CHAPTER TEN
Amy wiped the payphone with her handkerchief before dialing the operator. Downstairs, her brother Liam was healing his Pokemon at reception.
"Calls cost two dollars per minute," intoned the automatic voice. "Please dial the number you wish to call."
With foreboding, Amy dialed her home number from memory. She watched her brother push ahead in queue and frowned, startled when the call connected.
"Uh, yes," Amy stumbled for a moment. "I'd like to speak with my mother. It's her daughter, Amy."
While she waited for the maid to fetch her mother, Amy wondered how her unruly brother had managed to push ahead in the stakes far enough to gain Gym badges. True, he selected Pokemon for their brunt strength and was always a dirty fighter, but where did he find Pokemon who complemented that streak?
The chilly voice jolted her out of her reverie. "Amy?"
"Mother - "
"What do you want, Amy?"
"I-I'm calling to tell you something... it's a bit difficult to say on the phone, but - "
"I know."
"You know?" Amy asked, faltering slightly.
"I received a call from the captain of the S.S. Anne. You see, I had him personally assure me that if something happened to you, he was to contact me the moment he heard any news of you. Naturally, to receive his call was something of a surprise."
"I see... and what did he say?" Amy asked, fearing the answer.
"I expected better of you, Amy. The captain said he heard rumors that you were entering into Pokemon battles in the economy class cabins. What was I to say to this man?"
"I'm sorry, Mother... I just wanted to battle. I'm getting good at it, I - " Amy hated herself for stuttering with her mother.
"You went to private school, Amy. You were brought up better than this."
"There's nothing wrong with Pokemon!" Amy blurted out, startling the gentlemen nearby who glanced up from his newspaper.
"They are filthy, horrid creatures. I don't know why everyone is fascinated with them."
"Liam battles every day in worse conditions with his clothes ripped and stinking like a sewer."
There was a pregnant silence. "Your brother is only doing this... fad, until he can take over the running of your father's company. He certainly didn't win fame for his academic results, I can tell you."
Amy tried to find a weak spot. "You have a Persian yourself, Mum!"
"Persian is an inside pet," replied her mother, as though all other Pokemon were rancid and diseased. "Even then, I have to pay someone to groom, flea-treat and clip her nails. How can you stand living like a hiker?"
"It's not too bad, Mum," Amy pleaded. "I'm earning enough money to sleep in hotels, no they're not fancy but they fit the prescription of what I'm trying to achieve."
"There's no future in it for you. Even your brother's dabble with Pokemon is temporary. If he wins the League, fine - " Amy rolled her eyes, for nothing would ever be good enough for her mother. " - even if the prize money is substantial. But you are not cut out for this sort of nonsense, do you hear me?"
Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, Amy added, "Liam's here, by the way. He wants to talk to you."
"We're not finished talking, Amy! You will not - "
Liam offered a rude hand gesture to his sister before snatching the receiver from her with ill-disguised contempt. His voice turned sour. "Mum, she made me - "
Amy rolled her eyes, leaning against the wall with her arms folded while she watched her little brother mumble apologies into the phone.
"But - but - "! Liam bowed his head, trying to argue with little merit. "OK. I said, OK!"
Roughly, he hung up the phone and turned to Amy, fury in his eyes.
"She said I'm not to talk to you," he added dourly.
"We're talking right now," Amy tried to maintain her confidence. "I-is that all she said? Nothing about - "
"She's stopping your allowance as of today, and told me if I speak to you again she'll cut me off, too."
Liam didn't allow her a moment's hesitation, for he knew he wouldn't last long without his parents' money even if Amy thought she was above it. Privately he thought she was mad.
"Do what you like, but don't expect me to help you. You should've just stayed at home and did as you were told."
Her eyes glazed over, Amy refused to accept defeat. She wouldn't continue to allow anyone to dictate her future.
Later that night, Amy was in the patch of grass between Viridian Forest and Pewter City. Cubone was out of its Pokeball, trying to learn some moves, but Amy was having little luck.
"Come on, Cubone." Amy said hopelessly. "There must be some attack moves you know."
Since receiving the news from her mother and confirmed by her brother that she was to be cut off without contact as long as she was a Pokemon Trainer, Amy had become empowered, vowing never to give up on her Pokemon no matter the tribulations they faced together. However, it was starting to wane - Cubone was quite possibly the most stubborn Pokemon she had ever dealt with. Cubone looked not unlike a bipedal theropod, with a mask made out of bone to cover its face and another bone used for attacking. It was nearly the height of Growlithe.
"Look, Cubone, there's a Rattata! Hey, Rattata! Over here!"
The wild Rattata darted for the undergrowth and scattered out of sight.
"Come on, Cubone. We've got to find you a Trainer to battle," Amy said, as Cubone folded its arms in reluctance. Amy retrieved the Pokeball her brother had given her. "You don't want to go in the Pokeball, do you?"
Cubone shook its head.
"So do you want to battle Pokemon and train?"
Cubone shook its head even more insistently. Amy let out a sigh and sat down next to Cubone. Her skirt was wrinkled and dirty, but she had began to get used to the discomfort, used to Growlithe's fur on her clothes from when he was a pup.
"Cubone... are you upset that Liam abandoned you?"
Cubone nodded. Amy felt a little uncomfortable about the situation. Why was she the outcast in her family, to hold all the social obligations, while Liam could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted? Her parents were proud people, who wouldn't go back on their word. Amy was on her own from now on.
"Cubone, I don't know if you want to participate in Pokemon battles or not. But what I do know is - I'll take the very best care of you I can. I promise."
Cubone turned to Amy, its expression hidden underneath its bone mask. Amy's face softened.
"Hey, you!" cried a voice.
Amy turned around to see a girl her age, wearing a school uniform complete with a mini skirt. She had long hair and carried two Pokeballs on her belt.
"Are you a Pokemon Trainer?" she asked, looking at Amy's three Pokemon.
"Yes, I am." Amy said. "Would you like a battle?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing!" she grinned. "Let's battle!"
Amy and the girl made room for a battlefield, with Growlithe, Nidoran and Cubone staying by Amy's side as the girl silently weighed up in her mind which of her Pokemon to send out first.
"My name's Amy."
"I'm Dana. Nice to meet you!" replied the Trainer.
Amy's mind was already on strategies. Nidoran had proven to be agile and strong, while Growlithe was powerful with its Fire-type attacks.
"Go, Nidoran!" Dana shouted, tossing her Pokeball onto the battlefield.
Dana's Nidoran appeared in a burst of red light, its visage nearly identical to that of Amy's Nidoran.
"Growlithe," Amy said. "Your turn!"
As Growlithe walked forward, Cubone rushed past Growlithe and headed into the battlefield to face Nidoran.
"Cubone!" Amy said in surprise. "You're not ready for battle!"
"Nidoran, Tackle Attack!" cried Dana.
Nidoran set off at a pace towards Cubone, lowering its head and launching itself at Cubone. Cubone dodged out of the way, brandishing the bone in its hand that it wielded as a club.
"Cubone, Growl!" Amy cried.
As Nidoran turned to face Cubone for another Tackle Attack, Cubone let out a growl which caused Nidoran to stop and eye Cubone warily in fear. Cubone ran towards Nidoran at a fast pace, swinging its tail around for a Tail Whip, but Nidoran dodged in the nick of time.
"Nidoran, Double Kick!" Dana shouted.
"Cubone," Amy cried. "Use Bone Club!"
Nidoran attempted to pummel Cubone with its feet, but Cubone jumped out of the way, clubbing Nidoran with its bone as it landed back on the ground. Stunned, Nidoran attempted to stand up but swayed uneasily on its small feet.
"Finish it, Cubone! Tail Whip!"
Cubone swung its tail around and hit Nidoran, sending it flying across the field where it rolled over several times.
"Nidoran!" Dana gasped. Nidoran had fainted.
"Cubone, you won!" Amy said in surprise, but was quick to embrace him, as Cubone blushed modestly.
"Return, Nidoran." Dana said, as Nidoran returned to its Pokeball in a flash of red light.
"Cubone, do you want to return to your Pokeball?" Amy asked. Cubone shook its head.
"Do you want to keep battling?" Amy asked. Cubone nodded, to which Amy smiled. "We're ready when you are, Dana."
"Go, Rattata!" Dana cried, throwing her second Pokeball onto the battlefield. Rattata appeared in a burst of red light, ready to fight.
"Cubone, Growl Attack!"
"Rattata, Quick Attack!"
As Cubone let out another growl, Rattata disappeared into thin air. Surprised, Cubone looked around to see where Rattata had gone, but it was too late - Rattata appeared all of a sudden at Cubone's side, tackling it and sending Cubone sprawling onto the grass, winded from the sudden attack.
"Cubone!" cried Amy. "Are you alright?"
Cubone managed to get to its feet, but Rattata had already began running towards Cubone.
"Tackle Attack, Rattata!"
"Cubone, look out!" Amy cried in distress.
Cubone narrowly avoided the attack, bringing its club down upon Rattata's head as it did so. As Rattata slumped to the ground in pain, Cubone finished Rattata with another Bone Club attack. Rattata fainted.
"Cubone, you won! We won!" Amy gasped, surprised at her Pokemon's first victory. "Well done!"
Lana returned Rattata to its Pokeball and walked over to Amy, holding out her hand.
"You're a good Trainer," Lana said.
Amy shook Lana's hand, then withdrew it as Lana reached in her pocket and handed Amy two hundred dollars in cash.
"Thank you, Lana." Amy said, turning to kneel before Cubone. "Cubone, would you like to go back in your Pokeball?"
Cubone stoutly shook its head. Amy smiled, looking up at Lana as though to share a private joke. Pokemon and their ways.
"Come on then, Cubone. Let's go to the Pokemon Center. I have a feeling Brock will want to see us again - and this time, he'll eat his words."
With her Pokemon fully healed and her backpack full of equipment, Amy took a deep breath and knocked on the door of the Pewter Gym.
"Enter!" replied a loud voice.
Amy pushed open the door, entering the familiar Gym battleground with rocks and harsh ground spread throughout. The lighting was dim, but individual spotlights shone upon Amy and Brock.
"You again? You dare to challenge me after your defeat?" Brock's voice boomed.
"Yes," Amy said, more confident. "I challenge you, Brock, to claim my right to the first Badge of my Pokemon journey."
"That's more like it!" Brock roared appreciatively. "Choose your first Pokemon, challenger!"
"Yes." Amy said, selecting her first Pokeball.
"I choose Geodude! Go!"
Geodude appeared in a red flash of light, hovering above the battlefield. Amy threw her Pokeball into the fray, erupting with a red light which formed an almost diminutive Pokemon.
"I choose Cubone!"
Cubone materialised from the red light, gripping its bone club tightly, its face hidden by its mask made out of bone. Amy stole a glance at Brock, who looked anxious.
"Geodude, Defense Curl!" shouted Brock.
Geodude began spinning wildly in the air, while Cubone remained hesitant.
"Cubone, Bone Club Attack!"
Cubone ran forward, its club raised as it approached Geodude, who was now a spinning blur -
"Geodude, Tackle!"
Geodude zoomed at Cubone, who avoided the Tackle Attack but was too slow to hit Geodude with its club. Geodude slowed down to turn around, then launched itself at Cubone again. This gave Amy an idea.
"Geodude, Tackle Cubone again!"
Geodude launched itself towards Cubone, still spinning madly. As Cubone jumped out of the way, Amy shouted:
"Cubone! Use Bone Club as it slows down to turn!"
Indeed, as Geodude turned, it slowed down - Cubone took advantage of Geodude's momentary loss of speed in order to use its Bone Club attack on Geodude. Stunned from the force of Cubone's bone, Geodude wobbled uneasily as it attempted to regain sanity and balance.
"Finish it, Cubone! Use Bone Club again!"
Cubone lifted its bone club high in the air and brought it down upon Geodude, sending it flailing to the ground in a fit of agony. As it began to twitch and stop moving, Cubone raised its bone in the air in victory. Geodude had fallen unconscious.
"Return, Geodude," Brock said, as Amy whooped in joy. Brock stared across at Amy. "You're certainly a surprise, challenger. But my next Pokemon will be a lot harder! Go, Onix!"
Brock threw a Pokeball into the arena, which burst into red light and materialised to form Onix. Onix, who towered over Cubone, gave a mighty roar and Cubone stared, wide-eyed.
"Be careful, Cubone!" cried Amy.
"Onix, Tackle Attack!"
Onix swung its tail at Cubone in a sweeping motion; Cubone avoided Onix's attack just in time, to watch Onix's tail slam into the side of the battlefield.
"Onix, Screech Attack!"
"Cubone, block your ears!" Amy cried.
Cubone dug its fingers into its ears as Onix opened its mouth and emitted a sound wave at Cubone. Cubone was unaffected, however.
"Onix, Tackle it again!"
This time, Onix reared its head and shot full force towards Cubone. Cubone bent slightly at the knees, then jumped in the air and landed on Onix's head.
"Bone Club, Cubone!"
As Onix's head skidded the ground during its missed attack, Cubone repeatedly bashed Onix on the head with its bone club, as Onix roared in pain and shook its head angrily to buck Cubone off. Cubone sailed through the air, landed straight into a rocky outcrop and rolled several times across the ground, barely able to move.
"Cubone!" Amy shouted, as Cubone lay still. "Cubone!"
Amy looked over at Onix, who was still moving, but had a throbbing head. It looked as though it was weakened - but as she looked at Cubone, Amy confirmed her worst fear: Cubone had no fight left. She retrieved her Pokeball from her bag and pointed it at Cubone, returning it inside its Pokeball with a flash of red light.
"Onix, get up!" Brock shouted, as Onix attempted to get up but failed. It was still conscious, but barely able to move its head. Its tail, however, swished around behind it, fully functional.
Amy made a rash decision and selected her next Pokemon, throwing the Pokeball onto the field.
"Go, Nidoran!"
Nidoran appeared in a burst of red light, a diminutive Pokemon compared to the size and scale of Onix. Brock laughed at Amy's chosen Pokemon.
"You think my Onix is out for the count so you send a weak Pokemon like that? Hah! Onix, Tackle it with your tail!"
Onix, barely moving, swept its tail in a long sweep towards Nidoran. Nidoran, however, was agile enough to jump on Onix at the precise moment Onix swept its tail towards her. Nidoran ran up Onix's serpentine body and to the base of its head.
"Nidoran, use Double Kick!"
"No!" Brock roared.
Nidoran leapt in the air and delivered two sharp kicks to Onix's head. Groaning in pain, Nidoran had the good sense to leap off of Onix as it flailed around in an attempt to attack anything nearby. Onix fell to the ground with an almighty crash, out for the count. Onix was defeated.
"I WIN!" Amy shouted, all ladylike resolve evaporating. She jumped up and down in paroxysms of joy, cheeks flushed.
Brock returned Onix to its Pokeball, walking over to Amy. Amy felt a flash of foreboding upon seeing Brock's hard expression, but she relaxed when he reached in his pocket and handed her the Boulderbadge, as well as a wad of prize money. Smoothing down her skirt, she accepted the cash."
"You have earned the Boulderbadge, challenger. You have faced a trial in battling me and by your victory, I thank you for humbling me."
"It was a welcome battle and a very," - Amy held herself back from saying 'satisfying' - "engaging battle. Thank you, Brock."