Kari woke up with such excitement that Shadow nearly leapt off the bed. The rest of her team slowly woke up as well from the respective sleeping places. Kari took a quick shower again to wake herself up even more and got dressed, she smiled broadly to herself as she combed and brushed her hair back into place. Looking around she saw the rest of her team finishing up their own morning routines and was ready for the day. She noticed an unread message on the screen of her STIK. She pressed the envelope on the screen and it was a video message from Celeste:
“Wakey, wakey cousin, it’s time for food! Meet me at the Sea Side Café down by the Battle Beach in about forty-five minutes, I know how much you love the water. I’ll see you there!”
Celeste waved good bye, as Sylvia playfully butted into the corner frame and waved before the video ended. Kari looked at the timestamp of the message and it was received five minutes ago. She sighed with relief fearing that she might have been nearly late again. “Well let’s go now shall we?” Kari stood up from her bed and looked at her team, they all nodded back in response. Kari returned them back to their balls with the exception of Shadow. Walking out of the elevator into the lobby, Kari was greeted by bright natural sunlight beaming through the lobby’s many windows. The place was still busy, trainers interacting with their Pokémon, hyping them up or calming them down, the staff running around trying to get everything in order, people calling home, people eating, and even some just sitting around and taking it all in. Kari smiled with confidence as she left the lobby and went outside to the front.
Sal emerged from his Pokéball once Kari made it out, he stretched his wings and roared loudly into the sky. “Well, since we got a bit of time, let’s fly around and see some sights.” As Kari climbed onto Sal’s back, Flux emerged from its Pokéball and floated up to them. Kari grinned as she picked up Shadow and seated her behind, making sure she had a good grip on her jumper and backpack so she won’t go flying off when they took off.
With one final roar, Sal took to the skies, Kari loved flying almost as much as surfing and swimming. She pulled down a pair of goggles so she could see the dots of people below. As they flew and drew distance, Kari looked at the Spire and sighed in wonder at the beautiful structure. She them let Sal fly around for a while, letting him go where he pleased, they visited the mountain regions, rolling plains, and even the got close to the snowcapped mountains before turning back around. After a while Kari noticed the time and pointed Sal in the direction of what she assumed was the Battle Beach. There were tons of people there, battling on the beach, and over the water alike wither in the water or on levitating platforms, in addition people were enjoying the space like any regular beach, tanning, swimming, relaxing, building things in the sand etc. While getting closer she noticed a particular large mob gathered around an arena on the center of the beach. She gave Sal a few gentle on his neck to get his attention and pointed at the spot, he descended and hovered a few meters above to avoid kicking up sand at the people. When they got closer she knew why there was such a crowd, Rebecca was battling Ceres and by the looks of the holographic display, Rebecca was on her last Pokémon while Ceres still had four. It was no surprises when Rebecca sent out Bubbles as her final Pokémon against the biggest Milotic that Kari had ever seen, she had only ever seen a few, but Ceres’s was the largest so far by quite a margin.
As soon as Bubbles stepped foot into the arena he was assaulted by Toxic Spikes, Spikes, and Stealth Rocks, all at the same time leaving him far worse for wear before the battle even started, while the Milotic seemed in perfect condition. The clear sound of a bell signaled the start of the battle round. Immediately the Milotic began surging with red and electricity and a black smoke partially surrounded her as the Dragon Dance began.
Bubbles roared as he rapidly closed the distance half flying and half sprinting, his fist surging with a readied Thunder Punch. The Milotic whipped her tail at Bubbles with incredible force, intercepting his attack with her tail. The electricity surged into the Milotic, but she seemed un-phased as the dragon energy she was gathering for the Dragon Dance began to refocus onto her tail.
“Get out of there!” Rebecca shouted. Bubbles braced for impact as a huge Twister shot out from Milotic’s tail fin knocking Bubbles back, but he managed to brace for the sudden attack, a half-baked Protect absorbed most of the damage while only suffering minor injuries, he was suffering more from the severe poison of the Toxic Spikes.
Ceres was playing her ocarina, seemingly paying only partial attention to the battle. Milotic flashed light blue with ice energy before rearing back slightly and spitting out a power gust of Icy Wind at Bubbles.
“Double Screens and rush her down!” Rebecca commanded, Bubbles erected a Light Screen in no time and a Reflect right behind it as well and then proceeded to charge into it, pushing the Reflect and Light Screen forward, the Light Screen blocking the Icy Wind, but it was cracking, Bubbles slammed the screens into the Milotic, shattering them, and following up with a Thunder Punch from both fists. Both attacks connected with the Milotic causing her to cry out in pain. Bubble’s antennae on his head began to float like they were in water and surge with electricity as he gripped onto the Milotic. Bubbles was fighting hard against the poison.
Despite the situation Ceres still looked unworried as she continued playing her instrument. The tone of her music suddenly changed into a short sharp staccato-ed waltz-like rhythm. The Milotic just as quickly shoved her body forward and threw herself around Bubbles and tightened, in an inescapable Wrap. The Milotic’s body began to glow a bright white as Bubble’s Thunder erupted, the powerful electricity surged onto the Milotic with no effect before the Thunder turned blue and rebounded back onto the constricted Bubbles shocking him for even more damage. Remaining coiled, the Milotic then began to charge a Hyper Beam, and she shot it down at Bubbles who was still in the early stages of recovery from the reflected Thunder. The blast from the Hyper Beam sent Bubbles into the crater in the sand after the Milotic unwrapped herself and backed away.
The battle was over, Kari stared in disbelief as Sal landed nearby and Kari dismounted. Rebecca returned Bubbles and sighed as the hologram displayed the winner as Ceres. It was an official match. The gathered audience applauded and slowly disbanded. Cere’s Milotic glowed green and Recovered before Ceres gave her few loving pats and a hug. Rebeca approached her and smiled.
“That was a great battle.” Ceres said with a grin as she pocked her ocarina in her dress pocket, it was simpler, older, and more worn looking than the one she used in the battle the night before. “You’ve gotten better since last time we battled.”
“Did I?” Rebecca laughed, “I KO-ed the same two Pokémon while still losing most of my team doing it, then got swept by your third.”
“True, but you did get some great hits in, and your strategic thinking has gotten a lot better along with the response and reaction times of your Pokémon. Also I did notice that you started using half-bakes, that’s a huge step forward.” The two trainers shook hands and nodded at one another. “Well I best be going now, good luck.” Ceres waved Rebecca goodbye as she turned to leave the Battle Beach.
Kari just stood there and stared, completely forgetting herself until Ceres walked up to her. “Why, hello there, judging by how you look, I assume you’re a new participant!”
Kari snapped back to herself hearing Ceres’s words, “Yes! Yea, this is my first time at the island, its amazing…. YOU’RE AMAZING!” Kari exclaimed, startling Shadow and catching the attention of some of the other beach goers.
“Glad to hear it, I’m Ceres Aeons, one of the Spire Masters here, pleased to meet you.” Ceres offered her hand.
Kari eagerly took it and shook it, “I’m Kari Rebane, I watch you battle last night, it was incredible!” Kari squeed with excitement, she was starting to behave like a fan girl. “Oh my gosh! I LOVE your accent!” Kari was bouncing up and down.
Ceres smiled back slightly nervously, not sure how to handle Kari’s level of energy. “Thank you, I’m flattered. It’s a Galaren accent, if where I’m from you see.” Ceres’s Milotic was looking down at the two ladies and at Kari’s Pokémon with curiosity.
Kari looked up at the stunning serpent Pokémon instantly feeling calmer and more relaxed. “She’s beautiful… and huge!” Kari waved at the Milotic, she knew in the back of her mind that she must be coming off like an idiot, but she didn’t care.
“Oh, thanks! This is Miyo, she’s been with me near the very beginning of my journey. If I remember correctly, she was the first Pokémon I fished up as a Feebas, and the third to join the team right after Whisper when she was still a Vulpex.” At the mention of her name Whisper the Ninetales erupted from her Pokéball, emerged and sat next to Ceres.
Shadow looked at the Pokémon warily, but Whisper paid her no attention. “I would love to stay and chat but I’m meeting a friend for breakfast, so if you don’t mind I need to be going now. It was nice to meet you!” Ceres returned Miyo to her Pokéball.
“Oh, of course! I’m actually on my way to meet my cousin for breakfast at the Sea Side Café, do you happen to know where that is? I assume this is the Battle Beach.”
“Well what a coincidence, that’s where I’m going as well, we’ll go together, if that’s all right with you.” Ceres said gently patting Whisper.
Kari nodded vigorously, too excited for words.
The Sea Side Café was exactly true to its name. The building was relatively large, and constructed in the same contemporary style of the resort, with many windows and bold shapes and angles. It had a huge wooden patio that stretched around the building and also out over the water like a makeshift pier, but instead was tables, umbrellas, couches and various other lounging furniture along with a juice bar and a pseudo outdoor kitchen that seemed to be mainly focused on flame grilled goods. Large arching palm trees accented the place making it the ideal tropical theme. The place had a decent amount of customers both inside and out, the waiting staff was tenanted by a troupe of Alolan Raichus, swiftly flying around on their tails and utilizing their physic powers to keep plates and other things from toppling over, while the outdoor grill was manned by a Delphox and a pair of Braxien who cooked with perfect precision while putting on a spectacle of a fire show.
The smell of flame grilled goods wafted around in the air outside, but inside, the smells were of coffee, tea, baked goods, bacon, and various other breakfast items. The inside was large and spacious, decorated to feel comfy and homely warmly lit, at night but during the day it’s bright and colorful, there are two level to the restaurant the second level being more of an enlarged loft with an extended outdoor patio that also looked out over the water.
Upon entering the two were greeted by a well-dressed debonair woman with bright red and pinkish spiky hair and her Flareon beside her, “Oh, hello Ceres,” she greeted, upon seeing the Spire Master, “And hello to you as well.” She bowed deeply to Kari.
Not sure what to do exactly she just nodded, smiled and returned the greeting.
“Always a pleasure to see you too Kat. I’m here to meet Celeste for breakfast, is she already here?”
Before Kat was able to say anything Kari turned to Ceres, “What?! Celeste is my cousin! I’m here to meet her for breakfast too!”
Ceres laughed lightly, “Well then, let’s go!”
“Well, you’re in luck because Celeste is here and she had requested a table for three, follow me outside please.” Kat turned and led them across the dining room and towards the glass door that led outside onto the wooden patio. As they crossed the dining room, many heads were turned and a lot of people waved at Ceres. The diners there were all seemingly other participants, most of them dining together with other friends and Pokémon, most of them seemed quite powerful.
Celeste was seated at the far end of the dock having both a great view of the water, and of the café building itself along with the beach. Lucas was near the table in a slightly more open area practicing his kata, catching the admiration and gaze of one of the female Braxien at the grill causing her to stare. Sylvia was on her other side. A large shiny Volcarona that Kari recognized was Tempris was flying around overhead and occasionally out over the water.
“CELESTE!” Kari nearly screamed, it had been almost two years since they had seen each other. She ran up to her as Celeste got up to meet them. The two hugged each other tightly before letting go.
“Kari! I hope you’re finding everything on the island to your liking. And I see that you’ve already met Ceres.” Celeste said gesturing for the two to sit.
Ceres smiled as her entire team erupted out from their Pokéballs. Miyo and Xoa went into the water, Snips flew into the air and began lazily swimming around while playing with the Dreepy in his horns, Ferris, her Ferrothron along with Moegami and Whisper joined Lucas in the open area on the outcropping, Moegami was studying Lucas while Ferris and Whisper was just relaxing and enjoying the sun.
Kari and Shadow along with Ceres sat next to each other, opposite of Celeste. The Weavile waved at Sylvia and she waved back happily.
“Well, this was unexpected, so how do you two know one another? Is she a student?” Ceres asked with a smile once they settled down.
“Nah, Kari is my cousin, and fellow Pokémon trainer, she’s quite the up and coming trainer in Hoenn.”
“Oh, wow really? That’s brilliant! I hope to meet one of my younger brothers here one day that would be amazing!” Ceres turned to look at Kari. “So what kind of Pokémon do you prefer?”
A bit thrown off by the question Kari sat and thought for a moment and looked at Shadow then back at Ceres. “I honestly don’t really know, my team is kind of a mishmash of Pokémon I met throughout my journey. But they’re all very strong and get along with another like a big family so that’s a great plus.” Kari thought back to how she met everyone on her team, remembering each moment almost brought a tear to her eyes, looking back at how much they’ve grown since they became a team.
Ceres nodded and smiled, “That’s the best, so many people undervalue the relationship of Pokémon among their teams. It’s important to have a close bond with your Pokémon as a trainer but building trust and having a powerful bond between Pokémon and Pokémon on a team can have even greater results.” Ceres looked at Moegami who was now trying to imitate Lucas’s katas but failing and falling onto his butt. Lucas stopped and helped him back up and began to show him how to properly do the katas.
As Celeste was about to speak, Kat approached their table with her Flareon, “Sorry to interrupt, but do you know what you’ll be having?”
Celeste looked at Kari, “Want to just try everything?” she asked with a grin.”
Kari laughed, “Oh my gosh yes! I’m so hungry!”
“All right then, some of everything, for the Pokémon too.” Celeste added. “You can let out your team Kari, it’s all good here.”
Kat nodded, “Yes ma’am! Cynder you heard the lady! Alert the grill.” she scribbled some notes onto her notepad and walked away. Her Flareon ran up to the Braxen and Delphox and the three of them sprang into action, kicking the grill into high heat, putting on a spectacular show as they did so.
Kari let her team out of their Pokéballs. Celeste’s Pokémon were all familiar with them, greeting them warmly and introducing them to Ceres’s Pokémon. Sylvia had leaped off the couch and walked up to Sal, the two stared intensely at each other. Sylvia flourished her ribbons as Sal promptly fell over onto his side. Sylvia leaped onto his side looking triumphantly over the “defeated” dragon. The teams of Pokémon laughed at the exchange before they reengaged in their conversations. Snips had descended from their air and was partially in the ground as he interacted with the new team of Pokémon.
The three trainers watched their Pokémon for a while, simply enjoying the moment. A rare moment for the two Spire Masters to get to completely relax. Soon plate and plates of food were brought to the table and to their Pokémon, most of the food were Aloan inspired, light, flavorful, and beautifully decorated. As they ate they exchanged pleasantries as Kari and Celeste caught up on their adventures in the near two years they’ve not seen each other. Eventually the conversation returned back to the Battle Spire, and Kari remembered that she had some questions for her cousin from the battle the night before things that she saw that did not make sense to her.
