Chapter Twenty One: Ace on the Airwaves
SAAAPPH! Anuvi screamed, his eyes widening as he watched the explosion fling his closest friend off the runway into the wild blue.
What do we do? What do we do?! Crimson fretted, buzzing around erratically in his newfound panic.
"Ralis, stop Sapphire's fall with Confusion!" Rubin yelled, releasing the little Psychic type into the fray.
The green-haired Pokémon immediately waved her arms in a slow circular pattern, channeling her mystic powers through the two red horns that poked out from under her hair, which glowed neon blue. An aura of identical colour and power enveloped the falling trainer, stopping his descent after a few seconds.
Sapph, realizing that his fall had stopped, ceased screaming and opened one eye cautiously to see how high he was…
…big mistake.
Seeing that he was still over four thousand feet up caused a wave… double check that, a tidal wave of nausea to wash over him. Retching violently, Sapph threw up the little he'd eaten the night before. Watching the regurgitated food fall to earth, all Sapph could mutter was, "Look out below."
OK, what's going on? Sapph wondered, taking in the bluish hue his body had adopted. Looking up he just made out the Ralts, struggling to keep him aloft.
Master Rubin? How many bricks does your brother carry around? Ralis said in a misty, carrying voice, perspiring heavily with the effort of keeping Sapph from dying.
"Just reel him in quickly!" Rubin said swiftly, keeping an eye on his Pokémon's health levels.
Ralis replied with an uncharacteristically manly grunt and began to haul the boy up towards the ship.
Haley! Bubbles squealed, leading her teammates towards their trainer for a large group hug.
"Bubbles! Pixy! All of you, you're OK!" Haley cried, hugging them lovingly yet being cautious around Mace, whose spines were a lot more inconspicuous in his newly evolved form.
'All of you'? Vapor said coldly, who lagged behind the pack. Oh, I so feel the love here…
"Aww… well, ain't y'all a lov'ly picture," Zula crooned nastily, reaching for a pokéball of her own without Rubin or Haley noticing.
Sapph had risen to the level of the catwalk now and said quickly to his brother, "What're you waitin' for, Rubin? Get me outta here!"
Rubin took the moment to have a stab at humour. "Oh, look, Ralis. You've caught a whopper!"
Unfortunately, Sapph was not impressed. "Not…funny, Rubin Manson. Now help me out here!"
Rubin's smile was wiped off his face as he replied coolly. "I already am, aren't I?"
"Rubin Manson, you bloody well know as well as I do what I mean by… LOOK OUT!" Sapph roared, pointing behind his brother and his fatigued Ralts.
"Cacturne, use Pin Missile!" Zula crowed, throwing her pokéball forward as Rubin and Ralts whirled around too late and releasing a strange, humanoid figure. What looked like a pyramidal hat sat on its round, leering head as two yellowing eyes glared wickedly at its prey. Its club-like limbs gave him the impression of a hideous scarecrow. Completing the awful scene were a row of darker green spikes (not unlike Mace's) that ran along its arms and legs, the former of these glowing bright white as innumerable senbon needles rained down upon the unprepared Emotion Pokémon. Each projectile hit, causing the already worn out Ralts to lose consciousness and her psychic grasp on Sapph.
Rubin's eyes widened as he made a wild snatch at his brother's arm, missing by a mile as Sapph's renewed descent caused him to scream, "Rubin, you total aaaaaaarse!"
"SAPPH, NOOO!" Haley screamed, her silver eyes dilated in abject fear as she saw her travel mate fall to earth once again.
Not again! Anuvi yelled fearfully.
Now what do we do? Crimson said, his worrying redoubled.
First of all, we don't panic! Anuvi barked, snapping Crimson out of his shock-induced panic. Ace, you're our fastest flier and an excellent diver! Go after him now!
Your rank doesn't permit you to or… Ace began stiffly, but Anuvi overrode her.
NOW, YOU MILITARY-HAPPY CUCKOO! Anuvi roared, towering over Ace in his fury at the level of her stupid pride she chose to display at such a critical time.
Suddenly felling very small, Ace sweat dropped heavily and said swiftly, Yes, sir!
With a quick salute of her wing, she flew out of the hole in the wall, looped downwards and shot towards the ground like a shot.
What about the rest of us, Anuvi? Lavender asked quickly, stepping up to Zen.
One, I'm over here, Lavender, Anuvi said, a large animé teardrop at his temple. And to answer your question, we're busting these jailbirds, (he indicated Piyo and the rest of his fellow courier Pidgeotto) outta here!
***
Ace dived like never before, her eyes scrunched against the dizzying effect her speed was taking on her yet trying to keep her eyes on the falling, screaming streak of red that was Sapph Manson. Not usually one to leap without looking, Ace suddenly felt Anuvi rather hadn't thought this move out. Sure she was fast, and it was no secret that she excelled at diving (thanks to months of practice back in EverWood Forest with her fellow Litaire) but what she'd do when she caught up with Sapph was an unanswered question. Sapph outweighed her by roughly a hundred pounds and her two and a half foot wingspan wouldn't keep anything bigger that Anuvi airborne without extreme difficulty.
Lieutenant Crimson would have been a much better choice for this mission than me, Ace thought worriedly as her doubts (which she believed had been long since buried away) returned to haunt her. I can't carry General Sapph to safety; there's no way I can. I'm too small, I'm inadequate… I'm… I… she stammered, tears filling her fierce eyes as unbidden memories of her youth returned to her…
-Flashback-
EverWood Forest, seven months ago…
Cadets, ten hup! a husky voice rang out through the gloom of the forest as a large tan bird with russet-gold face and wing plumage flapped onto a branch parallel to that of another tree on which perched twelve identical Litaire in a line, each spaced at wing's length apart from each other. The fourth from the left looked down towards the mossy forest floor and repressed a shudder she longed to shiver. The ground looked a lot higher up than it really was…
Scared, Winds? the Litaire on her left whispered maliciously, his fierce eye catching the look of fear on her face as she stared transfixed at the ground.
Winds ain't scared, Strife! the juvenile Swoop Pokémon on her right snapped back fiercely, glaring at the aggravating Litaire. Winds can fly loops around you any day! Right, Winds?
Tearing her eyes away from the ground she took up the defensive and said, Yeah, Sora. Diving's no prob-
Winds! Strife! Sora! Number! The Mawhoot barked again, snapping the young Litaire out of their whispered arguments.
The threesome looked up quickly and continued the numbering.
When the exercise was complete, the commanding Mawhoot went on. We will now have a diving drill! When I call your number, you will retrieve your target!
Winds looked down again and saw several stuffed Rattata dolls taken from a delivery crate that was due for the nearby town several months ago lying on the ground in a random fashion. She gulped quietly.
I hate diving practice, she thought nervously, eyeing the target dismally. I've never caught a Rattata in my life! If I screw up, I'll never graduate!
FOUR! the Mawhoot roared, jolting Winds out of her panicked thoughts as she flapped unevenly off the branch and shot towards the ground in an ungainly dive. The ground rushed up quickly… almost too quickly for the terrified Litaire to react. Dizziness started to creep up on her as she plummeted to the earth, the purple training dummies swirling and mixing with the green and brown speckled earth, she lost composure and shut her eyes…
SLAM!
Forgetting to flare out of her dive, Winds had corkscrewed straight into the forest floor, her underbelly and short, conical beak scraping dirt as she crashed. Tumbling over and over in pain, she flopped limply as she barrel-rolled across the ground, ending up on her chin and her face in the dirt, her eyes shut tight as Strife and several more of the cadets cackled at her bomb shelling.
Nice landing, Winds, Strife cackled amongst the laughter that had filled the air. Really smooth dive there, you only missed your mark by eight feet!
CADETS, TEN HUP! the Mawhoot roared, causing the cackling the Litaire-in-training to fall silent instantly. Fixing his fierce eye upon the disgraced Winds he added, Winds! My office, t-minus ten minutes!
Fighting back the tears her training refused her, she said in as strong a voice as her embarrassment allowed, Sir, yes sir.
Cadets, DISSSSMISSED!
***
A total liability to the colony.
What a disgrace.
She had so much potential.
Unacceptable.
Winds was in trouble and she knew it. Listening to the voices of her superior officers wafting through the doorway to the conference room made her feel sick. What would be their ruling? What would happen to her? According to their colony legislature, there was only one possible judgment…
A different Mawhoot stuck her head out of the doorway, fixed a sad eye on the diminutive Litaire and said softlyConscript Winds? We're ready now.
Thank you, ma'am, she said softly.
Winds hopped slowly into the doorway to find herself in the center of an enormous circular room with perches hewn from the wooden walls of the great oak's interior all around her on which many Mawhoot roosted. Every violet eye was fixed on her either in unblinking disappointment or unflattering dislike. Heads were put together, muttering unabashedly openly creating a low hum that filled the room like buzzing in a Combee hive.
The largest Mawhoot who sat in a nest high above her and dead ahead of Winds. Not only was he larger than the others, grey streaked his dark brown facial plumage, a violet streak running across his right eye, causing him to regard Winds with a regal squint. Winds knew this injury was sustained during a battle against a flock of invading Spearow and Fearow which he had led the Mawhoot colony against fearfully thirty years ago. Captain Commander Hurris Caine commanded the respect of all members of the colony; from the mightiest Mawhoot to the feeblest Litaire chick, not just for his courage and wisdom but also for his unfailing humility and compassion for every member of the flock.
Just as Winds felt she couldn't take the muttering any longer, he raised his voice and the rabble of voices subsided instantly.
Conscript Winds, he began in an old sounding yet powerful voice. You have been called before the military council of the colony to discuss the consequences of your inability to dive adequately. Despite your commanding officer's reassurance that all your other skills are top-notch, diving is an essential skill required for the members of this colony. For how else can one forage for him or herself if inept at procuring food? After much deliberation, the council has come to a decision…
He paused here and the tension in the room tightened. Winds heart thumped wildly, Here they come, she thought. The words that'll make my verdict final, irrevocable, absolute…
Conscript Winds, Hurris Caine declared. The council has seen fit to banish you from the colony. Forever. That is all.
The Mawhoot got up one by one and left the room, muttering darkly as the y stared openly at her in pure shame, leaving the Litaire alone in the room to let her fate sink in.
Eternal exile, Winds thought helplessly. Not even a dishonourable discharge. I'm a failure, no one could possibly want me here. No one.
-End Flashback-
Oh, nuts, Ace said weakly as the dizziness began to set in. If I don't slow down now, I'll lose consciousness… if I do… As she said the words, flashes of her life with the trainer flashed through her mind… being rescued from the Poochyena… beating Reginald's Murkrow at the Gatonda Tournament… single-handedly wiping out nearly all of Clyff's Pokémon at Dinocanyon City… eating in the Pokémon Center… enjoying the good times with her new company…
…all that I've come to know… will end, she said, her bleary eyesight fixed on Sapph, as the memory of Strife's cackling laugh filled her mind and Sora's voice bombarded her conscience in an accusatory tone.
Can you let it, Winds? Will you?
Can you let it happen, Winds?
Will you let it happen, Winds?
Will you let him?
…Winds…
…Winds…
…Winds…
…Ace…
Ace's eyes dilated as Sapph's voice rang out in her mind. Not as a yell, not admonitory, but calmly, soothingly, like a friend… like he did the first time he had called her by the name… the name that had not only opened a new chapter in her life, but had helped her close the door on the last…
-Flashback-
Nightspark City Pokémon Center, about two weeks ago
W-where am I? the Litaire cawed feebly, waking from what she had expected to be her death to a rather stiff feeling in her chest and wing region. Raising her head, she looked down to see her wing in a stiff sling, bandages crossing over her chest region, leaving her feeling only a little constricted in said region.
"Hey, you're up!" A bright, male voice said cheerfully, sounding like it belonged to a human just entering adolescence.
Turning a fierce violet eye towards the source of the voice, she saw a familiar figure who at the same time was a total stranger to her. She had been secretly following the boy for a few days now, ever since he'd rescued her from the thugs back in EverWood Forest. The boy was however, none the wiser to her movements, and she preferred to keep it that way.
Hey, ranger! Were you lost or somethin'? another (unnervingly identical) voice called out from somewhere behind the boy. She would have mistaken it for the boy's except the new speaker's voice sounded slightly more keyed… and was uttered in Pokéspeak.
The second speaker popped its green head over the top of the boy's shoulder and grinned down at the injured Flying type from ear to stuck-up ear. A large curved leaf curled from his rump towards the middle of his head, stopping short a few inches from the back of his head.
"Oh, guess we should introduce ourselves," Sapph went on, his smile unfaltering as a small, black kitten looked up curiously from a neighbouring bed, setting the Litaire on edge. "I'm Sapph, this is Mongle. She's Mogshex, over there on the bed there, and there's Magnemite, still out of it."
Cyclops was asking for it, Mogshex said coldly, without the faintest trace of remorse.
Man, Mogsie, Mongle said softly, staring at the unconscious Steel type. Do you know the meaning of mercy?
Nope, Mogshex replied flippantly. Care to show me? she added, flashing her black claws at the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon.
The Mongle sweat dropped as he said quickly, Uh, no thanks. I'll so pass.
What a weird group, Ace thought. At least the Ledyba seemed tame… come to think of it, she added, glancing around and noticing its absence, Where is the insect?
"Oh, yeah… Ledyba isn't here either," Sapph answered her unanswered question, rubbing the back of his head.
Still getting his makeover, Mongle added to the Litaire. Always thought he had a side of metro to him… he added with a shudder.
Litaire sweat dropped.
"Well, I suppose this is the part where you get a nickname and all, but I'm not too good at thinking them up yet… oh well, guess we'll get to that later. Get some rest, Litaire. You'll need your strength for the tourney on Saturday. Mogshex, no beating up on Magnemite, we'll need him too. Don't try eating Litaire either."
Hey, why am I the one getting the lecture here? Mogshex protested.
"Cuz you're the one who needs them the most," Sapph said, stifling a yawn.
'Not too good at thinking them up yet'? Sapph, you stink with a capital S at nicknames, Mongle said seriously as the made their way to the door.
"Shut up, Mongle," Sapph yawned, sliding the door closed with a hiss.
-End Flashback-
I shan't let Sapph die, I can't let Sapph die, Ace muttered, screwing her eyes against the dizziness, a warmth spreading through her body as she picked up speed.
The warmth exploded throughout her body with a bright flash of white light as she screamed I WON'T LET SAPPH DIE!
Her wings stretched further than ever into the blue sky as her body grew larger, her tail feathers forming a foot long plumage. Her feet elongated and thinned, her talons becoming stouter at the tip. Last to grow was her head, which ripped the leather flying helmet to shreds, allowing her head plumage to revert to its messy form characteristic of her new species. With a more highly-keyed, determined screech, Ace shot for Sapph like a cruise missile, catching the flailing trainer under her ten and three quarter foot wingspan and leveling out from the dive with barely two inches of air space between her belly and the ground and zero reduction in velocity, rocketed along the street.
"Ace! Is that you?" Sapph gasped as he gripped her head plumage tightly to keep from flying off.
Sir, yes sir! Ace replied, her golden yellow eye looking back at Sapph, her smile inconspicuous behind her unmoving bronze coloured beak, yet vibrantly obvious in her exuberant voice.
"Uh, Ace?" Sapph said slowly as they sped along, savouring the victory of Ace's new evolution.
Sir, yes sir? Ace asked, still ecstatic about going to the next level.
"I know you're happy about evolving and all, but… LOOK OUT!" Sapph screamed, pointing at the Pokémon Center which stood right in their path and didn't look like moving much.
What the…?! Ace gasped, careening sharply to the right, narrowly avoiding the building and streaking instead towards the Pokémon Mart.
"Ace! Go up, Go up!" Sapph bellowed, yanking on the back of her head to make her ascend.
But, sir… I'll be helpless in the air without my goggles… I have vertigo! Ace yelled in a panic.
"You have wha… LOOK OUT!" Sapph screamed. Ace complied by barrel-rolling sharply to the left, missing the building by spare inches.
Vertigo, sir. Extreme dizziness when at extreme heights, Ace replied succinctly, flaring out to a halt to avoid colliding into any more buildings.
"Wait a sec," Sapph said, shaking his head as though to dull the shock. "Basically you get dizzy at great heights?"
Especially when diving, sir, Ace said softly.
"E-especially when… what?!" Sapph stammered, his voice faltering. "But you can dive perfectly! Even when performing the Cyclone! How the hell do you pull that stuff off?!"
Instinct and experience, sir, Ace replied, blushing slightly at the (hysterical) compliments Sapph showered her with. There was a time I couldn't hunt because of my condition. I was exiled from my colony for being a liability. Then a young girl with pink hair gave me the goggles and they helped control the vertigo.
"Girl with pink hair, hunh? Ace, were you from the EverWood Forest?" Sapph thought, an idea coming to mind.
Y-yes, sir! Ace said, surprised at how accurate his guess was. But, how?
"Later," Sapph said, returning to the topic at hand. "So the goggles helped, cut down the vertigo. They couldn't cure it, though."
Yes, sir, Ace replied, somewhat worn out from telling the truth. In time, I had to learn to sense my targets another way. Flying types have poor smell, but the winds are ours to rule. Air currents running through my feathers are enough to locate my prey. Eventually, hearing became a vital asset as well.
"Wow, Ace. Just plain wow," Sapph said in wonder. "Just one question."
Sir?
"Why didn't you say anything? All this time?"
I apologise, sir. I-I was afraid you'd abandon me too, Ace said softly.
"Ace…" Sapph said, unsure how to tackle this tactfully. Watching Ace turn away to hide tell-tale tears, Sapph exhaled, walked forward and wrapped his arms around the Swoop Pokémon's neck.
Ace's eyes snapped open as Sapph hugged her, unsure how to react. She'd never been hugged in her life, not even by her mother. She'd been born and bred to be militaristic; such sentimentality had never been spared on her.
"I'll never abandon or desert any of my Pokémon," Sapph said softly, his fingers griping Ace's plumage more tightly. "Ever. No matter what may be wrong with them. You're all special and I'm honoured to be your trainer."
Ace couldn't take it anymore. Tears leaking freely from her eyes, she laid a great wing on his shoulder and said tearfully, Thank you, thank you, Sapph Manson.
"There," Sapph said with a grin. "Not so hard to say my name, is it?"
Wiping her eyes on her sleeve, she then asked, Now what do we do, General Manson?
"And we're back at square one," Sapph sighed. "Well, we've gotta help Anuvi and the others, Haley and Rubin included," he said, mounting Ace again.
But, sir. What about… Ace began, but Sapph overrode her.
"That's an order, Sergeant," Sapph said with a smirk. Smiling, he added, "Don't worry. I'll be your eyes until we can get you a new set of goggles."
Ace nodded, once, then reared up and rocketed up into the sky.
Back in the sky, she turned to Sapph and said, Which way, General Sapph?
Getting there, grasshopper, Sapph thought with a smile. Aloud, he said, "Give it another three thousand feet straight up and wheel about seventy degrees to the right!"
Sir! Yes, sir! Ace yelled, pouring on the speed and shooting straight up like a cork from a bottle. Three thousand feet (or eight seconds) later, they found themselves facing the monstrous airship on which pandemonium reigned.
***
In the experimentation room, Anuvi, Crimson, Silver, Zen and Lavender were busy breaking every cage they could get their paws, hands and magnets on.
That's the last of them! Crimson yelled, breaking another three cages with Comet Punch.
Great! Anuvi yelled. Silver! How many casualties?!
Hit point sensors detect around forty seven percent of all captives in mild comatose states, Silver droned, examining the unconscious Pidgey.
Erm… OK! Piyo, we need your Pidgeotto cohort to carry as many Pidgey to safety! Anuvi called.
I'm on it, Seňor! Piyo yelled back.
Cool! Everybody who can't fly, hitch a ride on a free Pidgeotto! Crimson, you take Zen! Piyo, Haley and Rubin need a lift too… think you can manage them?
Piyo smiled respectfully as he replied, But of course, Seňor!
OK, guys! Anuvi cried, helping Lavender onto a free Pidgeotto and telling her to hold on tight before leaping lightly onto the back of another one. Let's fly!
Atlas chose this moment to walk in to check on the experiment that was meant to be under way.
"Smithers, Langlie… status repor- what the devil?!" he gasped as he say their guinea pigs take flight and swoop over head towards the hole in the ship which Mace had made.
Feeling crazy, Anuvi decided to leave the befuddled Team Shadow captain a parting gift. Whispering in his Pidgeotto's ear, he yelled, Company, DIS-CHARGE!
Soon the air was full of white pellets as Julius Atlas was pelted by a thousand rounds of fresh Pidgeotto guano – bird poop for those of you without a clue.
"AAARGH!" Atlas screamed as he was smothered from head to toe with the smelling semi-solid fluids.
Laughing like a lunatic, Anuvi yelled, Later, noob!
Out on the catwalk, the scene was a whole lot more serious. Rubin had returned Ralis and had summoned a six foot tall firebrand warrior to handle the situation. Blistering flames raged from its wrists as it delivered punch after fiery punch towards the now-snarling Zula's third Pokémon, a floundering Roserade. The Blaze Pokémon had made short work of the captain's Cacturne and Exeggcutor, the only thing that kept Roserade in the game was her smaller size and amazing agility. Haley and Bubbles were handling Vulca's Arcanine and Rapidash pretty well, the rage at Sapph's 'murder' fuelling their attacks, making the Legendary and Fire Horse Pokémon's Flamethrowers look puny in comparison.
A horde of Flying Pokémon burst through the rip in the Javelin's side, Anuvi's voice yelling, Bubbles! Haley! It's time to go!
Like, in a minute, Anuvi, Bubbles snarled, her Water Gun growing in volume as it began to overpower the Arcanine and Rapidash's attacks.
We have no time, Seňors and Seňoritas, Piyo said, landing behind them as the battles rages on. We must leave now!
"What? Why?!" Rubin asked in surprise, his focus still on the battle ahead.
For this airship will soon be sunk, Piyo said softly. Help has arrived.
***
So, how do we sink that thing, General Sapph? Ace queried, facing the oncoming behemoth.
"I'll think of some-" Sapph began before a voice called out, "Need a hand?"
Sapph's head turned quickly to see a young, muscular man also riding a Mawhoot swoop out of the sky and come to a halt about fifteen feet away from Sapph and Ace. His brown muscle shirt showed off a lot of it and a golden Pidgeot feather adorned the zigzag patterned headband he had wrapped around his forehead.
"Who're you?" Sapph asked cautiously (you really couldn't blame him...)
"Ricon Wingams, Chinooka City Gym Leader. Who are you, and what the heck is that thing?" The man reciprocated, regarding Sapph with curious brown eyes.
"Sapph Manson, Cherrygrove Town, Johto," Sapph replied. "That's Team Shadow's airship, the Javelin, I think it's called."
"I see… so you're Sapph Manson," Ricon mused.
"You know me?" Sapph asked, taken aback.
"Of course," Ricon replied. "You don't win the Gatonda Tournament without becoming locally famous, you know."
"Oh," was all Sapph could come up with.
"Love to catch up and all, but we've got an airship to crash," Ricon said amicably.
"But my Pokémon, friends and brother are still on that thing!" Sapph protested.
"I wouldn't be so sure, Sapph. Take a look," Ricon said, pointing at the airship.
Sapph followed his finger and saw a stream of Flying Pokémon flying clear of the airship. The largest one had two humans on its back, one of which Sapph seemed to barely make out, had long, reddish-blonde hair. Sapph smirked. Now Team Shadow are gonna get it… Sapph thought grimly.
"Leave this to us, Sapph! Mawhoot, use Hyper Beam!" Ricon called, pointing at the airship.
His Swoop Pokémon complied, readying a large ball of Megacite energy towards the ever-approaching Javelin. When it reached maximum size, Mawhoot released a beam of raw power and energy that streaked five hundred yards, lanced through the aerial fortress and continued another two hundred feet before dissipating.
Sapph and Ace's mouths formed perfect O's in astonishment as explosions began to erupt from the interior of the airship causing the ship to lose altitude, a violent volley of explosions erupting from the smoking, defeated airship as it fell to earth.
"Holy Celebi," Sapph gasped, shocked at the sheer power of the beam.
"Right. Now that that's settled," Ricon said, watching the airship sink right into the midst of a sea of police cars. "We've got to check on the city. Let's go, Mawhoot!"
Ricon's aerial steed wheeled around and began to speed towards the ground.
Did you see that shot? Now that's power!
"Great, Ace. I'll have to think of a way to handle it before the battle. C'mon, Ace. Let's go help!" Sapph said.
Yes, sir! Ace said, following at a safe speed.
***
Back on the ground, Sapph returned Ace to her pokéball and ran towards the one building where he thought Haley and his team would be: the Pokémon Center. Bursting through the sliding doors he saw a group of about ten Team Shadow grunts hog-tied in the corner and Ricon standing by a small girl who didn't look more than ten, his arm around a pretty, petite woman with pink hair in a nurse's outfit. A small group of people surrounded them, a couple of which Sapph recognized.
"Hey, Haley! Rubin!" Sapph called, waving as he made to walk towards them.
He never made it…
Before he'd covered half the distance, Haley had knocked Sapph off his feet, hugging Sapph so hard he felt his head was about to come off.
Loud wails of joy resounded from the Coreian researcher, frightening Sapph. Haley had never been this emotional before.
"SAPPH! YOU'RE ALIVE! I THOUGHT- WE THOUGHT… WE'D N-NE-NEVER SEE YOU AGAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIN!!!!" She bawled, as she continued suffocating Sapph.
All Sapph could do was pat her head awkwardly, muttering "It's OK, Haley. I'm OK," with what little air was left in his lungs.
Real smooth, Romeo. Hey, give him air, Haley, A happy voice sounded from their heels.
Looking down, Sapph saw that all his Pokémon had sidled over, watching the affecting scene with mixed reactions.
Breaking free of Haley, Sapph proceeded to somehow sweep them all up into a great hug.
"Guys! You're OK!" Sapph yelled joyfully, squeezing them tightly.
Ugh, too much mush, kid! Put me down! Zen snarled, his head banging with Silver's in Sapph's bear hug.
"So, Sapph," Ricon said, calling the boy trainer over. Sapph let go and walked up to the Gym leader, who towered four inches above Sapph. "I suppose you're only in town for a gym battle, hunh?"
Not sure if that was a question or reprimand, Sapph replied meekly, "Uh, yes sir."
Laughing heartily, Ricon said, "Relax, Sapph. It was only a question! How's tomorrow sound?"
"T-tomorrow?" Sapph said, unsure he'd heard right.
"That's right. You and me, three on three, tomorrow at nine a.m. that OK with you?" Ricon replied succinctly.
Before Sapph could reply, the little girl piped up. "You're Sapphire Manson? Winner of the fifty-eighth Gatonda Tournament?!"
Feeling that the second question was easier to answer immediately, he said, "Yeah. Oh, and that's Sapph," he added as an afterthought.
"Wicked!" Sky yelled jubilantly. "You're one cracking trainer from what the news reports said. Let's go!" she said loudly, grabbing Sapph's arm and frog marching him towards the door.
"Cool it, Sky. A trainer can only fight one battle at a time. Sapph and his Pokémon must be exhausted after their ordeal, and yours certainly are."
"Aw, come on, Anii! Just a one-on-one?" Sky pleaded, turning on her cuteness factor.
"Sorry, kiddo. I know you're eager, but a trainer must master patience," Ricon replied. "After all, ten straight battles against Team Shadow would wipe out any Pokémon…"
"Anii," Sky said, beginning to pout. "Those guys were total Tentacool! Not even a challenge for Duo, Leafy and Riza!"
"They still took a toll on your team," Ricon replied patiently. "Relax. After Sapph battles me, he might stay around to battle you."
Now running at full scowl, Sky grudgingly let go of Sapph and said, "Fine."
"Thank you, Oh-nu-o. Well, Sapph?" Ricon asked again.
"Sure, be honoured to… would you excuse me?" Sapph said brusquely, turning to run out of the center having noticed one person was missing from the proceedings.
Rubin… Sapph thought glumly.
***
Tony Parito watched the police scour the remains of the grounded airship that had crash landed just outside the settlement of Chinooka City.
These people were lucky we were informed by the Appleburn City gym leader, Tony thought as he regarded the Team Shadow operatives and scientists that were being rounded up. Who knows what they'd have done to the city if we and their gym leader weren't on hand to control the situation…
Raising his voice to a commanding level, he shouted, "Round them all up… let none of them escape! I want a stat report on the architecture of the airship, inside out and top to bottom!"
"Keeping busy, Captain Parito?" A cool, familiar voice rang out from behind one of the larger boulders that Tony had leaned against to take a quick swig of water.
That voice! Tony thought; his eyes glued to the rock behind which his assailant from Green Hill was obviously standing. Playing it as cool as possible, he answered, "Back again?"
"Now, that wasn't very friendly!" The voice chided him softly. "There's no need to get hasty… you really should buff up your Pokémon first. I thought you'd have learnt by know that Haunter wasn't enough to watch your back…"
Genghis! Tony thought worriedly. "What do you want, whoever you are?"
"There's no need to be antsy," the voice replied in a childishly taunting way. "Didn't you hear me when I said I just beat your Haunter up? True, I can't kill it… it being a Ghost Pokémon and all, but I certainly can… what's the phrase? Oh, yes… break his spirit."
Tony had no retort as the disembodied voice spoke again, "Play your cards right and I just might be able to assist you in more ways than one…"
Help me? Oh, he's helping me alright… to get a coronary! Tony thought wildly. In a steady voice he picked up the conversation by using the information the mystery man had revealed during the course of the discussion.
"From your greeting, you seem to know about what I do. What have you got that my sources couldn't get?"
"Information," the disembodied voice said baldly. Tony's eyebrows contracted slightly, this guy had to be joking. The voice didn't wait for him to voice his disbelief but went on nonchalantly. "Seems Team Shadow have much grander plans than the Javelin… this was only a test run… a kindergartner's project in comparison to what they have in store for Sage City…"
"Sage City?" Tony interjected suddenly. "The capital city of the Corei region?"
"Judiciary," the voice corrected him.
Tony's voice had lowered so much in volume, it was barely more than a whisper when he spoke again. "How do you know about all this? Are you a defecter?"
The voice laughed a mirthless laugh as it declared in unflattering disbelief, "Is that what you call them now? Nah, but the guy who handed this dossier over to me is… don't bother finding him, he's long gone by now."
Dossier? The cogs in Tony's mind spun fast; if there was inside information on Team Shadow, it could prove vital to his organization's investigations. "What're your terms?"
Though not facing the rock, Tony almost heard the smile that had crept up his contact's face as he spoke in a satisfied voice "You give me all your information on Team Shadow… and I'll give you all of mine."
Risky trade, Tony thought anxiously. How do I know I can trust him? Aloud, he said, "What will you use the info for?"
After a moment's silence in which the unknown member of the conversation was deliberating answering the question, he said shortly, "I need to find a man. You need not know anything more of the matter."
"Is he a Shadow? Are you after revenge?" Tony asked swiftly.
"I dunno… and no. Hopefully your information will provide enough pieces to make the puzzle easier to solve," the mystery man replied frankly.
"OK, that's enough chit-chat. Now where's Genghis? And who are you?" Tony demanded.
"Relax, he's safe," the other man replied calmly. Then deciding to completely ignore the second question, he asked one of his own: "Do you have a copy of your information here?"
"If my superiors knew I was leaking information…"
"Do you?" The shady character interrupted.
After a moment's pause, Tony said, "Yes."
"Good," the man said calmly. "Place it on a rock in front of you and walk around the boulder to pick up a copy of mine, my contact info and Genghis' pokéball… with Genghis inside, of course," he added with a slight, eerie laugh.
"OK, but no funny stuff," Tony warned him, pulling a file out of his jacket.
"'No funny stuff'? Very amusing, Captain Parito… have I not been totally direct with you?"
Not really, Tony thought grimly as he placed the file on the rock in front of him. He then began to walk around the boulder, as footfalls on the other side of the rock suggested the mystery party was imitating his actions. After a full one-eighty, he saw a similar envelope, a calling card and a blue and yellow pokéball waiting on a rock, waiting for him. Rushing forward, he snatched up the pokéball, which glowed white momentarily, surprising him. Reaching for the calling card next, he studied the name and number on the card.
The Red Phantom? What the hell… Tony thought to himself, noting the number on the card was a Coreian PokéNav number. Before he could wonder much more about his mysterious 'ally', the voice spoke again from the other side of the rock.
"Whoops!"
"What?!" Tony yelled, definitely on edge now.
"It seems I left one of my own pokéballs on that rock instead!"
Tony nearly had a conniption.
"What was that?!" He yelled in fury.
"Easy, Captain. Genghis is still with me. I'll tell you what… take the file and card and leave the pokéball. I'll leave Genghis' pokéball here. No tricks this time. I swear."
Tony swore mentally as he dropped the blue and yellow pokéball and ran back around the rock to find a familiar red and white capture device. Grabbing it, the stupidity of his actions caught up with him.
Swearing aloud, Tony ran back, hoping to catch his Pokémon's assailant, but meeting nothing but rocks.
"Damn it all!" Tony yelled in anger. Staring down at the pokéball in his hand, he released its contents, which spilled onto a rock, releasing a purple creature with red, evil eyes and a wider than life grin. It stood on two feet before it slumped over in a…
Wait a second, Tony thought, his eyes widening as he took in Genghis' new form. No way… so all that was for Genghis to…
Hey, Ef-eh, Genghis the Gengar said groggily as he came round. How's tricks?
Before Tony could reply, a loud female voice called over to him. "Captain Parito? All grunts and scientists have been apprehended."
Getting back to business, Tony called back, "Any Captains?"
The officer replied, "No, sir."
"Damn it," Tony swore again. "Good work, officer. Let's take 'em in. My men will handle the rest."
With a smart salute, the blue-aired Officer Jenny said, "Sir!" before turning to go.
Slumping against the boulder, Tony rubbed his temple and told Genghis wearily, "We so need a vacation."
***
Back at the Chinooka City Pokémon Centre, Haley was just handing her Pokémon over to the Pokémon matron Blissey, when a voice piped up, "So! What's it like, dating twins?"
Haley started and stared around for the source of the voice and found Sky standing before her, a large grin on her face. The Chinooka City yokel now wore a red sweater and a knee-length denim skirt. Only her headband, complete with feather remained intact.
"S-sorry?" Haley stammered, not oblivious to the fact that she was blushing.
"So, which do you like better? The hottie in the bandanna or the regular guy in the anorak?" Sky asked again, her voice full of childish curiosity.
"N-neither one! Sapph's like the plague, if it weren't for our parents, we wouldn't be travelling together!" Haley spluttered, beleaguering Sapph getting some of her old swing back.
"So you like Bandanna Boy," Sky mused softly, smirking as she winked. "Good choice!"
Haley decided to go on the offensive now and directed a question back, "Just who are you anyways?"
"Well, wotcha know! I'm Sky Wingams, future Gym Leader of the Chinooka City Gym!" Sky proclaimed proudly.
"What the… future gym leader?" Haley stammered. "Is Ricon that old?"
At this, Sky flared up. "Oi, watch it, jardo! He's only twenty four!"
Haley was stumped. "'Jardo'? What's that mean?"
"I'd rather not say," Sky said slyly. "Anii doesn't really like me using it much."
Anii? Jardo?! Can't this girl speak plain English? Haley thought frustrated.
"Moving on," Haley said. "How on earth will you replace a twenty four year old gym leader?"
The look Sky gave Haley only sought to agitate the latter much more.
"Off-season battle," Sky answered shortly. "Crikey, don'tcha know nothin' about the League rules?"
Feeling stupid by now, Haley replied sulkily," I'm not competing… but why are you so determined to replace Ricon?"
Sky looked away as her voice lowered an octave and said," Because… he deserves it."
Haley was shocked. "What? How?!"
Obviously feeling that this discussion had lost its fizz, Sky turned to leave. At the doorway, however, she stopped to say, "He deserves… to be free."
Without another word she walked out on Haley, who was left to ponder the complexity of her words.
'Free'? What do you mean, Sky?
Outside, Sky saw a familiar figure walking up the chilly High Street towards the Pokémon Centre, laden down with shopping bags, his messy dark brown hair blowing about in the late evening wind.
"Sapph! Wotcher, mate!" Sky said cheerfully, trotting up to meet him. "Where ya been?"
"Had to send a message and do some shopping," Sapph replied in an equally cheerful voice. "You?"
"Just chatting with your travel mate," Sky said nonchalantly.
"Oh," Sapph said, intrigued. "What about?"
"Girl's stuff."
"Crap."
Sky giggled.
"Say, Sapph… you got a girlfriend?" Sky asked baldly.
Sapph did a double-take at Sky's question. Faking a huge sneezing fit, he asked her "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Sky said innocently, somehow missing Sapph's pink face, writing it off as caused by the cold. "G'night, Sapph."
"Uh, yeah. G'night, Sky," Sapph replied as normally as possible.
At the door to the Pokémon Centre, he met Nurse Joy, a light blue cardigan pulled over her nurse's outfit and a large woven wool blanket folded up in her arms.
"Good evening, Sapph. You're out late," Nurse Joy said kindly.
"Not really," Sapph replied nonchalantly. "You going somewhere?"
"Erm, yes. I was going to go look for Ricon," Nurse Joy said, blushing faintly.
"Oh," Sapph thought, noticing this and deciding to display much more tact than Sky could as he made to walk into the Pokémon Centre.
Clearing his throat as he looked away, giving the nurse time to cool her face off, he said, "Ricon must be a great guy, he's… erm, really lucky."
"So are you, from what my fourth cousin three times twice removed says," Nurse Joy replied. Noticing Sapph's lost expression, she clarified, "The Nurse Joy in EverWood City."
Now it was Sapph's turn to turn scarlet.
"Don't worry," Nurse Joy smiled as she turned to go. A few feet away, she turned back and winked at Sapph, saying, "It'll be our little secret."
"Uh, yeah. OK," Sapph said, severely wrong-footed. "Wait a second... what?!"
***
The Chinooka City Gym was an open-air field with several twenty foot poles dotting the battle field. Each was painted with a similar native pattern. The regulation gym arena demarcations were marked out, making it one of the largest gyms in Corei. A set of bleachers ran the length of the field (around fifty feet) and rose to a height of nearly thirty feet. Seated alone on the topmost row was Ricon, staring up at the darkening heavens, his mind lost in thought.
A pleasant voice interrupted his train of thought, "There you are, handsome. You'll catch your death of cold out here."
Ricon's brown eyes softened as he saw the petite Nurse Joy offer him the blanket she'd brought along.
"Thanks. I was just…" he began.
"Meditating?" Nurse Joy guessed wryly.
Ricon shook his head, smiling as he draped his large shoulders with the blanket, "No, just thinking. It's good to be home."
Nurse Joy smiled back. "It's good to have you home. We've all missed you."
"Thanks," Ricon said again. Looking mischievous, he added, "Want to sit with me?"
Nurse Joy replied flirtatiously, "Why else would I bring a blanket for two?"
Chuckling, Ricon scooted over slightly and opened the fold in the blanket, allowing the nurse to sit down next to him.
As Ricon let the blanket drape around the pink-haired lady, she said softly, "You do too much."
"Sorry?"
"You have too much responsibility," Nurse Joy went on. "You're the town doctor, Gym Leader, City representative on the National Judiciary and Administrative Councils, the City Mayor, Sky's guardian… and Corei's greatest boyfriend."
"Hmm," Ricon said distractedly as Nurse Joy scooted closer to his side."The last two titles may have to be revoked." He paused to look Nurse Joy in the eye as he went on, "I'm not home enough to be a good role model for Sky… I'm just grateful she's so strong. And that she has you."
Nurse Joy's eyes filled with love as she replied, "You do know that you're still the world's greatest boyfriend though, right?"
Acting nonplussed, Ricon answered, "I thought I was Corei's greatest?"
Nurse Joy smiled as she pressed closer to the gym leader and said, "Consider yourself promoted, Champ."
The two laughed as Nurse Joy leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
Drawing back, she brushed a strand of flyaway pink hair from her face and studying Ricon's with her emerald green eyes, said, "You seem eager to battle Sapph Manson tomorrow, hunh?"
Ricon was taken aback as he replied, "Am I that transparent?"
"Pretty much."
Ricon exhaled heavily as he said, "Yeah, I am. I feel bad, though."
"How come?" Nurse Joy asked, astonishment in her eyes.
Ricon smiled sadly as he replied, "I come home… to you, no less," he added, making Nurse Joy blush. "And Sky, and a stupid battle's all I can focus on."
"Ricon?" Nurse Joy said in a suddenly serious voice.
"Yes?"
"Shut up," she said with a giggle, kissing him again a little deeper.
"Yes, ma'am."
Nurse Joy sighed and went on, "Ricon, Sky and I love you with all our hearts regardless which role you choose to play out at a particular time. We also understand your determination to keep all your obligations to the city as faithfully as a man can. That's what we- what I- admire the most about you; your faithfulness, humility, courage and commitment."
"What did I ever do to deserve someone as devoted as you?" Ricon asked in wonder.
"Easy one," Nurse Joy replied. "Just be yourself."
Tears began to well up in his eyes as his girlfriend had spoken. "After all that, I'm still confused… How can you love me so much when I'm hardly ever around to return it all?"
Nurse Joy smiled as she replied, pressing her petite frame into Ricon's broad-shouldered, Spartan physique, "No one would."
Kissing Ricon again, they pulled each other closer, each savouring the other's companionship.
Coming up for air, Ricon asked playfully, "What would I do without you?"
Giggling once again, Nurse Joy replied, "Die?"
Ricon smiled as he drew Nurse Joy closer still to reciprocate the kiss. "Hmm… maybe."
"Mey ashtu t'il, Ricon," Nurse Joy whispered softly in Dunedé as they pulled apart.
"Mey atzil ashtu t'il, Joy," Ricon replied softly.
***
Back in the Pokémon Centre, Sapph's Pokémon (who had the run of the whole ward - Haley's team were in the ward next door) were busy catching up on what had happened during Ace's rescue of Sapph, and (now that she'd told Sapph) the secret of her vertigo.
Never would have believed it, Crimson said in awe.
I hear you… who'da thunk Ace had vertigo, Anuvi agreed.
Agreed, Silver chipped in.
Listen, guys… It's no big deal. I can still dive just fine, Ace reassured her teammates.
That you can, Ace, that you can. Sweet flying helmet, though. With the Silk Scarf, you look very World War I, Anuvi said with an appreciative whistle. Oh, and I mean that as a compliment!
Ace's new flying helmet, complete with goggles (which Sapph had bought her earlier that day) hid her blush as she replied heartily, Thank you very much, Lieutenant Anuvi.
A blind bird… have you ever seen anything so pathetic? Zen scoffed.
Lavender flared up at once. Stuff it, Zen! There's nothing wrong with her!
Lavender, I'm Crimson, Crimson said in a very small voice.
Zen laughed coldly and said, C'mon… she gets all dizzy when diving, and she's an Arceus-damned Flying type Pokémon! 'The Swoop Pokémon'? Yeah, right! More like the Freak Flying Pokémon!
Lavender turned beet red as she yelled, Shut up, Zen! There's nothing wrong with being different!
Realising why Lavender was so upset, Anuvi said softly, Lavender, it's OK, relax. Zen, that's enough!
Yeah, Zen… have you ever heard of tact? Crimson asked sternly.
Plus you're not really one to talk, Metallo! Anuvi chipped in, staring down the Fighting type coolly.
Zen flipped at this statement. Grabbing his bedpan with his prosthetic left arm, he made to throw it, yelling, What did you call me? Unfortunately, the bed pan wasn't empty and Zen's arm jammed in mid-throw, leaving the bedpan suspended directly over his head, it's contents sloshing all over his bed. Grrr…. Damn it!
A full-scale free-for-all would have broken out at that instant before Ace stepped in. in a loud voice, she barked out, COMPANY… TEN HUP!
Dead silence reigned in the room as ace surveyed them in surprise.
Well, it did work! She exclaimed in wonder.
Very funny, Ace, Anuvi replied in a dead-pan sort of voice.
Was it? Ace asked hopefully.
Uh… no, Ace. See, that's sarcasm I just used, Anuvi said sarcastically.
Best get used to it now, Crimson added. He uses it a lot.
Oh.
Lavender giggled and then said to Zen, Say, Anuvi…
Half-amused by the old joke, Anuvi said, Over here, Lav…
'Lav'? Oh, that's rich… Anuvi's got a girlfriend,Zen said in his familiar sneering voice.
Oh, right, Lavender said, facing Anuvi and blushing faintly. Remember when we were back on the airship?
Sorry? Anuvi asked, unsure as to where she was going with this discussion.
Y'know, the Evolution Pokémon said eagerly. In the ventilation shafts? Alone?
Feeling uncomfortable, Crimson inquired, Is this meant to be a private conversation, Anuvi?
Not looking at him, Anuvi replied, Not especially, Bug Head… yeah, I remember. And?
Oh, get a room! Zen scoffed.
Ignoring Zen's latest remark, Lavender continued, When… it happened, why did you scream?
Lemme get this straight, Zen said in mock disbelief. You were alone in the ventilation system with a somewhat cute girl Pokémon and you scream?! Wuss…
Hormone level readings indicate heavy indecency in dialogue, Silver droned, his magnets twirling.
Zen? Shut. Up. Silver? Ha, ha, buddy… but no, Anuvi said tonelessly. Turning back to Lavender and oblivious to the fact that Zen, Crimson and Ace were on the edge of their beds, hanging on his every word, he said, Well, I guess it's because you reminded me of my…
Mother?Crimson guessed.
Girlfriend? Lover? Zen offered.
Zen! Ace squawked indignantly.
You're right, Acey, Zen said airily. Anuvi ain't got that kinda stuff in him…
Anuvi's patience was running this with his mouthy teammate. Last warning, Zen…
Or what? Zen said in a challenging voice.
Apparently, Lavender had lost all her patience with Zen as well and chose to answer the challenge by speaking in a voice hushed to deadly calm, I'll get really ticked off at you and I will use Shadow Ball to blow your prehistoric mind back to the Jurassic period. That's what!
Zen, suddenly feeling cowed said meekly, Shutting up…
Thank you, Lavender said calmly. Well?
Crimson chose to offer some friendly advice to Anuvi, Answer wisely, buddy. We don't need you all crispy. Remember Flareon?
The Eevee giggled and said, Don't be silly, you know I can't turn into Flareon with Pixy in the next room! Nor would I, she added shyly. You were saying, Anii?
'Anii'? Now I'm confused, Crimson said.
Increasing employment of pet names suggest highly accentuated intimacy, Silver droned in a piping voice.
Not really understanding what you are saying, Silver, Anuvi said slowly.
Can everyone please shut up Anii can answer! Lavender yelled in a voice that made everyone (except Silver) quail.
Very scared now, Anuvi said Uh, Lav? I was talking…
Looking surprised, the Eevee replied, Oops! Sorry, Anii. Please, carry on… I reminded you of your…
Staring out of the window at the end of the ward, by which his bed stood, he said in a faraway sort of voice, Of my sister, Fawna.
SISTER! The others cried out in unison (Silver remained stoically unfazed).
Ace and Crimson nearly fell out of their beds in expression of their shock at the manner of the Mongle's answer, especially the latter; he never thought the Mongle remembered his family much. His was far too large to keep track of anyway (Their last family reunion seemed more like what Anuvi would call 'an international Bug Scout jamboree').
Zen let out a noise of dissidence from his nose and said, Hmph. Knew he didn't have the stuff…
Lavender shot him one of those 'If looks could kill' looks which petrified the Combatant Pokémon.
Shutting up… he said hastily.
The misty-eyed Leaf Squirrel went on in a subdued voice, My Annu-o… older sister to you guys, Fawna? She was the best. Pretty, smart, stronger than any male she came across in our colony, she became pretty much the female many a suitor would fear. Laughing softly as he allowed his reminisce to carry him away for a minute, he came back to earth as he continued his sister's story.
Her tomboy nature made her bossy and over-protective, especially after… anyways, he went on, wiping his eyes surreptitiously. She'd always say stuff like what you told me then whenever I was feeling down, Lav… heck, you even sounded like her…
Ooh, too bad, Lover Girl, Zen teased Lavender in sardonically.
Without a word, Ace swung a large wing and blasted Zen with a powerful Gust attack, sending the Fighting type into the wall, wrapped up in his beddings.
Shutting… up… Zen croaked dizzily.
Where's she now? Lavender asked in a hushed voice.
Only Anuvi's silence brought about the realization of how insensitive a question she'd just asked.
OH! I'm so sorry, Anii! If you don't want to… she began before Anuvi overrode her.
It's OK, Lav, Anuvi said calmly. Exhaling deeply to calm himself, he said She was captured to keep me free. Laughing bitterly as the rest looked on in shock, he went on, Bloody idiot… it didn't really work, did it? I got captured by Professor Yew a few days later, though I guess I don't really have it so bad. I only hope she has it good too…
Mentally, he added, It's all I wish for every night.
Hearing Anuvi's little speech made Crimson wonder if their friendship was as solid as he'd initially thought when they were the only members of the team. True, they argued lots of times back then, but always had their backs. Even when the sniping went as afar as their families, they never discussed them and as the team grew, the projected that courtesy of privacy to the others. Now that this information had come to light, Crimson wondered if it was a mark of insensitivity, seeing how much of his past his best friend still kept in his mind, hidden behind the idiocy, jokes and happy-go-lucky exterior the others came to know and (recently) regard as a liability.
Anii… Lavender whispered miserably as Sapph walked in, laden with a tray piled high with food.
"Hey, guys," Sapph said cheerfully, his smile sliding off his face as the gloomy atmosphere stole over him. Perking up, he went on, "Nurse Blissey's checking in on Haley's team and as Haley's making a video phone call to the professor to post a progress report, I'm on dinner detail. So let's see… got you guys your favourites! Caramel squares for Lavender, Wild Honey pudding for Crimson, toasted wheat pita sandwiches with fizzy Oran berry juice for Zen, premium brown barley bran for Ace, super unleaded for Silver, and last, but definitely not least, for Anuvi: cinnamon cakes!"
They all stared at their bowls, feeling inexpressible gratitude for their trainer. Whatever his faults may be, Sapph certainly knew how to lift his team's spirits.
Thanks, Sapph! They said in unison.
Zen and Anuvi had remained silent, for totally different reasons.
How did he know? I never told him my favourite food… no one's given me this since… Zen thought in wonder, before Sapph derailed his train of thought.
"Hey, Zen… you OK? You seem awful quiet," Sapph asked concernedly.
Oh, uh… it's nothin', kid. Thanks, Zen mumbled, avoiding all the other's shocked stares.
Sapph smiled a small smile before noticing Anuvi wasn't eating.
Walking over to his starter's bed and sitting down on the edge, he asked, "What's wrong, Anuvi? Not enough cinnamon?"
Why'd you say that? Crimson asked swiftly, his mouth full of food. You didn't make this, did you?
"Uh, yeah… I did. Apart from Silver and Lavender's food, I made all the rest myself."
Zen, Crimson and Ace's jaws dropped to the floor.
No way, Zen gasped in his head.
Im-impossible, Ace thought incredulously.
This isn't even half-bad!? Crimson thought in stunned shock.
"Practice makes perfect," Sapph said cheerfully. "Or close enough," he added, sweat dropping as he watched Ace pick a fork out of her bran.
Sapph? I need to talk to you… in private, Anuvi said suddenly.
Taken aback, the Johton trainer looked down to see an uncharacteristically troubled expression on his Grass type's face. Deciding to hear him out, he said "Uh… OK, buddy. I'll see you all bright and early tomorrow. We have a training session before the match… all of us!"
OK! Ace, Zen and Crimson cheered.
Lavender looked troubled as well as she watched Anuvi hop off his bed and follow his trainer out of the room.
Anii, she thought dejectedly.
Anuvi? You OK? Crimson asked worriedly as Anuvi passed his bed.
Yeah, the Grass type said softly. Grinning, he added Watch my cakes, will you, Bug Head?
Crimson smirked. OK.
Anii?
Yeah? Anuvi asked, turning to look into Lavender's vacantly dull eyes.
I meant what I said… all of it… on the airship, I mean… she stammered, wondering if her words were coming out right.
Anuvi smiled and said I know… thanks.
With that he left the room after Sapph.
What did you tell him? Zen asked brusquely.
None of your business, Lavender replied shortly.
Silver suddenly looked angry. Sparks flying from his magnets, the Magnemite shouted Taking offense at 'Metallo' remark… taking offense at 'Metallo' remark! There is nothing wrong with being metallic! I repeat: nothing wroooooonnnnng!
All the others face-faulted as one at Silver's outburst.
Silver, my friend, Crimson thought sadly, shaking his head. If you were running any slower, I swear you'd be going backwards. Suddenly remembering another piece of dialogue that had baffled him, he turned to Lavender and asked Say, Lavender? When did you learn Shadow Ball?
Looking up from her caramel squares and grinning wickedly, she confessed, I never did… I was bluffing.
***
In Sapph's room, Sapph flopped onto his bed as Anuvi sprang into the chair at the study desk.
"So, what's up, Anuvi?" Sapph asked his Pokémon.
I have a favour to ask, Anuvi said stiffly.
Sapph's blue eyes widened in considerable surprise. "That bluntly? No Anuvi wisecrack?" he teased.
Sapph, I'm serious, Anuvi said with a pained expression on his face.
And the world comes to an end, Sapph thought in mock horror. Calmly, he asked "Oh, right. Well, what is it?"
You're battling the gym leader tomorrow, right? The Mongle asked.
"Yeah… and…?" Sapph said, unsure where Anuvi was taking this.
I want you to put me in the lineup.
This statement made Sapph sit bolt upright in his bed. "Come again?" Sapph said, bewilderment written all over his face as he searched Anuvi's for a trace of tell-tale sarcasm.
I want to battle the gym leader's Pokémon, Anuvi replied firmly, his face set and determined.
"Whoa, whoa!" Sapph said frantically, instantly trying to dissuade his friend. "He uses Flying type Pokémon! He'll mop the field with you!"
Sapph… I don't care if he uses Arceus-damned Fire types! I want to battle the guy! Think for a moment: how many badges have we won together? Anuvi stormed, breathing heavily.
This part of Anuvi's tirade made Sapph frown slightly. "That's easy… two. But… oh…" Sapph said slowly, the full import of the Leaf Squirrel's question hitting him like a ton of stampeding Donphan.
And what makes you think I'll let you or the team down? Anuvi went on huffily.
"Nothing, but…"
You can't shelter me from every danger, Sapph. I have to prove I can handle anything…
"Anuvi, I…" Sapph began but Anuvi overrode him again.
…anything we face. I have to prove it… to you… to the team… to myself.
Sapph was left speechless.
Anuvi went on quietly, Please, Sapph. Let me battle tomorrow. After Dinocanyon, I can't keep being a liability to the team… the only one who can't fight to win any more… I know it sounds crazy, he went on, causing to Sapph to open and close his mouth like a Magikarp out of water. But in the Entover and Nightspark Gyms, I was battling for fun. For kicks. After we lost at Dinocanyon…
"That wasn't your fault, buddy," Sapph said quietly.
I felt I had to step up my game… playing to win is what gives the team its greatest thrill… makes the victory all the more sweeter… anyone who can't… if I don't… how can I be a leader if I'm not taken seriously.
After Anuvi's speech, Sapph looked out of the window at the rising moon and said, "Anuvi? You're wrong."
Affronted at the idea of having his worst fears made a mockery of, Anuvi said, About what?
"The whole liability thing," Sapph said with a wan smile. "The battles we won, they were thanks to you… without you, Anuvi, I'd have been out of the running long ago… but you stuck by me… you and Crimson… Zen and Ace… Silver and Lavender… even Mogshex and Grandpa," Sapph smiled at the last two names, fond memories filling his mind. "No matter how mismatched the team was, you were always the putty that kept it together. You still are, so don't forget it."
I feel inferior to them, though, Sapph, Anuvi confessed. Ace and Crimson have both evolved… Lavender can evolve any time she wants, sort of… and Zen can pummel anything to dust. Even Silver can take almost any hit and laugh about it… if he could laugh, he added as an afterthought. I'm just fed up with being the baby of the group.
After a moment's silence in which Sapph took all Anuvi's frustrations in, he said quietly, "You really want to do this, hunh?"
Anuvi nodded silently.
Exhaling heavily, Sapph said, "Guess I have no choice. OK, you're in."
Anuvi's ears perked up so high, they seemed to grow a couple of inches.
REALLY?! He shouted.
"Yeah," Sapph said, smiling a weary smile. "After Dinocanyon, you deserve an opportunity to cut loose. Go crazy tomorrow… figuratively speaking, of course," he added hastily.
Words failed Anuvi. In his familiar, hyped tone he said, Yeah, yeah, I know. Reaching over to the bed, he nuzzled Sapph's neck and added, Thanks, buddy.
Turning to leave, Anuvi said, G'night, Sapph.
"G'night," Sapph replied, burrowing deeper into his bed.
At the door, Anuvi paused. Sapph? he said cautiously.
"Yeah, Anuvi?"
What happened to your customary 'Good Luck'?
Smiling, Sapph propped himself on his elbow and replied, "You don't need it, Anuvi. I know you won't let us down."
Anuvi smiled warmly as his stomach rumbled. Thanks. He then turned to run back to his dinner.
Sapph smiled and reached for the lamp switch when a knock on the door stopped him.
"C'min," Sapph called, resuming his propped up position on the bed.
The door opened and there stood Haley.
"Hey, Sapph!" Haley said flippantly, a grin on her face that wasn't really hers.
"Uh, hey," Sapph replied awkwardly.
The two stared at each other for a while, the girl trainer getting hot in the face.
"Yeah…" Sapph said slowly.
"Well…" Haley seemed to agree.
"GOOD NIGHT!" Both said in unison; Haley slamming the door shut behind her and Sapph rolling over quickly.
Girls, Sapph thought furiously, his mind messed up enough with figuring a plan for tomorrow's match.
Haley, Haley thought, leaning heavily against Sapph's door, blushing furiously.
Their next thoughts rang out in perfect unison:
What the hell is wrong with them?!
What the hell is wrong with you?!
"Damn it, Sky," Haley muttered as she tottered towards her room. "Stop screwing with my head!"
***
Time for an English-to-Dunedé moment:
About Dunedé: A local dialect of the Western and Northeastern island areas of Corei, Dunedé is spoken by the natives who settled in the desert regions of southwest Corei and was adopted by the settlers from Albara who arrived in the early twelfth century. Dunedé is a language derived from modern Hindu, Japanese and the most far-spread recesses of Air Dragon's gibberish vocabulary. In present-day Corei, the language is a prerequisite course at the prestigious White Tower University in snowy, Northwestern Corei.
Several Dunedé phrases were used in this chapter. We'll now take a look at them and translate them for your understanding:
Anii (ar-KNEE) – Big brother (Respectful title)
Annu-o (ARN-new-OH) – Big sister (Respectful title)
Anuvi (Ar-NEW-vee) – Young forest
Jardo (gyer-DU) – Erm, How do I say this… jack ass turd.
Mey ashtu t'il (Mai ashtoo teal) – I love you.
Mey atzil ashtu t'il (Mai ah-ZEEL ashtoo teal) – I love you too. (Duh!)
Oh-nu-o (OH-new-OH) – Little Sister
***
Next... Next... i feel fired up to pull off some more additions to the Corei-Dex!
084 Pyrika
Type: Fire
Species: Thermal
Pronunciation: pie-REE-kuh
Height: 2'02"
Weight: 38kg
Habitat: Rough-terrain
Evolution Line: PYRIKA –(14)- MARHOT –(36)- LAGOMA
Name Derivation: PYRo (Latin for fire/heat) + pIKA
Notes: Pyrika start every day by cautiously sticking its sparkling tail out of its burrow to sartle foes before leaving its nest.
106 Conburn
Type: Fire
Species: Fire Conch
Pronunciation: con-BURN
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 783kgs
Habitat: Cave
Evolution Line: LARVLE-(23)-INCINCHA-(Fire Stone)-CONBURN
Name Derivation: CONch + BURN
Notes: In battle, Conburn release heat into the earth to create mini-eruptions. It makes its homes in the heart of volcanoes.
174 Xeritherm
Type: Fire
Species: Scorch
Pronunciation: zeh-ree-therm
Height: 5'00"
Weight: 170lbs
Habitat: Mountain
Evolution Line: Does not evolve
Name Derivation: XERIc (meaning dry) + THERM (derived from pre/suffix meaning heat)
Notes: Xeritherm's uses its dry scratchy tongue in conjunction with its inflammable saliva to create its flaming tongue.