Chapter Thirty Seven: Jungle Gym
"OK, we all know why we're here, so let's get to it!" Nicola announced, brandishing a pair of referee flags as she stepped up to the side line opposite Haley. The teenager had pulled her chestnut hair back into a bun and donned a green and white hakama identical to her grandfather's. "This'll be a four on four with no time limit! Are both trainers prepared?"
"I believe I'm ready for some fun," Herbert said with a smile.
"Ready," Sapph replied tersely, his mind fixed on following the strategy he'd rehearsed a hundred times since he'd left the Safari Zone. Yet some concerns still clouded his otherwise determined mental poise.
For a gym leader, Herbert sure is lax, Sapph thought worriedly. He's the first one to actually come out and tell me his speciality! What could have been on his mind?
"Then," Nicola said with a flourish of her flags. "GO!"
"I'll take point, shall I, Sapph?" Herbert called out; enlarging a pokéball and cocking it back in one fluid motion. "Come on out... Jumpluff!"
Out of the pokéball and into the warm air came a flash of light which materialized into what looked like a giant clump of dandelions. It was hard for Sapph to tell if the majority of its body was the bulbous blue central part of its body, which was dotted with two sparkling red eyes and a smiley mouth or the three balls of feather-light spores that adorned the tips of its three slender appendages. It rose a few feet as it released a cheery, piping cry and hovered gently back to earth.
Sapph smirked at his opponent's choice of Pokémon.
This match is in the bag.
"Time to win, Arcana!" Sapph called, tossing an identical red and white sphere into the air. This pokéball also broke open around its grey 'equator', releasing a tiger-size hound which when the light died down revealed a reddish orange pelt splashed with broad black stripes.
Arcana looked up and stretched her stout yet lithe limbs as she shook her golden yellow, shaggy mane which fell elegantly into the firebrand's face, masking one violet eye and adding a touch of feminism to her intimidating demeanour.
'sup, home dawg? Arcana greeted cheerfully, the bright sunlight filling her with more power than she'd felt in a long time.
"Looks like you slept well," Sapph commented with a grin. "We got a lot riding on this match, so I..."
"Need a one hundred and twenty percent victory," right? Arcana completed, with a teasing imitation of her trainer, No problem.
Long golden fur sprouted from its ankles and formed its bushy tail as she stared down her Grass type opponent which began to tremble under his opponent's fierce glare.
"Don't worry so much, Jumpluff," Herbert said calmly. "Just do your best, OK?"
But it's so scary, the Jumpluff squeaked tremulously. Scary!
I'm sorry... what?! Arcana said indignantly. 'It'? Are you kiddin' me? Why I oughta...
"It's just her Intimidate," Herbert reassured his Pokémon. "It'll be OK in a minute..."
"Nope," Sapph corrected his opponent smugly. "In a minute, your Jumpluff'll be toast. Arcana, Flamethrower!"
One living briquette, coming right up! Arcana growled as she puffed up her chest, her eyes flashed golden yellow for a split moment. The next a large stream of bluish white flames erupted from her fanged maw and shot towards the terrified Jumpluff like a comet.
"Jumpluff! Jump up and ride the currents!" Herbert replied without the slightest bit of worry in his voice at all.
Following orders, the Jumpluff used its stubby feet to waddle away as fast as it could whilst the fiery attack raced closer. With a hop and a skip, Jumpluff pressed the balls of his feet into the ground and sprang up with the prowess of a high jumper and cleared the fire without difficulty.
"After it, Arcana!" Sapph ordered through clenched teeth. "Give it another one!"
Arcana, also scowling, released a second stream of fire right at the squirming Jumpluff who saw it coming and began kicking frantically, its stubby feet working furiously almost as though struggling to run straight up in the air.
As the flames neared his Pokémon, the wizened gym leader looked up, his face aglow with the bluish white light of the flames and (for some reason Sapph couldn't figure out) amusement.
A second after he saw this inexplicable emotion in his opponent's face, Arcana's cry brought Sapph's attention back to a more pressing (and even more incredible) turn of events. It would have been amazing if it weren't so impossible: Jumpluff had somehow managed to climb higher and was currently rising above the second pillar of flame, completely unscathed.
Wow! I'm so up high! The Jumpluff said in its squeaky voice. High!
"That's unreal," Sapph muttered in a faraway voice. "But- but, how?"
"You should have paid more attention in science class, Sapph," Herbert said calmly. "What's the difference between hot air and cold air?"
Like, what's he talking about, Haley? Bubbles asked as her trainer and her Subbug team mate let out gasps of understanding.
"That's it!" Haley cried out. "Hot air rises! That's how Jumpluff was able to clear the second Flamethrower so effortlessly!"
Still don't follow, Pyrrhus said laconically.
It's like this, Ento explained. Flying Pokémon basically use pockets of warm air called 'thermals' to rise when they're gliding. Fearow are well-known for it. Also the hotter the thermal, the higher you rise. Basically, all Arcana did was increase the air's temperature, giving Jumpluff one great big thermal to rise higher that she would have been a second before!
"Well, Sapph," Herbert said briskly. "Ready to try something new?"
Sapph's look of shock at how much thought his opponent put into every move turned slowly into a smirk which widened as he said, "As you like it, Herbert Sr. It would have been way too easy otherwise!"
"Finally!" A loud, impatient, and markedly female voice said loudly. "Utopia Island, here we are!"
"Great," a boy replied arrogantly. "Now we can do without your insufferable whining and 'Are we there yet?'!"
"Can it, Paul!" the first voice said angrily.
"Will you guys cool it?" a second female voice said sternly. "We're here to have some fun after all, aren't we?"
"Yeah, because a boat ride with Little Miss Sunshine is so much fun," the boy's voice said again as he stepped off the gangplank, his spiky auburn hair played with by the brisk ocean breeze.
"Yeah, well, you're no ray of sunshine yourself, Paul Johnson!" the first girl to speak piped up crossly, her bright red jumper which was usually zipped up tight was now worn loosely over a tight white vee neck shirt , her hands buried deep in the pockets of her navy blue shorts. "Why don't you just get lost and stay lost?"
"Whatever," Paul said acidly, stalking off, his black shirt rippling in the wind as he hoisted his knapsack over his shoulder one-handed, his other hand tucked in his baggy purple trousers pocket.
"I can't stand that kid, Jo!" the girl said to the third trainer who had stepped off the boat with the squabbling duo, her long purple hair whipping around her face as she turned away from seeing the boy's retreating back forcefully. "Honestly, why did we ever come with him in the first place?"
Sighing heavily, Josephine Harris scratched the back of her red-haired head and said calmly, "We didn't, Rachel. Remember?" she said in a reminding tone. "You did. I just met you two on the boat." Josephine may have been Rachel Savina's best friend, but the hot-headed, somewhat bratty girl had a way of pushing her tolerance limits. Placing one hand on her hip as her red miniskirt flapped in the breeze, she turned to Rachel and said, "I'm frankly surprised you haven't killed each other yet after travelling together for a while."
"You and me both," Rachel muttered darkly. "He's so stuck-up! Do you know how annoying it is to deal with someone that arrogant and pushy?"
"I can imagine," Josephine said drily, throwing her friend an askance look with her startling hazel eyes that the latter had clearly missed.
"Oh, well," Rachel sighed heavily, turning to look at Josephine gratefully. "At least I have you to talk to. Being on holiday with Paul around sounds about as much fun as hugging a Cacturne!"
So is listening to you gripe, Josephine thought with a mental rolling of the eyes. Glancing at a large, marked-out portion of the beach where a group of Pokémon seemed to be battling with a large odd-looking ball, Josephine looked to her friend and said, "I wonder what they're doing."
"Well, then," Rachel said excitedly. "Let's go see!"
And leaving Josephine to dispense with her heavy climbing boots, Rachel dashed across the blazing sands to see if she could get in on the fun at the Poké-Volley court.
Same old Rachel, Josephine said with a smile as she watched her friend ask all those around what was going on with an air of feverish excitement. Impatient as ever...
"Man, for a Grass type, that thing sure is flexible!" Sapph groaned as the battle wore on. Many of the trees, although whole, had portions of their barks blackened by the onslaught of Flamethrowers that had rocketed around the stadium.
Ya knaemean? Arcana grimaced as she skidded into a sharp U-turn, after another charging Flame Wheel met with nothing. Jumpluff wasn't so tough once we figured using Extreme Speed would give us an edge, but this is impossible!
"Ha, ha, ha! This is so much fun, isn't it, Sapph?" Herbert Sr. bellowed with a laugh. "Bet you didn't know Grass types could be so tough to beat, did you?"
I know how tough Grass types are, thank you very much! Sapph snapped in his head, his expression akin to one brushing away an irksome Duskito. But this guy's making sport of us too easily! How is he doing it?!
"Sunflora, let 'im have it! Solarbeam!" Herbert said with a sudden show of determination.
Dis won't end well, Mace said conversationally as Herbert Sr.'s second Pokémon, a large living sunflower with a bloated stalk for a body and broad leaves for arms after dancing away from Arcana's line of attack straightened up again, its smiley face aglow with solar energy.
"With the sun as bright as it is now, that attack won't take long to prepare!" Haley gasped to herself. Raising her voice to a shout, she called to the boy trainer, "Sapph! Get Arcana out of there!"
"Wha?" Sapph said distracted by his travel mate's yell to miss the next two seconds of the battle, during which time Sunflora fired an unbelievably large beam of power from its perpetually happy face striking Arcana square in the jaw. Sunflora supple 'neck' snapped back with the force of the recoil as Arcana went spinning backwards landing flat on her back, smoking black patches adding to the Fire type's stripes of the same hue.
The Legendary Pokémon seemed to shake off the attack rather quickly as she rolled back to her feet the moment she hit the dirt a ball of blue and white flames formed in her mouth, ready for a retaliatory strike. Without an order, the Arcanine shot out another Flamethrower straight for the Sun Pokémon's head.
Without missing a beat, the Sunflora leaned backwards until the back of its head touched the grassy field and calmly watched the lethal fire attack streak past until it ran out of juice and rose once more, resuming its unpredictable weaving stance almost as if drunk.
Aw, man! Now that ain't right! Arcana coughed staring in disbelief at how the Grass type effortless avoided yet another attack.
"It moves too erratically for Sapph and Arcana to get a direct hit on it," Haley guessed thoughtfully, "but if that's the case..."
"...one attack's all we need to win!" Sapph completed, clenching his fist. "Right, Herbert Sr.?"
"Aha! Nice deduction, Sapph!" Herbert laughed. "But you're going to need either pinpoint precision or Sunflora to hold still long enough to land that hit! Can you do it with such a large Pokémon or such widespread attacks? Here's a little something to help you think... Solarbeam again, Sunflora!"
Not this time, man! Arcana growled as Sunflora fired a second rapid blast of solar energy. Crouching low, Arcana pushed off the ground and high into the air clearing the attack's pathway. Landing heavily on all fours, Arcana's limbs began to tremble violently. Looking down, she scowled mentally, thinking, Tch... Jumpluff's Stun Spore is starting to take effect... great!
"You OK, Arcana?" Sapph called out nervously.
Feel like a million smackers, Arcana said with a mere trace of sarcasm. I always tremble with the onset of possible paralysis when I feel happy.
"Great," Sapph said with a sigh. "Now's not really the time to get an attitude, Arcana."
"Razor Leaf!" Herbert Sr. called out.
"Crap!" Sapph yelled. "Arcana, get moving! Extreme Speed!"
Aaargh! Arcana screamed with the extra exertion her muscles needed to flash out of sight as an unpredictable strafe of sharp leaves blew through the meadow.
Gotta strike back now! Sapph thought desperately, a feeling that found its way into his throat as he ordered, "Arcana, keep it up and use Flame Wheel!"
And as Arcana built up heat for yet another flaming tackle, something miraculous happened. Arcana's body became more than a barrelling mass of flames as she charged an unsuspecting Sunflora but her body became consumed with a power greater than fire; it was as though she had become heat itself.
The Legendary Pokémon had never felt as light or as powerful as she did in those few milliseconds in which the forty feet between herself and the Sunflora became four inches. It was almost as if she had unlocked a side of herself she knew was within her all along but needed a push to manifest itself, almost like the day she had evolved.
Arcana felt her paws hit the ground as time began to slow down for the battling Pokémon in the split second before Arcana made contact with the clueless Sunflower Pokémon. And in that infinitesimal yet smallest period of time, the Sunflora became conscious of Arcana's presence, but as it turned to face the speeding Arcanine, knew there was no escape possible, yet never did its smile fade as the mass of energy seemed to shoot straight through it, filling its every nerve with the sensation similar to being on fire.
When Arcana reappeared before Sapph, the boy trainer wasn't alone in shielding his eyes from the otherworldly being she had become. Light seemed to radiate from her body which still retained its regular form yet seemed to be more than just flesh, fur and blood. All the markings of her body had vanished, her whole being now a glowing golden yellow highlighted with burning red, the two hues blurring and blending where they met.
"What... what's going on?!" Nicola gasped, her flags slipping out of her slackened hands.
It's not Flare Blitz, Pyrrhus said as Ento nodded. The energy output was far greater. And there were no sparks, no flames, nothing!
"If it's not Flare Blitz," Haley said slowly, her grey eyes as wide as dinner plates. "What in Arceus' name was it?"
Whatever it was, Vapor said coolly, trying his best to maintain an unimpressed poise. It was really cool.
Like, totally, Bubbles said in a faraway voice. Am I glad I'm not Herbert Sr. right now...
"Arcana," Sapph said uncertainly as the strange apparition drew closer. "Are you OK?"
The light began to diminish and Arcana reappeared before them all as she replied, Dunno, homey. My head still feels light and the Stun Spore ain't helping. All I know was that one second I'm fine; the next, I feel like I don't have a body anymore, but I still did. If you ask me, I think it's the combination of Flame Wheel and Extreme Speed.
"We'll ask Zen later, then," Sapph said weakly, stunned with happiness. "I guess we gotta give your newest technique a name," Sapph closed his eyes meditatively as Herbert pulled out his Sunflora's pokéball and returned it calmly, his eyes shrewd. "How's 'Speed of Heat'?"
Sweet, Arcana said calmly, almost dizzily.
"Can you go on a third round?"
No worries.
"Well, aren't you full of surprises, young man?" Herbert said cheerfully, bringing Sapph and Arcana's attention back to the old trainer, who had a new pokéball enlarged and ready in his hand. "We're ready to begin anytime you are!"
"Bring it!" Sapph replied confidently as Arcana nodded and got back into a battle-ready stance.
"OK, I hope this battle's been as fun for you as it it's been for me! Go, Pentabloom!" Herbert called to Sapph as he threw his third pokéball up high. The ball broke open and white light spilt once more onto the field revealing a familiar form as it took shape.
Slender green limbs sprouted from its ovoid body, and its translucent wings fluttered gently as it floated back to earth, her crown of petals a pure white as her rounded face had a look of serene calm about itself.
Well, that's gonna dredge up some bad memories, Mace chuckled. Didn't ya get the snot smacked outta ya by a Pentabloom, Pyrrhus?
The Ninetales didn't respond but kept his eyes locked on the Forest Fairy Pokémon and the corners of his mouth drawn into a snarl.
Pyrrhus? Ento said quizzically, not sure he wanted to say anything that might upset his teammate further. Are you OK?
An ominous cracking sound and a crumpling sound caused Vapor and Bubbles to whip around and see their trainer huddled on the ground, her hands clawing at her chest and throat, her camcorder totally ignored.
HALEY! Bubbles screamed, catching the redhead before she collapsed. Placing a cerulean paw to her trainers head, she recoiled in shock, and cried out, Like, Sapph! Haley's totally burning up!
"Wha-? HALEY!" Sapph yelled running towards them with a hurried shout of, "Pause the match!" to Nicola and Herbert, who needed no second telling as they rushed over to her side as quickly as possible, the Pentabloom on their heels.
"It hurts," Haley croaked in a pained voice. "It... it burns. Wa...ter..."
Vapor yelled, Haley! Hang in there, girl! Looking to Bubbles, he gasped, This is so... not... cool, Bubbles! This is the total height of uncool! Whadda we do?
I don't know! Bubbles snapped back, her increasing worry making her voice edgier.
"What's happening? Sapph?" Nicola demanded of the boy trainer who had taken one look at the Water type expert and a startlingly vivid recollection hit him.
-Flashback-
Time, a few centuries after the beginning of Time; Location unknown
"The Mages soon commanded vast armies of Pokémon that bore a resonance to their element. However, a frightening effect was observed amongst Mages that attempted to control elements other than their specialty."
"To cut a grisly matter short," Hiyori went on. "The women suffered often lethal illnesses when the vagabond Pokémon went berserk with fury, envy or hate. The men reflected the Pokémon's emotions, leading them to kill their fellow clansmen, beginning with those who had dared to help bring forth and father the Elemens."
"So that's…that's…" Sapph rambled helplessly.
"What's happening to Haley? Yes," Hiyori answered succinctly. "Her non-Water type must be feeling particularly vengeful emotions right now, and they affected its master."
-End Flashback-
Oh, no… Sapph said in his mind worriedly. Pyrrhus! Aloud he ordered Haley's Pokémon, Bubbles, Vapor, get Haley out of here! Blitzkrieg, knock Pyrrhus out cold!
What?! All of Haley's Pokémon minus the vengeful firebrand yelped.
"DO IT!" Sapph bellowed, "Or I swear to Celebi, I'll do it myself!"
You've flipped, cobber, Mace whispered in shock as Pyrrhus' hackles began to rise. Stony, cold crackers, you have…
"Will you stop arguing with me and…" Sapph began before Blitzkrieg, who'd been staring vacantly into space, raised one webbed hand and hammered down hard on the Fire type's head, blurting out, Bad Pixy!
Everybody sweat dropped as the Ninetales slumped instantly, out cold and Haley's breathing began to relax. Breathing a sigh of relief, Sapph said, "Thanks, Blitzie."
I'm toast, Blitzkrieg replied modestly.
The Electric Frog Pokémon's teammates who were conscious all sweat dropped again as Haley stirred and said, "Sapph? What happened?"
"Just a little relapse," Sapph said airily, yet not quite meeting her inquiring grey irises, lest he broke down and confessed the truth about her 'ailment'. "You'll be fine if you get some rest and make sure Pyrrhus gets some as well…"
Yeah! Blitzkrieg exclaimed in a serious voice. Doggy was a bad doggy!
"You know," Herbert said calmly, "we could postpone the match till Haley's totally recovered from her condition…"
"No," Haley said firmly, surprising all present. "I'm staying to see this match to the end."
Picking up her video camera, she shot Sapph a determined glare that the Johton local knew the meaning of too well: it would be a waste of everybody's time to argue.
Nodding, Sapph turned to the venerable trainer and said, "I'm ready to go, only in you are!"
"Excellent!" Herbert said with a laugh. "Nicola? Everyone involved? Back to positions then!"
And within three minutes, the Pentabloom and Arcanine squared off again, ready to get back to business.
"Both sides ready?" Nicola called out, her flags in the air once more. Both man and boy trainers nodded, a smile on the former's lips and sweat pouring down the latter's face. Dropping her flags sharply, the brunette yelled, "Begin!"
Pentabloom can use a wide variety of attacks, Sapph thought quickly as he studied the Forest Fairy Pokémon, vividly remembering the pounding Pyrrhus had received at the hands of one earlier on in his journey. And its Dragon type and healing attacks make small attacks useless… unless I was a status afflicting type battler, which I'm not…
Sapph's thinking too hard, Herbert thought with a chuckle. I wonder if he met Dwayne at White Cliffs…
I have to end this in one shot! "Arcana! Use Speed of…" Sapph began only to be cut off by his adversary.
"Pentabloom, Mega Punch!"
The Pentabloom's flower glowed red momentarily and shot forwards with speed Flora, Nora's Pentabloom, could not have hoped to match back when they travelled to Olde Teake together, its dainty fist aglow with Megacite power.
Arcana was either too tired or too shocked at the change in speed to retaliate. Or maybe it was the Stun Spore fully locking her limbs. Sapph didn't know or care. One second too late for the firebrand to evade or pre-empt the Pentabloom's charge, Pentabloom met Megacite fist with Arcanine jaw and Arcanine jaw did crap. Arcana was blown back by the force of the blow, a trail of crimson fluid trailing from her slackened mouth. A second unpre-empted Mega Punch caught Arcana in the side of her head, creating a burst of brilliant white light to explode before her eyes, the second blow forcing her back on her feet roughly, her legs very much like Ditto as she teetered drunkenly, finally passing out.
"Arcanine is unable to battle," Nicola announced in a formal tone. "Pentabloom wins!"
Sapph was struck dumb with the shock the situation had wrought. Arcana had been felled, and Pentabloom had made it look so easy. Sapph struggled to accept the reality that had happened. He had been so certain Arcana would sweep the floor with any Grass type Herbert could use, but had fallen after two longwinded, hard-fought-and-won battles.
"You're taking this battle too seriously," Herbert said genially. "Why not relax into its pace and have a good time?"
"Again with the whole 'pace' crap," Sapph growled with his eyes clenched shut. "When will the world get it? I can't afford to lose! Not again! Get 'em, Ace!" He yelled, throwing down his second pokéball and returning Arcana all in one deft motion. Ace burst out of her pokéball and swooped into the air before with a comical THUNK hit the glass rooftop of the green house and flared out of the fall dizzily but with enough time and room to flap hard, staring down the Gym's Pokémon.
Interesting, Ace said calmly. Very interesting...
"Ace," Sapph said firmly. "Focus. We still have to beat the Pokémon after this one, so let's end this one quickly!"
Sir! Yes, sir! Ace announced determinedly.
Herbert exhaled exasperatedly and said, "Well, let's go, Pentabloom."
And with a musical cry, the Forest Fairy Pokémon shot towards the new opponent, fists ablaze with light.
A lone Squirrage stood in the middle of the Safari Zone's jungle vegetation, his eyes closed as the humid air made his green fur puff up. Raising his forepaws to his chest level, his face was consumed by a look that told of a great exertion of effort as a ball of neon green light began to form at his fingertips.
You know tensing up like that's only going to get you hurt, a know-it-all voice sounded off to his right, breaking his focus.
Anuvi looked up, annoyed to see Zen the Jutunkick strolling from around a large tree towards him, a wide grin plastered across his slate grey face.
What are you doing here? the Grass type said sourly, turning back to his previous task of making his fingers glow in the dark.
Looking for you, Zen said flippantly, leaning against the tree and looking totally at ease. Making sure you didn't do anything stupid. Oh, and for Arceus' sake, relax! he added as the Squirrage let out a frustrated yell as the ball of light flickered and died yet again.
How many times must I say this? He blurted out angrily. I DO NOT NEED A BABYSITTER!
Temper, Zen tutted him with a smirk. And as far as I know, this is the first time you're telling me...
Anuvi swore at his team mate and resolutely turned his back on him.
Language, Tough Guy, Zen said dangerously. I know losing your only family hurts, but that's no way to act. Everybody's worried about you... well, nearly everybody, Zen amended thoughtfully. I know Sapph, Crimson and Lavender are... Ace, Arcana and myself? Not so much.
I don't care, Anuvi said after a pregnant pause.
You don't care? Zen repeated sceptically. Or you can't afford to let yourself?
Anuvi turned sharply, a look of stunned anger on his face.
Bingo, Zen thought grimly, straightening up and facing the incensed Grass type, his arms crossed and a serious expression now occupying his face.
You think you know me? Anuvi said coldly. You're not so hard to figure out either... even when you say you're helping, you still hold back!
Zen didn't flinch; didn't blink. He merely let his team mate's rant wash over him without the slightest change in expression.
Now, for the last time, Anuvi said coldly, making to turn away. GO away and let me train!
OK, that's enough, Zen said calmly, unfolding his arms and clenching his rubbery-looking left fist.
Anuvi had crouched, ready to spring and suddenly sank a few inches into the ground, the earth beneath him swallowing his feet whole.
With a flick of his wrist, Zen caused the ground around Anuvi to spin sharply so the irate Squirrage faced him once again.
What are you doing? Anuvi spat, definitely more than peeved. Let me go now!
Shut... UP! Zen roared, causing Anuvi to flinch at the shocking change in temperament.
So I hold back, do I? Zen whispered dangerously. Fine... you're conversant enough with Aura Cycling. Time... Zen said calmly, lowering his left fist and raising his right, opening it palm facing the stunned Squirrage, for Aura Gathering.
'Aura gathering'? Anuvi said in a bemused voice, struggling to get his feet free. What's that?
You're already able to spin your aura at high speeds consciously, Zen said calmly. Now it's time to learn how to sense the spin in other living things around you... and draw their aura to yourself.
Zen's right palm began to gather sky blue Megacite energy and condense it into a ball, the light of the Aura Sphere lighting up his face even in the midday sun.
Anuvi stopped struggling and repeated, this time in a constricted voice, What are you doing?
Not taking it easy on you, Zen replied calmly. And without warning, fired the Aura Sphere straight at Anuvi, nailing him in the chest.
AAAAARGH! Anuvi bellowed in pain, unable to fall backwards due to the restraints Zen had locked his feet in. Glaring at Zen, he yelled, What's the big idea?!
Here's how this works, Zen said calmly. It takes me five seconds to charge up an Aura Sphere. It takes the Aura Sphere three seconds to hit you in the chest from here. Ergo, you have eight seconds to absorb as much Aura Sphere into your body before it gets blasted into next Tuesday. Got all that?
WHAT?! Are you insane?! Anuvi screeched as Zen charged up another Aura Sphere.
Nonchalantly firing the second shot, Anuvi struggled to escape but failed, the second Fighting type attack scoring a clean hit on his arm.
Anuvi screamed in pain again as Zen bellowed, You were b*tching about me taking it easy on you, and now your complaining? Make up your mind you idiot!
Anuvi froze as the reality of the situation hit him. Zen had his third Aura Sphere ready and waiting.
Are you gonna cry all day or are you gonna stop my Aura Sphere already?
Anuvi found himself mirroring Zen's smile as he straightened up and prepared to absorb the incoming Megacite bullet.
And for the last time... relax! Zen said in mild exasperation, firing the third Aura Sphere with a bit of added vindication.
"Pentabloom! Dragon Claw!" Herbert said firmly.
"Ace, use Cyclone!" Sapph roared with determination.
The Pentabloom's claws became wreathed in purplish flames as it raced up towards a battered Ace who had begun her vicious spinning attack once more, becoming a giant, blind-ended worm of powerful circling air.
Sapph clenched his fists and teeth in anxiety as the two Pokémon closed in on each other, not unlike a pair of hot rodders playing chicken on the interstate. Haley did her best to keep the battle coverage going, despite her sweaty palms and shaking hands.
A couple of feet apart, Pentabloom swerved to its right and slashing down hard with its right paw used the winds circling Ace to accelerate its attack and cut straight through the winds surrounding Ace, leaving a deep gash in its long wing, causing Ace to break the spin and plummet with her prior velocity straight into the sparse foliage that dotted the gym floor. Sapph winced as snap after sickening snap rang out as Ace fell though the trees' dense foliage before slamming into the ground, a cascade of bark, wood and leaves half burying the spent Swoop Pokémon.
Like, I can't believe that thing! Bubbles declared in shock. It beat Arcana and Ace?
It would be deigned impossible if I hadn't seen it myself, Ento concurred, sounding nervous.
Waffles, Blitzkrieg murmured dreamily, causing Mace to sweat dropped.
"Ace, return," Sapph said in resigned shock, his mind barely registering or coordinating his actions and speech as Ace got sucked back into her pokéball as a flash of red light. This wasn't happening... it couldn't be...
"Well, in all fairness, Arcana was fairly wasted when she got beaten," Haley said in a faraway voice, evidently stunned at the turn the battle had taken. Sapph had gone from two up to neck and neck all in the space of minutes. Was Herbert Sr. honestly making an effort of pounding on Sapph, or was he enjoying the battle immensely?
"Pentabloom, Dragon Claw!" Herbert said with a laugh.
"Crimson, Swift!" Sapph countered swiftly.
Pentabloom's claws kicked up another wreath of fire and charged on the Ledian who fired of a spray of large stars that the Pentabloom struck down as they bore down on it. Raising its flaming claws, Pentabloom brought them flashing down at Crimson's face, Crimson ducking away at the last second to avoid having his head slashed open from the side.
"Crimson," Sapph said firmly, "Comet Punch, Ice Style!"
Putting his small white fists up to his face, Crimson conjured cosmic energy to his hands and punched out with a swift one-two punch as the energy chilled itself to an icy blue hue.
Pentabloom roared in discomfort as the icy assault proved to be highly effective against its draconian hide. The fact that it was a Grass/Flying hybrid did nothing to lessen the attack's effect.
Herbert rallied for a counterattack almost instantly. "Pentabloom, Heat Wave!"
Pentabloom rose ten feet up as he puffed out his chest and expelled a diverging air current that withered the trees down to the branches as it rushed in on Crimson, leaving him no escape route in sight.
The nervous Ledian looked to his trainer for instruction and asked, a not-unusual note of panic in his voice, Sapph! Protect?
"No," Sapph said swiftly, his eyes alight with the glint that foretold of a plan. "Use Comet Punch, Fire Style to block!"
Right! Crimson agreed, outputting more cosmic energy from his fists, the silvery masses at his fist glowing incandescent red as miniature suns. With a loud yell, Crimson raised his fists as the fiery globes surrounding his fists increased in diameter and took in the heat from the fiery assault the Forest Fairy Pokémon had created.
"Now, get in there and let 'im have it!" Sapph cheered, jubilant that his plan had worked.
Crimson complied, sweating with the effort of maintaining the pseudo-fire attack and shot up to counterattack the hovering Pentabloom and aimed a swift jab at the Grass type's head.
Pentabloom, seeing the attack coming a mile away, ducked sharply to avoid having his head ripped off by the highly dangerous attack, its claws awash with purple flames.
"Counterattack, Pentabloom!" Herbert called out excitedly.
"Crimson, lean back!" Sapph commanded in tandem with the veteran trainer.
Pentabloom slashed upwards, his crown of petals an angry red colour just as Crimson leaned back in one fluid motion, adroitly dodging the cutting uppercut. Haley and Nicola could only stare in stunned fascination at the duo's synchronisation: the aerial dance was so elegant as each Pokémon dodged and weaved out of each other's attacks that the battle looked planned.
Herbert Sr. had a broad grin on his face as he beheld the boy trainer before him, whose face had relaxed and was gradually getting into the battle.
Looks like he's finally getting the hang of fitting his battle tempo to the fight around him, he thought, a smile lifting the corners of his bushy moustache. Let's see what happens if I take it up a notch...
OK, Leaf Head, one more time, Zen said relentlessly, a fresh Aura Sphere glowing in his outstretched palm, pulsing gently.
Anuvi was smoking all over, blackened bruised patches glaring out from under his singed green fur, a determined and somewhat shocked look in his violet eyes as the ground around his stuck-fast feet smoked and smouldered.
No way! Anuvi croaked defiantly, raising his palms in anticipation, focusing on the attack that was sure to come. I can keep going!
Zen raised an eyebrow and wordlessly fired his last shot.
Anuvi eyes narrowed as the attack came closer. He had two seconds to stop it... Anuvi felt into the seam of the attack, fumbling as the ball of aura came nearer.
One second to impact... he had it. He began to pull the attack apart, his inner aura churning madly as the energy from the attack began to slip away from the sphere and into his own body...
The Aura Sphere hit him square in the chest with a resounding BLAM and Anuvi gasped in shock, the world around him shaking out of focus.
Shuddering and wobbling dangerously, Anuvi looked up and with a shadow of his long-lost smirk, said, Is that ... all... you g-got...?
A split second later he began to topple forwards, his smile turning into a slight grimace... straight into Zen's furry shoulder.
Yep, Zen said with a smile. And apparently, it looks like that for you too, Fearless Leader.
Pointing his hand to the ground and clenching his fist slightly before releasing it, Anuvi's feet were freed of their earthy restraints. Lifting the Warrior Pokémon onto his shoulder, Zen began to walk back to the Centre, he muttered, We'd better get you looked at before Sapph finishes his match...
Sapph... had... a match... today? Anuvi groaned in surprise, startling Zen slightly, but not by much.
Yup, Zen said matter-of-factly. I'd leave it to the others if I were you. Next time, you may be more grateful that we take it easy on you, F.L...
Are you... kidding me? Anuvi croaked in laughter. N...next time, you... don't have to hold... me down. I'm... starting... to get... the hang of... this Aura Control... thing...
Well, if you say so, Zen said calmly, his mind privately agreeing with him, taking note that in the second before his last attack had hit, it's power was cut down by at least half.
Looks like he's getting the hang of it after all, Zen thought proudly. That's our Leader...
"Well, well, Sapph my boy!" Herbert exclaimed happily, returning the exhausted Pentabloom with a cheerful whoop of laughter. "That was certainly an improvement!"
Sapph actually smiled in spite of his predicament as he returned a burned out Crimson and switched pokéballs. He was finally beginning to understand how the battle was flowing. The trick was turning the tide of the battle in his favour.
"Well, it's come down to a last stand off," Haley said grimly. "Whoever wins this one wins it all. And for Sapph..."
...losing, like, isn't an option, Bubbles finished bleakly. If Sapph loses this match, he's totally out of the running for the League Finals!
But why is Sapph smiling? Ento asked in puzzled tones. Is he going to use Anuvi? Or Zen?
Whatever it is, Lavender's a not-cool decision, Vapor said calmly. Without any Fire type Pokémon or moves to switch her to Flareon, she should keep outta this one.
Strewth, Mace agreed, watching Sapph's smile widen.
"Ready, Sapph?" Nicola asked the younger male trainer.
"You know it."
"Grandpa?"
"Call it, Nicola."
"Final battle, begin!"
"Come on out, Grover!" Herbert called, releasing his last choice, and first ever Pokémon.
'Grover' stood at roughly three and a quarter feet tall and was essentially a green and gangly bipedal lizard. Darker fronds sprouted from its clawed fore arms and the crown of its pointed head as he let out a piping cry from deep in its long slender neck.
Grovyle, the Wood Gecko Pokémon, Sapph's Pokédex announced dully. It uses its adroitness and speed to traverse the treetops of its arboreal abode, making the treetops its fortress.
"Now, Lavender!" Sapph called out. "Let's do it!"
LAVENDER?! All of Haley's Pokémon squawked in disbelief.
Does he want to lose? Bubbles shrieked, almost besides herself.
Herbert Sr. let out a voluminous bellow of laughter and called out to his Pokémon, "Grover, let's have ourselves a good time! Quick Attack!"
Lavender had barely warmed up when she got hit by a green and pink blur. The small Normal type went flying back into a clump of bamboo shoots and slammed its back hard. A shower of green leaves cascaded around her as the Eevee rose to her feet shakily and the Grovyle looked up with a smirk.
Lavender! Vapor and Bubbles screamed in horror.
"Are you OK?" Sapph asked worriedly. His plan to shock Herbert was backfiring fast.
I'm OK, Sapph, Lavender reassured her trainer. Just a little winded. Whoo, didn't see that one coming!
Sapph laughed at Lavender's pun on her sight despite the bleak situation he was in. "Got a lock on him?"
Lavender nodded. Uh, hunh, she said softly.
"Grover, use Quick Attack again!" Herbert said in a clear voice as Lavender nodded her assent.
Lavender ears twitched and hugged the grassy ground as Grover rushed over a second time in a faster than blinking shoulder rush waiting for the right moment. A nanosecond away from being rammed into and through the tree, Lavender weaved in sync with Grovyle's attack and leapt on to the tree to her right, her legs coiling up with power.
Gotcha! Sapph thought triumphantly. "Quick Attack now!"
Grover's eyes were bugging out even more than usual when the Eevee miraculously evaded his speedy assault and was too stunned to guard against her counter as Lavender shot off the tree trunk and nailed the Grovyle in the back from point blank range sending the Wood Gecko Pokémon in the same direction it had planned to send Lavender: straight through the tree.
Lavender bounded back from the mild recoil as Sapph cheered, "Nice work, Lavender! Now back away to get some room!"
"Not happening, Sapphire!" Herbert said with a whoop and a grin. "Grover, Pursuit!"
The Grovyle was back on its feet in milliseconds and lunged forward with dark conviction; This Eevee will not escape, he thought with determination as he placed a vicious jab right into the airborne Eevee, causing spittle to fly as she was forced backwards into a rolling belly flop into the shadow of a particularly large tree.
What a strategy! Haley thought in shock. He used Pursuit to prevent Lavender escaping and hit her with twice the power as she was attempting to fall back!
"Lavender!" Sapph gasped in shock, stunned at Grover's power. "Snap out of it! Use Quick Attack!"
Black energy seemed to seep from Lavender's body and enshroud her as she got back to her feet and somehow grew another foot and a half. Her eyes reddened and her pupils became vertical and her fur darkened to blackest black.
"Grover! Get in there and use Leaf Blade!" Herbert said, thoroughly enjoying himself.
That's it, Lavender thought as the rings on her limbs, legs and forehead glowed ominously. Come to Momma...
Grover's dark green wrist leaves fused together and began to glow neon green as it let loose a powerful growl and sped in, Sapph being reminded forcefully of Anuvi's Yaiba no Hayashi and knowing how much trouble Lavender would be in if she didn't escape.
Panicked, Sapph hollered, "Change of plans, Lavender! Run away! Get outta there!"
No dice, Lavender said with a malicious voice. I'm going solo. And without another word, released a vile cloud of dark grey fumes from her pores engulfing the charging Grovyle.
"Oh, no! Smog! Grover!" Herbert said, the pressure causing him to break into a cold sweat.
Grover had walked straight into Lavender's trap and as the copious amounts of poison assailed his system, the Leaf Blade attack flickered and died out as he clutched his throat and gasped desperately.
Lavender's evil smile widened as a ball of pale whitish light began to form in her mouth, the light shining from within the only thing visible from outside the poisonous cloud. From me to you, she said with a malicious laugh as the ball increased in size, the Umbreon unleashing her powerful Lunar Beam attack again from point blank range.
The beam of energy streaked high up into the air, shattering the glass panes overhead as it rose fifteen feet straight up before dissipating in the noon day sun. Grover fell bodily back to earth, blood splattering its entire left side as Haley, Sapph, Herbert and Nicola blanched at the state he was in.
"His arm..." Haley said in faltering tones.
"...and his leg," Sapph said tremulously, staring at the pseudo-Umbreon as she stepped out of the shadow in her Dark-type forme, her eyes narrowed in disappointment. "They've been totally torn off!"
Nicola retched and threw up her lunch heavily as Herbert Sr. could only stare.
Shoot, Lavender laughed sardonically. Missed by this much, she added with a taut, chilling laugh.
"Grover," Herbert said calmly. "Use Synthesis."
Grover let out a feral growl as his body became bathed in golden yellow light. Out of the blood stained side of his body, his limbs began to sprout, growing until they matched the ones that remained intact. When his limbs were finally restored, they stopped glowing and returned to their original emerald hue.
Cool, Lavender said wickedly. Now I get to have the fun of blowing you limbs off repeatedly!
Grover wheezed and shot a loathing stare at his smaller opponent as she stepped forwards again, another ball of whitish light charging up.
"Sapph! Stop that thing!" Nicola said in a panicky voice.
"Can you escape, Grover?" Herbert asked in a considerably calmer voice as the Umbreon stepped forwards with the air of an executioner.
The Grovyle tried to move, but it grimaced and went back on one knee, his new limbs aching with the effort he took to regrow them.
Sapph was seriously beginning to doubt if an Umbreon would be a preferable permanent form for his Evolution Pokémon. Raising his voice, he called out to the Moonlight Pokémon, "Lavender? Lavender, that's enough."
Damn, he irritates me when he tries to take charge, Lavender thought coldly. Looking back at Sapph without turning around, she asked Sapph icily, You want to win, don't you? Don't you?
"That's beside the point, Lavender! Darn it, what's happening to you?"
You do, don't you? Lavender asked relentlessly. Watching her trainer fail to give a sign that he disagreed, she smirked and said, Good. Now here's what we're gonna do. I'll turn this lizard into fertilizer and you just sit back and... AAARGH!
Lavender screamed an otherworldly scream as Grover suddenly came up out of nowhere and slashed the Moonlight Pokémon across the maw with a successful Leaf Blade, knocking the beam awry and blasting another ten foot hole in the Pokémon Gym's glass roof.
Blood began to trickle from the thin fresh cut Lavender had sustained under her chin as she stared at the Grovyle malevolently. Before she could counterattack however, she glowed black once more and shrank back to her regular Eevee form.
Ugh, Lavender groaned, watching the Grovyle leap backwards in case she somehow evolved again. I really don't like me in that form...
"Lavender?" Sapph asked uncertainly. "Are you... OK?"
Somehow, the small Pokémon replied, cricking her neck and wincing as she unwittingly stretched her neck wounds further. I definitely do not want to be an Umbreon when I grow up.
"Good to have you back, then," Sapph said wearily. "We still have a situation on our hands..."
Cool, Lavender said sarcastically, her attention returning to Grover and the match which still wasn't over.
"Then let's go," Sapph said, Lavender's pep filling him with fresh determination. Pointing at Grover for emphasis, he commanded, "Lavender, use Quick Attack!"
"Grover, use Leer!" Herbert said calmly, an intrigued look on his face as he watched the Eevee build up speed.
Grover stared down the charging Eevee, a terrifying glint in his jaded eyes which grew wider as Lavender gave no sign of being intimidated at all. Seeing her switch to blinding speed, Grover took a deep breath to calm himself and began to relax his muscles as Lavender lunged at him at a speed that was hard for the trainers to follow.
Lavender skidded to a screeching halt as Grover switched to the defensive and eased into an Agility manoeuvre that barely got away from the Eevee's warpath.
"Missed!" Sapph growled in frustration.
Not really, Lavender said happily as she closed her eyes and was suffused by a bright pink light. I just nicked him as he used Agility... and I couldn't be happier!
"Again?" Nicola thought in open surprise as she watched Lavender shoot up a couple of feet and her tail become slinkier as it split about three inches from the tip.
"No," Herbert corrected her. "This one's different. So that's your Eevee's ability, Sapphire. Ho, hoh... very interesting," he added as Lavender stepped forwards on dainty lilac paws, the fine velvety hair of her body framing her crystalline blue eyes and round red gem that lay nestled between them on her forehead.
Shaking her head briskly, Lavender looked herself over and said, Now we're talking!
And as Grover reappeared in front of the blinded Espeon, Lavender closed her eyes and exhaled calmly, the sunbeams filtering through the glass roof and holes in it converged on Lavender, bathing her in unnaturally refreshing sunlight. Golden yellow pinpricks of light rose from her battered body as cuts and wounds closed up, restoring her to full health.
"What's happening?" Sapph asked in shock at the turn of events. Lavender had only ever transformed into an Espeon once before and had stayed in the form long enough to use a weak Confusion attack. So whatever was happening now was, anyone would be safe to say, new to him.
"It's Morning Sun! Espeon's most powerful technique!" Haley exclaimed excitedly. Consulting her watch, she added, "and considering the time, Lavender recovering all her health!"
"Hmm, that's slightly bothersome," Herbert said calmly. "Grover! Use Pursuit!"
Not this time, Sunshine! Lavender sang, her rounded cranial ruby glowing with power as a cyan hue surrounded the Grovyle, stopping it dead in its tracks.
"Psychic, too?!" Nicola gaped. "Just how strong is your Eevee, Sapph?"
"No idea," Sapph said uncertainly, his mind wandering through the Evolution Pokémon's time with him to their first meeting...
-Flashback-
Green Hill Pokémon Center, two and a half months ago
Saffron's eyes widened as Sapph's hand drew nearer and the next thing anyone knew, Saffron had sent a bolt of lightning straight at it.
"YOW!" Sapph yelled, staring at the Lightning Pokémon that was presently baring its teeth at the trainer and growling viciously, its eyes locked on Sapph, daring him to try that again.
"Easy, Saffron! You OK, Sapph?" Tony asked Sapph as he bent down to scratch behind the Jolteon's ear. It stopped growling, although its beady eyes never left Sapph's for a second.
"What's wrong with him?!" Sapph asked in shocked surprise.
"Trauma," Tony replied grimly. "Team Cipher aren't exactly known to be benevolent to their test subjects. You should have seen the mess he made of the first Pokémon Centre we were at. I'm the only human he's allowed near him since he was rescued from the lab. So how about it?"
Staring at the bespectacled boy, Sapph asked "So… how about what?"
"Will you adopt a Pokémon? Don't let Saffron throw you, the rest of them are really sweet," Tony reassured him with a smile.
"Oh… right," Sapph said, drawing his eyes away from the crackling yellow Pokémon and turning to look at Tony who'd brought three pokéballs out of his bag.
"They're all Eevee," Tony explained, setting the capsules before Sapph. "Seems Cipher wanted to delve more into the evolution of Pokémon… possibly a joint venture with Galactic of Sinnoh…"
"You're joking, right?" Sapph said feebly. "Eevee?! They're like one of the rarest Pokémon… ever!"
"That's true," Tony agreed.
"So why don't you raise them all?" Sapph asked incredulously.
"My… erm, supervisor didn't want them all together," Tony said in his evasive mutter. He went on in a loud voice, "Besides, I've already got Saffron! What more could I need? Right, boy?"
His other Pokémon let out various noises of indignation at this remark.
"Oops! Sorry, Roley… Verdant… Epona… Oni… Genghis," Tony apologized, a sweat drop forming on the back of his head.
"Well, only if you insist," Sapph grinned, a sweat drop also somewhere near his temple. He reached over a picked a pokéball off the bench. Releasing its contents in a blast of white light, a small brown Pokémon took form on Sapph's lap, curled up asleep. Predominantly brown in colour, it bore a ruff of white fur around its neck and similarly coloured fur near the tip of its paintbrush tail. Yawning slightly, it blearily opened its coffee brown eyes and rubbed them with its small fore paw.
"Hey there… uhhh," Sapph's smile faltered as he couldn't think of a nickname for his newest team mate.
He looked around at Tony, who shrugged and said "Hey, she's yours now. Remember?"
"Yeah, you're right," Sapph mumbled. Looking down at the Evolution Pokémon, he frowned as he thought up a nickname.
Uhm… mister? The Eevee said uncertainly, unsure how Sapph'd react to her speaking out of turn.
Opening one of his eyes, Sapph looked down at the Eevee and said, "Sorry, girl. What's up?"
I-I… ummm… the Eevee stuttered.
Get on with it, Zen snapped.
"Zen!" Sapph said in his best scolding voice. "Knock it off!"
The Taebrawl grunted and said, Whatever.
Fixing the Eevee with a kindly eye, Sapph addressed the Eevee and prompted "Well?"
I- uhm, wanted to be a-an… an Espeon… when I evolved, you know, she finally got out. Blushing faintly, she looked away and said, But I bet you would want an Umbreon… or Leafeon… or…
"Deal," Sapph said.
H-hunh? the little Pokémon gasped, unsure she heard right.
"You want to be an Espeon?" Sapph mused, mulling the thought over. "That's fine! In fact, it makes giving you a nickname easier! How about… hmmm, Lavender?" He grinned.
The Eevee's dull eyes seemed to sparkle as her ears stuck up. She happily nodded her assent at the choice of the name.
Zen cast the pair an askance stare before muttering Revolting.
"Great! Then it's settled!" Tony smiled.
-End Flashback-
Guess her emotions are tied with her evolution's strengths, Sapph reflected thoughtfully. Raising his voice, he called out, "Lavender! Time to end this!"
Hear, hear! Lavender nodded, digging her paws deep as she focused her thoughts on the happiness welling within her. For a moment; for the briefest of moments she was at her strongest and felt that she could take on the world, which suddenly felt like a colourful picture book opened to all her heightened Sun Pokémon senses.
As warmth filled her, her thought travelled to her friends and flashing white for the briefest of moments, opened her mouth and expelled a torrent of fire from her mouth that caught the struggling Grovyle full in the face, bathing him in an explosion of intense flames. The flames, rather than spreading and consuming all plant life in the greenhouse, localised and focused on scorching every square inch of the misfortunate Wood Gecko Pokémon's body, from its dark green tails to its lime green snout and pink underbelly and throat.
Sapph's jaw wasn't the only one to scrape the battle field at this development. Somehow, incredibly, Lavender had used Blast Burn.
"Lavender..." Sapph said weakly. "What the heck was that?"
My true Ultimate Finish, Lavender replied as she released her psychic bonds on the charred Grovyle and reverted once more to Eevee form, a little disappointedly this time. Team Spirit. Guess you could say it let's me mirror any teammate's element's ultimate attack perfectly. It's really exacting, though. Not to mention slightly imperfect, she added in a winded voice as she and her trainer watched the Grovyle slumped in total defeat.
"Well, well!" Herbert said, sounding a little winded after the excitement of the match. "That was a battle well fought, young Sapph! Truly inspirational, that Eevee of yours!"
"Thanks, Herbert," Sapph said gratefully, looking back at the oldest gym leader of Corei and grinning ear to ear, his new Herb Badge tucked securely into his badge case along with the other four he had secured during his travels.
"I still say he lucked out," Nicola said in a slightly disgruntled voice, flopping onto a bright yellow pouffe as Haley went up to the counter to hand in Pyrrhus's pokéball, haughtily ignoring the Grass type loving girl as she said acidly, "That is probably the smartest observation you've made since we got here, isn't it?"
"Now, now, girls, that's enough," Herbert said with only a bite of impatience as Nicola made to retort fiercely. "Remember, Nicola: A lady mustn't react to one's ignorant outburst."
"You're right, Grandfather," Nicola said calmly, sweeping her shoulder length chestnut hair back. "Forgive my uncouth behaviour."
As Sapph rolled his eyes and steeped up to the counter as Haley moved away, Nurse Joy looked up and said, "Ah, Mr. Manson! I was wondering when you'd be back! Your Jutunkick and Squirrage are all patched up now!"
"My what?" Sapph said in a faltering voice as his other pokéballs clattered on the counter top. "But they're right... over there," he finished in a faraway voice as he watched Zen and Anuvi stroll out of the recovery ward and p to their trainers.
Hi, kid! Zen greeted cheerfully. How was your match?
"Fi- wait a minute!" Sapph interjected angrily. "What are you asking me for? Why weren't you there?!"
We were a little, ah, tied up, Anuvi said unhelpfully as he exchanged a small smile with Zen, who grinned back broadly.
Sapph was about to lose his temper when a loud beeping filled the lounge. All eyes landed on Nicola as she unstrapped her PokéNav from her obi and read aloud, "Grandfather, it's a message from the Ranger post at Dragon Cove! Seems like there's trouble... they mention a horde of trespassers who have locked them out!"
"What is the Dragon Cove?" Sapph asked nonplussed.
"It's a Dragon type sanctuary," Haley replied instantly. "A small island between here and Northern Isle."
Sapph's stomach turned over as a scene he'd witnessed a while back came to mind, a scene that involved a rare Dragon type Pokémon. They surely couldn't be here... not now...
"Did they describe them?" Herbert said quickly, rushing over to read the message
Nicola shook her head to the negatory.
"Darn it!" Herbert whispered in frustration for the first time. "What's the status at the Northern Isle Post?"
"Extreme fog and stormy seas," Nicola replied, consulting her PokéNav's weather report function. "They're stuck there at least for the next three hours!"
"Just when I'm unable to help!" Herbert said worriedly, beginning to pace the room.
"Don't fret, Grandfather!" Nicola said nobly. "I'll go and see to this myself!"
"I'll go with you," Sapph said quickly. Staving off a refusal in the making, Sapph added, "I have a fair idea of who's there, and you won't be a match for them on your own."
"If you're going," Haley started, but Sapph cut her off.
"No," he said seriously. "You stay and get some rest. Professor Yew's due to arrive this evening and you'll need your Pokémon checked out before you get to Northern Isle to register for the Trigello Tournament. And you'll need your rest too," he added, as the redheaded girl began to argue some more.
Closing her mouth in defeat, Haley nodded mutely.
Returning Anuvi and Zen to their pokéballs, Sapph turned to Nicola and said calmly, "Lead the way."
Nodding back in determination, Nicola turned to her grandfather who simply said, "Be careful," and rushed out of the Pokémon Center with Sapph, their destination the Dragon Cove.