Time for Gloria's Boot Camp! No golf clubs involved, however! Chapter 7!
Chapter 7
A Barrage
The crack of dawn was not an unfamiliar time for Juliana. Whether it be rising early to begin some task she was eager to get to, or staying up to the very, very late hours, seeing the sun crest over the horizon was a familiar sight. It always heralded the next step on a journey, and always left her breathless with excitement.
Somehow, she couldn't muster that this time.
With the first cracks of that crimson-gold sunlight washing across the land, Juliana stood before the barren wastes, dusty and pockmarked with holes and tunnels, stifling her yawns. More than once, she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes, to little success. Sucking in a breath, she started to realize just how much yesterday's battle had taken out of her. After a filling meal, sponsored by Geeta of all people, she had crashed almost immediately, only for Gloria to shake her awake and begin dragging her. Arven was even worse.
"What are we even doing here…?" he mumbled, so close to nodding off that he needed Koraidon to prop him up.
"Boot Camp time is what!"
"Shut up… You're so loud Champion Twerpette…" That voice got Juliana's attention, waking her just a little bit. She welded her eyes shut just for a bit and then snapped them open. Nearby was the Meowth balloon and basket, with the three oddballs halfway asleep inside. "If you hadn't given us monetary reward and support for our school, we'd be wondering the same thing as, er…"
"Too tired to think, don't ask for input," James groaned to Jessie's request.
Before any further grumblings, Gloria clapped her hands together, so loud it echoed off the plateaus and rock formations before them. That jolted Juliana fully awake, now able to take in everything before her, including a half-asleep Ash and Pikachu. Of course, Geeta showed none of the exhaustion they showed, nor the enthusiasm of Gloria. It was more…mild interest. One Gloria ignored.
"I didn't call you guys out to think. Dummies don't think."
"I tink you need a Fury Swipes to the face."
"Shh, it's okay, Meowth… Money…" Gloria's soft whisper put Meowth in a relaxed state. Successful, she faced forward with a smirk and all six Poké Balls in her hands. "The goal of this boot camp is simple: to get stronger."
"Kinda self-explanatory, don't you think?" Juliana said. She eyed the woman's Poké Balls, wondering just what was planned, but didn't dare ask. Part of her still wondered why she'd agreed to this.
"Of course, but it's all about the how," Gloria continued. "You need to learn how to adapt faster. You're great at coming up with strategy, but you need to learn to think on your feet."
"Blah blah blah, get to the point already!" Jessie shouted. This one woke up Ash and Pikachu, the pair deciding to look like they hadn't been asleep at all.
"Fine!" Gloria shouted back, cowing the three in the balloon. "Champion Geeta, how far away is the nearest town by foot?"
"Zapapico? About four days, give or take. Mining land is rough," Geeta answered. She now folded her arms, but the sly little smile never quite left her face. "You have me very curious what you have planned here, Champion Gloria. I'm afraid I'd have to witness it with my own eyes."
"Won't be able to witness much quite yet," Gloria said. With that, she tossed her Poké Balls into the air. They exploded with light, materializing as the woman's world-famous team. From a bouncing Cinderace to a flapping Corviknight and Flapple, all the way down to Toxtricity, Grapploct and Drednaw, Juliana knew each and every one of them. While the Champion had shown some other Pokémon in more recent matches, these were the ones she was world-famous for, and they made Juliana's hairs stand on end. "My team. They're coordinated, strong, and truly capable without me."
"Cindah…"
"Grap-po…" Cinderace's sigh was matched by him patting a dejected Grapploct on the back, as if recalling some long-lost memory. It was wiped clean when their trainer walked past them, though.
"Five days!"
"Er…" Juliana blinked, looking at the five fingers Gloria was holding up. "For what?"
"You have five days to reach Zapapico," Gloria said. She started to pace back and forth, every step causing her team to tense. "You can use any tool you have. Koraidon, your team, your phone, I don't care. But you have five days to reach it. And you won't be alone."
"Apparently, we'll be harrying and haranguing you," James said, beginning to look more alert. Wobbuffet gave a lazy salute at his comment, but they otherwise went unnoticed.
"Exactly! These three dummies and my Pokémon will be after you the entire way, impeding your progress. If you want to make it in time, you'll need to figure out how to get past them."
"Isn't that a bit much, Gloria?" Ash asked. He was now awake for sure, investing himself in the conversation. "You're sorta throwing her in the deep end."
"Learning by doing! Besides, I'm merciful. My team won't attack you at night. It'll give you both a chance to rest up and lick your wounds."
"Both?" Arven's rapid blinks communicated his dawning realization of the situation. He played it off with a nod. "Oh, of course, Juli and Koraid-urk!"
"Where do you think you're going?" Gloria said, her smile sending chills down the students' spines. "You're on a path to the Titans, too. And Fuecoco needs definite toughening up. You and Juliana are in this together."
"O-okay…" Arven most definitely did not sound okay. Juliana consoled him with a pat to the back. All said and done, Gloria wheeled around.
"So, is everyone ready?" A call from her Pokémon, and a salute from Jessie, James and Meowth said it all. Geeta and Ash stepped back, causing Juliana's body to tense. It was do or die, and that flame was igniting within her. Small, but present. "Let the training begin!"
Corviknight's wings flapped, stirring up a massive dust cloud. It buffeted Juliana, pushing her back into Arven. It obscured the visibility of all, briefly covering the stars that yet remained in the sky. After a moment, that dust faded, leaving nothing but the empty landscape before them. No Pokémon. No balloon. None of Gloria, Ash or Geeta, either, as though they'd vanished.
Just Juliana, Arven and Koraidon.
"Five days, huh?" Arven said, scanning the landscape. "Can't see Zapapico from here, so it's definitely a distance."
"And I don't think it'll be a straight shot, either, not with all the mining tunnels. If we want to make it, we'd better get moving." Arven concurred with Juliana's quick observation. Both tapped Koraidon, mounting him for speed. He got the message. With a short cry, he dashed forward into the dusty wastelands.
Smaller clouds were kicked up behind him, obscuring the cityscape they had left behind. Together, they climbed up pathways lined with mining equipment, and ran past various Pokémon who popped into their holes. A nearby active mine was replete with Makuhita and Hariyama helping the workers, but Juliana turned away from them. As unlikely as Gloria's Pokémon would be to attack them there, it would just as unlikely take them towards their destination.
"Maybe follow the river?" Arven suggested after a bit of time and consultation of the map.
"Not unless we want our backs against the wall," Juliana said, a frown distorting her face. "Gloria's completely bonkers, so her Pokémon would take advantage of anything."
"Mm, true. If that's the case, looks like the only way towards Zapapico is through this transit tunnel. So, take a turn…now!"
Juliana jerked on the antennae, communicating their movement to Koraidon. He pitched into a turn, right for the darkened opening of a mining tunnel, and after a moment, they were consumed in darkness. Little lights were strung along the walls to guide their way, showing the manmade nature of the tunnels, while other offshoots were more natural, if smaller.
"You know," Arven started shouting as Koraidon dashed, "I'm surprised you agreed to push forward with this."
"To be honest, I'd have probably walked away," Juliana admitted, giving her companion a small shrug, "but this is the only way to guarantee we reach where we want to. I'm not getting stronger just for the sake of it."
"Some would say you are. But I get it. There's a deeper purpose to it."
Juliana nodded, finding her cheeks warm. She was glad he understood; that there was a companion by her side who wasn't dissuading her from her focus. Feeling emboldened by it, she patted Koraidon. It encouraged him to dash on, straight for the light at the other end of the tunnel which would lead them to Zapapico. As if sensing how momentous it could be, the second Koraidon arrived outside, he gave a great and mighty roar, scaring some Pokémon and pausing enough for Juliana to take in the slightly different landscape.
The sun had shifted, already cresting high in the sky and casting its scorching rays over the otherwise desolate wastelands. Former mining sites could be seen, with spiraling pathways, while other patches of rocks obscured tunnel entrances. Some hills rose high, a stark contrast to the rest of the pits. It was also full of places to hide.
On the other side was Zapapico.
Tapping again, Koraidon stepped forward, only to snort. He whipped his head around, and Juliana with him, just in time to see a massive fireball scorching the air right for them. Juliana grabbed her Poké Ball. "Quaxwell, cut it!"
"Quax!" The duck appeared in midair, his feathers covered in liquid as they slashed down. It met the fire, an attack that quickly proved itself too strong, almost singing the poor bird were it not for Arven's timely actions.
"Fuecoco, take those flames!" From where Arven was, Fuecoco bounced out, his mouth wide as though he was going to chomp the flames.
He might have, too, were it not for the sight hiding behind the fire.
"Graaap-PO!" Tentacles pierced the ground with a mighty punch. Cracks emerged, racing for all of them. Koraidon tried to run and escape their grasps, but even his speed was far from enough. The first fissure caught up with him, tripping the beast and sending all of them flying. Quaxwell and Fuecoco's concern distracted them as their trainers were pitched to the ground.
"Cindah!" From through the flame, Cinderace emerged, kicking Quaxwell first and causing him to lose balance, and then Fuecoco. The little one was sent flying, smacking into a scaffolding with a cry, while the duck recovered, all thanks to his usual alacrity.
The same couldn't be said for the humans. Koraidon hit the ground, splayed on his stomach with a whimper. From his back, both Juliana and Arven were pitched. The latter landed on his back, legs kicking up and down in a sad attempt to get up. Juliana, meanwhile, ducked into a roll and scuffed her knees as she slid across the cracked earth. She looked up, eyes widening as the pair of Cinderace and Grapploct weaved around each other in a swift approach.
"F-fue…" Fuecoco's cough helped Arven sit up, and took Quaxwell's attention. The little croc was bruised and battered, but touched down and waddled forward for more. He coughed, each coming out as flame, but his wounds were evident. From just a single blow, there was no way Fuecoco could put up with more.
"Mabosstiff can't battle, right?"
"No way. He'd be dead in seconds."
"Then it leaves it to me. Tend to Fuecoco! We got this! Smoliv, Lokix, let's show 'em our tenacity! Quaxwell, back 'em up!" A toss of two Poké Balls later and her trusty Bug and Grass types appeared. Grapploct was there as well, each tentacle glowing a powerful orange. "Endure! While he's taking it, Energy Ball!"
Lokix sprang forward, his body glowing in preparation. Grapploct hit, his rippling muscles and tentacles proving more than a match for the tiny bug. It didn't stop Smoliv from calling her Energy Ball to bear and firing. The fifth tentacle snaked out and beat it away, while the rest followed through and knocked Lokix low. On the other side, Quaxwell met Cinderace, only to be hit back yet again.
"Lo…kix…" Smoliv trundled over, pushing the panting bug up, while Quaxwell tried to recover. Fuecoco was worse, wanting to fight and struggling in Arven's arms, but lacking the strength.
We can't keep standing around like this. Juliana's thoughts met Koraidon, who finally started to stand. Speed would be their friend now. Another Poké Ball slotted into her hand. Her eyes met Arven's, the pair ready. "Wattrel, Spark! Tinkatink, hit the stones!"
"Fuecoco, burn it up!"
The three new arrivals acted at once. Wattrel swooped down, while Fuecoco sent a stream of flame out. It joined with the sparks surrounding the bird, becoming a blinding blaze that covered Tinkatink's spin. She hit a bevy of stones that had resulted from the cracks, using them to distract Cinderace and Grapploct while they all mounted Koraidon again. He raced off into relative safety.
Yet his movements were slower, and all those that had fought were panting. It wasn't hard to notice. Arven was the first to say something, though. "We need to find shelter. No way we keep this up till the sun goes down."
"Corva!" A blast of wind hit at their side, nearly tossing them from their mount again. Arven threw his hands around Juliana's midsection, keeping himself and Fuecoco secure, but the others were all tossed. Quaxwell scooped up Smoliv and Lokix, while Wattrel took to the sky. It left Tinkatink alone to bounce along.
"Tinka…" came the grumble as she glared up at their newest assailant.
"Leave it, Tinkatink!" Juliana shouted. Another shot was fired, this one of steel. Koraidon swerved to avoid it and pulled to a stop. No longer in motion, Juliana looked up to see Corviknight above. His beak leered at them, taking amusement in their plight. Less so was Flapple, attempting to look threatening atop Corviknight's head. "We can't take them on in a straight fight."
"Still pretty sure that's what Gloria wanted you to do…" Arven muttered. His hands loosened. "Seems to be Tinkatink's idea."
Indeed it was, the little imp scraping a stone from the ground. She tossed it up and down in her hand, glaring at Corviknight, who paid her little mind. There was no room for them to, either, as Flapple swooped down, coated in an azure, draconic light.
"Intercept with Spark!"
"Trrrel!" Wattrel matched the fruity opponent, the two clashing in midair. He pushed, desperate to prove he had what it took to stay in the air.
Flapple was too much, breaking through with an apologetic cry that sent Wattrel spiraling. Quaxwell leapt up, catching him. Juliana shouted. "Aqua Cutter!"
"Quax!" The duck caught Wattrel, leaping further up to bring a liquid blade slashing across Flapple. She winced, tossed back towards Corviknight. The larger avian secured her, and then blinked as he felt the impact of a stone on his side. Slowly, his head turned and zeroed in on Tinkatink.
"Tink! Tinkatinkatink!" She picked another stone from the ground. Arven winced.
"This can't be good."
"TINKA!" The little one tossed the stone and hit it with her hammer, sending the object flying to strike Corviknight's chest. It bounced off, and his leer stretched wider.
"Cornanana!" he began to laugh. His wings spread wide.
"Crap…" Juliana breathed. Her eyes looked elsewhere, spotting a worksite not too far away, and a stone structure that would provide them cover. They'd lose time, but… "Everyone, time to move! Tinkatink, disengage!"
She definitely didn't want to, but even her eyes widened at Corviknight's wings shining their great silver glow. With a scoff, she ran. Koraidon started off again, veering in the direction that Juliana pointed him towards. As he moved, Quaxwell fell, managing to hitch a ride on the back. Lokix likewise zipped forward, with Smoliv attempting to keep up in emulation. Tinkatink was slow to follow, leveling a glare at Corviknight, but when the glow reached its zenith, she sped up to join them.
Corviknight fired the Steel Beam, its magnificent rays scattering upon the wasteland. Koraidon's protruding wheel skidded on the ground, providing traction for them to dodge. The first beam impacted next to them, leaving a hole in the ground. Arven could be heard gulping. Another soon came for them, but this one managed to be dodged through speed alone, the group heading for the rocks all the while.
It was only when they got close that one of the beams struck right in front of them, forcing them to pull to a stop. Then, Flapple appeared as if from nowhere, ramming them with a Dragon Rush that tossed them all the way to the edge of the worksite. Juliana hit the ground, tumbling, and her ears began to ring. She wasn't sure if it was from the banging and hammering of machinery or her own ears, but she struggled to stand.
Just go around. Find a way to… Juliana pushed, but her hand slipped. She could already feel the bruises, accentuated by the slipping light. Their chase had lasted far longer than she thought. She whipped around, glaring at the hovering pair; it was one matched by Tinkatink. Corviknight sneered, gave an echoing caw, and then flapped his wings to disappear, leaving their battered group alone.
"Guess they…they called it off early for the first day…" Arven groaned, dragging himself over to the rock outcropping. He and Fuecoco were already spent. "How're we gonna handle that kind of force?"
"Maybe we travel at night, hide during the day," Juliana suggested. That was vetoed by Tinkatink striking her on the leg. "Okay, fine! We'll take them on, but don't be so damn reckless!"
"Tinka!"
"Quax…" Quaxwell's sigh was shared by the others. For having tied a Gym battle just the previous day, their own confidence was low. Juliana couldn't blame them, collapsing under the rock and sucking in deep breaths.
They didn't have the strength to take them on head-on, but the more Juliana thought about it, the more she realized that wasn't the point. Sure, they'd get stronger as they clashed, but it was more about seeing it through to the end, something that a few days ago would have been considered pointless.
And it meant, she realized, that they needed to fight smart, not hard. There was a great array of tunnels before them, and her Pokémon had numerous skills. They had multiple avenues. Knowing that, she leaned over to Arven and began to whisper, careful to not be overheard in their plans as the sun sank lower.
The plan was easier said than done.
No sooner had the sun risen on the second day, than Cinderace and Flapple had arrived, the pair proving to be a formidable striking duo that only Quaxwell and Lokix were able to hold off, even if just for a moment.
"Blind 'em! Sunny Day!"
"Do the same! Mud Slap!"
Smoliv's olive glowed, siphoning light to its very top before firing to the sky. When it hit its zenith, the light exploded, blinding many in the vicinity, while Fuecoco's heated claws tore at the ground, flinging mud upwards. Cinderace turned away, as did Flapple, buying the duo and their Pokémon just enough time to mount Koraidon and ride off quick. This time, Arven didn't hold on, busy checking the map for a safe route out of there.
"We're coming up on tunnel central! We can lose them in there!" he shouted. Juliana could still feel him tense on her back, though. "But there're still those weirdos to deal with. They never showed up yesterd-"
"Cindah!"
Fleetfooted, Cinderace appeared, chucking a bigger fireball than normal right at them. All at once, Juliana realized one of her follies and grimaced. From above, Wattrel dove, spinning and summoning the heat of the sun to his body. "Good job, Wattrel, keep it up!"
"Trrel!" the bird called, and he expelled the energy. It turned to a ball of flame, one that soared and met the Pyro Ball before exploding in a great fire. Steam billowed across the area, once more providing them all cover to head for the tunnels. At once, they reached the edge of a cliff, and Koraidon jumped over.
"Kora!"
"Hold on tight!" Juliana screamed, along with her Pokémon who grabbed as tight as they could. Koraidon fell, right for a pit where there was a network of pathways branching, some glowing and some not.
"Corna!"
"Tink!" No one needed Tinkatink's growl to know what was descending on them. No order was given, either, as Tinkatink hopped to Koraidon's head and took aim at the descending avian. He was spinning like a drill, on a collision course with them, and Tinkatink was in the way. She wound up, holding her hammer tight, and then swung it with force to match the bird. The force ground them to a halt in midair. "Tinkaaaaa…"
"Cornight!" Corviknight spun out, his wing shining silver before it struck Tinkatink in the chest. The resultant strike sent her into Juliana's chest, a blow that made Koraidon plummet. "Cor cor cor!"
"Tinkaaa!" Juliana scrambled, holding Tinkatink tight before she could go completely feral on Gloria's trusted flier.
"Calm down! I get it! You wanna focus on him, but now's not the time! We don't have that advantage and you'll just be torn to-ow! Damn it, Tinkatink! Listen to me! You can't win on your own! We need to run!"
Juliana's words formed a lump in her throat. There was the word. Run.
They all landed, crashing to the ground with a force that tossed them to the mouth of a cave. Corviknight was diving in on them, Cinderace alongside them as he leapt over the cliff. Shadows pooled on the ground, and that was when she saw it: the smaller opening. Juliana bit at her lip, lunged for Arven, and with all the strength she could muster, yanked him and the others through the gap and into the tunnel beyond.
The pair of Gloria's Pokémon slammed against the outside, but didn't follow them inwards.
"Oof…this is…too much…" Arven breathed, clutching at a stitch in his side. Juliana wanted to agree, but Tinkatink was still struggling in her hold.
"Calm down. If you want to take on Corviknight, we'll need a plan." Tinkatink didn't like that, beating at her fingers. Juliana chose to ignore it. "Right now, that means we use this to get ahead of them. They can't follow us here. Catch our breath."
Everyone agreed, taking a moment to breathe and rest before they picked themselves up and continued further into the cave. The further they went, the more restless everyone became. More paths appeared before them, some looking distinctly like crystal, eaten up and spat out. They interested Juliana, but she ignored them; they still had a limited time to reach Zapapico, and the cave system was impossible to read from within. Stone trickled, and the cave lightened.
"Wait, what's that?" Arven held a hand out, stopping all of them after what felt like hours of walking. Fuecoco shivered atop him, and the others bristled with warning. Heavy footfalls were heard, and the cave tremored. The group pulled together. "Think it's…Orthworm?"
"Nah, that's bigger and not so…bright?"
"Tooooox…" The hissing cry and the low call that joined it all but confirmed it, but made a situation even worse.
"Damn… I think we forgot something."
Coming from one of the tunnels, lumbering and lanky, were the remaining two members of Gloria's team, watching them. They showed no mercy.
With a single strum, waves of electricity pulsed through the cave, and a single stomp called forth the power of rocks that raced for them. Juliana and Arven covered their ears, while Lokix leapt in defense of all the others, for all the good it did him. The very air was distorted and their skin rippled with its strength.
"How do they keep finding us?!" Arven screamed. Juliana shook her head.
"No idea! But we need to get out of here! Quaxwell, Rain-" She stopped, realizing that such a hasty call would make things worse with Drednaw present. She switched tactics. "Tinkatink, Rock Tomb!"
"Tink!" Though still angry, Tinkatink plunged her hammer to the ground, creating a wall of stones that blocked their pursuers. Juliana scooped her up right after; the bulwark wouldn't last long, and there was only one way out.
So clear it was, that Koraidon was leading the way.
He read headfirst into a trap of vines, ones that instantly ensnared all of them the second they emerged onto the sunset trail.
"Ohohoho! What do we have here?!" Juliana turned, the vines chafing at her legs and constricting her movement, but she found enough free range to look up, right to where Jessie, James and Meowth were hovering. Gourgeist was right outside, along with Inkay and Crabrawler. Worse yet was the shadow that shot up, revealing Polteageist…and Gloria's great array of Pokémon moving in to surround them.
"Looks like we trapped a troupe of twerps!"
"Ain't dat just da best!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Juliana struggled, trying to break free, but finding her energy slowly slipping away from her, the Leech Seed doing its job. She had forgotten about them, and now, they were set to pay for it. Her vision started to grow blurry, just barely finding a climbing hill beyond the balloon. If they could make it there, they could…
She started to fall.
"Quax! Quaxwell quax!" Quaxwell's cry snapped Juliana out of her fatigue, realizing she was far from the only one fighting. While Arven was slipping, Fuecoco attempted to gnaw at the vines, all while Tinkatink had her sights set only on Corviknight.
"Gotta…move forward…! Cut…through it!"
"If you think you're moving forward, then you've got some trouble!"
"You're caught in our trap, 'cause we've made it double!"
"Shut…up…!" Juliana grabbed a vine, trying to tear it apart. It was stuck, wrapped around Koraidon. "Quaxwell…Aqua…Cutter!"
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie cried out, ignoring Juliana entirely. A glance up showed how smug they all were, watching them struggle, blind to anything else. A plan began to formulate in her head.
"To unite all people in our school nation!"
"To denounce the evils of-"
"Sunny Day, now!" The watery blade of Quaxwell's finally sliced through, dissipating the vines in one fell swoop. They fell, dropping to the dusty ground and shaking all their fatigue. Seeing it, and the growing sun at Smoliv's bud, made Cinderace rush forward.
"Honestly, kids dese days have no respect for da motto."
"Then we'll pound it into them! Shadow Ball!"
"Psybeam!"
"Rain Dance!" It was a sudden shift of tactics, but one Juliana kept her eyes on. Cinderace formed his fireball and kicked it for them at the same time that Quaxwell spun, calling upon rain from the heavens. The flame diminished, but did nothing to stop the other attacks from converging at a single point. "Now, Wattrel, Weather Ball! Everyone, get ready!"
"Trell!" Wattrel swooped in, spinning and calling the now swift downpour to his body. It formed the sphere at his beak, and with a flap of his wings, he sent the watery orb flying, right at the combo of attacks. It hit the Pyro Ball first, erupting in steam and providing the cover necessary.
"Arven, come on!" Juliana shouted, hoisting the recovering Arven up onto Koraidon. The Pokémon joined them, and before the smoke and steam could dissipate, they had raced away from the site. With a light turn, Juliana guided their mount, climbing up the tall hill she had spied, keeping one eye in the back for any pursuers.
None were there.
As if they had magically vanished, Juliana saw nothing, but refused to let go of the tension inside her. Even when they reached the top of the hill, practically dragging themselves there, Juliana turned in a wide circle, calling for all of the Pokémon to form a ring of watching and waiting. Only when nothing passed after a good, tense half hour, did she finally let go and fall over. Exhaustion creeped up.
"We can't keep up like this, Juli," Arven said, flat on his back. Koraidon was next to him, whimpering and panting, while Fuecoco rested on his chest. "They're too much. We're not getting anything from it. We'll just be black and blue by the time we reach Zapapico… If we reach Zapapico…"
Juliana sat up, soaking in the exhausted state of everyone but Tinkatink. She was too busy hitting rocks off the plateau. Arven was right. Yet she didn't want to admit it. Because admitting it meant running, and she knew she couldn't do it if she wanted a chance at facing Orthworm. Still… "I know. But they're watching the caves and everywhere."
"Yeah… If only Mabosstiff was fighting fit. Fuecoco just isn't built for that…"
"Fueco…"
The dejected croc hung his head, receiving minor solace from his trainer patting him. At the sight of it, Juliana stood, limping over to the edge of the hill, right next to Tinkatink. The vast land was yet before them, Zapapico not even close. The only thing nearby were the glowing caves, some hidden and some vast, connected to many large holes. Whether manmade, natural or the cause of some other force, she didn't know. All she knew was the breeze on her face, and the thoughts of tomorrow.
Tomorrow. Another assault… Her braid flapped in the breeze, and Juliana moved to secure it. Her breath caught. "Assault…"
"Hm? You think of something?"
"Maybe we're thinking of this all wrong," Juliana said, tilting her head back. "Maybe this was never about getting stronger, but proving we could push through. Despite being against a foe way better than us, that we stand our ground enough to poke a hole in their defense. Maybe we need to be the ones to stand our ground, and once we've broken their ranks, we have our chance to run straight through the barrier to the other side. Successful escape."
"Juli, they've been kicking our ass. How do you propose we do that?"
Juliana leaned down, placing a hand atop Tinkatink. "By playing dirty and giving everything we got. We make our last stand here."
Arven watched her at that proclamation a good while, until the moon illuminated his face, and then he scoffed. "Moments like these remind me why we're traveling together. Tells me what you're willing to do, and how far you'll go to search for your treasure. What can we do to help?"
"It's really simple." Juliana leaned in, keeping her voice close to a whisper once again to avoid prying ears.
The night wound on, an endless vigil, training and strategy session broken only by the need for sleep.
When morning came, however, all were alert, standing tall upon the hill where they would make their last stand. All that was left was waiting for their opponents, and who would arrive first.
It came as no surprise when it was the Meowth balloon that started cresting over the hill.
"Ahaha! Prepare for trouble and run for your lives!" Jessie proclaimed soon as she was visible. Around Juliana, the others tensed, readying themselves for the big battle.
"And make it double, you're taking a dive!" James shouted, throwing his arm out. Atop it was Crabrawler, the crustacean leaping from the balloon and falling alongside Inkay. Gourgeist, Bewear and Polteageist were quick to follow.
"To protect the world from-"
"Corna!" The raven's cry was matched by multiple beams being fired. They arced over the balloon and came raining down upon the ensconced group upon the hill. Tinkatink gripped her hammer a little tighter. The attack stopped just short of hitting them, acting as a warning shot for the arrival of Gloria's team. It was first evident by Corviknight, clutching Drednaw, but a little way down the hill, the landlocked members could be seen climbing with speed.
"Watch where you're aiming, you stupid bird!" Jessie snapped. Corviknight huffed at her, causing the woman to pulse angrily with her forehead. "Don't talk back to me! That you should be so lucky Polteageist tracked them for you!"
"Calm down, Jess!"
"Dread…"
"Cor corna!" The swift banter between bird and turtle wasn't overlooked, especially when Corviknight dropped Drednaw. She landed amidst her teammates, all of them moving to surround the group. Juliana matched gazes with Arven.
"Ehem!" James called out, clearing his throat. "Attention twerps, stand down and you can, er…run with your lives! Not really sure what else to say, it's been a while since we did this, chaps."
"Guess we're a bit rusty," Meowth concurred. It earned Wobbuffet's nod.
"How about you stand down?" Juliana shouted. Her eyes flicked between every Pokémon surrounding them. Her hand patted Tinkatink. "We're getting to Zapapico."
"Sure you are, kid," Jessie said, her dismissive wave matching her lazy eyes. "Look, why don't you surrender, then we can get paid and we don't have to rough you up."
"Since when were we roughing them up?"
"I don't know. But looking at the Champion Twerpette's Pokémon is pissing me off."
"Dat don't take much."
"Wobba…"
Juliana rolled her eyes. She was done with the antics. There was no standing down, and all of them knew it. She took a step in the dusty dirt. "No, I don't think so. We will get through. Even if it's a pointless battle with you, we're walking out of here, and you're not following."
"Did you just call us pointless, Honorary Twerpette?!"
"We'll show you who's pointless!"
"Now, Fuecoco! Flamethrower!"
"FUECOOOOO!" The little croc, having recovered from the days before, spun in place while belching flame. The other Pokémon and humans ducked, letting pass over them as it turned in a rotating arc. The fire covered the hilltop, preventing Gloria's team and the other Pokémon from advancing.
All but one.
"Cindah!" Cinderace leapt through the fire before it could vanish.
"Go!" Juliana shouted, pointing right at the rabbit. Quaxwell flashed forth, his aqueous blade matching Cinderace's foot. They remained in a gridlock, though Quaxwell was pushed back. Soon as he was, though, Juliana took her action. "Acrobatics! Plant him!"
"Dreaaad!" The second cry as Quaxwell moved was that of Drednaw charging through, only to get a faceful of Energy Ball. Drednaw shook her head at the attack, only for Lokix to come sailing down and planting an Axe Kick that drove her head into the ground. Quaxwell flipped at the same time, one of his feet striking Cinderace on the face before another landed on his back.
It was a short-lived victory, however, as Cinderace's alacrity allowed him to spin around and nail Quaxwell with a Headbutt, right to Grapploct's waiting tentacles. Koraidon whimpered at the sight.
"Wattrel, intercept!" Wattrel trilled and spun, numerous blades of wind cutting the air between Quaxwell and Grapploct. His wings flapped harder, producing more, but it was far from enough when Flapple hit him and sent him careening into Quaxwell.
"Don't let them stay still! Tie 'em up, Polteageist!"
"Fuecoco, you're up! Crunch!"
"Co!" Fuecoco's flames ended and his teeth gleamed in the light. Soon as Polteageist swooped in, his mouth chomped down, catching the teapot. He spun, and hurled the Ghost type right back at Gourgeist.
"Seed Bomb!"
"Crabhammer!"
Crabrawler and Gourgeist were on the move, one firing projectiles, the other scuttling across the ground. Lokix had already flipped back, his body glowing green. With little more than a nod, he shot for the pair, his legs extending and the entire strength of his body intercepting them. They bounced off each other, falling away to the ground.
"Tooox…" Juliana looked up, frowning as she saw Toxtricity, his protrusions humming. He strummed them with one wild flourish. "…TRIIIIIISS!"
The soundwave of Overdrive crashed out, consuming everyone on the hilltop. Cinderace and Grapploct planted themselves in, while Drednaw remained unfettered, all having expected it. The same couldn't be said for the defenders, who found themselves blown back by the electric soundwave, their group nearly pushed to the edge of the hill.
The only fortunate side effect was that all of Jessie and James' Pokémon were caught in the blast. Polteageist was already out of commission. Only Inkay was left.
"What do you think you're doing, you overgrown lizard?!" Jessie shouted.
"Yeah, you could've killed us!"
"Cor corna."
"Whaddaya mean, dat's da point?!"
"Tinka!" The quartet's heads turned, shaken out of their argument with Corviknight to see Tinkatink soaring towards them. Her hammer, slightly larger from cobbled parts around the hilltop, had given her just enough force to launch from the ground, though not by much. All that mattered was her target, and Juliana was relying on it, her face scrunching in determination as the hammer glowed silver.
"Cor." Corviknight's beak stretched to his usual smirk, and he dove on wings of steel. They met in midair, sending sparks that covered the hillside.
"Spin, Tinkatink! Use Brutal Swing! Smoliv, Energy Ball, and Lokix, hit them! Keep them distracted!"
"You're not distracting anything! Psybeam, Inkay!" James had almost pitched himself out of the balloon, while his precious partner flapped his flippers and sent the multicolored attack soaring for them. Quaxwell was on the move, catching it and deflecting it. Soon as he had, Cinderace nailed him on the side. Grapploct was close to follow.
"Fuecoco!" Grapploct's pummeling tentacles were near striking range, but unaccounted for the little croc at his feet. Fuecoco opened his mouth, heated flames turning to mud that splatted across the cephalopod's eyes, causing him to stumble back.
"Great job. Now, Tinkatink! Take that Rock Tomb and hit it sky high!" Tinkatink's eyes flashed, her body spinning with dark energy. She was whirling around with Corviknight, the bird spinning along with her. His beak was longer, drilling into her, and as they spun out, he nailed her in the chest and drove her to the ground. Tinkatink bounced on it, but slammed her hammer down.
"TINKA!" Stones emerged like pillars and spears, her old attack becoming that of a Stone Edge. It impaled Corviknight, tossing him skyward. This time, the joking, cavalier manner was gone, replaced with a sneer.
"Aw, looks like someone's feelings are hurt! That's what you get, bird brain!"
"Uh…Jess."
"Corva!" Corviknight turned, his silver wing slashing at the basket. It created a gouge, but not enough to rattle Jessie. On the ground below, light was pooling around Tinkatink, hidden only slightly by the great stone pillar.
"Hah! You're so weak you can't even take us on anymore! You just leave training these weaklings to us!"
"Corna!" The bird got in Jessie's face, ignoring Cinderace's call. The distraction was enough for Quaxwell to slash across his face, forcing Gloria's Pokémon to gather and disengage for a moment. "Cornight!"
"Don't be a baby. You've gotten slow."
"Jessie!"
"What?!"
"Twerp evolution alert."
All eyes found Tinkatink, who continued to glow. Juliana found her lips twisting into a grin. Not that it was something expected, but it was something more than welcome. The little one's body grew larger, her tiny tuft of hair becoming longer. It wasn't the only thing, her tiny hammer fully transforming into one larger than before. It spoke to its greater strength, and it was that strength that Tinkatuff wielded when she spun and struck the stones.
A huge chunk broke off, hurtling for Corviknight in all of its destructive glory. He refused to brook it, though, and with a single slap of his steel wing, he sent the stone flying…
…right into the trio's balloon.
"Oh boy…"
"You just had to piss the bird off, didn't you?"
"I didn't do anything!"
"Wobba!" At Wobbuffet's cry, the stone emerged from the other side of the balloon. The massive hole suddenly expelled air, and with a loud moan, the balloon shot off towards the sky, with a screeching cry on the air.
"I can't believe we're blasting off again!"
"Hole was made, Juli. Let's punch it!" Arven shouted. His hand was atop Koraidon, their trusty steed bent low and ready to spring. Tinkatuff turned back, and Juliana waited until she was near to shout.
"Let's go, then! Earth Power!"
"SMOLIIIIIV!" The cry of her tiniest Pokémon brought with it great fissures, ones that began crumbling the hilltop. Many of Gloria's Pokémon looked to retain purchase, even as the dust built and swirled around them. It covered their path, distracting Gloria's ace team for just long enough. Without delay, and with the golden glow covering their tracks, Juliana returned her team members and leapt atop Koraidon.
He issued no cry, understanding their stealth, and his footfalls indicated that. Using some of the crumbling stone for a launch point, he leapt towards the ground, with Juliana and Arven holding tight. Their landing was a bit bumpy, but they remained safe, dashing away from the disintegrating sight of the hill for a cavern that had been visible the night before, now covered up in the sun.
In silence, they slipped through, deep into the crystal-lined tunnel, and came to a stop some feet in. With a single gulp, the three held their breaths, waiting and listening. There were some cries outside, and the occasional sound of feet on cracked dirt, but those sounds soon faded into nothingness. They had escaped.
"Now, we just have to hope these caves lead somewhere close to Zapapico," Arven said, dusting stones from his hair but facing down the long crystalline stretch. "Handy we were able to spot this last night. And good job on that plan. You really read them well."
"They were still way too much for us," Juliana admitted, stepping alongside Arven as they walked down the tunnel. Some larger paths branched out, but the pair followed the signs of crystal as they delved further in; if they needed a way to backtrack, it was the easiest path. "If it wasn't for Tinkatink evolving…"
"But we made it. Now, to Zapapico."
"Kor!" As if sensing where Zapapico was, Koraidon's head perked up, and his gait became faster. The students looked to each other, shrugging and deciding the follow. Koraidon didn't pay them much mind, and after a bit of time, Juliana noticed he was drooling. Hope sprang in her chest, and her eyes started to shine.
"Arven, I think Koraidon might have found-"
They turned a corner, almost running into it with the sudden thrill of hope that an Herba Mystica was on the other side. Soon as they did, however, they stopped short, their footsteps lost in a sudden rush of sound and a babble of voices.
For there was no Herba Mystica.
Just a wide-open space with stalls and people dressed in robes or other dark regalia; a market of sorts, secluded and hidden inside the deep, crystal tunnels. And hanging over all of it was a banner, one showing the crimson eye of Phantom Zero.
Author's Note: Well, that there's a cliffhanger. Looks like Juliana and Arven have found themselves in the very heart of enemy territory. Otherwise, this was very much a training chapter. I've never really done one, so I wanted to do one, but make it move and be exciting. Hopefully I succeeded.
But at least one thing happened: Tinkatink evolved! How fitting it should be against a Corviknight, the little bastard. All that is to say that I hope you enjoyed it and please look forward to the next. Until then, as always, review and comment and Dare to Be Silly.