Hi guys I'm back!...well at least for the mean time. I've finally had a chance to start writing again after sorting out my school work and my busy job, first a barista and now a cashier! Anyway I'll try to update when I can, now let's get back to where we left off!
The audience of people in the restaurant talked in hushed tones as they looked towards the center of the establishment. A large monitor was perched up on the wall as it showed a dirt battlefield somewhere else. Even the wait staff stood still as they gazed upon on of the three owners of the restaurant standing across the way from his challenger.
Focused on the screen, Cress saw his brother stand on the field. "Good luck Chili" he said. Running his hand threw his fire red hair, he pulled out a pokeball as he held it with confidence in front of himself.
"You ready to get this battle started?" he called out.
Steven stood along the sidelines as he saw the fiery look of determination in Saki's eyes. Her first gym battle in the Unova region after so many years of being in Hoenn. Zoroark stood next to her in the form of her pre-evolution form as the hairs along her body stood up from excitement.
Saki nodded her head, "I've been ready!" she replied back. Steven could only chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"Riolu, I want you to watch carefully at how Saki battles." he instructed his newly hatched Pokemon that stood besides him. Peaking out from behind his slacks covered shin, Riolu looked towards the battlefield with innocent eyes. It had just hatched the day they both had arrived in Striaton City, which came as a shock to both them.
A man stood on the outside center of the battle field, his bright green spiked hair was on point as he and his brother wore nearly identical clothing. "Both sides will have the use of two Pokemon, only the challenger will be able to switch out. The battle will be over when one side has no more available Pokemon!" he said to both of the trainers on the field. "Chili?" he looked towards his brother as he nodded his head.
"You know I'm fired up Cilian!" he remarked as he flashed a huge grin.
Cilian looked towards Saki, "don't need to ask me, I'm more than ready!" she said as she smiled.
"Let the battle begin!"
"Go Lillipup!" Chili sent out his first Pokemon, a small beige and tan furred dog appeared on the field as it bared its white teeth at Saki. Crotching down it growled as its black eyes seemed locked onto Zoroark.
Zoroark copied Lillipup's stance as she seemed ready to jump onto the field in her current from. "Easy girl," Saki calmed her as she gently petted her head. "This isn't your fight," she said to her as Zoroark glared at her before turning her head the other direction. "Don't worry you will soon, but I have someone else in mind." she said pulling out a Pokeball, "come on out Snivy!"
Standing before her was her new Unova starter Pokemon. Crossing his arms in front of him, Snivy looked at Lillipup before looking at Saki, "sni?"
Nodding her head, "don't worry, we believe in you." she honestly told him as Snivy smiled before turning his attention towards Lillipup. "Now Snivy use tackle!" charging its way towards Lillipup as he lowered his head.
"Lillipup dodge it and use work up!" Chili commanded. Jumping back a great distance from Snivy, Chili's Lillipup began to bark as a red glow enveloped its body.
Riolu tugged on Steven's slacks, "that move raises a Pokemon's attack and special attack. Meaning Lillipup will be able to do more damage to Snivy." he explained as Riolu stepped in front of him, eyes locked on the battle.
"Snivy be careful," Saki forewarned her Pokemon as he nodded his head.
"Lillipup use bite and don't stop!" Lillipup launched itself towards Snivy, bearing its fangs.
"Dodge it!" As Lillipup closed in on Snivy as it continuously snapped its mouth, trying to grab ahold of Snivy. Trying to avoid Lillipup's attack Snivy managed to keep a distance away, but Saki knew that he couldn't keep it up much longer.
Flicking his leaf tail out, Lillipup saw the opportunity and chomped down on it. "Sniv!" crying out in pain, Snivy tried desperately to shake Lillipup off. Throwing it from side to side, as Chili's Lillipup still held on tightly.
"Don't let go Lillipup!" Chili said, as Lillipup dug its feet into the dirt field and held on tighter, preventing either of them from moving.
Saki had to think fast, she could see the pained look on Snivy's face. "Snivy use wrap!" she instructed as Snivy wrapped its snake like body around Lillipup, "now use vine whip!" producing the green vines from his back it slashed them around Lillipup as she could see that it had released Snivy's tail from its jaws.
Letting go of Lillipup, Snivy got away from it as it seemed a bit shaken by the attack. "Lillipup are you alright!?" Chili asked his Pokemon as it seemed ready to continue the fight, "alright now use bite once more!"
Lillipup came running towards Snivy, "evade and use tackle! Don't hold back Snivy!" Saki commanded as Snivy barely missed Lillipup's bite, before launching himself towards him, sending Lillipup flying back towards Chili.
A small cloud of dust surrounded Lillipup as Cilian could see that his brother's Lillipup was knocked out. Pointing his left hand towards Saki, "Lillipup is unable to battle, the winner is Snivy." he announced as Chili half grinned as he returned his Pokemon.
"That's one down," Steven whispered to himself. "Just one more left."
"That was pretty impressive, but let's see if you can handle the heat. Go Pansear!" sending out his next Pokemon, a red and cream color furred monkey stood on the field. It's red hair on top matched in a similar flame style like Chili.
"Who's that?" Saki questioned as she pulled out her PokeDex.
"Pansear the high temp Pokemon. When angered it is said the temperature of its head tuft reaches 600 degrees fahrenheit."
Looking at Snivy, Saki knew she had a type disadvantage. "Snivy retu-" before she could call back Snivy he glared at her. Even though he knew that he was at a disadvantage he still wanted to continue battling it seemed. "You sure?" she asked as Snivy nodded his head. "Alright then, Snivy use tackle!"
Snivy launched himself towards Pansear, "stop it by using lick!" Extending its tongue as it slide across Snivy's face as it stopped him dead in his tracks. Snivy's whole body shook as he had a look of disgust across his face.
Zoroark chuckled as Saki lightly pushed her. Shakily stepping back, Snivy shook his head as he wiped the saliva from his face. "You ok Snivy?" Saki asked as he glanced back at her and nodded his head, "alright then! Snivy tackle!" Saki commanded as Snivy charged head first towards Pansear.
"Pansear use fury swipes!" Chili told his Pokemon as the claws on Pansear's hands began to glow and elongate. Pansear ran towards Snivy, a burning look in it's eyes.
"Just as I had hoped," Saki thought to herself, "use vine whip to stop Pansear!" the vines sprouted from Snivy's back as they wrapped around Pansear, stopping it from using fury swipes.
Ramming his head into Pansear, Snivy released Pansear from it's vine whip as Chili's Pokemon skidded across the battlefield. "Good job, now finish it with another tackle!" Saki saw her chance as Pansear was still shaking off Snivy's previous attack.
"Not so fast! Pansear incinerate!" looking directly at Snivy, Pansear locked onto him as it shot out numerous balls of bright red and orange fire at Snivy.
"Dogde it!" Saki yelled to Snivy as she watched him move around the field, but still painfully watched as one of the attacks made direct contact with Snivy. Flying back a bit, Snivy bounced along the dirt ground as he appeared to have taken serious damage from the attack. Pulling out his Pokeball, "Snivy, that was too much damage." she told him as he glared at her, "I'm sorry, but, Snivy return!"
"Ark, zoro zor." Zoroark whispered to Saki, as she nodded her head.
"He did a great job, but if he's at a bad type advantage as it is." she told Zoroark as she pulled out her next Pokemon.
Saki retreated Snivy back to his Pokeball, after all the damage from Lillipup and now Pansear, she knew Snivy wouldn't make it past another attack. "I've gotta admit your Snivy is pretty tough," Chili complimented.
"Thanks, but my friend here is just as tough. Go Eevee!" throwing out its Pokeball, Eevee appeared on the field. Looking directly at Pansear, Eevee growled at its opponent.
"We'll just see about that, Pansear use Lick!" sticking its tongue out, Pansear leaped towards Eevee.
"Eevee dodge it!" Saki commanded as Eevee dashed to the sides, "now use sand attack!" Kicking up the dirt around it, Eevee flinged the dirt directly at Pansear lowering its accuracy. "Keep it up!"
More and more dirt flew around Pansear, "Pansear use work up!" the same red glow that was around Lillipup enveloped Pansear, "now use Incinerate!" Chili said to his Pokemon as the red balls of fire began to appear. Firing the shots around, Chili noticed that Pansear kept missing Eevee.
"Now Eevee finish it off with tackle and don't hold back!" Saki commanded as Eevee shot itself in a zigzagging pattern across the field, "wait a minute..." she said as the move didn't look anything like tackle.
"Looks like Eevee learned Quick Attack," Steven said with a smirk.
The audience watched at Eevee made direct contact with Pansear sending it flying back towards Chili. "Pansear!" Chili and Cillian rushed towards the fire monkey, Chili pulled out his Pokeball, "you did a great job today." he said to his companion as he returned it to its Pokeball.
Cillian raised his hand towards Saki, "Pansear is unable to battle. The winner is Saki!" he announced as Saki ran over to Eevee.
"We did it!" she shouted, Eevee jumped up into her arms as she brushed the bits of dirt out of its fur. "You were amazing Eevee!"
Hidden in the shadows of the restaurant his green eyes watched the monitor, as he watched Saki accept her badge with all of her Pokemon beside her. "She's truly remarkable," N said to himself. He had carefully watched her battling style and how she was able to speak to her Zoroark that stood beside her during the battle.
"Well...I think I know where she is heading next." N said as he quietly left the restaurant.
Looking at the Striaton City Trio badge that was placed nicely in the case, Saki cheerfully walked along the path out of the city. With her Pokemon all healed up, she and Steven were making their way towards their next destination as the sun began to set.
"Congratulations yet again on your victory today hun," Steven said as he wrapped his arm around Saki's shoulder. "How does it feel to have your first badge in Unova?" he asked her.
Saki shrugged her shoulders, "it feels odd, I've only got six more to go until I'll be able to go against him..." he knew who she was referring to, the same man who her father was not able to beat. Drayden.
Steven pinched her cheeks lightly, "that's true but maybe you should focus on who you'll be going against next." he said to her as they could see a small cottage in the distance, "maybe your grandparents will be able to give you some insights," he told her.
As they got closer to the cottage they could see a somewhat tall picket fence surrounding a large portion of land. A small pond could be seen and some play ground equipment like swings and teeter totters where spread about the grassy terrain along with large bushes of flowers and oran berry trees. The cottage itself looked quite quaint and cozy, a two story house with appeared to be a metal chimney for a wood stove sticking out of the roof.
"I hope they recognize me, it's been a decade since I've last seen my grandparents." Saki said, as she and Steven stood before the door. Even though her father was able to communicate with her grandparents she had never joined on the video calls with them.
"I'm sure they will," Steven reassured her, as he opened the door. As they entered the cottage they could see a large open space with a stairway leading up to the second floor of the home. The large desk was the most prominent in the room as a PC machine was built next to it, a large open doorway was behind thd desk as it was most likely the way into the back.
"Hello?" Saki called as she could hear the sound of shoes clicking against the floor, a somewhat heavy set elderly woman appeared from the back as she adjusted the white apron over her grey dress. Her silver hair was pulled up into a large, but neat bun at the top of her head.
Readjusting her glasses she looked at both Saki and Steven, "may I help you two?" she asked them as Saki approached her.
"Nana Lucy..." Saki spoke her name as she felt tears in her eyes, "it's me, Saki, remember Kaiser and Sakura's daughter?" she asked her as the old woman covered her mouth.
"My stars!" she shouted as she pulled Saki into her arms and hugged her tightly. Steven couldn't help but feel a bit choked up at their emotional reunion, he watched as they held each other after not seeing each other for so many years. To him it was beautiful and an honor to be able to see the woman he love reconnect with her family.
Lucy wiped the tears from her face and Saki's as well, "you look amazing dear, you're such a beautiful young woman." she said as she looked up and down at how much her granddaughter had grown. "When your father called and told your Papa and I that you became the champion over in Hoenn, he couldn't stop talking about it for days! You've made us so proud!" she told her, she then glanced at Steven. "Oh and who's this fine young man?"
"Nana Lucy, I want you to meet my boyfriend." Steven walked up next to Saki, "this is Steven Stone, he's also a fellow Champion of the Hoenn region as well and is the son of the owner of the Devon Corporation."
"Well it's very nice to meet you, come on let's go upstairs. I'm sure your Papa Joe would love to hear about your travels." she told them as they made their way up the stairway. As they made their way to the top they could see a large couch in the center of the room, facing a large TV that was mounted on the wall. A glass coffee table separated the two, a small dining room like space lay behind it as a small kitchen set up was next to two doors. "Joe, we have company!" Lucy called.
The sound of a cane beating against the wooden floor echoed, as an hunched over elderly man appeared from one of the rooms. "Who is it Lucy?" he asked as he curled the ends of his grey mustache and readjusted the cap atop of his head. There were still grass stains all over his light blue overalls and suspenders that almost had an outline of the stains on his white shirt.
"Papa?" Saki said as she walked towards him, "it's me...Saki." she told him as Joe almost dropped his cane.
"Saki?" he whispered as he walked towards her, "why I haven't seen you since you were a little one!" he cheered as he hugged his granddaughter. "Your daddy told us you'd be visiting, I'm so happy you're taking after us battlers." he said. Battlers was his way of saying trainers, or what she could guess. "So you're taking on the Unova league now, aren't ya?" he asked her.
She nodded her head, "yes I am, I just beat the Striation Gym and I'm on my way to the next one. But I thought I'd spend some time here with you guys before I do so," she told them as they both seemed so happy to have her back with them. "Oh, Papa Joe! I want you to meet my boyfriend, this is Steven!" she said as Steven held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you sir," he said as Joe took Steven's hand in both of his.
"So you're the young man that's been looking out for my granddaughter! You're such a kind fella for being at her side!" he said, Steven felt flattered by Joe's kindness. "So tell me, how's your trip in Unova been going?" he asked the couple as he motioned for them to sit on the couch as Lucy left towards the kitchen.
"It's been good, but...we did have this one thing happen." Saki said, as she glanced at Steven.
"And what was that?" Joe asked.
"Papa...tell me...what do you know about Team Plasma?"
Joe's eyes widened at the sound of that name as he shook his head and looked down at the ground, "Saki...a lot of things have changed since you and your family left." he sighed.
"From what Professor Juniper told us, it appears that for the last three to four years Team Plasma has become increasingly more persistent in the fact that they are stealing people's Pokemon." Steven said as Joe nodded his head.
"Well she is right about that, but there's more to it than that." he said.
"What do you mean Papa?"
"Let's just say it's a long story..."