CHAPTER SIXTY SEVEN
With only Squirtle and Poliwhirl remaining, Natalie tried to keep her spirits up as she travelled through Victory Road with Daniel by her side. She was worried that she had spent more time battling with her Pokemon than caring for them, putting them through endless trials in an attempt to win Badges and reach the Pokemon League.
Initially, Natalie had envisioned the trip through Kanto as a breeze, sleeping under the stars and spending time with her Pokemon, when in fact, more time was spent discussing battle strategy with Daniel and trying to find ways to outmanoeuvre hardcore Trainers and Gym Leaders who forced their Pokemon to the limit. Natalie wanted a break, time to reflect and uncomplicated routines of eat, sleep and play.
"We must be getting close," Daniel yawned, covering his mouth. "It's been hours."
So far, they had encountered more errant Geodude who fell prey to either Squirtle's Water Gun or Weepinbell's Vine Whip. They had chosen good Pokemon to enter Victory Road with, but with no end in sight they had finished all the water in their drink bottles and rationed what few sandwiches were remaining. The cavernous paths seemed to stretch forever.
"We should've bought some Revives in the Celadon Department Store," Daniel commented. "I'm worried we're underprepared."
"We'll make it," Natalie steeled her optimism, knowing Daniel would get dejected faster if she was in bad spirits. He was sensitive to everything. "We have to."
They turned a corner and hid behind a boulder, surprised to find two Trainers battling, their shrill cries reverberating around the cavern.
"Kingler, Guillotine!" shouted the guy.
"Chansey, Sing!" cried the girl.
Chansey began singing a melodic tone which made everyone drowsy, while Kingler brought his pincer crashing down upon Chansey, sending it flying.
"Get up!" screamed the girl, red-faced. "Chansey, Double-Edge!"
But Chansey would not rouse. Tearing her hair in fury, the girl returned Chansey with a flash of red light into its Pokeball.
"I believe I am owed prize money, Dana," he smirked, holding out his palm.
"Screw you, Scott," she stuffed a sheaf of hundred-dollar bills into his palm. "I'll be back to take down that crab."
Shaking his head in sarcasm, Scott returned Kingler to its Pokeball and counted his earnings in glee. Natalie sneezed from the dust, alerting Scott to their position.
"You! Come out!" Scott demanded, as though arresting a suspicious vagrant.
Emerging from behind the boulder, Natalie wiped her nose with a handkerchief and added, "Sorry to disturb your battle."
"How long have you been there for?" Scott asked, pleased to have witnesses.
"Long enough to see Kingler use Guillotine," Daniel replied. "That's a strong move."
"You don't say?" Scott squinted. "Well, you're both Trainers, right? You can be my next opponents! I'll face you first, beanpole."
"I'm not a beanpole," Daniel reddened. "Let's get this over with."
Scott barked in laughter, as he and Daniel stood in opposition upon the rudimentary battlefield. Relieved, Natalie took to the sidelines for this match, hugging Squirtle close.
"You underestimate me if you think I'll lose so quickly," Scott declared, revealing two Pokeballs on his belt. "You can fight me with all four of your Pokemon, if you like. I'll beat you all the same."
Daniel glanced down to Weepinbell. "You ready for this fight?"
Bounding forward, Weepinbell watched as Scott selected his first of two Pokeballs. Tossing it into the field, Scott shouted,
"Go, Blastoise!"
Blastoise materialised in a flash of red light, standing in greater stature to Weepinbell who glanced glumly up at the Water-Type Pokemon. The evolved form of Wartotle, Blastoise stood upright two water cannons at its shoulders, emerging from within its hardened shell.
"Wow," Natalie said, as Squirtle watched in fascination. "I've never seen Blastoise in person before."
Glaring down at Weepinbell, Blastoise stomped its large feet and roared. Weepinbell waved its leaf arms in mockery.
"Weepinbell, Razor Leaf!"
"Blastoise, Skull Bash!"
Weepinbell spun in the air to release a wave of razor sharp leaves which hurtled towards Blastoise, while Blastoise sprinted forth, receiving painful grazes on its arms but tackling Weepinbell across the cavern and into a boulder, where it landed painfully.
"Good going, Blastoise!" Scott commended. "Body Slam!"
"Weepinbell, Stun Spore!" Daniel shouted.
As Weepinbell released glittering powder into the cavern, Blastoise had already leapt up and slammed down upon Weepinbell's fallen frame with great force, paralysing it in the impact. Blastoise climbed off Weepinbell, limbs unmoving as it succumbed to paralysis.
"Weepinbell, return!" Daniel cried, holding out his Pokeball to the weakened plant Pokemon. He selected his second of four Pokemon as Scott reached for a Full Heal. "Go, Arbok!"
Leaping forth with a hiss, Arbok stared down Blastoise as the Full Heal began to take effect.
"Arbok, Glare!" Daniel shouted urgently.
As Blastoise began to move, Arbok made eye contact and paralysed Blastoise still. Cursing, Scott reached for another Full Heal from his backpack.
"Arbok, Acid!"
Arbok shot forth a dark liquid which covered Blastoise's face, injuring it though he did not move a muscle. Scott began to administer the Full Heal.
"Use Wrap, Arbok!" Daniel shouted.
Arbok leapt to constrict Blastoise tightly within its grasp, preventing Scott from healing his Pokemon of its status.
Triumphant, Daniel cried, "Bite, Arbok!"
Lunging for Blastoise's neck, Arbok bit deep as Blastoise suffered further. Relenting, Scott held out his Pokeball to return Blastoise inside.
"That snake Pokemon of yours is pretty sneaky," Scott said, selecting his second and final Pokeball. "Try this on for size! Go, my Kingler!"
The evolved form of Krabby, Kingler was larger and stronger, scuttling forward to challenge Arbok, who hissed with malice.
"Take that snake down, Kingler! Crabhammer!"
"Arbok, attack with Acid!"
Evading Arbok's spray of acid, Kingler was faster than it looked as it leapt for Arbok, powerful pincer crashing down upon Arbok. Cringing in pain, Arbok tried to wriggle away but Kingler held onto Arbok's tail with its pincer.
"Vicegrip, Kingler!" Scott shouted.
"Arbok, Wrap!" Daniel cried.
Arbok wrapped its body around Kingler, but that only allowed Kingler to latch onto Arbok with its other pincer. Squeezing tightly with both pincers, Arbok squealed in pain as Kingler tossed Arbok to Daniel's field, greatly harmed.
"Arbok!" Daniel shouted, concerned. "Can you fight?"
Struggling, Arbok shot Kingler a menacing Glare but the crab Pokemon's eyes were blocked by its pincers in time.
Desperate, Daniel cried, "Arbok, use Bite on Kingler!"
"Kingler, Bubblebeam!"
Pouncing upon Kingler, Arbok was blasted back by the powerful surge of bubbles from Kingler's mouth. It lay unconscious at Kingler's feet.
"Return!" Daniel ordered, panicked. Arbok disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Two down, two to go!" Scott grinned.
Daniel selected his third of four Pokeballs, tossing it into the field. "Now you'll face my strongest Pokemon! Let's go, Meowth!"
Springing forward with a snarl, Meowth drew its claws and stared down Kingler, who scuttled from side to side in anticipation.
"Kingler, Crabhammer!"
"Meowth, Fury Swipes!"
Pouncing upon Kingler with speed, Meowth delivered several Fury Swipes to Kingler's face, who retailiated by knocking Meowth to the ground with his Crabhammer attack. Both Pokemon injured, they scrambled to attack.
"Pay Day!" Daniel shouted.
"Bubblebeam!" Scott yelled.
Kingler's surge of bubbles was blasted back by Meowth's shining beam, scattering coins about as Kingler was knocked over, desperately trying to regain balance.
"Take it out!" Daniel yelled. "Slash!"
"No way!" Scott surged. "Kingler, Guillotine!"
Meowth sprinted towards Kingler, delivering a sharp slash to the crab Pokemon that knocked it flat on its back again, unable to see Meowth.
"Bite!" Daniel shouted, in anticipation.
Meowth pounced upon Kingler, biting hard as Kingler cried out in pain. Pincers lowering in defeat, Kingler moved no more.
"Good job, Meowth!" Daniel ran up and patted him, watching as Scott moodily returned Kingler to its Pokeball. "You did great!"
Surly, Scott walked over to Daniel, handing him a sheaf of hundred-dollar notes. Daniel's eyes widened as he counted the amount.
"Not bad," Scott admitted, heading towards part unknown.
"Hey!" Natalie cried after him. "Where's the exit!"
Taking off at a run, Scott glanced over his shoulder. "Not telling you!"
Alone in the cavern, Daniel and Meowth walked over to Natalie, brushing dirt off her pants as she rose.
"Here," Daniel handed Natalie the bulk of prize money he had won. "It's yours."
"No - " Natalie pushed his hand away. "You won it, fair and square."
"I - " Daniel hesitated. "I want you to have it."
"I don't want it!" Natalie shouted, voice reverberating around the cavern. "You shouldn't be so generous!"
Taken aback, Daniel felt lead in his stomach at the rejected offer. "Natalie - "
"I can't take your money," Natalie stressed. "It's not right."
"Why not?" Daniel pressed, though he felt he shouldn't.
"It won't go to me in the end," Natalie said, wearily sitting atop a boulder, sharp angles poking into her backside. "It'll just go to my mother."
The silence was broken by the sounds of rumbling coming close. Daniel forced himself to think fast.
"Let's hurry," Daniel urged, as Natalie followed him into another passage.
Meowth and Squirtle quickened their pace to keep up. The cavern walls trembled and shook as the rumbling came closer, Natalie grabbing Daniel as he nearly tripped over his shoelaces, pulling him onwards as they saw light at the end of the tunnel. Blessed relief filling their hearts, the rumblings grew quieter as they emerged into late afternoon sunshine.
"We made it," Natalie beamed, hostility dissipating like the soft breeze that cooled her skin. Turning to Daniel, she leapt on him with a bone-crushing hug. "We got through Victory Road, Daniel!"
Uneasily, Daniel watched as Natalie returned to her cheerful self. He found girls confusing, but then he had no experience in the matter. They ran down the path leading to a small village, trees passing them by and Pidgeotto soaring overhead. They spotted an inn among many small houses and rushed towards it, noticing the 'no vacancy' sign.
"Damnit!" Daniel cursed.
They searched for another inn with vacancy, but all were booked up in advance. Many Trainers were forced to camp outside, setting up bedrolls and tents in the dense forest, lighting camp fires with their Charmander or Ponyta, roasting marshmallows and swapping stories of how their entrance exams had gone.
"Entrance exams?" Natalie asked, puzzled. "What are they talking about?"
"I have no clue," Daniel said, having read the Pokemon League booklet off by heart. He hadn't watched TV in a while, either. "How can everything be booked? The tournament hasn't even started!"
Daniel didn't mind sleeping outside, but he was looking forward to at least a hot shower and meal before settling down to slumber. Natalie glanced around with Squirtle in her arms, following the path which took them to the stadium.
"Registration is open late," Natalie indicated the sign. "This must be why so many inns are booked. Everyone thinks they've got a chance."
Daniel and Natalie followed the scrum of Trainers in front of the glass double doors, pushing to get inside. Apparently, with all day to spare they chose now to fill the queues.
"This place is incredible!" Daniel said, awed by the high ceilings and many attractions on display. There was a section for the Pokemon Center and the PokeMart, a souvenir stand selling Pokemon merchandise, a food court where Trainers on a budget ate their meals and the registration desk, blocked by a queue of Trainers seemingly a mile long.
"I should call my mum," Daniel glanced towards the pay phones, making unfortunate eye contact with the guy in line behind him.
"Well?" the boy demanded. "Do it, or move up in the queue."
Jolted by the sharp tone, Daniel stepped forward to cover the gap, allowing Natalie to go ahead of him.
"Thanks," Natalie added vaguely, glancing at the souvenir stand where the owner handed a Clefairy Pokedoll to a young girl who clapped in joy. "I should buy Beth another Ponyta Pokedoll - "
"No way, she's spoilt enough as it is," Daniel retorted, with the certainty that he knew best.
Rolling her eyes, Natalie joked, "I wasn't asking for permission. It'll be better than that water-stained Ponyta she insisted on keeping."
Though it only took a few seconds for each Trainer to give their details, smile into the camera and move along, Daniel and Natalie waited for twenty minutes in which they could not abandon their position in the queue. Natalie had asked Daniel to hold her place while she rushed to the bathroom, but the boy behind Daniel expressed his opinion on the matter.
"No saving places!"
Forcing her concentration elsewhere, Natalie glanced about the milling crowd of eager, chatty Trainers who added to the din with their loud laughter and camaraderie.
"Next, please!"
Natalie rushed forward, eager like a Rattata as the receptionist barely glanced up, typing at her computer.
"Welcome to the Indigo League," she muttered. "Name?"
"Natalie C."
"Date of birth?"
Natalie's birthday made her fifteen.
"Badge case," the receptionist barely glanced up as Natalie presented the eight Badges. "Great. Look into the camera."
Ardor dampened by the receptionist's dull greeting, Natalie offered a beaming smile as the shutter clicked. The receptionist retrieved a lanyard, clipped the printed Trainer Card on and handed it to Natalie, along with her pager and a pamphlet informing her as to the new tournament rules.
"Next!" the receptionist practically screamed.
Natalie rushed off as Daniel stepped up next, enduring the same questions from the receptionist's monotone. His date of birth made him sixteen, several years older than his sister. He excitedly glanced at his Trainer Card after fastening the lanyard around his neck, immediately consulting the brochure on the new rules of the tournament.
Daniel glanced up as Natalie ran over, lanyard swinging from her neck as he rose from the bench and excitedly showed her his Trainer Card, where his photo wasn't too humiliating to show. Together they reached the Pokemon Center counter, waiting in line to heal their injured Pokemon.
Afterwards, they browsed the merchandise stand where Daniel forced himself not to spend money on a Vulpix Pokedoll for Beth.
"Can we go to the food court?" Natalie asked. "I'm starving."
They paid for a hamburger each, shared a large scoop of fries between them and deposited their trays upon a banquette table, shoulders slumping in relief and joy when they took their first bite.
"I'm so excited, I can't wait to take the entrance exam! I have to check the PokeMart to buy more supplies, call Mum to see that her and Beth are OK... " Daniel said, devouring his hamburger with such frantic bites that sauce spilled onto his shirt. "There's so much to plan. I hope they don't page me in my sleep! I wonder when they take breaks?"
Daniel glanced up from his never ending monologue. "Natalie?"
Shaken out of her reverie, Natalie replied, "Sorry, I wasn't listening. What did you say?"
Frowning, Daniel returned to his hamburger. Natalie wished she had more energy to listen, but she was rattled with worry. If they both won in their entrance exams, there was a chance they would be battling against one another in the tournament. She did not wish him harm, but neither could she lose when the prize money would set her free.