Sorry for the long wait! Here is the 5th chapter of The Search!
Route 104 – Reigan POV
"Tackle that Treecko, Zigzagoon!"
"Dodge it Treecko!" Reigan ordered as his Treecko, side flipped out of the way, dodging a speeding Zigzagoon who flew straight past him. Treecko landed on the ground with a small smirk, pleased with itself for performing a cool move as he dashed towards the Zigzagoon.
"Pound him, Treecko!" Reigan shouted as Treecko quickly jumped into the air twisted his body forward before slamming his tail into the head of the Pokémon. Zigzagoon yelped in pain before crashing into the ground due to hard hit of the attack as dust flew into the air. Treecko jumped out of the dust as he stood in front of Reigan, watching and waiting for the dust to clear. A few seconds past as the dust cleared, with Zigzagoon's eyes swirling. Treecko smirked and turned around to Reigan, giving him a thumbs up as Reigan returned it. He then moved his attention to his opponent, a young girl around the same age as him wearing a miniskirt who rushed towards the injured Pokémon. Reigan walked over to her and extended his hand with a small smile as she returned her Pokémon to her Poké ball.
"Thanks for a great battle." Reigan thanked as the girl took his hand with a strained smile and the two of them shook hands before releasing and heading off towards their own way. Reigan stared down at Treecko as his scanner checked his Treecko before it reported back to him that he had leveled up to Level 10.
"Wingull, go up!"
A familiar sound entered his ears as he turned around, staring at Haruka who was also currently battling another trainer, a young boy in shorts. She was using her Wingull while her opponent was using a Taillow as the two Pokémons began to dive towards one another while slowly flying higher towards the sky.
After leaving Petalburg Woods yesterday, the two of them had been making their way towards Rustboro City, the third largest city in Hoenn specifically to go to the Devon Corporation in search for answers regarding the mysterious blueprint he found when investigating a Neo Cipher facility several days previously. Along the way, they would battle several trainers and wild Pokémon that they would encounter, allowing their Pokémons to level up.
Reigan shook his head as he stared at the battle between Taillow and Wingull with interest at Haruka's other Pokémons.
"Wingull, Water Gun!" Haruka ordered as Wingull shot out a spiral of water towards Taillow who dodged it easily thanks to its speed. Taillow began to accelerate as it slammed into Wingull who cried out in pain but quickly regained his balance. Reigan's scanner scanned both of their levels and saw that Wingull was clearly stronger compared to the Taillow. Reigan smirked; knowing that this battle will be Haruka's win as Haruka whistled. Reigan glanced over at Haruka before turning his attention to her Wingull whose wings began to shine brightly as it prepared itself to Wing Attack the opponent. However suddenly, the Wingull began to spin around in the air as Reigan cocked his eyebrows, curious at what she and her Pokémon were planning to do.
Suddenly Wingull shot out a spiral of water as it began to cover Wingull and combine the two to create a spiral water bullet, making its way towards Taillow. Taillow stared at the attack with surprise that it was unable to move out of then way as the combination attack slammed into him, the damage of the Water Gun and Wind Attack damaged the Pokémon who fell straight to the ground. Wingull escaped from the spiraling water bullet as the water dropped onto the ground in tiny droplets that showered the area.
Reigan mused and whistled, having witnessed something he had never seen before as he stared at Haruka who shook hands with her opponent before dashing towards Reigan's side with a beaming smile. Reigan raised his hand up into the air as she did the same, giving each other a high five at the success of their battles.
"What was that move you did?"
"It was a move I created for the Pokémon contests. I thought it would be a good idea to show it off." Haruka explained as Reigan nodded his head at her words, having gained a small curiosity Pokémon contests.
Suddenly he was ripped from his thoughts as Haruka grabbed his hand and began to drag him towards a certain location. Reigan glanced up at Haruka who was beaming with delight as she pointed at a certain house in the distance.
"Let's quickly head to the Pretty Petal Flower shop to rest and eat some good food cause I'm starving!" Haruka exclaimed as Reigan sighed at her gluttonous appetite and allowing himself to be dragged by the impatient travel partner.
Pretty Petal Flower Shop
"This is SO good!" Haruka exclaimed as she maneuver her fork into her small strawberry short cake before taking another bite of it. She placed her left hand on her left cheek as she mused in happiness; her legs swinging up and down like a small child. Meanwhile Reigan stared at her before sighing in annoyance at her childlike expressions. He took a sip of the coffee he ordered before glancing around the small café they were in. He could see a few people sitting near tables, eating their short cakes or drinking their coffee.
Originally it was just a flower shop selling berries, it later created a café to support and help Pokémon trainers who needed rest when going to Rustboro City. It was situated a little bit away from the entrance of the Petalburg Woods, making it an ideal place for trainers to rest. Thus this made the place an obvious place for information to gather as he cautiously watched the surrounding area.
"Hey, Reigan. Are you even listening to me?"
Reigan twitched his neck as he turned his attention back to Haruka who seemed to have been saying something to him. Noticing his twitch, she pouted slightly in annoyance as Reigan scratched his right cheek.
"Sorry… What were you saying?"
"No, it's nothing" Haruka said as bite down on her cake with a small displeased look while Reigan chuckled dryly when a shadow lingered over him. Reigan swiveled his eyes to his right side when he notice a young, blonde haired girl with sky blue eyes standing there. She had long flowing hair and wore a green one-piece dress with expensive red shoes and a white wide brim hat. Reigan cocked one eyebrow up before taking note of the several suited men behind her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be Reigan."
Reigan narrowed his eyes at the young girl who somehow knew his name while she smiled at him. Haruka glanced up at the young girl and glanced back down at Reigan, curious at what was going to happen.
"How do you know my name…?" Reigan asked cautiously as the girl continued to smile down at him, gentle and calm despite his dagger like glare.
"I saw your previous battle and I have grown interested in you. You seem like a very strong trainer, something that I look in a husband."
Reigan twitched his eyes before narrowing them, as he immediately understood her situation and the men behind her were. She was most likely a rich young lady in search of a husband or a partner so she can marry him. Plus the person would have to be a strong enough trainer for a rich girl to come up to one. The people in the café began to mutter and talk amongst themselves at this unexpected event as tension began to increase in the air.
Suddenly a loud bang resonated in the air as Haruka slammed her hand down on the table, her cheeks slightly red as if she was thinking of something she shouldn't have thought about.
"Hu-Hu-Husband!? Wh-Who are you anyway!?" Haruka asked accusingly as she stood up out of her chair and pointed at the woman in front of her. Reigan stared at her innocent like reaction as the rich lady's smile began to strain slightly, obviously annoyed at Haruka interrupting their talk.
"My apologizes, I am Clare Harwood, youngest daughter of the Harwood family." the young lady, Clare explained as Reigan cocked one eyebrow at her surname. The Harwood family, a rich and well-known family known for its contribution in creating medical equipment used in healing of Pokémon. They are known for their kindness towards Pokémon, organizing various events to conserve regions or rare Pokémons as well as sponsoring training Pokémon nurses and doctors for Pokémon Centers.
Haruka, being somewhat knowledgeable and conscious of several prominent figures in the Pokémon world, slowly fell back down to her seat in defeat as Clare glanced at the young girl confidently in victory before turning her attention to Reigan.
"Now that that is out of the way, Reigan, I would like to welcome you to my family. Be grateful-"
"Not interested." Reigan interrupted bluntly as Clare stopped mid sentence and stared down at the boy sitting in front of her. Reigan looked up at her with an uninterested expression and his face resting on his left hand. Clare blinked several times in confusion before his words finally hit her.
"N-N-No-Not interested…?"
"Exactly. Not interested." Reigan repeated once more as if his words were like daggers, causing Clare to stare at him in disbelief.
"How are you not interested in marrying with someone beautiful like me!?" Clare declared boldly as Reigan's eyes narrowed further, causing the young girl to back up in fear. His blue eyes pierced through as she could feel a cold wave hit her from his stare, a cold stare like the depth of the ocean.
"That makes me all the more not interested… I don't care if you are beautiful or rich, I choose who I marry. That won't change." Reigan explained clearly to the young woman who just stared down at him in shock. Haruka, who was sitting and watching the events unfold in front of her quietly, unknowingly smiled happily at his response. As if she caught someone red handed, Clare turned to face her with an annoyed look expressed on her face as she glanced up and down on Haruka. Clare then turned back to Reigan as she pointed to Haruka, sitting in front of him.
"I am sure that I am 100% better looking then this monkey." Clare announced as Reigan narrowed his eyes further and was about to lash back when once again, Haruka slammed her fist into the table, standing up with her eyes twitching. She directed a small-annoyed smile at Clare, as the air between the two got heavy.
"Says the person who got rejected." Haruka lashed back as Clare twitched her eyes as well before the two of them began to glare at each other. Reigan watched the sight in front of him turning into a fight between the two girls. Knowing that he had no experience dealing with this kind of stuff, he watched quietly as the two girls glared at each other, eyeing one another like a pair of cats ready to pounce. Suddenly as if a brilliant idea entered her mind, Clare smirked as she pulled out a Poké ball and showed it Haruka.
"How about we battle and see who is more better, monkey."
"You're on, reject."
The two girls smiled at each other ferociously as if the two were on fire while the surrounding patrons began to cheer the two on, earning a sigh from Reigan, visibly annoyed at the events that was about to unfold in front of him.
Field
The air was cool and calm as the sun shined high above the field in front near the entrance of the Pretty Petal Flower Shop. The field was a small patch of grass with large, dark green trees surrounding it. It was a big enough field to be considered the same size as a Pokémon field used in gym battles and official matches. A small down hill slope from the flower shop lead to this field as Reigan sat down on the slope, staring down at the field where Haruka and her opponent, Clare Harwood stood in front of each other. They stood several meters apart with strained smiles directed at each other while their eyes were twitching in annoyance and a fiery aura surrounding the two of them.
"Go Haruka-chan! Do your best and win the boy!"
"Clare-sama! Win against that girl to get your husband!"
"Go both of you! Make your guy proud!"
Reigan twitched his eyes as he glanced over his shoulder at the large crowd of spectators, cheering for one of the trainers or both of them. Reigan had preferred the battle to be quiet without much commotion but already; their presence had created a huge commotion amongst the patrons. Even the suited men that were with Clare cheered for their master, wanting to see her victorious against the opponent in front of her.
He sighed in annoyance as he turned his attention back to the two girls; both of them had a different way of dealing with the crowd. Clare, obviously knowing what to do, smiled at her group of supporters and waved at them elegantly. Haruka, on the other hand, blushed furiously and fidgeted embarrassingly at the cheers she gained from her supporters.
One of the suited men raised his arms into the air as the crowd began to quiet down while Reigan stared at him patiently.
"This battle is between Lady Clare and her opponent Haruka. If Lady Clare wins, Reigan will be coming with her but if her opponent wins, Reigan will be going with her." the man, now the referee of the match explained as Reigan twitched his eyes at the explanation. Both Haruka and Clare stared at him as Reigan glanced away in embarrassment and annoyance while muttering could be heard coming from the crowd.
"Each trainer can only use one Pokémon. There is no time limit and the match will end when one Pokémon faints. The match may begin!"
"I shall go first and bring out my Spheal!" Clare said as she threw her Great Ball onto the ground, summoning a chubby, spherical, seal-like Pokémon with a short, flat tail. Its fur was light blue with small white spots on its back. It clapped its fins cutely as it happily began to swing from one side to another.
"It's so cute!" squealed several spectators as Reigan's scanner activated automatically and began to scan the level of the Spheal. It was between levels 17-19, which made it stronger than the average Pokémon around this area. Reigan turned his attention from the Spheal to Haruka, who had her Pokédex out as she quietly listened to its words. She then quickly stashed the Pokédex before bringing out a Poké ball and threw it down to the ground.
"I choose you, Aron!" Haruka called out as the Poké ball hit the ground and a bright light followed it. From the Poké ball appeared four-legged Pokémon with stubby legs and a large round head. Its body was covered in plates of gray armor with small opening in its armor, revealing a black body. Its pale blue eyes stared forward with a single blunt spike protruded out from its lower back. Reigan's scanner also checked the level of Aron and found it was between the same levels as Clare's Spheal. Reigan stared at Aron, curious to why she sent out a Pokémon that had an obvious type disadvantage against her opponent. However deciding against speaking out, Reigan watched the battle begin quietly.
The two trainers and their respective Pokémons stared at each other for several seconds, waiting for whomever to make the first move. The air surrounding them was tense as the spectators watched patiently at what was about to unfold. Finally, after seconds, maybe even minutes of waiting, Clare made the first move and directed her index finger at Aron.
"Spheal, Rollout!" Clare ordered as Spheal began to form a ball and roll towards Aron at incredible speeds. Haruka watched the rolling Pokémon patiently without a single order coming out from her mouth while her Pokémon waited and watched quietly. Finally, Spheal rammed into Aron with incredible force as Spheal continued to roll into the Pokémon. However Aron took the brunt of the force head one, as it stood in its place, unmoving as the speed of Spheal's attack gradually began to slow down until it came to a stop. Clare widened her eyes at the sight of her Pokémon not doing any damage against Haruka's Pokémon while Haruka smirked before pointing forward.
"Headbutt Spheal away, Aron!" Haruka called out as Aron swayed backwards slightly before ramming his head into Spheal who squealed out in pain and was sent flying backwards.
"How is that possible!? How is it that your Pokémon didn't not get damaged!?" Clare exclaimed in shock at what happened as Haruka continued to smirk towards her opponent.
"My Aron has a high defense thanks to its armor and is resistant to Rock type attacks! Aron, Metal Claw!" Haruka explained then quickly ordered as Aron charged forward albeit much more slowly compared to the speed shown by Spheal. His claws began to light up in a sliver aura before slashing at Spheal. However Spheal, using his round body, managed to roll around, dodging the attacks with relative ease.
"Spheal, Ice Ball!" Clare shouted out impatiently as Spheal jumped into the air while forming a ball of ice around its mouth. It shot the ice ball downward towards Aron who took the attack head on as a white mist covered the area around the Pokémon. Clare smirked widely in victory but was once again shocked to find Aron shaking its body confidently, not even fazed from the attack.
"Headbutt Spheal again, Aron!" Haruka called out as Aron charged forward and jumped slightly into the air, colliding his head into the round stomach of the seal like Pokémon. The Pokémon once again squealed out in pain and smashed into the ground in pain. Clare gritted her teeth, obviously annoyed that her attacks were doing no damage against the Pokémon in front of him. She knew she had to do something that before her Pokémon faints.
"Spheal, Water Gun!" Clare called out as a blast of water shot out of Spheal's mouth, sending it towards Aron, who backed away slightly in fear.
"Aron, Protect!" Haruka quickly ordered without hesitation as Aron bellowed, creating a protective shield around him as the water hit it before dripping down on to the ground. Clare watched the interaction Aron had when it saw water when a devious idea entered her mind as she smirked quietly to herself. Composing herself to make sure her opponent doesn't suspect her, she looks back up and points her index finger forward.
"Spheal, roll forward!" Clare ordered once again as Spheal began to prepare himself to roll forward towards Aron.
"Hah! That same attack won't work! Aron, Headbutt forward!" Haruka countered confidently as Aron began to pedal the ground in preparation to head butt the opposing Pokémon. Reigan narrowed his eyes and covered his mouth with his left hand as he watched Clare with the corner of his eyes, knowing that she was planning something. His eyes swiveled back to the field as his eyes began to dart around, his mind racing with several strategies that Clare could be thinking until he widened his eyes in realization.
"Haruka, it's a trap!" Reigan called out too late as Spheal rolled forward while Aron dashed for her opponent. The two Pokémons were making their way towards each other as seconds passed when suddenly a light chuckle escaped Clare's lips causing Haruka to cock her head one way in confusion.
"You fell for my trap, monkey. Spheal, roll into the air!" Clare called out as Spheal's roll stopped moments before colliding as Spheal used his tail to push himself into the air. Aron flew past him; his attack dodged as he stopped moving and stared up at the Pokémon in the air.
"Brine him, Spheal!" Clare ordered as Spheal opened its mouth an unleashed a blast of salt water from the air, raining down like spears made of water. Unable to dodge the attack, Aron took the attack, as he was smashed onto the ground. The attack being effective on Aron caused more damage than anticipated as Aron gritted its eyes in pain. Haruka, who was confident moments before the attack, stood there with her mouth agape at the event as she watched her Pokémon struggle to get up.
"Get up, Aron!" Haruka called out in panic as she watched her Pokémon slowly get up. Suddenly she noticed Spheal was almost hitting the ground with its mouth puffing out again as if it was going to launch the same attack on Aron. Acting quickly, she knew she had to send an order to protect her Pokémon.
"Aron, use Protect quickly!"
Aron, despite the effectiveness of the attack and the damage he got, managed to bellow out as a protective shield surrounded him once again. Spheal shot out a blast of water, which once again smashed into Aron's shield without any effect to her Pokémon. Breathing a sigh of relief, she quickly fell silent as she thought of a plan to get out of this situation. She knew that she wouldn't be able to use Protect until after her next move and the opponent is able to use a water attack to deal even more damage. Plus all her attacks involve Aron needing to be close to the opponent but with his speed and her opponent's ability to attack from far, he might gain some more damage in the process. This could mean that her next moves will determine the match. Sweat ran down the side of her face as her mind raced to think of a plan when suddenly a squeal of pain erupted from in front of her as she looked up to see Spheal blasting water at her Pokémon.
"Aron!" Haruka called out as Aron closed its eyes and struggled against the type effective attack.
"Hohoho! Looks like the match is mine! You are no match for my Spheal, monkey!" Clare taunted out with a laugh as Haruka gritted her teeth in annoyance. She closed her eyes as her mind raced to think of a plan when suddenly, she felt something small hit her leg. Her head rose as she stared at the object, a small pebble before looking at the direction from where it came. She widened her eyes to see Reigan staring at her with a serious expression, holding another pebble in his other hand, rolling it in his hand. She stared at the pebble then stared back at him when he nodded his head lightly.
She knew he was telling him to calm her head. She knew that he was telling him to not panic and that she was able to come up with something. Haruka looked back down on the ground and exhaled a stream of air before staring at the pebble he threw. Suddenly, an idea popped in her mind as she looked back up at the field in front of her before smiling to herself. She glanced back at Reigan who cocked his eyebrows at her smile before watching her turn her attention back to the front. Clare narrowed her eyes at her opponent's sudden boost in confidence as Haruka's arm shot forward.
"Aron, Rock Tomb the area!" Haruka called out as Aron looked back at her strange order before seeing the seriousness in her eyes. Aron stared at her for a couple of seconds before finally complying as his body began to glow in white. He bellowed out as several rock slabs began to poke out of the ground, littering the field with valley like outlines. Clare and Spheal stood there, watching the area with amazement as it became covered with rocks.
Snapping out of their dazed state, the duo looked around the area only to find Aron out of sight. It was as if the Pokémon had blended itself into the surrounding and was sneaking around like a predator hunting prey. She immediately understood Haruka's plan: to use the rocks as cover to allow her Aron to sneak around without getting damage. Clare's eyes darted from one side to another, listening carefully to any sound that would be made by her opponents Pokémon. Suddenly a rustle escaped from a rock closest to her Spheal on the right as Clare pointed at the rock.
"Spheal, Brine on that rock and destroy it!" Clare ordered as Spheal turned its focus on the rock and shot out a blast of salt water, as the pressure of the water caused the rocks to smash apart. However her anticipation was smashed as she realized that her opponent's Pokémon was not hiding behind that rock.
Suddenly, before she could react, the Aron appeared out of left rock and smashed into the Spheal. Spheal howled in pain and was sent flying to its left as it crashed into the pile of rubble that it destroyed.
"Spheal! Water Gun him!" Clare called out of desperation as Spheal, despite struggling slightly, managed to open its mouth, shooting out a blast of water.
"Protect, Aron!"
However before the attack could hit Aron, a protective shield appeared around Aron, allowing him to survive the attack as the water dripped off the shield like it was nothing. Clare widened her eyes, completely forgetting that Aron had that move.
"Time to finish this! Aron, Metal Claw!" Haruka declared with her index finger pointing forward as Aron dashed forward with its claws surrounded by a silver aura. Aron brought the claws forward and slashed at Spheal who squealed out in pain once again before rolling on his back, unconscious with swirly eyes. An eerie silence surrounded the area as seconds past with no one speaking a single word.
"Ma-Match has ended… Haruka is the winner!" the referee announced after snapping out his daze before the crowd burst out in a cheer, many happy that Haruka was able to win. Haruka, with relief washing over her, dropped to her knees as her Aron ran towards her and jumped into her arms. The two of them sat on the ground, hugging each other with smiles on the faces at their victory. Suddenly Haruka felt a small pat on her head as she looked up to see Reigan looking down at her with a smile on his face.
"That was a really interesting match. You did good, Haruka" Reigan congratulated as Haruka blushed slightly at his comment and looked down on the ground, shyly. Reigan continued to smile down at her before glancing up after feeling a presence heading towards them. Reigan turned back down on the ground and tapped on her head as Haruka stared back up at Reigan who motioned forward with his head. Haruka looked forward to find Clare, making her way towards them after returning her Pokémon into its Poké ball. Haruka, still holding her Aron in her arms, stood up and walked towards Clare.
"As I had promised, I will let you go with Reigan for now but that does not mean I have given up yet. I will definitely making him my husband, monkey." Clare declared arrogantly as Haruka's eyes twitched in annoyance at her words.
"Why you-!"
Before Haruka could reply, Clare interrupted her by bringing her hand forward as Haruka stared at it before glancing back up at the girl. She noticed that Clare was looking away with a small blush on her cheek as Haruka smiled to herself before taking the hand, giving it a small shake.
"Th-That was a great match."
"Yea and I hope to battle you again, Clare" Haruka finished up as the two stopped their handshake before she arrogantly snorted.
"Of course and next time I will win, monkey."
"What did you say, you reject?"
The two of them smiled at each other with strained smiles as a ferocious aura began to surround them once again. Reigan looked on with a sigh before turning up at the crowd, most of them still standing there, watching the two interact. Reigan however narrowed eyes, knowing that someone or some people were watching the battle intently as if they were spying on them. He turned his attention to the direction of Rustboro City, knowing that he had to get there fast before nothing unexpected happens.
- § -
"Well that was an amusing battle to watch. I don't think that couple is a threat to us, right Captain?"
"…"
"Captain?"
"His look… It looks familiar… He seems like he is hiding something…"
"Should I report him to the Commander?"
"No, its fine… I might be overthinking the possibility… Let's head back."
"Yes, sir!"
"… If it's you, my old friend, then I will deal with you myself."
Hey guys! Sorry it took a while to post the next chapter. This chapter shows a bit more of their travels. We are also introduced to a new character, Clare Harwood. She will play a somewhat important part in the story.
Now for some answers to reviews:
Withdranwnmadness000: He won't battle the Gym leaders however he might battle some for the fun of it.
Here is list of Pokémon Reigan currently has:
On hand:
-Jolteon (Male) Level: 20 Moves: Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, Double Kick, Thunder Fang
-Ralts (Female) Level: 10 Moves: Teleport, Confusion, Double Team, ?
-Treecko (Male) Level: 10 Moves: Pound, Leer, Absorb, ?
Pokémon Storage System:
-Pidgeotto (Male) Level: ? Moves: Fly, ?
-Houndour (Male) Level: ? Moves: ?
-Rhyhorn: (Male) Level: ? Moves: ?
So far the preferences for the love interest's are:
Haruka(May): 1
Hikari(Dawn): 1
Mikan(Jasmine): 1
Ibuki(Clair): 6
Asuna(Flannery): 1
Kamitsure(Elesa): 1
Corni(Korrina): 4
I have removed the characters (these include Mache, Nagi, Sana, Serena, Mei, Kotone) that have 0 votes who won't be the main love interests. However they will still fall for him, just won't get together him. Anyway hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I will be updating the Cursed Luck next so stay tuned for that. See you guys later! :)