Chapter 107; Crossroad of destiny
"Nuzleaf! Razor leaf!"
"Aron! Iron defense!"
Aron's body glowed as it bravely tanked the razor leaves, not giving ground at all.
"Now take down!"
Aron rammed Nuzleaf. The massive weight of the iron armor pokemon easily knocked down the grass type.
Aron, standing on top of the immobilized Nuzleaf looked at Sonic for guidance.
"Do you yield?"
"This isn't fair. Nuzleaf can't fight. Replay please" the little girl battling Sonic pleaded.
Sonic shook his head.
"Metal claw!"
Metal claw slashed at Nuzleaf's face, knocking it out.
Nuzleaf's trainer recalled it.
"That was uncalled for. Why the metal claw?"
"You didn't yield" Sonic shrugged.
"What a jerk. Can't you go a little easy on a beginner?"
"I was going easy".
The girl owning the Nuzleaf shot him an angry look and left. Sonic recalled Nuzleaf and continued on his way.
This was the 5th battle this day. Which was an all-time low.
Usually everyone he ran into challenged him.
"News travel fast" he thought.
It had been two days after his meeting with Blaze and after a few more training sessions as well as introspections, the time had come to move onwards. The fourth gym badge awaited.
Those two days had been full of confusion and questions for Sonic. Not to mention the anxiety.
Every waking and sleeping moment, the dilemma Blaze had set for him made its presence known in his head.
"I mastered my emotions. And so must you".
"Master my emotions" Sonic muttered as he walked.
But what did that mean?
What was he supposed to do?
The more he thought about it, the more he ran into dead ends.
"So far when faced with a challenge you have forfeited control to them. And look where this has got you".
"What was I supposed to do though?" he thought.
He recalled all the times he had allowed his rage, his anger, his sadness, all the negative emotions take over.
Having Knuckles break Proton's legs, torturing rocket members with his pokemon's moves, breaking Giovanni's nose and arm, having Moltres hurt the illusion Entei and most of all, not feeling any guilt about it.
He did feel guilt about it all now. A lot of it. Not in Giovanni's case but for the rest he did.
"But what else was I supposed to do?" he wondered over and over.
Even though he did feel guilty about his actions, he couldn't not justify them.
Giovanni was a monster, Proton was a monster, most of team rocket were monsters.
But again Blaze's words.
"Look where this has got you".
In a faraway land, alone with his partner, raising two new pokemon, without any guidance about what he should do.
He then contemplated what was to come.
"Mr Stone still has not contacted me with the info on team Magma and Shadow. What's taking him so long?"
Shadow. The one person Sonic hated more than anyone, with of course the exception of Giovanni.
All the insults, all the mocking, even the physical fights the two had gotten into in Green hills, all of them tore his thoughts apart.
He wanted for Shadow to feel it all, to beg for mercy.
But again Blaze's speech was impeding his thought process.
He remembered how she had managed to deal with the toxicity of her work environment. And how she had managed to rise above.
"So I'm expected to do the same thing? Let Shadow be?"
Truth be told, he could. He could let Shadow find him and repel him once the time had come. Team Magma sure were not in the good side of things if they really worked for Socexp but they weren't actively hurting the pokemon. So Sonic had no real reason to want to bring them down.
"I could… but I don't want to".
The path started becoming more and more steep as he reached the foot of Mt chimney. He marvelled over the majestic height of the volcano, wondering what kind of fire pokemon could be found around it or inside its caves.
He didn't need another fire type of course. Combusken was already a force to be reckoned with and once it became Blaziken it was bound to be even more of a challenge for his opponents.
Sonic had witnessed Harrison's battles in the Johto league. He had hidden Blaziken from the competition throughout the tournament, wanting to keep the element of surprise.
And when Blaziken had clashed with Ash's Charizard, it's untamable power shone. It had lightning quick reflexes, an insane amount of endurance and its flamethrower was nothing to scoff at.
But what had impressed Sonic more was its signatures moves. Blaze kick and sky uppercut.
Two physical moves and both giving it stab boost. Adding quick attack to the mix to close the distance with its opponents and training this pokemon into maneuvering techniques like spinning and using footwork to sidestep for example, Blaziken had terrifying potential.
And there was still a fourth move to add. That would have to wait but the potential was endless.
One move Sonic was considering was thunder punch. A fire and fighting type, Blaziken was going to be weak to water and flying. So quick attack and thunder punch could catch opponents off guard and sweep their advantage right under their feet.
All the more boost for his Hoenn team from just one pokemon. And aron also had potential. It had to possibly evolve soon.
Sonic of course didn't know if aron could evolve but the iron armor pokemon reminded him of a tankier version of dratini. A pokemon hard to raise but deadly when evolved.
It had to be able to evolve. And they would train for it.
Still, his team was only half complete. He had three more open slots for additions and yet nothing remarkable.
He had come across several species while heading to Mauville with Wally and recently as he was heading towards the volcano. But nothing remarkable enough to catch or of a type he didn't already have.
While on the way, he had come across the numel species that Wally mentioned. It was a yellow small, fire and ground type pokemon.
As Wally had explained, almost every grunt in team Magma during the museum brawl had one. And it had Sonic questioning why the brawl was even.
"If team Aqua are using water types, shouldn't they have swept the floor with them?"
It's not like Shadow was going to keep their water types busy or even use Salamence or Sceptile as shields for the water attacks.
And yet the two teams were evenly matched.
"And Shadow is tipping the scale towards team Magma".
It was a logical assumption. If Archie who was team Aqua's leader was the only one in the team who stood a glimpse of a chance against Shadow then team Aqua and team Magma were a closer match than originally assumed.
Despite reaching this conclusion, Sonic again thought at how much he didn't care about those two teams. All he wanted was himself and Shadow somewhere alone so he could let his frustration out.
A crossroads appeared in front of him.
Reading the signs, Sonic figured one was a continuation of route 111 which led towards Fallarbor town.
But that wasn't Sonic's destination.
Taking the other path, he headed for the cable car that led to the top of the volcano.
The way to Lavaridge town was indeed a strange one.
First, Sonic would have to use the cable car to get to the top of the jagged pass. Then he would have to follow the jagged pass down the side of the volcano. Only thing was, as its name suggested, the jagged pass was a very dangerous path. Steep hills, possibility of earthquakes due to the volcanic activity, not to mention the wild pokemon making the way harder.
Regardless, it was the only way to Lavaridge town. The location of the 4th badge.
Sonic had asked Wally during training why the path was so hard and Wally had explained. Apparently, the gym leader of Lavaridge town demanded trainers present a specific flower growing on the jagged pass. And that flower grew close to the top.
Meaning that just travelling straight to town only to have to climb up the jagged pass was the foolish way. Or just the one for those whose motto was go hard or go home.
"Or just a common secret that foreigners like me wouldn't know" Sonic thought.
A couple of challenges and a quick snack later, Sonic and Raichu had arrived near the cable car station.
As the station was a relatively high altitude, the two sat down facing south and quietly observed the view.
Mauville city was a marvel to behold, a bastion of modern societies. The sight of the tall buildings, with the skyscraper of Socexp in the middle, standing out like a shroom amongst the grass filled Sonic with awe but also unnerved him.
"If only the people knew how close to danger they truly are".
And yet, this phrase felt so hollow. Even though Shadow was feared across Hoenn, at the end of the day, all he really achieved was expand president Maxie's goals. And Sonic just couldn't wrap his mind around that.
"Why would that bastard do somebody else's dirty work? Or rather do dirty work for someone who didn't ask it?"
Both question essentially held the same answer but it all depended on how much Maxie was involved with team Magma. If he was involved at all.
Sonic wasn't one for conspiracy theories. And even if he was, whether Maxie was Shadow's boss, he cared little.
All he wanted was to get even with Shadow.
"But… what does that even mean?"
It was an interesting question. What was he to do if he ran into Shadow again?
Fight him? Most likely.
Beat him up? If he could get past Salamence and the rest of his other pokemon, definitely.
But what after?
"What can I really do to that jerk if I don't catch him as the enforcer?"
Sonic hated the situation. When he was pursuing team rocket, even though the police caused them trouble, he had no fear of consequences because the people hated team rocket.
But Shadow? He would probably be accused of assault. Without exposing his identity as the enforcer with solid proof, he couldn't do anything to him.
"Maybe to get to him and have some real consequences dealt to him, I need to get through team Magma. Shouldn't be all that hard with enough training. If Wally and Ash had no problems against them, I'll run them over".
The thought of Ash brought his redemption journey back. The league wouldn't be long now. Certainly not as longer as the Johto league took to take place.
"Do I have the time to go after team Magma?" he wondered.
And as if to answer that question, he phone beeped.
It was an unknown number.
On the screen read the following.
"B gave me your number. Rumor has it team Magma was sighted near Fallarbor town. Do what you want with this information".
Sonic quickly called Tails.
"Hey, everything ok?"
"I need your help real quick".
"With?"
"I need you to run your magic. Trace a number for me, please".
Tails sighed and asked for the number. Sonic told him the number.
A few small talk later, Tails had an answer.
"It's a burner phone. It connected into Rustboro city's network for a few seconds just now and then deactivated again".
Sonic nodded. Mr Stone was indeed very serious with this.
"I see. Thanks pal. How are you and your girl over there in Johto?"
"Sonic… don't try to small talk your way out of this. What does that burner phone have to do with you?"
Sonic contemplated lying but in the end chose the truth.
"It was from Mr Stone. He passed me a rumor that team Magma has been seen near Fallarbor town".
A few seconds of silence.
"I hoped you were not serious back then. But it seems I was wrong".
"Do you know what this means?"
"I know. And I thought you were better than this. That you were trying to better than this".
"This might be my chance to finally get even with Shadow. You really expect me to pass it up?"
"Get even how Sonic?! What are you planning to do to him? Apart from giving him a piece of your mind!"
Sonic hated it when his friends knowing him so well was used against him.
"I haven't thought it out yet but I will. All I know right now is I'm not letting that fucker get away again!"
Tails took a while to reply.
"Sonic, I know better than to try and convince you. But I implore you to listen to me here. Chasing Shadow, chasing revenge will not end well".
Sonic kicked a rock in frustration.
"So I'm supposed to just let that bastard roam free after ruining our lives?!"
"If he hadn't you would never have met Raichu you idiot!"
Sonic hadn't thought of it that possobility seriously. He looked at his partner, imagining what his life would have been without Raichu.
But the emotion sharing ability had also made Raichu frustrated. And this pushed Sonic further.
"So I'm supposed to be grateful to him? Is that what you're saying?!"
"I'm saying you should cherish what you have and let karma catch up to Shadow!"
Sonic's eyes went back and forth in their sockets as he thought about it.
But only one emotion was felt.
"That is not enough for me" echoed in his head.
"I will… think about it. I'll probably be here for a while after all".
"Good. Think long and hard" Tails said before speaking softer.
"I'm saying this for your own good man. You're fighting to be better. So be better".
"Thanks Tails. Got to go. Say hi to Cosmo for me" Sonic said and hang up, feeling a touch of guilt for hanging up on Tails so abruptly.
He didn't want to admit how much his friend's words made sense. He could really just do that. Just focus on growing with his pokemon, complete the gym challenge, prepare for the league.
Give Ash a good battle. Maybe earn his forgiveness.
Out of nowhere, even among this hopeful line of thought, a memory sprang up.
The memory of the day Amy broke Sonic's heart.
He painfully recalled how he confessed his feelings to her, only for her to burst out laughing.
And then Shadow appeared joining in on the laughing.
"Be with you? Please. Shadow is ten times the hedgehog you will ever be".
Sonic closed his eyes as he recalled trying to get close to Amy to talk it out, only for Shadow to move very fast, using what Sonic would describe as moves only taught in military training to knock Sonic down roughly.
After landing the next thing Sonic remembered was the sole of Shadow's shoe on his face.
"What a joke. No wonder Amy chose me over you. I have never met a sadder excuse of a hedgehog in my entire life. You're so sad you're not even worth kicking down. Come on babe. Let's not waste our time on this loser".
Sonic had reached out as they left whispering Amy's name before getting helped up by the arriving Tails and Knuckles.
A small detail played in the memory that Sonic realized he had never noticed before.
A young woman with brown hair, tan skin and purple lipstick was staring at Amy from a distance with what looked like pride.
For a moment Sonic wondered who that woman was. But he quickly dismissed it as he returned to painfully recalling that day.
And as if the recollection was a preview of what was to come his phone rang again.
Again, an unknown number.
"Is this Mr Stone? He would use two burner phones for a one time contact?" Sonic wondered picking up.
"Hello?"
"Hi Sonic".
Sonic froze.
It was Amy.
"You?"
"I'm sorry, I'm calling from my dorm room".
"Your what?" Sonic replied, too flabbergasted to hang up.
"I enrolled into a law class, away from Green Hills. I couldn't stay anymore for the time being".
Sonic nodded as that checked out. Amy had told them once she aspired to be a lawyer.
"Ok. And why do you call me exactly? Nothing's changed".
"I know. I just… I guess I wanted to apologize again. Since I will no longer be in town to say it in person".
Sonic spat.
"You really have a lot of nerve calling me. After I was stomped down by Shadow and you stared and laughed".
"I know. I can never take that back Sonic. I'm so…"
"Shut up! You don't know what sorry means! Have a good semester and fuck you!" he hang up sheathing.
He sat down, looking at the cable car and then at the fiery path, the cave passing through the volcano and leading to Fallarbor town after a long journey.
It soon dawned on Sonic he was standing at a literal and figurative crossroad.
And now he had to choose his path.
And a few seconds later he made his choice.
"Ten times the hedgehog I am huh? We'll see about that".