Chapter 11:

Lapras is Free

It was still dark when Phillip hurried outside. He was tempted to take off towards the bay, for a reason unbeknownst to him Bugsy didn't trust him. He decided that for no other reason he would wait around to prove him wrong. Phillip released Wooper, Tyrogue and Pidgey so he could train with them. It wasn't long before the sun began to rise, peeking through the trees.

Bugsy stepped out of the gym surprised to see Phillip up already. He was accustomed to being the first one up. He spoke to Phillip as he stretched.

"The early morning is always my favorite time of day. The bugs out are out in droves. There's nothing better."

Phillip nodded his head.

"You can accomplish so much more when you get up earlier." Phillip agreed.

Bugsy looked over at Phillip after a few minutes.

"Your eyes burn with the same passion as your father's Phillip."

Phillip crossed his arms and let out an exasperated sigh.

"So people keep saying."

"I apologize. I won't mention it again. It can't be easy always being compared to him."

Phillip looked away, hoping he wouldn't have to hear that same comment another four times. Another hour passed as Phillip picked some fruits and seeds to make one of his Pokemon food concoctions when Kathy and Nathan ran outside. After a quick walkthrough of the game plan Bugsy led the group towards the bay. After walking for awhile the group was ambushed by a number of Pokemon attacking together.

A Tangela, Sunflora, Sandshrew and a Donphan attacked together. Nathan sent out his Cyndaquil. He ordered it to attack Tangela and Sunflora. Donphan jumped in the way rolling into its armor and absorbing the attack. Sandshrew jumped up from behind the Donphan and rolled into Cyndaquil. While Cyndaquil was landing Donphan rolled into a ball and was on a tear towards Cyndaquil. As Cyndaquil landed Nathan called him back knowing he was too weak to continue. The group tried to run away, but were cut off by Sunflora and Tangela.

Phillip pulled out Lapras' Pokeball. He knew Lapras could easily wipe out all four of these Pokemon with its type advantage. He stared at it for a few seconds. Bugsy looked at Phillip, wondering why he wasn't using Lapras. Phillip narrowed his eyes, put the Pokeball away, remembering his promise. Nathan called out Heracross and Kathy called out Chikorita. All four of the wild Pokemon stood shoulder to shoulder facing Heracross and Chikorita. Bugsy called out his Butterfree while Phillip called out Pidgey.

All Nathan and Kathy called out attacks in unison.

"Heracross, horn attack!"

"Chikorita, razor leaf!"

The Razor Leaf weakened Sandshrew and Donphan. The Horn Attack knocked Sunflora into the other three. Bugsy joined the attack.

"Butterfree! Do a stun spore attack!"

As the four Pokemon became paralyzed all four trainers threw out Pokeballs to catch the wild Pokemon. The balls bounced off. All three were surprised.

"They're not wild!?" Phillip exclaimed.

"Pidgey! Do a whirlwind attack!"

The powerful whirlwind blew all four Pokemon into a tree. Once they recovered, they ran off together into the shadows. All four trainers were trying to catch their breath as they looked around in confusion. They called all of their Pokemon back. Phillip put his hands on his hips with a contemplative look on his face. Bugsy looked over to him and crossed his arms.

"Phillip, Lapras would have taken all four of those Pokemon out easily. Why wouldn't you use it?"

Phillip looked over to Bugsy.

"I know. I wanted to use Lapras, but I made him a promise. I promised that if he would go with me, I wouldn't make him battle. I would just catch him and release him. I won't lie and break a promise. Especially to a lost Pokemon who just wants to be with his family."

With a smile on his face he responded.

"Well… let's not keep him waiting any longer."

The four trainers turned towards the bay and continued their journey. After another hour or so they could smell the salt water. They arrived at an abandoned bay.

"Where is everyone?" Kathy asked.

"This bay is pretty remote. Most people won't come out here. There are too many woods and forests to get through."

"And how do you know about it?" Nathan wondered.

"My team and I conduct a lot of research. And there are some great bugs out here. There is definitely a pod of Lapras that come out here pretty regularly though. I'm sure this Lapras belongs to them."

The team waited on a hill overlooking the bay. Hours passed. Nathan and Kathy grew impatient. Phillip was admiring the beauty, while Bugsy was looking through a nearby brush for new bugs. Suddenly in the distance a beautiful chorus could be heard. All the trainers ran to the water's edge. They could see the Lapras. Without hesitation Phillip released Lapras.

"Go Lapras. Your family is waiting."

The Lapras nodded towards Phillip. The echo of its mental voice in Phillip's mind.

"Thank you, Phillip. I will never forget you."

The four Pokemon trainers watched and waved goodbye to Lapras and his family. Another minute passed as the pod of beautiful and gentle Pokemon surfed across the sea into the horizon.

"And I won't forget you Lapras." Phillip whispered to himself.

"Now, shall we return?" Bugsy asked.

All four trainers made their way back to the gym. Once they arrived Bugsy turned around.

"I misjudged you Phillip. If there is any way I can apologize to you, please let me know."

"How about letting me challenge you for a Hive Badge?"

"Right now?"

"Right now."

"Let's go."

The team of trainers walked into the gym. There were trees and forests all around. They walked past a number of natural obstacles that could be used to train bug Pokemon. Once they reached the depths of the gym a circular clearing with trees sprinkled throughout was before them. Bugsy stopped them called for his research team leader. The blonde whose name was Emily. Bugsy stepped forward and turned facing Phillip.

"This is where we will battle. The battle is three versus three. The team of Pokemon who are unable to compete first wins. Phillip, are you ready?"

Phillip nodded as Nathan and Kathy made their way to the side away from the action. Phillip sent out Wooper first. Bugsy sent out his Spinarak. The two Pokemon stared at each other walking around not turning their backs to each other for a second. After the tension had built up Bugsy barked an order to his Pokemon.

"Poison sting attack Spinarak!"

"Dodge that!"

The poison sting needles flew at Wooper. With extraordinary agility for a Wooper he flipped over the barrage of needles. As he landed Phillip yelled at him.

"Slam attack!"

Wooper bounced into a body slam. Spinarak was knocked back.

"Into the trees!" Bugsy yelled.

As soon as Spinarak touched the ground he fired a web into the trees. Wooper looked around, trying to be ready for an ambush. Phillip couldn't see where Spinarak was.

"Infestation!"

Spinarak dropped down on top of Wooper and buried its needle into Wooper. The initial attack hurt, but Wooper rolled over crushing Spinarak. Wooper began to breathe heavily. As Spinarak jumped away from Wooper limping a bit.

"Quick Spinarak! Constrict!"

Spinarak bounced back at Wooper catching him in his powerful arms. Wooper was being weakened every second. Phillip gritted his teeth. He knew the infestation attack was starting to take its toll on Wooper.

"Rapid spin attack Wooper!"

Wooper spun around knocking Spinarak and the infestation off of him. Bugsy's jaw dropped. He had never seen a Wooper who knew that move. Wooper was growing weak, he wasn't going to last much longer.

"Put everything you have into this next attack Wooper! You can do it! Mud bomb!"

Wooper bounced around. Spinarak was struggling to keep up as it lunged at Wooper every chance it got. Wooper jumped up and fired the mud bomb attack. Spinarak flew back. Wooper landed but almost collapsed from the strain it had been through.

"Great job Wooper. I'm proud of you. Return."

Wooper returned to its Pokeball. Emily shouted out.

"Round one goes to Bugsy. Phillip has two Pokemon left."

"I choose you Pidgey!"

Phillip's rare blue Pidgey flew up ready for battle. Spinarak was very tired and didn't have much more left in the tank.

"Spinarak! Poison sting attack!"

Phillip knew bird Pokemon were susceptible to poison. The attack just missed. Bugsy was surprised.

"That would be the effects of the mud bomb." Phillip explained.

Bugsy growled.

"Again!"

"Fly around it Pidgey!"

Pidgey darted around the battlefield. Gaining speed with every circle.

"Quick attack!"

In a flash Pidgey nailed Spinarak with its talons. Spinarak was unable to continue. Bugsy called Spinarak back. Emily shouted again.

"Round two goes to Phillip. Both trainers have two more Pokemon."

"Go Beedrill!"

Out of frustration Bugsy shouted out to Beedrill.

"Fury attack!"

"Quick Pidgey agility!"

Beedrill blasted towards Pidgey. The Beedrill was swiping unwaveringly. Pidgey's agility kept it one step ahead of Beedrill the entire time. Beedrill flinched from fatigue.

"Pidgey fly up!"

Pidgey darted into the sky scratching Beedrill on the way up. Beedrill turned its attention upward. As it began to follow Pidgey Phillip had new orders for it.

"Quick attack!"

In an instant Pidgey threw its whole body with the help of gravity into Beedrill. Beedrill collided with the ground bouncing a couple of times. Bugsy clenched his fists in frustration.

"Return Beedrill."

Emily announced the standings again.

"The third round goes to Pidgey. Phillip has two more Pokemon. Bugsy has one."

Bugsy closed his eyes and regained his composure.

"Its all up to you old friend."

"Go Scyther!"

Pidgey was looking weary. Phillip knew it didn't have much left.

"Agility Scyther!" Bugsy yelled.

"Sand attack Pidgey!"

The sand filled the air. Scyther appeared behind Pidgey.

"False swipe!"

With one shot Pidgey was almost knocked unconscious. Phillip called Pidgey back.

"Good job."

Emily shouted once more.

"Scyther wins this round. Each trainer has one more Pokemon. This is the final round."

"Go Tyrogue!"

As soom as Tyrogue touched the battlefield Phillip yelled out his move.

"Foresight!"

Tyrogue closed its eyes and focused.

"Scyther! Swords dance!"

Both Pokemon were gearing up for the final match.

"Quick attack Scyther!"

Scyther darted at Tyrogue. Tyrogue flipped over the attack.

"Double kick!"

Tyrogue sent Scyther forward towards a tree. Scyther used its scythes to stop itself.

"False swipe!"

This was why Phillip started with foresight. Tyrogue ducked under the attack.

"Counter!"

Tyrogue punched Scyther in the abdomen and threw it back into the sand that Pidgey kicked up.

"Tyrogue! Detect!"

In a flash Tyrogue leapt into the sand cloud.

"Slam!"

"Scyther wing attack!"

The two moves collided. Everything was quiet for a moment. Both Bugsy and Phillip couldn't see into the sand. Another minute passed when the sand cleared up. In the midst of the sand Tyrogue was standing over Scyther breathing heavily. Emily announced the winner.

"The winner of this match is Phillip from New Bark Town."

The two trainers met in the middle of the battlefield.

"Impressive work Phillip. I award you, as a sign of your valor and skill, the Hive Badge."

Phillip received his badge and the two shook hands.

"The next stop on your journey is Goldenrod City. You will have to go through Ilex Forest to get there. You will need a Hoot-Hoot to get through that maze. Here is a certificate for one at the shop at the Ilex Forest border. Consider it my apology for misjudging you. Be safe. I look forward to hearing about all your exploits.

The team said their goodbyes and made their way towards Ilex Forest.

To be continued…