Edited as of August 8th, 2018.
Notes- I know I said that this installment would drop in a month or two, but this is really no way to keep your readers waiting! Even with school and work, I should have dished out this chapter a LOT sooner! My sincerest apologies for the delay, but I'm excited to have another chapter out! This chapter really explores the travel side of a Pokemon journey (pun intended) and Chris has a surprise (fateful?) encounter at the end. Hope you enjoy! Please Review and Subscribe!
Chapter 6
"We'll start with Water Gun!"
"Fly above it and counter with Wing Attack!" Chris directed.
The Bat Pokémon rose into the sky, avoiding the blast of water. After finishing his ascent, Golbat quickly dove toward the water starter.
"Don't back down!" Kayla commanded. "Push through with Tackle!"
Mudkip planted his feet firmly into the ground as Golbat approached. As the Bat Pokémon swung his right wing forward, Mudkip pounced up to meet it. The two attacks evened out, bouncing both Pokémon away from one another.
"Follow it up with a Bite Attack!" Chris pushed, continuing his aggressive strategy.
"Alright, let's get 'em with Bide!" Kayla's confidence held firm.
Mudkip rose onto his hind legs and crossed his arms. As Golbat closed in, a pale glow surrounded The Mud Fish Pokémon's arms. To Chris' surprise, the Bat Pokémon met no resistance in delivering his attack. The grimace on Kayla's face seemed to signal a momentum swing in his favor.
"Now, strike back!" Kayla suddenly roared.
The tiny starter Pokémon launched himself like a rocket toward his unsuspecting foe. Before Chris could call out a counter, Mudkip smashed headfirst into the Bat Pokémon, driving his skull into Golbat's left wing. The attack sent Chris' teammate spinning to the ground. For a tense second, Golbat remained still, drawing a groan from his trainer. But then Golbat had shifted onto his right wing, and soon was back on his feet.
"Nice reversal," Chris admitted, "but you're not gonna take Golbat out that easily." His fierce battle with the Bat Pokémon was still fresh in his mind. Ne now found that same creature watching him. "We'll have to be ready for quick counters like that one," Chris told his teammate. The Poison/Flying-type didn't display any outward expression at that, but the trainer sensed that the Pokémon understand.
"Don't give them any breathing room!" Kayla piped up. "Tackle Attack!"
Chris turned back to the battlefield, a recent strategy brewing in his head. "Let's counter with Confuse Ray!" he directed.
Golbat let out an ear piercing shriek as an eerie, white orb leaped from his mouth. Mudkip, having reached full speed, pushed through the white energy. As he prepared to tackle his opponent, he suddenly veered right. Mudkip ended up spiking himself into the dirt several feet to Golbat's left.
"C'mon!" Kayla shouted. "Snap out of it, Mudkip!"
"Nice to be on the other end of Confuse Ray," CHris mumbled. He examined Kayla's Pokémon and found him to be completely incapable of stopping an attack. "Let's finish this with Wing Attack!"
The Bat Pokémon winced as he attempted to take back to the sky. His left wing dragged against the dirt, reminding his trainer of the damage it had taken from Mudkip's earlier assault. "Just move across the ground for now!" he directed.
Golbat did as Chris instructed. The trainer couldn't help but find humor in how awkward his teammate looked running. The chuckle died in Chris' throat upon realizing how much slower Golbat moved when out of the air. That weakness could be exposed if Chris didn't commit to improving his teammate's full body cardio.
"We can still fight!" Kayla shrieked. She brought a shaking fist up. "Return!"
Hearing the words, Chris expected to see a Poké Ball in her closed hand. Instead, the stumbling Water-type took on a white glow. He didn't fully understand until Mudkip had charged to meet his teammate. Despite his confusion, Mudkip's aim was true. As the Mud Fish Pokémon lowered his head to strike, Golbat brought his one, good wing down. The Bat Pokémon's glowing appendage met the illuminated fin atop Mudkip's skull, and drove Kayla's starter face first into the dirt. A moment of silence followed, with neither trainer exactly sure of what would happen next. The Mud Fish Pokémon, however, did not move from his prone position on the ground.
"Mudkip!" Kayla rushed to her teammate's side, a Potion already in hand. As she tended to her starter, the opposing trainer turned his attention to his approaching Pokémon.
"Awesome first battle," Chris told Golbat once he'd returned. The trainer brought out his own healing item and quickly sprayed down Golbat's wing and torso. The Bat Pokémon showed no real emotion toward his trainer's praise or his treatment. In fact, his small eyes weren't on Chris at all. The trainer followed Golbat's gaze back to his other two Pokémon. Nidoran looked to almost be tap dancing—his ears rigidly straight and his eyes the size of Poké Balls. Cyndaquil remained completely still. The Fire-type returned his teammate's gaze with a cold, calculating stare. Despite his starter's emotionless front, Chris felt a smirk rise to his lips at the sight of the roaring fire alight on Cyndaquil's back.
"How's Golbat?"
Kayla's question snapped Chris back to the situation at hand. "He's, uh, he's good. How's Mudkip?"
"A little loopy from Confuse Ray and that last shot. But he'll be okay." The trainer had already returned her starter to his capture device. "Not his first lost, but we'll try and make it his last."
Chris nodded and said, "I think that's the right mentality. He put up a good fight and showed real toughness down the stretch. Can't believe he was able to shake off confusion and deliver that last attack. "
"Can't be the best team if we fold under adversity," Kayla said, brandishing another Poké Ball. "That's why we're about to turn things—" She froze as her grandfather stepped in front of her.
"As the unofficial judge of this contest," the gentleman began with a chuckle, "I'm afraid I must call it."
"W...why, grandpa?"
"What happened at the end of the battle?" he asked.
"You saw!"
"Forgive me, but my eyes aren't getting any younger."
Kayla let out a heavy sigh. "Well," she began, "Golbat came at Mudkip with Wing Attack, and we countered with Return."
"How was Mudkip during this exchange?"
"He was confused... but he still delivered the attack!"
"And what happened?"
"Well… he got overpowered. It happens sometimes!"
The gentleman sighed. "Yes, he did. You'd plenty of opportunities to see that Golbat was physically stronger throughout the battle. And yet, at the end, you chose to send your confused teammate into a head-to-head confrontation with him."
"But—"
"I'm trying to help you," her grandfather smoothly interrupted. "You're a young trainer, and it is okay to make mistakes. We just have to make sure we learn from them." He paused, and waited for Kayla to say something. When she didn't, he continued, "I want you to tell me something else you learned in that battle. I know my sharp granddaughter picked up on something else."
Chris and his teammates had now made it over to the duo. Kayla through a quick glance at Chris, and then to his Golbat. "Using Return… wasn't the best option."
Her grandfather nodded. "Very good. With Golbat already being naturally stronger, using a move against him that requires a strong connection with your Pokémon may not be the best idea for a new trainer. With Mudkip at low health and physically outmatched..."
"I should have used Water Gun," Kayla quietly finished.
"Precisely. Mudkip's Torrent ability would have kicked in."
Chris' eyes lit up. Torrent… that reminds me...
Kayla looked down at the Poké Ball in her hand and replied, "I understand. But I will grow stronger and closer to Mudkip. We'll make Return one of the best moves in our arsenal!"
Her grandfather let loose a loud chuckle and clapped his hands together. "Very good!" he exclaimed. "Your drive never ceases to amaze!" He turned his attention to Chris. "You may not have been a trainer for long, but I can tell that you've got a foothold on this battling thing. I would give you some pointers as well, but seeing as you're not family, you'd have to pay first!"
Chris grinned. "I get it," he said. "But despite that, I've already managed to pick up on a couple of things."
"It can't be helped," the man said with a shrug. "All I ask is that you use them well!"
"Yes, sir."
Kayla motioned to her grandfather and made for the eastern path. "We better get moving."
As the gentleman went to follow her, Chris said, "It was great seeing you again, sir!"
The gentleman turned back, slipped off his cap, and bowed. "The pleasure was all mine," he said with a flourish.
After acknowledging the gesture, Chris shouted after Kayla. "Thanks for the battle. I'm looking forward to the rematch!"
She twisted her head to the side and yelled back, "You won't be ready next time. Count on it!"
Chris went to fire back a snappy retort, but found her grandfather's eye. He followed the gentleman's stare back to his starter. That's when he caught Cyndaquil's inquisitive eye. Set the example, Chris told himself. He took a deep breath and watched the two duo depart. He was surprised to see both of them suddenly turn back.
A shadow passed over Chris. He instinctively ducked as a massive bird passed just a few feet above him. He identified the ginormous Pokémon as a Pidgeot… the same one, in fact, that had snagged him in Cherrygrove. As the bird latched on to Kayla and her grandfather, the elder man turned to a stunned Chris. Clarity struck the trainer like a lightning bolt. Kayla's grandfather winked, and then the two were swept a hundred feet into the air.
As he watched them fade into the horizon, he found a stupid grin on his face. At least now I know who to thank.
He stared into the distance a little while longer before addressing his team. "Looks like Golbat has already earned his keep." He nodded to the Bat Pokémon before turning to his other teammates. "You guys agree?"
Cyndaquil's agreement wasn't passionate, but Chris was grateful to hear it. Nidoran nodded adamantly, but his face was a bundle of frustration.
"What's up, Nidoran?"
The Poison Pin Pokémon jabbed his horn in Golbat and Cyndaquil's direction. "Nido'!"
It took several seconds for Chris to understand. "We've only battled two trainers," Chris reminded him. "You'll get your shot." He found Golbat watching him with a curious expression. Chris extended his arm toward the Bat Pokémon. "Let's focus on supporting one another for now." Golbat took to the air, his wing apparently feeling better after the Potion, much to his trainer's relief. Relief turned to joy when the Bat Pokémon landed on his arm. He was surprised by just how heavy the creature was, but he ignored the twinge of pain that shot through his shoulder.
"'Quil?" the Fire-type asked, pointing toward the branching paths.
"That is our next decision," Chris agreed. "We're looking for the path that leads us to Violet City." It took a painfully long time for the Cherrygrove native to remember the PokéGear on his left arm. He gestured Golbat onto his shoulder so that he could better use both hands. He pulled up the map and gave the device a calibrate their location. "Looks like we'll be heading left," he finally announced. "We won't be on it long before reaching Route 31. So let's get a move on!"
The path ahead did not prove to be a great challenge. They spooked up some wild Pokémon for Nidoran and Cyndaquil. He decided to give Golbat a breather after his last battle. Cyndaquil scored a solid victory against a young man's Raticate. Not long after, Nidoran managed to score his first victory against a trainer led Pokémon, a status inducing Oddish in this case. For the rest of the day, Chris noticed some extra pep in the Poison-type's step. The consecutive wins and success against wild Pokémon did a lot to boost the trainer's own confidence. The anxiety of winning his first Gym Badge faded to the back of his mind.
The tree lined path opened up suddenly, and the group found themselves facing a level grassland. The heat of the day put a haze over anything beyond the plateau. Golbat, who had clung to the shadows cast by the nearby trees, let out an audible sigh.
Chris brought out his Poké Ball and asked him, "How about you take a break?" Golbat gave an enthusiastic nod and soon had returned into the device. As the trainer put away the Poké Ball, he glanced at his PokéGear. "We've officially crossed into Route 31!" Chris informed them. "Once we cross this opening, it'll be a direct shot west to Violet City."
A growl echoed across the clearing. Chris followed the noise back to Nidoran, who pointed at his stomach "Nido'," the creature whimpered.
"Now that you mention it," Chris said, thinking back to the day's events, "we haven't had a chance to really sit down and eat today. That sound alright to you two?" Nidoran roared an affirmative and Cyndaquil gave an indifferent shrug. "Good enough for..." he paused. "Golbat should eat with us too. Is it alright if we finish crossing this clearing before settling down for a bite?" Nidoran looked as though he'd object, but seemed to think better of it. Cyndaquil gave another shrug.
A half hour passed before they'd made it to the opposing line of trees. At this point, the trainer's stomach had begun to sound like his teammate's. While prepping his team's meal, he released Golbat and explained the situation. The Bat Pokémon chose to eat in the covered branches overhead, which Chris did not object to. When it came time to provide both Poison-types with their daily vitamin, he made sure to warn the winged creature before tossing his into the air. As they ate, Chris examined the uneven path west. The uneven terrain glowed in the late evening light. Chris knew that Violet City lay just over that set of hills. If they tried to press on after the meal, they'd have no chance of reaching it until the wee hours of the morning. And if they chose to stop once night came, with the route opening up as it approached the city, Golbat would be without a tree to hang from. Arceus knew they'd already had a long enough day. His Pokémon, with the exception of a silent Cyndaquil, agreed.
Chris unraveled his sleeping bag and spread it so that his Pokémon still had room to lay. As exhausted as the trainer felt, he saw no reason in building a fire.
"If you want a comfy place to sleep," Chris called into the tree overhead, "there's still room!"
The Bat Pokémon stuck his head out and gave a slight shake of his head.
"Fair enough." Chris let out a boisterous yawn that he only half exaggerated. "I'm tapping out. Goodnight, guys."
A deafening crack snapped Chris out of his slumber. He opened his eyes and found nothing but black. He quickly rose to a sitting position and felt around his sleeping bag for his Pokémon. When his hands found only cloth, he shouted, "Cyndaquil?" When his starter didn't respond, he called for his other teammates. His only reply came from chirping Bug Pokémon and the steadily increasing wind. He let out a groan. "Not this again!" Chris fumbled around their makeshift camp for a handful of seconds before reminding himself that they obviously weren't within earshot. He spun in a circle, scanning the darkness for any sign of his teammates. His eyes locked onto a faint, blue light emanating from somewhere beyond the trees. He scrambled to pack up his gear, before following the only lead he had.
After several minutes of running, Chris finally realized just how far off the pale light had been. Another minute of sprinting brought him over a small rise. That's when the brightness suddenly increased, and Chris slowed his pace down to a brisk jog. He glanced down at his location on the PokéGear and saw that he wasn't far from Dark Cave. These three better not have picked a fight with a Golem, he thought.
A sudden roll of thunder made Chris jump. He looked up and caught sight of several branching arcs of lightning. A powerful gust swept through, but faded as quickly as it had come. "And now the weather chooses not to cooperate," Chris muttered between breaths. Another wave of wind blasted against Chris' face, but this gust sent chills running all across the trainer's body. He'd never felt that kind of arctic wind during late spring—especially this far south.
Chris quickened his pace once more. He took two quick steps off the path and passed through a narrow opening in the trees directly to his right. He found himself suddenly upon the incredible source of light. What had once been a faint, pale glow, now blinded Chris. When he'd wiped at his eyes and given them a moment to adjust, he found himself standing before a large pond enclosed by a multitude of trees. At the center of the pool, atop the water's surface, a shimmering creature stood.
"Woah…"
Chris couldn't identify the quadruped creature behind its brilliant aura. As he turned away to retrieve his Pokédex, he caught sight of his teammates further down the bank. His heart skipped a beat, and he nearly forgot what he'd been doing. The three Pokémon stared out at the unknown force with unabashed awe. Even Cyndaquil watched with his mouth open. None of them had noticed their trainer's arrival.
Chris finally retrieved his Pokédex and scanned the unknown being. "Suicune, the Aurora Pokémon. Said to be the embodiment of the north wind, it can instantly purify filthy, murky water."
"Suicune," Chris repeated. He recognized the name all-to-well. Countless books about the many legends of Johto lay scattered across his bedroom floor. He'd read as many stories about Johto's history as he could get his hands on. According to most tales, this Pokémon was said to have been reincarnated by the legendary Ho-oh, and imbued with incredible power. The goosebumps across Chris' body remained in spite of the sudden lack of wind.
"Cynda."
Chris peeled his eyes off the Legendary Beast and found his starter watching him. Chris nodded, before inching his way over to his team.
"How insane is this?" he asked. He couldn't tell if his Pokémon knew whom they observed, or even if they had ever heard the lore. Either way, the three Pokémon seemed mystified by the majestic beast. And as Chris turned his attention back to the legend as well, he found a haunting pair of red eyes staring back. Then, the Legendary Beast threw back his head.
"'CUUUUNNE!"
A violent gust swept through, nearly knocking Chris off his feet. The trainer was reminded of the impending storm a moment before the sky completely lit up. A brilliant bolt of light fell from heaven and struck Suicune. The ground vanished from under Chris' feet, and the trainer soon found both sky and grass flashing by his eyes. Then a tree trunk came into view…
Chris found himself surrounded by darkness once more. He tried to sit up, but felt a nauseating pain rush through his head. He reached out, and his hands touched stone. Reaching further, his fingers caught hold of three metal spheres. The crew, Chris' mind screamed. His momentary peace was cut short by a deafening clap of thunder. The force rattled Chris' teeth, snapping the trainer out of his daze. He turned his head toward the sound and discovered an opening in a nearby wall. Rain poured and lightning flashed through the arched window. He twisted back to face directly up. During the frequent flashes of light, Chris thought he could make out stalactites on the ceiling above him. He withdrew his PokéGear and nearly blinded himself upon opening the device. Adjusting the brightness, he navigated to the map app. His location had been calibrated a moment later. "Dark Cave, huh?"
He found a wall behind him and used it as leverage to make it back to his feet. The urge to puke struck him, but he forced the bile back into his stomach.
Chris slid along the wall, grateful to find that it led to the cave's opening. Once he reached the entrance, he peeked his head outside. Night still hung over the open field that bordered the cave. Flashes of light danced through the low hanging clouds. Light drops of rain struck his face.
"I have Matt beat on wild beginnings," Chris muttered. If—when he reunited with his brother, Chris would have one heck of a story to tell. No way the trainer wouldn't brag about encountering a legendary Pokémon.
A sudden rush of wind swept through the field and into the cave. The cold air sent chills across Chris' body. It was the same feeling he had experienced right before...
A bolt of lightning flashed overhead, momentarily lighting the entire area. The trainer's eyes found the gleam of another. There was movement at the distant tree line. Several seconds passed before another flash revealed a pale face staring back in his direction.
"Suicune…"
The Legendary Beast bolted into the forest, leaving behind only a faint blue light.
Chris let out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd held. The creature had taken a direct hit from the lightning bolt, and had still managed to carry Chris and his team to safety. I shouldn't expect anything less from a Johto legend, Chris reminded himself.
Chris shuffled back to where his three Poké Balls lay. He returned to the cave entrance before activating the release mechanism on the devices. "C'mon out, guys!"
The Pokémon flashed into existence, but Chris immediately realized that they couldn't see one another in the darkness. "I'm an idiot," Chris said, sliding off his backpack and digging into one of the pockets. A moment later, the group was bathed in light. "In all the chaos, I completely forgot about the flashlight mom gave me." Their expressions revealed, the three Pokémon looked as confused as their trainer had been. Chris checked each of them for injuries and thankfully found none. "Thank Arceus." Chris grinned at their perplexed looks and rubbed the back of his head. "You may not remember it, but I think we all got knocked out by that bolt of lightning." He saw Cyndaquil nod. "Now, from what I can gather, I think Suicune must have returned you three to your Poké Balls. I've read trainer reports that say it can use Roar. So after it did that, I'm pretty sure he brought us all here. I just saw it leave a few minutes ago. How crazy is that?"
"Nido'!" the Poison-type nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Cynda'?" the Fire Mouse Pokémon asked, pointing at the cave.
"This is Dark Cave," Chris answered. "Suicune unknowingly brought us closer to Violet City!"
"'Quil," the starter Pokémon replied and nodded.
Chris turned to where Golbat had been standing, but found only stone. "Where's—" The sound of flapping wings brought Chris' eyes and his flashlight up. The light fell on his teammate, who hung upside down from the ceiling. "I bet you feel right at home here," the trainer said. It took him a second to notice that the Bat Pokémon had his face shielded with his wings. Chris quickly thumbed the light off and apologized.
"I think Golbat has the right idea, though," Chris told the other two. "We still have several hours before daybreak. Let's get a bit more shuteye, and then refocus on things." When neither Pokémon argued, Chris brought out his sleeping bag. He found the stone floor nowhere near as comfortable, but knew he didn't have any other choice. Despite this, and the cave's damp air, once Cyndaquil lay down beside him, the creature's natural warmth seemed to wrap the trainer up in an invisible blanket. He drifted to sleep not long after.
Closing- Look for Chapter 7 to drop hopefully in June! Regardless of how many readers, I will continue to do my best to entertain others and myself with this journey across the amazing land of Johto. Please review and subscribe! See ya next time!