constellation that hovered in the curves of the highest point of the ridges: the Big Dipper. 'I'll bet you any money, where that we'll find the next Dragon Stone right there.'

'And how're we gonna get there?' Johnny asked.

'Do you trust me?' Gyro asked; his voice falling to a low whisper.

'...Yes.' Johnny replied, matching the tone of voice but he was concerned now since Gyro felt compelled to ask that.

'Good 'cause you're not gonna like my plan.'

'Shit.'