CHAPTER FORTY FOUR
After healing her Pokemon, Amy made her way north of Fuschia to where the Safari Zone was. Outside were Daniel and Natalie, discussing all the wild Pokemon they had glimpsed in the reserve.
"How did it go?" asked Amy, as they looked up.
"How did it go?" repeated Daniel, dumbfounded. "Tell us about your match first!"
"Well," Amy showed them the Soul Badge. "I got even with Koga!"
"Nice work!" said Daniel, as Natalie whooped in joy.
"We're happy for you," Natalie rose and brushed the dirt off her pants. "Now we can leave for the next Gym!"
"Which one should we challenge?" asked Daniel. "The Gym in Saffron City or across the sea for Cinnabar Island?"
"Amy, you mentioned there was a ferry that transported passengers across to Cinnabar, is that right?"
Amy nodded. "It would be easiest to go there first."
"I agree," Natalie nodded. "Daniel, what about you?"
"Yeah. I hear the Cinnabar Gym Leader uses Fire-types. You'll defeat him easily with your Water-types, Natalie!"
As they began walking south towards the beach, Natalie added, "I don't know. Battling Koga has made me realise Pokemon are more than just type advantages and disadvantages. I've seen some Pokemon win with pure skill."
"Or luck," Amy added dryly, nodding. "But I know what you mean."
"Ultimately, the driving force behind any successful battle is the Pokemon and their relationship to its Trainer," said Natalie.
They reached the beach, walking along the coast until the pier came into sight. Daniel and Natalie released their Water-type Pokemon from their Pokeballs, so they could swim within sight and enjoy the cool water, shimmering in the afternoon sun's glow. Once they reached the pier, they saw a small ferry designed to carry ten passengers max on board.
"You looking for a trip to Cinnabar?" asked the aged, wrinkled sailor who puffed on a pipe. He regarded the three of them suspiciously. "You. The girl with the cast. You can't come onboard."
"What?" they shouted in unison. "Why not?"
"We've got enough troubles trying to navigate harsh seas and delinquent Tentacool without someone going overboard," the sailor cast a baleful eye to Amy. "Best be you wait until you're recovered."
"He's got a point," muttered Amy, dolefully. "I haven't learned how to swim and would drown with this cast on. You two should go ahead."
"What? Really?" asked Daniel.
Amy shrugged. "I'll go to Saffron City and challenge the Gym Leader there. We might see each other another time."
"Hopefully," Daniel insisted rudely, and Amy glanced away. "We friends stick together, Amy."
He held out his hand and they shook hands.
"Goodbye, Daniel. Natalie," Amy inclined her head and set off, back towards Fuchsia City.
"Well, that's ridiculous," Natalie muttered, watching Amy go. "There's nothing for it, I suppose..."
Daniel turned to the sailor. "How much does it cost to go on the ferry?"
"A thousand bucks," he grinned, and they blanched. "I've got to cover my insurance premiums. Fact of the matter is, I can't have you lot falling off and blaming my little ship of it, can I?"
Struggling to remain calm, Daniel turned to Natalie. "We can't just swim to Cinnabar with our Water Pokemon, can we?"
"Swim?" the sailor grunted, incredulous. "Boy, you have no idea how dangerous it is out there. If you knew half the troubles me and my ship have been through - well, not that your Pokemon could save you from that."
He cast a derisive look to the four Water Pokemon who eagerly dived and played - Squirtle, Poliwhirl, Horsea and Seel.
"My Water Pokemon are very reliable!" replied Natalie, stung.
"You'll need bigger Pokemon than that to get you through the sea," the sailor removed his pipe and jabbed it in the direction of Fuchsia. "You been to the Pokemon Zoo? Seen that Lapras? That's a worthy vessel for your seafaring ideals."
"He has a point," said Natalie. "I suppose if we want to get to Cinnabar, we'll have to pay. The prize money from Koga covers us nicely for a few days."
Nodding his agreement, Daniel turned to the sailor. "When do you leave?"
"In a couple hours," the sailor measured the time by the sun. "I've got a few other passengers who'll be travelling with us. I'll need that money up front, by the way."
"If you shirk us or try to sell us out..." Daniel grumbled, as he and Natalie handed over the money.
"I may be a old sailor trying to make a living, but don't make the mistake of thinking you can take me on, laddie," the sailor's eyes lit up at his pay check, licking his finger to count the individual notes in the wad of cash. "Now get going. You're scaring the Magikarp away."
Lost in thought, Amy walked west through Fuchsia City until she reached the building which served as the entry onto Cycling Road. It was here that riders dropped off their bicycles, to be placed on a rail lift that took them all the way back up to the top. She approached the desk, nursing her sore arm.
"Good afternoon," smiled the receptionist.
"Could I take a ride on the gondola, please?" asked Amy.
"That'll be twenty dollars, thank you." Amy handed over the cash, feeling good that she had so much spare cash left.
The receptionist rose and directed her to another room. "Please keep your arms inside the seat at all times and keep your Pokemon in their Pokeballs."
Amy seated herself inside the gondola, pulling down the metal barrier and strapping herself in. A loud buzzer went off and a mechanical whirr, as the seat began to move and Amy watched as she pulled away from the tiled interior, the seat ascending on the rail out into bright sunlight.
"Oh!" Amy gripped the rail tightly as she glanced around at her surroundings. High above ground, she felt queasy as she watched Fuchsia City become smaller until it was a speck in the distance, while all around her forestry grew tall. The seat faced the south, so she had to crane her neck to watch her progress as the gondola rose towards the top.
I wish my Pokemon could see this view, Amy mused.
She glanced right and saw the long, winding trail of Cycling Road, where she had fallen and injured her arm. Leaning back, she closed her eyes and thought of what her money could buy. She could enter Celadon Department Store and buy up a storm!
No, Amy forced herself to think. Don't forget how miserable you are when you're poor.
Opening her eyes, she realised the truth of the matter. She would always be budgeting, now that she knew the value of a dollar. The rail began to whirr as it reeled in the seat, and she glimpsed the interior as the rail stopped inside the building. Amy pulled up the rail and climbed out, feeling a little dizzy and thanking the receptionist.
Amy walked out of the building, away from Cycling Road and towards the route which led to Celadon City. She passed two Trainers returning their Pokemon to their Pokeballs, one handing over prize money but she forced herself to walk on. She wanted to stock up on items first. The cobblestone paths and tall buildings of her home town beckoned and she headed straight for Celadon Department Store.
The familiar sights and smells alleviated her anxiety. She browsed the floors and aisles, selecting Potions, Antidotes, Paralyz Heals and Awakenings. There were people milling around, waiting in the queue with their children or fighting for the limited edition Pokedolls marked up to exorbitant value. Amy found occasion to buy some more clothes, warm jumpers and long skirts, denim jeans and fleece jackets. She had spend half of her money so far, the rest earmarked for food and accommodation.
Emerging out into the packed streets and avenues, Amy released her Pokemon from their Pokeballs. It felt good to have Growlithe by her side again, especially with Nidorina and Cubone, too. With her arm in a sling, Amy could not carry him but Cubone was intent to waddle close to her side, gaping up at such tall buildings and proliferation of passers by.
It was late evening by the time she reached Saffron City. The few hotels that were within her price range were half an hour's walk away from the Saffron Gym, but at least she could afford it. Handing over three hundred dollars cash, her purse suddenly lighter, she took her room key and walked upstairs to her room. Leaving her Pokemon to munch dinner in the kitchenette, she drew a hot bath and luxuriated in the peaceful solitude, until Growlithe scratched at the door minutes later, lonely.
Daniel and Natalie watched the sun go down, noticing the sailor wave impatiently to them from a distance.
"We should go," Daniel shook the sand from his pants and waved Seel over. Obediently, the Water Pokemon bounded forth, followed by Natalie's Water Pokemon in tow.
As they approached the pier, the sailor shouted, "You took your sweet time! Hurry aboard, then. Don't forget your life jackets!"
Daniel and Natalie returned their Pokemon to their Pokeballs, hurrying across the pier and climbing into the boat. Five Trainers made space for them, three girls and two guys with Pokeballs on their belts. The sailor started the engine, veering the boat towards the ocean. Picking up speed, Fuchsia slowly disappeared from view as the ferry moved faster across the water.
"Did you guys just win the Soul Badge as well?" asked one of the girls, raven-black hair plaited down one shoulder.
"Yeah," Daniel nodded. "He's pretty tough."
"I didn't find him difficult at all," spoke one of the guys, leaning back with his arms spread out on the railing behind him. "My Hypno took his Poison-types out easily."
"Wow, you have a Hypno?" asked the ingénue raven-haired girl, agog at his brash confidence. "I have a Pidgeotto. Flying-type moves are effective against Koga's Bug-types, Venonat and Venomoth."
"You have a Pidgeotto?" he barked at her, dismantling her sudden interest. "Why don't you just fly over to Cinnabar?"
"My Pidgeotto is not a carrier pigeon!" squealed the girl, huffing. "Besides, I prefer the trip by sea."
Natalie leaned over to the sailor. "Is it OK if I let my Water Pokemon out?"
"Don't bother," grumbled the sailor. "We'll be there in an hour. Besides, when the water's rough I can only save us or your Pokemon. If you haven't noticed, this vessel's not designed for emergencies."
"Isn't that a bit dangerous?" asked the guy, not so cocksure now. "What if we get stranded?"
The raven-haired girl nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. "That's where you harden up and apologise to my Pidgeotto, to get us help."
Initially everyone shared interests and Gym strategy during conversation, but there was silence as the waves began to pound harder. The skyline grew dark with the approaching night and with some anxiety, Daniel noticed the sailor's hands fidgeting and shaking on the wheel as he turned.
"Are you OK?" asked Daniel.
"I'm bloody well alright, thank you!" rebuked the man, glaring with red-rimmed eyes. "We'll be there soon..."
"OK..." Daniel stretched his limbs and tried to get comfortable. Some of the others had laid down to rest, but a few looked out at the murky ocean, forever blue in all directions. It wasn't difficult to see why swimming over to Cinnabar Island was a project for extremists. Daniel yawned and glanced down at his belt, holding his four Pokemon. If the Cinnabar Gym used Fire Pokemon, then his Seel -
"We're under attack! Tentacool!" shouted the sailor, bucking the vessel wildly as he tried to turn, knocking everyone into each other.
Alert, Daniel glanced in horror at the bobbing lifeforms which emerged from within the water's depths. One, two, then more began to surface, Pokemon with hard blue shells and gleaming red orbs, whipping at the pounding waves with long, black tentacles. They looked like alien sea creatures.
"Tentacool?" cried the raven-haired girl, gripping the edge as she glanced over at the threat. "Why are there so many of them?"
The sailor turned the boat to avoid crashing right over top of one, the waves deadly as the Tentacool watched from afar. "How am I supposed to dang well know? I've never had more than a few on my trips - "
Suddenly, the water's surface broke and a larger, ominous jellyfish broke the surface, easily three times the size of its surrounding brethren.
"Tentacruel!" cried Natalie. "The evolved form of Tentacool!"
"Ach!" cried the sailor, veering sharply as the vessel crashed into one of Tentacruel's limbs.
Silence, but for the washing waves and the eerie Tentacool gazes and the shocked faces of those onboard as the eminent Tentacruel's massive red orbs glowed in fury and it lifted a tentacle high into the air -
"Go, Pidgeotto!" cried the raven-haired girl, holding out her Pokeball and pointing it at Tentacruel. In a flash of red light, Pidgeotto materialised and burst forth as the Tentacruel's tentacle came crashing down, and everyone screamed.
"Pidgeotto, Whirlwind!" cried the girl.
Pidgeotto flapped its wings so that the ocean swirled and the boat keeled off-course. Halted, the Tentacruel withdrew its tentacle and shifted uneasily, impeded. The Tentacool began to close in, their red orbs glowing like those of their evolved leader.
"We can't attack them all!" cried the sailor, red-faced and gripping the wheel like death.
"We can sure try!" shouted Daniel, pulling a Pokeball from his belt. "Seel, help us out!"
Natalie unlatched all four Pokeballs from her belt. "Squirtle - Horsea - Poliwhirl! Reclaim the seas! Butterfree, defend from above!"
Flashes of red light illuminated the water as Seel dived for the ocean, followed shortly by Squirtle, Poliwhirl and Horsea. Butterfree flew alongside Pidgeotto, a mutual understanding between them as they faced the watery predators.
"I only have a Raticate and a Sandshrew," said one boy, shame faced with fear.
"Me too," squeaked another girl. "My Pokemon can't swim or fly."
"I'm not giving up!" shouted the confident boy. "Hypno, take these denizens out!"
There was even less room now with Hypno in the centre, as everyone scrambled for equal footing. The boat careened awkwardly.
"There's not enough room!" squealed one of the girls.
"Shut up! You don't even have Pokemon to help," he shouted back. "Hypno, Psychic!"
Trembling with mystical energies, Daniel and Natalie hit the deck as Hypno released a burst of psychic energy which nearly knocked them off the boat and scattered the surrounding Tentacool, many of whom emitted echoing cries of pain. Everyone onboard gasped as their eardrums seemed to burst at the great roar from the Tentacruel, furious that his brethren had been attacked. It spoke low, indecipherable rumblings and the Tentacool turned their attention to their boat.
"You fool!" shouted the sailor. "Now they're really - "
But the sailor's expletive was drowned out as he turned the boat to narrowly avoid the Tentacruel's tentacle, splashing down so that water washed into the boat. Spluttering and grasping for something to hold, they ducked as hundreds of Poison Stings shot out from the many Tentacool and impaled Hypno, so that the Psychic-type collapsed to his knees, Poisoned.
"No! Hypno, return!" cried the boy, holding out his Pokeball. There was enough for everyone to grip hands tightly.
"Right!" Natalie stormed. "Everyone, attack!"
"Seel!" cried Daniel.
"Pidgeotto!" shouted the raven-haired girl.
Furiously, Pidgeotto flapped a whirlwind to stave off some of the attackers while Butterfree glowed and blasted another group of Tentacool with its Confusion attack. Together, Seel and Squirtle tackled while Horsea drenched others in Smokescreen ink and Poliwhirl beat off incoming Tentacool with its fists. Slowly but surely, the Tentacool began to thin.
The large Tentacruel rumbled and released a Supersonic wave that swept through the water and caught the boat in its entirety. Pidgeotto and Butterfree reeled, dropping out of the sky and the Water Pokemon halted, giving the Tentacool enough time to overcome them with Wrap and Acid.
"No! Butterfree!" Natalie held out her Pokeball, returning the confused bug Pokemon to its Pokeball before it hit the water.
"Seel!" cried Daniel, whose Pokemon had managed to shake off the effects.
Pidgeotto flew into the air, diving for the Tentacruel, wing glowing. It narrowly dodged getting swiped at by one of the creature's tentacles and cut a wing scythe into its underbelly, causing it to writhe in pain.
"Focus on the Tentacruel!" shouted the sailor. "He's the ringleader!"
"Squirtle, Bite! Horsea, Smokescreen! Poliwhirl, Doubleslap!" cried Natalie.
"Seel, Headbutt!" Daniel screamed.
Together, the four Water Pokemon surged forth towards the Tentacruel, though Horsea was knocked backwards by a flailing tentacle and Seel yelped in pain as a nearby Tentacool's Poison Sting made contact.
"Return!" cried Daniel, holding out his Pokeball to Seel, returning it in a flash of red light.
The Tentacruel groaned, but the Tentacool surged forth, surrounding those who threatened their leader.
"Look out!" cried the sailor, as another tentacle slammed down in the water, nearly toppling the boat with the sudden wave. Water splashed on board as Daniel leapt for Natalie's hand, feeling empty air.
"Natalie?" Daniel blinked through watery eyes, stumbling in his sneakers and gasping for air.
"Help!" Natalie was thrown off-balance and tumbled overboard, red hair flashing out of sight as the other Trainers reached for her, to no avail.
She grasped for the boat but it tumbled out of sight, as she was dragged underwater by a wave that soared over her. Breaking surface, cold and fear clogged her insides as she saw she was surrounded by Tentacool, while the current took the boat out of reach.
"Natalie!" cried Daniel. "Squirtle - Poliwhirl - "
But they were entangled with the Tentacruel, who groaned in a final agony from their repeated attacks. Swarmed by retaliating Tentacool, they could not escape.
"Ugh - ungh - Squirtle!" Natalie swallowed saltwater and flailed for help as she saw lights pop in front of her eyes, and everything went black.