//------------------------------// // Chapter 55 // Story: Starlight: Redshift // by the-pieman //------------------------------// I wake up, still feeling rather drowsy, but definitely awake. I also feel really thirsty. I realize that I don’t even have a canteen or anything, that’s a problem. I get some water from a vending machine and make a mental note to get some more adventuring gear. I pull out my éTech and, figuring a call would be inappropriate if Twi’s still in the library, I send her a text. Never was that fast at it, but I do alright I think. Back at PCenter. Lost battle. Where are you? I then realize she has no idea how ‘texting’ works. Hopefully she can figure it out, she’s smart. Smart enough for that, right? After a few moments my éTech makes a little chirping noise and I see I got a reply. Stick at library. Stack. Struck. Distillery. S T I L L. Wow, either she’s got some bad skill with touchpad keyboards, or she’s got an autocorrect problem. You’ll get used to it. Hop sew. Quack. Yep, autocorrect. Rarity still at Devon? New idle I’m guessing “no idea” Oh well Hall can Yule ready think? Simple. I speak ‘stupid’ cum for expulsion. Express. Experience. :D ? Turn éTech sideways. Awake cut Gonna head out, get stronger to beat Zoli. Gold lunch Sighing at her continuous unintentional mistakes, I take my pokémon from Joy and head off. I figure I should stop by the coast so Carvanha can level up some. That is the problem with being a non-amphibious fish pokémon, only one environ is viable. I go down to the docks-like area in Great Barrier and, though it is made mostly of rustproof metal, it’s painted to look like it’s made of nailed-up driftwood so it looks pretty welcoming. I notice that there are a few people out on small boats training and battling, at least the ones not riding on pokémon have boats. Luckily I have a surfboard big enough for me and a small land-based pokémon so I’m set without needing a boat. Though I’ve never surfed in my life. I gently plop the board out into the water and, stripping down to a pair of trunks I was allowed to keep from the gym, I realize that swimming pool water is very different from ocean water. For one, there’s salt. For two... “G-g-g-gee~eez” It feels like my toes just fell off it’s so cold! I scramble onto the surfboard and, laying on my stomach, paddle out to a more open area. After a bit I come across a wild Tentacool and figure it would be okay to try and toss out Carvanha. “Sorry about the Water gym earlier, but I’m gonna make sure you don’t lose next time. Now let’s see you beat a Tentacool, should be easy, right girl?” Carvanha nods, apparently alright past the defeat. She growls and begins to circle the Tentacool, who is eyeing her cautiously. “Might as well start with a Bite.” I suggest, and Carvanha agrees, leaping towards the squid, jaws wide open. At the sight of all those teeth barreling at it through the water, the Tentacool squeals and begins to try jetting away, only to get chomped right on the head by my much faster pokémon. It begins to thrash wildly. Carvanha looks up at me for... confirmation I suppose. “Well it’s wild, so... I suppose it’s alright, and you earned it from sticking to it back there... Alright, you can eat it.” My pokémon gleefully begins to chew up the Tentacool, which goes limp and begins to leak purple blood into the water after only a couple more bites. Carvanha seems satisfied. “Alright, now let’s look for some actual competition.” Carvanha nods and I paddle my board towards another trainer in typical swimwear floating on a Wailmer. “Hey, think you could help me toughen up Carvanha?” The guy nods. “Sure, sounds great. Gimme a sec.” he says, and pats the Wailmer, who backs up a bit. “Go, Croconaw!” he tosses out a black pokéball that creates a burst of sparkles as it opens, revealing the pokémon. I just stare at the effect. “How’d you get the confetti? I’ve been looking for a seal of that but all I ever can get is rainbows and stars!” “Oh, there’s a shop in Port Squall, a ways north. On the other side of the bay, actually. If you’ve got a bike or a fast Surfer, you can get there in a day or three.” he says. “Well, my only swimmer is Carvanha here and she needs to get stronger if she’s gonna get me to the Elite Four. That’s why I’m here. Anyways, let’s get this battle started, right?” “Sure thing!” he says, and points at Carvanha. “Use Crunch, Croconaw!” “Dodge it!” Carvanha is fast, but so is Croconaw... I hope we can outpace it anyways... and... yes! she dodges. “Counter attack with “Aqua Jet!” In an even greater burst of speed, Carvanha dashes straight for Croconaw and slams head-first right into the alligator pokémon’s chest. Not doing much damage, but definitely knocking the wind out of it. “Bite!” I call and Carvanha goes for the stomach again, this time jaws open. The other trainer calls for his pokémon to dodge, but the pokémon is too stunned to respond in time, and ends up floating, dazed, on the surface. Carvanha, in a surprising show of kindness, nudges the fainted pokémon towards its trainer. “Jeez! That’s an impressive Carvanha you got there!” he says as he recalls his pokémon. “I hope you get ‘er bred at some point, those eggs would sell for a ton.” “Heh, just caught her in the wild. Guess I have an eye for winners. She’s a bit psycho, but she’s good... just not good enough to beat a gym full of pokémon twice her level. As for breeding her, I’ll probably donate my pokémon for my friend to practice on at least. Whether we’ll get eggs is kinda up to her though.” “Well, that’s a good plan. I’m assuming they’re a breeder, then? It’s good to have friends in that circuit. Anyways, you wanna try facing my Azumarill? She’s being trained for Search and Rescue, actually, but some combat training for her would be helpful, too.” I nod. “Sure, we can give it a shot. Honestly whenever Carvanha loses it’s usually due to a cheap shot or level unbalance. What level are your pokémon? I don’t want to just send you to the center...” “Azu is twenty-six, Croc was level twenty-two.” He reaches for a ball with what is either the Dive Ball or Net Ball pattern on it, I can’t see if there’s black or white on it from the way he holds it. “Alright, Carvanha is only nineteen, so... a bit above half that. Should be interesting to see. You up for it?” The second part is aimed at my pokémon. Don’t want her getting over her head, but in typical form, she responds with a snap of her jaws and gets ready for round two. “Okay, guess that answers that. Don’t hold back!” The next pokémon appears in a small burst of bubbles, and the Azumarill chirrups as she lands. “Zuu~!” “Remember Carvanha, this one’s owned so you can go all-out, but no eating, ‘kay?” The trainer looks at me oddly. “That’s a joke, right?” “I mentioned she’s a little psycho and... well... carnivores gotta eat too. Don’t worry, your pokémon are safe, she knows the rules of trainer battles.” Apparently full from the recently-eaten Tentacool, Carvanha is fine with the no eating rule, she snaps her jaws, but does give the Azumarill a meaningful glare. The guy gulps, but orders his pokémon onwards, “Defense curl!” he calls, and Azumarill begins to tuck itself in a bit. Good start against a foe who relies heavily on physical moves, but... “Screech!” “Alright, follow up with Rollout!” he shouts, and Azumarill nods, tucking and rolling along the surface to strike Carvanha, taking advantage of the damage-doubling effects of using Defense Curl first. “Assurance!” I yell. Carvanha could have dodged, but since Azumarill took damage due to Rough Skin after using the Rollout, Assurance will have an attack power of 120 on top of STAB! The attack goes down, slamming Azurill. The large aqua-rabbit cries out and flies back, floating on the waves and sinking a bit, large tail keeping her from doing straight down. “Double-Edge!” my opponent yells, and the bobber vanishes for a moment, then Azumarill flies from the water head-first, and torpedoes back down to smack Carvanha, even under the water. “Assurance in return!” With the 120 power and STAB again on top of the damage the pokémon already takes from recoil and contact it should be in the metaphorical low red now. Carvanha strikes out again, and this time, Azumarill doesn’t recover, launched all the way to her trainer’s Wailmer, and landing atop the whale pokémon. He recalls his pokémon, and bows his head. “Well, looks like I need more training, still. Ah well, that’s fine by me! Here, twelve-hundred for winning.” he says, transferring the funds. “Thanks, seeya later and good luck! Well Carvanha, what do you think? Wanna keep going?” Carvanha gives a sharp nod, but I can see a large purple bruise forming on her red-and-blue skin, right where the Double-Edge landed with a perfect hit. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Later, once you’re better. Okay? And I’ll buy you dinner for a great job, how’s that sound, girl?” Carvanha sends out a few bubbles, but does an armless shrug and I recall her. “You really did do awesome against a foe twice your level... or thereabouts.” I paddle us back to shore, the water not as cold now for whatever reason. I decide I should head for a forest to train Lunaverde and Ghowl. I opt for the forest where I first caught Lunaverde and head there now, sending Twi an update text. She’s still at the library as I guessed. That pony sure does love books. It doesn’t take long and I send out my two flying types. Lunaverde looks around then back at me questioningly. “Don’t worry, I’m not releasing you, I just figured you’d do better on your home turf than in a Water gym or a port.” The pokémon continues to look at me, cocking its little head. Gosh that’s adorable... most pokémon are, actually. Ghowl just sits on a branch, looking at me with its little ‘halloween spoopy ghost’ face. “Anyways, let’s get you two a bit stronger so you can do better, whaddya say?” I get a wing-flutter and a hoot of indifference in response and take them both as a ‘yes’. “Alright, Ghowl, you’re first. Same rule as Carvanha: as long as you don’t eat owned pokémon, you can eat whatever wild pokémon you want, so if you beat a Rattata or something, you can have it for lunch, deal?” It hoots again, this time sounding like a wispy wind going through trees. Well, it certainly sounds like a haunted house’s soundtrack. “Alright then, let’s get started.” I look around and walk through the forest and look for wild pokémon. The first thing we come to is an Oddish which actually seems to have seen us first, but isn’t running away. Guess that works. “Okay Ghowl, guess it’s not a meal but it is competition now. Astonish!” Ghowl rotates its head to face the pokémon doing nothing for a moment. The Oddish looks towards me in confusion, and Ghowl springs forward, shrieking evilly, sending the Oddish skittering back in fright. Well, I guess that’s one way to ‘astonish’ someone... “Peck before it gets away!” Ghowl swoops silently at the Oddish, matte-black beak zipping out and snapping at Oddish. Strangely, the Ghowl hasn’t made a single noise this whole time, other than the first shriek during the Astonish, where a shrieking noise is normal. Then again, owls are supposed to be very quiet so it fits I guess. Another easy win for me though, and it doesn’t look like the Oddish was strong enough for Ghowl to level up, meaning “We’ll keep going, find something more worth your time.” The pokémon hoots again, still sounding like an eerie wind. We come across another Oddish, but deciding they aren’t good competition we pass by them and keep looking, Ghowl flying behind me silently like a detached shadow, not even making leaves rustle when it lands on a branch. It’s actually kind of cool really, how quiet it is. I can hear all of the forest noises this way. I faintly hear a pokémon’s cry and identify it as a Nidoran. Male or female I can’t tell,but whatever gender it is, I’m reminded of the Nidoking... well, if I’m expecting it I should be alright I suppose. Alright, let’s do this. I tramp through a few bushes and can’t find where the sound came from. I then feel a tug on my shoulder and see a Nidoran♀ is trying to bite a hole in my satchel. I shake it off and “Ghowl, Shadow Sneak!” Ghowl swoops in from behind the Nido, its silent shadow hitting her as the owl pokémon passes harmlessly above the sharp needles of the Nido’s coat. “Finish it with Peck!” Ghowl gives a single hoot as confirmation, the sound dopplering around like a ventriloquist’s trick, making it hard to pinpoint where, exactly, my pokémon has gone, until it swoops in over my shoulder and lashes out with its beak. the Nido cries out, and topples, fainted. My Ghowl then flutters to my shoulder and settles on contentedly. Man I wish I had a mirror, I bet I look badass! Better than having a Pikachu on my shoulder, that’s for sure. I keep walking, but don’t find anything else unfortunately, it seems my trek has been noticed by the other wild pokémon and I’m being avoided. However, out on the path comes a particularly gutsy looking Chantlette, who looks at me with a combination of curiosity and bravery in her eyes. “Hi there. Wanna try and beat my Ghowl?” “Chan~!” the little pokémon says, and pulls something from behind her... with a flick of her wrist, a pair of angular sunglasses are slipped onto her face. “Who do you think you are? The squirtle squad? Fine then, let’s see what you got!” I nudge my shoulder and Ghowl goes up into the air without any takeoff of any normal variety, it just... floats upwards, then opens its wings to fly. That is awesome! “Alright, start with a Shadow Sneak!” I recall Chantlette being Psychic (or was that Ghost?) making ghost super effective, again on top of STAB. The owl streaks out, zipping over the Chantlette, who stumbles as the shadow passes over her, but who then lashes out with a psychic attack of some kind, attempting to throw the lightweight flyer into a tree. Thankfully, Ghowl slips out at the last second and only clips the plant a little. “Nice dodge, Ghowl! Now try a Growl!” It’s not much of a ‘growl’ as it is a haunting, skin-is-now-crawling tone, like the sound in a horror movie right before a killer strikes. This region must have one hell of a movie industry, if all their sound effects can be produced locally. The Chantlette is only slightly affected though, just pausing for a bit allowing me time for “Peck!” The smaller pokémon cries out and flails, then lets loose another psychic blast, and Ghowl begins to bank off-center, likely confused. Well, best bet against a Psychic type is bug so... “Good job Ghowl, go Lunaverde!” The moth pokémon swaps places and banks in a more controlled fashion to flutter between the me and the Chantlette. “Silver Wind!” Lunaverde begins to send the metallic breeze at the Chantlette, who actually ducks and braces, crying out. Then, the little witch-pokémon begins to chant under her breath, and I can’t really hear it, until her body begins to glow in alternating red and blue colors. With a steady motion, she then throws something from where she’s crouched up at Lunaverde, and I see a long, thin needle sink into my pokémon’s thorax. Lunaverde cries out and flaps back and away, pulling the needle free and looking more hurt in the emotional sense than in the physical sense. From where I’m standing, the needle is visibly dipped in some form of poison, judging from the hissing circle of dead vegetation on the ground. Poison sting? How did... what did it do? Nevermind. “Lunaverde, Absorb, get that health back!” The Chantlette responds, as little orbs of life-force begins to get drawn from her, by singing in a clear, high note... that quickly turns mournful, and I feel a pang of sadness hit me. I think... that’s probably some form of sound-based attack, judging by the way Lunaverde also reels, looking confused and sad. Well, I know one way to get that pokémon to quiet down. “Lunaverde, enough.” I recall the moth and send out my next “Oddish, open with Sleep Powder!” The Chantlette’s voice falters as I make my command, and Oddish’s sleep-inducing pollen settles all over the battlefield. Immediately, the little witch-pokémon’s eyelids begin to droop, and she falls to what I guess are her knees, glasses slipping off. Within moments, she’s curled up and sleeping on the ground. Well, no time like the present I suppose. I toss a pokéball at the Chantlette and watch as it jiggles weakly, not enough energy used for a proper shake. *Ding!* the ball digitizes and de-digistructs, being sent to my PC. “Alright! That makes...” I pause to do a mental headcount of my team. “Nine! Alright, I’m on a roll!” So I got some training done and got a bigger party. I notice though, that I’m down to my last pokéball and one Great Ball, so I’ll have to hit the ‘Mart soon. I look around and see that at this point, the pokémon of the forest are scarce, probably more willing to be hidden than captured or beaten so I figure I’ve cleared out this area. Well I guess I’ll head out to the plains proper and see what’s out there now that the migration is over. I see a Munchlax waddling around and consider it, but if I catch it it’ll eat everything I have, so I pass it up. I see some Pidgey but they fly away. Then I see a strange-looking snake pokémon with... well, all the colors really. I mean, this could give Rainbow Dash a run for her money as ‘most colorful’. Maybe not catching it, but I can beat it. “Lunaverde, go get ‘em!” The snake pokémon rises a bit from the grass and hisses menacingly, “Raaain!~” it quickly slides into the grass and comes up full-body green. It quickly slides up on a rock. Must be Camoflauge or something. Well, that puts it in perfect position for “Silver Wind” the pokémon is hit by the wind and topples over in surprise, disappearing into the tall grass for a moment. Damn, it ran away, oh well better luck nex- The pokémon launches itself from the grass, no longer mono-colored, and wraps itself around Lunaverde, crimping her wings and making her fall to the ground. The snake latches its jaws round the back of Lunaverde’s head, body fully entwining my pokémon’s. Well, no idea what type it is normally but since it doesn’t require movement and it’s close... “Absorb!” My pokémon begins to try drawing in energy, but the snake simply shakes its head, disrupting my pokémon’s concentration, coils closing further. I hear a faint pop from Lunaverde’s exoskeleton, and she gives a wheezy cry. “Okay, tag out. GLaDoS, you’re up!” I throw out the potato, but the return function seems to be disrupted by the snake’s coiling. Damn, Lunaverde is being trapped by a Wrap attack! “GLaDoS, get that snake off Luna!” Hey that’s a good name, Luna... the night Princess probably won’t mind, right? I pause for a moment realizing my command. “And don’t use electricity!” if GLaDoS zaps the snake, it’ll hit Luna too, limiting my options. GLaDoS nods, and sends rootlets out, grabbing the pokémon by the tail with, agile, dexterous and gentle motions. Quickly, the pokémon is unwrapped, and Luna gasps, crawling away with her wings almost bent in half and severely crumpled. I realize now I’m not that good at instructing ‘glass cannon’ pokémon like her just yet, gonna need some training myself... I recall Luna and order GLaDoS to “Fry that sucker!” the potato complies, golden-yellow electrical arcs surging down his vines to zap the snake pokémon who convulses into a variety of pretzel-like contortions. The pokémon, once GLaDoS is done zapping it, hangs still for several seconds. After a moment, I realize it’s turned brown. Then, it begins to come alive again, quickly winding along the vines that were supposed to be holding it. “It’s Ground type now, Vine Whip!” The attack from another set of roots slap home, and the pokémon hisses and falls off the first set of vines, rolling into a tight knot on the ground, head covered by the rest of its body. “Raaain.” it hisses, sounding disgruntled as it shifts back to its normal rainbow coloration. “Any other types you wanna try, or you gonna give?” The pokémon sullenly hides under its coils, hissing again. Yeah, it gives. “Alright then, seeya, I gotta take care of Luna.” That said, I call her out and she immediately covers herself as best she can. “Don’t worry, I got something for you.” I look through my bag for a super potion before I see something better: my sitrus berry plant has finally bore fruit, giving me two of them in total. I give them both to Luna. “Here you go girl. Sorry about getting you hurt so much.” Luna gratefully accepts the berries, pulling them to her face and nibbling them, wings uncrimping a touch, her legs reaching athletically back to straighten the pokémon’s wings. She finishes the second berry off and looks much better, a cumulative total of most of her health returned. I pull out my éTech and check her. Yep, back in the green, though still kinda close to yellow. And she’s high enough level to know Mega Drain! Yes! And I think of something else to make her a better physical fighter. I pull out the TM case and get my reusable copy of Aerial Ace. “What do you think girl? Wanna give it a shot?” She coos and looks at it, the spots on her compound eyes following the reflection on it. “Take that as a ‘yes’ then.” I place the disk to her... well, where her forehead would be but whatever and wait for the disk to do its thing. I wait a few moments, but nothing happens. She ruffles her fluffy wings, looking up at me. “Guess that’s a no-go then. Oh well, Mega Drain is good enough. You did pretty good today... I’m proud of you sticking with me even though I keep getting you beat up. I’ll do my best to remember your low Defense stat in the future, okay?” At Luna’s response in the form of a small chirrup, I recall her and GLaDoS. Hold on a second... I keep the Aerial Ace disk out and summon Ghowl out. “This should work for you, yeah? Whatcha think? Aerial Ace?” The Ghowl nods, and leans forward, bowing its head for my benefit. Damn, this is a well-behaved pokémon, Amy must have done a bang-up job before traded to me. I’ll have to remember to call her up and thank her some time. The disk responds the way it should this time and the move is transferred. “There, now you can use your beak and talons in attacks.” I decide to let Ghowl stay perched on my shoulder as I head back to Great Barrier in the hints of the sun beginning to set. Today was good. Troublesome... but good.