CHAPTER NINETEEN
Amy was back in Celadon City. The vibrant, sophisticated heart of Kanto, Amy had only been gone for a few days but found herself missing the excited rush of people who passed; students on their way to class, businessmen anxiously checking their pagers, housewives clutching grocery bags and chatting to one another. Amy knew Celadon City like the back of her no longer manicured hand.
She was worried about being recognised or seeing someone she knew, but she managed to conceal her worry as she walked down streets with attractive storefronts displaying the latest sales in women's clothing and shoes. Amy lingered only for a moment, remembering a life she would be without for long time to come and came to rest in front of the Celadon Gym. There was a long queue in front of the entrance.
"Are you here to battle the Gym Leader?" she asked a Bug Catcher. "What's the rush?"
"We want to see Erika!" he catcalled, jeering at his friends. "Yeah! Yeah! Erika!"
Amy looked up at the sky. It would be getting dark in an hour or so. If the Gym was this busy, it would close sooner than she would reach the front of the line.
"Let's find a hotel, Growlithe," Amy said, scratching her canine Pokemon between the ears.
The only hotel Amy had stayed at in Celadon City was the Celadon Apartments; a five-star building with a strict no-Pokemon policy. Amy resigned herself to looking for inexpensive accommodation, but almost all of them had 'no vacancy' signs outside their windows.
"Haven't you heard?" asked one receptionist, after Amy had inquired as to their lodgings. "There's a bicycle race on the route to the west. We've been booked out weeks in advance!"
"Is there no other vacancies in town?" Amy asked.
"Well, you could always try Saffron City." suggested the receptionist. "Or if you're looking for somewhere quieter, how about Lavender Town?"
"That still requires a walk through Saffron..."
"No!" the receptionist said, consulting the Town Map pinned to a corkboard. "There's an Underground Path which connects Celadon to Lavender. It's good for commuting or traveling, 'cause Saffron gets busy during the week."
That could be handy, thought Amy.
"It's a bit shady at night, though. You'd best be off before it gets dark," said the receptionist.
"Very well," Amy nodded, as she turned to leave. "Thank you."
"You're welcome!"
Amy and Growlithe walked side-by-side as they left Celadon City and traveled the route headed east to Saffron City. Night was falling fast and an anxious worry settled in Amy's gut.
You'll be fine, she told herself, though she hated herself for allowing such pangs of doubt.
As Amy reached the checkpoint which divided Celadon and Saffron, she saw a small building in the distance. She walked up to it, reading the sign, 'Underground Path'. She opened the door, finding an empty reception desk with a wilted ficus plant next to it and a flight of stairs heading down.
"Ready, Growlithe?" Amy asked, more for herself than for her Pokemon.
Growlithe barked in approval. He took the lead, heading down the stairs in front of her.
"Growlithe, be careful!" Amy said, a note of concern in her voice as she rushed after him.
As Amy reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Growlithe waiting for her. In front of her was a long, dark hallway, punctuated by glowing lanterns on the walls. She couldn't see the exit from here, only a narrow stretch of dimly lit black-and-white tiles.
"OK," Amy permitted herself a deep breath. "Let's go."
The two of them walked down the long tunnel, the lanterns flickering silently in their sconces. The only sound was that of Amy's shoes and Growlithe's feet padding on the tiled floor.
"Nidorina, Cubone," Amy reached into her purse and released her Pokemon in a flash of red light. "You can come out and join the party."
Nidorina and Cubone flanked Amy on either side of her, understanding at once the need for their Trainer's protection. Now there were four sets of footsteps, making their way down the path.
Amy hesitated. She heard another, unknown pair of footsteps - coming from behind.
She whipped around, seeing nothing behind her. A shrill laugh, now coming from the opposite direction. She turned her head again, unable to see anything other than the lanterns on the walls.
"Who's there?" Amy asked, her anxious tone betraying her nerves.
Growlithe began growling, his hackles raised as he backed up, closer to his Trainer. Nidorina and Cubone covered Amy's back; Nidorina trying to see in the darkness and Cubone clenching its bone club tightly.
Amy could hear voices from both sides; they echoed off the walls. She could see shadows darting on the walls, but from which direction they came she couldn't be sure.
"What're you doing in a place like this, missy?"
One of them stepped out of the shadows. He wore a leather jacket, with a silver belt buckle and had a visible mohawk. His muscles bulged through his tank top and he wore the snide, complacent expression of a tomcat who has a young mouse in his sights.
"You should know better than to travel here at night."
Amy whipped around. Another came out of the shadows - now she was trapped on both sides. This man wore similar clothing but had a shaved head. She could see the same glint in his eye.
"I'll tell you only once - get out of my way!" Amy warned.
At this, the two men laughed uproariously.
"Little lady, I lift cereal boxes heavier than you. You think you're a match for me?" asked the guy with the mohawk. "Now hand over your purse and you'll stay out of trouble."
Amy tightened her grip on her purse as her Pokemon backed up closer to her, their faces locked on the bikers.
"If you come near me, my Pokemon will defend me. You won't stand a chance against them," Amy said icily, her confidence gaining measure.
"Well, we'll just have to fight dirty then, won't we?" the biker with a shaved head grinned, revealing two Pokeballs on his belt. "Won't we, Zeke?"
"Looks like it, Dwayne," grinned Zeke, the one with the mohawk. He too, had two Pokeballs on his belt.
"I'll battle both of you if I have to," Amy said resolutely.
Dwayne, the other thug, snickered. "We don't play by your rules, little lady. You'll have to take on all our Pokemon at once!"
Dwayne and Zeke illuminated the hallway with flashes of red light as their Pokemon appeared in front of them. Zeke had a Voltorb and a Raticate; while Dwayne had a Grimer and a Koffing; a round, limbless Pokemon with a skull and crossbones on its purple body.
Amy felt a wave of panic flood her body. Take on four Pokemon at once?
Before she could respond, Dwayne cried, "Take 'em out, Koffing!"
Koffing released a cloud of poison gas which enveloped the area, blinding everyone in its fog. As Amy coughed and retched, she heard Growlithe yelp in pain and heard a sickening thud to the ground.
"G-grow-lithe," Amy coughed. The stench was overpowering, making her eyes water.
Nidorina, unaffected by the poison gas as she was a Poison-type Pokemon, let out a shrill noise as the poison gas began to subside. Amy's eyes were watering, but she could see that Zeke and Dwayne wore bandannas over their nose and mouth to avoid the stench.
Nidorina's hackles were raised, her back to her Trainer as Zeke and Dwayne advanced on Amy with their Pokemon. Growlithe was lying on the floor, weakened and poisoned; Cubone raised its bone club threateningly.
"Don't make us do this the hard way!" warned Zeke. "Voltorb, Sonicboom!"
Voltorb released a sound wave which caused Nidorina to stumble and Cubone to trip over its own feet.
Nidorina opened its mouth and released a volley of poisonous barbs at Voltorb. Voltorb, spherical in shape, rolled over backwards countless times as the barbs pierced its body, quite injured.
"Look out!" Amy cried hoarsely, pain coursing down her throat.
Raticate disappeared into thin air and tackled Nidorina using Quick Attack, sending Nidorina flying into the wall near Amy.
"Hyper Fang, Raticate!" Zeke shouted.
Raticate bit Nidorina hard with its big teeth, causing Nidorina to shriek in pain.
"N-Nidorina!" Amy gasped, her eyes burning.
Nidorina fell slumped, heaving. Cubone ran over to help its fallen comrade, its bone club held high -
"Grimer, Disable!"
Grimer released a sound wave which stopped Cubone in its tracks, followed up by Raticate who took the opportunity to tackle Cubone, sending it flying to its Trainer's feet with a bark of pain.
Amy's eyes welled up from how puffy and sore they were from Koffing's poison gas, weeping for her fallen Pokemon.
"You had to have it the hard way," Zeke said, looking at Amy's barely conscious Pokemon.
Dwayne towered over Amy as he approached, nabbing the purse from her weakened figure and rifling through it greedily -
"Oy! What did I yell you about coming down here?"
Amy recognised the voice but could only see a blurry outline as the figure came closer. She blinked rapidly to clear her vision, but it only helped slightly.
"Mind your own business, kid, or we'll take care of you as well!" Dwayne warned.
"We'll take care of him right now, Dwayne," said Zeke, turning to the newcomer. "Raticate - "
"Charmeleon - Machop - Sandshrew! Take their pitiful Pokemon out!"
The first thing Amy felt was a burst of flame so hot and bright she could roast marshmallows on it. She heard Raticate squeal in pain, then another squeal and a thud as Raticate lay limp upon the floor.
"Swift!" called the stranger, who Amy now recognised as her brother. He had precisely that Pokemon line up.
A dazzling display of stars shot out from somewhere out of Amy's field of vision and caused Grimer and Voltorb to groan in pain.
"Koffing - "
But before Dwayne could speak any further, there was a solid punch and Koffing gave a moan of pain, lying inert before Amy's feet.
"What!" yelled Zeke, his voice panicked. "Return!"
Flashes of red light returned the four unconscious Pokemon to their Pokeballs.
"L-let's get out of here!" Dwayne said, his voice shaky as two pairs of footsteps headed in the direction of Lavender Town.
Rough hands dragged her to her feet and Amy blinked into the angry face of her brother, pale skin stretched over harsh cheekbones.
"Liam, what are you doing here?"
"I use this place to find Trainers. The scum of the earth are the best to train my Pokemon on," added Liam sourly.
Liam dug in his backpack for items, handing Amy three Revives and Ultra Potions. Enviously, Amy accepted them and administered them to her Pokemon, watching them rouse into full health as she wished she could afford such premier battle equipment.
Growlithe stood steadily on all fours; Cubone picked up his fallen bone club and shook its head to clear it of nausea; and Nidorina stretched as it acclimated to consciousness.
Amy glanced at Liam's Pokemon: there was a Machop, a Sandshrew, and a Charmeleon; a bipedal reptilian with crimson scales on its body and a tail.
"Your Charmander evolved?" asked Amy in surprise.
"Took long enough," Liam rolled his eyes. "So, what were you thinking coming down here with your weak Pokemon?"
"They're not weak," stiffened Amy.
"Mum calls me every day, you know. She blames me for putting these ideas in your head that you want to raise Pokemon."
"Does she threaten to cut off your allowance?" Amy retorted.
"No," chuckled Liam. "I'm her favourite. Besides, I haven't done anything wrong. "Why don't you just come home, already?"
"Home?" Amy's face was flushed with embarrassment. "I'm not going home!"
"What are you going to do when you're out of money, huh?" Liam challenged.
Amy showed him the two Badges she had won in Pewter and Cerulean City. Grimly, she replied, "I won't be out of money any time soon. Why do you care, anyway?"
"Don't think so highly of yourself. I just want Mum off my back, that's all." replied Liam, unconcerned. "I don't care if you raise Pokemon, but now that you're trying to collect all the Badges - face it, Amy. There's no way you're going to win! Just give it up!
Growlithe and Nidorina, sensing the altercation, raised their hackles in response. Cubone waved his bone club threateningly and rushed in front of his Trainer to defend her.
"Mother doesn't want me anymore and neither do you!" Amy rasped, her voice still hoarse from the poison gas. "I'm not going back where I'm not wanted!"
"Don't be stubborn," Liam's eyes flashed a warning. "I'm not gonna let you traipse around Kanto trying to achieve this stupid dream of independence. You can't do it, Amy."
"You have no idea what it's like! None! You have no idea what it's like to face the future ahead of you with uncertainty! I have to battle Trainers for money to pay for lodgings and food and clothing! You get your unlimited allowance for Mother and I have to fight for every cent I earn!"
"You chose to live like this! You turned your backs on us." said Liam.
"No, Liam," Amy shook her head in anger. "You and Mother turned your backs on me."
Growlithe's low growls punctuated the silence.
"That's it, then?" Liam shook his head in disbelief. "Nothing I say will convince you?"
Amy shook her head. "No way."
"You're a fool. Especially since that now we've met, custom decrees we should battle."
"What?" Amy was flabbergasted.
"If you're so sure of yourself, you'll beat me," Liam made room for a battlefield, while his Pokemon followed dutifully.
"I'll beat you one way or another," Amy balled her fists. Her Pokemon stayed by her side.
"I play for high stakes. Loser has to give the winner all the money they're carrying," Liam added.
Amy paused. That was all her winnings so far! But Liam would have thousands of dollars on him, more than she could imagine at present...
"You're on!" cried Amy. "Go, Nidorina!"
Nidorina stepped forward, an expression of determination on her face as she pawed the ground and faced Liam and the three Pokemon at his side, dormant as they waited for an order from their Trainer.
"Sandshrew!" Liam barked an order to his Pokemon and it stepped forward.
Sandshrew stepped forward, readying itself for attack.
"Nidorina, Double Kick!"
Nidorina headed towards Sandshrew, its head lowered as it readied to spring on its opponent.
"Sandshrew, Swift!"
Sandshrew opened its mouth and released a volley of shining stars which blasted Nidorina off her feet and caused her to roll over several times.
"Slash Attack!" shouted Liam.
Sandshrew ran to Nidorina at an alarmingly fast pace.
"Nidorina, Tail Whip!" Amy cried, realising the danger she was in.
Nidorina staggered to her feet, crouching in anticipation for Sandshrew who was running towards her. As Sandshrew came close, Nidorina spun around with her tail directed at Sandshrew, but Sandshrew flipped over Nidorina, landed behind her and delivered a hefty hit that sent Nidorina wailing, falling to the ground. She had fainted.
"Nidorina!" Amy cried. She fumbled for its Pokeball and returned Nidorina to it in a flash of red light.
"This is how you battle?" Liam asked in disbelief. "You have no control over your Pokemon. None whatsoever."
Fuming, Amy replied, "My Pokemon are not mindless soldiers for battle. They are my friends. Go, Cubone!"
"Machop, take Sandshrew's place." Liam ordered.
Sandshrew stepped back to his Trainer's side as Machop entered the battlefield. Cubone entered the battlefield, threateningly waving its bone club.
"Machop, use Karate Chop!"
"Cubone, Bone Club Attack!" Amy shouted.
Cubone and Machop ran towards each other, but Machop hit first; delivering a hit to Cubone which stunned it before it could move further. Cubone clutched its head, unable to make heads nor tails of its surroundings as its entire body seemed to be in pain.
"Finish it with Low Kick!" cried Liam.
Machop crouched down and delivered a perfect kick which sent Cubone flying into the wall, causing a lantern to wobble precariously in his bracket. Cubone slid to the ground, unconscious.
"I'm the least of your worries if you can't defeat me!" said Liam. "How you managed to defeat the Gym Leaders is beyond me."
Amy returned Cubone to its Pokeball, choking back a tear. There was no way she could let him win.
"Growlithe, you're up! Let's show him what we're made of!" said Amy.
Growlithe bounded forward, his hackles raised as he identified Amy's brother as an opponent.
"Your Growlithe's smart enough to remember who's defeated him when he was a pup," chuckled Liam.
"He's my most loyal friend," Amy said quietly. "Don't underestimate him."
"Very well. Machop, come back. Charmeleon, take his place."
Amy watched Charmeleon warily as it entered the fray. It looked strong and stubborn, facing Growlithe with determination.
"Growlithe, Roar!" cried Amy.
"Charmeleon, Rage!" said Liam.
Charmeleon's eyes glowed red and the flame on the tip of its tail became fierce as Growlithe let out a roar which echoed off the walls. Charmeleon ran towards Growlithe, a blur as Growlithe leapt on Charmeleon and sunk its teeth in.
"Nice work, Growlithe!" cheered Amy.
Injured by the attack, Charmeleon recovered quickly and delivered a punch to Growlithe which sent it reeling. The fire on Charmeleon's tail grew larger and hotter. Charmeleon sprang again at Growlithe, head lowered as it tackled Growlithe and sent it crumpled to Amy's feet.
"No..." Amy whispered, crouched by Growlithe's inert figure. She gently patted his fur.
Liam walked over to Amy, his hand outstretched. "My winnings, Amy."
Amy reached into her purse, hesitantly handing over her money. Liam pocketed it, watching as Amy returned Growlithe to its Pokeball.
"Now?" Liam asked, somewhat rhetorically.
"Now, what?" Amy asked, her eyes red. "You've got what you want. You've defeated me in battle."
"Now will you come home?" Liam demanded.
Amy was silent, rising to her feet and collecting Growlithe, Nidorina and Cubone inside their Pokeballs. She nudged Liam as she walked past to the corridor beyond.
"Where will you go?" Liam called after her. "Who will take you, with no money and no Pokemon to fight for you?"
Her lip trembled and tears fell silently down her cheeks, as Amy realised the enormity of her situation. Friendless and without refuge, she still had her pride as she set her back firm and continued down the corridor, towards Lavender Town.
"You'll never last by yourself!" Liam yelled, his voice echoing down the hallway. "Give it up, already!"