*Chapter Three: Sunny Day*
The next day… August 1st
Sandgem Town, Sinnoh
9:00 a.m.
Professor Oak could barely recognize the small city called Sandgem. As his Spearow dropped him off in front of Rowan's lab, Oak could see piles of rubble that used to be houses and dents in the ground where powerful Pokémon may have attacked.
The lab of Prof. Rowan looked half burned down, and there were holes in the roof. The grass around it smoked. The whole scene gave the scientist a chill and only made him worry more.
A line of police surrounded the lab, preventing anyone from entering. The townspeople also packed around the lab, being interviewed by reporters and detectives.
Oak scanned the crowd for Rowan and found the Sinnoh professor talking to Officer Jenny. Oak shoved his way through the crowd to meet his friend. "Professor Rowan!"
Rowan turned at the call of his name and saw Oak. "Professor Oak, thank you for coming at such a short notice." A few patches of ash smudged his brown coat, and dark circles were underneath his eye like he needed sleep. Other than that, the Sinnoh professor looked perfectly fine.
"What happened here," Oak asked urgently. The usually calm man was now bewildered and horrified by the state of Sandgem Town.
"Bandits," Rowan replied grimly. "They attacked the lab and stole my documents on Pokémon evolution. Then, they fled and set fire to the town."
"Did you see them clearly?" Officer Jenny asked. "If so, please describe them as accurately as possible." She took out a note book and pencil, ready to take notes.
Rowan strained to remember. "They were all young, maybe in their early twenties. There were two girls and three boys. They had Pokémon, too. An Electabuzz, Unfezant, Kingdra, and Magmar. I couldn't see them clearly, but I think they were wearing white uniforms."
Officer Jenny finished writing down the descriptions and closed her notebook. "Thank you for your help, Professor. We'll alert you as soon as we find something. You should stay away from the lab from now on. We don't know if the thieves will come back." She saluted the two professors and rode away on her motorcycle.
"Why don't you stay with me in Kanto?" Oak offered his friend after Jenny was gone. "It's not safe to remain here in Sandgem Town."
Rowan sighed. "You're right, my friend…" He sent out a Staraptor as Oak called out his Spearow. As they flew into the air, Rowan looked back at his city with sadness. He didn't want to leave, but he knew that if he stayed, the bandits will surely attack again.
Pallet Town, Kanto
9:20 a.m.
Odette and the Pokedexholders spent the night in Pallet Town. They divided themselves up into two groups, and one group slept in Red's house whiles the other in Green's house.
Yellow, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum, Diamond, Pearl, and Red had stayed in Red's house and Odette, Crystal, Silver, Emerald, Gold, Blue, and Green had slept in Green's house.
A Dodrio crowed on the roof of Professor Oak's lab, waking everyone up.
Odette sat up on the couch she had slumbered on and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
Last night, Gold and Emerald had claimed the two couches in Green's living room, but Crystal made Gold give his up to Odette. Odette felt a bit guilty about taking the couch after that.
The others were stirring and waking up slowly. They all looked half asleep still, and their movements were sluggish which slightly reminded Odette of zombies.
Odette yawned into her blanket and observed her surroundings.
Green's house was a bit larger than the average home in Pallet Town. It had two levels and a shiny waxed wooden floor. The large windows were open and illuminated the room with the bright rays of dawn. The windows had light green curtains, and the walls were a pale blue. A large flat TV was on the far wall above the fireplace. A small coffee table sat in front of that and was surrounded by an armchair and the two couches.
Yesterday, Odette had gotten to know her new friends and became familiar with them all. Yellow was the kindest person she had ever met. Blue was so cheerful and optimistic. Platinum was respectful to just about everybody while Sapphire had no manners whatsoever. Ruby was nice but kind of strange with his interest in fashion and etiquette. Crystal was quick tempered on the outside but very kind on the inside. Gold must be the most immature person Odette will ever know while Silver is quiet and reserved. Emerald still scares Odette a bit with his robotic body parts and hyper personality. Diamond just loves to eat and cook. In fact, he had cooked their dinner last night and it was most delicious. Pearl had a restless nature, and he didn't go to sleep until three in the morning.
Odette likes the Pokedexholders and has decided that coming to Pallet Town again had not been a mistake.
After a few minutes, everyone was fully awake and already chatting with each other.
Espeon, who had slept on the floor beside Odette, began to stir and wake up too. It yawned like its trainers and stretched out its limber body. "Esp?" it asked Odette with dull eyes.
"Espeon," Odette picked the Sun Pokémon up and sat it in her lap. "We're going to get the Earth Badge today. Well… after we defeat Platinum we can challenge Green for the Earth Badge. I probably won't be using you for the battle today, 'kay?"
Espeon narrowed its eyes at Odette. "Esp! Espeon!" it complained, feeling displeased that it won't be battling.
"It's breakfast time!" Diamond suddenly burst into the house carrying bowls and plates like a waiter and passing them around to everyone. He tossed a plate of pancakes and Cheri Berries to Odette.
Odette didn't even have time to thank him before the Sinnoh Dexholder had danced over to Blue and Green to give them their food.
After everyone had eaten and freshened up, Odette and Platinum could have their battle. Odette honestly preferred not to be watch while she battles, but she decided not to tell any of her new friends that.
There was a battlefield outside of Prof. Oak's lab and Odette decided to battle there. It was really hot outside and the sun was bright. Odette noticed this and began to formulate a strategy in her mind.
The trainers stood at opposite sides of the battlefield while the rest of the Dexholders retreated to the sidelines to speculate.
At the right side, Platinum was feeling a bit giddy. This was her chance to show Senior Green what she can do. Maybe he'll point out her flaws and agree to train her after this battle. But I must focus. She thought. Senior Odette has been to regions I do not know about so she must have Pokémon I have never seen or heard of as well. With that in mind, Platinum sent out her strongest Pokémon Empoleon.
As Platinum expected, Odette sent out a Pokémon the heiress had never seen before.
It was a snake-like creature with a long slender body, green and yellow curvy designs on it, two tall pointed ears, and a haughty face.
Platinum took out her Pokedex and pointed it at the green snake. The Pokedex's electronic voice informed the Sinnoh trainer that Serperior, the Regal Pokémon, is a grass-type from the Unova region. It is the final form of the starter Pokémon Snivy and usually doesn't take opponents seriously because of its proud nature.
As the Pokedex had said, Serperior took one look at Empoleon and yawned, unimpressed.
"You can do it, Miss Lady!" Pearl and Diamond were cheering for the heiress.
Platinum's confidence went up from hearing her friends' encouragement. She attacked first, "Empoleon, Drill Peck!"
Empoleon obeyed immediately and lunged at Serperior.
As the attack got close, Serperior slithered with amazing speed and avoided Empoleon's Drill Peck. "Serrrrr…"
Platinum let out a small shriek as she realized how fast her opponent was. "Aqua Jet!"
Again, Empoleon came at Serperior with an attack that was surely to hit first. But, Serperior moved with blinding speed and dodged again.
"Serperior, use Sunny Day," Odette ordered.
Serperior parted the clouds and summoned light. The sun got even brighter and harsher than before.
The Dexholders shielded their eyes from the blinding light as they tried to watch the battle.
Platinum knew that with Sunny Day set up, her water-type attacks would become weak. "Drill Peck again!" she commanded, hoping to get a type advantage over the grass-type opponent.
If it were possible, Serperior got faster. It coiled its body into a ring and allowed Empoleon to pass through it.
How did it possibly get faster? Platinum thought with panic. She brought out her Pokedex again and searched Serperior's data. The Pokedex said, "Bright sunlight makes Serperior's movement swifter."
Platinum gritted her teeth. Sunny Day powers up fire-type moves, but it also makes Serperior faster. So that's why Senior Odette taught a grass-type Sunny Day. It also weakens my water attacks at the same time… Very clever…What else can she do with Sunny Day…?
"Solar Beam," Odette ordered, snapping Platinum out of her thoughts.
Platinum relaxed for a moment, remembering that Solar Beam usually takes some time. But then it dawned on her. Sunny Day makes Solar Beam very easy to power up-
Before she could finish her thought, Serperior released a blinding Solar Beam which only took seconds to charge.
"Empoleon!" the heiress shouted as her Pokémon was hit with the grass-type attack. The Solar Beam did a large amount of damage despite it being neutrally effective on Empoleon. The water/steel type was bruised and battered but still standing. "Pol!"
Platinum could see that over half of her Pokémon's health was gone on her Pokedex. She couldn't afford to take another hit.
But then, Empoleon began to glow an ocean blue. The Emperor Pokemon perked up a little as its ability triggered. "Em-Pol-Leon!"
"Ah!" Platinum clasped her hands together in hope. "Your Torrent has been activated! Use Hydro Pump!"
Serperior was caught off guard and hit square in the snout. But it didn't seem to do much damage even with Torrent activated.
Odette looked at the sky, saw that Sunny Day was still working, and smiled. She silently thanked the weather and ordered her Serperior to use Giga Drain.
"Dodge it!" Platinum watched her Pokémon jump into the air to avoid Serperior's energy stealing attack. "Hydro Pump again!"
Empoleon fired the water attack.
"Solar Beam," Odette countered.
Sunny Day was still at work so Solar Beam was able to power up in seconds to counter Empoleon's Hydro Pump.
The attacks collided and there was an explosion. When the dust settled, Empoleon had fallen.
Serperior relaxed and its expression turned from determined to happiness. It looked back at its trainer. Odette smiled and nodded to her Pokémon. Serperior cheerfully slithered to where Platinum was kneeling beside her fainted Empoleon. "Seeerrrrrr…"
Platinum was digging her bag for a Revive and Full Restores, but couldn't find any. She looked up in surprise when she saw Serperior's shadow looming behind her.
Serperior gave a happy hiss and offered Platinum a Sitrus Berry with its tail. "Seeeerrrrr… Perior…"
Platinum hesitated at first, but she reached out and Serperior dropped the berry in her hand. "You were holding a Sitrus berry?" the heiress asked the grass-type.
Serperior nodded eagerly and motioned to Platinum's fainted Empoleon. "Serperior… sssssss…"
Odette had walked over to them and patted Serperior's snout. "Nice, Serperior. Great job." Serperior coiled itself around Odette in a protective stance and smiled blissfully. Odette turned to Platinum, "You can have that berry, Platinum. And thanks for battling me." She winked at the heiress to assure her that it was an enjoyable battle.
Platinum fed the berry to Empoleon, and the water-steel type perked up as the berry gave it new strength. The heiress and her Pokemon both bowed at Odette, "Senior, I have learned so much from this battle. Please tell me my flaws."
Odette laughed lightly, "Please, Platinum, don't call me Senior. I'm not your Senior. I don't even have a Pokedex."
"Yet you still beat me," Platinum insisted. "I can tell that your abilities far surpass mine. And you are older than me, so I must treat you with the upmost respect." She bowed again.
Before Odette could try and dissuade Platinum of calling her "Senior," Pearl and Diamond ran onto the field to the heiress. "Miss Lady, are you alright?" Pearl asked with concerned.
Platinum gave him a small smile, "I am perfectly fine, Pearl. Although…" she looked at Green who had also come onto the field to talk to Platinum. "I can tell that I have disappointed you, Senior Green. Please tell me what I have done wrong."
"Yes, I was disappointed," Green admitted. "You didn't really have a strategy out there. You knew that Serperior was fast, but you just kept attacking without trying to think of a way to counter that speed. All that did was ware out your Pokémon. You also got carried away just because Torrent was triggered. Even with an Ability like that, you still have to observe your surroundings and be alert. Do you understand why Hydro Pump wasn't that effective even with Torrent?"
Platinum thought for a moment but couldn't come up with a reasonable answer to her Senior's question.
Green sighed and proceeded to explain. "The weather was already really hot to begin with, and Serperior made it even harsher with Sunny Day. Torrent powers up water type attacks while Sunny Day and hot weather weakens it. Torrent was canceled out because of the weather."
"You knew?" Odette asked in disbelief. "I didn't think anyone would figure that out."
Platinum's mind rolled down the gutter from hearing all of the strategy Odette had in mind with just Sunny Day. "You knew Empoleon had Torrent, so you set up Sunny Day to take care of that. Sunny Day also weakened my water-attacks from the beginning including Aqua Jet which I needed in order to counter Serperior's speed."
Odette nodded, "And?"
"Sunlight makes Serperior faster which caused Aqua Jet to be useless even if it is fast too," Platinum continued. "Serperior knew Solar Beam which usually takes a long time to charge, but Sunny Day got rid of that charge up time so that you can attack quickly if something goes wrong."
Odette smiled with satisfaction. "You got it! You're pretty smart, Platinum. Just concentrate on staying calm during the battles, okay?"
"Yes, Senior," Platinum chirped.
Odette was about to tell her to not call her "Senior," but decided that it was useless. She glanced at Green, "You know… She has potential, I think you should give her a chance."
"Yeah, maybe," the Gym Leader replied.
Platinum heard this and a smiled with pure joy spread across her lips. Senior Green will finally teach me his ways. I cannot wait!
None of the Dexholders could have thought of using Sunny Day in so many different way. Perhaps, not only will the Pokedexholders teach her new things, but Odette can possibly teach them as well.
