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Chapter 2
You were in the Top 8?!
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After finding out when the ferry service across the water into Jubilife city would leave, Hideki and Shingi, now out of his Pokeball, were now en route to the home of Sinnoh's biggest TV station. As they were walking down the route's dirt road, Hideki was thinking about the Pokemon he'd encounter. He had never been to Hoenn before and he had visited Kanto's Saffron City a couple of times before, but had only ever seen a couple of Pokemon from Kanto in Johto.
"I wonder if any Hoenn Pokemon live in here," Hideki mused to himself. Shingi suddenly stopped and sniffed the ground in anticipation. He then crouched down low, growled and bared his fangs. "What's up, boy? Is there a Pokemon near by?" The Growlithe barked and resumed growling as a Sentret came bounding out of the bushes on the roadside. "Hey, I've seen this Pokemon before," Hideki said, pulling out his green PokeDex.
"SENTRET: THE SCOUT POKEMON. SENTRET HAVE A NATURALLY NERVOUS NATURE AND FREQUENTLY RUN IF THEY SEE TROUBLE. WHEN GROUPS OF SENTRET SLEEP, ON IS ALWAYS STANDING ON ITS TAIL WATCHING FOR DANGER. IF THEY EVER SENSE A THREAT, THEY CRY OUT LOUDLY TO WARN MEMBERS OF THEIR KIND."
"Wow, skittish little thing, isn't it? But we can fix that, can't we, Shin?"
"Growlithe, Grow!" Shin barked. Hideki kept a hand ready on an empty Fast Ball on his belt.
"Good thing Kurt mailed me this thing before I left. Okay, Shingi, use Flame Wheel!" Shingi hopped into the air and a ball of flame appeared in his mouth, he rolled forward and the flames covered him as he made his flaming charge towards the Scout Pokemon. Sentret didn't know what hit it when the Growlithe made contact. It flew back into a tree and staggered to get back up. When she did, she ran for Shingi at an amazing speed, leaving a trail of light behind her.
"Quick Attack?!" Hideki was about to order his Growlithe to dodge, but Sentret's attack hit dead on. Growlithe was pushed back a few feet but did not lose his footing. Are you okay, bud?" Hideki asked his partner. Shingi got back up and barked, releasing small flames from his chops. "I thought so. Now, finish it! Use Flamethrower!!!" The Growlithe snapped his jaws such and flames started spilling out of his mouth. He opened his jaws up and released a powerful jet of flame at his target. Then, the Sentret did something that surprised both Shingi and Hideki. It scrunched its tiny rodent face and sparks started shooting off of its body. The sparks collected around it into a Thunderbolt attack that headed right into Growlithe's Flamethrower attack.
"What the heck?! Since when can a Sentret use Thunderbolt!?" Hideki demanded. Sentret's Thunderbolt cut through Shingi's Flamethrower like butter and hit dead on. "Shingi!" Shingi shook off the electricity and loosed another Flamethrower attack. "Wow, that Sentret must be pretty weak. A normal Thunderbolt would have hurt much more than that. Well, that's nothing a whole mess of training can't fix. Shingi, finish this with another Flame Wheel!" Growlithe obeyed and once more rammed himself into Sentret. When the Scout Pokemon landed, it knew it couldn't beat Shingi, so it turned tail and ran.
"I don't think so! Fast Ball, go!" Hideki lobbed the ball at Sentret as it was about to run into the bushes and the ball hit its mark. Sentret was transformed into a red light and sucked into the ball before it closed and hit the ground. The ball didn't even have to shake because Sentret was caught right before the Fast Ball hit the ground. Hideki picked up the ball and scanned it with his PokeDex.
"So, it's a girl. It knows Quick Attack, Scratch, Thunderbolt, Slam, Helping Hand?" Hideki whistled in surprise. Didn't know it knew such powerful moves. Why didn't she use them in battle, though?" He was about to keep thinking on that subject when Shingi fell down in pain. "Shingi! That Thunderbolt did more damage than I thought!" Suddenly, Sentret's Pokeball opened up and she immediately scurried over to the injured Growlithe. She looked him over, shook her head and made a tutting sound then scurried off into the bushes. "What is she doing?" Shingi whined in pain as Sentret came back from the woods with some Oran Berries and a Cheri Berry. Her tail started glowing white and iron hard as she pulverized the berries into pulp then spooned them into Shingi's mouth. Shingi got back up, shook himself off, barked, and licked Sentret in thanks. "Heheh.. She reminds me of mom." Hideki petted his new Sentret and got out the PokeDex again. "I guess that's going to be your name, isn't it? I'll call u Reido from now on. Do you like that name?"
"Sentret Sen!" Reido squeaked.
"I thought so. Let's get you two to the Pokemon Center, then."
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At the Center
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"Thanks, Nurse Joy. Reido and Shingi appreciate it," Hideki said, picking up Shingi's PokeBall and Reido's Fast Ball off of the tray.
"Don't mention it; it's my job," Joy said. "If you're going out for the Pokemon Gym Challenge, the nearest Gym is in Oreburgh City. Though, I think it'll be hard with a Sentret and Growlithe. The Gym Leader uses Rock Types."
"Don't worry about me. Rock Types are no big deal for me," Hideki said, tossing the two PokeBalls in his hand up, releasing Reido and Shingi. "Isn't that right, guys?"
"Sentret!"
"Growlithe! *bark bark!* Nurse Joy chuckled to herself and said,
"If you say so. I hope you get that Badge." Just then, a girl with long, platinum blonde hair and forest green eyes walked into the Center. The teen was wearing a pink tank top and black shorts, and a beanie, which she was nervously twisting in her hands. The sign above the ER door blinked red and Nurse Joy bustled inside. She walked back out pushing a wheel chair in which sat an Empoleon with a bandaged wing. The girl ran to the Empoleon and flung her arms around its neck.
"Steel!" she cried. The Empoleon coughed and the girl let go. Hideki pulled out his PokeDex to scan the Empoleon.
EMPOLEON, THE EMPEROR POKEMON. EMPOLEON TEND TO LIVE IN GROUPS AND BATTLE ONE ANOTHER TO TEST THE SHARPNESS OF THEIR WINGS. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE EMPOLEON WITH THE LARGEST HORNS IS THEIR LEADER, the PokeDex recited.
"Wow, that Empoleon must be a Sinnoh native," Hideki said. He walked over to the girl just as she finished thanking Nurse Joy and introduced himself. "Hi, my name's Hideki. I'm from Johto. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Rya," the girl said. "And this is my Empoleon, Steel."
"Empoleon!" Steel said, standing up to try and look as dignified as possible.
"Hehe, calm down, Steel; you just got out of the Emergency Room," Rya said.
"This is Shingi, my Growlithe. He came with me from Johto. And this is Reido; I caught her about half an hour ago." Shingi growled. "Oh, sorry. I mean we caught her." Hideki and Rya's conversation was interrupted by two Trainers who walked in with a waterlogged Starly and Scyther.
"Man, did you see that guy and his Blaziken? They were awesome!" The boy holding the Starly exclaimed.
"Awesome?! That Marshtomp that he followed and captured destroyed my room!" the girl supporting Scyther on her back growled. "If I ever see him again..."
"Don't bother. You saw what the Marshtomp was doing and that Blaziken looks like it isn't one to be messed with. You wouldn't stand a chance," the boy said.
"A kid came through here with a Blaziken and caught a Marshtomp with it?" Rya asked. Steel looked interested.
"Yea," the girl said. "He caught it despite a huge type disadvantage."
"Told you he was good. If he can beat a Marshtomp, your Scyther's no match for it," The boy said, earning him a slap upside the head.
"Rya, when do you plan to challenge the Elite Four?" Nurse Joy called from the counter.
"Pretty soon once i get my team together," Rya shouted back.
"You're challenging the Elite Four?" Hideki asked in disbelief. "Wow, you must be good." A steely glint appeared in Hideki's eyes from hearing that. "First a kid with a powerful Blaziken, now you who's challenging the Elite Four? Aww, man! I'm itching for a battle!"
"How about you take me on?" Rya offered. "I'll take you on two on two." Hideki's eyes widened and he backed away slowly.
"Sorry, but I can't. If I had the Pokemon I left back in Johto, sure. But sadly, I can't get to them right now."
"How about me, then?" the Scyther's Trainer offered. "Just as soon as Scyther here is good to go, I'll battle you. By the way, my name's Summer." *Summer will not be a main character.*
"Aww, heck yes! What do you say, guys? This is a great chance for Reido to get in some training!" Hideki suggested, looking down at his partners. Both agreed and Hideki's eyes glinted again. "Okay, I'll wait by the fountain. Call me when your Scyther's feeling okay!"
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Jubilife City Streets
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It took about ten minutes for Summer's Scyther to be restored to full health. (I'm using the magical "3 seconds and you're good" healer machines from the game. Though, for major injuries, an ER is used.) She walked out of the Center with a smug look on her face, thinking that, since Hideki only had a Growlithe and newly caught Sentret, he wouldn't be a big deal. Big mistake, Summer. Thomas, the boy with the Starly, stood with the Starling Pokemon on his shoulder and watched as Rya acted as judge for the match.
"This is a two-on-two Pokemon battle with no time restrictions. Trainers are not allowed to switch Pokemon unless one is knocked out. In that event, both Trainers may switch. Hideki vs Summer! Begin!" (Cue R/S Elite Four Battle music from the Anime. I love that song! XD)
"Right, let's make this quick. Marill, here we go!" Summer commanded. She tossed a Pokeball into the air and the Aqua Mouse Pokemon appeared in a flash of white light. "Who're you using, kid?" Summer asked smugly. Hideki pulled the Fast Ball off of his belt and smirked.
"I'll wipe that grin right off of your face! Reido, let's rock!" Hideki shouted, releasing Reido in a flash of light.
"Bad move, kiddo. Marill, Water Gun!" Summer shouted. Marill inhaled deeply and barrelled a water stream at Hideki's Sentret.
"Reido, Quick Attack to dodge then use Slam while you still have speed!"
"Sen-Sen-Sen-Sen!" Reido squeaked as she ran towards Marill. At the last second, she bounded off the ground into the air and brought her tail down on the Aqua Mouse Pokemon's face.
"Now Scratch attack!" Hideki shouted. Reido responded by scratching the heck out of Marill.
"Didn't you just catch that Sentret?!" Summer asked, not believing what she was seeing. Hideki chuckled.
"Yea, and I thought a battle would be good training," he taunted, grinning. Summer growled.
"Marril, counter with Aqua Tail!" she ordered.
"What?!" Marill jumped back and her tail glowed azure blue before she slammed Reido with it, making water erupt from the impact point. She continued her onslaught and Hideki saw Reido couldn't last much longer under an attack like that. "Reido, get out of there!" It was no use; Summer's Marill wouldn't let up and it smacked Reido right into the pool before jumping after her and keeping her attack going.
"Heheh! That will teach you to mess with the best Trainer on her block!" Summer taunted.
"Darn it! Reido, looks like it's time for our secret weapon. Thunderbolt now!" Hideki ordered. Summer's face fell in disbelief at the mention of Thunderbolt. Reido fired off the concentrated electrical blast at ground zero, doing serious damage to the Water Type.
"Marril, Roll Out!"
"Maaaarill-rill-rill-rill!" Marril jumped back and rolled like a tank at Reido and narrowly missed the Sentret.
"Reido, one more Thunderbolt!" Reido's attack hit just as Marill was turning around, knocking out the Aqua Mouse.
"Oh, no!" Summer groaned, returning Marril to her ball.
"Hah! Yes, that makes one down, Reido!"
"Sen... Sentret!" Reido squeaked tiredly, flashing Hideki her version of a thumbs up.
"Oh boy... Think you can keep going, girl?" Reido nodded and put on her game face. "Thanks, Reido." Summer, now royally steamed, grasped the ball in her hand tightly.
"Now you're in for it..." Thomas muttered to himself. "She's calling out Scyther."
"Scyther, show this punk who's boss!" Summer commanded, throwing her ball into the ring and releasing the Mantis Pokemon. Scyther crossed its scythe arms and bellowed loudly. "Scissor Cross!" (Not using X-Scissor. I like the Japanese name better.)
"Scyth-Scyther Scyther!" Scyther plowed forward with his wings and landed a direct hit on Reido, sending her into the fountain again.
"Reido! Can you still fight?" Hideki asked once more. His Sentret got back up shakily, then shook itself to regain composure. "I'm not so sure, but if you say so. We're not done yet!"
"Scyther, Slash!" Summer ordred. The Mantis gave one swing and landed a direct hit on Reido.
"Oh, no! Reido, are you all right?!" Hideki shouted to his unconscious Sentret while dashing to her. He cradled the Scout Pokemon in his arms and Reido moaned dazedly. "It'll be all right, girl. You fought awesomely." Hideki returned her to her Fast Ball and turned to Summer with an angry blaze in his eyes. Summer noticed this and recoiled sharply. "Oh, you're going down now, Summer," Hideki growled. He wrenched Shin's Pokeball from his belt and hurled it into the ring. "Shingi, let's rock!" The Puppy Pokemon burst from his Pokeball with his lips curled into a snarl and his eyes angry. Shin was obviously aware of Reido's defeat and wasn't about to lose to Summer's Scyther.
"A Growlithe vs. a Scyther? This is too easy! Scyther, Wing Attack!" Summer commanded. Scyther cried out as his wings glowed white and he flew towards Shingi with amazing speed. Shingi hopped over Scyther as it passed under him and performed a Flame Wheel on his back, spinning in place and causing a good amount of damage to the Mantis Pokemon. Scyther threw Shingi off with a well-placed Slash and the puppy landed on all fours. "How is it doing that?"
"Shingi's an extremely loyal Growlithe. When one of his teammates falls, he does everything he can to win. That's why I named him 'loyalty'. Now let's show this cocky little girl what a Silver Conference participant can do!" Summer's eyes widened in fear.
"Y-y-you were in the Silver Conference?!" she shrieked.
"Top 8, to be exact," Hideki grinned. "Shingi, Flamethrower!" Fire seeped from Shin's jaws before he opened them and his Flamethrower charged into Scyther and incinerated him. Scyther was barely left standing and Summer was dumbstruck by the fact that she was battling one of the Top 8 of the Silver Conference.
"You're one of the Top 8..." Summer mumbled.
"Scyther! Scythe-Scyther Scy!" her Pokemon yelled to her, which probably meant something along the lines of "Get your lazy ass in gear!"
Shingi, Take Down full power!" Hideki ordered. His Growlithe charged at Scyther, leaving an orange light trail behind him, and slammed into Scyther, sending it flying into the fountain just as Marill had done to Reido. Scyther was knocked out and Summer had lost. "That's how we do it in Johto." Summer ran to her unconscious Bug Type and cradled his head in her arms.
"I admit defeat," she said, hanging her head. Rya lifted up her right arm and shouted,
"Winner, Hideki and Shingi! Nice battling, you two." Hideki grinned and Shingi barked happily.
"Well, what do you expect from a Johto League Top 8?" he said. "Once you fight the Elite Four, I'll battle you once I get my future team into shape or if I get my Johto partners here to Sinnoh."
"Offer accepted," Rya said smiling.
"Empoleon!!!" Steel roared, jumping out of his wheelchair.
"Steel! Back in the chair!" Rya ordered. The Emperor Pokemon winced and sat back in his chair. Very un-Emperor-like.
"If I were to go look for a Gym Badge, where would I go from here?" Hideki asked, chuckling at Steel. Rya pointed to the east and said,
"Oreburgh City's where I went for my first badge. You should head there, but catch a Water, Ground, Grass, or Fighting Type before you challenge the leader. He uses Rock Types and a Growlithe and Sentret will prove to be tough to work with."
"Don't worry about me. That badge is as good as mine!"
"Good luck to you, then. How about we exchange PokeGear numbers so we can keep in touch?" Rya asked, pulling out her PokeGear.
"Sure, no problem," Hideki said. Once numbers had been exchanged, items had been bought, and Pokemon had been healed, Hideki turned towards the mountain path that separated him from Oreburgh and his first Gym Badge.
END