Chapter 6: Who Will Sink?

Kara Ryder

The morning sun fell on trainer and pokemon as they trained on their balcony. It was small and they barely fit, but Kara had taken the table and two chairs placed on her balcony and put them inside. Though they were cramped, the view of the sunrise energized them and, besides, a few punches and kicks didn't need that much space when they came from a small pokemon anyway.

"Good one," Kara said, ducking to dodge a punch. Beads of sweat covered both faces. "A few more kicks." Mienfoo jumped and kicked into Kara's palms. "At this rate, you'll evolve in no time! More punches!"

While Mienfoo jabbed at her, she noticed a light suddenly begin to flash from inside the room. Kara paused to look, nearly receiving a hit to the face. The Fighting-type stopped just in time, and joined his trainer as she watched the light blink on and off. The cruise's symbol, a dragonair swimming around a Pokeball, flashed in the center of her TV. Both trainer and pokemon went to find out what it was.

They went inside and took a seat on the bed, in front of the TV. Kara pressed a button on the remote and the symbol disappeared. Uruvio Tornio took its place, violet hair now painted a dark blue. Behind him, a gardevoir waved at the camera.

"Good morning, contestants!" he said, showing his sparkling white teeth. "Hope you all enjoyed the Opening Ceremony, but now the tournament has begun! Today you take your first step toward becoming Gym Leaders! Battle schedules shall be posted on your TV after this message ends. Don't be late; failure to show up is an automatic disqualification. Ah, also, every time the symbol you just saw appears on the screen, be prepared for an official message. Now, without further ado, here are your schedules."

Both Uruvio and Gardevoir tilted their heads to a side and waved goodbye with big grins on their faces. Then the screen turned dark. The cruise's symbol flashed for a second, only to be replaced by a long list of names paired together. Kara searched for hers, and near the middle she found:

Kara Ryder (Fighting) vs. Benjamin Rein (Water). 9:00 AM. Main Deck. Field 2.

"Water-type trainer, huh?" She scoffed. "Sounds easy. We'll probably be fighting a fish out of water." She nudged her pokemon, who sniggered happily, then looked at the time. She had about two hours left, so they decided to practice a few more punches and wash up before heading out for breakfast.

After a quick elevator trip, Kara and Mienfoo stood before a restaurant called "Never Sunkern." It was a wide room covered in tables and seats with walls filled with windows. The few parts that weren't windows had waves painted on them. Every contestant had been invited to this restaurant for a breakfast buffet. It only had a handful of people, however, since Kara decided it would be better to eat early to avoid the lines the main group of contestants would make.

She joined the short line and immediately the smell of berries entered her nose. She looked over the few heads in front of her and saw a true breakfast buffet: pancakes, bacon, cereals, fruits, sandwiches, juices, eggs, and an array of berries. Mienfoo stuck his head out of the line, nose raised before him.

"Don't worry," Kara told the pokemon and suddenly noticed the boy in front of her. "I'm sure they have Sitrus Berr—hey, you're the trainer who battled yesterday, right?"

The blond turned around to face her, revealing the Magby in his arms. Both grinned, happy to be recognized, Kara guessed. "Yeah, I am," he said, scratching the back of his head. Aiden wore a red hoodie with a Pokeball in the center and light-brown shorts. He was taller up close, for Kara at least. She had to look up to see him face-to-face.

"I liked your strategy. Smokescreen seems like a useful move to have," Kara said, forcing a smile. Truthfully, it was a good strategy. Showing it to every contestant on the ship, however, was a stupid move. Now, everyone has their eyes on this trainer who has used up all of his tricks. You just painted a target on your chest, Aiden, Kara wanted to say, but it suited her for him not to know. "Gave that Dragon-type trainer a run for his money."

"I guess I did, didn't I?" he chuckled. Kara faked a giggle as they began to move with the line.

Both trainers picked up trays from a bin and separated as they selected what to add to their breakfast from the buffet. Mienfoo took handfuls of Sitrus Berries and Kara picked a few fruits, a pancake and Oran Berry juice. As they seated, they spotted Aiden walking toward them.

"Have you seen the trainer?" he asked with a small amount of concern etched in his voice. Kara shook her head. "Oh, well, hope he doesn't hold a grudge or anything. See you, Kara Ryder."

He bowed his head slightly for a second before leaving. Kara watched as he walked away and took a seat on the other side of the restaurant. Hearing him say her name was strange, but then she remembered the name tag on her shirt. Rules say each contestant should wear them to recognize other contestants. It's a good way to see who's a threat and who isn't. Like when she noticed the Dragon-type trainer's girlfriend. But she was barely a threat, fighting with an inexperienced shinx won't get you anywhere.

A sudden squeaking sound distracted Kara from her thoughts. Mienfoo's ears twitched as he searched for the source. His eyes looked up and Kara followed his gaze. A chandelier that seemed to be made of glass and actual flowery vines loomed over them. On it, a dozen small, yellow, seed-shaped pokemon played, happily jumping from one branch of the chandelier to another. When Kara noticed the sprout growing from the pokemon's body, she knew what they were: Sunkern. Sunkern, the Seed Pokemon, are known for falling from the sky without warning, so she thought of moving, but right then one fell hard to the floor with a squeak. The others giggled at their friend's fall.

A trainer who looked to be eleven, five years younger than Kara, walked over the fallen pokemon, completely ignoring it. He wore a blue shirt with a rattata on it and had a red hat with a pokeball symbol on it. Beside him, an orange pokemon with a collar that resembled a flotation device around its neck glared at Kara and Mienfoo as they made their way toward them.

"You're Kara Ryder?" he said, standing before her table. His pokemon crossed his finned arms and eyed them. Kara stared back at both of them, a puzzled look on her face. "Don't know me? I'm Ben Rein and this is Buizel. We're your next opponents and the ones who will give you your ticket off this ship. Hope you've had fun because today you're going home."

Both gave a childish snigger. Ben stroke his brown hair with a smirk on his face before continuing his taunt. "Do you know why they named this place 'Never Sunkern'?"

Kara shook her head, biting her tongue. She stared at him with an innocent expression, but hid her hands, now two fists. Mienfoo seemed angry, too. He looked at them maliciously and stood up, facing the buizel, ready to strike at his trainer's command.

"Mad?" Ben laughed. "They named it that in hope of the ship never sinking. No cruise with a 'Never Sunkern' in it has ever sunk. It has floated merrily at sea for years and probably will for years to come, just like me and Buizel. Kara Ryder, get ready to sink."

A threat? Kara thought. A wide grin formed on her face, the beginnings of a laugh. "I wouldn't consider you a boat, more like a fish. And out of water, I see. Only dead fish float, Benjamin. After our battle you'll be floating merrily at sea while I win this tournament."

Kara gave him a smile as she continued to eat. Both Benjamin and Buizel stormed away, growling loudly as they did so. See you at nine, Ben, Kara thought. Let's see who sinks.

The Main Deck had been cleared of all tables to make space for five battlefields. At their sides, platforms had been raised for guests to watch the battles. Kara quickly found Field 2 and the second she saw it, worry washed over her. It was the same field used in the Opening Ceremony, but it had been opened to reveal a pool. In the center, it had a pokeball-shaped island, and a few smaller pillars were scattered around. Looks like he won't be out of water, after all.

"You don't need an ocean to sink!" Ben shouted from his side of the field. Buizel laughed at his side.

"Kara Ryder and Benjamin Rein report to Field 2," Uruvio Tornio had taken a seat beneath the large screen and spoke through a microphone. "For today's battles, Gym Leader Falkner from Violet City, Johto, and Crasher Wake from the Pastoria City Gym in Sinnoh have flown in to judge."

A handsome, blue-haired trainer and a large, muscular and bald wrestler seated with Uruvio. They waved at the crowd as they listened to their cheers. Falkner pushed his hair back with an elegant movement and Crasher Wake flexed his muscles.

"Well, I see we're all here, so let's begin," Uruvio continued. "Trainers, send out your pokemon." Mienfoo and Buizel both leaped from pillar to pillar as they reached the pokeball. Uruvio introduced them, and changed from announcer to commentator. The only thing Kara listened to him say was, "Official battle between Kara Ryder and Benjamin Rein may commence."

"Doubleslap, Mienfoo!"

"Dodge and dive, Buizel!"

The two pokemon appeared to dance as they obeyed their trainer's orders. Every slap Mienfoo let out was dodged before the Water-type retreated and swam away. It resurfaced near its trainer.

"Now use Water Gun," A stream of water shot out of Buizel's mouth. Mienfoo, not needing his trainer's orders, jumped out of the way. "Follow him with your Water Gun!"

The stream rose with Mienfoo and lowered as he landed. Kara watched as he ducked and jumped away from the attack, uncertain of what to do. All his attacks needed him to be near his opponent.

"Mienfoo, get closer!" Kara ordered, and Mienfoo obeyed. He dodged the stream as he leaped around it.

"Use Swift, before he gets too close." Ben said, surely not letting his guard down. Buizel hopped onto a pillar and, with a spin of his two tails, sent stars flying toward Mienfoo. The stars followed the Fighting-type as it attempted to dodge, but struck his back. He fell into the water with a splash.

"Mienfoo!" Kara cried. "Swim out of there!"

The pokemon resurfaced and began to swim toward the pokeball. As he swam, Ben ordered an "Aqua Jet!" and the Buizel dived back into the water. A whirlpool formed around the pokemon as it swam at top speed toward Mienfoo. The Fighting-type was halfway when the attack hit. It propelled him forward with a cry. Kara bit her lips as she watched. Mienfoo, thanks to the push given by Buizel, reached the pokeball and slumped onto it, coughing and puffing.

"Now, Quick Attack, Buizel!"

The Water-type swam even faster than earlier as it made its way toward the island. Mienfoo rose slowly and Kara saw her chance.

"Mienfoo, hold on!" Kara shouted. She turned her sweaty hands into fists. "Use Drain Punch when he reaches you!"

And just as Buizel leaped out of the water, Mienfoo punched him with a fist covered in green energy. He was thrown back by the strength of the punch and crashed against a pillar, splashing into the water, afterward. Kara saw as Mienfoo stood straight and she hid a smile.

"Buizel!" Ben screamed as the pokemon swam back up. "Another Aqua Jet! Finish this! Sink them!"

Again, the pokemon swam toward Mienfoo. A shroud of water covered him.

"Meditate, Mienfoo!" Kara ordered. Her pokemon calmly sat down, closed his eyes and began to meditate. A white aura suddenly surrounded him.

Buizel jumped out of the pool in a jet of water flying toward his opponent. Kara heard Ben laugh before giving her order. "Force Palm."

In a second, as Buizel fell on him, Mienfoo snapped out of his focus and caught the Water-type in his paw. His arm was pulled back, but before his opponent could escape, he shot a green blast from his paw. Buizel was sent flying out of the pool toward Ben, who caught him and fell hard onto his back. The battle was over, and Benjamin Rein had sunk.

Author's Note:

The battling has begun! Finally, you got to see the inside of Kara's head. Not all smiles and friendship, huh? Will anyone else we know sink? Who's next on the chopping block? What about Aiden and his guilt for Drakon? What about Drakon? We haven't seen him for a while! Find out next chapter!

Behind-the-chapter:

I came up with 'Never Sunkern' while I was looking for a Grass-type pokemon name to give the restaurant. I read SUNKern and it seemed funny, so I thought of adding it for a funny scene between Kara and Aiden. But then Ben came and the idea of sinking and fishes out of water appeared, so I had to use it for the threat scene. I'm a fan of chapters that end in good quotes (don't know if you've noticed) and this one I think is the best one I've written up to here. It was going to be related to being a fish out of water, but "Benjamin Rein had sunk" fit the moment perfectly. Also, this chapter happens to be my favorite so far.

Well, I'll post soon! Review if you like/dislike/have a comment for/have a suggestion for/or anything else about the story, really. Always appreciated, bye!