CHAPTER SIXTY
With all eight Badges under her belt, Amy set off for the Pokemon Center to heal her Pokemon, after the trial of battling Viridian's Gym Leader. Her next step was to travel through Victory Road, the final test for Pokemon Trainers wishing to challenge the Elite Four.
She released her three Pokemon from their Pokeballs, vastly proud of their achievements now that they had come full circle and returned to Viridian City as winners. Growlithe was confident, Nidorina was cautious and Marowak was proud, all walking alongside Amy as she entered the PokeMart.
Mary glanced up as Amy appeared from behind an aisle of Poketreats, trying to wrest them free of Growlithe as he leapt up.
"Sorry," Amy muttered, shamefaced as she handed the Poketreats over, as well as a few status healing potions. "I should've asked them to wait outside - "
"That's no matter, dear," Mary's eyes crinkled into a genuine smile, tapping on the cash register as Amy handed over the total sum. "Pokemon will always be Pokemon. How did your battle with the Viridian Gym Leader go?"
Colour flooded back into Amy's face, freely admitting, "Oh, that. It was a tough battle but I won, in the end!"
"Congratulations," said Mary, sparing a glance for the customer waiting in the queue, paying him no mind. "You'll be tackling Victory Road next, I presume?"
"About that," Amy made some room for the other customer to process his purchases and payment, while Mary continued to spare a conversational glance towards Amy. "What is Victory Road? Is it really a big cave?"
Mary nodded, offering the customer the briefest of smiles before continuing, glad to have someone with whom to talk. "There are strong Pokemon inside and hardcore Trainers who fight over newcomers to train like the last piece of birthday cake. You'd be well advised to take precaution if you see one."
Mary ducked under the counter and handed Amy a Revive. "It's the last one in stock. They're on backorder, what with so many Trainers about ready to challenge the Elite Four."
"I can't take it," Amy handed over some cash. "How much are they?"
"I'll give it to you at a discount," urged Mary, taking twenty percent off the original asking price. Amy tucked the Revive into her backpack. "Good luck, Amy."
"Thanks, Mrs. S. If you see Daniel or Natalie pass through this way, please tell them I'll see them at the Pokemon League."
"There's your confidence!" Mary beamed, laughing. "That'll take you all the way. Please be careful, though."
Amy nodded and exited, her Pokemon wrestling with the paper bag Amy retrieved the Poketreats out of, issuing them equally to her beloved Pokemon. She patted them, waited for them to finish and began walking west through Viridian City, towards a route lined with trees and a pretty pond to one side. It was peaceful, the moments of silence she savoured as she glimpsed wild Nidoran and Mankey in the fields of tall grass.
Eventually, she came upon a tall building that did not distinguish itself other than the placard beside the door which read, 'Pokemon League Reception'. Breathing deeply to still her nerves, she glanced down at her Pokemon.
"Ready, guys?"
Her Pokemon nodded and Amy pushed open the door, into a wide, well-lit room with a counter that ran the length of the room, with an attendant and two police officers. Beyond, at the opposite of the room was another set of double doors.
"Welcome!" greeted the male attendant, as Amy and her Pokemon reached the counter. "May I see your Badges, please?"
Amy retrieved her Badge case, displaying the eight Badges that had taken her such effort to win. To her relief, he nodded and turned to the police officers, who unlocked the barrier and allowed her to walk through.
Disconcerted, Amy asked, "Do you get many Trainers come this way?"
Nodding, the attendant replied, "Plenty. We have to check them every time - it's protocol. Although Victory Road is meant as a test, it's an excellent training ground if your Pokemon are strong enough. Some Trainers overestimate their abilities and think they can tackle it ahead of time. Or they want to skip ahead to the Elite Four without collecting their Badges."
"Sounds fraudulent," Amy frowned.
"We get plenty of know-it-all Trainers," the attendant rolled his eyes. "Though collecting all eight Badges does assure you a certain battle readiness you'll need in the task ahead. Are you quite sure you're ready?"
Amy maintained her composure, nodding. "I'm ready."
The police officers politely held the double doors open and Amy stepped through them into a small yard, bursting with afternoon sunlight. Surrounded by a copse of trees, Amy followed a beaten path, shielded from the sun's rays underneath the canopy of branches and leaves, emerging to find the obscured, rocky entrance to a cavern with a worn sign nearby that read, 'Victory Road'.
Amy hoisted her backpack more securely onto her back and tied her hair into a ponytail, retrieving a flash light and clicking it on so that the small flood of light illuminated the dark depths of the cave entrance.
"Stick together," Amy instructed, and her Pokemon nodded their ascent.
The cave was dark, with several passages veering off to points unknown as Amy's sneakers crunched in the dirt, followed by Growlithe and Nidorina's paws, and Marowak's feet, using his bone club to feel out the space not illuminated by the torch light. The sound seemed to be muted as though they were alone, though they heard the distant sounds of rocks shifting but could not see anything, just barren cave walls when Amy shone her torch upon it.
Amy stepped back when she heard a grunt, shining her torch on the boulder she had stepped on which had turned out to be a Graveler. Rearing large, the boulder Pokemon rushed forward to tackle Amy, halted briefly by Growlithe's Flamethrower and Nidorina's Poison Sting which did negligible damage. The Graveler reached over for a boulder to perform Rock Throw, but Marowak's Bonemerang made contact and knocked the wind out of Graveler, roaring in anger so that the echo travelled down the cavern passage. Digging underneath the ground, there was no further sound other than Amy's fast breathing and the furious pawing of her Pokemon.
"Is it gone?" Amy tensed, not wanting to stay still but scared she'd bump into the bulk of Graveler. There was nothing. After a further minute, she bade Marowak take the lead, shining her torch ahead of his path to illuminate the way.
The cavern ceiling arced so that she was now in a great chamber, dotted with boulders as impediments, making her way past them to where Amy saw a flash of red light.
"I see you! Come out, Trainer!"
Nervously, Amy saw that the Trainer was affixing the two Pokeballs he held onto his belt. Scornfully, he glanced at her.
"Are you here to explore or to battle? Come on!"
Amy glanced to her Pokemon, who stared confidently back. She nodded.
"OK. I'll battle," Amy took position opposite the Pokemon Trainer, who wore dirty dungarees and windswept fair hair. "My name's Amy. Nice to meet you."
Grimacing, he replied, "This is your first time here, isn't it?"
Nodding, Amy replied, "Is it yours?"
Shaking his head, the man replied, "I've been training since I arrived. You're in for a real fight, novice!"
He identified himself as Vincent and threw his first of two Pokeballs into the dusty plains of the cavern. "Go, Golduck!"
Golduck sprang forth, the evolved form of Psyduck with a blue, bipedal body and webbed hands and feet. It flexed like a pro and stared down Amy's Growlithe and Marowak.
Amy noticed the Type disadvantage. "Nidorina, you're up!"
Jumping forth, Nidorina growled ferociously at Golduck, who stood unafraid.
"Golduck, Confusion!" shouted Vincent.
"Nidorina! Poison Sting!" cried Amy.
As Nidorina shot poison barbs at Golduck, she was blasted back and nearly toppled into Amy from the force of Golduck's telekinetic wave. Managing to stand, Amy helped Nidorina up, who jumped back into the ring but was afflicted with confusion. Golduck was slightly injured, but did not suffer poisoning.
"Finish it off, Golduck! Fury Swipes!" Vincent commanded.
"Nidorina, Double Kick!" shouted Amy.
Golduck leapt forth, evading Nidorina's savage kicks and lashed out with its claws, as Nidorina buckled and fell to the cavern floor.
"Nidorina?" Amy's voice echoed in silence, as Golduck stood as self-satisfied as Vincent looked on smugly. "Nidorina, get up!"
But Amy was forced to return Nidorina to her Pokeball, vastly aware she was out of her depth. She turned to Growlithe.
"Do you think you can take Golduck on?"
Nodding, Growlithe stepped into the fray. His fury at Nidorina's loss added to Growlithe's vigor and rage, growling furiously.
"Golduck, Hydro Pump!" Vincent demanded.
"Growlithe, Take Down!" shouted Amy, fearful.
Growlithe sprinted towards Golduck, leaping just in time to avoid the powerful surge of water erupting from Golduck's mouth. The cannon of water drenched Amy and Marowak head to foot, injuring the latter almost to unconsciousness as Growlithe tackled Golduck in the chest, knocking him over. Growlithe suffered slight recoil, barking in concern at Marowak's upheaval.
"Good work, Growlithe," Amy spluttered, shivering cold as she fetched a Super Potion out of her back and administered it to Marowak. "Bite Attack!"
"Golduck, Fury Swipes!" shouted Vincent.
Growlithe and Golduck wrestled with each other, neither attack coming close as they broke apart to make distance, circling one another.
"Confusion, Golduck!" cried Vincent.
"Roar, Growlithe!" shouted Amy.
Golduck glowed with telekinetic energies, pausing for only the merest second as Growlithe roared in anger and leapt upon the Water-type, delivering a Bite that caused Golduck to writhe in pain, kicking Growlithe off and dealing slight damage.
Meanwhile, Amy had managed to get Marowak back to full health and clapped for Growlithe, her hope waning.
"You're doing a great job, Growlithe!"
Vincent shot back, "All you're doing is annoying your Pokemon! If you give them praise, they'll be distracted! Golduck, Fury Swipes!"
"Growlithe, Take Down!" cried Amy.
Golduck leapt for Growlithe, but was knocked back by the force of Growlithe's tackle, rolling over in the dirt and struggling to stand. Again, Growlithe suffered slight recoil and was panting from the exertions of his labours and injury.
"Golduck, fight to the end! Confusion!" shouted Vincent.
"Growlithe, Bite!" cried Amy.
Growlithe leapt upon Golduck, delivering a Bite which finished off the Water-type Pokemon. Disgusted, Vincent returned Golduck to its Pokeball as Growlithe limped across to Amy, barking happily.
"Return, Growlithe," Amy held out her Pokeball, watching as Vincent retrieved his second and final Pokeball. "I'll use Marowak for this fight."
Stepping forward, Marowak was glad to make use of his bone club, having built his adrenaline on driving away the wild Graveler. Vincent threw his Pokeball onto the barren ground, red light illuminating the sharp boulders and harsh terrain that surrounded them.
"Go, Persian!" cried Vincent.
The evolved form of Meowth, Persian held similarities except that it was larger, with a more feral appearance and a long, curling tail. It stretched and readied for the cat fight ahead, facing Marowak without a care in the world.
"Marowak, Bonemerang!" cried Amy, unsure of this new addition to the battlefield.
"Persian, Slash!" shouted Vincent.
Persian ran forth, leaping over the thrown bone club that spun like a boomerang towards its intended target and lashed out at Marowak with sharp claws. Injured, Marowak stumbled as Persian decided to forego another attack and evade the Bonemerang which struck back for a second time, missing and landing near Marowak's fallen frame.
"Impossible!" cried Amy, as Marowak scrambled in the dirt for its bone club. "That Persian is so fast!"
"I've trained him well," said Vincent, as the Persian purred, watching Marowak amble for balance. "Persian, Pay Day!"
"Marowak, Bone Club!" shouted Amy.
Marowak sprinted forth with its bone club raised, too slow to dodge the glittering beam of energy that shot forth from the gem core in Persian's forehead. Toppling over, golden coins spilled out around Marowak's fallen frame.
"Persian, Fury Swipes! Let's get this battle over with!" cried Vincent.
"Marowak, Headbutt!" Amy screamed.
Marowak leapt for Persian, still too slow for the cat Pokemon who lashed out at him with several hits from its sharp claws. Marowak tottered unsteadily, not unconscious yet too weak to battle.
"Return!" cried Amy, feeling the clammy sweat that covered her body for fear she would lose. She selected her only Pokemon who could still fight, albeit with injuries. "I'm not done yet, Vincent! We've still got a chance!"
Tossing her third and final Pokeball to face Persian, Amy cried, "Go, Growlithe!"
Persian glanced up from cleaning himself to watch as the red light materialised Growlithe, limping a little but still battle ready.
"Your pathetic Growlithe against my superior feline?" scoffed Vincent. "Persian, Slash!"
"Growlithe, dodge and use Flamethrower!" cried Amy.
Growlithe almost evaded Persian's attack; knocked off balance, Growlithe released a stream of fire from his mouth which Persian almost managed to dodge, too, but suffered burns in the process.
"Come on, Persian!" cried Vincent, the Burn Heal already in his hand. "Come here!"
"Roar, Growlithe!" shouted Amy.
Growlithe roared as he ran towards Persian, who was wincing from the burns, fur slightly tattered. Leaping into the air, Amy's Fire-type delivered a Take Down that took Persian unaware, toppling into him and delivering a Bite Attack for good measure.
"Good work, Growlithe!" cried Amy, suddenly hot from the battle's tremors that had taken her to an adrenaline high.
Suddenly, Growlithe was blasted backwards from Persian's Pay Day, coins clattering as Growlithe yelped in pain, suffering additional damage of recoil. Barely able to stand, Growlithe faced Persian who watched the Fire-type through narrowed eyes.
"Don't give up, Growlithe! Flamethrower!"
"You're not a loser, Persian! Take that Growlithe out! Slash!"
Warmed by his Trainer's concern, Growlithe shot a stream of fire as Persian pounced, claws at the ready. Buffeted by its burns, Persian was unable to fully dodge the stream of fire which knocked it back and sent it sprawling to Vincent's feet.
"No!" Vincent's howl of misery was not unlike his Persian's growl of torment, succumbing to unconsciousness. Reluctantly, he returned the Normal-type Pokemon to its Pokeball.
Amy embraced Growlithe, who was greatly injured and relieved to see the Super Potion which she administered to him. Vincent walked over to Amy, fetching prize money from his wallet.
"I'll take a Revive instead of prize money, if you've got one," Amy said, thinking of her unconscious Nidorina and Marowak.
Smirking, Vincent pocketed his cash and retrieved a Revive among three others he had in his backpack. Amy gratefully accepted the Revive.
"Thanks," she smiled. "It was a close battle."
As Vincent headed off the way Amy had arrived, she released Nidorina and Marowak from their Pokeballs. She gave them both the two Revives, no more left as they roused, happy to see her and to be in good health.
"You all did a great job," Amy patted them all, feeding them each a Poketreat. "The Viridian Gym Leader wasn't kidding about the tough Trainers in here."
Amy and her Pokemon continued on, past the boulders and into a narrow passage with a low ceiling, where Marowak pointed out a sleeping Geodude. Carefully, they walked around the sleeping boulder Pokemon and into a crawl space which they had to shimmy through, difficult to traverse as it began to ascend.
Coughing dust with grazes on her elbows, Amy managed to make it through, climbing out into the cold night sky. The passage had taken them out of the cavern but atop its ridges, looking down onto the forests of Viridian.
"Wow," Amy brushed dirt off her pants, as her Pokemon crowded around. "Do you think the exit's around here somewhere?"
Amy climbed the narrow ridge, steep but not hazardous, though it was a long climb. She could feel the weight of the world drift away as she reached the top, glancing down onto the spread of Kanto, panting and grateful to be out of the cave. Barking, Growlithe ran behind twin boulders that shielded the rest of the summit.
"Be careful, Growlithe!" cried Amy, running forth. "It could be a Graveler - "
But the boulders remained stationary as Amy ran around them to where Growlithe barked happily, burrowing in a nest of ashes where straw and long branches had once intertwined. It was too large to be a nest for Fearow or Pidgeot.
"Growlithe, come here!" Amy scolded, concerned that the nest looked like the remains of a camp site. Growlithe kicked apart the burned twigs and leaves, retrieving what looked like a glowing, amber egg in his mouth as he bounded towards his Trainer.
Gasping, Amy cried, "It's an egg! Oh, Growlithe, you naughty boy, don't you dare break it!"
Surprised, Growlithe let it slip from his mouth and it landed on the ground, though it didn't crack. It shone brighter than before, oval-shaped like an egg but hard and jagged like a gem -
"No!" cried Amy, as Growlithe snatched it from her grasp with a growl. "It's a Fire Stone! Drop it, Growlithe!"
Bounding away with his prized treasure, Amy tripped in her haste to catch Growlithe while Nidorina and Marowak looked on, unafraid.
"Give it back!" Amy shouted, as Growlithe watched from afar, beginning to shimmer with all the colours of the rainbow. "No - no - no - "
Whether from joy or rage, Amy wept openly as she watched her beloved Growlithe change shape, evolving into Arcanine with a fierce roar that echoed around the summit of Victory Road. Almost identical to Blaine's Arcanine but with the familiar features that Amy recognised, Nidorina and Marowak made Pokemon noises of which she could not hope to decipher other than their congratulatory tone. Arcanine was at Amy's side in a blur, incredibly proud in its stautre.
"Growli - Arcanine," Amy hesitated, before reaching out to stroke Arcanine's fur. It was incredibly soft, still the same stripes, just a lot more fur. "Brushing you will take forever."
Distracted, Arcanine headed for the cliff edge, joined by Nidorina and Marowak, all growling and barking loudly. Amy ran over and followed their gazes skyward to the glittering sky, where one star burned brightly like a comet.
"This must be a sign," Amy gentled Arcanine's fur, but he stiffened and raised his hackles. All three of her Pokemon were growling madly. "What is it?"
The great caw that echoed around the valley made Amy take a step back in fright. The shooting star seemed to move of its own accord, flapping its great wings with a trail of fire behind. Quickly, she turned to the nest of ashes where Growlithe had found the Fire Stone to evolve into Arcanine.
"We've disturbed its nest!" Amy shrieked, watching as the bird Pokemon came into sight, its features blurred by fire but its big beak and giant wings no less fearsome. "Let's get out of here!"
Settling on the summit, the fiery bird shot flames in multiple directions, while Amy and her Pokemon ducked for safety. Surrounding the mountaintop was a wall of flames, hot enough that Amy was drenched in sweat from the adrenaline and fear already.
"W-what is that Pokemon?" Amy trembled, her clothes soaked in sweat. Arcanine moved protectively in front, Nidorina and Marowak to either side. Something in her brain clicked; something Natalie had said. "The bird of fire! Moltres!"
Magnificently, Moltres reared its head, completely covered by flame with its golden plumage, sharp beak and razor-sharp talons. It watched Amy and her Pokemon with beady eyes.
"Please d-don't attack us!" cried Amy. "We didn't mean to take the Fire Stone!"
Loud voices came from the winding ridge she had climbed to get to the summit. Their frantic shouts added to the din as Moltres cawed loudly.
Blood pulsing in her face, Amy cried, "Go! Fly away! They're here to capture you!"
Glancing to the skies, Moltres took a step back and took flight, embers falling from its wings to scorch the summit as they against the bright glare, Amy shielded her eyes as she watched the legendary Pokemon soar out of sight.
"I can't believe it," said Amy, awed. Her hair was slightly singed at the ends, her clothes damp and gross with cold sweat now that the surrounding flames began to die down. "Moltres, the bird of fire."