I don't know if I mentioned Dark Rose City in the previous chapters, but I recently changed it to Shadow City.
Chapter 3
Hitting the Ground Running
"Ah, it feels great to be home!" Matthew exclaims loudly, landing on his bed. Soric finds the nearest chair and sits down while tossing the Pokeball containing Turtwig up in the air and catching it. Nikkei and Blair sit at the foot of Matthews bed, while Sam, Kevin and Maryse find a spot on the floor to sit.
The trainers have just returned home from Pokemon Academy. For Nikkei and Soric, it's a break from the vicious studying that the academy provides. For the rest of the trainers, it's their first day as graduates, and they have decided to start off with a little downtime in their hometown.
"Well now that you guys are graduated, what are you going to do first?" Nikkei asks curiously.
"Well I was thinking about taking the gym challenge here in Chikyuu," Mark replies, "mom and dad think that it would be good for me to travel, and I'd be able to catch some awesome Pokemon!"
"We were thinking about doing the same thing," Sam says, referring to her and Kevin, "rumor has it though that all the gyms here in Chikyuu require at least three Pokemon."
"But you guys only have one Pokemon a piece," Nikkei points out, "and I'm pretty sure that the challenge won't let you borrow Pokemon from other trainers."
"Well then I propose a challenge," Matthew says, "since Sam, Kevin and I are all going to be competing for the title of Champion of the Chikyuu Region, we'll split into groups, Kevin and Sam, and I'll go by myself."
"Are you sure?" Blair asks.
"Yeah," Matthew replies, "it can't be that hard, many people before us have done it, and I don't think Nikkei and Soric would be against helping me do some training while we're still in town."
"Oh, yeah," Nikkei comments, "Rosewood Town's got the first gym. Beginning trainers usually go out to the woods to catch their first Pokemon."
It was true, trainers around Rosewood usually set foot outside Rosewood Town to catch their first Pokemon. Then after they leave town, the trainers parents usually set up a contact with a Professor from a different region to store Pokemon. That professor would then care for the Pokemon until the trainer contacts them. Unfortunately, the Chikyuu Region does not have a Professor or a Pokemon Laboratory, making it extremely difficult for the students from the Chikyuu Region.
"Hey Blair," Mrs. Anderson calls from the living room of the Kinsin household, "can you and Nikkei bring everyone out here for a minute?"
"Sure mom!" Blair yells back, and all the trainers leave the room and head towards the living room. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, along with Mr. and Mrs. Kinsin, Mr. and Mrs. Mecha, and Mr. and Mrs. Greene are all having a very intriguing conversation.
"What's up mom?" Blair asks curiously.
"Well, all the adults got together and talked, and well we decided our graduation present to you is a ranch," Mrs. Anderson explains.
"A ranch?" Matthew and Blair ask, confused.
"Yes," Mrs. Anderson replies, "our old Pokemon Ranch!"
"We know it's hard for new trainers to catch more than six Pokemon at a time without contacting a Professor from another region," Mr. Kinsin explains, "so we thought it best that your Pokemon be transported here."
"Here let me see your new Pokemon Navtechs," Mrs. Anderson says. The new graduates hand her the odd looking, pocket sized devices. The devices have a variety of features for the new trainers. Only students and graduates of the Pokemon Academy are allowed to have these devices. The devices provide a way for trainers to communicate with one another, along with a Pokedex, a clock and a radio. Mrs. Anderson proceeds to insert something into the devices, a few minutes later, the device beeps and a new screen pops up. Mrs. Anderson then proceeds to put some more information into the devices. Soon after, she hand the devices back to the trainers.
"There, all finished," she says with a sigh of relief. "Now whenever you catch a Pokemon, after you have caught six, your Pokemon will be transported to the ranch."
"Can we show them the ranch?" Nikkei asks.
"Of course!" Mrs. Anderson replies. "Follow me!"
Mrs. Anderson leads the trainers to the ranch, which is a short distance from the Kinsin household. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, along with Matthew's parents, lead them close the Anderson's house, but instead of taking the trainers inside, the adults lead the new trainers around the side of the house. What they find is an open field. The ranch looks like it is designed for any type of Pokemon. Along with the vast clearing, there is a pond not far off.
"This is so cool!" Matthew says in awe.
"Yeah," Nikkei replies, "this ranch has been here for ages. We got it when we got the house."
"The best thing is, Matthew, that alongside Mr. Anderson and me, your parents will help take care of the Pokemon here," Mrs. Anderson explains, "so your Pokemon are in safe hands."
"Oh, I don't doubt that one bit," Matthew says, "hey Nikkei, you want to come out and help me catch some Pokemon? I want to challenge the gym leader as soon as possible."
"Hold on Matthew," Blair says, "I need Nikkei to help me with something."
"Ok," Matthew replies, "Soric come on!"
"What's up?" Soric asks.
"We're going to catch Pokemon," Matthew explains.
"I think we should get started on that too, Kevin," Sam says.
"That would be good," Kevin replies.
"I'll stay here and help Blair with whatever she needs help with," Maryse comments, "see you later Soric!"
Matthew, Soric, Sam and Kevin dash out of the house and head in opposite directions. Blair, Nikkei and Maryse hold back.
"What did you need help with sis?" Nikkei asks.
"We're going to go catch some Pokemon," Blair replies, "I want to win the badge from town before I leave for Shadow City to help Nurse Joy."
"Oh, cool!" Nikkei says.
"So this town's badge is the only one you want?" Maryse asks.
"Yeah," Blair answers.
"Ok, then Togepi and I are here to help!" Maryse replies with confidence.
Blair, Nikkei and Maryse leave the house without another word.
"Where are the Pokemon?" Matthew asks. Matthew and Soric have been on a search for Pokemon for hours and haven't found anything. Soric suggested that they check the forest that they played in when they were little. They would always find Pokemon in the forest when they were little, but now that they were trainers, they weren't able to find any Pokemon.
"Do these Pokemon know that we are trainers or something?" Matthew asks Soric in an irritated tone.
"They must not like trainers," Soric replies, "we had no problem finding Pokemon when we were little."
"True," Matthew says, he is about to turn away and head to another area when he hears a rustle in the bushes, and a small red, fox-like Pokemon appears. Excited about this, Matthew grabs Eevee's Pokeball from his belt.
"Come on out Eevee!" Matthew yells, throwing the Pokeball containing Eevee into the air. Eevee appears from the red and white ball in a battle ready position, and prepares to attack. The fox-like Pokemon notices Eevee and readies itself for battle.
"Eevee use Take Down!" Matthew commands, and Eevee attacks the fox-like Pokemon in the same fashion that it had attacked Blair's Pikachu. The fox Pokemon dodges the attack, and uses Swift, hitting Eevee.
"That was a Swift attack!" Soric says in awe. Matthew pulls out his Pokemon Navtech and accesses the Pokedex feature. The Navtech registers the Pokemon that Matthew is battling.
"Vulpix, the Fox Pokemon," the Pokedex says, "It controls balls of fire. As it grows, its six tails split from their tips to make more tails."
"Cool a Vulpix," Matthew says silently. "Eevee use Quick Attack!"
Eevee attacks the Vulpix with a fast tackle, knocking Vulpix into a tree. The Vulpix regains itself and unleashes a Flamethrower attack at Eevee. Eevee dodges the attack and retaliates by hitting Vulpix with a Shadow Ball attack. Vulpix slowly gets back to its feet, Matthew notices that it is weak enough to capture.
"Ok, Eevee, one more shot!" he yells out, "use Iron Tail!"
Eevee hits the Vulpix right in the middle of its head, knocking the Pokemon out. Matthew grabs an empty Pokeball from his belt and tosses it at the Vulpix. A beam of red light engulfs the Vulpix. The Pokeball then starts to shake vigorously. Matthew waits anxiously as the Pokeball shakes. Matthew lets out a sigh of relief when the Pokeball stops shaking and moves toward it to pick it up.
"Awesome!" He exclaims loudly, "I caught a Vulpix!"
"Nice job Matthew!" Soric says excitedly. "Only one more and you can battle the gym leader."
"That's right," Matthew replies, "and I know just where to find one."
"Pokeball, Go!" Sam yells, throwing her Pokeball at a weakened Pokemon. The Pokeball shakes vigorously before stopping, indicating the capture.
"Great job Sam!" Kevin compliments, "that was a great capture."
"Thanks Kevin!" Sam replies as she pulls out her Navtech to check the Pokemon she just captured.
"Mareep, the Wool Pokemon," the Navtech explains, "Its fluffy coat swells to double when static electricity builds up. Touching it can be shocking."
"Awe, that just makes it even cuter," Sam says, adoring her new Pokemon. "I'm going to call you Fluff."
"And now we have all the Pokemon we need to battle the gym leader of Rosewood,
together," Kevin explains, "I can't wait to get that gym badge."
"Yeah, but what are we going to do about the champion?" Sam asks, "I don't think we can both become champions, can we?"
"I don't think so," Kevin replies, "we'll have to figure that out when we get there, but don't worry, we'll figure something out."
"I hope so," Sam says softly. A rustle in the trees breaks up the moment. Sam and Kevin look up at the three where the noise was made and notice a head look out towards them. Sam accesses her Navtech to get information on the Pokemon.
"Pichu, the Tiny Mouse Pokemon," the Navtech explains, "the electricity sacs in its cheeks are small. If even a little electricity leaks, it becomes shocked."
"Awe, another cute Pokemon," Sam says, "I want to catch this one, too."
"There's something different about this Pichu though," Kevin observes, "the one the Navtech showed us didn't have the little notches in its ear like this one does, how very odd."
Sam looks toward the Pichu in curiosity and starts to grab a Pokeball. The Pichu notices and darts off.
"Hey! Come back!" Sam yells and she chases after the Pichu. Kevin follows close behind. They chase the Tiny Mouse Pokemon all over the forest before they lose it. Sam and Kevin continue searching for the Pichu before they finally give up.
"Where'd it go?" Sam asks, confused.
"I don't know," Kevin replies, but we might as well head back to the gym now, it's getting kind of late."
"Ok," Sam says, disappointed, and the trainers head back to town to compete against the gym leader.
"You ready Blair?" Nikkei asks, a little concerned for her sister.
"I think so," Blair replies, not as confident as she makes herself out to be. She had spent the day capturing Pokemon like the others, and she was able to get back to the gym before the others. She sighs deeply before entering the door of the gym. She walks in and looks around, almost in awe. Nikkei and Maryse follow her into the gym with the same expression on their faces. Even though they have lived in Rosewood Town all their lives, they had never been able to challenge the gym leader to a battle. Blair walks up to the challenger's box, the area of the gym where the challengers stand to battle the gym leader. She notices that the arena in the gym looks exactly like the one she battled on at the Pokemon Academy. After a few minutes, a woman with dark brown hair unfamiliar to Blair approaches the box on the other side.
"Who are you?" the woman asks.
"My…my name is Blair Anderson," Blair replies nervously, "you must be the gym leader."
"You would be correct," the woman replies, "my name is Tammy, and as you have guessed, I run the gym here in Rosewood Town. I take it you wish to challenge me?"
"Yes I would," Blair replies, grabbing a Pokeball from her belt.
"Very well then," Tammy says, also grabbing a Pokeball from her belt, "I accept your challenge. Go, Butterfree!"
Blair's Pokedex feature activates automatically, "Butterfree, the Butterfly Pokemon. Butterfree love the honey of flowers and can locate flower patches that have even tiny amounts of pollen."
"Very well then," Blair says, "then I'll choose, Munchy!"
"Munchlax!" says the very enthusiastic Pokemon.
"Butterfree start with Tackle!" Tammy commands, and Butterfree flies in towards Munchy.
"Munchy, catch it and use Lick!" Blair retaliates, and Munchy does as commanded, catching Butterfree mid-Tackle and licking it with its Lick attack.
"Butterfree, use Aerial Ace!" Tammy yells.
"Munchy use Counter!" Blair commands, and even though Munchy stands there as Butterfree zooms in for the attack, Munchy is able to deflect the attack and send Butterfree flying backwards. Butterfree tries to return to the battle but falls to the floor out of energy. Tammy recalls her Butterfree and cracks Blair a smile.
"You're really good," Tammy compliments, putting Butterfree's Pokeball back on her belt.
"Thanks," Blair replies with a smile, "I've had practice."
"Blair is really doing well," Maryse comments from the sidelines.
"Very impressive," Nikkei replies, "she's really connected with the Pokemon she caught."
Suddenly, Matthew and Sam burst through the gym doors.
"I was here first!" Matthew yells, "I get to challenge the gym leader first!"
"No I was!" Sam retorts, as Kevin and Soric walk in calmly, "Kevin and I get to challenge them first!"
"Um, guys," Nikkei says calmly, "you're going to have to wait in line. Blair actually got here first."
"What!?" Matthew and Sam say in disappointment at the same time.
"Blair wanted to win the gym badge from Rosewood before leaving for Dark Rose," Nikkei explains, "you know, for sentimental reasons."
"That makes sense," Soric says, "I would have wanted to do the same thing."
"Well it's time to continue this battle," Tammy comments, "Come on out Rhyhorn!"
"Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokemon," Blair's Navtech explains, "Rhyhorn's tackles can destroy anything. However, it is too slow witted to help people work."
"Munchy, use Lick!" Blair commands.
"Rhyhorn, use Take Down!" Tammy replies quickly. Rhyhorn hits Munchy with such force that it is knocked out instantly.
"Wow, that was a strong attack," Matthew comments, "she has really trained her Rhyhorn well."
"No doubt," Nikkei says, "Blair's going to have a tough time against it."
"Besides Pikachu, what other Pokemon does she have?" Soric asks.
"She caught that Munchlax and Teddiursa," Nikkei replies, "two impressive captures if I say so myself."
"Come on out, Teddi!" Blair yells, and almost automatically Matthew's Navtech gives him a description of the Pokemon.
"Teddiursa, the Little Bear Pokemon," the Navtech explains, "Teddiursa let honey soak into its paws so it can lick them all the time. Every set of paws tastes unique."
"That's an odd Pokemon, "Matthew comments, "a Pokemon that licks its paws."
"Well I guess we'll have to see how it does in battle," Nikkei replies.
"Rhyhorn use Take Down again!" Tammy yells out and Rhyhorn charges at Teddiursa with a ton of force. Suddenly, Teddiursa starts crying, this makes the Rhyhorn stop charging. As soon as the Rhyhorn stops, Teddiursa rams the Rhyhorn with its head, knocking the Rhyhorn back a few feet.
"Impressive," Tammy comments, "your Teddiursa knows how to lure opponents out of an attack. Well it's not going to stop Rhyhorn. Use your Headbutt!"
"Teddi block with Seismic Toss!" Blair yells, and Teddiursa grabs Rhyhorn's horn and tosses it into the air. Rhyhorn falls to the ground unable to continue.
"Whoa," Matthew comments, "I didn't think that Teddiursa had that much power."
"Well at least Blair is able to control the power in that Pokemon," Nikkei replies, "she's a great Pokemon trainer."
"No to bad kid," Tammy comments, "it's been a while since I've had a challenge as good as this."
"Well thank you," Blair replies.
"But I hope you know this doesn't mean I am going to give up. Go! Sneasel!" Tammy yells releasing her Pokemon from its Pokeball. The blue weasel looking Pokemon appears from its Pokeball and quickly attacks Blair's Teddiursa with an Ice Punch attack, knocking Teddi out.
"Whoa, that was fast!" Matthew comments, he is impressed by the speed of Sneasel and that it was able to beat Teddi so quickly.
"Teddi, return!" Blair yells, holding out her Pokeball as Teddi is engulfed in a bright red light. "You're good, but fortunately my last Pokemon can match your Sneasel's speed! Let's go Sparks!" The Pikachu appears from its Pokeball and looks ready for action. The Pikachu displays this with a loud "Pika!" and Blair has Sparks start with a Quick Attack. Tammy has Sneasel counter attack with a Headbutt, showing that the Pokemon are not only matched in speed, but in power as well. The Pokemon and their trainers stare each other down, studying the opponent carefully. Blair then decides to make the first move.
"Sparks use Thunderbolt!" Blair calls out, the electric shock attack blasts Sneasel backwards. Sneasel easily returns to its feet and quickly uses a powerful Blizzard attack, shaking Sparks up. Sparks quickly shakes off the attack.
"This is almost a dead heat matchup," Nikkei comments.
"No doubt," Sam replies, "it seems like this match could go either way."
"Your friends speak the truth," Tammy says, "we are almost in a dead heat."
Not for long Nikkei thinks to herself
Blair is going to turn this around. I know it, I just saw it, but why did I see it? I still don't know why this is happening to me.
"Is something wrong Nikkei?" Matthew asks curious, seeing that Nikkei is fixated on a certain spot.
"No, nothing at all Matthew," Nikkei replies back with a smile.
Nikkei must've had one of her "moments" again Blair thinks to herself
I wonder if what has happened to her for so long is starting to happen to me, but I can't focus on that now.
"Sparks use Discharge!" Blair yells out, and Sneasel, being unable to guard, is once again knocked back a few feet. A visible shockwave flows through Sneasel. Tammy gasps in response. She knows that Sneasel has been paralyzed by the Discharge attack and she knows that it is going to be tough to compete against Pikachu from here on out. Paralysis usually happens to a Pokemon when either an electric attack is used or if the move Stun Spore has been used by a grass type Pokemon.
"No!" Tammy cries out, "Sneasel!"
Yes, that's just the opening I needed! Blair thinks to herself. "Sparks use Quick Attack!"
"Sneasel, use your Quick Attack!" Tammy responds, but Sneasel doesn't move due to the Paralysis, and Pikachu nails Sneasel with a high speed tackle, knocking the Sneasel to the ground. Blair and Tammy wait a few moments before realizing Sneasel has been knocked out. Blair lets out a sigh of relief and not too long after is rushed by Nikkei and Matthew.
"Oh my gosh! Congratulations sis!" Nikkei cries out. "That was amazing!"
"That was absolutely great!" Matthew comments, "I'm glad you were able to get the gym badge."
"Thanks you guys!" Blair replies, then she looks at the other trainers that are there, "I have to thank you guys as well."
"It's no problem," Sam replies, "we'll always be here for moral support."
"You have some great friends here Blair," Tammy says as she walks up to the group of trainers. "I will now confer you with the Petal Badge. With this badge, you are one step closer to the Pokemon League."
"Oh, I'm not challenging the Pokemon League, I just wanted to win the towns gym badge before I left for Shadow City," Blair explains.
"Well whatever you are going to do with the badge I am still obliged to give it to a strong trainer," Tammy replies.
"Well thank you ma'am," Blair says, politely taking the gym badge from Tammy.
"Well Blair, you were the first to receive your gym badge," Nikkei says, "we should head back to the house so you can get ready to leave for Shadow City."
"We probably should," Blair replies, "thank you for the wonderful gym battle ma'am."
"Please, call me Tammy," Tammy replies, then she extends her hand and says "and it was my pleasure."
Blair gladly accepts the handshake, says goodbye to Tammy, and turns and leaves the gym along with the rest of the trainers. As the trainers are leaving the gym, there is a rustle in a nearby bush. Nikkei turns to look at what was in the bushes, but cannot find anything. Matthew turns to see what the matter is.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Oh, nothing," Nikkei replies, "I thought I heard something in the bushes, I must have been wrong though."
"Nikkei, you always have had a knack for hearing things," Blair comments from the front of the group without looking back.
Nikkei gives Blair a dirty look and returns to the group. Unknowingly to the trainers though, they are being watched by a M.O.D. member and his Xatu. The M.O.D. member smiles and then has Xatu use Teleport. The Xatu teleports him to a room that overlooks Shadow City, the man with the Xatu looks around before calling Xatu back to its dark Pokeball.
"So what information did you discover about those two kids?" a mysterious voice asks. The man's voice is deep and mysterious.
"Yes master," the man with the Xatu replies, "the young one, she has a sister. That sister is headed for Shadow City to become an assistant to the Pokemon Center."
"Ah, very interesting," the deep voiced man says, "the boss must know about this right away. Lyum! Get in here!"
Another trainer enters the room, this trainer has darker skin and is wearing an all white suit. He has the same type of Pokeballs as the rest of the Makers of Destiny. "Yes sir?" He replies.
"I need you to contact the boss," the deep voiced man replies, "you're his right hand man. He's still iffy on my trust after the Twilight Ridge mishap."
"Yes I remember," Lyum says, a little perturbed, "what is it I have to tell him?"
"Tell him that one of the two trainers that he had us watch has a sister, and she is coming here," the deep voiced man says.
Lyum stands there for a moment, then he smirks and says, "fine."
