Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 149: Stone Gaze Part 3
Under the sunset sky, a colony of foreign Corsola all flew in one direction. This colony was being followed by Yumi and Gligar to try and find Cursola and save the lives of Umbreon and Braixen.
"Chi. Chico." With a smile on her face, Chikorita greeted the Gligar she was walking beside.
"Gar." Such friendliness was still foreign to Gligar. From Yumi's hugs to Chikorita's greeting…all he'd ever known was to fight and serve the organization.
"Chicori Chico chi."
"Gligar gli gli."
Chikorita was trying to have a friendly conversation. Gligar was somewhat awkward, but Chikorita wasn't deterred. Given how detached her trainer is, Chikorita had experience dealing with cold and aloof types.
"It's strange." Chapel spoke to Yumi while listening in on Chikorita and Gligar from behind. "I was there when you caught Gligar. I remember that much, but I completely forgot Gligar being on your team."
"Same here," Yumi smiled, "It was actually Chikorita who battled with me to catch Gligar. But to be honest, I don't exactly remember why."
"You were never the smartest person around Yumi." Rose gave a coy smile.
This caused Yumi to jump at Rose, "And just what is that supposed to mean?"
Rose could only give a slight giggle. "I assume you know exactly what I mean."
Rose always knew how to playfully get on Yumi's nerves. The two have a very cozy sister dynamic.
…
Yumi, Gligar, and the others all engaged in small talk like this for as long as they continued following the Corsola colony, with Servine following behind at a distance.
This misadventure eventually led the gang to something peculiar. The flat grassy geology gave way to bumps and stones everywhere, and standing before the gang, was some sort of entrance.
"Gli." Gligar flew up and perched on the roof of the entrance.
Location: Lost Labyrinth
"La."
"La."
"La."
"The Corsola are all floating inside," Rose said.
"Do you think this may be their home or something?" Yumi asked.
"Yumi?" Chapel took a step forward, "You said that Cursola was dragged down under by Sand Tomb. My guess is that this entrance leads underground. And if that's the case, it should lead to where Cursola is."
"I hope you're right." Yumi remarks.
"This is our only lead. It represents our best chance at finding Cursola so we have to move forward."
Chapel led the way as the gang entered the labyrinth.
It was dark inside, but the girls' eyes quickly adjusted. Immediately upon entering the labyrinth, Rose stumbled upon something. "Hmm…" The device looked unfamiliar to Rose.
"Chi?" Chikorita was the first to notice that Rose had stopped and went back to see what she was doing.
Chapel stopped, turning around, "What's wrong?"
"What are these?" Rose held out her findings.
"That?" Chapel recognized them as a camera and video tape.
"You really don't know what a video camera and tape are?" Yumi asked, "That seriously makes me feel old if you're that young."
Rose approached Chapel and handed her the video camera and tape.
"Let's see if this works." Chapel put in the tape.
At first there was static, but then something came on.
Rose smiled.
"It may be old, but it still works!" Yumi chirped.
The video tape read:
This is a special presentation of Johto: Parts Unknown
"Hey…" That title sounded familiar to Yumi. "I think I know what that is. Yeah…yeah! It's a TV show! My Dad always enjoyed watching their documentaries." Of course, Yumi herself was never interested in those kinds of shows.
The tape immediately cut off after the title sequence.
"Honestly, that was a waste of time." Rose crossed her arms.
"But what could a tape be doing here?" Chapel asked. "All we know is that people were here a long time ago."
…..
Even though their eyes were adjusted, the labyrinth continued to get darker with each step taken further inside. Yumi used the light of her PokeGear to somewhat light the way, but it wasn't enough to save the girls from watching their every step.
Deeper into the labyrinth, their path abruptly ends.
"Wait…where are we?" Yumi asked.
"Is this a dead end?" Rose questioned.
Chapel looked around, searching for an answer. Unfortunately for her, an answer would find its way to her.
"Chi?!" Chikorita suddenly felt a crack in the ground. "Chicori?"
The ground gives off another crack, this one more audible than the last. As the girls were trying to get a grip on what was going on, the ground suddenly caved in.
"Gli?!"
Gligar wasn't affected by the ground caving in due to being airborne, but Chikorita and the girls weren't so lucky, as they were sent falling.
Adrenaline was high, and Yumi and Chapel screamed while plummeting. Rose remained calm and utilize her virus power to float in the air. "I see." Upon seeing where Yumi and Chapel were landing, she remained calm.
There was an underwater lake, ensuring that the group's fall wouldn't be fatal. Yumi, Chapel, and Chikorita fell in.
Gligar and Rose slowly descended closer to the water level, waiting for the girls to surface.
Chikorita came up first, followed by Yumi and Chapel simultaneously.
"Are you alright?" Rose asked.
Chapel swam to a nearby piece of underground land, helping Yumi out the water afterward.
"We're fine." Yumi answered. "But where are we?"
"I'm unsure where we are, but confident that we've made progress on finding Cursola." Chapel's gaze drifted throughout the underground, looking for some clue of what to do next.
"Chou. Chin chou." A community of Chinchou lived in the underground lake, lighting the water in what would otherwise be a dark chamber.
"Look over there." Yumi was startled upon seeing a formidable looking Pokemon swimming in the distance.
"Who's that Pokemon?" Rose asked.
Yumi took out her Pokedex, which read:
Dragalge, the Mock Kelp Pokemon: Dragalge uses a poisonous liquid capable of corroding tankers that enter its territory to the bottom of the sea.
"Dragalge looks poisonous…" Chapel noted.
"If the Pokedex Entry proves to be correct, perhaps this underwater lake is filled with poison." Rose added.
"We'd better avoid confrontation with Dragalge and look for a way to proceed deeper into the labyrinth." Chapel started walking.
The girls wander aimlessly for a while. Just when it appeared there were no clues on how to get out…
"Hey…" Yumi spotted something in the corner of her eye and proceeded to approach it. "It's another tape!"
"Chi?" Chikorita asked.
"Let's see what's on it." Chapel asked for the tape so she could put it in the Video Camera.
Johto: Part Unknown – Part 2
This tape proved to be less vague than the first one. A man with a grayish brown beard appeared on screen and expressed his summary of events that have transpired.
"This was a dangerous leg of our adventure. After proceeding deeper into this Lost Labyrinth, we stumbled upon an underground lake filled with Chinchou who call this place home. If it weren't for these Water Types, we'd likely be hopelessly lost in this chamber's darkness."
"Chou."
"Chou."
A couple of Chinchou were gathering around the bearded man.
"Pol." They stood next to the bearded man's pokemon – Empoleon.
"We have spent the last two days searching for a way out of this chamber while trying to avoid the dangerous Pokemon that lurks within. One small issue led to another between our production crew, and before we knew it, Dragalge had been disturbed. It was a long and hard-fought battle with this formidable foe. There were defeats, and there were injuries, but after barely managing to defeat Dragalge, something strange happened. The Chinchou, who had long been intimidated by Dragalge, swam over to the defeated Poison Type's area, and illuminated a path that led to this sanctum's deeper passageways. This was a big hurdle on our journey, but this was only the beginning…"
When the tape cut off, Chapel pinched her head and sighed. "So we have no choice but to fight Dragalge…"
"You seem alarmed, Chapel." Rose remarked.
"Because of the water, we'll be limited in what Pokemon we can send into battle." Chapel explained. "Piplup may be a Water Type, but the water is poisonous. Piplup isn't adapted to this water like the Chinchou are. That's leave only two Pokemon we'll be able to use."
"Gli." Gligar knew as soon as Chapel explained the issue that he was going to have to fight.
"Gligar." This was confirmed when Chapel said Gligar's name. She then took out a Pokeball to send out one of her own Pokemon, "And Skarmory!"
The Pokeball was thrown into the air.
"Skar!"
"Skarmory being immune to Poison will help immensely." Chapel remarked.
"Gligar, let's go." Yumi pointed at Dragalge.
"You too Skarmory." Chapel followed.
The girl ran on the land beside the underwater lake as they followed Skarmory and Gligar to Dragalge.
"…" Dragalge was even bigger up close. The Chinchou knew of Dragalge's power long enough to never question it. And so, Dragalge lived happily ever after as king of this underwater labyrinth. "Rr." He knew that those girls were coming but waited in his place. These girls presented no threat to Dragalge. It was fitting that they were the ones chasing after him.
"Chou."
"Chou."
"Chou."
The Chinchou sensed the incoming fight, and quickly dispersed away from the immediate area.
"Dralgagle!" Yumi called.
Again, Dragalge didn't bother to address such insignificant existence.
"Dragalge isn't moving," Chapel said.
"Do you think we can just pass Dragalge by?" Rose asked.
"I don't think that will work." Chapel answered.
"Huh?" This confused Yumi, "Tell me why we can't just skip this battle. We'd be wasting time fighting Dragalge if it's completely avoidable."
"Look in the water." Chapel motioned, "The Chinchou are all dispersing from the area, and none of them are moving up ahead. They fear Dragalge just as much as anyone else. Without their light, we'd be wandering into the pitch black in this underground labyrinth."
Yumi and Rose groaned.
"Remember what the video said: Once Dragalge is defeated, the Chinchou will gather and light the way." Chapel explained. "If Dragalge refuses to acknowledge us, then we'll just have to strike first. Skarmory?"
Yumi would've gritted her teeth, but she knows Chapel's intentions were pure. She wanted to save the lives of Umbreon and Braixen just like her. Yumi braced for the upcoming fight but was confident in Chapel's ability to lead and guide.
"Skarr!" Skarmory roared while charging at Dragalge. His wings protruded a steely energy as he struck Dragalge in the back.
"Rrr." Dragalge was able to take the hit. However, this managed to get his attention. "Dra." Dragalge turned around to face the group. Never has anyone been brave enough to hit him. This was no doubt a challenge, but Dragalge promised to go further than that. He promised to use his Poison to end this group permanently. Their carcasses will serve as an example to any future 'adventurers': This will happen to you if you challenge Dragalge. "DRAA!"
"He's going to attack!" Yumi yelled.
"Skarmory, use Drill Peck!"
"Skar!" Skarmory came charging at Dragalge a second time. However, Dragalge didn't have his back turned this time. Skarmory was confident in finding a weak spot that Dragalge would feel.
Dragalge braced himself as Skarmory's beak emitted a white aura and expanded in size.
"Skar!"
Dragalge thought he could take this hit like the last. However, Skarmory specifically targeted Dragalge's neck.
"Gh!" Dragale recoiled. The recoil lasted only a moment before he regained his composure.
He stared at Skarmory intently. It was here that Dragalge realized he had underestimated this group. He shouldn't have taken them lightly. No human or Pokemon has ever thought about hitting him in that specific area.
"Dra."
No matter. This group was still no match for Dragalge. However, the Water-Type had no choice but to respect this fight.
"We can finish Dragalge in one shot." Yumi remarked. "Gligar, use Guillotine!"
Now it was Gligar's turn, as he charged at Dragalge with his claws cloaked in white aura – The aura of Guillotine.
"Gar!"
What Skarmory started, Gligar was going to finish. Guillotine was aimed at Dragalge's neck, where Gligar can end the battle.
"Dra." But Dragalge knew better than to give them another chance to land a hit. It is here that Dragalge begins glowing. Before Gligar can land Guillotine, Dragalge disappears completely.
"Gli?" Gligar halted in midair, bewildered.
"What…what happened?" Rose asked.
"Dragalge is gone." Yumi answered. "But how? I've never heard of a non-Ghost Pokemon being able to turn invisible."
Chapel might've known what was up. But she wanted to be sure before jumping to conclusions.
"Dra!" From out of nowhere, a strong stream of water is sent at Skarmory.
"Skar!"
It looked to be a Hydro Pump, and it send Skarmory crashing into the underground wall.
"…" Skarmory was down, but far from out. Like Dragalge, Skarmory was gifted with superb defenses. That Hydro Pump did minimal damage as Skarmory returned to his flying position.
"Dra!" Another Hydro Pump was launched. This time, Gligar was the target.
"Gligar, dodge it!"
Gligar had the Acrobatic ability to avoid Hydro Pump. But still, Gligar had no idea what was going on here.
"Where is that Hydro Pump coming from?" Rose asked. "Could it be the Chinchou?"
"And where is Dragalge?" Yumi asked.
"Dragalge is still here!" Chapel announced.
"Hm?" Yumi and Rose both turned to Chapel. "But how?"
"What Dragalge is doing…I think I know what it is. Dragalge is using a move called Camouflage." Chapel explained.
"Camouflage?"
"Camouflage may make Dragalge invisible but make no mistake, he's still here." Chapel then gazed at the water worriedly. "Normally when a Pokemon uses Camouflage, we can check the ground or water to see their location, or perhaps their shadows under the sunlight. But the problem is…"
"Dragalge is a calm swimmer." Rose was keen to observe Dragalge's small details. "Up until this point, Dragalge has not caused a single ripple in the water."
"Exactly," Chapel said, "And being underground where the sun doesn't reach keeps Dragalge from having a shadow to reveal his location."
"So, what do we do?" Yumi asked.
"I'm still thinking of a way…" Chapel gritted her teeth. 'But how do we hit a Pokemon who's completely invisible?'
From various locations in the lake, streams of Hydro Pump were launched at Gligar and Skarmory respectively.
Skarmory may have been waiting for his trainer to think of a solution, but an idea of his own came up in his head. "Skar. Skar. Skar." Skarmory avoided the streams of Hydro Pump, waiting for the perfect chance to strike.
"Glig!" When it appeared Gligar was hit, Yumi the girls called out it worry. "Gar!" Gligar was okay. When looking at the attack from a different vantage point, Gligar had indeed avoided Hydro Pump.
With Gligar just barely managing to avoid Hydro Pump, the invisible Dragalge began focusing his attention solely on the Ground/Flying type. "Dra!" Dragalge began shortening the streams of Hydro Pump, instead concentrating on creating short bursts at greater speed.
"Gar. Gar. Gar." Gligar had gone into Acrobatics mode, avoiding each burst like the plague. "Gah!" But eventually, Gligar was struck.
"Gligar!" Yumi called in worry.
Gligar landed right in front of Yumi.
"Skar." This was Skarmory's chance. As the streams of Hydro Pump slowed, he flapped his wings as hard as he could, creating a gale in his wake. The water started moving in waves. A strong Whirlwind was then launched at the water.
"Dra." Dragalge sensed the disturbance in the water and halted. But by the time he could turn to face Skarmory, it was too late.
Whirlwind had stirred the water into a frenzy. This in turn caused Dragalge to be dragged by the current. Dragalge was trapped in a whirlpool.
"Skarmory is on to something." Rose remarked. "However strong Dragalge is, he can only go as far as the water allows him."
"But that still doesn't help solve Dragalge's invisibility." Yumi countered.
"Perhaps Skarmory has another idea," Rose said.
Skarmory put forth enough of a Whirlwind to where the water currents would continue after he stopped flapping his wings. "Skar!" Then, Skarmory dove into the water and started moving in the opposite direction of the current, his wings cloaked in white aura.
"Skarmory has such a heavy body that he can't be in the water too long or he'll sink." Chapel observed.
"The current will keep Skarmory afloat, but that's it." Rose added. "Skarmory better make this attack count."
"SKAR!"
It was then that the girls heard a loud scream.
By going in the opposite direction of the current, Skarmory would eventually hit the invisible Dragalge, and that's what happened.
"Drr…" Upon contact, Dragalge's Camouflage had faded. But Dragalge decided to use a different move in its place: Acid Armor. "Drr…"
Acid Armor made it a struggle between Skarmory and Dragalge's high defense.
"Gl…!" Skarmory looked about to run out of air as the struggle was on the brink of dragging out.
"Skarmory…" Chapel momentarily started glowing the pure light aura of Missingno. She focused this aura on Skarmory, hoping it would keep him from drowning.
"Skrrr…" As the purity aura surrounded Skarmory, he could feel himself getting stronger. "Skarr…"
"Drr…" Dragalge could sense this power. He could only afford to let out a small grunt, as he was too deep in the struggle to allow Skarmory to get full momentum. Sensing Skarmory's victory, Dragalge braced for inevitable impact.
"Skar!" Skarmory thrusted his Wing Attack upward. Upon winning the struggle, Dragalge was pushed out of the water and sent flying.
"Dra…" Dragalge landed on a piece of land on the other side of the underground lake.
"Skarmory…" Chapel called Skarmory's name.
As Skarmory dragged himself out of the water, he could barely crawl himself toward Chapel, where he breathed heavily.
"Skarmory…" Chapel kneeled next to Skarmory, "You did well."
Skarmory's all metal body was naturally very heavy. Being soaked in water on served to make him twice as heavy. Skarmory's bold attack on Dragalge technically rendered himself unable to fight. His water-soaked wings were too heavy to fly. Heck, he couldn't even lift his head to watch Chapel praise him.
"We have to clean the water off Skarmory before he becomes rusty." Chapel turned to Rose and Yumi.
"But do we have any way of cleaning him?" Rose asked.
"How about a Fire Type?" Chapel asked.
Yumi shook her head. "Have you forgotten the reason why we're in this labyrinth in the first place? We need to save Braixen's life force."
"Seth has the only other Fire Type in our group, but I'm not sure if there even a way for us to return to camp." Chapel explained.
Chapel and Rose had left Ursaring and Banette respectively to watch the campsite. Who does that leave left?
"Chi."
"Hm?" Walking up to Skarmory was Chikorita.
"Chikorita?" The group questioned.
They had forgotten that Chikorita was with them the entire time.
Chikorita began spinning the leaf on her head like a fan, creating air to brush the water off Skarmory's body.
Chapel smiled. "Chikorita, you're a life saver."
"Wait a minute…" Taking Chapel out of her moment with Skarmory was Rose, who's gaze remained fixed on the underground lake.
Chapel, Yumi, and Gligar all walked beside Rose questioningly.
"Dragalge was knocked out of the water…yet the Chinchou aren't moving to illuminate the path ahead." Rose explained.
"She's right."
"But why aren't the Chinchou moving?" Yumi asked, "Could we have missed something in the video?"
No…that wasn't the reason why the Chinchou weren't moving. The group was so fixated on the water that they weren't paying attention to what was outside the lake.
"Rrr…" Dragalge…the assumption was that he'd been defeated by Skarmory. But here he was, crawling his way back into the water.
The sound of splashing echoed around the cavern.
Chapel clenched her fist. "No…that can't be…" She didn't want to believe that Dragalge was able to get up after that attack. But once she saw Dragalge for herself, there was no more denying it.
"Dra!" Dragalge was no longer looking down upon the group standing before him. To think they would create a water current to strike him while invisible…That was the second time Dragalge had underestimated them. But not anymore. "Dra!"
As Dragalge roared, the water started rippling again.
"What's going on?" Yumi asked.
Chikorita momentarily took her eyes off Skarmory to see what was happening.
"Dra!"
The girls remained focused on what Dragalge was going to do next…not realizing what was happening beneath them.
"Chi…" Chikorita was the first to notice when the ground became moist.
"Glig!" Gligar was next. His reaction was stronger than Chikorita's due to his weakness to water. Gligar quickly flew up to perch on Yumi's shoulder.
"Gligar, what's up?" Yumi asked.
Gligar pointed to the ground.
"The ground-what the?" Yumi began to panic. "Rose! Chapel!"
Rose and Chapel turned to Yumi.
"The water! It's rising!"
Rose quickly used her virus power to float.
"Oh no…" Chapel had to act fast. She hated recalling her Pokemon prematurely, but there was no choice given Skarmory's condition. "Skarmory, return!"
Chikorita hopped into Rose's arms.
"Dragalge is flooding the cave!"
The water level was rising, fast!
"We have to finish the job and defeat Dragalge!" Chapel exclaimed.
"Dra!"
"But Gligar is our only Pokemon left that can fight Dragalge…" Yumi looked uneasy.
To this, Chapel wordlessly looked to Yumi. The fact that Gligar was the only battling Pokemon available was an unavoidable fact…But there was no turning back now. The lives of Braixen and Umbreon were in Gligar's hands now.
"Gligar?" Yumi looked to the Pokemon perched on her shoulder.
Gligar returned her gaze, and they nodded in understanding.
"Dra!" Dragalge was still roaring, his cry echoing throughout the cave.
Gligar launched himself off Yumi's shoulder and flew right at Dragalge with Acrobatics.
"Dra…" Dragalge anticipated this. "…" While continuing to flood the cavern, Dragalge focused a watery energy around his body. Like in the struggle with Skarmory, Dragalge was using Acid Armor.
"Gar!" Gligar's Acrobatics made contact.
"…" But Dragalge was unharmed.
Gligar was stunned that Dragalge's defense was that high. As the two made eye contact, Gligar quickly leapt away to create distance.
"Dra…" Dragalge dared Gligar to try hitting him again.
Acid Armor made for formidable defense, but it wasn't unstoppable.
"Gligar, use Guillotine!" Yumi called.
Gligar cloaked his claws in white aura and charged at Dragalge again. Acid Armor doesn't protect against attacks that instantly defeat foes.
Dragalge launched a stream of powerful water.
Gligar's eyes widened. He had enough agility to evade Hydro Pump with a short reaction window.
Dragalge began launching a volley of Hyrdo Pump streams.
Gligar avoided them with little effort. That was until, "Gli?!" When Gligar descended to avoid one stream, he landed in water. Gligar was stunned. How could the labyrinth be this full already?
"Dra!"
A Hydro Pump stream finally managed to hit Gligar. It was a super effective hit, and it sent Gligar deep underwater.
Meanwhile, the flooding had the water at knee level.
"Is Gligar defeated?" Rose asked.
Yumi gritted her teeth. Gligar can't be defeated. He was their last hope. If Gligar couldn't rise from the water…then everyone would drown.
"…"
Underwater, Gligar opened his eyes. The water…he wasn't fond of it…
The water continued to rise to the point that Yumi and Chapel were eventually swimming.
"Whatever you do, don't breathe in the water!" Chapel had to raise her voice over the sound of flooding. "Remember, the water is toxic. If you breathe it in, it's all over!"
"Glgh…Glgh…!" Gligar tried moving, but he couldn't swim… "Glgh…" Immunity prevented him from being poisoned by the water, but if he was going to drown anyway, did that even matter? "…" Gligar could feel his vision starting to blur. Just before his eyes completely closed, he saw a figure descending upon him, but who?
Seconds later…
"Open your eyes…"
Gligar had given up to allowing the last of his breath to slip out…but when he opened his mouth, he could breathe. "Gli?" Confused, Gligar opened his eyes. His claw was being held by a little girl holding Chikorita in her other arm.
"Rose…" Yumi smiled.
Rose dove into the water to retrieve Gligar, and now she was floating safely in the air.
"Gli…" Gligar was unfamiliar with the girl. Sure, he knew she was travelling with the group. But Gligar never had an interaction with her before this point.
Rose looked to Gligar with a smile. "Don't worry. You're alive."
"Chi." Chikorita smiled as well. She then emitted a pink aura which surrounded Rose and Gligar.
"Gli?"
"Aromatherapy." Chapel said out loud, "Chikorita is using Aromatherapy to ensure no toxins can effect Rose."
"And look at Gligar." Yumi pointed, "Looks like Aromatherapy is giving him energy."
After a moment under Aromatherapy's aura, Gligar returned his gaze toward Dragalge.
"Looks like Gligar can attack again." Chapel remarked.
"Gligar, use Guillotine!" Yumi called.
Gligar thanked Rose and Chikorita before being let go. "Gli!" Gligar cloaked his claws in Guillotine's aura.
"Dra!" Once again, Dragalge welcomed Gligar to try again.
At this point, the waters had risen high enough to where Dragalge was once again swimming.
Gligar charged at Dragalge.
Dragalge launched another stream of Hydro Pump, with the intention of finishing Gligar for good.
Like last time, Gligar avoided this stream.
"Drr." Dragalge's eyes narrowed.
The stream of Hydro Pump didn't cease. This time, Dragalge kept the stream constant as he moved it in the direction Gligar moved.
"Gla?!" Gligar's eyes widened as he was struck…But Gligar was determined not to falter in the face of Dragalge's attack again.
"Gligar! Keep going!" Yumi saw this as well.
This was Gligar's only chance to strike Dragalge. So, he charged through the stream head on, knowing he would take super effective damage.
"Garrr!"
Dragalge…as determined as he was to not underestimate his opponent, even he didn't see what Gligar was doing. Hydro Pump, the move that was used to ensure victory, would ultimately lead to Dragalge's defeat, because the stream itself is a blind spot.
"Gah!"
Gligar didn't know about this blind spot either. He was just doing what it took to save the lives of the people and Pokemon close to him. Nevertheless, once he got to the end of the stream, he jumped out and struck Dragalge's neck with Guillotine.
As Dragalge's eyes went wide, it was as if time stood still. Gligar's eyes narrowed in determination. Yumi and Chapel struggling to remain afloat in the rising water. Rose and Chikorita getting excited at Gligar landing the hit. The Chinchou colony watching intently to see if their dictator could truly be defeated.
The rising waters of Surf halted, and the flood started receding.
Dragalge cratered into the water with a big splash.
As the water had completely returned to its normal level, Rose, Chikorita, and Gligar landed calmly on the ground.
They worried as Yumi and Chapel shivered in their soaked clothes.
"Gligar…you did it…" Even in her vulnerable state, Yumi praised Gligar. It was the second time Gligar came in clutch for the entire gang. "And thank you…Rose."
"Are you two going to be alright?" Rose asked.
Chapel took a Pokeball from her belt and threw it into the air.
"Bulba." Bulbasaur was released from his Pokeball. "Saur?" Ever since Chapel captured Bulbasaur, she often babied him. Imagine the look on his face when he saw Chapel suffering. He worriedly asked what happened.
Chapel took off her backpack and opened it. Her Pokemon Egg was in there, but that wasn't what she was looking for. She reached for a single berry and pulled it out. "I'm so glad I brought extra Miracle Berries."
…
Yumi and Chapel both ate part of the Miracle Berry to prevent sickness as they allowed everything to air dry, including a Skarmory who was let out of his Pokeball. Chikorita and Bulbasaur used Aromatherapy and Natural Gift respectively to increase the healing properties of the Miracle Berry.
"Skarr!" Skarmory was dried off first. Once he was dried off, he created winds to dry Yumi and Chapel in quick order.
"That's much better!" Yumi stretched and was ready to proceed to the Cursola holding Braixen and Umbreon's life forces. But as she was in the process of turning to hug Gligar, she nearly tripped over something.
It looked to be a fang of sort. Perhaps Dragalge's flooding caused it to drift in this direction…
"Gligar." After picking up the mysterious fang, Yumi grabbed Gligar. "Thank you!"
Chikorita and Bulbasaur watched as Gligar tried to hide his blushing. Honestly there was nothing to hide. Chikorita and Bulbasaur loved their trainers as much as Gligar loved his. "Gli?" But as Yumi put Gligar back on the ground, Gligar eyed the fang in Yumi's hand.
"What is it?" Yumi followed Gligar's gaze to the fang. "I just found this. Do you want it?"
Gligar nodded.
As Yumi gave Gligar the mysterious fang, Chapel and Rose were watching the Chinchou start flowing up the stream Dragalge has previously guarded.
"Dragalge nearly defeated our entire team singlehandedly." Rose noted.
"No." Chapel disagreed. "Dragalge was a formidable Pokemon. But we were severely shorthanded on Pokemon. Gligar and Skarmory were literally the only Pokemon that were capable of fighting Dragalge in this chamber."
Rose eyed Chapel.
"That shouldn't happen again when we face Cursola." Chapel added before addressing the rest of the gang. "Yumi and Gligar! Skarmory! Bulbasaur! Chikorita!"
All eyes were on Chapel.
"It's about time we proceed deeper into this labyrinth."
Being the pure heart she is, Chapel couldn't just leave Dragalge defeated. As she and the group made their exit from the underground lake, she gave an Oran Berry to the defeated Dragon Type. No matter how much of a threat Dragalge was, Chapel remembered that it was them who challenged Dragalge and not the other way around.
Dragalge had awoken to Chapel's warm smile.
"How are you feeling, Dragalge?"
Dragalge said nothing, but he also didn't show hostility. He was still recognized as the absolute ruler of Lost Labyrinth's underground lake. However, the number of opponents Dragalge considered worthy enough to be peers could be counted on a single hand. This group had Dragalge's respect, and Dragalge was grateful to them for the berry.
Following this brief interaction, the group left for the labyrinth's deeper chambers, where Cursola presumably waited…
…
…
…
The underground lake had one more visitor, and his body splashed into the water from above.
"Vine."
He had been trailing the group this entire time and had to admit that the fight with Dragalge was interesting to say the least.
"Servine."
Now what lies ahead?
To Be Continued…