Chapter Fourteen: Off the Chains
The four o'clock sun hung high in the sky as a small group of children made their way down Route 29 back to Cherrygrove Town. The children had spent the last eight hours of that fine March day listening to the grammatically-inept drone of Prof. Earl, head teacher of the Earl Pokémon Academy in Violet City and were glad to be finally free for the rest of the day.
"Man, I hate Mondays," one of the boys in the group exclaimed, pushing up his wire-rimmed glasses and sniffing loudly.
"Even a nerd like you? That fits," a girl piped up, her green eyes sparkling as she grinned at the girl who walked next to her, who giggled in response.
"Well, at least the prof let us off homework today," She said flippantly, who managed to keep her laughter under control as she addressed the boy who walked next to her, who wore a green woolen vest over a blue shirt and his light brown hair short. "He's a bit of a sadist when it comes to workload, isn't he, Den?"
"Aint that the truth, Cassie," Den replied with a chuckle.
"Anyways, on a more lighter topic... how's your brother?" Cassie asked Emma.
"Which one?" Emma said calmly.
"Do you have to ask? The cute one!" Cassie exclaimed, pretending to pout.
"Rubin? No idea. He left for another continent to win another Grand Festival," Emma said without interest.
"How about the other one? Sapph?" the boy in glasses asked Emma.
"Geez, Gene... who cares?" Cassie said with another pout.
"Yeah, dude," Den agreed. "Everyone knows Rubin's the cooler, smarter, possibly even the stronger of the two, although seeing as they've never battled before..."
"Do they need to? I mean, Rubin's sure to win, right? Even if Sapph does get Pokémon," Cassie interjected.
"Sapph already has a Pokémon and it could still be a close run," Emma said heatedly, before becoming lost in thought.
Sapph's been away for over a week, she thought, scuffing her green-clad toes along the dirt road. I know he's excited to be a trainer and all, but I'm bound to worry, right? After all, he did promise to call once in a while...
"Hey, I'm talking, girlie! Pay attention!" A rough voice rang out, derailing her train of thought.
"Emma! Get with the program here!" Gene said in his whiny voice.
"Why? What's going... oh, no... don't tell me..." She groaned, burying her face into her hands.
For a group of boys a couple of years older barred their path leering down at them from atop their expensive looking racing bikes. At their feet stood an assortment of Pokémon, including a bunch of small, violet-coloured rats with buckteeth known as Rattata and one or two pudgy light brown Rat Pokémon which seemed to be the evolved form of Rattata, Raticate.
"Yo, gym leader's kid! Got your toll here?" One of the wannabe punks called out.
"Not Doug?!" Emma moaned in exasperation.
"What're we gonna do... what're we gonna do?!" Gene whined in a low-keyed mumble.
"Quiet, Gene! Emma's trying to think!" Cassie said, glancing fearfully at the bullies.
"Yeah, Gene... I'm trying to- hey!" Emma protested, turning to glare at her blonde haired friend.
"Hey, you are, aren't you?" Cassie replied as though Emma had been elected leader of the group.
"Jerk," Emma said drily.
"I'm conutin' three! One!" The leader announced loudly.
"OK, anybody got anything?" Den said in an undertone quickly, looking around at his companions.
"What the- you're just gonna roll over and let them do this?!" Emma hissed at him.
"Hey, they're bigger! And have Pokémon! Or haven't you noticed yet?" Den retorted in a whisper.
"Gene put that back! We're not giving them anything!" Emma snapped quietly at Gene, who'd pulled anything of value out of his bag to serve as a daily pittance.
"Two!" The bullies' leader shouted amongst snickers from his followers at Gene's frantic antics.
"But-" Gene whined.
"But nothing!" Emma snapped. "Think Doug and his goons are gonna stop harassing us if you keep giving them stuff when they ask for it?"
"Who made you leader, Emma?" Cassie growled in panic.
"Hmm, let me think... oh yeah! You did!" Emma growled back.
"What?!" Cassie said indignantly.
"Guys..." Gene whined.
"Three! Time's up! Let's get 'em, Raticate!" The young punk called out, ordering the pudgiest Rat Pokémon out to play.
"OK, guys... let's stop arguing! We need a plan..." Emma said urgently as the Raticate advanced on them, baring its overlarge teeth.
"Oh, and you have one?" Den said hopefully.
"Yeah, I've got one..." Emma went on slowly.
The Raticate snapped its incisors together menacingly.
"What is it?" Gene whined. If he was nervous before, he was definitely past wetting his pants freaked now.
Emma stared determinedly at the advancing Rat Pokémon for a few seconds, and suddenly broke a sweat.
"RUN!" She screamed, leading her companions as they turned tail and pelted back up Route 29.
"HEY! C'mon boys, GET 'EM!" Doug screamed as the bullies rallied their Pokémon and gave chase...
"Man, I hate those jerks!" Emma said loudly, looking behind her to see if they'd truly lost the bullies.
"Ditto," Cassie said in agreement, mournfully picking at her long, luxurious blonde hair which was now streaked with green algae.
"Well, we lost them today," the bespectacled Gene said nervously, wiping some grime off his glasses.
"Yeah, lucky we were able to lose them in the Dark Cave," Den agreed.
Lucky Sapph and Tony always took me with them when we were little, Emma thought furtively, refering to her older brother and his best friend who was currently touring Kanto as a trainer as the foursome walked into Cherrygrove, earning a few reproachful stares from the homes they walked by for their untidy attire. Not that Sapph and Tony bullied her; she wouldn't hear of them going without her.
"Well, guess I'll see you guys tomorrow," Emma said, having reached the junction that lead to her home.
"Yeah... later, Emm!" Den and Cassie said in unison. Gene only nodded.
Emma walked home slowly; she was in no hurry. There would be no one home at the moment (her father Justin Manson was away at Pokémon League HQ to sign their gym to the new dojo status and her mother Katherine would be in the market shopping.) Nothing new today...
It was no surprise she was bored. Her older brothers Rubin and Sapph were both away on their Pokémon journeys and wouldn't be back for a while. Things were pretty much the same when Rubin was home, but since Sapph left, Doug and his cronies had been picking on her every day. This wasn't why she missed her older brother more though; there were more laughs and adventures when the trouble-loving twin was around.
Turning into the driveway of their home, she stopped and did a double-take: the Mansons had mail. Emma blinked, mail usually arrived early in the morning as she left for school.
Must be a special delivery, Emma thought, pulling out a pair of mismatched parcels, both wrapped in rough brown packaging paper.
Slipping her door key into the lock, she entered to find everything where it always would be. She slipped off her green plimsolls and left them on the mat as she took the parcels into the kitchen, reading the addressee names: one was for the whole family, meaning her dad was the most likely option for the main target of the mail; the other one... had her name on it.
Emma didn't stare at the address just because she'd received a personal letter, but the handwriting looked very familiar. She looked again at the first, larger package and saw with a thrill of excitement that the hand the address was written in was identical to the one her letter and parcel had appeared in. Ripping open the larger package, she gasped as a large bronze shield glinted in the late afternoon sun. Holding it up so it reflected the light better, she made out the following words etched on to the shield:
THE MAYOR OF NIGHTSPARK CITY
AWARDS THIS SHIELD TO THE
WINNER OF THE 58TH GATONDA TOURNAMENT
SAPPH MANSON
Smiling to herself, Emma reached for the second package, which felt spherical. Her eyes bugged as she reflected on the words her brother told her before leaving home for Corei:
"Promise you'll call! Promise?" Emma asked tearfully.
"You betcha, Emm," Sapph smiled with a wink. "I may even catch you a rare Pokémon out there!"
Emma smiled a watery smile and jumped up to hug her big brother.
Opening the parcel, she saw a red and white orb glinting in the late afternoon sunlight from under the wrapping paper, together with a note. She opened the note, fumbling the pokéball with her shaking hands. The pokéball hit the table with a clunk and split open, spilling red light onto the table. A small black kitten with white, fluffy hair around the nape of its neck and base of its tail mewed softly, licking its paws in an adorable sort of way.
Hey Emma,
This is Sapph. How're you doing?
I'm okay, I've got two badges already! Looks like this league's a pushover! Ha!
In this pokéball lies a Mogshex, a Dark Pokémon unique to the Corei Region. I caught it and used it during the tournament, but after remembering my promise to catch you a rare Pokémon, I decided that you should raise it. Don't be fooled by its looks, Mogshex is way stronger than she looks. I have a feeling that you two will get along fine.
Gotta go, I've got more Pokémon to capture!
Your brother,
Sapph.
P.S. - Whatever you do, do NOT dirty her fur!
Emma smiled and picked up the Night Cat Pokémon, who smiled back. Suddenly, all Emma's problems seemed to become merely insignificant midges. That was, until she was within striking range and swatted Emma across the nose, leaving three, thin red stinging lines. Emma gasped with pain and projected a beam of light from the pokéball in which she came indignantly, sucking her back in. Furious, she grabbed the letter and stared. There was more:
P.P.S. – If she scratched you across the face, it means she likes you.
***
"Now, Bubbles! Water Gun attack!"
"Eaves! Fight back with Sand Attack!"
A fairly small rabbit with blue fur and a large bubble for a tail inhaled rapidly, spewing out a torrent of cold water towards a smaller, chocolate brown tetrapedal figure, which looked closest to a fox with large ears. Not willing to get soaked, the brown creature (which happened to be an Eevee) rotated quickly on the spot, sweeping a huge spurt of dirt towards the oncoming onslaught with its brown and white tipped paintbrush tail, which served as an earthen barrier which shielded it form harm.
"Nice work, Eaves!" A boy of fourteen cheered from behind the small foxlike creature. "Now go with a Tackle attack!"
"Bubbles, you use Tackle too!" A girl of eleven replied quickly in a commanding manner to the blue rabbit, pointing towards 'Eaves' and his trainer for emphasis.
Bubbles lowered herself onto all fours and began to charge towards the Eevee, who raced towards her in the same manner. Both collided headfirst into each other with a resounding clunk to which a boy, who donned a bright red anorak and crouched against a signpost, winced empathically.
"Ouch," he said audibly, his sapphire eyes glinting with anticipation to see who'd received the brunt of the attack.
His silent question was answered a few seconds later as Bubbles and Eaves tottered around the path for a minute aimlessly gibbering away before both collapsed due to sheer exhaustion.
"Looks like another tie, guys," the boy said, running a hand through his messy dark brown hair as he rose to his full five foot eight inch height.
"Guess you're right, Sapph," the other boy replied, wiping a trickle of sweat from his brow as he turned to his opponent and said, "Good game, Haley."
Haley stood up, having administered some first aid to her starter Pokémon, smiled back, pushing a strand of reddish blonde hair out of her face and replied "You too, Brian."
"We'd better be going," Sapph interjected, brushing dirt off his jeans and staring around the sparse grassland that surrounded them. "I really want to get to Pampa City before nightfall."
"If that's what's bothering you, Sapph," Brian said calmly, returning Eaves to his red and white pokéball and clipping it to his belt along with three other similar spheres. "There's no real need to hurry..."
"Hunh?" Sapph said nonplussed. "What makes you say that? I've gotta catch up with Kamren and fast!"
"Well, the signpost behind you does say we're only five kilometres away," Brian said cheerfully, pointing at the signpost against Sapph had been leaninig against a moment before.
A huge anime sweat drop appeared on the back of Sapph's head as his eyes reduced to pinpricks.
"How'd you win the Gatonda Tourney anyway?!" Haley snorted derisively, returning her Aquari to its pokéball and reaching for her knapsack.
Sapph could only stare at the sign in disbelief.
"Hey, Sapph! We're leaving you behind!" Brian hollered back at Sapph.
"Hunh? Wha- hey! Wait up, guys!" Sapph called, snapping out of his reverie as he gave chase to his travel companions.
"Heck, he can't even nickname his own Pokémon," Haley was saying to Brian as he caught up.
"I can so!" Sapph hollered hotly.
"Yeah, suure you can," Haley s******ed, her goose grey eyes reflecting the sunlight as she rolled them.
"Oh, really? What are your Pokémon's names then? Inky, Blinky, Bubbles and Nod?" Sapph retorted scathingly.
"OK, Sapph, settle down," Brian said calmly, stepping up to quell the argument.
"She started it!" Sapph said in a high pitched, whiny voice pointing at Haley and pouting. Haley countered with a bratty sticking out of her tongue.
"Look, there's Pampa City!" Brian said quickly, pointing towards a slowly growing community ahead of them. "Seems their tourist attractions are the hot spring and the Karate Dojo..."
"Hot springs?!" Haley gasped, her eyes going starry from joy. "Just what me and my Pokémon need to bond closer!"
'Dojo'? You mean like 'gym'? Whoo! Time for badge number three!" Sapph exclaimed joyfully, putting on a spurt of speed that left Brian and Haley choking on dirt.
"You had to excite him, didn't you?" The local Coreian girl said exasperatedly, clutching her wide-brimmed cowboy hat before it was blown away.
"Hey, I'd take him running like an idiot over listening to you two arguing any day," Brian said coolly averting his dark eyes as he continued his march towards Pampa City.
"Hey, hold up, Brian!" Haley yelled, running after Brian into town.
***
The flat white rooftops of Pampa City surrounded Sapph's party as they walked into town. Sapph fanned himself, panting like crazy as Haley started to berate him for running off and getting himself all worn out.
"Get off my case, Haley," Sapph moaned, mopping his sweaty brow as it was an easy eighty degrees farenheit out that day.
"Geez, not again," Brian said despondently.
"How come you never told me the dojo didn't have a badge earlier?" Sapph moaned to Brian this time as he looked around feverishly for the Pokémon Centre where they could hopefully find some shade and (as he thought about it, his stomach rumbled) some lunch.
"Forget it. Doesn't breakfast always seem so long ago when you're on the road?" Sapph asked the others.
"You do have a point there," Brian conceded cheerfully, rubbing the nape of his black haired head embarrassedly.
"Ugh, you two never think of anything but your stomachs!" Haley said huffily. "We have to heal our Pokémon, relax a bit ourselves before we-"
Before they were to find out what they had to do next, a loud rumbling sound escaped Haley's stomach. She flushed furiously as Sapph and Brian smirked.
"Looks like we all agree on something for a change," Brian smiled. "C'mon, let's find the Pokémon Centre..."
Ten minutes later, Sapph, Haley and Brian found the familiar, red-roofed building which had the words 'P.C.' written in large red letters to the left of the glass doors.
"Hey, what's up? Some sort of convention?" Brian asked, seeing as the Pokémon Centre's interior was chock-full of trainers it white karate sparring gi.
"Maybe," Haley said slowly.
"Hey, maybe they're having a training event!" Sapph said eagerly. "Alright, let's go!" and without further ado, the younger boy trainer pushed the door open wide and said loudly, "Hey! Anybody wanna mix it up?"
"Sapph! What the heck d'you think you are doing?!" Haley hissed, grabbing Sapph's head and lower jaw in an effort to shut him up. However, seeing as Sapph never shuts up normally, you'd think Haley would have found better ways to waste her energy.
"We don't need the help of outsiders," a deep, slow voice answered brashly.
"What'd you call me? And why would I even help you?" Sapph retorted angrily.
"Sapph, will you shut up?!" Haley snarled, keeping up her efforts of shutting Sapph up.
"Hey, don't I know you?" Brian asked the boy curiously.
"Will you battle me?" The boy asked back shortly.
"Sorry, my Pokémon are wiped out from training this morning," Brian replied wistfully.
"Then I have no reason to divulge my name to you," the Karate youth said arrogantly, turning his head away haughtily.
"Arnold! Apologize right away! I'm sorry," A girl of what looked like sixteen years of age with her sky blue hair tied back into a long ponytail said apologetically to Brian, blushing faintly. She wore a two piece body suit (the upper, sleeveless half was orange and the lower half which stopped well above her knees blue) "He's been edgy ever since he lost the Gatonda Tourney recently..."
"Now I remember! You're the guy who lost to Sapph in the semifinals! Arnold Hazaki!" Brian cried, recognition flickering in his dark eyes.
"Don't say that name to me!" Arnold said angrily, flaring up.
"What's wrong with my name, hunh, Tough Guy?" Sapph demanded, actually managing to wrestle free of Haley's grip and confronting Arnold.
"You beat Arnold?" The girl exclaimed, staring at Sapph. All around them, heads turned to stare silently at the boy trainer and his company.
"Oh, boy," Brian said worriedly.
"Smooth move, genius," Haley hissed in Sapph's ears. "Reckon you could take on about... oh, I don't know... fifty Fighting type Pokémon?"
"Then maybe you can help us!" She exclaimed, turning to Sapph, Haley and Brian.
"With?" Brian asked curiously.
"The wild Pokémon that have overrun our dojo!" She answered, shifting her weight on the balls of her blue-trainered feet.
"Sorry, count me out," Haley said quickly, raising her hand quickly. "Got to heal my Pokémon and fill my belly first..."
"Sapph and I can help!" Brian volunteered quickly.
"Really?" the girl exclaimed, clasping her blue-gloved hands together, her dark eyes large and all ooglie.
"Wasn't your Pokémon 'all wiped out from training a minute ago'?" Haley asked him snidely, effecting a huge sweat drop from Brian.
"Eh heh... every trainer finds the... uhhh... pep in him to keep on going! Right, Sapph?" Brian laughed a little too earnestly.
"Sure, I guess," Sapph said, sweat dropping a little.
"Thank you so much! I'll walk you to the dojo!" the Crush Girl said joyfully, grabbing Brian's hand and rushing out of the building. Brian quickly grabbed Sapph's wrist so that they trio formed a chain that was whipped out of the centre.
"Hey, let go! I'm coming OK? Just let go!" Sapph cried out in pain.
Haley shook her head exasperatedly and turned to the front desk to get her Pokémon healed as a reddish blond haired shadow followed the trio stealthily.
***
"So, what type of Pokémon are in there?" Brian asked nonchalantly as they stood before the dojo doors.
"I'm not sure," the Crush Girl said nervously. "All the trainers who go in come out saying it's a Rumboo problem, but..."
"Rumboo, hunh?" Sapph said interestedly, remembering Mogshex's utter pawning of Arnold's at the Gatonda Tournament. "Too bad Mogshex isn't here..."
"She isn't?" Brian asked in surprise. "Where is she then?"
"Probably scratching my sister across the face at home," Sapph replied calmly.
Brian sweat dropped.
"You said 'but' before we interrupted," Brian said to their guide, redirecting their conversation. "Why?"
"Rumboo, don't normally live around here," The girl said nervously. "So there must be something behind their appearance here."
"If they don't live around here," Sapph queried the young girl. "How'd Arnold get one?"
"He's one of the many who tried to get rid of them." The girl answered. "He caught one but the others threw him out."
"How strong are the Rumboo?" Brian asked as Sapph chortled at the thought of Arnold being thrown out of his own dojo by a ghost.
"Strong enough to give us a good workout," Sapph replied cheerfully. "You think Eaves is up to another battle so soon?" He asked back.
Sure is, pardner, Eaves drawled, popping out and ruffling the mane of white fur that ringed his neck.
Sapph clenched his fist enthusiastically and exclaimed, "Then let's go kick some ectoplasmic butt!"
Brian nodded, following Sapph in.
The shadow from below watched stealthily, a grin splitting his narrow face.
Perfect, it thought to himself. I'll have widdle Sapphire do all the dirty work for me and claim the big guy for myself...
***
"Man, it sure is dark in here," Brian commented dryly, running his finger through a clean inch of dust that had settled on a punching bag.
"Yeah," Sapph agreed. Then raising his voice to a shout, he yelled "Yo, Rumboo! Come out, come out where ever you are!"
"Sshh! Do you want to battle the whole building?" Brian hissed, clutching at his heart.
"Didn't we have to anyway?" Sapph shrugged.
"You..."
Whoa! Heads up, y'all! Here they come! Eaves shouted, breaking the friction between them.
"Tch... too late now, ah guess," Brian said, shrugging. "Ya'll ready?" he added turning to see Sapph already releasing Magnemite for battle.
"Did ya'll need to ask?" Sapph smirked, copying Eaves and Brian's Southern drawl. Facing the twenty or so Rumboo that surrounded them, Sapph shouted "Let's go, Magnemite! Thundershock!"
Power levels adequate for command protocol... initiating appropriate reaction... the Magnet Pokémon droned, spinning its horseshoe magnet around as it generated a moderate amount of power which it then fire at the approaching Ghost Pokémon.
"Eaves, start things off with ya'll Sand Attack!" Brian commanded.
Alright, it's party time! Eaves aggreed, sweeping dirt into the nearest Rumboo's face, sharply lowering its ability to see.
Two hours later...
Outside the sun was going down and the Crush Girl outside was starting to worry.
I hope they're OK... She thought despondently. The last kid who went in hasn't been seen since he went in... Yet I've a feeling they'll be fine...
"Well," she commented springing to her feet. "Guess it's time for evening drills... better get Makuha from the Centre..."
As she walked away, the shadow that had been watching her the whole while saw his chance and stole towards the dojo doors...
***
"Man, how many of these guys are they?!" Sapph yelled in exasperation. Litaire was wearing down fast, and although they had cleared out the first three rooms, more opposition just kept coming.
Your Litaire has grown to Level 24, Sapph's Pokédex beeped.
"Crud, and Magnemite was level twenty-six, before he got zonked out... oh well, Litaure, return!" Sapph ordered, sending out a beam of light which sucked his Pokémon back in.
Not, yet, General Manson, sir! I can still go another round, sir! the Swoop Pokémon yelled in protest as it was drawn back in.
"Go, Mongle!" Sapph said exasperatedly, calling forth his Leaf Squirrel Pokémon in a flash of green light. He guessed he'd have to talk to his newest Pokémon about that kind of talk later.
Right! Who's our opponent today? Mongle said coyly.
"Them," Sapph said with a little groan, pointing at the fresh swarms of Shackle Pokémon who'd popped out of the floor and walls to pick up where their fallen brethren had left off.
Whoo! Looks like a party to me! Mongle grinned happily.
"Let's get this over with! Mongle, Razor Leaf!" Sapph yelled, pumping his fist.
Brian, ah'm pooped, Eaves moaned, gazing blearily at Mongle, who'd torn into the ranks of the Ghost/Fighting Pokémon with unparalleled zeal.
"Oops, sorry buddy," Brian apologized, bending down to scoop Eaves up. Turning to Sapph, he yelled, "How many more rooms do you think we'll have to clear?"
"Don't worry, this'll be the last you losers will clear," a snide voice cackled in glee.
Sapph and Mongle's eyes narrowed at the sound of the new arrival's voice. There was no mistaking it...
"KAMREN!" They yelled in unison, looking behind them to see Haley's older brother standing in the doorway they'd just battled through.
"Outta my way, Sapphire," Kamren said coldly, shoving Sapph aside as he rushed past a surprised Brian and Eaves up to the last door. "Oh, and thanks for taking care of those annoying Rumboo for me. They were problematic the first time."
"Where d'you think you're going?" Sapph roared indignantly, picking himself off the floor.
"Duh... to catch the head honcho of these loser Pokémon," Kamren scoffed. "Couldn't have done it without you, Sapphire," he added with a sneer as he proceeded through the doorway.
"Wait up, you stinkin', yeller... whoa!" Brian yelled, ducking out of the line of fire as two Rumboo used that moment to send two simultaneous Shackle attacks at him.
"If we don't hurry, Kamren will get there first!" Sapph yelled as Mongle took out the offending Rumboo with a well executed Razor Leaf attack. "Mongle!"
I get it! Just make sure Kamren doesn't beat us this time! Mongle grunted, back flipping away from a pair of Dynamic Punches another three Rumboo threw at him.
"Thanks! Brian!" He called to the fourteen year old Kazutan. "Mongle knows Quick Attack, Razor Leaf, Pound and Growl! Think you can handle things here 'til I get back?"
"Sure can!" Brian confirmed.
"Thanks!" Sapph yelled, picking off Crimson's pokéball as he dashed towards the doorway, only to be faced with a Rumboo aiming a Dynamic Punch at his head.
"Sapph, DUCK!" Brian yelled.
Sapph did so, introducing the Rumboo to a sharp burst of leaf energy from Mongle as its attack blew past Sapph.
"Thanks again!" He called back, flashing a thumbs-up at the pair of them as he proceeded to the final room.
***
"Kamren!" Sapph yelled as he stepped toward the edge of what looked like a boxing ring, which was ringed with chains instead of ropes. Kamren had released his fiery starter Burner who stared daggers at the opposition: a small figure shrouded in a black cloak. The figure turned to watch as Sapph drew nearer to the edge of the ring with its cold, golden saffron eyes, which momentarily flashed an eerie brown as they locked onto Sapph's blue ones.
Sapph felt himself go numb. What is this feeling I'm having? He asked himself in a startled tone. It feels as though I... like I've got to catch him no matter what! But that's crazy! He's no Pokémon! Or is he?
"There's no time for you to daydream, you know!" Kamren yelled at the faceless trainer. "Burner, Fire Spin!"
Burner inhaled quickly and sent out a spurt of orange red flames which spiralled towards the figure, engulfing it in flames. The trianer didn't even try to evade.
"No!" Sapph gasped in panic, horrified at how low Kamren could go.
Suddenly the flames burst apart, revealing that not only was the strange being unhurt, but now possessing a green wall in front of it which seemed to cut the damage inflicted down by a great fraction. The only sign that showed that it had suffered any damage was that its cloak seemed singed at the edges.
"That's a..." Sapph began incredulously.
...Light Screen attack! Kamren thought in a similar tone.
"What the- what are you, shrimp?" Kamren yelled rudely, earning a cold glare from the creature that sat or stood (it was hard to tell because of the cloak) before him.
The being said nothing; just stared.
Yo, my master asked you a question? Or are you dumb?! Burner yelled.
Still no sound escaped the Pokémon's lips.
"If you can use Light Screen, you must be a Pokémon!" Kamren said in glee.
So, a Pokémon is in charge of Pokémon? Sapph thought, bewildered. Must be a Psychic type to intimidate Fighting types like Rumboo... but wait, Rumboo are part Ghost too, so why would they choose to serve a Psychic type?
"And if you're a Pokémon," the reddish blond trainer cackled, enlarging an empty pokéball. "It simply means I can catch you! Go, pokéball!" Kamren roared, throwing the pokéball towards it.
"Wha-?" Sapph started in surprise. "No fair, Kamren!"
"All's fair in my book, widdle Sapphire!" Kamren mocked as the pokéball made its progress towards the strange Pokémon.
Reacting quickly, the being's eyes snapped forward onto Kamren's Therline, who was stepping out of the pokéball's path. The yellow orbs glowed an extraterrestrial blue as Burner felt his body move out of control, his whole being also enveloped on a light of matching hue to the cause's eyes.
Hey! Burner yelled, his eyes dilating in fear. What d'you think you're doing? HEY! He yelled as he was thrown bodily by unseen forces into the pokéball's way. The stranger released its psychic hold on burner as the pokéball struck him in the back, splitting the ball open and sucking him in.
"What the-" Kamren gasped stunned as the pokéball hit the ground with a thud, rolled around a couple of times before the light which had been blinking in the centre went off with a loud PING!, signaling that it had successfully captured its accidental target.
"Wow, way to go, Little Kammykins," Sapph choked out having a hard time controlling his laughter. "What a classic catch!"
"Shut it, you wannabe! OK, you!" he added at the Pokémon. "Let's see you dodge this!" he said with a flourish, pulling out a black and white pokéball with two yellow stripes running on either side of a yellow letter 'H' parallel to each other, all embossed on the black half of the pokéball.
Whoa, that's an Ultra Ball! Sapph thought, suddenly jealous. Why's he get all the good stuff?
"Ultra ball, go!" he exclaimed, cocking back his fist and throwing the enhanced capture device at his elusive quarry.
The creature's eyes went blue again, this time ensnaring the Ultra ball in a halo of shimmering blue light.
"Hunh?!" Kamren practically screamed in frustration.
Sorry, the being said softly. But I can't play with you anymore.
With that, the creature under the cloak raised a fingerless gloved hand out of the cloak, pointing it at Kamren. Suddenly, as had happened with Burner, Kamren found himself completely out of his own control.
"Hey, what gives?" Kamren roared in panic as he was lifted bodily in the air. "What's the meaning of this? Put me down NOW! I order you to..."
Nobody orders me to do anything, the creature said coldly, slightly clenching his fingers and he bent his fore arm towards his chest. With a sweep of his hand (the glove seemed attached to his hand), he sent Kamren and the Ultra ball soaring out through the wall.
Sapph found himself wincing emphatically for the second time that day. Oh, baby! Now that, he's gonna feel in the morning! Sapph thought with a laugh as he pulled out the Pokédex to finally scan the creature, as the hood of his cloak had fallen off to reveal yellowish eyes, short (although prominent) elven ears, a catlike nose and pale brown complexion beneath a wild shock of white hair that seemed bobbed.
Taebrawl, the Combatant Pokémon, the Pokédex droned again. Fighting/Psychic combination Pokémon. Taebrawl are known to manipulate special attacks projected at it using its telekinetic powers, which it trains by hefting huge boulders and immensely heavy weights with.
"Whoa... hey, you OK?" Sapph said worriedly, as the Taebrawl fell forward onto one knee and started panting heavily. Apparently, using psychic power was a problem for this Taebrawl.
Get away! it spat, jerking his arm out of Sapph's reach as he stretched out a helping hand towards the Pokémon.
"But you're hurt, aren't you?" Sapph said bewildered as he watched the Taebrawl struggle to his feet, which Sapph noticed were bandaged.
It doesn't matter, the Taebrawl went on. What's wrong? Won't even gloat that the mighty Zen kneels at your feet? Aren't you even gonna try to capture me? HUNH?! the Taebrawl yelled the last syllable at the top of his lungs.
"Not while you're injured," Sapph replied evenly. The Taebrawl's eyes widened as he looked up into Sapph's suddenly serious ones.
I thought you weaken a Pokémon before capturing it, the Taebrawl who fashioned the name Zen for himself sneered.
"I meant, not if I don't weaken you first... in battle," Sapph amended. "I don't take handicaps or favours. Least of all from jerks like Kamren Kammykins Kent," he added with a sour look at the wall.
He isn't your ally? the Taebrawl said dubiously. The Rumboo sent word that two of you had entered together... before he did...
"Yeah, that was me and Brian," Sapph confirmed. "We just wanted to give the guys you kicked out their dojo back."
Well, there's the problem, Zen went on, finally finding the reserves to get on his feet. I don't want to leave. This is my home as much as it is theirs. And those ingrates and so called comrades of mine need to know what it feels like to be abandoned and thrown from what you call your home!
"Hunh? Whaddya mean by that?" Sapph asked nonplussed.
Zen smiled a crooked smile as he let out a snort of mirthless laughter. Seems like you know only one side of the coin, kid...
-Flashback-
Pampa City Dojo, one year ago...
The dojo was exceptional in that day. All day long, my comrades and I would spar competitively yet on friendly terms. I even had a trainer who respected me and even treated me like an equal. Until that fateful day when a man from Kanto came to challenge the dojo...
"Zen, use Aura Sphere!" A thickset, muscular man cried out to the Taebrawl, who face a large, terrifying Bug Pokémon with large blades for forearms and slender yet long and powerful wings known to the world as a Scyther and one of the strongest species of its element ever known to exist.
"Scyther, use Fury Cutter!" the nameless trainer yelled back.
Zen readied a small, Oran berry-sized sphere of pure energy from which concentric rings of Megacite energy radiated. Zen charged in, rearing the palm that held the Aura Sphere back as he raced towards his opponent.
It hadn't been a great day for the Taebrawl; his ankle was sprained in a training session and although he'd had cold compress applied to it soon afterwards, it was much too soon to be fighting on it. But it had fallen on his trainer to defend the honour of the dojo, and as he was chosen to represent his trainer, he, like his, could not say no...
The Scyther had done quite a bit of damage to Zen with consecutive usage of that attack and planned to end the battle with it. Moving at a speed faster than blinking, it vanished, leaving Zen wrong-footed... on his bad foot. His ankle giving out once again, Zen gritted his teeth in pain (an emotion he refused to show on principle) only to have a fresh pain erupt from his left shoulder as the Bug/Flying Pokémon drew its right blade across the Combatant Pokémon's shoulder.
Zen's mind went numb as he went propelled up into the air, his body strangely lopsided as it smashed into the ground, back first. He hacked up a clot of blood and passed out, the lights above shrinking into blackness, the noise around him the sound of silence...
-End Flashback-
They had to amputate my arm to prevent infection... said they didn't have a choice. My trainer had two choices though: Abandon me or leave the dojo for good... you can guess what his choice was, Zen recounted in a cynical voice.
"I don't believe this," Sapph said softly, his blue eyes watery. "What happened then? Is your arm..."
Enough, Zen said roughly. You already know too much. Why I told all that to a stranger... don' matter, if you want me, you're gonna have to catch me!
"But, you're low on energy," Sapph mumbled looking up as Zen rose to his four foot one height.
I've plenty of reserves in brawn, Zen shrugged, shrugging off the cloak and flexing his arms. Yes, arms. Sapph stared as he saw that Zen's left arm from the shoulder down was now composed of a metallic substance that seemed to have. Flexing his metallic fingers one by one, Zen rotated his arm at the shoulder one more time before crouching into a Tae Kwon Do stance, his eyes flashing the same reddish brown colour they did when Sapph's eyes first met his. Without your medicine! he added as Sapph opened his mouth to protest.
Call your Pokémon out, Zen said shortly. There'll be no need for words any more. Bring it!
Man, talk about a rough life... Sapph thought a little sadly. Enlarging the last pokéball on his belt, Sapph reared his hand back and shouted, "Go, Crimson!"
Sapph's trusty Ledian appeared in a flash of red light, assuming his Vale Tudo stance and whistling as he took in his opponent's bizarre appearance.
Whoa, who's the Cyber cop? Crimson said in awe.
"A Pokémon with a long, sad tale," Sapph sighed. "This will be a tough battle... start off with your Tackle attack!" his voice switching to a command in midsentence.
OK, here we go! Crimson consented, running into Zen, shoulders first. Zen, raising his right arm in front of himself, stopped the Five Star Pokémon's attack cold.
Whoa! Crimson yelled in surprise at the manouevre the Taebrawl had chosen as Zen's palm clenched into a vicegrip around his upper shoulder. OW!
This is how you wish to fight me? Pathetic, Zen said simply, raising Crimson into the air despite the fact that Crimson was two inches taller than his opponent.
Saapph... Crimson squealed, his voice a mixture of worry and pain.
Thinking quickly, Sapph quickly said "Crimson, go with Comet Punch!"
As if I'd let you... Zen smirked as Ledian quickly clenched his lower fists and gathered cosmic energy around them. Clenching his right fist tighter, Zen caused a loud popping sound to erupt from Crimson's shoulder. Crimson screamed in agony, losing focus as the cosmic energy quickly faded into nothingness. Flinging Crimson away from him, Zen rushed in, closing the temporary gap between them in a flash. Crimson winced as Zen's right fist rushed into his lower thorax in a sharp, jabbing motion. His eyes slid out of focus as Zen's left fist rose in a much slower yet deliberate hook to the right side of Crimson's jaw.
"No... CRIMSON!" Sapph screamed, watching his Pokémon compatriot bounce across the gym floor and into the chains that ringed the ring. "Are you OK? Can you keep going?" He added as he watched Crimson rise to his feet. Thankfully, Crimson's wings weren't damaged by his collision with the floor.
Yeah, I guess... dang... looks like his right hurts more than his left does, Crimson said slowly, rubbing his jaw with the only working right hand he had.
C'mon, kid! Zen hollered to Sapph. That all you got?
"Damn! OK, Crimson, use Comet Punch from a distance!" Sapph countered valiantly.
Crimson nodded, his three remaining arms charging up comet energy.
Puh-lease, kid. Don'tcha learn? Zen taunted, kicking off into a flat out dash at his Five Star foe as the latter began firing off mini comets from his hands.
Crimson released three thrusts of energy right at the Taebrawl, which Zen dodged whilst running, jumping right to avoid the first and leaping onto the chains to evade the second and third strikes. As he bounded off the chains onto the floor three feet from the Ledian's feet, Crimson saw his chance as he sent a fourth comet, careening for where Zen then stood.
No way! Sapph thought as he watched Zen roll under the fourth one. Using his palm as a springboard, he propelled himself above Crimson's fifth attack pulling off a forwards flip as he brought his heel down sharply onto the top of Crimson's head with a rather loud, painful sound echoing throughout the inner arena.
Ow! Crimson gasped as the pain in his head and neck exploded in epic proportions.
"Quick, Crimson! While he's landing!" Sapph rallied his Pokémon desperately. "Supersonic!"
Is that the best he can do?! Zen thought incredulously as sprang into the air again, this time in a back flip over Crimson's head to avoid the befuddling sound waves issuing from the Bug/Flying Pokémon's mouth.
"Crimson, behind you!" Sapph yelled.
Crimson, stopping his screaming attack, swung his upper left fist in a roundhouse punch fashion, thinking Zen was there and meeting nothing but air. Zen had somehow slowed himself in midair with a graceful full body twist, so that he alighted on Crimson's fist. With a wicked smile on his lips, Zen jumped again, shooting his left foot with the force of a jackhammer into the poor Ledian's face, dead centre. Not stopping there, Zen pulled his foot back and swung his right bandaged foot around Crimson's face in a downwards-knifing, roundhouse kick, sending Crimson across the ring into Sapph, who'd jumped in to stop Crimson hitting the wall too hard.
Zen's bandage-bound feet hit the ring floor heavily, panting as he did so.
I've haven't been pushed this hard in months, Zen thought to himself, blotting the memories of his old trainer out as he watched Sapph asked Crimson if he was okay...
-Flashback-
Pampa City dojo, fifteen months back...
Zen practiced his kicking on a log in the gym alone. From his breathing, it was apparent that he'd been at it for a while. Suddenly, he lost his balance midkick and fell backwards. Closing his eyes and bracing himself for the impact that he was sure would follow, he was surprised when no impact came.
Opening his eyes, he looked up to see a man's smiling face looking down at him upside down.
"Taking a break so early?" the man asked with a kind smile on his lips.
Zen flushed slightly.
Of course not, sir, he said respectfully, gently wresting himself free of his trainer's arms as he faced the log and resumed his kicking.
"Zen," the man said slowly.
Zen stopped and turned to face the muscular man in the gi.
Sir? Zen asked in a mumbling tone.
"Don't call me 'sir'," the man said shortly, turning to leave.
Zen stared. S-sir? he said uncertainly.
"After all, our dojo's policy is to treat our Pokémon brethren as equals. There's no 'Sir' or 'Master' between us. Besides," the Karate dude went on with a faint smile at Zen's stunned expression. "We're all equals in the discipline of combat."
Master, Zen thought with a smile as the man walked away.
-End Flashback-
Enough of this, Zen growled, opening his palm as a sphere the size of a pokéball appeared in his hand, emitting rings of energy.
"What's that attack?" Sapph wondered aloud, asking for info on the orb the Taebrawl had conjured out of thin air.
Aura Sphere, the Pokédex droned. Fighting type technique. Power, ninety; Accuracy, one hundred percent. A Megacite attack that cannot miss.
Eat this! Zen roared, hurling the Aura Sphere at where Sapph and Crimson lay huddled together.
"Waargh! Look out, Crimson!" Sapph yelled, shielding himself with his hands, waiting for the pain that never came…
A cloud of dust rose from the Aura Sphere's point of collision with the tatami that lined the floor outside the ring. Looking up, he saw Crimson lifting his trainer as gently as possible by the scruff of his neck back into the ring.
Setting Sapph on his feet, Crimson fluttered down in front of his opponent and said harshly, What the hell did you think you were doing?
Attacking you, duh, Zen replied with a smirk, readying a second Aura Sphere behind his back. It ain't my fault your idiot of a trainer got in the middle of it…
Sapph… isn't… stupid! Cirmson retorted through tightly clenched teeth.
On the contrary, Zen replied calmly, his cold sneer still in place, humans always want power. Always thirst for victory. Not for others. Never for their Pokémon. No, it's all for their selfish, personal honour. I served my… 'trainer', Zen said the last word almost as though spitting out a mouthful of bile, with loyalty… respect… trust, even… AND FOR WHAT? he roared, pointing at Sapph with his left metallic arm as he said so. To be abandoned? Cast away? Treated like a possession that had served my purpose?
Sapph isn't like that! Crimson yelled. You didn't know him then… you never saw him, in the Gatonda Tournament… you don't know him now! You have no right, no right to throw your prejudiced outlook of humans on Sapph, because Sapph is a human deserving of men and Pokémon's respect!
SHUT UP! Zen roared, hurling the Aura Sphere at an unsuspecting Crimson who took the Megacite 'bullet' to the shoulder Zen had dislocated moments before, causing Crimson to scream in pain and drop on one knee, clutching his shoulder joint.
"Crimson!" Sapph yelled, rushing to examine his Ledian's shoulder under the sour, disapproving glare of the Combatant Pokémon.
What will your trainer do for you after this is over, hunh? Zen bellowed at the kneeling Bug type. Replace you with me? Cart me off to some lab? I know my purpose… my destiny… and it does not involve… he snarled, readying another Aura Sphere. GETTING CAUGHT AND TAMED BY THE LIKES OF YOUR PATHETIC TRAINER!
Sapph… is not… pathetic… Crimson snarled, his eyes flashing red as the desire to rip the Taebrawl apart, limb from limb coursed through his veins like icy cold poison.
Prove it, Zen sneered, his malicious grin lit up by the light emitted from the Aura Sphere. If you can…
"Uh, oh," Sapph said worriedly. "If that hits, we're doomed! Crimson!" he gasped watching Crimson rise to his feet.
Relax, Sapph. I'm not beat yet, Crimson assured his trainer. I've still got a trick or two up my sleeve...
A magician, you ain't! Zen crowed, rushing in.
Crimson clenched his fist, his eyes narrowing behind their blue visors as he watched Zen run towards him.
Really? Take a second guess, my friend, Crimson said softly, tensing up his muscles in preparation to counter.
Half way in, Zen's eyes widened in tandem with Sapph's as Crimson moved so fast he seemed to vanish on the spot.
"WHAT THE-" they thought in unison.
Where'd he go?! Zen asked furiously, his mind flashing back to when the Scyther had nearly decapitated him. The next thing he knew, Crimson's two white left fists found their mark in Zen's midsternum, sending the Combatant Pokémon cart wheeling backwards into the chains. Gasping aloud, Zen's Aura Sphere flew into the ceiling, creating a hole through which the newly risen moon shone through.
Crimson appeared in the circle of light the hole cast on the ring, the stars energy twinkling overhead, making the Five Star Pokémon received a huge burst of strength.
"Crimson... what in the..." Sapph stuttered faintly.
Like my new Mach Punch attack? Crimson asked with a grin.
"When'd you learn Mach Punch?" Sapph asked his Pokémon in wonder.
I suppose I grew a level during the battle. Surprising how often that happens to you, Crimson replied nonchalantly. So, what do you think?
"Yeah," Sapph said with a slight chuckle. "I like it. Feeling better?" He asked.
On top of the world, Sapph. Crimson said with a smile.
"Then let's end this with your specialty... Comet Punch, Thunder Style!" Sapph shouted, pumping his fist for emphasis.
OK! Crimson said flippantly, clenching his fist and allowing the cosmic energy to charge up an electrical field as it turned from silvery grey to golden yellow.
Must... not... can... not lose... Zen croaked, watching the Ledian speed towards him in a zigzag pattern, his fist sparkling an electric yellow, trailing electric sparks as he flew in.
Zen, in a last ditch attempt to guard himself against the strange attack, crossed his arms across his face as the red Bug Pokémon came nearer. Ten feet away, Crimson pushed off into the air like a bullet. Zen's eyes widened fearfully as he saw that Crimson wasn't aiming for his face, but his stomach.
As Crimson fell, he thrust out his attacking arm so that it successfully hit its mark, causing huge, multiple jolts of electricity to erupt from all over his opponent's body from random places, causing rapid reduction in the Taebrawl's health level.
Zen screamed as he was sent flying. Sapph watched his arch upwards as though in slow motion as he automatically reached for an empty pokéball, and threw it.
The pokéball flew forward unobstructed and hit Zen's artificial limb with a loud clinking noise and split open, drawing the weakened Pokémon inwards just as Kamren's had done to Burner earlier.
Once, twice, three times the pokéball rocked, the button in the middle flashing red angrily as Sapph and Crimson watched with anticipation to see if this would mean the end of the battle. After what seemed like a lifetime, the pokéball held still and the light went out simultaneously, signalling a successful capture.
Sapph went onto his knees in shock that he'd beaten Kamren for once, in joy that he had a new teammate, in relief that his battles for the day were over, and in exhaustion, knowing what this capture had to mean to the Taebrawl. Once more, it was in captivity to a human. As Sapph rose to take the newly-filled pokéball and returning Crimson thankfully, he swore never to subject himself and his Pokémon to the pain Zen and his old trainer may have suffered.
***
Haley had just finished feeding her team dinner and returned them to their pokéballs for the night when Sapph and Brian returned wearily to the Pokémon Centre. Haley looked anxiously from Sapph to Brian and saw the former's face was avoiding any of the others trainers waiting to hear word of their dojo.
"So," Arnold said airily, stepping forward arrogantly as he addressed the duo. "Were you any help?"
"You can take the dojo back now," Brian said quickly, cutting Sapph off hurriedly. "The Rumboo are all gone."
"Really? Oh, I knew you two could do it," Arnold's sister said happily. Her face fell as she saw Sapph's face and added anxiously. "There was a boy with reddish blond hair who'd gone in a day of two earlier... did you... you know, find him? Is he OK?"
"Aside from a bruised ego, Kamren should be fine," Sapph spat sardonically.
"Could you heal our Pokémon, please?" Brian asked the local Nurse Joy happily, proffering Eves pokéball to the nurse.
"With pleasure, Brian." The nurse replied cheerfully, taking Eaves, Mongle, Crimson, Litaire, Magnemite and Zen's pokéballs away to treat their contents.
"What's wrong, Sapph? You look rather upset about something," Haley asked sympathetically, peering critically at Sapph as he and Brian plopped onto the couch on either side of her. "You don't look so great..."
"I'm turning in," Sapph said brusquely, rising to his feet stiffly. "Night, Haley. G'night, Brian."
Haley watched Sapph walk rigidly to their room and turning to Brian said, "What happened in there?"
"Not sure," He answered honestly, watching the Black Belts, Karate Kids and Crush Girls file out on their way back to the dojo. "All I know is, something happened to make Sapph really moody. I'd thought at first that Kamren had beaten his towards the cause of the problem, but Kamren had vanished by the time Mongle and I made it to the next room. "
"Wonder what could make him look so serious," Haley said in an aside.
"Who knows," Brian drawled rising to his feet, and yawning as he did so. "Ah well, guess it's time for me t' hit thuh sack. Well, G'night, Miss Haley."
Soon, Nurse Joy returned after Brian had gone to bed. "There's a single room available, Haley. Will you turn in now?" She said warmly, looking at Haley.
"Yes, I suppose so," Haley said tiredly. "We'll have quite a way to go before reaching Dinocanyon City, the next gym town. Good night."
"Good night, Haley," the nurse replied, watching Haley head for the resting quarters. "Sleep tight."
Dedicated to: Serge of Pokemon Revolution Johto.
***
There you have it... Chapter 14. Thought of a nickname scene but that'll have to be next chapter.
To wrap it all up, The Corei-Dex!
Name: Taebrawl
Corei-Dex Number: [196]
Species: Combatant
Pronunciation: tie-BRALL
Element: Psychic/Fighting
Height: 4'01"
Weight: 103 lbs
Name Derivation: TAE kwon do + BRAWL
Evolution line: Taebrawl usually follow this evolutionary line:
Taebrawl-(38)- Jutunkick
Author's/Artist's Note: Taebrawl is one of a kind... it's the only Fakemon in the entire Corei universe which I didn't sketch before describing! Hopefully enough justice has been done.