Language, Alcohol reference, & crude humor
Chapter 15
A Short Trip
"You sure you don't need me to come?" Jasmine asked Jaron and Vragon. They were at the edge of the road leading out of town.
"Thanks Jasmine, but Vragon and I will be fine." Jaron replied with a smile.
"You haven't forgotten about what happened last night have you?" She replied with a mix of concern and scepticism. Vragon answered with,
"No we haven't, so we have someone to accompany us. We're waiting for her."
Jasmine's eyes widened upon having a thought, "Don't tell me it's-"
"That was fast Jasmine. What are you?
Psychic." Dolly's voice asked from behind the absol. Jasmine frowned with annoyance, refusing to turn around.
"Are you serious Vragon?"
Vragon gestured a "no" and gave a little point to Jaron, who was giving his gator smile.
"Jaron, you can't just go by yourselves. At least take Ciecro with you," Jasmine protested.
"Jaz, we'll be fine. The route is about a two hour stroll and it's daytime," Jasmine wasn't convinced. Jaron sighed, leaned in closer, pointed to his arm sack and whispered, "I have one communication orb for each of us, three chesto berries for sleep status, two all-Mach orbs for instant move critical ups, some sitrus berries, two blast seeds, one grenade orb-"
"Okay, I get it. You're prepared," Jasmine shouted in the middle of Jaron's listing.
"Look Jasmine, I'd bring you along, but I need you to do something else." Jasmine gave a surprised look. Jaron looked Vragon, who gave a sigh and shook his head. Jaron then said to Jasmine, "I kinda need you to do my job while I'm gone. You're fine with that right?"
All the anticipation from Jasmine died in that instant. She gritted her teeth underneath a "It's fine". She turned around and gave a "Fine, just hurry up," and walked away.
"Yeah she's mad," Vragon stated giving Jaron a leer.
"It'll be fine Vragon, she's Jasmine and she always thinks that I'm inconsiderate."
"And that's a good thing?" Dolly asked, not quite getting it.
"Not really, but if she's willing to be friends with Ciecro, then I'm pretty sure she's fine with me."
"I question your logic on that, but I suppose she does have a reason, if not out of sympathy." Vragon added, "I mean why else would she hang around with you?"
"I dunno, why do you hang out with me?" Jaron responded arrogantly.
"Well um..not the point."
"What's wrong Vray? Don't have an answer?"
"N-no it's not that I just…well.. I need to think of how to say it… wait no! This is about you and your-"
"Say what Vray? You know, you're kinda acting a little, flustered. Is that blush I see." Jaron joked, with a lie at the end.
"What‽" Vragon screamed, "No I'm not b-b-b-b-blushing for that. I mean it's just flusterednessishy stuff you know. Kinda like-"
"It's fine Vray. I like you too." This sent Vragon reeling back with redness covering his grey cheeks. Jaron laughed, giving the fraxure a pat on his back, "I'm just messin' with you Vray."
"Yeah..well … let me know next time when you're being stupid so I don't have to play a part in your...stupidity," Vragon countered in frustration. The fraxure stormed a little ways away and crossed his arms. It was that moment that Dolly smacked Jaron on the shoulder. Jaron winced from the pain and demanded a reason. She didn't answer, but walked over to Vragon, grabbed his head and twisted him around.
"Dolly what are yo-?" She pulled him over right next to Jaron. She then put her hand on his head and twisted them to look at her.
"Now pay attention."
The two's expressions were a mix of surprise and fear. They awaited for whatever she had in store for them. She took a breath and with a deeper voice said, "We gonna head out or what?"
"Aww Dolly!" the two shouted in unison, pulling her hands off her head. Dolly began laughing while the two sulked at falling for that dirty scare.
"You know, on second thought, maybe we shouldn't have brought her," Jaron said. Vragon looked and said,
"It's not too late to return the buffoon."
"Come on guys I'm just joking," Dolly stated putting her arms on the sour mon's shoulders, "You know me. I tend to
break the mold when it comes to kangaskhans."
"Wow, real cool," Jaron muttered in an unimpressed voice, "It's funny cause Vragon has that ability. Mold Breaker heh …. heh."
"Respect Dolly," Vragon added with his own sarcasm, "that was both witty and original. I'm sure it'll be a treat to have you with us on trip."
"Oh come on guys don't be sore. I'm just messing with you."
"Oh neat," Vragon said while rolling his eyes, "You're taking logic lessons from Jaron."
"And apparently bad at telling jokes class from Vragon," Jaron countered. The fraxure and croconaw locked heads, staring angrily into each other's eyes. Dolly just stood there concerned as the two kept their eyes locked. After about two minutes, Jaron gave an angry smirk. Vragon tried to keep his scowl, but gave up and backed away.
"Hah, you can't resist my adorable grin," Jaron boasted in his trivial victory.
"Heh...maybe just out of sympathy."
"You jerk," Jaron said in a playful tone as he head locked the fraxure. The two began laughing. Jaron left his prisoner out and Vragon rolled his neck till it cracked.
"Though yeah Jaron…you should do something for her. I mean, she isn't a wimp like me."
"You're not a wimp," Dolly protested, "You're just a kid that's still finding himse-" She stopped upon receiving a murderous stare from Vragon. She returned a grin.
"I'll definitely make things up to her. But for now, we should head out. The town's not gonna meet us halfway after all," Jaron announced, as he swung the travel bag over his shoulder and began walking. Dolly and Vragon followed after him. Soon the town was but barely visible as the three continued on the dirt road. After a while of silence Dolly gave a big yawn.
"Say, either of you hungry?" Dolly asked.
"A little break wouldn't hurt I guess," Jaron agreed, "You Vragon?"
"Uh..yeah." was the dragon's reply. Despite the answer, Jaron could tell Vragon wasn't focused on his question.
He squinted his eyes, scooched closer to the lost in thought fraxure and said in a mischievous tone, "And while we're at it do you wanna get some strong berry juice at some local place? Be a nice way to lose your problems, eh."
"Yeah sure Jar- wait …. But we aren't spending the night there...and what do you mean by some 'local place'? We aren't going to the town to get waste-" Vragon stopped upon seeing Jaron's classic grin. He was, once again, being messed with. Vragon gave an annoyed sigh.
"So what are yah thinking about, buddy?" Jaron responded.
"About which books I should get." Vragon answered, returning to his pondering stance.
Jaron's eyelids drooped and he said, "Aren't we a bit far to think of that?"
Vragon apologized, "I guess I'm just anxious. Yeah, a little rest wouldn't hurt."
"Then it's settled," Dolly declared, "good thing I made some food for us." She reached into her travel shoulder bag and pulled out some dry berries and some moomoo milk filled bottles.
The three sat down and started to get their trip snacks out. Dolly ripped into her berries, Vragon took his time to savor it and Jaron ate slowly. He was keeping his eyes on the forest edge, carefully moving his gaze along its border. I hope this is a good idea. But then again it was mine, so I better do my best to make sure it works.
< O >
Jasmine gave an annoyed growl as she gazed upon all the paperwork she had just finished. She slouched on the ground mumbling, "Why do I put up with them? Then again, if it's for Vragon doing something and Jaron to get out then I guess it's fine. Well at least not scratching worthy."
"Hey uh Jasmine," a fellow ranger walked in, "uh you know where Ciecro is?"
Jasmine lifted her head from the floor and said, "No I don't…why?"
"Well um…we can't find him."
Jasmine immediately hopped to here feet. She demanded information, now. The frightened ranger explained that Ciecro hadn't been seen for a while.
"Dang it now I've gotta find him before I do his work," She grumbled brushing past the guy. She stormed through the building and made her way outside.
"Why did he have to go and do whatever he does when he leaves?" She mumbled to herself, making her way down the road. She was too busy scowling at the ground to see that she had walked into an alley. It didn't take her long to run into someone there. She stuttered a little, but managed to avoid falling unlike the other Pokémon.
"Oh my, I'm sorry sir are you okay?" Jasmine inquired as she hastened to help the Pokémon.
"I'll live thankfully" he assured her, "though I hope this isn't a normal practice in your town, heh. Because I suffer from being too focused on things up in my head than my current positioning in my walk."
The two shared a short laugh and Jasmine replied with a, "Don't worry it isn't. Oh are you a visitor to our town?"
"Yes I am. Dang I'm a bit dirty."
While the stranger was busy brushing himself off, Jasmine was busy taking in the view of this mon. He was a fit yet slim greninja, who appeared to be a few years older than herself. He wore a thin, blue vest with few tears in it. He wore a belt with a few sachets on it.
"Is there something you need miss?" The greninja asked, snapping her out of her staring.
"Oh sorry about that sir. No, I'm fine, I need to hurry and find someone,"
"Pardon me real quick," the water type intervened, "Is it alright if I ask you a question?" Jasmine stopped and gave a nod.
"Don't worry, just information. I'm looking for two mons, a gallade and gengar, have you seen them? If it helps, they both have red eyes."
Her eyes froze; she leaped back and readied to fight. The stranger didn't flinch at all to this, but did change his expression to serious. "So you have seen them," he answered for her, "I'm not with them. I'm after them. I ask you answer me, time is of the essence."
"How about you prove it." Jasmine demanded.
The mon nodded and reached into his vest slowly. Suddenly he spun around and threw a little ball at her. She quickly sliced it. "Good reflexes," the stranger's voice spoke from behind her. She turned around to see the greninja holding a night slash blade at her head. "I implore you to tell me where and when you saw them. They are very dangerous."
Jasmine calmed her nerves and obeyed the stranger. "They attacked us last night and well vanished before we could catch them."
"We?"
"Uh..me and my friends," the stranger disintegrated the blade and raised his hand to his chin. He began mumbling some gibberish. Jasmine turned around and angrily said, "What is your deal‽"
"Do you know why they attacked you?"
"They were after one of my friends."
"I see…where is this friend?"
"Like I'd tell-" the water type moved his face right in front of hers and gave a fierce stare. "If you value that friend of yours I suggest you take me to him. If they are indeed after him, they won't stop because of one loss to a bunch of locals."
Jasmine thought for a second and finally nodded. She gestured with her head for him to follow and began galloping away. The greninja followed closely. "I apologize for intimidating you, I don't really have too much time." Jasmine just gave a grunt. Trying to make amends, the stranger asked, "Um, might I ask you for your name?"
"Only if you tell me yours."
"Um…my name…is well…not important right now. What is right now is your friends."
Jasmine nodded, but added, "I'll keep my eye on you."
"Of course," He replied as they picked up the pace.
< O >
"Well this is new," Dolly said staring at Jaron's weird walking, being odd twists and occasional twirls.
Vragon joined Dolly in saying, "Jaron? What are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm just getting that feeling."
"Elaborate," Vragon pressed.
"My gift is acting up. You know,
Wary," Jaron suddenly turned around. He then walked past the two and stared into the trees again.
"I wish I could see deeper or something."
"So, you think they are nearby?" Dolly whispered, moving a little closer to Vragon.
"Either they recovered fast or they can't afford to let us leave," Jaron muttered, "I was hoping this wouldn't happen, but … stay close both of you."
Jaron took a few steps away from them and shouted, "Hey b****es, how's the hiding going‽" Both Vragon and Dolly's jaws dropped. Jaron looked around a little, then shouted again, "You wanna piece of us, cos we're going to beat you up again!"
"What's he doing?" Dolly whispered to Vragon, who shrugged just as clueless.
Jaron then shouted, "I know you're there idiots!" Vragon face palmed, and Dolly walked up to try and get Jaron to stop. Suddenly Jaron spun around and fired an ice beam at an incoming shadow ball. He leaped past Dolly to fire a follow up scald, trying to hit an evading blob on the ground.
"My, aren't we perceptive and attention seeking," Vex declared as he leaped-phased from the ground.
"You should've stayed hidden. Did I strike a nerve?" Jaron taunted.
"You struck nothing, but a low in my interest. Thankfully I'm not asking for a beating like you are."
"I don't see why you're so confident after all," Siegfried said as he walked out from the forest, "You don't have your numbers like before."
He crossed his arms as Vex joined up with him. Siegfried then gave Vex an angry stare, to which Vex gave a shrug with a carefree smile. Siegfried extended his arm blades and vex opened his mouth, letting his tongue ooze saliva. Vragon shuddered, Dolly gave a "really?" look and Jaron just kept his mocking smile.
"You're not nearly as scary as my brother. Speaking of which-"
The two grunts gave confused looks, before a flamethrower struck Vex in the face. Vex cursed from the
pain of the singing move, but stopped when Ciecro's foot shoved him into the dirt.
"My bro is right," Ciecro snarled, keeping the gengar's face in the dirt, "I'm way scarier than yah two could eveh be."
Siegfried was about to attack, but was stopped by an orb thrown by Jaron. It gave a small explosion, releasing a net. It ensnared the galllade, the momentum sending him rolling a few feet away. He tried to cut himself out, but the net gave its prisoner a nasty shock.
"I call it the Electronet orb," Jaron said, tossing an orb in his hand, "a little thing I made myself."
"Oh yeah, I forgot you liked dabbling in making stuff," Vragon mentioned as he and Dolly joined the croconaw.
Dolly smiled and said "Good thing your plan worked, Jaron."
"W-what plan?" Vex demanded, struggling to get up. However, he was forced back into the ground by Ciecro's foot.
"Can it punk."
Jaron walked over to the gallade and said, "I figured it would be better nabbing the two of you instead of trying to stay safe while you both roam free. So I devised a little plan for me, Dolly and Vragon to head out and play bait while Ciecro was hunting you."
"How did he hide from us?" Siegfried shouted, continuing to struggle.
"Let's just say, he knows how to control his light rather well," Jaron said as he winked at his brother, who responded with a growling sigh, "and he kinda had a cloaking orb."
"Now I think it's time for some answers," Ciecro snapped, putting more pressure on the gengar's back, "Like who you both are, why you both are here for Vragon and your ties to the red eyes. Answer us and maybe I won't break you."
Ciecro was suddenly struck in the face by a powerful fist slap sending him flying a ways away. He rolled a ways, before finally stopping himself.
"Bro!" Jaron shouted as he rushed to help the charmander. He helped him up and said, "Are you injured?"
Ciecro just gritted his teeth and grumbled, "I'm going to kick the ass of whatever son of a b**** did that. Vragon! Dolly! Regroup!"
The two didn't hesitate to join the brothers. The group watched as a tall, black scaled haxorus step out of the trees. He looked down at Vex and ordered, "Get your associate on his feet."
He walked forward while Vex released Siegfried with a shadow claw. The haxorus gazed at the group, moving his eyes from one to the next. His eyes finally fell on Vragon's Averion crest.
"So you must be the candidate," The dragon stated in a cold tone.
"Candidate?" Vragon repeated, perplexed.
"For now, you are one. I require you to come with me, consenting or not."
He started moving towards the group. Ciecro fired a flamethrower as a warning shot, straight into the fierce dragon.
"Strong despite the weakened typing," Trishula answered, strolling out of the remnants of the fire, "But a child's fire is still merely a spark on a solid steel."
"I take it you're the boss," Jaron deduced out loud, "in that case."
He fired an Ice Beam at the Pokémon. Trishula quickly blocked it with his arm. His arm was covered in ice. His stare remained firm as he struck it against his chest, shattering the ice off his arm.
Ciecro stepped forward, unflinching. He let out a roar as he formed Dragon Claw with his left hand and Thunder Punch with his right. Trishula raised a brow at this, unimpressed. Ciecro instructed Jaron to give a follow up, before charging the haxorus.
"Time to break your jaw!" he shouted, jabbing with the Thunderpunch. Trishula caught it. Ciecro then swiped with his other move, only for it to be stopped by Siegfried's Psycho Cut arm. Trishula then gave Ciecro a firm hit with his head. Ciecro fell on his bum and was kicked firmly in the chest. He was knocked back to the group. Jaron fired another Ice Beam to slow Trishula's progress, but it was canceled out by Vex's Shadow Ball.
"Dammit," Ciecro growled, trying to get back on his feet despite his hurting ribs. Suddenly he felt a surge of energy in him. He looked up to see Vragon's claws on his shoulder.
"I'm fine Vray," he snapped, "Save your energy for the fight in-case we need you. Stay with Dolly while me and Jaron deal with this prick." Vragon nodded and backed on over to the kangaskhan.
Trishula then rushed towards them. Jaron threw a blast seed, forcing Trishula to block the blast. Jaron then fired another Ice Beam trough the smoke. Trishula sliced the beam apart, but was struck by Ciecro, leaping from the smoke. The haxorus staggered a little, before regaining his balance.
"Hurts, don't it? Ciecro said, giving a mean grin. His arrogant turned to another scowl as the Haxorus merely cracked his neck.
The dark dragon stated in a condescending tone, "If you want to get in my way, then at least try to be an obstacle, otherwise I demand your departure from matters that don't concern you."
Ciecro's anger got the better as he lunged with another Dragon Claw. Trishula was too fast though and a firm smack from his fist set Ciecro flying a few yards. Trishula started a follow up attack, but was struck in the face by Jaron's Ice Beam. He tore the ice off his face, while Jaron covered Ciecro.
"We might have to strat, brother," Jaron suggested, his tone changed to pretty serious. Ciecro nodded as he wiped the dirt off his cheek. They got side by side, Jaron taking a low stance while Ciecro took an aggressive straightened. Trishula eyed the two curious about what they would do, but not caring to actually figure it out.
Meanwhile Dolly and Vragon were dealing with the two grunts. Siegfried sent a Psycho Cut straight at the two. Dolly moved her arm to block the move from hitting Vragon, who fired a Dragon Breath at the attacker. Siegfried dodged with a back hand spring. Vex took the opportunity to attempt a flank.
However, Dolly noticed and tried to use foresight, but Siegfried did another Psycho Cut to distract her.
"Vragon cover!" She shouted to the fraxure, who got between the gallade and Dolly. Vragon activated Dragon Claw and stood right behind Dolly, waiting for another attack. Siegfried slightly nodded his head, signaling the ghost for a joint attack. They both fired their range moves.
"Get down!" Dolly shouted and the fraxure obeyed. Vragon hit the ground and covered his head, as Dolly dizzy punched the psycho cut and let the shadow ball pass through her. Siegfried evaded the move, spun with the moment and threw another Psycho Cut at the two. Vragon gave an upper slice with Dragon Claw, deflecting the move into the air. Vragon and Dolly returned to defending each other's backs.
Ciecro and Jaron were also struggling in their team up fight against the red eyed leader. Despite their best efforts Trishula was easily able to count Ciecro's Flamethrower or Jaron's Ice Beam.
"This isn't working!" Ciecro shouted as he dodge a slice from his tall opponent.
"Try this," Jaron called out, throwing an all-Mach orb to his brother. Ciecro reached out to grab it, but it was caught mid-flight by Trishula. The two froze as the dragon pulled the orb closer and looked at it with squinting eyes.
"Resourceful children, I'll give you that," He stated crushing the orb. He spread his arms and puffed out his chest. He then opened his mouth and began to inhale.
"Jaron! Get back!" Ciecro shouted, warning Jaron of an incoming move. Jaron leaped up in the air right when the dragon fired Incinerate. The fire move surged in a straight line, burning the grass it traveled over. Jaron threw an orb at the mon. It blasted out an Electronet that covered the haxorus. Trishula merely sliced his way out with one Dragon Claw swipe, ignoring the net's shocks.
"Dammit, not even that," Jaron snarled. He looked to see how the others were doing; He noticed they were having difficulty in fighting the opened due to the ranged moves the grunts kept throwing at the two.
Jaron decided they needed a new plan. Take them out one by one, "Ciecro, change targets. Let's take them out first," The charmander nodded and they rushed to help. Jaron forced Vex back with a Scald, while Ciecro locked moves with Siegfried. Trishula ran after them.
"Dolly, catch!" Jaron shouted, throwing a heal seed at her. She got the message. She lunged to meet the haxorus and unleashed a barrage of jabs and kicks. He parried as best as he could, but finally was out sped by the aggressive Dolly. He staggered a little giving Dolly more jabs and kicks onto the dragon's body. After about a minute of pummeling, Dolly finally grabbed the Pokémon by his cheek blades and threw him deep into the trees. Dolly let out a fierce roar. She could feel the confusion starting to take over and quickly ate the heal seed. She let out a calming sigh, feeling the status ailment dying out.
"What the? I didn't know you knew-" Vragon began. Dolly just smiled and interrupted with,
"Sorry you had to see me when I'm
outraged."
Vragon growled and Dolly smirked. Vragon turned around to help Jaron, while Dolly helped Ciecro. The group of four forced their way past the two and drove the enemies to the forest's edge.
"Are you lot done?" Trishula growled as he stepped out of the trees. He tensed his muscles and crossed his arms. He swung them apart, sending a fast wind that brushed the group slightly.
Jaron gave Ciecro a grin. "Hey, let's Dual slice him with these bro," he whispered, revealing two quick orbs in his claw. Ciecro took one and clenched it in his fist.
"Dolly, Vragon, clear us a path," Ciecro ordered as he and Jaron activated the orbs. A surge of blue aura covered them and entered their bodies.
"Dang, that feels good," Jaron said with enjoyment in his voice, as the effects of the orb surged through his body, exciting his nerves. Once done, Jaron rolled his head with an content smiled on his face. Ciecro then gave Jaron a wink and moved his tongue over the back of his mouth. Jaron's eyes dropped halfway and muttered, "Please bro."
"You're the one that moaned from the satisfaction," Ciecro joked. Regaining their focus, The two finally turned to face their opponent again. They rushed towards the haxorus, zig zagging past each other forming large X's in their paths. Vragon and Dolly used Dragon Breath and Focus Blast to force the minions away.
When the two were only a few feet away, they both sliced at the dragon in unison. Trishula blocked their swipes, but was sent back a little from the force. Trishula slowly lowered his arms from their blocking positions and clenched his claws.
"He's starting to piss me off," Ciecro grumbled.
"How do we beat this guy?" Jaron wheezed.
"You don't nimrods," Trishula mocked as he thrust his right fist into the ground, causing Earthquake. Jaron and Ciecro were sent a ways from the rupturing ground. They managed to break their falls with a roll and hastily got back to their feet.
"Look out!" Vragon shouted, deflecting a Shadow Ball from hitting Jaron. Dolly rushed over to cover Ciecro. They were again surrounded, Vex and Siegfried on the sides and Trishula straight in front. He strode towards the spent group, keeping a strong but composed stride. Suddenly he stopped upon seeing something behind them. He raised his arms in protection just in time to tank a Psycho Cut aimed for his face.
Everyone went silent for a second. "Jasmine?" Jaron said to himself and began to turn around. Before he did a flash of blue flew past him. It struck Trishula with a stronger force than the move prior. Tishula was pushed a few feet away, carving into the ground as he slid.
Jaron then noticed some water was on his cheek. "Wait how did that happen? I thought it looked like a water shuri-" Jaron said out loud, but stopped. Ciecro had noticed the water on his own cheek too. They both slowly turned their and eyes widened with surprised, upon seeing him … Seliph.
Footnotes:
Wary - A gift more common with Norfarion Pokémon. It tenses the Pokémon's instinctive awareness to be able to sense danger nearby or incoming. It is based on the user's mental concentration of observance, but becomes easier to use as the Pokémon gets older.