Chapter Five: Felicia and the Gym
In the woods just outside of Vineberg
"How did we get here?" Shade asked her two newest friends as she looked around.
"We teleported." Ace said. "We're just outside of Vineberg."
"I need to get the badge from that Gym." Shade said.
"We'll kill it for you." Pyro said.
"Yeah." Psy said, giggling. "We're way more powerful now. Those Grass types won't know what hit them."
"Ace." Shadow said, looking at Ace's side. "What's with that egg you have?"
"I found it in the woods when I helped Psy and Pyro evolve." Ace said. "A bunch of Murkrow were attacking it and I saved it."
"It's cold." Shadow said, feeling the egg. "It must be an Ice type."
"I thought the same thing." Ace said. "I wonder what it will become."
"Maybe it's a Snorunt." Shadow thought.
"Froslass are pretty cool Pokémon." Ace thought, having known a few Froslass.
"Could be a Kyurem." Shadow joked.
"Not again." Ace jokingly groaned. "One Kyurem in my lifetime was bad enough."
Before they could continue arguing, a strange blast was shot next to them.
"Hey, you bitches!" a feminine Pokémon voice shouted at the group. "You're on my turf!"
"Excuse me?" Ace asked.
"I said" the owner of the voice said, coming into view. "You're on my turf."
The owner of the voice was in a humanoid shape. She was just over four feet tall and had the appearance of a little girl. The left half of her body was yellow, while the right half was grey. She had pointed fingers (not sharp pointed, but just a little pointed). She had deep yellow hair that almost seemed green due to how deep it was. It went down to her waist and in front of her shoulders. Her left eye was pink with a yellow sclera (the white part of the eye) and a black pupil. Her right eye was black with a dark grey sclera. She seemed to hold an expression of confidence and skill.
"A Halflit." Ace said, his voice containing shock. "It's been years since I've seen one."
"What's a Halflit?" Shade asked.
"It'd take too long to explain." Shadow said. "It's a complicated species. They're actually very rare. We've only seen one, not counting this one."
"Who are you calling bitches?!" Pyro shouted at the Divided Pokémon, Fire in her mouth and eyes. "I'll show you who the bitch is!"
"Bring it on, Firecat!" the Halflit said, summoning two different types of energy in each hand. Her left hand called a yellow energy that was unlike the group (save Ace and Shadow) had ever seen. Her right hand held an energy that was similar to Dark energy, but it seemed vastly different somehow.
"She's a Light Demon, isn't she?" Shadow asked.
"Has to be." Ace said. "That's Light energy and that's not Dark energy. Wasn't the one we saw a Dark Angel?"
"I think so." Shadow said, thinking back.
"I can take you!" Pyro shouted, charging at the Halflit. The Halflit simply punched Pyro, sending her backwards into Psy, who couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Shade ran over to attend to her two best friends while Ace and Shadow observed the Halflit.
"My turn." Ace said, stepping closer to the Halflit.
"Ace." Shadow said, putting a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Don't go overboard."
"Got it." Ace said.
"Oh, please." The Halflit said, chuckling as she put more energy into her hands, Light in the left and the strange non-Dark energy (let's call it Demon energy) in her right. "I'm not afraid of some puny human."
"Well, then." Ace said, almost instantaneously appearing behind the Halflit, startling her. His aura was slightly visible. "I guess you've never met a human like me."
The Halflit didn't turn around, but her eyes widened and her breathing became shallow. She seemed absolutely terrified.
"Wh-what are you?" she asked, her pupils constricting.
"I'm something far beyond the humans of this time." Ace said, his tone like normal.
"You're…" The Halflit asked nervously. "A Pokémorph?"
"In a sense." Ace said. "Some people refer to us as Gijinkas. Others as halflings. I prefer to be referred to as a human because that's what I am. When I was growing up, everybody was like this."
"You're fast." The Halflit said, turning around as fast as she could and throwing a punch at Ace so fast that only she, Ace, and Shadow could track it. Ace appeared behind her again, touching her shoulder.
"You're fast." Ace said, causing her to turn around again. "Surprising for a Light Demon."
"My Power is what you should watch out for." The Halflit said, charging up a Dark Punch. This time Ace caught her fist in midair.
"It is quite impressive." Ace said. "But, unfortunately for you, you can't use both of your types at once from one side."
"How did you know that?!" The Halflit said, shocked.
"It's the weakness of every Halflit." Ace said.
"Well, what are you" The Halflit asked. "To know so much about us?"
"My name is Ace Hunter." Ace said. "My white clad best friend over there is Shadow. We're from the past. We're travelling through this region with Shade over there, who's traveling with her two best friends, Psy the Kirlia and Pyro the Flareon."
"My names Felicia." The Halflit said. "I'm the most powerful member of my family."
"Congratulations." Shadow said.
"I'm going to kick your ass someday." Felicia promised. "And I'm going to go with you to train to do just that."
"Sweet." Ace said, always one for a challenge.
"I don't know." Shade said, walking up to them. "I don't think she's going to be an asset to the team."
"I won't take your orders" Felicia said in a bold voice. "Until you have at least two badges. After that I'll help you somewhat."
"Why do you care how many badges she has?" Ace asked.
"I don't want to take orders from an incompetent trainer." Felicia said. "But, I'll go with you guys."
"Let's go." Shade said. "I need to get my second badge."
"We should wait for some time." Shadow said. "Those raZe Corp guys might be looking for us."
"You guys are hiding from raZe Corp?" Felicia asked.
"Pretty much." Shade said.
"But if I see any of them again." Ace said, cracking his knuckles. "I'm gonna kick their asses."
"But could you take on all of them?" Shade asked.
"Maybe." Ace said. "But, we're going to enter the Gym, Psy and Pyro are going to beat the sh!t out of Ivy's Pokémon, and we're going to leave Vineberg."
"There's a clothing shop I might want to check out after the gym." Shade said. "It's not because it's all I think bout, it's because I only brought one change of clothes and I have a feeling I'll need at least a couple more clothing articles."
"Women." Ace muttered jokingly. Pyro chuckled.
"I'm going while she's in the gym." Shadow said. "I need to get a new shirt just in case. When we walked past it I saw this hilarious one and it made me think to grab one."
"That's why we don't wear clothes." Felicia said.
"You would if you had a human forme." Ace said.
"I'd probably be taller if I had a human forme." Felicia said.
"Right." Ace said. "Unless you were about ten."
"I'm eighteen." Felicia said. "I'm actually tall for my species."
"Really?" Ace asked. "It's been so long since I've seen a Halflit I had no idea how tall they were."
"They're about three and a half feet tall at max." Felicia said. "But I'm tall for my age."
"About nine inches tall for your age." Ace said.
"Right" Felicia said. "Now, let's get the gym battle over with so we can leave here. This place is boring. You guys seem like you could bring about some action."
"Allright." Shade said. "But, let's rest for the night before we go."
"I was going to suggest the same thing" Ace said.
The next morning
Shade woke up and stretched, releasing the tension in her muscles. The rest of the group woke up and ate some breakfast. They waited until about eleven o'clock and prepared to enter Vineberg again, Shade making sure they had everything she'd need.
She and the group walked into Vineberg. They parted ways, Shade, Pyro and Psy going to the gym and Ace, Shadow, Felicia, and the egg Ace held onto heading towards the clothing shop.
"Stay right here." Shadow said as she walked in. "I'm not going to be long, but I want this to be a surprise."
"Okay." Ace said as he and Felicia waited outside of the store on a bench. Felicia took out a stone from in her hair and looked at it.
"That's a pretty stone." Ace said, noticing it.
"My mother gave it to me." Felicia said, actually looking sad. "Before she was killed. She said it held some hidden power like her love or something, but it's just a pretty stone that I keep in memory of her."
"I'm so sorry." Ace said. "My parents were killed too."
"By who?" Felicia asked.
"I never cared enough to find out." Ace said. "I didn't want Shadow to really know and I was happy with the legendaries."
"Oh." Felicia said. "My mother was killed by a Dragon type. It traumatized me and now I'm scared of Dragon types."
"It's all right." Ace said. "You've got friends right here that will be here for you."
"Thanks." Felicia said.
"So." Felicia said, resuming the conversation. "What species are you? Since you're a Pokémorph and all? I can tell you're a Dark type by both your clothing style and the small parts of your aura I could read, but nothing beyond that."
"I'm a Darkrai." Ace said (like you guys didn't see this coming if you've read Azure Light or even the last three chapters).
"A D-d-darkrai?" Felicia asked nervously. "Really?"
"Yep." Ace said, leaning back on the bench. "But, don't worry. I won't give you nightmares. I'm willing to bet there's not a Cresselia for miles, though."
"I'm not afraid of your nightmare powers." Felicia said. "I've been trained to resist them."
"Trust me." Ace said. "If I wanted to, I could put you through a hell so bad, Giratina wouldn't dare harvest your soul for fear of it."
"I'm not afraid of you." Felicia said.
"I wasn't trying to be scary." Ace said. "Trust me, you'll know when I'm being scary."
"Interesting." Felicia said. "By the way, what's with the egg in that pouch you have?"
"I found it in the woods." Ace explained. "When I was evolving Pyro and Psy to save Shade and Shadow."
"Shadow doesn't seem like the type to need saving." Felicia said, thinking it over. "She's packing away as much power as you are."
"We were in much less powerful formes." Ace explained. "The people of raZe Corp surprised her and knocked her unconscious before she could enter her human forme or her pokéforme."
"So" Felicia said, thinking it over. "If it came down to a fight, who would win, you or her?"
"If we were both serious" Ace said, without hesitation, as if he'd pondered this fact before. "then it could go either way. We're both powerful Dark types and know each other's fighting styles and capabilities."
"She's a Dark type?" Felicia asked, confused. "She doesn't seem like one."
"She's a Dark Gardevoir" Ace said. "To put it in a nutshell. She's not an Angel type, but instead a Dark type."
"I'll have to take your word for it." Felicia said, shrugging her shoulders. "But still. She's pretty tough."
"She's one of the two strongest legendaries back in our time." Ace said.
"You guys were legendaries?" Felicia asked, surprised. "I mean, I guess I could understand you. Darkrai are considered legendary class, but a Gardevoir?"
"Remember" Ace said. "The things humans think they know about Pokémon that is actually wrong is staggering."
"True" Felicia said. "But, how is she a legendary?"
"The same way I am." Ace said. "She was chosen by Arceus."
"Who's Arceus?" Felicia asked. "The leader of the Council nowadays is Arcen."
"Arcen, huh?" Ace thought. Arcey told me about a brother she had named Arcen. Though, he'd have died in between the time of now and my time."
"Well, he's god now, I guess." Felicia said. "Unless it's someone else with the same name."
"Arceans don't usually do that." Ace said. "But, back to the question. Arceus was the god of my time. She's the one that chose me and Shadow as legendaries as well as the other members of the Council."
"Cool." Felicia said. "But, back to the question I asked earlier. What are you going to do with that egg?"
"Take care of it." Ace said. "It might be ready to hatch soon. It's cold (meaning it's an Ice type), but it's cold enough that the Pokémon inside might have already gotten its Ice essence, so I expect that it will pop out of its shell any second."
"Nice." Felicia said. "Do you know what it is?"
"Nope." Ace said. "But, it's going to be Ice type."
"Hmm." Felicia said. She was going to say something else when Shadow walked out of the store wearing different clothes.
"Hi, guys." She said in her quiet voice.
"Hey, Shad—" Ace said, just before he actually turned and saw his best friend. When he saw her, he stopped speaking and just stared at her. He actually sat up straighter.
Shadow was wearing a flowing, white dress that went down to the ground. It opened up a little in the front, revealing a green underside. She was wearing a pair of white boots (her favorite pair) with white leggings. The sleeves of the dress were green, along with the formal gloves she was now wearing. Her hair saw let down, allowing it to flow a little. It didn't reach her shoulders, but the green highlights in it complimented her dress and gloves. Her eyes were sparkling, the red in them like rubies.
"Do I look nice?" she asked, looking at Ace.
"I— um— uh" Ace stammered as he took in the sight of his best friend that he'd known pretty much his whole life. A thin, red line began to run from his nose, even going into his mouth, which was open. Even Felicia couldn't stop staring.
"Damn!" Felicia thought. "She looks gorgeous. I'm not into girls or humans, but even I can't help but think she looks absolutely stunning."
Shadow giggled. This was actually the reaction she had wanted from Ace.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Shadow said, giggling again as she dropped the illusion she had put up, revealing that she was in her normal clothes. Felicia recovered almost immediately, but Ace was still a little stunned seeing his best friend in a dress she'd only worn once before (Azure Light ch. 7). Felicia snapped her fingers in his face, jolting him back to consciousness.
"Holy sh!t." Ace said (a bit of a delayed reaction there). "you look great."
"Thanks." Shadow said, giggling again. "That nosebleed really compliments your scarf."
"You actually got a nosebleed?!" Felicia said, laughing a little at Ace. "You must never see her in that outfit!"
"I did once before." Ace said, wiping his nose. "I got one then too."
"That's a laugh!" Felicia said, laughing again. "Why's she wear it? A wedding?"
"Prom." Shadow said, walking over and setting down a bag of clothes next to Ace.
"What's all this?" Ace asked, looking at the bag.
"Some necessities." Shadow said. "A second shirt and pair of pants for both of us as well as some Pokéballs and Potions for Shade. Also, I got some special 'treats' for the whole group of us. No peeking, though. It's a surprise until Shade finishes her gym match."
"Well" Ace said, leaning back on the bench. "At least you can take fifteen minutes and get some nice stuff."
"Yeah." Felicia said. "You know how to shop fast. Most women like to browse the isles."
"I don't." Shadow said. "It's a trait I learned from Ace. Get what you need fast and get it right."
"I take pride in that." Ace said, standing up and once again trying to see the contents of Shadow's shopping bag. "Now, let's see what we got."
"I told you not yet." Shadow said, playfully smacking Ace's hand. "We need to wait for Shade and the others."
"Fine." Ace said, sitting back down on the bench. Suddenly he moved.
"What's up with you?" Felicia asked, confused.
"I think it's the egg." Ace said, looking over at the egg in the pouch he was carrying. It was moving in jolts, like something was trying to break out of it. Shadow stepped over to Ace, looking at the egg as Felicia moved around the bench to see it. Ace pulled it out of its pouch and began to look at it.
Cracks appeared in the egg's shell, spreading all around it. Chips of the egg broke off as light poured from the inside of the egg. Suddenly, the entire shell broke off in an explosion to reveal…
With Shade, Pyro, and Psy— Vineberg Gym waiting area
"How long have we been waiting here?" Pyro groaned as she lay down on Shade's legs. The three of them had been sitting outside the gym for about fifteen minutes and they were bored. The receptionist at the desk had told them that Ivy, the Gym leader, was busy with another challenger and would be finished in a few minutes. So, Shade, Pyro, and Psy were forced to wait until they were done.
"We've been here about fifteen minutes." Shade said, looking at her watch. "She should be done by now."
As if on cue, a young boy of about fifteen holding a near unconscious Riolu walked out of the Gym arena, looking defeated (which he was).
He was wearing a brown pair of pants with brown shoes. He wore a black turtleneck under a blue jacket that was the same shade as a Lucario's fur. He had a necklace that was a ring around his neck which had three connections to another ring that hung down. He had a blue hat on that had three points in the back. His hair was a grey blue, the same shade as his eyes He was about Shade's height.
"What happened to you?" Shade asked, curious as to why he looked so defeated.
"She beat me." He said. "Her team was superb. She countered every single one of my strategies and attacks. She's something else."
"We're going to take her out." Pyro said, proudly grinning as her collar bristled from her excitement.
"Your Flareon seems excited." The boy said. "Sure wish I had a Fire type. The only one I have is a Charmander, but he's underpowered compared to her Pokémon. Not that I don't like him, it's just that he's unprepared for this Gym. I didn't even bring him because I was afraid he'd take irreparable damage."
"She's pretty excited." Shade said, chuckling. "She's wanted to take out this Gym for a while."
"You can talk to Pokémon?" the boy asked.
"A little." Shade said, realizing she'd said something she probably shouldn't have (remember people were locked up for being able to speak to Pokémon).
"Cool." The boy said. "Me too. I didn't think you could, so I didn't say anything. People are so cruel to others that are different."
"I know that feeling." Shade said, extending her hand. "My name's Shade."
"Riley." The boy, Riley, said, shaking Shade's outstretched hand. "My partner, Riolu, and I were trying to better strengthen ourselves at this gym. We proved we weren't strong enough yet, but we will become stronger and prove ourselves worthy of being the champions."
"I look forward to challenging you for your spot." Shade said as Riley walked towards the door of the Gym.
"You'll have to beat Ivy here first." Riley said, chuckling.
"I plan to." Shade said, clenching her fist.
"Well, good luck, then." Riley said. "Me and my team are going to train and get stronger so we can defeat her. We're working on aura techniques."
"Oh, I know a friend that knows about that too." Shade said. "He might could teach me how to do that."
"Well" Riley said, intrigued by this. "He'd have to do pretty good to match a Lucario's skill at aura techniques."
"You were trained by a Lucario?" Shade asked.
"yes." Riley said. "His name was Aaron. He was a great teacher. For some reason everyone called him Sir Aaron. Something about him being a knight of some kind in his younger days."
"Cool." Shade said. "My friend isn't a Lucario, but he does know a lot about Pokémon."
"Is he a professor?" Riley asked.
"I doubt it." Shade said. "He's more of an action guy."
"Yeah." Pyro said. "He'd kick your trainer's ass."
"I doubt that." Riley said. "Aaron was always a powerful fighter. Even now, in his older age, he's still strong enough to outfight a Machamp."
"So's my friend." Shade said. "Trust me, he's a fighter."
"I guess I'll have to meet him sometime." Riley said. "Well, I've got to be going. Good luck on your Gym challenge."
"You too." Shade said as Riley left the gym.
"Miss Shade." The receptionist said, coming out of the Gym's arena. "Ivy will see you now."
"Sweet." Shade said, walking into the arena.
With Ace, Shadow, and Felicia
The egg exploded in a flash of light, an orb from the egg landing on the ground in front of the three observers (this is how frickin huge or heavy Pokémon like Onix or Larvitar can be in an egg and the egg not be huge or heavy, allowing trainers to carry them with almost relative ease). When the light faded, a baby Pokémon was standing in front of them.
The Pokémon that appeared was about four feet tall from head to foot and seemed to be a female. She was an icy blue color and seemed glossy. She had four short legs, her back two legs having a small white nail. Her underbelly was white and resembled white ice. She had a short tail that was moving as if to experience the feeling. She had a long neck that made up half of her actual height. She had two frills on either side of her head. They were yellow on the lower section, but faded to orange at the upper section. Her eyes were large and were cobalt color. She had a small smile that seemed very big indeed.
"Amaura!" she shouted (that was all it meant—when a baby hatches or evolves, the first thing it says is its species name—another note: for a few days after hatching, a baby Pokémon only says its species name. It isn't until after several days (this doesn't matter for some Psychic types) that a baby Pokémon says actual words in its language (the language of Pokémon)).
"It's an Amaura." Felicia said, surprised. Amaura were rare, especially in this region.
"Amaura!" the Amaura shouted, looking at Ace with her big blue eyes. She tackled him to the ground, nuzzling his face with her nose. Ace rubbed her head, laughing.
"I think I'll call you 'Maura'" Ace said. "Because you remind me of another Amaura I know with the same name."
"She's very cute." Shadow said, rubbing Maura's neck.
"Yes, she is." Ace said.
"Excuse me." Came a gruff voice from near the four beings. "But, do any of you know a Shade Lunacia?"
"Who wants to know?" Ace asked, standing up and getting a good look at the person that asked.
The person in question was about Ace's height (counting his pointed ears). He had blue fur everywhere except his arms, legs, and his chest area. His legs were black as were his arms. They were shaped like paws, but he walked on two legs. Each of his hands had a steel colored, spike coming out of them, as did his chest. His nose was long, but not really long. He had eyeteeth that pointed out of his mouth. His eyes were steely black and seemed to be able to see into people's souls. He was a Lucario.
"Well, well, well." Ace said, chuckling. "Sir Aaron. It's been a while. And I see you've brought your pupil. Riley, was it? Here to challenge the Gym?"
"Yep." Riley said, his partner, Riolu, giving her agreement.
"So, I heard from Riley that Shade can speak to her Pokémon." Aaron said. "And that she had someone who knew a lot about aura teaching her. Naturally, I assumed that it would be a Lucario, but you are just as good. It's been a while for me as well, Ace Hunter."
"So, how is Riley doing?" Ace asked.
"He's doing fine." Aaron said, chuckling. "I've had to teach him multiple times not to talk to his Pokémon in public, but it's a lesson learned the hard way. Shade at least has the excuse of having a Psyhic type known for telepathy. But, still, I fear she's not completely safe."
"I'm here." Ace said. "I think she's safe enough."
"And there's the fact that she's not very well known." Shadow added.
"Well, if raZe Corp tries to take her—" Aaron said, causing a confused look on Riley's face.
"If they try anything" Ace said. "I'll be here. Every Psychic, Dark, Ghost, or Lucario knows what I am and what I'm capable of."
"But do you know what she's capable of?" Aaron asked the Dark type.
"If she's got a deep connection" Ace said. "Then she's not manifested enough of it to be a problem."
"But, she's been taken before, right?" Aaron asked.
"How did you know that?" Ace asked, his tone beginning to become threatening.
"I can read minds, you know." Aaron said. "If she's what you think she is, you've got to teach her to conceal her aura."
"She has only a small connection." Ace said. "Not much beyond anything, especially not Riley's right there. If she's concealing it, she's doing it unconsciously and so well not even I can sense it."
"they do have Pokemorphs on their side." Aaron said. "Especially that Luna girl."
"I've met her." Ace said. "I know exactly what she's capable of. That's why I didn't engage her right then. I didn't want Shade to be exposed to this view of the world just yet. I wanted to let her become a suitable trainer first. She's not ready for this."
"You know as well as I do" Aaron said, stepping right up to Ace. "That she plays a part in all of this. I know what you think will happen, and if you want to prevent it from truly happening, you will begin to train her."
"I won't let it happen." Ace said. "She doesn't have to go down that road."
"She's already on it." Aaron said, his voice solemn. "Since she was born."
"Come on, Riley." Aaron said, motioning his pupil to follow. "We've got to prepare you for that Gym challenge.
"Sir Aaron?" Riley asked as he and his mentor walked away. "What was that about?"
"I was just talking to an old friend." The Lucario said to his pupil. "About certain things that will come to pass soon."
"Can you tell me about them?" Riley asked.
"Maybe someday." Aaron said to his pupil. "But, not today."
"What was that about?" Felicia asked.
"An old friend." Shadow said. "We're just talking about a few things."
"Should we tell Shade?" Felicia asked.
"No.' Ace said. "I'd prefer to tell her when the situation's better. Let's let her later. She should enjoy her Gym battle."
With Shade, Pyro, and Psy—Vineberg Gym arena
"So" Ivy said, facing her challenger. "You're Shade?"
Ivy was basically dressed as Poison Ivy from Batman: The Animated Series (90s version). Her hair was green as were her eyes. She held a confident gaze as her challenger looked as if she'd been on her journey for less than a week. Piece of cake.
"Yeah." Shade said. "And I'm the one who's going to beat you."
"Big talk." Ivy said. "But, can you back it up?"
"We'll see." Shade said.
"I choose Gloom." Ivy said, sending out her Pokéball, which held her Gloom. The Flower Pokémon popped out, getting into a battle stance.
"You're up Psy." Shade said. Psy stepped up, bowing to her opponent as if preparing to use martial arts.
(Please note that Ivy can't understand her Pokémon, but Shade can—also note that Shade communicates her battle moves telepathically via Psy, if she does at all (Shade mostly helps her team with the defensive strategies))
"Ready for this?" Shade asked her best friend. Psy nodded, smiling as she clenched her fists.
"I sure hope this evolution helps some." She thought to herself.
"Battle Commence!" Ivy shouted, beginning the battle.
"Gloom, use Poison Powder!" Ivy called out to her Gloom. Her Gloom reacted by spitting poison from his flower.
"Psy!" Shade said. "Use Safeguard."
"On it." Psy said, casting the protective move. The Poison Powder vanished as Psy's field enveloped the area.
"Now." Shade said. "Use Psychic."
"Right." Psy said. She concentrated her Psychic powers on the Gloom, picking him up and slamming him on the ground three times before it was evident the Gloom couldn't battle anymore.
"you're actually pretty good." Ivy said as she recalled her Gloom and sent out her next Pokémon, a Weepinbell.
"Weepinbell" Ivy ordered. "Use Gunk Shot!"
Shade's eyes widened. Gunk Shot was a pretty powerful poison type move. Psy was a Fairy (or, as Ace called it, Angel) type, which meant she would take double damage from the Poison type attack.
The shot came from Weepinbell's mouth at an amazing speed. Psy never saw it coming. The attack hit her right in the face, temporarily blinding her. The Poison effect didn't kick in due to the Safeguard that Psy had put up, but the damage was still done. Psy had poor defenses, being a Kirlia, and couldn't resist the attack for very long.
Psy was almost unconscious, but she still possessed enough energy to hit the Weepinbell with a Psychic blast that knocked her back about eight feet. The Weepinbell got back up, however, hurt, but still battle ready. Psy then fainted, her eyes closing.
Shade was shocked. She had never had one of her partners faint before. It was a new sensation to realize that your Pokémon could still be beaten. Shade dropped to her knees as Pyro nudged her best friend with her front paw.
"You guys know she's not dead, right?" Ivy asked, understanding Shade's feelings. "She'll be fine. The Poison effect didn't kick in due to her Safeguard. She'll be fine if you take her to a Pokémon Center."
"Right." Shade said, picking up her fainted partner. "Pyro, I guess it's your turn."
"It's payback time, bitch!" Pyro said to the Weepinbell.
"Bring it on." The Weepinbell said, chuckling. "I'll take you out just as easily as your friend."
"Big mistake." Pyro said. "Prepare to get burned."
Shade face palmed, causing Ivy to look at her with confusion.
Pyro shot a weak Ember attack at the Weepinbell, hitting her right in the mouth. The Burn effect kicked in immediately, causing the Weepinbell to cringe in pain for about ten seconds before fainting.
"Looks like you" Pyro said, chuckling. "just got burned."
Shade face palmed again. Ivy simply grabbed her last Pokéball and tossed it out. A green Pokémon with a plant in its back popped out: an Ivysaur.
"So, this f #$er wants some too." Pyro said, Fire in her mouth.
"Bring it on." The Ivysaur said, two vines extending from his plant.
Pyro launched a massive Flamethrower at the Ivysaur, causing significant damage to him. However, he wasn't down just yet and threw his vines at Pyro, grabbing her around the waist. The Ivysaur lifted her up bodily, preparing to throw her across the room. Pyro bit down on one of the vines, sending Fire energy throughout it. The Ivysaur shouted in pain, releasing Pyro. Pyro ran towards the Ivysaur, Fire in her mouth. The Ivysaur launched several seeds at Pyro, who stopped running to try to dodge them.
"Pyro!" Shade called. "Use your tail!"
"My tail?" Pyro thought to herself before the realization hit her. "Oh, right!"
Pyro's tail turned a metallic grey and shone in the light of the room. She then used her hardened tail to attack the seeds and destroy them. However, Pyro wasn't done yet. She ran toward the Ivysaur once again, her metallic tail lighting ablaze as she swung it as hard as she could into the Ivysaur's face. The force of the blow knocked the Ivysaur out, causing Ivy's jaw to drop.
"Wh-what kind of move was that?" she asked, confused. "There's not a move registered like that in the Pokédex."
"The Pokédex only contains a small amount of data that people think they know about Pokémon." Shade said. "What we don't know vastly outweighs what we do. That move was called Flaming Tail. It's something Pyro can do by combining her Fire aspect with her Iron Tail."
"that's pretty neat." Ivy said, recalling her Ivysaur. "You should probably take them to the Center, though. But first, here're your prizes: the Floral Badge and the TM for Solarbeam."
Ivy handed Shade a badge in the shape of a flower and a small disk.
"Now don't waste these." Ivy cautioned the rookie trainer.
"Right." Shade said as she and Pyro walked out of the Gym, Shade still carrying Psy in her arms. They stopped by the Center for about five minutes to heal up and headed to the store where Ace, Felicia, and Shadow were with a blue Pokémon.
"Hey, guys!" Shade called to her friends. "We're back. Who's that Pokémon?"
"This is Maura." Shadow said, pointing to the Amaura, who smiled and waved, saying 'Amaura'. "She's from the egg that Ace found."
"Nice to meet you, Maura." Shade said. Maura walked over, nuzzling Shade, Pyro, and Psy with her nose. The three girl giggled as the Icy Sail Pokémon rubbed them.
"She's very sweet." Psy said.
"How come I can't understand her?" Shade asked. "All I heard from her was 'Amaura'."
"That's what happens with infant Pokémon." Ace said. "They only say their species name for a few days after hatching."
"Well, it feels good to have gotten a second badge." Shade said, pumping her fist in the air as her two best friends did something similar.
"Nice." Ace said, grabbing a bag near his feet. "Now we can see the stuff Shadow got for us."
"Stuff?" Shade asked.
"I went shopping." Shadow said. "I grabbed us some supplies as well as me and Ace some new clothes. I also got us some treats."
"Star Candy!" Ace said, throwing the star shaped candies to the group. There were two for each of them. They enjoyed their candies, thanking Shadow for them.
"Ace" Pyro said, looking at the Dark type. "did you get in a fight while we were in the Gym?"
"No." Ace said, confused. "Why?"
"Because it looks like you had a nosebleed." Psy said.
"That's not from a fight." Felicia said, snickering.
"Then what's it from?" Shade asked, confused.
"you're not old enough to understand it yet." Ace said.
"I'm thirteen." Shade said.
"You'll understand it when you find that special someone for you." Shadow said, wrapping her arms around Ace's.
"So, what's the next city?" Shade asked. "I want my third Gym badge."
"Rustown." Ace said. "But there's another city in between here and there, so it'll be a while before we get there."
"Is there anything to do on the way?" Pyro asked. "I don't want to be bored."
"We'll find something." Ace said, rubbing Maura's head, causing her to make contented noises.
"I'm sure there's something to do." Shadow said, also rubbing Maura's head.
"Now, let's go!" Felicia shouted, running off towards the city exit. "I'll race you guys down route 2015!"
"You're on!" Pyro shouted, running after her. Shade and the others laughed, watching the two.
"We should go after them." Ace said. "They're not registered in Pokéballs. They could be fair game."
"Right." Shade said. The rest of the group took off running after the competitive Flareon and Halflit.
Elsewhere
"Yes, I know we lost them." Luna said over the payphone. "And yes, I know what she meant to the plan."
A pause while the person on the other end spoke.
"Well, I didn't want to start a fight with the guy." Luna said. "He's got some power behind him, that's for sure. His girlfriend's got a decent amount herself. I definitely couldn't take them both on."
Luna paused, listening to the other person's words.
"Of course, I'll get them back." Luna promised. "But, I can't now. They're all together. And they've got a Halflit with them."
Another pause.
"Of course I know what a Halflit is capable of." Luna said. "I'm definitely taking that risk. The only things worse than a Halflit are a Dragonica or a Dark type, but I doubt they have one of those."
Luna's eyes widened as the other person spoke.
"I understand we're that far along with this." Luna said. "I'll get her back, I promise. Trust me on this one. Shadey's mine."
well, it would seem that there's something up with this story. It's not your average trainer fic, now is it? What is Shade? Find out probably not next chapter.
On a side note, the art for the Dragonica is on Deviantart under this username. Just put it up this afternoon.