pokemon cold gray - blu rose
DESCRIPTION
nnnnTRANSCRIPT
PokemonColdGraybyBluRose
(RewriteofPokemonGray!)WhiteunderstandsPokemon,butanincidentleftherwithacripplingfearofthem.Nowshe'sonajourneywithherbrotherBlacktoovercomeit.ButhowcanshewhileclashingwithTeamPlasmaandtheoddN?Rated:FictionT-English-Adventure/Humor-Hilda/Touko,Hilbert/Touya,NH./NaturalH.G.,TeamPlasma-Chapters:22-Words:162,583-Reviews:1,118-Favs:762-Follows:737-Updated:10/18-Published:5/8/2011-id:6974190URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6974190
TableofContents
TableofContents
1.Chapter1
2.Chapter2
3.Chapter3
4.Chapter4
5.Chapter5
6.Chapter6
7.Chapter7
8.Chapter8
9.Chapter9
10.Chapter10
11.Chapter11
12.Chapter12
13.Chapter13
14.Chapter14
15.Chapter15
16.Chapter16
17.Chapter17
18.Chapter18
19.Chapter19
20.Chapter20
21.Chapter21
Chapter1
WelcometoPokémon:IceBluRoseversion!...What?Igotitwrongagain?Mybad...again.
Anyway,welcometotherewriteofmyveryfirstPokémonfanfiction:PokémonGray!Orasit'snowcalled:PokémonColdGray!Yes,Iknow,thetitlesucks.Iprobablyshould'vecalledit"FrigidGray"or"ArticGray"orsomeothercold-relatedterm,butifNintendocangetawaywithaddingAlphaandOmegatothenamesofpreciousstones,Icangetawaywithaddingasimpleadjectivetoasimplecolor.
Anyway,eventhoughGen5hascomeandpassedandGen6withitsfancy3DgraphicsandfancierMegaEvolutionshasalreadymadeitsrootsevident,IstillprefertheGen5gamesandtheirstories.Don'tgetmewrong,Kalosisn'tentirelybadtomeandIloveHoenndespitethefactthatI'mnotgonnabuyAlphaSapphire,butUnovahaswonaspecialplaceinmyheart.Soyeah,ifIstillcareforPokémonbythetimetheUnovaremakescomearound"hopefullyintheformofthefirstandsecondgamescombined,butNintendodon'tplaythat"I'dprobablybuythat.
Now,aboutthisrewrite...Thingshavechanged.Pokémonhavebeendropped.Nicknameshavebeenadded.Somescenarioshavebeenchanged.Newone-offcharactershavebeenadded.Youmightnotseethechangesimmediately,butthat'sforthebest.Probably.Hopefully...
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Summary:WhiteisagirlwhocanunderstandPokémon,butanincidentleftherwithaseverefearofthem.HerbrotherBlackisanoptimisticyoungboywhoyearnsfortheadrenalineofPokémonbattles.Onajourneytogethertoaccomplishtheirrespectivegoals,thetwoarepursuedbyTeamPlasmaandfollowedbythemysteriousN.
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownPokémoninanywayorform.Sheonlyownsthepersonasthatshe'screatedforBlackandWhite'smaleandfemalemaincharacters,Black/Touya/HilbertandWhite/Touko/Hilda.
Warning!:Thisstorywon'tcompletelyfollowthestoryofPokémonBlackandWhiteversions,sodon'tbesurprisedifyouseethingsonaRoutethatshouldn'tbetherelikecertainPokémonorareas,orifscenesdon'tgotheexactsamewayastheydointhegames.It'scalledcreativity,people.
X-X-X
~TheStartofSomethingBig~
Icouldfeelmyselfgrowingcolderbythesecond,bothinsideandout.Iwassurethatthetearsthattraileddownmycheeksandhitthegroundbecameiceinlessthanasecond.Sothisiswhatitfeltliketobeslowlyfreezingtodeath.
Somethingroaredloudlyandthegroundshookasashadowbecameapparentinamist,eyesglowingyellow.Ifpossible,theairgrewevencolderthelargeritbecame.Nowmybodyslowlybegantofreeze,becomingcoverediniceasthegiantshadowyfigureloomedoverme.Icouldn'thelpit.Ibrokedowncompletelyandstartedscreaming,butitsroardrownedmeout.
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"NO!"Ishouted.IttookawhileformetoopenmyeyesandnoticethatIwasinmylittleroominmybed,drenchedinsweat."...Justadream...!"Istuttered,gettingupoutofthebedandwalkingovertothemirrordresserontheothersideoftheroom.Istaredatmyreflectioninthemirror,mylongbrownhairamessfromtossingandturninginmysleep.Myblueeyesreflectedirritationfromthatawfulnightmare.
"WHITE!"AndthatirritationincreasedwhenmybrotherBlackburstthroughthedoorofmyroom.Helookedlikehehadjustwokenuptoo,becausehishairwasamessandhewasdressedinasimpleblackshirtandboxerswithlittlePikachuprintedonthem."Thedayhasfinallyarrived!"Heexclaimed,hislightbrowneyesshiningbrightly.
"That'sverynice,Black.Nowputonsomepantsandgetoutofmyroom,"Itoldhimflatlywithoutevensparinghimaglanceandpointingathim."Now."
"But"!"
"Black!Whatareyoudoingnotwearingyourpants?!"Iheardmymotherscoldtheidiotfromoutinthehallway."Goputsomeclotheson!"
"Alright,alright!Geez...!You'dthinkIwastheonlyoneexcitedaboutthis..."Blackmumbledtohimself,lookingdepressedasheclosedthedoor.
"...Moron."ImumbledasIpickedupabrushandbegantobrushmyhair.Igrabbedascrunchieandputmyhairupintoabushyponytail.Itookadeepbreathandsighedbeforelookingatthecalendaronthewall.Today'sdatehadbeencircledwitharedmarkeratsomepoint"probablybyBlack"andthewords'1stPKMN'were
writteninthecircle."Oh,no..."
X-X-X
Laterdownstairs,thefamilyhadsatdowntobreakfast.MeandBlackwerestillinourpajamas"Blacknowwearingpajamapants"whileMomwasalreadywearingherdayclothes.
"Whydon'tyouwannacome?!"Blackcomplained.
"Why?"Iaskedbeforedrinkingmyjuice.
"Because...it'sagrowingexperience!"
Iarchedaneyebrowathim."Betweenthetwoofus,youthinkI'mtheoneinneedofagrowingexperience?"
"Uh...youcouldseenewplaces!"Blackimmediatelychangedhisanswer."Youwannaseetheworld,don'tyou?"
"IcanseeitjustfineovertheInternet."
"Then...you'llbeabletogetoveryourphobia!"Itwitchedandkickedmybrotherintheshin."Ow!"
"Youknowbynowthatyoursisterdoesn'tliketotalkaboutthat,Black.Leaveheraloneaboutittoday,okay?"Momtoldhim."Besides,you'llhaveCherenandBiancawithyou."
"Nope.AtleastnotCheren,"Blackmutteredunderhisbreath.
"What'swrong?Didyoutwogetinafightagain?"Idon'tevenknowwhysheaskedthatquestion.BlackandCherenfoughtatleastonceaweek,fromargumentsaboutwhetherornottherewashumanlifeonotherplanetstofightsaboutwhowouldbethebetterPokémontrainer.Afightwasinevitable,whichmadelifearoundthetwosomewhatannoying.
Blacksuddenlyseemedtohaveflamesburninginhiseyes.Ormaybethatwasjustareflectionoflight."Cherenismyrival!Rivalscan'tgoonjourneystogether!Theyhavetogotheirownwayandlivetheirownlives,meetingupforlongandarduousbattlesinwhichtherecanonlybeonevictor!"Bytheendofhislittlespeech,Blackwasstandingontopofhischairandholdingafistuptotheceiling.Talkaboutbeingoverdramatic.
"That'snice,sweetie.Solongasyoutwoaren'tangryateachother,"Momsaidwithasmilebeforeshewentbacktoeatingherscrambledeggs."Nowsitdownandfinishyourbreakfast."AsBlacksatbackdown,therewasaknockonthefrontdoor."Coming!"Momgotupfromherseatandwalkedovertothedoor.Sheopenedthedoorsaying,"HowmayIhelp...you...?"
StandinginthedoorwaywasaPidgeot.AtfirstglimpseofthebirdPokémon,Ifrozeandfelttheurgetorun,butmylegswereprettymuchunwillingtomove.Mybrother,ofcourse,reactedthewayonlypeoplelikehimwouldtothesightofaPokémonfromacompletelydifferentregion.
"Woooow!APidgeot~!It'ssoooocool!"Heswooned.Yes,Black,aboy,swoonedatthesightofaPokémon.HewaswhatsomemaycallaPokémaniac.HewatchedshowsonPokémon,heplayedgameswithPokémon,collectedPokémonmemorabilia...Theboywasobsessedinawayno15-yearoldshouldbe.
BlackjumpedoutofhisseattoseethePidgeotupclose,butithadalreadytakenoffbythetimehereachedthedoor.HeslumpedoverindepressionovernotgettinginalookwhileIgaveasighofreliefandfeltthefeelingcomebacktomylegs.Icouldhearpeoplegaspinginawerightoutsideourhouse.Momclosedthedoorandturnedaround,holdingasmallcardboardboxinherhands.
"Whatisit,Mom?"Mybrotherasked,gettingoverhisnonexistenttimewithaPidgeot.Hegavehismotherasuspiciouslook."Youdidn'tsendoutforanythingfromtheHomeShoppingNetworkagain,didyou?"
"Don'tbesilly!Ihaven'tdonethatforaweek!"
"Exactly."
Shelookeddownatthepackage."It'saddressedtoWhite."Atthat,Iblinkedinconfusion.Whowouldsendsomethingtome?"It'sfromyourfather."
"...Oh."Great.IputonmybestemotionlessfaceasIwatchedMomputtheboxdowninfrontofme.Mymomandbrotherwerestaringatmeexpectantly.
"Well?Aren'tyougoingtoopenit?"
No,I'mgonnagodropkickitintothesea...waswhatIwantedtosay.Instead,Isilentlygaveintomyfamily'sstaresandopenedthebox.InsidewasaPokéBallwithapieceofPikachuprintstationary.Ipickedupthestationaryandopeneditup."ToWhite.Here'sanearlybirthdaypresent.LoveDad."IlookedbackdownatthePokéBallintheboxandflinchedvisibly.
"Somethingwrong?"Iheardmymomask.
"Uh...B-black!Youwantthis?"Ispokequickly,holdingupthePokéBall.Iwaseagertogetthethinganditscontentsawayfrommeassoonaspossible.
"Isthat...?"Mybrotherbegan.
"White!Don'tyouthinkit'sabitunfairtoyourfathertojustgiveyourgiftaway?"Momscoldedme.
"ButI"!"
"Whynotseewhat'sinsidebeforeyoutrygivingitaway?"
Igulped.MyhandshookasitslowlyreachedinsideandtookthePokéBallout.ItfeltlikeaneternityuntilBlackspoke,"Willyouopenitalready?Igottagoandgetdressedbefore"!"
Thefrontdooropenedoncemore,onlythistimesomeoneburstin."BLAAAAACK!"ItwasBianca,ablondegirlwhowasoneofourchildhoodfriends.Hershoutingmadeeveryonejump,includingme,andasaresult,thePokéBallinmyhanddroppedtothefloor."Let'sgotothelabtogether!"
ThePokéBallopenedandreleasedsomethinginaflashoflight.Whenthelightfaded,thePokémoninsidewasshownstandinginfrontoftheball.Itwassmall...yellow...mouse-likewithlittleblacktipsonitsearsandred-tingedcheeks.Itsbigbrowneyeswerestaringupatme.
"Cool!APichu!Youcan'tevenfindthoseinUnova!"Blackstated.
"Awww...!It'sadorable!"Momcooed.
ThePichucontinuedstaringatme.Inafewseconds,itslargeeyeswereshimmeringwithwhatappearedtobeinstantaffection."MOMMYYYY!"Itranforwardandclungtomyleg,rubbingitsfaceagainstit.Iwasalreadyshakingandsweatingbeforethat,sobythetimeithuggedme,myeyesrolledintothebackofmyheadandIfainted.
X-X-X
Asuccessfulresuscitationlater,IfoundmyselfoutsideanddressedupinasimplewhiteandgrayT-shirtandknee-lengthblackshorts.Why?BecausemydearbrotherBlackhadgottenhisclawsintomyarmandwasdraggingmetothelabofthelocal
PokémonProfessor,ProfessorJuniper.ProfessorJuniperhadrequestedthatBlack,andalsoourfriendsBiancaandCheren,goacrosstheregionandcollectdataonPokémon,andtodaywasthedaytheygottheirfirstPokémonandPokédexes.
"So,uh...whydoyouhaveyourPokéBallinabox?Withtheflapstapedover?"Biancaaskedcuriously.Shewasagreen-eyedblondewholikeddressingupinbrightoutfits"today'sbeingorangeandwhite.Herthoughtpatternsmightmakeherseemlikeastereotypicalblondeattimes,butshewasnicertomethanmostgirlsatourschoolhadbeen.
"BecauseIdon'twantthethinginsidegettingoutagainuntilIcanfindsomeonewillingtotakeitoffmyhandstoafarawayplace"liketheNorthPole,"IansweredflatlyasBlackcontinuedtodragme."Hey,doyouwantit,Bianca?You'regoingonaPokémonjourney,soyou'llneedallyoucanget."
"Really?!"Bianca'slitupassheexclaimed."Itlookssoadorable,Icouldjust""
"Don'tdoit,Bianca,"Blackinterrupted."ThatPichuwasagiftfromDadtoWhite,andit'dmakehimrealsadifshejustgaveitaway."
"Oh.Okay..."
"WhatexactlywasthesenseingivingapersonwithPoképhobiaaPokémonasapresent?Heshouldhavepredictedthatsomethinglikethiswouldhappen."AskedCheren,mybrother'sdark-haired,glasses-wearingfriend.Betweenallfourofus,Cherenwasprobablythemostintellectual.Granted,thereweretimeswhenhecouldbesomethingofasmartaleck,buthedidmakesense.
"Exactly,"Iagreedwithafrown.
"Well...Maybethisishiswayofhelping,"Biancasuggested."Ifyouwannaovercomeyourfears,youneedtofacethemheadon!"
"YousoundlikeBlack..."Imutteredbeforewecametoastopinfrontoftheprofessor'slab."Youknow,youstillhaven'ttoldmewhyyou'redoingthis!"WhenIgotnoreplyfrommybrother,Iresistedtheurgetogroan.Well,atleastIcouldhavetheProfessortakethislittlefuzzyballofdeathoffmyhands.OrsoIthought...
MybrotheropenedthedoorandthefourofuswalkedinsidetobegreetedbyProfessorJuniper."Goodmorning,all!Itrustyou'reallexcited,right?Ican'tbegintotellyouhowmuchofahelpyou'rebeingbyusingthesePokédexesonyourjourney,"shesaidwithasmile.
Blackbeamed."Noproblem!"
"Besides,afterourmothersaskedyoutogiveusPokémontostartusoff,wehadtodosomethinginexchange,"Cherenfinished.
"So,canweseeourPokémonnow?Please?"
Theprofessorsmiledandsteppedoutofthewaysothethreeofthemcouldsee.RestingonthetablewerethreePokéBalls"allofwhichprobablyheldtheirownminiterrors.TheywalkeduptothetableandeachtookaPokéBall.IclosedmyeyesandbackedawayasIwassurewhatwascomingnext...
IheardthesoundsofPokéBallsopening.ThenIheardBiancagiveasquealof"howcute~!"andBlackanexclamationof"Cool!"whileCherenwassilent,buthewasprobablyjustobservinghisown.TheProfessorwentontoexplainwhichPokémoneachhadgotten,butIhaddrownedheroutwhentheboxinmyhandbegantoshake.Surprisingly,itwasthebottomthatgaveway,andIsawthelittlePichudropoutalongwithitsPokéBall.
"MOMMYYYYYYY!"Thathigh-pitchedcrysoundedbeforeIfeltsomethingfurryclingingtomyleg.Andforthesecondtimethatday,Ifainted.
X-X-X
Anotherresuscitationlater,ProfessorJuniperwasinspectingthePichu,whichwasbouncinginplaceonthetableandapparentlyanxioustoattackmeonceagain.Soformyownprotection,IhidbehindCherenandBlackinthehopesthatitwouldclingtooneoftheminstead.
"Hmmm...Well,I'mnotaspecialistonPokémonbreeding,butIcansafelyconcludethatthisPichuisquiteyoung.Lessthanayearold,Isurmise,"theprofessorstated.
"But...itcameinaPokéBall,"Blackpointedout.
"Itwasprobablycaughtbeforeitcouldimprintonanythingtorecognizeasitsmother.Whenitwasreleasedfromitsball,itsetitseyesonthefirstlivingthinginfrontofitand..."
"Mommy...!"ThePichuwhinedforwhatseemedlikethehundredthtime.Itseyeslookedliketheyweretearingup.Itwasreallyannoying."Mommy...!"
"Stopcallingmethat!"Ishouted,makingeveryoneelseintheroomjump.ItwasbadenoughthatIhadtodealwiththelittleyellowthing,butnooneelseknewjustwhatit
wasthatitwassaying.
ForaslongIcouldremember,I'dbeenabletounderstandPokémon.Tome,whattheyweresayingweren'tmerelycries,butEnglish,plainandsimple.Hardlyanyoneeverbelievedmeaboutit,though.Asakid,theysaidIwasplayingpretendorwasjustweird.Ah,thejoysofbeingafreakofnature.
"Right...Anyway,Idon'tseeanyreasontofearthisPokémoninparticular,"ProfessorJuniperstated.
"What?!Butittriedtoattackme!AnyPokémoncanprettymuchkillanormalpersonlikemewithoutmucheffort!Eventhecutelittleoneslikethat!"Iexclaimed,pointingafingeratthePichu.
"Mom"!"
"Don'tyoudaresaythatagain!"
ProfessorJunipergaveasheepishsmileandtiltedherhead."Whilethatistrue,thisPichuistooyoungtobeofanyharm.Why,atmost,itcangiveyouashockasharmfulasanelectricalshort's.Soitshouldbefinetoleavewithyou."
"AndwhattheheckamIsupposedtodowithit?"Igrumbledundermybreath.
Theprofessorblinked."Supposedtodo?Isn'tthatthePokémonyou'regoingtoleavewith?"
Iarchedaneyebrow."Leavewhere?"Inoticedthatatthispoint,Blackhadbeguntoinchawayfromme."Black...!"
ProfessorJuniperlookedatmybrotherinconfusion."Black?Didn'tyoutellmethatWhiteagreedtohelpoutwithmyresearchaswellsoshecouldbearbeingaroundPokémon?"
Atthosewords,somethingignitedwithinme.Hate.Intensehate.Directedat..."BLAAAAAACK!"Iscreamed.IhopedthatIlookedmorefrighteningthananysortofPokémonthatinhabitedthisworldoranyother.
"Itwasn'tmyidea!Momtoldmetoaskherforyou!"Blackbrokedown.
"WHAT?!"
"ShesaidthatitwasthereasonwhyDadgotthatPichuforyou.Hemustwantyoutogetbetter,too,bybeingexposedandseeingforyourselfthatPokémonaren'tso
bad."
"NO!No,no,no!I'mnotgoingandnoonecanmakeme!"Ishouted,shakingmyheadandonthevergeofcrying.
"TheworldischockfullofPokémon!Whetherornotyouwantto,you'regonnaencounterthemacoupleoftimes.Youmightaswelltakethechancetogetoveritnow!"Blackkeptoninsisting."Imean,really...Youknowhowembarrassingitwouldbe,beingafraidofsomethingassmallasaPichuwhenyou'reagrownwoman?!You'dhavetobecomeashut-intonotrunintoanyoneofthem!"
Iwasspeechless.Blackhadapoint.Ifthiskeptup,Iwouldn'tbeabletoleaveNuvemaTownbecauseofallthePokémoninthewild.Maybenotevenmyhouse.I'dbecomeashut-informyownsafety.Istareddownatthegroundwithlifelesseyes,tryingtoimaginewhatsortofcrazypersonI'dbecome,beingshutofffromtherestoftheworld...
"So,doyouwantthattohappen,ordoyouwannachange?!"Mybrotherexclaimedasheshovedhisfaceintomine.
"I...Idon't...want...!"
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Ihavenoideahowthatworked,butminuteslater,IwasstandingonthepathleadingoutofNuvemaTownwithBlackandCheren,dressedupinablackvestoverawhiteshortandjeanshortswithblackandpinkboots.IfrownedasItuggedonthevisorofmywhiteandpinkcapandscroungedaroundinsideofthepinkbagthathungoffmyshoulder.IpulledoutthePokédexthatProfessorJunipergavemeandlookeduptheinformationonPichu.
Pichu,theTinyMousePokémon.Electrictype.Theelectricsacsinitscheeksaresmall,butitisineptatretainingelectricitywithinthem.Ifitisstartledoritselectricityleaks,itwilldischargeitspower.
Istaredattheword'discharge'forawhilebeforeIturnedoffthePokédexandputitbackinmybag.Myfingersbrushedagainstthesmoothsurfaceofthe...myPichu'sPokéBall.Hopefullythere'dcomeatimewhenIwouldn'tbeafraidofhavingthatthingpopoutofitsPokéBallatrandomlikeitdid.
"I'mhere,I'mhere!"WeallturnedaroundtoseeBiancarunningtowardsus,fixingupherhat.
"Thereyouare!Whattookyousolong?"Cherenchidedtheblondegirl.
"Um...nothingimportant!"Shespokequickly,hookingarmswiththedark-hairedboy."Readytogo?"
"Youknowit!"Blackexclaimed,hookingarmswithCherenonhisotherside.Mybrothersaiditwasbecausetheyhadallpromisedtowalkoutoftowntogetherwhentheywereyounger.OnlyheandBiancaweretakingitmoreseriouslythanCherenmighthavewithwantingtostepintheexactsametime.Blacklookedatmeandwavedhishand."Comeon!You,too!"Hesitantly,Ihookedarmswithhim."Alright!Forwardmarch!"
Thefourofusbeganwalkingforward,somehowkeepinginsteptogether.Thenexttownwasalreadywithinsight.Itwouldonlytakeafewminutestogetthere.Itookadeepbreathasweenteredthetallgrass.Iwasdeterminedtoremaincalmandcollectedandfocusontryingtoovercomemyfears.
"Huh?Oh,look!"Biancapointedoutahairylittledog-likePokémonthathadwalkedinfrontofus.Itstoppeduponseeingusandbarkeddefensively."Aw,howcute!I'mgonnacatchitifnooneelseminds!"
BlackpulledhisPokédexoutofhisbluebagandpointeditatthedog-likePokémon."Itsaysit'saLillipup.It's...aNormaltypeandthehaironitsfacehelpsittosensechangeinitssurroundings."
IfeltmyheartbegintoraceandIcouldfeelmyselfchokingup.BeforeBiancacouldreleaseherPokémonfromthePokéBallinherhand,Ifainted.
Yup.Thisjourneyhadgottenofftoasuccessfulstart...
X-X-X
Iblinkedandstaredatthecreatureinfrontofme.Asmall,yellowmouse-likecreaturethat,atthetime,stoodtallerthanme.Mytinyhandsgropedthepartsofitsbodycuriously:itslightningbolt-liketail,itsblack-tippedears,thelittleredsacsonitscheeks.WitheachtugImade,itsaid"Ow"inadulltone.Atsomepoint,largerhandsgrabbedmyownandbegandirectingthem.TheyledmetotouchingthePokémon'scheeks,forcingmetorubthemincircles.ThemousePokémonstartedtosmileandgaveahappycry.Forsomereason,knowingitwashappymademehappy,too.Igiggledandaccidentallygrippedthemouse'scheek.Itwincedinpainandreleasedazapofelectricity"notenoughtoseriouslyhurtaperson,butenoughtomakemestartbawling.
"Sshh-sshh-sshh.It'salright.Pikachudidn'tmeantohurtyou,justlikeyoudidn'tmeantohurthim,sweetheart,"avoicespokefrombehindme.ThePikachuleanedforwardandstartedtorubmycheeksthesamewayIrubbedhis.Iquicklyforgotthezappingandstartedgigglingagain."See?Friendsalready.Hm?Black,don'tputthatinyourmouth!"Asthevoicefaded,IstartedtorubthePikachu'scheekagain,cooinghappilyasIdid.
X-X-X
WhenIwokeup,therewassomethingrubbingagainstmycheek.Islowlyopenedmyeyes,expectingittobeBlackorBiancatryingtowakemeup.Instead,IwasstaringintothelargebrowneyesofmyPichu.Iflinchedandalmostscreameduntilitbegantobounceupanddownbesideme.
"Mommy!"Itexclaimed,rubbingitscheekagainstmine.Oncemore,Ifeltmyheartrace.IrememberedthePokédexentryaboutPichudischargingelectricityandIthoughtthatthatwouldhappenrightthen.Iwantedtopushthethingoffofmerightthenandthere,butIrememberedwhatIwassupposedtobedoing.So,afterseveralsecondsofstaringitdown"andhavingitcutelystarebackatme"Ipetteditinastiffmanner.ThePokémonnuzzledintothepalmofmyhandandsquealedpleasantly.ThePichumayhavebeenenjoyingthecontact,butIwasterrifiedofbeingshocked.SoItriedtoignorewhatIwasdoingbytakingalookatmysurroundings.
ItlookedlikeIwasinaroomataPokémonCenter.Ihadn'tbeeninsideoneinages,butI'msureitlookedthesameastheoneI'dvisitedbefore"andallothersintheregion,Ibet.Therewereseveralbeds"theonenexttothebedIwasonwasunmade.DidtheguysdragmehereafterIfaintedoutsideofNuvemaTown?Howembarrassing.PeopleinNuvemawereusedtothesightofsomeonedraggingmyunconsciousself,butI'dneverbeentothenexttownover.Theyprobablythoughtsomethingwasseriouslywrongwithme.Inatwistedway,therewas.
Igotoffthebedandwalkeddownstairs,myPichutrailingbehindme.Asusual,peopleweregoinginandoutofthebuilding.Iapproachedthefrontcounterwhereanursestood.WhenIwalkedovertoherandaskedherwherethepeopleIcameinwithwent,shesaidthatCherenandBiancahadalreadyleft,butBlackhadgoneoutsayinghewouldbeback.
"Ican'tbelievetheyjustwentandleftwithoutsayinganything...!They'regonnagetanearfulwhenIseethemagain!"IhuffedasIwalkedovertothemagazinecase.Istartedsearchingthroughthemagazineswhiletryingtocalmdown."Hm...What'sthis?"Ipickedupamagazineandstaredatanarticletitleonthefrontpage."Howto
getclosertoyourPokémon.Page24."
"Ohhh..."IlookeddownandsawmyPichuscratchingthecoverofamagazinefeaturinganotherPichuanditsowner.Ilightlynudgeditinthesidetomakeitstopanditstartedtotakeaninterestinthelaceofmyboot.Irolledmyeyesbeforeturningtothearticlepageandreading:
"IthaslongbeenconfirmedthathowhappyaPokémonishasaneffectonhowitfights,howitevolves,andofcoursehowittreatsitstrainer.Whetheryou'recuriousabouthowtomakeyourstubbornnewPokémonlikeyouorsimplywanttogetclosertoyourPoképal,thesetipswillhelpyouonyourpath.
"#1:Giveitagoodnickname.NicknamesaregiventoPokémonwhoseownershavemultipleofthesamespeciesandneedtodistinguishamongthemortopersonalizeaPokémon.NevergiveyourPokémonaninsultingname.IrememberinmychildhoodhowakidnamedhisPidove'Idiot'becauseitflewintoawindowbeforehecaughtit.ThepoorthinglookedmiserableforaslongasIcouldrememberuntilitwastradedtoanotherkidwhochangeditsnametosomethingnicer.Despitewhatsomepeoplemaythink,Pokémonaresmartenoughtoknowwhensomethingisinsultingornot.Eventhebabyoneseventuallyrealizewhatcertainwordslike'Idiot'mean.
"Well,Imayfearthething,butIwouldn'tnameitsomethinglike'idiot'..."Imumbledtomyself.IlookeddownatthePichutoseethatitwasuntyingthelacesofmybootsnow."Stopthat."Itstoppedimmediatelyandlookeddowninshame.Great.NowIfeltbad."...I'mnotmadatyou."
ThePichu'seyesshone."Mommy...!"
"Isthathonestlyallyoucansay?"IstareddownatitinthoughtbeforeIpointeddownatthetinymouse."Yournicknamewillbe...Tiny.CanyousayTiny?Tie...knee.Tiny."
"Tuh...Teeenyyy..."Tinypronouncedslowly.
"Tie..."
"...Tie...ny...Tiny..."
Ipointedatmyself."White.Wuh...ite."
"W-wuh...ite.White."Ismiledinsuccess."MommyWhite."AndthenIheldmyhandtomyface.IguesstheProfessorwasright.Untilitknewbetter,Iwasitsmommy.
"Oh,well...I'llmakethemostofit..."Ilookedatthedigitalwatchonmywrist.Itwasalreadypastnoon.HowlongwasIout?IcouldfeelmystomachgnawingatmyinsidesnowasIglancedatthemagazine'sprice."Betterbuysomelunch,too,whileI'matit."
X-X-X
AccumulaTownwassmall,butstillbiggerthanNuvemaTownandrefreshinglydifferentinsomeways.IthadaPokémonCenter,apartmentcomplexes,andtall,grassyhillsthatgaveyouagoodviewofothertowns.ButIwasn'ttooconcernedwithanyofthat.Instead,Iconcentratedonfindingaplacetoeat.Tinywasridingaroundinsideofmybag,hisheadpokingoutoftheflap.ThemagazineIboughtsaidawayofbecomingcloserwithyourPokémonwastokeepthemoutoftheirballsotheycouldwalkbesideorbecarriedbyyou.ButIwastooafraidtolethimwalkonthegroundandriskgettingsquishedbysomethingandtoonervoustoholdhimoutoffearofbeingshocked.
Eventually,afterwanderingfornearly15minutes,Ispottedadineracrossthestreet.IstartedtoruntowardsituntilatrioofLillipupsonleashesraninmyway,pullingtheirtraineralong.Theirowneraccidentallypushedmedown,notevenapologizingastheydisappeareddownthestreet.
"WAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"Aloudcrycomingfrominfrontofmemademeforgetabouttheslightstingingfeelingbehindmyleg.Tinywasontheground,holdingontohisheadandcryingupastorm.Hemust'vefallenoutofthebagwhenIfellback.Icouldfeelstaresfrompeoplepassingby,butIdidn'tcare.Iwastooworriedaboutwhetherornothewasseriouslyhurt.
"C'mon,lemmesee..."Icooedsoftly,slowlypullinghispawsawayfromhishead.Alightredpatchstuckoutinhisforehead"bloodfromwhenhescrapedhisheadfromhisfall."Shush,shush,shush!Keepquietnow!"Tinytookitdownalevelwiththecrying,buthestillwhimperedloudenoughformetohear.Istartedscroungingthroughmybag,lookingforapotion.IsuddenlyfrozeandrealizedIdidn'tevenbringapotionalong!WhatkindoftrainerwasI?!
IalmostfeltlikecursingmyluckoutloudwhenIheardthesoundofaspraying,followedbythesoundofTinycooing.Ilookedinfrontofmeandsawsomeonekneelinginfrontofsomeoneholdingapotionbottleintheirhand.
"Ah!Thankyousomuch!IthoughtI'dhavetorunallthewaybacktothePokémonCenter!"Iexclaimed.IhadnoideawhyIfeltsorelieved.Justthismorning,IfaintedtwiceatthesightofthelittlePokémonandnowIwasworriedoverascratch.There
reallywassomethingwrongwithmyhead.
ThepersonwhohadhealedTinystoodupandlookeddownatme.Hehadlonggreenhairtiedbackintoabushyponytailandworeablackandwhitehatonhishead,awhiteshirtwithablackoneunderneathandbeigepantswithgreenshoes.IthinkIwaspayingmoreattentiontohisclothesbecausehewasgivingmeasortofjudginglook.
"IsthisyourPokémon?"
"Uh..."Istared,notsureifIshouldsayhewas.IfIdid,IwasafraidthoseeyeswouldgetangryandthisguywouldstartlecturingmeabouttreatingmyPokémonrightorkeepingthemintheirPokéBallssothey'dbesafe.Iwarilybegantoanswer'Yes'whenTinyhuggedupagainstmyleg.
"Mommy...!"ApparentlyevenTinywasafraidofthisstranger'slook.Electricitybegantosurgearoundhislittlecheeksandhegaveacry.Hehadshockedhimselfinfearofthisguy.
"YourPokémon...Whydiditcallyou'Mommy'?"Heasked.
"Huh?Well,he'sanewbornandIwasthefirstthinghesaw.SoheimprintedonmeandthinksI'mhismother.Atleastuntilherealizesthatahumancan'tmakeaPichu..."Iblinked."Uh...Excuseme,buthowdidyouknowitcalledme'Mommy'?"
"Becausethat'swhatitjustsaid."
"Well,that'sallhecansay.We'reworkingonexpandinghisvocabulary"I-Imean,howdidyouknowwhathesaid?!Canyou...understandhim,too?"HestaredatmeinconfusionbeforehenoddedandIinstantlyfoundmyselfonmyfeet."Oh,wow!Thisisgreat!Ididn'tthinktherewasanyoneelseouttherewhocouldunderstandPokémon!Alltheseyears,IthoughtIwastheonlyfreakofnatureoutthere!"Iwassoexcited;Ididn'tseemtonoticehowcloseIwastotheguyorhowstartledhelooked.
Agrowlingsoundmademysmiledrop.Ilookeddownandsawasmallfox-likePokémonstandingnexttothegreen-hairedguy.Itwasblackwithshadesofredinitsfuranditsblueeyeswereglaringupatme.AtthesightofthehostilePokémon,mybreathgotheldupinmythroatandIfainted...
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Andsurprisinglywokeupinamatterofminuteswithmygreen-hairedfreak-in-arms
stillthere,kneelingnexttome.Upclose,helookedlikehewasaboutmyage,maybeayearortwoolder.IwasabittoolightheadedtorealizethatIwasstaringintohisgreeneyes.
ThenIheardalittlebarkandfelttheblackfoxPokémonjumpontomystomachtoglareatme.Istartedtosweatandbegantofeellightheaded."G-g-getitoffofmeeee!"Iscreamed.
Theteagreen-hairedboystaredatmeinconfusion."Youdon'tlikeZorua?"
"Idon'tlikehavingitonme!J-justtellittogetoff!"
HelookeddownatthePokémonhecalledZorua."You'remakingheruncomfortable."
"Shewasinvadingyourpersonalspace,"Zoruaspoke,stillglaringatme.
"Ididn'tmeanto..."Ispoke,tearsbeginningtowellupinmyeyes.Tinywasonethingbecausehewasharmlessandlikedme,butthisPokémonhadanastylookinitseyes.ButIwasdoinggood,right?Cryinglikeababywasbetterthanfainting,right?"I'msorry...!J-justdon'thurtme...!"
"Mommy?"Tinystaredatmeastearstraileddownmycheeks."Mommy...?"MylittlePichulookedatZoruaandfrowned.Hegrowledandattackeditwithajoltthatalmostmadeitfalloffofme.
"DidyoujustdowhatIthinkyoujustdid?"Zoruaasked,narrowingitseyesuntilthegreen-hairedguypickeditupandputitbehindhim."H-hey!N!Whatareyoudoing?!Lemmeatthatlittleyellow...!"
"I'msorryifZoruawasrudetoyou,"theboyapologized."He...ismyfriend,anddoesn'twantanyonetohurtme."
Iwipedmytearsoffonmyarm."I-it'sokay..."Istoodupslowlyanddustedmyselfoff.IpickedupTinyandheldhimclosetomychest.IfelthispawsclutchmychestasheglareddownatZorua.
"YourPokémonseemstolikeyouverymuch."
"Thankyou...um...What'syourname?"
"N."
"N?Isthataninitialforsomething?"
Hepausedforamoment,lookingthoughtful."...No.JustN."
Just...N?AndIthoughtCherenwasunluckywhenitcametonames.Thisguyonlyhadaletter.Still,heseemednice,andhecouldunderstandPokémon,too.Thecomfortaloneinknowingtherewassomeoneelseouttherelikememademehappyenough."I'mWhite.It'snicetomeetyou!"Isaid,holdingoutmyhandingreeting.Hestaredatit,asifhesitating.Afterafewseconds,hetookholdofmyhandandshookit.
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Okay,nowIwasconfused.Iwentoutinsearchofmybrother,andnowI'mhavinglunchwithastrangerIjustmetonthestreetwhomayormaynotbeapsychotickiller,orwhosePokémonmayormaynotwanttohurtand/orkillme.Maybemyhungerandthewantofsavingmoneybysplittingabillgotthebetterofme.Cursemystomachandmyfrugalness...!
"So,thisisyourfirsttimeinAccumulaTown,too,huh?That'scool."Ispoke,takingabiteofmycheeseburger.HereIwas,sittinginaboothwithNontheotherside.Tinywassittinginthecornernearthewindowforhisownsafety.Ididn'twanttoputhimonthegroundwithN'sPokémonafterwhathappened"especiallysincethePokédextoldmethatitwasaDarktypeandusedillusions.DefinitelynotsomethingIwanthimnear.
Nstareddownathischeeseburgerandfriesasifhehadneverseenthem.Iarchedaneyebrowashedelicatelytookupaketchup-coveredfryandnibbledit.Afterawhile,hestartedtoeatmore.
"What'sthematter?NeverhadFrenchfriesbefore?"Heshookhishead,probablytoopolitetotalkwithhismouthfull."Weird.Yourparentshaveyouonastrictdietorsomething?"I'dheardofthatbefore.Somehealth-consciousnutsonlyfedtheirchildrenhealthyfoodsandavoidedjunkfood.
"Mommy."IlookeddownatTiny.Hepointedathimself,donewiththeberrieshewaseating."Tiny..."Hethenpointedattheburgerinmyhands.
"Youcan'thavethis.It'stoobigforyou."ThePichupoutedandgotalltearyeyed.Whetherornothisspeciescouldevendoit,IthinkTinyhadFakeTearsdowntoanart."No."Hestartedtowhine."...Here,haveaFrenchfry."IbrokeafryinhalfanddippeditinketchupbeforepoppingitintoTiny'smouth.Hestartedtochewandwhenheswallowed,heheldhischeeksindelightandbegantobounce."Youwantmore?Alright...butthat'sit!"
NstoppedindulginginfrieslongenoughtowatchmefeedTinyanotherfry."CouldIaskyouaquestion?"
"Shoot."
"WhywouldIshootyou...?"Igavehimaconfusedstarethathegavemeback.Hebrokeoffeyecontact.Hewasprobablytaughtitwasrudetostare,too."YourPokémon.I'veneverseenanythinglikeit."
Thatwasn'taquestion."Yeah.He'saPichu.Youdon'tfindanyofhisspecieshereinUnova"atleastnotinthewild."
"Sohe'sararePokémon.Whydon'tyoukeephiminsideofhisball,then?Aren'tyouafraidhe'llbehurtorstolen?Ordoyouliketoshowitoff?"
Iarchedaneyebrow.IfIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dsaythelookinhiseyehadgottencolder."No...Hejustdoesn'twannastayinside.HealwayspopsoutwheneverIdon'twanthimto,soIfiguredhe'dbehappieroutsideofit.Besides..."IreachedintomybagandpulledoutTiny'sPokéball...orwhatremainedofit,anyway.It'dgottenbrokenduringthefallsomehow."I'dhavetobuyanotherPokéBallforhimifheeverdidwanttogoback...Plus,IreadsomewherethatwalkingalongsideyourPokémonmadethemactfriendliertowardsyou."
"ButwhatwillyoudoifyoucatchmorePokémon?Youcan'tpossiblyhavethemalloutoftheirPokéBallsandkeeptrackofthem.Andleaguerulesstateyoucanonlyhavesix,whichmeananymorethanthatwillbeforcedintocontainmentinoneofthosedreadedPCs."Igotthefeelingthat'containment'ofPokémonwasnotafavoritesubjectofN's.
"I'mnot...intheleague.Imean,I'mnotgonnarunaroundchallenginggymsoranything.I'mjust...travelingfortheexperience."AndsoIwon'tfaintatthesightofeveryPidoveandLillipup."...Is...theresomethingwrong,N?"
Nlookedoutthewindowwithadistantlookinhiseyes."It'swronghowhumanscatchandtrapPokémoninsideofPokéBallsandPCBoxes,usingthemasweaponsforbattlesandmeansofentertainment...alwaysgettingthemhurt,butassoonasthey'rehealed,itseemsliketheyforgetaboutitandmakethemgethurtalloveragain.ButyourPichu...seemstotrulyadoreyou.Howbizarre.Butthenagain,perhapshe'stooyoungforyoutobecrueltowardshim."
Well,it'snotlikeTinyhaseverbeeninabattle.TheclosestitgotwaszappingZoruawithapunythunderbolt.Andhewasstilljustababy,andIwashismommy.Whatbabyhatedtheirmommysolongastheygavethemtheattentiontheyneeded?After
awhile,IrealizedthatIwasstaringathim,soIdivertedmyattentiontomyburger."Well,atleasttrainersdon'tleavethemtodie...Goodones,anyway.Outthereinthewild,Pokémoncanfightandhurteachotherandnoonewillbetheretohelpthem.Eitherway,there'ssomethingouttherethatcankillthem,right?It'sthesamewaywithhumans"theycankilleachotherorhavePokémonkillthem.It'skindasadhowfragilebothofuscanactuallybe..."
IlookedupatNandnoticedthathewasstaringatmenow,likehewaspayingcloseattentiontowhatIwassaying.MostpeoplewouldlookatmelikeIwasmorbidorsomethingforsayingsuchthingsaboutPokémon,buthelookedcuriousformore.SoIgavehimmore.
"Whatwouldyousayif...ItoldyouawildPokémonattackedachild?Thechilddidn'thurtorprovokeit.Theydidn'tevenknowitwasthere.Saythechild...justgotlostandwantedtogohomewhenitcameacrossthePokémon.Large...intimidating...r-roaringandlookingatherwithcoldeyesandtriedtofreezehertodeathuntilshewasnearlyfrozenallo-over,anditwasabouttoeatherwholeuntil"!"
Isuddenlystoppedanddroppedtheburger.Istareddownatthetablewithwideeyes,myheartbeatingagainstmychestandmybloodrunningcoldinmyveins.WhatsortofidiotwasI?!Icouldfeelstaresfromeveryoneinthediner.Ijustkepttalkingandtalking,myvoicegettinglouderandmytonebecomingmorepanicked...Imusthavesoundedlikeapsycho.
Butsurprisingly,Nwasn'tlookingatmelikeIwascrazy.Rather,helookedcontemplative."...Ithink...thatthePokémoncouldnotbeatfault.PerhapsthePokémonenduredatraumaticexperienceatsomepointthathadmadeitviolent.ButIsupposethechildisnotatfault,either,ifitwasonlyanaccident."Hetiltedhisheadcuriously."Whathappenedtothechild,bytheway?"
"...She'sgonenow."Andallthat'sleftisashellthatfearsallPokémon"saveforthelittleelectricmouseshe'djustgrownattachedto.
"Oh.That's...sad."
"Isn'tit?"
NlookeddownathisXtransceiver."...Canyoucomeandseesomethingwithme?Youneedtoseeit."
Iblinkedinconfusion."Um,okay..."Ireallyhopedthathewasn'tgoingtodoanythingcreepynow...
X-X-X
Aftersplittingthebillforlunch,NledmebackovertothePokémonCenterwhereacrowdhadgathered,whisperingthingsamongstthemselves.WemadeourwaytothefrontwithZoruaonN'sshoulderandTinyinmyarms,wherewecouldgetaclearviewofwhatwasgoingon.
Thecenterofattractionwasagroupofpeopledressedinclothesthatmadethemlooklikeknights.TheysetuppolesthathadclothbannersblowinginthebreezewithastylizedbluePonablackandwhiteshieldemblazonedonthechests.Inthemiddleofalltheknightswasamanwithlongpalegreenhair,dressedinpurpleandgoldrobeswithawhiteandredeyepieceoveroneeye.Thegreen-hairedmanclearedhisthroatandtheknightssteppedaside,standingateaselikesoldiers.
"Greetings.IamGhetsisofTeamPlasma.AndIwouldliketotalktoyouallaboutPokémonliberation.I'msuremostofyoubelievethathumansandPokémonandpartnerswholivetogetherandneedeachother.However,isthatreallythetruth?Oristhatwhatwehumansonlyassumetobethetruth?"Thegreen-hairedmanbegantowalkbackandforth,andpeople'seyesfollowedhim."PokémonareforcedtofollowtheselfishcommandsofTrainers,injuringthemselvesinbattlesthatweengageinforsportandenjoyment.Buttheyaremuchmorethanameansofentertainment,ladiesandgentleman.Pokémonhavesomuchunknownpotential,andtheyknowsomanythingsthatwe'veyettolearn.Sowhatisourresponsibilitytothesewonderfulbeings?Theanswerisliberation.WemustliberatethePokémonoftheworld;releasethemfromtherestraintsthattrainershaveplaceduponthem!OnlythenwillhumansandPokémontrulyequal!"
Thepeopleinthecrowdbegantotalk:"LiberatePokémon?""WillmyPokémonreallybehappierifIletitgo?""Butittooksolongformetocatchit...!""Bah,it'sjustaloadofpoppycock."
"AsIendmywordsheretoday,IimploreyoualltoconsidertherelationshipbetweenpeopleandPokémon,andthecorrectwaytoproceed.WeofTeamPlasmasincerelyappreciateyourattention."Ghetsisfinishedastheknightspackeduptheirbannersandformedaroundhiminac-shapedformation.Theythenstartedtomarchaway,leavingpeopletotalkamongstthemselves.Andforamoment,IsworeIcouldseeGhetsislookinginourdirectionfrombehindhishumanshields.Ithadtohavebeenmyimagination.
Oncethecrowdhaddispersed,IlookedatNinconfusion."Wasthatwhatyouwantedtoshowme?"
Nnodded."Don'tyouthinkTeamPlasmaspeaksthetruth?Thingsneedtochange.IfpeoplewanttomakePokémonhappy,theyshouldjustsetthemallfree.Solongasthey'rebeingconfinedintoPokéBalls,they'llneverbecomeperfectbeings."
"Slowdown!Ican'tunderstandyou!"Ichidedthegreen-hairedboy.HeseemedtohaveahabitofspeakingfastwhenitcametothesubjectofPokémon.
Despitemyinterruptinghim,thefocusedlookonhisfacedidn'tchange."IpromisewillchangetheworldandmakeitabetterplaceforPokémon.Becausethey'remyfriends."Hestartedtowalkawayfromme,headinginthesamedirectionasTeamPlasmahad.Hethenstoppedandturnedaroundtofaceme."Talkingwithyouwasmoreinterestingthanwithothertrainers.Maybewe'llmeetagain,White."IsawZoruastickhistongueoutatmeatthosewordsbeforehisownerturnedhisbackonmeandleft.
"...Well,Tiny...Ithinkwemetaweirdonetoday.JustlikeonTV:thecuteonesalwayshavesomethingwrongwiththem."Mygoodness,didIjustcallthatweirdo'cute'?
"Weee...weeeird..."Tinypronouncedslowly.Hereallywaslearningatleapsandboundsinvocabulary.
"Andwhatwaswiththoseguysintheweirdknightgetups?Whowouldbecrazyenoughtodressuplikethatinpublic?!"
"Weeeird..."
"Iknow,right?Theylookedliketheybelongedinaplayorsomething."IlookedovermyshoulderandsawBlackwithalittlegraybirdonhisheadandalittleblueandwhitePokémonwithashellonitsstomachsittingonhisshoulder.Hegavemeacasualwave."Hi."
"D-don't'hi'me!Youjustleftmeintherewithoutwakingmeuportellingmewhereyouweregoing!"Icomplained,pinchingmybrother'scheek.Butwhenthebirdstartedflutteringitswingsandtheblueonebegantoglareatme,Istoppedandjumpedback,breathingfast.
"Easy,guys!She'smysister!It'snormalfamilyjibbing!"Blackexplained,tryingtocalmdownhisPokémon.Whenhedid,hewalkedovertome,stayingagoodenoughdistanceawaysoIwouldn'tbetooclosetohisPokémon."White,Idon'tbelieveyou'vebeenintroducedtoOshawott."
"Hi!"ThebluePokémon,Oshawott,spokeup,wavingapaw.
"Hi!"Tinymimicked,butIdoubtheknewwhathesaid.
"AndthisisPidove!Icaughthimwhileyouwereknockedout!"ThePidovestretcheditswingsandpuffedoutitschest.Wasittryingtointimidateme?
BlacklookeddownatTinyandblinked."Huh?Ah!White!You'reholdingyourPichunow!"
"HisnameisTiny.Andquitactinglikeit'ssuchabigdeal,"Imuttered.
"Andyounicknamedhim,too?!That'swonderful!Thatmeansyou'reoveryourfearofPokémonnow!"
"No."
"...No?"
"No."
"Well,whynot?"
Ireachedintomybagandpulledoutapieceofpaper,whichIheldoutinfrontofmybrother.ItwasalistofallthesortsoftypesofPokémon."I'mnotovermyphobiauntilIcanovercomemylogicalfearofeverysortofPokémon!AndI'mnotevenoverElectrictypesyetbecauseTinyisprettymuchharmless!"
"Harmless?HefriedthatLillipupBiancawantedtocatchwhenittriedtochewoffyourscrunchiewhileyouwereunconscious!"
"That'sanover-exaggeration,don'tchathink...?"Oshawottmumbled,lookingoutofthecornerofitseye."Itranoffwhenitgotalittlejolt."
"Thenagain,itisjustababyPokémon.AbabyPichuisnothingcomparedtoaPikachuorRaichuwhenitcomestoelectricalpower.SoIguessyou'rereallynotoverityet."Blackstartedtosmileagainandclappedahandonmyshoulder."Butyou'regettingthere!You'reholdingaPokémoninyourhands!That'sagreatstart!Butifyouwannagetbetter,youknowyouhavetoownatleast17Pokémonwithdifferenttypes"oratleastgetincontactwiththatmany.Giveortakethosewithtwotypes."
...17Pokémon.I'dhavetobeincontactwith17Pokémoninordertogetbetter...atmost.Istartedtoshakeatthethoughtandfeltmyheartgetcaughtinmylungs.Blacksnappedhisfingersinfrontofme.WhenIthoughtIwouldfaint,IheardTiny
cooing.Iforcedmyselftogiveaweaksmile,althoughIwasstillshaking."S-s-seventeenPokémon?Nosweat!I'llbeatthisthinginnotime!"Ordieoffrighttrying.
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PleasereviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter2
Forthosewhohaven'tbeenmadeaware,PokémonGrayhasbeenstartedoverasPokémonColdGray!Yeah,thereisn'tmuchofadifferenceinthischaptersavetowardstheend.Wereallywon'tbeseeinganynewlyaddedcontentforanothertwochapters,sobearwithme!
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownPokémon,foritisthepropertyofGameFreak.AllIownarethecopiesofthegames.
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PokémonFearChecklist
ElectricTypes:Capableofhurtingyouphysicallyandmentallywiththeirthunderattacks,ifnotkillyou.
NormalTypes:Usuallyhavegimmicksthattheycouldusetodeadlyadvantage.EX:ADittothatcantransformintoyouandtakeyourplace.
FightingTypes:Theycouldjustusetheirhandsandfeetandotherbodypartstobreakanordinarypersonintwo.
FlyingTypes:Theycandropyoufromabovewhileyou'reflyingthem.
PoisonTypes:Thenamesaysitall.Somecankillyoubyscentalone.
GroundTypes:Cancauseearthquakesorburyyouintheearth.
RockTypes:Eventheunevolvedonescancrushyou.
Bug:Annoyingcreepycrawliesthatcanslowlykillyouwhilebeingnuisances.
Ghost:Theycanpossessyouandmakeyoudobadthings.
Steel:SameasRocktypes,butsomecanbesharp.Sotheycancrushandsliceyoutodeath.
Fire:Allprettymuchcapableofburningyoutoacrisp.
Water:Candrownyouwithwateronland.
Grass:Cancausemultiplestatusailmentsandhurtyouwithplantlifeyouonce
thoughtharmless.
Psychic:Theycanusetheirmindstoattack...Enoughsaid.
Ice:Theycanfreezeyoutodeathandthenshatteryoutoaddmorehurttoit.
Dark:Naturallyplaydirtybeforetheyoffyou.Theytendtoblendinatnight,too,sothey'reanocturnalthreat.
Dragon:Prettymuchinvulnerabletoalmosteverything.Andtheyoftengrowuptobelarge.Scary...!
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~DreamingofMunna~
OR!
~Plasbad!TeamPlasmaAppears!~
"Lillipup,tackleit!"Ayoungboyexclaimed,andhisLillipupranforward,loweringhisheadinhischarge.
"Thishashappenedbefore,Oshawott!Youknowwhattodo,buddy!"BlacktoldhisOshawott.
"Youknowit!"OshawottpulledofftheshellonhischestandusedittostriketheLillipupinthehead,stoppingitsattack.
"NowuseWaterGun!"TheotterPokémontookadeepbreathbeforespurtingoutasmallstreamofwaterpowerfulenoughtosendthedogPokémonflyingbacktowardsitsmaster'sfeet.
"Ah!Lillipup!Saysomething!"Theboy'sLillipupsimplyspatupwaterlikeafountaincenterpiece."No...!"
"Youdidit!"Blackexclaimed,pickingupOshawottandspinningaround."You'rethebest!"
"Withoutadoubt!"Oshawottsaidwithasmile.
TinyandIhadbeenstandingonthesideoftheroadeversincethebattlestarted.Itwasn'texactlythatlong,though,sincethekidonlyhadonePokémon.
"Ican'tbelieveIlost!"Theyoungstercried,returninghisPokémontoitsPokéBall.
"Don'tcryoverit!Everyexperiencecounts,winsandlosses!Whatmattersisthatyoulearnfromitandtrainharder,"Blacktoldtheboy."Italsohelpsifyoudon'thaveonlyonePokémon.Unlessthere'sarefereeorsomethingthatsayswhatamountwecanuse,IcoulduseallofmyPokémonandtireyourlittleLillipupout."
"He'sreallyactinglikeheknowshisstuff,buthe'sasmuchofanewbieasthatkid..."Imumbledflatlyastheboywalkedinthedirectionwecamefrom,probablytogettothePokémonCentertohealhisLillipup.BlackreturnedOshawottbackintohisPokéBallandwalkedovertomewithagrin."Shouldyoureallybesmilingknowingyoujustcrushedachild?"
"Iwouldn'tsayIcrushedhim...Andanyway,Pokémontrainersaren'tdefinedbyage!"
"Yeah,yeah.Saythattothelegalagelimit."Imuttered,rollingmyeyes."Canwepleasegetgoing?ThesoonerwegettoStriatonCity,thebetter."
"What'stherush?Beingoutontheopenroadispartofatrainer'slife!"Ipointedupatthesky,whichwasfilledwithgatheringgrayclouds.Blackflinchedatthesightoftheclouds."Oh...Well,Iguessthat'snotgood."
"Exactly.AndI'mtheoneholdinganElectricTypePokémonwholeaksoutelectricity!"InoticedthatBlackwasstaringdown."What?"
"Don'tlookdown."
"Why?"
"Ifyoudo,you'llscream."
Isuddenlyflinchedandfeltmybloodruncold."Wh-why?"
"There'saPokémonstandingrightnexttoyou."Assoonasmybrothersaidthat,Igaveascreamandranbehindhim,peekingoverhisshoulderashepulledouthisPokédextoseewhatitwas.ItwasapinkPokémonwithayellowunderbelly,largeears,afurrywhitetailandclearblueeyes.Itwaseasilyrecognizable,soIdon'tknowwhyhebotheredtakingouthisPokédex."Audino,theHearingPokémon.It'saNormalTypeandhasincrediblehearingthat'salmostlikeradar!Becauseofthat,itrarelyeverappearsbeforepeoplebecauseitrunsawayattheslightestsoundofthem."
"Thenwhytheheckdiditdecidetopopupnexttome?!"Icouldn'thelpbutwhineasTinytooktheopportunitytoclimbontopofBlack'sshoulder.
"HowamIsupposedtoknow?Audinoarefriendlyeventhewild,somaybeitlikesyou."Hethenlookedatme."Say,whynotcatchit?"
"What?!"
"Youhavealist,right?Well,Audino'saNormaltype.Ifyoucanbondwithit,you'llgetoveryourfearofNormaltypes,right?Andbesides,it'stoogirlyandcuteformetocatch..."
"Trainersshouldn'tbebiased,Black!Sojustcatchit!"Ihissed,glaringatmybrotherdespitethepitinmystomach.
"JustsuckitupandcatchthatAudino!"
IgulpedandstaredattheAudino.IwonderedifitcouldhearmyheartbeatingasfastasaherdofrunningZebstrikainathunderstorm.IpickedupTinywithshakinghandsandwalkedback,almostroboticallyasIputhimdownontheground.HelookedupatmeinconfusionbeforeIpointedattheAudino."G-goget'em,Tiny!"
"Mommy?"
"W-well?Attackit!Please?Saveme!"Icouldn'thelpspeakinginashrillvoice.
"At...tack?"Afterafewseconds,heseemedtorealizewhatIwantedhimtodoandranforward,assumingwhatIguesswashisbattleface.
"A-alright.Um...UseCharmittoloweritsguard!"Icommanded.IwassurprisedwhenheactuallydidwhatIsaid.HestartedwavinghisarmscutelyintheairandgavetheAudinobig,puppydogeyes.TheAudinoapproachedTinyand,withasmilethathiditstrueviolentnature...pattedthePichuonthehead.ItseemedlikeCharmmanagedtodistractit."NowzapitwithThunderShock!"Tinytookadeepbreathandconcentrated.
"Ch...CHUUUUUU!"ItgeneratedanelectriccurrentintheformofasingleboltthatmadetheAudinofallbackontoitstail,dazedfromtheshock.
"W-whoa!I'mgratefulthathasn'thappenedtomeyet!"Yet?Ididn'twantthattohappentomeatall!
"What'reyoudoing?UseaPokéBallonitwhileit'sstunned!"Blacktoldme.
"ButIdon'thaveany!"
"Areyouserious?!WhogoesonaPokémonjourneywithoutPokéBalls?"Iglaredatmytwinbrother,silentlyremindinghimthatmyjourneycamefromouttanowhere.Blacksighedandreachedintohisownbag.HepulledoutanemptyPokéBallandtossedittome."Here.Throwit,quick!"
Ididashesaid.IthrewthePokéballandwatchedasithittheAudinosquareintheheadbeforeturningitintopureenergyandsealingitinsideoftheball.Itshookonce...twice...threetimes...andthenthelittlelightinthemiddlefadedawaytosymbolizethatIhadcaughtthePokémon.
"Youknow,youreallyneedtobemorepreparedforthisjourney.BeforewedoanythinginStriaton,let'sgotothePokémonCentersowecanhealourPokémonandbuyyousomegear."
"Yeah,yeah,"IbrushedmybrotheroffasIranovertoTiny.Hewassittingontheground,exhaustedfromexpendingallthatenergy.Ipickedhimupoffthegroundandcuddledhim,temporarilyforgettingmyfearofbeingshockedtocongratulatehim."Youdidgreat,littleguy.Youexhausted?"
"Chuuu..."Hewhinedagain,pouting.Islippedhiminsideofmybagsohecouldrest.AlthoughItoldmyselfthatIwouldn'tdothatagaintokeephimsafe,Ifiguredhecoulduseabreak.
IbentoverandpickeduptheAudino'sPokéBall."Now,whatshouldInameyou...?"
X-X-X
AssoonaswegottoStriatonCity,ithadstartedtorain.BlackandIranintothePokémonCenterforshelterbeforetheraingotheavier.AfterhealingourPokémonatthefrontdesk,BlackdecidedtogoandbuysomepotionsandPokéBallsforthetwoofuswhileIsatonachairstaringattheAudino'sPokéBall.TinysatonmylapeatinganOranberry,payingnomindtomyfrightenedexpression.
WhywasIfrightened?Well,IcouldblameNforthat.HislittlelectureonhowitmustfeelforPokémontostayinsideofPokéBallsmademeworryabouthowtheAudinowouldfeelaboutbeingcaptured.Tryingtoresistthefear,IpressedthebuttononthedeviceandwatchedastheAudinowasreleasedinaflashoflightbeforeme.IsworeIwouldfaintasitlookedupatme.Ittookawhiletorealizethatitwasn'tglaring...butstaringcuriously.
"Um...H-hi?"
TheAudinowalkedclosertome,tallenoughtoreachpastmyknees.Itsearstwitchedbeforeitspokeup."Yourheartbeatsoundsoff,"itspoke,itsvoiceremindingmeofakind,olderwoman."Whoareyou,miss?"
Miss?"I'mnotamiss.I'mWhite.AndI'm...yourowner.Iguess."
Shetiltedherheadcuriously."Owner?Oh!Youmeanyou'remytrainer!Iusedtohaveoneofthose...Untilshesetmefreetoday."
Iblinked."Shesetyoufree?Whatfor?"IknewtherewereabunchofreasonswhytrainersreleasedtheirPokémon"becausetheywereweak,becausetheycouldn'taffordit,becausetheyweren'tgettingalong...
"Shesaidshewasdoingitformyhappiness.Itriedgoingbacktoher,butshekeptcryingandtellingmetoleave,soIleft.ButIdidn'tknowwhereIwassupposedtogo."TheAudinolookeddownatthegroundsadly."ButwhenIheardyourheartbeat,Ithoughtitwasher.Ithoughtshe'dcometotakemebackhome."
"Oh.Well...I'msorryforgettingyourhopesuplikethat."
"Bytheway,yourheartstartedbeatingveryfastwhenIcameclosertoyou.Areyoualright?Doyouneedmedicalattention?"TheAudinoasked,soundingconcerned.
"N-no!I'mjust...afraidofyou..."Isqueaked,rubbingthebackofmylegwithmyfoot.
"Afraid?"TheAudinosteppedback,seeminglycautious."DoI...offendyou,MissWhite?"
"N-no!Notoffendpersay!I'mjust...afraidofPokémon!But!ButI'mworkingonit.WithTiny!Andyou,Ihope.Imean,unlessyou'dratherhaveyouroldtrainerback..."
ThepinkPokémonsmiledatmeandtiltedherhead."Butsheletmego.EvenifIwentback,shewouldn'twantmeanyway."Thewayshesaidthatmademecringe.Itsoundedsoobviousthatshewasfaking.IrememberedthethingsNandthatweirdguybackinAccumulaTownsaidaboutfreeingPokémon.ThisAudinodidn'tseemtobeenjoyingherfreedom.Infact,shemissedhertrainer."Besides,I'mworriedaboutyourhealth."
"...Saywhatnow?"
"Allthatincreasedactivityinyourheart,goingbackandforthbetweennormalandfastcouldbeasignofpoorhealth.AndI'dbetorntopiecesifyoufellill.Soconsidermeyours,MissWhite.Wouldyouliketogivemeaname?"
Ifrowned.IguessthisPokémonwasjustpolitebynature."Um...Whatdidyouroldtrainercallyou?"Foramoment,Isawhereyesreflectsadnessbeforetheywentbacktobeingcheerful.
"Pleasedon't.Whenmyownerreleasedme,allthingsrelatingtoherwereremovedfromme.Includingthenameshegaveme.Givemeanewname.Please."ItsoundedliketheAudinowantedtoforgetabouthertrainerasmuchasthetrainerwantedtoforgetabouther.Itwaskindofsad,really,howitwastryingtogetridofthepainwithmeasareplacement.I'msurprisedthatIwasn'toffended.Orfainting.GuessIpitiedittoomuchtobeafraid.
"Well,um...HowaboutPanacea?Doesthatsoundgoodtoyou?"
"That'saverynicename,MissWhite!"
Igaveasmallsmile,feelingabitmorecomfortablearoundher."Please,callmeWhite..."IheardsomeonecleartheirthroatandlookeduptoseeBlackstandingbehindPanaceawithbothofourbagsinhishands.
"Um,White?Idon'tmeantoberude,butsomeofthepeopleherearestaringatyou,"hesaid,pointinghisheadatthetrainersstandingatthefrontcounter.
Iblushedfromembarrassmentandhidmyfaceinmyhands.ItwasonethingforapersontospeaktotheirPokémon,buthavingconversationswiththemmakesyoulooklikeanutcase."Great...NowIlooklikeatotalweirdo...!"Imutteredtomyself.
"Mopeaboutyourweirdnesslater.I'vegotagymtochallenge!"Mybrotherexclaimed,pumpingafistintheair."LetthisbeknownasthedaythatBlackKetchumdefeatedthefirstgymandtrulybeganhisjourney!"
Irecoveredfrommyembarrassmentandgavehimaflatlook."Youdon'tevenknowifyou'regonnawin."
"Iwilltoo!I'llshowyou!"
X-X-X
SeveralminuteslaterinfrontoftheStriatonGym,Blackwasonhiskneeswithallthecolordrainedfromhisfeatures."No...way!Whydidthishavetohappen?!"
IrolledmyeyesasTinylaiddownonmyhead,staringatBlack'soverdramaticbreakdown."Stopwhining.It'sjustclosedfortheday."Andhonestly,Ididn'tblamethem.Bythetimetherainwasover,itwasalreadyfivepastsix.Thesunhadalready
gonedownandthestreetlightswereon.Thegymleadershadprobablygonehometosleep."Didyoureallythinkgymswereopen24/7likeinthegames?Thisisreallife,Black,andgymleadersarehumanswithneeds."Blackcontinuedtomoan."Wouldyoupleasepickyourselfupofftheground?Idon'twanttobeseenwithyouinthisstate."
"Hey!"Afamiliarvoicemadebothofuslookoverourshoulders.TherewasBianca,runningtowardsusandwavingherhand."Hi,guys!"
"Bianca!Didyoujustgethere?"Blackaskedwithanarchedeyebrow,stillontheground.
Whenshegotcloser,Biancashookherhead."Nope.We'vebeenhereallday,checkingoutthesights."Shespunaroundononefootandheldherarmsout,eyesseeminglysparkling."Isn'tthisgreat?!Youdon'tseethingslikethisinNuvemaTown!They'veevengotafountainwithcutetopiaryPokémonandaschoolfortrainers!"
"Atrainerschool,huh?Wait,whatdidyoumeanby'we'?"
"Iseeyouguysgotstuckwaitingforthegymtoopen,too."LookingoverBianca'sshoulders,wesawanannoyedCherenwalkingtowardsus."Didyouhavetogorunningofflikethat?It'sdangeroustodothatinabigcityatnight."
"Aw,I'llbeokay!IcangoanywheresolongasIhavemyPokémonatmyside!"Biancathenlookedatme."Hey,you'vegotyourPichuonyourheadnow!Iguessyou'reallbetternow."
"Uh...Just1/17thsbetterthanIwasinthemorning."Atthosewords,myblondefriendstaredatmeinconfusion.
"Shemeansthatshe'sonlynotafraidaroundoneoftheseventeentypesofPokémon.Electrictype,right?"Cherenguessedcorrectly.
"Oh.Well,maybeabattlewouldhelp!"TheblondegirlreachedintohertravelingbagandpulledoutaPokéball."GoLillipup!"Shethrewtheballandinaflashoflight,aLillipupappeared,yawning.
"Whattimeisit...?"Thepuppyyawned.Atthesightofme,itbegantoyipandIfeltfeargripmeoncemore.
"Wedon'thavetimeforabattle,remember?ProfessorFenneltoldustogototheDreamyardandgetsomeDreamMistfromthere,"Cherentoldtheblondegirlandshereturnedittoitsball.
"ProfessorFennel?Dreamyard?DreamMist?What'reyouguystalkingabout?"Iasked.
Atthatpoint,Blackfinallydecidedtostandup."YoumeanthatfriendProfessorJunipertoldusaboutbeforeweleft!"Whendidthathappen?Oh.ProbablywhileIwasunconscious."Isthatwhatsheneededusfor?Togetthis'DreamMist'?"
"Butwhat'sDreamMist?"Iaskedwithanarchedeyebrow.
"AccordingtoProfessorFennel,DreamMistisgivenoffbythePokémonMunnaandMusharna.SheneedsittostudythedreamsofPokémon,"Cherenexplained.
"Theirdreams?"Apartofmedidn'twanttoknowwhatsortofthingsPokémondreamedabout.But,asexpected...
"Wow!IwonderwhatPokémondreamabout?"...Blackwasthrilledbytheidea.
"Ifwhatshesaidwastrue,youcanuseDreamMisttoseeintoanyone'sdreams,"Cherenadded.
"S-seriously?ToomanyPsychictypePokémoncandothatontheirown,andnowyou'resayingthatpeoplecanprobablydoitwiththisstuff...?"Ispokeoutloud.
"Itisn'tasifit'saneasythingtodo.Youneedtohavespecificequipment,likewhatProfessorFennelhas,inordertomakeitwork.
"Hey,canwecomewithyouguys?IwannacatchaMunnaformyself!"SaidBlack.
"What?!"Iexclaimedinshock.
"Yeah.AMunnawouldbeagoodadditiontomyteamsincetheonesIalreadyhavearemainlyphysicalfighters.Andifyoucaughtone,you'dgetoveryourfearofPsychictypes!"
"Uh...No."IthinkI'llwaitforaPokémonthatcan'tshowoffmydreamsinpublic!
"Whateverhappenedtotryingtoovercomeyourfears?"
"I'llovercomemyfearswithadifferentPokémon!"
Bianca'seyessuddenlylitup."Oh!Ihaveanidea!"Sheexclaimedassheraisedherhand."Whydon'tweseewhocancatchaMunnafirst?SplittingupwouldbethefastestwaytogetsomeDreamMist,Ithink."
"Countmeout.I'mnotlookingforaMunna.It'djustbeawasteoftimeandPokéBalls,"saidCheren.
"You'rejustafraidI'llbeatyouandfindonefirst,"Blacksaidwithagrin.Asexpected,thedark-hairedboyflinchedandgavemybrotherasharp-eyedlook.
"IbetIcanfindonefirst."
"You'reon!"
"Wellcountmeout.Iwantnothingtodowiththis,"Itoldthethreeofthem,foldingmyarmsacrossmychest.
X-X-X
Severalminuteslater,Ifoundmyselfintheruinsofabuildingthatlookedlikeitexploded,walkingthroughtallgrasswithBianca.BlackandCherenhadgoneseparateways,eachclaimingthathe'dfindaMunnafirst.
"HowdidIgethere?Seriously,it'slikeyouthreecanpullmeintothesesituationsIwantnothingtodowithwithoutmeevenknowing!"IcomplainedforwhatfeltlikethehundredthtimesincecomingtotheDreamyard.
AtleastBiancawasn'tcomplainingaboutmycomplaininglikeBlackorCherenwould.Butthenagain,maybeshewasjustputtingmoreeffortintofindingaMunna.Shealwaysseemedtodothatwhenevershefocusedonsomething"sometimesridiculouslyso.
TheblondegirlsuddenlystoppedwalkingandIbumpedintoher.Tinyalmostfelloffofmyhead,butclungonfordearlife."Oh?IthinkIhearsomething!"
"CoulditbethedreadedMunna?"
"Nowthat'snotnice!Callingit'dreaded'..."Biancastilledoncemore."Thereitisagain!"Shepointedovertoawallthathadaholeinit."It'scomingfrombehindthere..."ShetiptoedovertothewallandI,beinghertemporarysidekick,followed.Weheardwhatsoundedlikeamanandwomangrunting.Bianca'sfaceturnedredandshehidherfaceinherhands."Ohhh,we'reeavesdroppingonacoupleonadate...!"
"P...please...stop...!"Ifrozeatthesoundofathirdvoice.Whatkindoffreakythingwerethosepeopledoing?!
"White!Didyouhearthat?ItsoundedlikeaMunna!"Biancasaidwithasmile."But...itcamefrombehindthewall.Ohdear...Ihopewedon'thavetointerruptthatcoupleandtheir...whatever."
Munna?WasthethirdvoicetheMunna?But...itsoundedlikeitwasinpain...Curious,Ipeeredthroughthehole,ignoringBianca'scomplaintsofbeingapervert.IlookedarounduntilInoticedamanandwomandressedinknightgetups.Wait.Theyseemedfamiliar.
"Comeon!MakesomeDreamMist!"Themangruntedasheandthewomancontinuedtokicksomethingontheground.IlookeddownandnoticedthattheywerekickingasmallpinkPokémonwithapurplefloralpattern.CouldthathavebeenaMunna?
"Please...stop...!I'llmakeDreamMist...!Juststop...kickingme...!"ThePokémonwhimperedwithtearswellingupinitsbigredeyes.
"...Bianca.DidyouhearaMunnajustnow?"Iasked,myhandssubconsciouslyballingupintofists.
"Yeah...Why?"Ipressedmyfingeruptomylipsandpointedatthehole.Biancalookedinsideandgaspedatwhatshesaw.Theblondegirl'seyesbegantowater,butthelookinthemwasoneofangerinsteadoffear.ShepulleddownherhatbeforesheranaroundthewalltoconfrontthePlasmamembers."STOP!Don'tyoudarehurtthatPokémon!"SheshoutedasIcaughtuptoher.
"Whatthe"!Oh,it'sjustapairofkids,"thewomanknightsaidwithalookofirritation."Look,youtwo!WearehereforthesakeofTeamPlasma!"
Iblinked."TeamPlasma?TheguyswhoweretalkingaboutthatPokémonliberationstuff?"
"That'sright!WiththeaidofthisMunnaanditsDreamMist,we'llbeabletoconvincetrainersalloverUnovatoreleasetheirPokémonbymanipulatingtheirdreams!"
"Lemmegetthisstraight:ontheroadtohelpingoutPokémon,you'regoingtokickadefenselesslittlePokémonsoitcangiveyousomethingtoforcepeopletoreleasetheirPokémon?"IaskedasIbentoverandpickeduparockfromtheground.Isuddenlythrewitandithitthemanintheface.Iwasaimingforthewoman'ssmirkingface,butmyaimwasoff.Iignoreditandcontinued,"Youguysareabunchofhypocrites!Idon'tcareifyouwannaliberatePokémon!Ifyou'regonnahurtthewildonesintheprocess,howcanyousayyou'reintheright?!"
ThemalePlasmaheldontothebruiseonhisforeheadandglaredatme."Youlittle...!Youdon'tknowwhoyou'remessingwith!WefightforthesakeofPokémon!"
"Ifyou'refightingforPokémon,whydoyouhurtthem?"Biancaasked,lookingdownattheinjuredMunna."ThatpoorMunnamightgiveyouDreamMistifyouwerenicertoit...Youdidn'thavetohurtit!"
"Isn'titobvious?It'saPsychictype.Itcouldprobablytellthatthesecreepsweren'tthesortofpeopleitshouldgiveDreamMistto!"Iwasfeelingempowerednow.Icouldn'trememberthelasttimeIfeltso...bold.Sostrong.Iwasn'tevenafraidoftheMunna"Iwasmoreconcernedforitswellbeing.
"Littlekidsshouldlearntostayoutofgrownups'business!"ThewomanshoutedasshepulledoutaPokéBall.Whenshethrewit,itreleasedadarkpurplefelinewithpinkarounditsturquoiseeyes"aPurrloin.Themandidthesame,onlyhesentoutabrownrodent-likePokémonthathadlargeredeyesandchubbycheeks"aPatrat.BiancaimmediatelypulledoutherPokédextoidentifythem.
"Thepurpleone'saPurrloin.It'saDarktype.Theother'saPatrat,aNormaltype."BiancaputherPokédexbackintoherbagandthenpulledoutaPokéBall."Wecantake'emtogether,White!Go,Tepig!"ShethrewtheballandIwatchedasitreleasedanorangeandblackpiglet,whichbegantobounceupanddown.
"What'rewedoing?What'rewedoing?"TheTepignoticedTeamPlasmaandcalmeddown."Ohhh...We'reinafight.I'mraringtogothen!"TheTepigproclaimed,rubbinghishoofagainstthedirtanxiously.
Itookabreath.Ididn'twantTinygoingupagainstthePokémonofcreepswhoweredirtyenoughtokickaMunna.NottomentionthatPurrloinlookedlikeitcouldeathimupwhole.Soinstead,IpulledoutPanacea'sPokéBallandreleasedhernexttoBianca'sTepig.
"Iampreparedforbattle,MissWhite!"
"You'regonnapayforwhatyoudid,girl!"ThemalePlasmagoonshouted."Patrat,LeerandBite!"
"Roger!"ThePatrat'seyesseemedtoglowforamomentasitstaredatPanacea.TheAudinoflinched,turnedoffbytherodent'sstare,andinthebriefmomentitjumpedforwardandbitPanaceaonthearm.
"PunchitoffwithPound!"IorderedPanacea.SheglareddownatthePatratandgaveitabopontheheadhardenoughtomakeitletgoofher."Giveitablackeye!"
"Black...eye?"Panacearepeated,tiltingherheadinconfusion.
"Pounditintheeyesoitcanbedistracted!"
"Ohhhh!Okay!"TheAudinoballedupafistandpunchedthePatratintheeyeseveraltimes,thebrownrodent'sjawsclampingdowndeeperonhereveryfewseconds.PanaceacontinuedpoundingawayatthePatrat'sheaduntilonefinalblowknockeditout.Panaceafelltotheground,holdingontoherinjuredarm.
"PLASMAAAA!Ican'tbelieveIlosttoagirl!"ThemalegruntexclaimedashereturnedhisPatratintoitsPokéBall."Maybethere'sareasonwhywe'regruntsstill..."
"Hmph!Whatever!We'lljustcatchtheMunnaandgetitsDreamMistelsewhere!"ThefemalePlasmagruntsaidasshereturnedhersmokingPurrloin.
"No!Iwon'tletyouhurtitanymore!"BiancapulledoutaPokéBallandthrewitattheMunna.Inaflashoflight,itwascaughtintheballandstoppedshakingafterafewseconds.SheimmediatelyranforwardandpickedupthePokéBall."It'sokay,Munna...Theywon'tbeabletocatchyoulikethis!"
ThePlasmagruntsglaredatus."Whyyoulittle...!DoyouknowhowlongittookusjusttofindoneMunna?Ifyouknowwhat'sgoodforit,you'llhandoverthatMunnatous!"
"No!"
"Youfools."ThePlasmacreepssuddenlyfrozeandturnedaroundtoseeGhetsisstandingbehindthem.Therobedmanhadonafrighteningexpressionashestaredatthem"Youhavefailedinyourmission.Whatashame.Returntothebaseimmediately,leastyouincuraharsherpunishmentthantheoneawaitingyou..."
Themalegruntlookedatthefemale,sweating."It'sSageGhetsis...!"
"Hesoundsserious...!"Thefemalespoke."DoIwanttoknowhowhegotheresofast?"
"Whocares?!Let'sgobeforewegetinmoretrouble!Consideryourselveslucky,youbrats!"ThePlasmaGruntexclaimedbeforetheybothranpastthetwoofusinfearofGhetsis.
Assoonastheyweregone,Ghetsisfadedawaylikeamirage,andinhisplacewasafloatingPokémonthatlookedjustlikeMunna,butlargerandwithshorttrunk.
"Ohhhh...!Isthat...!"Biancaexclaimed,holdingoutherPokédex.Shegaveanod."White,it'saMusharna!ProfessorFennelsaidit'stheevolvedformofMunna,soitcanalsomakeDreamMist!Butitevolvesinaspecialway,soseeingoneinthewild'sarareevent!Andwe'relookingatonerightnow!"
"Musharna...Whydiditdothatillusion?"Imumbled.ThelargepinkPokémonremainedsilentasitstaredatus.ThebraveryandboldnessIfeltearlierhadwornoffandIwasbacktocoweringbehindBianca."Wh-whyisitlookingatuslikethat?It'snotgonnatryandattackus,isit?"TheMusharnastaredatusforawhilelongerbeforeitfloatedaway,disappearingintothetallgrass."...Couldit...havebeentryingtohelpus?"
"No..."BiancalookeddownatthePokéBallinherhands."IthinkitwastryingtohelptheMunna."ShestaredattheballuntilsheopeneditandtheMunnaappearedinfrontofherinaflashoflight.Itfloatedawayfromher,stillwaryafteritsexperiencewithTeamPlasma.
"D-don'thurtme...!"Itwhimpered.Itflinchedvisibly,stillinjuredbecauseofthosejerks.
"Iwon'thurtyou,littleMunna!I...onlywanttomakeyoufeelbetter."Biancareachedintoherbagandpulledoutaspraybottleofpotion.SheapproachedtheMunna,kneltdownnexttoit,andbegantosprayitsinjuriesuntiltheyhealed."See?Doesn'tthatfeelbetter?"Shesaidwithasmile.
"Th...thankyou..."
"I'mgladyou'reokay.Youshouldneverpickonsomeonetogetsomethingfromthem"andthatincludesPokémon,too!"
"...Y'know,Bianca'snothinglikethosecreepsthattriedtohurtyou.She'stoonicetohurtanyone,humanorPokémon,"Isaidwithanervoussmile."M-meeither,bytheway.So,evenifyoudon'tgiveusanyDreamMist,wewouldn'thurtyouliketheydid."IflinchedastheMunnaglancedinmydirection,butrelaxedwhenitturneditsattentionbacktoBianca.
ItlightlynudgedthePokéBallinBianca'shand.Hereyesbrightened."Doesthismeanyouwantmetobeyourtrainer?"Itgavewhatcouldcomeoffasanodforitskind."Oh,youhavenoideahowhappyIam!White!IhaveaMunna!AMunnaofmyveryown!"
Isighed."That'snice,Bianca..."IlookeddownatPanaceaandsmiled."Youdidgreat.Butyouhavetogobackinside,okay?"Shenoddedwithoutawordbeforeshe
returnedintomyPokéBallinaflashoflight.IpickedTinyupoffmyheadandnoticedthathewasstartingtonodoff."Feelingsleepy?Well,Idon'tblameyou.It'sbeenacrazyday,huh?Andthisisjustthebeginning..."
Tinyyawnedbeforesnugglinguptomychest."Mommy..."
"G'night,littleguy.Pleasantdreams..."Imumbledwhilelookingupatthesky.IforgotalltheangerIheldtowardsTeamPlasmaandtheirmethodstowardsPokémonliberation.Forthemoment,allIcaredaboutwasgettingtheDreamMistbacktoFennelandhittingthehay.
X-X-X
"Ahhh~!Thankyouallsomuchforhelpingme!"ProfessorFennelswoonedwithdelightoncewereturnedtoherapartment/lab.Itwasmyfirsttimemeetingtheprofessor,butforsomereason,Iwasn'tsurprisedtoseethatshewasayoungwoman"BiancadidsaythatshewasafriendofProfessorJuniper'sfromcollege.ShehadlongdarkhairwithahairpininitlikeaMunna'sflowerpatternandworealabcoatwithblackframeglassesandsensibleshoes.Herreaction,though,wasnotwhatIexpected.UnlikeProfessorJuniper,whoatleasttriedtoshowsomeprofessionalism,ProfessorFennelsquealedlikeagiddyschoolgirlatthesightoftheMunnainBianca'sarms.
"It'sagoodthingBiancaactuallycaughtaMunna.NoneofusreallyknowhowtoextractDreamMistfromitanyway,"saidBlack.
"Biancatriedtodoit,allitdidwasputhertosleep,"Cherenadded.
"Ah,true.Withouttheproperequipment,themistwouldonlymakeyoufallasleep,"Fennelexplained."Iprobablyshould'vetoldyouthatbeforeIsentyouofflikethat,huh?"
"Probably?!Theyusethatstuffsotheycaneatdreams!That'sthesortofthingthatleavesapersonpsychologicallyscarred!"Ipointedout.
"Don'tsaythingslikethat,White!Munnawouldneverharmsomeonethatbadlyevenifshewashungry!AndthatoneMusharnausedittohelpus!"saidBianca.
"No,no,yourfriendisright.Thesituationhadachanceofbeingdangeroustoyourmentalhealth,andI'msorryforthat,"Fennelapologized,seeminglikeanactualprofessornow."NowIfeelasifIshouldgiveyousomethinginexchangefortherisk."
"Oh,youdon'thavetogiveusanything!"Blackspokeup."WedidthisforProfessorJuniperafterall.Though,uh...whatexactlyareyougonnadowiththatstuff?Aren'tthereeasierwaysofputtingpeopletosleep?"
"Oh,it'snotforputtingpeopletosleep!Well,itis,butthat'snotwhatI'mgoingtouseitfor.Pokémonprofessorsperformresearchindifferentfields.MyfieldisPokémononeirology,butIalsostudytrainerslikeyourselves."
"Oni-whatnow?"
"Dreams.Shestudiesdreamsandtrainers...SoIguessyou'reintopsychologyorsomething?"Iasked,archinganeyebrow.
ProfessorFennelsmiledandnodded."Youcouldsaythat.DreamMisthasthepowertomakedreamsintoreality.Withit,IcanbetterobservethedreamingprocessofsleepingPokémon.Itmightleadtoamajorbreakthroughinthestudyofdreams!Soifthere'sanythingIcandoforyou,justletmeknow!Ioweyouone!"
X-X-X
Severalminuteslater,thefourofuswerewalkingthroughthestreetsofStriatonCitytowardsthePokémonCenter.
"Thisisgonnabeweird,spendingthenightinaPokémonCenter,"saidBianca."IhopeI'llbeabletofallasleep."
"Well,Whitewasabletosleepjustfinethisafternoon,"Blacksaidasheplacedhishandsbehindhishead.
Cherenshotmybrotheralook."Becauseshefainted.AreyouinsinuatingthatBiancashouldfainttogettosleepaswell?"
"No,Iwasn't!"
"MaybeIcoulduseMunnatohelpmegettosleep?Wouldsheminddoingthatforme?"Biancaseemedtobethinkingoutloud.
IcringedatthethoughtoflettingaPsychictypePokémonnearmewhileIslept.Actually,Iwouldn'tbeabletosleepifthatactuallyhappened."Idon'tthinkthat'ssuchagoodidea"
"Itmightbecomeaddicting,"saidCheren,"liketakingsleepingmedicine.Youwouldn'tbeabletogotosleepwithoutMunna'shelp,evenifyouwantedto."
"R-really?Well,Iguessthatshouldbeexpected."Biancasuddenlystoppedwalking."Ijustthoughtsomething:wemightnotseeeachotherforalongtime."
TherestofusstareatBiancainconfusion."Whatbroughtthisupallofasudden?"
"Justathought.Unova'sabigregion,y'know.Wemightwindupgoingtodifferentplaces,farawayfromeachother.Wewon'tbeabletohangoutlikethisanymore..."
"So?Ithappenstoeveryone.That'sjustapartoflife,"Cherenansweredabittoobluntly,becauseBiancastartedtolookdownsadly.
Black,however,wasquicktotryandfixthesituation,"Whathemeansisthatevenifwearen'ttogether,wecanstilltalktoeachotherwithourXtransceivers!Soit'snotlikewe'regonnastopseeingeachother."
"Yeah,Iknow.Butitwon'tbethesame...Solet'spromisethatifwe'reinthesameplace,we'llgettogetherandhangoutlikeoldtimes!"Theblondegirlinsisted
"Shemakesitsoundlikeit'sbeenyearssincewe'veseeneachother,nothours,"thedark-hairedboymumbled.
"You,too,White!Evenifyoufaint,youhavetocomeandspendtimewithus!"I'mnotsureifit'spossibleforanunconsciouspersontomoveoftheirownfreewill,Bianca."Soit'ssettled!Bestfriendsforlife!"SheexclaimedbeforegivingBlackahigh-five.
Cherenlookedatme."Doesn'ttakemuchtomakethemhappy,doesit?"
"Yeah.Ikindaenvythat."
"Areyouguys,like,insultingusforbeinghappy?That'ssowrong!"Biancasaidwithahuff.
"Don'tpayattentiontothem,Bianca.They'rejustapairofGloomyGoomies,"Blacksaidashesmiled.
"Gloomy?!"Isnappedback.
"Yeah.Idon'tknowanyonewhocansayasmanydepressingthingsasyoudo,littlesister."
"Isaylogicalthings!AndIamnottheyoungertwin!Nowapologize!"Insteadofapologizing,Blackjustranpastme."Black!Getbackhere,youbrat!"IshoutedasIranpasthimwithCherenandBiancatrailingbehindme.
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Notes!
Apanaceaisacure-allremedy,namedforthegoddessofuniversalremedyinGreekmythology.IfyouplayvideogameslikeRPGs(likeIdo),you'llrecognizeitasanitemthatusuallyhealsandrecoversstatusesandthelike.
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ReviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter3
Disclaimer:Idon'townthePokémonseries.Ionlyownthisfic.
X-X-X
~AMealandaBattle~
OR!
~VSTripleTrouble!~
ThefollowingmorninginthePokémonCenterstartedthewaymorningsathomedid:withBlackbuggingmebeforeIcouldeveneat.
"Comeon!Youknowyouwantto~!"Hetriedtotemptme.Ithrewmypillowathiminanger."Butit'sreallyfun!"Ithenthrewmybagathim,buthefelloveranddodged.HethenpokedhisheadupinfrontofthebedIhadbeensleepingon."ItcouldhelpyoubondwithyourPokémonmorethanjusttalkingtothem."IstaredathimbeforeIunpluggedthelamponthedeskandhelditovermyhead,growling.Hegaveashriekbeforeduckingdownbehindthebed.
"Fortheumpteenthtime,I'mnotgonnachallengeagym!"Ishouted.IwasgoingtothrowituntilPanaceaspokeupfromanotherbedwithTiny.
"MissWhite,ifyouthrowthat,you'regoingtogetintroublewiththestaff."
AfterIstoodinthatposeforafewseconds,Iputthelampdownandpluggeditbackintothewall.Itookadeepbreathbeforesaying,"There'sjustnopoint!Idon'twannabechampionofthePokémonlikeyouandCheren.I'monlyonthisjourneytogetbetter."NottomentionthatPanaceawasn'tmuchofafighterandTinywasstilljustababythatshockedhimself.AbattleagainstaskilledGymLeaderwouldprobablybetoomuchforthem.
"ButtrainersandPokémonbondduringbattle!IfyoucouldseethelookonOshawott'sfacewheneverhewinsabattle!Ifyoucould'veseentheshineinPidove'seyeswhenshedefeatedawildPurrloinlastnight!Throughbattlingothertrainers,Pokémonandtrainergrowcloserandtrustoneanothermore!Anditmakesthemstrongerforobstaclestocome!"Blackspokepassionately.
"PanaceaandTinyalreadytrustme!"
"Maybe,butwhatmakesyouthinkanyotherPokémonyoucatchinthefuturewill?"
Westartedtoglareateachotherfromacrosstheroom.Afterafewsecondsofsilence,Panaceaspokeupagain,"Youknow,MissWhite,I'veheardaboutGymLeadersonTV.TheyhavelotsofdifferenttypesofPokémon.IfyoufoughtaGymLeaderspecializinginatype,thenwouldn'tyougetbetteratfacingoneofthattypeinthewild?"
"...Youjusthadtomakesense,didn'tyou?"Igrumbled,lookingattheAudino.
"What?What'dshesay?"Blackasked,butIignoredhim.
"Youdon'treallywannafightaGymLeader,doyou?Imean...they'vefoughtagainstdozens,maybehundredsoftrainers,probably,andtheirteamcouldbealotstrongerthanyou!Forallyouknow,you'dbemassacred!"
"We'llneverknowunlesswetry.Anythingtogetbetter,right,MissWhite?"
Afterafewmomentsofshaking,Islumpedoverandsaid,"Fine,youwin."IwassayingittobothPanaceaandBlack,andtheybothsmiledintriumph.
"Iknewyou'dseethelight!"Mybrotherexclaimed."I'mgonnagogetdressed,andthenwecangoandgetbreakfast,andthengototheStriatonGym!"
"Yeah,yeah,yeah.Justputonsomepants..."Isaid,glaringathisheart-embroideredboxers.
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Ashortwhilelater,wewerestandinginfrontofthedoorsoftheStriatonCityGym.IgulpedandheldTinyclosertome.Blackstraighteneduphishatandgrinned.
"Goingin?"Heaskedme."Youshouldgoinfirst,White.Imean,bettertogetitoverwithnowthanwaitheredreadingit."
"...YoujustwannausemetoanalyzetheGymLeader'smoves,don'tyou?"Iaskedflatly.
Blackflinchedatmyaccusation."O-ofcoursenot!Iwasjustbeingcourteous!Imean,ifyouthinkyouneedtowatchmetoseehowtododealwithagymbattle""Istompedmyfoot,silencinghim.
"Idon'tneedsomeonetoholdmyhandthroughabattle!Ididitonce!"
"AgainstawildPokémon,yeah.Butabattleagainstatrainerisdifferent.TrainerscanutilizestrategiesfortheirPokémontouseinbattle.Ifyouhonestlydon'tthink
you'reready,youdon'thaveto."
"What?Firstyouwereallgung-hotohavemefight,andnowyouaren't?I'llshowyouhowskilledIam!"...Meandmybigmouth.IwassofiredupthatIshovedthedoorsofthegymopen."Hey!I'mheretofighttheGym"Ah!"Iwassuddenlygrabbedbyseveralhandsandpulledfurtherinside.IblinkedandrealizedthatIwassomehownowsittingatatable."...Huh?"
"White!Areyou...okay?"Blacktrailedoffafterrunninginside.Hegavealowwhistleuponrealizingwhathadhappened.
Wewereinarestaurant.Andevenworse,therewerepeoplestaringatusfromtheirtables.Ifeltmycheeksturnbrightred.Howembarrassing!
"Goodmorning,miss!"Avoicespoke.Ilookedtomysideandsawaboywithshortgreenhairstandingleftofmyseat."Whatwouldyouliketoeatthismorning?"
"Today'sbreakfastmealspecialisbutteredcrumpetswithbaconandeggs,boiledorscrambled,"saidaboywithwild-lookingredhairwhowasstandingrightofmyseat.
"Orperhapsyouwouldliketoordersomethingelse.Ifthatisthecase,hereisamenu,"saidaboywithbluehairthatIhadn'tnoticedstandinginfrontofmeontheoppositesideofthetable,holdingoutamenu.
"Uh..."
"Ooh!Don'tmindifwedo,"saidBlack,sittingdownnexttome.Igavehimalookandinresponse,heshrugged."What?"
"Excellent.Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrinkwhileyouwait?"Theblue-hairedwaiter"atleast,Iassumedhewasawaiter"asked.
"I'llhave...someorangejuice."
"Andyou,miss?"
"...Water.Withice,"Ispokeslowly.Assoonasthewaitersleft,IgrabbedBlackbythecollarofhisjacketandbegantoshakehimviolently."Don'tmindifwedo?!We'reonaschedulehere,youknow!"
"Hey,breakfastisthemostimportantpartoftheday."
"Youalreadyhadbreakfast!"
Mybrothershruggedandopenedthemenu."Consideritbrunch,then."
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Forthefollowinghalf-hour,weenjoyedamomentoffinediningthatwasn'tavailableinNuvemaTown.BlackandIateourso-called'brunch'whileourPokémonatewhatwassupposedlygourmetPokémonfood"withTinycharmingmeintogivinghimmyboiledeggwhenhewasdone.Despitethedeliciousnessofitall,eachbiteofacrumpetorpieceofbaconmademedreadtheupcomingbill.ButIremindedmyselfthatthiswasallBlack'sidea,sohewouldbetheonetopayforallofthis.Literally.
"Haveyoufinishedyourmeal?"Thegreen-hairedboyaskedashecameovertoourtable.
"Yeah,"BlackandIbothspokeatthesametimewithatoneofcontentment.
"Andhowdidyoufindit?Good?"
"Good?Itwasgreat!"Blackexclaimed.Hisreactionbroughtasmiletothegreen-hairedboy'sface."Iwishwecouldeatlikethisallthetime...It'sjustsomuchbetterthanthestuffatthePokémonCenter!"
"Maybeso,butit'salsomorecostly,"Ipointedout."Bytheway,you'repayingforallofthis."
"What?!Hey,youate,too!Atleastchipinforwhatyouate!"Mybrotherdugintohispantsandpulledoutasimplewallet.Helookedatthewaiter."Um,excuseme,butwhere'sthebill?"
"You'llreceiveitafterwe'vehadourbattle."Webothstaredathiminconfusionashecontinued,"YoutwoaretrainerswhocametochallengetheStriatonGym,right?Well..."Hesnappedhisfingersandallthelightsintherestaurantsuddenlywentout.Atrioofspotlightsshonedowninthemiddleoftherestaurantwherethethreegreen,redandblue-hairedwaitersstood."ComefacetheGymLeaders!"
Istared,dumbfounded."....Waitasecond!Ithoughtthiswasarestaurant,notaPokémonGym!AndhowcantheybeGymLeaderswhenthey'renoolderthanus?!"
"Whyareyousosurprisedaboutthat?Iftrainerscancomeinallshapesandsizes,thensocanGymLeaders,"Blackexplained."Ifanything,youshouldbesurprisedthattherearethreeoftheminsteadofone."
"SinceStriatonCityishometooneofthefinestPokémonschoolsinUnova,we
havethreeGymLeadersinordertotesttrainersbasedontheirstartingPokémon,"saidtheblue-hairedboy.
Thered-hairedboyheldoutaPokéBallandgrinnedlikeamadman."I'mChili,andIlightthingsupwithFiretype!"
Theblue-hairedboypulledoutaPokéBallandsimplysmirked."IamCress,andIdrownmycompetitionwithWatertype."
Thegreen-hairedboypulledoutaPokéBall,lookingmoresheepishthantheothertwoashesaid,"AndI'mCilan.I...justlikeGrasstypes."
"Andaswesaid,dependingonthestartingPokémonyoustartedwith,yougettofaceoneofus.ThosewhostartwithSnivyfaceChili.ThosewhostartwithTepigfaceme.AndthosewhostartwithOshawottfaceCilan,"Cressexplained.
"Wow.That'squiteasystem,but..."IheldupTiny."Ididn'treceiveaPokémonfromProfessorJuniper.IjusthavethisPichu."
ThetrioofGymLeadersstareduntiltheyturnedtheirbackstousandhuddledup,whisperingthingstoeachotherthatwecouldstillhear:
"WhattheheckisthatPokémon?!"
"It'saPichu.AnElectrictype,Ibelieve."
"Electrictype?!Isthatallowed?"
"There'snothingsayingapersoncan'tstartajourneywithaPokémonthatisn'toneofthethreestarters.Thoughitisashock"nopunintended."
"TherearenoElectrictypesnormallyfoundnearhere,andeventheonesthathavechallengedusfromfartherplacesneverhadanElectrictypeforastarter..."
"Trulyafirstforus."
"See?Iknewweshouldhavemoresiblingssothisgymwouldbetougher!"
"PleaseaskMotherthat,Chili.I'dlovetoseeherreactiontosucharequest..."
Afterthat,theirnextwordswerespokentoolowtobeheard.Whentheyweredone,thethreeGymLeadersturnedaroundtofaceus."Verywellthen.We'llacceptanElectrictype.Butfirst,whatPokémondidyoustartwith?"CressaskedBlack.
"AnOshawott."
"AWatertype.Verywellthen.Whoamongstyouwouldliketogofirst?"
"Me!"BlackexclaimedenergeticallyatthesametimeIpointedathim.
Thetriothenheldtheirhandsupintheairandsnappedtheirfingersinwhathadtobepracticedsynchronization.Acurtaininthefarbackofthegymsuddenlyopened,revealinganareathatwasseparatefromtherestaurant.StairsleddownintoarectangulararenawithanemptyPokéBallembleminthecenter.TheGymLeadersbegantowalk,gesturingforustofollowthemintothearena.Withinafewminutes,BlackandIwerestandingononeendofthearena,Cilanstoodattheotherend,andChiliandCressstoodonthesidelines.
"Therulesaresimple:aone-on-onePokémonbattle.TheonlyrequirementisthatyouusethePokémonyoubeganyourpathasatrainerwith,"thegreen-hairedGymLeaderexplained."Nowcomeout,Pansage!"HeheldouthisPokéBallandreleasedhisPokémon.Itwasasmall,green,monkey-likecreaturewithatuftofpaironitsheadthatlookedlikeaBrusselsproutandawidesmileonitsface.
Unexpectedly,BlackalreadyhadhisPokédexouttoscanit."Let'ssee...Pansage,theGrassMonkeyPokémon.Itdwellsdeepinforests.Theleavesonitsheadareknowntorelievestressandweariness,anditsharesthemwithotherPokémon.It'saGrasstype,sohe'sgotthetypeadvantage...Butthatdoesn'tmeanthey'regonnawin!"OshawottwasreleasedfromhisPokéBall,wearingawhiteheadbandwithforeignsymbolswrittenonitinred.
"...Black.WhatisyourPokémonwearing?"
"Agoodluckheadband!Thesymbolsstandforvictory!"MybrotherproclaimedwithanairofconfidenceashehelduptwofingersinaVsign.Wait,sincewhencouldhereadJapanese?
Oshawottpulledhisshelloffofhisbellyandhelditupintheair,afireburninginhiseyes."WewillbevictoriousonourfirststeptothePokémonLeague!"EitherthiswasjusthowtheWatertypewas,orBlack'spersonalityhadmanagedtoruboffonhimveryquickly.
"ALRIGHT!"Chilishoutedloudly,probablytocatchtheattentionoftherestaurantgoers."ThismatchwillbebetweenGymLeaderCilanandchallenger...um...What'syournameagain?"
"BlackKetchum."
"Right,right.ChallengerBlackKetchum!Ready...?Begin!"
"Pansage,startwithaWorkUp!"Cilancommanded.HisPansagebeganpumpingitsarmsintheair,almostasifitwereexercising.Itsbodysoonbecameenvelopedinanorangeauraanditspreviouslykindeyesbecamenarrowedwithdetermination."NowuseVineWhip!"Withashout,apairofthickvinessuddenlycameoutofthemonkeyPokémon'sgrassyhair.
"Dodgeandparry,Oshawott!"Blackexclaimed.Oshawottheldhisshelloutinfrontofhimashebegantodefendhimselffromthelashingvines.Althoughhedidknockthembackquiteabitoftimes,theWatertypecouldn'tdodgequicklyenoughtoavoidbeingslappedaboutbyvines.Eventually,theywrappedaroundOshawott'sbodyandraisedhimupintotheair.Thevinesseemedtotightentheirgrip,asOshawottgaveoutacryofpain.IsawBlacktenseupbeforeheissuedhisnextcommand,"UseWaterGun!Aimfortheeyes!"
OshawottstruggledinthegripofPansage'svinesbeforehetookadeepbreathandsprayedastreamofwaterfromhismouththathittheGrasstypeintheface.Whetherornottheattackwasdamagingdidn'tmatter,becauseitwasenoughtomakethePansagedropOshawottandretractitsvines."Ugh...!Thatwasnotfun!"
Pansageshookitsheadandspatoutsomewater."Well,thatwasrefreshing!Thankyou!"Itspokeinanalltoocheerfulvoice.
"Youwon'tbethankingmeinalittlewhile!...Ihope.Black?"TheotterPokémoncalledbackhopefully.
TheonewhospokeinsteadwasCilan."NowuseLick!"
"What'dhesay?!"OshawottcriedoutbeforePansagejumpedforwardandclosedthedistancebetweenthemquickly.Withease,thegreenmonkeypouncedontohisopponentandgavehimalickontheface.IfitwaspossibleforanOshawott,I'mprettysureallthecolorwould'vedrainedfromhisface.Aftersecondsofshockedsilence,Oshawottexploded."YUUUUUUUUCK!"HeheadbuttedthePansageinthefaceseveraltimesbeforeitfinallyrolledoffofhim.Hestartedtospitandtriedsprayingwaterupintotheairandwaitingfortheresultingdownpourtowashthespitoff.
Cilanworeaworriedexpression."Oh,no!Pansage,areyoualright?!"
"I'vegotaheadache...andIthinkIbitmytongue...!"HisPokémonmoaned,sittingonthegroundandholdinghishandsoverhismouth.
"DidOshawottjustlearnHeadbuttorsomething?"Blackasked,confused.
"Ithinkthatwasjustanormalreactiontoatongueintheface,"Ianswereddully.
"Well,whateveritwas,itlookslikeitreallyhurtPansage!Now'sourchancetogetontheoffensive!Oshawott,getitsattentionwithTailWhip!"
Oshawottsuddenlyturnedaroundandbeganshakinghistailinataunting,butcutemanner."Wott,wott,Osha-woooott~!"HisopponentseemedtoforgetaboutallhisinjuriesinaninstantandgotuptowalktowardstheWatertype.
"No,Pansage,don't!"Cilancriedoutinvain.HisPokémondidn'tlistentohimandinsteadcontinuedtogapeinaweofhisopponent'stail,until...
"ATTACK!"Oshawottimmediatelyspunaround,brandishinghisshell.Withacry,hestruckPansagewiththeflatsideoftheshell,puttingitinadaze."NowTackle!"JumpingbacktogainsomedistanceOshawottchargedatPansageheadfirst.Onimpact,themonkeyPokémonwentflyingbackandlandedontheground.Pansagetriedtositup,butfellbackdownwithagroan.
"ThevictorygoestoBlack!"Chiliproclaimed,pointinginBlack'sdirection.Behindus,alightapplausecamefromtherestaurantpatrons.BlackandOshawottbothblushedandsmiledlikeidiotsastheGymLeadersapproachedthem.
"Congratulationstobothofyou!You'veearnedthisbadge!"CilanhandedsomethingovertoBlack,whichmadehisstupidsmilegrowwider.Thegreen-hairedGymLeaderthenlookedmyway."Youwantedabattleaswell,right?"
"Werequestthatyoucomebacklater.CilanneedstohealhisPokémonfirstbeforeyoucanhaveyourmatch,"saidCress.
Ifrozeinplace.That'sright:Ididrequesttohaveabattlewiththeseguys,didn'tI?ButnowIdidn'tfeelsouptoit."A-actually,Ichangedmymind.Iwon'tbechallengingyoutoday.Sosorry,goodbye,"IspokequicklybeforeIspunonmyheelandleftthegym/restaurantbeforeIhadtosaymore.
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"White!White!Willyoustoprunningawayfromme?"
"I'mnotrunningaway,I'mwalkingtowardsthewayoutoftown."
"YouknowwhatImean!Nowjuststop!"Blackgrabbedmyarmandstoppedme
frommovingforward.IcametorealizethatwewereinanunfamiliarpartofStriaton"notthattherewasmuchofthetownthatwasfamiliartome.Isighed,anticipatinghowhewasgoingtoreact."Whatwasthedealatthegymaboutnotchallengingthemtoday?Ithoughtweallagreedthatwewouldbothchallengethegym.OrdidyoujustagreesoI'dstopbuggingyou?"
"Yes."BlackfrownedandIfrownedback."I'llagreewithyouthatbattlingothertrainersisonewayofgettingalongwithyourPokémon.Butthatdoesn'tmeanIhavetogochallengingpeopleasskilledasGymLeaders"especiallywhentherearehundreds"no,thousandsoftrainersintheworldforeveryoneGymLeader!SoIdon'thavetodowhatyouwantmetodo,Black."
"...You'rejustachicken."
Inarrowedmyeyes."Ihavecommonsense.InafightbetweenanewbornPichuwithanovicetrainerandaskilledGymLeaderwithawell-trainedPansage,whoismorelikelytowin?It'sprettyobviousthatIwouldn'twin."
"Thentrainhim!It'stheonlywayhe'sgonnagetstronger!"Withoutwaitingformetoagreeorrefuse,mybrothergrabbedmyhandandstartedtodragmealongwithhim."Soallwehavetodoisfindtrainersforyoutobattleagainst."
"AndwhereamIgonnafindtrainerswithweakenoughPokémon,Mr.Genius?"
"You'llsee!"
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Minuteslater,wearrivedoutsideoftownintheDreamYard.Inthedaytime,Icouldbettermakeouttheruinedoldbuildings,andunfortunately,thefiguresofPokémonpassingthroughthetallgrass.Theplaceseemedevenmoreintimidatinginthedaythanitdidatnight.Blackpulledmefurtherinside,towardsahunkofcrumblingconcretethathadbeenovergrownwithgrass.Heclimbedupontoitandbegantolookaround."Let'ssee...There'sgottabesomeonearoundhere...Therewereabunchoftrainersherelastnight,talkingaboutdreammistandpsychicaurasorsomething..."
"Whyonearthwouldanyonewanttocomeouthere?There'snothingbutabunchofruins,"ImutteredundermybreathasIkickedawayacannexttomyfoot.Tinycrawledoutofmybagandjumpedafterthecan.Hestartedtopushitaroundhimself,eitheroutofcuriosityorentertainment.Hewasyoungenoughtobeeasilyentertained,Iguess.
"Iseesomebody!"Blacksuddenlyexclaimed,gettingmyattention."I"No,wait.That'satree.AtleastIthinkit'satree."
ItensedasIheardrustlingnoisesinthegrass.Overhead,PidoveandTranquillflewoutofthetallerabandonedbuildings."Black,let'sjustgo!I'dratherchallengesomeonecomingoutofthePokémonCenterthanstickaroundhereanothermoment!"
"Nowthat'sjustcheap,White."BettercheapthandeadandfoodforwildPokémon!
"PIIIIIII!MOOOOOMMYYYYYY!"CameTiny'scry.Ilookeddownandfroze.ThePichuwaspinneddownbyaPurrloin.
"B-b-black!Help!"Isqueaked.
HishelpcameinamostunwantedformashegotouthisPokédexandscannedthePokémon."Purrloin,theDeviousPokémon.Darktype.Theyusetheirdeceptivecuteacttostealpeople'svaluablesanduseitagaintomaketheirvictimsforgivethem."
"That'snotwhatImeant!Imeantgetthatthingoffofhim!"
Blackfrowned."Nope."
Ifeltmyheartsink."What?!"
"Youwanttochasethatthingaway,thenhaveTinydoit."
"Now'snotthetimeforthis!It'stryingtoeathim!"Blackremainedadamantabouthisdecision,foldinghisarmsandremainingsilent.ThePurrloinraisedapawintheairandmadeitsclawsvisible.
Withoutwaitingforacommandfromme,TinyreactedbyunleashingajoltofelectricityatthecatPokémon.ThewildPurrloinyowledinpainbeforeitjumpedoffofTiny.ThecatPokémonshookitsheadasitrecoveredfromtheattack.Itgrowled,seeminglypreparingtoattackagain.Tiny'scheekcrackledwithelectricity.Ch-ch-ch-CHUUUUUU!"HeunleashedajoltofelectricityjustassomethinglargerraninfrontofthePurrloin.ThePurrloinranoffasthefiguretooktheattackanddroppedtotheground.
"WhattheheckisTHAT?!"Iscreamed,stumblingbackintoBlackandthenpushinghiminfrontofmeforprotection.
Blackcautiouslyapproachedthesmokingfigureandrolledthemover."...Oh,boy.It's
aperson.Ithinkwe'reintrouble."Asifoncue,atinyblackfigurejumpedoutofthegrassandtackledBlacktotheground.Mynaturalreactionwastoscreamandfaint.
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AsIregainedconsciousness,Ifoundmyselfonmyback,staringupatthesky.IwishedIwerebackhome,doingwhatIdideverydayinsteadofenduringthischaos"allforthesake'gettingwell'.IsatuptoseeBlack,sittingonarocknexttoanotherpersonwithaZoruaontheirlap.Waitaminute..."Youagain?"
TheguynamedNlookedatme."Oh.You'reawake."Hedidn'treallysoundthrilledtoseeme.ThenagainIwasprettyneutraltoseeinghimaswell,asespeciallywithhowourlastmeetingended.
"Hey,White,thisguyNsaysheknowsyou.Isthattrue?"Blackasked,lookingabituncomfortable.
"Yeah.WemetinAccumulaTown.Youknow:whenyouabandonedmetogooutlookingforPokémon?"
"Ididnotabandonyou.It'sjusthardtoguesshowlongyou'llconkoutfor.Youcould'vewokenupbythetimeitwasnightfall!"Thatdidn'tmeanyoucouldgooffandleavemealoneinastrangetown."We've,er,beenhavingachatwhilewaitingforyoutowakeup."
"By'chat',hemeans'beingajerk'!"Oshawottsnapped.Ihadn'tnoticedthatheandPidovewereoutoftheirPokéBallsandsittingnexttoTinyontheground."Thatguyhadthenervetosuggestwe'reunhappywithBlack!"
NlookeddownatthePokémon."Iwasmerelyaskingifyouwouldn'tbehappierbackinthewildinsteadofbeingforcedtofightinbattles."
"I'mnotforced!Besides,IneedtofightotherPokémon!HowelseamIgonnahonemystyle?"
"Wouldn'tyouliketogobacktothewild?"ThatquestionwasaimedatPidove.
ThebirdPokémonshrugged,thenspokeinafemininevoice,"Ilikehim.He'strustworthy."
"Um,I'mrighthere,youknow,"Blackspokeup."I'llencouragemyPokémontofight,butiftheydon'twanna,Iwon'tmake'em."
Nstood,Zoruajumpingoutofhislapashedid."Youdon'tunderstand.Trainersdon'ttreatPokémonkindly.Theytreatthemlikethingstocollect,forcethemtofightforthesakeoftheirownselfishdesires,anddonotcareiftheyarehurtintheprocess!"Hewasn'ttalkingtoBlack,buttohisPokémon.
"Hey,don'tlumpmybrotherintothatcategory!"Isnapped."Orme,either!NotalltrainersthinkPokémonaretoolsorplaythingstodowithasweseefit.Infact,Ithinkthey'rethemostfrighteninganddangerousthingsintheworldandanyonewhothinkstheycanmesswithoneandliveisanidiot!"
"Idon'tknowifIshouldfeelinsultedorcomplimentedbythat,"saidPidove.
"Ithinkboth,"saidOshawott.
Blackstoodupandheldmeback."Um,Whitemeanstosaythatnoteverytraineractslikethat.ImightwanttobeattheUnovaLeague,butIwouldn'thurtmyPokémontoachieveit.AndnomatterwhatWhitesaysaboutPokémonbeingfrighteningordangerous,Iknowshelovesthemalldeepdown.Very,veryverydeepdown."
"Soyousay,butsuchbeliefsareoftentrainerslyingtothemselvesandotherstojustifytheiractions,"Nstated.
Isighed,gettingtiredofthisconversationreallyquick."Alrightthen.YousticktoyourgunsandBlackcansticktohiswhileIgobacktotown."Iturnedtoleave,butBlackgrabbedmyarm.Soclosetoescaping!
"Ohhh,no,youdon't!You'regonnastayhereandtrainthatPichuofyourstobecomeabadgewinner!"Darnit,Black,couldn'tyoujustleavemebe?
X-X-X
IspenttherestofmytimeintheDreamYardbattlingtrainers.CommandingTinywaseasyenough,buthehonestlylostmorefightsthanhewon.Panacea,ontheotherhand,performedwellenoughtowinbattles,eveniftheyweren'twithmuchstyle.Blackkeptsayinghowexperiencewasexperience,whetheryouwonorlost.Ofcourse,winningwasbetterforthemoraleofthePokémonandthetrainer.
"Well,Ithinkyou'vechallengedeveryoneherewillingtobattleyou.ReadytoheadbacktothePokémonCenterbeforegoingtochallengethegym?"Blackasked.
"No,"Iansweredbluntly."Foralltheexperienceyousaidthey'vegained,theystillonlyknowoneoffensivemoveeach.Everythingelsetheyknowisdefensive.Heck,
Tiny'sstillprettyweakcomparedtothelikesofCilan'sPansageforsure!Can'tIjustwaituntilheevolves,thenI'llchallengewhatevergym'sclosest?"
"No!"Mybrothersnapped."WhenthetinySewaddleisoutmatchedinstrengthbytheTranquill,whatdoesitdo?"
"Geteaten."
"No!Well,there'sachancethat'llhappen,butno!TheSewaddlereliesonthepowerofitsmind!Itwilluseitsmovesnottobeatupitsenemy,buttooutwititandpossiblyentrapitsoitcanescapefromdanger!There'smoretoPokémonbattlesthanbruteforce!There'salsostrategy!LikeusingOshawott'sWaterGuntoblindopponentsorPidove'sGusttokickupsandanddirt."
Isighed."Soyou'renotgonnaletthisgo."Blackdidn'tsayanything.Hejuststaredatmesternlywithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest.IsighedandlookeddownatmyshoulderwhereTinywas."He'snotgonnaletthisgo.AndIcan'texactlyaskyouifyouwannadoitbecauseyou'realwayssowilling...Fine,whatever!Let'sjustgetthisoverwith!ButifTinygetsbeatup,I'llbeatyouup,Black!"
Mytwinflinched."Wh-what?!I'mjusttryingtohelp!"
"Anddon'tthinkIdon'tseeyouskulkingoverthere,N!"Isnappedatthegreen-hairedteenwhowasstaringatusfrombehindatree."Ifyouhateussomuch,thenquitfollowingus!ThelastthingIwantisforyoutokeephoundingmeaboutwhatanawfultrainerIam!"
"You'dbetterdoit.ShefearsPokémon,butifahumanticksheroff,she'llbeonthemlikeaHydreigon."Ndidn'treplytoeitherofus.Instead,hejustkeptstaring,likeheexpectedmoreofus.Igotsickofthesilenceandtheenvironment,soIleft.Blackrantocatchuptome,saying,"Youmadeaweirdfriend,White"
"He'snotafriend."WhywouldIwannabefriendswithsomeonewhoputsmedownlikethat?
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Severalminuteslater,BlackandIstoodoutsideoftheStriatonCitygym.Althoughmybrotherkeptpushingmetogoin,Iremainedfrozeninplace,takingdeepbreathsinpreparation.IstayedlikethatuntilthedoorsopenedtorevealthethreeGymLeaders.
"You'vereturnedforyourbattle,Isee,"saidCresswithasmirk."JustasIpredicted!"
"What'reyoutalkingabout?Youjustsawtheminthewindow,"Chilisaid.
"Actually,I'mtheonewhosawthem,"Cilanpointedout.
Theblue-hairedGymLeaderrolledhiseyesbeforeheputhishandsonhiships."Well,regardlessofhowweknew,shecameback,didn'tshe?Itrustyouaren'tgoingtorunawaythistime?"Ishookmyhead."Excellent.Itwouldn'tlookgoodforusiftrainerswentrunningoutandnevercameback."Thetriosteppedasideandbowed."Please,stepinsideandlet'sbegin."
Minuteslater,Iwasledtothebattlearenainthebackofthegym.Icouldfeelthestarescomingfromtherestaurantsection'slunchtimecrowd,eagerforashow.Didallgymsdothis,ordidtheseguysfigurethattheirsituationallowedthemtogiveamealandashow?Regardlessofhowunsettlingitwastohavepeoplewatchingme,InoticedthatCilanhadalreadyreleasedhisPansage.ItookTinyoffofmyshoulderandsethimdownonthegroundbeforeme.
"Youknowwhattodo,right?Ifitgetstoohard,justtellme,okay?"Iasked.AllTinydidwassmileandnod.IwonderedifheevenreallyunderstoodwhatIwassaying.
"Forthismatch,wehaveGymLeaderCilan,"Chilibegantoannounce,"VersusthechallengerWhiteKetchum!Ready?!"Hepumpedafistintheair."Begin!"
"Pansage,startwithWorkUp!"Cilancommanded.Justlikebefore,hisPansagestartedpumpingitsfistsintheairwhileanauraofpowerradiatedforit.ButIwasreadyforit.Atleastthat'swhatIkepttellingmyself."NowLick!"TheGrasstypejumpedforward,stickingitstongueoutintheprocess.
"Tiny,useCharm!"
Justlikeinthebattlesbefore,Tinystoodstillandmadeanadorableexpression."Chuuu~!"Hecooedendearinglywithbig,wateryeyesandhisarmsoutstretchedasifwaitingforahug.ThePansagewascaughtbysurpriseandlandedinfrontofTiny,staringathiminconfusion."Friend?"Heaskedhisenemycutely,stillholdinghisarmsoutashewalkeduptohugPansage.
PansageblushedandsmiledashehuggedTinyback."Ofcourse,friend."Iwasworriedforamoment.Italmostseemedtooeasy,butthePansagewasn'tmakinganymovesorlisteningtoCilan'spleastoletgo.
"Now,SweetKiss!"TinyleanedforwardandgavetheGrasstypeapeckonthecheek.Itwasenoughtomakehimstumblebackinsurprise,blushingfuriously.
"StayawayfromthatPichu,Pansage!UseVineWhiptotakeitdownfromadistance!"Cilanexclaimed.
Pansagenimblyjumpedbackasafedistanceandunleashedhisvinesfromtheleavesonhishead.TheylashedatTinyseveraltimesbeforewrappingaroundhimandgrippingtightly.Tinygaveacryofpain,shockinghimselfandthevinesintheprocess.ThejoltwasenoughforPansagetodropthePichuinsurprise,andhelandedungracefullyonhisback.PansageattemptedtowraphisvinesaroundTinyagain,buttheybecametangledupasPansageswayedbackandforth.TheGrasstypefellbackandhisvinesretractedtowardshiminaknottedmessthatstruckhimrightintheface.
Frombehindme,IcouldhearBlackcheeringmeon."Keepitup,White!"Oh,mygosh...!DidIactuallyhaveachance?CouldIactuallywinthis?!
"Um...Um...!Tiny,useThunderWave!"
"Ch-ch-ch-CHUUUU!"AjoltoflightningwaszappedoutofTiny'sbodyandtowardsPansage.WhiletheGrasstypewasbusyuntanglinghisvines,theelectricityzappedhim.AsthePansage'svinesretracted,hisbodytwitchedinplace.Theparalysishadtakeneffectandwouldhopefullyhelp.
"Now,useThunderShock!"Hislittlecheekscracklingwithelectricity,thePichuunleashedamorepainfulzaponhisopponent.However,asexpected,itdidn'thavemucheffect.Pansage'stwitchingwasn'tfromtheattack,butfromtheparalysis.ButitwastheonlyrealattackthatmostPichucouldlearn.Ididn'thavethepatiencetoteachhimsomepossiblemoves,andIdidn'tknowifhehadthe'breedingpotential',asBlackhadputit,tolearnanythingthatcouldactuallyharmaGrasstype.Itwastheonlyoption.
"Pansage,tryVineWhipagain!"CilanseemedtoknowthattryingtogetPansagetomoveinforshort-rangedcombatwashopeless.IwatchedasPansage'svinesshotoutyetagaintolashTiny,butthistime,thePichuwasquickenoughtododgetheattackbecausethevinesweremovingthatslow."Again!UseVineWhip!"Onceagain,Pansagetriedtoattack,butwhatevervineTinydidn'tdodgewitheasewasfrozeninplacefromparalysis.
"ThunderShock!"Icommanded.Overandoveragain,TinyunleashedjoltsofelectricityonPansage.Slowly,butsurely,theattackstooktheirtollandtheparalysismadeitworse.Pansagelookedlikeitwasclosetofalling,butsowasTiny.Hewaspracticallypantingforbreathwhilehischeekscrackled...andsuddenly,IfeltasbadasNsaidtrainerswere.Winorlose,IwasgonnamakesurethatTinygotabigmeal
forhisefforts.AndmaybeI'dlethimsleepontopofmeinsteadofonapillowonthefloor.
IwassodistractedbymythinkingofhowtomakeituptomyPichu,Ididn'thearCilancallouthiscommand.BythetimeIfocusedonthebattleagain,Pansage'svineshadmanagedtoslapTinytothesidewithenoughforcethathealmostleftthering.IfeltasifIwastheonewhohadthewindknockedoutofthem.Isawhimtwitch.Apartofmehopedhewouldfaintjustsothiswouldend,butinstead,Tinygotonallfours,twitchingslightly."Ch...ch...chuuuu...!"ElectricitybegantoformaroundhisbodyasherantowardsPansage.Theelectricitygrewtosuchasizethateventually,allIcouldseeofhimwasanorboflightthatcrackledwithelectricitythatspedtowardstheGrasstype.Whenitmadeimpact,therewasanoiselikethunderandPansagewassentflyingback,landingnearCilan'sfeet.InthemiddleofthebattlefieldwasTiny,sprawledoutontheground.
Iwasn'tsurewhatIwasthinking.Ididn'tevenknowifthebattlewasreallyfinishedthen,butIranouttocheckuponthePichu."Tiny?Areyou...okay?"Itriedtopickhimup,butIwasmetbythezapofelectricity.Hisbodywascoursingwiththestuff"Iguessitwasleftoverfromwhateverthatmovehedidwas.Andwhatamove!Itknockedhimout!ItwasprobablytoomuchforhimafterItiredhimoutsomuchwiththoserepeatedThunderShocks.Isighed.Waryoftheelectricity,Ipickedhimup.IdidmybesttoignoretheminorstingoftheelectricityasIslippedhimintomybag."Evenifwelost,youwerewonderful."
"Whatmakesyouthinkyoulost?"IlookedupandsawCilanstandingbeforemewithhishandsbehindhisback.
Istooduptolookhimathimproperlyintheeye."MyPokémonfainted.I'manewbietrainer,butevenIknowthatmeansaloss."
"ButyourPichuknockedoutmyPansagewiththatlastmove.Thatshouldcountasavictoryforyou,shouldn'tit?"Hisquestionwasn'taimedatme,buttohisbrothers,whowereapproachingus.
"Ordinarily,itshouldbeconsideredalossforthetrainerwhohastheirPokémonfaintfirst,"saidCress."PansagewasknockedoutbyyourPichu'sattackwhileitwasstillconscious,thatshouldmeanitdealtthewinningblow."
"Inotherwords,congrats!Youwondespitehavingthedisadvantageelementally!That'sahugeachievementforabeginningtrainer!"Chilicongratulatedashefoldedhisarmsbehindthebackofhishead.
"I...don'tfeellikeIwon."Oshawotthadanelementaldisadvantage,buthedidn't
faint.
"Hey,ifyourPokémondoesn'tcollapsefromexhaustionordoesn'tfeeltheleastbittiredafteryourfirstgymmatch,wearen'tdoingourbestasGymLeaders!Right,Cilan?"
Thegreen-hairedwaiterlaughedsheepishly."Heh-heh...Right.So,pleasetakethisTrioBadgewithourregards."Heheldhishandout,andsittinginhispalmwasthebadge.Itwasgoldwiththreegemsinit:blue,redandgoldsittingontopofeachother.Istaredatit."Youreallydidearnit,"saidCilan.Isighedandpickedupthebadge."Iwishyoubestwishesonbothyourjourneys!"
"Yeah,butdon'tgogettingcocky!TheotherGymLeadersarealotstrongerthanweare,believeitornot!"saidChili."Soyoubettertrainhard!Noslackingoff!"
"Andmayyouachievethegoalsyousetouton,"Cressfinishedbeforetheyallbowed.
"Pleasecomeagain!"Allthreespokeatthesametime.
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Onceweleftthegym,IfeltlikeIcouldproperlybreatheagain."Thankgoodness!Ineverwannagothroughthatagain!"
Naturally,Blacklookeddisappointed."Really?Gee,youkindoflookedlikeyouwereenjoyingyourselfbackthere.Didn'tgiveyouarush?Didn'titmakeyouhappywhenyougotthatgymbadge?
Ifrowned."Notreally.IthinkIgotthatbadgeoutofpityinsteadofbeingskilled..."
"Don'tsaythat...Ithinkyoudidgreat!Youearnedthatbadge,battlingwithaPokémonwhoseonlyattackshadatypedisadvantage.IwasluckybecauseOshawottknewTackle,butyouandTinyweren't.Besides,withthekindofrulestheysetforbattlingwiththem,theyprobablygivethatbenefittoanybeginningtrainerthatchallengesthem."Mytwinpattedmeonthebackandgrinnedatme."Look,don'tworryaboutit!You'vegottherestofyourjourneytobecomeanacetrainer,likeme!"Isighed.Thereweresomanythingswrongwiththatlastsentence,butIdidn'thaveitinmetolashout.IsupposethiswasBlack'swayofhelpingme.IguessIshouldbegratefulheisn'tpushingmeintoroomsfilledwithwildPokémonorsomething."Butfornow,let'sbaskinyourvictory!Lunchisonyou."
Iblinkedandspunaroundtofacehim."Wait,whatdoyoumeanit'sonme?!"
"Well,acertainsomeoneranoutonmebeforewecouldsplitthebillforbreakfastattherestaurant,soIhadtopaythebillforbothourmeals!Astingiermanwouldwhineaboutit,butIkeptquietbecause,y'know,youwerehavingproblems."
"Oh."Ifeltmycheeksheatupinembarrassment."Sorry?Heh-heh-heh..."
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PansagelearnsWorkUpviaTM.PichucanonlylearnVoltTackleviabreedingbyhavingaPikachuparentholdingaLightBall,butitisn'tconsideredanEggmove.
Cilansaying"bestwishes"isareferencetotheBWanimeseason.
Forthisstory,Pokémoncanlearnmovesseveralways,thoughnotlikeinthegame.APokémonwhoinheritedamovefromaparentviabreedingmayeitherbebornwithitfromtheget-go,learnitnaturally,orhavethe"breedingpotential"tolearnitnaturallyorbetaughtiftheyweren'tbornknowingthemove.Pokémoncanalsobetaughtmovesthattheycanlearnnaturallyvialevelup.HowPokémoncanlearnmoveslearnedviaTMandMoveTutorwillbeexploredlateron...maybe.
Chapter4
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownthePokémonseriesoranyofitscharacters.
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~DaycareDilemma~
Itseemedlikewinningthatgymbattledidwondersformyattitude.Thenightbefore,Isleptoddlypeacefully.Nobaddreamsorthetossingandturningthatcamefromsleepinginastrangeplacefarfromhome.IevenIletTinysleeprightontopofme,andwhenIwokeuptothesightofhimclosetomyface,Ididn'tpanic"thoughthatmayhavebeenmorebecauseIwastiredatthetime.Theworldhadseemedabitbrighter.SurelywinningasimplePokémonbattlecouldn'thavesuchaneffectonaperson...right?
Well,Iwassurethefeelingwouldfadesoon.WeweregoingtoleaveStriatonCitytoday,sowedecidedtospendsometimewanderingaboutandtakinginthesights.Itwould'vebeenbetterwithBiancaandCheren,butthey'dbothleftsometimeyesterday.Atthatmoment,weweresittingatafountainthatBiancahadbeentalkingaboutacoupleofnightsbefore,withtopiarycutintheshapesofPokémon.BlackandIweresittingontheedgeofthefountain,whilehisPokémonswaminthewaterandminesimplywalkedalongit.
"DoyouthinkIshouldnicknamethem?"
"Hm?"IturnedmyheadtolookatBlack.He'dmanagedtostealthemagazineIboughtinAccumulaTownandhadbeenreadingitforaboutanhournow.IwounduphavingtousemyPokédextoentertainmyself,checkingitsvastencyclopediaforaPokémonthathadlittlechanceofkillingmeinoneformoranother.
"MyPokémon.YouthinkIshouldnicknamethem?Wouldthatreallymakethemhappierthantheyarenow?"Mytwinaskedwhilehekepthiseyesonthemagazine'spages."ItalsosaysthatifItaketurnslettingthemoutoftheirballstowalkwithmeforawhile,they'llgetusedtomequickerandlikemebetter.Youthinkstufflikethatworks?"
Iarchedaneyebrow."You'reaskingme?You'rethePokémaniachere,notme."
"Pokémaniadoesn'tincludelearningwaystobetterlikeyourPokémon.Imean...it'snotlikeIknowwhatit'slikeinaPokéBall.AndIdon'tknowiftheypreferitifyoujustcallthembytheirspecies'name.Wait,doyouthinktheynameeachotherinthe
wild?WhatifPidovealreadyhasaname?"
"...Ithinkyou'reoverexaggeratingthings."IhighlydoubtPokémonnamesgobeyondwhatkindsofcriestheymake."ButI'msurethenamethingisright.Imean,youwouldn'twannabecalled'human'fortherestofyourlife,wouldyou?Especiallyinaworldwithsomanyofyourkind."
Blackfellsilent.ItookthatasacuetogobacktoreadingmyPokédex.ThesortsofmovesaPichucouldlearnseemedoutrageous!Icouldn'timagineoneofthemspewingpoison,makinggrasstriptheirenemies,andevenbeingabletoperformkicksandpunches!Readingallofthosemademegratefulthatmydadsentmeonewhodidn'tknowsuchthings.
"Pidove,c'mere."Outofthecornerofmyeye,IsawBlackonhiskneesbeforethefountain.Pidovehoppedoutontothesamespothe'dbeensittingin,herfeathersdrippingwet."Um,doyouhaveaname?"Pidovedidn'tsayanything.Shejustcockedherheadtothesideinconfusionbeforeshakingherhead."WouldyoumindifIgaveyouaname?"Sheshookherheadagain."Really?"
Oshawottswamuptothewallofthefountain."Hey,whataboutme?!Ifshegetsaname,Iwantone,too!Acoolone!"
BlackfellsilentbeforehesuddenlywhippedouthisPokéBallsandreturnedhisPokémon."I'llberightback!"Heranoffinthedirectionwecamefromminutesbefore.
"Whatthe"?Black!Wheretheheckareyougoing?!"Shoutingwasnouse.Hewastoodeterminedtogo...whereveritwasthathewasgoing.Isighedandstretchedmyarmsovermyhead."Whatever.Solongashedoesn'twindupwastingtimeordoinganythingstupid,it'sokay."IspentthenextminuteslookingupinformationonAudino.JustasIhadreachedtheendoftheentry,ashadowwascastovermeandIfeltsomeonestaringatme."Well,youcamebackquickly,"Isaid,thinkingitwasBlack.IclosedthePokédexandlookedup."Whatwereyou...?Oh.It'syou."
"Hello,"saidN.Iheardalowgrowlfromdownontheground,butIdidn'tneedtolooktoknowitwasthatZoruaofhis.NotthatIreallywantedtolookattheDarktype.OrN,forthatmatter.Notafterthewayourlastconversationended.Ididn'tthinkhe'dwanttotalktome,either,butheseemed...amicable,Iguess."I'mgladtoseethatyou'restillinStriaton."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Why?"
"BecauseIwantedtotalktoyouandyourbrothersomemore."
"Well,Black'snothere."Andifthelookonmyfaceisn'taclue,Idon'twanttotalktoyou.
DespitethelookIwasgivinghim,NsatdowninthesamespotBlackwasinnottoolongago."Theotherday,Ihappenedtoseeyouandyourbrothersteppingoutofthegym.Didyou...battlethem?"
"Yeah.AndIwon,too,thankstoTiny.I'veevengotthebadgetoproveit."IthoughtaboutdiggingtheTrioBadgeoutfrommybag,butdecidedagainstit."Really,though,Iwouldn'thavewonifTinyhadn'tpulledthrough."IpausedandrememberedwhoIwastalkingto.
Nbegantostareoutintospacewithadepressedexpression"Ah.Tobehonest,Idon'tlikegyms."Sawthatcoming."Dayafterday,theleadersandtheremaketrainersfightbattlesagainsttrainersthatcomeandgo.TheirfameandpositioncomefromthePokémontheyinjureintheprocess.IfIdidn'thavetochallengethem,Iwouldneversetfootinone."
"...Oh,Igetit!You'reahypocrite."Thegreen-hairedteenlookedatmeinconfusionasIcontinued,"Yousaythatyouthinkit'scrueltohavePokémoninPokéBall,thattrainerstreattheirPokémonbadly,thatgymsarebadplaces,andyethereyouaresayingyouwanttochallengethem."
"Idon'twantto...Ihaveto."Nstartedtoplayaroundwiththegoldencubehangingfromhispants."IhatehavingtorestrainmyfriendsinsideofthosePokéBalls.Ihatemakingthemfighteachotherforthesakeofatinypieceofmetal.Ievenhatedthewaythosegymleaderscongratulatedme,asifvictorymadewhathappenedright.ButI'mgratefultothefriends,becausetheyendurethepainIputthemthroughforthesakeofmydream:aworldwheretheycantrulybehappy."
Iarchedaneyebrow.Nseemedtomakemedothatalot."Soyoudon'tthinkthatmaybe,insteadoftryingtochangethewholeworldforthem,youcouldmakethemhappyjustbybeingtheirfriend?"
Hegavemeablanklook."It'sbecausethey'remyfriendsthatIwanttomakethisworldabetterplaceforthem.Idon'twantanyofthemtofeelpainagain"eventheonesIhaven'tmetyet."
ItwasoddhowhecouldsaysuchawfulthingsabouttrainersandbesocontentwhenitcametotalkingaboutPokémon.Idon'tthinkIwaseverlikethat,evenbeforeIgotmyphobia.Isighedandfoldedmyarmsacrossmychest."Ihatetobreakittoyou,butpain'sagiveninlife.Ifwedidn'tknowhowpainfelt,wewouldn'trealizejusthowgooditistobewithoutit.Notthatit'sagoodthing...butit'snecessarytogrow.
Howyouchoosetodealwithpaincaneitherstuntyourdevelopmentorhelpyoubecomeanewperson."IfeltNstaringatme,soIavoidedeyecontact."LikePokémon,ifwebearwiththepainsandthehurdlesthatcomealonginlife,wecanevolve.Ifwedon't,asniceasitsounds,wewouldn'tbeasstrong."ItwasfunnythataPoképhobicgirlwassayingthis.Sadlyfunny.
Ndidn'tseemtofindmywordsenlightening.Instead,hefrowned."Idon'tlikethat."
"Whodoes?Youknowtheoldsaying:whatdoesn'tkillyoumakesyoustronger."
Silencefellbetweenusinamatterofseconds.IfoundmyselfwishingNwouldjustleave,soIwentbacktoreadingmyPokédex,hopingthatmyignoringhimwithprompthimtogetthehint.Unfortunately,heswitchedhisattentionfrommetoTiny,whowasnowstandingnexttohim.
"Hellothere.Hasyourtrainerbeengoodtoyou?"
"Wuh...weirdo,"Tinyspoke,pointingapawatN.Istifledasnicker.
"Whenshemadeyoubattle,didyouhateit?Didyouwanttostop?"Tinydidn'tanswerthistime.Hejustsneezed,tinysparksflyingfromhischeeksintheprocessthatmadeNjumpabit.
"He'sjustababy,y'know.Hedoesn'tunderstandyourquestions.Hecan'tevenspeakproperlyyet."Sostoptryingtoturnhimagainstme,youweirdo.
"ThenI'llspeakwithyourAudino,"hesaidashescootedclosertome.Heleanedacrossme,rightinfrontofmyface,tolookatPanacea,whohadbeensittingtomyleft."Hellothere."
"Um...Hello,Mr.N."Panaceasaidwithahintofnervousness.
"There'snoneedforformalities.I'mafriend.CouldyoutellmewhatsortofpersonyouthinkWhiteis?"Thekindofpersonwhodoesn'tlikehavingpeopleleanacrossherlikeshe'sfurniture!
TheAudinoheldapawuptohercheekinthought."Noneedtobepensivebecauseofme.Hitmewithyourbrutalhonesty,"Ihalf-joked.IfIreallywasdoingsomethingthatupsether,Iwantedtoknow.PanaceawasprettyhelpfulandIfeltIshouldatleastrepayherbybeingagoodtrainer.
"...She'sverynice.ShesavedaMunnawhenitwasbeingharassedbysomeawfulpeople,andsheworriesaboutTinyandI.Oh,andshesaidthatshe'sgratefultome
forhelpinghertrainyesterday."
"Really?Youdon'tmindthatshecaughtyouandtookyouawayfromyourhomeinthewild?"
"Notreally.MyconcernistomakesureMissWhiteishappyandhealthy."Atthat,Ifeltmycheeksheatup.Atthisrate,I'llbelettingPanaceasleepinthesamebedasme,too.
Nfinallyleanedawayfrommeandsatproperly."Isupposeit'sonlynaturalforhertoworryaboutyou.Audinoarenaturalcaretakers.Butregardless,I'mimpressed,"Nsaid,speakingtomenow."Ifeveryonewerelikeus,thenmaybeallPokémonwouldbehappier."
Onceagain,Iarchedaneyebrow."YoumeanbeingabletounderstandPokémon?"Idoubtit.Therewerepeople,likemyownfamily,whocouldunderstandtheirPokémonthroughanunderstanding"somethingthatwasachievedsimplybybeingtogetherforyears.Infact,Iwascertainthattherewereplentyoftrainersouttherelikethat.
"White!"IturnedmyheadtoseeBlackrunningtowardsus.Heskiddedtoahaltinfrontofme,grinningmadlyasheheldouthisbaginfrontofme."Iboughtabook!"
Istaredathim,expectinghimtofinishhissentence."...And?"
"It'sabookaboutnamingPokémon!It'sgotallsortsofsuggestionsfornamesinit!"
"YouspentmoneyonabookwhenIcouldprobablygiveyousomeideasforfree?"
Mybrotherpouted."AnicknameislikeabondbetweenatrainerandtheirPokémon!That'swhatitsaidonthebackcover,anyway.Idon'twannahavesomeoneelsenamingthem!"HesuddenlynoticedN."Oh,it'sN.Heythere."Don'tsoundsofriendlytowardshim!Youdon'tknowwhathe'sputmethrough!"So,uh,whatwereyoutwodoing?"
"Justtalking,"IansweredbeforeNcould.
Blackscratchedhischeek."Really?IguessIdidn'tmissmuch,huh?"HethenlookedatN."Say,areyougoingtoNacreneCity?"
"Iam."
"Thenyoushouldtraveltherewithus!"Mybrothersaidwithasmile.
"Hedoesn'twanttogowithyoutwo!"Zoruasnapped.NotthatBlackcouldunderstanditasanymorethangrowlsandyips.
"Travelingwithotherpeopleisalwaysfun,right?"
"Hehasn'tevenagreedtocomeyet!"Isaidwithafrown.Frankly,Ijustdidn'twanttohavetotravelwithN,nomatterhowshortthetrip.Ididn'tlikehowhequestionedmyPokémon,likehewasexpectingmetoharmthemordosomethingwrong.
"Whynot?Route3'sprettylong.I'msureNwon'tmindsomecompany."BlackclappedahandonN'sshoulderashespoke.Hedidn'tnoticehowthegreen-hairedteenwasstaringathishand.
"Yes,hewould!"Zoruaspokeupagain."Saysomething,N...!"
Nblinked."I...wouldliketogowithyouboth,"No!"ButI'mafraidIhaveothermatterstoattendtobeforeNacrene."Yes!"Imustbeoffnow.Goodbye,"Nspokequicklyashegotupandwalkedquicklydowntheroadoutofthecity.Zorua'sgoodbyewasjuststickingouthistongue.
Whentheywerebothoutofsight,IkickedBlackinhisshin."Ow!Whatwasthatfor?!"
"Youidiot!Youdon'tjustgoinvitingcompletestrangerstotravelwithyou!"Isnapped.
"Buthe'skindofinteresting!AndhecanunderstandPokémonlikeyoucan!Ithoughtyou'dlikehimforcompany!"Ikickedhimagain."Ow!Quitit!"
"IfIintroducedyoutoeveryPokémaniacoutthere,wouldyoulikethemforcompany?!Huh?!"Ikickedhimathirdtime.
"Ow!Okay,I'msorry!I'msorry!Juststopkickingmeeeee!"
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Later,wewerewalkingdownRoute3incompletesilence.Ireadmymagazine,withTinyoccasionallypokinghisheadoutofmybagtolookatthescenery.Blackwasreadingamaphebroughtfromhome,butsoonwenttotinkeringwithhisPokédex.
"Let'ssee...Ooh!ItsaysthatthereareBlitzleonthisroute!MaybeIshouldcatchone!"Black'seyeslitupashesmiled."SinceOshawottandPidovearebothweaktoElectrictypemoves,havinganElectrictypePokémonasamemberoftheteam
shouldcoverthatweakness!"
"AndhowareyougoingtocatchtheElectrictypeifbothofyourPokémonareweaktoelectricity?"Iasked,nottakingmyeyesoffapageaboutthefamousartistBurghandhislatestwork.
"Didn'tthatgymbattleinStriatonteachyousomething?Typingdoesn'tdecideabattle!WecouldbeataBlitzleifweuseourheads!Plus,wildPokémonaren'tquiteastrickytooutmaneuverasatrainerandPokémonworkingtogether."
Asiftochallengehim,astreakofblackandwhiteshotoutofthegrassandstoppedinfrontofus.ItwasaBlitzle,alright:ablack,horse-likePokémonwithwhitestripesinvariouspositionsonitsbodyandaspikywhitemaneshapedlikealightningbolt.Itstaredatus.Westaredatit.Foramoment,theonlynoisecamefromotherPokémoninthedistance.
So,ofcourse,Ihadtoshatterthesilence."AHHHHH!"IimmediatelyhidbehindBlack."It'saBlitzle!It'saBlitzle!"
"Wow!Whatgoodluck!"SaidBlack,hiseyesshimmeringwithdelight.
"Whatbadluck,youmean!"ABlitzlewasnotaPichu.ABlitzlecouldactuallykillusifitwantedto"Oh,mygoodness,whendiditgetsoclosetoBlack?!
"H-hey!Cutitout!"MybrotherlaughedastheElectrictypestartedtosniffhim."Aren'tyoufriendly?"HepattedtheBlitzleontheheadwithonehandwhiletheotherheldhisPokédexouttoscanit."Let'ssee...Blitzle,theElectrifiedPokémon.Electrictype.Itusesitsmanetocatchandstoreelectricity.Whenitshines,itdischargeselectricpower.Theyflashtheirmanesatvariousfrequenciesandrhythmstocommunicate."
"Great!Nowgetittoleave!"Ishrieked.InoticedthatTinywasnowonBlack'sshoulderinsteadofinmybag."Ah!Tiny,no!G-getbackhere!"TheBlitzlecraneditsheadandstartedtosniffTiny.ThePichu'scheekssparked,andinresponse,thehorse-likeElectrictype'smaneflashedinseveraldifferentcolors.Idreadedwhatwascomingnext.
"Rickyyyyy!Rickyyyyy!"
IjumpedatthesoundofanunfamiliarvoiceandgrippedBlack'sjacketeventighter."Whattheheckwasthat?!"
Alittleboywalkedoutofthetallgrass.Hewasdressedinablueschooluniformwith
abrightyellowhat"thesortwornatpreschools."Rickyyyyy!"Theboycriedout,lookingonthevergeoftears.Helookedinourdirectionandwentfromsadtohappy."Rickyyyyy!"Thepreschoolerrantowardsus,orrather,towardstheBlitzle."Don'trunaway!We'res'posedtobeusingthebuddysystem!"
"Thatexplainswhyhe'ssodocile.He'snotwild.Hebelongstothiskid,"saidBlack."Soyoudon'thavetobeafraid,White!It'salreadybeencaught,soitwon'tjustattackyoulikeawildPokémon."Ididn'tbelievethat.APokéBalldoesn'tchangeattitudes.
Thepreschoolerdidn'tseemtocareaboutus,despitewhatmighthavehappenedifhisBlitzlewould'veattacked."C'mon!Wehavetogotoschool!"TheboyexclaimedashetriedtoclimbontohisPokémon'sback.Itbentitskneessoitsownercouldgetupandwhenitwassurehewassittingproperly,theBlitzletrottedoff.
Igaveabreathofreliefandregainedmywits."WhatkindofparentsgiveachildthatyoungaPokémon?Momwouldn'tevengetusaLillipuporaPurrloinaskids!AndthatkidhasaBlitzle!It's,like,tentimesmoredangerous!"
Blackshrugged."ThesameparentswhomaketheirchildrenwalkaroutewithaPokémonalonetogotoschool?It'skindofweird...Ifhewereolder,I'dignoreit,buthe'ssoyoung."
"It'slikesomepeopledon'tcarefortheirkidsorsomething..."
Justthen,morelittleboysandgirlsdressedinyellowhatsandblueuniformswalkedpastus.EachoneseemedtohavesomekindofPokémonorotherwalkingnexttothem.Theyeachgreetedus,"Goodmorning,"astheywentdownthedirtroad.
"...Okay.Thisisanunsettlingtrend,"ImumbledasIgrippedBlack'sarm.
"Hey!"MybrothercalledouttoalittlegirlwhowaswalkingbywithanEmolgainherarms.
"I'mnotsupposedtotalktostrangers,"thegirlreplied.Smartkid.
"It'sokay.Iwasjustwonderingifyou'regoingtoschoolinNacreneCity."
Thechildblinked."Huh?No...Myschool'sbythedaycaredowntheroad.I-Ihavetogonow!Bye-bye!"Sheranoff,seeminglyfrightenedofus.
"Sothere'sapreschoolandadaycareonthisroute?"Iasked."Isn'tthemiddleofthewildernessabadplacetoputthosein?"
"I'dhardlycallthisroutewilderness...but,yeah.Itiskindaweird.Butifit'sfurtherdowntheroadlikethatgirlsaid,we'llseeitforourselveseventually..."Blackresumedwalkingforafewsecondsbeforehestoppedandlookedoverhisshoulderatme."Bytheway,couldyouletgoofmyarm?It'sstartingtogonumb."
X-X-X
Afterwewalkedforseveralminutes,occasionallybeingstoppedbytrainersseekingtodobattle,wesawsomethinginthedistance.Therewereapairofsmallbuildingsstandingnexttoeachother.Whenwecamefurther,wesawapairofsignsnexttoafenced-linedpaththatledoffthedirtroad.Oneread,'SunshinePreschool',theotherread'PokémonDaycare'.
Igulped."Adaycare?ForPokémon?"Iglancedatthesightbehindthefenceandimmediatelylookedaway.ThereweredozensofPokémonofvaryingsizesandtypesseeminglygrazingbehindthefence.
Blacksmiled."That'sprettycool:havingaPokémondaycarerightnexttoyourschoolmustmakegoingtoschoolmorepleasurable."Maybeforsomeonelikeyou.Forme,Iwouldn'tbeabletofocusandbegtobehomeschooled."Hey,Ijustthoughtofsomething:thePokédexsadthatPichucanonlylearnamovelikeVoltTackleifyoubreedthemunderspecialcircumstances.PokémonindaycaresoftenhaveeggswithotherPokémon.So...doyouthinkDadbredTinyinadaycare?"
IlookeddownatTiny,whowasnestlednexttomyneckasheplayedwithmyhairandchewedonit."DadhasaPikachu,butit'samale...Hemighthavejustcaughthiminthewildorsomething."Justthen,Inoticedacertaingreen-hairedweirdoleaningonthefenceoutsidethedaycarewithalittleblackfoxpullingathispantsleg.Twiceinoneday?Really?WhatdidIdotodeservethis?
"Hey!"Mybrotherstartedwavingbothhisarmsintheairlikesomesortoflunatic.Eventually,Irealizedthatonlyoneofthosearmswashis"theotherwasmine.Itriedtopullmyhandoutofhisgrasp,buthestartedtopullmealongwithhimtowardsN."Ithoughtyousaidyouhadthingstodealwith,buthereyouarejustwastingyourtime""AballsuddenlyhitBlackinthesideofthehead.Blackfelloverclutchinghisheadinpain."Whatwasthat?!"
Nbentoverandpickeduptheball."Thisballhityou."
Justthen,aredPokémonjumpedontothefence.ItlookedalotlikePansage,butitsearswerelargeranditshairlookedliketheswirlonasoftserveicecream.Ithoughtitwouldattack,buttheredmonkeyjustheldhishandsout."Couldyougimmethatback,please?"
Nhelduptheballandstartedtosmilekindly."Isthisyours?"ThePokémonnodded."Hereyougo."Hehandedtheballover,bothofthemseeminglyignoringthatBlackwaswritinginpain.ThePansearscamperedbackoverthefencetowardsalittleboy.
"Thanks,Pansear!"Theboysaidbrightly.HepattedthePansearontheheadbeforetheybothranovertoplaywithsomeotherkidsandtheirPokémon."
Blackgotontohisfeet"Kidsshouldbecarefulwheretheythrowtheirballs!Thatseriouslyhurt!"
IlookedatN,whowasstaringatthekidswithadistantlookinhiseyes.Itwasprettycreepyuntilhemumbledsomethinglike,"Thatlookslikefun."HewasactuallystaringatthekidsplayingballwiththeirPokémon.
"Weshouldallcheckthatplaceout!"Mybrotherexclaimed.Hedidn'twaitforananswerfromeitheroneofusashedraggedusbothintothecourtyard.YetagainsurroundedbyPokémon,Ifeltashudder.WasIgoingtodiehere?IfIwas,IdoubtBlackwouldcare."Hithere!"Hegreetedthekidscheerfully.
ThekidsandtheirPokémonstoppedplaying."Goodmorning,mister!"Thekidsallspokeatonce.
"I'mnotamister!I'maPokémonTrainer!"Blackexplained,jabbinghisthumbintohischest."Thename'sBlack."
"Cool!APokémonTrainer!"
"Neat!"
"MaywepleaseseeyourPokémon,Mr.Trainer?"
"Weeeeell...Alright!Butonlybecauseyouguysasked."MybrothertookouthisPokéBallsandreleasedOshawottandPidove."MeetmyfriendsOshawottandPidove!"
Almostimmediately,thechildrenbegantocrowdaroundOshawottandPidove.Soon,theywerecrowdingaroundme,askingtoseemyPokémonwithanxiousfaces.IgaveinandreleasedPanaceawhileplacingTinyontheground.Pidovewasstroked.Panacea'stailwasfluffedaslittlegirlstalkedabouthowcuteshewas.Oshawottletthechildrentouchhisshell,thoughnottakeitoutofhisgrip.N'sZoruahadalsocaughttheeyeofsomepreschoolers,buthejumpedontoN'sshouldertogetawayfromthem.AndTiny...
"Mommy...!"ThePichu'seyesweretearingupandhischeeksstartedtospark.Thekidshadbeenpettinghimandpokingtheelectricsacsonhischeeks.Igaveasqueakoffrightthatwentunheard.AThunderShockseemedinevitableuntilabellstartedtoring.
"Children!It'stimeforclass!"Awomanwearinganapronoverherdresscalledforthemassheshookahandheldbell."RemembertoputyourPokémoninthedaycarebeforecomingtoclass!"ThechildrentooktheirPokémonandheadedinsideofthedaycarebuilding."I'msorry.Theydidn'tannoyyouoryourPokémon,didthey?"Thewomanaskedasshewalkedover.
"Uh,no.Notatall,"Isaidwithasheepishsmile.Infact,Iwassobusymindingthechildren,Ididn'tevennoticetheirPokémon."Um,areyouinchargeofthedaycareandthepreschool?"
"Oh,no!Thedaycareisranbymyparents,butthey'renothererightnow.TheywentawaytoenjoytheiranniversaryoutsideofUnova.Luckyforme,thestaffisheretohelpout."
Atthatmoment,ayoungmanwalkedintothecourtyard.HewaswearingatanbandanaandapronwithPokéBallsymbolsonthem."Um...Goodmorning,MissAutumn,"hegreetedstiffly.
"Goodmorning,Isaac!"Shelookedatus."ThisisIsaac.He'soneofthebreederswhotakescareofthePokémonatthedaycare."MissAutumnblinked."Whereiseveryoneelse?Don'tyouusuallycometogether?"
"Well..."Isaacscratchedthebackofhishead."Theyaren'tcoming."
"...What?!Whynot?"Theteacherasked,soundingdistressed.
"Becausewe'requitting."MissAutumnstoodthereinslack-jawedaweasIsaaccontinued,"Werealizedthatit'swrongtoworkforabusinessthatsupportstrainersneglectingtheirdutiesoftakingcareoftheirPokémon.WethinkitwouldbebestforthosePokémonifyoureleasedthembackintothewildwherethey'llbehappier."Nowwhydidthatsoundfamiliar?
"Butyoucan'tjustreleasesomeoneelse'sPokémonbecausetheyleavetheminadaycare!"Blackspokeup."Yeah,it'sdepressingwhenpeopleabandonPokémonatthem,butthatdoesn'tcountforallofthem!"
"Yeah,sosaysakidwho'sprobablygotPokémontrappedinsideofPokéBalls."NowIknowwhyitsoundedsofamiliar:hesoundedlikethatGhetsisguy.DidTeam
PlasmamanagetospreadmoreoftheirfertilizeraboutPokémonliberationinStriatonCity,too?"Anyway,ifyoudon'treleasethesePokémon,you'reasbadasthetrainerthatleftthemhere."
AfterIsaacleft,Oshawottfrownedandsaid,"Whatajerk."
"J-jerk!"Tinychirpedwithamadexpression.Heactuallygotthegistofthatword?
MissAutumnhidherfaceinherhands."Thisisjustterrible!Ican'tteachthekidsandtakecareofthePokémonatthesametime!Idon'tthinkI'dbeabletocareforthemallonmyown...!"
BlackandIlookedonsadly."H-hey,don'tcry,miss!"Blackpleaded."Um...Ifyou'dlike,wecanlookafterthePokémonforyou!"
"WHAT?!"Ishoutedalittletooloudly.IgrabbedBlack'sshoulderandturnedhimaroundroughly."Areyououtofyourmind?YouknowwhathappenswhenI'maroundPokémonandyou'retellingherwecantakecareofabunchatonce?!"
Mytwinsmiled."C'mon,White!Sheneedsourhelp!You'renotthesortofawfulpersonwhowalksawayfromsomeoneinneed,areyou?"
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"Ireallyhatewhenthishappens..."ImutteredtomyselfasItookoffmyhatandputonawhiteapronwithaPokéBallpattern."Somehow,Black,youalways"always"convincemetodosomethingIdon'twanttodo,"Icontinued,undoingmyponytailandwrappingawhitebandanaaroundmyhead.
"Aw,whydon'tyoujustadmitthatdeepdown,youwannahelpout?"Ilookedatmybrother,whowasalsowearingabandanaandapron,hisbeingblack."YoumaybeafraidofPokémon,butyou'renotacold-heartedperson.JustlikeN!"
"Don'tcomparemewiththatweirdjerk!"Ishouted."Speakingofwhich,whereishe?"
"Ithinkhewentoutbacktogetaheadstart."
Typical.TheguylovedPokémon.Itwashumanbeingshehadaproblemconnectingwith...IwillinglyallowedmybrothertodragmeoutofthehouseandoutbackwherethePokémonwerekept.DozensofPokémon,bigandsmall,whowerelazingabout,runningaroundorplayingtogether.Ifelltomykneesandstartedbreathingheavy.
"Takedeepbreaths,White.Deepbreaths..."Blackinstructed.Iglaredathimoutofthecornerofhiseyeandelbowedhiminthegut.
"Youtakedeepbreaths!"
Blackrecoveredfrommyattackandrubbedhisstomach."Didyouhavetohitmesohard...?Well,it'stimetogettowork!YoutakeonesideandI'lltakeanother."
Asmybrotherwalkedawayandleftmealoneontheground,Igaveasigh.Gettingbetterdidn'tseemlikeitwasworththissortoftrouble...
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ThetimeIspentcaringforthedaycare'sPokémonwaspossiblythesecondmostterrifyingtimeofmyentirelife.Sofar,anyway.IlostcountofthenumberoftimesIfainted,onlytobewokenupbyBlack,orN,oraPokémon"thelatterofwhichonlymademefaintagain.WhenIwasn'tunconscious,IhadtogetittogethertofeedthePokémonandwashthem.Tiringworkbothphysicallyandmentally.
"Phew!Howexhausting...!"IsaidwithasighasIsatdownbeneathatreenexttoasmallpond."Ican'tbelievethosebreedersquitjustbecauseofstupidTeamPlasma...AndnowIhavetodotheirjobs...!"IclosedmyeyesandtriedtoforgetaboutthefactthatthereweresomanyPokémonaroundme.
"White..."IheardNspeak.Icrackedaneyeopentostareathim.HelookedjustasridiculousasmeandBlackwiththatredbandanaandaprononhim.Isoonclosedmyeyesagain.
"What?"
"Whatarethese?"Iopenedmyeyesandsawthathewascarryingeggsofseveralcolorsinhisarms."Ifoundthemscatteredallover."
"N,d-don'tdropthose!Thoseareeggs!"
HelookedabitpeevedafterIsaidthat."Icanseethat,buttheydon'tseemlikenormaleggs.They'relarge."
"Becausethey'rePokémoneggs!Meaningthey'vegotPokémoninsideofthem!"
"Really?"Nsatdownnexttome,putdowntheeggsandpickedoneup."Ididn'tknowPokémoncouldmakeeggs."
"Seriously?"YouwouldthinkaguythatadoredPokémonasmuchasNwouldknow
that."Well,mostofthem,yeah."Heheldtheegguptohisear,lookingasbright-eyedasachild.Itmadehimseemnicer.
"...Ican'thearanything,"hesaid,lookingdisheartened.
"Ofcourseyoucan'thearanything.They'reeggs.They'llstartspeakingwhentheyhatch."
"I'dliketoseethat."N'sfingerslightlytracedthepatternsontheegg."Bytheway...what'syouropinionofthisplace?"Notagain...!"SomeofthesePokémonhavebeenleftheretemporarilybytheirowners,whileotherswereabandonedhere.Despitethat,theyseemveryhappyhere,becausethechildreninthatschoolplaywiththemeveryday.Someevencomeontheweekendsjusttobewiththem."
Thatshouldhavebeenobvious.Idon'tthinkthere'sakidintheworldwhowouldpassuptheopportunitytoplaywithPokémon.Notcountingtheweird,Poképhobiconeslikeme."It'sanicealternativetoputtingtheminPCs,right?Atleastinadaycare,theycanrunaroundfreeandplaywithotherPokémon,althoughitdoesgetpricy,Ibet."IsawTinyplayingwithsomeotherPokémon,runningaroundarock-likePokémonwithredcrystalsjuttingoutofitandcouldn'thelpbutsmile."Ofcourse,Idunnohowit'slikeinaPC...Itcouldbefunbeinginacomputer."Kindoflikevirtualreality.
"Maybe...Butthey'llgobacktotheirowners,andthosewithnoownersremainhereuntilsomeonetakesthem.Eitherway,they'llenduptrapped."
"Geez,you'redepressing!Youreallyneedtolayoffofthatstuff."Igroaned.Nopenedhismouthtosaysomethingelse,butIquicklygrabbedaneggandlightlyboppedhimontheheadwithit."Isaidlayoff!"
"But""Iraisedtheeggagainandheheldhishandsoverhisheadforprotection.Ismiledproudlyandpattedtheegg.
"Gladtoseeyoulearn.Seriously,don'tyouhaveanythingelsetotalkaboutbutthepainPokémongothroughunderownership?Like...whatwasthelastmovieyousaw?Where'syourhometown?What'syourfamilylike?"Inthedistance,IsawBlackwashingalargeredPokémonwithfieryeyebrowsandsoonafterignoreit."Doyouhaveagirlfriend?...Actually,forgetthatlastone.Idoubtyou'vegotwhatittakestotalkproperlytoagirl."
Nblinkedandstaredatme."...Arethose...thesortofthingsfriendstalkabout?"
IthinkIfeltmymouthopenwhenhesaidthat.Itmademewonderjusthowmany
humanfriendsNhad,ifanyatall."Yeah.Prettymuch."Well,thetwoofusweremoreacquaintancesthanfriends...Atleastuntilhelearnednottobesopreachy.EvenCherenlearnednottolectureustoooftenorelsewe'dallgivehimthesilenttreatment.
Helookeddownatthegroundinthought,bringingtheeggclosertohim.Hewasreallythinkingaboutsomethingtotalkabout.Well,Iguessyou'dhavetothinkaboutappropriatesubjectswhenitcametostrangers.Eventually,heraisedhisheadandlookedatme."Wouldyoutellmewhatyourfamilyislike?"
"Oh.Well...YoualreadyknowBlack"residentPokémaniac.IswearthateverymorningIwakeupwithhim,healwaysmanagestoannoymesomehow.MyMom'sareally...intriguingperson.Everyweekend,wehavetoguardthephoneandmakesureshedoesn'tordersomethingweirdfromtheHomeShoppingnetwork.Mydad..."MysmilefadedandIleanedfurtherbackintothetree."Mydadtravels.He'satrainer.I'mnotsureifhe'shereinUnovaorinanotherregion.ThelasttimeIheardfromhimwaswhenhegavemeTinyasagift."Sayingthat,Ireallyfeelbadaboutwantingtodropkickhispresentintotheseabefore.
"Isee."
"Whataboutyou?What'syourfamilylike?"Forasec,IthoughtN'seyeshadgoneblank.WhenIlookedagain,hewasstaringdownatthegroundinthought.IcouldonlyimaginewhatsortofpeoplehisparentshadtobetomakeakidlikeN.
"Idon'thavesiblings,andIcan'tremembermymotherbecauseshediedwhenIwasveryyoung,"hespokequickly.Ittookmeafewsecondstorealizethelastthinghesaid,buthedidn'tseemtobeexpressinganyfeelingsofsadness."Andmyfather...He'staughtmesomuchaboutwhat'swrongwiththeworld.Withpeople."Ah.SoIguesshisdadlovesPokémonmorethanpeople,too.
"Really.AndallmyDadtaughtmewasthathe'dkillanyboywhohurtmeinanyway."Nstaredatmeinshock."Thatwasajoke.Hedidn'treallysaythat.Hetaughtmetokickaguybetweenthelegswhenhetriedtodosomethingdirty."IsmirkedasInoticedNclosehislegsoutofthecornerofmyeye.IlookedbacktoBlackandnoticedthathewasunderneathapileofPokémon,wavingforhelp.Igulped."Well,break'sover.It'st-timetogobackintothefray.Yougofirst,N,"ImutteredasIpulledNupandpushedhimoutinfrontofme.It'salwaysgoodtohaveashield,afterall.
X-X-X
BeingaPokémoncaretakerwould'vebeenagoodwaytoovercomemyfearifitdidn'tmeanfacingsomanyatonce.Caseinpoint,atmyfeetwereahoardof
LillipupsandHerdiers"evolvedformsofLillipupwithfurontheirfacethatlookedlikemustachesanddarkfurthatcoveredtheirtorso.Theyallyipped,barked,androlledoverintheirattempttogetmetofeedthemmoreberries,despiteMissAutumntellingmethatIshouldonlyfeedthemonceforthemorning.
"Stopthat...!Y-you'renotgettinganymore!You'llgetfatandyourownerswillcomplain!"ThedogPokémonproceededtouseanothertactic:thedreadedpuppydogeyesmaneuver.Beingusedbyactualpuppies,itmanagedtoevenbreakmedown.IsighedandstartedrefillingtheirbowlswithsomePokémonfood.AtleastI'vegottenovermyfearofLillipups.
Next,IwanderedovertooneofthepondswheresomeDucklettwerewading.NeartheedgeoppositeofwhereIwasstanding,Isawacuriousthing:apairofOshawott.OnewasBlack'swhiletheotherwasprobablyleftherebyitstrainer.TheonlyapparentdifferencebetweenthemwasthattheotherOshawott'storsowasapalershadeofblue.
"Heythere!"Black'sOshawottgreetedcheerfully."Ididn'tthinkI'dmeetanotherofmykindinaplacelikethis!"TheotherOshawottsaidnothing.Itcontinuedstaringdownatitsreflectiononthepond'ssurface."Wouldyouliketodobattle?"Hestartedtopathisshellproudly."Ihaven'tbeentraininglong,butI'mconfidentinmyskills!"Hischallengewasstillmetwithsilence,whichmadehimsad."Hey,comeon~!Iknowyouwantto~!"
"Lea...lone..."TheotherotterPokémonmumbledsomething.
"Hm?What'dyousay?"Black'sOshawottgotcloserwithalookofcuriosity.
"LEAVEMEALONE!"TheothersnappedbeforeslammingitsshelldownonOshawott'shead,thenranoff.
Abitworriedforhim,IcircledaroundthepondandapproachedOshawott.Ascalchop-shapedimprintstuckoutonhisface."Um...Areyouokay?"
"That...wasafemale.Afemale!"Oshawottgasped.
Iarchedaneyebrow."Howcanyoutell?"Theyweren'tlikeUnfezant"thePokédexsaidasmuch.Theydidn'thaveanyphysicaldifferencesbetweenmalesandfemales.
"Howdoyoutellwhenhumansarefemale?I'mnotdumb"IknowafemaleOshawottwhenIseeone!"
"...Youcouldn'ttelluntilyouheardhervoice,huh?"Iaskedflatly.
Oshawottblushedagain."...Well,I'dknowoneifI'dactuallyeverseenafemaleOshawottbefore.Butthatdoesn'tmatter!I'mdeterminednowtosparwithherbeforeweleavethisplace!"Wait,spar?WasthatsupposedtoberomanticformembersoftheOshawottfamily?BeforeIcouldask,Oshawotthadalreadyrunoffinpursuitofthefemale.
"Hey,White!"IlookedovermyshoulderandsawBlackrunningtowardsme."Ijustrealizedthatnoone'satthefrontdesk.Wouldyoumind?"
Normally,Iwouldask"Whymeandnotyou?",butIwasalltoohappytogetawayfromallthosePokémonandtakeabreak.Soinstead,Isaid"Okay,"andrantowardsthebuilding.
X-X-X
Severalminuteslater,Irealizedjusthowdullbeinginchargeofthefrontdeskwas.AllIhadtodowaswaitforpeopletocomein,taketheirPokémonfromthemandmakelittlenotesaboutwhatwastakeninfromwhomandtakenoutforwhom.Itmayhavebeenmoreinterestingifanyoneactuallycamein.Slowasitwas,IdecidedtotakeanapandhopethatbythetimeIwokeup,there'dbeacustomer.
"Excuseme.Miss?"ItwasonlyafewsecondsafterputtingmyheaddownthatIheardavoice.Isatupandlookedaroundbeforefinallylookingdown.Itturnedouttobethepreschoolersfromnextdoor."Um...CanwegoplaywiththePokémon?MissAutumnsaidwecould."
Ishrugged."Ifshegaveyoupermission,sure.Whynot?"
"YAY!"Thechildrenimmediatelyranoutside,saveone:alittlegirlholdingaClefairydoll.
"Issomethingwrong?"Iaskedher.
"Th-there'saPokémonoutthere..."IlookedoutsideandsawthelargeredPokémonthatBlackhadbeenbathingearlier"theonewiththefieryeyebrowsandmouthsetintoapermanentsharp-toothedsmile.RightnowitwascarryingBlackoverhisshoulderlikeasackandIcouldn'ttellifhewashatingitorenjoyingit."He...he'sscary...!"Thelittlegirlwhimpered.
"He's...probablynotthatscary."Probably.IfwhatNsaidwastrue,noneofthePokémonherewouldhurtthekids.Ifanything,theyseemedtolikethem.
"But-but-buthe'sbig!Andhelookslikehe'sgonnaeatme!"Thegirlcried,squeezingherdollandmakingitsqueak.Great,nowshewasmakingmeworry.
"He'snotthatbad!Honestly!"IfhecouldendureBlackforsolongwithouteatingorcrushinghim,hemust'vebeennice.Oratleastplayful.IlookedoutsideandsawthatBlackwasbeingfollowedaroundbythebigredPokémonashetendedtoothers.
Thegirlpouted."Ilikeditbetterwhenhewaslittle..."Little?Iguessthatmeantthatithadevolved."Nowhe'sallscary-looking...!"
"Well,Idoubthe'schangedjustbecausehelooksdifferent."Maybe.Unlessevolutioncausedhispersonalitytochangeintoasavagebeast"Stop!You'resupposedtobehelping,notmakingitworse!"Maybeifyouwentuptohim,you'dseeifhe'snotniceanymore."
Thegirllookedupatmewithafrightenedexpression."W-will...willyoucomewithme?"Sheaskedwithlargepuppydogeyes.Iwasafraidofthat...!
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SohereIam,holdingalittlegirl'shandaswewalkedovertoalargeandpossiblyviolentPokémon.Blackwasright:Iamnotabadperson.Notsobadastoignoreakidcryingforhelp.Whenwegotcloseenough,theredPokémonbeganbouncinginplace.IfeltthegirlclingtomylegtightlyandheardherClefairydollsqueak.
"Suzie!Suzie,Suzie,Suzie!"ThePokémonchanted.
"Hm?What'swrong?"Blacklookedoverhisshoulderandsmiled."Oh,White!Haveyouseenthisbigguyyet?"Hesaid,pattingtheredPokémonontheback."He'saDarmanitan,theBlazingPokémon.They'vegotaninternalfirethatburnsat2,500degreesFahrenheitandcandestroyadumptruckwithasinglepunch!Isn'tthatsomething?MaybeIshouldcatchonelateron..."Hemusedwithamazementinhiseyes.
ThelittlegirlwhimperedandIglaredatmybrother."Now'snotthetimetoshareyourknowledge,Mr.Pokédex!"Ihissedbeforeleaningforwardandadding,"She'safraidofit,andyoujustmadethingsworse!"
"Huh?"Blackbentdownandlookedbehindmylegatthechild."Noneedtobeafraid.He'saniceguy!Abittouchy-feely,butnice!"
TheDarmanitansuddenlywrappedhisarmsaroundmeandthelittlegirl."Imissedyousomuch!Where'dyougo?!"Hebawled.Idon'tthinkhesawthefrightened
expressiononmyfaceasitpulleduscloser.
"You're...reallywarm,"Iheardthegirlmumble."It'snice."IlookeddowntofindherrubbingahandonthePokémon'sstomach.Hestoppedhuggingusandputthegirlonhisbackbeforewalkingoff.
"Awww,youdidanicething,White.Maybenowyou'vegottenoveryourfearofPokémon?"Ijustglaredatmybrother."Dumbquestion,huh?"Inoddedbeforewalkingbacktothebuilding.
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Notes!
AllobtainedstarterPokémon(excludingspecialcaseslikePikachu),haveaverysmallchanceofbeingfemale.
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RemembertoreviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter5
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Sheonlyownsherinterpretationsofsomecharactersandthisstory.
X-X-X
~DaycareRescue~
Therestofthedaywasratheruneventful.Thechildrenhadleftmidafternoon,takingtheirPokémonwiththem.AhandfulofpeoplecamebytopickuptheirPokémon,whichledtosomehappy-lookingreunions.Bysundown,thePokémonthatwerelefthadbeentendedtoandweretuckeredout,andsowerethethreeofus.
"Alright!It'stimeforthenamingceremony!"BlackexclaimedasheheldhisPokémonnamingbookinhishands.Hewassittingcross-leggedononeoftheloveseatsinthefrontarea,hisOshawottandPidoveoneithersideofhim."Oshawott,Iherebynameyou...Kaito."
"Kai-to..."TheOshawottsoundedout.
"AndPidove,Inameyou...Valentine."
"Valentine?"ThePidoverepeated.
Blacksmiled,happywithhimself."Whatdoyouguysthink?Doyoulikeyournewnames?"
"It's...notbad."Valentineanswered.
"Notbad?It'scool!"Kaitoexclaimedashebouncedupanddownonthecushion.
"Whyaretheysohappy?"Naskedeithermeorhimself.WeweresittingofftothesidewhileBlackdidhislittlenamingceremony."AtrainergivingthemanameisonlyoneofthewaysPokémonareshackledbythem."
Igavethegreen-hairedteenahalf-liddedstare."Wheredoyoulearnthesethings?Anamegivesyouindividuality,amongotherthings..."
"Forahuman,perhaps.ButforPokémon,itismerelyameansofownership."
Isighedandshookmyhead."Idon'tknowwhyIeverbotherwithyou."Ididn'tevenknowwhyhewasstillhere.Hegothisquestionsanswered,sonowheshouldleave.
ThedoorthenopenedandMissAutumnwalkedinside."Well,that'sthelastofthem!ThankyouallsomuchforyourhelpIdon'tknowhowthingswouldhavegonewithoutyou.I'vealreadycalledthejobagencyinAccumulaTownandtheysaidthey'llsendsomenewcaretakersoverinthemorning."
"Thankgoodness!"Iexclaimed,notashappyforherasIwasforbeingabletoleavethisplace.
"It'sgettingdarkout,sowhydon'tyouallstayherefortonight?It'sneversafetotravelatnight.Youdon'tknowwhatwillhappen."Theolderwomangesturedtothestairsleadinguptothesecondfloor."Youcansleepinmyparents'room.I'llleavethedooropensoyoucantellwhichoneitis,butpleasedon'ttouchanythinginthere."
"Thankyou,"BlackandIspokeatthesametime.NjuststoodtherequietlyasMissAutumndisappearedupthestairstothesecondfloor,likehewasthinking.
"I'llleaveyouguysoutuntilmorning,"BlacktoldhisPokémon."Thatway,Osha"Imean,KaitocangetbacktowooingthatgirlOshawott."
Kaitobegantoblush."There'snowooing!I-Ijustwannafighther!"
"IguessI'lldothesame.TinyandPanaceahavealreadyfallenasleepoutsideanyway,"Isaid.
"So,thisjustleavesonequestion:who'ssleepingonthefloor?"IstaredatBlackinconfusion."Ifit'sherparents'room,therehastobeadoublebed.So,unlessyouwantallthreeofuscrammedtogetherinbed..."
Ifrowned."I'mnotsharingabedwitheitheroneofyou!"Ishoutedasmycheeksheatedup.Fromchildhoodexperience,IknewBlackwasaroughsleeper.AndNwasweirdostrangerwhomighttrysomethingdirty."Whydon'tyoutwosleeponthefloorandI'llsleeponthebed?"
Blackfrownedaswell."Whybothofus?
"BecauseI'magirlandyoutwoareboys.Plus,I'mmoredelicatethanyoutwo,soIneedtosleepcomfortably."
"You'rehardlydelicate.AndI'myourbrother!We'vesharedabedbefore!"
"Exactly.WhichiswhyIdon'twanttodoitagain."
"What'ssobadaboutussleepinginthesamebedasyou?"Nasked."Ifweallsqueezedintogether,wemightbeabletofit."BlackandIstaredathimashecontinued,"MyfriendsandIdidthatwhenIwasyoung.Wewouldhugeachotherandwe'dallbecomfortable."
"...WerethefriendsyoudidthiswithPokémon,N?"Blackasked,lookingasuncomfortableasIfelt.Thegreen-hairedboynoddedandhegaveasighofrelief."Good!Imean...Whilethat'sagoodidea,N,there'sthefactthatWhiteisagirl.Andasherbigbrother,Icanneithercuddleherinbed,norletanyothermancuddleher."
"Whynot?Girlsaren'tthatdifferentfromboys,right?"
"...N,Ichangedmymind.YoucansleepwithWhite.
"WHAT?!"IgrabbedBlack'sshoulderandgrippedittightly."Black,howdareyou"?!"
Blacktookmeasideandwhispered,"It'skindofobviousthatNwasn'ttaughtaboutthePidgeyandCombees,ifyouknowwhatImean."Geez,howclosedoffwasN?Hehadtohavebeenayearortwoolderthanbothofusandweknewaboutthatmorethanhedid!"Anyway,he'sharmless.Idoubthe'ddoanythingtoyou."
"Idoubtyourdoubting."
"Ifanythinghappens,I'llbesleepingonthefloor.ScreamandI'llkickhisbutt."
"Ifanythinghappens,I'llkillyouboth!"Igrowled.
X-X-X
Laterthatnight,Blackwassleepinginasleepingbagonthefloor,andIwassleepingonadoublebedwithN.Ihadputsomepillowsbetweenusformyownprotection,butthatdidn'tstophimfromtryingtoreachoutandcuddlemeinhissleeplikeIwasoneofhisPokémonfriends.Eventually,Icouldn'ttakeit.ItookN'sarmoffofme,slidoutofthebedasquietlyasIcould,andheadeddownstairswithapillowunderarm.IfIcouldn'tsleepupstairs,I'dsleepontheloveseatdownstairs.Thefactthatmylegsdangledovertheotherenddidn'tmatter.Ijustputthepillowonthearmrestandrestedmyheadonit.Ishifted,feelinguncomfortable.WhatIwould'vegavetobesleepinginaPokémonCenterinsteadofadaycareatthesideoftheroad...
"Sssh...!Bequiet!Wedon'twanttowakeanyoneup."Iopenedmyeyesatthesoundofavoicecomingfromoutside.Irolledontomybackandlookeddowntothewindowabovemyfeet.IsawalightshiningfromoutsideandIcouldheargrass
rustling.Thenthesourceswalkedintoviewinfrontofthewindow:TeamPlasma.
"I'vealwaysthoughtthisplacewasawful.PeoplejustleavetheirPokémonherefordaysandforgettheyexist!Suchawfultreatment..."Iheardoneofthegruntsspeak.
"Tonight,we'llfreeallthePokémontrappedinhereandteachthosepeoplealesson!"Anothersaidashepassed.
Great.IftheirideaoffreeingPokémonwasthesameasthoseguysinStriatonCity,they'dresorttohurtingthePokémonjusttomakethemleave.WhenIsawnomorepassingbythewindow,Igotup.IhadtowakeupBlackandNandtellthemwhatwashappening,butanoisestoppedmeinmytracks,followedbyaflashoflight.
"CHUUUUU!"ItwasTiny!IforgotallaboutBlackandNandinsteadranoutthedoorintimetoseeTinygetkickedawaybyaPlasmamemberthatwasclimbingoverthefence.Hesatupandheldontohisstomach."M...mommy...!"Hecriedoutinpain.Suddenly,Iwasfeelingverymaternal,andIsnapped.Ibentovertopickupthebiggest,heaviestrocknearmeandthrewitatthegrunt'shead.Whentherockmadeimpact,itgaveacryofpainandbegantofidget.Oops.IthinkitwasaPokémon.
"What'sgoin'on?!"Therock-likePokémonshoutedloudenoughtowakeuptheotherPokémon."What'swiththeguysinthecrazygetups?"
"Don'tletthoseguysgettheirhandsonyou!Theyjustwannatakeyouawayfromhere"fromyourfriendsandtrainers!"Ishouted.
"WHAT?!"SeveralofthePokémonshoutedinsurprise.
"N-no!Notagain!Ican'tgothroughthatagain!"
"But...!ButAnnawillbesad!"
"Suziesaidshe'dadoptme!"
"Idon'twannabereleased!IwantDamon!"
Ohdear.NowIgotallofthemworried.
"White!"IlookeddownandsawKaitoatmyfeet."Thoseweirdoesarehere!"
"Iknewthat..."IsaidasIpickedupTinyandcradledhiminmyarms."There,there.You'llbeokay."Hecontinuedtocryquietlyashischeekssparked.IsetmysightsonTeamPlasma."Youguysthinksayingit'sallforPokémonliberationmeansyoucandowhateveryouwant?!You'renothingbutcreeps!"
TheotherPlasmidshadfinishedclimbingover.Therewerefourofthemaltogether,notcountingtheunconsciousone.
"Whatdoyouknow?YouworkataplacewheretheytreatPokémonlikeattractionsatazoo!"Oneofthegruntsspoke.
"You'retheonewhodoesn'tknowanything!ThePokémonherelovetheirtrainersandarewillingtowaitforthem!Andtheoneswithoutthemhavekidswhoadorethemandvisitthemwhentheycan!"
"Stupidgirl!We'retheheroeswhoaregoingtofreethesePokémonfromtheirprison!We'retheirsaviors!We're"!"Hewasinterruptedbyajoltofelectricityfromthesidelinesthatmadehimfallover,stunned.
Nearby,anEmolgastoodbywithitscheekscracklingwithelectricity."Idunnoaboutyouguys,butIdidn'taskedtobesaved"especiallynotbytheseweirdoes."Hestated.
"Yeah,whodotheseguysthinkweare?"AHerdierspokeupasothersofitskindbegantogrowlandLillipupsstartedtoyip.
"Personally,Ithinktheydeservealesson,"camefromaPurrlointhatheldoutitssharpenedclaws.
Kaitodrewhisshellandhelditupintheair."Guys!IthinkIspeakforeverybodywhenIsay...ATTACK!"
Almostimmediately,thePokémonstartedreactinginhostileways.Icouldheargrowlsandroars.Isawsparksflying,embersburstingtolife,andgustsofwindthatwerevisibletotheeye.TheTeamPlasmagrunts,pulledouttheirPokémon:Purrloins,Patrats,andoneevenhadaSandile,buttheywereoutnumberedandoverpoweredtothepointwherethedaycarePokémonredirectedtheirangeronthegruntswhentheirPokémonwereunconscious.Thatwasbrutal.OrsoIthink.Really,whilethiswasallhappening,I'dcrawledovertothewallofthedaycarebuilding,prayingthatthiswouldallbeoverbeforetheirangerwasdirectedtowardsmenext.
Asharpwhistlethensoundedout,andIheardtheruckusstop.IraisedmyheadandsawMissAutumnstandingintheopendoorwaywithherarmsfoldedacrossherchest.BehindherwereBlackandN,lookingstunned."Whatonearthisgoingon?!"Sheshouted.Iwonderedifshedidthiskindofthingwithherstudentsaswell.ThePokémoncrowdseparatedtorevealtheTeamPlasmamembersandtheirPokémon,beatenunconsciousandbearingallsortsofscratches,burnsandbruises.I
shuddered,asmuchasIthoughttheydeserveditforwhattheyweretryingtodo.MissAutumn'smouthopenedinsurprise."What?!Whoarethesepeople?Pokémonthieves?"
Ifoundmyvoiceagaintoexplain,"They'reTeamPlasma.TheywantedtoreleasethePokémonhereintothewild,buttheywouldn'thaveit."
"Oh...!"Theschoolteacherbegantoblushandsmile.Thensherealizedwhatjusthappenedandsheclappedahandoverherchest."O-ohmygoodness!Ishouldcallthepoliceimmediately!Y-youkidsstayhereandmakesuretheydon'tmove,okay?!"
"Youcancountonit,m'am!"Blacksaidassheranbackintothehouse.Hewalkedovertomeandbentover."Youokay?Theydidn'thurtyou,didthey?"
Isighed."No.Ijustsatherelikeacoward.Ididn'teventrytobattle!"
"You'renotacoward,MissWhite,"Panaceaspokeup."Ifyouhadn'tcomealong,theymight'veactuallysucceeded."
"That'sright!Youwokemeup!"TherockPokémonsnappedatme.IimmediatelyflinchedandstartedtohugBlack'sleg."Imean,uh...Thanksforhelpingus."
"Mommy,"Tinyspokeupinmyarm."T...thanks..."Hemumbled.
"You'rehardlyacoward.Ifanything,you'realittleoveremotional.Butthat'sagoodthingsometimes,"saidBlack.
Istartedtosmileabit.IscratchedTiny'searasIstoodup."Fortherestofthenight,you'resleepingwithme,gotit?"Hegaveasqueakofhappiness."Ihopeyoudon'tmindsleepingwithmeonthefloor."
"Hm?Whythefloor?"Mybrotherasked.
"Because,Black.I'mgoingtogiveyouthebed.YoucansleepwithN."
"I,uh,guessitwasuncomfortable,huh?"Notinthewayyou'rethinking.Dealwithbeingchokedlikeahumanteddybearforthenight,'bigbrother'!
"Youdon'tmind,doyou,N?"Iaskedthegreen-hairedboy.Hehadafar-offlookashestaredattheunconsciousgruntsandtherockPokémonthatwaskickingoneoftheminthehead."What'swrong?Seeingyouridolslikethismadeyourealizeyoushouldn'tberootingforthem?"
"No,"heansweredimmediately."I'mjustupsetthattheywouldresorttoviolenceto
getthingsdone.Theirpassionshouldhavealimitation.However,wecannotblametheactionsofthefewonthewhole."
"Wait,what?!Sowhenit'strainers,we'reallguilty,butwhenit'sTeamPlasma,onlysomeareguilty?!Ijust...ARGH!"Ishouted,makingNbackupintoawallinfearofme."Youarejustso...so...!Ugh,forgetthis!I'mtootiredtobeenraged!"IgrumbledasIenteredthebuilding."I'mgoingupstairs.Disturbmeinmysleepatyourownrisk..."
X-X-X
"Itdoesn'tmatterifyouhadgoodintentions,White.Youdon'tjuststealsomeone'sPokémon,"Mommytoldme,waggingherfingerlikeshedid.
"Buthewashurtinghim!"ThinkingaboutthatpoorlittleLillipupwiththebentlegandtheinjuredeyemademesad,andthinkingabouthisowner"thelittleboywhohurthim"madememad.Itdidn'tseemfairtoleavehimwherehewas,soIjusttookhimwhennoonewaslookingandtriedlookingafterhimmyself.
"Maybeso,butthisisthesortofthingyoutellpeople,sweetie.LikeDaddyandI,orsomeoneatthePokémonCenter.Doingthisjustmakesyoulooklikeacriminal!"
Ipouted."I-I'mnotacriminal!Ijustwantedtohelp!I-I-I""Mommysilencedmebystrokingmyhair.
"Ssshh!It'sokay.Iknowyouweretryingtodogood,butsometimes,therearerightwaystogoaboutitandtherearewrongways."
IlookedupatMommy."Wasitarightwaywhenyoubeatupthatmeanboy'sdaddy?"
Shefrowned."No,itwasn't.Therightwaywouldhavebeentotalktohimpatientlyabouthowifyouletchildrendothiswhenthey'reyoung,whenthey'readults,theywon'tcareaboutwhotheyhurt,humanorPokémon.Punchinghiminthefaceandcallinghimmanybadthingsisthewrongway,evenwhenthey'rebeingjerks.Doyouunderstand?"
"Yes."
"Goodgirl."
X-X-X
"NO!"Aloudscreamcausedmetorolloverwithastart.IregretteditimmediatelyasIknockedmyelbowintothedresser.Right...Iwasn'tsleepingonabed,butonthefloorinBlack'ssleepingbag.Ihissedinpainandheldontomyachingelbow.NoneofthisdisturbedTinyfromhissleep,though,ashejustkeptonsnoozing.
"Whattheheckwasthat?!"IheardBlackexclaimashesatupinbed.
IpickedupmysleepingPichuandgotonmyfeet,stillrubbingmyelbowwithmyfreehand."ItsoundedlikeMissAutumn."Whatcamenextwasthesoundofawomansobbingloudly.Whatcould'vehappened?DidthosenewbreederscomealongandsuddenlydecidetobePro-Plasma,too?Stilldressedinourpajamas,webothlefttheroomandenteredthehallway."Bytheway,where'sN?"
"Huh?"Blackyawnedandrubbedhiseyes."...N?Idunno.Maybehe'sdownstairseatingbreakfastorsomething?"
Whenwereacheddownstairs,wefoundthebackdoorwideopenandthepreschoolteacheronherkneesoutside,hunchedoverandshaking.Thetwoofusimmediatelyranovertoseewhatwasthematter,butwesawitthemomentwesteppedoutside.Thebackyardwasempty.NotasinglePokémonwasinsight."What...?What?!Where'dallthePokémongo?!"
"No!KaitoandValentine...andPanacea,too?How'dthishappen?!"
MissAutumnsniffledandshook."I...don't...know!"Tearswererollingdownherface.Shelookedlikeamessoverthis,andwhywouldn'tshe?Thedaycarewasherparents'businessanditwasherresponsibility."They'reallg-gone!Howcouldthishappen?!Whocould'vedonethis?!"
Black'smouththinnedintoaline."TeamPlasma?Butwestoppedthemlastnight!Thepolicecameforthemandeverything,right?Unless...thereweremorehidingoutsomewhere.OrmaybetheywerejustordinaryPokémonthieves."
Athoughtsuddenlyenteredmymind."OrmaybeN."
"N?Hewouldn'tdothis!Hesaidithimselflastnight:hehatedwhatTeamPlasmawasdoing!"
"No,hehatedhowtheyresortedtoviolence.I'msurehepreferredtochasethemoffthenon-violentway."
MissAutumnsniffledagainandwipedthetearsfromhereyes."C-cometothinkofit...thatNboyleftwhenitwasquiteearly.Hesaidsomethingabout...beingverylate
foranarrangement?"
"Aha!He'sathief!"
"No,he'snot!Besides,allNhasisaZoruaandthePokémonweresoadamantaboutstaying,theybeatupTeamPlasma!Sohecan'tbetheculprit!Justletit""Blacktrailedoff.Hiseyessuddenlywidenedashescreamed,"AAAAAHHHH!White,Kaito'sokay!"Mybrothertookofftowardsatreeandranbehindit.Atthatmoment,hechasedoutKaito,whowasrunningawayfromhim."What'sthematterwithyou?!StoprunningawayfrommelikeI'moneofthebadguys!"
"...Black,stop.Idon'tthinkthisisyourOshawott.Justlookatit."
BlackstoppedrunningandtheOshawottdidthesame,lookingabitworried."Hm...You'reright.Thisisn'thim.Butstill,it'stheonlyoneleft.That'sgood.Youcouldaskitifitsawwhathappened."
MissAutumnstaredatusinconfusion."What?Askit?Idoubtit'dbeabletotellusanythingwe'dunderstand!"
Igulped.ThisOshawottwasn'texactlyfriendlywithKaitoyesterday...butPanaceawasintrouble,andsowereBlack'sPokémonandseveralothers.Icouldn'twimpoutnow"nomatterhowfrightenedIwas.IcroucheddowninfrontoftheOshawottandputTinydown."Um...Doyouknowwhathappenedlastnight?"
"Thismorning."
"Huh?"
"I-ithappenedthismorning.Iknowbecause...Isawthesuncomingup."TheOshawottfidgeted."Iwastheonlyoneawakewhensomemeninstrangeclothescame."
"Theyworestrangeclothes?"
"Likethosemenfromthenightbefore."
"SoitwasTeamPlasma.Waitaminute!Ifyouwereawake,whydidn'tyoudosomething?Attackthem,o-ormakesomenoise?"
TheOshawottcringed."B-b-becauseIcouldn't!I'maweakling!Iamuseless!Icouldn'tdefeatanyone,letalonesomehumans,soIjusthidlikeacoward!"Shegrabbedherscalchopshellandstartedtosmackherselfontheforehead."No
wondermytrainerdidn'twantmeeee!"
"Whoa,whoa!What'stheproblem?!"Blackexclaimed.
"I...thinkshe'sbeatingherselfup"figurativelyandliterally."Iwasn'tsureifIshouldtryandstopherornot.Icouldalreadyseearedbruiseformingonherheadalready."A-anyway,shesaysthatitwasTeamPlasmawhocameandtookthem."
"Well,theyarecalledTeamPlasma...butwho'dhavethoughtthere'dbemoreofthemreadytodothesamething?Andsosoon?"Mybrotherclosedhiseyesandscratchedhishead."They'dhavebeenhidingsomewhere."
"...ave."IlookeddownatthemumblingOshawott,whoseemedtohavefinishedpunishingherself."Th-theytalkedabout...acave."
"Shesaysthattheytalkedaboutacave."
"Wellspring!"MissAutumnsuddenlyexclaimed,makingusbothjump."WellspringCave!I-it'sattheendoftheroad.It'stheonlycavenearhere.Couldthatbeit?"
"Couldbe...Let'sgetgoing!Ifwe'relucky,they'llstillbethere!"Blackexclaimed.Hemadetogoandchange,butIgrabbedhisarm.
Inarrowedmyeyes."No.Youdon'thaveanyPokémon,remember?"Ifeltbadforpointingthatout,butitwasthetruth.WithoutPokémon,Blackwouldbeasittingduck."I'll...havetogoalone."
Blackstartedtofrownandglareatme."What?No!Youcan'tgoandfacethemallbyyourself!Allyou'vegotisTiny!"ThePichustirredatthementionofhisname."We'regoingtogetherornotatall!"
"N-no,"MissAutumnspokeup,"Youtwoshouldn'tevenbedoingthis.You'rejustkids!Thisisajobfortheauthorities!"
"It'lltaketoolong!Theymightbegonebythetimetocopsgethere!Someone'sgottadosomethingaboutthis!Besides,they'vegotourPokémon,too!Andwe'llbetheretolookoutforeachother,sonothingbadwillhappentous."Mybrotherlookedatmewithaseriousexpression."Right,White?"
"...Right."Thinkingaboutit,IdoubtI'dbeabletogodownarouteandintoacavewhenwildPokémoncouldpounceonmeatanytime.Blackmight'vebeenuselessinabattle,buthe'dbeabletokeepmefromfaintingonthewaythere."Don'tworry,MissAutumn.We'llmakesureallthePokémonarereturned."Hopefully...
X-X-X
Minuteslater,wewerewalkingdownRoute3withagoalinmindthatwewouldhopefullyaccomplish.Formostofthetime,weremainedsilent.WhenawildPokémonwouldpopupoutofthegrasstoconfrontus,Blackwouldbemycheeringsection.Eventually,wereachedaforkintheroadwithasign:NacreneCitytothesouth,WellspringCavetothewest.Wecontinuedon,thedirtpatheventuallybecominghiddenbytallgrass.IfeltsomethingbrushuptomylegandIfroze.
"M-myleg.Something'stouchingmyleg,Black!Getitoff,getitoff...!"Iwhimpered.
Blackapproachedmeandcroucheddown."Hangon.It'sprobablyjustatwigor...Hm?What'reyoudoinghere?White,lookwho'shere!"HestuckaflailingOshawottinmyfaceandmyautomaticreactionwastoquicklystepawayfromhim."It'stheOshawottfromthedaycare!"
"Ah!P-p-putmedown!Pleaseputmedown!"ThecowardlyOshawottcried.
"What'reyoudoinghere?!"Isnapped."AlloftheotherPokémonalreadygotstolen!DoyouwantTeamPlasmatogetyou,too?!"
TheOshawottwhimpered,asifitwasafraidofme."Ididn'tdoanythingtostopthem.Andthenyoudecidedtogofightthemonyourown.Ithought...IshouldpayforwhatI'vedoneandc-comewithyou.ButI'dunderstandifyoudon'twantmearoundyou.I'mauselessandcowardlyweakling."You'recertainlynotcowardlyifyoufollowedusallthisway.
"What'sthat?Youwannacomewithus?"BlackmadeaspotonguessaboutwhattheWatertypewassaying."Doyoufeelbadaboutwhathappened?"Helookedatme."Ifitwantstohelp,weoughttoletit.Don'tyouthink?"Iwantedtobeagainstthis,butwithonlyonePokémonandwhoknowshowmanyofPlasma'sgruntswouldbethere,weneededallthehelpwecouldget.
"Alright.Youcancomealong.Butyouhavetotryandhelpus,okay?"IspokeasgentlyasIcouldtotheOshawott.
"I-I'lltrynottogetintheway,ma'am.ThoughIcan'tpromiseI'llbeofanyhelp."
Blackgaveabreathofrelief."Atleastouroddsarebetternow."Yeah,withafearfulOshawott,wehavea2to10chanceofsuccess."Look!IthinkIcanseethecaveentrancejustoverthere."Heranfurtherahead,promptingmetorunafterhim.WhenIfinallycaughtuptomybrother,hewasstaringintothemouthofWellspringCave."It'skindadarkinthere,butIcanmakeoutsomethings."
"Whatthings?"Imumbled,grippingthestrapofmybag.
"LookslikeWoobatsclingingtothewalls."Igaveashortsqueakoffear.IknewaboutWoobats.SomenightsinNuvemaTown,theWoobatswouldflyoutfromthedarknessofthetreestheyspentthedayinandclingtowallsandwindows.EachtimeIwokeuptofindonestuckonmywindow,I'dscreamliketheywereGolbatstryingtobreakinandsuckmyblood."Relax!Woobatsareharmless.They'remostlyherbivores."
"Mostly?!"
"They'dsoonereatanOranberrythanyou,sojustcalmdown!Besides,youhaveTiny.Ifonegetsagitatedandtriestoattack,justzapthem."Blackthentookmyhandandledmeinside,TinyandtheOshawottwalkingbesideus.
ThelightthatshoneintotheentranceofthecavemadetheWoobatsclingingtothestonewallsasclearasday.ApartofmeactuallywishedthatitwasdarkenoughsoIcouldn'tseetheirround,pale-furredbodiestwitchingandrisingastheybreathedfromtheirmouths.ItriedtofocusonthesoundofthewaterthatdrippedfromtheceilinginsteadofthesleepingPokémonaroundus.
Blacksuddenlystoppedwalking.Iwould'veopenedmymouthtoaskwhathewasdoingandtellhimtokeepgoing,butIwasafraidofwakinguptheWoobats.ThenIheardwhathehad:thesoundofvoices.Icouldn'treallytelliftheybelongedtohumansorPokémon,though,butBlack'sexpressionwasenoughtosuggestthattheywereTeamPlasma's.Good!Thatmeanttheywerestillhereandthistripwasn'tawasteoftime!
Wecontinuedon,tryingtoremainasquietaspossible.Thecloserwegot,thelouderthevoicesbecame.
"...pup...Zebstrika...Pidove...Pidove...Lillipup...Darmanitan...Lillipup...Geez,there'snotmuchthatsticksoutamongstthese,"saidonevoice.
"Shutupandjustkeepcheckingthem,"saidanother.
"Fine.Pidove...Blitzle...Audino..."
Atthatmoment,somethingfellfromtheceilingandlandedonmyhead."AAAH"MMMPH!"TherestofmyscreamwasmuffledintimebyBlack,who'dplacedhishandovermymouth.
"Eh?Whatwasthat?"
"ProbablyjusttheWoobats.Thosethingsshrieklikebansheesoveranything."
Whenwewerecertainthatwehadn'tbeencaught,mybrothergesturedformetokeepquietasheremovedsomethingsmallandfurryfrommyheadwithagruntofeffort.ItturnedouttobeasmallWoobat,somehowstillasleepdespitethefall.Gentlyashecould,BlackmanagedtogettheBatPokémontosticktoanemptysectionofthecavewall.Hegrabbedmyhandandpulledmyalongyetagain,outofthetunnelandintoawidecavern.Waterdropletsfellfromthestalactite-coveredceilinganddownintoaportionofwatersolarge,itdidn'tseemlikeitwasmadebyyearsuponyearsofcollectingwater.Thesightstruckmewithawe,andwould'veheldmyinterestforafewmoreminutesifIhadn'tseentherealreasonwewerethere:thepairofPlasmamemberswhowerehoveringoverasack.
"Holditrightthere,youPokémonthieves!"Blackshoutedloudly.IflinchedasIheardtheWoobatsbehinduswakeupwithalarmingscreechesandthesoundoftheirwingsflappingastheyflewoutofthecave.Thepairofgruntswerenowglaringinourdirection.
"Mm?Whatdoyoubratsthinkyou'redoinghere?Andwhodoyouthinkyou'recallingthieves?"Thefemalemembersaidwithascowl."WearewithTeamPlasma,andwe'regoingtoliberatePokémonfromthecrueltyoftrainers!"
"Yousaythat,butjustamomentago,itsoundedlikeyouweremakinginventoryofthePokémonyoustole!"
Itwasthemalemember'sturntogetupset."H-howdareyou?!We'retryingtosavePokémon!You'retheeviloneshere!"
"Doyouevenknowiftheywanttobesaved?"Ispokeup,feelingupsetenoughtogetbrave."Didyouevenaskthemiftheyhatedlivingwiththeirtrainersorbeinginthedaycare?"
BothofthePlasmagruntsbegantofume."Don'tberidiculous!"Thewomansnapped."Ofcoursetheywanttobefreefromhumantyranny!Sosaysourking!"
BlackandIexchangedlooks."...Didtheysaytheyhaveaking?Notaboss,butaking?"Iaskedslowly.
"Yeah.Theydid,"Blackmumbled.
"Huh.Thesepeoplearemoreridiculousthanwethought."
"Whoevertheirbossis,hemustbeanegomaniacorsomethingtocallhimselfa
king."
"DON'TWHISPERAWFULTHINGSABOUTOURLORD!"ThePlasmawomanshriekedlouderthananyWoobatasshepointedanaccusingfingeratus.Weweremorefrightenedbythevolumeofhervoicethanhergesture,though.
Themalegruntadded,"OurkingisblessedwiththegifttounderstandtheheartsofPokémon.Hecanhearthecriesofpainandanguishtheymakefrombeingimprisonedbyhumans.Thecriespeoplelikeyouig""BeforeIknewit,Ithrewarockthathitthemansquareintheforehead."AH!You...littlebrat!Youhitme!"
Ifrowned."Yes,Idid!BecauseIthinkyou'reignorant!Youandyourso-calledking!You'reallsogung-hoabout'liberating'and'saving'Pokémonthatyou'reonlylookingatonesideandcompletelyignoringtheother.Nowthat'signorant!"
"Ugh,whyevenbothertryingtogetthroughtoyou?You'rejustapairofdumbkids!WeshouldjustdoyourPokémonafavorandliberatethembyforce!"ThetwogruntseachgotoutaPokéBallandreleasedaPokémonfrominside.ThewomanhadaWoobatthatgaveashrillcryandthemanhadaPatratthatglaredatusintenselywithitsredandyelloweyes.
Tinyimmediatelyraninfrontofme.Healreadyknewwhatwewereabouttogetinto.TheOshawottjoinedhimathisside,althoughnotlookingasconfident.
"PatratisaNormaltypethathasverystrongeyesight.AndWoobatisaPsychic/FlyingType,sobeonguardforPsychcattacksaswellasFlying,"Blackexplained.
"Patrat,useSandAttack!"
"Woobat,useGust!"
ThePatratgotdownonallfoursandturnedaround.ItstartedtokickupthedirtonthefloorastheWoobatuseditsflappingwingstodothesame,kickingupmoredirtanddustatTinyandtheOshawott.Theysneezedandgroanedasthedirtblindedthem.TheWatertypetookadeepbreathbeforespittingoutastreamofwaterinthedirectionoftheWoobat.Butthetargetdidn'tevenneedtomovetoavoidtheattack.
"Tiny,useThunderShock!"
SparksbegantoflyfromTiny'scheeksacsaselectricitycrackledaroundhisbody."Ch-ch-ch-CHUUUUU!"HeunleashedseveraljoltsofelectricityinthedirectionofthePatratandtheWoobat.AlthoughtheBatPokémonmanagedtododgethe
attack,therodentwasn'tasfortunateandgotshocked.
"Woobat,Confusion!"ThefemalegruntorderedherPokémon.
Itstartedtoflapitswingsquicklyasitsbodybecameenvelopedinapaleblueaura.Itmadeanannoyingscreechingsoundaswavesofpsychicblueenergycameoffofit.TheenergyimpactedagainstTinyandsenthimflyingbacktomyfeet.
"Ah!A-areyouokay?"Icouldn'thelpbutask.ThePichuimmediatelygotbackonhisfeet,cheekscracklingwithelectricity.
"AAAAHHH!"AscreamcamefromtheOshawott.WhileIwaspayingattentiontoTiny,thePatrathadmanagedtojumponherandwasnowbitingdownhardonhertorso.TheWatertypeflailedasthePatrat'steethsankindeeper.TheWoobathoveredoverhead,flappingitswings.TheScoutPokémonjumpedawaytododgetheblastofwind,leavingtheOshawotttobeblownovertowardsus.Shestayedfacedown,mumbling,"Iknewit.I'museless.Ican'tevenbeataPatrat!"
IpickeduptheOshawottandsetheronherfeet."No!You'rejustnottryinghardenough!Whatweneedisteamwork!"IlookedatthesmirkingPlasmagruntsandtheirPokémon."First,adistraction.Youdon'tneedpropersighttouseCharm,Tiny!"
ThePichu'seyesbrightenedandhebegantohopfromfoottofoot,performingalittledanceforhisopponents.ThePatrat'schubbycheeksbecametingedpinkasitwatchedTinydance.TheWoobatattemptedtouseGust,butallitdidwasmakeashortwaftofwindthatcouldn'tevenmovethedirt.
"Nowthen,you..."IlookeddownatthefemaleOshawottasmyhandrifledthroughmybag.Ipulledoutabottleoffresh,ifwarm,water,andopenedit."Let'swashthesandoutofyoureyes,okay?"
"I-Icandoitmyself...!"ThePokémoninsistedevenasIpouredsomewaterdownherface.Whatshedidn'tusetowashhereyes,sheswallowed,anditseemedtohelpherregainherbreath.
"Feelingbetter?"Iasked.TheOshawottnodded."Good."IglancedatTiny,wholookedlikehewastiring."Nowit'syourturntobeuseful.First,employadistraction.Thenattack.Thinkyoucanhandleit?"
TheOshawottgulped."I'll...try."SheranoverbesideTinyandturnedaround.Shestartedtoshakeherbehind,hertailflippingupanddown."Wooott~!Wott,Wott,Wooott~!"TheSeaOtterPokémonsang.TheWoobatandPatrat'sattentionshiftedfromTiny'sdancingtohershakingtail.
ThePlasmawomanwasshakingwithrage."Willyoutwosnapoutofitandattack?!"SheshoutedsoloudlythatwildWoobatevendeeperinsidethecaveprobablywokeupfromthenoise."Andyou,"shespatathercomrade,"Makeyourselfuseful!"
Themanflinchedatherharshtone."P-patrat,Tackle!"
ThePatratgotonallfoursyetgainandbegantoruntowardsTinyandtheOshawott."Tiny,useThunderShock!"ThePichubegantoreleasejoltsofelectricity,buttheymissedeitherduetopooraimingorthePatrat'sdodgingskill.Whenitcamecloser,theSeaOtterPokémongaveafearfulcryasshedrewherscalchopshellandswungitdownonthePatrat'shead.TheNormaltypegaveacryofpainbeforeitcollapsedatherfeet,unconscious."Youdidit!"
TheOshawottopenedhereyesandlookeddownatthefaintedPatrat."I...Iwon.Iwon!Iamnotuseless!"Beforeshecouldstartcelebrating,theottergrabbedholdofTinyandpulledhimaside,avoidingtheblastofwindfromtheWoobat'sGustattack.Withaglare,theOshawotttookadeepbreathbeforesprayingastreamofwateratthebat.Theattackhitithard.Itfaltered,andeventhoughitcaughtitselfbeforeitcouldcomeclosetotheground,theWoobatlookedlikeitwasstrugglingtostayintheair.TheOshawotttookadvantageoftheenemy'smomentofweaknessandflungherscalchopshellstraightattheWoobat'snose.Whenithit,theWoobatfelltothegroundandtwitchedforafewsecondsbeforefainting."Wow!Thatwas...amazing!Iforgotjusthowamazingvictoryfelt!"
"Noway!Welost!"ThemalePlasmamembershoutedindisbeliefashereturnedhisPatrattoitsball.
"Thisisn'toveryet!"Thefemaleexclaimed,recallingherPokémonaswell.
"Butwedon'thaveanyPokémonleft!"
"Thatdoesn'tmatter!Wewon'tletthemlayafingeronanyofthosePokéBalls!Understand?"
BlackandIsharedagroanofannoyance."Seriously?Youguysaregonnacontinuetobeannoyinguptotheveryend?What'reyougoingtodonext:fightusyourselves?"
Thefemalegruntsnarledback,"Yes!Ifthat'swhatittakes!Justbecauseyoubeatuswithbruteforcedoesn'tmeanthatyou'reright!"Oh,forgoodnesssakes!Wedidn'thavethetimeforthis"andIcertainlydidn'thavethepatience,either.
IlookeddownatTinyandtheOshawottandgavewhatIhopedwasapleadinglook.
ThePichuonlylookedupatmecuriously,buttheOshawottseemedtounderstandwhatIwassilentlyhintingat.Shebentovertopickupherscalchop,tookaim,andchuckeditatthewoman.Ithitherrightinthefacewithenoughforcetonotonlyknockherout,makingherfallover.Themalegruntgaveashoutofalarm,butbeforehecouldsayanything,hewaszappedbyseveraljoltsofelectricityfromTiny,whoseemedtohavecaughton.
"Thatwasn'tthewayIthoughtthiswouldend..."Blackmumbled."Wasthatreallytherightthingtodo?UsingPokémontoknockthemout?"
"It'snotliketheywereattackingtokill.JustenoughtoknockthemoutsowecantakethePokémonback,"Iexplained."ThoughI'mnotsurewhatweshoulddowiththem.Ifwegoandcomeback,Idoubtthey'llbehere."
"Theimportantthingisreturningthedaycare'sPokémon"andgettingoursback.So...asmuchasIhatetosayit,let'sjustleavetheseguyshere."
IsighedasweapproachedthetwosackthatthePlasmamembershadbeenhoveringover."Idunno...Ifeellikeweshouldgivethematasteoftheirownmedicine.MaybereleasetheirPokémon.I'dlovetoseehowtheyreacttothat."
Blackgavemeasternlook."No.I'dratherprovethemwrongbybeingagoodtrainerthanhaveeitherofusstooptotheirlevel."Helookedinsideofthesackandpulledoutanodd-lookingPokéBall.ItwasblackandwhitewiththeTeamPlasmaemblemonthetophalf."Wow...They'veevengottheirownPokéBall.ThoughI'mstillnotsurehowthisthingevenworks."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"WhenyoucatchaPokémoninPokéBall,somethinghappensthatpreventsanothertrainerfromcatchingitintheirPokéBall.ButthisthingmanagedtocapturePokémonthatwerealreadycaptured.AnormalPokéBallaloneisprettyhigh-techstuff,buttheymusthavegeniusesorsomethingtomakethesethings!"
MytwinandIglaredattheballinhishand.Webothstartedtofrown."Wannadestroythesethingsassoonaspossible?"Iasked.
"Thesoonerthebetter."Blackliftedupthesackandthrewitoverhisshoulder."C'mon,let'sgetouttahere.Idon'twannabeherewhentheseguyswakeup."
Icroucheddownandopenedupmybag."Comeon.Hopin,youguys.Youdeservealittlerest."Tinycrawledinsideofthebagandbeganmakinghimselfcomfortable.TheOshawottgotinnext,pokingherheadouttostareatmeasIrantocatchup
withBlack.Ifeltalittleunnervedbyhergaze."S-somethingthematter?"Theotterquicklybowedherheadandbegantomumbleinaudibly."Whatwasthat?"
"MyoldmastersaidIwasweakanduseless.ThatIcouldn'tdoanything.That'swhyheleftme,"shespokesoftlyasshebegantoplaywithherscalchopshell."SoIbelievedthat.Butyoudidn'tthinkso.YouthoughtIcouldbestrong.Itfelt...nice"Forabriefmoment,herfacelookedlikeitwastingedwithpink."Th-thankyouforbelievinginme...!"
"Oh.Ididn'treallydoanything,butyou'rewelcome."
X-X-X
Muchlater,wereturnedtothedaycare,wherewereleasedthePokémonfromthosePlasmaBallsanddestroyedthem.Whenthepreschoolersarrivedforschool,theywerenonethewiseraboutwhathadhappenedearlierthatmorning.MissAutumnwasrelievednotonlybecausethePokémonwerereturned,butbecauseweweresafefromharm.She'dbeenbesideherselfwithworry,wonderingwhetherornotsheshouldcallthepoliceandtellthemwhathadhappened.Ifeltsortofbadformakingsuchanicewomanmiserablelikethat.
"Seriously,youtwohavebeensohelpfultome"tomyfamily!You'vesavedmyparents'businessthreetimesnow!"MissAutumnexclaimed."Isthereanythingyoutwowantfromme?MaybeyouwanttoadoptaPokémon?Ormaybesomeeggs?ThePokémonheresometimesmate,andthatresultsinPokémoneggs,butthetrainersthatownthosePokémonusuallyonlytakeoneortwoeggswiththem."
"No,that'sokay.There'snoneedtorepayus,"saidBlack.ThemomenthegotbackKaitoandValentine,heletthemsitonhisshoulders.Iwonderedifhewastryingtomakethemfeelbetterorhimself."Wewerejusthappytohelpout.Anyway,wegottabeleavingnow.WehavetogettoNacreneCity."
"WAIT!"Aloudvoiceandthefeelingofsmallpawsonmylegmademefreezeinplace.IlookeddownandsawthefemaleOshawottlookingupatmewithsad,wateryeyes."Don'tyouwantme?Don'tyouwanttobemymaster?"
"Awww!ItlookslikethatOshawott'sgrownattachedtoyou.Howlovely,"saidMissAutumn.Shewaspracticallygushingwithhappiness."Thepoorthing'sbeenmiserableeversincehertrainerabandonedherhere.It'snicetoseeheractinglikethisforonce."Thepreschoolteacherlookedatme."Whydon'tyoutakeher?Saying'no'wouldonlymakehersad."
IlookeddownattheOshawottagain.Yup,shewasstillstaringupatmewiththose
sadeyes.ShelookedmorelikeabeggingpuppyPokémonthananotter.IsighedandreachedintomybagforaPokéBall."Yay!Oh,thankyou,master!Iwon'tletyoudown!"Sheexclaimedhappily.IsworeIcould'veseenhertailwaggingasIlightlytappedherheadwiththePokéBall.Inaflashoflight,shedisappearedintotheball.Itdidn'tevenbothertoshake.Itsimplyclickedandlandedonthefloorsoftly.
Ibentoverandpickeduptheball.Frominsideofmybag,Tinycooedandstaredattheballinawe."I'mtheonewhoshouldbehopingIdon'tletyoudown,"Imumbledtomyself."Here'shopingforahappyrelationship."
X-X-X
Notes!
KaitoisaJapanesenamethatcanmeanmanythingsdependingonkanjiused,onebeingacombinationof"ocean"(kai)and"soar/fly"(to).ValentineisaLatin-derivedEnglishnamethatmeans"strong,vigorousandhealthy".
X-X-X
ReviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter6
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownPokémonoranyofitscharacters.Sheonlyownsthisstory.
X-X-X
~ADayinNacrene~
Ithadonlybeenafewminutesafterwe'dleftthePokémondaycarewhenBlack'sXtransceiverstartedtobeep.Heheldthedeviceuptohisface."Hello?Who'sthis?"
Theotherstatic-filledscreencleareduptoshowProfessorJuniper'sslightlypeevedface."Thereyouare!Iwasgettingworried!Itriedcallingyousinceyesterday,butyouwouldn'tpickup!"
Blackblushedandsmiledsheepishlyattheprofessor."Whoops!Sorry,Professor!Yesterday,meandWhitehelpedoutataPokémondaycare,andItookoffmyXtransceiverbeforeIstartedtohelpoutwiththePokémon.GuessImissedyourcalls..."
Theprofessor'sexpressionbrightened."Ohhh,soyouvisitedadaycare!DidyouseealotofdifferentPokémon?"
"Mm,onlyafew.MostofthePokémonwereoneswe'dalreadyseenontheroutehere,butsomecamefromasfarasthedesert.TherewasevenanOshawottthere,butWhitesaiditwasabandoned,soIguessithadatrainer?"
"Really?Whatashame...IwonderifitwasaPokémonthatwasdistributedinoneoftheothercities."
"Inanothercity?"
"Yes,butunlikeinNuvemaTown,whereIcanatleastseewhatkindoftrainersarereceivingthePokémon,allIhaveistheopinionsoftrainerschoolteachersandgradesandwhatnot.Thingslikethatdon'treallymeanthePokémongivenoutwillbetakencareof.SpeakingofcaringforPokémon,howareyoursandWhite's?IftheinformationI'vegottenfromyourPokédexesarecorrect,you'vecaughtaPidove,andWhitenowhasanOshawottalongwithanAudino."
Blackfrowned."Hmm,you'reright!I'mtrailingbehind!"
"I'maimingtocatchPokémonofeverytype,Black.You'llalwaysbebehindinterms
ofnumbersunlessyouwannacatchalmosttwentykinds,"Ipointedout."Besides,it'snotlikewe'recompeting.I'mnotCheren."
TheProfessorsuddenlyclappedherhandstogether."Oh,ofcourse!IalmostforgotwhyIwascallingyouinthefirstplace.Wherearethetwoofyou?"
"Route3,"weansweredatthesametime.
"Oh,good.ThenyoucanmeetupwithCherenandBiancaatthePokémonCenterinNacreneCity.Callmewhenyougetthere,okay?Seeyoulater!"Andthenthetransmissioncutoff.
"IwonderwhyProfessorJuniperwantsustogotoNacreneCity?"IaskedasIreachedintomybagtopetTiny.Instead,heevadedmyhandandscurriedupontomyshouldertonuzzleuptomycheek,givingmeaminorzapofelectricityintheprocess.
"Whoknows?That'sthefunpartofbeinggivenaPokédexbyaPokémonProfessorpersonally.It'slikeaninvitationtohelpthemwiththeirresearchwheneverandwherever!"Blackexclaimed.
"Butwhat'sinNacrenethat'ssoimportanttoherfieldofstudy?"
"Beatsme.I'mjustanaide.Ontheotherside,we'llbemeetingCherenandBiancaagain.It'sonlybeenacoupleofdayssincewe'velastseenthem,butIcan'twaittomeetupwiththemagain."
X-X-X
Ashortwalklater,wearrivedinNacreneCity.Uponwalkingintothecitylimits,wesawwarehousesandstallsonthesideofthestreetwherepeopleweresellingitems.IhadtodragBlackawaywhenhe'dbeenpulledinbyapersonpeddlingskill-enhancingherbsandmedicinesataridiculousprice.
"ItsaysherethatNacreneisthehomeofartists,musicians,andthelike.Theymostlyliveinwarehouses,whichmakeupthemajorityofhousinginthecity,"BlackreadfromasmallguidebooklettotheplacesofUnovaaswewakeddownthestreet."Thereusedtobeatrainstationhere,butafireburnedawayitandseveralotherbuildingsintown.PinwheelForest,whichistothewest,grewovertheremnants.There'salsoamuseumthatshowcasesthehistoryofthepeopleandPokémonoftheUnovaregion."
"Themuseumisalsothesiteofthecity'sPokémongym,ofwhichtheGymLeaderis
Lenora,whospecializesinNormaltypes"WelookedupandsawthatwewereatthePokémonCenter,andstandingbesidetheentrancewasCheren.LoungingonhisshoulderwaswhatIguessedwasthePokémonhechoseforhisstartingPokémon.Itwasasmall,green,snake-likecreaturewithsmallhandsandfeetandatailthatendedinaleaf-shapedprong.Itslightbrowneyesobserveduslazily,andIwonderedifitwasdangerous.ItookoutmyPokédextoscanthesnake.
ItwasaSnivy.AGrassSnakePokémonthatwas,obviously,aGrasstype.Accordingtoitsentry,itwasintelligentandcalm,andbecamefasterwhenit'sphotosynthesizedviaitstail.ItcertainlysoundedlikeaPokémonthatfitCheren,atleastinpersonality.LookingbackattheSnivy,Isawthatitseyeswereclosed.Wasitsleeping?Goodenoughforme,Iguess"snakePokémonweredangerousregardlessofthespecies.
"Youtwosureareslow.I'vealreadybeatenLenoraandgottenmysecondbadge,Black.Youwon'tbeabletocallyourselfmyrivalatthisrate,"saidCheren.
Mybrotherfrowned."Beingfasterdoesn'tmakeyouabettertrainer!"
Thedark-hairedboysmiled."True,butthenumberofbadgesIhavedoes,inasense.Iwantedtochallengeyouwhenwemetagain,butifyouonlyhaveone,Idon'tthinkitwouldbeafairfight,"hesaid,adjustinghisglasses.
Blacksmirked."Youshouldn'tsaythingslikethatwhenwehaven'tevenbattled,Cheren!"
Cherensmirkedaswell."Isthatyourwayofaskingforabattle,Black?"HisSnivy'seyesopenedatthosewords.
IsighedasIwatchedBlacktakeoutaPokéBall."Icanseewherethisisgoing...I'llbeinsidewhileyoutwodoyourrivalthing."ImovedbetweenthetwoofthemandenteredthePokémonCenter.Itwasbusy,withtrainersstandingatthefrontcounter,buyingthingsatthecornerPokéMart,orsittingdownwatchingtheTVshangingfromtheceiling.ImademywayovertoanemptycornerandputTinydownonthefloor.ThenItookoutthePokéBallsinmybagandreleasedPanaceaandthenewcomerOshawottinfrontofme.
"Hello,MissWhite,"Panaceagreetedme.
"Master!Doyouhaveneedofme?"TheOshawottaskedwithbrighteyes.
"MynameisWhite.AndIdon'treallyneedanythingofyou,"theWatertypedeflated."Rightnow,Imean!Uh...SinceI'vegotthetime,IfiguredIwouldnameyounow."I
observedtheOshawottIwascrouchingdowninfrontof."...Shion.That'llbeyournamefromnowon.Itmeans'thesoundoftides'.Fitting,isn'tit?"
"Yes,master."
Iwincedatthetitle."Uh,youdon'thavetocallmethat.CallmeWhite.JustWhite."
Shion'seyeswidenedinsurprise."Huh?Why?You'remymaster.You'retheonewho'sgoingtotrainmeandteachmehowtobecomeastrongwarrior.Anythingelseisdisrespectfulofyourkindness!"
Iscratchedmyhead."Well...becauseIhavemyowngoalsasidefromhelpingyougetstronger."I'mnotsurewhenIagreedtohelpherwiththatanyway,butIfiguredshesimplymeantbattlingandtraininglikemosttrainersandtheirPokémon."IhaveagoaltobefriendmanydifferentkindsofPokémon.SoIwanttobefriendswithyou.Wecan'tbecloseifyou'recallingme'master'allthetime,sowe'llcalleachotherbyournames.YoucancallmeWhiteandI'llcallyouShion,andwecanbefriends."
"Andbeingfriendsis...okay?"
"Ofcourseitis.TrainersandPokémoncanbefriendsifbothsideswantto.So...doyouwantto?"
Shionpausedandfiddledwithherscalchopnervously."Um...i-ifit'sokaywithyou,thenit'sokaywithme...Wh-White."
Ismiled."Good.AndtheirnamesarePanaceaandTiny,"Isaid,introducingtheAudinoandPichu.
"Friend!"TinystartedtohugandnuzzleduptoShion."Chuuu~!"
"Um...N-nicetomeetyou,too,"theOshawottgreeted,pattinghimonthehead.
"Nowwhatwillwedo,MissWhite?"Panaceaasked.
IlookedoverattheentranceofthePokémonCenter."AllwecandoiswaituntilBiancaarrives.OrBlackandCherenfinishtheirbattle."IlookedupatoneoftheTVsandsighed."Iguesswe'llpassthetimebywatchingTV."
Shionpouted."Couldn'twedosomethingmoretimely?Liketraining?"
"Thereisn'tmuchwecandowhilewaiting.AndIdon'twannarunoffwheneveryoneelseisn'thereyet."Imighthave,butIdidn'thaveanXtransceiverofmyowntokeepintouch."Tryandbearwithme,okay?IpromiseI'lltrainyou...eventually."
X-X-X
"I'msosorryIwaslate!I-Iwasshoppinginoneofthewarehousedistrictsand...gotlost..."
"Uh,CherenandIwerehavingabattleanditkindastretchedonforlongerthanweexpected.Sorry."
"We'rebothsorry,professor."
OnherpartofthescreenontheXtransceiver,ProfessorJunipersmiledwryly."Isee...Well,IsupposeIshouldhaveexpectedsomethinglikethistohappen...Anyway,todayI'mgoingtoteachyouaboutamoresocialaspectofthePokémonCenter:theGlobalLink!"
"GlobalLink?"Weallrepeated.
"TrainersacrosstheworldcanbeconnectedthroughtheGlobalLinksystem.ThinkofitlikeanInternetforum.Peoplecanputuptopicsaboutdifferentthings,postpictures,keepintouchwithothertrainersandallthatnicestuff.TheonlydifferenceisthattheGlobalLinkcanalsobeusedtotradePokémonwithotherpeopleacrosstheworldortosendPokémontoothersanywherethereisaGlobalTerminal,"theprofessorexplained."SomePokémonevolvewhenthey'reexposedtotheeffectsofbeingtransferred,justsoyouknow."
"Oooh!Itallsoundssoneat!"Biancabeamed.
"I'mgladyouthinkso,becauseI'dlikeyoutousetheGlobalLinksystemtotestoutyourknowledge.Now,allregisteredtrainershaveanaccountontheGlobalLink.I'vesentyoueachamessagewiththeIDnumberofanacquaintanceofminewithanitemattachedtothem.Whenyouforwardthemessagetothatparticularaccount,you'llreceivealovelygiftinexchange:arareandforeignPokémon!"
"APokémon?Iwonderwhatitcouldbe?"Blackspokeinawe,hiseyesshiningatthethought.
"Oh,you'llfindoutifyoudoitproperly.ButI'msureit'snottoohardtofigureout.Callmewhenyou'veallreceivedyourgifts!"
Assoonasthetransmissionended,BlackandBiancadartedofftothesecondfloor.CherenandIwalkedwithmyPokémonclosebehind.WewereeventuallyguidedbyanursetotheroomwheretheGlobalLinkterminalsweresetup.RowsofPCswere
setupwithtrainersdoingtheirbusinessonthem.BythetimeCherenandIenteredtoroom,BlackandBiancahadalreadyfoundfourfreecomputersthatwerenexttoeachother.Wesatdownandloggedontoouraccounts.Inafewminutes,wewereonthefrontpageofGlobalLink.
"Oooh!Lookatthat!Someone'sofferingacutepinkPokémoninKanto!"
"Focus,Bianca.ProfessorJunipergaveusatasktofinish,"Cherenremindedtheblonde."Besides,you'llbegettingaforeignPokémonsoonenough."
"R-right...ButIcan'tresistthatWigglytuff...!"Biancaswooned.
"Ah!MissWhite,isthataPokémon?Itlooksjustlikeaballoon!"Panaceaexclaimed,pointingatapictureofsomethingcalledDrifloon.
"Ooooh!"TinyjumpedontothedeskandbegantotapthepictureofaRaichu.
"Likethat?IfIgetmyhandsonaThunderStone,youmightevolveintoonelateron,"Itoldhimwithasmile."Now,Ijustclickthis...andthis...andenterthisnumber...forwardthemessage..."Withinafewseconds,Ireceivedanewmessageinmyemailaccount.ItsaidIhadreceivedanewPokémoninmystoragebox:anEevee.FromthesquealofdelightcomingfromBianca,Iguessshegotone,too.
"Wow!AnEevee!Thoseareamazing!Theycanevolveintosomanythings!"Blackexclaimed.
"They'regeneticwonders,"Cherenadded."I'msurprisedsomeoneiswillingtogivethemaway."
"ItsaystheiroriginaltrainerwassomeonenamedBill.Thankyou,Bill!"Biancasaidwithasmile.
"EeveeisaNormaltype..."Imumbledtomyself."Butitcanevolveintoalotofdifferenttypes.I'mnotevensurewhichIshouldchoose."IlookeddownattherestofmyPokémon,whowerestillawedbythescreenofthePC."Thoughbeforeitevolves,IthinkIshouldgetoverthetypesIalreadyhave."
"Oh!Ihaveanidea!"Biancalookedatme."Afterthis,whydon'tweallgoouttoeat?IsawthisnicelittlerestaurantwhileIwaswalkingaround."
"Ooh,thatsoundsgreat.Wehaven'tevenhadbreakfastyet,soI'mprettyhungry,"Isaidwithasmile.
"Nothanks.I'mgoingtotrainforabitintheforestoutsideoftown,"Cherensaidashegotonhisfeetandpushedthechairin.
"What?!Butwepromisedwe'dallhangouttogether!"Saidtheblondegirl.
Ourdark-hairedfriendsighedandlookedsorry."I'msorry,Bianca,butI'monaschedule.IwanttogetasstrongaspossiblefortheGymLeaderinCasteliaCity.Maybenexttime."Hequicklylefttheroom.
"Um..."Blacklookedhesitanttospeakashegotup."I'm,uh...gonnahavetotakearaincheck,too,Bianca.IgottatrainhardifIwannastandachanceagainstLenora.B-butnexttimewemeet,I'lltotallypayforyourmeal!Youcanholdmetothat!"Heexclaimedasheranoutoftheroom.
Biancapoutedandlookeddownatthekeyboardbeforehersadly."Ohhh...!"
Itriedtocheertheblondegirlup."Hey,it'snottheendoftheworld.Sowhatifthey'vegotsomethingstotakecareof?Thisjustmeanswecanpigoutasmuchaswewantwithouteitheroneofthemmakingsmartcomments!"Isawabitofasmileappearonherface,whichgotmesmilingaswell."Now,let'sgosowecangetourselvesagoodtableorsomething,hm?"
"Yeah!Oh,wait.First,weshouldtakeournewPokémonoutofourPokémonstorageboxes.Iwannameetmineassoonaspossible,don'tyou?"
"Oh,right.Ican'tbelieveIalmostforgot..."
X-X-X
Minuteslater,wewereseatedatatableoutsideontheverandaofaplacecalledtheCaféWarehouse.BiancaandIhadyettoorder,mainlybecauseshewastoobusycooingoverourPokémon."Awww,aren'tyoujustadorable?"Sure,theylookedadorable"untiltheywereaggravated.Thenthey'dprobablybiteyourheadoff.Minewasafemalewithbrownfurandalittleruffleofcream-coloredfuraroundherneckandatthetipofhertail,whileBianca'smaleEeveestrangelyhadfurinlightanddarkshadesofwhite.Theybothstaredupatus,minewithacheerful-lookingexpressionandBianca'swithawaryone."It'ssohardtoimaginethatjustaboutanythingcanmakethemevolveintosomethingcompletelydifferent!"
"Notanything,butit'strue.TheymighthaveasmanyevolutionsastherearetypesofPokémon.Maybeevenmore,really."Okay,nowIwasactuallyintimidatedofthelittlethings.WhatwouldhappenifmineevolvedintosomethingthatPokédexhadnoinformationon?WhattheheckwouldIdothen?Probablydieofshock...
Atsomepoint,TinyhadjumpeddownfrommylapandnexttothepairofEevee."Hi,friend!"Hegreeted.
"Hithere!"ThebrownEeveespoke.
"Hi..."Thewhiteonemumbledshyly.
Itappedmyfingersnervouslyonthemenuinfrontofme."Uh,whydon'twesendouttherestofourPokémon?They'vegotsomefoodhereforPokémon,too."
Bianca'seyesbrightenedandshestartedtodigthroughherbagforherPokéBalls."Oh,yeah!I'msureTepigandLillipupwouldlovetoeatsomethingtheydidn'tfindontheground!N-notthatIletthemeatgarbageoranything!Theyjusthaveabadhabitoffindinguneatencandybarsandberriesandstuffonthegroundandtheneatingthem.Idon'tknowwhat'sweirder,thefactthattheycandothatorthefactthatpeopleleavethingslikethatoutintheopen.IworrythatmaybeI'lldropsomethingfrommybagandsomePokémonwillcomealongandpickitup.Youeverworryaboutthat?"
"Nope.ButIthinkImightnow."Bythattime,I'dalreadyreleasedPanaceaandShion,whoweregettingacquaintedwiththeirnewteammember.
"Oh.Well,Iguessit'sbecauseI'vegotmorestufftolose."Maybeyoushouldlosesomestuffifit'stakingthislongtofindyourPokéBalls."Heretheyare~!"BiancaheldupthreePokéBallsintheirshrunkenstate.Onebyone,shereleasedherTepig,LillipupandMunna.IjumpedinmyseatwhentheLillipup'sfirstactionwastorunuptomyfeetandstartbarking.Bysheerinstinct,Ipulledmyfeetupontothechairseat,notcaringifitattractedlooksfromtheotherpatrons.BiancaimmediatelygrabbedholdofherPokémonandplacedhimdownnexttoher."Um,couldyoutrynottodothattoWhite?She'spretty...jumpywhenitcomestothingslikethat."
HerLillipupflatteneditsearsagainstitsheadasitwhimpered,"Sorry..."
"I'msosorry,White."
"I-it'sokay,really,"Itriedtobrushitoff,atleastonthesurface.IkeptmyeyesoffofBianca'sLillipupandfocusedonmymenu."So,whatwillyouguyshave?TheyhaveSweetPechaDelight,BitterRawstBlast,DryChestoCrunch,SourAspearSupreme,andSpicyPomegSurprise."
"Sweet!"PanaceaandShionexclaimedtogether.
"Whataboutyou,Tiny?"Iasked,holdingthemenudownforhimtosee.Hesniffed
atthemenusforafewsecondsbeforepointingattheimageofapastrywithaChestoberrynexttoit."Yousure?It'snotanOran,youknow."
"O...ran,"herepeatedashenodded.
Isighed.IguessI'dhavetoeatitforhimifhedidn'twantit.IlookedattheEeveeandmovedthemenuinfrontofher."Whataboutyou?Whatdoyouwant?"
"Uh,me?You'retalkingtome?"Sheaskedlookingupatmeinconfusion.
"Well,I'myournewtrainer.Partofthejobisfeedingyou.Sowhat'llitbe?"
TheEeveestaredatthemenuwithintensity."Mmm,Iwantthisone!"ShepattedthepictureofthepastrywithaPechaberrynexttoit.
Minuteslater,wewereallenjoyingourrespectivemeals.ThePokémonwereeatingberry-flavoredberriesandwhileBiancaandIwereenjoyingourrespectivebreakfasts.Betweenbites,Biancawouldtalkaboutthethingsshe'dseeninNacrenesofarandthepeopleshemet,andIwouldwordlesslynodeverycoupleofminutes.I'dbeensointowhatshe'dbeensayingaboutthemuseumintownthatIdidn'tpayattentiontowhatTinywasdoing.
"Wuh...Weird...Weirdo!Weirdo!"ThePichuexclaimedfromhisspotonmylap.MyforkhoveredabovepieceofFrenchtoast.Hecouldn'thavebeentalkingabout"No,noway!Notsosoonagain!Tinycontinuedwavingtosomeonewhocouldn'tpossiblybeNbecausemyluckwasn'tthatrotten.
Biancagaspedandleanedforward."White!There'sthiscuteguystaringinourdirection!"Shewhisperedexcitedly."...Ooh-ooh-ooh!He'scomingoverhere!Y-youdon'tthinkhe'sgoingtotryandflirtwithus?"
Ialmostgaveadrylaugh."Uh,Idon'tthinkso..."NotifitwaswhoIhopeditwasn't.
"Hello,White,"cameN'svoice.IcringedasBiancagavemeasurprisedlook."Ididn'texpecttoseeyouagainsosoon."Oh,thefeelingismutual.
"Um,youknowhim,White?"
"Yeah,Ido."Unfortunately."WemetinStriatonCity."Andhe'sbeenbuggingmeandBlackeversince.Ilookedatthegreen-hairedteenwithwhatIhopedwasaneutralexpression,butIquicklychangedtooneoffearwhenInoticedTinyofferingfoodtoablackandblue-coloredtadpolePokémonthatwasinN'sarms.Ilookeddownandimmediatelyregrettedit,becauseIfoundmyselfstaringatseveralmorePokémon
whoweregivingmelessthanfriendlylooks.
"Um,White?Aren'tyougoingtointroduceustoeachother,or...?"Biancatrailedoff.
"Bianca,N.N,Bianca.Nowpleaseleaveusalone,"Imutteredquickly.
"Hellothere."N'sgreetingwasn'ttowardsBianca,buttothePokémonhe'dnevermetbefore.
"Hi!"MyEeveegreetedcheerfully,notcaringaboutthebitsoffoodinherfur.
"Hello..."Shionspokewarily."White,isthisguysafe?He'sstaringatmelikehewantstopickafight."Isighed,notreallysurehowtoanswer.
"Irememberyoufromthedaycare.Whatareyoudoinghere?"
TheOshawottgrabbedontomylegdefensively,whichmademeflinchandfreezeup."Wh-Whiteismymasterandtrainernow!Iwilldefendherifyoutrysomethingshady!"
"Notmaster!I'myourfriend!Andl-letgoofmyleg!"Icomplained.Ididn'tneedtolookatNtoknowhewaswearingthatjudginglookofhis.Icouldpracticallyfeelhiseyesonme,buthecontinuedtalkingtoShionandEevee.
"HowdoyoulikebeingwithWhitesofar?"
"Who?"TheEeveeasked.
"Her,"Shionanswered,pointingupatme.
IgrowledundermybreathasIgrippedmyfork."Canyounotdoyourlittletrainerjudgingthingsoearlyinthemorning?"OrelseI'llthrowmysilverwareatyou.I'lldoit,too,youpreachyjerk.
"Okay."
Iblinkedinsurprise.Ididn'thavetomakethreatsthattimetogethimtostop.Iwassostunned,Ididn'tnoticethathewalkedontotheverandauntilhesatinthechairnexttome.IscootedmychairclosertoBiancaandnarrowedmyeye."D-don'tberude!Youcan'tjustjoinusallofasudden!"
"Um,it'sokay,White.He'snotreallycausinganytrouble,"saidBianca.Nstartedtostareatherblankly.Myblondefriend'sreactionwastofidgetunderhisgaze.Feelingdefensive,IleanedoversothatIwasblockingBiancafromhissight.Itseemedto
workbecausethegreen-hairedteenstartedtolookdownatthePokémoninhishands."Oh,what'sthat?"Biancaaskedfrombehindme.ShesoonhadherPokédexout"quickerthanshegotoutherPokémon,amazingly"andscannedit."Tympole,theTadpolePokémon.Itvibratesitscheekstocreatesoundthatis...imperceptibletohumans.Itusesthesesoundstotalktoandwarnothersofdanger."HereyeslitupasshestaredattheTympole."It'sjustsoadorable~!"
Yetagain,Nworehisjudgingexpression.Thistime,itlookedlikehewasstaringatBianca'sPokédex,whichwasnexttomyface."YoualsohaveaPokédex."
"Oh,yeah!IgotitfromProfessorJuniperherself,justlikeWhite."
"Hm...DoyouknowaboutTeamPlasma?"
IleanedbacktotakealookatBianca.ShewaswearingasmallfrownandstartedhuggingherTepigclosertoher."TeamPlasma?Idunno...Theydidn'tseemlikenicepeoplethatonetimeImetthem.TheyhurtaMunnaandsaiditwasokaybecauseitwouldhelpthemliberatePokémonbut...ifyouhurtthepeopleyousayyouwanttohelp,it'snotgood,right?"
"...Andareyourfeelingsaboutthemthesame,White?"
Iarchedaneyebrow."Doyoureallyhavetoask?TheystealPokémon.TheyhurtPokémon.They'veevengotsomecrazykingtellingthemthatallofthatisokaysolongasitleadsto'liberating'Pokémon."
Bianca'smouthopenedinawe."Aking?Theyhaveaking?"
"Accordingtothem,hecanheartheheartsofPokémon.He'sprobablyjustsomeconmantrickingpeopleintoreleasingtheirPokémonsohecancatchthemlater.Maybesohecansellthemorpoachthemorsomething."
"That'sterrible!WhywouldsomeonedosuchathingtoPokémon?!"
"Formoney,ofcourse.Ormaybehe'soneofthoseextremists."IturnedaroundtobetterlookatBianca,completelyforgettingaboutN."Once,IreadaboutthislittlegroupofprotestersthatburneddownacenterforbreedingPokémonbecausetheyconsidereditsickandtwistedhowPokémonweremadetomatetogetherjusttomakeanegg.Itnotonlyresultedindeathsofsomeofthestaff,butalsothePokémontheyweretryingtohelp.Didtheysaytheyweresorryaboutit?No.Becausetheythoughttheyweredoingsomethinggoodandsaiditwasanecessarysacrificetospreadtheirmessage,likeabunchofjerks."
TheblondegirlshiveredandhuggedTepigclosertoher."Y-youdon'tthinkTeamPlasmawoulddothat?Theywouldn'ttryandhurtPokémonandtheirtrainersjusttoliberatethem,right?"
Isighed."IftheybeatupaMunna,they'dprobablygothatfar."SayingitoutloudsuddenlymademefearTeamPlasmaalmostasmuchasIhatedthem.
"No,theywouldn't!"Nraisedhisvoice,makinghimselfknownwhilemakingme"andsomeotherpeopleontheveranda"jumpinsurprise."TeamPlasmaisn'tlikethat!Theywouldn'thurtPokémonlikethat!Notlikewhatyou'resaying!"
"They'rethesamepeoplewhohurtBianca'sMunnajusttogetdreammistandcompletesomecrazyscheme,andtheyusedillegalmeanstocaptureothertrainers'Pokémoninsteadoffreeingthemliketheyalwayssaytheydo!"
"You'relying!"
"Iamnot!"
"You'rejustmakingtheseaccusationsbecauseyougrewupwithabiasedpointofview.TeamPlasmaisnotsomegroupofviciousmonsterslikeyoumakethemouttobe!They'reheroes,andevenifsomearezealousandpassionate,it'swiththebestofintentionsforPokémon!"Hespokequickly,butthankfullyclearly."Ithoughtyouwouldunderstand,beingsomeonelikeme...It'ssuchawasteofyourgifttobesoclosed-minded."
"I'mclosed-minded?!You'reonlydefendingthembecausetheyclaimtheywanttohelpPokémon!They'recriminalsandhypocriteswho'dprobablykillapersonoraPokémonandsaythatitwasfor'thegreatergood'!"Iwasn'tsurewhenNhadgottentohisfeet,orwhenIgottomine,butwewerebothstandingandglaringateachother."...Idon'tevenknowwhyI'mevenbotheringtryingtoarguewithyou!"Ishouted,completelyignoringhowtheTympoleinN'sarmsshudderedorhowhisZoruagrowledatme.Iwastoomadtobeafraid."Ifyoudon'tenjoythecompanyoftrainerslikeustobeginwith,justgojoinTeamPlasmaandleavemealone,youjerk!"WhenNdidn'tsayanythinginresponse,Ijuststompedoff,notreallycaringwhereIendedupsolongasitwasn'tnearthatguy.
X-X-X
Ashortwhilelater,IfoundmyselfsittingontheedgeofaPanpourfountainthatwasspurtingwateroutofthehead.Tinywasrestingonmylap,toofullfromeatingtomovemuch,andtheothershadbeenreturnedtotheirrespectivePokéBallstorestaswell.I'dwoundupbailingonBiancaintheprocessofwalkingoutonN."Geez,
I'malousyfriend.Thoughit'snotentirelymyfault,right?"IaskedbothTinyandmyself."IfNhadn'tshownup,Iwouldn'thavegottenasmadasIdid,andI'dprobablybeenjoyingdesertwithBiancarightnow."Shehadtohavebeenmad.Asunlikeherasitsounded,IthinkI'ddeserveatongue-lashingfromthenormallynicegirl.NottomentionhowIleftherwithabill...
"Piiii..."Tinysqueakedandnuzzledintomystomach.
"Idon'tknowwhyIbotheredwiththatguy...He'ssosetonbelievingthatnonsensethatTeamPlasmafeedstopeople!Hedoesn'trealizethoseguysaren'tthesortofpeoplewhoshouldbeadmired.Butyouunderstandwhatsortofawfulpeopletheyare,right,Tiny?"Heyawnedinreply."Ah,well...I'msurewe'llneverrunintohimagain...Goodriddance."IfeltahandtouchmyshoulderandIcringed.Ishouldn'thavetemptedfate."Goaway!Idon'twannatalktoyouanymore!Itonlyendswithmehavingaheadache."
"What?!ButWhite,I'vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere!Well,maybenoteverywhere,butalotofplaces!"IturnedmyheadtolookatBianca'spoutingface.
"Oh,Bianca!I'msorry!IthoughtyouwerethatjerkNtryingtotalkwithmeagain."IsuddenlyrememberedwhatIdid."I'msorryIwalkedoutandleftyouwiththebill.I'llpayyouback"Ipromise!"
"It'sokay."
"No,it'snot!Idon'twannabeamoochingdine-and-dasher!Letmepayyouback."
Biancasmiled."It'sokay,really.Iwastooworriedaboutyoutocareaboutthebill,anyway."
"I'msorryforthat,too."
Theblondegirlsatdownnexttomeonthefountain,carefulthatshedidn'tfallin.Shethenlookedatme,smilingbrightly."Tobehonest,I'msortofgladyoujustwalkedaway.IthoughtyouweregonnapunchthatMguyintheface."
"HisnameisN,Bianca."AndnowIwishIdidpunchhim.
"Youlookedsoscary!HewastallerthanyouandhepracticallyshranktothesizeofaJoltikwhenyoustartedyelling!"
Isighed."No,hedidn't.Hejust...staredatme,likehealwaysdoes."ButhowIwishIdidscarehim.Maybescarehimstraightsoheabandonshispro-Plasmafeelings.
"Geez,Ican'tstandthatguy!HethinksIshouldsharehisviewsjustbecausewebothcanunderstandPokémon.Doesn'tthatsoundstupid?"
Biancatiltedherheadtothesideandpursedherlipsinthought."Um...shouldn'tyou?Wait,youshouldn't!I-Imean...peoplecanshareonesimilarityortwo,andstillbetotallydifferentfromeachother.That'swhatmakespeopleinteresting!AndthatLguywasdefinitelyinteresting...HesaidhewasallforTeamPlasma,buthestillhadallhisPokémon!"
"Iknow!AndhetoldmethathehatedPokémonbattlesandgyms,buthe'sgoingaroundchallengingthem.He'ssuchahypocrite!Ajerkandahypocrite!"
"Andcute."Igavemyblondefriendaskepticallook.Shewasn'tblushing,butshewasgiggling."What?Comeon,didn'tyouthinkoncethathelookedkindacute?"Inarrowedmyeyesandgrowledundermybreath.Biancajustlaughed,"Althoughheiskindaweird."
Ionlysighedandshookmyhead."CanwejustnottalkaboutNinanysenserightnow?"
"Okay.Wewon'ttalkaboutWanymore."
Ialmostfellbackintothefountainwhilechokingbackalaugh."Okay!Okay,nowIknowyou'redoingthisonpurpose!Wdoesn'tevensoundremotelyclosetoN!It'snotevencloseintermsofthealphabet!"IpickedupTinyandmanagedtosliphiminsideofmybagwithoutwakinghim,thenIgottomyfeetandplacedmyhandsonmyhips."Alright,Bianca.What'snextontheagenda?"
Biancastaredupatme,confused."Huh?Agenda?"
"I'mnotgonnawaitaroundforBlacktofinishhistraining.Let'sexploreNacrene!IdoubtI'mgonnabebackhereanytimesoon."Really,allIwantedtodowasforgetaboutthatencounterwithN,butmyexcusefooledBianca.Shegotonherfeetandtookmyhand,goingonaboutwarehouseshoppingandwhatnotasshedraggedmeofftoanotherpartofthecity.
X-X-X
Wespenttheremainderofthedayshoppingintown.Occasionally,BiancawouldbecomeattractedbysomethingorotherandbeenticedtobuyitandIwouldhavetostopher.Stoppingherbuyingsuchweirdthingsasscentedcharcoallogsanddragonfangearringsdidn'tmakemecompletelyforgetabouttheencounterwithN,butbeingpreoccupiedcertainlymademefeelbetter.
"Say,ifyou'vegottime,maybewecouldhangouttomorrow,too!"BiancastruckupaconversationonourwaybacktothePokémonCenter.
"Anddowhat?We'veprettymuchgoneeverywhere,savethemuseum."AndknowingBianca,itmightbethelastplaceshewouldwanttogo.Biancawasreallyweirdwhenitcametolearningthings:somethingscaughtherinterest,butsimilarthingsdidn't.Thinkingaboutitnow,itwasashame.It'dprobablybemoreinterestingtoseeitinpersonthanreadaboutitinabook.
"Wecouldgoonanaturewalk!"Biancaexclaimed,beaming."PinwheelForestisrightoutsideofthecity."
"Aforest?InhabitedwithwildPokémonthatcouldjumpoutatusfromanydirection?Thatwecouldpossiblygetlostin?!"Iaskedwithanincreasingtoneofurgency.
"It'sokay!There'saroadmadetohelppeoplecrosssafelywithouthavingtoencounterwildPokémon,soI'msurenottoomanywilljumpoutatus."
"AnywildPokémonjumpingoutatusistoomany!No!I'mnotgoinginthereever!"
Biancastaredatmeinconfusion."So...howareyougoingtogettoCasteliaCity?Youhavetogothroughtheforesttogetthere."Igaveawhimper.Anopenroutewasonething,butaforestwasasbadasacave!WhoknowswhatsortsofterrifyingPokémonwouldjumpoutorfalldownor...Ugh!Thethoughtwasdisturbing!Biancapattedmyshoulder."Don'tworry,White!IfanyPokémonpopoutlookingforafight,I'llbeyourheroandprotectyou!"
Isighedandshookmyhead."Alright..."AtleastifIexploreitonce,I'llbeabletogothroughitasecondtimewithlittlefear....Well,slightlylessfear."IwonderifBlack'sbackyet...It'sstartingtogetdark."
"Aw,Black'llbeokay.HehashisPokémonwithhim.AndI'msurehewouldn'tgowanderingaroundatnightjusttotrain."Ormaybehewould,andIwouldworrymyselfwitlessoverhimpossiblybeingkilledbysomewildPokémoninthemiddleofnowhereandbeingtoldaboutitbyapolicemanorsomething.No,Blackcanbestupidattimes,buthe'snotreckless...intentionally.
"Aha!Thereyoutwoare!"Amazinglyenough,itwasBlackrunningtowardsmewithCherenintow."Thereyouare!Wheretheheckhaveyoubeen,White?Iwaslookingforyoueverywhere!"Cherengavehimapointedlook."Imean,we'vebeenlookingforyoueverywhere."
"Sorry,I...Wait.Idon'thavetobesorry!YouknewIwaswithBiancathewholetime!"
Iexclaimed.
"Yeah,butIranintoNwhenIcamebacktotowntohealmyPokémonandhesaidyouactedunreasonableandstormedouttasomerestaurant.Canyoublamemeforbeingworriedaboutyougettingintotrouble?"
"Unreasonable?!Thatjerk!I'llkickhimwherethesundon'tshineifhedarestoshowhisfaceinfrontofmeagain!"
"Ifeelsorryforhimthen.Anyway,checkthisout!"BlackheldupaPokéBallandreleasedaPokémonfrom.Itwasablueotter-likePokémonwithatuftofhairthatstuckupbehinditlikeaponytail,thinwhiskers,andapairofscalchopshellsthatwereattachedtoapieceofdarkbluefurthatpracticallylookedlikeclothingwrappedaboutitswaist."Ta-daaa!MeetKaitotheDewott!"Kaitoposedwithhispawsonhiships.
"Kaito?Sothat'shisevolvedform?"Iasked,staringandtakinginKaito'snewappearance.Imust'vebeenstaringtoomuch,becausetheWatertypestartedtoblushandlookdownsheepishly.
"D-don'tstare!I'llblindyouwithmyawesomenessor...!"Hetrailedoff,murmuringthingsunderhisbreath.
Cherenlookedsomewhatsouraboutitall."Idon'tgetit.I'vebeentrainingmySnivyjustashard,haven'tI?Heshould'veevolvedbynow,too."
"Whocansay?MaybeKaitojustwanteditmore,"saidBlack,stillgrinninglikeanidiot.
"Bytheway,Cheren,didn'tyousayyouweregoingtoleaveforCasteliaCitytoday?Whyareyoustillaround?"
Helookedofftotheside,foldinghisarmsacrosshischest."IjustwantedtobattleBlackagainifhewinshisbattleagainstLenoratomorrow."
"If?!"MybrotherandhisDewottexclaimedatthesametime.
"Youhaveasmuchofachanceatlosingasyoudoofwinning.It'snotlikeIsaid'whenyoulose'."
"Incaseyouforgot,Iwonourlastbattle!"
"YouwonagainsttwotiredPokémon.Youshouldn'tsoundsoproudaboutthat."
"Please!"Igroaned,holdingupmyhandtostopthetwo."Saveyourarguingfortomorrowmorning.Fornow,Iwannagotobed.I'mexhausted..."
"Aw,butit'ssoearly!There'sstillsomuchtodo!"Biancaexclaimed.
"Ialreadytoldyou,I'mnotgoingtocheckoutsomewarehousenightclubjustbecauseyouthinkitsoundsawesome."
"Anightclub?!Bianca,really!Idoubtyou'reevenoldenoughtoenterone,"Cherenpointedout.
Blacklookedatourpoutingblondefriend,thenatme."Wasitreallythatbad?"
Iyawnedloudly."T-trustme,youdon'twannaknow..."
X-X-X
Notes!
ShionisaJapanesenamethatmeans"soundoftides"andisalsothenameofakindofAsterflower.EveisanEnglishnamethatoriginatedfromtheHebrewnameEvaandmeans"tolive"or"tobreathe",andratherthantheobviousreferencetotheBiblicalEve,itisareferencetoMitochondrialEve,thewomanfromwhommodernhumansdescendedfromontheirmother'sside.
InBW2,AmanitagivestheplayeranEeeveeiftheycompletecertainthings.ShesaysthatshereceiveditfromafriendinKanto,hintingittobeBill"whodidthesamethingintheJohto-basedgames.
X-X-X
RemembertoreviewforBluandPichu!
Chapter7
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownthePokémonseries.Shejustownsthislittlefanstory.
Summary:AtBianca'sinsistence,WhitegoeswithheronwhatwassupposedtobeasimplewalkinPinwheelForest.Instead,itturnsintoahuntforathievingSnivy.
X-X-X
~JustaNatureWalk~
Well...hereIwas.StandingontheoutskirtsofNacreneCity,glaringatthewayintoPinwheelForest.IwassupposedtobemeetingBiancainside,butwhenIsawtheforest'sentrance,Icouldn'thelpbutremainrootedtothegroundinfearoftheentrancethatlookedlikeagapingmaw.Ididn'tevenpaymindtothefactthatIwasstandinginthemiddleofadirtpathwhereIcould'vebeenjumpedbywildPokémonandtrainerslookingforafight.
"Whatchalookingat?"
"Ah!"Ijumped,frightenedbyasuddenlyvoice.IlookeddownandsawthatitwasEve,myrecentlynamedEevee."Wh-whatareyoudoingoutofyourball?!"
"Igotbored,"Eveansweredsimplybeforesheheardarustlinginthegrass.Shestartedwalkingtowardsit,butIgrabbedholdofherandpickedherupofftheground."Heeey!Putmedown!Iwannagolookatstuff!"
"You'renotgonnajustrunoffintothegrasslikethat!Youcouldgethurt!"
"No,Iwon't!I'mreallycareful!"Isomehowdoubtedthat."C'mon,lemmegoooo!"Shewhinedlikealittlekidasshesquirmedinmyhands.Apartofmewasworriedthatshewouldresorttobitingjusttogetoutofmygrasp.
"Look,justgetinsideofyourball."
"Nooooo!"
Atthispoint,Tinywaspokinghisheadoutofmybag."Friend?"Hecrawledoutofthebagandjumpeddownontotheground."Friend?"Herepeated,staringupatEveashisearstwitched.
Isighed.Ifeltlikeamotherwhohadtodealwithoverlyenergetickids."Look...I'lllet
youstayoutofyourballifyoujustpromisenottowanderoutofmysight."
Evestoppedsquirminginmyhandsandlookedupatme,smiling."Okay!"Sheansweredcheerfully.IsighedandputherdownnexttoTiny,whostartedtorubhischeekagainstherface,raisingherfurwithhisstaticelectricity.
"Whiiiite~!"IturnedaroundatthesoundofBianca'svoice.Shewasrunningtowardsme,waving."Hey,there!DidIkeepyouwaitingforlong?"Ishruggedinresponse.IwassointojustglaringattheforestthatIdidn'tevennoticehowlongIwaswaitingforher."Well,areyouready?"Iwasn't,butInoddedanyway.Theblondegirlsmiled."Great!Y'know,IthoughtI'dhavetodragyououthere.I'mhappyyoudecidedtocomeonyourown!"Well,ifIhadn't,itwouldjustmakeyousadtogetblownoffforathirdtime."Well,herewego!"Shewalkedforward,butsuddenlystoppedandturnedtolookatme.Shestaredatmeforafewsecondsbeforeshewalkeduptome,grabbedmyarm,anddraggedmeintotheforest.
X-X-X
ThemomentwesetfootinsideofPinwheelForest,IclungtoBiancalikeaJoltikclingingtoitshost.Thecanopyoftreeleavesoverheadonlyallowedafewsmallraysoflighttoshinedown,thoughitwasstilleasytosee.Beforeuswasadirtpathwhereafewpeoplewerewalkingupanddown,probablyheadingtoeitherNacreneorCasteliaCity.
"Isn'tthisamazing,White?"Biancaasked.Igaveheraskepticallook.Itwasjustforest.WehadasmalleroneinNuvemaTown,thoughIneverhadthecouragetogointoit.I'mprettysureBianca'sparents,overprotectiveastheywereabouther,wouldn'tlethergooffintoaforestteemingwithwildPokémon...likewewerenow.
"Ooooh!What'sthis?"ThesoundofEve'svoicegainedmyattention.IsawherandTinystandinginfrontofasign.
"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?!Isaidstaybymyside!"IletgoofBiancaandranuptothem.
EveandTinylookedupatmeinnocently."Whatisthis?"
"Asign....Itlooksprettynew."Istartedtoreadthesign,"Caution:awildSnivyhasbeenspotted,attackingandstealingfromtrainersontheroad.Itisrecommendedthatyoubealert....WHAT?!"Iscreamedloudly.Forabriefmoment,theforestfellsilent.
"Whatisit,White?"Biancaasked,walkingovertome."...Ooh,aSnivy!Ithoughtyou
couldonlygetonefromProfessorJuniper.Thenagain,shedidsaythatitwasrare,somaybeyoucouldfindafewinthewild..."
"That'swhatcaughtyourattention?!Whataboutthepartthatsaysthere'saPokémonthat'lljumpoutofthegrasstoattackandstealfromtrainers?!"
"Yeah,likethatonethere!"Evespokeup.
"...What?"Ilookeddownandnoticedasightthatmademybloodruncold.Standingnexttomyfootwasaweird-lookingSnivy.ItsskinwasabluishshadeofgreenanditsbrowneyeswereglaringrightatEve.OneofitsvineswasinsideofmybagwhileanotherwasinsideofBianca's.HowcouldInothavenoticedthat?
BeforeBiancacouldgiveacryofprotestorIcouldjustcry,theSnivyjumpedback,eachofitsvinesholdingsomethingtightly.Icouldeasilyrecognizethethingfrommybag:aplainoldsandwichboughtfromthecafeteriainthePokémonCenter.ThethingfromBianca'sbaglookedlikeasnackcake.
"H-hey,youcan'ttakethose!Give'emback!Ifyou'rehungry,I'dbewillingtoshare!"BiancatriedtopleadwiththethievingPokémon.
"Ah!I-itdoesn'tmatter,Bianca.They'rejustsandwiches!There'snoreasontoriskourlivesoverthem!"TheSnivysaidnothing,nordiditmakeanattempttogiveourfoodback.Itjustglaredatusasathickpinkmistbegantorisefromit.Itwaftedtowardsuswithitsintense,sweet-smellingscentandmyfearsandworriesseemedtodriftaway.Ididn'tcarethatwewerebeingattackedbyawildPokémon.Ifeltunusuallyrelaxed.Unnaturallyso.Andyet..."That...smellsnice..."
"Yeah...!Reeeeallynice~!"Biancaswooned.
"Nice...!"Tinyparroted.
"Itsmellslikeflowers!"Eveexclaimed.
"Yeah..."Iagreed,takingadeepbreath.Westoodthereintotalblissandsweet-smellingmistuntilIheardavoice.
"Hey!Whattheheckdoyouweirdoesthinkyou'redoing?!You'reblockingtheroad!"Averyirritatedvoicethatspokewithahintofanaccent.
"Mmm...What?I..."Iblinked.WhendidIgetonmyknees?Betterquestion:whendidthisangry-lookinggirlshowup?Iwasinsuchadaze,allIcoulddowasstareatherandtakeinherfeatures:herlongbrownhairkeptinplacebyherwhitehatwith
theredPokéBallsymbol,herirritated-lookingbrowneyes,hersleevelessaquablueshirt,herredskirt,herwhiteandredsneakerswiththebaggybluesocks...
"Hey!Myfaceisuphere!Youweirdo...!"Iblinkedasmyheadstartedtoclearup."Geez,youreekofSweetScent!It'sawonderyouhaven'tbeenassaultedbysomewildPokémon."
"Wh...What?SweetScent?"IheardBiancaspeakup.Shewasalsoonherknees,hereyeswidewithsurpriseaboutourposition.
"Youdon'tknowwhatSweetScentis?Whatlosers..."Iheardhermutterunderherbreath.Istaredupather,butshedidn'tseemtocareaboutpayingattentiontomejustthen.Thebrunettegirlsimplyfoldedherarmsacrossherchestandexplained,"SweetScentisaPokémonmovethatmakesanyonewhosmellsitbecomerelaxedtothepointwheretheydon'tnoticeanything."Thewayshespokewasasifsheconsidereduslittlekids."Meaningyouidiotsweredumbenoughtosmellit."
"Hey!It'snotlikeweknewweshouldn'tsmellit!"Isnapped,suddenlyannoyedwiththisgirl."Andit'snotlikewejusthappeneduponit,either!Wewereattacked...by...thatSnivy!"IsuddenlyrememberedtheGrassSnakePokémonandstartedtolookaroundinafranticpanic."Ohmygosh!I-isitstillhere?!Pleasedon'tletitbehere!"
Iheardthegirlmumblesomethingandsuddenlyfallsilent.IlookedupandwassurprisedtofindaPokédexinherhands.SheturnedthePokédexaroundandshowedmetheelectronicimageofatypical,normal-lookingSnivywithasmugexpressiononitsface."Thisit?"
BeforeIcouldquestionher,Biancaspokeup,"Um,theonewemetlookedalittledifferent,butyeah...IsthataPokédex?"
Thebrunettegirlsmirked."Yalikeit?Ibetthisisthefirsttimeyou'veeverseenoneupclose."
"Actually,Ihaveone.Webothdo,actually."Yeah,sotakethat,littlemissuppitytrainer!"WegotoursacoupleofdaysagofromProfessorJuniper."
Shelookedsurprised."Seriously?"Shestartedsmirkingagain."Itfiguresyou'reonlynewbies."BeforeIcouldopenmymouth,shecontinued,"Well,Idon'tknowwhatyoutwoaregonnado,butI'mgoingtogocatchmeaSnivy!Ciao,losers!"Shethenrandowntheroad,leavingusalone.
"...Whatanunpleasantperson,"Imuttered.
"Shewasprettyrude,wasn'tshe?"Biancamumbled."Ithoughtwecouldbefriends,y'know,sinceweallhadPokédexes..."Shesighedaswestoodup."Thiswassupposedtobeapleasantwalkthroughtheforest.Instead,wegotattackedbyaPokémonandhadourfoodstolen!"
"Yousee?Iknewthiswasabadidea."IlookeddownatTinyandEve,butIdidn'tfindtheminthere.Ilookedinsideofmybag,expectingtofindthembothinthere,butIonlyfoundEvefastasleep.Isuddenlygotworried.Ilookedaround,tryingtofindasignofyellowfur."Whereishe?Whereishe?Wherecouldhehavegone?!"IstartedtoshaketheEeveeinmybag."Eve!Eve!"
Evewokeupandyawned."What?Whatisit?"
"Where'sTiny?"
"Tiny...?Um...Oh!Ithinkheranoff..."Shepausedtoyawnagain."...afterthatPokémon..."
"Sohe'sgone?!"Icriedout."He'sjustababy!Hecouldgethurt!Hecouldgetkilled!"Ihadtofindhim.Iwouldn'tbeabletoforgivemyselfifsomethingbadhappenedtohim.Biancahadtograbmetostopmefromrunningofflikeacrazyperson.
"C-calmdown,White!I'llhelpyou"we'llfindhimtogether!"Shetriedtocalmmedown."Let's...Let'sseeifanyonesawhim!Pichuisn'taPokémonthatyoufindinUnova,sohe'ssuretostickout!"
"Ihopeso.Ireallyhopeso..."IsaidasIwrungmyhandsinaworriedmanner.
X-X-X
WewalkeddownthedirtpathinsearchofTinyandtheSnivyuntilwecameacrossapairoflittlegirls.Theywereidenticalineveryway:theirlittlebrownpigtailsandbrightgreenjumperdresses.Thetwingirlswerewhisperingtoeachotheruntiltheynoticedusandranrightuptous.
"Hey,hey!Areyoutrainers?"
"Hey,hey!Youwannabattle?"
"No,"Iansweredbluntly.Thetwingirlspouted.
"Pleeeease?"Theypleaded.
"We'rebusy!"Isnapped,tooirritatedbythecircumstancesto
Biancasteppedforwardandbentovertospeakwiththem."Don'tmindher.We'rejustlookingforacertainPokémonthatmayhavepassedbyhere.HaveyouseenaPichu?"
ThetwinslookedateachotherbeforelookingupatBiancawithconfusedexpressions."What'saPichu?"Theybothasked.
Quickly,ItookoutmyPokédexandpulleduptheentryonPichu.Ihelditoutinfrontofthegirls."This.Nowhaveyouseenonerunbyhere?"
Oneofthetwinsopenedhermouthtospeak,buttheotherclappedherhandoverhersister'smouth."We'lltellyouifyoubattleus!"
Ifrownedandstartedtoglareatthetwogirls."Thisisserious!It'smyPichuwe'relookingforandneedtofindhimnow!"
Oneofthetwinswasnowwhimperingwhiletheotherwaspoutingwithherarmsfoldedacrossherchest."Nuh-uh!Mydaddytoldmethatwhentrainerslookeachotherintheeye,theyhavetodobattle!"Yourdaddysoundslikeanidiot.
Biancalaughedsheepishlyandtookmeaside."Now,White,"shewhispered,"They'reonlykids.Humorthemalittleandbattlethem."
"Idon'twanttohumorthem.IwanttospankthoselittlebratsuntiltheytellmewhereTinywent!"
Biancaturnedaroundtofacethetwins."Alright!She'llbattleyou,butonlyaone-on-onematch!"Igavetheblondeanangrylook.Ididn'thavetimeforabattle!IneededtofindmyPokémonbeforetheworstcouldhappen!
"Nuh-uh!Wealwaysfightindoublebattles,rightMaya?"Saidonetwin.
ThetwinnamedMayalookedatmeandstartedtoshake."U-um...!M-maybeweshouldn'ttrytomakethescaryladyangrier,Mayo...WeshouldjusttellherwherethePokémonwent."
"Noooo...!"Mayowhined,flailingherarmslikeanangryMaractus.
Mayalookedatus."WetriedtocatchthePichubecauseitlookedcute.Wealmostcaughtit,butitbrokeoutofthePokéBall."Shepointedfurtherdownthedirtpath."Itwentdowntheroad.Wewould'vechasedit,butwedon'thaveanymorePoké
Balls..."
ThatwasallIneededtohear.Istartedrunningdowntheroad,barelylisteningtooneofthetwinsberatingtheotherandBiancayellingformetowaitup.TheonlythoughtonmymindwasfindingTinyandmakingsurethathewassafe.Ididn'tstopuntilIreachedacrossroadthatdividedintotwopaths,outofbreathandnotknowingwhichwayIshouldgo.Ifeltsomethingclapontomyshoulder,butIdidn'thavetheenergytojumporshoutinsurprise.IlookedovermyshoulderandsawBianca,pantingfromexhaustion.
"D-don'tjustrunofflikethat!HowamIgonnaprotectyouifyoukeeprunningawayfromme?"Shepantedasshebentovertocatchherbreath."Youcould'veatleastthankedthoselittlegirls..."Biancastoodupstraightandlookedatme."Well,Iguesswe'vegottochooseaway...Oh!There'ssomeonedownthere!"Shepointeddowntheleftpathatayoungboyinastrawhat.Weapproachedhimashesteppedintothetallgrass,lookingdownatthegroundandholdinganetinhishands."Hellothere!"
"Sssshhh!You'llscare'emaway!"Theboycomplained.
Biancablinkedandlookedaround."Um...Scarewho?"
"ThebugPokémonhidinginthegrass,ofcourse!"Theboyadjustedhishatashecontinuedstaringattheground.
"Oh.ThenIguessyouwouldn'thavenoticedastrange-lookingPokémoncomingdownthisway..."
Thebugcatchergaveadisgruntledsigh."Youmeanthatfunny-lookin'snake?Itpoppedup,atetheberriesIwasplanningtouseasbaitforthebugPokémon,andthenusedsomesortofattacktodistractme!NowIgottacatchbugstheold-fashionedway!"Afunny-lookingsnake?ItmusthavebeenthatthievingSnivy!AndifTinywaschasingafterit,then...
"Hey,wasthatallyousaw?Youdidn'tseeanyotherweird-lookingPokémon?"Iasked.
"WhenIhuntforBugtypePokémon,Inevernoticeanyotherkind.AllIsawafterthatwassomegirlaskingwherethatthievin'snakewent."Hepointedhisnettowardsthetrees."Itoldheritwentoffthepathandranoffintothewoods"withmybait!Shetookoffrightafterit.Guessitstolesomethin'offofher,too."
"Oh...Well,Iguesswe'llhavetogooffthepathtofindhim,"saidBianca.
Astheboywanderedofftodomorebug-catching,IgulpedasIstaredoutintothetrees.Itdidn'tlookasinvitingasthemanmadepath,especiallywhentheincreasedlikelihoodofmeetingwildPokémoncrossedmymind.IwishIcould'vemaintainedmyhardheadednessfrombeforesoIcouldjustbarrelrightthrough.IfIdidn'twanttobeagoodtrainer,Iwould'vebeenadamantaboutnotgoinganywhere.ButIhadtodoit.Ihadtobebrave,forTiny'ssake.Takingadeepbreath,Isteppedoffthedirtroadandintothetallgrass.IkeptrepeatinginmymindthatwhatIwasfeelingbrushupagainstmylegwasgrassandnotsomePokémontryingtostealthilyattackmeasBiancahookedherarmontomineandhelpedmewalk.
X-X-X
"HI-YAH!"Shionexclaimedassheusedherscalchoptocutdownthegrassinfrontofus.Amongsttheshredsofgrassandflowers,awildsleepingPansearwokeupandgrowled.Itspatoutembersoffireather,buttheonesthatshecouldn'tblockwithhershelldidn'tfazeher.SheflunghershellatthePansearandhitinsquareonitsnose.ThePansearcriedoutinpainbeforeitranoff,nolongerseekingafight.Shionwenttopickuphershellandraiseditoverherheadproudly."Anothervictoryinmytrainer'sname!"
"Hooray!"Eveexclaimed.
PanaceaapproachedtheOshawotttoinspectherforinjuries.Inamomentofintenseparanoia,I'dsentallthreeofthePokémononmeoutoftheirPokéBalls"forprotection.IfBiancawaswatchingmyback,Ineededsomeonetowatchmyfront,myrightandmyleftaswell.Ilookedlikeacelebritywithanentourage,oraveryweirdandvariedgroupofbodyguards."Didyoureallyhavetochaseitaway?MissWhitecouldhavecaughtit.It'saFiretypePokémonafterall."
Shion'sexpressionbecameadistressedoneasshelookedupatme."Wh-what?Really?!I'msosorry,White!Iknow:I'llknockoutthenextPansearIseesoyoucancaptureit!"
"Me,too!Me,too!"Evechirpedasshebouncedupanddown"I'llknockouteveryPokémonIseesoWhitecancatchit!"
"SowillI,"saidPanacea."IhavetocontributetohelpingMissWhiteaswell."
"That'snotwhatwe'redoinghere.We'relookingforTiny.Nothingelsematters,"Iansweredsternly.ThethreePokémonbeforemelookedashamed."It'snotthatIdon'tappreciateyourhelp.I'mjustreallyworriedabouthim."
"Aw,White,"Biancaspokefrombehindme."That'ssoprecious!You'reactingmore
likeamotherthanatrainer!"
Isighed.Nother,too!"I'mnotbeingmaternal!It'sjustcommonsense!He'sjustababyandhe'sgoneandrunofflikethis!Whoknowswhatcould'vehappenedtohim?"Onceagain,Biancacooed."Stopthat!Anyway,findingTinyisthetoppriority.Nochallengingtrainers,nocatchingPokémon,nothingwhatsoever!"
"Aw,soyou'renotgonnacatchanything?"Eveaskedwithapout."Noteventhatweird-lookingsnakeoverthere?"
"Yes,noteventhatweird-looking"Weird-lookingsnake?!"Ilookedforwardandsawwhatshewastalkingabout.Therewastheoddly-coloredSnivy,insideofalarge,hollowedoutlog.Itwassurroundedbyemptywrappersandpaperswhileitwascoiledup,seeminglyfastasleep."Bianca!It'stheSnivy!"Iwhispered.
"Hm?You'reright!It'sthesamecolorandeverything!"SheexclaimedloudlybeforeIgesturedforhertostayquiet.IpointedatthesleepingPokémonandshenodded."Idon'tseeTinyanywhere,though..."Shewhispered."Doyouthinkitknowswhereheis?Maybeweshouldaskit."
"Areyoukidding?Ifwewakeitup,it'lljustrunoffagain!"
Bianca'seyeslitup."Ifyoucatchit,itwon'tbeabletorunaway!YoucouldjustsenditbackintoitsPokéBallifittriestoescapebeforeansweringyou!"
"Idon'twannacatchaPokémonthatstolefromme!Evenifitwasjustasandwich!"
"Well,youcanreleaseitafterwardsifyouwant.Goon,doitbeforeitwakesup!It'llbeeasiertojustcatchitwhileit'sasleep!"
IhummedinannoyanceasIsearchedthroughmybagforanunusedPokéBall.IgrippedittightlyinmyhandsasItookaimattheSnivy.Prayingthatitwouldn'tmiss,IthrewtheballattheGrasstype.IthitthePokémononthehead,butIcouldn'ttellifitwasstillasleepasitwastakenintotheballinaflashoflight.Theballonlyshooktwicebeforeitclicked.Istaredinslack-jawedawe."Iactuallycaughtit?!"
"Noway!"AfamiliarvoiceshoutedfromovertothesideIturnedmyheadandsawthebrunettegirlfrombeforestompingtowardsus"HowcouldanewbielikeyoucatchararePokémonlikeSnivybeforeme?!"Well,ithelpswhenit'sfastasleepfromeatingstolenfood.Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchestandfrowned."Hmph!Itwasprobablybyluckorafluke!"
Ididn'tsayaword.IjustapproachedthePokéBallandpickeditup.Ihesitatedin
releasingtheSnivyfrominside.Iwasn'tsurewhatsortofreactionitwasgoingtohavewhenitwokeittofinditwascaptured.JustasIwasabouttopressthebutton,Iheardafamiliarcryof"Mommy!"
"Tiny?Tiny!Whereareyou?!"Ishouted,lookingaroundfrantically.
"Whattheheckiswrongwithyou?"Iheardthebrunettetrainersay.Iturnedtofaceher,onlytoseesomethingsurprising:aPichupokingitsheadoutfrominsideofherbag.Isuddenlyfeltintenserelief.BeforeIreallyknewwhatIwasdoing,Iwasstandinginfrontofthegirl,tryingtogetthePichuoutofthebagtohughimandkisshimandactlikearightmess.Instead,Iwasgrabbedandshovedbackbythetrainergirl,whowasnowglaringatme."Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?!AreyoutryingtostealmyPichu?!"
"He'snotyourPichu,he'smine!"Isnappedback."HeranoffandI-I'vebeenlookingeverywhereforhim,soifyou'dbesokind..."Iheldmyhandsout.
Thegirlfrownedandputherhandsonherhips."Ohhh,no.I'mnotfallingforthatact.IfhewasyourPichu,Iwouldn'thavebeenabletocatchhim,now,wouldI?"
"Catchhim?!"BiancaandIrepeated.
"There'snowayyoucouldcatchhim!HealreadyhasaPokéBall,right,White?"
Iopenedmymouthtoanswer,butIsuddenlyrememberedsomething.InAccumulaTown,Tiny'sPokéBallbroke.ItoldmyselfthatIwouldreplaceit,butevenwiththenursesatthePokémonCentertellingmethatIshouldputhiminsideofaPokéBall,thethingsthathadbeenhappeninghadmademeputthattothebackofmymind.AndwhenIfinallyrememberedthatIhadtechnicallybeencarryingawildPokémonwithmetheentiretime,Ifoundmyselfshouting,"Hisballbroke!AndIforgottoputhiminsideofareplacement!"
"What?!"Biancashoutedinsurprise."Whydidn'tyoutellme?!"
Islappedmyhandtomyforehead,saying,"BecauseIforgot!HowcouldIbesuchanidiot?!"Iremovedmyhandandlookedatthegirl."Look,hereallyismyPichu!Pleasegivehimbacktome!"
"Nope,"thebrunetteansweredbluntly."EvenifIdobelieveyou"whichIdon't"technicallyspeaking,he'smyPokémonnow.Now,ifyouwereagoodtrainerwhohadn'tdoneanythingasstupidasletaPokémontheycalltheirsrunaroundwithoutbeingcaptured,I'dgivehimbacktoyou."
Tinythencrawledoutofherbagandranovertome.Hestoodupandheldhisarmsouttome."Mommy?"IbentovertopickhimupandthePichustartedtonuzzlehischeekagainstmyneck."Chuuu~!"Hestartedpointingoverattheblue-cladtrainer."Friend,Mommy."
Iglaredatthebrunettegirl,whowasalsoglaringatme."Look,justgimmebackmyPichu!Whathappenedwasanaccident,butI'mstillhistrainer,PokéBallorno!"
"Well,howdoIknowyou'renotgonnalethimgoalloveragain?"
"I'mnot!Whatdoyouwantmetodo?Youwannahaveabattleforhim?BecauseI'lldoitifIhaveto!"Wipingthatjudginglookoffofyourfacewillbeaplus.
Thebrunettesmirkedandgavemeacondescendinglookassheadjustedherhat."You'vegotnoideawhoyou'retalkingto!I'mnotsomenewbietrainerlikeyouwhodoesn'tknowhowtohandleherPokémon!I'mWhiteGreen,aseasonedtrainerwho'sdefeatedtheIndigoLeague!"
"Idon'tknowwhatthatisandIdon'tcare,"Iansweredbluntly.
"Youshouldcare,newbie."
Actually,Ikindofdidcare.IcaredthatshehadthesamenamethatIdidandthatshehadalreadyaccomplishedwhatBlackandCherenweretryingtodo:she'dbeatengymleaders,theElite4andtheleaguechampion"well,anElite4andaleaguechampion"insomefar-offregion.Thenagain,shecould'vebeenlying.Shecould'vebeenasmuchofanewbietrainerasshesaidBiancaandIwereandtheIndigoLeagueprobablydidn'texist.
"I'llbetyouthatthePokémonIstartedwithcanbeattheoneyoustartedwith,"shetauntedasshetookoutaPokéBall.Shepressedthebuttonandfromwithin,shereleasedsomethingthatmademechangemymindaboutherbeingapretender.
"Blaaaas!"Standingbeforeusontwolegswasalarge,blue,tortoise-likePokémonwithapairofcannonsstickingoutofthetopofitsbrownshell.Thecannonswithdrewintotheshell,thenextended,releasingablastofwaterthatwasaimedupwards.Theblastmadeaholewithinthecanopyofleaves,lettingafairamountofsunlightshinedownonhisalongwithashortdrizzleofwater.Icouldn'thelpbutstandthere,shakinginfearatthehulkingbruteofaPokémonbeforeus.Atsomepoint,IfoundmyselfgrabbingBianca'shandandsqueezingitfordearlife.Biancadidn'tmind,becauseshewastoobusybeinginawe.
"Wow...!WhatkindofPokémonisthat?"
"ABlastoise,"IwhisperedasIfeltmyheartclenchinginfear,"theirwatercannonshavemoreforcethanafirehose,theycanshootsomethingfrommorethan100feetaway,theirwaterattackscanpiercerightthroughsteel,andthey'resoheavythattheycouldcrushapersonunderneaththem!"IspokequicklyasIbegantouseBianca'shandlikeastressball.I'msurprisedIactuallyrememberedanyofthat,butIguessBlastoiseisjustoneofthosePokémonwhoseeverydangerousdetailis,sadly,engravedinmymind.
"Wow...!Ididn'tgetallofthat,butwow!Um...I-Idon'tthinkyoucouldbeatthatinabattle,White,"Biancaansweredtruthfully,andIagreedwithher.EvenifIwenttheunfairrouteandsentallofmyPokémonoutatonce,Iwouldn'twin.IlookeddownatmyPokémon,whowerelookingsortofpetrifiedinthefaceoftheBlastoise.EvenShion,despitetryingtoputupabravefront,shookfromintimidationofitspower.I'dhaveabetterchanceofbeatingtheBlastoise'strainerwithmyownhands,butIwouldn'tresorttosuchathing...yet.
"Doyouunderstandthedifferencebetweenusnow?"WhiteGreenasked.WhenIdidn'tgiveareply,shesmirkedandreturnedherBlastoisetoitsball.Buttheheart-clenchingfeelingdidn'tstopthere.ShethenpulledoutanotherPokéBall,whichIpresumedwasTiny's.
Icouldn'tevenbringmyselftoglareather.IlookeddownatTinysadlyandstartedtobrushthedirtoffofhisfur.Helookedupatmecuriouslyandstartedtopatmychest."Mommy?"Havinghimcallmethatmademefeelevenworse.
"I'mreallysorry...thoughifyouunderstood,I'msureyouwouldn'tforgiveme.Iwouldn't."Atthatmoment,thePichu'sexpressionbecameasadone."Imean,I'mnottheonlyonetobeangryathere,"IglancedatWhiteOakandmentallycursedherforbeingsostubbornand...unlikeable.
"W-waitaminute!"Biancaexclaimed."That'sWhite'sPokémon!M-myWhite,notyou...Andshereallylovesandcherishesit!Imean,shewentcrazytryingtofindhim!Sowhatifshemadeamistake?She'sonlyhuman!Andyoucan'treallybesuchabadpersonthatyouwouldseparateatrainerandPokémonwhocareforeachothersomuch!"
WhiteGreenfrowned."Whoa,whoa,whoa!HowamIthebadguy?She'stheidiotwholetherPokémonwanderaboutwithoutbeingcapturedandthenwhined,sayingshe'shistrainer!"Shepointedafingeratme."She'sthebadpersonhere,blondie,notme!"
"C'mon!Prettypleasewithsugarandsprinkles...?"Biancabegged.Iwassurprised
shewasactuallyresortingtothis.Andformysake.Ifeltmovedandashamedatthesametimeforlettingmyfriendfightmybattlesforme.
"Whatdoyouwantfromme?I'lldo...anything...ifyoujustgiveTinybacktome."Iregrettedsayingthat.Whoknowswhatthisgirlwouldthinkup?
ThebrunettegirlbentoverandpickedupaPokéBall.Oh,wait.ThatwasthePokéBallthesleepingSnivywasinsideof."Iwantthis."Iansweredsimple."IwanttheSnivy."
Iblinked."That'sit?"
"Hey,begratefulI'msuchagenerousperson!Icould'veaskedforallyourmoneyorsomethinginexchange,butallIwantisatrade.TrademeyourSnivyforwhatistechnicallymyPichu."
"Deal,"Iansweredquickly.
"What?!"Panaceaexclaimedinshock."B-but,MissWhite!Whatabout"?"
"It'sokay.ThereareplentyofGrasstypePokémonoutthereanyway.Besides,I'mnotsureI'dbeabletogetalongwithaPokémonthatstolemylunch."
WhiteGreensmiled.Sheactuallylookedsomewhatpleasantwhenshewasn'tsmirking,butatthispoint,I'dprettymuchdecidedthatthegirlwasn'tpleasant."Great!Now,let'sgotothePokémonCenterinNacreneCity.That's""
"Yeah,weknowwherethatis,youlittle..."Itrailedoffandbeganmutteringthingstomyselfaswefollowedbehindher.
X-X-X
ItseemsthatinoneofthemanyupstairsroomsofPokémonCenters,therewasaroomwithseveralmachines.Eachonehadtwoemptysphere-shapedslotsandtwoscreens,thebiggestandwidestonealreadyonandshowingaswirlingPokéBallsymbolonscreen.WhiteGreenstoodbeforethemachineandputherhandsonherhips."Thisisatradingmachine.Trainersusethesetomakelocaltradeswithpeopleface-to-face."Ireallyhatedthetonesheusedtoexplainthat:thesortoftonepeopletakewithchildrenwhentheywanttomakesomethingsoundsimplewhilealsomakingthechildfeellikeanidiot.
Biancaimmediatelyspokeup,"Butwhydoyouneedamachinetodothis?Can'tyoujustgiveeachotheryourPokéBalls?"
ThebrunettegirllookedatBiancalikeshewasanidiot."Becauseit'sstilltechnicallyyourPokémon,meaningifyouexchangeit,you'donlybeabletohavefivePokémoninsteadofsix.Youwouldn'tbeabletoreleaseitorstoreitinyourPC,heck,you'dprobablygetintroublewiththeauthoritiesbecauseitsPokéBalldoesn'thaveyourTrainerID,whichatradingmachinetakescareofbyalteringit.YoudoknowwhatyourIDis,right?"
Biancapouted."Yes..."
"Also,thisthingwillmakesureyouactuallygivemeSnivyandnottrickmebygivingmesomeotherPokémon."Isaidnothingandonlyfrownedinresponse."Now,let'sbegin."SheheldoutherPokéBallandpointeditatTiny.
"Domeafavorandstayinside,okay?"IwhisperedintothePichu'searbeforehedisappearedinaflashoflight,backintotheball.Surprisingly,hedidn'tburstoutimmediately.
TheotherWhiteplacedthePokéBallintooneofthesphere-shapedslotsandtheupperscreenactivated,showinganimageofaPichuononesidewithinformationlikeTiny'sspecies,histype,herIDnumberandhernamewhich,oddlyenough,wasdifferent.InsteadofWhiteGreen,itreadWhiteOak.Istaredatinconfusionforafewsecondsbeforeshesnapped,"Don'tstare!YoubetternotbememorizingmyIDtodosomethingshady,youweirdo!"
"Iwouldn'tevenknowwhattodowithit!"Isnappedback.
"Hmph.I'msureyoudon't,younoob."Shewentfromaccusingmeofbeingcapableofapossiblycriminalacttobeingincapableofit.Iswear,thisgirl...!WhotheheckdecidedshewasworthgivingaPokédexto?!Shepressedsomethingonthesecondscreenofthetrademachine,andthenlookedatme."Well?GetoverhereandputinthatSnivy!"
Ireachedintomybag,insideofadifferentpocketthatdidn'tholdtherestofmyPokémon,andpulledouttheSnivy'sPokéBall.Iwalkedovertothetrademachineandinsertedtheballintotheslot.IlookedupatthescreenandsawitshowinganexactimageoftheSnivy,rightdowntoitsoddcolor.Ilookeddownatthesmallerscreenandsawapromptpopup,askingifitwasthePokémonIwantedtotrade.Ipressedthecommandmarked'yes'andbothballssuddenlydroppeddownintotheslots,disappearingintothemachine.ThescreenshowedanimageoftwoPokéBallstradingplacesandthepicturesofTinyandtheSnivycrossingoveroneanother,andinseconds,aPokéBallroseupintheslotonmyside.
Assoonasthathappened,Tinyburstoutoftheballandlandedonthefloor.
"Mommy!"Heexclaimedashescampereduptome.Hestartedjumpinginplaceenergetically,asifhe'dbeensittinginthatballforhoursinsteadofaminuteorso.
"Hey,there,"IgreetedasIcroucheddowntopethimonthehead.Hecooedandstartednuzzlingagainstmyhand."Welcomeback.Ipromisewe'llneverhavetogothroughthisagain..."
"Youbetternot.Unlessyoushapeupasatrainer,you'regonnawindupgettingyourPokémontakenfromyoufortheirowngood,"WhiteGreen"orWhiteOak,Iwasn'tsureanymore"commentedasshewalkedbyme.Iglaredupather,butthenIsawhersmirkingface."Ciao,losers!"Shethenleft.
"IhopethefirstthingthatSnivydoeswhenitwakesupissmackherwithaVineWhip,"Imuttereddarkly.MyexpressionmadeTinymakeasmallsqueakoffear.
Biancafrowned."Whatarudegirl...EvenCheren'snotthatmeanwhenhelecturesus!HowcouldapersonlikethatberecommendedtogetaPokédex?"
Isighedandstoodup,placingTinyinsideofhisrightfulplaceinsideofmybag."Must'vebeenafavor.Orabribe.OraPokémonProfessorwithbadjudgmentofcharacter.Eitherway,IhopeIneverhavetomeetWhiteOakagain."
Theblondegirlworealookofconfusion."Huh?Oak?"
"Nevermind..."
Biancashrugged."Hey,sinceourwalkthroughtheforestwasinterrupted,whydon'twegotothemuseumintown?...What'swiththatlook?"
Iblinked.Ididn'trealizethatIwasstaringatherlikeshe'dgrownwingsorsomething."Um...Ineverthoughtyou'dbewillingtorecommendamuseumofallthingsassomethingfun."
"Well,normallyIwouldn'twantto...butIwannahelpProfessorJuniperwithherresearchinexchangeforgivingmemyPokédex,soIthought:'MaybeIcanlearnsomethingaboutPokémonfromthemuseum!'Imean,she'ssupposedtostudyaboutwherePokémoncamefrom,andhistoricalstufflikethethingsfoundinmuseumsprettymuchtellyousomethingaboutthat...right?"
Asmilefounditswayontomyface."That's...true.Andit'snicethatyouwannahelptheprofessorout."
"Doesthismeanyou'llcomewithme?!"Biancasuddenlyexclaimed."B-
because...I'mworriedthere'llbethingsIwon'treallyunderstand,orI'lldosomethingembarrassinglikefallasleeponsomeexpensivething..."
"Sure...Butfirstthingfirst:I'mgoingtobuyTinyanewPokéBallallhisown,andthenI'mgonnareleasehimandcatchhimagain."
"...Thatdoesn'tmakeanysense.He'salreadygotaball."
"Yes,butit'sWhiteOak'sballwithWhiteOaklistedashisoriginalowner,andIdon'twanttohappentoglanceatthatinformationagainberemindedofWhiteOak..."IgrumbledasIwalkedoutoftheroomwithmyfriendintow.
X-XX
Notes!
EveisanEnglishnamethatoriginatedfromtheHebrewnameEvaandmeans"tolive"or"tobreathe",andratherthantheobviousreferencetotheBiblicalEve,itisareferencetoMitochondrialEve,thewomanfromwhommodernhumansdescendedfromontheirmother'sside.
SnivylearnsSweetScentviabreeding.
NotrainersoftheBugCatcherclassappearintheUnovagames.
WhiteGreen/OakisphysicallythefemaleplayercharacterofPokémonFRLGusuallynamed"Leaf"byfans,whosharessimilaritieswithanunusedfemaleplayercharacterfromtheoriginalRedandGreengames.Insomeartworkandimages,thegirl'sPokémonisaSquirtle,andhercounterpartinthePokémonAdventuresmangaalsoownedaSquirtlethateventuallybecameaBlastoise.WhiteOakisakindoftree.
Inthegames,tradedPokémonalwayshavetheiroriginaltrainerlistedintheirsummary,soitwouldmakesensethatreleasingandcatchingaPokémoninadifferentballwoulderasethatinformation.
X-X-X
RemembertoreviewforBluandPichu!
Chapter8
Disclaimer:Youknowthedrill:Idon'townthePokémonseries,onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~FossilLiberation!PlasmaStrikesAgain!~
IsteppedoutofthePokémonCenter,finallyfreeofthelonglineoftrainersthatwerelinedupatthePokéMartcorner.AllI'dwantedtodowasbuyanewPokéBallforTiny,butthewaitwassolong,ItoldBiancatogoaheadwithoutmeandthatIwouldmeetupwithherinsideoftheNacrenemuseum.Afterwaitingminutestogettothefrontoftheline,IwoundupbuyingaPremierBall"afancy-lookingwhiteballwithredlining,aswellassomeNetBallsandHealBallsattheinsistenceoftheclerkIwastalkingto.NowIknewwhyhislinewassolong:he'dprobablyspenttimeconvincingpeopletobuymorestuffandspendmoremoney!
ItookapeekinsideofmybagandsmiledatthesightofTinyplayingwithhisnewPremierBall.Helookedupatmeandsmiled."Ball!"Hechirped,continuingtopushthewhiteballaround.Iscratchedhislittleheadbeforetakinghimoutandputtinghimontopofmyhat.
"You'reinforatreat.Today,we'regonnagotoamuseum,"IsaidasIstartedtowalk.
"Moo-see-um,"thePichutriedtopronounce.
"That'sright.Amuseumisaplacewherelotsofthingsofvariousinterestsareplacedondisplay.Thingsrelatingtohistory,science,art,andculture..."Iwasn'tsurewhyIbotheredtocontinuetalkingtohim.ApartofmethoughtthatTinywouldn'treallyunderstandanythingsincehewastechnicallyababyPokémon,whileanotherpartthoughtthatifheheardenoughwords,he'dlearntospeakabitbetter.
"Moo-see-um!"Herepeated,seeminglylikinghowthewordsounded.Well,atleasthelearnedonenewwordtoday,evenifheprobablydoesn'tknowwhatamuseumis.
NowthatIthoughtaboutit,CherensaidthattheNacreneGymwasinsideofthemuseum.Ihadtowonderhowthatactuallyworked.Wouldn'titbeariskifsomethingvaluablewasdestroyedbecauseagymbattlegotoutofhand?Andspeakingofbattles,IwaswonderingifIshouldeventhinkaboutchallengingthegymanyway.CherenalsosaidthatthegymleaderusedNormaltypePokémon,andIalreadyhadtwoNormaltypePokémonwithme,soIdidn'treallyneedtochallengethegym
leaderheretohelpgetovermyfearofNormaltypes...didI?It'dbenoskinoffofmybones,thoughShionmightcomplainaboutnotgettinganytrainingandPanaceawouldprobablysaysomethinglike,'Everylittlebithelps.'Ontheotherhand,though,thegymleaderprobablywon'tgoeasyonanewbie,unlikeCilanandhisbrothers.I'dprobablygetmybutthandedtome.
Atsomepoint,Ihadarrivedatthemuseum,butwithmythoughtsontheNacreneGyminside,Ibarelynoticed.Iwasabittoodeepinthought,becauseIwoundupbumpingintosomeone.IfeltTinyfalloffofmyheadandsawhimdroppastmyeyes."Ah!"Iheldmyhandsouttograbhim,butIwastooslow.Instead,thepersonIbumpedintogothiminstead."Oh,thankyouso...much."MysmileofrelieffadedwhenIsawthepersonwho'dcaughthimwasN.
"White,"hespokesimply.IimmediatelytookTinyfromhishandsjustabitroughly.Irelaxedmygripandclosedmyeyes,refusingtolookatthegreen-hairedboy.Heopenedhismouthtospeak,"I""
ButIinterruptedhim."Saveit.Idon'twanttotalktoyou."Itriedtosteppasthim,butfeltsomethingblockingmyway.Openingmyeyes,IsawthatNhadheldhisarmoutinfrontoftheentrancedoor.Ifrowned."Willyougetouttamyway?!"
"Showsomerespect,youstupidgirl!"HisZoruasnappedfrombehindN'sleg."Youshouldbegratefulhe'seventalkingtoyouafterhowyoutreatedhimyesterday!"Believeme,I'mfarfromgratefulforbeinginN'spresenceyetagain.
"Iwon'tletyouleaveuntilyoulistentowhatIhavetosay."
"No.BecausealmosteverytimeIdolistentowhatyouhavetosay,it'susuallystuffthatmakesmefeelupsetandmakesmewannapunchyou"!"IpausedjustasIhadraisedafistintheair,asiftostriketheboybeforeme.Itookadeepbreath,counteddownfromfive,andloweredmyfist."Fine.SaywhateveritisyouhavetosaysoIcanleave."
Nstaredatmeforafewsecondsbeforeheloweredhisarm.IwaswonderingifI'dbeabletorunpasthimandintothemuseumwhenhebeganspeaking,"WhatIwantistoseethingsthatnoonecansee:thetruthaboutthefeelingsofPokémonwithinPokéBalls,theidealsofhowtrainersshouldbe,andmorethananything,aworldwherePokémonarefreetobecomeperfect.Doyoufeelthesame,White?"
Ittookmeafewsecondstoprocesswhathe'dsaid.Mainlybecausehe'dspokensoquicklythatwhatshould'vebeenonelongsentenceandaquestionseemedlikeablur."Uh...Wait,I'mconfused.Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow?"
"WhatIwanttodoischangetheworld.TosaveallthePokémoninitsotheywouldn'thavetobetrappedwithinPokéBallsorforcedtofightunderatrainer'scommands.They'dbefreetobecometheperfectbeings!"
Iblinked."Oh.Isn'tthatputtingabittoomuchpressureonthe?Imean..."IthoughtaboutEve,whodidn'treallyseemlikethesorttocareaboutperfection,andShion,who'dprobablyoverreactifshelearnedthatshecouldn'tbeperfect."Perfectionisn'tsomethingthatcanbeachievedbyanymortalthing,whetherthey'rehumanoraPokémon.Well,maybegodsandlegendaryPokémon,butnonormalhumanorPokémoncandoit,that'sforsure!IdefinitelyknowI'mnotperfect.Andyousureasheckaren'tperfect,either."IwaitedforaresponsefromNforthatslightinsult,buthejuststaredatmeexpectantly.Oh,right.Iwassupposedtoanswerhisquestion."Tobefullyhonest...Idon'tfeelthesameasyou.Ihaveanideaabouthowtrainersshouldbe,andIknowthatsomePokémonhatebeinginPokéBallswhileothersdon'tmind.AndIthinkthey'refinejustthewaytheyarenow.Actually,iftheywere,like,100timeslessdangerousandlife-threatening,that'dbegreat."
N'smouthformedathinline."Really?Huh...Ididn'tthinkyou'dbesoclose-minded."
Ifrowned."Close-minded?I'mthinkingopenly!Beingperfectmeansyoucandoanything.Foralltheamazingthingstheycando,Pokémonhavetheirlimitationsandweaknessandquirksjustlikehumansdo.IfTinywereperfect,hewouldn'tbethewayI'vecometoknowandlikehim."
"Isthatso?Then...maybeIshouldtestyoutoseewhatsortoffutureyoucansee,"Nsaid,pullingoutaPokéBall.HereleasedaPidove,whichflappeditswingsbeforelandingontheground.
Iarchedaneyebrow."You...wannahaveabattle?Well,alright.Butifyoupreachaboutanythingduringthefight,I'mcallingatimeouttogiveyouablackeye!Goget'em,Tiny!"TinyjumpedoutofmyarmsandontothegroundinfrontofthePidove.Isteppedbackandgrinned.EvenifbeatingNinaPokémonbattlewasn'tthesameaspunchinghim,it'dprobablyfeeljustassatisfying."Tiny,useThunderWave!"
"Pidove,QuickAttack."
N'sPidovedisappearedjustasTinyunleashedajoltofparalyzingelectricityinitsdirection.ItappearedtobedartingaboutinmidairatablindingspeedbeforetacklingTiny,sendinghimrollingdownthestairsofthemuseum,allthewaytothebottom."Chuuu!"Hewhimpered,holdinghisheadforafewsecondsbeforehegotbackonhisfeet.
"QuickAttackoncemore,"Ncommandedinanannoyinglycalmtone.HisPidove
onceagainbegantoflyaboutquickly,fasterthanIcouldsee.
"Um...UseCharm!"Iexclaimed,hopingthatmaybethePichu'scutenesswouldmakethebirdPokémonstopinitstracks.
"Piiiichuuu!"Tinyexclaimedashebegantowavehisarmsintheairandsmilecutely.ThePidovestoppedmovingtostareatTiny,enamoredwithhiscuteantics.
"NowgetitwithaThunderShock!"Withashortcry,thelittlePichuunleashedajoltofelectricityathisopponent.ThedistractedPidovewasshockedandfalteredinmidair.Itmanagedtolandonitsfeet,albeitslightlysingedandwobbly.Itdidn'tlooklikeitcoulddefenditself."Onceagain,ThunderShock!"ThePidovewasquicklyhitbyasecondjoltofelectricity.Itfelldown,unconsciousandunabletobattle."Yay!Youwon!"Icongratulatedhimasheranbackuptomeetme.Ipickedhimupandnuzzlednoseswithhim."Youweregreat!"InoticedoutofthecornerofmyeyethatNwasstaringatme."What'reyoustaringat?Can'tbelieveyoulost?"
"...Ihavemorefriendswithme."Withthosewords,hereleasedanewPokémonatthebottomofthestairs.ItwasaTympole"thesameonefromlastnight,maybe?IrememberBiancasayingitwasaWatertype,whichmeantanothereasysuccessforTinyifthingsturnedoutgood.Itlookedkindofpitiful,floppingaboutonthepavementinsteadofinthewater.
"Um...areyousureyouwanttofightwiththatPokémon?Itlookslikeit'dbemoreathomeinthewaterthanhere."
Nstaredatmeyetagain.Iwasstartingtogetcreepedout."Whydoyoucare?"Heasked.
"Whydon'tyoucare?"
"Hedoescare!"CameZorua.IrefusedtolookatthatfrighteninglittlePokémonstill,butIknewhewasglaringatme.
"Icanfight!Don'tunderestimateme!"TheTympoleexclaimedinabrashtoneasitbouncedinplace.
Igulped,worriedthatImayhaveangeredtheTadpolePokémon."A-alright!Justdon'thurtme,okay?Tiny,it'stimeforround2."IlethimjumpoutofmyarmandrundowntothebottomofthestairstomeetwiththeTympole."Alright,useThunderShock!"
"UseMudSport!"Ncalledoutwithabitmorelifeandvolume.Wait,MudSport?
Tympolesomehowmanagedtobounceupintotheair,dodgingTiny'sattack.Hetookadeepbreathandspatalargeamountofmuddownontothestreet.Whenhelandedwithasplat,theTadpolePokémonstartedtorollaboutinthemuduntilhewascompletelycoveredinthestuff.TinyattackedwithanotherThunderShock,butwhenithit,theattackbarelyhadanyeffect.
"Ha!Thattickles!"TheTympoletaunted.
"What?!But-but...he'sonlyaWatertype!Heshouldn'tbeimmunetoanElectrictypeattack!"Iexclaimedinsurprise.ItookoutmyPokédexandlookedupmoves."MudSport,MudSport...Theusercoversitselfwithmud,weakeningElectrictypemovesbyhalf."IputmyPokédexawaywithasigh.Wonderful.Tiny'sonlyrealattackwasanElectric-typeattack.
"MudShot!"saidN,andhisTympolespatoutastreamofmudatTiny.IthitthePichuwithenoughforcetosendhimflyingbackwithacryofpain.
Whenhedidn'tmove,Irandownthestairstocheckuponhim.Hisfurwasdirtiedabitwithmudanditlookedlikehewasunconscious.Withoutaword,IreturnedhimtohisPokéBallandwhisperedanapologyintoit.IwentbackupthestairstoN,slightlysurprisedwhenhedidn'tresorttogloatingofsomesort."Alright..."Imumbled,slippingTiny'sballbackintomybagandpullingoutanother.Inaflashoflight,Panaceaappeared.
"Iwilldomybest,MissWhite,"shesaidassheclappedherpawstogetherresolutely.
"That'sallI'maskingfor.Now,useDoubleSlap!"IcommandedtheAudino.Sherantowardsheropponentwithonepawraisedandslappedhimacrossthecheekacoupleoftimes.
"BubbleBeam!"Despitetheclosedistance,theTympoleopeneditsmouthandsprayedoutdozensofbubblesinPanacea'sface.Despitebeingonlybubbles,theyhadenoughpowerbehindthemtohavePanaceastumblingbackassheswattedtheaside."NowuseMudShot!"TheTadpolePokémononceagainopeneditsmouth,thistimesprayingmudalloverPanacea.ShelookedlikeevenmoreofamessthanTinydid.
Itwastoodangerousforhertogetinclose.Somaybeshecould..."Panacea,useAttract!"Iwasn'treallysureifitwouldwork.Sheonlylearnedthemoverecently,duringourlittleexcursionthroughPinwheelForest.IneveruseditbecauseIwastoopetrifiedtonoticeifanyofthewildPokémonweencounteredweremale.
Panaceaheldapawinfrontofhermouthasshebegantoglowwithasparklypinkauraofsomekind.LittlepinkheartsstartedtoformaroundtheAudinoandshewinked,sendingtheheartsflyingofftowardstheTympolewhojustsatthereinwide-mouthedawe.Theheartshittheirtargetlikeanarrow.
"I...I...WOW!"TheTympoleexclaimed,bouncingexuberantlyinplace."Thatmudreallybringsoutthecolorinyoureyes...!"Heswooned.Histailstartedtowagandhischeeksbegantovibrate.
"Um...T-thankyou?"Panaceaspokeawkwardly,notreallysureifsheshouldcountthatasacompliment.NeitherdidI,forthatmatter.
"Now,whilehe'sinfatuated,useDoubleSlap!"Icalledout.IwatchedasPanaceaapproachedtheWatertypeandstartedtoslapitseveraltimes.Disturbinglyenough,thelittleguywassmilingthrougheveryslap,occasionallymakingsomeweirdcomment.
"Yes!Yes!Hitmeagainwithyourlovetaps!Icantakeit!"Tympoleproclaimed.IsworeIcould'veseenheartsinhiseyeswhenhesaidthat,likehewassomekindofcartooncharacter.
TheAudinocringed."Pleasedon'tsaythat.It'sbadenoughhavingtohurtyou,butwhenyousaythingslikethat..."SheraisedapawandgavetheTympoletwomoresmacks."Won'tyoupleasejustgiveup?"
"Never!Idon'tgiveupinfightsorlove~!"
"Oh,brother,"Imumbled,holdingahandovermyface."Pleasejustknockhimoutnow!"
"Yah!"WithafinalPoundtotheface,theTympolehadhadenough'lovetaps'andfaintedwithasatisfiedexpressiononhisface.
"Whatadisappointment..."Zoruacommented.
IlookedatN,whohadreturnedTympoletohisPokéBall.ThehandgrippingsaidPokéBallwasshaking,likehewasabouttogetangry.Hisfacialexpressionwasblank,buthiseyeslookedliketheywereupset."Notyet...Itisn'tfinishedyet!"
"Um...Okay."IreturnedPanaceatoherballforsomerestbeforeinchingawayfromthegreen-hairedteenashetookoutathirdPokéBall.Inaflashoflight,itappeared:asmall,gray-skinnedPokémonthatwasroughlythesizeofachild,giveortakeafewinches.Itsbodyhadpink,vein-likeprotrusionsonitshead,arounditsshoulders
andnearitswaist,anditwascarryingapieceofsquaredlumberunderitsarm."ATimburr,huh?"IrememberedseeingatleastoneofthoseinPinwheelForest,andevenlongbeforethen.Theyalwayspoppedupatbuildingsitestohelpwithconstruction,regardlessofwhethertheywereownedorwild."Sinceit'saFighting-type,there'sonlyonepersonwhocanhandlethis."
Inaflashoflight,Shionappearedsittingdown,seeminglywaxingherscalchopshell.Afterafewseconds,sherealizedshewasnolongerinherballandstoodupabruptly."W-w-whatisthis?!Ifyou'regoingtocalluponme,atleastmakeitknown!"Sheexclaimed,blushingfromembarrassment.
Icringed."I-I'msorry!Ithoughtyouheardmeinthere!"
"Ididhear!That'swhyIwasshining"Imean,maintainingmyshell!"
TheTimburrsnickered."Y'thinkthatpunything'sgonnahurtme?"Heasked.Hethenswunghislumber,asiftointimidateher."This,though,couldtotallywhupyourbutt,runt!"
Shionfrowned."Firstofall,thesizeoftheweapondoesn'tmatter.Secondofall,whoareyoucallingarunt?!"
"UseFocusEnergy!"SaidN.
"You,too,Shion!FocusEnergy!"Iexclaimed.N'sTimburrstartedtopumphisloglikeadumbbellwhileShiontookonastance.Theybothbegantoglowbrightred."NowattackwithWaterGun!"
"Blocktheattack!"
Shiontookadeepbreathandsprayedoutwater.Timburrplacedhisloginfrontofhimandblockedthespray,movingbackonlyafewinchesfromtheforceoftheattack.
"UseTailWhipanddistracthim!"
TheOshawottturnedaroundandbegantowaghertailcutely."Woooott~!Wott,woooott~!"Shesang.Timburrstaredatherinconfusion,scratchinghishead.
"Don'tbedistracted!UseFling!"Ncalledout.TimburrstartedtotosshislogupanddownbeforechuckingitatShion'sback.Beforeshecouldturnaroundordodgeit,theloghithersquareinthebackandknockedherdown.TheFightingtypethenapproachedherandpickeduphislog."NowuseRockSmash,"thegreen-haired
teenspokewithfinality.
Timburrraisedhislog,preparingtoslamitdownonShion.Butasheswungdownward,sherolledoutofthewayandjumpedbackontoherfeet."Uh,Cut!UseCutonthelog!"Iexclaimedquickly,becomingpanicked.Ididn'twanttolosetoN.Iwantedtomakehimmarchoffinanangryhuff!
Shion'sscalchopseemedtoglintinthesunlightsomehow.Sheranuptoheropponentandswungjustasheswunghedowntostrikeher.Thelogwascutinhalf,itscutoffpiecefallingbehindShionnoisily.Timburr'seyeswidenedinsurpriseashestaredathisshortenedlog.ThenhestartedtoglareattheOshawottandstartedtoswingwhatwasleftofhisloginarage.Hewasonlyswingingwildly,though,neverreallyhittingher.Hedidn'tevenseemtonoticewhenshehadgonearoundhimuntilShionstruckhimfrombehindatseveralpoints,endingwiththebackofhishead.ItwasalltheFightingtypecouldtakeandhefellforward,lookingexhausted.
"Al...alright...!Youwin,you...runt...!"Timburrpantedbeforefainting.
Shionfrowned."I'mnotarunt!"
"Shion,thatwasgreat!"Iexclaimed.
TheOshawottblushedasshebowedherhead."Th-thankyou!I'mhappytobeusefultoyou!"Shesaidbeforeshewasreturnedtoherball.
Istartedtosmile."Well,that'sthreewinsforme.Willthatbeit,orareyougoingtosendyourZoruainnext?"Iasked.
N'sZoruasmirkedandlookedlikehewasabouttostepforwardafterTimburrwasrecalled."No...Ourbattle'sover.Consideryourselfthewinnerifthat'llmakeyoufeelbetter."
Thatlastbitofhisanswerannoyedme,butIstillsmirked,hopingthatitwouldannoyhim."Great!So,ifyou'llexcuseme..."Iattemptedtoenterthemuseumagain,butwashaltedbyN'soutstretchedarmbeforetheentranceagain."Oh,whatnow?!IansweredyourquestionandIacceptedyourchallenge,isn'tthatenough?!"
"I'mnotlettingyougountilyoupayattention."ButI'vebeenpayingattention!EvenwhenIreallyshouldn't,becauseyou'reanidiotwhoidolizeshypocriticaljerks!"Atthemoment,Idon'thavethemeanstosolvetheequationthatwillchangetheworldandsaveallPokémon.WhatIneedispower"enoughpowertomakeanyoneagreewithme."Imanagedtounderstandthatfloodofwordsenoughtorollmyeyesatit.IgotabitclosertoNashecontinued,notevennoticingthatIhadclosedthedistance
betweenus,"PowerlikethatofthelegendarydragonsZekromandReshiram""Despitetheheightdifference,Imanagedtosmackhimontheforehead,blockingoutthesoundofhisZorua'sgrowlandignoringN'sirritatedlook.
"Ifyoureallywanttodothat,thenyou'reabadguy."
Nfrowned."Iamnot.I'm""
"Peoplewhousepowertomakepeopleseethingstheirwayarebadguys.They'rebrutesandbullieswhoforcetheirpointofviewontootherswhoonlyagreeoutoffearofbeinghurtorkilled.Andifyouthinkthataworldthat'schangedbecauseofsomethinglikethatwillbeagoodone,you'reabadguyandamoron."AndI'llloseallfaiththatmaybe,justmaybe,you'resomethingofadecenthumanbeing.
Nstaredatmeblankly.Iwasn'tsurewhathewasthinking.Thenhesuddenlysmiled,andIwasslightlysurprisedbyit.Iwasexpectinghimtogooffthedeependandsayhowtrainerslikemewerethebadguysor...something."Iwanttobeahero,likethosewhocreatedtheUnovaregion.ThatiswhyIwillbefriendthelegendarydragonsZekromandReshiram,sothatthey'llhelpmechangetheworldwiththeirpower!"ThelegendaryBlackandWhiteDragonsinthehandsofaguylikeN...Ifthechancesofsuchathinghappeningweren'toneinamillion,Imighthavebeenterrifiedofthefutureoftheworld."Imustgonow.Ihavemuchtodo.Ihopewemeetagain,White,"hesaidasheleftwithZoruaintow,stillsmiling.
"...Hesaidhewantstomeetagain."Isighedandhungmyhead."Idon'tthinkmymindormypatiencecanhandleit.ThenexttimeIseehim,Imightwinduphurtinghimseverely,justsohe'llleavemebe...!"IsuddenlyrememberedwhyIwashere:Bianca.Whoknowshowlongshewaswaitingformeinside.HopingIwouldn'tincurherwrath"orherpitiableexpressions"Isteppedinside.
WhenIenteredthemuseum,thefirstthingIfeltwastherefreshingblastofcoldairconditioning.Ibarelyhadtimetoenjoyit,though,becauseIrealizedthatIwasstandingintheshadowofsomethinglarge.Ifrozeinfearandgulped,prayingitwasonlyanexhibit.Ilookedupandmanagedtofeelamixtureofreliefandawe.Afewfeetawayfromtheentrancewasalargewingedskeleton.
"Wow...!"Icouldn'thelpbutwhisperoutloud.IwishedthatTinywasstillconscioustoenjoythis.He'dhaveprobablylovedthis.
"Hellothere!"Iturnedaroundandnoticedawomansittingbehindacounterontheside.Thereceptionist,Iguess."WelcometotheNacreneCityMuseum!Wouldyouliketotakeatour?"Sheaskedwithabrightsmile.
"I""
"Ah!Wouldyoulikeatouraroundthemuseum?"Iturnedaroundandsawamanthathadbeenstandingbehindme.Heworeglassesandwasdressedinalabcoat."I'mHawes,oneofthecuratorsofthemuseum.Icouldtellyoueverythingyou'dliketoknowaboutthethingsondisplayhere."
Iopenedmymouth,preparedtoaskaboutthefamiliar-lookingskeletonthatwaspracticallythecenterpieceoftheroom,butchangedmymind.Itwasn'twhyIwashere,interestingasitwas."Actually,I'mlookingforsomeonewhocameinhere."Iturnedtothereceptionist."Didyouseeablondegirlcomeinhere?Shewaswearingabiggreenhat?"
"...Oh,yes!IbelieveshewalkedoffwithsomeboywhojustcamefrombattlingMissLenora!"MissLenora?Oh,right.JustlikehowtheStriatonGymalsodoubledasarestaurant,theNacreneCityGymwaspartofthelocalmuseum.SothatmeanttheboyshewanderedoffwithmighthavebeenBlack,comingbackfromhisgymbattle."IbelievetheywentintothewingthatholdstheexhibitsaboutthetimeoftheBlackandWhiteKingdoms."Shehandedmeapamphlet."Here.Youcanusethistofindyourway.Oh!Andifyoulike,wehavepurchasableaudiotoursrighthere!"
"N-no,thanks.I'mgoodwithjustthis.Thankyouverymuch,"IsaidasIturnedaround,walkinginthedirectionoftheexhibit.
X-X-X
ItravelledthroughtheexhibithallforminutesbeforeIsawBlackandBianca,standinginfrontofadisplaycase.Iwalkeduptothem,buttheyseemedtoobusywatchingwhateverwasinthere."Ihopeyoutwohadfunleavingmebehindlikethat,"Ispokeup,makingbothofthemjump.
"O-oh,it'sonlyWhite!"Biancasaid,lookingrelieved."Iwasworrieditwasthoserudeguysagain..."
"Youshouldbeworried!YoumetupwithBlackanddecidedtojustleavemebehind?I'mhurthere,Bianca."
"U-um,itwasn'tlikeImeanttoleaveyoubehind!Butyouweretakingsolongtogethere,andIwasboredofwaiting.ThenImetBlackandwegottotalking,andItoldhimwhatweweregonnado,andhesaidtherewasareallycoolexhibitandsaidthatitwouldn'ttakelong,soIsaid'sure'andIwentoffwithhim!"
"Wewereonlysupposedtobegoneforafewsecond!It'snotlikeweknewwhen
exactlyyouweregoingtocome,sowefiguredwecouldwastealittletime,y'know?"saidBlack.Iunderstood,butIcontinuedtofrown."Bytheway,Igotmysecondbadgeawhileago.Edwinperformedreallywellforhisfirstgymbattle."
"Edwin?"Iasked,archinganeyebrow.
"That'smyEevee'snewname."
"Edwin.It'snice."Blacksmiled.Iguesshewashappierthathesucceededinchangingthesubjectthaninmyapprovingofhisnamingchoice.Idecidednottopersistandlookedovertheirshoulders."So,what'rewelookingat?"Insideofaglasscase,Isawapairofsphere-shapedstonesthatwereroughlythesizeofPokéBalls.Onewasblack,theotherwaswhite,andbothseemedtoshineinanattractiveandalmostunnaturalway.Etchedintotheirsideswereimages."What'sthat?Somekindofjewelry?"
Blacklookedatadescriptionthatwasplacedabovetheexhibitcase."Accordingtothis,theyassumethattheseareexistingexamplesofornamentationfromthedayoftheBlackandWhiteHeroes.Theyfoundsimilar,moreexotic-lookingstonesthathadimagesofZekromandReshiramengravedinthem,butthesestoneswereinfarbetterconditionbeforebeingrestoredlikethis."
Istaredatthestonesforafewmoresecondsbeforespeakingup,"Thatremindsme:ImetNawhileago."
"Really?"
"He'swhyIwaslate."
"Hechallengedyoutoabattle,didn'the?"IstaredatmytwininsurpriseasInodded."Hechallengedme,too.SaidsomethingaboutwantingtohearmyPokémon'svoices."
"Didhecallyouclose-mindedandtellyouallabouthiscrazydreamaboutbecomingaheroandbefriendingthelegendarydragons?"
"Yup.Hesureisaninterestingguy,isn'the?"
Ifrowned."Interestingisn'twhatI'dcallhim..."SomeofthethingsIwantedtocallhimwerethesortsofthingsthatmadeachild'sparentwashtheirmouthoutwithsoap."Black,don'ttellmeyouactuallylikethatguy?"
Mybrotherscratchedhisheadandlookedaside."Well...oneofthebigthingsabout
journeyingthroughanentireregionisthatyou'llmeetlotsofdifferentpeople.Notallofthemaregoingtohavethesametrainofthoughtlikewedo."
BiancaandIstaredathiminsurprise."Wow,Black!Thatsoundedsomature,IthoughtyouwereCheren!"
"Idon'tknowwhetherthatwasaninsultoracompliment,butI'llignorethat..."
Atthatmoment,asharphissingnoisebegan.IjumpedatthenoiseasBlackandBiancabeganlookingaboutinconfusion.Eventually,thickblacksmokefilledthehallway.Icouldn'tmyhandsinfrontofmyfaceasIcoveredmynoseandmouth,tryingnottoinhaleanymoresmoke."What...theheck...ishappening?!"Ishoutedbetweencoughs.
"I-Idon'tknow!"IheardBlack'svoicefromsomewherebesideme."Let'strytogetoutofhere!Takemyhand!"
"How?!Ican'tevenseeit!"Isuddenlyfeltsomethingtouchmyshoulderandjumpedfromthecontact."AH!"
"Relax!It'sjustme!Bianca,trytograbholdofoneofus!"
"Okay."Afterafewseconds,IfeltwhatIassumedtobeBiancaholdingontomyarm."I'mready!"
"Good!Now,let's""Blackstoppedinmidsentencewhenweheardsomething:thesoundofapproachingfootsteps.Actually,itsoundedmorelikeastampede.
Ifeltmyselfbeingpushedasideintosomething"anexhibit,Iguess"anddowntothefloor.Iblindlyscrambledabout,tryingtogetoutofthewayofthemarchingfeet,andintheprocess,Iwoundupmakingseveralpeopletripandstumble.IfrozeasIfoundmyselfstaringupataknellingfigure.Theywerewearingagasmask,buttheiroutfitwasunmistakable:theuniformofTeamPlasma.BeforeIcouldreact,Ifeltsomethinghitmeinthehead,andIwasknockedout.
X-X-X
"...te...!...ite...!White!"IwokeuptothesightofBlackhoveringovermeandthefeelingofadullpaininmyhead."White!Oh,thankgoodnessyou'reokay!Ithoughtyouweredeadorsomething!"Dead?How'dyoujumptothatconclusion?"C-canyoustand?Ifit'snottoomuchtrouble,atleasttryandsitup."HehelpedmesitupandIstaredatthesightbeforeme.Metalstandsconnectedwithropehadbeenpusheddownandglasscaseshadbeensmashed,theexhibitsthey'dbeenblocking
offandprotectingallgone.
"Whattheheckhappened?"Imuttered,holdingahandtomyhead.
"Isn'titobvious?Theplacegotrobbed!"Mybrotherexclaimed."Canyoubelieveit?!Inbroaddaylight,too!"
"Where'sBianca?"Blackpointedbetweenapairofbrokendisplaycases.Biancawassittingdownwithasadexpression.
"Ithinkshe'supsetbecauseshedidn'tdoanything.Idon'tseewhy.Itmayhavebeendangerous.Peoplewhorobaplaceinthemiddleofthedayinsteadofinthedeadofnightusuallyaredangerous,aren'tthey?"
"No!Nothere,too!"Cameawoman'svoice.
"Huh?Honey,therearepeoplehere!"Saidaman.
"Hey,areyouokay?Noone'shurtoranythingserious?"
Black'seyeswidened."Oh!L-lenora!Imean,MissLenora!"Iturnedaroundtoseewhohewastalkingto.Irecognizedoneofthepeopleasthemanfromthefront,butthewomanwasanewface.Shewasdark-skinnedwithbluehairthatwasstyledintoanafroheldbackbyaredandwhiteband,dressedinawhiteblouseandbluebellbottompantswithsensibleshoes."No,we'reallokay."
"No,we'renot.Myheadhurts.OneofthoseTeamPlasmacreepsmusthaveknockedmeout...!"Ipointedout.
"Well,aheadache'snothingtocomplainabo"TeamPlasma?"Mytwinlookedatmeinconfusion."WherewasTeamPlasma?"
"Here!Isawoneofthemfromonthefloor!"
Lenorasteppedinfrontofme."Areyousure?"
"I'drecognizethatobnoxiouslybigPsymbolanywhere,"Imutteredflatly.
Thegymleadergroanedandslappedahandagainstherforehead."Ugh,Ifeellikesuchafool!Ididn'tthinktheywereathreatatall!Holdingtheirlittlepeprallyinfrontofthemuseum,thencominginsidetolookattheexhibit...Theywerecasingthejoint,thosedirtythieves!"Shehissed.
"Now,Lenora,Ididn'tthinkthey'dbecapableofsomethinglikethis,either.They
seemedliketypicalprotesterstome,"saidHawes."Thoughitisstrange.WhydoyouthinkpeopleprotestingcapturingPokémonwouldbotherrobbingamuseum?APokémonCenterwouldmakemoresense,wouldn'tit?"
"Whocares?!"Lenorasnapped."Theirreasonsdon'tmakeupforthefactthattheystolevaluableartifactsandpartofaPokémonskeleton!"
Blackblinked."Um...Askeleton?"
"I'msureyou'veseenit.Theskeletonondisplayinthehubofthemuseum,"Hawesexplained.
"...Oh!YoumeantheonethatkindalookslikeaDragonite,right?"
"Exactly!"Lenoraadded."AndIhavetogoandgetthemallbackbeforetheydoheaven-knows-whattothem!"
"Waitaminute!"Blackgotonhisfeet."I'llcomewithyou!Iwannahelpnabthosecrooks!"
"Yeah,me,too!"Ijoinedin.Istoodupandtouchedmyhead."Ineedtopaythembackforknockingmeoutthewaytheydid!"
"What?!No!"Biancafinallyspokeup."Youcan'tgoafterthem!It'stoodangerous!"
Igavetheblondegirlalookofconfusion."What'reyoutalkingabout,Bianca?We'vefoughtTeamPlasmabeforetogether,remember?"
"Yeah,butthatwasonlytwoofthem.Theoneswhostolefromthemuseumwerealotmore!Youguyscouldgethurt!"
"It'llbeokay!We'reusedtobattlingwithTeamPlasmabynow,andwe'vegotagymleaderonourside!"Blackreassuredher."Butifyouthinkit'stoodangerous,youcouldjuststayintown."
"Well...okay.Becareful,guys."
Lenorafoldedherarmsacrossherchest."Alrightthen.Hawes,youcontactedthepoliceandmadesuretheyblockedoffanywayoutoftown?"
"Well,they'veblockedofftheroadtoStriatonCity,andthey'vegotpeopletomakesuretheydon'tcrossthebridgetoCastelia."
"Goodenough.ThatmeanswecantrackthemdowninPinwheelForest."Icringed.
Notthatawfulplaceagain,sosoon!ThegymleaderlookedatBlackandI."YoutwogoprepupatthePokémonCenterandI'llmeetyouinsideoftheforest.It'sjustoutsideofthecity,pasttheoldrailways."Shethenranoff.
"You'dbetterdowhatshesays,"Hawessaid."Youdon'tknowhowstrongtheirPokémonare.It'dbegoodtoprepare."
"Goodluck..."Biancasaidinawarymanner,grippingthestrapofherbag.
X-X-X
Luckilyforus,peopleintownconfirmedthatTeamPlasmaranoutoftowncarryingbagsandaskull.Whenweenteredtheforest,Iwasonhighalertandextremelywary.Justlikebefore,IseemedtonoticeeveryPokémonpeekingoutfrombehindtreesandoutoftallgrassandbushes.IdidmybesttoforgetthatIevensawthemandfocusedonthetaskathand.WhenwejoinedupwithLenora,shewasstaringdownatthedirtroadwithalookofinterest.Uponnoticingus,shesmiled.
"Thereyoutwoare.Black...andWhite,right?"Shesaidwithasmile.
Iblinked."Yeah...How'dyouknowmyname?"
"Oh,yourbrothertoldmethathewasonajourneywithhissister,White,andsinceyoucalledtheothergirlBianca,itwaseasytofigureout."Ididn'tthinkBlackwouldjusttellpeopleheonlymetinadayaboutme,letalonesomeoneasimportantasthegymleader."Anyway,comelookatthis."Shepointeddownattheroad,wheretherewereimprintsoffootprintsinthedirt.Theproblemwasthattherewereseveral,someofwhichweren'tevenhuman-shaped.
BlackandIstaredatthefootprintsforafewsecondsbeforelookingatthearchaeologist."HowcanyoutellwhichonesbelongtoTeamPlasma?"Blackasked.
Shekneeledandpointatoneprint."Becausethey'restillfreshbyafewminutes,likethisone.Theresthavebeenherelongersincethey'redrierbycomparison.Unfortunately,thedirtbecomeslesssoftfurtherdownthepath,sowehavenoideaofwheretheyare."LenorapulledoutaPokéBallandreleasedaHerdier."MyHerdiercanhelpustrackthemdown."ShepettedthedogPokémon."Okay,girl,Ineedyoutohelpustrackdownsomethieves.Seethesefootprints?Theybelongtotheculprits."
"Saynomore!"TheHerdierspoke,andshestartedtosniffthefootprints.Shestartedtobarkandthenrandownthedirtroad.Weranrightafterheruntilsheskiddedtoastopattheforkintheroad."Phew!Ican'tsmellthemanymore.Justa
foulstench...!"
"ItseemsthatHerdiercan'ttrackthemanyfurther,"LenoratoldBlackandme."Ifyoustayontheroad,eventuallyyou'llbeledtotheexit.Butthere'salsoanaturepaththatleadsdeeperintotheforestbeforegoingbackontothemainpath.There'sachancethattheytookthatpathtotryandloseanyoneinpursuit."
"Well,what'rewewaitingfor?Let'sgoafterthem!"Iinsisted,psycheduptopaybackthosecreepsforeverythingtheydidtomerecently.Blacklookedatmeinconfusion,butsaidnothingaboutmyunnaturalbehavior.
"I'llgodownthesaferoadwhileyoutwotakethenaturepath.Nomatterwhichwaythey'regoing,I'msureoneofuswillbeabletocatchuptothem.Let'sgo,Herdier!"TheNacrenegymleaderexclaimedbeforesherandownthepath.
"Whydidshecallthisroad'thesafeway'?"Iaskednooneinparticular.
"Notimetowhine!Wegottamove!"Blackexclaimedasheranoffintothetallgrass.Afterafewsecondsofsteelingmyresolve,Iranafterhim.
X-X-X
ThatsteeledresolveIhadafewmomentsago?Gone.Completelyandutterly.InaplacelikePinwheelForest,wherePokémoncouldjumpoutfromjustaboutanybush,tree,orstream,thealreadyhighchanceofencounteringonewasevenhigherwhentravelingoff-road.Especiallywhenthe'safe'roadwasalongwayaway.
"White,couldyoupleasestopclutchingmyarmlikethat?"Blacklookedatmefromoverhisshoulder,grimacinginpain."You'recuttingoffthecirculationinit!"
"Noway!Ifsomethingpopsupandtriestokillus,you'regoingfirst!"Thatsoundedcowardlyandruthless,butwhenfearcontrolsaperson'smind,theymighttendtodocowardlyandheartlessthingssuchasmakingsuretheirtwindiedwiththem.
"Ugh,thisisnogood.I'dhatetosayit,butwemightbelost..."
"Whydidyousaythat?!Why?!Itwasbadenoughthatwe'reouthere,easypreyforanyhungrypredator,butnowyou'resayingwe'relost?!"
"C-calmdown!Imeantthatwe...might'velostTeamPlasma!"
Igripedmybrother'sarmeventighter,makinghimcringe."Don'ttrytosalvageyourcomment,you...!"
"Ow,ow,ow!Seriously,stopthat!Youmightbreakaboneorsomething!"Somethingrustledinthebushes,causingbothofustoquietdown.Afterafewtenseseconds,severalbug-likePokémoncrawledout.Theywereofvaryingsizes,thebiggestnobiggerthanmyfoot.Theyhadbigyellowheadscoveredwithleafyhoodsandsmallgreenbodies.Theywentbyusinaline,notsayinganythingastheyalldisappearedintoanothersetofbushes.Allexceptforthelastone,whostoppedandlookedupatuswithitsbeadyblackeyes,wigglingitslittleorangesnoutandshowingoffitstinywhitefangs.
Inaninstant,BlackhadhisPokédexout."Sewaddle,theSewingPokémon.ABug/Grasstype.Itmakesclothesforitselfbychewingupleavesandsewingthemtogetherwiththeirstickythread.They'repopularamongfashiondesignersforthis."HestaredattheSewaddlebeforestartingtosmile."ItlookslikethesortofPokémonBiancawouldcatchjust'cuzit'scute."Sure,itlookscute...untilittearsusapart.EventinyBugtypePokémonwerecapableofkillinghumansliketheywere...well,bugs.
TheSewaddlecrawledovertoourfeetandbegantopokeBlack'sshoewithitsfangs."EEEEE!Getitaway,getitaway,getitaway!"Irepeatedquicklyoverandover,shakingmyhead.
"Hey,littleguy.You'regonnagetleftbehindifyoustayhere,"Blacksaidashegotdownandstartednudgingthebugaway.Asifrealizingwhathehadsaid,theSewaddleturnedaroundandhurriedlycrawledaway.Blackstoodupandbegantolookthoughtful."Y'know,nowIwannacatchaSewaddle.Whataboutyou?"
"Wedon'thavetimeforcatchingPokémon!WeneedtofindTeamPlasma!"Ihissed.IstiffenedasIstartedtohearvoices"What'sthat?Morelittlecreepycrawliescomingouttoplay...?"Isaidwithahintofawhine.
"Iheardit,too.Itsoundslikepeople...Maybeit'sTeamPlasma!"
Wegotonourkneesandcrawledintothebushes,tomydismay.WepeeredthroughtheleavesandsawfourPlasmaGruntsrestingontheground.Nexttothemwasthedragonskeleton'sskullandthreesacks.
"Whoknew...anemptyhead...couldbesoheavy...?"TheonlyfemaleGruntpantedasshefannedherself.
"Youwouldn'thavehadtocarryitthewholewayifyoubroughtabagliketherestofus,"saidoneofthemen.
ThefemalePlasmamembergrittedherteeth,saying,"Iassumedtheonlythingwe
wouldbetakingwastheskull."
"ItwasalastminutedecisionbySageGorm.Hebelievessomethingamongtheseartifactswillhelptheking."
"Ugh...!Iwishhehadn'tmadethatdecision...!Thenmaybeyouguyswouldseejusthowfreakingheavythisthingis!"
"Whenwemeetupwiththesage,he'llhavemoremenwithhim.Havethemhelpyoucarrytheload."Whilethethreemengotupandgottheirstolenpossessions,thewomanfailedatpickinguptheskull."Stopdawdling!Wecan'tkeepourcomradeswaiting."
"Urrrrgh!Youguys...don'tknowhowheavythisthingis!I'mstillexhausted!Willoneofyouguysatleasthelpmeout?"
Themanwhoactedliketheleaderofthegrouplookedatanother,younger-lookingman."Helphercarryit."
"Huh?Me,s-sir?"Hestuttered,lookingnervous.
"Isawwhatyoutook.Itwasonlyapairofstones.Justput'eminyourpocketandhelpherout."
"Um...Okay..."
"HOLDIT!"Blackshoutedaswegotoutofthebushes."We'retakingthatskullbackandtakingyouin,Plasmids!"
"AH!"ThePlasmagruntsdroppedthestolenartifactsinsurprise.
"Youmorons!Ifwecrackit,wecouldbepunished!"Theleadershouted."You!"Hepointedatthelonefemale."Keep'embusywhilewegettothemeetingspot!"
Whiletheoldermenbeganpickinguptheskull,theyoungercried,"B-butwhatabouttherestofthisstuff?!"
"Yeah,Ithoughttheywereimportant,too!"Saidthewoman.
"Theskullisofgreaterimportancetous.Justpickitupwhenyou'refinishedwiththesechildren!"Andthentheysprintedoffsurprisinglyfast,theyoungerrunningbehindthem.
ThewomanheldoutapairofPokéBalls."Alright.Listen,youkids!TeamPlasma
fightsforthefreedomofPokémon!"Inaflashoflight,apairofPokémonappeared.OnewasaTrubbish,asmallgreenPokémonwithabodythatlookedlikeanoldtrashbagtiedupintoabunny-earedknotandtinyarmsthatresembledrefuse,theotherwasinterestinglyenoughaGrimer,whichwasessentiallyalivingpileofdrippingsludge.Bothspecieswerebornfromgarbageandwaste,weredangerouslypoisonous,andwereusuallyaremindernottopolluteandlitter.Thesecondsimilaritywaswhatmademeshudder."We'llliberateyourPokémonandsparethemanymorepain!"
"Saveyourlittlespeech!"ItookouttwoofmyownPokéBallsandlookedtoBlack."What'reyouwaitingfor?Goaftertheoneswhoranaway!"
"What?I'mnotgonnaleaveyouhereallalone!"
"I'llbefine.Theskullisthemainpriority,right?"
"...Right.Justbecareful,White!"Blackshoutedasheranpasttheyoungwoman.
"What?!W-wait!I'llgetintrouble,youstupid...!Ugh!Begratefulthatmykingsaidwecan'tusePokémontohurtpeople,oryou'dbothbesorry!"Thefemalegruntgrowled."AsmuchasIhatetodothis,I'llusemyPokémontosetyoursfreefromyourtyranny!"
"Mytyranny?Youjustsaidthatifitweren'tforyourso-calledking,you'dmakeyourPokémonkillme!"Inaflashoflight,IreleasedTinyandEve.
"Yaaaay!Themuseum!I""Evestoppedandtookalookaround."...Thisisaforest!Where'sthemuseum?"
"Notimetoexplain.Apprehendingcriminals.Ineedyourhelp!"Iprobablyspokequickly.
"Ewww...!Thoseguyslookallgrossandyucky.Theyneedabath..."TheEeveecommented,earningherselfaglarefromthepairofPoisontypes.
"Chu...!"Tinycried,lookingupset.MaybehewasrememberingwhathappenedthelastcoupleoftimesweranintoTeamPlasma.
"I'msosorry,dearlittleones,butjusticesometimeshurts!"Thefemalegruntproclaimed."GrimerandTrubbish,useSludge!"Atthesametime,herGrimerandTrubbishtookdeepbreathsandspewedoutpurplesludge.Ididn'thavetotellthemtododge"TinyandEveweresmartenoughtorealizethatthestuffwasdangerousanddartedoutoftheway.Whenithittheground,thegrassturnedblackand
witheredandthepoisonmixturemadeasmall,butdeep-lookinghole.
"Tiny,useThunderShockonGrimer!Eve,useQuickAttackonTrubbish!"Icommanded.TinyunleashedajoltofelectricityontheSludgePokémonwhileEvedashedforwardandtackledintotheTrashBagPokémon.
"Grimer,useMudSlap!"ThePlasmagrunt'sGrimershovedagrimyhandintothedirtandthrewclumpsofslime-coveredmudatEveandTiny.Theclumpshit,effectingthePichumorethanitdidtheEevee."Trubbish,useDoubleSlap!"Athercommand,theTrubbishbegansmackingEveinthefaceseveraltimes.
"Tiny,useThunderShockonTrubbish!"TinyranuptothePoisontypeandjumpedontoit.HischeekscrackledwithelectricitybeforeheshockedtheTrubbish.TheTrubbishthrashedaboutuntilitmanagedtothrowthePichuoffandintoarock."Eve,Tackle!"Withagrowl,EverammedintotheTrubbishwithenoughforcetoknockitout.
"No,Trubbish!"ThePlasmawomancriedout.ShesoundedlikesheactuallycaredthatherPokémonhadbeenknockedout."You...!Howcouldyoubesobrutal?MyPokémonweren'teventrainedforbattling!"Thenwhyevenchallengemetoabattle?
"Ifyoudon'twannafight,justgiveupandsaveyourPokémonthepain,"Istated.
"...Nobody'shere,"thegruntwhisperedjustloudenoughformetohear."Noonewouldratonme.Andit'sforthegreatergood..."IfeltuneasyasshestaredatherTrubbish'sPokéBall."Forthegreatergood...!Grimer!UseDisableonthem!"
TheGrimertookadeepbreathandtighteneditsslimyhandsinconcentration.Itseyesbegantoglowwithanunsettlingyellowlight.
"Whaaaaat?"EvedronedassheandTinystaredattheGrimer."...Nn!Ican't...move!White,help!"
"Ch-chuuu!M-m-mommy...!"Tinycriedout.
"Thegirl,too!"
"What?!Youcan'tdo"!"MysentencewasstoppedwhentheGrimerlookedmeintheeye.Ifeltmybodystiffenupasthefeelingofuneasebecamefull-blownfearofthePlasmamember."Wh-whatareyoudoing?!"
"IamdoingthisforthegoodofUnova'sPokémon.FortheidealsofTeamPlasma!
Grimer,usePoisonGasonallofthem!Includingthegirl!"
HerPokémonseemedtodoadoubletake."Huh?But,uh...she's...justahuman..."Itprobablywasn'tmeanttobeaninsult.Pokémoncouldendureeachother'sattacksbetterthanahumancould.WhileitwouldtakeawhileforpoisontokillaPokémon,itcouldkillanormalhumanbeingevenquicker.AnotherlogicalreasonforanyhumantofearPokémon.
"Don'tlookatmelikethat!She'sabadperson,thesortthatTeamPlasmaistryingtostopfromhurtinganymorePokémon!Shehastobedoneawaywithforthegreatergood."
"Well...alright...":AstheGrimerbegantobreatheoutathickplumeofpurplegas,IwantedtosayhowkillingwasfarfromgoodandhowshewasjustmakingherPokémonamurdererorworse,justaweapon.Orcryandpleadformylife,maybeforBlackandMom.Orscreamloudlyandhopesomeonewouldcomeandsaveme.Butthemomentthatthesmokeenteredmynoseandmylungs,myvisionwentblurryandIstartedtocoughviolently.MyfrozenbodyfelloverandIfelttheurgetothrowup.Wasthistheend?IavoideddeathatthehandsofaferociouswildPokémonasakid,andnowI'mgoingtobekilledonacrazy,hypocriticalcriminal'scommand.
"I'm...sorry..."Icoughedout,staringatTinyandEve.IfeltmyeyeswaterupwithtearsbeforeIfellunconscious.
X-X-X
Iwasalone,lostinaforestthatseemedsomuchmoredarkandfrighteningwhentherewasnosunoutornoisefromwildPokémon.Italsoseemedtogetcolder.Atsomepoint,Iwasabletoseemybreathintheformofmist.Anyothertime,I'dhavethoughtittobecool,butatthatmoment,allIwantedwastoleaveandgohome.I'devenenduremyparents'scoldingifitmeantbeingwarminmyhouse.
Iheardanoisethatmademejump.Itwasthesoundoffoliagebeingshifted.Soon,Icouldseeshapesmovingtowardsme.Whentheygotcloser,IsawthattheywereDeerlingsandSawsbucks.Itriedtowavehelloandaskforhelp,buttheyranrightpastme,justlikeeveryotherPokémonImet.TrailingafterthemwasalimpingDeerlingwhosefallcoatwascoatedwithfrost.Despiteitspoorstate,itlookedlikeitwaslimpingasquicklyasitcouldinthedirectionoftheothers.
"Hey.Hey!"IgrabbedholdoftheDeerling'sneck,tryingtomakeitstop,butitjustdraggedmealonguntilIstartedwalkingwithit."Canyouhelpmeout?I'mlostandI""IstoppedwhenIrealizedthattheDeerlingwasmutteringtoitself.
"Havetorun!Havetorun!Iwanttolive!Idon'twanttodie!Iwanttolive!"
"What's...thematter?"
"It'scoming.Havetohideorwe'lldie.Havetohideorwe'lldie.There'snobeatingit.Can'tletitseeme.
"What'reyoutalkingabout?"
Atthatmoment,aloudroarsoundedthroughouttheforest.Frostseemedtocoverthegroundandthetreesattheverynoise.IfellbackinsurpriseandtheDeerlinglimpedoffwithrenewedvigor.Iwastoosurprisedbythenoisetonoticethatitwasnowgone.IgotontomyfeetandobservedthenewlymadefrostbeforeIsawashadowmovinginthedarkness.Somethinglargeandheavyenoughtomakethegroundshakeasitmoved.IhidbehindatreeandcoweredasIheardthefootstepscomecloserandcloser...
X-X-X
"White.White."Thatwasavoice.
Istruggledtoopenmymouthtospeak,"Isthatyou...God?"Iopenedmyeyes.It'sfunnyhowGodlookedlikeNwithaZoruaperchedonhisshoulder.
...Waitaminute.
"N?AmIdead?Isthis...thebadplace?Ismypunishmenttohavetodealwithyoufortherestofmyafterlife?What'dIdotodeservethis?"Lookingdown,IsawTinyandEvestandingnexttome."You'rehere,too?Oh,youguysdon'tdeservethissortofpunishment!"
"White!You'realive!"Eveexclaimed.
"Yay!"Tinycheered.
Isniffledandcouldn'tstopthetearswellingupinmyeyes.BeforeIknewit,Iwashuggingthembothinmyarmsandsobbinghysterically.Thatwasmyfirsttrueneardeathexperienceinyears,andtheyalmostdiedalongwithme.AsmuchasitwasthePlasmawoman'sfault,Icouldn'thelpbutfeelpartiallyresponsible.LikeifIwasabettertrainer,noneofthiswould'vehappened.
"Stop,stop!You'resqueezingthelifeoutofme!"IdidastheEeveesaidandletthembothgo,thoughTinyjumpedontomyshoulderandcontinuedrubbinghischeek
againstmyface.Evebegantofrown,thoughitstillmanagedtolookcuteonher."DarnthatcreepandhersmellyPokémon!IfNdidn'tcomealong,you'dhaveprobablydied!Forthatmatter,socouldwe!"
"...I'msorryforthat."Ibowedmyheadinapology."IfIwasabettertrainer,Iwould'vebeenabletostopherbeforeshedidthat.
"CorrectmeifI'mwrong,butasviciousandcruelasPokémonbattlescanbe,orderingthemtoattackanopposingtrainer,letalonekillingthem,isconsideredillegal,"Nspokeup,remindingmeofhispresence."Betweenthetwoofyou,shewastheworsttrainerbecausesheusedaPokémonasifitwereaweapon.HowsuchavilewomanwasabletojoinTeamPlasma,Idonotknow."
Istaredathimwithhalf-liddedeyes."...I'mokay,too,bytheway.Despitebeingpoisoned.It'samiracleI'mnot.MaybeI'vegotamoredurablebodythanIthought."
Nlookeddownatme."Itwasn'tamiracle.Imerelyaskedsomeofmyfriendswholivehereforhelp."
"Friends.Asin...Pokémon.WildPokémon."IthoughtabouthavingwildPokémonclosetomybody,doingwho-knows-what.Isuppressedashudderoffear.
"PetililandPansagehelpedtocureyouofyourpoisoning.AndAudinomadesurethatyouwouldbeokay,"Nfurtherexplained.
"Andtheydidthis...becauseyouaskedthem."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Becausethey'remyfriends."
"No,Imeantwhydidyouaskthemtohelpme?"
Ntiltedhisheadtothesideabit,hiseyesshowingconfusion."BecauseIwantedtohelpyou."
"Why?"
"Becauseyouwerepoisoned."
Igroanedandburiedmyfaceinmyhands."That'snotwhatImeant!Imeant...don'tyouhateme?Hatetrainerslikeme?Evenifyou'reagainstpeopleusingPokémonto
killotherpeople,surelyyouwouldn'tcareifanotherawfultrainerjustdied...wouldyou?"
"...I'dcareifyoudied."Ijuststaredinconfusion."Icanhonestlysayyou'reoneofthefewtrainersIgenuinely...like."Istaredindisbelief.Ifhetreatedsomeonehelikedlikehehasme,Iwonderhowhe'dspeaktosomeonehedidlike?OrwouldhejusttreatthemlikehedidBiancaandjustignorethem?"Ifyoudied,thatPokémonwouldhavetolivewiththeguiltofwhatthatwomanmadehimdo.Andit'dbeashameifyoudiedbeforeIcouldconvinceyou."Forsomeoddreason,Icouldunderstandkeepingmealivetofurtherpushhisidealsontomebetterthandoingsojustbecausehelikedme.
"SpeakingofthatTeamPlasmamember,where'dshego?"Istoodupandlookedaround.Thesacksofstolenartifactsandthepairofblackandwhitestoneswereontheground,justlikebefore,buttherewasnotraceofthatcrazywoman."DidsherunawaywhileIwaspracticallyonthevergeofdeath?"
"Isentheraway,"Nbegan,"AfterIcriticizedherandtookherPokémonawayfromher.I'llfreetheminaplacesuitableforthem."
"Sentheraway?!She'sacriminal!SheandabunchofotherTeamPlasmamembersstolethatstufffromthemuseuminNacreneCity."Ipickedupthestonesandslippedthemintomybag,thenIpickedupthesacks.Iwasfortunatethatthestuffinsidewasrelativelylight,butIhadtomakesureIdidn'taccidentallybreakanything."Whatever.I'vegottofindBlack.Bye!Comeonguys."
Iranoff,suddenlyfearingforBlack'ssafety.Ifoneofthosecreepswasdrasticenoughtoconsidermurder,imaginewhatitwouldbelikeifitwasthreeagainstone?
X-X-X
Idon'tknowwhyIwassoworried.BythetimeIcaughtupwithBlackhewasorderinghisPokémontodealthefinishingblowonthethreePlasmagrunts'Pokémon.WhentheirPokémonwasknockedout,heproclaimed,"Nowgivebacktheskull!Ifyoudo,youprobablywon'tbepunishedtoohard."
"Whatpartof'No'don'tyouunderstand,youinsufferablebrat?!"OneofthegruntsshoutedasheshookafistatBlack."Besides,whyshouldwehavetobepunished?!We'redoingsomethinggreatthatteenagersaretooyoungtocomprehend!"
"Oh,wecancomprehendit.That'swhywe'resoagainstyoucrooks!"Iexclaimed.
Blacklookedbackatme."White!Yougotbacktherestofthestuff!"Ionlynodded.I
didn'twanttotellhimaboutmynear-deathexperience.
"Argh!Canwepleasedealwithhimwithextremeprejudice?"Anothergruntcomplained.
"DoyouknowwhathappenedtothelastpersonwhotriedtopurposelyhurtsomeonewithaPokémon?Anditwasn'tevenfatal!SageGormwouldkillusifweactuallykilledthem!"Iarchedaneyebrowatthat.Theguywhotheyseeminglyreportedtowasagainstthissortofthing,buttheywerewillingtodoit?Itseemedsooff.
"W-well,whatdowedo?!'Thethirdgruntcried.
"We...RUN!"ThePlasmatrioshoutedastheystartedtorunthroughalargehollowtreethatseemedtohavefallen.
"You'vegottaadmit:iftheyweren'tbadguys,theycouldbeathletes!"Blacksaidbeforewestartedtorunafterthem.HelookedupatValentine,whowasflyingoverhead."Val!Gopeckthatguyinthebackonthehead!"
Valentinesuddenlyflewfarther,towardsthePlasmagruntthatwascarryingtheskullfrombehind.Shelandedonhisheadandstartedtopeckthemanfiercely.
"AHH!Getoffofme,you...!"ThegruntshoutedbeforehefinallydroppedtheskullandshooedthePidoveaway,causinghiscomradestofallforwardandlandontheirfaces.Theybothgotupandglareddaggersathim."Um...The...thePidove...!"
"Thereyouare,youthieves!"ThegruntsjumpedandturnedaroundtoseeLenorarunningtowardsthemwithHerdierbyherside."Ifyousomuchasscratchedthatskull,I'llstopactingciviltowardsyouandknockyourblocksoff!"
JustasthePlasmamembersbeganshudderinginfear,avoicecalledout,"Greetings,fellowfollowersofourking!"Weallturnedaroundtoseeanoldmanwithamustachewalkingtowardsus.Hewasdressedinfunny-lookingrobesandahatfollowedbyadozenorsoPlasmamembers.
"Oh,thankheavens!It'sSageGorm!"Allofthegruntsexclaimed,salutingtheoldman."Sir!We'veretrievedthedragonskullforyou,sir!"
"Iamafraidtosaythatyoureffortswerefornaught,"theman,SageGorm,said,seemingratherregalashedid."Sadly,itwouldappearthattheskullisunrelatedtoourgoals.Norisanythingwithinthemuseum."
"So...weenduredallofthatfornothing?"Oneofthegruntsmutteredastheywalkedawayfromtheskullandtowardstheircomrades.
"Excuseme?!Youcan'tjustwalkawaylikenothinghappened!"Blackshoutedatthem."Atleastsayyou'resorry,oldman!"
"HowdareyoutalktoSageGormlikethat,youlittlebrat?!"Oneofthegruntsbehindthesageshouted.
"HowelseamIsupposedtotalktoaguyfromagroupwho'sactedthewayyouhave?!StealingPokémon,stealingfrompeople...evensayingthatyou'dkillpeople!Allforagoalthat'ssupposedtobepeaceful!"Blackclenchedhisteethandbegantoglare."Just...JUSTWHODOYOUTHINKYOUARE,HUH?!"
ThegruntswereabouttospeakupwhenGormheldupahandtostopthem."IamGorm,oneoftheSevenSagesofTeamPlasma.ItisourdutytohelpthekingofTeamPlasmaliberatethePokémonofUnova,beitwithwordsorwithforce."
Icouldn'ttakeitanymore.IpickedarockupoffthegroundandclenchedittightlybeforeIthrewitatGorm.But,tomydismay,thegruntsweresoloyalthatoneranoutinfrontofhimtotryandcatchtherock...andgothitinthefaceinstead.Iflookscouldkill,thegrunts'glarescouldkillme,andminewouldkillthemalltentimesover."Whatacrock!Ifyoucan'tconvincepeopletogiveuptheirPokémon,thenyou'lltearthemapart?Youthinkthatcallingwhatyoudo'righteous'and'justice'makesitokayandexcuseswhatyoudo?Itdoesn't!"
Lenoragrabbedmyshoulderandpulledmeback,steppingforwardinmyplace."Whatyou'redoingisn'tliberation.It'sstealing,plainandsimple.Goodintentionsdon'texcusecrimes,andneitherdoessimplygivingbackwhatyou'vestolenbecauseyouchangedyourmind!ThoughI'mnotevensureyourintentionsaregood,either..."
SageGormnarrowedhiseyes."Saywhatyouwill,GymLeaderLenora,butweshallstealfromtrainerstogivetheirPokémonthefreedomtheydeserve!WewillnottolerateitifyouoranyoneassociatedwiththePokémonLeagueinterfereswithourgoals.Otherwise,wewillbeforcedtouseextrememeasures.AndthoughIwillnotlikeit...Iwilltolerateittohelpaccomplishourgoals."Severalgruntspulledoutsmallblackballsandthrewthemtotheground,causingthemtoburstandreleasethicksmoke.Bythetimethesmokecleared,TeamPlasmahaddisappeared.
"Darn.Theygotaway..."Blackmuttered.
"Theycertainlydoseemfasttorun,"saidLenora."I'llhavetonotifytheotherGym
Leadersaboutwhathappened...andperhapstherestofthePokémonLeague.TeamPlasmamightbemoreseriousthanjustabunchofpassionateprotesters."Shelookedatthetwoofusandsmiled."Thankyouforyourhelp.Eveniftheydecidednottostealeverythingagain."
"But...theyranaway.Wedidn'tevencatchone,"Igrumbled.
"Yougotthemuseum'sartifactsbackforme.That'senoughtoearnmythanks.So,thinkyoucouldhelpmesomemoreandhelpmecarrythisback?"Lenoraasked,pointingdownattheskull.
"O-oh!Sure!I'llhelp.IfthosethreePlasmagoonscouldcarryitwhilerunning,Ishouldbeabletocarryitalonewhilewalking,"Blacksaid,flexinghisimaginarymuscles.
"Youdon'thavetodoitalone!I'lljustcalloutsomeofmyPokémontohelp."
"It'sokay!Ican...hrrrrgh!"Blackattemptedtopickitupbyhimselfandfailed.
Kaitosighed."Youcan'tdoanythinglikethisonyourown."Hewalkedoverandtriedtohelppickitup,butevenhisaddedstrengthdidn'tgetthatskullaninchofftheground.
Ishookmyhead."Cutoutthemachoactandlet'sgetoutofherealready...!"
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Notes!
PremierBallsareactuallynobetterthanPokéBalls.Youcan'tbuythemwheneveryouwantin-game,butrathergetthemasabonusforbuying10PokéBallsatoncefromaPokéMart.
TympolelearnsMudSportviabreeding.TimburrlearnsRockSmashandFlingviaTM.
EdwinisOldEnglishandmeans"richfriend".
Inthegames,DisableonlymakesaPokémonunabletouseitslastusedmove.Intheanimeandthemanga,itshowntomakethetargetincapableofmoving.
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RemembertoreviewforBluandPichu!
Chapter9
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownPokémonoranyofitscharacters.SheonlyownsthepersonassheattachestootherwisesilentcharacterandPokémon,andthisstory.
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~ABasicGymBattle!~
OR
~VSTheArchaeologistwithBackbone!~
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AfterhelpingLenorareturnthemuseum'sstolenartifacts,Black,Bianca,CherenandIweresittinginsideofaboothintheNacrenePokémonCenter'scafeteria.
"Biancacalledmetosaywhathappened.Iwastrainingontherouteoutsideofthecity.Ifyouguyshadjustcalledme,Icould'vehelped,"Cherensaidwithafrownashefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.
Blackhuffedandleanedbackintothecushion."IthoughtyouwerealreadyonyourwaytoCasteliaCity.ItriedcallingyoubeforeIleftforthegymthismorning,butIdidn'tgetthrough."
"IturnedoffmyXtransceiversoIwouldn'tbedisturbedwhileIwastraining."
"Thenyoushouldn'tcomplainaboutmynotcallingyou!"
"Youonlycalledonce!Intimesofemergency,peopleusuallycallmorethanonce!"
"Itwouldn'tmatter,anyway,becauseyouwouldn'thavebeenabletopickitupintime!"
"Youcould'veatleasttried!"
Biancapouted."I'msorry!MaybeifI'dcalledyouearlier,you'dhavebeenabletohelpthem,andmaybeyou'dhavebeenabletocatchTeamPlasma!"
BlackandCherenstoppedarguingandbegantolooksheepish."No,it'snot!"Theybothsaid.
"Yeah,thoseguysjustdisappearedintothinair.Havingonemoreguywouldn'thavemadeadifference."IgaveadisgruntledsighasIrealizedthis."Ireallyhopesomeonedealswiththoseguyssoon.Thisjourney'sterrifyingenoughwithoutpeoplelikethempoppingupallover..."
"Ifwhatyousaidistrue,thegymleaderswillbetakingactionagainstTeamPlasmanow.MaybeeventheEliteFourandtheChampioniftheyattempttoharmorkillevenmorepeopleonpurpose,"Cherenexplained."ThemisuseofPokémonisthesortofthingthatthePokémonLeaguetriestostampout.
Blacklookeddownsadly."Ijustdon'tunderstand...Howcanguyslikethatsaywhatthey'redoingisforthegoodofallPokémon?"
"Inallhonesty,Ithinkit'sbecauseofthosementheyfollow,likeGhetsis."
Ilookedathiminconfusion."Youknowabouthim?"
"IwasunfortunateenoughtohavecaughtalittlerallyhegavewhenhewentthroughStriatonCity.EventhoughhetoldpeopletogiveuptheirPokémon,alotofthemlistenedtohimbecausehecameoffasso...trustingandcaringabouttheplightsofPokémon."Heglareddownatthetableandclenchedhisfist."AcharismaticpersonlikethatcouldprobablyconvincepeopletojoinTeamPlasmaandcommitthoseheinousactsbecauseit'sforthegreatergood."ThosewordsremindedmeofthewomanwhoalmostkilledmeandIshuddered.
"Um..."Biancawrungherhandstogether."Canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?I...don'twannathinkaboutTeamPlasmaanymorethanIhaveto..."
"Ofcourse."Cherenlookedatme."So,White,Blacktoldmeyou'rechallengingthePokémonLeagueaswell.Ididn'tthinkyouwereeveninterestedinbecomingthechampionaswell."
"I-Idon'twannabecomethechamp!I'monlychallenginggymssoIcanbeexposedtodifferenttypesofPokémonandtrainmyownsotheycanevolve,"Iexplained."It'sarecentlyaddedpartofmygoalthatwasaddedbyBlack."IglaredatmybrotherasIsaidthis.
"Butit'llhelp!I'msureitwill!BattlinghelpsbringtrainersandPokémonclosertogether!"Blackspokecheerily."Sodon'tyouthinkyoushouldchallengeLenorabeforeweleave?"
Iarchedaneyebrow."Idon'tthinkshe'llacceptachallengewhenhermuseum'sjustbeenrobbed."
"Well,youdon'tknow.Besides,thegymisn'tlocatedanywherenearthepartsofthemuseumthatwererobbed.It'sinthelibraryallthewaytotheback."
"Ididn'tthinkmuseumshadlibraries."Istaredupattheceilinginthoughtbeforenodding."Alright.I'llgoandseeifLenorawouldn'tmindacceptingachallengertoday."
"What'severyoneelsegoingtobedoing?"Biancaasked.BlackandCherenexchangedheatedlooks.Itwasobviousthatbattlingeachotherwasontheirminds."Well,I'mgoingtocheckouttherestofthemuseum!IstillwannafindsomethingthatmighthelpProfessorJuniperwithherresearch!"
CherenbrokeoffhisstaringcontestwithBlacktogiveBiancaapointedlook."Youknowthatifit'salreadyinthemuseum,theprofessoralreadyknowsaboutit,right?"
"W-well,Istillwannatrytolearnsomething!"
"Okay.It'syourjourney,youcandowhatyouwant."Thedark-hairedboylookedatme."Bytheway,White,youmightwannagobeforenightfalls.Gymsdon'tstayopenallday,andthesooneryoubattleLenora,thesooneryoutwocangettoCasteliaCity."Ah.Sohe'sjustrushingmesohewon'thavetowaitsolongforBlacktogethisnextbadge."Also,LenorausesNormaltypePokémon.They'reweakagainstFightingtypemoves,immunetoGhosttypemoves,andcanbetaughtattacksofvarioustypes,soyoushouldbewary."
"Thankyou,teacher.I'msogratefulthatIhaveyoutoteachme,"Ispokesarcastically.
"I'mjusttryingtohelp.Evenifyoudon'tcareaboutbeatingthePokémonLeague,itdoesn'tmeanyoushouldn'tgiveityourbest."
"Cheren'sright.Besides,ifyoulose,yourPokémon'llfeelbad.Youwouldn'twantthat,wouldyou?"Blackasked.
"Ofcoursenot!"Ididn'twanttobeaworsetrainerthanIprobablyalreadywas...
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Minuteslater,IenteredtheNacreneMuseum.TheexhibitabouttheBlackandWhiteHeroeshadbeenclosedoff,buttheskeletonwasstillinthesameplace,itsskullbackinitsproperplace.
"Hellothere!Ifyou'dlikeatouraroundthemuseum,I'mafraidoneoftheexhibits
hasbeen...Oh!It'syou!"IturnedaroundandnoticedHawesstandingnexttome."Haveyoucometotakeanotherlookaround?"
"Actually,IwaswonderingifLenorawasacceptingchallengersforagymbattle.Ifsheisn't,I'llunderstand."Shemight'vebeenbusydoingsomesortofcuratorbusinessorcleaningupTeamPlasma'smess...orsimplyinabadmood.
Hawessmiledbeforehenodded."She'sgoneandhiddenherselfinthebackofthemuseum.Abattlemightbejustthethingshecouldusetoblowoffsomesteam."Hopefullyherneedtoblowoffsteamwouldn'tleadtomegettinghopelesslythrashed."Thegymisattheendofthathallwayoverthere."Hepointedovertotheonlyhallwaywhosewallsweren'tdecoratedwithsomesortofartifact.TheonlythingtherewasasignthatwasemblazonedwithaPokéBallsymbolandprobablysaidthattheNacreneGymwasthatway.
"Thankyou,"IsaidwithaslightnodbeforeIstartedwalking.
"Wait!"IalmoststumbledatthesoundofHawes'sraisedvoice."IreallymeantitwhenIsaidthatLenora'sgoneandhiddenherselfaway.You'llhavetosearcharoundifyouwanttofindandchallengeher."
"...Seriously?"Isighed.Isn'ttherearulethatGymLeaderscanbechallengedatanytime?Wasn'thidingherselfawayjustcheatingandavoidinghavingtogiveawaybadges?MaybeI'mjustoverthinkingthings.
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WhenIenteredthepartofthemuseumthatwasconsideredtheNacreneGym,mymouthopenedabitinawe.I'dwalkedintoalargeroomwithrowsoflongbookshelves.Itlookedlikeabookworm'sdream.MaybeitwasagoodthingBiancadidn'tcome,sincethisseemedintimidatingeventome"andIspentalargeamountofmyyoungschooldayshidinginthelibrary.Thelibrarybackhomewasn'tevenhalfasbigasthisone.Icouldevenseeasecondfloor,filledwithmorebooks!"AndI'mexpectedtofindapersoninallofthis?"Ifoundmyselfspeakingoutloud.
"Chuuu...!"Afamiliaryellowheadpokedoutofmybagandlookedupatme."Mommy!"Heclimbedupmyarmandontomyshouldertonuzzleagainstmycheek."Chu~!"
"Heythere.Areyoureadytotakeonagym?"Tiny'sattentionwasdivertedtooursurroundings."It'sinalibrarythistime.Thisplacehasgottonsofbooks.Ifyouwereinterestedinreading...orcouldread...I'dtrytofindyousomethingwhilewesearch."ThePichutuggedatmyhairandpointedatsomethingnearby.Itwasasignonone
ofthecountersneartheentrancethatread'ForchallengersoftheNacreneGym'andhadanarrowpointingatapileofbooksnexttoit.Iwalkedovertothecounterandpickedupthebook."'Nicetomeetyou,Pokémon'"Ipronouncedoutloud.Itlookedlikeachildren'sbook.Ilookedaround.Nobodyelsewasthere,itseemed.WasIexpectedtojustreadit?Istartedtoleafthroughthepagesquickly,occasionallyreadingpassagestoTiny,whoseemedtolikethebookanditsillustrations.Tosumitup,itwasastoryaboutalittleboywhomadefriendswithaPatrat.Onthelastpagewasapieceofpaperwithamessage:
"Hello,PokémonTrainer!IamLenora,theGymLeaderoftheNacreneCityGym!I'mhiddensomewhereinthisgymandtheonlycluestowhereIamareinfourmemosthatI'vehiddeninbooksaroundthelibrary"justliketheoneyou'rereadingnow.Thinkyoucansolvethemandfindme?
Question1:WhatisthefirstPokémonyousawinthisgym?You'llfindtheanswerinabooksomewhereinabookshelfinthemiddlerow!"
Istaredatthemessageforawhile."...Shewantsmetoplayagameofhideandseekwithpuzzles?IswearGymleaderscomeupwiththeweirdestthingstomakelifeharderfortrainers...!"ImutteredasIputthebookdownandmademywaytotherowofbookshelvesinthemiddleoftheroom."IalreadyknowwhatPokémonIsawinthisgym,technicallyspeaking.It'sthePatratfromthebook..."Iscannedthebindingsofthebooks,climbingupafoot-tallladdertofindtheintendedbook."TheBiologyofthePatratandWatchog.AbookonhowonlythosetwoPokémonwork?Well,itjustlookslikeanotherbookforkids..."
Ipulledoutthebookandstartedtoreadit.ItwasmostlywordswithafewpicturesofPatratandWatchog,theirevolution,andthevarioususesforpartsoftheirbodies.Andjustlikewiththelastbook,therewasamemoonthelastpage.
"Ofcourseyoucouldfigureoutthatquestion!Thesecondonewon'tbesoeasy,though!
Question2:Flamesburnwithinitsbodyanditgivesoffsmokefromitsheadwhileitruns.Here'sahint:thereusedtobeseveralhereinNacreneinthepastbeforePinwheelForestgrewin."
"What'sshetalkingabout?APokémon?"Iheldmyhandtomycheek,tryingtorememberwhatBlackhadsaidyesterday..."Um...Hesaidthereusedtobeatrainstation!"Iexclaimed."Thenextclueisinabookabouttrains!"
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Forminutes,IsearchedthelibraryforbooksandmemosfromLenora.ThesecondbookIfoundwasintheGeneraStudiessection:'TheStructureofLocomotives',whichIdidn'tbotherreadingasIjustwenttothelastpagetofindthememo.
"Impressive!Ifyou'vemadeitthisfarintomychallenge,maybeyou'vegotwhatittakestofaceme!
Question3:Thereisasweetdelicacythatoriginatesfromaforeignland.It'sabakedtreatthatcanbeeatenbyanyone,butismostlyfedtoPokémonforthesakeofgrooming.Hint:theanswerisinthesameareathatyoufoundyourfirstquestionin!"
Ididn'tevenbotherexpressingmygrowingannoyance.Iwalkedallthewaybacktothecounterwiththepileofchildren'sbooks.Iscannedthroughallofthem,givingtheonesthatheldnoanswerstoTinysohecouldlookatthepictures.Intheend,IfoundwhatIwaslookingforonthebottomofthepile.Abookcalled'HomemadeTreatsforPokémon'thatdescribedallsortsoffoodsthatpeoplecouldmakethemselvesandfeedtotheirPokémon.IflippedthroughthepagesuntilIfoundthememostuckoppositeofapageaboutPoffins,whichcamefromSinnoh.
"You'resoclosenow!There'sonlyonethingleftforyoutodo:
Fromthiscounter,movetwobookshelvesbackward,oneshelfleft,twoshelvesforwardoneshelfright,andoneshelfbackward.NowwhereamI?Nohintsthistime.Findmeforyourself!"
"Nowit'sreallyturnedintoagameofhideandseek,"IspokeasIwalkedawayfromthecounter,followedbyTiny,whohadlookedsadtoabandonthepop-upbookhe'dbeenlookingat.Afteronlyaminute,Iwoundupinfrontofabookcasethathadabookstickingoutofitawkwardly.Ipulleditoutandfoundamemoontheveryfirstpage.
"Congratulations!Youweresharpenoughtomakeyourwayhere!Ilookforwardtoourbattle!
P.S.:Pressthebuttonthatwasunderneaththisbook."
Ilookeddownandsawabutton.Ipresseditandsteppedbackinsurpriseasthebookcaseslowlyslidbacktorevealahiddenstaircase."Wow!Iwasn'texpectinganythinglikethis!"Whatsortofthingsdidothergymshave?Nothingtooextreme,Ihope.I'dhateitifwhatdrovemeawayfromagymwasn'tthePokémonorthegymleader,buttheveryplaceitself.IlookeddownatTiny,whowasstaringdownatthestaircaseinawe."Readytogo?"Henoddedandfollowedmedownthestairsintoanundergroundroomthathadbonesandskullsinglassdisplaycases,shelvesfilled
withbooksandadeskwithpiecesofpaper.AndleaningbackagainstthedeskwasLenora.
"Impressive.Youcertainlyknewwhatyouwerelookingforfasterthanyourbrother,"thewomanstatedassheputheraprondownonherdesk.Shepushedherselfoffthedeskandwalkedovertoadoorbehindit.Shegesturedformetofollowandledmeintoawideroomwithasimpleredflooremblazonedinthemiddlewithagold-coloredPokéBallsymbol."Thisiswherewe'llbeholdingourbattle.So..."Sheturnedherheadtowardsme."WhiteKetchumfromNuvemaTownismyopponent.Itakeityoualsoonlyhaveonebadge?"
"Um...yes.I..."Iscratchedmycheek,feelingabitnervousnow.UnliketheStriatonGym,whichhadarestaurantcrowdandmybrotherwatching,IwasallaloneintheNacreneGymwithmyopponent.Afterafewsecondsofsilence,Ispokeup,"Whatwasthepointofallthosepuzzles?"
"Itletsmeseewhatsortoftrainersmychallengersare.Ibelievethattrainersshouldbesmart,notonlyinbattle,butinlifeaswell!"Lenoragaveanimpishsmile."AndIlikepuzzles."Butenoughpleasantries.Officiallyintroducingmyself,I'mthedirectoroftheNacreneMuseumandLeaderoftheNacreneGym,Lenora!"Theolderwomanannouncedassheputahandonherhip."AndI'mgoingtoresearchhowyoubattlewithyourPokémon!"Sheheldupthreefingers."Sinceyou'reonlystartingout,let'ssaywhoeverwinstwobattlesisthewinner.Hopefullyyou'vegotatleasttwoPokémon?"Inoddedinsilence."Good!"
Wetookourplacesonoppositeendsofthearena.TinywasabouttorunoutonthebattlefieldwhenIgrabbedholdofhimandtoldhim,"Notnow.I'llbeusingsomeoneelsefirstokay?"Helookeddejectedashegaveasad-soundingsqueak.
"Alright!FormyfirstPokémon,Ichoose..."LenorathrewoutaPokéBallandreleasedasmall,gray,rodent-likePokémonwithlargeearsandalong,fluffytail,allwhite-tipped."Minccino!"
"Minccino?"ItookoutmyPokédexandscannedthePokémon.Accordingtoitsentry,itwastheChinchillaPokémon,ituseditstailforcleaninganditlikedtokeepbothitselfanditshabitatneatandtidy.Ididn'tneedtochecktoseethatitwasaNormaltype,though.
IreachedintomybagandpulledoutaPokéBall."Goodluck!"IshoutedasIreleasedPanaceainfrontofme.
"I'lldomybest,MissWhite!"
"Youcandoit,Panacea!StartthingsoffwithAttract!"
PanaceawinkedatLenora'sMinccinoandblewakissatit.However,insteadofgettingasmittenlookonitsface,theChinchillaPokémonjustgaveahigh-pitched."H-huh?!Thatshouldhaveworked!"
Lenorasmiled."Nicetry,butAttractonlyworksonPokémonwhoaretheoppositegenderofthePokémonwhousesitonthem."Inotherwords,itwasfemale.Aneasymistake.Icouldn'ttellaPokémon'sgenderfrommerelooksalone."Now,Minccino!UseEncore!"
Minccinosuddenlybegantoclapandexclaim,"Encore!Encore!Onemoretime!"
Panaceablushedandhereyesalmostlookedliketheyhadstarsinthem."O-oh!Youwantmetodoitagain?W-well,ifyouinsist."
"What?No!Don'tdoitagain!"IexclaimedastheAudinopointlesslyperformedAttractyetagain.Whenshestartedtodoitathirdtime,Icalledout,"Stopit!It'snotgoingtowork!
"That'sthecharmofEncore!APokémonaffectedbyitwillonlyperformthelastmoveitusedbecauseitbelievesitsopponentlikesthewaytheydidit"Lenoraexplainedagain."AndwhileyourAudinoisbusyperforming,MinccinowillbeusingDoubleSlap!"
Withacry,Minccinodartedforward.Whenshespunaround,shebeganstrikingPanaceaacrossthefacewithhertail.Withthelastblow,theAudinofelldownontoherback.
"Ow...!Wh-whatwasIdoing?"Panaceaasked,lookingaroundinconfusion.
"Oh,good!You'reawake!AttacknowwithPound!"Iexclaimedquickly.Atthatcommand,theAudinogotup,chargedforwardandslappedtheMinccinoacrosstheface."That'sit!NowuseDoubleSlap!"Panaceabegantosmackheropponentseveraltimes,thefinalblowresoundingwithaloudsoundbeforetheMinccinofellback,twitching.
"Well,that'soneforyou,"LenorasaidasshereturnedherPokémonintoitsball."Butitisn'toveryet!"ShetookoutanotherPokéBallandreleasedaWatchog"Patrat'sevolvedform.Itstoodstraightandtallwithitsarmsfoldedacrossitschest,itslargeredandyellowringedeyesglaringatPanacea.Overall,notaPokémonI'dwanttoseeinthemiddleofthenight."Ifyou'dlike,youcanswitchoutyourAudinoforanotherPokémon."
IlookedoverPanacea.Despitebeingslappedaboutseveraltimes,shedidn'tseeminjured.EithershewasstrongerthanshelookedorthatMinccinowasweakerthanIthought."No,Iwon't."Iwasn'tsureifAttractwouldwork,sinceIdidn'tknowifLenora'sWatchogwasmaleorfemale,soIdecidedtouseanotherone."Panacea,useGrowl!"TheAudinoopenedhermouthwideandgavealoud,cutegrowl.ItwasenoughtomaketheWatchogstepbackandeyehermoresuspiciously.
"Don'tbeafraid,Watchog!"
"I'mnotafraid!"HerWatchogfumed,clackingherteethinannoyance.
"UseScreechonherAudino!"TheLookoutPokémontookabreathandgaveshrillshriekthatremindedmeofWoobat.Panaceagaveacryandfoldedherearsinanattempttoblockthenoise.Shebentover,shaking."Yousee,Audino'shearingisassensitiveasitisexcellent.Itcanhandlealittlegrowl,butsomethingasloudasaScreechlikeWatchog'sisincrediblypainful,"Lenoraexplained."Sowhileshe'sreelinginpainandherguard'sdown,WatchogwillattackwithRetaliate!"
Lenora'sWatchogsuddenlylungedforwardandtackledPanacea.TheAudinowasknockedbackandlandedonthefloor,unconscious.
"Sonowwe'retied.WouldyoulikemetoswitchoutmyWatchogforanotheroneofmyPokémon?Somethingnotasstrong?"Icouldn'thelpbutgivethegymleaderaglare.Shechuckledandsaid,"Justlikeyourbrother.I'lltakethatasa'no'.Inthatcase,sendoutyournextPokémonsowecandecidethisfight."
Asiftakingthatforacue,Tinycrawledoutofmybagandjumpeddowninfrontofme."Chu!"
"No!No'chu'!Getbackinhere!"ItriedtopickthePichuup,butinsteadhejumpedontomyface."AH!Tiny,thisisn'tfunnyatall!Getoff!"
"MommyWhite!MommyWhite~!"
Afterpryinghimoff,IgaveTinyasternlook."Now,look!I'mdoingthisforyoursafety!IfyouwentupagainstthatWatchog,you'dgodownfasterthan...thanatonofrocks!"Hiseyesbecamelargeandwatery."No."Hegaveapleading"chu"."Stillno!Gobackinside!"Islippedhimbackinsideofmybag,butnotwithoutfeelingbadashegaveashortcry.Doparentsfeellikethiswhentheysendtheirkidsofftotimeout?Ohwell.ItookoutShion'sPokéBallandsaid,"Showthemwhatyou'vegot,"beforereleasingher.
"I'lldomybest,White!"TheOshawottexclaimedasshebrandishedherscalchop
shell."Youdon'tscareme!"Watchognarrowedhereyesintoaglareassheclickedherbuckteeth.Shiongulped."Well,maybeyoudo,butnotfortherightreasons."
"Shion,useFocusEnergy!"Icommanded.Shiongotintoabattleposeasabrightorangeauraradiatedaroundher."NowuseCut!"
"Hypnosis,Watchog!"Lenoraspokequickly.
"Wait,what?!Stop,stop,STOP!"Isaid,wavingmyhandsinapanickedfashion.Shionwounduptrippingandlandingfacedown.Whenshestartedtogetup,theWatchog'seyesbegantoglowominously."STAYDOWN!"
"WAAAH!"Shiondroppedbackdowntotheground,frightenedandflailing."Sorry,Master!I'lldowhatyousay!"
Lenorahadaproudlookonherface,likeateacherthatwashappythatherstudentgotarightanswer."I'mgladyourealizeamovelikeHypnosisonlyworkswitheyecontact.But...Watchog,useCrunch!"
WatchoglungedforwardandclampedherfangsdownonShion'shead.Withaneasyflickofherhead,theNormaltypesenttheOshawottupward.Beforeshecouldhittheceiling,Shionrecoveredinmidair.
"UseWaterGun!Aimfortheeyes!"ShiontookadeepbreathandsprayedwaterdownintoWatchog'sface.TheforcemadetheLookoutPokémonfallover,holdingherpawstoherface.Whileshewasdoingthat,Shionlandedontopofher,knockingthewindoutofheropponent.
"Phew!Thatlandingmighthavegonepoorly..."TheOshawottlookeddownattheWatchogcuriously."Areyouawake?"ShelightlypokedthebiggerPokémoninoneofherchubbycheeks."Oh!IthinkI'veknockedherout!"
Intheblinkofaneye,WatchogsatupandheadbuttedShion,causinghertostumbleoffandbackwards.TheNormaltypegrowledasshesatup,clackingherteethmenacingly.ItactuallymademefreezeinfearforamomentbeforeLenoraspoke,"UseCrunch!"
"Quick,block!"Ishoutedshrilly.ShionrecoveredfromtheheadbuttastheWatchogchargedtowardsher.ShequicklyraisedherscalchopinfrontofherastheNormaltypewasabouttochompdownonher.TheshellwounduphittingWatchogintheteethhardenoughtomakeacrackinoneofthem.
Afterthat,itwaslikeeverythingwasmovinginslowmotion.Istaredinshockwithmy
mouthwideopen,justlikeLenoraandherWatchogweredoing.Butwhilewewerebusybeingshocked,ShionbeganaflurryofcutswithhershellthatendedwithablowtoWatchog'shead.TheNormaltypefellover,holdingbothpawsoverherteeth.Sheflinchedandtwitched,butshedidn'tlooklikeshewasinthemoodtocontinuefighting.Huh...IthinkIactuallyfeelsorryforthatscary-lookingPokémon.
AtleastuntilShionproclaimed,"Iamvictorious!Bringonmynextopponent!"ShethenlookeddownattheWatchog."Sorry...aboutyourteeth."
Ittookawhiletoprocesswhathadjusthappened,andeventhen,Iwasn'treallyabletospeak.LenorareturnedherPokémontoitsPokéBallwithasighof...relief?Satisfaction,maybe?Nomatterwhatsortofsighitwas,thearchaeologistapproachedmewithasmile."Fantastic!You'vegotthepotentialtobecomeagreattrainer!"
"Iwouldn'treallysaythat...especiallyaftermyOshawottchippedyourWatchog'stoothlikethat."Iwasn'tsurewhyIfeltsobadaboutthat."AndIdidn'treallydoanythingattheendthere."Right.ShionmovedonherownwhileIwasbusygaspingoveratooth!Someonelikemehaspotentialasatrainer.Yeah,right.
"Hey,noneedtobesohardonyourself.You'reonlyjuststartingoutasatrainer,butyou'lleventuallygrowintoyourownway.Everyonedoes!"Lenorathenheldoutasmall,rectangular,maroon-coloredpin."Forwhatyou'veshownme,youdeservetheBasicBadge!"Itookthebadgeandmutteredathanks."Youkeepupthehardworkandkeeplearning,andmaybeonedayyou'llbeabletochallengethechampionofthePokémonLeague!"
Oh,great.Atthisrate,peoplearegonnastartexpectingmetochallengethestrongesttrainersinUnova.Although...IkindawanttoseetheexpressionsonBlackandCheren'sfacesifIbecamethechampionbeforethem.
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Notes!
MinccinoisnotoneofthePokémonusedbyLenorainBW,butitsevolution,Cinccino,isusedbyherinsomeofthetournamentsinBW2.
MinccinolearnsAttractviaTM.WatchoglearnsScreechviabreedingandRetaliateviaTM.
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Chapter10
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownPokémonoranyofitscharacters.Sheonlyownsthisfic.
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~TheGuidingLight~
WithanybusinesswehadinNacreneCitynowdone,itwastimeforBlackandmetogettoournextdestination:CasteliaCity.IwashopingthatthetriptoCasteliawouldbeeasyandwithoutanybumpsintheroad...butIwastravelingwithmybrotherBlack,whosawbumpsintheroadandthought'adventure'insteadof'caution'.WhichwaswhyourtripthroughPinwheelForestwaslongerthanitshould'vebeen.
"Black,ifyouknewhowmuchIhateyourightnow..."
"Isitashardasyou'regrippingmyarm?"
AtBlack'ssuggestion,insteadoftakingthenormalroutethroughtheforest,wewoundupwalkingonthenaturetrail.Hisexcusewasthathedidn'treallygettoenjoyitthelasttimewewereherebecauseoftheTeamPlasmaincident,butIknewthetruth.WhathewantedwastogoandcatchsomeofthePokémonthatlurkedintheforest'sdepths.Unfortunately,hisPokémonsearchingtookhours.Bythetimehedecidedtocallitquits,thesunlightshiningthroughthetrees'leaveswasnowmoonlight,andwewereinthemiddleofabig,darkerforestandlost.Atreallyannoyingmomentslikethis,I'dwishaloudIwereanonlychild...butIwastoobusyflinchingateveryscarynoise.
"White,calmdown!Ifyou'rethishigh-strung,you'regonnadieoffright!"
IrecoveredandimmediatelylatchedmyhandstightlyontoBlack'sshoulders."Thisisallyourfault!Wewouldn'thavegottenlostifyouhadn'tinsistedthatwegolookingforPokémon!"IsnappedasIstartedtoshakehim.
BlackglaredatmeevenasIkeptshakinghim."You'retheonewhoranoffjustbecauseafewlittleSewaddlesfellonyoufromthetrees!IfyoujustwaitedformetocatchthatoneSwadloon,wewould'vebeenoutoftheforestbynow!"
"Howcouldanyonekeepcalmwithallthoselittlebugscrawlingalloveryou?!"Ishudderedatthememory.IwishedI'djustblackedoutinsteadofrunningoffscreaminglikealunatic.ThenmaybeBlackwouldhavethecommonsensetodrag
mebackontothemainroad.
Mybrothersighedandstraighteneduphishat."Itdoesn'tmatterwhosefaultitis.We'relost...IwantedtosendValentineouttolookfortheroadsoshecouldleadusback,but...Irealizedthatthetreeskindofblockthesightofthingsfromabove."
"Sowe'restuckhere?!"
"Soitseems."
"Don'tsayitsononchalantly!We'reindanger!"
"It'sokay,it'sokay!Allweneedtodoisfindaplacethat'sbigenoughtosetupcamp....Momdidpackasleepingbagforyou,didn'tshe?"Ipursedmylipsandnodded.IhadhopedthatIwouldneverhavetosleepoutdoorswherenotonlyPokémon,buttheforcesofnatureitselfcouldupandharmus.Blackignoredmyexpressionandsmiled."This'llbegreat,then!Sleepingoutunderthestars!Ialwayswantedtogocamping,y'know."
Igavemybrotherahalf-liddedglare."Quitmakingthissoundlikeit'sapleasantexperience,"Imutteredflatly.
Blackgaveanervouschucklebeforehepattedmyshoulder."Let'stryandfindaspacebigenoughforustosetupoursleepingbags."
Westartedwalking,butseemedtobeunabletofindaclearing"oratleastthatlookedcomfortableandspaciousenoughtosleepforthenight.Infact,thelongerwewalked,thecloserthetreesseemedtocometogetherandthemoredangeroustheterrainbecame.Everycoupleofseconds,itseemedlikeweweretrippingoverrocks,rottenlogsorasleepingPokémon.Atsomepoint,wegaveupandcollapsedontooneofthefewsturdylogsaround.
"We'regonnadiehere,aren'twe?"Iaskedgloomily,tootiredtoproperlyexpressmyfear."We'regonnadieinadark,emptyforest...atthetenderageof15...."
"It'snottheend.We'lljust...sleepagainstthislog.Andwhenit'sday,I'msurewe'llbeabletofindourwaybacktothemainroadthen,"Blackcontinuedtryingtobeoptimistic."A-anyway,whydon'tyougotosleepfirstandI'll"...Hm?"
"What'swrong?"ItensedupasIsawBlackstaringinmydirectionintensely."Is...issomethingbehindme...?"
Heraisedhishandandpointedatsomethingovermyshoulder."There'salightover
there."
"Alight?"Igulped,immediatelythinkingtheworse.
"Don'tstart.ItmightbeaPokémonRanger!It's,like,theirjobtomakesuretrainersdon'tgetlostorinjuredonthesekindsofroutes."
"Inthedark?!"Ihissed,inchingclosertomybrotheroutofinstinct.Idaredtolookovermyshoulderatthelighthewastalkingabout.Itwasabrightbluelight,definitelynotnatural."Thatlooksmorelikethekindofthingpeopleinmoviesseebeforethey'reabductedbyaliens!"
"Whateveritis,weneedtogetclosertohaveabetterlook."Blacktriedtostandup,butmygriponhisarmheldhimdown."White,ifwedon'tmove,wewon'tbenoticed!"
"That'stheplan."
"White.Move."
"Itcouldbeaserialkillerorsomething!"IdaredtolookovermyshoulderandflinchedwhenInoticedthatthelightwasgettingbigger.Almostasif..."Black...It'sgettingcloser!"
"Oh,good!Thatmeansthey'venoticedus!"Mybrothersaidwithasmile.Hethenstartedshoutingatthetopofhislungs,"HEEEYYY!OVERHEEEERE!"Ifeltmybloodruncold.Ifthiswereahorrormovie,Blackwouldbeoneofthefirstonestogo,andI'dbetheonewhogotdraggeddownwithhimbecauseIwasstupidenoughtofollowhim!
Thebluelightgraduallybecamelargerandlarger.Icouldmakeoutasmallfigurebeneaththeflame.Eventually,thefigurecamecloseenoughthatwecouldseeitproperly.Asmall,whitePokémonwithglowingyelloweyes,theblueflamecomingoutoftheflattopofitshead.Itlookedlikeacandle.
APokémonlikealivingcandle...Whydidthatseemfamiliar?
"White,look!It'saLitwick!"Blackexclaimed,havingalreadytakenouthisPokédex."Litwick,theCandlePokémon.Ghost/Firetype.Itsflameisusuallyout,butitstartstoshinewhenitabsorbsthelifeforcefromothers.Ittendstodothiswhilepretendingtoguideothers."
Ifeltmybloodruncold.Icouldn'thelpwhathappenednext.Iscreamedandblacked
out,thelastthinginmysightbeingtheLitwick'sflame.
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"...isaPokémonfirstfoundinKalosthatresemblesasword.It'ssaidtodrainthelifeenergyofanyonethatgrabsitshilt."Igaveawhimper."AndDrifloon,whichresemblesaballoon,hasbeensaidtostealawaychildrenwhoholdontoit."Ashiverrandownmyspine."There'salsoLitwick,whoguidespeoplealongwiththeintentionofsappingtheirlifeaway."Icouldn'ttakeitanymore.Igrabbedtheremotefromoffthecouchandchangedthechannel.
"Hey,what'sthebigdeal?!Don'tjustchangethechannellikethat!"10-yearoldBlackcomplainedfromhisseatnexttome.Hetriedtoreachoverandgrabtheremotefromme,butIshovedmyhandinhisfacetoholdhimoff.
"No!No!No!Wearenotwatchinganymoreofthat!"Ishouted.
"Whynot?!YouusuallyonlyfreakoutwhenyouseePokémoninreallife!"
Ibittheinsideofmymouthandglaredatmybrotherwithenoughintensitytomakehimbackoff."BecauseGhosttypesareoneofthemostfrighteningkindsofPokémon!Theyalleatsouls,andlurkincreepyplaces,andthey'rebornfromthedead...!They'resomeoftheworstPokémonthatexist!"
"Pssh.Thatdoesn'tmeanthey'reevil,"Blacksaidwithapoutbeforehemanagedtosnatchtheremoteoutofmyhand."Aha!Nowbacktotheshow!"HepressedabuttonandtheTVwasbackonthepreviouschannel.Thistime,apumpkin-likePokémonwithastemforafacewasbeingshownonscreen.
"Itenwrapsitspreyinitshair-likearms,singingjoyfullyasitspreysuffersinitsgrasp.WildGhosttypePokémonaretrulyscary,huh?"
"EEEEE!"Ihidmyfacebehindacushion,cowering."I'mnevergoingtobeabletoeatpumpkinpieagain!"
"IfyouthinkthelegendssurroundingGhosttypesarefrightening,waituntilyouheartheonesaboutPsychictypes!"
"Black,ifyouloveme,please,changethechannel!"
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Iquicklyopenedmyeyes,myheartbeginningtoracethemomentIdid.Myvision
wasabitblurry,butIwasalittlegratefulforthat.Ididn'twanttoriskseeingthatLitwickagain."Huh?What?"IsoonrealizedthatIwasbeingcarried."What'sgoingon?Black?"
"Oh,good!You'reawake!"SaidBlack.MyvisionclearedupabitandIrealizedthatBlackwascarryingmepiggyback."Y'know,you'realotheavierthanyoulook,White."Maybeyou'reweakerthanyouthink,Black."Anyway,youdon'tneedtoworry.We'regonnabebackonthemainroadinnotime!"
Iblinkedandlookedatmybrotheroutofthecornerofmyeye."Really...?How?"
"ThatLitwicksaiditwouldhelpus!"
"...WHAT?!"IshriekedloudlyinBlack'sear,causinghimtodropmesuddenly.AsIhittheground,acryofpaincamefrominsideofmybagandTinypokedhisheadout.MyattentionquicklywentfromthePichutotheLitwickthatIonlyjustrealizedwasstandingafewfeetaheadofus,itscandlelightglowingominously.IgrabbedBlackfrombehindandbegantoshakehimfuriously."Areyoucrazy?!Areyoustupid?!YoureadthePokédexentries!Youknowtherumors!YouneverfollowaLitwickwhenitofferstoguideyou!"
"I'mnotdumb,White.That'swhyIdecidedtocatchit."
Iblinkedandstaredatmybrother."You...youcaughtthatthing?!That'stheexactoppositeofnotbeingdumb!Areyoutryingtokillus?!"
"I'mtryingtohelpus!Whatbetterpersontohelpusoutthanalocalwhoknowstheterrain?"Blacksaidwithafrown.
"Alocal?Black,it'saGhosttypePokémon.ThePokédexpracticallysaysitkillspeoplewhofollowit.Letitgoandlet'sgetasfarawayfromitaspossible!"
"Didyoureadtherestoftheentrybeyondtheopeningparagraph?"Mybrotherasked,takingouthisPokédex.Hefiddledaroundwithitbeforehefoundwhathewaslookingfor."IthasbeendocumentedthatLitwick'slife-sapping'flame'usesthesamesortofenergyasGhost-typeattacks.Whentheyrequirelight,butdonothavethedesiretofeed,theymakeaFire-typeflamethatisvisiblydifferent.Ordinarily,though,theykeeptheirflamesoffbecauseusingthemtiresthemout."HeturnedaroundandpointedattheLitwickaheadofus."Justcheckoutitsflame.Itisn'tblue,soit'snotgonnatryandtakeourlifeforce."
Ifrowned."Thatdoesn'tmeanathing!Haven'tyouheardoflullingyourpreyintoafalsesenseofsecurity?"
Blackgroanedandfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest."WhenLitwickhelpsusfindourwaybackontothemainroad,maybethenyou'llsee'eminamorepositivelight!"
"Andwhenitattacksus,you'regoingtodosomethingsmartforachangeandreleaseit!"
Webothbeganglaringateachotheruntilwerealizedthatthelightinfrontofuswasdimming.TheLitwickappearedtobegettingfurtherawayfromusnow."Let'sfocusonkeepingup.It'sprettyhardtoseeinthedark,"saidBlackashewalkedahead.Ijumpedforwardandlatchedontohisarmtightly.Irefusedtowalkinthedarkwithoutholdingsomethinghuman.
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MinutespassedaswewalkedthroughthedarkwithonlythatcreepyLitwickasaguidinglight.Atsomepoint,itstoppedhoppingandturnedaroundtolookatuswithitseeriegreeneyes.IimmediatelyduckedbehindBlack,butthatfailedashecroucheddowninfrontofit."What'sthematter,littleguy?Um,girl?Whatgenderareyou,anyway?Ishouldcheck""
"Now'snotthetimetobecheckinguponitsgender,Black!"Isnapped,makingBlackdrophisPokédexinsurprise."What'stheholdup?Wh-whyisitjuststaringatuslikethat?"
"Idunno.Maybeyoushouldaskhim...her...AskLitwick!"BlackpickeduphisPokédex."Huh?That'sstrange."
"What?Itdoesn'thaveagender?"BecauseIwouldn'tbesurprised,whatwithitbeingaghostandacandlecombined.
"ThePokédexsaysthere'sanotherPokémonaroundhere.Galvantula."
"Uh,what?"
"Galvantula,theEleSpiderPokémon.Bug/Electrictype.TheevolvedformofJoltik.Theycreateelectricallychargedthreadstomakeelectrifiedbarriersandelectricalwebstotrapprey.Whiletheirpreyisimmobilized,theyleisurelyconsumeit."
"...WHAT?!"Ishouted,makingBlackjumpagain.
"Just"justcalmdown,White!I'msureitscannedasleepingGalvantula!Yeah,asleepingone!"Justthen,somethingfelldownontopofusandbegantoshockusboth.BlackandIscreamedoutinpainandwefelltotheground."What...isthis?!I
can't...move!"Blackcriedoutinpain.Itriedtomove,too,butIfoundmyselfunableto.Thewebthenshockedusagain,preventinganymoreattemptstogetoutofit.
Atthatpoint,somethinglargedroppeddownfromthetreetopsinfrontofusboth.Showninthedimlightwasalargespider-likePokémon.Itsbodywascoveredinyellowandbluefurandpurplestripesalongitsrear.Itstaredatuswithtwolarge,blueeyesandfoursmallereyesthatsatin-betweenthelargerpair.Itspedipalpstwitchedastheyranoverus.Icouldn'thelpbutstarttocryloudly,whichdidn'tdeterthebugPokémon.
"Alright,then...Thisshouldbeenoughtofeedmyfamilyforthenight,"theGalvantulaspoke."Oh!Oh,wait!They'restillmoving.IguessI'llwaitfor'emtostoptwitching."
Tinycrawledoutofmybagandstaredatme."Mommyokay?"
"No!No!No!Notokay!Notokay!"Ispokeinashrill,panickyvoice.
"Chuuu...!"Tinymanagedtostandupandbitdownontotheweb.Inafewseconds,thewebstoppedbeingelectrifiedandTinybeganchewingthroughtheweb.That'sright...Tiny'sabilityisLightningRod,andthatletshimabsorbelectricity.
"Hey!Hey,hey,hey!Stopthat,youlittle...uh..."TheGalvantulaspatoutastringofsilkthatstucktoTinyandretracteditsohecouldgetacloserlookatthePichu."Weird-lookingEmolga?"
"Ch-ch-CHUUUUU!"TinyusedThunderShockandtriedtozaptheGalvantula,butithadnoeffect.TheBugtyperetaliatedbybringingTinyclosertohisfaceandbitingdownonhisbody.ThePichucriedoutinpain.
"Litwick!Helphim!UseaFiretypemove!"Blackpleaded.
LitwickstaredathimblanklybeforeturningaroundtofacetheGalvantula.Theflameonitsheadgrewlarger,andafireballofbluish-whiteflamestingedwithorangeburstoutandhittheGalvantulaontherear.TheflamessuddenlyspreadallovertheBugtype'sbody.
"YEOWCH!Fire!I'monFIRE!AAAAAAAHHH!"TheGalvantuladroppedTinyandranoffscreaming,completelyforgettingaboutdraggingusaway.
"I...blameyou...forthis,Black!"Ispokethroughgrittedteeth.
"It'snotmyfaultitjustdecidedtoappear!"Blacksnappedbackatme."Anyway,we
haveaseriousproblemhere.Ican'tmove.Canyou?"
"N-no...!"
"Well,paralysiswearsoffeventually.Butwhoknowshowlongit'lltake?Hey,Litwick,"TheLitwickfacedhimonceagainwithitsblankstare."DoyouknowwhatCheriberrieslooklike?"Afterafewseconds,theghostlycandlenodded.Black'sexpressionbrightened."Youdo?Great!I'vegotsomeinmybag.They'reinapackwithsomeotherberries.Openitandthengiveeachofusone,okay?"
"What?!I'mnotgoingtobefedbythatthing!"Iexclaimed.
"Hejustsavedyourlife!Andhedidn'tevenusehisghostlyflame!Whatmoreproofdoyouwant?"TheLitwickhoppedovertoBlack'ssideandunzippedhisbag.Icouldn'tseewhatwashappening,butIcouldhearthesoundofthingsrustling.IclosedmyeyessoIwouldn'tseeanythingthatwasmovingaboutinthedark.Afteramomentofsilence,Blackgaveacheer."Aha!Thanks,Litwick!"Thesoundofhimchewingsomethingfollowed.
TheLitwickhoppedintomyviewholdingastemofCheriberriesandIfrozeinfear.TheGhosttypetookadvantageofmycowardiceandshovedaCheriintomymouth.ThemildspicinessagitatedmytastebudsandIsatuponmyknees,spittingoutwhatIdidn'teat."Bleh!Ihatespicythings..."IthenrealizedtheLitwickwasstaringupatmeblankly.Inasecond,IwascrawlingovertoTiny,notonlytohealhim,buttonothavetolookatthatspookyPokémonagain.Tinyregainedconsciousness,buthestilllookedtiredout."Areyouokay,littleguy?Whydon'tyoutakethistimetorest?"Irecalledhimintohisball.
"Let'skeepgoing.It'snotsafearoundhere,"saidBlack.It'snotsafeanywhere."Leadtheway,Litwick!"Yeah,toourdemise...
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Againstmybetterjudgment,wecontinuedfollowingtheLitwick.Momentspassedinsilencethatwerecausedbyanxietyandfear"forme,anyway.IfBlackdidn'tcareabouthisnewlycaughtPokémonpossiblykillingus,Idoubthe'dcareaboutthedark,fear-inspiringdarknessthatsurroundedus.OrthesoundsofnocturnalPokémonmovingabout.Ortheotherlightinthedistance....Waitaminute.Oh,no.
"Hey,look!Anotherlight'soverthere!ItcouldbeaPokémonRanger!"Blackexclaimed.
"You'restillclingingontothathope,huh?"Iaskedflatly."ItcouldbeanotherLitwick.
Thatthingcouldjustbetakingustomeetotherslikeit,sotheycaneatoursouls!"
Mybrotherfrowned."Alittleoptimismwon'tkillyou,y'know!"
"No.Thatthingwill!"
"Quitcallinghimathing!...Her.Whattheheckgenderareyou?Nevermind!Thepointisthatyoudon'tcallTinyathing,doyou?"
"Tiny'snotasoul-suckingcandle!"
"NeitherisLitwick!"IgaveaderisivescoffwhileBlackrolledhiseyes."TheworstthingLitwick'sdonetoyouwaslookatyou!Youareoverreacting!Just...chillout!"IopenedmymouthtoretortwhenInoticedthelightgettingcloser.Ireactedbymakingahigh-pitchedsqueakandbegantohidebehindBlack.Hesighedandshookhishead."Andcalmdown!"
"Well,I'msorrythatIcan'tremaincalminthefaceofphantomlights!"
"Themoreyouyell,themorePokémonyou'llwakeup!"Iimmediatelyclammedup.Blackgrabbedmyhandandbegantodragmealong."Hellothere!We'relost!"Hecalledoutasweapproachedthelight.
"Really?Iam,too!"...Whydidthatvoicesoundfamiliar?Asthelightgotcloser,itrevealedafamiliarface."Black!White!IthoughtIrecognizedthosevoices,"Biancasaidwithalookofrelief.ShelookeddownandnoticedtheLitwickandproceededtocrouchdownandcoo."Awwww,andwho'sthislittlecutie?"
"D-don'tgettooclosetoit!ThePokédexsaysitcouldeatyoursoul!"Iyelled.Biancadidn'tseemtohearmeoverthenoisesshemadeinadmirationoftheLitwick.AsIwasrollingmyeyes,Inoticedtheflashlightinherhand."Hey,you'vegotaflashlight?"
"Oh,this?IneededsomethingtolookforNafterweseparated,andIrememberedthatIpackedit."
"WhywereyoulookingforN?"
Theblondeflinchedandbegantonervouslyfidget."Um..."
"Nevermind.Don'tcare.What'simportantisthatnowthatyou'rehere,wecanuseyourflashlighttofindourwayinthedarkinsteadofthiscreepyLitwick!Sogoonandletitgo,Black."
"I'mnotgettingridofLitwick,White,nomatterhowmuchyouwantmeto,"Blackrespondedflatly."Although...itwouldbeagoodideatoletthelittleguy"orgirl"rest.Alright,Litwick.Youdeservearest."That'sthefirstsanethoughtyou'vehadallnight!
Forthefirsttimesinceweencounteredit,theLitwickmadeanexpression:itfrowned.Foramoment,itseemedlikeitseyesglowed.Then,Bianca'sflashlightbegantoflicker.Afteramoment,itslightwentoff.Biancapouted."What?!Oh,comeon!IputinnewbatteriesforthisthingbeforeIlefthome!I'veneverevenusedituntiltonight!"
"Maybetheyweren'tgoodbatteries,ortheflashlight'sfaulty.Doyouhaveanymore?"
"Seriously?!"Icouldn'thelpbutspeakupinahighpitch."Itwasthatthingthatdidit!Itwouldn'tbeabletoleaduswherevertheheckitwantstogoifitwasinaPokéBall!I'mtellingyou,it'sbadnews!Justletitgo!Please,please,please!"
Mybrotherfrowned."Okay,nowyou'rejustlookingforexcuses."HelookedtoBianca,whowasshakingtheflashlightinanattempttojoltsomepartofitintoworkingagain."Youcancomewithus,Bianca."
Biancastoppedshakingtheflashlightandpouted."Um...IsitalrightifIdo?"
"Ofcourse!Wecouldn'tleaveyououtherelostinthedark!"
"ImeantisitalrighttobearoundthatLitwick?ThePokédex""
"Doesn'tcountfortheentiretyofaspecies.Litwick'snice!You'llsee!"
"Doomed.We'realldoomed,Itellyou..."ImutteredundermybreathasIheldahandovermyeyes.
"You'llbegreatcompanycomparedtoMissDoomandGloomoverhere..."Blackadded,soundingannoyed.
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AfterBiancajoinedourgroup,theatmospherebecameabitlighter.MainlybecausesheandBlackconversedaboutvarioustopics.I,however,silentlyworriedaboutourfateandtriedtoignorethegiantlivingcandlethatwasprobablygoingtodevouroursouls.
"Bytheway,whatwereyoudoingwithN?"Blackasked."Yousaidyougotseparated
fromhimandthatyouwerelookingforhimwhenyouranintous."
"Um,yeah.IjustranintohimwhileIwaslookingaroundtheforestfor...something,"Biancaansweredwithapout."Wetalkedforabitand...IguessIsaidsomethingthatmadehimangry,becauseheleftlookingprettyupset."
"Andyouactuallywannafindhim?"Iaskedinadiscouragedvoice."BecauseIthinkhe'dfeelrightathomeinadark,scaryforestteemingwithPokémonratherthanwithus."
"Itwouldn'tdoforhimtobelostoutthere.Imean,hehashisPokémonwithhim,butIcan'thelpbutbeworried.Horrormovieshavetaughtmethatit'sneversafetobelostinthedark."Really?Horrormoviestaughtmeyoushouldfearghosts,buthereweare."Hey,look!Light!"Theblondepointedatapairoflightsthatwerecomingtowardsus.Inseconds,apairofLitwicksappearedinfrontofus,theireyesyellowandtheirflamesapalepurple."Oh,it'sjustmoreLitwicks...Iwashopingit'dbesomeonewhocouldhelpusgetbackonthemainroad..."
IgotalookattheLitwicks'faces.Theyworeshady,devioussmiles.IgulpedandtriedtopullBlackandBiancaaway."Guys,rememberwhatIsaidaboutthatLitwickleadingustoourdemise?Ithinkwefoundit."
"Onlyadozenorsotimes,itseems,"Blackmuttered."TheseLitwicksareprobablyjustsomefriendsofhis"orhers.Maybethey'llhelpus,too!Morelight'salwaysgoodinasituationlikethis..."Atthatmoment,Black'sLitwickhoppedbehindus."Huh?What'swrong,Litwick?"Thecandle-likePokémon'sblankexpressionbecamemoremalicious.Itsmouthcurledupintoasmirkbeforeitsflamewentout,followedbytheflamesoftheothertwoLitwicks.
"Black..."Ibegan.TheLitwicks'flamesrelit,nowbacktohavingtheirunusualcolorsandsoul-suckingproperties."IWASRIGHT!ANDIWISHIWASWROOOOOONG!"IsobbedasIgrabbedontoBiancaforsupport.
"Wh-whatisthis?Litwick!Ithoughtwewerefriends!"Blackexclaimed,tryingtoturnaroundtolookathismorethandisobedientLitwick.Buthestoppedinmid-turn."I...Ican'tmovemylegs!"
"WHAT?!"Istruggledtomovemylegsaswell."Ican't,either!It'slikemylegsareparalyzedorsomething!"
"M-me,too!"Biancastutteredwithtearsinhereyes.
"OneofthemmusthaveShadowTag!ThePokédexsaidthatit'sarareabilityLitwick
canhavethatstopsenemiesfromleavingifthey'reontheirshadow!"Blackexplained.
"S-stops...from...leaving...?"Iwhimpered.IfIhadthepowertodroptomykneesorfaint,Iwould'vedonesothenandthere,butIcouldonlystandandstareblubbering,"We'regoingtodie.WE'REGOINGTODIE!ICAN'TBELIEVEWE'REGOINGTODIELIKETHS!"
"Iknow!TherearesomanythingsIwishIhadn'tdone!IwishIcouldtakebackwhatIsaidtomydadandtellhimIlovehim!"Biancacriedaswell.
"Me,too!"Ididn'tmeantosaythatoutloud,butIfiguredifIwasgoingtodie,Imayaswellhaveburiedasinglehatchetbeforemybodywouldbe"ifitwasevergoingtobefound.Orhaveanythingtofind.
"This...thisisallmyfault,"Blackspokehollowly.
"Oh,Black...!It'snotyourfault!ThesearejustmeanPokémon!"
"Notmean!Natural!ThisiswhatallPokémonaredeepdowninside"they'dsoonerkillapersonthanwannabefriendswiththem!"Isnapped.
Theblondegirlpoutedandshovedmelightly."White!You'reonlysayingthatbecauseyou'reafraidrightnow!"
"OfcourseI'mafraid!We'regonnadie!Thisisjustlikeahorrormovie!"
"White'sright...They'reactingjustaswildPokémonshould,"Blackbegan."JustlikethatGalvantulaawhileago,somearegonnalookathumansandseenothingbuteasyprey.It'sonlynatural...butevenpreyinthewildcanfightback!"Hegrabbedaballonhisbeltandthrewitupintotheair."Tothetrees,Kaito!"
Inaflashoflight,Kaitoappearedandgrabbedontoatreebranch."Wh-whattheheck?!Ididn'tthinkyouweregonnatossmeupherewhenyousaidthat!"
"Uh,I'msureyou'reangry,buth-help.I'mnot...feelingwell..."Mybrotherpantedandbegantoslumpover.Thefeelingwasmutual.Simplybeingintheirpresencewasenoughto
KaitolookeddownattheLitwicksbelowandsprayedquickburstsofwateroutofhismouth.TheGhosttypePokémonturnedtoavoidtheirflamesgettingwet,butwereunabletoreactquicklyenoughtoavoidthewateraltogether,soitstrucktheirsmallbodies.Kaitocontinuedsprayingwaterdown,evengettingsomeonusinthe
processinhisfranticattackontheLitwicks.Atsomepoint,itlookedlikethecandle-likePokémonwereexhaustedfromtheforcefulshower,andalsofrightened.Theythenbegantoshrinkrightbeforeoureyes,untilneitherthey,northeirlightwasvisible.Whichmeantwewereinthedark...again.
"What...whatjusthappened?"Ispokesoftly,frightened.
"Theyjust...shrank!Ididn'tknowPokémoncoulddothat!"Biancawhispered.
"ThatwasMinimizetheyused,Ithink,"mybrotherspokeup."IthinkIcanseetheirflames."
"Oh,yeah!Theylooklikefireflies..."
WewatchedsilentlyastheshrunkenLitwicks,whoseflamesmadethemlooklikepurpleandbluefirefliesastheyranoff,leavingusaloneinthedark.IheardsomethingfallfromoutofthetreesandlandontopofsomeonewhosoundedanawfullotlikeBlackastheyscreamed."Black?Black?IthinkIkilledBlack!"Kaitoexclaimed."...Oh,wait.He'ssnoring.Didhefallasleep?"
"I'mkindoftiredtoo,"IheardBiancaspeakasIfelttheurgetocollapseontomyknees.
"SoamI..."Ifoundmyselffallingoverandclosingmytiredeyes.Idon'tknowifitwastheenergydrainingfromtheLitwicks,thewearinessfromourcloseencounterwithdeath,orjustthefactthatwe'vebeenupformostofthenight.Iwastired.Anddespitecommonsensetellingmeitwasbesttogetoutofthiscrazyforestassoonaspossible,therestofmybodyjustdidn'tcare,andIwassoonoutlikealight.
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WhenIcameto,Ifeltmyselfinafamiliarpositiontome:Iwasbeingpiggybackedbysomeone."Mm...Black?Isthatyou?"IspokeasIkeptmyeyesclosed.
"...Yeah."
"Oh,White!You'refinallyup,"IheardBiancaspeak."Ialmostthoughtsomethingwaswrongwithyouafterlastnight,butBlacksaiditwasnormalforyouandtojustletyousleepitoff."
"IfigureditwastheleastIcoulddoafterlastnight."
"...YoureleasedthatLitwick,right?"
"AssoonasIwokeup.Ihadtodestroytheballtodoit,butitwasdone.I'm...sorry,White."Ah,herecomestheapology.I'mgoingtoenjoythis."IreallywantedcatchingLitwicktoworkoutforyouandme."
"Well,Litwickdidn'twannabecaught,sotherewasaflawinyourplan."IthenopenedmyeyesasIregisteredwhathesaid."Whatdidyoumeanby'youandme'?"
"IfiguredifIcaughtLitwick,itwouldnotonlybeagreatadditiontomyteam,itmight...helpyou...getoverGhostandFiretypePokémonatthesametime.Ifigured:'whydoesshehavetocatchallthosePokémonandtakecareofthemonherown?I'mherbigbrother.Ishouldhelphergetbetter'!That'swhyIwantedyoutobelievethatLitwickwastryingtohelpus,but...itwasn't.Infact,italmostgotusandBiancakilled..."
Atthatmoment,Ifeltsomethingpunchmeinthearm.IlookedatBianca,whowaspoutingatglaringatmeasiftononverballysay'saysomethingtomakehimfeelbetter'!Istaredatthebackofmytwin'sheadbeforeIsighedandlookedoutofthecornerofmyeye."Y'know,Black,ifthere'sonethingIrememberfromyouth,it'sthatPokémonarelikepeople.SomeLitwickmightwannaeatsouls,butsomemightjustwannaburnapersontocinders."
Biancagroanedandheldahandtoherhead."That'snotwhatyouweresupposedtosay,White."
"It'sokay,Bianca.ForWhite,thisisprogress...Ithink.ShesaidshethinksPokémonarepeople.Thatmeansthatdeepdown,WhiteknowstherearegoodLitwickoutthere,too!AndIwon'trestuntilwefindoneworthyoftrusting!"Mytwinexclaimed,soundingrejuvenated.
"Saywhat?!Ineveragreedtothat!"Iexclaimed,tighteningmylegsaroundhistorso.
"Youdon'thaveto!Yourbigbrotherwillhelpyougetthroughthisinwhateverwayhecan!"
IgrowledandwrappedanarmaroundBlack'sthroat,securinghiminachokehold."Ineveraskedforyourhelp!Andyouarenottheoldertwin!"WefelloverandbecameatangledpileoflimbswhileBiancawatchedus.
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Notes!
Litwickisneverseenwithitsflameoffin-game,eveninPokémonAmie,
thoughitsDexentriesdomentionthattheflameisusuallyout.ThepartaboutitsflamebeingGhosttypeandhavingadifferentFiretypeflameisfanon.
Electrowebcannotcauseparalysis,butGalvantula'sWhitePokédexentrystatesthattheshockoftheweb"notbeingtrapped"keepspreyimmobilizedastheyeatthem,whichsoundslikeparalysistome.
SinceGenIV,Will-O-Wispisdescribedin-gameashavinga"sinister,bluish-whiteflame",butitisoftenshownasbeingpurplewhenused.Intheanime,though,it'salwaysbluishinsomeway.
InGenV,Litwick'sHiddenAbilitywasShadowTagbeforebeingreplacedwithInfiltratorinGenVI.
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ReviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter11
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownthePokémonseries.Sheonlyownshercharactersandthisfic.
X-X-X
TheOddBugOut
"Thisissogreat!TravelingwithBlackandWhite,itfeelslikeoldtimes!"Biancasaidwithasmile.
"Itdoesfeelkindofnostalgic,doesn'tit?"Blackchimedin."Justlikebackhome."
"No,it'snot,"Igrumbled,stillupsetandexhaustedafterthelastseriesofeventsIhadbeenthrough.NotevenTiny'snuzzlingupagainstmycheekmademefeelbetter.
BlackandBiancastaredatmeinconfusion,thelatterasking,"Whatdoyoumean,White?"
"Canyounotseesomethingwrongwiththegroupofpeoplehere?"Ispokeflatly,stilllookingahead.
"...Oh!YoumeanCheren!"Theblondesuddenlyexclaimed.
"Oh,right!Well,suckstobehim,"mytwinsaidwithashrug.
"I'mnottalkingaboutwho'smissing!I'mtalkingaboutthefactthatwe'restillhere,lostinaforestwithnoideaofwheretheheckwe'regoing!"
"WemightbeabletofindourwayoutifyouaskaPokémon,"Blacksuggested.
Icasthimawitheringglare."You're...kidding.Afterlastnight,whatmakesyouthinkI'mwillingtotrustanywildPokémontogivemedirections,letalonenotkillme?!"ArustlingsoundinthebushesmademeforgetabouttheissueandinstinctivelytreatBlackandBiancalikehumanshields."Whatwasthat?"Iaskedwarily.
Justthen,Bianca'seyeslitup."Ahhh~!Coulditbeeee~?"Bewhat?Bewhat?!ASewaddlequicklywriggledoutofthebushes.IcontinuedtostareatthebugPokémonwhileBiancastaredatinawe."Eeeee!It'sadorable!Whatisit?"
"It'saSewaddle,"Blackexplained."Theymaketheirownclothesoutofleaves."
"Awww,that'ssocute!"
"...I'mgonnacatchit!"BothBlackandBiancaspokeatthesametime.Theythenlookedateachotherinconfusion."What?"
"Noway,Black!IwannacatchthatadorablelittleSewaddle!"Saidtheblonde.
"Butit'spartGrasstype"it'dbeagreatadditiontomyteam,"saidBlack.
"Guys,wedon'thavetimetoworryaboutcatchingPokémon.Remember?Lostinaforest?Possiblyfortherestofourlives?"Itriedtointerject.
Ofcourse,BlackandBiancaweretooenamoredwiththeSewaddletopayhimanymind.TheybothtookouttheirPokéBallsandreleasedValentineandTepigwiththeintentionofbattlingnoteachother,butthebugPokémoninfrontofthem.TheSewaddle'sbeadyblackeyesfellonValentineanditbegantosweat."Buh...BIIIIRRRRD!"ThebugscreamedbeforeitrandownthepathfarfasterthanwhatIthoughtaBugtypecould.
"Comeback!Let'sgo,Valentine!"Blackexclaimedbeforeheranoff,hisPidoveflyingoutinfrontofhim.
"AfterthatSewaddle,Tepig!"BiancaandherTepigwerethenexttorunoff.
Iremainedinplace,refusingtomove.Eventually,theywouldseehowridiculoustheywereactingoveraSewaddle,ofallthings!Theforestwascrawlingwiththem!Geez,thethoughtmademescaremyself...Icontinuedtowaitforseveralminutes.Eventually,Ibegantoyawn.Ileanedagainstatree,butIsoonwoundupsittingonthegroundandclosingmytiredeyes.
"Mommy?Mommy?Chuuu...?"IcrackedaneyeopenandlookedatTiny,whowaspawingatmyface.
"Mommy'sgonnaresthereyesforalittlewhile,okay?"Iyawnedagainbeforeclosingmyeyesoncemore,readytogettherestIcouldn'tgetlastnight.
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Asmallyellowmouse-likecreaturestoodinfrontofmeonitshindlegs,onlyslightlytallerbecauseofitsblack-tippedears."ThisisPikachu.CanyousayPikachu?"
"Choooo..."IcrawledalittleclosertothePikachuandbegantoplaywithitsearsandtailswhileitflinchedeachtime.Inevernoticedhowuncomfortableitwas,though,
becauseIwassointofeelingitsfurandexploringitsshape."Peee...kaaa..."
Eventually,apairoflargerhandstookmyownhandsoffofPikachu."Uh-uh.Begentle.Pikachudoesn'tlikeitwhenyoudothingslikethattoit."
ThePikachustaredatmeinannoyancebeforeiteventuallycalmeddown.Itsuddenlyplaceditspawsonmycheeksandbeganrubbingthem.Iimitateditandstartedtorubitsowncheeks,cooingatthewarmthoftheelectricsacsonitscheeks."Ah...!"Itthengotonallfoursandstartedtowalkaroundme.Everytimeitpassedinfrontofme,Iwouldpetitsbackuntilitfinallyrolledoveronitsback,earstwitching.IrubbeditsstomachforawhilebeforeIstartedhuggingit.
"DoyoulikePikachu?"
"Pee-ka-chooo!"
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Iwokeupandstretched.Myshortnapmademefeelenergizedandalotmorecomfortablethanbefore,butmydreamleftmeupset.Igroanedandrestedthebackofmyheadagainstthetreetrunk."Idon'twannathinkaboutthosetwo,sowhyamI...?"Ithennoticedthatsomethingwaswrong.Tinywasn'tanywhereinmysight."Tiny?!"ThePichuthencameoutfrombehindthetree,holdingaberryheprobablypickedupfromtheground.Ifeltrelief...untilIrealizedthatwewerealone.Igotupandlookedinthedirectionthattheothershadrunoffin."Theyreallyleftmebehind,huh?Thosejerks...!"IlookeddownatTiny,whocontinuedeatinghisberry."Guesswehavetogofindthem."
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WestartedwalkingforseveralminutesbeforeIstoppedtotakeoffmyhatandfanmyself."Geez,howfardidtheyrun?It'sbeenminutesandIhaven'tcaughtuptothemyet!"Islumpedoverwithasigh.TimeslikethismademewishIhadanXtransceiver"oranysortofmeansofcommunication.
"Heeeelp!"Avoiceshoutedout."Helpmeeeee!"Ilookedaroundinapanic,notsurewherethevoicewascomingfromuntilIlookedup.AbovemyheadonatreebranchwasapairofPokémon.OnewasaPidovethatwasabitbiggerthanBlack's.Theotherwasthesourceofthepathetic-soundingvoice:asmallred,bugPokémonthatwastiedtothebranchwithwhatlookedlikestring.Itsyelloweyeswerewidewithfearandtheantennaeonitsheadandtailweretwitchingwildly.
IpulledoutmyPokédextocheckinfoonit."Venipede,theCentipedePokémon.
Bug/Poisontype.Itdiscoverswhatisgoingonarounditbyusingthefeelersonitsheadandtail.ItsbiteinjectsapotentpoisonthatcanparalyzelargebirdPokémonthattrytopreyonit."Igulped."APuh...Poisontype?"PoisontypesweresomeofthemostdangerousofPokémontoahumanbeing!Withsome,allittakesisapokeorascratchtosendsomeonetothehospital!"
"Heeeeelp!"TheVenipedecontinuedcryingout,strugglingagainstthestringinvain.
"Mommy!"Tinycriedout,wavinghispawsfrantically."Friend!Helpfriend!"
"What?!No,Mommywon'tdothat!It'sapoisonouscreature,Tiny!AndaVenipedeatthat!Iheardthey'requiteaggressive!"AlthoughthewaythisparticularVenipedewassobbingashewasbeingpeckedatbythePidovemadeitseemasharmfulasaMagikarp."Thisisthecycleoflife.Birdseatbugs"PokémoneatotherPokémon.Wecan'tchangethat,gruesomeasitseems."ItriedtoignoretheVenipede'ssobbing."Besides,ifwestopthis,we'dbestarvingthatPidove."
"Oh,spareme,Mr.Pidove!Idon'twanttobeeaten!"TheVenipedepleadedwiththeTranquill,havinggivenupandescapingofitsownpower.
"You'reinnopositiontobeaskingforpardons,"thePidovesaid,rufflingitsfeathersabit.
"Won'tyouhavemercyonapoorlittlebuglikeme?"ThebugPokémonsobbed.
"WhyshouldIhavemercyonaVenipede?Besides,I'venevertastedoneofyouguysbefore.AndthisistheeasiestmealI'veevercaught!"
"Mommy...!"IlookeddownatTiny,whowasstaringupatmewithlarge,tearyeyes.
Well...NowIfeelliketrashjustforwantingtoletnaturerunitscourse."Alright,alright!We'llhelpthepoisonousandlife-threateningPokémon!"Iexclaimed."Tiny,"IpointedupatthePidove."UseThunderShockonthatPidove!"
"Ch-ch-ch-CHUUUUUUU!"ThePichuunleashedaboltoflightningtowardsthePidove.Itgaveasquawkofpainbeforeitfelloffthebranchandlandedonthegroundbeforeus.ItookafewstepsbackasthebirdPokémongotonitsfeet,itsfeathersliterallyandfigurativelyruffledafterbeingattacked.ItreactedbyflappingitswingsandunleashingagustofwindstrongenoughtoknockTinydownontohisback.
"UseThunderWavetostopit!"Icalledoutoverthewind.Tinygotonallfoursandrearedhisback.Electricitycrackledaroundhimbeforeitfiredoutandensnaredthe
Pidove,paralyzingitandstoppingitfromcreatinganymorewind."NowuseanotherThunderShock!"AnotherboltoflightninghitthePidoveandcausedittoslumpontheground.
"Ugh...!F-forgetit!Venipedearen'tworththissortoftrouble...!"ThePidovecomplainedbeforeitranoffintothebushes,tooinjuredtofly.
"Well,thatwasabattle,"IsaidwithasighedasIbentdowntolookatTiny."Youokay?Hmm...Alittlemussedup,butnothingtoobad.Youaresotroublesome,y'knowthat?ThatPidovecould'vepeckedthefleshfrommybonesorsomething..."ThePichuignoredmymoodandchirpedhappilyoverhisvictory.
"Excuseme?"IlookedupattheVenipede,stilltiedtothebranchoverhead."Um...Ifyoudon'tmind,couldyoupleasegetmedown?"
Igulped,stillwaryabouthelpingaPokémonlikethat."Um...Okay!"Ishouteduptoitbeforequicklymuttering,"ToobadIhavenoideahowtodothat...Ihaven'tclimbedatreeinages..."IlookeddownatTiny."Couldyouclimbupthere?"
Tinycockedhisheadtothesideandgavemealookofconfusionbeforeheranuptothetree.Herearinghisback,hejumpedontothetreeandbegantoclimbwithnimblenessIdidn'treallyexpectofababyPokémon.WhenhemadehiswayacrossthebranchtotheVenipede,hebeganchewingthroughthestring.Eventually,thestringslackenedandtheVenipedefelloff,landingonitsbackontheground."Yaaaay!Tinyhelp!"ThePichuclappedandcheeredwhilethesemi-consciousVenipedemoaned.Istaredwithwideeyesatthescenebeforeme.
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Ashortwhileafterbeingsprayedwithsomepotion,theVenipedewasfullyconsciousandtwitchinghisfeelers."Um...thankyousomuchforsavingme,MissHuman!"
"You'rewelcome."Iwasstillwaryenoughtostayseveralinchesawayfromthepoisonouscritter,andtomyrelief,itdidn'tnoticewhatIwasdoing."So,uh...how'dyougetstuckupthere?BirdPokémoncan'tmakestringtotiepeopleup...canthey?"Sweetgodsupabove,Ihopenot.
"Oh,myfriendswerejustplayingagamewithme!"Whatsortofgameinvolvestyingpeopleup?!"Speakingofwhich,Ihavetogohomenow.Bye!"AndthentheVenipedebegantocrawlawayfromme.
"Uh,yeah.Bye....Phew!"IgaveabreathofreliefasIcroucheddown,myheartracingafterthatencounter.Thingscould'veturnedoutdifferently...inabadendsort
ofway.
"Aren'twegoingtogowithhim?"Ilookedupatthesoundofafamiliarvoice.IjumpedatthesightofPanacea,EveandShionstandinginfrontofme.
"Whatthe"!Whyareyouguysouthere?Ididn'tcallyou!"
"Youcan'tblameusforbeingworriedafterhearingcrysomuchlastnight,"saidPanacea,placingherpawstogether."Italwaysseemsasifyou'regettingintotrouble,MissWhite."
"Idonot!"
"Whydidn'tyoutrytocatchthatVenipede?"Shionquestioned."Ithadtohavebeenweakfromwhatithadbeenthrough."
"Thatwould'vebeenwrong!"NotthatIcareaboutthingslikehonorinawildPokémonbattle,butit'dbeunfairtocatchitafteritwasalmosteatenbyaPidove.
"Thatguycouldgetattackedagain!"Evespokeup."Imean...he'saharmlesslittlebuggie!Hecouldgetpickedoffbyanotherbird!Orworse...!"Iglaredhalf-heartedlyattheEevee.EvewasstartingtoremindmeofBlack:shelikedgettingmeintopredicaments.Andevenworse,justlikehim...shemanagedtoconvinceme.I'mapushovertohumanandPokémonalike.
"Hey,Venipede!"IcalledoutasIstoodup.ThebugPokémonstoppedinitstracksandturnedaroundtofaceme."Why...don'twefollowyouhome?"
TheVenipede'santennaetwitched."Why...?"
"D-don'tgetupset!"Isuddenlyexclaimedinahigh-pitchedvoice,notwantingtomakeitangry."Wejust...wannamakesureyoudon'tgetattackedbyanotherbirdPokémon!Really..."
TheVenipedestaredatusinsilence."Idunno...MamasaysthathumanswilltrytocatchmeandtakemeawayfromtheforestforeverifI'mnotcareful."Yourmamamust'vebeentalkingtoN.
"I-Iwon'tdothat!Really!IfIdid,thenIwould'vecaughtyouwhileyouwerestilltiedup!Wejust...wannamakesureyougethomesafe."
"Uhhh...Okay!Followme!"TheVenipedeexclaimedbeforeitturnedaroundandresumedcrawlingaway,thefiveofusfollowingfrombehind.Andwewereprobably
movingevenfurtherawayfromBlackandBianca.Great...
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Wewerestillwalkingminuteslater.Itwaslatemorningand,surprisingly,severalPidoveandTranquillhadtriedtoeatVenipede.Afterawhile,theystoppedattacking.MaybewordgotaroundfastaboutTinyshockinganythingthatcameclosetoeatingthepoisonouscritter.
"Howmuchfartherisitfromwhereyoulive?"Iasked.
"Nottoofar,humanlady."
"CallmeWhite."NosoonerhadIsaidthatdidIfeeltheforceofsomethingtacklingintome.Ifelloverwithacryandfeltsomethingheavyontopofme.Iturnedmyheadtolookupattheculprit.Atall,human-sizedPokémonwitharoundyellowhead,mostofitsbodydressedinwhatseemedtobeleaves,andlongsharpclawsthatresembledhalf-eatenleaves.ThePokémonglareddownatmedarklyandraiseditsclaws.Naturally,myreactionwastoscream."AAAAAAAHHHH!"
Theleaf-coveredPokémonwasattackedbyasprayofwaterandaboltofelectricityfrombehind.BothseemedtodonothingbutannoythePokémonasitturneditsheadtoglareatthePichuandOshawott.Itretaliatedbyspittingoutsomewhitegunkatthem,whichensnaredtheminaninstantcocoonthatonlytheirheadspokedoutof.EvegrowledbeforesheleaptforwardandbegantobitethetallerPokémonononeofitsarmswhilePanaceabeganslappingitonitsback.TheyellowPokémonmanagedtoshakeoffEveandPanaceaaswellbeforeturningitsattentionbacktome.Ihonestlycouldn'tdoanythingbutstare,mybodyunresponsivetothementaldemandstocryout,faintandhopethatthiswasalljustanightmare.
"Mama,stoooop!Don'thurtmyfriends!"TheVenipedecriedout.
IcriedoutasthePokémonstabbedoneofitssharpclawsdownward.Iclosedmyeyes,hopingforapeacefuladeathasIcouldget.WhenIdidn'tfeelanystingingpain"oranything,forthatmatter"Iopenedaneye.ThePokémon'ssharpclawhadbeenstabbedinthegroundnexttomyhead,makingcracksintheground.ItlookedattheVenipedeandspoke,itsvoicesoundinglikeagrownwoman's,"Yourfriend?"
"Shesavedmefromabird!She'snice,Mama!"
"Really?Oh..."ThePokémonlookeddownatmewhileIwasstillquakinginfear.Afterafewseconds,itgavealiltinglaugh."Oh-ho-homy!I'msosorry!Pleaseforgiveme!"Motherlyinstinctkickedinatthetime."Itthengotoffofmeandpranced
overtotheVenipede,pickedhimupandbegansmotheringhimwithkisses.
IsatupandstaredinshockasmyPokémoncamearoundme"inTinyandShion'scase,theycrawledtowardsme.Panaceabeganlookingmeover,tryingtofindsomethingwrong,butsmiledwhensherealizedIwasokay"physicallyspeaking.TheAudinobeganstrokingmyhair."There,there,MissWhite.It'sokay.Shewasbeingdefensiveisall..."
"How...rude!Attackingusoutoftheblueandthenbrushingitofflikethat!"Shiongruntedassherolledover,tryingtobreakfreeofthecocoonshewasin.
"Mommyyyy!"Tinywhined.
Panaceaheldapawtohercheek."Motherscantrulybefrighteningwhenitcomestotheiroffspring.Although...theydon'tlooktoomuchalike."
"Maybethat'shisevolution!"TheEeveechirpedup.
"R-really?!Suchachange...Hedoesn'tevenhaveleaves!"TheOshawottgasped.
"Lookitup,White!Lookitupinyourdex-thingie!"
AtthePokémon'sinsistence,ItookoutthePokédexandscannedthetallPokémon,whowasnowhuggingherson."Leavanny,theNurturingPokémon.Bug/Grasstype.ThefinalformofSewaddle.WhenitseesasmallPokémon,itweavesclothingforitfromleaves,usingthecuttersonitsarmsandsilkitmakesfromitsStringShot."
"I...Iwasbeatenbysomeonewhoseskillismakingclothes..."Shiongaveasighofdiscontentandrolledalongtheground,lookingdiscouraged.
"ASewaddleisoneofthosebugscoveredinleaves,isn'tit?"Eveasked."ThatkindalookslikeaLeavanny,butVenipede...doesn't."
IcheckedthePokédexagain."VenipedeisatotallydifferentspeciesofPokémonfromSewaddle."I'mnoexpertonPokémongeneticsandwhatnot,butafemalePokémoncanonlymakePokémonoftheirownkind.IloweredthePokédexandjumpedwhenIrealizedthattheLeavannywasnowstaringatme,itskindexpressiondoingnothingtomakemelesswaryafterwhathappened.Luckily,itturneditsattentionbackontheVenipedeinher.
"Howonearthwereyouevencaughtbyabird?Weren'tyousupposedtobewithyour...otherfriends?"
"Um...W-wegotseparated."Iarchedaneyebrow.Hesaiditwashisfriendsthattiedhimupinthefirstplace.
"Andwhathappenedtoyournicenewclothes?"
"Abirdpeckedthemoff."
"Oh,well...I'llhavetomakeyousomebrandnewones!Comeon!Let'sgohome!"Hismotherspokecheerfullybeforejumpingintothetreesanddisappearinglikesomeleafyninja.
"Hey!Shedidn'teventhankus!"Evecomplained.
"Itwasabitrude,but...No.Ican'tthinkofanyreasonwhyshecouldn'tthankus.Oratleastapologize,"Panaceasaidwithapout."Thenagain,shedoesn'tknowthatMissWhitecanunderstandher,sosheprobablythoughtjustgoingawaywasnice."
"Whocares?I'mgladVenipede'sbackwithhismomandI'mhappyshejustdidn'tkillme,"IsaidasIgottomyfeet."C'mon,let'sgoandfindBlackandBianca."
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BlackandBiancajusthadtorunoffafterthatstupidSewaddle.Becauseoftheireagernesstocatchthatstupidbug,Iwaswithouthumancompanions,lostinabigforestfilledwithallsortsofdangerouskillerPokémonlurkinginwait,anxioustotearmeinhalf...andmyPokémonweretreatingthislikeitwasanaturewalk.
"AndthisisaRawstberry.Thelongerandcurliertheleavesare,themorebitterittastes,"Panaceaexplainedassheheldupabluish-greenberrythatresembledastrawberry."Youusethesetohealburns.Theflowerstheirbushesmakeuponbloomingarealsoquitelovely."
"Raaawssst,"Tinydrawledhispronunciation.
"Isee.That'sgoodtoknowjustincaseofanaccident,"Shionsaidwithanod.
"CanIeatit?"Eveasked.
"Youcaneatitoryoucanusethejuicetosoakthewoundin,"saidPanacea.
"No,ImeancanIeatthatberry?Like,rightnow?"TheEeveeaskedwithlarge,pleadingeyes.
Itdidn'tworkontheAudino,though,whofrowned."No.You'llonlyspititoutlikeall
theotherberriesI'vegivenyou."
"IpromiseI'llswallowit!"
"Itisn'tripeyet,anyway.Bettertoplantitsoitmakesmoreforthelocalwildlife."PanaceabentoverandbegantoburytheRawstberryinthedirtwhileEvewhinedpitifully.
"I'mgladyouguysareenjoyingthislittleexcursion.BecauseI'mnot,"Ispokeflatly,finallydrawingmyPokémon'sattention."It'salmostnoon!AndforallIknow,BlackandBiancaareinthebellyofsomeferociousPokémon!"Iexclaimed.Myraisedvoiceseemedtocausesomethingtorustlenearby,whichmademeflinch.IfeltmyeyesbegantowaterasIslumpedover."Ijustwannagetoutofhereandnevergointoanotherforesteveragain!"Morerustlingnoisesmademespinaroundtolookatthesource,secondsbeforeapinkblurknockedmeoverandbeganrunaroundincirclesbeforeme.
"AAAAAAHHHH!Getitoff,getitoff,GETITOFF!"Theblurcriedbeforeitranheadfirstintoatree.Theblur,nowunconscious,sliddown.ItturnedouttobeaDeerlingwithapinkandyellowcoat.
"WhatkindofPokémonisthis?"Eveaskedassheandtheotherscircledaroundit.
"It'saDeerling,"Shionstated."Itlooksweird,though.Itsfurisallpink!"
"DeerlingareNormal/GrasstypePokémon,"Ibegan,"whosefurchangesatthebeginningofeveryseason.Thisone'sgotaspringcoatrightnow."
"Isee..."TheOshawottlookedbackatme."Youshouldcatchit,White!"
"Wh-what?!"
"It'salreadyunconscious!AndwhileI'dratherafight,thisistechnicallyfairgame,isn'tit?"
"Yeah,catchit!"Eveexclaimed.
"Catch!Catch!"Tinyparrotedashethrewhispawsupintotheair.
Panaceagavethethreeofthemadisapprovingstarethatmadethemstartsweating."Whereareyourmanners?!Thispoorthinghurtitself!"
Iwasn'treallylookingatthefourPokémonasIstaredattheunconsciousDeerling."What'sthatonitsback?"Itlookedlike...aVenipede."Itcouldn'tbe...No.Could
it...?"
TheVenipedestirredandlookedrightatme."Oh!It'sthenicehumanladyagain!Hello!"Iresistedtheurgetoslapmyselfintheface."Um...Couldyoupleasehelpmeout?"
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ThesameVenipedefrombefore.ItwasthesameVenipedestandinginfrontofus.HelookedrathercheerfulforsomeonewhohadbeenhitchingarideonanupsetDeerling."Thankyousomuchforsavingmeagain,misshumanlady!"
"ItoldyouthatmynameisWhite.Now,whatwereyoudoingharassingthatDeerling?Assoonaswegotyouoff,itranaway."
"Idunno.OnesecondIwaswithmyfriends,andthenext,IwokeupontopofaDeerling."Hisfriends,huh?Whereweretheywhenheneededhelp,anyway?"Anyway,I'llbegoinghomenow."Hestartedturningaroundtoleavethroughthebushes.
"W-wait!Don'tyouwantustocomewithyou?"Iasked,feelingmoreconcernedforawildPokémonthanIreallyshould've.Imean,theguy'shadtwoincidentswithotherPokémoninoneday.NowIknowwhatBianca'sfatherfeelslikewhensheactsparticularlyklutzy.
Justlikelasttime,Venipedebrightenedup."Okay!Mamasaysweshouldnevergothroughtheforestalone,incasewegetattacked.That'swhyIalwaysgosomewherewithmyfriends."
"Yeah.Yourfriends.So...whatexactlydoyoudowithyourfriends?"Iaskedaswewalkedthroughthebushes.WerehisfriendstheoneswhotiedhimtoabranchandanotherPokémon'shead?Ifso,thenwhatjerks!AndpeoplekeepsayingtherearenobadPokémon...
"We...w-we...um..."Venipedestuttered,likehewasstrugglingtocomeupwithsomething.Iwasn'ttheonlyonewhowasstaringathiminconfusion.
"Ooh,doyouplaygames?"Evespokeup,savingtheVenipedefrombeingputonthespot."Doyouplaytag?"
"What'stag?"Venipedeasked,soundingmildlyinterested.
TheEeveegaveanoverlydramaticgasp."You'veneverplayedtagbefore?!"She
sooncalmeddownandstartedtoexplain,"Ifyou're'It',youhavetochaseafterusuntilyoutouchoneofus.Theoneyoutouchis'It'andhastotouchsomebodyelsetonotbe'It'!Gotit?"
"Um...No."
"Good!You'reit!"Eveexclaimed,notreallylisteningtoVenipedeassheranoffgiggling.
"It!It!"TinychantedasheranafterEve.
"Pfft!Howchildish!"Shionsaidwithafrown.Afterafewseconds,shelookedatVenipede,andthenranoff.
"Seriously?!Firstmyfriendsabandonme,nowmyownPokémon?!"Ishouted.Igaveasighofannoyance."Thismustbewhatmotherhoodislikeforallspecies..."IsuddenlyfeltsomethingtappingmybootandlookeddowntoseeVenipedelightlytouchingmewithhisfeelers.
"You'reit!Hee-hee-hee!"ThebugPokémonlaughedasheranoffinthesamedirectionastheothers.Panaceafollowedbehindhimwithoutaword.
"ButIdon'twannaplay"!Oh,fine!"ImutteredasIpickedupthepaceandjoggedafterthegroupofPokémon."Nowisn'tthetimetoplaygames!IfIwinduprunningintosomethingdangerouswhiledoingthis,it'llbeyourfault!"Eventually,Icaughtup.Itwasn'tanaccomplishment,though,becausetheyweren'tevenmoving.ItlookedliketheyhadbeenstoppedbyagroupofthreePokémon.TwoSewaddlesandaPokémonIdidn'treallyrecognize.Itwasbig,roundandyellow,wrappedupinablanketofleavesinawaythatmadeitlooklikeoneofthoseagoraphobesonTV.ThePokédexidentifieditasaSwadloon,Sewaddle'sevolvedform.
"OW!Watchit,you...Oh,it'syou,"theSwadloonmutteredasitsfrownbecamemorepronouncedsomehow.
"Hey,guys!ThesearesomenewfriendsImettoday,"Venipedetoldtheotherbugscheerfully,notnoticingthelooksofexasperationtheyweregivinghim.
"Congratulations!You'vemetsomeguyswholookasweirdasyouare."
"Yeah~!"TheSewaddleaddedinatauntingtone.
"Whoareyoucalling'weird'?!I'mnormalintypeandappearance!"Evegrowledassheswipedherpawsintheair,tryingtothreatenthebugs.
"I'veneverseenanythingasweirdasthethreeofyou,"theSwadloonadded.Evestartedtogrowandinresponse,thebugspatsomewhitegunkinherface.
"AAAHHH!Help!Help!Ican'tsee!"Shewhimperedasshetriedtotakeitoffherself.TheSwadloonandSewaddlestartedlaughingasTinytriedtohelphertakeitoff,onlytogethispawsstuck.ShionsprayedsomewaterattheEevee'sface,soakingherandTinywhilewashingawaythegunkatthesametime.ThisjustmadethebugPokémonlaughevenharder.
"Oh,man!Youweirdoesaresofunny!"TheSwadlooncontinuedlaughing.
Eventually,Iwasannoyedenoughtonotbeafraidofthem."Ugh,willyouknockitoffalready?!You'retickingmeoff!"Ishouted,stompingmyfootinirritation.TheSwadloonandSewaddlesstaredupatmewithwideeyes.
"HUMAN!"Theyallscreamedbeforetheyspatsomegunkatmyface,blinding."Let'sgetouttahere!"IheardthemscreamingasIfelloverinmyattemptstotakethegunkoffofmyface.Afterawhile,Iwasabletogetitalloff.Isatupandsawthattheleaf-coveredjerksweregoneaswell,andsowasVenipede.
Tinyjumpedontomyshoulderandrubbedhischeekagainstmine."Mommyokay?"
"Mm-hm.AlthoughI'mkindaworriedaboutVenipede.Where'dhego?"Iasked.IreallywastooworriedoversomewildPokémon.
"Hewentoffwiththosejerkshecalledhisfriends,"Evesaidwithafrown.
"Theycan'tpossiblybehisfriends...canthey?"Shionasked."Hedoesn'texactlyseemlikethem."
Panaceajuststaredatme.Hersadeyesandthelittlepoutsheworemademesigh.IhadafeelingshewasthinkingthesamethingIwas."...Can'tjustleavehimalonewithguyslikethat..."ImutteredtomyselfasIgotonmyfeet.Withasigh,Iadjustedmycap."Let'sgofindhim.Ifhe'salonewiththoseguys,hemightwindupgettingstucktosomethingelse."
X-X-X
Afterseveralminutesspentsearchingthroughthebushes,wesawVenipedeandhis'friends'uponatreebranch.
"Um...Wh-whatyoudidbackthere...wasn'tnice.Youshouldgoapologize,orthey'llstaymadatyou.Please?"Venipedeaskedmeekly.
"WhyshouldI,wimpy?"TheSwadloonasked.
"Yeah~?"TheSewaddleschorused.
"Because...they'remyfriends?Andifyoudo,wecanallbefriends?"
TheSwadloonstifledalaughonlyoncebeforeitburstoutlaughing,"Hahaha!Friends?!Asif!"TheSwadloonexclaimed."Likeanyonewouldwannabefriendswithsomeoneasweirdasyou."
"Yeah~!"TheSewaddleschorused.
TheSwadloonsuddenlytackledVenipedehardenoughtomakehimlosehisbalanceandfalloff.Hecurledupintoaballandlandedinfrontofus.Theleaf-coveredbugscontinuedlaughingwhiletheVenipedecurledupintoaball.Atthatpoint,mybloodstartedtoboil.AnysortoffearIshould'vehadwasoverwhelmedbyanger.Iraisedmylegandkickedmyfootagainstthetreetrunkoutoffrustration."HEY!"ThebugPokémonlookeddownatme,butthistimetheireyesreflectedannoyanceinsteadoffear.Theyspatoutsomemoreofthatstickygunkdownatme,buttheymissed."Justbecauseyoudon'tlikehimdoesn'tmeanyoucanjustshovehimofflikethat!Hecouldgethurt!"
"Whocares?"TheSwadloonasked.
"Youshouldcare!There'snotlikingsomeoneandthere'sjust...beingabully!"Panaceasaidasshewaggedafingeratthetrio."Youshouldallbeashamedofyourself!"
"Mommy?"IlookeddownatTinyandEve,whowerepokingVenipede'sunmovingbody.
"He'snotmoving,White.Ishe...y'know?"TheEeveewhimpered.
Igulped."Dead?"Idon'tknowwhyIfeltsocoldatthatmoment.Pokémondiedallthetimeinthewhile,but...Hedidn'tdoanythingtodeservewhathappenedtohim.Allhewantedwastomakefriends.
Tiny'searstwitchedandhesuddenlysatupstraight.HeloweredhisheaddowntoVenipede'scurledupbodyandblinkedbeforeraisinghishead."Friendsad?"
"Huh?"
"Friendsad,"Tinysaidwithapout.
PanacealeaneddownandplacedoneofherfeelersagainstthecurledupbugPokémon."Itsoundslikehe'scrying,MissWhite."
Iarchedaneyebrowand,againstmybetterjudgment,pickeduptheVenipede'scurledupformandheldhimuptomyear.Itwasmuffled,butIcouldhearhimcrying.Atleasthewasn'tdead,thankgoodness."Venipede?Areyouokay?You'renothurtoranything,areyou?"AllIheardweremufflesIcouldbarelyhear."What?"
"I'llnevermakefriends...Nobodylikesme...Imayaswell...staylikethisfortherest...ofmylife...!"Hecontinuedcrying.
"H-heynow!That'snottrue!Ilikeyou!Wealllikeyou!We'reyourfriends!"
"Butyou'renotbugs!Just...ahumanand...someotherweirdthings...!"
"So?Friendsdon'thavetobeexactlylikeyou.WemaynotbebugPokémon,butwe'renicertoyouthanthosejerksyoukeeptryingtobefriendlywith."
"But...Iwanttobe...likeeveryoneelse..."
Isighedandbittheinsideofmycheek."Noteveryoneinthisworldwillwanttobeyourfriend.Somepeoplewon'tlikeyoubecauseyou'redifferentfromhowtheythinkyoushouldbe.Theymayevenpickonyouforit.Buttherearepeoplerightherewholikeyoujustthewayyouare."
Thecryingstopped."Youreallywanttobemyfriends?"
"Ofcourse!Right,guys?"
"Yeah!"EveandShionexclaimed.
"Friends!Friends~!"Tinysang,hoppinginplace.
Venipedesuddenlyuncurledandcrawledalongmyarm.Ifrozeandresistedtheurgetoscreamasheclimbedupmyarmexcitedly."Really?"
"Uh-huh...C-couldyoupleasegetoffofmyarm?I'm...ticklish,"Ilied.
"Oh,brother.Whatabunchofwussies!"TheSwadloongroanedfromonthebranchwiththeSewaddles.Inseconds,theywereallpushedoffofthebranchbytheblastofaWaterGunattackandlandedinthebushes.
IlookeddownatShion,wholookedunashamed."Theydeservedthat.Everyonehereagrees,right?"
IshiftedmygazefromtheOshawotttotheVenipede."Let'sgetyoubacktoyourmom,okay?"
X-X-X
AfterwewentbacktotheLeavanny,Itoldheraboutwhathadhappened.Allthewhile,shelookedonthebrinkoftears."Awww...Mypoorbaby...!"Shecried,rubbingherclawsagainsteachother."Butyourealizeyournewfriendscan'tstayhereforever,doyou?"
Venipede'sfeelerstwitched."Whatdoyoumean?"
"HumansandthePokémonwhotravelwiththemarealwayspassingby.Theyneverstay.Eventually,they'regoingtoleave."
Venipede'seyesbegantowater."But...but...they'remyfriends!Theyhavetostay!"
"Youcan'tforcethemtostayiftheydon'twantto.But...ifyouwantto...youcouldgowiththem,"hismotherspokesadly.
"Huh?"
"It'slike...ariteofpassage.Challengethehumantocombat,andifshedefeatsyou,shehastherighttoputyouintooneofthoselittleballthingiesthattheycarryaround.Thusishowrelationshipsbetweenallspeciesarefostered...orsoI'vebeentold."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Wait,wait,wait.YouwantmetohaveaPokémonbattlewithVenipedeandcatchhim?"Itallsoundedtoogoodtobetrue."Iwouldthinkyou...wouldn'twanthimtoleave."
"Let'sfaceit:eventhoughI'veraisedhimtobeagoodlittlebuggy,thosewhoaren'tafraidofhimatfirstglancepickonhim.Hecan'tbehappyhere.ButasmuchasIlovehim,Iknowmysweet,preciouslittlebabycouldneversurviveoutsideoftheforestonhisown!"TheLeavannyexplained."That'swhereyoucomein!Seehowusefulyouare?"
"But...but...Idon'twannaharmmynewfriends!"Venipedecried.
"Sometimeswehavetoharmtheoneswelove,darling,"hismothertoldhim."Besides,it'snotlikeyou'regoingtokillthem...Ihope."Whydidshesaythat?Shedidn'thavetosaythat!"NowgooutthereanddefendyourselflikeMamataughtyou!"
"Okay..."
IbackedawayfromVenipedesowe'dhaveenoughspacetofight.IlookeddownatmyPokémon.NoneofthePokémonIhadwereparticularlyeffectiveagainstVenipedetype-wise,so..."Eve,you'reup!"
"Yay!"EvebouncedforwardbeforesettlingdowninfrontofVenipede.
Venipedediditsbesttoimitateagrowlbeforechargingforward."Alright!Let'sgetthingsstartedwithTailWhip!"
"Hmhmhm~!"TheEeveeturnedaroundandbegantoshakehertailinarhythmicfashion.Eventually,Venipedestoppedrunningandstareatthetailinfascination.
"NowuseTackle!"EveturnedaroundandchargedtheVenipede,strikinghimwithherhead.Itmust'vehitatenderspotbecauseitwasabletosendVenipedeflyingback,andhelandedonhisback."Onceagain,tacklehim!"SheloweredherheadagainandstartedtochargejustasVenipedecurledupintoaball.HisbodyshoneassoonasEve'sheadhititandsentherflyingback.ThenherolledtowardsherquicklyandknockedEvedownjustasshewasstartingtogetbackonherfeet.
"Hehitme!Ithoughthewastoowimpytofightback!"TheEeveecomplainedasVenipedeuncurledandbegantobounceinplace.
"CounterwithQuickAttack!"
Evesuddenlydartedforwardquickly,onlyvisibleasalightbrownblur,andstruckVenipedeheadfirstbeforehecouldcurlupagain.HelandedonhisbackoncemoreandcurledupagainbeforerollingtowardsEveagain.
"DodgewithQuickAttack!"
TheEeveeonceagaindashedforward,jumpingovertherollingVenipedeandlandingonherfeetrunning.ShedidaU-turnandranintotheVenipedeheadfirstfrombehind,sendinghimflyingpastmyheadandintoatree.Hefelltothegroundanduncurled,dazedandpartiallyconscious.IreachedintomybagandpulledoutanemptyPokéBall.IthrewitatVenipede,andinaflashoflight,itopenedupandtookhiminside.Afterafewsecondsofshaking,theballstoppedandclicked.Iranuptotheballandpickeditup,releasingVenipede.
"Youokay?"Iaskedhim,feelingabadabouthavingtoberoughwithhim.
"Ifeel...dizzy..."Leavannysuddenlypickedhimupfrombehindandstarted
smotheringhimwithbutterflykissesoncemore."DidIdogood,Mama?"
"Mwah!Wonderful!Mwah!Excellent!Mylittleboyisreadytogoouttherewithouthismama.It'salittlesaddening,butit'sforthebetter."Shegavehimoncelastkissbeforesettinghimbackontheground."Havefun,dear!"Itwasamazinghowshemadeitsoundlikehersonwasgoingonalittleget-togetherwithfriendsandnotleavinghomeforever.
"Youmustbetired.Whydon'tyoutakearestinhere?"IsuggestedbeforereturninghimintohisPokéBall.Islippeditbackintothebagandpulledouttheothers'balls.HowIknewwhichballbelongedtowho,Ihavenoidea.Ijustmightbegettingbetteratthis.IrecalledShionandPanacea,leavingonlyEve."You,too.Youworkedhard,sorestup."
"ButI'mnottired!"Shelied.Shewasobviouslylyingbecauseshelookedunsteadyonherfeet.
"Nocomplaining!Nowit'stimetorest,"IsaidasIreturnedthepoutingEeveeintoherballandslippeditbackintomybag."I'lltrymybesttotakecareofVenipede,ma'am,"Itriedtoassureher.
"Youhadbetter.OrelseI'llfindyou!"Leavannythreatenedme.Ifeltfeargripme,butitwasn'ttheusualfearlinkedtodangerousPokémon.Itwasthefearofincurringthewrathofanupsetmother.
"Uh...D-d-don'tworry!Yourson'ssafewithm-me!"IstutteredwithanervoussmileasIslowlybackedaway.ThenIfinallylostmycoolandranoffwhilesputtering,"Okay!Bye!"withTinyholdingontomyvestfordearlife.
X-X-X
Severalminuteslater,afterIfeltlikeIwassafefromLeavanny'swrath,Ibentovertryingtocatchmybreath.Tinypattedmycheektogetmyattention."Okay?"
"Okay..."Ipanted."Well,forallthetroublewe'vewentthrough,we'vegotanewfriend,right?"
"Friend!"ThePichuexclaimedwithanod.
"Ontheotherhand...westilldon'tknowwherethehecktheothersare...Infact,we'reprobablyfar,farawayfromwherevertheyare..."Islumpedoverandsighed."Ugh...Ijustwannagetoutofthisforest...!"
Chapter12
Updatingearlierthanusualbecause,tomy(unfortunate)surprise,I'mgoingawaynextweektovisitrelativesforheavenknowshowlong.SoI'mjustgonnapostthischapter,wishallofyouhappyholidaysandremindyouthatifyoucan'treviewviathenormalway(becauseofmystupiddecision)youcanalwaysPMareview,ifyouwant.Orjustread.
Disclaimer:Idon'townthePokémonseries.Ionlyownthisfanfiction.
X-X-X
~#640:TheHuntforVirizion~
Forestsarenotsafeplacestobe.WildPokémonwanderedabout"alldangerousintheirownway.MotherNaturecould,atanymoment,decideyourlifewasworthtakinginafreakaccident.OnaslightlylowerscaleofannoyanceweretrainerswhowerecrazyenoughtogointooneforthepurposeoftrainingPokémonandchallengingtrainers.Iwasenduringallofthesepotentialthreatsinordertofindmyfriends.Wasn'tIanicefriend?
"Venipede,noooo!"Criedthecap-wearingyoungsterIhadbeenchallengedby.WhenIhadtriedtoaskhimaboutwhetherhesawBlackandBianca,heassumedIwantedtobattlebeforeIevengotawordout.HeonlyhadtwoPokémon,though,tomyrelief:aPidovewhowaseasilyknockedoutbyTiny,andaVenipedewhohadnowbeenknockedoutbymyownVenipede.TheboylookedsadashereturnedhisunconsciousPokémontoitsball."Wow,yourPokémonarereallystrongiftheycouldholdoutagainstmyPokémon'sstrongestattacks!"
"Wow,really?ImustbestrongerthanIthought!"MyownVenipedesaid,soundingcheerful.
"Uh,yeah..."Ormaybeyoushouldn'thavetoldthemtouseattacksthatweren'tveryeffectiveagainsttheirtypes.Seriously,thekidkeptusingPoisonStingsomanytimes,Iwonderedifmaybehejustlikedthemovealot."Now,didyouseeaguyinbluewearingaredandwhitecap?Orablondegirlinorangewithagreenhat?"
Theboypuckereduphislipsinthoughtbeforehestartedsmiling."Oh!IthinkIsawthatgirl."Hepointedoverhisshoulder."ShewasaskingifI'dseenVirizionintheforestbefore.Weird,huh?ShetalkedaboutitlikeitwasaPidoveorsomething!"Theboythenwalkedoff,IassumedtogohealhisPokémon.
"Virizion?Isthatoneofyourhumanfriends?"Venipedeasked,feelerstwitchingupward.
"Huh?No,that'salegendaryPokémon!Howcouldyounotknowaboutthat?"
Venipede'sfeelersdroopedandIimmediatelyfeltbad."S-sorryfornotknowing..."
"It'sokay...It'snotlikeyouwouldknowabouthumanmythsandlegends.AndVirizionislikethesortofthingyou'dfindinafairytale."
"What'safairy?AndwhywouldithaveVirizioninitstail?"TheBugtypeasked.
"Fey-ree,"Tinypronouncedwithalookofcuriosity.
Ishookmyhead."Fairiesaren'treal.Anyway,VirizionisoneofthethreeSwordsofJusticewho,inlegends,foughttoprotectPokémonfromhumansthatwantedtoexpandtheirterritoryontothePokémon'shomes.Askids,wewerealwaystoldthatweshouldn'tdoanythingbadtonature,orelsetheSwordsofJusticewouldcomeandpunishus."Thinkingaboutitnowhadanegativeeffectonme.Somuchasdroppingsomelittermightleadtomegettingthebusinessendofahorn."ButwhattheheckwouldBiancawanttodowithsomethinglikeVirizion?IthoughtshewashuntingaSewaddle!"Adarkthoughtsuddenlypoppedupinmymind:didsomethinghappenwithVirizion?DiditdosomethingtoBlack?WhatifIwasanonlychildnow?!"W-wehavetofindBiancabeforesomethingbadhappens"ifithasn'talready...!"
X-X-X
Afterthat,Iprettymuchblockedoutwhathappened.MaybeIwaschallengedbysometrainersandmaybeIactedabitharshly,butitwasprettymuchabluruntilIencounteredBiancabyalittlepond.Myfirstreactionwastojumpattheblondeandhugherwithallmymight,nearlycausingbothofustofallintothewater."Ohmygosh,you'resafe!You'realive!Oh,I'msohappythatyou'reokay!WhataboutBlack?Ishesafe?Ishehurt?Ishedead?!"
Biancamanagedtoprymeoffofherandstaredatmeinconfusion."H-huh?!White,don'tjustjumpontomelikethat!Iwasworriedyouweresomebadpersonorother!"
"Youwereworried?Iwasworried!YouandBlackranoffandleftmealoneinthemiddleofaforestofdeath!"
"What?"Biancalookedpainedbeforeshestartedhuggingme."O-oh,White.I-I'msorry!Ididn'tmeantoleaveyoualone,andneitherdidBlack,I'msure!Youmust'vebeenterrified!"Nokidding!I'dhaveprobablyfaintedbynowifIhadn'tbeenso
worriedaboutBiancaandBlack'ssafety.
"Butwhat'sthisaboutyougoingtofindVirizion?"
"Um..."Theblondebridgedherfingerstogetherandsmiled."I'mgoingtohelpProfessorJuniperbyresearchingVirizion!"
"...What?"Iaskedinaflattone.
"W-well,allentriesinthePokédexonlegendaryPokémonsaythingslike'thisisbasedonmyths,legends,andhearsay'neartheendbecausenoone'severgottencloseenoughtoonetoreallyresearchthem.So,Ifigured...IcouldlearnsomemorestuffaboutVirizionandtelltheprofessoraboutitsoshecouldaddittothePokédex!Wouldn'tthatmakeherhappy?"
Icontinuedtostareatherblankly."Bianca.You'retalkingaboutalegendaryPokémon.Legendary.Legendsdon'tjustpopupinfrontofyoulikeaneverydayPidove.Andevenifyoudidfindit,you'regoingafteronewhoselegendssuggestithateshumans!Itcouldkillyouatfirstsight!"
"That'sjustyourphobiatalking!ThisiswhyIdidn'twantyouhelpingme!"Biancasaidwithafrown.
"What?Youwantedmetohelpyouwiththiscraziness?"
Biancabegantofiddlewiththestrapofherbag."IthoughtthatmaybeyoucouldtalktoVirizionandlearnallsortsofthingsaboutitsinceyoucanunderstandPokémon.ButIfiguredthatyouwouldn'tbeabletohandleit,andIdidn'twanttoputyouthroughthatsortoffear,so...IthoughtmaybeNcouldhelp!"ThatexplainswhyshewasfollowingNthroughtheforest."But,"shesaid,startingtopout,"IguesshethoughtIwantedtodosomethingbadtoVirizion,becausehesaidhe'dhavetobeamonstertohelpsomeonecatcha...majesticPokémontopokeandproditjustsoalittledevicecouldhavemoreinformation."Well,thatfigures."WhenIwaslookingforSewaddle,IsuddenlyrealizedthatIwasn'tdoingwhatIsetouttodo.SoIfiguredthatIwouldstartsearchingforVirizionbeforeIjoinedupwithyouandBlackagain."
Istaredatherindisbelief."Bianca,Ialreadytoldyou:legendaryPokémondon'tjustpopupbecauseyougooutsearchingforthem.Itcouldbeanywhere!"
"Nottrue:thelegendssaythatVirizionrestsinforests!"
"Yes,legendsandpluralforests!Asinprobablynottrue,andifitis,notjustPinwheelForest!Bianca,thisisridiculous.Let'sjustgoandfindBlackinsteadofgoingonthis
wildgoosechase..."IputmyhandsonmyhipsandstaredatBianca."Well?Let'sgo."
Biancashookherheadandballedupherfists."No!Forthechancethatshe'sgivenme,IwannapaybackProfessorJuniperbyaidingherresearchofPokémon!"
"Bianca"!"
"Ifyoudon'twannacomewithme,I'llunderstand.It'sjustlikeCherensaid:we'resupposedtobegoingonthesejourneysbyourselves,sowemayaswelllearntodothingsbyourselves."Sheturnedaroundandadjustedherhatwithadeterminedexpression."I'lljustconsiderthismytimetolearntodependonmyownskills!"Shebegantowalkaway,butthenturnedaroundtolookatme."YoushouldprobablygobackonthemainroadandwaitforBlack,justtobesafe."
Well,thatdidit.Biancasucceededinmakingmefeellikeabadfrienddespitemebeinglogicallycorrectandprobablynotmeaningtodoso.Ibittheinsideofmycheekandglaredattheblondegirl.Iapproachedherandgrabbedherarm."I'llgowithyou,"Imuttered.Bianca'seyeslitupandshebegantosmile.Beforeshecouldopenhermouth,Isaid,"Don'tgetmewrong!Idoubtwe'llfindanythingatall!I'mjustgoingwithyoubecauseIdon'twantyougettingyourselflostouthere."
Biancalaughedandtookmyhandsinhers."Thankyou,White!Youdon'thavetocomealong,though.Icanhandleitonmyown!Butthanksforcomingwithmeanyway.You'reatruefriend!"
Ah,well,that'swhatIam.Atruefriendwhoiswillingtoendangerbothherlifeandherfriend'sforaridiculouslyimpossibletask...Seriously,howdomyfriendstalkmeintothesethings?
X-X-X
Minutespassedaswewentdeeperintotheforest.IkeptmyselfdistractedbyplayingwithTiny,ratherthanpayattentiontoeverysoundandsightofPokémon.Biancawalkedbesideme,stillseemingconfidentthatwewouldbeabletofindVirizion.Iwasn'tsureifI'dbeaverygoodfriendifIjustletherwanderaroundlikethisclingingontotheslimchanceofsucceeding."Bianca""Ibegan,butIwassilencedbythesoundofvoices."Wh-whatwasthat?Isthat...Virizion?"
Biancalookedatmeandshookherhead."No,Icanhearthem.They'repeople."Igaveabreathofreliefashereyeslitup."Theymight'veseenVirizion!"Yeah,Ihighlydoubtthechancesofthat."Let'sgoaskthem!"Sheexclaimed,grabbingmyhandandpullingmeinthedirectionofthevoices.Shesoonstoppedinhertracksandher
happyexpressionbecameaworriedone."White,it's"!"
"Ssshhh..."IhushedBiancaandgesturedforustoduckdownbehindsomebushes.WelookedthroughthebushesatthesightofatrioofTeamPlasmamembers.Great,asifthetripthroughthisforestcouldn'tgetworse...Whyweretheseguysevenstillhere?Weren'ttheyallchasedoffafterwhathappenedinNacreneCity?
"Uh,guys.Ireallydothinkwe'relost,"onePlasmamemberspoketimidly.
"Nokidding,genius,"anotherspokesternlywithhisarmsfoldedacrosshischest.
"Weweretoldtomeetupwiththeothers,butwecan'tfindthem,"saidthefemalegruntsittingonastump.Shegroanedandheldherheadinherhands."How'rewesupposedtofindVirizionwhenwecan'tevenfindourowncomrades?"Wait,didshejustsay...?"It'simportantthatwe'retheretohelpcaptureVirizion.Withitspower,TeamPlasmawillbebroughtevenclosertoliberatingallofUnova'sPokémon!"
"Istillsayit'sawasteoftime.Whybotherrelyingonsomelegendwhenwehavetheking?"Thesterngruntasked.
"H-heneedsallthehelphecan,"saidthetimidgrunt."Although...M-maybeheshouldbetheonedoingthis,sincehecanunderstandPokémonandeverything..."
"Ourlordistoobusytodealwithsuchthings,"thefemaleexplained."That'swherewe,hisloyalservants,comein!Sobothofyoustopyourwhininganddoyourjobs!"
"That'skindahardtodowhenwedon'tknowwhereourjobis..."
Iheldmybreaththeentiretimetheyspoke."Alright,"Ibegantowhisper."There'sthreeofthemandtwoofus,soweshould..."IsuddenlynoticedthatBiancawasnolongerkneelingbesideme."Bianca?"
"Y-youstoprightthere!"IlookedupandsawBianca,nowstandinginfrontofthePlasmidswithherhandinherbag."Iwon'tletTeamPlasmaharmVirizion"oranyPokémon!"Whendidshedothat?Moreimportantly,whywasshedoingthat?Thisisn'tthesortofsituationwhereyouplayhero!
"Whatthe...?Whodoyouthinkyouare?!"ThesternPlasmidsaidwithafrown."TeamPlasmawilldowhateverittakestohelpthePokémonoftheworld!Speakingofwhich,ifyouhaveanyPokémon,itwouldbeintheirbestinterestforyoutohandthemovertous."
"No!"
ThefemalesighedasshegotonherfeetandtookoutaPokéBallalongwiththeothertwogrunts."Itfigures.Trainerslikeyouonlyresolvematterswithviolence,right?We'llteachyoualessonwithpainthen!Go,Blitzle!"
"Comeout,Pinsir!"
"G-go,Croakgunk!"
Inflashesoflight,thePlasmamembersreleasedtheirPokémon.ThewomanhadsentoutaBlitzle,ablackhorse-likePokémonwithaspikywhitemaneandwhitestripes.ThesternmanhadsentoutsomethingI'donlyseeningamesandonTV:aPinsir,aStagBeetlePokémonwhosesharpwhiteclawstwitched,serratedteethmovedwithinitsmouth,andlargespikedpincersopenedandclosedinanintimidatingway.Thetimidman'sPokémonwasunfamiliar:asmallbluefrogthatstoodontwofeetwithyelloweyes,orangebulgesonitscheeksthatinflatedanddeflatedasitcroaked,andwhitestripesonitstorso.
BiancaworeasternexpressionasshetookoutthreeofherPokéBalls."Y-youdon'tscareme!I'lltakeyouonbymyself!"ShesentoutherTepig,Munna,andLillipup.
Atthispoint,Istoodupfrombehindthebush,shouting,"Areyoucrazy?!"
"Eek!There'sanotherone!"Thetimidgruntcried.
"Sowhat?She'sjustanotherpersonwhosePokémonwe'llliberate,"saidthesterngrunt
Biancaturnedaroundtolookatme."Don'tworry,White!I'llprovethatIcanhandlemyself,too!"
"FeintAttack!"ThesternandtimidPlasmagruntscommandedtheirPokémon.ThePinsirandthebluefrogPokémondashedforward,seeminglygoingforLillipupandTepigrespectively,butintheblinkofaneye,theywerebyMunna'ssideastheypunchedthePsychictypeatthesametime.ThePlasmaPokémonjumpedbackasBianca'sMunnafelltotheground,unconsciousfromthedualattack.
"Munna,no!"TheblondeimmediatelyreturnedMunnaintoitsPokéBall."H-hey!Don'tattackmewhilemybackisturned!"
"Thenpayattention,brat."
BiancagrowledbeforetakingoutherPokédextoscanheropponents'Pokémon,quicklytakinglooksatTeamPlasmatomakesuretheyweren'tattackingherwithout
notice."Blitzle,anElectrictype.Croagunk,aPoison/Fightingtype.Pinsir,aBugtype."
"Blitzle,useQuickAttackonthatLillipup!"Thefemalegruntcommanded,pointingatLillipup.TheElectrictypewhinniedbeforedashingforward,appearingasablackandwhiteblurthatstruckLillipupbeforeheadingbackovertoitstrainer.
"Hey!Iwas"!"
"Pinsir,BrickBreak!"Thesterngrunt'sPinsirjumpedatTepig.Biancawastoodisorientedtoissueanorder,butTepigblewembersoutofitsnoseintotheBugtype'sface,stoppingitsattackbeforeitcouldhit.
Biancaopenedhermouth,probablytocalloutthePlasmidsagain,butthetimidgruntspokeupbeforeshecould."Croagunk,useToxic!"HisCroagunkopeneditsmouthandspatoutdarkpurpleliquid.Tepigmanagedtododge,butLillipupwassoakedintheliquid.Heshookitoff,buthisfacebecametingedwithasicklyblue.
"UseFlash,Blitzle!"TheBlitzle'smanebegantoglowbrightwhiteandfilledtheareawithablindinglight.
"Pinsir,ViceGrip!"Apainedyelpfollowedafterthatcommand.Whenthelightfaded,thePinsirwassqueezingLillipupbetweenitshornslikeavise.Witheachsecond,Lillipupwascryingandcoughingashetriedinvaintogetfree,butthatonlycausedthePinsir'sspikestodigdeeperintohisbody.Withonefinalcough,thePuppyPokémon'sbodybecamelimp.
"STOOOOOP!"Biancashouted.ThePinsirseparateditshornsandLillipup'sunconsciousbodylandedonthefloor.ShesniffledasshereturnedLillipuptoitsballandbegantomumbleapologiestoit.AfterafewsecondsshelookedatTeamPlasma."Youaren'tfightingfair!"
"We'refightingnodifferentlythanoneofyoutrainerswould!"SaidthefemalePlasmid."Movinginquickly,ganginguponasingleopponent,weakeningthemtothepointofsicknessandmercilesslytakingthemdownwithapowerfulmove...We'reonlyfightingfirewithfire!"
"Soyoudon'tevencareifyouhurtthePokémonyou'retryingtohelp?"Icalledout.
"Wecanalwayshealthemlaterbeforereleasingthemintothewild.They'llbetoogratefultocareifweroughedthemupabit."
"Abit?!Ifyouwannaseethesortofroughingupyou'vebeendoing,justbattlemy
Pokémon!"Ah,thatadrenalinewasfinallykickingin.Ittookitlongenough,butbetweenBianca'sbeingdistractedandthePlasmids'frightening-lookingPokémon,Iwastoobusybeingthespectator.
ButwhileIwastakingmyPokéBallsout,Tepigwassnortingsmokeandembers.Hisbodyshookashegruntedandapalelightbegantoflickeraroundhim.ThelightcontinuedflickeringasTepig'sgruntsbecamelouder.Withashout,thelightengulfedtheFiretypePokémon.Whenthelightfaded,inTepig'splacestoodanother,similar-lookingPokémon.Itstoodonbothlegs,itstailendinginapuffytipoffurandyellowdesignsemblazonedoveritstorso,whichwaspartiallycoveredbybrownmarkingsthatmadeitlooklikealeotard.
"Isthat...Tepig?"Biancaspokeslowly,notregisteringwhathadhappened."Did...didheevolve?!"ShescannedhimwithherPokédex."He's...aPignitenow.Whenangered,theintensityofitsinternalflameincreases,makingitsmovementssharperandfaster."
"NIIIIITE!"Pignitebellowedandstompedontheground,hisbodysuddenlybecomingshroudedinroaringflames.Hedashedforward,tacklingthePinsirandburningitwithhisflames.TheBugtypewasabouttofallwhenPignitegrabbedholdofoneofitshornsandthrewitatthesterngrunt.
"Ah!Cr-croagunk,useFeintAttack!"Thetimidgruntcommanded.HisCroagunkleaptforward,disappearinginfrontofPigniteashemadetoattack,thenreappearingtostrikefromabovewithapunchtotheFiretype'shead.However,theattackdidn'tdoanythingbutmakePignitemad.Hegrabbedthefrog-likePokémon'sarmandslammeditdownontotheground,facefirst.TheCroagunkglaredupattheFirePigPokémon."PoisonSting!"TheCroagunkspatoutabarrageofglowingpurpledarts,aimedatPignite'storso.Heflinchedinpain,butitwasn'tenoughtomakehimfalter,andheretaliatedbygivingthepoisonousfrogapunchtotheheadthatknockeditout."Croakgunk!Noooo!"Thetimidgruntgaspedashecollapsedtohisknees.
Thefemalegrunt'seyetwitched."Blitzle!UseWildChargeonit!"TheBlitzlebegantostampitsfeetanditsmanebegantoflickerbrightyellow.Electricitybegantocracklearounditsbodyasitsnortedinanintimidatingmanner.Pignitesnortedaswellandstompedhisfeet,flamessurroundinghimonceagain.Theychargedateachotherandcollided,causingsparksofelectricityandemberstofly.TheBlitzlewentflyingbackandlandedinfrontofitstrainer.ThefemalegruntsuckedherteethinannoyanceasBlitzlegotuponshakylegs."Forgetthis!"ShereturnedherPokémontoitsPokéBallandlookedathercomrades."Wedon'thavetimetowasteplayingwithsomestupidkids!Weneedtofindtheothers!"
"R-right!"Thetimidgruntsqueaked.
"What?!ButIstillhavemorePokémon!"Thesterngruntshouted.
"SavethemforVirizion!"Thefemalegruntlookedinourdirection."Sadly,yourPokémon'sliberationwillbepostponedfornow."
Pignite,scratchedupbutconscious,stomphisfootandgrowledinanintimidatingway.ThePlasmidsbegantoslowlybackawaybeforetheyturnedtailandranoffscreaming.Pignitescreamed,"PIIIIIIIGNIIIIIIIIITE!"Witharoar,heranoffinthesamedirectionasTeamPlasma.
BiancaseemedtofinallysnapbacktorealityasherPokémonranoff."Pignite?Wait!Comeback,Pignite!"Shecalledout,butPignitedidn'treturn.Sheturnedtolookatmewithdread."Wh-white...Whathappened?WhydidPignitejustrunofflikethat?"Ishrugged,notreallysurehowtoanswer.IwasactuallyprettyterrifiedoftheFiretypeandthewayheacted.I'dhaveprobablyfaintedifhehadn'tfocusedhisragesolelyonTeamPlasma."Ineedtofindhim!He'shurt,andthere'sTeamPlasmaandwildPokémon,and...and...!"Shesniffled."Ihavetofindhimbeforesomethinghappens!"
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Thiswouldn'thavehappenedifIhadjustputmyfootdown.Ishould'vebeensterner,should'vetoldBianca'no'andstoppedherfromdoingthis.Apartofmewantedtovoicethosethoughtsouttohertotakehermindoffofwhathadhappened,andmaybetaketheblamethatBiancafeltshedeserved.SheseemedtothinkthatshehaddonesomethingwrongtomakePigniterunoffwithouther,sinceheneverdiditasaTepig.Perhapsitwasthewayshebattled?OrthewayshereactedtoTeamPlasma'swayoffightingher?Whateveritwas,Biancaconsideredherselftheonetoblame.
"Nn?What'sthat?"Biancaspokeupafterwhatfeltlikehoursofuncharacteristicsilencefromher."Ihearvoices.Maybeit'speoplewhosawPignite!"
"Waitaminute!"Ihissed,grabbingherarmandholdingherback."Letmegofirstthistime.Justincase."ThereweresupposedtobemoreTeamPlasmamembers,afterall.AndwithMunnaandLillipupinjured,onlyEeveeremainedtoprotecther.Takingthelead,IledBiancaintothebushes,cautiousasItriedtoavoidanyPokémonthatmayhavebeenhidden.Weduckeddownbehindaparticularlylargerockandcautiouslylookedbehindit.ThereweresomeTeamPlasmagruntsstandingaroundalarge,mossyrock.
"Hmmm..."Oneofthegruntsthrewhisarmsout."Thisisit!"
"What...?"Anothergruntasked,soundingconfused.
"Thisrock!ItmustbeconnectedtoVirizion!"
"...Idon'tthinkarockwaspartofthelegendofVirizion,"saidanothergrunt.
"Butjustlookatit!"WhoIassumedwastheleadgruntinsisted."Doesn'titexudethissortofvibe?Anenergyunlikeanythingnormal!Surelythisrockmusthaveaconnectiontotheforest'sprotector,Virizion!"Whatsortoflogicwasthat?Itlookedlikeaplainoldrocktome.
TheotherPlasmamembersstaredattherockinsilenceforafewsecondsbeforeonespokeup,"Itdoeskindastickout..."
"Itdoesseemspecial,"saidanother.
Theleadgruntbegantobeam."See?Nowallthat'slefttodoiscallouttoVirizion!Surelythepurityofourcausewillallowittocomeouttous!"
"Isthisguyforreal?"Onegruntmutteredloudenoughtobeheard.
"Wouldyouprefertowalkaroundforsomemorehours?"Anotherasked.
Withinseconds,allthePlasmidswerecallingouttoVirizion,someenthusiastically,othersapathetically.Istaredindisbeliefoftheiractions.Talkaboutridiculous...AsifalegendaryPokémonwouldpopoutbecauseyoucalledouttothem.
"Huh?"APlasmamemberlookedinourdirection,andfromthewayhewasstaring,henoticedus."Whatthe"?Whotheheckareyou?!"
IsteppedoutfrombehindtherockwithBiancabehindme.Thegruntsallbegantoglareinourdirection."I'mtheonewho'llputanendtothisnonsense!YouthinkaPokémonlikeVirizionisgonnahelppeoplelikeyou?"
Theleadgrunthuffedandputhishandsonhiships."Virizionwouldbemorethanhappytohelpus!WeofTeamPlasmaendeavortoprotectPokémonfromhumans,justlikeitwould!"
"No,notjustlikeit.Virizionhadagoodreason!Youguysarenothingbutcrooksandbullies!"Ifoldedmyarmsacrossmychest."What'reyougonnadoifViriziondecidesnottojoinyou?Areyoujustgonnaforceitandcatchitlikeoneofus'awfultrainers'?"
Theleadgrunt'sfaceturnedredandhestompedhisfootinfrustration."ARRRGH!HowdareyouinsultTeamPlasmaandournoblegoal?!Evenifwecan'tfindVirizion,wecanreleaseyourPokémonfromservitude!Everyone,attack!"Oncue,alltheotherTeamPlasmagruntsreleasedtheirPokémon.Igulped,realizingjusthowmanymemberstherewere:ten.TenTeamPlasmagruntsandtenPokémon,allglaringatme.Ifeltterrifiedandreadytorun,butBiancasteppedupbesideme."Bianca!"
"I'mhere,too,White!Ican'tletyoufightallofthembyyourself!"ShetookoutaPokéBallandreleasedherEevee.TheNormaltypesawalltheglaringPokémonandwhimpered,shrinkingback."Don'tworry,Eevee.Thistime,I'llpaycloseattention!"
Istaredforwardinfear.Tinyjumpedoutofmybagandlandedinfrontofme.Hischeekscrackledwithelectricityashemadehisbestattempttobeintimidating.Igulpedandadjustedmyhat.Atamomentlikethis,amiraclewouldbenice...!
"PIIIIIIIGNIIIIIITE!"AfamiliarcrydistractedtheTeamPlasmagrunts.
"Oh?IsthatVirizion?!"Theleadgruntasked.
"Uh...Idon'tthink..."Onegrunttrailedoffbeforethethreegruntsfromearlierranoutofthewoods,followedbyPignite.TheFirePigjumpedandtackledintothem,knockingthemdownandlandingontopofthetimidgrunt.
"KYAAAAAHHH!Getitoff!Getitoffofme!"ThegruntstutteredasPignite'snostrilsflared.
Biancaworealookofrelief."Pignite!"
Pigniteturnedaroundtolookatherandsuddenlycalmeddown."Huh?Bianca?"Ittookalookaround,confused."Wh-whereamI?"Helookedathimselfandhisnewfeatures."Wh-whydoIlooklikethis?!"PignitethennoticedTeamPlasma."Whataretheydoinghere?!"Ijuststaredindisbelief.Diditseriouslyforgetwhathadhappened?
"Pignite'sabilityisBlaze.ThatcauseshimtogetintensewhenhisFiretypeabilitiespowerup...Butthat'sthelongesthe'sbeenoutofit.I'mjusthappyhe'sokay,"saidBianca.
Theleadgruntlookedannoyed."Thatthingdoesn'tlooktheleastbitlikeVirizion!Howdareyougetourhopesup,youlousypig?!"
BiancaimmediatelytookoutPignite'sPokéBallandreturnedhimbeforeanyharmcouldhappentohim."Yourestnow,Pignite..."
"Grrrr!Mypatienceisseriouslyrunningthin!HandoveryourPokémonNOW!"
"ZIOOOON!"Avoiceechoedthroughtheareathatmadeeveryonebuttheleadgruntstandstill.
"Whatisthat?SomeotherPokémon?Ignoreitandfocuson"!"
Ithappenedsoquickly.AgreenblurmovedamongstthePlasmagrunts,knockingthemdownasitmadeitswayupontothemossyrock.Agreen,four-leggedPokémonglareddownatuswithitslightbrowneyes."Whathavewehere?Humansaresoloud,pollutingthequietoftheforestwiththeirnoise,"itspokeinasmooth,malevoice.Everyonestaredupatitinsilentawe.Virizion.ItwasVirizion.IwaslookingatalegendaryPokémonwithmyowneyes...andIwasterrified.ThiswasaPokémonwhosepowerhadtohavebeendevastating...andfromthedispleasedlookonhisface,hemightuseitonus.Iwould'vefainted,butIwastooworriedaboutwhatmighthappentomeifIdid.
TheleadgruntsoonforgotaboutBiancaandmeasheturnedtolookatVirizion."Oh...!O-oh!"Heclaspedhishandstogether."Oh,greatandpowerfulVirizion!WerequestthatyouaidusinournoblequesttofreePokémonfromhumantyranny!"
Viriziontiltedhishead,asifhonestlyconsideringit.Hereallywouldn't...wouldhe?Biancagulped,probablythinkingthatwasthecase,andspokeup,"D-don'tlistentothem,Virizion!TheyhurtthePokémontheysaytheywanttohelp!They'rebadpeople!"
"Quiet,youlittlebrat!"TheleadgruntlookedupatVirizionandresumedhispleading."WeofTeamPlasmaseektoprotectPokémon!Won'tyoulendusyourpowerandstrikedownthosetwotrainers,sowecanfreetheirPokémon?"
Virizioncontinuedtolookthoughtful.Afterafewseconds,thelegendaryPokémondisappearedassoonasIblinked.Afewmoreseconds,andsomegrunt'sPlasmauniformwascuttoshreds.Thesamethinghappenedtoanothergrunt.Thenanother...andanother...untiltheleadgrunthimselfwasstrippeddowntohisStunfisk-patternedboxers.Andasquicklyashedisappeared,Virizionreappearedontopofthemossyrock,smirkingasheleereddownatthePlasmamembers.
Needlesstosay,thePlasmidswerenotpleased.TheyallpointedupatVirizion,eachcommandingtheirPokémontoattackthelegendaryPokémon.ThePokémon,though,appearedtobesmarterthantheirtrainers.Ratherthanattack,they
remainedfrozeninplace,coweringinthepresenceofaPokémonthattheycouldprobablyfeelwasstrongerthanthem.Viriziontookadeepbreath,asifpreparingtoattack.Igaveashortyelpoffear,tookBianca'shandanddartedbehindtherockwehadbeenhidingbehindpreviously,ourPokémonfollowingbehindus.Tiny,somewhatclueless,jumpedintomybag,whileBianca'sEeveedidthesameasheburrowedintoherbag.Ibracedmyselffortheforceofsomeawe-inspiring,soul-crushingattack...ButallViriziondidwasroarloudly.No...Morelike...allittookwasaroartomakeTeamPlasma'sPokémonandmembersrunoffinalldirections.Eventheleadgruntwasrunningoffwithhistailbetweenhislegs.
Biancaopenedhermouthtospeak,butIsilencedher.Itseemedliketheentireareahadfallenquiet.Igaveasighofrelief,thinkingthatVirizionhadgonebackwhereverithadcomefrom...
Andthentherockwewerehidingbehindwasslicedapartandshatteredintovaryingsizedchunks.BiancaandIwoundupfallingdownonourbacks,staringupatthecanopyofPinwheelForestandVirizion,whotoweredoverus.ThelegendaryPokémonstareddownatuswithdistaste,hiseyesnarrowingandhismouthformingafrown.Icouldn'thelpbutpanic.Inseconds,IwasscramblingaboutlikeafrightenedSewaddleinthefaceofanUnfezant.Isoonfoundmyselfbackedupagainstatree,Tinysafelytuckedawayinsideofmybagandlookingupatmeinconfusion.
ButBiancadidn'tmove.Shejustlaidthere,staringupatVirizioninawe.IfIwereinamorestablementalstate,I'dhaveprobablypulledawayfromthedangerouscreatureandrunoffsomewheresafe"ifsuchaplaceexistedinthisforest.VirizionsnortedandBiancasoonrealizedthatsheshouldbeworried.Shegotonherfeetandsteppedback,EeveepokinghisheadoutofBianca'sbag.
"Humans...arequiteridiculous.Thinkingtheycaninvolvemeintheiraffairs,"Virizionspokewithdisdain.
"Y...youhatehumans,don'tyou?YouthinkwealltreatP-Pokémonbadly,don'tyou?"Biancaasked,hervoiceshakyinthefaceofalegendaryPokémonwithlittlepatienceforherkind."TeamPlasmamaybebadpeople,b-butnotallhumansarelikethem!Notallofthemarebad!IlovemyPokémon,andsodoesmyfriendWhiteoverthere!"Wait,what?No!Don'tmentionme"!Toolate.Virizionwasglaringinmydirectionwithasmuchdisdainasbefore.IwhimperedandhuggedthetreeIwasagainst,tryingtogetupsoIcouldrunaway."Anyway,youdon'thavetoattackus!Wecanbefriends!"
Virizionnarrowedhiseyes.Themajestic-lookingSwordofJusticelookedfarmore
malevolentnow."Allhumanssaythat.Andyou'renodifferent."Hebegantoglowwithapalegreenaura,andlongbladesofgreenenergyformedalonghishorns.Biancajuststaredinawe."Noneofyouareworthreasoningwith!"
AsVirizionswunghisheadtostrikewithoneofhisbladedhorns,Eeveejumpedoutofthebagandtooktheblow.ThelittlewhiteEeveewassentflyingintothemossyrockandlandedontheground,whimpering,"D-don't...hurt...Bianca...!"VirizionturnedhisdirectionfromBiancatoEevee,lookingconfused."Sh-she'smy...friend...!Don't...don'thurt...!"Themossyrockbegantoglowwithapalegreenlight.ThesamelightsurroundedBianca'sEeveeuntilhecouldn'tbeseen.Whenthelightfaded,Eeveehadchanged.Hiswhitefurhadbecomepaletan,hispawsdarkbrown.Smallbladesofgrassappearedtobegrowingoutofdifferentpartsofhisbody,withalargebladecurlingoutofhisheadlikeacowlick.Bothhisearsandtailweremostlylightgreenandresembledleaves."Idon't...wanttofight...!Butifyouhurther,I'll...I'llhurtyou!"
"Ah.Yetanotherlittleonesofoolishastothinkthatthehumanthatcallsthemselvestheirmasterisafriend.But..."VirizionlookedatBianca."Youwillforgetaboutherifsheisnomore."
TheevolvedEeveebegantoglowwithapalegreenaurathatresembledVirizion'sawhileago.Thegrass-likecurlonhisheadsuddenlystraightenedandbegantoresembleaknifeofsorts.Withagrowl,heranforwardintendingtoattackthelegendaryPokémon.Asheswung,though,Viriziondisappeared.Intheblinkofaneye,Virizionreappeared,tacklingthesmallerPokémonandsendinghimflyingintoatreewithenoughforcetoknockitoverandallowmoresunlighttoshinedownonit.
"No,Eevee!Imean..."Biancatrailedoff,notreallysurewhatherEeveehadevolvedinto,buttooworriedaboutlookingawayfromwhatwasgoingon.
Bianca'sPokémonslowlyrosetohisfeet,gruntinginpain.Afterafewseconds,hisgrassypartsofhisbodybegantoglowandhisinjuriesbeganhealing.Virizionsnorted."Soyouhealedyourself.Itakeitthatmeansyouwantmetotrounceyousomemore?"
"I'lltakeallthatyou'vegotuntilIknowyouwon'thurtmyfriends!"
"Friends?Youconsiderthesehumansfriends?Theydrawourkindintotheirconflicts,destroyourhomes,andeventreatuslikeweapons.Theyaren'tworthhurtingyourselfover."
"Bianca'snotlikethat!"Ishouted,suddenlyrememberinghowtospeak."B-BiancatreatsallherPokémonlikefriends!AndI...IwishIcouldbeasrecklessandb-brave
asher!"ApartofmewasstillwishingtojustfallunconsciousasItrembled."Andeventheoneswhoa-aren'tasgoodashercantreatPokémonlikefriends."Intheblinkofaneye,Virzionappearedinfrontofme.Rightinfrontofme.HetoweredovermewithajudginglookthatIfortunatelydidn'tgettoseeforlong,becauseIblackedout.
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"Look,look!She'scomingto!"ThatwasBianca.
"White!Areyouokay?Saysomething!"Thatvoice.Black?
"Mommy!"IheardTinycry,followedbythesensationofamildshock.MyeyessnappedopenandIfoundmyselfstaringupatthePichu,whowasinthemiddleofnuzzlinguptomyface."Mommy...!Chuuuu~!"Ibecameawarethatwewerenolongerintheforest,butoutside.Ihadaclearviewofthesky,freeoftreeleaves,andIwashappyaboutthat.I'dhavefallentomykneesandkissedthegroundifIwasn'talreadylyingdownonmyback.
Blackkneeleddownnexttome,smilingwithalookofreliefonhisface."Gladtoseeyou'realright.IthoughtafterseeingalegendaryPokémoninperson,you'dgointoacoma!"Oh,Iwould've,ifitweren'tforBianca."BiancawasdraggingyoualongwhenIcameacrossthetwoofyou."
Biancakneeleddownonthesidenexttome."Oh,White!Canyoueverforgiveme?!Becauseofme,wegotintosomuchtrouble!"Shesobbedwithwateringeyes."Eventhoughwetriedtosaveit,Virizionstilltriedtoattackus.Youprobablylostyearsoffyourlife!"Awholedecade,actually."I'masbadafriendasIamatrainer,aren'tI?"
IslowlysatupandlookedatBianca."You'reagoodtrainer,andagreatfriend.Ifyouweren't,TepigandEeveewouldn'thaveevolvedwhentheydid.Ifanyone'sabadfriend,it'sme.Ifrozewhenyouneededmethemost.I'msorry."
"I-I'mtheonewhoshouldbeapologizing!Ishould'veknownbetterthantodragyoualongwithmeforsuchadangerousthing!"
"AndIshould'vestoppedyoufromtheverybeginning,whenIalreadyknewhowdangerousitcould'vebeen."
"Ithink,"Blackbegan,drawingattentiontohim,"Thatwecanallagreethatyouarebothterriblefriendswhocareforeachother."
Igavemybrotherahalf-liddedstare."Andyou'reaterriblebrother."
"Huh?"
"YouleftyourPokémon-fearingsister,whomyouweretoldtolookafter,togochaseabug."
"I-Ithoughtyouwererightbehindme!AndwhenIdidn'tseeyou,IthoughtyouwerewithBianca!"MybrothermadeexcuseswhileIwatchedhimsquirm."Anyway,youwannaseehim?"
"Seewho?"Imutteredsecondsbeforesomethingwasshovedintothesideofmyface.Iblinkedandtookinthesightofalittleyellowheadwithbeadyblackeyesandanorangesnout.IstaredattheSewaddleanditstaredatme."...EEEEEEEEEEK!"IshriekedatthesametimeastheSewaddlebeforeIfaintedonceagain.Whycouldn'twejustgettoCasteliaCityalready...?
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Notes!
InBW,PinsircanbefoundonRoute12andCroagunkcanbefoundduringswarmsonRoute8intheSpring,SummerandAutumn.BothbecomepartofthenativeUnovaPokédexinBW2.
CroagunklearnsToxicviaTM.PinsirlearnsFeintAttackviabreeding.BlitzlelearnsFlashandWildChargeviaTM.VirizionlearnsRoarviaTM.
Chapter13
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesnotownthePokémonseries.Sheonlyownsthisfic.
Summary:EnroutetoCasteliaCity,White,BlackandBiancaencounterCherenandNanddecidetotraveltoCasteliatogether.Whatcouldpossiblygowrong?
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~OntheWaytoCastelia...~
Thefourofusstoodbeforeabuilding.NuvemaTown'sTrainerSchoolwasn'tasbigorfancyasthoseincitieslikeStriatonorCastelia,butitwasstillofficialintheeyesofthePokémonLeague.Likealltrainerschools,itexistedtoteachchildrenaboutPokémon:howtoraisethem,whattobecarefulabout,andhowPokémonbattlesoughttobeconducted.Andupongraduatingfromtherelativelyshortcourse,thestudentswererewardedwithatrainer'slicense"thatIDthatallowedyoutobuyPokéBalls,usethePCservice,andenterPokémonLeague-sanctionedeventsandthingslikethat.
Theconstantuseoftheword"Pokémon"wasthereasonwhyIdidn'twanttogoinside.
"Comeon,White!Youcan'tjuststandouthereallday!"Blackcomplained.Hetriedshovingmy10-yearoldbodythroughtheentrance,butIstartedtograpplewithmybrotherandtriedpushinghimback.Topassersby,itmayhavelookedlikewewerewrestling.
"No!Idon'twannabeatrainer!Idon'tevenwannabenearPokémon!"
Cherenadjustedhisglasses."Peoplefearthingstheydon'tunderstand.Therefore,goingtotrainerschooltostudyaboutPokémonwillhelpyouovercomeyourfearofthem."
"Or!Itcouldprovethatmyfearsarewell-founded!"Isnappedback.Andforgoodreason:itwasallCheren'sfaultthatIwashere!Before,itwasonlyhim,BlackandBiancawhowantedtogotoschoolsotheycouldgettrainerlicensesassoonaspossible.TheyhadaplantoleaveNuvemaTownontheirjourneysatthesametime.ButwhataboutWhite,theirsisterandfriendwhooftenhadtobedraggedaroundtownbecauseshefrozeatthesightofPokémon?Well,CherenthoughtthiswouldhelphergetoverherfearsandjointhemontheirjourneyacrossUnova.Everyonewasonboardwiththisidea"exceptme.
"Yourmomalreadypaidforyourtextbookandenrolledyouforthesummer.Soquitcomplaining,"saidCheren.
Biancasteppedforwardandputherhandstogether."Puh-lease,White?Weonlyhavewhat'sbestforyouinmind.Won'tyoucometoclasswithus?"
"Yeah,you'lljustmakeMomandDadsadagain!"Blackaddedashecontinuedtograpplewithme.
"ALRIGHT!"Ishouted,causingtheotherstojumpandBlacktoletgoofmeoutoffear.Ihuffedandfoldedmyarmsacrossmychest."I'llgotothestupidclass...!"
"Yes!Youwon'tregretit,White!"Mybrotherexclaimed.
"It'llbefun,wepromise!"saidBianca.
"Justthinkofhowmuchthis'llhelpyouandyou'llbefine,"saidCheren.
Ionlysighedinresponsetoalltheirreassuring.Iswear,thethingsthosethreecouldgetmetodo...
X-X-X
"NOOOOOO!It'snotFAAAAAIIIIIIR!"Ijolteduprightatthesoundofaloudvoice,nowfullyconscious.ButthemomentIsatup,Iwaspushedbackdownbyalittlebrownbundleoffur."White!Iwannaevolveme!Makemeevolve!Doitnow!Doitnow!DoitNOW!"
"EEEEEEK!"StillabittwitchyaftertheencounterwithVirizion,IimmediatelygotonmyfeetandsteppedawayfromthePokémonasitfelloffofme.
"Aw,c'mon!Don'tbescared!Ijustwantyoutoevolveme!"ThelittlebrownbundleoffurturnedouttobeEve,pokingherheadupoverthetallgrass.
"Ee-vol!Ee-vol!"ApairofPichuearsstuckoutofthetopofthetallgrassaswell.Tinybegantohop,tryingtomakehimselfknown.
"Whatthe"WhatareyoudoingoutofyourPokéBall?"Iasked.
"Iwantedtoseeifwewerethereyet."
"Doesitlooklikewe'reinacity?"Isaid,gesturingasIpointedoutthewilderness.
"Now'snotthetimetomakejokes!Iwannaevolve!"Eveinsisted."Justlikehim!"
ShelookedovertotherightandIfollowedhergaze.ShewaslookingatBianca'sEevee"orwhatwasBianca'sEevee.Eevee'splant-likeevolutionwassittingdownstifflyasitshimmered.Wait...shimmered?"Stopshiningandstopmockingme!"Evewhined.
"Ah!I'msorry!I'msorry!Ididn'tmeanto...!"TheformerEeveewhimpered.
"IthinkyourEevee'supset,White,"Bianca'svoicecamefromanotherdirection.IturnedmyheadandsawherandBlacksittinginthegrassafewfeetawayfromherPokémon.
"Noduh,Bianca.Shewasrollinginthegrasscryingawhileago,"saidBlack."Maybeshe'sjealousofLeafeon."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Leafeon?"
Biancabegantobeam."That'soneofEevee'sevolutions!AccordingtothePokédex,EeveeevolvedbecausethatstoneinPinwheelForestwassomethingspecial."
"Oh.Good.Bytheway,whatareyouguysdoingoverthere?"
Mybrotherandfriendheldupapairofsandwichespartiallyunwrappedfromplastic."We'rehavinglunch!"
"...SowhileIwasknockedoutandunconscious,youguysdecidedtojusthaveasnack,"Ispokeflatly,notbelievingwhatIwasseeing."IexpectthisofBlack,maybe,butyou,Bianca?"
"Oh,don'tgetsoupset.It'stoohardtoguesswhenyou'llwakeup,especiallywhenit'sdifferenteverytime,"Blackmadeupexcuses."Andit'snotlikeweranoffandleftyoualoneinthemiddleofnowhere.Hey,youhungry?I'vegotsomesnacksIboughtfromNacreneCity."
"Youcan'tapologizewithfood!"Isnapped.
"I'vegotahoneybun~!"Mytwinbroughtspoketemptingly,wavingthepastryintheair."Andit'sgoticing~!"
"...Justgimmethebun,"Ispokedarkly,makingmybrotherflinch.
X-X-X
Minuteslater,IwassittinginthegrassnexttoBlack,takingadrinkofwaterbeforeIfinishedoffmyhoneybun.MyeyesfellonhisPokémon.Hewaslookingathisnewly
caughtSewaddle.StandingnexttoKaitowasValentine,whoseemedtohaveevolvedintoaTranquillwhilewewereseparated.
"Let'ssee...Fromnowon,you..."HestaredintenselyathisSewaddle,whostilllookedquitefidgety."Yournameis...Felix."BlackpickedupFelix,whostilledinhishands.I'mnotsureifitwasbecausethebugfeltrelaxedinBlack'shandsorscaredstiff."ThisguyhereisKaito!"
"What'sup?"TheDewottasked,givingasaluteingreeting.
"AndthisisEdwin,"Blackcontinued,facingFelixtowardshisEevee.
"Hello,"theEeveespokesimply.
"Andthisis""
"EEEEEEEK!"FelixshriekedthemomenthewasfacedtowardsValentine.AtthesightoftheTranquill,heblewoutsilkfromhismouthandwrappedherupinacocoon.
"No,Valentine!Felix,why'dyoudothat?!"Blackexclaimed.
"B-birds!No...birds!G-getitaway!"TheSewaddledemandedasKaitocutValentinefree.ThemomentFelixsawthis,hescreamed."EEEEEEK!"Onceagain,hesprayedsilkalloverValentine,andKaitoaswell."...Idon'tlikebirds."
Kaitomanagedtocuthimselffreeofthesilkandgavethebugaflatlook."Obviously."
IheardasighthatmademelookdownatShion,whowasstandinginfrontofme.TheOshawottworeadreamylookonherfaceandwasstaringintenselyatKaitoasshemutteredunderherbreath."Is...somethingthematter?"Iaskedslowly."Don'ttellmeyou'vegotacrushonhimnowthathe'sevolved."
Shionsnappedoutofherdazeandlookedupatmeinconfusion."Whywouldyouthinkthat?I-Iwassimplyadmiringhisnewform.Yeah..."SheturnedaroundtostareattheDewottsomemorebeforemuttering,"Ishould'veevolvedbynow."
"Oh,no...Notyou,too!"Igroaned,rubbingmytemples."Eve'sonanevolutionkick.You'reonanevolutionkick.Nextthingyouknow,Tiny'sgonnabeaskingtoevolveintoaPikachu!"
"Because!"Eveexclaimed,suddenlypoppingupnexttoShionandsurprisingus
both."Evolutionisawesome!EvolutioniswhatIamborntodo,right?Right!Soevolvingshouldbemy#1priority!"
"Evolvingmeansthatyou'vebecomestronger.Soevolvingwillbeanecessarymeasureofmystrength,"Shionadded.
"SomePokémon'stypeschangewhentheyevolve,MissWhite."IgavePanaceaanannoyedlook,whichdidn'taffecther."It'strue."
"Iwanttoevolve,too!"SaidVenipede."IwannabecomeaLeavanny!"Igavehimalookofconfusion,asdidShionandPanacea."...What?"
"Firstofall,it'snotgeneticallypossibleforyoutobecomeaLeavanny,"Iexplained.Thelittleredbugdeflatedandhisantennadrooped."Secondly...Youdon'thaveanameyet."
"Huh?"
"Hey,we'retalkingaboutevolving,notnaming!"Evesaidwithapout.
IgnoringtheEevee,IstareddownattheVenipedeinthought."Howabout...Mars?That'sthenameofagodofwarwhofightsforpeace."
"Hey,"Evespoke.
"Thatsoundsnice.Peaceisnice."
"Hey."Evecontinuedtomakeherselfknown.
"Okaythen.YournamewillbeMarsfromnowon,okay?"
"Okay...ButifIdon'tevolveintoaLeavanny,whatdoIevolveinto?"Marsaskedinnocently.IgaveasighwhileEvelookedpleasedwithherself,notcaringthatshewasn'ttheonewhoturnedtheconversationbacktoevolution.
IlookeddownatTiny,whowasinthemiddleofchewingonaflower."Atleastyouaren'thoundingmeaboutevolution.Youshouldbetheonlyonetoevolve,justforthat."Helookedupatmeinconfusionandcockedhisheadtotheside,aflowerpetaldanglingfromhismouth."Ijusthavetomakeyouhappy,don'tI?"
"NOOOOOO!"Evecriedoutoverdramatically.
"She'sonlykidding.Calmdown,"ShionspokeflatlyastheEvebegantorunincircles,crying.
IsighedasIcontinuedstaringatTiny."Y'know,Ireallymightevolveyoualone..."
X-X-X
Afterfinishingofflunch,wecontinueddowntheroad.Theonlydifferencewasthatnow,EvewaspokingherheadoutofmybagalongwithTiny.ThereasonwasbecausetheinsufferablelittleEeveewasintentonevolvingthequickestwaypossible...andsinceIdidn'thaveanyelementalstones,thatwasPokémonbattles.Sheprettymuchmadeitclearthatthefirsttrainershesaw,she'dattacklikesomewildPokémon,soIhadnochoicebuttoagreetochallengethemcordially,likeagoodtrainer.
"White!White!Lookatthat!"Evechirped."There'repeopleupahead!Finally!Let'sfight'em!"
"Hey,someone'shavingabattleupahead!Let'sgowatch!"Blackexclaimedfromthefrontofthegroup,soundingexcited.Withoutevenwaiting,hestartedtorun.Afterafewseconds,heturnedbackaroundandapproachedBiancaandI."Well?Let'sgobeforethebattle'sover!
"Alright,alright..."Imuttered,followingbehindBlackandBiancaatalessenthusiasticpace.Oncewewerecloseenoughtosee,butfarenoughsoanyattackswouldn'thitus"thankgoodness"Iraisedmyheadtoobserve."Hey.IsthatCheren?"
Biancasquintedhereyesandleanedforward."Mmm...Itishim!I'drecognizethatcowlickanywhere!"
WewatchedasaPurrloinpouncedataTranquill,swipingitsclawsfuriously.TheTranquillflewupintotheair,justbarelyavoidinggettingscratchedup.ItflappeditswingsandkickedupablastofwindthatseemedtocutPurrloin.ThefelinePokémonraiseditspaw,whichbegantoglow,andthickgreenvinesshotoutofit.ThevineswrappedaroundTranquillandPurrloinusedthemtoslamthebirdPokémontotheground.Whenthevinesfaded,PurrloinpouncedandscratchedattheTranquillonceagainuntilitstrainerreturnedthebirdPokémontoitsball,admittingdefeat.AfterexchangingafewwordswithCheren,thetrainerrandowntheroad.
"Hey,Cheren!"Blackshouted,immediatelymakingourfriendlookinourdirection.Bothsidesbegantoapproacheachotherandmetinthemiddle."Aren'tyousupposedtobeinCasteliaCitybynow?Itlookslikeyou'retheonewho'stakingtheirsweettimegettingthere."
"Foryourinformation,Istayedbehindforreasons:mainlytrainingmyPokémon,
whichIhopeyou'vealldoneaswell."
Biancapouted."Why'reyoucountingmeandWhite?Youtwoaretheonlyoneswhowanttofightthechampion!"
"White'schallengingthegyms,too,remember?Andevenifshewasn't,anythingcouldhappen.It'sbestthatbothyouandyourPokémonarepreparedforwhatevermayhappen,"Cherenexplainedasheadjustedhisglasses.
"We'realreadyprepared!WhiteandIencounteredthelegendaryVirizionandsurvived!"Biancarespondedcheerfully.
Igavetheblondegirlahalf-liddedstare."Areyoukidding?Wecould'vebeenkilledbythatthing!"
Cherengavethetwoofusaskepticallook."You'rejoking."
"Nope!WesaveditfromTeamPlasma!...Sortof,"Biancaaddedmeekly
Thedark-hairedboylookedatme."Isshetellingthetruth?DidTeamPlasmareallytrytodosomethingtoVirizion,alegendaryPokémon?"
"Well""
"Theydid!"Biancaexclaimed,interruptingme."Whathappenedwas..."
Forthenextcoupleofminutes,BiancaretoldtheeventsinvolvingVirizionandTeamPlasma.Bytheend,Cherenwaslookingatthetwoofussternly,likeaparentupsetwiththeirtroublesomechildren."Really,Bianca?YouthoughtyoucouldgetclosetoalegendaryPokémonandnotexpectthatitcouldbehostile?Andyou,White!IthoughtyouwouldhavesensewhenitcametothingslikedangerousPokémon!"
"Sorry,"bothIandBiancaspokeatthesametime,bowingourheadsinapology.
"Isupposeit'sagoodthingyouweretheretostopthem,althoughitdoesn'tsoundlikeVirizionreallyneededthehelp."Yeah,Ishould'veknownthatabunchofno-goodPokémonthievescouldn'tevenconvincesomeoneaspowerfulasViriziontojointhem,letalonecaptureit.Itdidn'tevenstickaroundtothankus"that'showlittleitthoughtofus."Butit'sworrisome.It'sbadenoughthatthey'retargetingtrainersandtheirPokémon,butnowthey'reapparentlygoingafterlegendaryPokémonaswell?"
"Yeah...Youhavetowonderwherethey'regonnadrawaline,"Blackmuttered.
"IwonderwhatthePokémonLeagueisdoingtostopthem.Shady,rottenguyslike
TeamPlasmawhotrytogettheirhandsonanythingtheywantwithcriminalmeansshouldbebroughttojustice."
"Thatisn'ttrue!"Thatvoice.Pleasedon'tletitbe""TeamPlasmaisanoblegroupwitharighteouscause!"Yeah,itwasN.ItwasNwalkinguptothefourofus,gettingupclosetoCheren,andtoweringoverhimasheglareddown."Someonelikeyou,atrainerwhocapturesPokémontobattlejusttoobtainpointlessbadges,couldneverunderstandtheirselflessgoals!"
Cherennarrowedhiseyes."Excuseme?HowcanyoucallpeoplelikeTeamPlasmanoble?HaveyounotheardabouthowtheyrobbedthemuseuminNacrene?OrhowtheytriedtostealPokémonfromadaycare,notreleasethem?They'devenhurtawildPokémoniftheythoughtitwouldfurthertheirselfishgoals!"
Nshookhishead."That'salie!Theymighthaveafewaggressivelypassionatepeopleamongthem,butTeamPlasmaareheroes!"
"Heroes?!Youreallybuytheirnonsense,don'tyou?IfeelsorryforyourPokémoniftheyhadatrainerwhowouldsocallouslyabandonthembecauseastrangertoldthemitwastherightthing!"
"N,whyareyoubeingastalkerandfollowingus?"Isuddenlyasked,hopingtobreakupapotentialfight.
Nlookedatmeandfrowned,stillupset."Iamnotstalkinganyone!Iwasmerelywalkingbehindyou."
"Really?Ididn'tseeyou,"saidBlack.
"Me,nether,"saidBianca.
"NeitherdidI,andyetyouwerecloseenoughtohearCherenandnotspeakupuntilhestartedtotalkbadlyaboutTeamPlasma.Thatmakesyouastalker,"Ifinished.
"Iamnot.Pleasestopreferringtomebythatword,"Nspoke,soundedexasperated.
"Doyouguysknowthisperson?"Cherenasked,lookingatmenow,thoughhestilllookedannoyed.
"ThisisN.HecanunderstandPokémon,too,justlikeWhite."Blackexplained.
"Really?AndyethesupportsTeamPlasma?"Thedark-hairedboymuttered.
"Iknow,right?It'smindbogglingtome,too.Andhehasthenervetogetupsetwith
mefornotthinkingthesamewayashimbecauseofthat,"Iexplained.
"Doeshedothingslikethistowardseveryone?"
"HeoncecameuptomeatarestaurantinNacreneandjustsatdownnexttomeforthatveryreason."
"Ah.Sohe'srude."
"Incrediblyso."
"Ifyoucouldstopbeingsorudeandpayattentiontome!"Nspokeup,soundingaggravated.HelookedatCheren."IfeelsorryforyourPokémon.Theyprobablydon'twanttofightforyourpreciousbadges."
"Thefeeling'smutual,fordifferentreasons.HowwouldyourPokémonfeel,Iwonder,ifyoujustletthemgobecauseofsomeoneelse'swords?"
"Pokémonaremyfriends.Iunderstandthattheywouldbehappierintheirhomeinthewild.Someonelikeyouprobablydoesn'tconsideraPokémon'sfeelings,onlytheirstrength."
Cherengrowledandlookedreadytolosehistemper,butheadjustedhisglassesandheldontotheframeforafewsecondsbeforelookingatNagain."Alessermanwouldpickafightwithyouoverthat.ButI'mnotthesortoftrainerwhousesPokémontoresolvetheirpersonalargumentsnorthetypeofpersonwhostartspunchingwhenthey'reupset."Really?Iwouldn'tthinkanylessofyouifyoudeckedhimone,Cheren.I'msureyoucouldtake'em.
"Uh...N!"Blacksuddenlyexclaimed,asiftryingtochangefocusfromtheargumenttohim."You'regoingtoCasteliaCity,aren'tyou?Soarethefourofus!"
Chereninterjected,"Excuseme?Thefourofus?"
Mytwinlookedatourspectacledfriend."There'snoharminallfiveofusgoingtogether,isthere?"
"Black,howcanwefindourselvesonourjourneyifwe'realwaysfoundtogether?"
BlackfellsilentandstaredinconfusionatCheren.Afteramoment,helaughed,"Lookatyou,tryingtosoundallmatureanddeep!There'snothingwrongwithhangingoutwithyourfriendseveryonceinawhile,isn'tthere?Andtraveling'sbetterwithcompany."HethenlookedatN."IknowNwantstocomewithus,don'tyou?"
Black,whydoyoudothistome?
NlookedbackandforthbetweenBlackandI."Iwouldverymuchliketotravelwithyouandyour...friends.AtleastuntilwearriveinCasteliaCity."
IstartedtogiveBlackaglare,asdidCheren.Atthatmoment,Biancasteppedin-betweenustotryanddefusethesituation."Now,guys,calmdown!N'saprettyniceguy,ifabitdifficulttimes...Actually,he'skindoflikethetwoofyouinaway!"IimmediatelybeganglaringatBianca."It'sonlyathought..."
WhileCherenbegantofumesilently,IturnedaroundtolookatN."You.Just...behave.Anddon'tsayanythingparticularlyannoying,okay?"
"I'lltrynotto,"thegreen-hairedteenanswered.Don'ttry,do!Forthesakeofmypatience,andpossiblyyourlife,do!
X-X-X
Overanhourlater,wewerestandingatoneendoftheSkyarrowBridge.Itwasfunny:weweretaughthowSkyarrowBridgewasthelongestbridgeintheregion,butafteractuallyseeingitwithmyowneyes,itwaslongerthanIpreviouslyimagined.Itwasawe-inspiring,sure,butIcouldn'thelpbutask,"Justhowlongisitgoingtotaketowalkacrossthisthing?"
"TherecordedtotallengthoftheSkyarrowBridgeisover1000meterslong,sothebestestimatewouldbeanhourand30minutes,dependingonhowquicklywemove."Thepersonwhosaidthis,oddlyenough,wasn'tCheren,butN.Icouldn'thelpbutstareathimindisbelief."...Issomethingwrong,White?"
"N-no,I'm...justsurprisedyouknowsomethingabouttherealworld."Andit'ssomethinglikedistanceandestimatedtime.Washe,like,amathgenius?OrdidhejustrememberthatfromabookonthebridgeofUnova?"Still,over1000meterslong...Maybetheyshould'vejustkepttheferrysystemandsavepeoplethepainofwalkingthisfar!It'smurderunlessyoudon'thaveacar!"
"Ifotherpeoplecanwalkthisdistanceandmakeit,youcansurvive,"saidCheren.
"Yeah,White!Thinkofitasendurancetraining!"Blackexclaimed.Hethengotalookinhiseyes."Hmmm..."HetookouthisPokéBallsandbegantoreleasehisPokémon."Guesswhat,guys!We'regonnarundowntheSkyarrowBridgefortraining!"
"Okay,"saidKaitoandEdwin,noddinginagreement.Theformerbegantostretch
whilethelatterbegantoruninplace.
Valentinedidn'tsayawordandjusttooktotheair,flyingafootoverheadofus.Blackbegantolookthoughtful."IguessValentine'strainingwouldbeflyinginsteadofrunning..."HelookeddownatFelixtheSewaddle,whowasstaringdownatthepavedroadinamazement.Afterafewseconds,hepickedupthebugandplacedhimonhisshoulder."There!Sinceyoumaynotbeabletokeepup,I'llcarryyou.Alright,guys!Let'sgo!"HetookoffrunningwithhisPokémonkeepingupbehindhim"exceptforFelix,whowasholdingontoBlack'sjacketfordearlife.
"Ireallywishthatoldferrysystemwasstillrunning,"Imutteredundermybreath.Over1000meters.Thatwasfineforthebridgebelowwhenyou'redrivingacar,butnotwhenyou'rewalking.
BiancabegantolookthoughtfulaswellandbegantoreleaseherownPokémon."Youguysshouldbeabletoexperiencethis!TheSkyarrowBridgeshouldbeenjoyedbyPokémon,too!"Shethenranoff,alsofollowedbyherPokémon.
Cherensnortedandadjustedhisglasses."Thosetwoarejusttooenergeticsometimes.They'llprobablytireoutbeforethey'rehalfwayacrossthebridge."Hebegantowalkaway,butturnedaroundtolookatme."Areyoucoming,White?"IwasabouttoopenmymouthwhenIheardthecryofPokémonfromabove.Ifroze,refusingtolookup.AdownybluefeatherfloateddownpastmyfaceandIgaveasqueakoffear.CherenstaredatmeforafewsecondsbeforelookingupandtakingouthisPokédextoscanwhateveritwasthatwasflyingoverhead."Ah,Ducklett.Isupposeit'scommonforFlyingtypePokémonlikethemtoroostalongthehighpointsofbridgeslikethis....Iknowyouwantmetosaythatthere'snochanceofthemswoopingdowntoattack,butthere'sactuallya50-50chanceofthathappening.SomePokémonsimplyenjoypickingfights.Foryourowngood,Isuggestyoutakeitinstrideandjustmovealong.Otherwise,you'regoingtobeleftbehind."Afterafewsecondsofwaiting,Cherenturnedandbegantowalkaway.
IreallywantedtoshoutatCherenforjustleavingmebehindinmytimeofneed.ButIremainedsilent,ballingupmyfistsasDucklett,Pidove,andotherbirdPokémonsquawkedandcriedoutfromabove.Atsomepoint,Nenteredmyfieldofvisionandbegantostareatmeinconfusion."White?Issomethingwrong?Areyouexperiencingvertigo?"Youhavetoatleastlookdowntogetvertigo!
"Mommy?"IheardTinyspeakwithahintofworry.
"White'sscaredofthebirds,"Evepointedoutfromherplaceinsideofthebag."Ithinkshe'stooafraidtomove.Iam,too.Whatifoneofthosethingsdropsaneggon
us?"
"Youidiot,birdsdon'tlayeggsinthemiddleoftheair,"saidZorua."N,justleaveherbehind.Herdumbfriends'lleventuallyrealizeshe'snotthereandcomebackforher."
Ncontinuedtostareatme.Itwasstartingtodisturbme,likehewastryingtolookatmysoulorsomething.JustasIwasgoingtospeakatlastandtellhimtostopbeingcreepy,thegreen-hairedteentookmyhandandbegantowalk,draggingmealongbehindhim."Don'tworry,White.I'llhelpyoumakeitacrosssafely."IheardZoruagiveagroanofannoyance.
Ireallywantedtosay'letmego,Icanwalkbymyself',butthefear-addledpartofmybrainwantedcompanyandameatshieldtoprotectmefromdive-bombingDucklett.Wewalkedforminutes,thegreen-hairedteen'sgripremainingtight.Topassersby,itmust'velookedridiculous...orlikewewereacouple.ThatwasthelastthingIneeded:forpeopletothinkI'mdatingaguywho'smanagedtotickmeoffalmosteverytimewemeet.Atthatpoint,Iregainedcontrolovermyvoiceandasked,"Whyareyouhere?"
"Comeagain?"
"Whydoyouwannafollowusandtravelwithus?Youdon'tlikeus"we'rewhatTeamPlasma'sfightingagainst.AndIdon'tlikeyoubecauseyouradmirationofTeamPlasmablindsyoutothecrimestheycommit.Sowhydoyoukeeppoppinguptobuguslikethis?"Someonehadtoaskit,andsinceBlackandBiancaweretooniceaboutitandCherenhadonlyjustmetN,Ihadtotakeontheresponsibility.
"BecauseIwanttobefriendswithyouandyourbrother."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Um...friends?"
"Yes.You'rebothsuch...interestingtrainers.NothinglikewhatIthought.Andit's...nicetomeetsomeonelikeme."
"Oh,sothat'showitis.Well,I'msureBlackwantstobeyourfriend,butnotme."
Nstoppedwalkingandturnedaroundtolookatme."Whynot?"
"Incaseyou'veforgotten,youtendtocramTeamPlasma'smumbo-jumbointoaconversationwhenyoucan,andit'sannoying.Youalreadyknowmyfeelingsaboutthem,andyetyoustillpersisttohoveraroundmelikeyouthinkI'mgonnadosomethingwrong,whichmakesmefeelliketheworsttraineronthefaceoftheplanet.Youjust...makemeuncomfortable."Nimmediatelyletgoofmyhandand
steppedawayfromme.Iguess'uncomfortable'wasthekeywordfor'backoff'.Istaredashebegantoplaywiththecubehangingfromthehemofhispants."Look,I'msuretherearepeopleoutthereyou'llgetalongwithjustfine,butI'mnotoneofthem."
"Whydoyoulikeyourfriendsthen?"Igavethegreen-hairedteenasuspiciouslook."I'mmerelycuriousaboutwhyyouwouldconsiderthemfriends."
"Idunno.I'mjust...comfortablearoundthem."
"AndImakeyouuncomfortable."
Ihesitatedforamoment,notsurehowhe'dreact."...Yeah."Nbegantostareatthepavementinthought,andIstaredathim,expectingaresponsesoon.Butwhenitfeltlikehewasn'tgoingtospeakagain,Iwalkedpasthim,determinednottofallbehindoftheothersorremainonthisforsakenbridgeanylonger.
X-X-X
"Whoeverthoughtitwasasmartideatomakethisbridgeaccessibleonfootwasanidiot.Theyshould'vejustkepttheferryrunninginsteadandleavethebridgeforthecars.ImaginehavingtowalkthisfareverytimeyouwantedtotravelbetweenCasteliaandNacrene!Thiswouldturnpeopleoffofwalkingfortherestoftheirlife...!"
"White.Whoareyoutalkingto?"Eveasked.
"I'mnottalking,I'mcomplaining.Mostlytomyself.BecauseifIkeeptalkingandfocusingonmyhateforthisbridge,Iwon'tnoticeallthebirdPokémonflyingaround."SomeDucklettquackedsomewherefromaboveandtheirdownyfeathersalongthebreeze."...Notnoticingthematall."
"White!"IlookedupintimetoseeBlack,BiancaandCherenrunninguptome.Mytwingrabbedmyarmandbeganpullingmefurtherdowntheroad,BiancapushingmefrombehindandCherenrightnexttomewhilealltheirPokémontrailedbehind."You'vegottaseethis!"
"Whatisit?!ThisbetternotbeaflockofDucklett!Theyshedfeatherslikeit'stheirmoltingseasonorsomething...!"Icontinuedcomplaining.
"Justlook,justlook!It'sreallyamazing!"Biancaexclaimed.
Weallgatheredalongthesideoftheroadoverlookingtheocean.Lookingdown,I
couldseewhattheyweremakingsuchabigfussover:alargecruiseshipthatwaspassingoutfromunderthevehiclebridge.Smokefromitsstackswaftedupintotheairanditsoundeditshorn.Icouldmakeoutlittledotsthatwerepeoplewalkingalongthedeck.
"Isn'tthatamazing?It'sthePleasureBoat!JustlikeonTV~!"Biancaswooned."IwishIcouldtakeaphotoofit.Ilovethatshow!"
"Uh...ThePleasureBoat?"IrepeatedasBiancahummedthethemesongtoPleasureBoat.
CherenlookedatBianca."I'msureshemeans'PleasureBoatRoyalUnova',don'tyou,Bianca?"Theblondestoppedhummingandstaredinconfusion."ThePleasureBoatonTVwasbasedontheRoyalUnova,rightdowntothename.ItdoesdailycruisesaroundtheUnovaregionfromCasteliaCity.Itlookslikesoonthey'llmakinganotherrun."Black,Biancaandmyselfbegantostareathim."...What?"
"Didyoujust...makeajoke?"Blackspokeindisbelief.
Cheren'seyeswidenedforamomentbeforehebegantoblush."Itwasn'tonpurpose!"
"Riiiight..."
Thespectacledboyhuffedandbegantowalkaway.Biancaturnedtouswithasmile."IwonderifIcouldgoonthePleasureBoat?It'dbesocooltogoonacruiseship!"Shethenbegantosigh."ButIguesstheticketsarereallyexpensive...Well,IguessIcouldalwaysseeitwhileit'sdockedinCastelia,ifI'mlucky..."ShethenwalkedoffwithherPokémonintow.
"I'veneverseenaboatthatbigbefore...Interesting,"saidValentine.
Kaitohuffed."Idon'tseewhatallthefussisabout.Icandothesamethingasthat...boat."
"Canyoucarrydozensofpeopleandproviderooms,food,andsimplenecessities?"Edwinaskedquickly.
"Yes!No!I...Whatdidyouevensay?"
"IheardthatonBill'sTVonce."
"Oh.Who'sBill?"
"He'samaniac,"saidEve.
"Yeah,amaniac,"Edwinrepeated,causingKaitoandValentinetostareattheEeveepairinconfusion.
"Bytheway,White,"Blackbegan,"whyisNstandingthatfarawayfromus?"IturnedaroundtolookatN,whowasstandingseveralfeetawayfromus.HewasstaringouttoseainthedirectiontheRoyalUnovahadgone."It'skindaweirdthathe'sshyallofasudden."
"He'snotbeingshy.Itoldhimthathemademeuncomfortable,soIguesshedecidedtostayawayfromme."Mybrotherbegantofrownandstaresternlyatme."What?Don'tgivemethatlook!"
"Howdoyouwantmetolookatyouafterwhatyou'vedone?"
Ihuffed."Iwasbeinghonest!Wouldyouhavewantedmetosay'Sure,I'llbeyourfriend!'whenIcanbarelystandhim?That'snothowfriendshipsshouldstart,Black."
"Actually,Ithinkthatishowtheystart.AndwoulditreallybesobadtobefriendswithN?Imean,whenhe'snotfocusedonTeamPlasmaorthinkingthattrainersarebadpeople,he'saniceguy."IcontinuedtostareatBlackskeptically."Y'know,Irememberalittlegirlwhooncehadnofriendsbecauseotherkidsthoughtshewasweirdanddifferent,butoneday,shelearnedthejoysoffriendship."
"...You'renotgonnaletmegetoffofthisbridgeuntilImakenice,areyou?"Withasigh,IturnedmybackonBlackandapproachedN."Hey,N.SorryItoldyouthetruthabouthowuncomfortableyoumakeme."Blackpunchedmelightlyintheback."...Anyway,wecantrytobefriends...Iguess."
"ButImakeyouuncomfortable."
"Thenyoubettertrytostartmakingmecomfortablefromthispointon."
"...Alright."Nwalkeduptomeandstaredforafewsecondsbeforehehuggedme.ItonlylastedashortwhilebeforeImanagedtobreakfreeofhishold."Issomethingwrong?DidIhugyoutootightly?Idothatsometimes,Iadmit."
"You...!Youdonotjustrandomlyhugpeople!"Isnapped.
"Idon'tunderstand.HuggingmakesmyPokémonfriendsmoreateasearoundme."
"DoIlooklikeaPokémontoyou?"
"Actually""
"Shutup,Black,"ImutteredbeforeIturnedaroundandwalkedaway.
X-X-X
IhavenoideahowlongIspentwalkingalongthatbridge,butatsomepoint,IreunitedwiththefriendswhowentaheadofmeandtheidiotsIthoughtIleftbehind.Bythatpoint,though,Iwastootiredtoputupafightagainstthem.Ithinkwewerealltired,actually.BlackandBiancahadevendecidedtoreturntheirPokémonintotheirballswhentheybegantotireout.Butthefatiguesoonfadedawaywhenwebegantoseetallbuildings,cars,andcrowdsofpeoplehustlingalong.
"Well,we'reinCasteliaCity,"saidBlack.
"Thankyouforpointingouttheobvious,"saidCheren.
"Iwasn'ttryingto.Iwastryingtosoundhappy,but...I'mjusttootired!"Blackcomplained.
"Toobehonest,Ialmostdidn'tnoticewewereherebecausemylegsarekillingme...!"IspokeasIbentover,rubbingmysorelegs.
"Mine,too...!"saidBianca."Let'sfindaPokémonCenterwherewecanrelax.Thesooner,thebetter!"
"I...can't."WeallturnedtolookatN,whosuddenlyspokeup."Idon'tlikePokémonCenters."
"Ifyoudon'tlikegoingtoPokémonCenters,howdoyouhealyourPokémon?Wheredoyouevensleep?"Cherenasked,archinganeyebrow.
"Iknowpeople."
"People?Well,Iguessifyou'vegottenalongthisfar,it'sokay.Butareyousureyou'regonnabeokayoutthere?"Icouldn'thelpbutask."Haveyouevenbeeninacitybefore?"
"No."Oh,dearheavens,we'llprobablyheartomorrowabouthowhegotmuggedorranoverbyacar."Are...youworriedaboutme?"
"OfcourseI'mworried.Youscream'easytarget'forshadypeoplewhomightwanttotakeadvantageofyou"andthat'sthebestscenario!Theworstonesendwithyoudying!"
Thegreen-hairedteenbegantosmile."I'mglad."BecauseIwasthinkingaboutyoudying?"Youlikemeenoughtobeworriedaboutmysafety."No,that'scalledhavingcompassion,atraitthatI'monlyshowingtoyoubecausetheworstthingyou'vedoneisinsultme."Untilwemeetagain,BlackandWhite."IwatchedNwalkoffwithZoruawalkingbehindhim.Eventually,hedisappearedamongthecrowdofpeoplewalkingalongthesidewalk.
"...Heforgotwewerehere,too,"Biancasaidwithapout.
"Idon'tcareifhedid.Iwouldn'texactlymindifIdon'trunintothatNcharacteragain,"saidCheren.
"I'msureyou'dlikehimifyougavehimachance,"saidBlack.
"Ican'thelpbutfeeluncomfortablearoundhim.HesupportsTeamPlasmadespitetheiractinglikethievesandcriminals.Ifyoulethimgettooclose,hemightsnatchyourPokémonawayandreleasethem."
"Hewouldn'tdothat.Nwantswhat'sgoodforPokémon!I'msurehe'llseethetruthonhisown,eventually..."
Biancaclearedherthroat,bringingtheboys'attentiononher."Um,guys?PokémonCenter?Seriously,Ineedtositdownforthesakeofmyachylegsandfeet!"
"Alright,alright.Let'sgo."
IfeltsomeonetapmeonmyshoulderandturnedaroundtolookatBlack."Noneedtoworryabouthim,I'msure.N'smanagedtravelingonhisownforthislong,afterall."
"Yeah,butI'llfeelabitguiltyifhewindsupgettinghitbyacarorsomething..."ImutteredbeforethefourofuswalkedofftofindaPokémonCenter.
X-X-X
Notes!
In-game,theonlyaccessibletrainerschoolsinUnovaareinStriatonCity(BW)andAspertiaCity(BW2).
Felixmeans"lucky"and"successful".MarsistheRomangodofwarwho,unlikehisGreekcounterpartAries,isportrayedpositivelyinmythsasusingmilitarypowertosecurepeace.
Intheanime,there'sanepisodecenteredonatownwhereaferrytoCasteliaranpriortotheSkyarrowBridgebeingbuilt.Thisdoesn'texistinthegames,though.
TheRoyalUnovaonlysetssailintheeveningin-game,butitcanbeseenpassingunderneathSkyarrowBridgeevenintheday.
Chapter14
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Sheonlyownsthisfic.
X-X-X
#000:TheSecretofLibertyGarden
"MissWhite?MissWhite?"IgroanedandtriedtoignorePanacea'spokingmylegasIlaidfacedownonthebed."Comenow.Howoutofshapeareyouifawalkacrossabridgetiredyouout?"Youdidn'tseethebridge,letaloneexperienceitslength.I'msurepeoplewhoexerciseregularlygettiredoutfromthattrip!"Yourfriendsrecoveredquicklyandleftawhileago.Youshouldbereadytogetupnow."Igaveanothergroan.
"Ithinkyoushouldjustleaveheralone.Thatwalklookedlikeitreallyhurt!"SaidEve.
"Youcan'tgethurtfromwalking."Tellthattomyachinglegs."...Ifyourlegshurtthatmuch,I'lljustgivethemalittlemassage."
"Nomassage.Justsleep,"Igrumbled.Isoonfelttinypawsrubbingalongmyleg."Panacea.Please,no.Iappreciatethegesture,butIjustwannasleep...Allthat'sdoingiskeepingmeup."IbegantofocusonTiny,whowassleepingnexttomyheadonthepillow.
Iheardthedooropeningandopenedmyeyes.Blackwalkedintotheroom,carryingacardboardbox."Hey,White.We'vegotapackage."
"...Seriously?"
"Yeah."Iscootedovertoallowhimtoputdownthebox."It'sfromMom.Iwonderhowlongagoshesentthishere.Imean,Castelia'sabigcity"there'smorethanonePokémonCenter.It'samazingthatwearrivedatthesameonethepackagedid."
Istaredatthebox."Whatdidsheevensendus?It'saprettybigbox."
"Itcamewithaletter.Let'sseewhatitsays..."Blackunfoldedapieceofpaper."DearBlackandWhite.VeterantrainerMomhere,sendingyousomeitemsthatmayhelpyouonyourjourney.SomeoftheseareforWhite,someareforBlack,andsomeyourdadandIhopeyou'llsharewitheachother.Imadeachecklistforyourconvenience,sopleaseuseittomakesurenothingwentmissingduringthetrip."Helookedatme."Well?Openit."
"Alright,alright..."Igotonmykneesandopenedthebox.Severalitemswerestackedinside,eachwithalabelonit."Here'sabadgecase.Isthisforyou?"IaskedasIpickedupapinkbadgecase.
"No,it'sforyou.ItoldMomwerechallengingthegyms.Hopeyoudon'tmind."
"What?!"
"What?It'snotabigdeal,right?Plus,youneedsomethingtokeepyourbadgesinsotheydon'tgetlost."
IsighedasIputasidethebadgecase."She'sgonnabeexpectingbothofustochallengethechampionnow...!"Icontinuedriflingthroughthebox."Oh.Shepackedmesomeclothesforcoldweather.Notsureifwe'llevenbetravelingforthatlong,butit'sthethoughtthatcounts.There'salsoafishingrodhere."Itookoutasmall,blackrodwithseverallargebuttons.ItwasimmediatelysnatchedoutofmyhandbyBlack."Hey!"
"Oooh!ThisisaSuperRodV!Thesethingsarepricy!"Heexclaimedasheshooktherodaround."Uh,youdon'tlikefishing,doyou,White?"
"No."
"Great!Thenyouwon'tmindifIkeepthisformyself!"
Irolledmyeyes."Knockyourselfout,Black."Iresumedpullingoutitems."Thereis...somethinglabeled'TechnicalMachine'here."Onceagain,Blackswoonedandstaredinchild-likewonder."Okay,what'ssoamazingaboutsomeTechnicalMachine?"Whateverthatis.
"YoureallyknownothingaboutthedeeperpointsofPokémontraining,White."Mybrotherclearedhisthroat."ATechnicalMachine"TMforshort"iscapableofteachingaPokémonmovesinstantaneously!...Solongasit'spossibleforthemtolearnthemoveatall.ThosemovesarekeptasdataonTMdiscs,ofwhichtheysaythereareasmanyastherearemoves,thoughdifferentregionsselldifferentdiscs.Technologyisamazing!...So,canIseeit?"IsighedandhandedhimtheTM.Itwasacube-shapeddevicewithatouchscreenandbuttonsonthetop,asphere-shapedslot,andthenameSilphCo.ontheside.BlacksmiledandbegantofiddlewithitwhileIcontinuedlookinginsideofthepackage."Oooh!It'sgotSwordsDanceonhere!IamsoteachingthattoKaito!AndMimic!AndSubstitute!AndPayDay!Ooooh,Explosion!"
Igavehimalookofhorror."Don'ttellmeyou'regonnateachoneofyourPokémon
toblowup!"
"Ofcoursenot!Besides,they'renotreallythekindofPokémonthatarecapableofforcingthemselvestoexplode..."
"Uh-huh.Whateveryousay,youmadman."Istoppeddiggingandpulledoutapairoftickets."Hey,what'sthelettersayaboutthese?"
BlackstoppedplayingaroundwiththeTMandlookedattheticketsinmyhand."Um..."Helookedbackattheletter."Um,they'relifepassestoLibertyGarden!"
"Oh,wow!That'sahistoricallandmark!...How'dMomevengetthese?"Istaredatthepassesinsuspicion."Doyouthinkshe...splurgedmoneyagainandgottheseonawhimbeforedecidingtojustgive'emtous?"
"Well,maybetheywereherlifepassesbefore!Mom'sbeenaroundUnova,too.Wecan'tjustassumethatallthethingsshesentuswerebought,like,aweekago."
IlookedintotheboxagainandpulledoutablackandpinkXtransceiver."Iguessthisismine,too,huh?"
"Oh,aXtransceiver.It'sabouttimeyougotconnected.NowIdon'thavetoworryaboutyouwhenyouwanderofftodoyourownthing!"
"Yeah...Great...Howdoyouturnthisthingon?"Iasked,lookingdownatthedeviceinconfusion.
"Hangon,I'llshowyou..."
MinutespassedasBlackshowedmethelittlefeaturesoftheXtransceiver.IwasprettysurethatIwouldonlyeveruseitforcallingandtalkingtopeoplethough.Infact,thefirstpeopleImadetocallwereBianca,Cheren,andProfessorJuniper,andafterthem,Mom.
"WhatdoyoumeanIwasn'tthefirstpersonyouthoughtaboutcalling?I'myourmother!"
"I-it'snotthatIwasn'tthinkingaboutyou!Ijustfiguredtheyshouldbethefirsttoknowtheycancallmenow!Sotheydon'tfeelliketheyhavetocallBlacktogetme,too!"IcontinuedtofeeluncomfortableasMomglaredatme."Um...Bytheway,what'swiththesuddencarepackage?Imean,Iunderstandsendingmostofthisstuff,butwhysendthesetickets?"
"Oh,youmeanthepassestoLibertyGarden?Ifiguredyoutwowouldlikethem.Ifyou'regonnatravel,youmayaswelltakeinasmuchasyoucan!"
"Buthowdidyougetthem?"
"Iwontheminaraffle!Theywerethe#1prize!Isn'tthatlucky?"Momsaidwithasmile."Anditwascheap,too!Istillhadenoughmoneytobuysomestuff!"
"Okay...Justdon'tgowastingmoney.Wedon'twannacomehomeandfindyouindebt."
"Oh,please!I'llneverfallintodebt!Ionlygoaftersweetdeals~!"IsighedandshookmyheadwhileMomgiggled."Anyway,I'msureyou'vegotalotofthingstodoinCastelia!Bye,kids!Remembertocall!"
IfoundmyselfstaringdownatthescreenoftheXtransceiverbeforelookingatBlack."So..."IpickedupthepassestoLibertyGarden."Feelinguptoseeingoneofourregion'sgreatestlandmarks?"
"Eh.Iguess."IglaredatmybrotheruntilhebotheredtolookupfromtheTMcaseandlookedatme."What?It'sjustgonnabeasboringasthehistorylessonsonit!MaybeifI'mlucky,I'llatleastbeabletofindsometrainerstochallenge..."Isighedandshookmyhead.Blacklookedatthebox."Let'scleanupandgetgoing.I'mprettysurethere'sascheduleforthesethings."
"Ugh...Timetopackthisstuffaway,then..."
X-X-X
Ifthecityitselfwasawe-inspiring,thensowerethedocksofCastelia.Therewereactuallymultipledocks"oneforprivateboatsandyachts,onewherecruiseshipsfromaroundtheworldcamein,andtheonefortheboattoLibertyGardenIsland,whichwastheverylastdockattheend:theaptlynamedLibertyPier.
"Itoldyouitwasthisdock,butnooo!Youthoughtitwasoneoftheotherdozen!"Icomplainedaswewalkeddownthedockwheretheferrywasstationed.Therewasalreadyalineofpeoplewalkingontoit."Well,theregoesthewindowseat..."Imutteredaswewalkeduptotheendoftheline.
"You'dprobablyjustcowerifyouhappenedtoseeaPokémonoutofthewindowanyway,"saidBlack,tryingtomakeitseemthatbeinglatewasagoodthing.
Tinyclimbedoutofmybagandupontomyshoulder."Weirdo?Weirdo!"thePichu
exclaimed,pointingovertotheendofthedock.Yup,therewasN,leaningagainsttherailing,staringdownatthewater,withZoruastandingontopoftherailingperfectlybalanced.Washegoingtotryandgethisattentionlikelasttime?"HIIII!"
Thatobviouslycaughthisattention.Igroaned,butIstillfoundmyselfwalkingoutoftheline.
"Whereareyougoing?!"Blackcalledout.
"I'llberightback!Thisshouldn'ttakelong!"SolongasNspeaksasfastasheusuallydoes.Icontinuedtowalkdownthedock,Tinyjumpingontotherailingandrunningdownit.Iwasworriedhewasgoingtofallintothewater,butheseemedtohaveperfectbalanceashemadehiswaytowardsZorua.
"Hi!"ThePichuchirped,makingZoruafalloffoftherailingfromshockandlandonhisbackonthecement.
"Oh...it'syouagain,"ZoruagrowledatusasNcontinuedstaringdownatthewaterwhiledroppingbreadcrumbsdowntosomeBasculinthathadgatheredatthesurface.
"Hi,weirdo,"TinygreetedashesmiledatN,completelyoblivioustotheinsulthe'dsaid.
IfoldedmyarmsacrossmychestasIlookedthegreen-hairedweirdoover."I'msurprised.IthoughtthenexttimeIsawyou,itwouldbeasapictureintheobituaries,"IsaidasIleanedagainsttherailing.Ireallydidworry,though.Nseemedlikethesortofpersonthatgotbeatupinschooljustbecause...ifhedidgotoschool,anyway.
Hisonlyresponsewas,"Mm."
IgaveNahalf-liddedlook.WhatwasprobablythefirsttimeIwantedtostartaconversationwithhim...andN'sprettymuchgivingmethecoldshoulder.Itappedmyfootinirritationandheldmybreathbeforeasking,"So,whatchadoing?"
"Watchingtheboats."Coincidentally,whenhesaidthat,Icouldhearthesoundofahornblaring,andwithinafewseconds,acruiseshipwasleavingport."I'veonlyseenpicturesofthem...SomearefarmoreextravagantthanIthoughttheywouldbe."
"Iguessitisamazingtoseeacruiseshipforthefirsttime..."
"I'vealwaysbeeninterestedinthingslikethem.Thefactthattheycanglideacrosswaterandusethewindtopropelthemselvestogreatdistances.Iwonderwhatit'sliketorideone..."Thereitwasagain,thatbright-eyedlookthatmadehimlooklikealittlekid.
"WHITE!Theferry'sgottagoandyou'retheonewiththetickets!"Blackshouted,wavingatmetocomealready.Hedidn'tseemtonoticethatNwasthere.
"Well,I'vegottago.Bye!"IspokequicklyasIgrabbedTinyandranontotheferrywithBlack.Theguywhowasondecktakingticketsgavemeasourlookfortakingtoolongtoboard.Whatwasthebigdeal?Ithadtohavebeenatenminutetriptomakeitthere,ifnotless.Iflashedthelifetimepassestotheman,smiling.Themandidn'treturnitandpointedovertotheseatsthathadbeenbuiltintotheouterwallontheoutsideoftheship.Didthatmeantherewerenomoreseatsinside?Weren'twegoingtogetwet?AwetWhiteplusanelectricmousePokémonwhomayormaynotreleasetheoccasionaljoltbymistakewasnotagoodcombination.
"Oooh,we'regonnagettositoutside!"Black,ontheotherhand,wasexcitedatthethoughtofsittingoutsidetheship.Heranovertothelastfreeseatandploppeddown."Hm?Hey,it'sN!Hey,N!"
IjustrolledmyeyesandsatdownnexttoBlackashestartedtowaveexuberantlyatN.Thegreen-hairedteenjuststaredatus,probablyjealousofnotbeingabletogoonaboathimself.Icouldn'tresistbeingchildishandstuckmytongueoutathimastheferryleftthedocks,sailingtowardstheislandinthedistance.
"Wah!"Tinyscrambledintomybag,shuddering.
"What'swrongwithyou?"Iasked,watchingthePichuwhinefearfully.
"Heh-heh.Ithinkthesoundofthemotorscaredhim,"Blacksnickered.
"Aw,it'sokay,Tiny.Nothing'sgonnahurtyou."Tinystillhidinsideofthebagandcurledupintoafetalposition.
X-X-X
Afewminuteslater,wedockedatLibertyGardenIsland.BlackandIwerethefirstpeopletogetoffoftheferry.ThemomentTinypokedhisheadoutofmybag,hejumpedoutintoaflowerpatchthathadbeenplantednearby.Iguesshewasgratefultobeoffoftheboat.
"Alright,we'rehere.Nowwhat?"Blackasked,stretchinghisarmsupintotheair.
"Whatdoyoumean'nowwhat'?WegoandcheckouttheLibertyTower,duh!"
"Whichonethough?"Istaredatmybrotherinconfusion.Hepointedforward."Lookoverthere."Iturnedaroundtolookandmymouthopenedinaweofthesightoftwolighthouses.Onewassleek-lookingandbrandnewandtheotherwasmadeofstone.Bothhadpeoplegoinginandoutinlittlegroups,takingpicturesandwhatnot."IthoughttherewasonlyoneLibertyTower?"
"Thereis.It'sthestonelighthouseoverthere.Thenewerone'ssupposedtobeareplacementlighthouse,butsincetheLibertyTowerhassignificanceinUnova'shistoryasasymboloffreedomandunity,itwaskeptstanding."Iexplained.IlookeddownatTiny."Youmaynotcomprehendanyofthis,butthislighthouseisreally...Tiny!"ThePichuhadapparentlyspentthisentiretimeeatinguptheflowerpatch.BythetimeInoticed,he'dalreadyeatenaboutaquarterofit,onlystoppingtolookupatmewithaflowerhangingfromhismouth."Whoeverplantedthoseisgonnabemad!There'sadifferencebetweenfoodandtopiary!"IchastisedTinyasIpickedhimupandbegantocleanthepollenoffofhim.
"Ahem."Ifrozeuprightatthesightofthetourguide,amanwholookedevenmoreannoyedwithmethanthetickettakerbackontheLibertyPier.IslippedTinyintomybagandscootedclosetoBlack."Ifyoutwodon'tmindpayingattention,thetourisabouttobegin,andI'dlikeitifnotomfooleryweretohappenduringit."
"Tomfoolery?"Blackwhisperedaswebothmadeourwaytothebackofthetourgroup."Whosaysthatanymore?Tomfoolery..."
"Shutup,Black.Idon'twannagetintroubleandIwanttohearwhattheyhavetosay,"Iwhisperedback.
"Nowthen,"thetourguidebegangesturingtowardstheolderlighthouse,"theLibertyTowerwasagiftfromtheregionofKalos"theypaidforeverythingthatwouldallowthetowertobebuilt.ThelightthatshonefromthelighthousewassupposedtobeasymbolofhopeandfreedomforhumansandPokémonalike."Heturnedhisbacktothegroup."We'llnowbeheadinginsidetogetabetterlookathowthelighthouseusedtowork."
OurgroupheadedintotheLibertyTower.Somepeoplebegantotakephotosasthetourguideresumedspeakingaboutwhatelsethelighthousewasusedfor.IonlybotheredpayingattentiontosomebitsandpiecesbecauseI'dheardmostofthingshesaidinschool.Furtherupthespiralingstaircasewasthesecondfloordormitoryfortheformerlighthousecaretakersandthethirdfloorwherethelightwasshone.Hopefullyit'dgetmoreinterestingfurtherup.
"Well,IfeellikeI'mbackinschoolagain.Andthat'snotagoodthing,"saidBlack.
"Yeah,'cuzyouhavemuchbetterthingstodo,likegawkoverthoseTMs,"Ispokesarcastically.Tinypokedhisheadupoutofmybag,hisearstwitching.ThePichujumpedoutofmybagandranintheoppositedirectionofthetourgroup"downthestairsintothearealabeledasthebasement."Tiny,what'reyou"Stop,stop,stop!"Iranafterhimdownthestairs,followedbyBlack.
X-X-X
"Tiny,Iswearthatifyoudon'tcomebackherethisinstant,ourokaypartnershipisgoingtogetworse!"IcalledasIwalkeddownthestairs.WhenImadeittothebottomofthestaircase,Inoticedseveralthings.One:thedownstairsbasementwasactuallyalong,creepy-lookingcorridorwithdimceilinglampsandrustingdoors"aremnantoftheoldundergroundthattheLibertyTowerwasbuilton.Two:Tinywasstandinginthemiddleofthecorridorwithhisbackturnedtome.Three:apairofTeamPlasmamembersstoodatthefarendofthecorridorinfrontofadoor.
"White!"IjumpedasBlackhissedintomyear."What'retheydoinghere?You'dthinktheywouldn'tbeabletogetherewithoutgettingarrested."Whyweretheyevenhereinthefirstplace?Thequestionwaswhytheywereeventhereinthefirstplace.Iftheywantedtorobtheplaceagain,I'mprettysurethevaluableswereallaboveground.
ElectricitycrackledaroundTiny'sbodybeforeheunleashedajoltofelectricityatthetwogrunts"notenoughtoknockthemout,butenoughtomakethemwhirlaroundandglareatus."Whattheheck?!Ithoughttherewasn'tsupposedtobeanyonedownhere!"
"It'sonlytwokids.We'lljustleavethemtiedupuntilwegetVictini.Maybeleave'emlockedupinoneoftheserooms."
"Uh...Won'tthatkillthem?"
"I'msurethey'llbefound...eventually."
BlackclearedhisthroatandbroughtthePlasmids'attentionbackonus."Ignoringyourtwistedphilosophy,whatmakesyouthinkwe'llletyoudoanyofthat?"ThePlasmagruntsdidn'trespond.TheymerelytookouttheirPokéBallsandreleasedtheirPokémon:aScraggy"athinyellowlizardwithalargeheadthathelditslooseskinarounditswaist,andaCottonee"asmallwhitecreaturemostlycoveredinfluffywhitecottonandleaf-likegreenears."Scraggy,theSheddingPokémonisaDark/Fightingtype.Ithasskinwithrubberyelasticitythatcanreducedamagewhen
pulledupandasturdyskullwhoseweightmakesitunstable.Cottonee,theCottonPuffPokémon,isGrasstype.Itshootscottonfromitsbodytodistractattackersandgoeswhereverthewindtakesit,"BlackreadoffofhisPokédex.
"Cottonee,useCottonSpore!"TheCottoneeshookitsbodyquicklyandreleasedseveralsmallcottonball-likespores.ThesporeshoveredaroundTinyforamomentbeforetheysuddenlygrewlargerandclungontohim.
"Scraggy,useSmackDown!"TheScraggybegantogesturewithitshands,asifformingsomethinginside.Afterafewseconds,theScraggythrewasmallglowingorbatTinythat,despitethecottonsurroundinghim,madeimpactandsentthePichuflyingback.
BlackreleasedhisSewaddle."Felix,useBugBitetochewawaythatcotton!"Heinstructed,pointingatTiny'scotton-coveredbody.
TheSewaddlefrozeatthesightofTeamPlasmaandtheirPokémonandbegantocryoutinahigh-pitchedbuzzingsound."AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"ThesoundofhiscryingmadetheScraggyandCottoneewinceinpain"thelattertothepointofdroppingoutoftheair.
"Felix!Concentrate,willyou?!"BlackshoutedoverFelix'sscreaming.TheSewaddleimmediatelystoppedandbegantochewawayatthecottonwhileTeamPlasmaandtheirPokémonwererecoveringfromtheattack.Soon,Tinywasfreed."Alright!NowuseRazorLeaf!"
"Tiny,useThunderShock!"
Withashakeofhishead,Felixunleashedaflurryofleaves,andTinyunleashedajoltofelectricity.ThesharpleaveshitboththeScraggyandCottonee,theformerdroppingitslooseskinduetotheforceoftheattack.ThefollowingelectricshockmadetheScraggybegintosway.
"Snapoutofit,Scraggy!UseHeadbutt!"TheScraggybegantorunforward,butitfelloveritsfeet.
"Cottonee,MegaDrain!"TheCottoneebegantoglowwithapalegreenaurabeforefiringabeamofgreenenergyatFelixthatquicklyretracted.TheSewaddleshookhishead,notreallyfazedbytheattack.
"Felix,useStringShottobindthosetwotogether!"Blackcommanded.Felixopenedhismouthandblewlongthreadsofsilkoutofhismouth.ThesilkthreadswrappedaroundtheScraggyandCottoneeandtiedthemtogether."NowuseBugBuzz!"
FelixbegantoscreamonceagainandthesoundmadeTeamPlasma'sPokémonfaint.
"C-cottonee,nooo!"Oneofthegruntscriedoutwhiletheothergrowledinfrustration."Th-thatwasmyonlyPokémon..."
"Mine,too."
"So,whatdowedonow?"
ThegruntsexchangedlooksbeforetheyreturnedtheirPokémonintotheirballs...andranoff,pushingBlackandmedownintheprocess."Hey!Youjerks!"IshoutedovermyshoulderasthePlasmamembersdisappearedupthestairs.
Blackgotonhisfeetandwalkedovertothedoor."...Ihearsomethinginsideofthere."Hestaredatthedoorforafewsecondsbeforegrabbingthehandleandopeningit.
"Whatareyoudoing?!"IhissedasIranuptohimandgrabbedhiminachokehold."You'rejustinterruptingsomeworkers!"
"White!White,lookinside!"Mybrotherchokedoutashepointedintotheroom.
Ilooked,andinseconds,Iwasstaringinconfusion.Iexpectedtheretobeastorageroomorjustsomeemptyoldcellar,butinstead,itwasaroomthatlookedlikeitbelongedtoachild.ThereweretoysscatteredaboutandasmallTVplayinginthebackoftheroom.IsteppedintotheroomafterBlack."Whatonearthisthis?"
"Itlookslikesomeone'sbeenhangingoutinhere.Orlivinghere.Look!TheTV'son!"Blackwalkedovertothetelevisionandgotonhiskneestoseewhatwasplaying."Hey,it'sthatshowwiththekidwhotravelsacrossalltheregionstobecomethePokémonMaster!Italwaysamazesmethatnomatterhowlongthisshow'sbeenon,he'llstillalwaysbe10yearsold...Whatelseison?"Hepickeduptheremoteandchangedthechannel."Look,White!It'sthatmini-showyoulike"theonethatteachespeopletosayJapanese."
"YA!MINNA!It'stimeforthisweek'sKoukanTalk!Thisweek'sphraseisforaskingsomeonechallengingthePokémonLeague'Howmanybadgeshaveyougot?'Yousay'Ikutsubajimotteru?'That's'Ii-ku-tsuba-jimo-te-ru?'Yeah!Askyourrivalhowfarthey'veprogressedwiththisphrase!"
"Ineverunderstandwhyyoulikethisshow.JapaneseisallGreektome..."Blackmutteredashechangedthechannel.
Istaredatmybrotherindisbelief."Seriously,Black?Aren'tyoueventheslightestbitfreakedoutthatsomeonemightlivehere?"Itsoundedlikesomethingoutofahorrormovie:somehomicidalmaniacwaslivingdownhere,plottingthenextmomenttheywouldstrike.
TinyandFelixwerestandingbyapileofplushtoys.ThePichubegantostareinaweat,whattohim,must'veseemedlikeamountainofdolls.Felix,however,staredatthepileforafewsecondsbeforescamperingoffinfeartowardsBlack,squirmingintohisjacketfrombehindandcoweringbehindhim.
"WHOA!"BlackreachedbehindhisbackandpulledtheSewaddleoutofhisjacket."Whatwasthatfor?!"
"Theeyes...!Theeyes...!"TheSewaddleshiveredinfear.
"Idon'tthinkhelikesdolls,"Ispokeflatlybeforesomethingshotoutofthepileandattachedtomyface."AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!Getitoff,getitoff!UWAAAAAAHHH!"Icriedout,myheartpoundingagainstmychest.Ikeptsteppingaround,tryingtogetthethingoffofmeuntilIfellback,landinghardonthefloor.Igroanedandheldmybreathasthecreaturejumpedoffofmyfaceandjumpedintoanopentoybox.AssoonasBlackcrawledovertomeonallfours,Iheldhiminachokehold,crying,"This...is...all...your...faaaaault!"
"White,stopchokingmeeee!"
"We'regoingtodiebecauseofyourcuriosity!Ifanything,you'regonnadie,first!"
"Can't...breathe...!"
"Vi...?"Welookedupandsawapairoflargeblueeyesstaringatusfrominsideoftheslightlyopentoybox.
IsomehowfoundthestrengthtothrowBlackforwardinthetoybox'sdirection.HecrawledforwardslowlywhileIcrawledback,notlookingforwardtobeingattackedbythatthingagain.Mybrotherwentinfrontofthetoyboxandraisedthelid.Iclosedmyeyesandstartedtopleadtowhateverhigherentitycouldgetmeoutofthismess.
"Heythere,lil'guy.Wasthatyouwhoscaredthestuffingoutofus...?"IheardBlackspeaksoftly.Afterafewseconds,Ifeltahandonmyshoulder."Hey,White.Thisiswhatyouwerescaredof."Icrackedopenmyeyesandsawsomethingstandingontopofmyknees.Itwasasmallcream-coloredcreaturewithlargeblueeyes,longV-shapedorangeears,andapairofwingsstickingoutofitfrombehind.Afterthat,I
fainted.
X-X-X
WhenIcameto,IwasinapositiontoseeBlack,Tiny,andthatlittlecream-coloredPokémonwatchingTVtogether.I'dbeensetupnearawallwithadollinmyarms.Blacklookedoverhisshoulderinmydirectionbeforecrawlingtowardsmeonallfours."Good!Youwokeup!Listen,IhavesomethingIwannashowyou."HesatdownnexttomeasIheldmyhandtomyforehead,sighing.MybrotherpulledouthisPokédexandafterpressingsomebuttonsandusingthesearchoption,heheldupthePokédextomyface,showingmetheentrythatpoppedup.
"...Victini,theVictoryPokémon.Psychic/Firetype.AncientmythssaythatthisPokémonbringsvictory,andthattrainerswhoownonewillalwayswin,regardlessofthetypeofencounter.ItissaidthatVictinicancreateanunlimitedsupplyofenergyinsideofitsbody,andshareitwiththosewhotouchit.However,becausethereislittletonoproofthatthisPokémonevenexists,itistreatedasalegendaryPokémonratherthansimplybeingararespecies.Tothatend,itisgivenauniquenumberinginitsnation'sPokédex"#000."Andrighttherenexttotheentrywasanimageofthelittlecream-coloredcreaturethatscaredthedaylightsoutofme.
"White...Thatlittleguy'sararePokémon!Andalegendaryone!Canyoubelieveit?!"Blackgrabbedmyhandsandstartedsinging,"Legendary,legendary~!Wefoundalegendary~!"
"Thatmakesitworse!"Ihissed."LegendaryPokémonhelpedtoformUnovaasweknowitinafight,remember?!AlegendaryPokémonalmostkilledmeandBianca!Youwannaknowhowbadlythat...littleguycouldmessusup?!"IgrowledbeforeIcametoarealization."Itcoulduseitspsychicpowerstoreadourminds!We'redead!"IlookeddownandjumpedatthesightofTinyandVictinistandinginfrontofme.
"Friend,Mommy!"saidthePichu.
"Hi,"Victinigreetedasithelduptwoofitsthreefingerslikethe'VforVictory'sign.
IgaveashortshriekbeforeBlackheldhishandovermymouthandshotmealook.Whenhetookhishandoff,IgulpedbeforesmilingweaklyandwavingstifflyattheVictoryPokémon."Hi..."VictinijumpedontomylapimmediatelyandIjumped.Istartedtohopethatitwouldn'tdoanythingharmful.
"Wherearemytoys?"Victiniasked.HecrawledintomytotebagandpulledoutaPokéBall."Isthisit?"Hepressedthebuttononitanditopenedup,revealing
nothingbutcomplicatedtechnology.HetossedtheballasideandjumpedintoBlack'sbag.Whenhereappeared,hewasholdinghisfishingrod."What'sthis?"Thecream-coloredPokémonpressedthebuttonandtherodextended."Oooh!"HebegantoswingtherodarounduntilBlacktookitoutofhishands.
"Youcan'tplaywiththis!It'snotatoy!"
Victini'seyestearedupandhestartedcrying."WAAAAHHHH!"
"Aw,comeon!Don'tcry,Victini!"Victinicontinuedtocry.
Igrowledundermybreathandheldmyhandsovermyearstotryandblockoutthenoise,butthatdidnogood.IsuddenlygrabbedholdofVictiniandstrokedhishead."Quiet,quiet!It'snoteventhatfun,really!"Victinistoppedcrying,butsniffledandstartedtosnuggleintomychest.Ifrozeatthatmoment,frightenedatthecontact.
"Chuuu..."Tinygrowledunderhisbreathaselectricitycrackledfromhischeeks.HeunleashedaThunderShockontheVictoryPokémon.VictinishookofftheattackbeforejumpingoffofmylapandheadbuttingTiny.Theelectricmousefellback,holdingontohishead.Victinididn'tstopthereandjumpedontopofTiny,andthetwostartedtorollaroundonthefloor,hittingeachotherandpullingoneachother'sears.
"Hey!Knockitoff!"IshoutedasIgrabbedholdofTinytopullhimoff...secondsbeforehedischargedelectricityandshockedbothmeandVictini.Whenitwasalldone,IsworethatIsawmylifeflashbeforemyeyes.Man,itsucked.ItwitchedinvoluntarilyforafewsecondsbeforeIfellback,fallingunconsciousoncemore.
X-X-X
"Ineverthoughtyou'dbethejealoustype,"IspokeflatlysomewhileafterIwokeup.TheVictiniwassittinginaseparatecorneroftheroom,refusingtotalktous.
"Chuuu...!"Tinywhined,hisearsdroopingsadly.Ialmostfeltbad,butthenIrememberedthatheelectrocutedme.ThenIfeltmyangerwasdeserved.
"Thisentireday'sstartingtosuck,Black,"Itoldmybrother,whowassittingnexttome."FirstaVictinitriestomaulme.ThenmyownPichushocksme.Whatnext?"Iaskedwearily.
Black,however,ignoredmywell-foundedcomplaintsandsaid,"Hey...Inordertohaveallthisstuff,Victinimusthaveatrainer.Whydoyouthinkthey'dkeephimonLibertyGardenIsland?Inaplacelikethis?"
"Idon'tcare."Ifelthimglaringatme,whichpromptedmetosighandsay,"Maybe...someonewantedtokeephimasecret?He'saPokémonthat'ssupposedtomakepeoplevictoriousafterall.Everyonewouldwantapieceofthat."Well,thatexplainswhyTeamPlasmawantedhim:tomaketheirplanssucceednomatterwhat.TheyatleasthidhiminaplacenoonewouldthinktofindalegendaryPokémon.
"Thatseemskindamean,though.Whywouldn'ttheyjustgivehimaPokéBall?Orevenkeephimsafewherevertheylived?Keepinghimlockeduplikethisdoesn'tseemliketherightwayforanyonetolive..."Blacknudgedmeintheside."Hey!Whydon'tyougoaskhimwhoandwherehistraineris?"
"Whyme?!"
"BecauseIdon'tunderstandwhatPokémonsay."Mybrothernudgedmeagain."Goon!Victinikindalikesyouanyway."Igavehimanunconvincedglare.
Thelightsflickereduntiltheyturnedoffentirely.However,aneeriewhiteglowbegantoshineintheroomfromabove.Wealllookedupandjumpedatthesightofapairofthin,transparentcreatures,onebluewithredeyesandonepinkwithblueeyes,bothwithsmallcrown-shapedopeningsontopoftheirroundheads.Theyhadlong,frilledtentaclesforarmsandlegsthatextendedfromtheirbodieslikerobes,thepinkone'sfarfrillier.
BlackmanagedtoscanthecreatureswithhisPokédexdespitethedarkness."Frillish,theFloatingPokémon.Water/Ghosttype.Whenthey'vewrappedpreywiththeirveil-likearms,theyparalyzethemwithpoisonandpullthemdowntotheirlairsfivemilesbelowthesurface.Malesarealwaysashadeofblueandfemalesashadeofpink."
"Poison?!"Icried,pressingmybackagainstthewall."E-evenworse,they'reghosts!Ghoststhatdrownyouafterpoisoningyou!That's,like,myfearsofWater,GhostandPoisontypePokémonrolledupintoonehorriblepackage!"
"Calmdown!Maybethey'refriendly!"TheFrillishfloateddownfromtheceiling,goingtowardsVictini.TheVictoryPokémonstaredatthemcuriouslyuntilthemaleFrillishwrappedhistentaclesaroundhimtightlyandthefemaleFrillishexpelledathickwhitemistoutofitsheadthatfilledtheentireroom."Ormaybenot!"IheardthesoundofaPokéBallopening."Valentine,useGusttoclearthismist!"Withthatcommand,themistwasblownawaybyBlack'sTranquill,buttheFrillishandVictinihaddisappearedbythen."Where'dtheygo?!"
Tiny'searstwitchedbeforeheranoutoftheroomquickly.Weranthroughthehall,
upthestairs,andbackupintothelighthouse.WecameupintimetoseeseveralTeamPlasmagruntsgoingupstairs.Somehow,itfiguresthedaywouldgetworse...
"Ican'tbelieveit.Theyactuallycameback?"Blackaskedashelookedoutside.Itmadesense,though.TheyhadwaymorethanameaslypairofgruntswhentheywerelookingforVirizion,whydoanylessforVictini?IlookedoutsideandsawseveralPlasmamemberswalkingaround."Theplaceiscrawlingwiththem!"Assomegruntscamewalkingby,BlackandIduckedbackinsideandhidawayfromthedoor.
"What'rewegoingtodo?"Iasked.
BlackfoldedhisarmsacrosshischestasValentinelandedonhisshoulder."Whatelsecanwedo?Wehavetostopthem!Wecan'tletTeamPlasmastealpeople'sPokémon,andwedefinitelycan'tlet'emmisuseVictini'spower!"Waytopointouttheobvious."Weshouldsplitup.Thenwe'dhaveabetterchanceoftakingoutTeamPlasmaandfindingVictini."What?No!Badidea,badidea!
"Youwannasplitupinasituationlikethis?!"Ihissed.
Mybrothergrabbedmebytheshoulders."Don'tworry,White.We'vetakenonTeamPlasmabefore."
"Notthismanyof'em!"
Blacksighed."Iknow...Butsomeone'sgottadosomething.Hey,theysaythatakidmanagedtotakedownanentirecriminalorganizationwithPokémon,sowecandefendasingleisland!"IdoubtthathappenedandIdoubtwecan."Justlookatitthisway:we'reprotectingasymbolofunityforhumansandPokémonalike,andwhatTeamPlasma'sdoinggoesagainstit!We'refightingforourcountry!"Thisisn'twar,youmoron!"So,I'llleavethelighthousetoyouwhileItakeonthePlasmamembersoutside.Giveitto'em!"Andthenheranout.Stupidtwinbrother!Whatmadehimthinkthathecouldtakeonallthosegruntsoutside,orthatIcouldtakeontheonesinsideofthelighthouse?
"Teeny..."IlookeddownatTiny,wholookedupatmesadly."Teeny,Mommy.Teenyfriend..."
"...Alright.We'vegotalighthousetoreclaim."Istraightenedmycap,tookadeepbreath,andbeganwalkingupthelongspiralingstaircasetothesecondfloorofthelighthouse.
X-X-X
BythetimeImadeittothesecondfloor,Irealized...lighthousearetoodangbig!IwaswindedbythetimeIstopped...andtherewerestillthreemorefloorstogo.IwishIcouldbelikeTiny,whodecidedtorideinmybagpartwayupthestairs.Lighthousesarefarlessinterestingwhenyou'rerushingupstairstorescuepeople"andalotmoreexhausting.
"Hm?Who'sthat?"
"Notoneofus,that'sforsure."IlookeduptofindapairofgirlsdressedinTeamPlasmauniforms,staringatmesuspiciously.Onewithredhairandonewithblondehair."Thismustbeoneofthetourists.Theyprobablygotawayfromtheothersdownstairs,"saidtheblonde.
"Well,thatwon'tdo!"TheredheadedPlasmidexclaimed,soundingbubbly."OneofusshouldtakeherbacktotheotherlighthousewhiletheothercontinuessearchingforVictini!"
"Great.Youdothat."
"What?!ButyousaidthatyouweregettingfrustratedwithsearchingforVictini!"Theredheadsaidwithapout.
"I'dbemorefrustratedwithdealingwithpeople.Andyou'remoreofapeoplepersonanyway."Theblondeturnedandwalkedaway,disappearingaroundthecolumn.
"...Fine.ButI'mnotdoingitbecauseyousaidtodoit,"theredheadedplasmidgrumbled.Shewalkeduptomeandclaspedherhandstogether."Idon'twanttofight,miss.JustgivemeyourPokémonandcomewithmequietly,please!"
"Notachance!I'mnotgivingmyPokémontoyouhypocritesafteryouwentandcaughtVictini!"
Theblondestaredatmeinconfusion."Idon'tknowwhat...?Nevermind!You'reobviouslyoneofthosetrainerswho'dratherhurttheirPokémonmoreandgodowninafight!Well,I'llbeatyouatyourowngame!"ShetookoutaPokéBallandsentoutaDucklett.ThelightblueWaterBirdPokémonruffleditsfeathersandquacked."Odette,let'sgo!"Odette?SheactuallybotheredtonameherPokémon?
"Whatever.Go,Tiny!"ThePichujumpedoutmybagandlandedinfrontofme,cheekscracklingwithelectricity.
"Odette,useWingAttack!"TheDucklettranforwardandswungawingatTiny.HejumpedupintimetoavoidtheattackandlandedontopoftheWatertype'shead.
"UseThunderShock!"Icommanded.TinylatchedontotheDucklett'sheadtightlyandunleashedajoltofelectricity.TheDucklettflailedspasticallyuntilTinystopped,thenitfellover,twitching.
"ODETTE!"Theblondegruntgaspedwithapainedexpression."...Well.Thatwasanticlimactic.Butit'snotoveryet!"SheexclaimedasshereturnedherDucklett."Go,Milli!"AtthesightofhernextPokémon,Ifroze"nopunintended,becauseitwasaVanillite.ItwasoneofthoseeasilyrecognizablePokémonbecauseofUnova'smostpopularicecreambrandusingitasamascot,duetoitscone-shapedbodyoficeandheadcoveredinswirledsnowresemblingsoftserveicecream.ItwasanIcetypeand...I...amnotafanofthecold.Orice.Orfreezingtodeath!"Hey,areyouokay?Ifyou'rehavingsecondthoughtsandjustwannagivemeyourPokémonnow,I'dbehappyto""
"I'mfine,youcreep!"Isnapped,takingastepbackandtakingadeepbreath.Icouldn'tloseit.Icouldn'tblackoutnow,whenalltheseproblemswerehappening.
"IfI'macreepbecauseI'mconcernedevenforpeople,thenI'macreep!"Theblondegruntexclaimed"Butifyoudon'twantanypleasantriesfromme,I'llbeunpleasant!Milli,useIcyWind!"HerVanilliteblewoutwindthatwassocolditwasvisible.TinycriedoutinpainaswhatIknewwasbitingcoldnessenvelopedhim.
"Tiny,useCharm!"
"IgnoreitwithUproar!"Thegrunt'sVanillitebegantoyellandspinaroundasTinytriedhisbesttolookendearing.However,thevolumeincreasedandinseconds,itwasstartingtograteonmyearsaswellasTiny's.
"UseSweetKiss!"WincinginpainasthevolumeoftheVanillite'syellingincreased,TinyblewakisstotheFreshSnowPokémon.Itfalteredandstoppedyelling,nowtoodazedandconfusedtotry."NowuseVoltTackle!"WhydidIsaythat?Itwaseitheradrenalineortheurgetoendthisasquicklyaspossible.Eitherway,Tinydroppedtoallfoursandhisbodybegantocracklewithelectricity.HedashedforwardandtackledtheVanilliteasitwasrecovering.TheforcebehindthetacklewassomehowstrongenoughtosendtheVanilliteflyingintoawallbehinditstrainer.Ifitwasn'tunconsciousafterthat,itwasonetoughsnowcone.
"MILLI!"Theredheadedgruntgasped.ShereturnedherPokémonintoitsballimmediatelybeforeturningtofaceme."Itstillisn'toveryet!I...I...havenomorePokémon,Irealize."Iresistedtheurgetoslapmyselfintheface."ButIknowsomeonewhodoes!Sojust...waitrightherewhileIgogetthem,okay?"Theredheadthenturnedaroundandtookoffrunningaroundthecorner.
Istoodthereforafewsecondsbeforegroaning."Shedoesn'treallythinkwe'regoingtostickaroundandwaitforher,doesshe?"IaskedTiny,wholookedtootiredtorespond.Iheldoutmybag."Hopin,Tiny.Ihavemorestairclimbingtodo..."Igrumbledinannoyance.
X-X-X
"Iadmirepeoplewhoworkinlighthousesnow.Theymusthaveinsanephysicalenduranceaftergoingupanddownstairsthewholetime,"ItalkedtomyselfasIwalkedupthestairs.
Eventually,Imadeittothetopofthestaircaseandwasofficiallyonthethirdfloor.Ashortdistanceaway,apairofPlasmamembersweretalking.Onewastheredheadedgirlfrombefore,whiletheotherwasaguywhowasslightlyolderthanme.Theredheadnoticedmestandingthereandspunaroundtopointatme."That'swhoIwastalkingabout!"Sheexclaimed."She'satroublemaker!"
"Really?Shedoesn'tlookthatintimidating,"saidthemalePlasmid."Besides,whatmakesyouthinkI'llfareanybetterthanyouinabattle?"
"Idunno!Experience?NothavingaPokémonweaktoElectrictypemoves?Itdoesn'tmatter!Wejusthavetobeatherandmakesureshedoesn'tcauseanytrouble!"
"ButI"!Ugh.Fine..."ThemalePlasmamembersteppedforwardwithaPokéBallinhand."I'drathernotforcemyPokémontofight,butI'lldoitfortheteam.Go,Mandragora!"Inaflashoflight,asmall,round,bluePokémonappeared.Ithadadarkredflowerwithroundpetalsgrowingoutofitsheadandcurledorangeleavesthatresembledhair.Itsclosedeyesanddroolingmouthmadeitseemlikeitwashalfasleep,butanyonewhoknewwhatitwasknewbetter.
"Gloooom~!"TheGloomsang,wavingitshandsintheair.GloomwerePokémoninfamousforreleasingafoulodorstrongenoughtoknockpeopleout.Thisonewasn'tstinkinguptheplace,though...yet.Well...I'djusthavetoknockitoutbeforeitstartedtostink...Ihope.
IreachedintomybagandtookoutMars'sball."Go,Mars!"IreleasedtheVenipede."UseRollout!"MarscurledupintoaballandhittheGloomwitharollingtackle."Keepitup!"Icheeredhimon,promptingMarstocontinuerollingintotheGloom.
"UseEchoedVoice!"ThePlasmagruntcommanded.InthemomentbetweenMars'stackles,theWeedPokémonshoutedloudly.TheforceofthesoundwasenoughtonotonlystopMars,butpushhimback."Onceagain!Echoedvoice!"TheGloomtook
adeepbreathandshoutedagain,theforcepushingMarsbackonceagain.
"Hanginthere!UseDefenseCurlandthenRollout!"TheVenipedecurledupintoaballonceagainandshonewithapalewhiteauraforabriefmomentbeforerollingtowardstheGloom.TheGrasstypePokémonscreamedonceagainandusedEchoedVoice.Marslookedlikehestruggledabittorollforward,buthecontinuedpushingagainsttheforceofthesoundwavesuntiltheGloompausedtotakeabreath.Atthatmoment,MarsspedforwardandstrucktheGrasstypewithenoughforcetosenditflyingbackagainstawall.
"MANDRAGORAAAAA!"ThemalePlasmagruntranovertohisfaintedGloom,scoopeditup,andranupthespiralingstaircase.
"W-wait!Don'tleavemeherealone...withher..."TheredheadedPlasmagruntlookedoveratme.Shegulpedandstaredatmeforafewsecondsbeforerunningoff.
Marsuncurledandturnedaroundtolookatme."Was...wasIgood?"Heaskedshyly.
"Youwerefantastic!"IcomplimentedhimandtheVenipede'santennaetwitchedenergetically."Youdeservearest."IreturnedMarsintohisballandslippeditbackintomybagbeforeapproachingthestaircasewithalookofdistaste."Ugh,moreclimbing.Atthisrate,I'llprobablybeabletowinamarathon..."
X-X-X
"Ifheusedmorethanasinglemove,hemight'vewon!"
"Don'tblameme!"
"I'mnotblamingyou!I'mblamingyourpoorinsight!Becauseofthat,yourPokémongothurt!"
"Well,sodidbothofyours!Whatdoesthatsayaboutyourinsight?!"
AsImademywayupthestaircase,IcouldhearthePlasmidsarguing.It'salmostsadhowtheseguyswereattachedenoughtotheirPokémontogivethemnames.IfeltslightlybadforbeatingthemuntilIrememberedwhattheyweredoingandwhattheirgrouphaddonebefore.
"Now,now!We'resupposedtobeateam!"Asecondfemalevoicespoke."Let'snotjumpdowneachother'sthroatswhenthere'sathreatontheloose."Athreat?Me?Ifeltalittleproudtobeconsideredathreat....Whatiswrongwithme?
WhenIreachedthethirdfloor,thethreegruntsturnedaroundtofaceme."THAT'SHER!"ThetwoImetbeforeshoutedloudenoughthatIwinced.
ThenewfaceamongthePlasmidswasapink-hairedwomanwithasmilingface."Isee...Sinceyou'vealreadygoneanddefeatedmyfriendshere,I'msurethisisinvain,butI'llaskanyway:won'tyoujustreleaseyourPokémonandgoupstairswiththeothers?"
Ifrowned."Whatdoyouthink?"
"Ithink,asmuchasitpainsmetodothis,I'llhavetouseforcetostopyou."ShetookoutapairofPokéBalls."Aloe!Go!"Inaflashoflight,alightpurpleAudinoappeared.
"AnAudino,huh?"IsearchedthroughmybagandtookoutaPokéBall."Go,Eve!"TheEeveeappearedinfrontofme,bouncingenergetically."UseGrowl!"EvegrowledendearinglyattheAudino,whosteppedbackinfear.
"Don'tbeafraid!UseSecretPower!"Thegrunt'sAudinobegantoglowbrightwhitebeforejumpingforward.ShebodyslammedEveandmadeherstumbleback."NowusePound!"
"QuickAttack!"TheEeveedashedtowardstheAudinoandtackledintoitjustastheHearingPokemonstruckherontheheadwithaballeduppaw."Whileyou'reclose,getinaTackle!"EvebeganheadbuttingthepurpleAudinorepeatedlywhiletheotherNormaltypecontinuedpoundingawayather."NowuseBite!"TheEeveeopenedhermouthandbitdownontheAudino'sleg.TheAudinogaveacryofpainandfellback,holdingontothespotitwasbitten.
"Timeout!TIMEOUT!"ThePlasmagruntgesturedwithherhandsbeforerunninguptoherwhimperingAudinowithapotioninhand."There,there.I'llmakeyourightasraininafewseconds..."Shestartedtospritztheinjuredspot."There."ShethenreturnedherPokémontoitsballandturnedtofaceme."Trainersarereallyrough,aren'tthey?That'swhyIdon'tlikePokémonbattles..."
"Whatnow?!She'sknockedoutallofourPokémon!"Themalegruntcried.
Theredheadedgruntsuddenlyhadalookofrealizationappearonherface."Wait!There'sstillonemoreperson!"
"Huh?"
"Oh,right!"Saidthepink-hairedgrunt."Shewentupstairstomakesurenoneofthe
touristswouldsneakout!"
"Yeah!"Theredheadjumpedexuberantlybeforepointinganaccusingfinger."Justyouwait,youbrutishtrainer!You'llgetwhat'scomingtoyou!"Andwiththat,thethreegruntsranupthespiralstaircasetothenextfloor.
"Ugh!Ihatethis!I'dtakeonallthegruntsoutsideifIdidn'thavetowalkupanentirelighthouse!"Igroaned.
"I'llwalkwithyouifyouwant..."saidEve,soundingunsureasshelookedupthespiralingstaircase.
"No,that'sokay.Ihavetodothisalone."Notreally,butit'dbeunfairtopunishherjustsomymiserycouldhavecompany.
"Great!Imean,ifyouwantto..."IresistedtourgetorollmyeyesbeforereturningEvetoherball.
X-X-X
BythetimeIgotupstairstothefifthfloor,Inoticedafewthings.Thefirstwasthatmylegshadgrownnumbfromallthestairclimbing,andyetIwasstillexhausted.ThesecondwasthattheblondePlasmagruntI'dseenonthefirstfloorwasstandingtherewiththosetwoFrillishfrombefore,holdingablueandwhitePokéBallemblazonedwiththeTeamPlasmaemblem.Thirdwastheotherthreegruntslyingcrumpledonthefloor,hopefullyonlyunconscious....Iprobablyshould'venoticedthethirdthingfirst,shouldn'tIhave?
"Oh,it'syou.Man,Ican'tbelievetheseguyscouldn'thandleasimplekid,"saidtheblondegrunt."Theyobviouslyweren'tchosenforthisjobbecausethey'regoodatbattling...NowI'llhavetotakecareofyou."
Igulped,suddenlyafraidofthiswoman."Y-you'regonnakillme?!"
Thewoman'seyeswidened."Whoanow!Ididn'tsaythat!IwasonlygoingtoknockyououtsoIcouldmakeitoutofherewithoutanyfuss."
"Why?Iunderstandknockingmeout,but...whyyourownfriends?"
Theblondegrunt'sfacecontortedindisgust."Friends?Withtheseidiots?Theyhavenoideawhatthey'redoing!Firsttheysay'wewannafreeallthePokémon'!Thentheysay'weneedtogetlegendaryPokémontobringintoourcause'!Idiots,thewholelotof'em!Well,atleastthesestupidgrunts,anyway.TheythoughtItoldthem
whereVictiniwashiddentohelpfreeit...!Ifmyoldboss'ssuccesswasreallyduetoit,thenofcourseitmakessensetocatchitforyourself!"
AtthementionoftheVictoryPokémon,thePlasmaballinherhandsbecamemoreapparentandIputoneandonetogether.Ipointedatthewoman."LetVictinigo,orelseI'll...I'll...!"
"You'lldowhat,girly?ChallengemetoaPokémonbattle?Ha!I'mnotlikethesethreefailuresasPokémontrainers!IactuallytrainedmyPokémontofight!Andanyway,I'vegotalegendaryPokémonatmybeckandcall!"ThegruntboastedassheheldupthePlasmballwithpride.
"Victiniwon'tlistentoyoujustbecauseyoucaughthim!"
"That'swhythisballissogreat!ThePlasmabigwigssaidweshouldusetheseballstocatchVictinibecauseitmakesPokémontotallyobedientwhenthey'recaught!"Noway.Shewaslying!PokéBallscan'tdothat!"Fortunatelyforyou,myPokémonhaveweakenedit,soIdoubtitcanunleashitsfurytoitsfullextent.You'llhavetoplaywiththeminstead."
Oncue,thetwoFrillishphasedintoviewandbegantostareatmeblanklywiththeirseeminglystaticexpressions.No,wait!Theyblinked!Theyjustdidn'tseemtostopfrowningorsmiling...andthatmadethemcreepier.Rightthen.EvewastheonlyPokémonIhadwhoknewaDarktypemoveandshewastired"sowasMars,forthatmatter.PanaceaonlyknewNormaltypemoves,whichwouldn'tworkagainstFrillish.IreachedforTinyandShion'sballsinmybag,prayingthattheformerhadmanagedtorecoverbeforeIreleasedthemboth.Tinywasslumpedoverandstilllookedexhausted.
"Shion,useFocusEnergy!Tiny,useThunderWave!"Shiontookoffherscalchopshellandtookadeepbreathasshefocused.TinyforcedhimselftostandupstraightandfiredafewweakjoltsofparalyzingelectricityattheFrillish.
"UseAbsorb!"Wait,Absorb?TheyknewaGrastypemove?!ThetwoFrillishspedovertoShionandheldtheirtentaclesoutwiththeintentionofwrappingherupinthem.TheOshawottdodgedandtriedtoretaliatebyswipingatthemwithherscalchop,buttheattackhadlittleeffectonthem.Eventually,bothFrillishmanagedtograbontoShionandtheirtentaclesbegantoglowbrightgreen.ShioncriedoutinpainasbubblesofgreenenergyroseupfromherandenteredtheFrillish.Whenshestoppedmoving,theFrillishdroppedherandfloatedupintotheair.
"N-no...!Shion!"IimmediatelyreturnedtheOshawottintoherballandsoondreadedsendingTinyouttofight.
Theblondegruntsnickeredbehindherhand."Howpathetic!Isthatlittleratallyou'vegotleft?Isupposethosemoronsmanagedtoatleastweakenyouforme."
Myeyetwitched."Tiny,ThunderShock!"ThePichu'scheekscrackledwithelectricityandhefiredajoltofelectricityatthem.TheshockobviouslyhurttheFrillish,butnotenoughtoknockthemout.TheywrappedtheirtentaclesaroundTinyandbegantoabsorbenergyfromhim.ThePichucriedoutinpainandhestruggledagainstthetentacles.Then,Tiny'sbodybegantoglowbrightwhite.Istaredinamazementashisformbegantochange.Whenthelightfaded,insteadofaPichu,therewasaPikachu."T-Tiny?!"
"Ch-ch-ch...!"ThePikachu'scheekscrackledwithelectricitybeforeunleashingafarlargerburstofelectricitythanwhenhewasaPichu."CHUUUUUU!"Unlikebefore,thetwoGhosttypeswereharmedenoughthattheyfelltotheground,unconscious.
"Heevolved...!Heevolved?!"Iexclaimed.MyautomaticresponsewastotakeoutmyPokédexandseeifhelearnedanynewmoves.Accordingtothelittlescreen,hewasnowcapableofQuickAttack,ElectroBall,andSwift.
"GRAAAAH!Youtwoareworthless!YoucantakeonalegendaryPokémon,butnotsomeelectricrat?!Ugh!"Theblondegruntshouted.SheheldupthePlasmaBall."Forgetshowinganymercy!I'lluseVictinitoburnyoutocinders!"
"Uh,Tiny!Use...Swift?"Icommanded,unsureifheevenknewhowitwassupposedtowork.Tinygotonallfoursandhistailbegantoglowbrightwhite.Withashakeofhistail,hefiredabarrageofstarsthatwentallovertheroom.Iduckedtoavoidbeinghitbyone.Thegrunt,however,wasstruckbysomeofthestarsandfellover,droppingVictini'sballintheprocess.ThePlasmaballrolledalongthefloorandstoppednexttomyfoot.IpickedtheballupandlookedatTiny.ThePikachuhadcollapsedandhadfallenover,nowsemiconscious.Ididhimafavorandreturnedhimintohisball.
"FREEZE!"Idroppedbothballsandturnedtoseeaboutahalfdozenpoliceofficersrunupthestairstosurroundmeandtheunconsciousgrunts.Itensedup,totallyexpectingtobearrestedoversomemisunderstandingwhenoneofthecopsspokeup,"Waitasec,fellas.Thisdoesn'tseemlikeamemberofTeamPlasma."
Anothercopapproachedme."Easythere,miss.We'renotgonnahurtyou."Youcould'vefooledme!
IpickedupthePokéBallsandslippedtheminsideofmybag."Ifyou'relookingforthepeoplewhowereheldhostage,they'relockedfurtherupstairs."Asifthosewere
magicwords,thegangofcopsdisappearedfromaroundme.Somewentfurtherupstairswhileothersweretendingtotheunconsciousgrunts.Thatwasmyopportunitytosneakdownstairs,findBlack,getoffthisislandandbacktothePokémonCentertohealmyPokémonaswellasVictini...andfigureoutwhatthehecktodofromthere.
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Notes!
InBWandBW2,theSuperRodistheonlyfishingrodinthegame.The"V"in"SuperRodV"referstoGenV.
TechnicalmachineshavedifferentappearancesindifferentmediumsofthePokémonseries,butI'veonlyseentwoexamplesofthembeingused:theputtingthemonthePokémon'sheadmethodshowninFRLGandinachapterofthe"ElectricTalesofPikachu"whereAshteachesanEeveeMimicbybreakingaTMintheshapeofacubeoveritshead.IdecidedtogotheweirdanddifferentroutebymakingitacombinationofthestandardTMdiscandthebox-shapedTMsdepictedintheTCG.
LibertyGardenisbasedonthereallifeLibertyIslandwhichhastheStatueofLiberty,whichisconsideredagiftfromthepeopleofFrance"therealworldbasisforKalos.
ThenameOdetteisareferencetotheheroineoftheanimatedmovie"SwanPrincess",andMilliisareferenceto"MilliVanilli".Mandragoraisaspeciesofplantbelongtonightshadefamilythatisthoughttohaverootsresemblinghumansthatscreamloudlywhenpulledoutoftheground.Aloeveraisanaloespeciesusedformedicinalpurposes.
ScraggylearnsSmackDownviaTM.GloomcannotlearnScreechorEchoedVoiceinanygeneration"legally,anyway.Inbuildings,SecretPowerusesanimationsforphysicalmoveslikeStrengthandSlam.PikachucanonlylearnSwiftbylevelupinGenI"exceptinYellow,whereit'stheonlymovethatwasremovedfromPikachu'sexpandedlevelupmoveset.
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ReviewforthesakeofBluandPichu!
Chapter15
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries!Ifshedid,there'dbeamodernremakeofPokémonStadiumbynow.
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ToDotheRightThing
"Nowthen,itwouldseemasifyourPokémonissufferingfromexposuretoFrillishpoison.It'scapableofparalyzingandpoisoning,andinlargeamountscanbedeadly.Luckily,youwereabletogetithereintime,"saidthenursebehindthecounter.BlackandIgavebreathsofreliefatthenews.WewereworriedthatwiththechaosinLibertyGarden,maybewegotVictinitothePokémonCentertoolate."However,yourPokémondoesn'tseemtobelikeanythinglistedinourdatabase..."
Ifroze."Whatdoyoumean?"
"We'veneveroperatedonaPokémonlikethisbefore,sowedon'tknowhowtospecificallytreatitskind.ThingslikethatareimportantforeveryindividualspeciesofPokémon."
"O-oh...Doesthatmeanyoucan't...helphim?"
Thenursesmiledkindly."Oh,ofcoursenot!Imean,we'lltreatyourPokémon.Itmightjusttakeawhilelongerifitsbiologygivesusanytrouble."
"Youmakeitsoundlikeyou'regoingtodissecthimorsomething,"Blackcommented.
"Wewon't!Forsomethinglikepoisoning,wewouldn'thavetodosuchathing!"Thenurseassuredus."Itwilltakeawhilefortheproceduretotakeplace,sopleasewaitpatiently.We'llbesuretoreturnitalongwithyourotherPokémon."Shethenwalkedaway,pushingthecartthatheldourPokéBalls"includingtheoneweputVictiniintoafterthewholefiasco.
"Howdotheyexpectustowaitwhenhe'sbeenpoisonedlikethat?"Imutteredaswewalkedovertoacouchtositdown.
"I'msureVictini'llgetbetter,"Blackattemptedtoreassureme."Eveniftheydon'treallyknowwhatsortofPokémonheis..."
"Thisjustin!"Anewsreporterontelevisionexclaimed."ApparentlyLibertyGarden
IslandwasunderattacktodaybyTeamPlasma!ThePokémonliberationgroupwasapparentlysearchingthesupposed'luck-givingPokémon'spokenofbylatemillionaireGeraldRichmoreonhisdeathbed.AccordingtoRichmore,hiswealthandgoodfortunewastheresultofthisPokémon,andthathe'dhiddenitawayonLibertyGardenIsland,whichheboughtroughly15yearsago.MembersofTeamPlasmafoundontheislandwerearrestedforholdingpeoplehostage,butwerelaterreleasedfrompolicecustodyaftertheirbailwaspaidbytheirorganization.Theso-called'luck-givingPokémon'theyweresearchingforremainedunfound,suggestingthatitonlyexistedinthemindofadyingentrepreneur...Inothernews,NimbasaCityisalmostfinishedpreparing..."
ItunedouttherestoftheTVnewsandlookedatBlack."Didyouhearthat?"
"Iknow!Howdaretheynotmentionusevenonce?!"Mytwinsaidwithahuff."Imean,it'snotlikeIexpectedaparadeorthekeytothecity,buttheydidn'tevenmentionhowtwobravekidssavedeverybody!"
IjabbedBlackinthesidewithmyelbow."Quiet!It'sbetterthisway!"Ihissed."Justlikehowit'sbestthatnooneknowsaboutVictini.Besides,ifthatpoppeduponthenews,Mommightsee.Youwannaexplaintoherwhatwe'redoingplayinghero?"Hegulpedandshookhishead.WebothcouldagreethatourmotherwasdefinitelyamoreterrifyingforcethananythingTeamPlasmacouldthrowatus."Anyway,didn'tyouhear?Victini'strainerpassedaway!He'stechnicallyawildPokémonnow!"Hedidn'tseemlikethesortofPokémonthatknewhowtosurviveinthewild,though.Wouldhebeabletostayalive?
"Actually,"Blackbegan,"technicallyspeaking,you'rehistrainer,White.ItwasyourPokéBallthatweputhiminafterreleasinghimfromthatPlasmaBallthing."
"Idon'twanthim!I-Imean,Idon'twantaPokémonthatpowerful!NooneshouldhaveaPokémonthatstrong!"NottomentionI'dprobablydieoffrighttryingtoproperlytakecareofalegendaryPokémon."Whydon'tyoutakehim?Youcouldusealltheluckyoucangetwhenyou'rechallengingthePokémonLeague."
Mybrothersnorted."Idon'tneedborrowedlucktobecomethechampion!"
Webothfellsilent.Iwasn'tsureifBlackwasthinkingthesamethingIwas,butIeventuallyspokemythoughts,"Maybe...it'dbebestifwelethimgo?"
"Thatwouldbethebest.Lethimfindhisownhappinessandseethattheworldismorethantheinsideofhislittleroom...But..."Blackpouted."Wherewouldwelethimgo?ThePokédexdoesn'tmentionmuchaboutVictinilikewhattheirpreferredhabitatsare..."
"That'strue..."
"Thereyoutwoare!"BlackandIlookeduptoseeamanapproachus.Heworealabcoatandapairofglasseswithlensessolargeandthick,Icouldn'tevenseehiseyes."DoyouknowhowmanyofthePokémonCentersinthecityI'vecheckedwhilelookingforyou?"
"Uh...whoareyou,mister?"BlackaskedwhileIstaredatthemansuspiciously.
"Oh,I'manassistantofProfessorJuniper's!Ihelpherwithherresearch."
BlackandIlookedateachotherinconfusionbeforelookingbackattheassistant."Theprofessorhasassistants?We'veneverseenyoubefore"andwe'vevisitedProfessoralot."
"Oh,that'sbecauseI'musuallyoutinthefieldperformingresearchtohelptheprofessor'sstudies.It'snicetomeetyouforthefirsttime!"Theassistantleanedforwardandbegantowhisper,"A-anyway,IcameinplaceofProfessorJunipertoobservetheVictini.Goodjoboncapturingit,bytheway!"
"...HowdoyouknowaboutVictini?"
"ThroughyourPokédex,ofcourse.ItnotonlytracksthePokémonthatitscans,italsotracksthoseyou'vecaught,"theprofessor'saideexplained."TheprofessorsawthatyoucaughtsuchararePokémon,butshe'scurrentlybusywithresearch,soshesentmetocongratulateyoutwoandstudytheVictiniinherplace."
Anideathenpoppedupinmyhead."That'sit!Black,ProfessorJuniperknowsalotaboutPokémonfromstudyingthem"likethesortofhabitatsthey'dprefer!She'dhavetoknowwhatsortofhabitatissuitableforaPokémonlikeVictini."
"Are...yousayingthatyouwanttoreleaseit?Whatwasthepointofcapturingitifyoudidn'twantit?!"Theassistantexclaimed.
"I-Ipanicked!Ididn'twantTeamPlasmaoranyothertrainerstoseehimandtrytocapturehim!"IalreadywentthroughthatwithTiny,andIdoubtthatTeamPlasmamembersoranyothertrainerswouldbeniceenoughtotradebackalegendaryPokémon."Anyway,you'retheprofessor'sassistant.DoessheknowofaplacewhereVictinicanbefreeofpeoplewho'djustabusehispowerlikeTeamPlasma?"
Theassistantheldhischinthoughtfully."Isee...That'sverysmartofyoukids.Afterall,carryingalegendaryPokémonaroundcanattractattentionfromdangerous
individuals.Itjustsohappens...thattheprofessorknowsaboutsuchaplace."Icouldn'thelpbutstartsmilingattheman'swords."Ofcourse...onlyProfessorJunipercanaccessit,soI'llhavetobegiventheVictiniinordertohanditovertoher."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Can'tIjustsendittoherviathePCortheGlobalLink?"
"Uh,well,shewouldn'tbeabletoreceiveitforalongwhileifyoudidso,sinceshe'snowherenearherlabatthemoment.Itwouldn'tbefair,afterall,toleaveaPokémoninstorageafterthescareitmust'vehadfromthoseTeamPlasmafellows."
"...Iguessthat'strue."Iknowwhatthat'slike,andit'sawfultofeelabandonedafterasituationlikethat.Buthe'dprobablythinkthatweabandonedhimifhejustwokeupinfrontofstrangers."Canwesaygoodbyetohimfirst?Ijustwanthimtounderstandwhathastobedone."
"Goodbye?S-sure,whynot?"
"BlackKetchumandWhiteKetchum,yourPokémonarehealedandawaitingtobepickedupatthefrontcounter,"avoicespokeontheannouncementspeakerinthefrontlobby.
"That'sus.Ihopeyouknowwhatkindofexplanationyou'regonnagive,White,"saidBlack.
"Me?!You'regonnahelp!Andjustforthat,ifIgetattacked,you'llbemymeatshield!"Igrabbedmybrother'sarmandpulledhimalongwithmetothecounter.Weapproachedthetraysthathadbeenplacedthere,andinaflashoflight,Tinypoppedoutofhisballandnexttooneofthetrays."Thereyouare.Feelingbetter?"
"Uh-huh.I'mreadytogo!"ItwouldtakeawhilebeforeI'dgetusedtoTinyspeakingfullsentences.
"Whoa!Wait,youneversaidanythingaboutTinyevolving!"Blackexclaimed,takingouthisPokédextoscantheelectricmouse.
"Becauseitwasn'timportantatthemoment"anditisn'timportantatthismoment,either."IbeganrunningmyfingersovermyPokéBallsuntilIpickedupthenewest-lookingone.IpickeditupandreleasedVictinifrominside.TheVictoryPokémonyawnedandrubbedhiseyesbeforelookingupatme."You...!"Hetrailedoffbeforejumpingatmeandwrappinghistinyarmsaroundmyneck.Atfirst,Ithoughthewasattacking,somyfirstreactionwastostartscreamingandflailinguntilIlostmybalanceandfelldownonmybutt.
"Hey,hey!Chillout,White!He'sjusthuggingyou!"BlackspokeashecroucheddownnexttomeandpulledVictinioff.ThePsychictypethenbegantohughimwhilebabblingthanksandapologies.Itwashardtobelievethatacreaturethatreactedlikethatwasconsideredalegend."Idon'tgetwhatyou'resaying,butcalmdown.Thebadguysaregone,see?Noonetoharmyou."
"Waaah...!It...wasscary...andpainful...andI'msorry...!"Victinisniffled,soundingpitiful.
"...Youdon'thaveanyreasontobesorry.Itwasthatwomanwhomadeyoudothosethings,"Iexplained."Butnow,wehavetotellyouwhat'sgoingtohappentoyou.Simplyput,you'llbegoingtoaplacewhereyou'llbesafefrombadpeoplelikeTeamPlasma."
"Wh-what?No!Iwannagotomyfriend!Where'smyfriend?!"Victinicomplained.
"Yourfriend?Youmeanyourowner?He...passedaway."
Victini'seyesbegantotearup.Thentheybegantoglow.ThenIsoonregrettedsayinganythingasaninvisibleforcemademe"andalotofotherpeopleinthelobby"riseupintotheair.WhenthePsychictypestartedtocry,Ifearedtheworstandblackedoutbyreflex.
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Minuteslater,IcametoononeoftheseatsofthePokémonCenter,lookingupatBlackandTiny.ThePikachuwaslookingatmefrommystomachwhileBlackstoodoverme."You'vegotnoconstitution,doyou?"Mybrotherasked.
Isighedandclosedmyeyes."Unfortunately,Idon't..."Inmydefense,though,wheneveryonestartstofloat,whowouldn'tthinktheworse?"SoIguessMr.AidealreadyleftwithVictini,huh?"
"Yeah.Hesaidhewantedtogetbacktothelabassoonaspossible.HeseemedprettyjitteryafterVictinithrewthattantrum.Thankgoodnesshedidn'tuseamovethatwasseriouslyharmful."
"Iprobablyshould'vebrokenthenewsabitmoregently..."
"I'mnotsurehowyoucantellsomethinglike'you'retrainer'sdead,you'refreenow'gently.Butafterhecalmeddown,IthinkImanagedtoconvincehimtogowiththeaideforhisownsafety."
IopenedmyeyesandstaredatBlackforafewsecondsbeforespeakingmythoughts,"You'dhavemadeabettertrainerforVictinithanme."
Mybrothersnorted."Forgetaboutit!ThewayIseeit,theonlytypeofpeoplewhooughttogettointeractwithlegendaryPokémonarepeopleliketheBlackandWhiteHeroes.Y'know...justchosenforaspecialpurposetosavetheworld!AllIwannadoisbecometheChampionoftheUnovaLeague.It'dbeawastetouseVictini'spowerforapersonalgoallikethat..."
"Soundinglikethat,youcertainlysoundlikeaspecialkindofhero."
"Heh..."Blackblushedandsmiled."Anyway...whatarewegoingtodonow?"Istaredathiminconfusion,promptinghimtocontinue,"We'vebothgotXtransceiversnow.Wedon'tneedtosticktogether.Wecanjustsplitup,dowhatwewant,andthenregroupwhenit'stimetoleave."
"Seriously?!"Isnapped,suddenlysittingupandmakingTinyjumpoffofmefromfright."Doyourealizehowdangerousitistowanderaroundanunfamiliarandlargecity?Whoknowswhatsortofshadycreepsarelurkingaroundthecornersandinthealleyways?Ifthat'snotenoughTeamfreakingPlasmaishere!"
"Alright,alright!Ifyou'rescared,wecanalwaysjusttravelthecitytogether."
"I'mnotscared!I'm...wary."
"Riiiight...Wary,"Blackspokemockingly."It'sprobablyforthebest,anyway.Wecanhitthegymtogether,andwhenwe'redone,wecancheckoutmoreofwhatCasteliaCityhastooffer.We'dbeabletogetthingsdonesomuchfaster!"
"Whydoesthegymhavetobethefirstplacewegoto?"
"Youknowwhy!Evenifyou'renotgunningtogetallthebadges,Ineedtogetallthebadges!"
"Yeah!Iwannagotothegymandwinagymbattle!"Tinychirped,holdinguphisballeduppaws."LemmeshowyouhowstrongIamnow!Really!"
"Ugh,fine...!Youdon'thavetodoubleteamme!Let'sheadtothegym..."Thesoonerwefoughtourbattlesandgotourbadges,thesoonerwecouldrelax.
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TheCasteliaGymwasataplacecalled"GymStreet".Despitethename,notevena
quarteroftheheavytrafficonthestreetwentinthedirectionofthegym.BlackandIfoundourselvesseparatingfromthecrowdandheadingdownaroadtotheCasteliaGym.WhereasStriaton'sgymdoubledasarestaurantandNacrene'samuseum,Castelia'sgymappearedtobeanartstudio.TheadswesawonthewaytothegympromotedartworkdonebyBurghaswellasthefactthathewasthegymleader,'thePremierInsectArtist'.
"Huh.Youusuallyhavetopaytoseeexpensivepiecesofartinstudios,butapersoncouldprobablyseeBurgh'sforfree,"IcommentedasIstaredattheposterthathadbeenputuponthewallofabuilding.
"We'renotgoingforart,we'regoingforbadges!WecanlookatBurgh'sstufflater,"saidBlack."Fornow,getpumped!Getpsyched!Getstoked!"Don'thaveto.Black'sgotenoughenthusiasmforthebothofusandthensome.Whenweeventuallyfoundthegym,whichwaspaintedinshadesofgreenandpurple,Blackadjustedhiscapandtookadeepbreath."Alright!Timetowinabadge!Youwon'tmindifIgofirst,right?"
"Sure,whynot?"Ididn'treallycarewhatorderwewentin,justlikehowIdidn'tultimatelycareifI'dlose.Well,maybeIdidcarealittleaboutlosing...
Blackopenedthedoorandranintothegym...onlytowindupcollidingintosomeone,knockingthemoverintheprocess.Blacksteppedandregainedhisfooting"Oh,sorryaboutthat"Cheren!"
Cherensatonthefloorofthegym'slobbywithhisglassesaskew."Hello,Black.White.Iguessyou'reheretochallengeBurgh,too?"
"Iguessyou'vealreadygottenyourbadgealready,huh?"IaskedasIwalkedintothelobbyaswell.
"Notexactly."Cherenstraighteneduphisglassesandstoodup.
"Soyoulost?!"Blackexclaimedinsurprise.
"No,"thedark-hairedboyspokesternly."Thegymleaderisn'there.Accordingtothetrainershere,he'sbusttryingtotakecareoftheTeamPlasmaproblem,andhelikelywon'tbeabletoacceptchallengesuntilhe'sdonewiththat."
"Onceagain,TeamPlasmaruinsthings..."Icommented.
"DidyouhearwhattheydidatLibertyGarden?TheyheldthepeopletherehostageallsotheycouldfindararePokémon.Thosepeoplearequicklybecominga
problem!"Yeah,who'dhavethoughtthegroupwhomadethatspeechinAccumulaTownwouldbecapableofthis?"Theyneedtobestopped.I'llhelpoutanywayIcan."
"Yeah!Us,too!"Blackexclaimed.
"You,too,maybe,butnotme.Thingslikethisarebestlefttotheprofessionalslikethepoliceandgymleaders."
"Thatdidn'tstopyoufromhelpingLenorabefore,ordealingwithTeamPlasmainCastelia."
"Thosewereexceptions!"IsnappedatCherenandBlack."I'msickandtiredofdoingdangerousthingsbetterlefttotheauthorities!Insteadofwastingtimeplayinghero,youshouldfocusonwhatyoustartedyourjourneysfor!"
"Wecan'treallydothatifTeamPlasma'srunningaroundandtheystealourPokémon,"Cherenpointedout.
"Maybe.Butitdoesn'tmeanthatIwannawastetimeonamanhuntinsteadofleavingittotheprofessionals,"Ishotbackinaflattone.Istaredattheboysforafewsecondsbeforeturningmybackonthem."Whatever.IdoubtIcanchangeyourmindsaboutthis.Justcallmewhenyou'refinished,Black."
"Waitaminute!Whereareyougoing?!"Blackexclaimed.
"SomewhereTeamPlasmaisn't!"IcalledovermyshoulderasIleftthegym.
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"Whydidn'tyouwannahelpBlackandCheren,White?"TinyaskedmeminuteslateraswewerewalkingdownastreetsomewhereinCastelia.
"BecauseIdon'twanttospendtheentiretyofmyjourneyplayinghero."ImeantwhatIsaidaboutgoingsomewhereIwouldn'thavetohearaboutTeamPlasma.TheproblemwasactuallyfindingsuchaplacetowhileawaythehoursasBlackranaroundactinglikeTeamPlasmawashisresponsibility.
"ButTeamPlasmaarebadguys!"ThePikachuexclaimed,bendingoverfromhisplaceonmyheadtolookatme."Soweshouldstopthem!"
"Justbecausewe'vestoppedthemseveraltimesbeforedoesn'tmeanthey'reourresponsibility.Letthepoliceforcehandleit."PuttingTeamPlasmatothebackofmy
mind,IcontinuedwalkinguntilIcameacrossasparselypopulatedstreet."Oh,lucky.Itseemslikemostofthestreetsinthistownarecrowded.AtleastIdon'thavetoworrywithcrowdsofpeoplerunningintomelikeaherdofBouffalant..."Asluckwouldhaveit,themomentIwalkedoutontothestreet,Iwounduphavingsomeonecollidewithmeandsendmesprawlingtotheground,causingTinytofalloffofmyheadintheprocess."Oh,comeon!There'spracticallynooneelseonthestreet!Whatarethechancesthatyou'dgorunningintome?!"Isnappedatthepersonresponsible.
Thepersonresponsiblewasayounggirlwithlong,largepurplehairthathadayellowbowinitanddressedinapaleyellowandpinktopwithwhitepants."Aha!You..."Thegirlpointedafingerdownatme."Youlooksuspicious!"
"Huh?!Suspiciousofwhat?!"
"Thievery!"
"Thievery?!I'veneverstolenanythinginmylife!"Theysaythatthecitycanhouseallsortsofcrazypeople.Wasthisgirloneofthem?Shecertainlyhadthehairofacrazyperson...
"Look,justfessup!You'reoneofthosepeoplewhosupportTeamPlasma,aren'tyou?"Thepurple-hairedgirlsaidwithafrown."IfyougivebackallthePokémonyoustole,Iwon'tharmyou!"
Yeah,likeyou'resointimidating,kid.Igottomyfeetandlookeddownatthechild."WhatpartofmelookslikeaTeamPlasmasupporter?!Look,Ididn'tstealanyPokémon!AllthePokémonIhaveinmypossessionaremine.Doyouunderstand,kid?"
"That'swhatanythiefwouldsay.AndI'mnotakid!"Then,theannoyinglittlegirldidthemostimpressivesetofbackflipsthatI'dseenandlandedperfectly."Ifyouwon'tbepolite,I'lljusthavetotakethosePokémonbackbyforce!"ShetookoutaPokéBall.
"You'rekidding,right?"
"I'mnotakid!"
"Ididn'tsaythat!"Isighedinannoyance.IalmostwishedIwasstillwithBlackdealingwithevilhypocritesinsteadofcrazylittlegirls.Butifabattlewaswhatshewanted,I'djustbeatherandthentalksomesenseintoherafterwards.Thatsoundedlikeasoundplan."Fine!Youwantabattle?Bringiton!"
BeforeIcouldreachintomybagforaball,Tinyboundedinfrontofme."Letmehandlethis,White!IwanttoshowyouwhatIcanreallydo!"ThePikachuexclaimed.
"Uh,youdon'thaveto,butifthat'swhatyouwant..."Besides,unlessshehadanyPokémonthatwereGroundtypeorknewGroundtypemoves,I'msureTinycouldatleasthandleit.
Thepurple-hairedgirlthrewherballout."Go,Axew!"Inaflashoflight,asmall,greenlizard-likecreatureappearedinfrontofherwithafinontopofitshead.Itgrowledinanunintimidatingmanner,whichcouldbeignoredduetoitsintimidatingpairofivory-coloredtusks.
"Whatisthat?"ItookoutthePokédexandscannedthePokémon."Axew,theTuskPokémon.Dragontype.Theirtusksareusedforcrushingberriesandmarkingtheirterritoryontrees.Theirtuskscanbreak,butrepeatedgrowthandusemakethemstronger."SothiskidhasaDragontype?!NoneofmyPokémonhadmovesthatwereincrediblyeffectiveagainstDragontype,butmaybeIstillhadachance."Tiny,useThunderWave!"
"Ch-ch-CHUUUU!"BoltsofelectricitywentshootingoutofTiny'sbodyandstrucktheAxew,paralyzingitonthespot."NowuseQuickAttack!"Hedartedforward,zippingtowardsthesmalldragon.
"UseDracoMeteor!"TheAxewopenedupitsmouthandanorbofbrightyellowenergyformedinfrontofit.Witharoar,theballwassentflyingupintotheairbeforeitdispersedintodozensofsmallballsofenergythatfelldown.Tinybegantozigzag,tryingtododgethefallingballsbeforehewasstoppedbyabarragethatsenthimflyingback."NowuseDualChop!"Despiteitsparalysis,theAxewmanagedtodashtowardsTinyandstrikehimdownwithtwoswipesofitsclaws.
"Tiny!I...!"ItrailedoffandstaredinshockatthetwitchingPikachu.
"NowareyougoingtoconfessandgivebackthePokémonyou'vestolen?!"Thepurple-hairedgirlexclaimed
"WAAAAAIIIIIIT!"Afamiliarvoiceshouted.Frombehindthepurple-hairedgirl,Isawafamiliarblonderunningtowardsusandwavingherarmsfrantically."She'smyfriend!Sh-she'snothief!"
Iblinkedandstaredinsurprise.Biancastoppedrightnexttothegirlandbentovertocatchherbreath."Youknowher?!"Ishoutedandpointedatthegirlatthesametimeshedidsamewhilepointingatme.
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"SoyourPokémonwerestolen?!"IexclaimedafterBianca'sexplanation."H-Haveyoucontactedthepoliceaboutthis?!"
"Ihave,buttheyjustseemsobusy...AlotofpeoplearealsomissingtheirPokémon,andalongwithalloftheirotherduties,itfeelslikeit'lltakeawhilebeforethey'llbeabletofindthem,"Biancasaidwithasigh."I'mnotevensurewhostolethem.Theyeventookmybagwithallmystuff.Idon'thaveanything,White!"
"Whydidn'tyoucallme?!OrBlackorCheren?!Wecould'vehelpedyou!"
"Iwasgonna,but...ImayhavethrownmyXtransceiverinmybagwhileIwashavingafitofanger.WhenIrealizedthat,Icouldn'thelpbutstartcrying..."
"That'swhenIfoundher!"Isuddenlyrememberedthepurple-hairedgirl'sexistence.
"Yeah...Whoareyouexactly?"IaskedslowlyasIstaredatherinsuspicion.
Shejabbedathumbtoherchest."I'mIris,aDragontypePokémonspecialistonajourneytobecomeaDragonmaster!"SheexclaimedwithasmuchenergyasBlackwhenhemadesimilardeclarations."Ican'tstandwhenPokémonareseparatedfromtheirhumanfriends,soIdecidedtohelphergetherPokémonbackfromthecreepresponsible!"
"Ofcourse,Idunnowhostolethem..."Biancamumbled.
"Noneedtoworry!Icantelltheinnocentpeoplefromthesuspicious."IgaveIrisanannoyedlookandmadeanaggravatedgrowl."...You'reaveryshadyperson."
"White'smyfriend.She'salotofthings,butshadyisn'toneofthem."
"Well,ifyousayso...Anyway!"Thepurple-hairedgirlexclaimed."Ican'tbechattingnow!I'vegotathieftofind!"Shethenrandownthestreetanddisappearedfrommysightwhensheturnedacorner.
"...Youcouldn'thavegottenhelpfromsomeonewhowas...morecompetent-looking?Abetterjudgeofcharacter?Maybeolder?"Iaskedtheblondegirlwithanarchedeyebrow.
"She'sonlytryingtobehelpful.I'mactuallygratefulforherhelp.Although..."Biancapursedherlips."Iguessshetendstojumptoconclusionsaboutpeoplequiteeasily,huh?I'mkindofworriedshe'llupsetthewrongpersonandgetherselfintotroubleall
formysake."ShestaredatmeexpectantlyandIimmediatelyknewwhatshewantedtosay.
"No!Whyme?"
"Well,youhaveexperiencewithpeoplelikeher!"
"Withwho?Black?Incaseyouhaven'tnoticed,mostofthetime,Ican'tcontrolhim"andI'mhissister.YouthinkastrangegirlIjustmetisgonnalistentome?"
"Please,White?Ican'tstandthethoughtofherrunningoffintotroubleonherown!It'dbeallmyfaultifsomethingbadhappenedtoher!"Biancasaidwithlarge,wateryeyes."I'mnotsayingyoushouldgobyyourself...I'llcome,too!Just...comewithme,please!"
"...Alright.ButonlybecauseIwannahelpyou,too!InamoresanewaythanrandomlysiccingmyPokémononpeople!"
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IlaterfoundmyselfwalkingthroughCasteliaCitywithBiancainsearchofIris.Whenwedidfindher,shewasonthestreetbythedocks,upinthefaceofsomemanwearingablacktrenchcoatwithamatchinghat.IsighedinannoyanceandapproachedthepairandpulledIrisawayfromtheman.
"What'reyoudoing?!Iwasinterrogatingthesuspect!"Irisshoutedassheflailedinmyarms.
"Youweren'tinterrogatinganyone!Youwerebeingapest!"Ilookedatthemanandgavehimmybestapologeticlook."Iamsosorry!Shedidn'tmeantobotheryou,sir!"
Themanspoke,butthewordsoutofhismouthwerenotEnglish."Um...Whatdidyousay,sir?"Biancaasked.
"See?!He'sashadypersontalkingallweirdlikethat!"Irisadded.
"He'snotshady!He'sspeakingJapanese!"Isnappedatthepurple-hairedgirl.Ilookedbackattheforeignerandgulped."Um...um...G-gomen!Gomennasai,sa!"It'snotlikeIpracticedspeakingJapanesemuchbeyondthoselanguage-teachingshowsonTV.
Luckily,Ididn'thavetospendmuchtimestumblingaboutinJapanesebecausea
mandressedinbusinessattireapproacheduswithafranticexpressiononhisface."M-misterMorimoto!I-Imean,Morimoto-san!Daijobudesuka?"TheconversationbetweenthemhadmorewordsIdidn'tknowinJapanesebeforetheyjustleft.
IttookafewsecondsformetorecoverandturntoIris."Youcan'tjustrunuptoapersonandgivethemthefifthdegreefornogoodreason!"
"Ihadagoodreason!"
"Notunderstandingwhathewassayingisnotagoodreason!"
Irishuffedandgavemeanannoyedlook."Oh,yeah,smarty-pants?Andhowwouldyoutrackacriminal?"
"I-Idon'tknow!There'smorestuffthatmakesapersonasuspectthanwearingatrenchcoat!Like""
"TeamPlasma,"saidBianca.
"Yes!TeamPlasma!TheyhavearecordforstealingPokémonand""
"There'samemberrightthere!"Theblondegirlwhisperedasshepointedforward.IfollowedherfingerandfoundsaidPlasmamemberstandingseveralfeetaway,lookingaroundinconfusion.Theirpresencewasalreadyattractingstaresfromseveralpeopleonthestreet.
"...DidaTeamPlasmamemberstealyourbag?"IaskedBianca.
"Ididn'tseewhotookit."
"Becauseconsideringtheirtrackrecordthesedays,justabouteverythingcanbeblamedonTeamPlasma."
"Aha!Isee!"WasallIrisexclaimedassheranuptothePlasmamemberandbeganaccostingthem,"Alright,fessup!Iknowwhatyou'vedonePokémonstealer!"
"Huh?!Wh-what'reyoutalkingabout?!"ThePlasmagrunt"agirlwithbrownbangsstickingoutofherhood"staredatIrisinshockandbegantobackawayfromherslowly.
"Don'tthinkyoucanplaydumb!Iknowallaboutyourkind!"
"Um...!Um...!"ThePlasmamemberimmediatelytookoffrunningupthestreet.
"Youcanrun,butyoucan'thide,youcriminal!"IrisshoutedassheranoffafterthePlasmamember.
"Ugh!Couldn'tshereelitinforevenaminute?!"Igrowled.IgrabbedBianca'shandandwebegantoruninthedirectiontheybothwent."WeneedtofindthatPlasmagruntandmakehertelluswherethey'rekeepingthePokémon."
"Uh...what?"
"IfTeamPlasma'sMOisstealingPokémon,there'sgottabeaplacetheykeepthemall.Andsincefindingthatplaceislikefindinganeedleinahaystack,weneeddirections."
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Severalminuteslater,weeventuallyfoundourPlasmagruntintheoddestofplaces:crouchingattheendanarrowalleyway,shiveringlikeawetLillipupwithherbacktous.IturnedtoBiancaandwhispered,"Doesn'tlooklikeIrisisanywherearound.Thisisourchance."
"Sohowarewegonnadothis?"
"Well,Ihaveanidea,butitwouldrequireafairamountofacting.Sofollowmylead,okay?"BiancanoddedandwebothapproachedthePlasmagruntfrombehind."Excuseme,butareyouamemberofTeamPlasma?"Iaskedinapolitetonewithmyhandsbehindmyback.
"KYAAAAH!"Thegruntshriekedandimmediatelystoodupstiffasaboardbeforespinningaroundtofaceus."Wh-whatdoyouwant?!Leavemealone!"Shecriedout.
"C-calmdown!Wewerewonderingifsomethingwaswrong!"IcouldfeelBianca'seyesonmeasIcontinued,"We'resupportersofTeamPlasma,sowe'dliketohelpanywaywecan!"
Thebrunettegirl'seyeslitup."Really?I...I'msurprised.Forthepastcoupleofdays,I'vebeengettingshadylooksfrompeople."
"Yeah,becauseofallthebadstuffTeamPlasma'sbeendoing!"Biancapipedup.Icastheraglareandhereyeswidenedassherealizedwhatshedid.Why'dshehavetosaythat?
"Huh?What'reyoutalkingabout?"Thebrunettegirlsaidwithafrown.
"Uh...youdon'tknow?AbouthowtheyrobbedamuseuminbroaddaylightandheldLibertyGardenIslandhostage?"
"Really?!"ThePlasmagruntexclaimedinshock.Shereallydidn'tknowathingaboutwhattheywereupto?Shehuffedandcriedout,"D-Don'tthinkthismeansallofTeamPlasmaisbad!Youcan'tblameallofusbecauseoftheactionsofsome...stupid,overlypassionateboneheads!"
"Huh?IthoughtthatTeamPlasma'sgoalwastofreePokémonnomatterthecost?"
"Thatdoesn'tmeanwewannabethieves!Someofuswouldratherweconvincepeoplewithourwordsthatit'srighttoliberatetheirPokémonandleavethebruteforceforextremecases!"SoTeamPlasmaactuallyhadpeoplelikethisamongstthem.Thenagain,theguysIfoughtatLibertyGardendidn'tseementirelybad,minusthatoneawfulwomanwhotriedtocaptureVictini.
"Iknewyouweregoodguys!It'sjusttoobadthatpeoplethinkyou'recriminalsbecauseoftheactionsofsomeextremists..."Ipausedforafewseconds,hesitanttosaywhatI'dplannedtosaynext."Despitethat,I...Iwannajoinyourteam!"
"Really?!"ThegruntexclaimedasBiancashoutedout,"WHAT?!"
"Yes,Ihaven'tbeenatrainerforlong,but...I'veseenenoughoftheawfulthingshappentoPokémonbecauseoftheirtrainersthatitwasn'thardtomakeupmymind."IturnedmybackonthegruntandlookedatBianca."Iknowwhatyou'regoingtosay,andyoucan'tmakemechangemymind.Youshouldtrustme,"Ispokeemphaticallywhilewigglingmyeyebrows.
"...Okay."
"Right."IturnedtolookatthePlasmamember."So,wouldyoupleasetakemetoyourheadquarterstoenroll...orenlist...orwhatever?"Iaskedpolitely.
Thebrunettegirl'seyeslitup.Itmademefeelbadfortakingadvantageofherlikethis."Ofcourse!I'mhappytohaveanothercomradeinthebattleforPokémon'srights!"Andhersayingthatmademefeelevenworse.Wait,whyshouldIcareifI'mtakingadvantageofher?She'stheonewhocan'tseewhatsortofhypocritesTeamPlasmaare."Alright,let'sgetgoing!MynameisRosa,bytheway!I'msurewe'llbegreatfriends!"Okay,nowIfeelevenworse...
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Notes!
AxewcanlearnDracoMeteorviaMoveTutor.
InBWandBW2,ShigekiMorimoto"oneofthedesignersandgameprogrammersofPokémon"appearsintheGameFreakbuildinginCasteliaCity.HehasthesamespriteasamaleVeterantrainerandcanevenbebattled.
InthePokémonAdventuresmanga,Whi-Two"orFaiTsuifyouprefer"theAdventurescounterpartforRosa,wasaformermemberofTeamPlasmaintheBW2arc.
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ReadandreviewforthesakeofPikachu.
Chapter16
Promisedmyselftoupdatefrequentlyduringthesummer...spentmostofitgushingoverBlueExorcist.Yup!I'manaughtylittleprocrastinator...
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseriesoritscharacters.Onlythisstory!
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~Subterfuge!InfiltratingthePlasmaRanks~
IfIknewthatthesamedayIenteredCasteliaCitywouldbethedayIwouldtryandenterTeamPlasma,I'dthinkIwasinsane.Butno,IwasreallywalkingalongsideofaTeamPlasmamembernamedRosawithBiancataggingalong,butitwasn'tbecauseI'dlostmymindandgonearoundtoN'swayofthinking.ThiswasallaplantocheckandseeifBianca'sstolenPokémonandpossessionshadbeentakenbyTeamPlasma.Iknow:it'sstupidtoautomaticallyassumeanythingrelatedtostolenPokémonisbecauseofthemalone,butthesedays,itseemedtobethecase.Besides,itwassoeasytodeceivethatonePlasmagruntwemanagedtofind,andIrishadyettopopupandruinthings.
"So,howlongisittothisheadquartersofyours?"IaskedaswewalkeddownastreetwithBianca.
"I'mnotreallysure.Tobehonest,thisisthefirsttimeI'vebeeninthiscity,"Rosaexplained."But!"Sheheldupapieceofpaper."Iwasgivendirectionsfrommysuperiorsleadingmethere!Itshouldberight...here!"
BiancaandIlookedatthebuildingacrossthestreetandblanched.ItwastheCasteliaGym.ThePlasmahideoutwasaPokémonGym?!Didthismeanthattheywerereallythebadguysorsomethingmuchworse?!
"Whatareyoulookingat?Theheadquartersisrightoverhere!"Rosagrabbedusbothbytheshoulderandspunusaroundtolookatthebuilding.Itwasaredbrickbuildingthatstoodseveralfloorstall.
"TeamPlasma'shidingoutacrossthestreetfromthelocalPokémonGym?"Biancaaskedwithhermouthgapingopeninsurprise,thesameasme.
"Who'dhavethought...?"Thenagain,itwaskindofingeniousinaway.Howmanypeoplewouldthinkacriminalgroupwashidingoutacrossthestreetfromaperson
whowasprobablymorethancapableofstoppingthem?ItookamomenttogetovertheshockandturnedtolookatBianca."Okay...Iguessthisiswherewegoourseparateways..."
"Iguessso,"shemumbled.
"Rememberwhatyou'lltellBlackandCherenifyouseethem."
"Yeah.You...youbecareful,White!Itprobablywon'tbeeasy.IwishIcouldhelpyouout,butI..."Biancatrailedoffandlookeddownatthegroundsadly.
"Don'tworry!Shewon'tbealone!"Rosaexclaimed."She'llbeamongherfellowPlasmamembers!"
That'swhatmademenervous.Iwouldn'tjustbedealingwithoneorapairofPlasmagrunts"I'dbesurroundedbymorethanIcouldhandle.I'dhavetobeswiftandsneakytomakesureIcouldsneakoutBianca'sPokéBallswithoutbeingseen,orhopethatthecavalrywouldarrivebeforeanythingbadhappened.
"Well...alright.Goodbye,White.Pleasebecareful."Withaworriedexpression,Biancawalkedoffinthedirectionwecamefrom.
"Yourfriendmustreallycareaboutyou,huh?"Rosaasked."Ifthat'sthecase,I'lltakegoodcareofyousolongaswe'retogether!"It'showyou'lltakecareofmethatI'mworriedabout.AsIstaredinthedirectionBiancahadgoneoffin,thebrunettePlasmagruntbegantodragmeintothebuilding.
Theinsideofthebuildinglookedlikeanordinarylobby.Aguyinaguard'scostumesatbehindthecounterinbetweentheelevators.Inacornerwasawaitingareawithawidescreentelevisionplayingfromitsceilingposition,whereordinary-lookingpeopleweremindingtheirbusinessuntilwesteppedin.Theirexpressionsshiftedtoannoyance,surpriseandworry.Theydidn'tlooklikePlasmamembers,buttheyweren'tgaspinginsurprise,cryingoutinfear,ortryingmakeacitizen'sarrestonRosa.Itwaskindofunnerving,really.
Oneoftheelevatordoorsopenedandamansteppedout,dressedinasharpbusinesssuitwithanevensharper-lookinggazethatzeroedinonusinaninstant."What...doyouthinkyouaredoing?"Heaskedasheapproachedus.Actually,heapproachedRosaandglareddownather."Areyoustupidorjustforgetful?YouarenottowearyourPlasmauniformuntilitisdeemedsafe."
"Um,what?Idon'tunderstand...IwastoldthatweTeamPlasmamembersmustalwayswearouruniformtobeawell-organizedmachine,"saidRosa.
"...Didyoujusttransferhere?"Themanasked,archinganeyebrow.
"Y-yes,sir!"
"So,Isupposeyouwouldn'tknow."
"Knowaboutwhat?"
Thesuitedmanstoodstraightandfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest."Duetorecentdifficultiesthathaveledtobadpressinthemedia,TeamPlasmaiscurrentlytryingtohideamongthecrowd."
Rosastaredathiminconfusion."Huh?"
Themanrolledhiseyes."Intermsyoumightbetterunderstand:we'reonthedown-low.Thatmeansnotwearingouruniformsoutinpublic."HelookedatmeandIflinched."Followyourfellowmembers'exampleandchangeintosomenormalclothingatonce."
"O-okay,sir!ButthisisWhite."Rosagrabbedmeandpulledmeinfrontofher."ShewouldliketojoinourgroupinourquestforPokémonrights!"
Thesuitedman'ssharpgazebecameevensharperandIgulped."I-IreallywanttohelpthosepoorPokémonwhoareabusedandmistreatedbyhumans!I'mprettygoodatPokémonbattles...IevenmanagedtowintwobadgesfromPokémongymsbeforeIdecidedtojoin!"ShouldIhavesaidthat?IfaPlasmafanlikeNgotupsetoverPokémongyms,actualPlasmamembersmightgetfurious.
"...Isee.Wedoneedmorebattle-skilledmembersasoflate.Marcus!"Oneofthepeoplesittinginthecorner"ayoungmandressedincasualclothing"gaveayelpofsurprisebeforestandingupandrunninguptous."Yes,sir!WhatcanIdoforyou,sir?"
"Ineedyoutoshowthesenewcomersaround.Also,makesurethatthisone,"thesuitedmanpointedatme,"Getsmeasuredforhernewuniform."
"Yes,sir,"thegruntnamedMarcussaidwithanod.Asthesuitedmanexitedthebuilding,IcountedmyblessingsthatIwasbelievableenoughtojointheirgroup."Nowthen,"Marcusbegan,smilinginanattempttobefriendlytous'newcomers',"WelcometoTeamPlasmaheadquarters!...InCasteliaCity,anyway.Ifyou'llfollowme,I'llshowyouaround."Hegesturedforustofollowhimintoanelevator.HepressedabuttonandIsuddenlyhadasenseofdread.
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"Stopfidgetingandholdstill,please,"saidthewomantakingmymeasurements.Ireallydidn'tlikehavingastrangersoclosetomeandtouchingme.IguessthiswasthedreadIwassensing.ThemeasuringfeltlikeitwentonforlongerthanIthoughtbeforeshesteppedback."I'lldropoffyournewuniformwhenit'sdone."
"Thankyou,"Ispokehesitantly.
ThefirststoponourtourofPlasmaheadquarterswastotheirpersonalseamstress.ShockingtothinkthatanaggressivePokémonrightsgroupcaredenoughtohaveaseamstressintheirgroup,butIguesssomeonehadtomakethoseoutrageousgetups.Ofcourse,thatladyalsomanagedtohavesomenormalclothingaroundforthesakeoftheirsneakingaroundthecityundetected.Howtheheckdoesaseamstresswindupjoiningagrouplikethisanyway?!Thisentiredaywasjustdevelopingintoonebigheadache.
"Alright!HowdoIlook?"ThesoundofRosa'svoicemademelookinherdirection.ThebrunettegirlhadgottenridofherPlasmauniforminexchangeforsomecasualclothes:ablueandwhiteshirtoverabarelyvisiblepinkvest,ashort,paleyellowskirtwithblackleggings,paleblueandwhitesneakers,andawhiteandpinkvisorcap.Sheevenchangedherhairstyletoapairoflargebunsonthesidesofherheadwithlongstrandshangingdownfromthem.
"You...lookreallynice,"Imumbled,stillfeelingtenseaboutmysituation.
"Um,finishednow?"AskedMarcus,whosebackwasturnedinanattempttogiveusprivacyHeturnedaroundandcontinued,"Good,followmeandlet'stakealookaround."
RosaandIweregivenashorttourofthebuilding.Oneachfloorwasadifferentkindofplace:therewasakindofcafeteria,arecreationalroom,alaundromat,andatleastthebedroomsthegruntssleptinandsharedwitheachotheringroups,andoddlyenough,aplacetotrainPokémon.
"Well,that'severythingtosee"savetherestofthefloors,"Marcusspokeaswestopped
Iarchedaneyebrow."Hey,yeah.There'sgottabealotmorefloorsthanwhatwewereshown."
"TheseCasteliabuildingsarebigthattheytendtohaveatleast50floors.Mostoftheonesinthisbuildingareempty,butononeofthosefloorsiswherewekeepthe
Pokémonthatweliberatefromtrainersuntilwecanfindasuitableenvironmentforthemtolivein."Score!
"Whycan'twegoupthere?"Rosaasked.
"Well...ourlastbigoperationtoliberatealegendaryPokémonfromthelocallighthousefailed,"Marcusspokewithasadexpression."Notonlythat,butamemberofTeamPlasmaattemptedtocapturesaidPokémonsoshecoulduseitforherownselfishdesires.Apparently,thatwastheonlyreasonshejoined."
Rosagasped."No!Whowoulddosuchanawfulthing?"
"Asaresultofheractions,theonlypeoplewhoknowthelocationofthePokémonstorageroomareafewauthorizedgruntsandthesevensages.Isupposethekingalsohasauthoritytogoupthere,butLordGhetsissaidthathewasfartoobusytodealwithsuchminortasks."Seriously?IfIcouldn'tfindthePokémon,thisplanwaspointless!
"So,whathappenedtothetraitor?"
"Oursuperiorsweregoingtoleaveherinjailwhiletheotherscapturedalongwithherwerebailedout,butLordGhetsisrequestedthatshebetakenoutaswell.Ihaven'tseenherhere,soIcanonlyassumethatshe'sbeingpunished."Marcuslookedatmeandcontinued,"Yougotthat?It'simportantnottomesswiththesagesofTeamPlasmaandangerthembecausetheyareourwisestmemberswhohelpenforceourking'sideals"especiallyLordGhetsis.Theysaythatthekingisactuallyhisson,sohehasthehighestauthorityofallthesages.He'sacharismaticman,buthecanalsobequitefrighteningwhenwefailourmissionsforwhatheconsiderstobeminorreasons."Yeah,itfiguresaguywhosupportsthiskindofbehaviorfromhiskidhasnoqualmswithbeingruthless.
"Isee...Andhowdoesapersongetauthorizationupstairs?"
"Basically,itrequiresgainingthetrustandrespectofthesages.You'dhavetodosomethingveryimpressivetogettheirattention,andaccomplishallthetasksyou'resetouttodo."I'mnotsureI'dwanttodosomethingcapableofimpressingthem.It'dprobablyjustbetheftandrobbingpeopleoftheirPokémon."Anyway,sinceyouclaimtobefairatPokémonbattles,I'dsuggestyoutogotothetrainingroomtohoneyourskills.Sinceyou'reanewbie,you'llprobablybecalledonsoon."
"Yes.I'lldothat.Thankyou."IenteredtheopenelevatorwithalltheintentionofgoingupthehigherfloorsandsearchingthemforthestolenPokémon.
"Hey,waitup!"Rosa,however,ranintotheelevatoraswell.Shelookedatmewithasmileandsaid,"Idon'twannaleaveyoualonesoquickly!I'llstickwithyoufortherestoftheday,okay?"Well,somuchforthatplan...IgaveRosaaforcedsmileasIwonderedjusthowlongI'dhavetostayamongthesepeople.
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Severalminuteslater,Ifoundmyselftangledupinabattleagainsta"fellow"Plasmamember.Atrainingbattle,actually.Apitifuloneatthat.Myopponentwasagirlwithshort,lightpinkhairdressedinlightblueclothing.Atfirst,Ithoughtshewasintimidating.Imean,shelevitatedPokéBallswiththepowerofhermind"humanswithpsychicabilitieswereasintimidatingasPsychictypePokémon.Unfortunately,herpowersoftheminddidn'ttranslatetobattlingPokémonconsideringherchoices.
"Exeggcute,useHypnosis!"ThepsychiccommandedherPokémon.Exeggcute,likeitstrainer,wasPsychicandGrass-typed.Theyweresixpinkegg-shapedcreatureswithahivemindthinggoingonamongthemselvesandasharp-eyedgaze"andrightnow,thatgazewasbeginningtoglowbrightpinkastheystaredatMars.
"UseDefenseCurl!"TheVenipedecurledupintoaballandstayedinplaced.Unabletomakeeyecontact,Marswasabletoavoidbeinghypnotizedandputtosleep."NowuseRollout!"
"Um,uh...BulletSeed!"AlloftheExeggcutebeganspittingoutseedsatMars,buttheybouncedoffeasilywithoutevenstoppinghimforasecond.Whenhecollidedwithhisopponent,thesixegg-shapedPokémonweresentflyingaboutlikeagroupofbowlingpins.Theblank-eyedexpressiononthepsychic'sfaceasshefelldownonherbuttwasbothhumorousandsad."IwishIcould'vepredictedmyfailuretoprotectmyPokémon..."
Inaninstant,Iwassurroundedbypeoplewholookedatmewithadmiration.Itwasunnerving,evenmoresowhenIthinkthatdespitelookinglikeordinarypeople,theseguyswereTeamPlasmamembers"hardlythekindofpeopleIwantedtoadmireme.
"Oh,wow!You'resostrong!"
"Idon'treallylikePokémonbattles,butthatwasimpressive."
"Andyousayyouhaven'tbeentrainingPokémonforlong?"
Thatwasn'treallyimpressive,andI'mnotthatstrong...Ifanything,thesePlasmamembersareeitherinexperiencedorincompetentatPokémonbattling.ComparedtomostPlasmamembersImet,theyweremorehesitanttofightforfearofharming
boththeirPokémonandtheiropponent's.Ihavetowonderhowsuchpeoplewoundupbeingallowedintothisgroup.Iftheyhadpeoplewhowereabitmore...capableoffighting,they'dbedangerous.Luckily,Plasmagruntsseemtohavemorals...well,someofthemdo.IhadyettomeetanyofthenastiermembersthatIhadthebadluckofmeetingbefore.
"Youweaklingsdon'tknowathingaboutimpressivePokémonbattling!"AndnowitseemedlikeIwould.TheyoungmanwhocalledoutcausedthecrowdofdisguisedPlasmamemberstopart.Hehadshortgreenhairandwasdressedmostlyinorange,brownandgreen.Comparedtoothergrunts,whoexudedastiflingairofconfidence."Chickenheartslikeyoulotshouldsticktohandingoutpamphletsandleavethebattlingtopeoplewithactualskill."
"Wearenotchickenhearts!"Rosaexclaimed.Herstatementwasmetwithanunsettlingsilencefromourside.Afterafewseconds,sheadded,"Andeventhoughyouhaveskill,you'vegotnoheart!PeoplelikeyouarethereasonwhyTeamPlasma'sreputationhasgonedownhill!"Onceagain,noonespokeup.
"Oh,please!Allthegreatestpeopleintheworldareandhavebeenmisunderstood.Whatmattersforourteamisgettingresults!Peoplelikeyouwimpsarethereasonwhywe'vebeenfailingonourmission!"Thegreen-hairedgruntsaid,causingseveralothermemberstobackhimup."Ifyoucouldbehalf-waydecenttrainersinsteadofutterbleedinghearts,ourking'sidealworldwould'vebeensomuchclosertoreality!"
Thetensionintheroomgotsothick,IthinkonlyPokémoncouldcutthroughit.Apparently,thereweretwotypesofPlasmamembers:thekindlikeRosa,whowerekind-heartedaboutliberatingPokémon,yetweren'tsokeenonhurtinganykindofPokémonincludingtheirown;andthekindliketheonesBlackandIhavemostlybeenmeetingwhowereallforharmingPokémonandpeoplealikeifitmeantcompletingtheirtasks.Itwaseasytoguesswhichofthetwokindswasinchargeofthegroup,andwhosoobviouslydidn'tbelonginit.
Iquicklyfoundmyselfseparatingfromthecrowd,leavingthemtotheirargumentinordertohealMarsandavoidanymoreattachmentsthanneedbe.Rightnow,IhadtofocusonfindingBianca'sstuffandthengettingoutofhereasquicklyaspossible.
"ATTENTION,GRUNTS!"Awomandressedupinaclerk'sbusinessuniformshoutedloudly."Wehavebeentoldthatintrudersareonthepremises,andamongstthemistheCasteliaCitygymleader!"Thegymleader?!Thiscouldeitherturninmyfavororagainstit.Thenagain,ifagymleaderwasheretocleanup,noneofthiswasnecessary...Whatawaste."ThosewhoareskilledwithPokémonbattlingshouldbepostedandstayonhighalertwhilethosewhoaren'toughttoprotectthe
Pokémonstoragerooms.Oh,acceptforthefollowingwhowillbeinchargeofprotectingthesages:AdamDeets,GeraldShaw,RichardJames..."Sheraisedapieceofpapertoherfaceandbeganreadingoffaboutadozennamesuntil..."AndWhiteKetchum."
"...I'msorry,what?That'samistake,right?I-I'mjustanewbie!Shouldn'tIbelookingafterthePokémoninsteadof""
"Youwererequestedandyouwilldoasyoursuperiorscommandyouto,"thewomanspokesternly.
"But""
"Andyouwilldoitnow."
Rosapattedmeontheshoulder."Don'tworry.Ifthesageswantyoutoprotectthem,thenthatmeanstheythinkyou'resomethingspecial!"Idon'tfeelveryspecial.IfeellikeI'mabouttowalkintoalion'sden.
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Iwasrightaboutthatsensationofwalkingintoalion'sden.TheroomI'dbeenforcedintowasattheverytopofthebuilding.Icouldbarelygetalookintosomeoftheotherrooms,buttheyallhadpeopledressedinlabcoatswalkinginandoutofthem,carryingthingslikeboxes,casesandfiles.Iwoundupbeingcarriedalongwiththewaveofgrunts"alldressedupintheiruniforms,soIstuckoutlikeasorethumb"toalargeroomthatcontainedtheso-called'sages'wewereentrustedtoprotect.Fromwhatsomeofthenicermemberstoldme,thethreemenweresomeofthesevensages"wiseandintelligentmenfromallovertheworldwhoaidedtheso-called'king'ofTeamPlasmainhisquest.ThemostrecognizableonewasGhetsis"evenfrombehind,thatridiculousoutfitwasjustoneofthereasonshewasunforgettable.Thetwoolder-lookingmendressedinbrownandgrayrobesmusthavebeenRoodandBronius"thoughwhowaswho,Ididn'tknow.
"Iwassocertainthatwe'dbeabletoescapedetectionbyhidinginfrontofthePokémonGym.Well,itprovidedsomehumorforawhile,"saidthesagewithamustache.
"Humorhardlymatterswhenwe'retrappedlikerats,"saidthesagewithalongwhitebeard.
"True.Howwillweovercomethispredicament,Ghetsis?"
"Um,sirs!We'reheretohelpprotectyou!"Saidoneofthegrunts,stoppingtherestoftheirconversation.
Thethreesagesturnedaroundtofaceus.NotcountingthatillusionbytheMusharnabackinCastelia,IthinkthiswastheclosestI'dgottentoGhetsis.Hisgazefeltintimidatingandscrutinizing.Iwoundupstaringdownatthefloor,worriedthathe'dmanagedtorealizewhyIwasreallyhere.Afterall,theseguysweresupposedtowise"maybetheycouldreadpeople.
"Ah,yes!Themoreprotection,thebetter!"Saidthemustachedsage."Hm?Waitaminute.You'renotinuniform!Suchsloppybehavior!"Iflincheduponbeingnoticed.Sotheydidtakeoffensetothat.Well,whygiveoutuniformsifitwasn'tmandatorytowearthem?
"Um...I-Ionlyjustjoinedtheteam,sir!Idon'thaveauniformjustyet!ButI'llstilldomybesttoliveuptothePlasmaname,sir!"Isaid,stillnotlookingupfromthefloorjustincase.
"Anewrecruit,hmm?"
"Iwouldn'thaveexpectedanyonetowanttojoinusforawhileafterthatfiascoatLibertyGarden,"saidthebeardedsage.
"Theoneswhotrulydeservetobepartofourgrouparethosewhodonotcareforthepublicopiniononhuman-Pokémonrelationships,"saidGhetsiswithasmilethatseemedsooffonhim,ithadtobefake."You'reatrulyopen-mindedindividual,MissKetchum."
"Thankyou,sir."Wait.Howdidheknowmyname?Iwantedtoaskthat,butthefloorsuddenlyshook,stoppingmefromspeakingupaboutthat."Wh-whattheheckwasthat?!"
"ItwouldseemthatBurghandhisalliesarebeingquiteaggressive,"saidthemustachedsage.
"Idoubtthatsomeonelikehimwouldresorttodestroyingthebuildingjusttoensureourcapture,butthismightbeproofthatherefusestoholdbackagainstus,"saidthebeardedsage.
"True.Perhapsitwouldbebesttoconfronthimheadon."
"Youmeananall-outassault?"
"Attackingourenemiesallatoncemaybethewisestcourseofaction.Thoughtheysayquantitycannotdefeatquality,I'mcertainthatourbraveknightscantakeBurghandhisfollowersontogether."Thegruntsstoodatattention,lookingconfidentafterthesage'swords.
"Verywellthen.Goforthandshowthemthemightofourrighteouscause!"Ghetsiscommanded.
"Yes,sirs!"Allthegrunts,saveme,shoutedinnear-perfectsyncbeforewealllefttheroomalongwiththethreesages.
Ahandonmyshouldermademejumpandstopinmytracks."Oh,no,MissKetchum.Iwouldlikeyoutoescortmetocheckonsomethingthatmayhelptoturnthetide."Ilookeddownthehall.Thesagesandtheirgruntbodyguardshaddisappearedintoaseaofscientistsallbustlingtowardstheelevator."Itshouldn'ttakelong."Ghetsiswalkedinfrontofmyviewandgesturedformetofollow.Ifthatlastroomfeltlikealion'sden,followingthatmanfeltlikefollowingalion-likePokémon"onlylookinglessmajesticandmoremaleficent.
Heledmeintoaroomwithabunchofcomputersandtechnology.Inthecenterwasalarge,emptycubemadeofwhatIcouldonlyassumewaseitherglassorplastic.Putteringabouttheroomwasamanwithglassesinalabcoat,collectingboxesfilledwithfoldersandpapersandcases.Actually,helookedlike...
"YOU!"ThescientistflinchedasIshoutedoutloud."You'reProfessorJuniper'sassistant!"
"Bwah!You?!Whyareyouhere?!"Thescientistsnapped.
"Icouldaskyouthesamequestion!"
"MissKetchumhasjoinedTeamPlasmaapparently,"Ghetsisbegan."Quitehumorousconsideringallshe'sdonetointerfereinourplans."MyeyeswidenedinfrightandIimmediatelystumbledawayfromthesage,backingupuntilmybackhitawall."Youlooksoafraid...Good.Youshouldbe,consideringallthemeddlingyou'vedone."
"You...youstoleVictinifromme!Givehimback!"Isnapped,pointingafingeratGhetsis.
"Stole?WemerelyliberatedtheVictinifromanothercrueltrainerwhowould'veuseditspowerwrongly.Afterall,incrediblepowerlikethatshouldn'tbelonginthehandsofchildren."
"Actually,itwasaprettyunremarkablespecimenforalegendaryPokémon,"saidthescientist."Iimaginethatitslifestyleamonggeneticfactorsmighthave""
"Catchinghiminaballthatcausessomekindofmindcontrolsoundslikethebeginningofusinghispowerwrongly!"Iinterrupted."Ifyoudon'tgiveVictiniback,I'll...I'lltakehimbackbyforce!"
"You'rethreateningme?Suchaviolentchild.Iseenoreasonwhyourkingistheleastbitinterestedinyou,"Ghetsisspokedarkly,hisvisibleeyenarrowing.Fromunderneathhisrobe,heheldoutaPokéBallthatwasemblazonedinthePlasmaemblem."Wouldyouliketoseeexperiencetruebrutality,MissKetchum?"
Inaflashoflight,aPokémoncameoutoftheball.Ifeltmybloodgocoldandmykneesturnweak.Itwasadragon-likecreaturewhosebodywasgreenandblackwithpurplescales.Ithadonelargeheadandtwosmallerheadswheremostdragonswouldhaveclawsorhands,allthreeofthemhissingasitssixblackwingstwitchedslightly.Ididn'tneedaPokédextoknowwhatitwas,becauseitwasoneofthosePokémonsoinfamousforitspowerandbrutalitythatitpoppedupinseveralkindsofmediainUnova:aHydreigon.Anditwasstaringrightatme.Atsomepoint,Icouldfeelthefloorbeneathmykneesastearswelledupinmyeyes.
"Soit'strue.APokémontrainerthatfearsPokémonisfoolish.Howcouldaweaklinglikeyougetinthewayofmy"Imeanourplans?"IheardGhetsis'svoiceastheHydreigonslowlyapproachedme."I'llwipeyouout."
Lightsflashedbeforemyeyes,andwhentheyfaded,theHydreigonwasattackedbyaboltofelectricity,aspurtofwater,andasprayofneedles.Theydidn'tdoanythingbutmakethedragonPokémongrowlthough.
"MissWhite!Areyouokay!Areyouhurt?!"Panaceaspokeinanincreasinglypanickedtone.Ifeltherpawsonmyarmasshebegantoshakeit."Pleasesaysomething!MissWhite!"
"Whoa!Whattheheckisthatthing?!It'sgotthreeheads!"IheardEvecomment.
"Whateveritis,it'snotafriend!"Shionadded.
"Andit'ssc-scary...!"Marswhimpered.
"Andit'stryingtohurtWhite!"Tinygrowled.
"Obviously!"
TheHydreigonroaredandmyPokémonfriendsseemedtobracethemselvesforafight.Inthatmoment,Iregainedcontrolofmyself."What'reyoudoing?!Getbackinyourballsbeforethatthingkillsyou!"
"Don'tworry,White!We'llprotectyou!"Tinyexclaimed.
"Right!Iwon'tletanyonehurtmyfriend!"ShionjumpedforwardandraisedherscalchoptoattacktheHydreigon."KIIYAH"AHHH!"TheOshawottshoutedinsurpriseastheHydreigonraisedoneofitssmallerheadstograbholdofscalchopandalsopartofherpaw.Thesmallhead'sgriptightenedbeforeslammingShiondownonthefloor,bitsandpiecesofherscalchopfellaroundher.Shionlookedhorrifiedandstaredattheremainsofhershellinshock,notreactingintimetododgethepairofheadsthatslammeddownonherwithenoughbruteforcetoknockherout.
IfeltmybodygonumbatthesightofShion'sunconsciousbody,butonlyforafewsecondsasIsawtheHydreigonpickShionupandslowlybringhertowardsitsopenmouth.MybodyactedonitsownandmyhandsgrabbedShion'sballoutofmybagtoreturnhertosafety.
TheHydreigonsnarledwhileGhetsislaugheddarkly."Isthistheonlyreasonwhyhethoughtyouwereinteresting?BecauseyourPokémonarewillingtojumpoutontheirownandfacedeathforyou?Allthisprovesisthatyouareapatheticexampleofatrainer.I'dbedoingthemafavorbywipingyouout...butifIdid,thekingwouldn'tlikethat.PerhapsIoughttohavemyHydreigonleaveyouapermanentreminderofyourinferiority...maybeascaroraburn...Hydreigon!UseIncinerate!"TheHydreigonstoodstillandbegantostareatus.Afterafewunnervingseconds,itraiseditssmallerheadsandbegantobiteitself.ThedragonPokémonroaredasitbegantoharmitself,itssmallerheadstightlybitingthemainhead'sneckandmuzzle.
"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?!Stopthatthisinstant!"Ghetsisbarked,buthisPokémondidn'trespond.Hegrabbedthecollarofthescientiststandingnexttohimandbroughthimcloser."ThisiswhatthePlasmaBallwassupposedtobeprevent!"Thesagehissed.
"W-wewarnedyouthatitmightpossiblybackfire,sir!Asidefromalltheotherexperimentsperformedonit,wehaven'ttestedtheabilitiesofthePlasmaBallonaPokémonaspowerfulasthatone!"Thescientistcried.
"Uselesspieceof...!ARRGH!"GhetsisshovedthescientistasidebeforereturninghisrampagingHydreigonintoitsPlasmaBall.Miraculously,itstayedinside.
"Yay!Wewin!"Evechirped.
"Ifyoucallthatawin,"Panaceaadded.
"Becausewe'realive!"
Atthatpoint,afight-or-flightsortofinstinctshould'vekickedin.Butinstead,Icontinuedbreathingheavilyandstaringforward,totallyexpectingGhetsistowhipoutsomeothermonstrosity.Ifhewasgoingtodothat,hedidn'thavethetime,becauseinthroughthedoorcame...Black?
"White?!What'reyoudoinghere?!"Blackexclaimedashelookedatmeinsurprise.IwasstillsostunnedbyGhetsis'sHydreigonthatIcouldbarelychokeoutawarning.Luckily,hiseyesfellonGhetsisandthescientist."You'reGhetsis!And...ProfessorJuniper'saide?"
"Oh,it'stheotherone!"Thefakeaideexclaimed.
"Ah,yes.YoumustbeBlack,"saidGhetsis."YoursisterandIwerejustdiscussingaboutyourrecentescapadesinvolvingTeamPlasma."
BlacklookedbacktomebeforeglaringattheSageandpointinganaccusingfingerattheman."Whatdidyoudotoher?!"Hethenlookedatthescientist."Andwhy'reyouhere?Wereyoukidnapped?"
"Oh,fortheloveof"Iworkforhim!"ThescientistsaidashepointedatGhetsis."Really,ifyouwerestupidenoughtofallforthat,youdon'tdeservetohavesuchanamazingspecimenasaVictini!"
"Victini?What'dyoudotoVictini?!"
"Iandmyassociatesaregoingto"!"
"Don'tboastandrevealeverythingtothem,youfool!"Ghetsisbarked.
"No,no!Please,dotelluseverything,"anewvoicecamefromthedoorway,promptingBlacktostepaside.Thevoicebelongedtoamanwithcurly,lightbrownhairandbrightgreeneyes,dressedinagreenshirt,pinkandgreen-stripedpantswithafancybutterfly-shapedbeltbuckleandapinkscarfdrapedoverhisshoulder.ComingalongintowwasCherenandIris,ofallpeople."You'reGhetsis.IknowbecauseIsawyouholdingoneofthoseralliesofyourswhileIwasdoingresearchinNacreneCity."
"Areyougonnasaymorestupidthingslikethoseotheroldguys?'CuzIdon'thave
thepatienceforhearingyousayhowseparatingPokémonfromtheirhumanfriendsisright!"Irisexclaimed.
"Now,Iris,givehimachancetoatleastexplainwhy,"saidthescarfedmanashefoldedhisarmsacrosshischestandsethiseyesonGhetsis."Beyondthe'Pokémonliberation'thing,Imean.You'vestolenfromamuseum,you'vegotplansinvolvinglegendaryPokémonandIhavereasontobelievethatyou'vebeenbehindaseriesoftechnologytheftsinatleastCasteliaCity.Thatdoesn'tsoundlikepeoplewhoarejustextremistsfightingforPokémonrightsorevenmerePokémonthieves.Soifyoudon'tmindmyasking,justwhatisTeamPlasma'strueobjective?"
Thesagesmirked."Verywell...AreyoufamiliarwiththelegendofhowtheUnovaregionasweknowitcametobe?"
"Ofcourse!Itwasbecauseofthetwosiblingheroesandthelegendarydragonstheycommanded."
"That'scorrect.Longago,theblackdragonZekromandthewhitedragonReshiramhadtheirpowersusedbytwobrotherswhotounitethewarringregionofUnova"everyoneknowsthatpartofthelegend.Butpriortothat,theywereonebeingwhosenamehasbeenlosttotime.ThatdragononlysplitintoZekromandReshirambecausethebrothersnolongersaweyetoeye:onesoughttouniteUnovawithhisidealswhiletheotherwantedtouniteitwithwhatheconsideredthetruth.ThekingofTeamPlasmaseeksthelegendaryblackandwhitedragonstoreunitethemintotheirtrueform.Withitspowerandthetruthsandidealsheholdsinhisheart,hewillbecometheheroUnovaneedsandcreatetheworldthatI"Imean,thatTeamPlasmadesires!"
"That'sit?You'rejustifyingcommittingcrimeswitholdlegendsandmyths?"Cherenaskedsharply.
"Shadypeoplelikeyoucreepsshouldn'tevenbeallowedtolookatReshiramandZekrom!"Irisshouted,flailingherarmsangrily.
"Hmm...Okay,I'llacceptthat,"thescarfedmanspokecasually,gettinghimsurprisedlooksfromCherenandIris."But,y'know...yourmethodsandyourgoalsareonlygoingtomakepeople'sbondswiththeirPokémonevenstronger.Why,afterhearingyourwordsinNacrene,IrethoughtmyrelationshipwithmyownPokémonandfeltcompelledtobecomeevenmoredevotedtothem!"
"Suchanintelligentresponseforthelikesofamereartist."
"Well,I'mnomereartist."
"Icanseethat.Verywellthen.Iconcedetoyouropinionsandweshalltakeourleave."
Thescarfedmanarchedaneyebrow."DoyoureallythinkI'llletyougojustlikethat?"
Ghetsissmiledinanunsettlingmanner."Ofcoursenot.Iwouldn'texpectanythingless."Inaninstant,threemendressedinblackappearedinfrontofGhetsisandthescientist,allholdingPokéBallsintheirhands."Noviolenceisnecessary.Besides,itwouldbeashameforsuchlovelyindividualstonotwitnessourking'srisetoglory."
"Verywell,"oneofthemspokesoftlyastheyallputawaytheirballsandonepulledoutablackball.Theblack-cladmanrolledtheballforwardanditsuddenlyexplodedwithpurplesmoke.ThemomentIbreatheditin,Ifeltwoozy.MyvisionbegantoblurandIstartedtofeelnumb.IwatchedasBlackandtheothersfellover,seeminglyagainsttheirwill.BlackandIrisimmediatelycomplained,theirvoicesoverlapping.Iwatchedthemeninblackstepintomyview,onecarryingGhetsisintheirarmsbridalstyleandanothercarryingthescientistslungovertheirshoulderlikehewasabag.Theysteppedovertheotherssprawledoutinfrontoftheentrancewithoutaword,andwewereallleftinourpositions.
"Ugh!They'regettingaway!Can'tanyonemove?!"Iriscomplained.
"Itwouldseemthatwhateverthatgaswas,ithadparalyzingproperties.Ghetsiswaswillingtoexposehimselftothestuffjustsohismencouldgethimoutevenmoreeasily...Ifhe'swillingtodothattohimself""
"Don'tactsoimpressedwiththatcreepyoldman!"Thepurple-hairedgirlinterrupted.
"Howlongisitgoingtotakeforustobeabletomoveagain?"Cherenasked,soundingprettyfrustrated.
"Idon'tevenknow.Itcouldtakeacoupleofminutesorfarlonger,"saidthescarfedman.
"Sowe'rejuststuckherewhiletheymaketheirgetaway?!"Blackasked,soundingdistressed.
"Don'tworry.I'msuremyfriendswilleventuallyfindus.Let'sjustbepatient."
Isighedandallowedmyselftorelaxforthefirsttimeinalongwhile.Ididn'tknowifthisentiredaywasadisasterorasuccess,butIfeltlikeitwastiltingtowardstheformer.Butatleastthinkingaboutmyfailedattemptatsubterfugewouldallowmeto
recoverfrommypossiblynear-deathsituationwithaHydreigonandnotbothertothinkaboutGhetsisorthefactthatheknewmyname.
X-X-X
Notes!
HydreigonlearnsIncinerateviaTM.
X-X-X
ReviewforthesakeofBluandPikachu!
Chapter17
Thischapterwasoriginallygoingtobelonger...butareallifethreattomypeacefulsummerdayshasappearedintheformofaforcedfamilyvacation(anddon'taskwhyit'sneartheendofthesummer).ButtheCasteliaCityarciscomingtoaclosesoon!IwannasaythatifI'mlucky,I'llbeabletowriteandpostthenextchapterwhileI'mawayfromhome,butIdoubtI'llevenbeabletogetadecentInternetconnectionwhereI'mgoing...Still,Ihopeyouguyshadanicesummer"nicerthanmine,anyway.
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~AMorningwithAFriend~
"TheSamurottfamily.AnevolutionaryfamilymadeupofOshawott,DewottandofcourseSamurott.TheseWater-typePokémonarefound,ifrarely,inthewildsofUnova,commonlyneartheseaandrarelynearfreshwatersourceslikeriversandlakes""Thevoiceofthenarratorbecamequickenedandhigh-pitchedasthevideowasfast-forwardedandimagesofthedailylifeofOshawott,DewottandSamurottspedbyonthecomputerscreenuntilIstoppeditonacertainimageofascalchop."OshawottandDewottwieldscalchopshells,whileSamurottwieldsSeamitars.ThesePokémonusetheseshellslikeblades.Scalchopsandseamitarsaremadeofkeratin"that'sthesamethingnailsandhairaremadeof!Justlikehairandnails,scalchopscanbreak,andtheycanalsogrowbackinduetime.Buthowdotheygrowback?Amazingly,fromtheirbellybuttons!Itcantakequiteawhileforasinglescalchoptoberemade,andalthoughthey'restillcapableofdefendingthemselveswithouttheirshells,OshawottsandDewottstendtohidethemselvesawayuntiltheycanmaketheirnewblades."
IpausedthevideoIhadbeenwatchingintheupstairscomputerroomofthePokémonCenter.IcouldhearnoisesofawefrommyPokémonfriendsonthefloorbesideme"minusShionanyway."Sothat'swhyShion'sbeenfreakingoutandrefusingtocomeoutofherball!"Evechirped.
"Thatshellofherswasveryimportanttoher,"saidPanacea."She'llbealrightonceshehasanewone...hopefully."
"Yeah,she'llbebacktowhackingherselfontheheadinnotime!"
"Great!Good!Nowlookupavideoonthatthingwiththethreeheadssowecanlean
tobeatitup!"Tinyexclaimed.
"Wh-WHAT?!"Iexclaimed."Oh,no,no,no!I'mnotgonnaconfrontanothermonsterlikethatagain!Idon'tthinkI'mevengonnasetfootoutsideofthisbuildingforadayortwo!Oraweek.Heck,maybeamonth!"
"Youcan'tdothat!"Tinylookedattheotherswithaconfusedexpression."Shecan'tdothat,right?"
"SureIcan!IhavealltheresourcesIneedforsurvivalhere.Soifyou'llexcuseme,I'mgonnalookupsomeepisodesofRanseiChronicles.Ihaven'tbeenabletowatchthatshowinitspropertimeslotbecauseofthisstupidjourney."
"MissWhite,Iknowthatexperienceyesterdaymusthavefrightenedyou,"PanaceabeganasIstartedtolookupvideos."AndI'msureyoujustwanttocurlupintoaballandhide,butyoucanovercomethis.That'swhatyourjourneyisabout:overcomingyourfears!SoifyoujustlearntonotbeafraidofwhatevertypeofPokémonthatcreaturewas""
"Itwouldn'tdoanygood,"Iinterruptedtofinishforher."MakingfriendswithaDragoniteoraBisharpcouldneverpreparemefordealingwithsomethingas...asmonstrousasaHydreigon.AsfrighteningasthethingsPokémonofdifferenttypescanbe,individualspeciesofPokémoncanbeterrifyingbecausethey'realldifferentandsoaretheirkillingmethods."
"W-well,it'slike...babysteps!Andyouwon'tstopbeingafraidifyoujusthideaway."
"Nowyou'restartingtosoundlikeBlackandmymother..."Imuttered.Couldn'tIjusthaveamomentofpeaceandquietlikeShion?AmomentwhereIdidn'thavetoworryaboutbeingattackedbysomeformofterrifyingPokémonoracreepymurderousteamofcriminals?That'sallIwasaskingfor.
JustastheopeningthemeforRanseiChroniclesbegantoplay,sodidtheringingtoneofmyXtransceiverreceivingacall.IlookeddownatitsscreenandsawBianca'sname.Ididn'treallyseeherthismorningasBlackandCherenwerechewingmeoutformyactions.Thepreviousnighthadbeenablurdespitebeingparalyzed,butIrememberthemsayingthatshewentoffsomewherewithIris.ThinkingabouthermademefeellikemoreofafailurethanIdidyesterday,becauseitalsomademethinkthatmyinvolvementwas...unnecessary.ForcingmyselftolietoRosaandthenicerPlasmamembers,beingthreatenedbyGhetsisandhisHydreigon,Shionlosingherscalchop...itallfeltpointlesssinceBurghwould'vepoppeduptohelpwithBlack,CherenandIrisregardlessofwhetherornotIwasthere.
"White.Aren'tyougonnaanswerthat?"Marsasked.
Bitingmylowerlip,IansweredthecallandactedoutmybestphonecourtesyasBianca'ssmilingfacepoppeduponthescreen."Hey.Goodmorning."
"Goodmorning,White!Howdidyousleeplastnight?"
IdreamtofseeingmyPokémonbeingdevouredbyagiantHydreigonwhileanevenbiggerGhetsismockedmeforbeingauselesstrainer."Fine.I'msureyousleptjustfinesinceyougotyourPokémonback."
"Oh,no,Ididn'tgetthembackuntilthismorning.ThereweresomanyPokémoninTeamPlasma'spossessionthatthepolicejusttransferredmyPokémontomyPCstorageboxoneatatime."
"Isee."ThatexplainswhyVictiniisn'tbackinmypossessionyet.ThereweresomanyPokéBallsthatitwouldprobablytakeawhilebeforehewassenttome.Atleastthat'swhatIwantedtobelieveoverVictinistillbeinginTeamPlasma'spossession.JustbecauseIdidn'tthinkIwasworthyofowninghimdidn'tmeantheywerewithwhatevercrazinesstheywereplanning.
"Anyway,I'mcallingtoseeifyou'redoinganythingtoday.Ifnot,let'shangout!TherearesomeplacesI'dliketocheckout!"
"Asinhangoutside?Idunno.I'mprettytiredafteryesterday,"Ilied.
"Aw,butwe'reinCasteliaCity!Youcandragyourselfoutofbedforthis!"IdecidednottosaythatI'dwokenupearlierthananyofthemandhadlockedmyselfawayinthecomputerlab."I-I'llpayforeverything!Thinkofthisasmerepayingyouforyesterday."
"ButI""
"I'mnottaking'no'forananswer!I'llbewaitingbythedockssowecanbeginourownpersonaltourofCastelia!"Biancasaidwithasmilebeforehanginguponme.
"...ButIdidn'tdoanythingtohelpyou,"Ifoundmyselfmumblingundermybreath.Regardless,IwasleavingthePokémonCenterminuteslaterwithTinyridinginmybaginsteadofclingingontomybodyasusual.
X-X-X
IlaterfoundBiancaatthepier,justlikeshesaid.Shewassittingonabench
overlookingthedocksandseeminglystaringatashipthatwasleavingharbor.Iapproachedherandclearedmythroat,gettingherattention.Biancasmiledandjumpedtoherfeet."Hey,you'rehere!Ialmostthoughtyou'dhavegonetochallengethegymalready!"
"Iwouldn'tleaveyouhanginglikethat,"Isaid,forcingmyselftosmile."Besides,it'snotlikeIhavetobattleBurgh.BlackandCherenaretheonlyoneswhoneedtodothatto.Forme,gymbattlesarelike...ahobby."
"Well...you'regoodatit!You,BlackandCherenareallreallystrong!Comparedtome,anyway..."Neitherofussaidanythingelseforafewsecondsuntil..."DoyouthinkIcouldbattleagymleaderand,like...win?"IstaredatBiancainconfusionandshequicklylookedaway."Sorry,sorry!Itwasastupididea,huh?LikeIcouldbeatagymleader..."
"I'mnotsayingyoucouldn't,but...you'veneverreallyshownaninterestinbattlingbefore.Whynow?"
"No,reason!IjustfeelsojealousofyouguysgettingbadgeswhileI'm...not."
Iarchedaneyebrow."Soyoufeelleftout?"
"Yeah,that'sit!"Theblondesaid,noddingherheadenthusiastically.
"Well...alright.Ifyouwannadoit,goahead."
Biancagaveasmalllaughandsmiled."Really?!"Hersmilefadedasifsherealizedsomething."Oh,butIdidn'taskyoutojustcomeandtalkaboutmysillylittleproblems.I'mtakingyououttoeatbreakfast!Orbrunch.Whicheverit'ssupposedtobe."
"Aboutthat:youdon'thavetotakemeout.I""
"No,no,no!I'mtakingyoutoCaféSonataandthat'sthat!"Theothergirlsaidwithapout.
"CaféSonata?"
"Yeah!Iheardaboutitfromsomewhere.AndIwantustosharetheexperiencetogether."
IstaredatBianca'ssmilingfaceforafewsecondsbeforesighing."You'renotgonnaleavemealoneuntilIgowithyou,huh?"
"Well...No."
Isighedandshrugged."Well,IsupposeIhavenochoicebuttobetreatedbyyou.Leadtheway."
X-X-X
IwoundupfollowingBiancathroughthestreetsofCastelia.Idon'tthinkshereallyknewthelocationofthecafé,soshewoundupaskingcompletestrangerswhereitwasforseveralminutes.Somedidn'tliveinthecityandmanywhodidhadnoideathecaféevenexisted.Afterminutesofwandering,wefinallygotdirectionsfromanofficeladythatledtoanotsoquaintplace.
"Sothisamazing,wonderfulcaféyou'veheardaboutisinshady,smellyalley,"IspokeflatlyasBiancaandIwalkedthroughasmallalley,pastapairofthuggish-lookingmendressedlikebikersandsmokingcigarettes.Itriednottomakeeyecontactwiththem,butIcouldfeeltheireyesonme."Filledwithshady,smellypeople,"IaddedbeforeIsuddenlysteppedonsomethingsoftthatyelpedinsurprised,causingmetostumbleforward.
"Hey!I'msleepin'overhere!"ATrubbishshoutedasitflaileditsstubbylittletrasharms.Itsputridstenchintensifiedanditbegantobreatheoutpurplegasthatmayormaynothavebeenpoisonous.
"EEEEK!"MyfirstreactionwastorunawayfromtheTrubbishatbreakneckspeed.Itdidn'tlastverylong,though,asIwounduprunningintosomeoneandfallingoveralongwiththem.
"Hey!Getoffofme!"Afamiliarvoiceshoutedfrombeneathme.IlookeddownandsawIrissquirmingunderneathme."Urrgh!You'retooheavy!Getoff!"
Iimmediatelygotoff,saying,"Oh,mygosh!I'msosorry!"Iheldahandouttohelpherup,butthepurple-hairedgirljustsprangbackontoherfeetnimbly.
Biancaapproachedthetwoofus,pantingheavily."Hey,it'sIris!You'restillhere!"
"Yeah,totally!"Irissaidwithasmile."MygrandpasaidthatIshouldtakeinasmuchasIcouldonmyjourneyandthere'sstillsomuchtoseeofCastelia"likethatcaféItoldyouabout."
"Café?"IlookedatBianca."She'stheonewhotoldyouaboutit?"Theblondesmiledsheepishlyasherheadnodded.IlookedbackatIris."Butyoudon'tknowwhereitis,either."
"Iknowit'ssupposedtobesomewhereinthisalley.IjusthavetokeepasharpeyeoutforthesignwithMeloettaonit!"
"Meloetta...?"Irepeated.
"Yeah!"
"We'reactuallylookingforthatplace,too.Howaboutweallgotogether?"Biancaasked.
Iris'seyeslitup."Really?That'dbegreat!Idon'tgettoenjoyeatingwithotherpeopleoften!"Shechirpedhappilybeforespinningonherheelandmarchingoff."Everyone,followme!"
IlookedatBianca,lookingslightlypeeved."Why'dyouhavetoinviteher?"
"What?Whatdoyoumean?Iriswasniceenoughtohelpmeyesterday,remember?"
"Butshe's...annoying!"Icouldn'thelpbutsoundslightlywhiny."Whatwouldapersonlikeherwanttodoinacafé?She'dbemoreathomeina...fastfoodplace."
"Youshouldn'tdrawyourconclusionsaboutpeoplebasedonyourfirstmeetingwiththem,"theblondesaidmatter-of-factly.
"IcanwhenthosefirstmeetingsinvolveblamingmeforacrimeIdidn'tcommit,"Imuttered.
"Aw,butyoushouldgiveherachance!ThemostIknowaboutheristhatshe'sniceenoughtojumptoastranger'saidwhenthey'reintrouble,soshemustbeanicepersonatheart."IgaveBiancaaskepticallook."Giveherachance.Shedeservesitforatleasttryingtohelpout."
Irisranbackuptousinahuff."Heeeyyy!Isaidtofollowme,notstandaroundlikeabunchofstatues!"Shegrabbedourhandsand,withstrengthalittlegirlshouldnothave,pulledusfurtherdownthealleyway.Wewalkeduntilfinally,shespottedwhatshe'dbeenlookingfor."Meloetta!"Irisproclaimed,pointingafingerupatasignfixedaboveabuilding'sdoor.Onthesignweretwohuman-likefigures:onewithlonggreenhairandtheotherwithredhairswirledupontotheirhead.Theywerebothwhite-skinnedandfemininewithbodieslikeblackdressesthatrevealedtheirlong,slenderwhitelegs.Thegreen-hairedoneheldahandtoitschestwithitsmouthopenandtheredheadedonewaspirouetting,andbothweresmilingwarmly.
"So...whatexactlyis"?"BeforeIcouldfinishmyquestion,Iriswentinside.Igavea
gruntofannoyance,whichmadeBiancapatmeontheshoulderbeforepushingmeforward.
Theinsideofthecaféwassmallandquiet.Therewasonlyahandfulofpeoplesittingatthetable"mostofthembeingadultsinbusinesssuits.Awaiterwaswalkingaround,takingordersandgivingoutmenus,andononesideofthecaféwasabar-likecounterwhereamanwaspolishingglasses.Inthecornersoftheroomwerespeakersthatplayedcalmingjazzmusic.This...wasaveryadultplace.
"Areyousureweshouldbehere?"IwhisperedtoIris,onlyforhertogaspinsurpriseandrunforward."Hey,wait!"Whydidshehavetobelikethat?Alwaysrushingforward?NotevenBlackwaslikethisallthetime!
BiancaandIwentafterthepurple-hairedgirlassheranuptoatablewheresomeonehadbeensitting."Hey!It'syouagain!"
Thepersonsittingtherelookedoverhershoulder.Ifrozeonthespot,becausethatpersonwasWhiteOak."Huh?You?Ididn'tthinktheyallowedpeopleyouragehere"YOU?!"ShesuddenlyexclaimedloudlywhensheseteyesonmeandBianca,drawingeveryone'sattention.Oakblushedinembarrassmentbeforeloweringhervoicetoagrowl,"Whyareyouhere?"
Iwantedtosay,'Ijustgetcarriedalongwithwhateverotherpeoplewantmetodo.'ButIrisspokeupinstead."MygrandpatoldmeallaboutthisplaceandsaidIshouldvisititwhileinCasteliaCity."
"Huh.Iwouldn'ttakethatDraydenguyforacafégoer..."OaklookedatmeandBianca."Andyoutwo?Didshedragyoualongwithheronawhim?"
"Yesandno,"Ispokeflatly."Whyareyouhere...Oak?"
"IcamebecauseIheardthatthere'saguywhoclaimshemetalegendaryPokémonhere.AndbecauseIwouldn'tmindeatinginanice,quietplaceforachange...Ketchum,"shespokeinaflattone.
Irischirpeduponceagain,"Hey,weallknoweachother!That'sgreat!Whydon'tweeattogether?"Obviously,Iris'sabilitytosensetensionintheairisequaltoherabilitytofindshadyandsuspiciouspeople.
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Minuteslater,wewereallsittingaroundthetabletogetheranddrinking"nothingalcoholicorcoffee-based,justjuice.Forthemostpart,theonlypeoplewhospoke
wereBiancaandIris.OakandIjustgaveshortanswerswhenprompted,staring"well,glaring"ateachotherfromacrossthetable.Afterminutesofeyecontactwitheachother,thebrunettegirlspoke,"IseeyourPichuevolved."
"Yes.Yesterday."
"That'snice.Theyusuallyevolvefromhappiness,y'know."
"Yes,Iknow."Iwasn'tgoingtotellherhowhehappenedtoevolveandthatitwaslessabouthappinessandmoreaboutsurvivalinabattle."Whataboutyou?How'syour...Snivydoing?"
"Fine.Itevolved."
"IntoServine."
"Soyouknowaboutthat."
"Hm."
Moresilencehappened.Biancaspokeup,"So,uh,howdoyouknowWhi"Imean...MissGreen...Oak...her,Iris?"
Irissippedherorangejuiceasshelookedupthoughtfully."WemetinOpelucidCitywhenshecametochallengeGrandpaforagymbadge,butshegotturneddown."
"Oh,soyourgrandfather'sagymleader?"Biancaasked,lookingintrigued.
"Andheturnedyoudown,huh?"IaskedOakflatly,resistingtheurgetosmirk.
Thebrunettegirlsnorted."Hejustdoesn'tallowchallengerswhodon'tdefeattheothergymleadersfirst."
"Grandpa'sstrictlikethat!HeonlywantstofightthebestofthebestsinceyoucanonlygettothePokémonLeaguethroughOpelucid!"Irisadded."Hewouldn'tevenletmebattlehimunlessIgetsevenotherbadgesfirst..."
"Isthatwhyyou'retraveling?YouwannabecomethePokémonLeagueChampion?"Biancaasked.
"Oh,no!I'mgonnamastertrainingDragontypePokémonlikemygrandpa!"Irisexclaimedwithbrighteyesandaclenchedfistthatsheheldup."I'mjustchallengingthegymswhileItravelbecausethat'swhathesuggested!Ialreadyhave..."Shepausedandbegantocountsilentlytoherself."Five!NowthatI'vebeatenBurgh!"
Five?!She'sgotmorethanmeandBlackcombined!
Oaksmirkedandlookedatthepurple-hairedgirlsmugly."Really?I'vegotseven."That'sevenworse!
"Oh,White'sonlygottwo...Youhavealongwaytogo,White,"saidBianca,causingmetogiveheralook.
"Oh?Youwannacollectallthegymbadges,too?That'sabigdreamforatrainernewbietoshootfor,"OaksaidwithasmilethatmadehernotseemliketheunpleasantpersonshewasbackinNacreneCity.
Iclearedmythroat."It'snotlikeIwannabecometheLeagueChampionoranything.It'sjust...ahobby."
"Wellthen...whyareyouonthisjourney,then...Ketchum?"
BeforeIcouldspeakupandsayanything,themusiconthespeakersdieddownandpeopleatthetablesbegantoclapforanoldmanthatwalkedontothestageholdinganacousticguitar.Themanworeshadesandthesortofclothesyou'dexpectapersonfromtheageofhippiestowear,hishairtiedbackintoaponytail."Goodafternoon,mydearmusiclovers!Hopeyourtimehere'sallowedyoutomellowoutfromthehecticchaosthatisCasteliaCity.Ifnot,I'dlovetohelpyououtwithalil'story..."Theoldmanbeganstrumminghisguitar.
Whatcamenextwasastoryputtomusicaboutamusicianwhopursuedfameandfortune.Atfirst,hewasgreatlysuccessful"everyoneknewhisnameandwantedtohearhismusic.Butheandthestyleofmusicheplayedsoonfelloutpopularity.Tothemusician,therewasnothingwrongwithhismusic"people'stasteinmusichadgottenworse.Eventually,hegotsickenedwithsocietyandlefttofindnewadmirerswholovedhismusic.Buteveryonewasthesame:eventhosewholikedhismusicdidn'tthinkhesoundedasgoodassomeoneelse.
Furtherfrustrated,themusicianmovedfurtherawayfromhumanityandhefoundhimselfplayinghismusicoutinthewildforPokémon,whomheassumedhadheardnothing.Andthatwaswhenheheardamelodiousvoice.HefollowedthevoiceuntilhecameacrossaPokémonlikeabeautifulmaidensingingasongthatstirredjoyousfeelingswithinhimhehadn'tfeltinalongtime.Themusicianfeltcompelledtotryandplayalongtoitsmelody,andthePokémonchangeditsformandbegantodancealongtohismusicwhileitcontinuedtosing.
Afterwards,thePokémonintroduceditselfasMeloettaandcomplimentedhismusic.Forsomereason,sheconsideredhismusicmoreenchantingthanhervoice,and
askedifallhumansmadesuchlovelysounds.Forthefirsttimeinages,themusicianfelttheneedtobehumbleandsaidthattherewereotherswhopracticeddifferentformsofmusic,somelovelierthanhisown.WhetheritwasbecauseofMeloetta'ssongorhisownrealization,youngmusicianrealizedthattherewasnotrulyperfectmusicalstyle.Peoplewouldalwayshavedifferenttastes,stylesandopinions,andthatmadetheworldacolorfulplaceinsteadofablandworldofgray.Andfromthatdayforward,Meloettaappearedbeforemusicalartiststotakeintheirmelodieswhileinspiringthemwithitsown.
Allinall,thestorywasso-so"thesortofthingIprobablyheardaboutinabookofUnovafairytales,butthecalmingmusicwasobviouslywhattheimportantpartoftheact.Afterwards,hewoundupgettingaroundofapplausebeforecontinuingonwithamorelivelysong.
"That...was...amazing!"Irisexclaimedwithbright,wideeyes."I'dheardthestorybefore,butwhenyouputittomusic,it'sevenbetter!"
"Wait.Ifyouknewthatstorybefore,why'dyoucomeinhere?"Iasked.
"BecauseGrandpatoldmeto....Iguesshewantedmetoremembertokeepmymindopen.Grandpasaidthatyouhavetoalsobeopen-mindedtootherpeople'sways.Ifyoudo,youmightlearnsomethingandgrowasaperson,evenifyoudon'tlikethesamethingsasotherpeople!IfIdothat,I'llbecomeagreattrainerforsure!"
"Itsoundsmorelikehewantsyoutobecomeagoodperson.Oratleastmoremature."
"Hmph!Iammature!"Irishuffed.Shesprangoutofherseat."Whatever.Thiswasfun!Ihopeweallgettomeeteachotheragainsoon!"Shethenranoutofthecafé,luckilynotbumpingintoanyoneasshedid.
"...Maybeweoughttogo,too,White,"Biancaspokeasshestoodup,andIdidthesameinmyeagernesstoleave.ShelookedatOak,wholookedatusblankly."Um...i-itwasnicemeetingyouagain...undernicercircumstances."Biancathenlookedatme,asifexpectingmetosaysomething,butinstead,Ijustremainedsilent.Theysayifyoucan'tsayanythingnice,don'tsayanythingatall."W-well,goodbye!"TheblondeandIthenmadeabeelinefortheexitandkeptrunningthroughthealleywayuntilwereachedsomesortofsafehaven.
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"Well,thatwasanexperience,wasn'tit?"Biancaaskedminuteslater,afterwestoppedtorestatafountaininasparselypopulatedplace.Shelookedatmeand
smiled."Didyoulikeit?Imean,Iknowitwasn'tanythingfancy...butIhopeyoulikedit.Becauseyoudeservearewardforhelpingme."
Isighed."Bianca,Ididn'tdeserveit."
Theblonde'ssmilefaltered."Huh?Soyoudidn'tlike"?"
"Thishasnothingtodowithlikinganything!Iwasuseless!MyPokémonandIcould'vediedbecauseIwasstupidanduselessandweak!Youdon'tgetrewardsfordoingnothing!"Ishouted,notevennoticingthatI'dstartedtocry.
Bianca'sshockedexpressionmorphedintoamixtureofupsetandangry."D-don'tsaythat!HowdoyouthinkIfeel?!YouandyourPokémonwerehurtallbecauseIwentrunningtoyouforhelp!Icouldn'tevenhelpyou!Ijust...waitedforyou,BlackandCherentomakeeverythingbetterforme,justlikealways!BecauseI...Ican'tdoanything!I'mtooweakandtoostupidand...and...!WAAAAAAHHHH!"Biancabawledloudly.
"B-Bianca!Calmdown,Bianca!Don'tcry!"
"Butthat's...allI'm...goodaaaaaat!"
"You'regoodatotherthings!Itdoesn'tmatterifyou'renotthestrongestorthesmartestpersonintheworld!"
"Idon'twannabethestrongest!Iwannabeabletodothingsformyself!Otherwise...howamIsupposedtogrowasaperson?!"Bianca'scryingbecamereducedtomeresnifflesbeforeshewasabletorecollectherself."White!I'mgoingtobeattheleaderoftheCasteliaCityGymandgetabadge!That'llproveI'mstrong!Justwatch!L-like,really,canyoucomeandwatch?Ifeelnervous..."
"Ifyou'renervous,don'tdoit,"Iansweredflatly."Andyoudon'thaveto""
"ButIdo!Ineedtobestronger!Ineedtobeabletotakecareofmyselfandnotbotheryou,orBlack,orCherenanymore!"
Thetwoofusstaredateachotherinsilenceforafewseconds.Isighedandshookmyhead."You'rebeingstubbornaboutthis.Areyougonnacryifyoulose?"
Biancashookherhead."No!...Notinpublic,anyway..."
"...Fine.Ifyouthinkwinningagymbadgeisgonnamakeyoufeelstronger,Iwon'tstopyou.I'llcomeandrootyouontovictory."Theblondegirlbegantosmilebrightly
Chapter18
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic!
X-X-X
~ABuggyBattle~
OR!
~VSThePremierInsectArtist!~
"Hey.Howdoyouthinkyoudidonthetest?"CherenaskedasheandBlacksatonabenchwiththeirhandheldgames,bothtoofocusedonwhatwasgoingononscreentolookatme.
"IthinkIpassed.You?"IaskedasIlookedaroundthecourtyard.
"Same.Whatthe"?"
"Ha!Thankyou,CalemandyourRhydon!"Blackcheeredasheheldupafistinsuccess.
"Hey,where'sBianca?"Iasked,lookingaroundatotherstudentswhowerepassingby.
"Ithinkshe'sstillinourclassroom.Wehadatesttoday,too,andtomakemattersworse,Mrs.Daubergradedthemrightinfrontofusbeforehandingthemover.Notgood.Biancalookedcrushed."
IleftthetwoofthemtotheirgameandwentofftofindBianca.WhenIdid,Ifoundhersittingbehindherdesksurroundedbysomegirls.
"Wow,Bianca!Thishastobe,like,thelowestscoringtestgrade!Seriously,it'sawonderwhyyou'renotintheremedialclassorsomething."ThebullyinggirlsgiggledspitefullywhileBiancajuststareddownatapaperonherdesk.
Ihuffedandmarchedrightovertothem."Hey,knockitoff!"
"Ooh!It'sKetchup!Shouldn'tyoubeinoneofyournerdyadvancedclassesrightnow?"Oneofthegirlsasked.
"No,becauseit'slunchtime.Shouldn'tyouandtherestofyourherdgooffandgraze
beforethebellrings?"
"BigtalkcomingfromacrybabywhobreaksdowninfrontofLillipups."
"Well,that'sbecauseagroupofcowslikeyouarelessdangerousandinafight,I'mprettysureIcanpulloutthosefancyhighlightseachofyourparentspaidfor.WannaseeifI'mright?"
Thegirlsscoffedandwalkedoff,mutteringthingsaboutnotdealingwithbrutishgirls.IlookedatBianca,whowasstillstaringdownathertestpaper,andtappedherontheshouldertogetherattention."Hey,it'sokay.I'msureyourgrade'snotthatbad."Ipeekedoverhershoulderandsawabigred70markedatthetopofthepaper."Youpassed!Idon'tseewhyyou'resoupset."
"BecauseI...failed."Biancasaidwithapout."Iprobablydiddotheworstofeveryoneintheclass."
"Basedonwhat?ThatgaggleofChatotswhokickedyouwhileyouweredown?Yourgradesarenoneoftheirbusiness,andonebadgradedoesn'tmakeyoustupid!Itjustmeansyouhavetotryharder."
"ButIdidtryhard!Like,reallyhard!SohardIfellasleepstudying!"
"Well,ifyouwant,Icouldhelpyoustudyforthenextone."Ipointedoutthedoor."Butfornow,let'sgetsomethingtoeat."
Biancafoldedupthepaperandtuckeditawayinsideofherbackpack."Thanks,White!IthinkI'dbelostwithoutyou!Imean,you'reabetteroptionthanstudyingwithCherenorBlack."
"Ifigured...Don'tworry.I'llalwaysbeheretohelp."
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"You'rejoking,right?WhyonearthwouldBiancawanttobattleaGymLeader?It'snotlikeher!"CherensaidovertheXtransceivercallbetweenhim,Blackandme.
"MaybeshewasmotivatedbyWhitetochallengethemforthefunofit,"Blacksuggested.
"I'mdoingitforfun!Andneitherisshe.Shewantstoprovethatshe'sstrongandshethinksthebestwaytodothatistobeataGymLeader,"Iexplained.
"I'mnotsure""
"Maybethisisthebestforher.Ifshewins,itcouldboostherself-esteem,"Iinterrupted.
"Andifsheloses?"Cherenasked."NotthatI'dwantherto,butBianca...doesn'ttakefailurewell."
"Yeah,I'dhateforhertobecrushedjustbecauseshe'snotgoodatbattles,"Blackadded.
"That'swhenwecomein.Winorlose,we'llbetheretoremindherthatstrengthisn'teverything,andthatshecandowhatevershewantsto."IglancedovermyshouldertolookatBianca.ShewasgivingherPokémonapeptalkasshemadeallsortsofhandgestures."I'llcallyouwhenit'sallover."
"Surething.Hey,whileyou'reatit,youshouldgoandgetyourbadge,too!Thatway,wecanallgotoNimbasaCitytogether!"Cherengaveagroanatthosewords,whichmadeBlackpout."Don'tyoustart..."
"White!"IhunguponthemandturnedtolookatBianca.Shepumpedafistintheairandworealookofdetermination."I'mallreadynow!Iaminittowinit!I'mgonnadefeattheGymLeaderandgetagymbadge!"
"Okay,then.Goodluck.I'llbetheretocheeryouon."
Theblondetookabreathandslappedherfaceafewtimestopsychherselfup."Well,hereIgo!"ShespunonherheelandquicklywalkedthroughthedoorsoftheCasteliaGymwithmefollowingbehindher.Ilookedaroundinaweatthepeoplestandingaround,lookingatvariouskindsofpaintingsthatweremostlikelydonebyBurgh"andthereseemedtobemorethanoneroomofthethings."Did...wewalkintothewrongplaceorsomething?"
"No.Burgh'salsoanartist,andhekeepsagalleryofhisworksinthegym,"Iexplainedsimply,althoughevenIwasinaweatthisplace.ItwasthefirsttimeI'dbeentoanactualartgallery."ItworkedthiswayinNacreneCity,too.Theactualgymisprobablysomewhereelseawayfromthis."
"O-Okay!Let'shavealookaround!"Biancaattemptedtostepforward,onlytohaveapairofguardsstepinfrontofher.
"Holditrightthere!Youwannaseetheexhibit,you'regonnahavetopaytheadmissionprice,"saidoneoftheguards.
"W-we'rejusttryingtofindthegym!Iwannachallengethegym!"
Theguardsrelaxedabitandnoddedhisheadtoonedirection."Downthestairs.Askthegymguideformoreinformation."Welookedinthesamedirection,towardsadoorwithadrawingofstairsandanarrowpointingdown.Westaredateachotherforafewsecondsbeforewebegantowardsthestairs,butthesameguardgrabbedmyshoulder."Notyou.Onlyonechallengerdownatatime."
"What?Why?"Iasked.
"Safetymeasures.Ifyou'vebeenwatchingthenews,someshadyfolkbustedintotheNacreneCityGym,sothePokémonLeaguearemakingsuretheydon'thitanyothergyms."Iguessthatistrue.Plus,Idon'tthinkI'veeverseenasingleTeamPlasmamemberwithamissioncompletelyalone."IfyouwannachallengeBurgh,you'regonnahavetowaityourturn."
Biancasuddenlylookedabitdistraught.Aflashedherasmile."Don'tworry!I'llbewithyouspirit,sogodoyourbest!I'lljust...checkoutthegallerywhileIwaitmyturn."
"Okay.I'llbebackwithabadge...hopefully."
Oncetheblondegirldisappeareddownthestairs,Ifoundmyselfpayingaprettyreasonableentrancefeebeforewalkingaroundandtakingalookatthepaintings.Burgh'sworksfocusedonabitoftheusualsubjects:people,Pokémon,landscapes,buildings,andevenabstract.Thepeoplelookingatthepaintingsvariedbetweensnobswholookedatmewithdisdain,teenagerswhosnappedpicturesofpaintings,andtouristswhoclamoredexcitedlyinforeignlanguages.Istoppedinfrontofawidepaintingdepictingapairofblackandwhitedragonscirclingeachotherinasortofyin-yangsymbol-likeway.Theirrespectivewhiteandblackpiecesappearedtobeapairofovershadowedhumanshapescurledupintoafetalposition.
"Breathtaking,isn'tit?"Avoicewhisperedinmyear.IwhirledaroundandfoundmyselfstaringintoWhiteOak'sface.Iopenedmymouthtoshoutinsurprise,butIrealizedthatthiswasapublicplace."ThePokédexsaysthoseareZekromandReshiram"twolegendaryPokémonwhosupposedlyembodytheconceptof'truth'and'ideals'.Veryinteresting.Kantodoesn'thaveanylegendaryPokémondeeplyentwinedinitshistorylikethosetwo."
"...Areyoustalkingme?"Iaskedflatly,tryingtokeepmyvoicelow.
"Thatwouldrequirestealthandobsession.Ididn'teventrytheformer,andmyinterestinyouisn'tsoextremeastoqualifyforthelatter,"Oakspokesimply.She
lookedbackatthepainting."IhavetohandittoBurgh.Istillthinkhe'saslackerforabandoninghispostsofrequentlyforthesakeofhisartisticbursts,buthe'saprettygoodartist."
"Whatdoyouwant?Totalkart?"
"Notmything."Thebrunettelookedbackatme."Imerelywantedtomakeanoffertoyou."Iarchedaneyebrow.WasthisanofferIcouldrefuse?"I'vedecidedthatyou...mightbeaworthyopponent."
"...Meaning...?"
"MeaningI'mgonnagrantyouthesatisfactionofbattlingmeandmyPokémon,ofcourse!I'llevengoeasyonyou"Iwon'tuseeitherofmyteam'sstrongestmembers."
Ilookedunenthusedandsnorted."Wow.Howgenerous.Nothanks."
"Toobad.You'vegotnochoice."What?!HowisitanofferifIhavenochoices?!"Ifthere'ssomethingI'veneverhad,it'sagoodpunchingbag"Imean,rival."Rival,mybutt!Shejustwantstobeatmeup!AlthoughIcan'tsaythatthefeelingisn'tmutual...
"Ifyouwantaworthyrival,whydon'tyougolookforsomeothertrainerwho'sdominatedseveralleagues?"
"Because,WhiteKetchum,you...areyou."That'sit?Shewantstobeatmejustbecause?Iseesomeonewhoprobablyhasasuperioritycomplex."Don'tlooklikethat,Ketchum!Don'tthinkofthisasmetryingtomakeyoufeelbad.Thinkofitas...afriendlyrivalrybetweentrainerswiththesamegoalifit'llmakeyoufeelbetter."Itdidn'tfeelfriendlywiththewayshewassmirking.AndIdidn'thaveanythingsimilartoherintheleast!"I'llletyougetbacktoattemptingtocomprehendart.Ciao,Ketchum!"Andwithasalute,WhiteOakleftthegym.Goodriddance.
"Sheseemsnice,"saidTiny."Shewantstobefriends!"
"BetweenherandN,I'mquestioningyourjudgementofcharacter,Tiny..."
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Afterseveralminutesofwanderingaroundtheartgallery,Isawalltherewastosee.IwoundupsittingonasmallbenchalongsideTinyasIwaitedforBiancatoreturn.JustasIwascontemplatingpassingtimebylookingthroughmyPokédexorevencallingBlack,Iheardafamiliarvoicecallouttome."Heeeeyyyy!"IturnedmyheadtofindBiancaquicklywalkingtowardsme"becauseitwasstrictlyforbiddentorunin
theartgallery"wavingaclenchedfistintheair.ThesnootypeoplearoundusgaveBiancaannoyedlooks,butshedidn'tseemtonoticeorcare.Theblondegirlskiddedtoahaltinfrontofmeandsmiledbrightlyassheheldoutherhandtoshowmeabrightgreenbadge."Iwon!Iwon!"
"Youwon?"Ididn'tmeantosoundsosurprised,soItriedtocovermydoubtinherbyquicklyadding,"So,howwasit?Easy?Hard?"
"Easy!"Biancachirpedhappily.Onceagain,Icouldn'thidethesurpriseonmyfaceasshecontinued,"ThankstoPignite,Iwasabletobreezethroughmostofthebattle!HislastPokémonwasreallyhardtobeat,though.Wantmetotellyouaboutit?"
"No,no.That'llruinthesurprise,"Ispokehalfheartedly,notactuallycaringeitherway."So,nowthatyou'vegottenabadge,howdoyoufeel?Yougoteverythingoutofyoursystem?"
"Hm?Whatdoyoumean?"
"Imean...you'refeelingstrongnow,aren'tyou?"
"IfIcanbeatagymleader,IcouldrelyonmyselftocommandmyPokémoneffectively,but..."Biancalookeddownatthefloorinpensivethought."Withoutthem,howmuchcanIdo?"
"Ikeeptellingyouthatyoucandothings.ThingsyoucandowithoutrelyingonyourPokémonortherestofus"butthatdoesn'tmeanthere'sanythingwrongwithdoingso,"Iexplained."Fornow,yououghttobegladaboutyourvictory!Leavethepessimismforlater,becauseyouneedtocelebrate!BlackandCherensaidweshouldgettogetheroncewe'realldonehere."
"Inthatcase,youshouldprobablygetgoing.Goodluck,White!"Well,ifBiancacouldbeatBurgh,I'msureIcouldbeathim,too"evenifIdidn'thaveaPokémonwithmethatwaseffectiveagainstBugtypeslikeherPignite.Feelingconfident,Istrodethroughthegalleryandmademywaydownstairs.
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"Hullothere!Welcome,youngchallenger,totheCasteliaGym!"Thefirstthingtoliterallygreetmewasamanwearingshadesandsuspenderstandinginfrontofthedoorleadingbackupstairs."Forthisgym,you'regoingtohavetosolveabitofapuzzleinordertobeatBurgh!Well,Isay'puzzle',butit'sactuallyquitesimple."Themanpointedforwardataclear,yellowwallthatlookedabitshiny."Youseethat
wall?Youcanactuallygothroughwallslikethat!Eachwallleadstoaroom.EachroommaycontaineitheraswitchthatwillrevealthewaytoBurghoratrainerthatwillpointyouintherightdirection"ifyoubeatthem,anyway.Simple,yeah?"
Iwalkedovertotheyellowwallandpressedagainstitwithonehandtotestit.Itjiggledundermytouchandfeltsquishy."Yeah...Whatisthatstuff,anyway?It'snotgonnadirtymyclothes,isit?"
"Oh,it'ssupposedtobehoney.Oratleastlooklikeit.Therealstuffcouldn'tendurethe,uh,'artisticvision'thatBurghhadinmind."
"Oh."Itappedthefakehoneywallafewtimes."Thankyou,sir!"ImadeTinyhideinsideofmybagbeforeItookadeepbreathandclosedmyeyes,thenIforcedmywaythroughthewall.IonlyfeltthejigglymassagainstmyskinforafewsecondsbeforeImanagedtobreakthrough.Ilookedbehindmeinsurpriseandsawtheguidegivingmeathumbsupthroughthesee-throughwall.
Itookalookaroundtheroom.Thewallsweredecoratedinpentagon-shapedpatterns,fakehoney,andapictureofaSewaddlethatwashangingaskewonthefarsideofthewall.Theredidn'tseemtobeanysecretshiddeninplainsight:nobuttonsthatblendedinwiththewallorwerehiddenbythehoneyorthepainting.AllIcoulddowasgothroughtheotherfakehoneywallintoanotherroom...andbequicklyapproachedbyayoungredheadedgirlwearingglassesandcarryingabook.
"Hello!DidyouknowthatmanyBugtypePokémonreachastateofmaturityveryquickly?Howwouldyouliketoseethesortofpowerthatcomesfromsuchaquickmaturity?"
Iarchedaneyebrow."Isthatyourwayofchallengingmetoabattle?"
"...Maybe,"thegirlsaid,pushingupherglasses.
"Okaythen.Iacceptyourchallenge."
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Minuteslater,thegirlandIstoodseveralfeetawayfromeachotherassheworeadeterminedlookonherfaceandheldaPokéBallinherhand.Sheclearedherthroatandattemptedtolookprofessional."Let...letmeshowyouthepoweroffullyevolvedBugPokémon!Go,Accelgor!"ThegirlreleasedfromherPokéBallacreaturewhosebodywasentirelywrappedupinpurplebandage-likethingsthatwavedintheairdramatically,saveitsheadthatmoreorlessresembledaredmaskorhelmetmarkedbyagreencrosswithapairofbeadyeyesstaringoutatmefrom
thedarkness.
"Accelgor...?"IgotoutmyPokédextoscanthePokémonquestion."Accelgor,theShellOutPokémon.ABugtype,obviously.ItevolvesfromShelmetwhentradedforaKarrablastviamachineorwhenexposedtoasimilarenergy.Itlosesitsheavyshellintheprocess,makingitlighterandallowingittofightwithninja-likemovements.Itweakensifitsbodydriesout,sotopreventdehydration,itwrapsitselfupinmanylayersofthinmembrane.Well...thatsoundstroublesome."Ididn'treallyhaveanyPokémonthatcouldbecalledfast"exceptmaybeMarswhenhewasusingRollout.Ooh,wait.IreachedintothebagandtookoutMars'ball."Go,Mars!"TheVenipedeappearedinaflashoflight.
"TryingtoattemptaRolloutstrategy?MyAccelgoristoofasttofalltothat!"Thespectacledgirlexclaimed."Accelgor,useQuickAttacktocirclethatVenipede!"TheAccelgor'seyesglintedbeforeitshotforwardlikearedandpurpleblur.ItbegantocircleMars,whojustlookedtenseashetriedtokeepaneyeonthelargerbug."NowuseDoubleTeam!"ThealreadyspeedyAccelgorseemedtosuddenlymultiply.
"UseDefenseCurl!"Marsrolledupintoaball,preparinghimselfforahit.
"StrikewithQuickAttack!"PurpleblursspedoutofthecircleofrunningAccelgorseveryfewsecondstoattackMarswithrunningtacklesandquicklygobackintoplace."NowdoyouseehowpowerfulafullyevolvedPokémoncanbe?!"
"Thismighthurtalittle...butuseScreech!"Marsuncurled,takingafewhitsintheprocess.Butoncehewasableto,heunleashedashrillcrythatwasloudenoughtomaketheAccelgorloseitsconcentrationandtrip,fallingoverintheprocess."Rollout,quickly!"TheVenipedecurledupimmediatelyandrolledintothedownedAccelgor.Whenhewentforanotherrollingtackle,theAccelgorjumpedupintotheairtoavoidtheblowandlandedinfrontofitstrainer.
"Ifspeedwon'thelpuswhenthis,stealthwill!Accelgor,it'stimefortheWaterBugmaneuver!"Onceagain,Accelgor'seyesglintedominously.Itmadegestureswithitsstubbyarmsandbegantoglowbrightblue.Adarkcloudformedabovetheroomanditbegantorainuntiladecentlysizedpuddleformedsomehow.TheShellOutPokémon'sbodythenbecameclearbeforedispersinglikewaterandmeltingintothepuddleformed."Howwillyouhandlethisassault?"
"Whatisthiseven...?"IscannedAccelgor'sPokédexentry,hopingtofindsomethingtoinformme."AcidArmor?"AccordingtothePokédex,AcidArmorwasamovethatchangedaPokémon'sbodychemistrytothatofaliquid,allowingthemtoblendintowaterysurroundings.ItcouldalsolearnRainDance,whichgaveitawayoftraveling
aboutviawaterwithoutbeingseen.
"Onceagain,useQuickAttackfrombelow!"TheAccelgorsuddenlypoppedupfromunderneathMars,strikinghimintheunderbellyandflippinghimontohisbackintheprocess."DidyouknowthatalthoughVenipedeshaveveryhardcarapacesandpoisonousfeelersontheirheadsandtails,theyhaveverysoftunderbelliesuntiltheyfullyevolve?It'stheperfectweakspotformyAccelgortotakeadvantageof!"
Iweighedmyoptionsbeforemakingadecision."Return,Mars!"TheVenipedemadeasurprisednoisebeforeIsenthimbackintohisball.IlookeddownatTiny."Tiny,you'reup."
"Yes!"ThePikachujumpedoutofmybagandlandedontothepuddlewithasplash.
"Wow,aPikachu~!Imean,tryingtotakeadvantageofthewaterysettingwon'tdoyouanygood!"Thespectacledgirlexclaimed."Accelgor,useAcidSpray!"TheAccelgorjumpedupfromthewaterafewfeetawayfromTinybeforesprayingoutbrightpurplegunkathim.ThePikachunimblydodgeditsattacksasitkeptpoppingupfromthewatertospitandmeldingbackintothepuddle."Keepitup!Don'tgiveitachancetouseitselectricattacks!"
Justasthejustasthewaterbegantoshiftinonearea,Ipointedatthespotandshoutedout,"Overthere!UseSwift!"Tiny'stailstooduprightbeforeheflungabarrageofglowingstars.TheAccelgorpoppedupfromthewaterintimetoreceivetheattacktoitsface,knockingitdown."NowuseThunderShock!"
"NO!Getupbefore"!"Thespectacledgirlcouldn'tfinishastheelectricitycracklingaroundTiny'sbodywasunleashedalongtheentirepuddle.ThewetAccelgorreceivedmoredamagedasitwasshocked.Thebugthensluggishlygotbackup,twitchingeveryfewseconds.
"Thisisit!UseVoltTackle!"AgreateramountofelectricitycrackledaroundTiny'sbody.HeboltedforwardandrammedintotheAccelgorwithaflyingtacklethatsentthebugtypeskiddingacrossthepuddleuntilithitawall.
"...Maybeheevolvedtooquickly,"thegirlmumbledasshestaredatherunconsciousPokémoninshock.Sheslumpedoverindefeat."Alright,youwin.I'lltellyouasecret:togetfurther,you'llneedtopressbuttonsthatarehiddensomewhereintherooms,"shespokedejectedly."That'sallthetipsyou'llgetfromme!You'llhavetofinditonyourown!"ThegirlthenranovertoherAccelgortotendtoit.
"Abutton,huh?"IwalkedovertoTiny,waryofthewaterpoolingaroundmyfeetandanelectricrodent,andpickedhimup.Partsofhisbodyweresoakedinwater."Sorry,
butyou'reinnostatetobeputtinginmybag.Gointoyourballanddryoff."
"Nooo..."ThePikachuwhinedashebeganmovinghispawsinvain.Despitethat,hedidn'tpopoutindefiancewhenIreturnedhiminsideofhisball.
"Nowthen,abutton."Ibegantowalkaroundtheroom,runningmyhandsalongthesurface.Eventually,IcameacrossanoilpaintingofaSewaddlewearingmapleleavesforclothesandnoticedabrightredberryalongthebottomofthepaintingthatglintedinthedulllight.Curious,Itouchedtheberryanditsankintothepainting.IjumpedbackasIheardmechanismsmovingbehindthewallandwatchedinaweasthewallslowlycamedowntorevealanotherwalloffakehoneyleadingintoanewroom.Onceagain,Iclosedmyeyesandtookabreathbeforeforcingmywaythrough.
Thenewroomlookedthesameasthelast,onlyithadtwopaintingsthistime.Onewasanimageoftiny,yellowbugs"Joltiks"shiningliketinylightsatnightinaforestclearing.TheotherwasofacolonyofDurants"anant-likePokémonwithbodiesofsteel"doingvariousthingsinanundergroundcave.Unlikethelastroom,therewasnotrainerreadytopounceme,soIsettoworklookingforabutton.Itdidn'ttakelongtofindthebuttonontheJoltikpaintingasoneoftheshiningballsoflight.Withapress,anotherwalloffauxhoneyappearedandIwasforcingmyselfthroughitoncemore,wonderinghowoftenIwouldhavetodothis.
"Welcometomyparlor,saysthespidertothefly.Fufufu...!"Amalevoicemademelookupandseeapale-lookingmanholdingasketchbookandpencil."LetmeshowyouthePokémonwhoserveasmymuses!"HeturnedaroundhissketchbookandIjumpedatthesightofsomeveryfrighteningandgothic-lookingspider-likePokémon.IfI'deverseenthatspeciesbefore,Icouldn'ttellwhatitwasbecauseofhowstrangeandbizarrethedrawinglooked."Areyoutoostunnedbyitsawesomenesstoreact?!"
"I'mstunned,butnotbyawesomeness,"Imistakenlyspokeoutloud.
Theartistboynarrowedhiseyes."LikeIcouldexpectanordinarytrainertounderstandart.You'llunderstanditsawesomenessonceyoutakeitoninbattle!"
"Erm,canIatleasthealmyPokémon...beforewedothis?"
Theartisthuffed."Fine..."
X-X-X
Secondslater,IwassprayingMarsandTinywithpotionsandfeedingthemOran
berries."DidIdobadlyinthatlastfight,White?"Marsaskedmeekly.
"No,no!Youwerealotofhelp!Youdidverywell!"IgavetheVenipedewhatIhopedwasareassuringsmile.IfIwasinabettermoodtoday,I'dprobablytrytostrokehishumpedbacktoboosthisconfidence.
"Yeah,youwerereallygreat,"Tinychimedin,althoughnotsoundingasexuberantasusual.
"See?Youdidagoodjob.Sobothofyoushouldjusttakeiteasyandrelax."
"Iwannagointhebag,"thePikachusaidwithlargeeyes.
"Areyoustillwet?"
"...No."
"...Godryoffinyourball"thebothofyou."IreturnedbothTinyandMarsbeforeapproachingthecreepyartist."Hey,sorryforkeepingyouwaiting!"
"Whatever.PrepareyourselffortheawesomemightofmyPokémon!"Theartistsentoutasmall,yellowPokémon"aJoltik.TheyweretinylittlebugPokémonwithfourblueeyesandfuzzybodies,bestknownfortheirshortnessandthefactthattheyabsorbedelectricitybybothclingingtolargercreaturesandsneakingintoelectricaloutlets.IknowIoftenpesteredmymomtocheckcertainplacesforthemwhenIwasyoung.Andnowhavingseenwhattheyevolvedinto,youcanbetIcheckedoutletsforthemmoreoften."AreyouquiveringinfearovermyJoltik'sawesomeness?"
"...Notreally."Wasthatsupposedtobewhathe'ddrawninthatsketchbookofhis?Thatmonsterhedrewdidn'tevenlooklikeGalvantula,letaloneJoltik!Agoodoptionwould'vebeenTiny,sincehecouldabsorbitselectricalattacks,orMarssinceheresisteditsBugtypeattacksandcouldusehisRollouteffectively.ButIdidn'twanttopusheitherofthemtoohard,so..."Go,Eve!"IsentoutEveinaflashoflight.
"Yeah!It'smytimetoshine!"TheEeveeyippedexcitedly.ShestartedtostareattheJoltik."...Thisisit?!Buthe'ssotiny!Icouldjuststeponhimandsquish'em!"TheJoltikchirpedinahigh-pitchedvolumethatsoundedlikegibberishtomeathighspeedandbegantocracklewithelectricity."Ormaybenot."
"Go,myMuse!UseSpiderWebonthefloor!"Theartist'sJoltikbegantozipalongthefloor,dartingbetweenEve'slegsandleavingatrailofwebbingasitdid.Inseconds,mostofthefloorwascoveredinsilkmadetolooklikeaweb.Evestrugglednottotouchthestuff,butherpawswereconfinedtoafewsmallgapsinthewebbing
andjustbarelytouchingthestrings."NowuseThunderWavealongthelines!"Jumpingontoapartoftheweb,theJoltikbegantodischargeelectricitythattraveledalongitlikeapowerline.
"Eeeep!Wh-White!Help!"Evescreamedandbegantowhimper.
"It'sokay!Ifit'sjustThunderWave,itshouldn'thurtmuch!"Thenagain,ThunderWavecouldparalyzeheruponimpact.Itmightnotcauseheralotofpain,butit'dleadtosomepaindowntheroad.Evedidn'treallyknowanymovesthatwouldhelpinthissituation.Allofthemcountedonherbeingabletomoveinsomewayoranother.Ihadnootherchoicebuttoreturnhertoherball.AsmuchasIhatedtodoit,therewasonlyonePokémonthatcouldhandleabunchofelectricity."Youcandoit,Tiny!"
ThePikachulandedonallfoursontotheelectrifiedweb.Theelectricitysurgedtowardshim,butratherthanparalyze,Tinyabsorbeditwithease.However,Tinystillseemedabitweak.PerformingthatVoltTacklereallytookitoutofhimphysicallyspeaking,andIwasn'tsureifabsorbingelectricitywouldhelphimrecover.
"Ooooh!APikachu!I'veneverseenoneintheflesh!"Theartistexclaimedwithshiningeyesashebegantodrawonhissketchpad."Trytostayconsciouslongenoughformetoatleastgetabasicsketchgoing!"Yes!Bestupidandignorethefactthatyou'reinaPokémonbattlerightnow!
"Tiny,useSwift!"Stilllookingabitwoozy,thePikachulaunchedarayofstartsfromhistail.Hewoundupfallingover,gettingstuckinthethreadsoftheweb.TheJoltiknimblyavoidedthestars,usingitssizetoitsadvantage.Itjumpedonitswebandsuddenlyseemedtodisappearamongthesilkthreads."Whattheheck?!Thosethingscandisappearlikethat?!"
"Fufufu...!Nomereordinarytrainerknowsaboutthissortofthing...!TheJoltikyouseebeforeyouhasgreatnessbredintohim!Throughthewondersofgenetics,myMuseknowsthemoveCamouflage!Itletshimblendintohissurroundings,andasabonusletshimtakeonatypingcloseenoughtohissurroundings.He'saboutthesizeofathreadonthatweb,andhe'sblendedintoboot.Withthissortofstealth,youcan'twin!Juststandstillbeforeheknocksyouout!"
"Ugh...!FirstthatAccelgorandnowthis?!WhyareBugtypesheresosneaky?!"
"Becausethemeekbughastofindwaystosurviveinthewildotherthanbruteforce!Now,myMuse!MoveinandattackwithBugBite!"Asmall,whiteblurjumpedontoTinyfrombehind.Inseconds,thePikachuwascryingoutinpainandtryingtorollaroundontheweb,onlytobestuckbythewebbing.Everyfewseconds,Tinywould
flinchandcryoutinpainaselectricitycrackledfromhischeeksfromthestress.Hiddensomewhereonhisbody,thatJoltikwasmakingamealoutofhim.ThebestoptionwouldbeforTinytocrushhim,butIwonderedifthatwasevenpossiblewhilehewasstuckinthatwebbing.Unless...
"Tiny!Dischargeyourelectricityacrossthesilk!"Icommanded.
"Chaaaa...CHUUUUU!"ElectricityburstfromTiny'sbodyandtraveledalongthewebjustastheJoltik'sThunderWavehadbefore.
"You'rejoking!EvenifmyMusewasonthatweb,it'sanElectrictypelikeyourPikachu!Thatsortofthingisn'tveryeffectiveonit!"TheartistspokelaughinglyasTinycontinuedunleashinghiselectricityontheweb.
"Yourso-calledmuseisn'tthetargethere.It'stheweb."ThemomentIsaidthat,thewebseemedtomeltawayaroundTiny."SilkfromBugtypePokémoncanbeverystrong,butit'snotindestructible.Againststrongenoughsourcesofheatorignition,awebcanmelt.Isn'tthatwhyyouonlyusedThunderWave"anelectrictypemovesoweakthatitcanonlyparalyze"toelectrifythewebrathersomethingthatcouldactuallyharmmyPokémon?Ormaybeamereartistlikeyouhasjustbeenluckythatyoudidn'tknowthatandyou'vejustbeenfortunatethatyourstrategyhasn'tbackfiredbynow."
Theartist'seyebrowtwitchedashepointedhispencilatme."Itisn'toveryet!EvenifyourPokémon'sloosenow,myJoltikstillhastheadvantageofbeinghiddenonit!"
"That'strue.Tiny,rollover."TinybegantorolloverinanattempttostopthebitinganditchingtheJoltikwascausing.Occasionally,hewouldstoptoscratchaspotonhisbodybeforeresumingtorollagain."Rightnow,it'sallamatterofendurance:willyourJoltiktireoutfirstandgetsquashedintheprocess,orwillmyPikachutireoutandbeknockedoutafterbeingworndown?"Ireallyhopeditwastheformer,becauseIdidn'tknowhowlongTinycouldholdout.
Severalsecondslater,Tinyfinallystoppedrollingaroundandcollapsedonthefloor,deadtired.Theartistworeasmuglook."Aha!Now,myMuse!UseBugBiteandgetitoverwith!...MyMuse?"Hestoodthereforafewseconds,waitingforaresponsebeforeTinyrolledontohisback,pluckedsomethingoffofhisstomach,anddroppeditontothefloornexttohim.ItwastheJoltik,slightlytwitching,butinnoconditiontofight."Nuh...NOOOOOO!"Theartistwailed,runninguptohisPokémonandscoopingitupintohishands."MypoorMuse...!Youdidnothingtodeservesuchagrislyfate!"
"So,doyouhaveanymorePokémontobattlewith,orhaveIwonthematch?"I
asked.
"You...you'relucky!IfIhadmorerevivalmedicine...orifthatgirlwiththePignitehadn'tcomealongandbodiedmyInspiration...youwouldbetheloserhere,notme!"Right,right.Whatevermakesyoufeelbetter."Just...leavemealonetogrieve!Thebuttononthepaintingyouseetherewillshowyouthewaytothenextroom,"theartistsaid,pointingatanotherpaintingonthefarsideoftheroom.Thisonewasofagreenspider-likePokémonwithafaceonitsabdomen,stickingtoaweb.
IstaredatthepaintingbeforereturningthetiredTinytohisballandnodding."Okay.Thankyoufortheeasytip."
"Whatever.Justgetouttamysight,willya...?"ThetrainermutteredasIheadedovertothepainting.
X-X-X
IwanderedthroughtheCasteliaGymforminutes,challengingtrainers.Luckilyforme,notallofthemwereastrickyordifficulttohandleasthefirsttwoI'dencountered.Infact,somehadyettohealtheirPokémonafterabattlewithagirlwithaPignite,soIwoundupsimplyhavingtosearcharoundroomsforameansofgoinginfurtherwithoutanyinputontheirbehalf"tomakeupforthelackofabattle,orsotheysaid.IdecidednottoputTinythroughanymorestressduringtherestofthechallenge,andwithShionundoubtedlyunabletobattleasshewas,IhadtorelyonMars,PanaceaandEve.Eventually,Iwoundupwalkingthroughafakehoneywallandfoundmyselfatthefootofaflightofstairs.Iclimbedthestairs,andwhenIreachedtheverytop,IwasstandingonawideplatformwithabattlefieldpaintedonthefloorandBurghstandingonthefarendwithhisarmsoutstretched.
"Hellothere!Sonicetofinallygettotalktoyou,MissWhiteKetchum!"Burghexclaimedcheerfully.
"You...knowmyname?"
"Ofcourse!Agymleadershouldknowthenameoftheirchallenger,especiallyonethattheirfellowgymleaderspeakshighlyof!"Burghloweredhishandsandcontinued,"WhenLenoraandItalkedaboutourproblemswithTeamPlasma,shetoldmeaboutthesetwoyoungtrainerswhowereniceenoughtohelpherretrieveherartifactsandstrongenoughtobeatherinagymbattle!AndImustsay,bywhatI'veseenofyouboth,Iamimpressed~!"Thegymleaderhummedhappily."I'vealreadybattledyourbrotherandyourtwofriends,andnow,mybugPokémonandIwouldlovetobattleyouaswell!"
"Don'tgetyourhopesup...I'mnotanythingspecialtogetexcitedover,"Ispokeflatly."Atbest,I'manaveragetrainer."
"Average?Averagetrainers"no,averagepeopledon'tsneakoffintoalions'denandtrytoblendinforthesakeofhelpingafriend!I'dliketobattlesuchabravepersonformyself.Socomeon!Let'sgetstraighttoit!"Immediately,BurghhadaPokéBallinhishand."I'llusethreePokémoninthisbattle,whileyoucanuseallthatyouhaveatyourdisposal.IfyoucanmanagetodefeatallmyPokémon,you'llgetthebadge!AndthefirstofmyfriendsI'dliketopresentiiiis...Thomas!"Inaflashoflight,hereleasedhisfirstPokémon.ItturnedoutThomaswasaPokémonasroundasatirewithadarkpurplebodydecoratedinpalegreencirclepatterns,sharp-lookingbarbsandtwopairsofstripedtwitchingpartsthatlookedlikefeelers,andhalf-liddedyelloweyeswhereatirewouldhavehubcaps.Thomasremainedcompletelystillashe"atleast,Iassumeditwasmale"staredatmelazily,butIstillfeltintimidatedbyhispresence.
"Iwonderwhatyouare..."Imumbled,takingoutmyPokédextoscanthePokémon.
"ThomasisaWhirlipede,theevolvedformofVenipede"whichI'msureyou'veseenbychallengingthetrainershereoreveninthewild,"Burghspoke."WhirlipedecouldbeconsideredthecocoonformthatmanyBugtypesgothroughintheirlifetime.Ashestorestheenergytoevolveintohisfinalform,he'sprotectedbyhishardshell.Becauseoftheshell'sshape,hecanspinmovearoundlikeawheel,allowinghimtomoveandattackhisenemies"somethingnotmanyothercocoon-likeBugtypesarecapableofwhilepreparingforevolution."
"Hey!You'retheenemy!You'renotsupposedtotellmethisstuffatthebeginningofthefight!"Isnapped.
"It'snothingyouwouldn'thavereadinthatPokédexofyours,"Burghpointedout.
"It'snotlikeIcantrustwhatyousay!Youcouldbetryingtotrickme!"
"Idon'thavetoresorttotrickerylikethattowinbattles!Besides,I'maBugtypespecialist.Iliketoflauntmyknowledgeofallthings...buggy!Iwouldn'tlie."
Regardlessofthegymleader'swords,IstilllookedupinformationonWhirlipede.EverythingBurghsaidwastrue.Isighedandranovermychoices.TherewasMars,butchanceswerethatwithaforteforrolling,itknewRolloutaswell,makingMarsjustaslikelytobeknockedoutifnotmoreso.NexttohimandTiny,thefastestPokémonIhadwasEve."Alright.Goforit,Eve!"IreleasedtheEeveeinaflashoflightandshebegantobounceinplaceinfrontoftheWhirlipede.
"Alright!I'mreadyforanythingthatdoesn'tevolvestickystuff!"Eveproclaimedasshegrowledfiercely"ortriedto,butwoundupgrowlinginacuteway.
"Oh,anEevee!That'ssomethingfromoutsideofUnova,huh?Thiswillbefun!"Burghexclaimedasheheldouthishand."Let'sstartthingsoffniceandslow,Thomas,withPoisonSting!"TheWhirlipedebeganspinninginplaceasitsfeelersbegantoglow,thentheyfiredbrightpurplepinsatEve.TheEeveeranoutofthewayofthepoisonousneedlesandIwounduphavingtocowardlysidesteptheattackaswell."NowuseRollout!"ThomasrevveduponcemorebeforetakingoffafterEve.
"DodgewithQuickAttack!"Iexclaimed,andtheEeveegotaquickburstofspeedtoavoidtherollingWhirlipede'stackle.EvecontinueddodgingtheBugtype'sattackswiththeburstsofspeedfromQuickAttack,butjustbarely."Nowtackleit!"
"Takeitheadon,Thomas!Youcandoit!"BurghcheeredonhisPokémon.EvewoundupheadbuttingtheWhirlipedeandgotsentflyingbackbytheforceofitscharge.Shemanagedtolandonherfeetand,butherappearancelookedabitsicklyandshebegantobreatheheavily."ItwouldseemthatyourEeveewaspoisoned.Thomas'sabilityisPoisonPoint,andcontactwithanyofhisbarbshasachanceofbeingpoisoningsomeone.Ifyoudon'twantittosufferfrompoison,youcouldalwaystakereturnittohealit"ontheconditionthatyoudon'tuseitagainfortherestofthematch."
"No!Youbequiet!I'mgonnawinagymbattle!"Eveexclaimed,lookinginBurgh'sdirectionbeforelookingatme."Don'tlistentohim!Icanstillfight!"
"...Dis...DistractwithTailWhip!"TheEeveedidasIcommanded,turningaroundtowaghertailcutelyattheWhirlipede.Foramoment,itseemeddistractedbyhertail."NowuseQuickAttack!"EveturnedaroundanddartedtowardsthedistractedWhirlipedetotacklehimheadon."AndBite!"ShelungedatThomasand,despitehowhardthatshellmust'vebeen,bitdownhardenoughtomaketheWhirlipedecryoutinpainforthefirsttimesincehecameout.
"IronDefense!"Burghcommanded.
ThemomentEvemadetobitedownasecondtime,theBugtype'sbodygainedametallicsheen.Justasherfangshithisshell,theymadeaneasilyheardclangingsoundthatmadeherfalloffinsurprise."Ouch!Thatsmarts!"Evecriedbeforeflinchingfrompoisoning.UsingIronDefensetomakehisPokémon'salreadystrongdefenseevenstronger.UsingaQuickAttackorTacklemightjustleadtohergettingaheadache.
"Hmm...thatlookedlikeitsmarted,"Burghsaidashescratchedhischeek."Sincethe
poison'snotworkingquicklyenough,we'lljusthavetoknockthemoutwithfullforce!It'stimeforSteamrollerdonuts,Thomas!"Donuts?
"Donuts?Areweallowedtoeat?Iwantdonuts!"Evechirped.
"Donuts!"ThomasexclaimedbeforehebegantorollaroundEveinacirclepattern.
"Youdon'tmakedonutswithsteamrollers!Andthatisnotadonut!"Isnapped.
"Really?I'veneverbeenadrivingbuff,soIwouldn'tknow,"thegymleaderspokesheepishlyasheadmittedhisignorance.
"NeitheramI!ButIwatchtelevision!"
"Regardlessofwhatactualdonutsare,thislittlemaneuverisThomas'sfavorite.WhereasRolloutisjustfortacklingatbest,SteamrollerisaBugtypemovemadeforcrushingopponentsunderneathlikea,well,steamroller.It'smorepowerful,too,especiallywhenusedbyaBugtypelikeThomas,anddangerouswhenyouaddthethreatofhisspeed.Soyouhavetwooptionsfordefeat:tryandescapethetraponlytoriskyourEeveegettingtrampled,orletthepoisonknockoutyourPokémon.Actually,there'sthethirdoptionofjustgivingupandtakingaloss."
Igrowledundermybreathandclenchedmyfist.Itriedtothinkquickly,butmyeyesfellontoEveandtookinhowshekepttwitching."...T-trytouseSandAttack!"
"Sand?There'snosand,"Evepointedouttheobvious.
"J-justusethedirtonthefloor!"
"Okay..."Soundingunsure,theEeveebegantokickupwhateveramountofdustanddirtshecouldfromthefloorinonedirection.Eventually,thedustroseupintotheairandbegantowaftinonedirectionwhilespecksofdirtwerethrowncarelessly,toosmalltobeaimedproperly.
Atthispoint,itseemedhopeless.AsIwasconsideringtakingtheloss,theWhirlipedeskiddedtoahalt,hiseyeclenchedshutasifinpain.Thiswasourchance!"UseQuickAttackandaimfortheeye!"AsmallbrownblurzoomedtowardstheWhirlipedeandheadbuttedhimintheeye"theonlypartofhisbodythatwasn'tcoveredinThomas'shardshell."Again!Again!"EverammedagainstThomas'ssoftspotseveraltimesbeforeonelastblowmadehimfallover,feelerstwitchingfeebly.
"...Well.Firstvictorygoestoyou,"BurghspokeashereturnedhisWhirlipedeintoitsball.Atthatpoint,Evecollapsed.Iranuptoherandbegansearchingforabottleof
antidoteinmybag."Here.Trythis."IlookedinBurgh'sdirection,onlytohaveaPechaberryhitmyface."Oops!Sorry!Iwasnevergoodatbaseball,either,"thegymleadersaidwithanothersheepishsmileasIpickeduptheberry."That'llhealyourPokémon'spoisoning."
"...Thankyou,"ImutteredasIbegantohelpEveeattheberry."I'msorryyougotlikethis.I'llmakeituptoyou,okay?"Iwhisperedtoher.
"I...DidIwin?"Eveaskedweakly.
"Youdid."
"...Yay...I'mgonnagotosleepnow...White..."IreturnedEveintoherballbeforestandingupandreturningtomysideofthebattlefield.
"Alright!ImightbedownaPokémon,butI'mnotout!"Burghsaid,takingoutadifferentball.Nowit'syourtimetoshine,Monroe!"Inaflashoflight,asmallorangebugappeared.Ithadapairoflargeclawsthatendedinbigspikes,smallblackeyesonstalks,andapalewhitestoneonitsbackwithacrisscrosspatternseeminglyscratchedintoit."MeetMonroe!He'saDwebble!Dwebblesusealiquidsecretedfromtheirmouthstomakeholesinrockstheywanttolivein.Whentheirrocksbreak,Dwebblesbecomeagitateduntiltheygetanewone.Stilldon'ttrustmeaboutthatinformation?"
"N-No!"IsnappedasIputawaymyPokédexandbeganthinkingaboutmyoptions.DwebblewasaBugandRocktypePokémon.MyonlyoptionswerePanaceaandMars,bothofwhomwouldn'tfarewellagainstaRocktype'sdefenseandattackrespectively."IfIonlyhadShion..."Imutteredundermybreath.Well,accordingtothePokédex,DwebblewasweakagainstRocktypemoves,soIcouldalwayshaveMarscarefullyavoidbeingknockedout.IreachedforMars'sball,onlyforanotherPokéBalltoopeninaflashoflightandablueblurtojumpoutofmybagandlandonthebattlefieldinfrontofme."Sh-Shion!Whatareyoudoing?!"
"Iamfightingformymas"No,myfriendWhite!Iwon'tlether"Imean,youdown!"TheOshawottproclaimed.
"Does...doesthismeanyoufixedyourshellalready?"
Afteranoverdramaticpause,Shionwhirledaroundtofacemewithherbarestomachandbigwateryeyesthatwerecryingtears."Notintheslightest!"Shesobbed.Ialmostfelloverfromsurprise."ButifEvecangiveitherallwhilebeingpoisoned,Icanatleasttrytofightwithoutmy...myweapon...!"Shesaidthat,butmentallyspeaking,shedidn'tseemtohaveitcompletelytogether.Also,howcould
shehearwhatwashappeningfrominsideofherball?
"Well...ifyouthinkyoucanfight..."TheOshawottspunaroundandassumedabattleposition.
"Ifwe'reallready,Monroe,useRockPolish!"TheDwebble'sshellbegantoshinebrightwhiteforamoment."NowSandstorm!"Onceagain,Monroe'sshellbegantoglowanddustbegantorisearoundhimuntilitformedatwister.ThetwistergrewinsizeuntilitwounduphidingShionandheropponentinside.
"You'rekiddingme...!"Imutteredundermybreath."Shion,trytogetoutofthere!"
"I...Ican't!"Shion'svoicecamefromwithinthesandtwister.
"Monroe!UseFeintAttack!"Burghcalledout.AlthoughIcouldn'tseeanything,IheardShioncryingoutinpainasshewasattackedfromsomewherewithinthetwister."Keepitup!"
"UseWaterGun,Shion!"Icalledout.
"ButIcan'tsee!"TheOshawottcalledoutbetweenhercries.
"Then...aiminalldirections!"Whatcamenextwasburstsofwatercomingoutofrandompointsofthetwister.Ihadtododgewaterspurtsseveraltimestoavoidgettingblasted,andI'msureBurghhadtodothesameontheothersideofthetwister.Eventually,theDwebblemust'vebeenhitbecausehewassentflyingoutofthetwisterwithawaterspurtandlandedonhisback,legsandpincersflailingwildlyintheair.Afterthat,thesandstormwasdispelledandShionemergedcoveredinscratches."Alright!UseFocusEnergy!"
"Uh-oh.MightwannaWithdraw,Monroe!"Burghexclaimed.
MonroetookhisadviceandcrawledintohisshellforsafetyasShionbegantoradiateabrightorangeaura."Now,useWaterGun!"TheOshawotttookadeepbreathbeforesprayingoutlargeburstofwater,theforceofwhichmadetheDwebble'srockshellgoflyingintoawall.Whenitmadeimpact,theshellshatteredandtheexposedDwebblelandedonthefloor.
"Anditgetsworse..."Burghspokeominously.
TheDwebblestareddownattheremainsofhisshellbeforewhirlingaroundtoglareatShion."Doyouhaveanyideawhatyou'vedone?!Thatwasmypreciousshell!IwaslookingforwardtoseeinghowitwouldbeonceIevolved!"
"Gyah!I'msosorry!Iknowwhatit'sliketoloseyourpreciousshell...!"Shionapologized,soundinglikeshewasonthevergeofcryingashereyesbegantowater.
"You're...you'regonnapayforthis!You'llbeblackandbluebythetimeI'mdonewithyou!"TheDwebbleexclaimedbeforejumpingforwardandlatchingontoShion'sface,jabbingatherwithhispointyclaws.
"Anditlookslikehe'susingRage,"Burghcommented.
"Dwebblesdon'tlearnRage!"Isnapped.
"Youdon'tknowthat.Besides,heseemstoberagingtome.Oncehegetslikethis,there'snostoppinghimuntilhecalmsdown,soit'soutofmyhands."Isn'titabadsignwhenagymleadercan'tcontroltheirownPokémonwhenit'sinamood?
"KYAAAAH!"ShiongrabbedtheDwebblebyitstailandthrewitaside.Sherubbedthewoundsonherfacebeforeclenchingherteeth."Itakeitback!Ifthat'showyouact,Idon'tfeelsobadaboutbreakingyourshell!Atleastyoucanreplaceitquickly"Idon'tknowhowlongitwilltakemypreciousscalchoptoberestored!"
"Quickly?!Doyouknowhowharditistofindarockwiththerightcolor,weight,size,andthickness?!There'salotofeffortinfindingagoodhome!"Monroescreamed.
Istaredatthembothwithablankexpression."...They'reseriouslyarguingaboutshellsrightnow...Shion,useWaterGun!"Atmycommand,ShionspatoutwaterattheDwebble,buthenimblydodged.
"Withouttheweightofhisshell,Monroecanmovefasterthanbefore!"Burghcommentated.MonroequicklyscurriedforwardandbeganslashingawayatShionwithhisclaws."He'susinghisFuryCutternow!Witheachswipe,theforceofhisblowsincrease!"Withonefinalslash,Shionwassentflyingupintotheairandlandedonherback.MonroeagilelyjumpedupintotheairandlandedontopofShion."Uh-oh!Thislooksliketheendfortheopponent!"
"Sayyou'resorry!Begformercy,youfurrylittleso-and-so!"MonroecommandedashejabbedShionintheforehead.
"Shion!Getup,Shion!"Icried.
"I...Ican't...!"Shionreplied."Withoutmyscalchop,I'm...worthless!"
"No,you'renot!It'sonlyatool!Youdon'tneedittowin!Ibelieveinyou!"
Shion'seyesbegantowateragain,andIwasn'tsureifitwasbecauseofherweaknessorme.Eitherway,sheshuthereyesandbegantoglowbrightwhite,herbodygraduallychangingshape.Eventually,thelightdispersedandintheOshawott'splacewasaDewott.TheDewottgrabbedholdoftheDwebbleandtossedhimaside.
"Ihavebetterthingstodothancryoverbrokenshells!"Shionsnapped,holdingupapaw."And...Icanfightinotherways!"TheclawsatthetipsofherpawglintedabitinthedulllightbeforeshedartedtowardsMonroe.TheDwebblegotbackonitsfeetandchargedather.Theybeganslashingawayateachotherwiththeirclaws,Shion,takingthebruntoftheblowswhileMonroedodgedherattacks.Afterawhile,theDwebblebegantolosesteam,andShioncontinuedattacking.Withonefinalslash,theDwebblecollapsed.
"ItseemsthatMonroehasfainted.Twovictoriesforyousofar,White!"BurghexclaimedashewinkedwhilereturninghisfaintedDwebbleintohisball.
Shionapproached,lookingbatteredandyetsmilingwidely."White!I...evolved!"Hersmilequicklyturnedintoafrownandhereyesbegantowater."ButIdon'tevenhaveoneshell,letalonetwo!"
"Andthat'sokay.Right?"Iasked,hopingtoreassureher.
"R-right!"TheDewottsniffedandrubbedhereyes."I'lljust...thinkofthisastrainingofadifferentsort!AtleastuntilI'mabletoreplaceoneshell...m-maybethiswillhelpmeincreatingmyownstyle!"
"That'sright!Thisisapositive.Youcanthinkmoreaboutitwhilerestingup....Thankyou,Shion."
Shionblushedandcoveredhermouthwithherpaws."I-Ishouldbethankingyou,mymaster!My...friend,"shespokeshylybeforedisappearingintoherball.
"WhatatouchingmomentbetweenatrainerandherPokémon,"Burghcommented."MomentslikethatmakemewonderwhyTeamPlasmawantstoseparatedPokémonfromeveryone.SometimeshumanscandoalotofharmtoPokémon,butpeoplelikeyoucanreallybringoutthebestinthem,likeafriendissupposedtodo."AdeterminedexpressionappearedonBurgh'sfaceandheheldupaclenchedfist."Alright!Irefusetobugoutofhere!Iwon'tbesquashed!Getreadytofacetheace!Go,Fern!"Inaflashoflight,aLeavannyappeared.Theleavesarounditsheadandcoveringitsthoraxresembledabunchoffernsstucktogetherforafeatherylook,ratherthanasinglebroadleaf.
"Hello,world!It'smytimetoshine!"Fernexclaimedexcitedlywhilegesturingwith
his"fromthesoundofhisvoice"claws.
"Leavannyis""
"IknowwhataLeavannyis!"Iinterrupted,preventinganotherexplanation."Andmoreimportantly,Iknowwho'llbeperfectagainsthim!Youcandoit,Mars!"Inaflashoflight,MarsappearedinfrontoftheLeavanny.
"M-Mama?No...youdon'tsmelllikeher,"Marsspoke,soundingdisheartened.
"Eh?Mama?I'mnoScolipede!Theseleavesaren'tevenred!"Fernpointedout.
"Wemightbeatadisadvantagetype-wise,butthatwon'tslowusdown!UseSunnyDay!"Burghexclaimed.
"Va-va-va-vanny~!"TheLeavannysangashisbodyglowed.Inseconds,asmallballoflightfloatedupfromhisbodyandupabovethebattlefield,illuminatingitinabrightlight."Nothinglikeraysofsunlighttomakeyoufeelenergized!"Fernexclaimedashebegantobouncefromfoottofoot.
"Um...it'sokay?"Marsansweredunsurely.
"Whatever.UsePoisonSting!"Icommanded.Mars'sfeelerstwitchedbeforehebegantofireseveralsmall,purpledartsattheNurturingPokémon.Thetallerbugeasilydodgedtheattackbyflippingupintotheair.
"RazorLeaf!"SaidBurgh.Fern'sclawsbegantoglowbrightgreenbeforeheswungthembothquickly,sendingaflurryofleavesdownatMars.TheVenipedeinstinctivelycurledupintoaballtoescapethebruntoftheattackasrazor-sharpleaveshithimoneatatime.Fernlandedonthegroundasgracefulasagymnast."NowuseStringShot!"TheLeavannyquicklyspatoutastringofthreadthatstucktotherolledupVenipede'scarapace.ThetallerbugthenbegantoswingMarsaroundlikeatetherball."AndSolarBeam!"AlmostinstantlyashewasstillswingingMarsaround,Fern'sbodyglowedwithafaintgreenaurabeforeunleashingabeamofgreenenergyuponMars,destroyingthethreadthatheldhimintheprocess.Marswasblastedbackandlandedontheground,bouncingslightlybeforecomingtoastop.
"What...wasthat?!"Performingthreemovesinarow...andallsoquicklyatthat!IsaLeavannyjustthatfast?
"Isn'titimpressive?Fern'sabilityisChlorophyll.Byabsorbingtheraysofthesun,hisspeedincreases.Also,inthisimitationsunlight,hecanusethemoveSolarBeam
instantly,whenhewouldnormallyneedtochargeupfirst,"Burghexplained."Itwon'tlastforever,though.Thissunlightwillsoonfade,butitcanbereplaced.Thequestionisifyoucanendurethisassaultorevenbeatmebeforethesunlightfades,White."
"Youliketotalk,don'tyou?"Ifoundmyselfspeakingoutloud.
"Iprefertothinkofmyselfassociable."
"Mars,useScreech!"Marsuncurledandbegantoemitahigh-pitchedscreechingsoundthatmadeFernwinceinpain."PoisonTail!"TheVenipedecurledupintoaballandrolleduptotheLeavanny.Heuncurled,jumpingintotheairintheprocess,andmadetohitFerninthechestwithhisglowingpurpletail.TheLeavanny,however,recoveredquicklyenoughtododgethebruntoftheattackbyjumpingback,butwoundupgettingaslightscratchintheprocess.
"Close,butnogoooo..."Ferntrailedoffandwinced."Owww...!"Thatscratchwasjustenoughtopoisonhim,apparently.
"UseRollout!"Icommanded.MarscurledupintoaballandrolledtowardstheLeavanny,butFernkeptnimblydodginghisrollingtackles.
"StringShot!"BurghquicklycalledasFerndodgedanothertackle.TheLeavannyspatoutathreadofsilkthatconnectedtoMars'sbodyandonceagainbegantospinhimaround."AndSolarBeam!"Alsoonceagain,FernfiredaSolarBeamatMarswhilehewasstillattachedtothestring.
Afterrecoveringfromtheblow,Marsuncurledandcollapsedonthefloor."Ohhh...!I'mstartingtogetsick...!"HeturnedandbegantostareatFern,whowastwirlinginplaceinahyperactivemanner.
"Justkeepgoing!Thistime,focusonnotgettinghitinsteadofattackingheadon!"
"Okay...!"Onceagain,MarscurledupintoaballandbeganrollingaroundFernquickly.
"Resortingtoevasiontohopetofindaweakspot.Thatwon'twork!Fern,StringShot!"Burgh'sLeavannybeganspittingoutsilkoncemoreatlightningspeed,butMarsjustbarelymanagedtoavoidbeingcaughtinitagainasherolledabout,avoidinggobsofstickysilkonfloor."ChangethingsupwithRazorLeaf!"Aflurryofleavescamenext,butMarswoundupdeftlyevadingthoseaswell.
Ferneventuallystoppedandlookedbackathistrainer."I'm...I'mfeelingabitwinded...!Phew!"
"Thatpoison'sstartingtohaveaneffectonyourstamina.Catchyourbreathwhilelockingontarget!ThenprepareforSolarBeam!"
"Right."FernbegantotrackMars,onlyexertingenergytoturnaroundandcranehisheadtokeepaneyeontheVenipede.
"...Alright!Attacknow!"Iexclaimed,pointingattheLeavanny.MarspickedupspeedandbegantorolltowardsFern.
"Now!UseSolarBeam!"FernlookedatMarsandopenedhismouth,preparingtofirewhennothinghappened:nogreenauraandmostcertainlynoblastingbeam.TheLeavannycouldonlystandthereinconfusionforasplitsecondbeforeMarshithiminthegutandmadehimfallonhisback."What...?Why?"Burghlookedupandflinchedinsurpriseatthesightoffakesunfadingaway."Congratulations.Youmanagedtowaitoutthesunhemade,butyouhaven'twonyet!StringShot,Fern!"
TheLeavannybegantospitoutgobsofstickysilk,butataslowerpacethanbefore.Marswasabletododgethebiggerbug'sattacksbeforechargingintohisfeet,knockingtheLeavannyover."PoisonSting!"MarscrawledontopofFernandbeganfiringpoisonousneedlesdownatFern.TheLeavannycriedoutandknockedtheVenipedeoff.
"I...won'tgodown...soeasily!"Fernexclaimedashegottohisfeet,swayingunsteadily.
"PoisonStingagain!"
"RazorLeaf!"Burghexclaimed.HisLeavannybegantoswinghisscythe-likearms,unleashingrazorsharpleaves.
Barragesofpoisonousneedlesandrazorsharpleaveswereexchanged,bothattackshittingtheirintendedtargets.Marslookedexhaustedbeforecurlingupintoaballforthesakeofdefense,whileFernwaspantingheavily.TheLeavanny'seyesthenglazedoverbeforehedroppedtohiskneesandfellover,unconsciousfromthepressureofthepoison.
MybreathgotcaughtinmythroatasBurghsteppeduptohisPokémonwithaPechaberryinhand."Youperformedwonderfully,Fern.Yourmotherwouldbeproud."AfterfeedingtheberrytohisLeavanny,itwasreturnedintoitsball.Burghstooduprightandflashedmeasmile."ItseemslikeIlost.Butthatdoesn'tbugme,becauseIgottobattleanamazinglystrongtrainer!"IjustreturnedMarsintohisballwordlesslyandbegantostaredownatthefloor."What'sthematter?Youdon'tlookveryhappyaboutthis."
"You...Didyoutakeiteasyonme?"Icouldn'thelpbutask."SurelyyoumusthavestrongerPokémon,orstrongermoves,or"!"
"Usuallytrainersarehappytowinagymbadge!Noteventhatfriendofyours,whodoesn'thaveasmanybadgesasyoudo,wassosuspicious,"Burghcommented.
"Friend?YoumeanBianca?"
"Sinceshehadn'tchallengedanygymsbeforemine,IdecidedtobattleherwiththeteamIusuallyuseonfirst-timers,"Burghsaidashescratchedthebackofhishead."Itisn'tuncommonforgymleaderstousedifferentteamsofvaryingstrengthsdependingonhowmanybadgestheirchallengersuse.Kindoflikelevels.It'slike...youhadtwobadges,soyouchallengedalevel3teamtogetyourthirdbadge.Yourfriendhadnobadges,soshechallengedanentrylevelteamforherfirstone."
"...Isee."Iclenchedmyeyesshutandbitmylowerlip."Sointheend,we'rebothweak."Onceagain,thewordswoundupleavingmymouthasIthoughtthemup.
"Wh-whoa,whoa!Ineversaidyouwereweak!Thisisn'tahandicap,it'strainingforthePokémonLeague!Witheachvictoryyouattain,eachbadgeyouwin,you'regettingcloserandclosertochallengingthePokémonLeague'sEliteFourandChampion!"
"Idon'tcareaboutthestupidEliteFourandChampion!"Icouldn'thelpshouting,stompingmyfootforemphasis."I...!Ijust...!"IjustwantedtowinagainstsomeonestrongsoIcouldfeel.SoIcouldfeellikeagoodtrainer...andthatIcouldactuallydosomething.
Ifeltahandonmyshoulderandwounduplookingupinshock.Iwasn'tsurewhytearswerewellingupinmyeyes,butIwaswipingthemawayregardlesstogetabetterlookatBurgh."Youdon'thavetotellmewhyyou'rechallenginggymsandcollectingbadges.Butyoureallydodeservethis,youknow.Youandyourteam."Hegrabbedmyhandandputsomethingsmallintoit.Ilookeddownatthesmall,brightgreenbadgeshapedlikeabug'swingandgraspedittightly."Andifyou'restillcuriousaboutwhetherornotyoudeservedthiswin,youcanjustbeatalltheothergymleadersandchallengemeagainsoyoucanbattlemyverybestteam!"Thegymleadersaidwithawink."Untilthen,keeptraininghardanddiscoveringthingsinthisworldwithyourPokémon,bothonyourjourneyandthroughoutyourlife!"
Isniffledandcontinuedtograspthebadgetightlyinmyhand."...Okay."
Burghlaughed."NottheenthusiasticresponseIwashopingfor...butwe'realldifferent"humansandPokémon.ButI'msureyouandyourfriendswillburstfrom
yourcocoonsintoamazingButterfrees!So,uh...there'sapassagedbehindmethatleadsbacktogymentrance.Goodluckontherestofyourjourney,White!"
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IwasinadazeasItraveledbacktotheentrancetothegym.Irememberedthegymguide'scongratulations,howIpolitelytookthebottleofspringwaterthatheofferedasagiftwhilestillholdingtheInsectbadge,andhowImademywaybackupstairstotheartgallery,butIdidn'treallyfeelanythinguntilIsawBlackstandinginthelobby.Whenoureyesmight,hesmiledandwewoundupapproachingeachotheratthesametime.
"Hey,hey!Howdidthingsgo?"Blackaskedcheerily.
"...Where'sBianca?"Iasked,rememberingwhatBurghhadtoldme.IwonderedifIshouldtellherwhatBurghtoldme.
"ShewentsomewherewithCheren.Theyshouldbebackanysecondnow."Blacklookedaroundtheartgallery."Wouldyoumindwaitingoutside?"
"No.Icouldusesomefreshairandsunshineafterbeingdowninthatgym."
Weheadedoutofthegalleryandwoundupsittingonsomebenchesoverlookingthebusystreet.IwatchedpeoplewalkbywhileBlackpressedmeforinformationonmygymbattle,andafterIgavehimabarebonesdescription,heexplainedhisowngymchallengeinfiercedetail.
"Butman,IwishIcould'vebeenthere!Amid-battleevolutionsoundsawesome!YoushouldtellMomaboutit"she'salwayscomplainingabouthowweshouldcallhermore.Eventhoughwehaven'tbeenawayfromhomethatlong..."Blackpausedandfelthimstareatme."So...doyoufeelbetter?"
"...Idon'tknow."Ilookedatmybrother."Black,doyouknowthatthegymleaderswe'vechallengedhaven'tevenbeenusingtheirstrongestPokémonagainstus?"
"Ofcourse!You'retalkingtoaPokémonLeaguefan!OpelucidGymLeaderDraydenmentioneditinaninterviewonce"mostgymleaderseverywherebattlechallengerswithsetteams,whilesomelikehimwillonlyacceptbattlesfromthosewho'vegainedallbutonebadge!"Helookedoutintothestreet."IgottoseesomeofBurgh'sstrongestPokémonyesterday,andincomparison,Ifeltweak...buthereassuredmethatIhadpotentialtobecomeareallystrongtrainer,andthatmeandmyteamcouldbecomeawesomeBeedrills!"
"...ItoldmewecouldbecomeButterfrees."
"Tomato,tomahto.Thatguyjustloveshisbug-relatedsayings.But,White...he'sgotapoint.Whetherit'sinbattlingPokémonorsomethingelse,Iknowyoucanachievewhateveryouputyourmindto!"
Igaveadrylaugh."Thanks."Ishould'vestoppedthere,butIcontinued,"Iwanttobecomestronger...Idon'tcareaboutbadgesandtitleslikeyouandCherendo.Ijust...wanttobecomestrongtoprotectwhat'simportanttome."
"...You'renotalonethere.Ifweworktogether,wecanfindthatstrengthtogether."
"HEEEEEEYYYY!"BlackandIlookedinadirectiontofindBiancaandCherenwalkingtowardsus.Theybothhadcupsoficecreamineachhand,seeminglyoneforeachofus.Biancaapproachedme,smilingbrightly."Heythere,White!How'dyourgymbattlego?"
"Justfine.Shewon!"Blackspokeforme.
"Wow,that'sgreat!Sowe'veallgotthesamebadge!It'ssopretty,IthinkI'mgonnawearitonspecialoccasions!"
Cherensighed."Bianca,it'smeanttobeidentificationofatrainer'ssuccess,notafashionaccessory..."
"Sayswho?Ithasapinontheback,soobviouslyyoucanwearit!"
"Don'targuewithher,Cheren.Itisherbadge,"saidBlack.
Biancasuddenlyrememberedthecupsinherhandsandhandedonetome."Oh,here!Youlikeblackcherry-flavoredicecream,right?AaaandBlackhadcookies-and-cream...andIhadbanananut!"ShechirpedasshehandedBlackacupandtookonefromCheren."Iwould'vegottenCasteliaConesforusall,butthelinewassooooolong!"
"Luckily,wefoundaplacethatsoldicecream,soatleastwegotsomething,"saidCherenashebeganeatingwhatIcouldonlyguesswasstrawberryicecream."So,what'rewedoingnow?"
"Huh?"IlookedupatChereninconfusion.
"TocelebrateBianca'sfirstgymbadge,we'regonnagolookaroundCasteliaCitywhileeatingicecream,"saidBlack."It'swhatshewanted."
"Wecan'thaveCasteliaCones,butthere'sstillmoretoseeofCastelia!"Biancaexclaimedwithbrighteyes.
"ItriedtotellherthatCastelia'snotasflashyandglamorousasNimbasaorBlackCity,butshe'sdeterminedtoseeitall,"saidCheren.
"ButBurghsaidIshoulddiscoveralllifehadtooffer,soIcould"!"
"Yes,yes,insertbug-relatedinspirationalphrasehere.I'mjustsayingthediscoverymightnotturnouttobeaslife-changingasyouwanteditto."
"Itdoesn'thavetobe.Themoreweexperience,themorewegrow,andthecloserwegettowhereweoughttobe,right?"
Cherenarchedaneyebrow."Hm...Iguesswinningthatgymbadgeboostedyourconfidence."
Biancapumpedherfreehandintoafist."Yes!Imaynotchallengeanyothergyms,but...evenifIcan'tbethestrongest,thatdoesn'tmeanIshouldn'ttrytobestrongatall."
IstaredattheblondegirlinsurprisebeforeIbegantosmile."That's...good,Bianca!I'mgladyou'refeelingbetternow."Istoodupandbegantolookupanddowntheroad."So,wherearewegoingfirst?NorthorSouth?"
"Isawabillboardpromotingabotanicalgardensomewhereinthecity.Notthemostexcitingofthings,butwecouldcheckthatout,"saidCheren.
"Abotanicalgarden?Likewithprettyplantsandstuff?I'dliketogoseethat!"Biancaspokecheerfully.
"ButIdon'tknowwhereitis..."
"We'lljustwalkarounduntilwecanfindit,right?"Blacksaidashestoodup,smilingaswell.
Fortherestofthatday,wewanderedaroundCasteliaCityactinglikeacoupleoftourists,andourdayendedwithatriptoCaféSonatabeforeturninginatalocalPokémonCenter.AndalthoughdoubtsabouthowstrongIwasnaggedmeinmymind,andIstilldidn'tseeVictiniinmyPCstorageboxbeforeturninginforthenight,apartofmewasdeterminedtostaystrongandgetstronger...ifnotforme,thanforthepeopleIcaredabout.
X-X-X
Notes!
AccelgorlearnsAcidArmorasShelmetandRainDanceviaTM.JoltiklearnsCamouflageviabreeding,albeitonlyinGenVI"whichisodd,becauseinGenV,Sewaddlecanalsolearnitviabreedingandthroughthesameparent:Mothim.DwebblecanlearnSandstormviaTMaswellasRockPolish"thelatterofwhichcanbelearnedbylevelingup"butnotRage,althoughinGenIwhenitwasaTM,allPokémonthatcouldlearnTMmovescouldlearnRageviaTM20.LeavannylearnsSunnyDayandSolarBeamviaTM.
Burgh'sPokémonhavenoparticularreasonfortheirnames.Thomasmeans"twin".MonroeisScottishfor"fromthemouthoftheRoe",theRoebeingariverinIreland.Afernisatypeofplantrecognizedbyitsfeatheryorleafyfronds.
X-X-X
RemembertoreviewforthesakeofBluandPikachu!
Chapter19
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~RuinManiacs~
"Goodmorning,CasteliaCityPoliceDepartment.Whatisthepurposeofyourcall?"Amanontheotherendofthepayphonespoke.
Ihesitatedforasecondbeforespeaking,"Yes,mynameisWhiteKetchum.IhadaPokémonstolenbyTeamPlasmainCasteliaCityrecently,andIwastoldthatthepoliceweregoingtotransferitbacktomyPCboxaccount,but...Iwaswonderingifyoucameacrossitbynow."
"Uh-huh.MayIhaveyourname,yourtrainerIDnumber,andthenameitisidentifiedbyinthesystem?"Igavehimallthat,notsayingwhetherornotVictiniwashisnameorhisspecies."...MissKetchum,I'msorrytoinformyouthatwedon'thaveanyPokémonmatchingyourIDnumberonourlist."
Ifeltmybloodfreeze."I'msorry,what?ButTeamPlasmatookhimfromme!D-doublecheck!Triplecheckifyouhaveto!Hehastobethere!"
"Idid,miss.Unfortunately,noneofthePokémonwe'verecordedhaveyourIDnumber.Ifanythingcomesupin""
Ihungupontheman,drawingattentionfromnearbytrainerswhowerealsousingthephonesnexttome.Itookadeep,shakybreathtocalmmyself,butIcouldn'tstopshaking.IguessitwasstupidtothinkthatalegendaryPokémonwouldbekeptinthesameplaceasothersthatweremorecommonincomparison.ForallIknew,thatscumbagscientistorGhetsishimselfhadaholdofhim.Suddenly,thefeelingsofguiltcamefloodingbacktomymind,onlytobeinterruptedbyahandtouchingmyshoulder.IjumpedandlookedbacktoseeBlacklookingatmewithaconcernedexpression.
"Iseverythingokay?You'reshakingand...areyoucrying?"
X-X-X
"Isee..."WasallBlacksaidwhenIexplainedthingstohimupinourroom.
"Seriously?That'sallyoucansay?VictinihasbeenkidnappedandTeamPlasma
aredoingheavenknowswhattohim,andthat'sallyoucansay!"Isnapped.
"C-calmdown!Ididn'tmeananyoffense!Don'tgoflyingoffthehandleandrunoutwithnoideaofwhatyouwant!"Blackexclaimed,pointingatme."You'renottheonlypersonworriedaboutVictini,butjustbecausetheystickoutlikesorethumbsTeamPlasma'seasytofind!Imean,theymanagedtohideoutinplainsightinCasteliaCityrightunderBurgh'snose."
"Sowhat?We'rejustsupposedtodonothing?Letthemdowhateverawfulthingstheyhadplannedforhim?"
"Wecanjustmakethemtelluswherethey'vegotVictiniandtogive'emback,butonlywhenwe'veencounteredthemagain?"Iwantedtoaskifhemeantif,butafterwhathappened,itfeltlikeourluckwasjustbadenoughtokeeprunningintothosenutcasePlasmidsuntilsomeoneputastoptotheircrazyideas."Soasmuchasitmightpainusboth,we'regonnahavetojust...continueonourjourneyuntiltheypopupagain.Youthinkyoucanhandlethatwithoutfreakingout?"
"...I'lltry,"Isaidwithapout.
"Ihopeso.Idon'tneedtoworrymyselftodeathoveryournewfoundrecklessness!"Blackpumpedafistintheair."Alright!It'stimetogetthisshowontheroad!Prepareyourthings,White,we'reheadingforNimbasaCity!"
X-X-X
Route4wastheroadthatconnectedthecitiesofCasteliaandNimbasa.ThemajorityoftheroutewentthroughthedesertthatwasknownthesedaysastheResortDesertamongsomepeople.ThereasonforthenicknamewasbecauseofplanstobuildaroadsidetownwithafancyhotelsmackdabbetweenCasteliaandNimbasa.However,therewerelotsofhurdlestojumpforthattohappen:asidefrombeinghometovariouskindsofnasty,dangerousPokémonlurkingbeneaththesands,therewerealsoancientruinsfromlongagothatcontainedwhoknowswhathorrors,andasidefromthatwasthecommonoccurrenceofsandstorms.Eitherway,walkingthroughthedesertdidn'tsoundtheleastbitlikesomethingtolookforwardto.Butatleastwe'dgetaglimpseofthegrasslandsbeforethelandscapebecamenothingbutsand.
"Nothavingacarsucks..."Icouldn'thelpbutcommentasthesoundoftrafficfromthehighwayleadingoutofCasteliareachedwherewewerewalking.
"Lookatitthisway:bytravelingthetrainer'spath,wecanworkonbothourgoals.Remember?Yourlist?Mytraining?"
Iblinkedandreachedintoapocketofmybagtopulloutthewrinkled,butreadablepieceofpaper.OnlyfivetypeshadchecksnexttothemfortheElectrictypeTiny,NormaltypePanaceaandEve,WatertypeShionandBug/PoisontypeMars,meaningIstillhadtofindatmost12morePokémon.AsifIdidn'thaveenoughtoworryaboutthesedays...
"Let'ssee...Thetypesyou'remissingareFire,Grass,Ice,Fighting,Ground,Flying,Psychic,Rock,Ghost,Dragon,Dark,andSteel.Ifwelookaroundhere,wemightfindaPokémonforyoutobondwith."Withthat,BlacksteppedofftheroadandbegantowalkthroughthebushesuntilIgrabbedhisarmandpulledmybrotherbacktowardsme."Hey!"
"No,no,no!Nodetours!We'regoingtoNimbasa,remember?"
"We'resupposedtobeonajourney,remember?"Blackshotback."Youwon'tcompletethatlistofyoursjuststickingtoastraightline,White.Yougottaexplore.Youwouldn'thaveMarsifyoudidn'texplorePinwheelForest."
"Thatwasn'texploring!Thatwasbeinglost!"
"Theysayaman'slostisanotherman'sfound."
"Whosaysthat?Noonesaysthat!Stoptryingtosoundalldeepandstuffwhenyoudon'tevenknowwhatyou'resaying!Just...look.TherearelotsofforestsandgrassyareasinUnova,butonlyonedesert.We'dprobablyfindlotsofPokémontherewehaven'tseenyet,"Itriedtosoundenthusiastic,butIreallycouldn't.Ihatedthethoughtoftravelingthroughahotdesert,butI'dhatetohavearepeatofwhathappenedinPinwheelForestevenmore...intheory,atleast.
"Hmmm...Iguessyou'reright.ThedesertmighthaveFiretypePokémon,andGroundandRocktypes,too!AccordingtothePokédex,DarumakaandDarmanitanlivethereaswell.
Andthus,forseveralminutes,wewoundupwanderingdowntheroadleadingthroughthegrasslands,tryingtotakeourmindofftheheat.Occasionally,wewouldrunacrosstrainersalsotravelingdowntheroadandbechallengedtobattles,andunlikeinthepast,IfoundmyselfacceptingthemwithasmuchfervorasBlackwould...well,maybehalfhisfervor.WhetherIwonorlost,gainingexperiencebybattlingotherswasalsokeytogettingstrongerandessentiallybecomingabettertrainer...butthatdidn'tmeanIdidn'twannawin.
"I'mnotmad.Thefutureisn'tsetinstone,"saidtheshort-hairedgirlinpurplewhoclaimedtobepsychicasshereturnedherunconsciousMunnaintoitsball.
"Oh.Well.That'spositiveofyou,"Icommented,expectingsomedenialfromsomeonewhomadeaso-calledpredictionofthefuture.
"Agoodpsychicknowsthatonlyatrulypowerfulforceiscapableofchangingtheirvision."
"Hey,youhearthat,White?You'reapowerfulforce!"saidBlack.
"Um,thanks?"Ispokewarily.
"Asagift,I'llpredictyourfutureforyou,"thepsychicspokecoollywithclosedeyes."Ipredict...thatyouwillbegoingsomewherewithalotofsandsoon."
"...We'rewalkinginthedirectionofthedesert,"Ispokeflatly."Thereisasignrighttherethatsaysso."InoddedmyheadinthedirectionofawoodensignnexttouspromotingthefutureDesertResort.
"Itisn'tthedesert!Itis...ruins!"
"Ruins?"BlackandIaskedatthesametime.Isoundedflat,butBlacksoundedintrigued.
"Yes,ruins!Whereyouwillfindsomethingmostvaluablethatyou'lltreasurefortherestofyourlife!...Andthat'sthat.Mayyourjourneybefruitful!"Theso-calledpsychicsaidherfarewellsbeforewalkingbackinthedirectionwecame.
"Canyoubelievethat?Shereallystuckwiththoseclaimsofbeingapsychictotheend,"IsaidbeforeIcontinuedwalking.Blackbegantofollowsecondslater.
"Youneverknow!Humanpsychicsdoexist,soshemightactuallyhavepsychicpowers!"SaidBlack.
"Shesawthesignandmadeaguess.That'sall.Someso-calledpsychicsarejustpeopleexploitingtheirPsychictypePokémon'sabilitiesorusingfancytrickstolookcool."
"Andwhere'dyougetthatbitofinfo?Ah,whatever.Beskepticalifyouwant.NowI'mexcitedforwhat'swaitingforusupahead!"
Webothstoppedwalkingtolookoutbeforeus.Thegrasslandsendedastheroadbegantogodownhillintoavalley.AtthebottomwaswhatIguesscouldbeconsideredthebeginningoftheResortDesert,andfromourvantagepoint,itlookedlikethedesertsandsstretchedformilesandmiles.Thetrainerroadwithitsblack
asphaltandthewhitehighwayroadsfullofcarsstuckoutlikesorethumbs.IjustgaveBlackanunenthusedlookbeforewecontinueddowntheroadwiththesunbeatingdownonus.However,everyfewseconds,Blackwouldstopandlookoutintothedistance.Eventually,Igotcuriousandstoppedwalkingtostarebackathim.
"Black.Whatareyoudoing?"
"I'mlookingforPokémon,"heanswered,squintinghiseyesandstickingouthistongueinconcentration.
"Can'tyoudothatwhilewalking?I'mfryinghere!"Icomplained.
"ButIdon'twannamissseeingsomethingcool!"
"BLACK!"Isnapped.
Atthatmoment,somethingegg-shapedandbrightredjumpedupoutofthesandneartheroad,makingmejumpbackandBlackyelpinsurprise.Ithadasmallorangeface,curlyyelloweyebrows,andthreeyellowovalsonitstorso.Apairofarmsandlegssuddenlypoppedoutofitssidesbeforeitseyesopenedandstaredrightatusexpectantly.
"Humans...Aha!"Thelittleroundthingbegantosmile,showingteeththatwerelargeandsuspiciouslywhiteforsomethinghidinginthesand."Today'sthedayIevolve!"Itexclaimed,hoppingfromfoottofootenergetically.
"White!It'saDarumaka!"BlackexclaimedashescannedthePokémonwithhisPokédex."TheZenCharmPokémon.Whenitsinternalfireisburning,itcan'tcalmdownandrunsaround.Whenthefiregoesdownto1,100degreesFahrenheit,itpullsitslimbsintoitsbodyandfallsasleep.Darumakadroppingsarehot,sopeopleusedtoputthemintheirclothestokeepwarm."Black'seyeslitupandhisfaceresembledoneofawe."Ihavetocatchit...!"
"Ifyouwantsomethingtowarmyouatnight,askMomtobuyyousomeelectricunderwearoffofahomeshoppingnetwork,"Isaidwithafrown.
"It'saFiretype!It'sgoodagainstBugandGrasstypes,aswellasIceandSteeltypes,whichwe'llprobablymeetdowntheline.Plus,it'shandytohaveaPokémonwhocanmakefiresaround!Nomorefiddlingaroundwithmatches!"
Thewindpickedupandsandbegantofly.Iheldahandinfrontofmyfacetokeepsandfromgettingintomyeyes."Black,youcan'tseriouslythinkaboutdoingthisnow!"
Toolate.HewastakingoutaPokéBallandreleasingKaito."Readyforbatt"OWWW!Whattheheck,Black?!Why'dyouthrowdirtinmyeyes?!"TheDewottexclaimed.
"Sorry,Kaito!There'sabitofasandstormgoingon!"Blackapologized."Butwe'vegotapotentialnewteammateinfrontofus,solet'sdoourbest!"
"Ugh...!Fine!"Kaitoagreed."Youbetterbeworththispain,buddy!"
"Kaito,useRazorShell!"Blackcommanded.HisPokémonjumpedattheDarumaka,drawinghisscalchopsintheprocess.HeslicedattheFiretypeinanXpattern,buttheDarumakahoppedbackplayfully,avoidinghisattack.ItretaliatedbyjumpingontoKaitoandbitingdownhardonhisarm,flamesspurtingoutofitsmouthintheprocess.KaitoscreamedoutinpainandgrabbedholdoftheDarumaka,tryingtopryitoffofhim."Whileit'sclose,useRazorShellagain!"TheDewottslashedtheFiretypeacrossitsbackwithhisfreehand,makingtheDarumakaletgoofhisarmandscamperback."Youokay?"
Kaitowincedandhelduphisarmtolookatthespotwherehewasbitten."Itreallyhurts...!"Theskinaroundthebitemarklookedburnt,whichmademeshudderatthethoughtofhavingthesamedonetome.AndBlackstillwantedthatthingtotravelwithhim?
"Itlookslikethatmoveburnedyou.Staystrong!"BlackcheeredhisPokémonon."UseFocusEnergy!"Anorange-coloredauraroseupfromKaitojustastheDarumakabegantohopfromfoottofootexcitedly.Onceitstopped,Darumakasuddenlylauncheditselfforwardheadfirst.Kaitosidesteppedtheattackandinstead,itwoundupcrashingintomeandsendingusbothfallingontotheasphalt.Myreactionwastotallyjustifiable.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!GETITOFF,GETITOFF,GETITOFF!"IscreamedloudlyasIflailedaboutontheroad.Irefusedtolook,butIcouldfeeltheheatcomingoffoftheDarumaka'sbodyanditsgrubbylittlehandsasitclenchedmyshirt."IT'SGONNAEATMEWHILEIT'SROASTINGMEEEEE!"Isobbed.
Atthatpoint,IheardanoiselikeaPokéBallopeningandinaburstoflight,Tinypoppedupinfrontofmyeyes."White!Areyouokay?Isthatthinghurtingyou?"
"YES!"Obviously!"Getridofit!GETRIDOFIT!"ThePikachu'scheekscrackledwithelectricityashefrownedinanger.Heunleashedajoltofelectricitythat,fortunately,onlystruckthePokémononme.Ifeltitstopmoving,butIwasstilltoofrightenedtomove.
"Uhhh...Oh!Now'smychance!"saidBlack.Inseconds,Ifelttheweightontopofmelessen,followedbysomethingrollingoffofmystomachandlandedontheroadwithaclatter.Lookingdown,IsawitwasabluePokéBallwithredstripes.Theballshookafewtimesbeforeitburstopen,revealingtheinjuredDarumaka.Ratherthantryingtoattackonceagain,itranoffontothesandanddugitswaydown,hopefullyfarawayfromus."Aw,itgotaway!AndthatwasaGreatBall,too...!"
"Yeah,that'sterrible.Meanwhile,I'minpainhere...!"Kaitoexclaimed.
IsatupandslowlyregainedmysensesasBlackbeganusingaburnhealonKaito'swoundbeforesprayingonsomepotion.HethenwalkedovertometopickuptheremainsofhisPokéBall,andthatwaswhenIstruckhimintheleg."Ow!What"?"Stillsittingontheroad,Igrabbedhimandpulledhimdowntomyleveltostartsmackinghim."Whatareyoudoing?!"
"IjustgotattackedandyoubotheredtotryandcatchthatstupidPokémonbeforeyoutriedtohelpme!Imight'vebrokenmybonesfromthatthing!"IshoutedintoBlack'sbeforeImanagedtowrestlehimtotheground.
"You'reobviouslynotifyou'reabletodothis!"
WefoughtuntilIbecametootiredtokeepgoing.Webothgotontoourfeet,mefrowningwithmyarmsfoldedacrossmychestandTinystandingnexttomyfeet,wonderingwhatjusthappenedandBlackcheckingouthisPokédex.Atthatmoment,anunfamiliarvoicecalledout,"Well,well!Ididn'tthinkI'drunintosuchlivelyyoungpeopleouthere!"BlackandIturnedourheadsinthedirectionoftheunfamiliarvoice."AndwithPokédexes,too!Whatastrokeofluck!"saidthebeardedoldermanapproachingus.Hehadfadedbrownhairandworeayellowshirtwithbrownpantsandsoft-toedbrownshoes"hardlysomethingapersonshouldbewearingonatripthroughthedesert.ThemanapproacheduswithasmileandlookeddownatourPokémon."ADewott!IsupposeyougotthatwithyourPokédex.Itlookslikeit'sbeentrainedstrong!AndifI'mnotmistaken...that'saPikachu!I'veneverseenonebeforeintheflesh,butIcanseethesimilaritiesbetweenitandEmolga:theelectricsacsthatgenerateitselectricity,thesmallbodiesmademoreforspeedthanphysicalenduranceandstrength...andbythetail,it'samale,isn'tit?"
BlackandIstaredatthemaninconfusionbeforemybrotherspokeup,"Um...thanks,mister.Whoareyou?"AndwhyaresointerestedinourPokémon,youweirdo?
Theoldmansmiledsheepishlyandbowedhishead."DidIforgettointroducemyself?Sorry,sorry!It'sjustbeenawhilesinceI'veseenatrainerauthorizedto
carryaPokédex,letalonetwo.I'mProfessorJuniper!It'sapleasuretomeetyou!"
Webothlookedateachotherbeforelookingatthemanbeforesayingtogether,"No,you'renot."
"Hm?OfcourseIam!"
"Idunnowhoyouare,butProfessorJuniperisyoung.Andawoman,"saidBlack.
"...Oh!Ofcourse!You'retalkingaboutmydaughterAurea,aren'tyou?Ofcourseyouare!"Themanlaughed."Letmetryagain:I'mProfessorCedricJuniper.TheProfessorJuniperwhogaveyouthosePokédexesismydaughter,AureaJuniper.YoucanjustcallmeMr.Junipertoavoidtheconfusion."
"Noway!"BlackandIspokeatthesametimeonceagain.
"NowthatIthinkaboutit..."Blacklookedatme."We'veseenhimbefore,haven'twe?"
"Hm?Um...oh!Whenwewerekids!HehostedthateducationalTVshowthattaughtkidsaboutPokémon.Thesedays,ProfessorJuniper"ourJuniperistheonehostingthoseepisodesnow."
"Oh,nicetoseeyouknowofme!"Mr.Junipersaidwithasmile.
"Whatareyoudoinghereinthedesert,Mr.Juniper?Areyou,like,exploringtheruinstheyhavehereinthedesert?"Blackaskedwithasmile.
"IndeedIam."
"Ididn'tthinkaPokémonProfessorwouldcareforhistoryandstuff."
"HistoryisquiteimportantwhenitcomestounderstandingPokémon,butthatsortofthingfallsmoreinlinewithwhatmydaughterspecializesin:theoriginsofindividualPokémonspecies.I,however,ammoreinterestedinPokémonbiologyanddistribution.I'mhereintheResortDesertfortheformerfield,though."
"Soyou'restudyingdesertPokémonbiology?"Iaskedwithanarchedeyebrow."Youdon'tlookdressedforit."
"I'monlylookingforonePokémoninparticular:Yamask."
Igulped."Y-Yamask?!BornfromspiritsofhumanbeingsYamask?CriesinacreepywaywhenitlooksatitsmaskYamask?Evolvesintoagiant,creepy,four-armed
ghostcoffinYamask?Isn'tthatalittledangerous?!"
Mr.Juniperlaughedandsmiled."Ofcourseitis!"That'snotwhatyou'resupposedtosayafterthatreaction!"However,evenifI'mnolongertheregionalrepresentativeforUnova'sPokémonProfessors,I'mstillaPokémonProfessormyself!"
"DoyouatleasthaveaPokémontodefendyourself?"
Mr.Junipersmiledandlaughedoncemore."Nope!Well,Ihaveafew,butI'mnogoodatbattling.Insteadtheyhelpmeoutinotherways.ButifIgetintotroublewithwildPokémon,Icanalwaysusethese!"HereachedintothebaghewascarryingandpulledoutasmallplushdollthatresembledaPikachu.
"Huh?What'sthat?"Tinyasked,staringatthedollinconfusion.
"AnotherPikachu?"Kaitoasked,alsostaring.
ThetwoPokémon'sattentionfollowedthedollastheprofessormoveditleftandright."PeopleusePokéDollslikethistodistractPokémonandrunaway.IfIrunintoanythingIcan'thandle,I'lljusttossoneoftheseoutandescape!"
"Uh-huh...Excuseusforasec,Professor."IgrabbedBlack'sarmandpulledhimaside."I'mnotsureifit'sagoodideatolethimgoofflikethat,"Iwhispered.
"Yeah,television'staughtmethatPokéDollsdon'talwaysworkinreallifeagainstparticularlypersistentPokémon...ButheisaPokémonprofessorwho'sprobablydonethisthingbefore."
"Andhe'salsoProfessorJuniper'sdad.I'dfeelbadifsomethinghappenedtohimbecausewelethimgooffintoalife-threateningsituationalone."
Blacknodded."You'reright,White.Iknowwhatwe'vegottodo."HeturnedaroundandapproachedMr.Juniper."Mr.Juniper!We'dliketogowithyouandhelpyououtwithyourresearch!"Wait,what?!Imeantconvincinghimnottogoatall,notgoingalongwithhimtocertaindoom!
"Hmmm...Areyousureitwouldn'tbetoomuchtrouble?"TheprofessoraskedasheputthePikachudollaway"toKaitoandTiny'sdisappointment.
"It'scool.We'rejustgoingtoNimbasatochallengethegymthere"andwecandothatanytime.Besides,it'llbefuntoseeaPokémonprofessorworkinthefield!"
Mr.Juniperlaughed."Okaythen!Welcomeaboard,temporaryassistants,uh...I'm
sorry.Ididn'tgetyournamesyet."
"I'mBlackKetchumandthisismysisterWhite."Igaveanunenthusiasticwavetotheolderman.
"BlackandWhite...Thosenamessoundfamiliar."There'safirst.Someonewhodidn'tcallournamesinterestingorweird."Anyway!Let'sdoourbestforthesakeofscience!"Thesakeofscienceisn'tworthmylife.
X-X-X
Afterthatpoint,wewoundupleavingthesecurityoftheasphaltroadforwhateverlurkedunderthesand.Mr.Junipersaidthattherewasnothingtoworryaboutsolongaswedidn'twanderintothedeepsandwherePokémoncouldeasilyhide,whiletheshallowsandlightlycoveredsolidrock.Butthatdidnothingtocalmme.Pokémoncouldalwaysdecidetocomeontotheshallowsand,andweren'ttherePokémonwhocoulddigthroughrockwithease?Forallweknew,theearthcouldopenupandwe'dlandinadenofSandilesorsomething!
"Hey,White."Black,however,wasenthusiastic.WheneveranewwildPokémonpoppedup,he'dscanitwithhisPokédex,andifitwantedtopickafight,he'deagerlybattleituntilitwasscaredaway.Rightnow,hewaspointingupatsomethingflyingaboutinthesky."Whatdoyouthinkthatthingis?"
Ilookedupandsquintedmyeyes.WhateverthatPokémonwas,itwasveryhighup,andwiththebrightsuninmyeyes,Icouldonlymakeoutthatithadwings."Idunno.ABraviary?OraMandibuzz?Somethingthatwantstopluckthefleshfromourbonesassoonaswedropdeadfromexhaustion...?"
"Can'tbe.It'stoocolorfultobeeitherofthem..."Blacksquintedhiseyes."Itlookslikeabrightcolor...Yellow...?"HetriedtoscanitwithhisPokédex,butanoiseitmadesignifiedanerror."Aw,it'stoofarawayforthePokédextoscan!"
Asifansweringtoacue,aharshwindbeginstoblow,kickingupsandandmakingallofuscoveroureyes."Intruders!TurnawaynoworIshalldisposeofyouwithbruteforce!"Adistortedvoicespokefromabove.Ilookedupandcouldn'thelpbutshriekatthesightofwhatfloatedaboveus.Itstorsowassphere-shapedwithapairofbrightblueeyesonitthatstaredblanklyatusandablackobtrusionstickingofthatspherethathadasingleblueeye.Ithadfork-shapedhand-likeappendages,andwhatlookedlikeabird'swingsandtail.Itsbodywasbrightlycoloredwithyellow,blue,red,black,whiteandgreen.Itdidn'treallylooklikealivingcreatureandmorelikesomethingapersonwouldseeinadrawing...orahorrormovie.
"ASigilyph!Whatgoodluck!"Mr.Juniperexclaimed.
"Goodluck?!Thisthing'sthreateningtousebruteforce!LastIchecked,thatwasbad!"Iexclaimed,onlytogetalookofconfusionfromtheolderman.
"Sigilyph,theAvianoidPokémon.They'retheguardiansofancientcitieswhousetheirpsychicpowertoattackthosewhoinvadetheterritorythattheyprotect.Theyneverchangetheroutethattheyfly,eveniftheplacetheyprotectislonggone,becausetheirmemoriesremainsteadfast,"BlackreadfromhisPokédex.Hisexpressionbrightened."Ohhh,Igetit!Ifthere'saSigilypharound,thatmeansthere'salsoaruin,too,right?"
"AndpossiblyYamask!"Mr.Juniperadded.
"Wonderful.Andisitgoingtotelluswheretheplaceisafterittearsustobitswithitspsychicpowers?!"Isnapped.
"Ofcoursenot.Sigilyphwouldneverdoanythingthatwouldharmtheplaceunderitsprotection,whetherornotitanditspeoplestillexisted."
Igavetheprofessorahalf-liddedstare."Well,Iguessit'llsadlyjustdothelatter."
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?!It'spart-Flyingandyou'vegotanElectrictype!"BlackexclaimedashetookoutaPokéBall."AndIcanalwayscountonValentine!"
Inaflashoflight,hisTranquillappearedinfrontofhimandbegantostareattheSigilyphinconfusion."What...isthat?"Sheasked,takingafewstepsback.
TheSigilyphbegantoglowwithabrightblueaurabeforeflappingitsflimsy-lookingwings.Eachflapreleasedcrescentbladesofbluishwhiteenergyrightatus.
"Valentine,useAirCuttertoblock!"Valentineglowedaswellbeforeflappingherwingsandreleasingcrescentenergybladesofherown.Valentine'sbladesmadeimpactwiththeSigilyph'sandtheybothmeldeduntiltheybecameaharmlessbreeze."Alright!UseReturn!"TheTranquillbegantoglowapalewhitebeforedartingintotheairandtacklingtheSigilyphwithgreatforce.ThePsychictypeactuallyfalteredintheairabitfromtheattack.
"Ah,Return!It'sstrongerthemoretheuserlikesitstrainer.DidyouteachthattoyourTranquill?"Mr.Juniperasked.
"Yeah,fromaTM!"Blackexplained."IfiguredIshouldteachittoherbecauseofthetype,butIdidn'tfigureitwassostrong!"
"ThatgoestoshowhowmuchyourPokémonlikesyou!"
"Hey!We'vegotaprobleminfrontofusthat'sstillconscious!"Isnapped,drawingthembothbackintoreality.
"Thenhelp!"
IdugintomybagforTiny'sballandreleasedhim.AtthesightoftheSigilyph,hestaredatinconfusion,tiltinghisheadslightlyasifthatwouldhelphimcomprehendthesightofthething."Whatisthat...?"
"Abadthing!UseThunderShockonit!"Iexclaimed.
"ThunderShock?No,wait"!"Mr.JuniperwasinterruptedasTinybegantocracklewithelectricityandunleashedaboltofelectricity.TheSigilyphbegantoglowoncemoreandawallofenergyformedinfrontofit."ItmightknowabarriermovelikeLightScreenorReflect..."Thespaceinfrontofitrippledasitflappeditswings,thenitbegantocracklewithelectricity.
"ItcanlearnElectric-typemoves?!"Iscreamed.
"Yes.Butinthiscase,itusedMirrorMove,whichcanusethelastmoveusedagainstitonus!"
Atthatpoint,theSigilyphfiredafewjoltsofelectricityinValentine'sdirection.However,theelectricitywasdrawntowardsTiny,whosetailwasuprightintheair,andwasabsorbedintohisbody.
"Okay!Electrictypemovesaren'tsobadinthisinstance!"Mr.JunipersaidwitharelievedexpressionbeforetheSigilyphturneditssightsonTinyandlaunchedwindbladesatthePikachu.ItrippedasItriedtogetoutofthewayandTinygothit.Thebladesdidn'tdoanyseriousdamage,though.
"MaybeLightScreencanonlyprotectitfromonesideoronemoveatatime.YouhaveTinyattackfromthefrontandI'llhaveValentineattackfromtheback!"Blacksuggested.
"Okay."
"Valentine!UseQuickAttacktoavoiditsattackandattackitfrombehindonmycommand!"
"Tiny!Chargeupandwaitformycommandtoattack!"
ThePikachubegantochargeelectricitywhileValentinedistractedtheSigilyph.ThePsychictypebegantofiremulticoloredbeamsofenergyfromitsuppereye.Valentinegracefullyandquicklydodgedtheattacks,drawingawaytheSigilyph'sattentiontotherestofus.
"UseThunderShock!"Iexclaimed.TinyfiredajoltofelectricityattheSigilyphwhileitwasinthemiddleofchargingupanotherbeamattack.Itdidn'tformabarrier,though,sotheattackwasn'tblocked.Theshockstoppeditandmadeitfalterintheair.
"ForgetQuickAttack!UseReturntoknockitdown!"Blackcommanded.HisTranquillshonewithawhiteaurabeforechargingintotheSigilyphfromabove.WeallhadtorunoutofthewaytoavoidbeinghitbythefallingPokémon,butthemomentitmadeimpactwiththeground,thesandbegantosink."Whoa!What'sgoingon?!"
"Itwouldappearthatwe'vemanagedtoformaholewiththeforceofthatattack,"Mr.Juniperexplained."Quickly,let'sclimboutbeforewewindupfallingdownthere!"
Soweclimbedoutoftheforminghole,steppingbackcautiouslyuntilitstoppedgrowinginsizeandadecentlysizedholehadformed.Insideofthehole,IcouldseeawingoftheSigilyph,whoappearedtobepartiallyburiedbeneathamoundofthesandthathadfelldownthere,butthatwastheonlyspotwherelightshonedown.Everythingelsedowntherewasdark.
"Well,Ithinkwe'veeitherfoundruinsoranundergroundcave.Wecan'tbesureuntilwegodownthere,"saidMr.Juniper."Ofcourse,we'llneedsomethingtoseedownthere."
"Oh!"BlacklookedasifhehadanideathemomentValentinelandedonhisshoulder.HescroungedthroughhisbagandtookouttheTechnicalMachinefrominside."Ijustremembered:oneoftheTMswehaveteachesFlash!"Helookedatme."Rememberwhenwewerekids?TherewasablackoutandDadhadhisPikachuuseFlashtolightupthehouseuntilthepowercamebackon."Ididrememberthat,ifonlybecausetheblackouthappenedwhilewewerewatchingsomegoofyscarymovie.
"Whatabrightidea,Black!Nopunintended..."
"HowaboutweteachittoTiny?"
IlookeddownatTiny,wholookedbetweenbothofusinconfusion."Iguessthatwouldbesmart..."IbentdownandtookoutTiny'sPokéBall."Ineedyoutogetinyourballforafewsecondssowecanteachyouanewmove.Don'tcomeoutuntilI
tellyouto."ThePikachulookedmildlyupsetaboutgoingbackintohisball,buthestilldidso.IhandedBlacktheball."Youknowhowtooperatethatthingbetterthanme,soI'llleaveittoyou."
"Oh,it'seasy!First,youputtheballintothisslothere...thenyouusethesebuttonsheretochoosethemoveyouwant...andthisoneheretoconfirmthatyouwanttoteachthemove.Thenallwehavetodoiswaitafewseconds..."Afterperformingtheinstructionshetalkedabout,theTMmadeanoiselikeoneofcheerfulsuccess."AndnowTinyknowsFlash!"Blackhandedbackmyball."Tryitnowtoseeifitworks."
IreleasedTinyfromhisball."Alldone!Feelanydifferent?"
"Nuh-uh,"thePikachusaidasheshookhishead.
"Well...tryanduseFlashtoseeifitworked.Doyou...knowhowtouseitor"?"BeforeIfinishedasking,Tinyputonafaceofconcentrationbeforehisbodysuddenlygaveoffablindinglybrightlight."AHH!Can'tsee!Can'tsee!"
"Yup.Itworked,"saidBlack.
ThelightdecreasedinintensityandIcouldfinallyseewhatTinylookedlike.Itdidn'tlookverypronouncedinthesunlight,butIcouldkindaseethelightencirclingthePikachu."Alright,itworks.But,uh...canwegodowntherewhilethatSigilyphis?"
"It'sunconsciousrightnow,andsolongaswearen'tinitssightswhenitregainsconsciousness,it'llgobacktotravelingalongitsdesignatedroute,"Mr.Juniperexplained."Fornow,let'sfocusonwhat'sinsideofthere."Hetraveledalongthesideoftheholeuntilhecametoaspotwherethesandhadpiledupenoughtoatleastmakeourwaydown.
Blacklookedatmeandgesturedtothehole."LadiesandglowingPokémonfirst."
"Soyou'rechivalrouswhenyou'resendingmedowntomydoom,butnotwhenI'mbeingattackedbywildPokémon?"IaskedasIbegantomakemywaydownwithTinybesidemeandmybrotherbehindme.
X-X-X
Aftermakingourwayintothehole,wefoundourselveswalkingthroughapath.Thewallsandfloorweremadeofstoneblocksthatweremanmade,butnothingfancy.Icouldn'thelpbutwonderwhatthepathledto:somehorribleboobytraplikeinamovie?Aroomfulloftreasure?Maybenothingbutadeadend.ThelightshiningoffofTinydidn'tletusseeveryfarahead,soit'dhavetobesmackdabinfrontofour
facesbeforewe'dnotice.ButMr.JuniperwasonlyfocusedonfindingaYamask.Wewentseveralminuteswithoutanythinghappeningbeforewefinallymadeitintoawiderarea.
"Hey,aroom!Finally!"BlackproclaimedexactlywhatIwasthinking."Alright,Mr.Juniper.Whatshouldwedofirst?Checkforboobytrapsorsomething?"
"Actually,allwehavetodoisbequietandlisten.SometimesYamaskcanbeheardcryingastheylookattheirmasks.Ifwehearcryingdownhere,it'slikelyaYamask,"theprofessorexplained.
"Isee..."
Weallbecamequietandstrainedourearsforsomekindofcry.Westayedlikethatforaminutebefore..."YAH!"
"AH!"Ijumpedbackandbegantolookfranticallyatthedarkplaces."Wh-whereisit?!IheardaYamask!"
"White...thatwasyourPikachu,"Mr.Juniperspokewithaslightchuckle.
IfeltmycheeksheatupfromembarrassmentbeforeIlookedatthePikachu,whowasstandinginfrontofus."Tiny!Howcouldyouscaremelikethat?!"
"Sorry!ButIbumpedintosomethingscary-looking..."Tinyspoketimidly.ItwasthenthatInoticedwhathewastalkingabout.Someweird-lookingstatuesthatwithroundbodies,handsandfeetweremadeofstone,andpointedheads.Theywerejuststandinginthemiddleoftheroomandlookingkindofcreepypartiallyobscuredbythedarkness.
"Arethose...?"Mr.Juniperbegan.
Justthen,ablindinglightcamefromthestatues.Oncethelightdimmed,wewereabletoseethebrightyellowlightsshiningoutfromtheholestheirarmsandlegscameoutof,aswellastheirmisshapeneyes.ItwasthenthatInoticedsomethingprettydisturbing.
"They're...!Theystatuesaremoving...!"IsqueakedinfearasIbegantohidebehindBlack."T-Tiny!Getawayfromthere!"ThePikachusteppedback,butthestatuessteppedforwardatthesame.TheoneclosesttohimlungedforwardandpunchedTinywithenoughforcetosendhimflyingback,disablingthelightfromhisFlashintheprocessandmakingtheonlylightintheroomcomefromthem.ImadeacryatsuchahighpitchIprobablysoundedlikeaWoobatindistress.
"Aha!TheseareanimatedGolett!Oftentimes,it'shardtotellaplainoldstatuefromoneofthemwhenthey'reatrest,"theprofessorexplained.
"GolettisaGround/Ghosttype,theAutomatonPokémon.Fashionedfromclay,theyarethoughttohavebeenmadebythescienceofanancientandmysteriouscivilizationthousandsofyearsago.TheenergyinsideofaGolettenablesittomove,butthisenergyhastobeidentified,"BlackreadfromhisPokédex.Howcouldheevenseewhatitsaidinthisdarkness?
"Science,mybutt!It'spartGhost!Theyprobablydidsomeevilritualandsealedsomepoorsoulsintheretokillpeople!"Icried.
"Well,you'rerightaboutthekillingpeoplepart,atleast,"Mr.Juniperspoke,slowlymovingback.
"Confirmingitdoesn'thelp!"
JustasTinyrecoveredfromthepunchandbegantogeneratelightoncemore,BlacktookouttwoPokéBallsandsentouthisDewott"Kaito,hisnewlyevolvedSwadloon"Felix,andhisEevee"Edwin."Felix,tiethemupwithStringShot!"FelixspatoutalargeamountofstickysilkontotheGoletts,preoccupyingthemwithtryingtogetout.Blackthenlookedoverhisshoulderatme."Hey!Getaholdofyourself!Whateverhappenedtowantingtobestronger?!You'renotgonnagetstrongifyoukeephidingbehindmeallthetime!"
Istiffenedathiswordsforafewseconds."ButI...IHATEGHOSTS!"
"So?!Proveyou'restrongandstanduptoyourfears!"Heshoutedashegrabbedmyarmandforcedmetostandnexttohim.
Igulpedandtookoutapairofballs."Tiny,comebackherewhereit'ssafe!"HeonlyknewNormal-andElectric-typeattacks,whichwouldn'tdoanythingagainstsomethingbothGhostandGround.Ionlyhadtwowhoseattackswouldcomeclosetobeingeffective."Go,ShionandEve!"TheDewottandEeveeappearednexttoBlack'sPokémon.
"Hey!Wheretheheckarewe?!Thisisreallycreep..."EvetrailedoffwhenshenoticedtheGolettsandshrieked."KYAAAH!What'rethose?!"
"K-Keepcalm!That'stheonlywaywecansurvive!"
"Survive?!Isthisascarymovie?!"TheEeveecontinuedtofreakout.
"Therecertainlyisacreepyatmosphere,"Edwincommented,neitherampedupforafightnorfreakedoutbythesurroundings.
"Justcalmdown.Whitewon'tletusdown!"Shiontriedtoassureher.
"Easyforyoutosay,MissI-Evolved-Yesterday...!"Evewhimpered.
Blacklookedatme."YoufocusonthetwototherightandI'llfocusonthethreetotheleft."
"R-right...!I'll...Shion,useWaterGun!"Icommandedinashakyvoice.ShiontookadeepbreathandsprayedaburstofwaterontooneoftheGolett.TheonefacingEvethrewapunchthatfiredatransparentblackfistather,butitdidnothingwhenitmadeimpact."ThatonemustbeaGhost-typemove!TaketheopeninganduseBite,Eve!"
"Roger!"EveexclaimedbeforesheranforwardandpouncedontotheGolettjustasitmadetopunchheragain.ShelandedontheGhosttype'sarmandbitdownhard.Despitebeingmadeofclay,herattackcausedtheGolettpainandmadeitshakeitsarmtotryandgetheroff.Eveletgoandlandedontheground,spittingasshedid."Ittasteslikedirt!"Whileshewasspitting,theGolettrecoveredandraisedafist."Ha!Thatwon'thurt"!"Thistime,itsfistdidn'tfireanythingandhegaveEveandhardpunchthatsentherflyingback."MEEEE!"Shelandedonherback,seeminglydazed."Thatactually...hurt..."
"Becareful!SomeGoletthavetheabilityIronFist,whichmakestheirpunchesstronger!"Mr.Juniperinformedusfromsafelybehindthetwoofus.
"Seriously?!That'ssocool!"Blackexclaimed.
Atthatmoment,ShionwasstruckbyaGolett'spunchandlandednexttoEve."Notreally!"Ishotback."Areyouguysalright?"BothPokémongotontheirfeetandnodded."Okaythen.Eve,distractthemwithTailWhip!"TheEeveeturnedaroundandbegantoshakehertailcutelyattheGolett.Theyfrozeandfocusedonher,seeminglyentranced."Now,Shion!FocusEnergy!"TheGolettcontinuedtostareatEveinatranceasShionglowedwithanorangeaura."AndnowuseWaterGun!"TheDewotttookadeepbreathbeforesprayingoutwateratbothoftheGolettatthesametime.Butatthelastsecond,theirbodiesshimmeredandtookonametallicappearance."Wh-what?!"Unlikethelasttime,thewaterdidn'tappeartofazethem.
"It'sIronDefense!Theycanmaketheirbodiestakeonthepropertiesofsteelforashortwhile!That'ssocool...!"BlackcontinuedgushingovertheGolett.
"Steeltypesaren'tweakagainstWatertypeattacks,buttheyaren'tresilient,either!"Mr.Juniperadded.
"Soit'llstilldamageit,butjustnotasmuch.Whichmeansweshouldprobablyattackwhentheyaren'tusingIronDefense."Justthen,theGolettsIwasfacingpulledintheirarms,legsandheadsandrolledforward."TheyhaveRollout,too?!"ShionjumpedupintotheairtoavoidbeingattackedwhileEveranaroundtryingtoevadeitsattack."Shion,useWaterGun,quick!"IshoutedasoneoftheGolettscamebarrelingtowardsme.Iclosedmyeyes,bracingtobetackledforthesecondtimetoday,butopenedthemwhentheblownevercame.TheGolettlaidsprawledoutinfrontofme,soakingwetandnolongerglowingormoving.Shionlandednimbly."Alright!Nicejob!NowhelpEve!"
"Yes!Helpwouldbenice!"EvecriedasshecontinuedtorunaroundinacircledwiththerollingGolettonhertail.ShiontookadeepbreathandsprayedtheGolettwithwater.Itwoundupskiddingandrollingintoawallasaresult.
"NowuseBitetofinishitoff!"Withagrowl,EvejumpedontotheGolettandbitdownonhardonitsbody.Thelightitradiateddimmed,signifyingthatitwasknockedout.Igaveasighofreliefandslumpedover."Thankgoodnessthat'soverwith...!"
"So,howdidwedo?"ShionaskedassheandEveapproachedme.
"Reallygreat!Youlookedcooloutthere!"Tinypipedupbehindme.Ialmostforgothewasthere,despitehimshininglikealamp.
Ismiledweakly."Yeah.Youdeservetorest,"IsaidasIreturnedthembothintotheirballs.IlookedatBlack,whowasapparentlydonewithhisGoletts."Well...wedidit."
"Yup.We'vecleanedhouse."
"Hmm..."Mr.Juniperbegantolookaroundtheroom."Ican'treallytellwhatthey'resupposedtobeguarding,butitseemsthepathissupposedtogofurtherdown.However,it'sbeenblockedbysand,"hesaid,pointingatthemoundofsandthatblockedthewayleadingfurtherin."Golett,likeSigilyph,weremadetoprotectplacesbyancientcivilizations.I'msurewhateverishereisimportant,butIdon'tthinkthereareYamasksaroundhere."
"Doesthismeanwe'releaving?Pleaseletusbeleaving,"Ispokequickly.
"Yes,I'mafraidso."
"Areyousure,professor?WehavetheTMforDig,so""IpunchedBlackinthearm
toshuthimup."Ow!Iwasjustmakingasuggestion...!"
"No.Ithinkit'sbestifwegotoaplacewithasurefirechanceoffindingaYamask."Mr.Juniperlookatus."DoyoutwoknowabouttheRelicCastle?"
"Relicwhat?"Blackasked,soundingconfused.
"That'sthecastlethatwasunearthedsomewhereinthedesert,right?"Iasked."TheysaidonTVthatitmight'vebelongedtotheancientroyalfamilyofUnova"theonethattheHeroesofTruthandIdealsaredescendedfrom."Mybrotherwhistledinawe.
"WildPokémoninhabitthecastleinthepartswhereexcavatorsandarchaeologistshavefoundnothingofparticularnote,andthatincludesthePokémonYamaskandtheirevolvedform,Cofagrigus.Onecanassumethatpeopleeitherdiedorwereburiedinornearthecastle,andthat'swhytheyappearthere."Mr.Juniperputhishandsonhiships."ExploringtheRelicCastleissafersinceanypossiblethreatsandtrapshavebeenclearedout,soyoukidswon'tbeinanydanger."
"ExceptforthewildPokémon,"Iaddedflatly.
"ButfromwhatI'veseenfromyouboth,youcanhandleit.MydaughterwasrightwhenshethoughttogiveyouyourPokédexes.You'vegotrealtalentandpotential!"Theprofessorsaidwithasmile."Anyway,let'sgetoutofherebeforetheseGolettorthatSigilyphwakeupandattackagain..."
X-X-X
Minuteslater,wewereoutoftheholeandwalkinginthedirectionoftheRelicCastle,BlackandIfollowingbehindMr.Juniper.IlookedatBlackandlookeddownathisbag."Hey.CanIhavetheTMforalittlewhile?"
"Eh?YouwannateachyourPokémonsomenewmoves?"Blackaskedwithanarchedeyebrow.
"Yeah...IfigureI'llteachthemsomemoveswithdifferenttypestomakeupfornothavingPokémonofcertaintypes.AndI'dliketoteachPanaceaandEvesomemovesthatdon'trequirethemmakingphysicalcontactwiththeenemy,maybesomemovesfordefenseandstuff."
"Nowyou'rethinkinglikeabattle-mindedtrainer!Alright,I'llgiveittoyou.Butfirst..."BlackstoppedwalkingandtookoutaGreatBall."SayhellotothenewestmemberofTeamBlack!"Inaflashoflight,hereleasedaGolett,whostaredatmewithblank
yelloweyes.Ishriekedinsurpriseandjumpedback."C'mon,White!Don'tbescared!Givehimahandshakeatleast."
IglaredatBlack."Ican'tbelieveyou'dcatchoneofthosethingsaftertheytriedtokillus!"
"Hewasonlydoinghisjob,White!Besides,he'sfriendlynow!Golett,shakehands."TheGolettgrabbedmyhandandbegantoshakeithardandquickly.
Whathappenedasaresultissortofblurry,butthenextthingIknew,IwaswalkingbehindtheProfessorsearchingthroughthemoveoptionsontheTMwhileBlackwalkedbesidemewithadecently-sizedbruiseonhischeek.
X-X-X
Notes!
RuinManiacisatrainerclassthatappearedinalltheGen3andGen4gamesandORASaloneinGen6.
DarumakaonlylearnsDigviaTM"althoughthisonedidn'tuseitoffensively.TranquilllearnsReturnviaTM.PikachuandGolettlearnFlashviaTM70.
X-X-X
ReviewforthesakeofBluandPikachu!
Chapter20
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~HexManiacs~
"Ithink,"5-yearoldmebeganonenightatdinner,"ThatweshouldgototheRelicCastlethissummer!"
"RelicCastle?What'sthat?"Dadaskedbetweenspooningfoodintohismouth.
"It'sthisruinthey'vebeentalkingaboutonTV!"Blackexclaimedwithhismouthfulloffood."Like,it'sreallybigand...andstuff!"
"Black,don'ttalkwithyourmouthfull.It'sbadmanners,"saidMom."AndWhite,howfararetheseruins?"
"It'sinthedesert,"Ispokesimply,asifthedesertwasjustdowntheroadfromourtownupinthenorth.
"That'sthebestpart!'CuzthenwecouldseeallsortsofPokémonthatwedon'tseearoundhere!"Blackadded.
"Inthedesert?!Youwanttogointhedesertinthesummer?!That'stoomuchheat,White!YouandBlackhaven'tbeenexposedtosuchhightemperaturesbefore,andyourpoorfather"he'ddieofheatstroke!"
"...Idon'tthinkI'dgetheatstroke..."Dadmumbled.
"MypointisthatRoute4'sterribleifyouaren'tprepared"especiallyifthisplaceisway,wayofftheroadandwehavetowalkthere!No,we'renotgoingtoanydesertcastleinthesummer."
"But,Mom!It'sfunandeducational!"Iinsisted.
"It'salsohaunted!Youwannaknowwhatlurksaroundinruinslikethat?YamaskandCofagrigus!Anddoyouwannaknowwhattheydotoanynaïvechildrentheycomeacross?TheYamasktaketheirfacesandthentheCofagriguseatthem!"
Blackbrusheditoffwhatasnort.I,ontheotherhand,startedtocry."UWAAAAHHH!Okay,okay!Idon'twannagotothecastleagain!Idon'twannaseeghosts!"
Dadsighed."Doyouhavetodothat?Nowshe'sgonnabeupallnightwithnightmares..."
Momlaughednervously."Well,ifthere'satleastonekindofPokémonWhitedoesn'tlike,it'stheGhosttype!Now,now,stopgrabbingyourhairlikethat,White.It'sonlyaghoststory."
"I...don't...believeyou!"Icriedlikethatfortherestofthenight.
X-X-X
ItwasonlyafternighthadfallenthatwearrivedattheRelicCastle.Well,partofthecastle.Theonlypartthathadbeenexcavatedfromthesandwasatower,whicharchaeologistsandtouristsalikeusedasanentranceintothecastlesincetherereallywasnootherpath.TherestofthecastlewasburiedunderthesandoftheResortDesert.AlthoughMr.Juniperassuredusthatseveralplacesinsidehadbeencleared,noteveryplaceintherewasaccessibleatthemoment.Butifthetopofthetowerthatwasvisiblelookedlikeaminipalaceonitsown...Icould'veonlyimaginedwhatsizetheentireplacewas.
"Ican'tbelievethatI'mhereattheRelicCastleandIhavetowastetimelookingfordumboldYamask..."ImutteredasIstoodontheedgeoftheholecontainingtheRelicCastle'sexposedtower.Itwasn'tevenfearthatwasupsettingme,butsheerannoyanceatsuchamajorletdown.
"Don'tstart,White!Remember:bestrong!Toughitout!"Blackattemptedtomotivateme.
"Toughingitoutdoesn'tsaveyoufromthejawsofdeathinanencounterwithghosts,"Ispokeflatly.
"Ofcourseitcan!"
"No,itdoesn't!Stoptryingtobrightenupthissituation!"Nopunintended,sincebetweenourPikachuandGolettservingaslivingflashlightsandthelightsthathadbeensetupallaroundthehole"bytheworkersforsafety'ssake,Iguess"thearealookedfarbrighterthanitshould've.
"Now,now!Solongasweworktogether,noharmshouldcometoanyofus,"saidMr.Juniper.
"Well,inhorrormovies,itisthecharacterswhodon'tsticktogetherthatgetoffedfirst,"Blacksaidbeforeeyeingme.
"Don'tlookatmelikethat!I'mnotstupidlikethosesortsofcharacters!Iknowwhatkindofdangerwe'rein!"Isnapped.
Theprofessorclearedhisthroattogainourattention."Shallweheadinside?"
IlookeddownatthecastleaswestartedtofollowMr.Juniper."Isthereevenanyonedownhere?It'safterdark."
"IfIrecall,sincetheruinsareopentothepublicduringtheday,alotoftheexcavationtakesplaceduringthenightoronSundays.I'lljusthaveachatwithwhoever'sinchargetogiveuspermissiontogoaround."
"ItmustbenicetobeaPokémonprofessorandhavethatsortofclearance!"saidBlackaswewalkedpastwhatappearedtobeaticketboothanddownthemetallicbridgeintothetower.
"Well,itdoesn'tgetmeintotheswankiestparties,butinthenameofresearch,it'lldo."
Onceweenteredintothetower,Istartedtolookaroundcuriously.Itdidn'texactlylookimpressive,beingsomethingmadeofagedstonewithpilesofsandallovertheplaceandacoupleofholesinthewallsandceiling,butthelittlekidinmewasthrilledtobehere.Lightshadbeensetupinherejustasoutsidetobrightenuptheplace."Iwishwecamehereduringthedaysowecouldgoonatour.Thenmaybewecouldlearnsomethinginterestingaboutthisplace!"
"Doyourememberwhathappenedthelasttimewewentonatourgrouptoahistoricalsite,White?Irememberbeingbored,"saidBlack.
"That'sthenegativeyouchoosetorememberfromthelighthouseincident?Thetour?"Imuttered.Thenagain,we'realsohereatahistoricsitelookingfor,ofallthings,ghosts.Ourlucksofarwithhistoricalsitesseemstobereallybad...
"Goodevening!"Mr.Junipergreetedamanwearingahardwhowaspacingbackandforthinfrontofthestaircaseleadingfurtherdownintothecastle.
"Huh?Whotheheckareyou?!Notoursafterdark,buddy.Don'tmeantoberude,buttakeyourkidsandleave,"saidthegruff-lookingoldforeman.
"Oh,no!I'mnothereforatour.I'mProfessorCedricJuniper,andthesearemyassistants,BlackandWhite.We'reheretoresearchwildYamask."
"Juniper?Yeah,actually,IrememberseeingyouonTV.Soyou'reheretolookat
thosepeskyYamask,huh?Theypracticallyswarmthehallsafterdark"oratleasttheyshould.Iusuallyseeatleastoneofthoselittlebuggersaday,butthey'vebeenawfullyquiettoday...You'llprobablyhavetroublefinding'em,professor."
"Iwasn'texpectingittobeeasy.So,dowehavepermissiontogodownstairsandhavealookaround?"
"Sure,sure!Just,uh...stayouttatheroomsthat'reblockedoff.Wehaven'tmanagedtoclearthesandfromeverywhereyet,andtherearesomeplaceswhereit'llalwaysfillupnomatterwhatwedo.Also,beonthelookoutforwildSandileandtheirevolvedforms.Darnthingsalwaysburrowtheirwayinhere,bustingupwallsandmakin'moresanddirtyuptheplace."Oh,great.Sonotonlyarethereghosts,therearePokémonwho'llprobablybereadytoattackusifwestepintotheirterritory."Oh,andcouldyoudomeafavor?Ifyouseeanyworkersdownthere,tell'emthebossiscalling.Ican'tgodowntheremyselfbecauseIgottastayuphereandguardtheentrance."
"Willdo.Andthankyouforallowingustogodownthere,"Mr.Junipersaidwithabowofhisheadastheforemansteppedoutoftheway.
Aswestartedtogodownthespiralingstaircase,theforemancalleddowntous,"Goodluckwithyourresearch!"ThoughIwasstartingtoworrymoreaboutfindingaKrookodilethanaYamask.
X-X-X
Afterseveralminuteswerespentwalkingdownthespiralingstaircase,wemadeittothefloorbelowus.Sinceitwasn'tjustatower,thisfloorwasfarlarger.Itwasaverywideandlonghallthatstretchedoffinonedirectionforseeminglyforever.Justlikethetowerroomupstairs,lightshadbeensetupalongthewallstoprovidelightandsandhadgatheredonthefloortosuchadegreethattherewereseverallargepiles.Therewerealsoseveraldoorwaysthatledintomanydifferentrooms.Heavenknewjusthowmanytherewere...!
"Wouldyoulookatthesizeofthisplace?Ifthere'reYamaskhere,they'llhaveplentyofhidingspots,"Blackpointedout."Maybeweshouldsplitupsowe'llhaveabetterchanceoffindingone."
Ilookedathimlikehewascrazy."Seriously?Areyouforgettingwhatyousaidjustawhileago?Whatifyougetattacked?!"Icried.
"I'lldefendmyselfwithmyPokémon.Nomatterhowtheywerecreated,GhosttypesarestillaPokémon,andthatmeanstheycanbedefeated.Besides,wecan'tleave
theprofessoralone,andwecan'trelyonyoutoperformwellifyou'realoneinthisspookyplace.Plusyou'vecaughtaboutsixPokémonalreadyandI'veonlygotfive,soIcancatchoneifitpopsup.I'mthebestoptionhere!"
"Hmmm..."Mr.Juniperstrokedhisbeard."AsmuchasIdon'twanttosplitup,thatmightbeourbestoptionifwe'retofindone.ButIdon'twantyoutocatchtheveryfirstYamaskyoufind.IneedaparticularkindofYamaskthatlacksamask."
"AYamaskwithnomask?"BlackandIaskedatthesametime.
"It'sanoften-saidfolktalethatifyou'rebeinghauntedbyaYamask,youcandestroyitsmasktosenditawayfromthislife.It'sbecauseofthebeliefthatYamask'smasksweremadetoresembletheminlifesothateveryonewouldrememberwhotheywere,eventheYamask.Ontheotherhand,itwasthoughtthatbeingburiedwithoutamaskwaslikeastigmaofwhatsortofawfulpersonyouwereinlife.Withoutamasktoremembertheirface,Yamaskaresaidtolosetheirsenseofselfandeventuallyfadeaway."
"R-r-really?"Blackstutteredandshiveredvisibly.AndhereIthoughthewouldn'tgetscared."Whatanawfulthought..."
"It'snotawful,"Ispoke."Imean,theyspendtheirentireliveslookingatamask,rememberingtheyusedtobehuman,andcryingaboutit.I'dfeelbetteraboutsendingthemoffsomewheretheycanbeinpeaceratherthanmakingthemsufferanexistencelikethat.Imean,wouldyoubeabletohandlelivinglikethat?"IknowIwouldn'twanttogothroughmyafterlifelikethat.
"It'ssubjective,Isuppose.Butregardless,that'swhatI'mlookingfor.Butinthisdayandage,thereactuallyaren'tthatmanyYamaskaroundthatwereoncehuman,"saidMr.Juniper.
"Uh,what?"BlackandIaskedatthesametime.
"Yamaskretainthegenderstheyhadinlife,andthey'realsocapableofbreedingtogetherand,er...reproducinganotherYamaskthatwasneverhumaninthefirstplace.Don'taskmewheretheygettheirownmasks,though,orhowthey'reevencreated.That'sstillsomethingofamystery.ButregardlessofwhetheritusedtobehumanorwasbornaPokémon,IjustneedtofindaYamaskwithoutamask."
IfeltascratchingonmylegandlookeddownatTiny."White.What'saYamasklooklike?"
ItookoutmyPokédexandlookeduptheentryonYamasktoshowhim."Thisisa
Yamask.Soifyoufindsomethingthatlookslikethisbutwithoutthemask,besuretotellme."
"Okay."Tinypointedforward."There'soneoverthere."
Ifellsilentandsuddenlyfeltcold.LookingbehindMr.Juniper,Isawitfloatingseveralfeetawayfromus.ItlookedjustlikeitsPokédexentrypicture:asmall,blackcreaturewithbigredeyes,longarmsandhandswithacurledblacktail.Theonlythingmissingwasitshuman-likemask.Wemadeeyecontactandwebothreactedtheverysameway:screamingourheadsoff.
"AAAAAAAHHHHH!"
BlackandMr.JuniperjumpedfrommyscreamingandbeganlookingaroundfranticallybeforefinallyspottingthescreamingYamask."Ah!There'sonerightthere!Whatgoodluck!"Then,stillscreaming,theYamaskdiveddownthroughthefloor,disappearingfromsight."Ormaybenot."Theprofessorbegantorundownthehallbeforelookingbackatus."Quickly!Let'sgobeforeweloseit!"Webothfollowedafterhim,metrailingbehindoutofapprehensivefear.
X-X-X
Afterminutesofrunning,weeventuallycameacrossanotherstaircase,thisonegoingstraightdowninsteadofspiraling.Itledusfurtherdownintothecastletothenextfloor,whichwasjustassandyasthefloorbeforeitandalsohadnumerousrooms.
"Alright!Timetosplitup!"Blackspokeinahushedvoice."I'lltaketheright.Youandtheprofessortaketheleft."
"Becareful,Black!"Iwhisperedasheslowlysnucktowardstheclosestroomtotheright.Inresponse,hejustnoddedbeforedisappearingintotheroom.IlookedatMr.Juniper."Alright.Let'sgotakealook."
Andthuswebegansearchingrooms.Inoursearch,Ifoundafewitemsofmixedorigin:unusualthingslikesomeoldcoinsburiedinthesand,aSunStonethatfeltwarmtothetouch,andaglowingheart-shapedscaleoffofsomeunknownPokémon,andmoremodernthingslikerevivalcandy,potions,andelixirsthathadyettobeused.ButnoYamask,withorwithoutamask,wasfound.
"I'mstartingtowonderifthatYamaskdidn'tjustfleetosomepartoftheruinsthatwecan'tgetinto,"Ispokemythoughtsoutloud."Thisisthelastroomonoursideandwehaven'tevenseenasinglePokémon."
Mr.Junipersighed."MaybeBlackhashadbetterluck."
"Butifhefoundit,hewould'vemadesomekindofnoisebynow,wouldn'the?"
"Wecan'tmakeconclusionsuntilwegettogetheragain."
Whenwelefttheroom,however,wecameacrosssomethingIfoundverydistressing:Black'sbag,justsittingoutthereinthemiddleofthehall.IquicklyranuptothebagandbeganlookingaroundinvainforsomesignofBlack."Black?BLACK?!Thisisn'tfunny!"Ithenspokeatalowertone,"Thisbetterbeabadjoke..."
"Thisisserious.Don'tyouhaveawayofcontactinghim?"Mr.Juniperaskedme.
"Oh!Yeah!"IheldupmywristandbeganusingmyXtransceivertocallhim.ButIcouldn'tgetthroughandmycallwentignored.Myreactionwasnatural."Something'sterriblehappened!Ijustknowit!He'seitherbeenkilledbyghostsoreatenbyaKrookodile,or...!"Itrailedoffasevenworsefatescameupinmymind.
"N-now,now.Beforejumpingtosuchmorbidconclusions,weshouldtrytofindhim."Theprofessorpointedatsomestairsgoingevenfurtherdown."Let'scheckdownstairs.Seeifanything'soutofplace."It'smybrotherwho'soutofplacehere!
X-X-X
Minuteslater,wemadeitdownstairstowhatIhopedwasthebottomfloor.Unliketheotherfloorswe'dbeenon,thewalls,floorandceilingweren'tmadeofstone,butofdirt.Itlookedmorelikeatunnelthathadbeendugoutwithsandmixinginalongwiththedirt.Therewerenolightsinthisplace,soitwasverydark.Tiny,withoutneedingtobeasked,usedFlashandlitupourpartofthetunnel.
"Whatisthis...?"Imumbled,suddenlydisturbedbythisstarkdifferencetotheotherfloors.
"Hmmm...Thestairswetookleddownhere,soitmustbeanactualpartofthecastle...Perhapsanundergroundbasementorcatacombs?"Mr.Junipersuggested.
"Well,ifBlack'sdownhere,heprobablyhashisGolettouttolighttheplaceup."
Wewalkeddownthetunnelforseveralminutes,strainingourearstohearsomesortofsound.Eventually,weheardsomethingthatsoundedlikecrying.ThinkingitwasBlack,IranforwardjustenoughtostaywithinTiny'slight.Iwasthefirsttoroundthecorner,expectingtofindmybrother,onlytobegreetedbythesightofaYamaskwiththreelightsshiningdownonhim.No,onfurtherinspection,thelightswereon
hardhatsthathadtobebeingwornbysomeone.
"Giveitback!Giveitback!"TheYamaskcried,flailingitsarmsuptothelightsshiningdownonit.
"Whyshouldwe?Ifanything,youshoulddisposeofthismask!Itisn'tasifit'syours,"saidoneoftheownersofthehardhat.Theirvoicesoundeddeepandgruff,likeagrownman.
"Thisisn'tyourface.Youneverhadone!"Saidaseconddeepvoice.
"Lookingatitdoesn'tmakeyoufeelhuman!"Saidathirddeepvoice.
"It'sbecauseitbelongedtoMother!Andyoudon'thavetherighttotalk!Youmayhavethrownawaythemasksyouweregiven,butwhatyouhavenowarejustthesame"masksofflesh!Andtheydon'tbelongtoyou,either!"
Icouldn'thelpstillingatthosewords.OnceTinywascloseenoughforhislighttoshinedownthetunnel,IsawwhowasharassingtheYamask:threegrownmenwearinghardhatswithlightsontop,dirtyjumpsuits,andgogglesovertheireyes.ThetwomostnotablethingshadbeenthegoldenmaskoneofthemenhadbeenholdingupovertheYamask'sheadandtheglowingredeyesofallthreemen.
"Whatisthis?Twomorepeople?"Saidoneoftheworkers.
"Theydon'tlookasifthey'vebeentakenover,"saidtheoneholdingupthemask.
"Ooh!Oneofthem'sagirl!Iwantthatoneinstead!"Anothersaid,pointingrightatme.
"Wellthen,Iwantthatfunnyyellow-lookingthing!It'sglowing!"
Tinytookoffensetothatandglaredatthethreemen."Who'reyoucallingfunny-looking?!"
Mr.Juniperfinallycaughtupandtookinthesight."There'stheYamask!AndIsupposethose'retheworkerstheforemanwastalkingabout...butwhat'sthis?Youreallyshouldn'tbetauntingawildPokémonbytakingitspossessions.You'llonlymakeitmad!"
Themenbegantoglareatus,theireyesseeminglyglowinginaneerieway."Donotgointerferinginbusinessthatisn'tyourown,human!"Oneofthemexclaimed.HetookoutaPokéBallandsmirked."Thecreatureundermycommandwillmakeyou
ruecrossingme!"Hepressedthebuttonandinaflashoflight,aTimburrwasreleased.However,itlookedprettybeatupandwasusingitspieceofwoodtopropitselfup.TheTimburralsoappearedtobeglowingwithadarkpurpleauraandhadeyesthatwereglowingthesamebrightredasthemen."Goforth,myminion!"
Wordlessly,theTimburrranforwardandswunghisbeamdownward.Iscreamedandfranticallysteppedback,hittingthebackofmyheadagainstthewallintheprocess."TINY!"ThePikachuchargedupandzappedtheTimburrwithaboltofelectricity.Despiteitsinjuries,theTimburrpickedupitswoodbeamandchuckeditatme.Withanotherscream,IwounduppullingtheProfessorasidewhileavoidingawoodenbeamtothehead.AnotherboltofelectricityhittheTimburrandthatseemedtobeenoughtoknockitout.
"Ah!Getup!Getup!"Theworkerexclaimedashestompedhisfeet."Whyaren'tyougettingup?!"
"It'sprobablytired,justlikeourswereafteryoubeatthem,"saidoneoftheothers.
"Well,whatdohumansnormallydotomakethembetter?!"
"Idon'tknowanymorethanyoudo!"
"ButIwantthegirl'sbody!Iwannabeahumangirl!"Thethirdworkerexclaimed.
"Thengoandpossessher!"
"Forthatyellowthingtoshockme?No!"
Mr.JuniperandIstaredatthebickeringmeninawe."Whatexactlyiswrongwiththem?Atouchofdesertmadnessormaybestress?"Theprofessoraskedinahushedvoice.
"I...thinkthey'repossessed,"Imumbled.Horrormoviesandshowsalwaysmadepossessionseemlikeagrossandterrifyingthing...butthesethreeseemedmorelikeidiotsthananything.
"Possession?Where'dyoudrawthatconclusionfrom?"
"Um...theyjustlookpossessedisall..."Ilied.Sowhat?Ididn'treallyfeelthedesiretotryandprovemyabilities.Notwhenmybrotherwasmissinginadangerousplacewhereghostscouldpossesshim.
"Well!"Thesoundoftheworkers'raisedvoicesbroughtourattentionbackonto
them."Wecan'tdefendourselves.Wecan'tfightthemourselves.SoIsuggestwetakeourselvesand...RUN!"Theworkers'bodiesbegantoglowwithablackaurathatroseupoffofthemlikewispsofblacksmoke.ThesmokeslowlyshapedintothreeYamaskthatweremissingtheirmasks,whoquicklydisappearedintothetunnelwalls.Theworkerstheyhadbeenpossessinggroanedbeforefallingover.
Mr.Juniperapproachedthemenandcheckedeachoneover.Whenhewasfinished,helookedbackatme."They'reonlyunconscious,itseems.Physicallyalright,butI'mnotsurewhatkindofeffectpossessionhasononementally.TothinkYamaskarecapableofthat...Iwonderiftheyresortedtopossessinghumansbecausetheylosttheirmasks!"
"No,professor...IthinkthiswasacaseofPokémonjustbeingjerks,"Imuttered.
"Youreallydojumptothemostpessimisticofresponses,White.Alittleoptimismwouldn'thurtatyourage."
It'snotpessimisticifIheardthembullyinganotherYamaskaboutnotgettingridofhismask,too!Oh,waitasec.IlookedaroundfortheYamask,butitwasnowheretobefound.Ididfinditsmask,though,whichhadfallenoutoftheunconsciousworker'shand.Icroucheddowntopickupthemaskandlookatthecreepyfaceengravedonit.Itactuallydidn'tlookthatbad:thedesignofthefacewasalovelywoman's,andwhoevermadeitwentthroughtheeffortofmakingthehairstickoutonthemask,framingtheface.
"ThatbelongstothatYamask,right?"Tinyaskedashelookedupatme."Thinkit'llwantitback?"
BeforeIcouldanswer,thesoundofcryingandscreamingsuddenlyechoedthroughthetunnel.Ipanickedandbegantocryfrantically,"What'shappening?!What'dwedo?!"
"Itsoundslikeit'scomingfromfurtherdownthetunnel,"saidMr.Juniper."Hmm...Irecognizethatcry!It'sYamask"andplentyofthemfromthesoundofit!"
"R-really?...Don'ttellmewe'regoingtogotowardstheYamask."
"ItmightbewhereBlackis.Hemayhavebeenpossessedjustlikethesepoormen."Mr.Juniperlookeddownattheworkersandfurrowedhisbrowsinthought."Idoubtwe'llbeabletocarrythesemenwithus.Wehavenochoicebuttoleavethemhere."
Thescreamingandcryingincreasedinvolume.SuddenlymyfearforBlackoverwhelmedmyfearofdeathbyYamask."Right!Let'sgo,quick!"
IfoundmyselfrunningdownthetunnelwiththeProfessortrailingbehindmebyacoupleoffeetandTinyrightbesideme.Soon,thetunnelwidenedupasweenteredalargeroom...fullofcoffins.Bigcoffinsthatcameinvariousshadesofbrown,silverandgold,andinthelightcomingoffofTiny,theylookedasiftheywerewell-takencareofdespitethemustyanddirtysurroundings.Eachcoffininmysightwaslaiddownflatonapedestalwithapieceofstoneatitsfeet,thestonehavingsomethingcarvedintoit,almostlikeaheadstoneforatomb.
Andthen,realizationhitme."Oh,no...!Don'ttellme...thisisagraveyard!"Isqueakedoutinfear.NowonderthereweresomanyYamaskroamingaroundthecastle"therewerepeopleburiedbeneathit!Whocouldlivehereknowingthatandnotbecreepedoutaboutit?!
Atthatpoint,ProfessorJunipercaughtuptomeashewascatchinghisbreath."Hm?What'sthis?Havewestumbledacrossacemetery?Unbelievable!Acemeteryunderneathacastle!Trulyanamazingfind!"Heapproachedthecoffinsdespitemesputteringoutwarnings."Let'ssee...ThecolorofthecoffinusuallydetermineswhatstandingthepersonhadamongstthenobilityofancientUnovaintheirlife.Bronzeforthoseofthelower-classednobilityandoccasionallycherishedservants...silverforhigh-classaristocrats...andgoldformembersoftheroyalfamily!Ifmyfieldwasarchaeology,I'dbegiddywithgleeaboutthis!IwonderifthetombofQueenBrynhildaofFreiisdownheresomewhere..."
"QueenBrynhil"Professor!Nowisn'tthetimeforcreepyarchaeology!Nowis"!"Istoppedinmid-sentencewhenIrealizedthattheYamaskwerenolongermakingnoise.Igulped,worriedaboutthesilence,beforesteppingforwardabit.Tinydartedforwardandwentinfrontofme,wantingtoprotectmefromanythingthatmight'vejumpedoutatus.IslowlywalkedforacoupleofminutesbeforeIsawBlackstandinginthemiddleofthepathwithhisbackturnedtome.Thisfeltlikesomefamiliarsceneoutofahorrorfilm,butIstillspokeouttohim."Black?Areyouokay?...SaysomethingorI'll...!"
Blacksuddenlyturnedaroundandconfirmedmyworries.ItmayhavebeenBlack'sbody,butfromhisglowingredeyes,itwasobviousthathe'dbeenpossessedlikethoseworkers."...Goaway,"Black"orrather,theYamaskpossessingBlackspokeflatly.
Ifoundthecouragetosnapathim,"I'mnotgoinganywhereuntilIgetmybrotherback!"
"Brother...?Itmustbenice...havingonewithwhomyoushareabloodconnectionwith.I...cannotsaythesameaboutmyownfamily.Noflesh...noblood.Just
spirits...whoseonlyreasonforexistingistostareatvisagesofourpastselvesorourancestors'pastselves.Itreallyisasadexistence,isn'tit?That'swhy...someonehastosavethemfromtheirpainandsorrow.Iwilldojustthatwiththeaidofthishuman'sfamiliars."
Atthatmoment,aYamaskcameflyingoutofanearbycoffin,cryingitseyesout."NO!Y-youcan'tdestroyourmasks!Mother'smaskisallIhavelefttorememberherby!"
"Soyouwishtospendtherestofyourexistencecryingoveranobject?!Clingingontomemoriesofsomeonelonggone?!"Blackshouted."Ifahumanoranyothercreatureweretodothat,itwouldbeawasteoftheirpreciouslife!Sowhyshouldwetortureourselveswheninstead,wecanbefree?!"
Ittookawhileformetorealizewhatwasgoingon."You...You'rethatYamaskfrombefore,aren'tyou?!"Ishouted."YouheardwhatMr.JunipersaidaboutdestroyingthemaskstomakeYamaskfadeaway!"
"...Yes.Buttheydon'tunderstand.Theythinkthatit'seitherablasphemyorpartofsomestupidgame!I'mtryingtosavethemfromtheirpainandalltheydoisclingontoittightly!"TheYamaskpossessingBlackexclaimed."Theydon'twanttohelpthemselves,soIhavetodoitforthem!Andoncewe'reallfree,we'llbehappier!"
"Idon'tcareaboutwhatcrazyschemeyouwanttodo!Givemebackmybrother!"
"NotuntilIfinishthis!Youunderstand,right?Yousaidyourselfthatit'dbebettertosendthemaway."Icouldn'trespondtothat.Ireallydidthinkthat...butitdidn'tmeanIcondonedpossessingpeopleforit!Especiallynotmybrother!
Mr.Junipercameupbesideme."Iunderstandyourreasons,butshouldn'tyouatleastallowtherestofyourkindachoice?TherearesomeYamaskwhoareabletostoplivinginthepast,Cofagriguswhonolongerthinkaboutthepastandcry,andeventhosewhoaretrainedbyhumanslearntheycanmakenew,happymemories!It'snotfairforyoutodeemthemallhopeless!"
Black'seyesnarrowed."They'veexistedfordecadesandcenturiescryingaboutthepast!Nomore!Iftheywon'thelpthemselves,Iwill!"HepointedaPokéBallatus."Andifyoutrytostopme,Iwilldisposeofyou!"
"Youcan'tbeserious,"IspokeslowlysecondsbeforetheYamaskreleasedBlack'snewGolett.TheGolettwasalsoradiatingwithadarkauraanditsnormallyyelloweyeswereglowingred."Okay,it'sserious!"IexclaimedfranticallyasIgrabbedthefirstPokéBallIgotmyhandsonandsentoutwhoeverwasinside.Itturnedouttobe
Panacea.Howfortunate!
"MissWhite?Wherearewe?"Panaceaasked.HereyesfellonBlackandshebegantoshudder."What'swrongwithMisterBlack?Helooks...off."
"Longstoryshort:Black'spossessed,aghostisbattlingmewithhisPokémon,andweneedtofightforourlives!"Ispokequickly.
Atthatmoment,theGolettattackedwithaShadowPunch.Itthrewapunch,sendingashadowyimageofafistatPanacea.However,itdidn'tseemtodoanythingasitmadeimpact."Oh,my!"wasalltheAudinocouldexclaimassheheldapawtoherface.
"Quickly!UseShadowBall!"Iexclaimed.
TheAudinoputherpawsoutinfrontofherandformedalargeballofblackandpurpleenergy."Sosorryaboutthis.HI-YAH!"Withacry,PanaceafiredtheShadowBallatGolettandithititstarget,explodingintowispsofpurpleandblacksmoke.ItseemedtogreatlyaffecttheGhosttype,makingitstumbleback.
"ShadowBalloncemore!"PanaceaformedanotherShadowBalltofireattheGolett,butitleaptforwardtostrikeherdownwithaMegaPunch,interruptingtheattackbeforeshecouldfinish.Itraisedupafist,readytopunchherwhileshewasdown."StopitwithPsychic!"Beforeitcouldlandtheblow,theGolettwasenvelopedinapinkandpurple-tintedglow.TheAudino'seyesglowedforabriefmomentbeforesheshoutedout,pushingitbackwithtelekineticforce.TheGhosttyperecoveredandpulleditsarmsandlegsintoitsbody,preparingforaRolloutattack."TryShadowBallagain!"ForminganotherShadowBalljustastheGolettwasbeginningtorolltowardsher,PanaceafiredtheballattheGhosttype.Golettsloweditsrollinguntilitcametoastop,itsarms,legsandheadpoppingoutagainjustasthelightleftitseyes."ThankgoodnessforTMs...!"
"Thatwasonlyluck!Righteousnessisonmyside!"MypossessedtwinexclaimedbeforereturningGoletttohisPokéBallandtakingoutanother."Goforthandwin!"HeexclaimedashereleasedFelix.JustlikeGolett,adarkaurawasradiatingfromhimandhiseyeswereglowingred,andhisusualfearfulexpressionwasreplacedbyablanklook."Attack!"
Wordlessly,FelixspatoutastringofthathewrappedPanaceaupin.Then,theSwadloonbegantoglowwithapalegreenauraalongwiththestringthatwasstillinhismouth.TheauramovedalongtoPanacea,whoflinchedasiftheattackwasharmingher.IscannedFelixwithmyPokédextoseewhathewasusing."GigaDrain?!"ThatwasoneofthemovesintheTechnicalMachine!DidBlackteachitto
hisSwadloonatsomepoint?Panaceacryingoutinpainbroughtmebacktoreality."UseAttract!"
"Ah!P-p-pleasedon'thurtme...!"Panaceawhimperedinacuteway.Inresponse,Felixtookadeepbreathbeforeunleashingahigh-pitchedwhine,thevolumeofwhichcausedPanaceapain.Afterawhileofenduringthatnoise,theAudinofellover,unconscious.ButevenafterPanaceahadfainted,Felixcontinuedtoattack,releasingabarrageofrazor-sharpleavesather.IreturnedtheAudinointoherballjustintimetoavoidgettingmoreinjured.Thisguyreallywasmakingthisafighttothedeath!
AsFelixbegantochargeupforanotherRazorLeafbarrage,IgrabbedanotherballfrominsideofmybagandsentoutMars.TheVenipedewoundupgettinghitbytheleaves,buttheydidn'tseemtodomuchdamagetohim.MarsstaredatFelixandBlackbeforelookingbackatmeinconfusion."What'sgoingon?"
BeforeIcouldanswer,FelixattackedbyspittingoutastringofsilkthatattachedtoMar'scarapace.ThentheSwadloonmanagedtopullMarsback,dragginghimtowardshimuntiltheVenipedewascloseenoughtostartbitingdownon.Withoutmyaskinghimto,Marsimmediatelycurleduptodefendhimself."UseRollout!"WhileFelixbitdownonhim,Marsrevvedupandrolledforward,hittingtheSwadloonsquareinthemouthbeforerollingbacktosafety,pullinghimselffreeofthesilkintheprocess."RolltowardshimandgointoPoisonTail!"MarsusedRolloutoncemoretogetclosertoFelix,enduringthebarrageofRazorLeavesuntilhewascloseenough.Aftermanagingtobounceupintotheairanduncurlquickly,theVenipedestrucktheSwadloonontheheadwithhisglowingpurpletailinthemiddleofaflip.Theblowmusthavebeenahardone,becausetheimpactknockedFelixdownandknockedhimout.
"Honestly!Whyisthissohard?Whyarethesefamiliarssoweak?!"ThepossessedBlackexclaimed.Maybebecausethey'renotyours.Ormaybeit'sbecauseyoudon'tknowathingabouthowPokémonbattlesaresupposedtogo.IwasfairlycertainthatifthiswastherealBlackIwasbattling,Iprobablywouldn'tstandmuchofachance...butunderthisguy,Black'sPokémonwerenothingmorethanwildPokémonfollowingtheirownstrategiesandmethods."Irefusetobedefeated!Goforthandtearthemdown!"Inaflashoflight,hereleasedallofBlack'sremainingPokémon.Asexpected,Black'sDewott,TranquillandEeveealsohadthatdarkauraandthoseredeyes.
"Threeatonce?!Thathardlyseemsfair!"IexclaimedsecondsbeforeValentinedovedownatMarsandpickedhimupinhertalons."H-hey!Puthimdown!"ItriedtoreturnMarsintohisball,butValentinekeptdodgingoutofthewayofthebeam.At
thatmoment,brightyellowstarsbegantoformaroundEdwinasKaitobegantoformaballofswirlingbluewaterbetweenhispaws,bothlookingupatMars.IlookeddownatTiny."Tiny!Goget'em!"
"DoIhaveto,White?Idon'twannahurtthem..."Tinyspokesadly.
"They'regonnahurtMarsifyoudon'tdosomething!"ThePikachu'spoutsuddenlybecameafrown.Tinyranforward,staticelectricitybuildingupalonghistail.Theelectricitysoonshapedupintoaballthathadformedatthetipofhistail.Withaflick,TinysenttheballofelectricityflyingatKaito.ItstrucktheDewott,electrifyinghimandmakinghimmisfirehisattack.ItwounduphittingValentineinsteadofMars,andinastateofconfusion,theTranquilldroppedMarsandbeganflyingaboutinaloopymanner.MarscurledupintoaballtolessenthedamageofthefallandthenIreturnedhimtohisball,butIstillcouldn'thidemyaweoverwhathadhappened."Whatwasthat?"
"Fromthelooksofit,anElectroBallattack,"cameMr.Juniper'svoicefrombehindme.ElectroBall,huh?
KaitorecoveredfromtheelectricattackandbegantodoathreateningposewithhisscalchopshellswhileEdwinfiredoffthestarsofhisSwiftattack.SecondsafterthestartsmadeimpactagainstTiny,Valentineflappedherwingsandfiredbladesofcrescent-shapedenergydownatthePikachu,theforceofwhichsenthimtumblingbackwards.ThenKaitoleapttowardsTinyandstruckdownonhimwithhisshells,thefloorbeneathTinycrackingandformingasmallhomeintheprocess.
IreachedintomybagandtookoutEveandShion'sballs."Eve!Shion!Helphimout!"TheEeveeandDewottappearedinaflashoflight.
"Hey,what'sgoingon?!"Eveexclaimedsecondsbeforeabarrageofstarsstruckherwithoutwarning."Ouch!What'sthebigidea?"
AsKaitoraisedoneofhisscalchopshellstoslashatTiny,Shiondashedforward.HertailtookonametallicappearancebeforeshespunonherheelandknockedthescalchopoutofKaito'spaw."Idon'tknowwhat'sgoingon,butknockitoff!"ShejumpedtothesidetoavoidthesideswipefromhisothershellandpickedupKaito'sfallenshelltoblockanotherslash.Astheywerebusystruggling,ValentineswoopeddownquicklyandtackledintoShion,knockingherbackandallowingKaitotoroundhousekickheraside."White!TellBlacktocallthemoff!"Howcanyounotknowwhat'sgoingonnow?!Youguysmusthaveselectivehearinginthoseballs!
"Longstoryshort:Blackispossessed!SoarehisPokémon!Theywanttokillus!"Iexclaimedquickly.
"WHAT?!"ShionandEveexclaimedbeforeValentinerainedanotherbarrageofcrescentbladesdownontothebattlefield.
"Tiny,useElectroBallandknockoutValentine!"Onceagain,electricitysurgedalongTiny'stailuntilaballofelectricityformedatitstip.Withaflickofhistail,theElectroBallwassentflyingthroughthebladesandintoValentine.Aftergettingelectrocuted,thebirdPokémonfelltothegroundunconsciousandsmoking."NowShionuseIcyWindandEveimitateherwithMimic!"Shiontookadeepbreathandblewoutice-coldair.Inseconds,Evewasdoingthesame.TheicyairtheyblewoutsurroundedKaitoandEdwin,chillingthemtothepointofslightlycoveringtheminfrost.Kaitoshookitoffwithease,butithadEdwinreeling."Great!Now,Eve,useQuickAttackonEdwin!"EvedashedforwardandranintoEdwinshoulder-first.TheimpactsentthemaleEeveeskiddingbacktohispossessedtrainer'sfeet."AndShion,useFuryCutter!"
Shionputherhandstogetherapologetically,thoughshestilllookeddetermined."I'msorryforthis!"ShedashedforwardandbeganslashingawayatKaitowithhisownshellandherclaws.However,hewoundupdoingthesamething,exchangingblowforblowbeforehejumpedbackandbeganforminganotherballofwaterbetweenhispaws.KaitofiredtheballforwardandhitShionrightinthefacewithit.Theattackdidn'tdoanyseriousdamage,butafterwards,Shionseemedabitunsteadyonherfeet.Shewentforwardtoattackandwounduptripping.KaitotookthechancetoslamhisfreepawdownonherthewayhedidTiny,breakingthegroundbeneathherintheprocess.
"Tiny,Eve!QuickAttack!"ThePikachuandEeveedashedforwardquicklytotackleKaito.TheircombinedforcewasenoughtosendhimflyingbackintothepossessedBlack,makingthembothfallover.Igaspedandranovertocheckuponhim."Black!Areyouokay?!Areyou...stillpossessed?"
Mr.JuniperwalkedovertousandbegancheckingBlackoveraswell."Theimpactmusthaveknockedhimout.Heseemsokayphysically,butmentally...wecan'tbesureuntilhewakesup."
Then,justliketheworkersfrombefore,inkyblacknessroseupfromBlackandslowlytookontheshapeofanupsetYamask."Why...?!Whyareyougettinginmyway?!Whydoyouwantustokeeplivinginpainlikethisfortherestofourdays?!Areyoureallythatcruel?!"
Igulped."I...Iunderstandthatyouwanttohelpthem!Butjustforcingthemto...fadeawayisalsocruelinaway!"
"She'sright!"Mr.Juniperexclaimed."ThereareYamaskwhocanovercometheirpain"findotherreasonstoexistandfindhappiness!Buttheonlywaytodothatisifyou'rewillingtotry!So...whydon'tyoucomewithme?Youmightfindsomehappinessifyouseetheworldoutsideofthisdesert."WasheseriouslyjustmakingthatoffertoaPokémonthatjusttriedtokillus?
TheYamaskfellsilentandbeganshuddering.Atfirst,itseemedlikeitwasconsideringtheprofessor'sproposal.Butthenitspupilsgrewlargerandlargeruntilitseyeslookedentirelyblack.Itslifelesseyesstaredforwardasitsentirebodybegantoslowlyfadeaway.Istartedlookingaroundtheroomfrantically."Where'ditgo?!"
"Ithink...it'sgone,White,"Mr.Junipersoundedabitsaddenedbythat."Iwonder:diditdisappearbecauseitdidn'thaveitsmask,orbecauseitnolongerwantedtoexist?You'resupposedtorespectaghostPokémonwhenitdecidestofadeawaybyitsownchoice,youknow.Itmeansthatthey'recontentwithwhat'shappenedduringtheirexistenceandreadyforittoend.Buttodosowhenyouprobablyspentallofyourlifemourningaboutthepast...itsoundslikealifeunfulfilled."
NowIfeltabitbadaboutwhatIsaidbefore.ItooknoticeoftheotherYamaskwhohadbeenwatchingustheentiretime.Itlookedfrightened"probablybecauseitsawanotherofitskindjustfadeaway.IalmostforgotthatIwascarryingthething.Icautiouslywalkeduptoitandheldthemaskout."Um,th-thisisyours,right?G-goon,takeit!"NosoonerhadIsaidthatdidtheYamask'stailgrabholdofthemaskandreturnittoitsowner'shands.TheYamaskhuggeditsmaskbeforeitflewoverourheadsanddeeperintothetombs.
Afterthat,IstartedtoreturnBlack'sPokémontotheirrespectiveballsandthankedShionandEvebeforereturningthemaswell.Then,withabitofhelpfromMr.Juniper,IgotBlacktohisfeetandbegandragginghimbackoutthewaywecame.
"Hey,hey!What'sthis?!"Theworkerswemetbeforewerenowawakeandlookingconfused."What'reyouthreedoing?Notouristsalloweddownhere!"
Mr.Juniperclearedhisthroatandgottoworkexplainingthesituation.ImostlytunedthemoutandfocusedonBlack'sface.Ihopedthatbeingpossesseddidn'tharmhiminanyway...
X-X-X
Thenextday,Iwokeupinanunfamiliarroomfilledwithbunkbeds.Anearbywindowletmelookoutsidetoseethatitwasdaytime,andpeoplewerewanderingaboutoutside.IttookawhileformetorememberwhyIwashere.Theforemanwas
niceenoughtoletussleephereforthenight,whichIwasgratefulfor.Bythetimewemadeituptothesurface,Iwassoexhausted.That,andIwantedaplaceforBlacktorestproperlysohecouldgetbetter.ButBlackwasnowhereintheroom,andneitherwasMr.Juniperforthatmatter.TheonlyothersoulinherewasTiny,whowasonthefloortinkeringwiththeTechnicalMachinebeforehenoticedmestaringdownathim.
"Eeep!I-Imean,White!You'reup!You'refinallyup!"ThePikachuexclaimed,droppingtheTMbackintomybag.Hejumpedontothebottombunk."It'sabouttime!BlackandthatJuniperguywentoutsidealongtimeago!"
"Really.Theycouldn'tevenbothertowakemeup..."IgrumbledasIgotupandbeganstraighteningmyselfup.
"Well,theydid,butyoujustkeptsleeping!"Tinyexplainedbeforejumpingontomyshoulder.
"Well,theyshould'vetriedharder,then!"Ihuffedbeforewalkingovertothedoor,onlyforittonearlyhitmeasitopened."H-hey!Watchit!"
"Whoops!Sorryaboutthat!"ItwasBlack.Helookedlikehewasokay,despitebeingpossessedjustlastnight."Finallyup,huh?It'sabouttime.Mr.Juniperleftoveranhourago."
"WHAT?!Hejustupandleftus?!Nowwe'relostinthedesert!"
"Takeiteasy!Theworkerstoldmethatit'snothardtogetbacktotheroadleadingtoNimbasaCity.Sojustrelax."
Isnortedandlookedathimflatly."Ican'tbelieveyou'retellingmetorelaxafteryougotpossessed!"
Blackpuffedouthischestproudly."Well,thatjustgoestoshowhowunflappableIam!"
"I'mshockedthatyouknowwhatunflappableevenmeans."
"KeepmakingrudecommentsandIwon'tgiveyouyourgift~!"Blacksangwithasmirk.
Iarchedaneyebrow."Agift?We'reinabarrendesert.IdoubtI'mgonnalikewhatevergiftyouhaveforme."Hetookoutsomethingfromhisbagandshowedittome.Itwasround,clearandsmooth-lookingwithaslightlyreddishtint."Ooh,that
looksinteresting.Whatisit?Somekindofjewelry?"
"Maybe.Somearchaeologisttypeguytoldmethatit'samber.Byitsappearance,itmight'vebeenjewelryforsomefancypersonwaybackwhen."
"Wow...!Andthisisforme?"Ieagerlytooktheamberfromhimandinspectedit."Arealrelicfromanancienttime...Howexciting!"Italmostlookedasiftherewassomethinginside,butitwassosmallthatIcouldn'ttellwhatitwas.
Blackshrugged."IfigureIhadtogiveyousomethingsoyouwouldn'tcomplainaboutmebeingungratefulforsavingmylife.Uh...thanksforthat,bytheway.DidI...causeanytrouble?Ican'treallyrememberwhathappenedlastnightafterIgotpossessed.Andmyhead'sbeenkillingmesinceIgotup."Ilookedathiminconcern."Imean,I'mfine,butmyheadhurtsalittlebit..."
Ishookmyheadandputtheamberaway."Youdidnothingwrong,Black."Technically,itwasn'tevenhim."Anyway,I'mreadytoleavenow."
Mybrotherpouted."Aww!Butwehaven'tgonediggingforfossilsandrelicsand...stuff.Ithoughtyou'datleastwanttogoonanofficialtouroftheRelicCastle."
"I'vehadmyfilloftheResortDesert,Black.Ijustwannagetbacktosweetcivilization...oratleastsomewherewithoutsand..."
X-X-X
Notes!
AHexManiacisatrainerclassthatspecializesinGhosttypeandPsychictypePokémon.
AudinolearnsPsychicandShadowBallviaTM.SwadloonlearnsGigaDrainviaMoveTutor,butitwasaTMinGen2.EeveelearnsSwiftandMimicviaTMonlyinGen1.DewottlearnsIronTailandIcyWindviaMoveTutor,bothofwhichwereTMsinGen2,andRockSmashviaTM.
Thegold,silverandbronzemasksreferredtowasinspiredbygold,silverandbronzemedals.ThosemedalsinturnwerenamedfortheGold,SilverandBronzeAgesofManfromGreekmythology.
BrynhildaisaspellingvariationofthenameofaValkyriefromGermanicmythologywhosleptinaringofflamesuntilshewasrescuedbySiegfriedintheepicpoemNibelunglied."Frei"isaGermanwordmeaningsuchthingsas
"free","released,""unlimited"and"unrestrained"amongothersimilarmeanings,andisalsomeanttosoundsimilarto"fray",whichcanmean"afight"or"tounravel".
Chapter21
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~Shock'EmontheShiningBattlefield!~
OR!
~VSTheShiningBeauty!~
Sometimes,therearethingsinlifethatyoutakeforgranted.Likeairconditioning...vendingmachines...andwindthatdoesn'tblowsandinyourface.Themomentweofficiallyleftthedesert,IwasabletovaluethesewonderfulthingsfarmorethanIdidbefore.ThetasteofcoldwaterrightoutofavendingmachinewaslikeheavenwhencomparedtothathotwaterIwoundupusingtohydratemyself.Ihadn'tbotheredtospeakuntilIfinishedtheentirebottleoffreshwater."I'msogladwe'refinallyoutofthatplace!"Igasped.BlackandTinywerealsodrinkingbottlesofwater,buttheywerestillfinishingtheirs.IsighedasIbegantorunmyfingersthroughmyhair."Although,thisisjustthegateafterthedesert.Iguesswestillhaveawhiletogountilwe'veofficiallyreachedNimbasaCity..."
Blackgaspedinreliefandbegantosmile."Yeah,butatleastwewon'thavetogothroughthedesert.I'msoexcited!Ican'twaittogettoNimbasa!"Heexclaimedashestretchedhisarmsupintotheair.
"Ican'twaittogetachancetoshower..."ImumbledasIbegantobrushthesandoutofTiny'sfur.Itfellontothetiledfloor,butitwasalreadydirtywithsandanddirtcarriedinfromotherpeoplewhotraveledinherefromtheResortDesert.
Blacktookoffhiscapandbegantoshakethesandoffofit,saying,"Hey...doyouremembercomingtoNimbasaCityonourfamilyvacationsallthoseyearsago?"
"Wedidn't.Wait.Actually..."Ithenlookedupattheceilingofthetunnel-likegateinthought."Wedidgotherebefore,didn'twe?Butweonlywentthereonce,Ithink."Mymemoryofourtimetherewasfuzzy,butIrememberedthatitwasthelastfamilyvacationwehadbeforemovingtoNuvemaTown.
Black'ssmilereturnedashefinisheddustingoffhishat."Oh.Well,whatever.It'llstillbefuntoseehowmuchofthecitywecanremember,right?Ofcourse,weshouldprobablydothatafterfindingtheNimbasaGymandbeatingthegymleader,Elesa."
Heputhishatbackon,gotupoffoftheseat,andbeganpulledmeoffofthechairI'dbeensittingon.Tinywoundupabandoningthewaterbottlehe'dbeendrinkinginordertojumpontomyshoulderforeasytransportation."C'mon,c'mon!Let'sgetgoing!"HeexclaimedashestartedtopullmedownthetunnelthatledtoNimbasaCity.
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IfthereisonethingthatalwaysseemstoamazemesofaronthisjourneyacrossUnova,it'sthecitiesIgettosee.NuvemaTownseemedtinywhencomparedtoStriatonCity,andthatseemedordinarycomparedtoNacreneCity,whichwasbarelyathirdofthesizeofCasteliaCity.Nimbasawasn'tbiggerthanCasteliaorevenasbigasit,butitwasapparentthemomentwesteppedintothecityhowmuchmorelivelyandvibrantitwastotheothers.Billboardsbothordinaryandelectronic,brightlylitneonsigns,jumbotrontelevisionsthatwerepartofbuildingsandwereshowingofflocalchannels...justabouteverythingwaspromotingsomeplace,event,oritem.Casteliawasoverwhelmingbecauseoftheamountofpeople,butNimbasacityitselfwasoverwhelmingwithitspresence"especiallyafterwanderingaloneinthedesertformostoftheday.
"Wow...!"IfoundmyselfutteringatthesametimeasTinyandBlack.
"Canyoubelieveit?Thisplaceisreally...something,"Blackspokesoftly."Thenagain,thisissupposedtobetheplaceforentertainmentinUnova."Heshookoffhisaweandbeganlookingaround."Let'sfindaPokémonCentersowecangetcleanedupandfigureoutourgameplan."
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Muchlater,afterwemanagedtofindthePokémonCenterclosesttoRoute4,Iwasabletogetwashedup.IhadtobeagoodtrainerandwashupmyPokémontoo,butsinceourroomhadashowerinsteadofabath,itledtosome...veryawkwardandmessymoments.Iwasn'texactlybarenaked,butstill...IthinkthatwastheleastamountofclothingI'dworninfrontofmyPokémon.Afterleavingthebathroom,IfoundBlackkneelingonthefloornexttooneofthebedsandreadingasmallbook."What'reyoudoing?"
Withoutlookingupfromthebook,Blackanswered,"ThisisatouristguidebooktoNimbasaCity.It'sgotallthenotablesightstoseehere...exceptfortheNimbasaGym!Canyoubelieveit?!"
"Oh,yes.Certainlyacitybestknownforitscontributionstotheentertainmentindustryshouldpromote,ofallthings,PokémonLeaguechallenges,"Ispokeflatly.
"Youkeepyoursnarkinessdowntoaminimum!Thisjustmakesithardertofind"Oh."
"What?"
"There'salittleblurbaboutElesahere.She'sthegymleaderoftheNimbasaGym,andalsoamodel.ThesearesuperelectrifyingsupermodelElesa'sfavoritespotsinNimbasaCity!#5:TheBigandSmallStadiumslocatedinnortheastNimbasa"ElesajustlovestoseethehomegamesforNimbasa'shometeams!#4:ThePokémonMusicalTheaterlocatedinnorthwestNimbasa"it'sthemostrecentattractioninNimbasaCity,andElesajustlovestoshowoffherdazzlingPokémononstage!#3:TheGearStationlocatedunderneaththecity"ElesajustlovestoridetheBattleSubwaywayandseejusthowfarsheandherPokémonteamcango!#2:TheRondez-ViewFerriswheellocatedintheamusementparkineasternNimbasa"Elesajustlovesthesightofthecityfromtheverytop!Andfinally,#1:TheNimbasaCityGymlocatedintheamusementparkineasternNimbasa"Elesalovestohavestrongtrainerscometochallengeherandtestherstrength!"
"Shesurelovesalotofstuff,huh?"Iaskedflatly.
Blackpointedtheguideatme."Iknowyouheardthat!WeneedtotryandfindtheNimbasaGymbeforeit'stoolate!"
"Beforewhat'stoolate?"
"BeforeCherengetstoofaraheadofme!"
Igavemybrotheralookofdisbeliefashepouted."Seriously?Youareso..."Icouldonlysighandrubmytemplesfromtheslightheadachethatwasdeveloping.
Mybrotherjumpedontohisfeet,nowexcited."Anyway,Ithinkwe'vetrainedlongandhardwhilewewereinthedesert.Wedon'tneedtoprepare!We'reready!IknowI'mready.Areyouready?"
"I'mreadyforbed,"IspokeflatlyasIwentovertotheotherbedandploppedmyselfdown."Youcangochallengethegymifyouwant,butsomeofusneedtorecoverfromthetrip."
Blackarchedaneyebrowandfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest."Whateverhappenedtowantingtobestronger?"
"Mypersonalhealthismoreimportantthanadesireforstrength."Atthispoint,I'd
closedmyeyesandwasreadytotakealittlenap.
"...Fine.I'mgoingtotheamusementparktochallengeElesa!Youcanjuststayhereand...sleep."Afewminutesafterthat,Iheardthesoundofthedoorclosingshut.
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ShortlyafterBlackhadleft,I'dwokenupandbeguntowatchtelevisioninthecompanyofmyPokémon.ItmightseemlikeastepbackwardsthatIwasmoreadamantaboutstayingintolazeaboutinsteadofgoingtochallengetheNimbasaGym...buttome,thiswasjustmeappreciatingthejoysofcivilizationafterallthattimeinthedesert.Ofcourse...myPokémonwerenotsogung-hoaboutmydecision.
"MissWhite...you'resupposedtobechallengingthegym,aren'tyou?Youdon'twanttofallbehind."ThatwasPanacea.
"Getup,White!Weneedtogotothegymsowecangetstronger!"ThatwasTiny.
"White!Ifwedon'tpersevereandtackletheobstaclesinourpath,we'llneverchange!"ThatwasShion.
IlookeddownattheDewottfrommyspotontheendofthebedwithEveandMars."Youknowit'sanElectrictypegym,right?Thechancesofmeusingyouinbattlewouldbeslim."
Shionpoutedandlookedaside."W-well,justbecauseIcan'ttacklethisobstacledoesn'tmeanyoushouldn't!"
"Whydoyouguyswannastartfightingagain?Thisissooomuchnicer!"Eveexclaimedassherolledaroundonthebed."Marsisn'tcomplaining!"
"That'sbecauseMarshasbeenallrolledupsincehegotout,"Tinypointedoutinaflattone,pointingupatthecurledupbugwithhalf-liddedeyes.
Ilightlytappedhisshell,butgotnoresponse."Ifsomethingwaswrongwithhim,thenursesarethefrontdeskwould'vetoldmeso.I'msurehe'sonlytired,too."Venipedeweren'tdesertbugs,thankgoodness.Iwouldn'twanttorunintoonehiddenunderthesand.
"White...!Idon'twannabestuckinhereallday...!Let'sgooutsideandhavefun...!"Tinywhinedwithapoutandbigwateryeyes.
Eveimmediatelypouncedintomylaptodrawmyattention."Don'tlistentohim!He's
tryingtomanipulateyouwithhiscuteness!"
Isighed,pickeduptheremote,andturnedofftheTVjustastheinvestigatorswerestartingtowrapupamurder."Fine.Youwin.Iobviouslycan'tgetamomenttorestuntilIgetagymbadge..."Igrumbled.EvewhinedasTiny,PanaceaandShioncheeredattheirsuccessandIbegangettingmythingstogether.
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AfterenduringwalkingthroughthecrowdswanderingthroughNimbasaCity'sstreets,occasionallybeingcaughtupinanoceanofpeoplewhowentinadirectionIwasn'ttryingtogo,andgettinglostontheway,Imanagedtofindthelocalamusementpark.Icouldn'thelpbutlookateverythingaweasIwalkedthroughit,takingintherides,stalls,andthebiginflatablePokémonthatIwasabletoseefromthere.AttheverybackwasaFerriswheelthattoweredovertherestofthepark.
"Ooh,what'sthat?Ooh,what'sthat?OOOOOHHHH!There'saPikachu,Ithink!"Tinywasbusyalsogapinginaweatthesightsoftheamusementpark.
"You'renotgonnafindoutuntilwe'redonechallengingthegym,"Ispokestiffly.IlookedatthePikachuashewhinedfromhisplaceonmyshoulder,tuggingatmyhair."Hey,youwantedtogotothegym.YouhavenoonebutyourselftoblameforgoingalongwithPanaceaandShion."Tinypoutedandstaredatmewithwateryeyes."...ButIguesswecangoonsomerideslater."
"Yes!"ThePikachuexclaimed.
IglimpsedthefamiliarsymbolofthePokémonLeagueandstoppedwalkingtogetabetterlook.NestledbetweensomeinflatableElectric-typePokémonwastheNimbasaGym,withaflashingneonsignpromotingGymLeaderElesa,theShiningBeauty."Well,we'rehere.Bettergetyourgamefaceon."
Blacksaidthatshewasalsoasupermodel.AnartistlikeBurghhadagymbasedaroundhisart,andanarchaeologistlikeLenorahadhergyminsideofamuseum,sowhatdidamodel'sgymlooklike?Ithoughtit'dbesomethingthatlookedlikeafashionshoworaphotoshoot,butwhenIwentinthroughtheslidingdoors,Iwassurprisedtofind...arollercoaster.Therewasalegitimateindoorrollercoaster.Multiplecarsweregoingaroundonrailsthatwerelitupwithneonlightsofvariouscolors.Icouldn'thelpstandingthereinawe.
"Heythere!"Amanstandingneartheclosestrollercoasterexclaimed."Heretochallengethegym,huh?Icanseeyou'resurprisedtoseeallofthis!Who'dhavethoughtthere'dbearollercoasterinsideofagym?Anyway,ifyouwannagetto
Elesa,you'vegottaridecoastercarslikethisonetogettoherdestination.Eachcaronlygoesbetweentwoplatforms,soyou'llneedtochangecarsinordertoreachElesa."
"Wait,that'sit?Just...ridethecars?"Iasked,archinganeyebrow.
Themannodded."Justridethecars."
"Huh...Alright,then.Thanksfortheinformation."
"IrecommendyoukeepyourPokémoninsideoftheirballswhileyou'reontheride!Wouldn'twantthelittlefellaonyourarmgettingthrownoffwhileit'sgoing."
"Oh,right."ItookoutTiny'sballand,despitehimgivingmeacute,sadface,Ireturnedhimintoitbeforesteppingintothecar.
Aftermakingsureeverythingwasinplace,themanwalkedovertoaconsole,pushedsomebuttons,andthecoasterbeganridingdowntheneonrail.Itstartedoffslow,butsoongainedenoughspeedformetoinstinctivelygripthesafetybars.Iteventuallyslowedtostopatanotherplatform,whichhadanothercarattheotherendonadifferently-coloredrail.Andinthemiddleoftheplatform...wasaPikachu.Itsbackwasturnedtome,butassomeonewhoactuallyownsaPikachu,I'mprettysureIcouldtellonefromtheback.ThiswasanElectrictypegym,somaybeitbelongedtosomeone.Butnobodyhumanwasthere,soIwoundupsendingTinyouttohelpapproachit.
"Tiny,goandmakefriendswiththatPikachu."Betternottoriskgettingzapped.
"Ooh!Okay."TinywentovertothePikachuandpatteditontheback.Itsuddenlygottallerandturnedaroundtoreveal...alittlegirlinaPikachuoutfit."Whoa!"
"It'saPikachu!"ThecostumedgirlsquealedindelightbeforeshepickedupTiny."Pika-pi!Pikachu?"
"Uhhh...what?"Tinyasked,soundingconfused.
Shesuddenlybegantohughimtightly."You'resooocuteandcuddly!"
"Wait!"Iexclaimed,runningforward."Youcan'tjusthughimlikethatorhe'llshockyou!"
ThegirlletgoofTinyandlookedatmeinconfusion."Huh?Who'reyou?IsthisPikachuyours?"
"Yeah.Areyouactuallyatrainerhere,littlegirl?"Iasked,archinganeyebrow.
Thecostumedgirlpuffedhercheeksoutinannoyance."Itdoesn'tmatterhowoldyouareorhowyoudress!Atrainerisatrainerisatrainer!"
"Ididn'tmentionthewayyoudress..."
"IlovePikachusomuchthatIwannabeaPikachu!That'swhyIwearthiscostume!Pika-pi!"
"Yeah,sure.Listen,arewegonnahaveaPokémonbattleornot?"
"Pi-Pikachu!Alright!"Thecostumedgirlranovertooneendoftheplatform,rightinfrontofthenextcoastercar,asshepulledoutaPokéBallfromsomewhereonherperson."Pikachuuuu~!"Inflashoflight,anEmolgaappearedinfrontofher.EmolgawerealotlikePikachu"electricrodentswithdistinctiveelectricpouchesontheircheeks.Theonlydifferencebetweenthemandotherelectricrodent-likePokémonwastheirabilitytoflywiththeyellowcape-likemembraneunderitsarms.
"WhydoyouhaveanEmolgaifyou'redressedlikeaPikachu?!"Iexclaimed.
"Becausetherearen'tanyPikachuinUnova!ButEmolgaareascuteasPikachu,soit'sokay!"Atitstrainer'sstatement,theEmolgadidalittletwirl,showingoffitscape.
"Okay..."Itookoutaball."Go,Mars!"Inaflashoflight,Marsappeared...stillcurledupintoaball.Istared,waitingforhimtouncurl,buthedidn't."Mars?"Noresponse.Notevenatwitch.Hecouldn'thavestartedtodisobeymenow...soIfiguredhewasjustsleepingstill."Nevermind..."ImutteredasIreturnedthebugintohisball.IthoughtforafewsecondsbeforetakingoutanotherPokéBall."Go,Eve!"
Inaflashoflight,Eveappeared,lookinguninterested."Alright.Let'sgetthisoverwith.Iwannagetbacktobed."Atleastfakebeingenergetic!You'regoingintoafight!
"Emolga!UseDoubleTeamandAcrobatics,Pika!"Thecostumedgirlexclaimed.HerEmolgatookoffwitharunningstart.Itflewthroughtheair,performingloop-de-loopsanddivingdownatEveasitmadecopiesofitselfintheair.AfterthereweremanyEmolgacopies,itfinallyswoopeddownandtackledEvefrombehindbeforegoingbackupintotheair."Yeah!Keepitup!"
"Um,useQuickAttacktododge!"EvebegantojustbarelydodgetheEmolga'sswoopingdives.Atonepoint,theEeveeturnedonadimejustasitswoopeddownbehindherandtackledheadfirstintoit.TheEmolgafelloutoftheairandskidded
acrossthefloorforafewsecondsbeforestopping."NowpounceanduseBite!"EveranovertotheEmolgajustasitwasgettingupandpounced,onlytomissasittooktotheaironceagain.
"Nicetry,Pika-pi!Emolga,useShockWave!"Thegirl'sEmolgabegantogenerateelectricity.Withashout,theEmolgafiredawidewaveofelectricitydownatthefloor.Evewasn'tabletododgeandwoundupgettingshocked.
"Ijustwantedtosleeponanice,comfybedtoday.Wasthattoomuchtoask?!"Evewhined.
"Calmdown!UseMimictocopythatShockWave!"Eve'seyeslitupforafewsecondsbefore,liketheEmolga,itbegantogenerateelectricityandunleashedanelectricwaveattheflyingsquirrel.IthitandtheEmolgafalteredintheair."Doitagain!"
"Pika!UseSparktoabsorbit!"ThePikachuGirlexclaimed.HerEmolgabegantogenerateafieldofelectricityasitdovedown.Itwentthroughtheelectricitywave,aimingdownatEve,whocouldonlystareupinawe.
"Moveoutoftheway!"Icriedout.EvejumpedoutofthewayintimetoavoidthediveandtheEmolgawoundupcrashingface-firstintothefloor."Now,useBite!"
"UseSparktoprotectyourself,Pika-pi!"JustasEvepouncedontotheEmolgaandbitdown,itgeneratedelectricity,shockingherintheprocess.Whenitwasalloverwith,theybothcollapsed,seeminglyunconscious!"CHUUUU!NotmyEmolga!"Thegirlcriedoutbeforereturningitintoitsball."IfonlyIwasarealPikachu...ThenIcouldbattleyouandwin!ButIlost...Okay,youcantaketherollercoasterheretogofurtherintothegym!"
IranuptoEveandcheckedherover.Shewasunconsciousandslightlysmokingfromtheexposuretoelectricity.Igottoworkhealingherwithspraysofpotionand,justincase,ParalyzeHeal."Youdidreallywell.Youcanrestfortherestoftheday,sodon'tworry,"ImumbledbeforereturningEveintoherball.IlookedatTiny."You,too.Timetogetbackinside."
"WAIT!"ThePikachugirlranuptomewithsparklingeyes."CanItouchyourPikachu?!"
Istaredatthegirlforafewsecondsbeforeflatlysaying,"Sure.Butnohugging."ShesquealedandbeganpattingandstrokingTiny.Apartofmejustcouldn'tresistallowinghertodothat,regardlessofTiny'spouting.IusedtobeaRaichugirlmyselfasalittlekid.
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Acoasterridelater,Imadeittothenextplatform.Standinginfrontofthecoasterthatwouldtakemetomynextdestinationwasayoungman.Heworeafancy-lookingwhitesuitwithshinedblackshoes,andthewayhelookedatmeamplifiedthe"I'mbetteroffthanyouare"vibethatwascomingoffofhim."Aha!Achallenger!It'sabouttime!"
"Lemmeguess:Ineedtobeatyoutogetonthecoaster,"Ispokesimply.
"Indeed.Atleastyouaren'tassimpleasyourclothesmakeyoulook."Wow.Iguessbeingajerkisn'tano-nowhenyou'reagymtrainer."Iwouldprefertoskipwiththepleasantries.AllowmetoshowyouthemightofmypedigreePokémon!"TherichkidtookoutaPokéBallthatappearedtobeencrustedwithgemsonthetoplid.Whowoulddothat?
Inaflashoflight,aflat,brownPokémonappearedinfrontoftherichkid,shimmeringwithsparklesasitdid.IrecognizeditasaStunfisk,akindofPokémonthathiditselfinthemudnearshoresandshockedanyonewhosteppedonit.Butitsyellowfinandexclamationmark-likepatternwereinsteadblue,andthentherewasthatsparklingshimmerarounditthatdidn'tmatchitsblank-eyedlook.
"DoyoulikemyStunfisk?Iboughtitfromaveryfamousforeignbreederpaidalotofmoneyforit!Andjustlookatthatshine!"TherichguyboastedasIscannedmyPokédexforStunfisk'sweaknessesandbegantothinkaboutmyoptions.Shionwastheonlyonewithmovesthatitwasweakto,butitwouldprobablyhaveElectrictypemovestocounterWatertypes.TinycouldresistitsElectrictypeattacks,butitmayhavehadGroundtypeattacks,too.IwoundupsendingoutPanaceasinceshe'dprobablytakelessdamagefromitsattacks."Oh.AnAudino.Howuninteresting.Stunfisk!Let'sbeginbyusingMuddyWater!"TheStunfiskbegantoflopinplacebeforesuddenly,awaveofdirtybrownwaterformedbeneathitandmovedtowardsPanacea.ThewaveovertookPanaceaandmadeherfallover,dirtyingherintheprocess.
"Ah!Myeyes!Panaceacriedoutasshebegantorubhereyes.
"TrytouseShadowBall!"TheAudinobegantoformaballofpurpleandblackenergybetweenherpawsbeforefiringitattheStunfisk...andmissingasitflewovertheTrapPokémon'shead."Well,that'snogood...TrytouseAttract!"
PanaceaputherpawstogetherasshecametheStunfiskacutelook."Won'tyoupleasetakeiteasyonme?"TheStunfisk'seyeslitupanditdidadopeylaughbeforeitfloppedaboutinplace.
"Unbelievable!Stunfisk,don'tfallforthis...filledejoie!"Therichkidexclaimed.
"Hey!Iknowwhatthatmeans!It'sjustabattletactic,youjerk!"Ishouted.
"Onlytheunculturedwouldconsiderthatatactic!Stunfisk,BounceonthatAudino!"TheStunfiskcontinuedtogigglelikeadopeasitsuddenlybouncedupintotheairandlandedontopofPanacea,forcingherdowntothefloor."Yes!That'stheway!NowuseDischarge!"
"Tee-hee-hee!"Ratherthanlisteningtohistrainer'scommands,theStunfiskbegantoflopontopofPanacea."You'resosoftandyousmelllikeberries...!"
"Ugh...!MissWhite!Ican'tmove!Mybodyfeelsnumb!"Panaceapleadingcameoutmuffled.Uponcloserlook,InoticedthattheStunfiskwasgeneratingatinybitofelectricityasitlaidontopofher.
"Stunfisk!UseDischarge!"Therichkidrepeated,onlytobemetwithmoregiggling.
"Okay,thisisgettingcreepy.Panacea,getitoffwithPsychic!"Iexclaimed.PanaceaandtheStunfiskbegantoglowwithabrightblueaura.TheTrapPokémonwassuddenlysentspiralingupintotheairbyapsychicforce.
"RecoverwithaBounce!"Therichkidcommanded.Stunfiskrecoveredinmidairandsuddenlydroppedtothefloor,bouncingafewtimesbeforelandingsafely.Itlookedabitheartbrokennow."Haveyousnappedoutofit?ThenuseDischarge!"
"YoubrokemyHEAAAARRRT!"TheStunfiskcriedasitunleashedadozensofbeamsofelectricityatPanacea.Theonesthattraveledthroughtheairmissed,butthemuddywaterthathadwetthefloorwasshockedbythewater,shockingbothPanaceaandtheStunfiskatthesametime.TheStunfisk,typicalofitskind,didn'tseemtofeelthepain,whilePanceaenduredtheshockingforce.
"NowuseBouncetofinishitoff!"
PanaceastumbledbackabitasshetriedtorecoverfromtheattackandtheStunfiskbouncedupintotheair."KnockitbackwithSecretPower!"JustastheStunfiskwasabouttolandontopofher,Panaceajumpedupandhititwithabodyslam,sendingitflyingupintotheaironcemore."NowShadowBall!"Sheformedaballofghostlyenergybetweenherpaws.AfterafewsecondsofstaringatthemidairStunfisk,shefiredtheShadowBallandithititstarget.Itpromptlyfelltothegroundinadazeandseeminglyunabletobattle.
"Noway!Howcouldyoubeatmyexpensiveandwell-bredStunfisk?!"TherichkidcomplainedashereturnedtheStunfiskintoitsfine-lookingball.Hemutteredsomethingbeforegoingofftosulkinacorneroftheplatform.
IapproachedPanaceawithpotionsinhand."Youokay?"
"Ifeelveryodd,MissWhite.Veryunclean,"PanaceasaidasIsprayedherinjurieswithSuperPotion.IreallyhopedthatshewasreferringtothedirtfromtheMuddyWaterandnotbeingflouncedonbythatStunfisk...
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Therestofmytimetravelingthroughthegymwasspentinmostofthesameway:findacar,battleatrainertogetintothecar,ridethecartogofurtherwhenvictorious.SometimesIwasn'tbattlingthemtogetintoacar,buttodealwitheasy-to-understandcontrolsthatwouldmakeacoastercarrideonadifferentlanetoanewplatform.Eitherway,IfoundmyselfusingalotofParalyzeHealsandSuperPotionstohealmyPokémontothepointofrunningout.
Eventually,Iwasridingacoastercardownarailwithpurpleneonlights.IgrippedthesafetybarstightlywhenIsawanintimidatingsightthathadbeenabsentfromtherestofmyridethroughthegym:loop-de-loops.IwasscreamingbeforeIevenwentthroughthem,seeminglyspeedingupwitheachloopIwentthrough.Thecoastercareventuallysloweddowntoastopinfrontofthenextplatform,butittookafewsecondsbeforemylegsfeltstrongenoughformetostepoutontoit.
AndassoonasIdid,alargespotlightshonedown.Unliketheotherplatforms,thisonewasdifferent.Theblack-tiledfloorhadanofficial-lookingbattlefieldinthemiddleofit,madeupofblueneonlights.Standingontheothersideofthebattlefieldwasawomanwithherbackturnedtome.Withahandonherhip,sheturnedaroundtofaceme.Shewastall,blondeandblue-eyed,wearingayellowandblackdressthatrevealedportionsofhertorso,longandtightblackleggings,yellowhigh-heeledshoes,andapairofheadphonesthatwereredononesideandblueontheother.Shecertainlylookedprettyenoughtobeamodel.
"Areyou...thegymleaderElesa?"Iasked.
Theblondewomanlookedshocked."You...don'tknowwhoIam?"
"Uh,sorry.Idon'treallypayattentiontotheworldoffashionand...stuff."Imight'veglimpsedheronTVoronsomemagazinecovers,butIneverreallyrememberedsuchthings.
Ratherthanlookoffended,Elesaseemedamused."Well,howlong'sitbeensinceI'vebeenchallengedbysomeonewhodidn'trecognizemyface?Sinceyoudon'tknow,I'llintroducemyself."Shebegantoposewithonehandonherheadandtheotheronherhipwithalegstretchedforward."I'mElesa.I'mbestknownthroughoutUnovaasamodel,butthat'sajobwhereIhavetomakesomeoneelse'svisionlooklikeareality.Iliketothinkthattherealmeisashocking,dazzlingPokémontrainer!"ShespunonherheeloncemoreandwassuddenlyholdingaPokéBallinonehandbetweenherfingerswhiletheotherstillrestedonherhip."Didyoufeelthefantasticspeedoftherollercoasterasyouwentthroughthisgym?Well,mybelovedElectricPokémonwillzapyousohard,yourheadwillspin!"Elesaexclaimed.Istayedsilent,waitingformore."Well?Thisisthepartwhereyouzapmebackwithawittyorsimpleretort!Atleastsayyourname!"
"Oh.I'mWhite.AndI'mwaitingfortherules,like,whatIhavetodotowin."
"Oh.Ofcourse.Howmanybadgesdoyouhaverightnow?"
"Ihavethreebadges."
Elesaturnedaroundtofacemecompletely,nolongerposing."Wellthen,White,let'shaveadazzlingthree-on-threetriplebattle!"
Iarchedaneyebrow."A...triplebattle?"
"It'sthenewestthing.BasicallywegettouseonlythreePokémon,andwehavetouseallthreeofthemonthebattlefieldatthesametime.Towin,youhavetoknockoutallthreeofmyPokémonwhilemakingsureatleastoneofyoursisconscious.TryandusemorethanthethreePokémonandyou'lllose."
"But...whyatriplebattle?Alltheothergymleadersonlyhadone-on-onematches."
Elesawaggedafingeratme."It'sagymleader'sjobtotesttrainersandtheirPokémontoseethatthey'vegottheskillstochallengetheEliteFourandtheChampion.Soconsiderthisadifferentkindofhurdletoovercome.Besides,it'sfun,andIliketoshakethingsup!Thelastchallengerdidn'tcomplainwhenIdecidedwe'dhaveaRotationbattle."RotationBattle?Whattheheckwasthat?!"So,doyouunderstandtherules,White?YoudohaveatleastthreePokémon,right?"
"...Yeah.Sure.Let'sbegin."
Elesa'seyeslitupandshebegantosmile."Excellent!ThenletmeshowyoumybrilliantlyshiningPokémon!Goandlightupthestage!"SheexclaimedasshetossedthreePokéBallsupintotheair.Inaflashoflight,threePokémonappearedon
Elesa'ssideofthebattlefield:anEmolga,aZebstrika,andaJoltikthatalmostwentunseenduetoitssize.
"Alrightthen..."Ifthiswasathree-on-threebattleandElesa'sPokémonwereallElectrictypes,Iknewstraightawaywho'dbeuseful."Go,Tiny!"Inaflashoflight,Tinyappearedinfrontofme.
Elesaimmediatelybegantosquealassheheldontoherfaceindelight,"Ohmygosh,aPikachu!It'ssooocute!"
AndhavingTinyonthefieldmeanthecouldabsorballofherPokémon'selectricityandIwouldn'thavetoworryaboutShion'ssafety."Go,Shion!"Shionappearedinaflashoflight,nexttoTiny.Evewasunconscious,Panaceawaswornoutfrombattle,andIdidn'thaveanyhealingitemstomakeeitherofthemfitforanotherfight.Really,Ihadnootherchoicebuttheonememberonmyteamwhotechnicallyhadn'tbattledyet."Go,Mars!"Inaflashoflight,Marsappeared...stillcurledupintoaball.Ifeltbadforthinkingit,butmaybeifhegotknockedaroundonceortwiceinthefight,he'dwakeup.
"Alright!Let'shaveagloriousanddazzlingbattle!Joltik,useDischargeonEmolgaandZebstrika!"What?IwatchedinconfusionasElesa'sJoltikchargedupandzappedherotherPokémonwithboltsofelectricity.Asexpected,theyweren'treallyharmedbyit.Infact,itseemedliketheywere...enjoyingit."MydearEmolgaandZebstrikahavetheabilityMotorDrive.Itletsthemabsorbelectricityinordertoincreasetheirspeed!Sonow!Emolga,showoffyourAcrobaticsonthatVenipede,andZebstrika,attackthatDewottwithWildCharge!"
"No!Tiny,chargeintothatZebstrikawithQuickAttack!Shion,protectMarsanduseIcyWind!"Iexclaimed.
Elesa'sZebstrikaandEmolgaimmediatelytookoff,showingouttheirnewspeed.TinydashedforwardwhileShionstayedclosedtoMars.WhentheEmolgacameswoopingabovethem,Shiontookadeepbreathandbegantobreatheafreezingwindupintotheairtoholditoff.Meanwhile,TinyranuptotheZebstrikaandjumpedheadfirstintoit,absorbingitselectricitywhiletakingtheforceofitscharge.Tinywassentflyingback,butrecoveredinmidairandlandedonhisfeet.
"Tiny,aimSwiftupatthatEmolga!"
"Zebstrika,useStomp!"
JustasTinywaspreparingtofirehisSwiftupattheEmolga,theZebstrikaboundedovertohimandstompeddownonhimwithitshoof,stoppinghimashewasforced
tothefloor.
"TrytouseSwiftonthatZebstrika!"
Tiny'staillitupbeforeittwitchedandfiredoffabarrageofstarsattheZebstrika'sbellyandlegs.TheimpactcausedittoraiseitshoofandallowTinytozipoutfromunderneathit.ThePikachu'stailonceagainlitupandwithaflick,hefiredanotherbarrageofstarsupattheEmolga,makingitfalterinmidairlongenoughtobehitbyShion'sIcyWind.TheEmolgaspiraleddowntowardsthefloorforafewsecondsbeforesuddenlyrecoveringandpullingup,flyingbackovertoElesa'ssideofthebattlefield.
"Well,IseethatPikachuofyoursalsohastheabilitytoabsorbelectricity.Nowonderyou'vegotaWatertypeonyourteam,"saidElesawithasmirk."IguessIknowwhomyfirsttargetshouldbe,then!Zebstrika,useFlameChargeonthatPikachu!Joltik,takearideonEmolga!AndEmolga,flyinanduseAerialAceonthatDewott!"TheZebstrikawhinniedbeforesuddenlybecomingengulfedinfireandchargingforwardquickly.TheJoltikjumpedontotheEmolga'sbackbeforeittookoffandquicklyspedtowardsShion.
"Shion,useWaterGuntoputoutZebstrika!"
"Joltik,useStringShotonDewott'seyes!"TheJoltikjumpedoffoftheEmolgasecondsandfiredaburstofstickysilkontoShion'sface.Shionwastoobusystrugglingwiththesilkthatshedidn'tnoticetheoncomingEmolgaandwoundupbeingtackledintowithenoughforcetomakeherfallover.Atthesametime,TinytriedinvaintododgetheZebstrika,butiteventuallyrammedintohimwithenoughforcetosendhimflyingawayfromthelargerPokémon."Yeah!Keepitup,guys!"
"Um!Um!Shion,useFurySwipestoremovethestring!Tiny,dodgewithQuickAttackandDoubleTeam!"ShionusedherclawstotearoffthesilkjustintimetobehitbyanotherflyingtacklefromElesa'sEmolga.Atthesametime,TinywasbusyrunningawayfromtheZebstrikaandleavingbehindcopiesforittoattack."Alright!UseIcyWindonemoretime!"Ratherthanbreatheoutmorecoldwind,Shionformedaballofwaterbetweenherpaws.AccordingtothePokédex,itwasthemoveWaterPulse.AstheEmolgacameinforanotherattack,ShionfiredtheballofWaterintotheEmolga.Theforceoftheattackstoppeditinmidairandmadetheelectricrodentfalldown."Yes!Waytogo!Onedown!"Icheered.
"MypoorEmolga...Youtrulylitupthebattlefield,"ElesasaidsadlyasshereturnedherPokémonintoitsball.
"GoandhelpTinywiththatZebstrika!"
"Joltik,bindthatDewottwithStringShot!"Fromseeminglyoutofnowhere,asilkthreadwrappedaroundShionandmadeherfallontothefloor."NowuseBugBite!"ThetinyyellowbugquicklyjumpedontoShionandwenttoworkbitingawayather.Thepainmust'vebeentoomuchforhertobare,becauseshewoundupfaintingafterafewseconds."Nowit'stwo-on-two!Let'skeeponsparking!"Thegymleaderexclaimedassheheldahandhighupintheair."Joltik,bindthatPikachusoZebstrikacanknockitdown!"TheJoltik,justbarelyvisible,begantomovetowardsTinyandtheZebstrika.Onceitwascloseenough,itbeganfiringthreadsofstickysilkatthePikachu,butitsattacksonlywounduphittingcopiesthatquicklyvanished.
"Iwonder...Tiny,getovertothatJoltik!"ThePikachudidasItoldandrantowardstheJoltikwiththeflamingZebstrikainpursuit.EverysprayofstickysilkwasdodgedandwentontotheZebstrika,butitwasburnedawayfromtheflamessurroundingit."NowgetbehinditandknockitintoZebstrikawithIronTail!"TinyzippedbehindtheJoltik,histailtakingonametallicappearance.HeswungitatthesmallbugjustasitwastryingtojumptosafetyandsentitflyingintoZebstrika'spath"ormorespecifically,intoitsflames.IronTailmightnothavedonemuchdamagetoit,butthatFlameChargesuredid.Atiny,high-pitchedcryofpainwasheardandZebstrikasuddenlyskiddedtoahalttotakeinwhatithaddone.TheJoltikwasonthefloor,scorchedandunconscious.
"Oh,Joltik!Youfizzledoutinaratherunexpectedway..."ElesaspokesadlyasshereturnedherJoltikintoitsball."Two-on-onenow...Sofar,youandyourPokémonareshiningdazzlinglybright!Butthatdoesn'tmeanit'llgetanyeasier!Itjustmeansthatit'sdo-or-dietime!"Thegymleaderexclaimedassheheldupafist."Zebstrika!CirclearoundusingFlameCharge!"HerZebstrikaneighedbeforeitranforward,eventuallycatchingonfireonceagain.ItranaroundTinyuntilitbecameablackblur,andthenitwaslostamongtheflames."EverytimeaPokémonusesFlameCharge,theirspeedincreases!Soinadditiontothatspeedboostatthebeginningofthebattleandthetimeit'salreadyspentusingFlameCharge,itmightnotbetoofarofftosaythatZebstrikaislightning-fast!"
"Idoubtthat!Tiny,useSwift!"
"Giga-Impact!"
BeforeTinycouldfireabarrageofstars,ablackandwhiteblurspedoutofthefire,glowingbrightorange,andrammedintohimwithenoughincredibleforcetosendhimflyingfaracrosstheplatformbeforedroppingandrollingtoahalt.ThePikachudidn'tmoveortwitch,soIcouldtellthathe'dbeenknockedoutcoldbythatattack.
"Yes!Waytogo,Zebstrika!Nowit's1-v-1!"Elesaexclaimed,holdingupasinglefingerasIsullenlyreturnedTinyintohisball."Sothen,White.Consideringthestateofyour...Venipede,"atthat,IglimpsedatMars,whowasstillcurledup."Areyougoingtomakethesmartdecisionandgiveup?Orwouldyourathergooutinablazeofglory?"
IbitmylowerlipbeforecallingouttoMarsagain."Comeon,Mars!You'vegottawakeup!"Ifeltfearfortworeasons:onewaspossiblylosingthegymchallenge,theotherwasMars'condition.Thelatterfearwonmeover.IwasabouttoannouncethatIwasforfeitingthematchwhenMars'sbodybegantoglowbrightwhite.Hisformbecamebiggerandspikesbecamemorenotableonhisbody.Whenthelightfadedaway,hewasrevealedtohavebecomeaWhirlipede.
"I'mawake!Youdon'thavetoyell!"Marsexclaimedwithhisantennaetwitching.
"Well,isn'tthisexciting?YourPokémonheardyourcriesandevolvedjusttotakeonmyZebstrika!Howdazzling!"Elesaexclaimed.
"Ididn'tdoitforWhite,"Marscommented."IevolvedbecauseI'mabigboynow."You'renotaboy,though.You'reabug.Butyousurearebiggerthanyouwerethismorning.
"Regardlessofwhyyouevolved,thankgoodnessyoudid!Yourealizeyou'reinthemiddleofabattle,right?!"Iexclaimed.
"Yes."
"Andyoutotallyknowhowtomovelikethat,right?"
"Yes."
"Good!"
"Havewecompletedourlittlepeptalk?BecausenowmyZebstrikacanfinallyshowhowanElectrictypePokémonshines!"Elesaproclaimedasshewavedahandintheair."Zebstrika,WildCharge!"HerZebstrika'swhitemanebegantoflickerbrightbluelikeaneonsign.StaticelectricitycrackledarounditsbodybeforeitwassuddenlyengulfedinasphereofblueelectricityandspedtowardsMars.Itrammedintohim,sendinghimrollingback.Butintheprocess,hiscarapacehadgainedametallicappearancethateventuallyfadedbacktoitsnormalcolor.
"Ah!Isthat...?"IscannedhimoverwiththePokédex.He'dapparentlylearnedIronDefenseuponevolving.
"Yes!Shineon!WildChargeoncemore!"HerZebstrika'smaneflickeredagainasitgeneratedelectricityarounditselfonceagain.
IdoubtedthatMarswouldbeabletododgesomethingsofast,sohisonlyoptionsweretodefendorhitithead-on."BraceyoursanduseIronDefense!"
SecondsbeforetheZebstrikarammedintohim,Mars'scarapacebecamemetallic-lookingonceagain.TheimpactoftheWildChargehadbeenlessenedandMarswasonlypushedbackafewinches."NowusePoisonTail!"HisbarbsglowedbrightpurplebeforeherolledforwardandrammedintotheZebstrikawithenoughforcetoactuallymakeitstumblebackabit.TheElectric-typePokémonseemedtobewornout,asifallthatrunningandcharginghadfinallydoneanumberonitsstamina.
"This...isit,"Elesaspokedramaticallywithhereyesnarrowed."Adashofdangerandapinchofperil...thisiswhatmakesadramaticvictory!Thisisthetruedo-or-dietime,Zebstrika!"Inresponsetoherproclamation,herZebstrikafoundthestrengthtowhinnyandstompthefloorloudly.
"Oh,no!Notthisagain!Mars,IronDefenseandbraceyourself!"IexclaimedasIputmyhandstogetherinapleadingmanner.TheWhirlipedetookonametallicappearanceoncemoreandwaitedfortheinevitableattack.
"GigaImpact!"Thegymleaderexclaimed.HerZebstrika'smaneflickeredoncemore,butinsteadofafieryorelectrifiedaura,itbegantoglowbrightorange.TheZebstrikadashedforwardandrammeditselfintoMarswithsuchforcethathecouldn'tkeephismetallicformandturnedbacktonormal,rollingovertotheedgeofthebattlefieldandnearme.
"Mars!A-areyouokay?!"IaskedasIstaredintohiseye.Judgingbythewayitlooked,hewasinabitofadaze.
"Iam...notokay...Ouch..."Marsspokefeebly.
"Doyouthinkyoucanstillmove?"
"M-maybe..."
IlookedatElesa'sZebstrika.Itwashunchedover,pantingandwincinginpainfromthepoison."TryandusePoisonTail!"Marspushedhimselftostartrollingandeventuallygotfaster.TheZebstrikaseemedtobeattemptingtomove,butitwoundupfalteringbeforeitcouldgetoutofthewayintime.MarschargedintotheexhaustedElectrictype,andthatseemedtobeenoughtoknockitdowntothefloor.TheZebstrikaattemptedtogetuponcebeforecollapsingandseeminglyfainting.I
wounduphunchingoverandbreathingasighofreliefbeforerunninguptoMarsandtryingtocarefullyhughim.Whenthatfailed,Isettledforrubbingmyhandagainsthisshell."Youdidit!Youwon!I'msosorryIsentyououtlikethat!You'rethebest,Mars!"Iexclaimedbeforekissingabarepartofhisshell.
"MydearZebstrika,youshonebrightly..."ElesareturnedherZebstrikaintoitsballandapproachedusinthemiddleofthebattlefield,smiling."Well,Imeanttomakeyourheadspin,butyoushockedmeinstead!Imean...you'reagreattrainer!"Itthenseemedasifshesuddenlyrememberedsomething."Oh,right!Here!IwantyoutohavethisBoltBadge."Shehandedmeayellowbadgeshapedlikeathunderbolt."Ihopeyou'llcontinuetoshinebrightlyfortherestofyourlife!"
"Thanks!Now,um...howdoIleavehere?"
X-X-X
Later,IwentbacktothePokémonCenterbacktotheroomBlackandIhadgottenforourselves.Blackwasn'tbackyet,soIdecidedtositonmyownbedandwaitforhim.Inthemeantime,IwoundupreleasingmyPokémontokeepmecompany.
"NOOOOOO!"EvecriedoutthemomentshenoticedMars'snewlyevolvedform.Shecurledupintoafetalpositionandbegantosob,"Notyou,too!Thatmakesthreenow!"
"Um...sorry?"Marsapologized,soundingunsure.
Panaceabentoverandpattedherhead."There,there.Yourtimewillcomesomeday..."
Shionfelltoherkneesinfrontofmeandbegantobow."Pleaseforgiveme,White!"
Tinyimitatedherandbegantodothesame."Me,too!"
"Ilosttoabugthatsmall!Itmakesmefeelashamed!"
"Yeah!Itcouldn'tevenuseelectric-typemoves,butthat...overgrownhorsebeatme!"
"I'mprettysureitwasasbigasanaveragehorse...I-Imean,calmdown!I'mnotupset!Consideringthatitwasathree-on-threefightandweweren'texactlyupagainstapersonwithlittleexperienceatPokémonbattles,wedidreallywell!Youguys...performedadmirably!"
Tinyraisedhisheadtolookatmeashepouted."Iwantedtobetheonewhowon
thebadgethistime!"Ikindofdid,too.Tobetotallyhonest,ifitwasn'tatriplebattle,Tinywould'vebeenmyace-in-the-holeifthesituationwasatitsworst.
"Butyouhelped!Ifitwasn'tforyou,Elesaprobablywould'vekeptzappingourteamswithelectricity.AndI'mprettysureMarswasonlyabletobeatherZebstrikabecauseofallthedamageyouwereabletodotoitbeforegettingknockedout."IbentoverandstrokedbothhisandShion'sheads."Youbothwereabighelp,too,sodon'tfeelbadaboutgettingknockedout."
"Butstill...theshame!"Shionwhined.
"White,Iwannagetstrongenoughtowinabadgeforyou,too!"Tinyspokedeterminedly.
"Youalreadydid,though,"Imumbled,butitwasloudenoughforhimtohear.
"Well,Iwannawinanother!"
"Ifwewannawin,weneedtoprepare..."Imumbled."Weneedtomakeprogress,"Isaidwithanod."Weneedtotrainharder,learnbettermoves,and...maybe...catchsomenewPokémon."Ithurtmetosaythat,especiallywhenIthoughtofwhatVictinimight'vebeengoingthrough.ButIcouldn'tletthisholdmebackforever.Ifeltapairofpawstouchingmylegs.IlookedbackatPanaceaandTiny,whoweregivingmedifferentexpressions.
Tinylookedhappyasheexclaimed,"Iwannamakeprogress,too,White!Whateverthatmeans..."
"I'msureit'shardtothinkaboutcatchinganotherPokémonafterwhathappened...butyoushouldkeepyourheadupregardlessofhowmuchitmayhurt,"Panaceasaidwithapout.
"Iknow.Iknow..."Isniffledandclenchedmyfists,tryingtoupbeat."Alright!Whowantstogotrain?!"
"Sosoon?"Evewhimpered.
"Aren'tyoutheonewhowantstoevolvelikeeveryoneelse?"Shionasked,archinganeyebrow.
TheEeveeimmediatelyperkedupandcheered,"Potentialevolution,yay!"
IreturnedallbutTinyintotheirballs.IpickedupthePikachuandplacedhiminside
ofmybag.Itseemedrudetonotleaveanote,buthecouldalwayscallmeviaXtransceiver."Alright,Tiny.Let'sgomakesomeprogress."
X-X-X
Notes!
PikachuGirlisbasedonPokéKids"atrainerclassthatonlyappearsintheSinnohgamesandlookslikeaPikachuintheiroverworldsprite.
BWintroducedtheconceptofTripleandRotationbattles.TripleBattleswereshowcasedmoreinWhitewhileRotationBattleswereshowcasedmoreinBlack.
StunfisklearnsBounceviaMoveTutor.EmolgalearnsAerialAceviaTM.ZebstrikalearnsGigaImpactviaTM.
Emolga'sHiddenAbilityisMotorDrive.
InBW2,ElesahasafourthPokémon"Joltik"inChallengeMode.
X-X-X
RemembertoreviewforthesakeofBlu!
Chapter22
Disclaimer:BluRosedoesn'townthePokémonseries.Onlythisfic.
X-X-X
~TheBewilderingForest~
"YES!Waytogo,Eve!"IcheeredafterEvemanagedtoknockouttheScraggywithitsownmove.TheEeveesmiledandstoodonherhindlegstoshowoffbeforeshewasreturnedtoherball.
"Youdidyourbest,Scraggy..."ThebackpackerwhocalledhimselfPeterspokeashereturnedtheunconsciousScraggyintoitsball."Thanksforthebattle,miss!GuessIbetterheadforthePokémonCenterinNimbasa..."Themanbegantowalkthroughthetallgrass,backinthedirectionoftheroad.
"Hey,wait!"Iexclaimed,makinghimstopandlookoverhisshoulderatme."Yousaidtherewasaforestsomewherenearby?Whereisit?"
Thebackpackerarchedaneyebrow."YoumeanLostlornForest?Justkeepgoingnorthfromhereandyou'llfindtheentrance.Hopeyouaren'texpectingsomethingmind-blowing,though."Andthenheleft.
"Idon'treallycareabouthavingmymindblown.IjustwannacatchaPokémon,"IsaidasIbegantowalktothenorth.Imean,I'dalreadychallengedallthetrainersIcouldalongRoute16"theoneswhowantedtobattle,atleast.CatchingatleastonenewPokémonwastheonlyotherthingIneededtocheckoffonmymentallist.
"But,White,there'slotsofPokémontocatchouthere!"Tinyexclaimed,barelyseeninthetallgrass.
"There'snothingbutNormaltypesandElectrictypesouthere.AndTrubbish."Granted,EmolgawaspartFlyingtype,butI'drathercatchsomethingbigenoughtoflyontogetovermyFlyingtypefearsina...sadlyhands-onway.
"Whataboutthebigcat?"HemeantthewildLiepardwesaw.
"Notmything."ThePokédexentriesonLiepardweren'tentirelybad,butIfeltlikeIneededmoretimetoworkuptothedeviousDarktype"orfindonethatwasn'tsodevious.
"AndthePsychicones?"HemeantGothitaandSolosis,twoPsychictypePokémon
we'dseenoftenontheroute.
"Alsonotmything."IalsoneededtoworkuptoPsychictypes.AndItechnicallyhadaPsychictypePokémon...hejustwasn'twithmerightnow."Anyway...!Rightnow,I'mhopingtofindaGrasstype.That'soneofthemostcommontypesafterWaterandNormaltypes...accordingtothePokédex,anyway.SoIreallyshould'vecaughtonebynow."
Tinygavemealookthatsaidhedidn'treallybelieveme."Uh-huh."
Itdidn'ttakelongforustofindwhatIassumedwastheentranceintotheforest."ForestsarepracticallycrawlingwithGrasstypes!There'sgottabeatleastonethatIwon'tmindcatching!"Iproclaimed,double-checkingtomakesureIhadeverythingIwouldneedforawalkthroughtheforest.
"Solongasitisn'taPsychic-type,right?"Tinyaskedinateasingtone.
IfrownedandlookeddownatthePikachu."...That'snotfunny.Don'tevenjokeaboutthechancesoffindingsome...mutantbreedofGrasstypePokémonwithpsychicabilities."Andnowthatthoughtwasgonnastaystuckinmyheadforalongtime.
X-X-X
Whenwecrossedabridgeoverariverandofficiallyenteredtheforest,IcouldguesswhythatPeterguywasupsetaboutitnotbeing'mind-blowing'.LostlornForestlookedlesslikeaforestandmorelikeaforestclearing.Justasmallclearing,barrenofeventallgrassforwildPokémontohideoutin,withlargetreesandstumpscirclingaroundittightly,likeanaturalwall"whichmadeitseemunnatural.TheonlyPokémonIfoundwereaschoolofBasculinthatwereswimmingthroughtheriverbeneaththelittlewoodenbridge.
"This...isaforest?"Tinyasked,soundingconfused."Isn'tit...kindasmall?OrmaybeI'vejustgottenwaybiggersincethelasttimeIwasinaforest."
"No.It'ssmall."Maybeitwasbigger,butthosetreesweresotightlybunchedtogetherthatitdidn'tseempossibletopushmyselfthroughthem."Maybethere'ssomethinghidinginthetrees.IrememberseeingwildCottoneegetstuckinatreeoncewhenIwasakid."
"White,"avoicewhisperedfromamouthtooclosetomyear.
"EEP!"Isqueakedbeforejumpingforwardfromfrightandwhirlingaroundtocatchtheperpetrator.ItturnedouttobeN."N!You!"Iwalkeduptohimpunchedhiminthe
shoulderforscaringme."Youareastalker,aren'tyou?!Whodoyouthinkyouarejustsneakinguponpeopleandgivingthemheartattacks?!"ButatleastitwasNandnotsomethingactuallydangerous.Ididn'treallyknowwhatlurkedinthisforestasidefromtheexpectedBugandGrasstypePokémon.
N'sZoruasnickeredfromhisplaceatN'sfeet."Don'tblamehimifyou'retheonewho'ssoeasytoscare!"
N,however,didn'tlooklikehecaredorwassorryaboutwhathehaddone.Hejustgreetedmecasuallyasherubbedhissoreshoulder,"Hello,White.It'snicetoseeyouagain.Andpleasestopcallingmethat."Nwalkedontothegrassandtookalookaroundbeforelookingatme."I'vereadaboutLostlornForestinmybook.Therearelegendsthatpaintitasalivingforestofsortsthatalwayschangesitsappearancewhenoutsidersenterit,makingthemwanderwithinituntiltheylosetheabilitytogoonandareconsumed."
Igulped."C-consumed?!"
NnoticedmyfearthistimeandstartedquicklyspeakinginsuchawaythatIcouldbarelyunderstandwhathewassaying.FromwhatIwasabletopickout,hewastryingtomakemefeelbetterbysayinghowitwasonlyalegend,soitwasn'ttrue,andyethewentonaboutthelegendsabouttheforestthathadlessbleakendings.Eventually,hestoppedspeakingsoquicklyandsaidatanormalpace,"...butthetruthisthattheforest'sconstantchangesaretheresultofPokémoncalledZoroark."ItookoutmyPokédextolookuptheentryonZoroarkasNcontinued,"LostlornForestistheonlyplacewhereseveralZoroarkandZoruaareknowntolive.Zoroarkcastillusionsaroundtheforesttoprotecttheirhomesandfamilies."
IwassurprisedtoseewhataZoroarklookedlike.Itwasabig,black,beastlycreaturethatstoodontwofeetandhadalong,redmanelookinglikeitwastiedbackintoaponytail."Mm-hm.That's...whatthebiosays."Itsaidtheywentaroundinpacks,too.Thatsoundedtroublesome."Hey,wait...Areyoutellingmethisforestmightbeanillusion?"
"Well,thispartoftheforest.TherestmightbeunaffectedorunderanillusionfromanotherZoroark."NlookeddownatZorua."Couldyoupleasegoanddispeltheillusiontoshowthem?"
Zoruahuffedandwalkedpastus."I'mdoingit,butnotforthem."Hesniffedaroundforafewseconds,thenhestoodonhishindlegsandbegantoglowwithablackaura.Whenhefellbackonallfours,slamminghisforelegsontheground,pitchblackenergybrieflycircledaroundhimlikeaspherebeforeitwasunleashedall
aroundhimlikeashockwave.Whenthewavehitthetrees,mostofthemdispersedandrevealedthattheareawasfarwiderandapathleadingdeeperintotheforest.
"Oh,wow!That'samazing!"Iexclaimed,usingthePokédextoscanZorua'sattack.Apparently,itwassomethingcalledNightDaze,andonlyZoruaandZoroarkcouldlearnit.Zoruawasn'tallsnark,itseemed.AthoughtcrossedmymindthatIwoundupvoicing,"IsZorua"yourZoruafromthisforest?"
"Don'tyoudare"!"Zoruabegan.
"Yes,"Nsaid.HisZoruagroanedandshookhisheadinresponse."We'reactuallyheretofindhisfamily.Wouldyou...liketocomealongwithus,ifyoudon'tmind?"
"Don'tmakethatoffertothem!"Zoruasnapped."Aren'tyouworriedthatshe'sgonnacatchmyfamily?!"
Istartedtofrown."Idon'twannacatchanyZorua"especiallyiftheyactlikeyou.Besides,whywouldIwannagoanywherewithyoutwo?"
"Um,youcouldfindsomePokémontocatchalongtheway,"Tinypointedout."Remember:progress."He'sgettingsmartthesedays.Smartandlogical.Thatcouldbeaprobleminthefuture.
Igroanedandheldupaclenchedfist,"Fine.I'llgo.Forprogress."
"Hoorayforprogress!"ThePikachucheered.
"Idon'tevenwannaknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,"ZoruamutteredwhileNjuststaredatusinconfusion.ThesmallfoxPokémonturnedhisbackonusandbeganwalkingdeeperintothewoods."Followme.I'llleadtheway."
NsilentlyfollowedbehindhisZorua,andhesitantly,ItrailedbehindthemalongsideofTiny.WhydidIhavesuchabadfeelingabouttaggingalongwiththeseweirdoes?
X-X-X
IttookseveralminutesofwalkingdeeperintotheforestforustostarthearingthefaintcriesofwildPokémon.Iwantedtowalkoffandscopethemout,butIdidn'twanttoseemrude"evenifitwastoN.Idecidedtotryandpassthetimefasterbyattemptingconversationwiththegreen-hairedyoungman."So...IbetthisisnostalgicforyouandZorua,huh?Consideringyou're...you,I'msurethatitwasaprettyinterestingfirstmeeting."
Nstaredatmeforamomentbeforespeaking,"Wedidn'tmeethere."Istaredathiminconfusionashecontinued,"Zorualivedinthisforestyearsago,untilhewascaughtbyamanwhowantedtotrainhimforPokémonbattles.Zoruawasforcedtodoharshtrainingandpunishedbrutallywhenhedidn'tperformasthatmanexpected.Itwasamiraclethathesurvivedthathorror."
"Oh...That's...prettysad."IfeltalittlesorryforZoruanow.Imean,itdidn'texcusehisattitude,butIfeltsorryforthelittleguy."Butifhewasownedbysomebodyelsebefore,how'dyouwindupmeetinghim?"
"WhenIwasachild""
"Stop!Quiet!Shutup!Mypastisn'tanyofherbusiness!"Zoruasnapped,andthatwastheendofthatconversation.
Anawkwardsilencedevelopedaroundusandwecontinuedonuntilcomingtoaclearingthathadthreeseparatepathsaheadofus.Abig,redbugPokémonwasrampagingaround,stompingitsfourfeetandspittingoutpoison.ItwasaScolipede.ThePokédexhadcalledthemfastandhighlyaggressiveattackers,andtheylookedwaymoreferociousinreallifewhenyousawtheirneckclawsand8-foottallheightinperson.Andalsowhentheywereonarampage.
"DORYAAAAAH!"TheScolipedebellowedbeforewhippingitsheadabout.Itrammedintotreesandpoorlycutstumps."Thisisridiculous!ThoseZoroark...areso...annoying!"Itshoutedasitstompeditsfeetinanger.Itthenglimpsedinourdirection.Ifroze,thinkingitwouldattack,butitlookedawayinanger.Thenittookasecondlookandbellowed,"ZORUA!"
"Um,Ithinkitwantstotakeitsangeroutonsomething!"IexclaimedasweranintothebushestoavoidtheScolipede'schargetowardsus.
Nsteppedbackoutintothepath,raisinghishandsasifthatwouldstoparampagingScolipede."Wait,myfriend!Wedon'tmeanyouanyharm!"Heexclaimed.
"I'mgonnadoyouharm,though!"TheScolipederoaredasitlowereditsheadandchargedforward.
IgrabbedNandpulledhimoutofthewaytoavoidbeingtackledagain."Whyareyoutryingtogetyourselfkilled?!"
"Idon'twanttohurtit!"
"Itwantstohurtus!"
"She'sright,N!Obviouslythatbonehead'snotgonnalisten!"Zoruapipedup."It'stimetofight!"
TheScolipedecamebackaroundandturnedtowardsus,itsneckclawsglowingbrightpurple."You'remine!"Itexclaimedasitbeganfiringpinsofpurpleenergyfromitsneckclaws.Weduckedbehindsometreestoavoidgettingstung.
"You'vegotPokémon,right?!Ifweteamup,wecould..."ItrailedoffasIsawN'supsetexpression,"Wecouldchaseitawaywithouthurtingitmuch!"Iexclaimed.
"Hewouldn'tgoalongwiththatevenifhecould.NletgoofallhisPokémonaftergettinghisfourthbadge,"Zoruaexplained.
"SERIOUSLY?!"Ishouted,makingthetalleryoungmanflinch."YoucameintothisforestwithonlyZoruaforprotection?!"ThetreebehinduswasuprootedastheScolipederammedintoit.Itwasamiracleweranoutofthewayasquicklyaswedidbeforethetreefellontopofus.Iwounduptakingouttwoballs."Ugh!Fine!We'llhandlethis,Tiny!"
ThePikachugulped."R-right!Takingonthebigscarybug...thing."Inaflashoflight,ShionandPanaceaappearedbesidehim.Tinyquicklyputonabraveface."Okay!Let'sdothis!"
"Panacea,holdthatScolipedebackwithPsychic!"TheAudinoglowedwithabrightbluelightandunleashedapsychicforcethatpusheditbackasitchargedforward.However,theScolipedecontinuedtochargetowardsusandPanaceakeptforcingitbackwithherPsychicpower."ShionandTiny,combineanElectroBallandWaterPulse!"ThePikachubegantoformaballofelectricenergyonthetipofhistailwhileShionformedaballofwaterbetweenherpaws.Theyfiredtheirrespectiveattacksatthesametime.TheyflewoverPanacea'sheadandhittheScolipede,thecombinedtypesamplifyingtheelectricity.Althoughitwasn'tknockedout,theWaterPulseseemedtoconfusetheScolipedeandmadeitstumblearound,awayfromus."Now,RUN!"Iscreamed,grabbingN'sarmanddragginghimalongbehindmeaswebegantorun.
"Notthere!Here!"Zoruashoutedasherandowntheleftpath.MyPokémonranbehindhimwhileIdraggedNbehindme.
"Willyoucomealong?!"Isnapped.
"Butit'shurt!"
"It'llrecover!"
Weranforseveralminutesuntilwefeltitwassafetostop.IletgoofNandleanedagainstatreeasItriedtocatchmybreath."Talkabout...aclosecall...!"Ibreathedheavily.
"Howcouldyoudothat?"Nwasfrowningasheaskedthat.
"Atleastshedidsomething,evenifitwasmakingsomeoneelsedothehardwork,"saidZorua.Couldn'tIbecomplimentedproperlyconsideringIsavedyourlife?"Whyevencarrymearoundwithyoueverywhereifyoudon'tletmebattle?EvenwhenI'mtheonlyoneheretoprotectyou?!"AmIbeingignored,ordoesheconsidermethatinsignificant?Also,ifyouwantedtofight,I'mprettyyou'dhavehelpedinsteadofjusthidinginthebushes!
Nstaredblanklyatthesmallfoxbeforespeaking,"Idon'twantyoutogethurtfightingavoidablebattles."
"Well,I'malotmoredurablethanahuman!"Zoruathenturnedaroundandledthewayagain.Nstoodinplaceforafewsecondsbeforefollowinghim.
IstaredatthespotsNandZoruaoncestoodinbeforeIstartedwalking,grumbling,"Thankyou,White.YourPokémonfendedoffthatnastyScolipedeandallowedustoescapewithoutanyfatalharm.Youguysarethebest!"
"White.Whoareyoutalkingto?"Shionaskedasshe,PanaceaandTinylookedupatmeinconfusionwhilewalkingbesideme.
"Tome.Somebody'sgottathankmeforreactingquicklyandsavingourlives..."
X-X-X
Idon'tthinktheresidentsofthisforestlikeZoruaandZoroarkverymuch.Aswewentdeeperintotheforest,wewouldfindangryandlostPokémonwhowereeagertoventtheirfrustrationsoutonusbecausetheyspottedZorua.Thenagain,I'dprobablybeupset,too,ifabunchofPokémonwerealwayscastingillusionsandmakingithardtotellwhat'swhat.Ihadtowonderwhatitwouldbelikewhenweactuallymetoneofthosethings,andthatpromptedmetoask,"Isthisreallysuchagoodidea?"
Nlookedbackatmeinconfusion."Whatdoyoumean?"
"IwasjustthinkingthatmaybeZorua'sfamilywon'tbeso...welcomingtowardsusifwepopupwiththechildthatwastakenawayfromthemyearsago."
"Iassureyouthateverythingwillbefinesolongasyoudon'tattackthem."
Iglaredatthegreen-hairedteen."Ihelpedmorethanyoudidwhileyouwerebusytryingtogetthemtostopjustbyspeakingtothem."Whatheconsideredbeingabrutishtrainer,Iconsideredself-defense.Besides,Iwouldn'twanttofightwithoneZoroark,letaloneawholepackofthem.
"YoualwaysthinkyoucantalkthingsoutwithaPokémon"evenwhentheyobviouslydon'twanttotalk,"saidZorua."ConsidertheamountofPokémonwhohavetrickedyouwhileweweretravelingandtheoneswhowantedtofightyouforwhateverreason.You'veseenmoreofthosethantheoneswhowereniceenoughtohelpyou,justforyoutosendthemawaywhentheywerestartingtolikeyou."
"Let'snotargueaboutthatagain,"saidN.
"Who'sarguing?I'mstatingafact."
"I'mreallythinkingweshouldn'thavecomealong,"IwhispereddowntoTiny."Ifonlytoavoidbeingpartoftheirpersonaldrama."
"Evenworse,wecan'tevencatchanyPokémonbecauseofN'scomplaining,"ThePikachuwhisperedback.
"Stillthinkhe'saniceguy?"
"Yes...He'sjustreallyannoyingsometimes,"Tinysaidwithapout.
AfterseveralmoreminutesofwalkingspentinsilenceandtensionradiatingbetweenNandZorua,wemadeittoanotherclearing.Thistime,though,theonlythingthatstuckout...wasahouse.Andmyreactionwasaflatstatementof,"That'snotahouse."
"Itcertainlylookslikeahouse,"saidN.
"No,Imeantitcan'tbereal.Becausetherecan'tbeahumancrazyenoughorstupidenoughtoliveinaforestlikethis."
"OritcouldbeahermitliketheonesI'vereadabout,longingtobeapartfromtherestofhumanitytobeatpeacewithPokémonandnature."Igavehimaskepticallook,andIfeltlikeTinyandZoruaweredoingthesame."Wecouldatleastknockandseeifitdisappears."
"Fine.Youdoit.WhenitturnsouttobeasleepingPokémonorarockoranything
butahouse,we'llknowIwasright."
WewatchedasNwalkeduptothehouse.Idon'tknowifheactuallyknockedonthedoorornot,butitssuddenlyopeningseemedtomakehimjumpabit.Fromoutofthehousecameatallmandressedallinblack,hiseyesshadowedbyablackhat.Hedidn'tlooklikethehermittype,buthedidlookprettyintimidating."Whyareyouhere?Doesn'titoccurtoyouthatifyouseeahousedeepinthemiddleofthewoods,itmeanstheownerdoesn'twantvisitors?"Heaskedinadeepvoice,soundingannoyed.
"Goodday,sir,"Nbeganwithapolitegreeting."MyfriendsandIwerewanderingthroughthisforestwhenwefoundyourhome."
ThemaninblacklookedbehindNatusandnarrowedhiseyes."Isee...Holdonasecond."Hedisappearedintothehouseandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Whenthedooropenedagain,somethingwasthrownatN,buthemanagedtoreactquicklyenoughtocatchit.Themanpokedhisheadoutofthehouse."There.Takethatandleavemealone.Don'tevercomehereagain."Hethenslammedthedooragain.
Nreturnedtousandheldoutsomething."Whatexactlyisthis?"
Istaredatit.Itwassomesortofmetalliccapsule."Lookslikeacapsuletome.Maybeit'sgotsomethinginside?Turnthatthingonthetoptosee."IheldontothecapsuleasNtwistedthehandlesontopofit.Whenitopenedup,welookedinsidetofindcasesofdiscsofvariouscolors.Itookoutacase,shookitaround,andtappedthecaseandthediscinside."Yup!It'sreal."Ilookedatapieceofpaperthatwasattachedontheinsideoftheclearplasticcase."TM95."Ilookedthroughsomemoreofthecases."TM55.TM47.TM01.TM10.ThesearealldiscsforaTechnicalMachine!"
"What'sthat?"
"It's...amachinethatteachesPokémonmovesthatareimprintedonthesediscs,"IsaidasIstaredatthecapsule."They'rereallyexpensive,butworthlesswithoutthemachine."IlookedatN."Hey,sinceyouprobablydon'thaveone...canIhavethem?BlackandIgotamachineforthisstuffnottoolongago."Besides,theoneswegotwereallfromforeignregions.MaybethesewerediscsactuallysoldinUnova!
Nstaredatmeinconfusionforafewsecondsbeforehandingmethecapsule."Verywell.It'syours."AsIsilentlycheeredovermynewloot,hespoke,"Itseemsasifthisisn'twhereyourfamilyis,either,Zorua."
Withoutaword,Zoruaapproachedthehouseandbegantoglowwithadarkaura.
Hestoodonhishindlegsandonceagainslammeddownhispaws,creatingawaveofdarknessthatsweptoverthehouse.Thehouse'simagerippledamidstthedarkness,likeareflectionindisturbedwater,butitmaintaineditsappearancewhenthewaveofdarknessdisappeared.Thedoorofthehouseopenedoncemoreandthemaninblackcameout,snarlinglikeabeast.Hesuddenlyroaredandtheentirehousedisappeared,replacedbytreesandbushesthatwerebuncheduptogetherandpartiallyhidingsomethinginside.Infact,theentireareaseemedtochangeabit.ThenthemanbegantoglowandsuddenlyturnedintoaZoroark,whichtoweredoverZoruaandlookeddownathimwithaglare.Itraisedapawthatglowedwithdarkpurpleenergyandswipeddownathim,buttheZoroarkwounduphittingnothing.ZoruasuddenlyappearedintheZoroark'smaneandgaveatauntinglaughbeforeduckingbackinside.TheZoroarkgrowledandbegantosearchthroughitsmanebeforefinallypullingoutZorua.Itheldthesmallerfoxoutinfrontofitsface,snarling.
AftersnappingoutofmyfearofthesnarlingDarktype,Iexclaimed,"Tiny!UseElectroBall!"
AsTinybegantochargeelectricity,Ngrabbedhimandpickedhimupofftheground."Wouldyoujuststop?!"
"Butit'sgoingtohurthim!Don'ttellmeyou'd"!"
"Justlook!"Nshouted.
IlookedatZoruaandtheZoroark.ThebiggerDarktype'sgrowlingonlylastedforafewmoresecondsbeforeitandZoruabegansniffingeachother.Afterafewseconds,theystaredateachother:ZoruainconfusionandZoroarkinsurprise.
"...BIGBROTHEEERRR!"TheZoroarkcriedoutbeforehebegantohugZorua,whowasshockedintosilence,tightly.
"It...justcalledhimitsbrother.Bigbrother.Whattheheckisgoingon?!"Ishouted,droppingthecapsuletoholdmyheadinshock.
TheZoroarkhadnowbeguntotossZoruaupanddownintotheair."BigBrother~!BigBrother~!Mybrotherisback~!"Hesang.Suddenly,theZoroarkseemedfarlessdangerous.
"Putmedown!Putmedown!"Zoruasuddenlyfoundhisvoiceagain.Aftercatchinghim,theZoroarkputhimdownontheground."You...Youcan'tbemybrother!Mybrother'saZorua!"
"Ijustchangedoneday,"saidtheZoroark."Everyonedoesit,right?"
"Pokémondoevolve,"Imumbled.
"WhereisMother?!Whydon'tIsmellher?!"Zoruaexclaimed.
"Motherisdead.Shediedofburnsbecauseshewasn'tabletofindsomethingtomakeherbetter."Zoroarklookeddownatthegroundsadly."Iwasallalone.WhatpacksIwasabletofinddidn'twanttoletmeintotheirfold.Itwassoscarysurvivingonmyownforallthattime.Itfeltlikeeverythingwantedtokillme.WhenIfinallybecameaZoroarkandwasabletodisguisemyhome,Ijust...wantedtobealone,soItriedreallyhardtomakesurenoonewouldfindme."Geez,thatsoundsdepressing.Doesn'texcusehisannoyingillusionseverywhere,though."Butyou'reherenow,BigBrother!SoIknowI'llneverbelonelyagain!"LittleBrotherwashowlingandcrying.He'dpickedupZoruaandrubbedhisheadagainstthesmallerPokémon's.
"...LittleBrother....I'llbetheretoprotectyoufromnowon!"Zoruabawled.AlthoughIcouldn'tseehisface,thesoundofhisvoiceletonthathewasprobablycrying.
"Aww...!Asbadasthisexperiencehasbeen,Idon'tfeelsobadaboutcomingalongnow,"IsaidasIwatchedthetouchingscene."ItreallywasnicetotakeZoruabacktohishome,N.Although...doesthismeanyou'regonnacatchZoroarknowsinceIdoubtthey'llwannasplitapartagain?...N?"IlookedaroundandfoundnosignofN.Wait...don'ttellmehe'dactually...
WithoutawordtoZoruaandZoroark,Iranbackthewaywecame,followedbyTiny.
X-X-X
Withtheillusionsgone,itwasaloteasiertofindourwaybackthroughtheforest.ThewildPokémonweretoohappyaboutfinallybeingabletogoabouttheirbusinesstobotherattackingusoutofanger.BythetimewewereabletofindN,itwasintheareaneartheforestentrance.ItookoutanemptyPokéBallandchuckeditatN.Itwounduphittinghisbackinsteadofthebackofhisheadasintended,butatleastthatmadehimstopbeforehecouldcrossthebridge.Bonuspointsformakingthatjerkcryoutinpain!
"Don'tyoudareleavethisforest,youjerk!"Ishouted,pointingafingeratthegreen-hairedteen."YouweregonnaabandonZoruahereinthisforest,weren'tyou?!"
"HUH?!"Tinyexclaimedinshock."No,you'renot!Youwouldn'tdosomethingthatmean...wouldyou,N?"
"Zoruasaidhealwaysdoesthis:hereleasesPokémonbackintothewild,backintotheirhomes.Doyoueventhinkabouthowtheyfeelaboutbeingreleasedwhentheymight'vestartedtolikeyou?!"
"...WhenIwasachild...myfathergavemeaZorua.Hehadbruises,stitches,andscarsbothphysicalandmental.Allbecauseofatrainerwho'dsnatchedhimandforcedhimtobattle.MyfatherwouldgivememanymorePokémoninthesamestate:abusedandtreatedliketools,objectsandtrophiesbasedonsuperficialthings,stolenfromtheirhomesorabandonedbecausetheydidn'tperformasexpected,weren'tasstrongaswhattheirtrainerswanted,orwasn'tasappealingtolookatafterevolving.I'vegrownupamongsuchPokémonandtakenontheirpainandangerasItriedtomakethemfeelbetter."I...didn'tknowthataboutN.Suddenlyhischildhoodseemsalotweirderandsadder.Nfellsilentbeforespeakingagain,"Doyouhaveadream,White?"
"Don'tjumptoanothertopic!We'retalkingaboutZorua!"
Nignoredmeandcontinued,"Ihaveadream.Avisionofthefuture.Andinthatfuture,Iwillhavetosaygoodbyetomyallfriends,includingZorua,fortheirowngood."
"Oh,suchabigandnobledream:abandoningyourfriends!"Imocked,glaringathisback."Yousaythingslikethat,butdoyoueverwonderwhatthePokémonyou'vebefriendedfeelwhenyoujustsendthembackhome?"
"PokémonbelongamongPokémon.AndZoruahasmissedhisfamily.It'sgrownsosmallnow...Don'tyouthinkitwouldbebettertosaygoodbye?Wouldyounotdothesame?"
"No,shewouldn't!"Tinyexclaimed.
Ibitmylowerlip."I...Iftheywantedto...yes,"Iadmitted.IfeltthatTinywaslookingupatmeinsurprise."ButifIdid,I'dhavethedecencytosaygoodbye.Doesn'tleavingwithoutawordmakeyouasbadasthetrainerswhoharmedthePokémonyougrewupwith?"
"Trueheroesdowhatmustbedone,regardlessofhowmuchithurts."
"Thereyouare!"Zorua'svoiceshoutedbehindme.IlookedbackintimetowatchalittleblackblurrunpastmeanduptoN."Youthoughtyoucouldgetawaywiththis?!"Hegrowled."I'mnotliketherestofthem!I'mgonnastaywithyouandhelpmakeyourdreamcometruenomatterwhat!NowturnaroundandtellmeIcan't!"Ndidn'tturnaround."You'recrying,aren'tyou?Suchababy...Howcouldsuchan
emotionallyweakhumanhopetoaccomplishadreamasbigasyoursis?"
"Idon't""Zoruadidn'tgiveNachancetofinish,becauseheranforwardandtackledforcefullyintothebackofhisleg."Ow!"
"Notalkingback!Youneedme.I'mnotleavingyou.That'sthat!'
NturnedaroundtolookatZoruawithredeyes.Sohewascrying."But...you'vewantedtogohomeforsolong!Whataboutyourbrother?Withoutyou,he'llbe...allalone!"
"Huh?I'mnotleavinghimalone.He'scomingwithus!Isn'tthatright,LittleBrother?"
"Right,BigBrother!"Ijumpedatthesoundofaloud,cheery-soundingvoicebehindme.IspunaroundtolookatZoroark,whohadapparentlybeenstandingbehindmeforawhile."IfBigBrothersaysyou'reanicehumanwho'lltakecareofus,thenI'llhelphimprotectyou,Natural!"
"...Natural?"IlookedatNinconfusion."Isthatyourname?"
"No!Itisn't!Youheardnothing!"Zoruaexclaimed."Youidiot!Thatwassupposedtobeasecret!"Zoroarkgaspedinsurpriseandheldhispawsoverhismouth,mufflingoutasorry.
"Natural..."Icanseewhyyou'dprefertogoby'N'.'Natural'soundslikeaweirdernamethan'White'forsure."Well,Natural,youdon'thaveanychoicebuttotakethembothwithyou."
"Don'tcallhimthat!You'renotallowedtocallhimbyhisrealname!"Zoruacontinuedtoshriekashehoppedupanddownangrily.
"Idon'twanna.Itsoundstooweirdaftercallinghim'N'allthistime."IapproachedN,despiteZorua'sgrowling,andpunchedhiminthesameshoulderthatIhadbefore."Geez,allyouraspirationsmakeyousoundlikeajerk.Idon'tknowwhatsortofdreamyou'vegot,butanydreamthatinvolvesgivingupyourfriendssoundsprettyawful,don'tyouthink?"
Nstaredatmeblankly."...Trueheroesdowhatisnecessary,White.You'lllearnthateventually."HeleftwithZoruaandZoroarkintowbeforeIcouldrespondtohiscrypticstatement.
"White...Youwouldn'treallyabandonmeandtheotherslikeNtriedtodoZorua...wouldyou?"IheardTinyask.Ilookeddownathimandsoonregrettedit,
becausehewaslookingupatmewithbig,wateryeyes.
"D-don'tlooklikethat!I'donlyeverletyougoifyouwantedtogo!"Iassuredhim.
"Andtheothers?"
"Them,too."
"Well...good!Iwon'teverleaveyou."
"That'ssweet."Ireallydon'tunderstandhowNcouldbarelettinggohisPokémonallthetime.Idon'tunderstandwhyhisdadpracticallyforcedhimtotakecareofabusedPokémonasakid.ThemoreIlearnaboutN,themoreconfusedIgetabouthislifeandhisreasonsforbeingaPokémontrainer.Just...whatdidheexpecttogetoutofhisjourneyacrossUnova?WashelikemeandhisgoalactuallyhadnothingtodowiththePokémonLeague...oramImissingthebiggerpicturehere?"...Ithinkweshouldgetbacktothecity,Tiny."
"Really?!Butwenevergottocatchanything!"ThePikachuexclaimed.
"Well,wedidn'tcatchanewteammate,butwegotabunchofTMs.Iwannaseewhattheyare,butBlackwastheonewhohadtheTechnicalMachinelast.Iwannaseewhetherornotthesehaveanymoveswedon'thaveyet.Thenwecouldselltheoneswedohavetomakeadecentamountofmoney!"Ichirpedhappily.Tiny,however,didn'tlookpleased."Look,thenextplacewe'regoingtoisDriftveilCity.There'sarouteonthewaytothebridgethatleadsthere.I'msurewe'llfindsomethingtocatchthere."
"Remember:progress!"Tinyspokeinahushedvoice,holdingupaclenchedpaw.
"Yes...progress.Later.Butnow,wemustmakeaprogressofpossiblemonetarygain."
"...What?"ThePikachuasked,tiltinghisheadinconfusion.
Isighedandwebegantowalkacrossthebridge."Let'sfindBlackandseeifwe'llhavesomeextraTMstomakemoneyoffof,"IsaidasweleftLostlornForest.
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Notes!
InBW,theZoroarkinLostlornForestdoesn'tspeakwhiletransformed,butinBW2,theplayerisactuallyspokentobyaZoroarkwhilethey'reinthedisguise
ofaBackpacker,soit'ssortoftrickytotellwhetherspeechwhiledisguisedisanaturaltraitorsomethingunique.
TheLockCapsuleisanitemfromGen4,specificallytheJohtoregionremakesHGSS.Theitemcan'tbelegitimatelyobtainedinthegames,norwasitdistributedfromanyspecialevent.Andevenifhackedin,ithasnouse,butcanbetransferredtoBWtobeopenedandobtainTM95,Snarl.Ofcourse,thismeansit'simpossibletolegallygetTM95inGen5andalsoimpliesthattheTMforSnarlexistedbeforeGen5.
In-game,theonlywaytofindaZoroarkinLostlornForestiswithaShinySuicune,EnteiorRaikouthatwasspecificallygottenfromadistributionevent"notanencounteredShiny.Eventhen,theZoroarkyou'reabletocatchisalwaysfemale,inreferencetooneofthePokémonmovies,andit'stheonlyonecatchableinthewildinBW.
X-X-X
ReviewforthesakeofBluandPikachu!