CHAPTER FIFTY TWO
Amy had trouble sleeping, which wasn't surprising given the nature of the discussion last night. She hadn't shared her theories with the group, not wanting to burden them further but she wished she had someone in which she could confide, preferably Natalie. But she was across the sea with Daniel, battling the Gym Leader on Cinnabar Island.
Startled by gentle snoring, Amy cautiously peeked out from the covers where she could see the bunk beds in which the other girls slept. Quietly, Amy tiptoed out of bed so that she would not wake them, emerging out into the corridor where her bare feet touched the cold wooden floors. Shivering in her pyjamas, Amy headed towards the bathroom, wanting to shower and change before the queue began and would be occupied for the remainder of the morning.
Later on, Amy had breakfast downstairs with Connie and the rest of her friends, yawning and munching hungrily on pancakes. Amy glanced up when she heard Connie mention Cinnabar Island.
"Are you heading for the Gym?" asked Amy.
Nodding, Connie swallowed a mouthful and replied, "There's been a report on the TV that a large number of wild Tentacool attacked a passenger ship. They don't usually attack in such force, so we decided to team up and take our Water Pokemon along for protection."
"You mean - swim?" asked Amy, glancing around at them all in surprise. "Swim to Cinnabar Island?"
"We're very good swimmers, but we'll get there faster and safer on board our Water Pokemon," smiled Connie. "Would you like to join us?"
"I don't have any Water Pokemon," said Amy, feeling silly.
"That's OK," spoke up a girl from across the table. "I have a Goldeen you can swim alongside."
"I, um, can't swim," Amy went red. All these personal declarations were beginning to sound like excuses to her own ears, which was why she never mentioned them and consequently never asked for help to improve them.
Breaking the silence, Connie beamed. "You'll have us by your side. If anything happens, we'll be right there to save you!"
After breakfast, the girls split the bill among them which came to a very small portion to be paid by Amy. Glad to have tried the experience of sleeping in cramped quarters with other travellers, Amy followed Connie and her friends into the sunny outdoors, following the winding trail down to the beach, south of Fuchsia City.
Stripping down to their board shorts and bikinis, Amy glanced away to give them privacy, though none was needed as they wore their swimwear underneath their clothes. Packing their bags and strapping on life jackets, Amy wore a borrowed swim top and shorts from Connie that melted her into the background among the radiant girls and muscled guys. Hesitantly, Amy removed the sling from her arm. It felt fine, but she didn't want to injure it again.
"Ready?" cried Connie, her enthusiasm lifting Amy's spirits. She threw her Pokeball into the water, as did the others.
A mix of Staryu, Goldeen, Psyduck, Poliwhirl and Seaking played happily in the ocean, as their Trainers ran towards the water.
"Come on, Amy!" smiled the girl, indicating her Goldeen. "She won't bite - I promise!"
Carefully, Amy held onto Goldeen, its white body patterned with orange and a horn atop its head.
"Three!" shouted one of the girls. "Two!"
Anxiously, Amy looked to where the others were holding onto their Pokemon, completely at ease. Lowering her head so she could speak into Goldeen's ear, or where she hoped it was, Amy whispered,
"Not too fast, OK?"
Nodding, Goldeen returned its focused gaze to the ocean, where -
"One! Go!"
Surging forth, the Water Pokemon transported their Trainers atop them into the endless blue. Amy's fears washed away as she felt like she was flying! Goldeen was excellent in the water, the pressure of the sea rippling past smooth and steady.
"Woo-hoo!" cried Connie, who held onto her five-limbed Staryu, blonde curls waving in the wind.
Cautiously glancing over her shoulder, Amy watched as Fuchsia City became a speck in the distance. Turning back to the blue, Amy steeled herself as she fought down worries she would be left alone at sea.
Don't worry, Amy told herself. You have your friends with you.
As Amy set off for Cinnabar Island, Daniel and Natalie checked out of the inn which had hosted them for a night's stay. After Daniel's victory, Blaine had decided to retire for the evening, so they found a place to stay and talked about the upcoming match that Natalie would soon be entering into.
"But your Water Pokemon will do great!" Daniel blurted for what seemed like the fiftieth time, as they walked across town to where the Cinnabar Gym lay in wait.
"I know they have the Type advantage," said Natalie crossly. Even she had battled enough Trainers to know that Type advantages didn't always win. "But I have to play it safe. Blaine's Pokemon are very good."
"So are yours, Natalie," Daniel rounded on her. "Don't get yourself down. You're a great Trainer."
"Thanks," Natalie smiled, noticing that a challenger was emerging from the Gym. "I thought we'd be the first ones - "
"I recognise her!" said Daniel. "She was the girl battling Amy outside Fuchsia City!"
"Since when are you first for anything, Natalie?" asked the challenger.
Her red hair was tied in a topknot so that strands escaped down her freckled face, wearing tight denim jeans and a top that hid her cleavage but bared her belly. Her confidence spoke volumes as she strode towards them.
"Alesha?" cried Natalie. "What are you doing here?"
Alesha looked from Natalie to Daniel. "Is this why you left Viridian? To go Pokemon catching with the boy whose mother works at the Pokemart?"
Astonished, Daniel replied, "How do you know that?"
Sneering, Alesha turned to Daniel. "I'm Natalie's sister, dolt."
Daniel could not be more surprised. Natalie was petite, gentle and thoughtful while Alesha was brazen, pushy and foul-mouthed. Though the two shared red hair and freckles, Natalie was rosy-cheeked and petite, while Alesha had a strong face and was hard-as-nails.
"But what are you doing here?" whined Natalie.
"Mum keeps calling for money. I told her I'm losing more battles than I'm winning, but," Alesha smirked. "You know how money runs through her hands. Faster than a Ponyta."
"Did you just challenge Blaine?" Daniel asked, as Alesha nodded. "How did - "
Alesha flipped open her Badge case, with seven of eight slots filled. "I'm on my way home to challenge the Viridian Gym Leader."
"How did you get here?" asked Natalie.
"I caught a Fearow and flew it here," Alesha indicated the four Pokeballs on her belt. "Took a while to break it in, too. So, who'll be next?"
"What do you mean?" asked Daniel.
"No, Alesha," Natalie warned, shaking her head. "We're not fighting you today."
"As I recall," Alesha sneeringly adopted a sarcastic tone. "Pokemon Trainers must battle when - "
"Since when have you obeyed the rules, Alesha?" Natalie shot back.
"I hate rules, Natalie. You always follow them and you'll live a boring lifestyle for it," Alesha said. "So which of you is fighting the Gym Leader? Whoever's not can battle me."
Expectantly, Natalie turned to Daniel. "I'm sorry about this..."
"It's OK," said Daniel, who forced himself to look Alesha in the eye despite her formidable gaze. "I'll win."
Sniggering, Alesha shook her head in disbelief and jerked her head in the direction of the coastline. "Let's battle over there."
"I'll see you later, Natalie," called Daniel, doubt drenching his hope. He was still managing the shock of meeting Natalie's older sister.
Natalie began heading for the Gym, cupping her hands around her mouth to increase her volume. "Whatever you do, Daniel: don't go easy on her! She won't go easy on you!"
The two of them watched Natalie as she entered the Gym by herself, lone figure disappearing inside the large building.
"Do you like my sister?" asked Alesha, as friendly as an Ekans preparing to strike while they walked together towards the coast. "You can tell me, you know. I won't tell her."
Daniel doubted it, replying, "She's my friend, and - "
"Save it," Alesha hissed, assuming battle stance upon the coast as Daniel did the same, making room for a battlefield. "The two of you, sleeping and travelling together - "
"In separate beds!" fumed Daniel, face reddening. "Boys and girls can just be friends, you know."
Smirking, Alesha replied, "I actually believe you. You're much too naive to have a girlfriend."
Face flaming, Daniel consulted his four Pokeballs. "Are you ready?"
"Hold up," Alesha grinned, showing him three Pokeballs. "My Fearow's off flying for the moment, so shall we battle with three Pokemon max?"
"Well, I suppose," conceded Daniel, trying to work out a strategy involving three of his four Pokemon.
"I can see why the two of you get along," said Alesha, selecting her first Pokeball. "You're both very passive."
As though to directly combat her assertion, Daniel blurted, "I am not!"
"It's what a small town can do to some people. That's why I got out - I hate Viridian. I've always hated being stuck where I'm not wanted. But with these Badges, I'll take on the Pokemon League and become the Champion!"
"So that's why you're doing it? Fame?" asked Daniel.
"Money," Alesha corrected him. "The fame is important to prolong others into giving you stuff for free. I want to buy a first-class ticket on the S.S. Anne and never come back."
"From Kanto?" Daniel was openly shocked. "Why would you want to leave?"
"Don't you want to experience life? I know I do," Alesha tossed her Pokeball up into the air, caught it and spun it onto the coast. "Let's get rolling, Parasect!"
Parasect was the evolved form of Paras, subsumed by the large mushroom on its back so that it scuttled underneath not unlike a crab.
"I choose Arbok!" cried Daniel, throwing his chosen Pokeball onto the coast. Amid the soothing sigh of waves came the sharp hiss of Arbok, who stared down upon Parasect with malice.
"Your filthy cobra doesn't scare me!" shouted Alesha, as Arbok coiled, ready to spring. "Parasect, Stun Spore!"
"Arbok, Poison Sting!" Daniel cried.
Arbok shot poison barbs from its mouth as Parasect released a glittering powder into the air from the mushroom on its back. Screeching as it was impaled by the barbs, Parasect crumpled as the shining dust settled on the feet, rendering Arbok paralysed.
"Arbok, here," Daniel rummaged in his bag for his Paralyz Heal. "Where is it?"
Parasect managed to stand, though it became ill with poisoning and winced at every step. Alesha reached for her Antidote, unhurried. Spraying the Paralyz Heal on Arbok, the serpent Pokemon flexed its powerful tail as Alesha sprayed the Antidote on Parasect.
"Arbok, Glare!"
"Parasect, Slash!"
Arbok stopped Parasect right in its tracks with a disarming glare, immediately paralysing Parasect.
"Hah! My Arbok is the best!"
Unruffled, Alesha smirked as she reached for a Paralyz Heal.
"Arbok, Wrap!" cried Daniel.
Arbok sprang forth and wrapped its powerful body around Parasect, squeezing tight as its opponent could not struggle free.
"Finish it! Bite!" Daniel shouted, as Alesha could not adminster the Paralyz Heal while Arbok's body completely shielded that of Parasect's.
Arbok plunged its jaws in deep, finishing Parasect off as it crumpled to the ground. Slithering back to Daniel's side of the battlefield, Arbok hissed at Alesha as she returned Parasect to its Pokeball.
"I'm not to be taken lightly!" said Daniel. "Me and my Pokemon are best friends!"
"Ew," snorted Alesha. "I can't see why anybody would want to be friends with you."
Taken aback, Daniel hid his hurt pride as Alesha tossed her second Pokeball into the fray.
"Go, Pikachu!"
Pikachu ran forth, electricity crackling from its cheeks. It stared down Arbok without fear, tensing for the coming fight.
"Arbok, Glare!" cried Daniel.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" demanded Alesha.
Arbok glared at Pikachu but it had disappeared into thin air. Glancing around, Arbok hissed as it tensed into a coiled ball, ready to spring -
"Gotcha!" cried Alesha, as Pikachu appeared from the opposite direction and knocked Arbok over, returning to its Trainer's side just as quickly.
"Are you alright?" Daniel asked, as Arbok shook off the injury and stared daggers at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Agility!"
"Arbok, Poison Sting!"
As Arbok shot poison barbs at Pikachu, the mouse Pokemon became a blur, avoiding every single one while the crackle of electricity followed at each point where it disappeared.
"Thunder Wave!" cried Alesha.
"Arbok, Wrap!" shouted Daniel.
Arbok leapt for Pikachu, wrapping its hard body around the small Pokemon and squeezing tight. Pikachu, predicting this, released its Thunder Wave so that Arbok was paralysed up close, lying inert upon the ground, coils still tight enough to prevent Pikachu's escape.
"No!" Daniel reached for another Paralyz Heal in his bag, cursing his disorganised packing.
Triumphantly, Alesha shouted, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Crackling with electricity, Pikachu released a powerful bolt of thunder which surged through Arbok who was unable to evade. Thoroughly injured, Daniel ran forth to administer the Paralyz Heal -
"You better stay back!" warned Alesha, as Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
Tossing aside the Paralyz Heal for the Pokeball on his belt, Daniel returned Arbok inside as Pikachu's Thunderbolt blasted empty ground. Seething, Daniel watched as Alesha ruffled Pikachu's fur.
"I choose Weepinbell!" Daniel threw the Pokeball in the air, releasing the plant Pokemon onto the battlefield.
"You sure do have a talent for picking ugly Pokemon," remarked Alesha. "Perhaps they take after their Trainer?"
"You know what, Alesha? If I had to choose between you and Natalie, every time I'd pick Natalie. You know why? Because she's sweet and caring, and you're quite frankly a b - "
"Careful now," Alesha turned serious. "I'll make you eat those words if you finish that sentence."
Turning to Weepinbell, Daniel cried, "Let's get her, Weepinbell! Stun Spore!"
"Pikachu, Thunder Wave!"
Pikachu's electricity shot out and paralysed Weepinbell, whose glittering powder forced Pikachu to succumb to paralysis. With both Pokemon out of action, the Trainers reached for their Paralyz Heals but Daniel's discarded spray bottle was closer, administering it before Alesha could find hers.
"Weepinbell, Razor Leaf!"
Leaping in the air, Weepinbell spun around to accommodate the many razor sharp leaves which left its body and shot straight for Pikachu, cutting its yellow fur like a scythe. Furious that her favourite Pokemon had been injured, Alesha finished administering her Paralyz Heal and angrily stomped her foot.
"That is it! Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
"Weepinbell, Wrap!"
Weepinbell's long vines shot out but Pikachu disappeared into thin air, reappearing to knock straight into the plant Pokemon's side. Vines flailing, Weepinbell lashed out at Pikachu who stumbled back from the sudden Vine Whip -
"Pikachu, return!" Alesha held out her Pokeball, angry now. "I won't let you get away with hurting my precious Pikachu."
"My Weepinbell can take on anyone you have to offer," said Daniel. "Isn't that right, Weepinbell?"
Screwing up her face in distaste, Alesha selected her third and final Pokemon. "I told you I'll make you eat those words! Go, Dodrio!"
Dodrio was the evolved form of Doduo, except now it had three heads and had a larger body. Separately, the three heads cawed and blinked at Weepinbell, who shivered in fear.
"We can do this, Weepinbell! Your vines will keep Dodrio away!" said Daniel, not entirely confident that his strategy would work.
"Dodrio, Drill Peck!" shouted Alesha.
"Weepinbell, Stun Spore!" cried Daniel.
Releasing shimmering dust into the air, Dodrio sped forth as its three beaks spun like drills and pecked Weepinbell so that it moaned in pain. Grievously harmed, Weepinbell struggled for breath as the shining powder settled on Dodrio, paralysing it.
"Return, Weepinbell!" Daniel held out his Pokeball, as Alesha began administering the Paralyz Heal. He threw his third and final Pokeball. "Go, Seel!"
Seel waddled forth, white fur bright in the daylight.
"Seel, Aurora Beam!" shouted Daniel.
Shimmering with all the colours of the rainbow, Seel released the beam from his horn and fired it straight at Dodrio. Flexing its powerful legs, Dodrio leapt into the air at the last second, but Seel aimed the beam higher and caught the Flying-type in its trajectory.
"Dodrio!" Alesha shouted, more furious than concerned. "Use your brain - you have three of them!"
Crashing to the ground, Dodrio was suffering as it tried to stand, all three heads in great agony.
"Finish it!" shouted Daniel. "Aurora Beam - "
From above, a great caw interrupted the battle as, Daniel saw to his horror, the great bulk of a Fearow diving for Seel.
"What the hell - take it out!" cried Daniel, fearful for his Seel as the Water-type focused his attention upon Fearow, horn glowing bright.
"Fearow, Mirror Move!" yelled Alesha. "Dodrio, Tri Attack!"
Daniel saw it unfold as though in slow motion. Seel aimed his multicoloured Aurora Beam at Fearow, who conjured up a shining portal that consumed the blast whole; while Dodrio's three heads opened their beaks wide, simultaneous spheres of energy from each combining to shoot forth a force at the helpless Seel.
Daniel was blown backwards from the impact as Fearow reflected Seel's Aurora Beam upon its owner, barely injured but completely overwhelmed by Dodrio's Tri Attack which blasted Seel over Daniel's fallen frame, crumpled.
"You - " Daniel spat dirt from his mouth as Alesha laughed wickedly. "That's cheating!"
Flapping its wings furiously, Alesha's Fearow had conveniently returned for the aftermath of the battle while Dodrio stood strong, all three heads chattering in triumph. Arms folded, Alesha watched as Daniel rushed for Seel, winded from the impact.
"Seel? Please tell me you're OK - it's my fault, I should've - "
Alesha walked up to him. "You're damn right it's your fault. Your Pokemon was in my way."
"My Pokemon was in your way?" Daniel managed, still wracked with disbelief by Alesha's conduct. "I don't know how you can raise Pokemon when you're - "
Picking him up by the scruff of his neck, Alesha held him close. "Say it. Give me a reason - ah!"
Seel leapt up and bit her on the arm so that Daniel fell to the ground, while Alesha massaged her arm, not terribly in pain.
"Get lost," said Daniel, feeling stronger now. "Leave Cinnabar and we'll call it even. No sharing of prize money."
Shaking her head, Alesha turned to her Flying-type Dodrio and Fearow just as a bright red light illuminated the scene. Daniel had released Meowth from his Pokeball, sensing his Trainer's unease and picking up on Seel's combative stance, getting ready to attack.
"Hmph," Alesha smirked. "If I had Pikachu, I'd take your wimp Seel on. But another day, I promise you that."
With a great flap of wings, Fearow settled near Alesha and she climbed atop the large bird Pokemon, returning Dodrio to its Pokeball in a flash of red light.
"I'll see you and Natalie at the Pokemon League," Alesha shouted, as Fearow began to flap its wings and become airborne. "I'll defeat you both on live television!"
Soaring beyond sight, Daniel finally felt his heartbeat go back to a normal pace. Hugging Seel and Meowth close, Daniel murmured, "I promise I'll get her back for this."