CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Natalie walked along Cerulean's coastline with Squirtle by her side, her sandals in her hand so she could feel the sand between her toes. She could spot Krabby returning to the ocean, their refuge from the hot sun beaming down at them. Natalie watched as Trainers up and down the coast battled with each other; frenzied in their attempts to win. Natalie had seen that same glint in Daniel's eye as he pursued victory on the Nugget Bridge - and he had come out a winner. Natalie was proud of him.
Sitting down on the sand and placing her sandals to the side. Natalie exhaled as the ocean's breeze swept across her face. She reached for the Pokeball on her belt and released Butterfree in a flash of red light. Natalie watched as Butterfree flew about but didn't stray too far, enjoying the warm sun and the chance to spread its wings. Natalie smiled as Squirtle walked closer to the waves, wading knee-deep into the water and jumping up and down, splashing the waves here and there. Natalie lay down on the beach, staring up at the cloudless sky. She had come so far from Viridian City already... she wondered when she'd next see her parents, or her sister, for that matter.
"Hey! Come back here!"
Natalie didn't immediately sit up - she assumed it was a disagreement between two Trainers - but her curiosity got the better of her and as she shook the sand from her hair, what she saw quite frankly surprised her.
A Poliwag, notable for its appearance that was not unlike a blue, spherical tadpole with a feather-like tail, a black swirl around its body and small feet, came running towards Natalie with a look of panic on its face. Natalie, seeing that the Poliwag had multiple grazes on its body, instinctively outstretched her arms. As the Poliwag jumped into Natalie's arms, Natalie stood up to see a Trainer running towards her, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"What's going on?" Natalie asked, clutching the Poliwag protectively as it quivered in her arms.
"That... Poliwag... " the Trainer tried to catch his breath before continuing. "Fast little - "
"What were you doing to it?" Natalie asked. "It's hurt all over!"
"Well, I was training, wasn't I?" he replied, as though speaking to an abysmally stupid preschooler. "It ran off before I was finished with it."
"Finished with it?" Natalie looked scandalised, holding the Poliwag closer to her chest. "It's done nothing wrong!"
"I'm not through with it yet," he said grimly. "Give it here."
"Pokemon are not punching bags! You can't abuse them until you see fit! You have to take care of them!"
"Look, little girl, it's none of your business - "
"It's my business as of now." Natalie said. "You want to pick on Pokemon? You want to be a bully? Well, guess what. I'm your bully now! It's time for a Pokemon battle!"
"What?" the Trainer was perplexed. "You?"
"You're right about that." Natalie said, kneeling to set the Poliwag down at her feet. "Squirtle, take care of this Poliwag while I take care of this lout."
"Heh, you think you can beat me, little girl?" he roared with laughter.
"Pokemon training is not all about strength." Natalie said, standing back to allow space for a battlefield. "I'll teach you a lesson for picking on this poor Poliwag."
Squirtle and Poliwag stood next to Natalie. Squirtle looked at the other Trainer with a furious expression, while the Poliwag next to it tried to stayed conscious.
"Let's go, little miss!" the Trainer roared. "You're about to find out what happens when you mess with Flint! Go, Machop!"
The Pokeball Flint threw into the battlefield burst open with a flash of red light to reveal Machop, its muscles sizeable for its slim form.
"Butterfree!" Natalie called, as Butterfree soared above Natalie's head from where it had been enjoying the afternoon air and faced Machop with a determined expression. "Let's teach this guy a lesson!"
"A Butterfree?" Flint laughed.
"Butterfree, Confusion!" Natalie cried.
Butterfree's body glowed and released a telekinetic force which blasted Machop straight off its feet. Astounded, Flint yelled, "You - "
"Butterfree, finish it! Tackle Attack!"
Butterfree swooped down upon the fallen Machop and tackled it head on, sending the Machop hurtling across the beach and landing face first in the sand. As it managed to stand, it was confused from Butterfree's attack, stumbling about uneasily.
"Attack that Butterfree, Machop! What are you thinking!"
Butterfree swooped down upon Machop again and Machop tried to aim its fist at Butterfree, but in its confusion, it punched itself in the head. Out for the count, Machop lay unconscious on the coastline's sandy floor. Butterfree made squeaks of joy as it flew overhead.
"Grr... " Flint returned Machop to its Pokeball. He selected another Pokeball from his belt. "Go, Sandshrew!"
Sandshrew appeared in a burst of red light, its fists balled as it faced Butterfree.
"Butterfree, come back," Natalie said, as Butterfree fluttered onto Natalie's shoulder, dainty as a feather. "Squirtle - "
But as Squirtle stepped forward to face Sandshrew, the little Poliwag ran forward on its little feet, its rage palpable.
"Poliwag, you're hurt. You can't battle," said Natalie insistently.
Poliwag squeaked furiously, stomping its little foot just like Natalie had done did to Flint. Natalie smiled sadly, then rifled in her bag for a Potion.
"What's the hold up?" Flint shouted. "Are you battling or not?"
Natalie found the Potion, running over to Poliwag to feed it as it had no hands. As Poliwag drank deeply; its bruises were still apparent, but it was now in fighting shape.
"Go, Poliwag!" Natalie said, returning to her correct place on the battlefield. "Show him what we've got!"
"Sandshrew, Scratch Attack!"
"Poliwag, Hypnosis!" Natalie cried.
Poliwag emitted hypnotic waves from the swirl on its stomach, which hit Sandshrew and caused it to fall asleep. As Sandshrew slumped, asleep on the coast, Poliwag jumped up and down excitedly.
"Bubble Attack, Poliwag!"
Poliwag released a spurt of bubbles which pounded Sandshrew while it slept. Sandshrew woke up from the pain, but soon fell from the weight of the pain it was experiencing. It fell on its back, unconscious.
"NO!" roared Flint, rushing off to Sandshrew. "Stupid, useless - "
As Flint aimed a kick at his unconscious Sandshrew, Natalie cried out in horror and Squirtle issued a jet of water from his mouth, aimed straight at Flint. Before Flint could hurt Sandshrew, he was bowled over by Squirtle's jet of water and landed painfully on his back, tasting sand.
"WHY, YOU - " Flint roared.
"Butterfree, Confusion!" Natalie cried.
Butterfree swooped down on Flint, releasing a telekinetic force which blasted Flint as he attempted to stand up. He writhed around in the sand, unable to tell his hands from his feet. He was confused.
"If that's the way he treats his Pokemon, we're not letting him stay a Pokemon Trainer! Come on, guys!"
Natalie ran over to the confused Flint, with Squirtle and Poliwag backing her up. Natalie knelt before the harmed Sandshrew.
"We're taking you to the Cerulean Adoption Centre. You'll be safe there. Is that OK?"
Sandshrew didn't make a sound, but Natalie took the Sandshrew in her arms and stood up, finding Sandshrew's weight quite challenging. As she rifled through Flint's pockets for the Pokeball which contained Machop, she heard a siren and turned to see a female police officer dismounting her motorbike nearby.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" she shouted, running towards Natalie. She took in the limp figure of Flint. "What's going on here?"
"Officer, this Trainer challenged me to a battle in which I won, but then he attempted to hurt his own Pokemon for losing." Natalie indicated the unconscious Sandshrew in her arms. "I took it upon myself to take his Pokemon from his custody."
The female officer looked dubious, then turned to the Squirtle, Poliwag and Butterfree. "Is this correct?"
All three Pokemon nodded their assent. The female officer looked grim, but nodded. "OK. I'll take him with me. You'll have to give the Sandshrew to me, however. Thanks - "
"Natalie. My name's Natalie."
"Thanks, Natalie. I'm Officer Jenny. I can't offer any sort of a reward for your actions... we're stretched quite thin on rewarding people lately..."
"That's alright, Officer. As long as this man is relieved of his Pokemon and his ability to do so in the future, I'll be fine. Please make sure they go to good homes."
"I will," Officer Jenny nodded, taking the Sandshrew from Natalie's outstretched arms. "Thank you for your help today."
"You're welcome." Natalie smiled, bending down and smiling at the Poliwag. "Are you OK to go back to your home now?"
Poliwag nodded, but as Natalie turned and walked away, she noticed that the Poliwag was following her.
"Poliwag?" Natalie asked. "Where's your home?"
Poliwag took a running leap straight into a surprised Natalie's arms, snuggling into her chest. Natalie smiled, holding Poliwag close. "Poliwag, do you want to come with Squirtle and I?"
Poliwag looked up at Natalie, squeaking as it nodded its assent, snuggling closer. Natalie continued walking with Squirtle by her side, Butterfree following overhead and Poliwag in her arms.
"It's settled, then," Natalie said soothingly. "I'll look after you."
While Natalie toured Cerulean's Cape and Daniel busied himself with spending his hard-earned winnings, Amy reached the Nugget Bridge with Growlithe beside her. Looking up at the sky, she could feel the sun's warmth slowly fading.
"Excuse me," she said, to a young boy standing near the bridge. "Is the Nugget Bridge challenge still going?"
"Yes it is. Are you interested in participating?" he asked.
Amy nodded. The young boy smirked and pointed up the bridge. "Head up the bridge to find the five Trainers. You must fight them in order. Some points to remember: you may not leave the bridge until your challenge is complete or you forfeit the challenge - this includes visiting a Pokemon Centre. I advise that you bring Potions. What's your name?"
"My name's Amy."
"I'll let them know you're coming."
"Thank you," Amy nodded to the young boy, walking up the bridge, a feeling of contentment washing over her. She had made it on time. She had healed her Pokemon prior and was ready to battle.
The first Trainer she came across looked to be a bug catcher, with two Pokemon on his belt.
"Hi! I'm Cale." said the boy. Amy noticed he had two Pokeballs on his belt. "You must be the challenger."
"I am." Amy said, making room for a battlefield. She motioned to her Growlithe. "I choose Growlithe!"
Growlithe stepped into the battlefield, wagging his tail excitedly at the prospect of battle. Cale threw his first Pokeball onto the bridge.
"Go, Caterpie!" he shouted.
Caterpie appeared in a burst of red light, its feelers wiggling on top of its head.
"Caterpie, String Shot!" Cale shouted.
"Growlithe, Ember!" Amy shouted.
As Caterpie released a stream of string from its mouth, Growlithe opened its mouth and released a volley of flames which incinerated Caterpie's oncoming String Shot attack and blasted Caterpie right off its little feet, sending it rolling to Cale's feet. It had fainted.
"Caterpie!" Cale said, returning it to its Pokeball. He selected another from his belt and tossed it into the fray. "Go, Weedle!"
Weedle appeared in a burst of red light, waggling the stinger on top of its head.
"Weedle, Poison Sting!"
"Growlithe, dodge it!"
As Weedle leapt at Growlithe, its stinger aimed, Growlithe jumped out of the way and avoided the attack.
"Bite Attack, Growlithe!" Amy cried.
Growlithe leapt at Weedle, taking Weedle in its mouth and biting down hard. It threw Weedle to its side of the battlefield, where it rolled quite unconscious to its master's feet.
"Nice work, Growlithe," Amy said, as Cale, shocked, returned Weedle to its Pokeball.
"You're a good Trainer," Cale commended, extending his hand. Amy shook it. "Here's your prize money. The next Trainer is up ahead."
Amy felt a thrill go through her. This would be some real experience for Growlithe, Nidoran and Cubone.
It was not long before she reached the fifth and final Trainer. Panting slightly though she tried to hide it, she approached the boy who looked her up and down and offered his hand, to which she shook it.
"I'm Ethan," he introduced himself.
"Amy." she smiled, though she was tired from the long trek through Mt. Moon. "Let's battle!"
"Go, Mankey!" Ethan shouted, throwing his Pokeball into the fray.
Mankey appeared in a flash of red light, flailing its fight in a show of aggression.
"I choose Growlithe!" Amy commanded, as Growlithe stepped from her side onto the battlefield.
"Mankey, Low Kick!"
"Growlithe, Roar!"
Growlithe let out a fearsome roar at Mankey, but Mankey was unaffected and kicked Growlithe in the face. Growlithe rolled across the battlefield, injured.
"Mankey, Karate Chop!"
As Mankey ran towards Growlithe at an alarming pace, Amy cried, "Growlithe, use Ember!"
Growlithe raised its head and released a stream of flames, catching Mankey in the process and burning it severely.
"Mankey, use Leer!"
"Growlithe, use Bite!"
Growlithe, fatigued from its previous battles and spurred on by desperation, launched itself at a stumbling Mankey and sunk his teeth into it. Mankey squealed in pain, causing Amy's eardrums to ring.
"No!" cried Ethan, as Mankey lay on the ground, out for the count.
"Good job, Growlithe." Amy said, feeding him the last of the Poketreats she had. She looked up at Ethan. "I believe you owe me a reward."
"You're correct. However, we've run out of Nuggets, and the last challenger I fought took the last of the proceeds from our mining excavation. I'm afraid I can't offer you as much money as we promised."
Derek extracted some cash from his pocket and extended his hand, opening his palm to reveal less than two thousand dollars.
Inside, Amy was fuming. She had fought five consecutive battles without being able to heal her Pokemon at a Pokemon Centre to receive less than half of the money she was promised? This was unacceptable! This sense of loss and failure... this had to be how people without money felt all the time, which she was slowly getting used to.
"I'm sorry, but that's not good enough. You'll need to find some way to give me the rest of the money."
"What?" Derek repeated, astonished.
"The young boy at the other end of the bridge informed me I'd be receiving a Nugget. The least you can do is give me the monetary value of one; certainly not less than half of its value."
"B-but, I don't have any more money to give you, miss!" Ethan exclaimed.
Amy fixed him with a frosty stare. "That's not my problem. The way I see it, if I had lost the battle against you, you would've been entitled to a portion of my money."
"Well, if you didn't have any money, I wouldn't expect you to owe me..."
"You'd feel furious and cheated, just like I do right now. I'm sure you have the decency to understand my situation."
"I do, but..." Ethan looked about nervously. "Look, if money's a problem for you - "
"Money's not a problem," Amy stiffened, having never heard the accusation directed at her in her life. "That's no excuse to swindle somebody. I came here expecting a reward, not an apology."
"You don't look like you need money anyway," Ethan said. "You're a rich girl, right?"
Amy was on the verge of shaking the boy, of telling him to try being an outcast from his family with no source of income other than Pokemon battles, but she managed to keep her composure.
She didn't want to seem skinflint, so she huffed and took the money he offered. "You have no idea how much perfume and make up costs these days."
In truth, Amy thought to herself, keeping herself pleasantly attired and expensively fragrant would be out of her budget on what she was earning each day. Hotel rooms, Pokefood and breakfast meals were taking up what little cash remained in her purse. She envied her brother's freedom to use his battle winnings for pocket change compared with the allowance allotted to him by their parents.
After healing her Pokemon at the Pokemon Centre, Amy had booked a room at a hotel with less amenities than the exclusive resorts she usually reserved for herself in Celadon. This one was smaller with a tiny bathroom, but it had enough room for her three Pokemon to run around, although it came without a Pokemon bed.
"Dinner," Amy said, separating some Pokemon food into three separate bowls for her Growlithe, Nidoran and Cubone.
As they ate hungrily, Amy considered her options. Including the eight hundred dollars she had won by defeating the four Nugget Bridge Trainers individually, she had also received fifteen hundred for completing the Nugget Bridge challenge, as well as receiving one thousand dollars as a reward for capturing the Mt. Moon thieves. Taking off four hundred for tonight's stay, she had enough money to cover her expenses for now, but what if she lost a battle? Money was her only means of survival.
Amy fell back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling with abandon. Her Pokemon adventure was supposed to filled with fun and adventure, not spent worrying about little things like how to afford a hot meal and a warm bed. Her mind was full of figures one minute, worrying about her family the next, then taking a turn for the dark as she remembered her brother's warning to stay out of his way. Those who grew up without money clearly found their way to manage, used to the perils and economies.
Amy sighed. This was depressing her too much. She turned off the bedside lamp and tried to get some sleep.