Project: Titans -- A Pokemon Story (OC x Piers)

Chapter 15

If Heaven truly was a place on Earth, then the Budew Drop Inn must have built itself right on its lot.

I slept like the dead the moment I laid down, the mattress like an ocean of downy feathers and silk sheets. The room smelled like fresh pine and the beginnings of a spring rainstorm, and the room service was divine. My roommate and I, a younger girl about 11 with a Galarian Farfetch'd named Morgan, ate like queens that evening.

When I awoke the next day, I had to drag Meowsie, kicking and yowling, off the death grip she had on the pillows. "No," she gasped, gripping at the silk with her claws. "I won't let go! So silky....so soft..I won't give them up! I won't!!!"
"Damnit, Meowsie," I grunted, finally pulling her and the pillow apart. "We have pillows at home!"

She finally relented after I promised her extra pancakes from the room service, and a small shopping trip for items at the Pokemart in Turffield. She begrudgingly relinquished the pillow, which by then had been practically shredded to ribbons by her claws. Our roommate had checked out of the hotel well before we had awoken, and since we had the room to ourselves for the most part, I decided to let everyone out to stretch their legs before our journey to Turffield.

After we checked out of our hotel later that day, and once I'd given each of my Pokemon a generous spritzing of Full Restores to be certain they were in top condition, we set off on foot for Turffield. I would have asked Maddie to fly us there, but taking into account what Marnie had said at the opening ceremony, I decided on foot would be perfect for longer travel time.

Over the course of that full day, we travelled along the outskirts of Motostoke, battling the odd trainer that popped up and catching many new Pokemon, including Trubbish, Stunky, Vulpix, and I even encountered a Sizzlipede, which was exceptionally rare. 

I even ran into a Galarian Zigzagoon at one point, which I ended up running away from after it snapped at me when I tried to sneak up on it. "Those things have Sharpedo teeth," I muttered while Meowsie wrapped a bandage around the bite mark.

After we made it far enough away from Motostoke, the last obstacle we encountered on our way to Turffield was a large, dark cave that I had absolutely no interest in exploring. Unlike my brother, I didn't care much for Rock and Ground types, and I cared even less for the places they lived. Dust and sand took forever to get out of my hair.

But, unfortunately, there was no way around it, and I wanted the gym to be mostly empty by the time I challenged it. After all, if I were to steal Wishing Stars while I was there, the less witnesses there were, the better off I'd be. So, letting Salazzle walk beside me and putting Meowsie away, I strode boldly into the caves and prayed that I wouldn't get sneak-attacked by some wild Pokemon.

The cave was hot and humid, and even the minerals and gems inside seemed to drip with perspiration from the heat. I chalked it up to the Carkoal zipping about the mine with their smoldering piles of coal. I saw little signs of people, save a few construction workers and their partners, and for the most part, I thought I was in the clear. At least, until someone called to me from behind.

"Oi! Girly," a masculine voice shouted. Turning, I saw it was a gangly boy, no more than twelve, with chocolate hair and emerald eyes. "What say you and I have a friendly little battle?! After all, we're both Gym Challengers!" My eyes flicked down to his wrist. Unfortunately yet surely, he wore the Challenge Band; a little accessory that told people at a glance if you were a part of the League.

"Fine," I sighed, gesturing to Salazzle. She would end this quickly. If the boy was cocky and confident enough to challenge me before getting his first gym badge, then I felt a sense of responsibility to stamp out his arrogance. And besides, less people challenging gyms meant more chances for me to get into the Finals. And in games like these, losing is not an option.

"Stunky, I choose you," he grinned as he tossed forth a Pokeball. In a flash, a little purple and cream Skunk Pokemon appeared and grunted. Salazzle wrinkled her nose upon his release. I too resisted the urge to gag. Stunky stank and, unfortunately, it seemed to be its Ability too.

Stench. An Ability for Poison Types. If he uses a move to deal damage to us, Salazzle might not be able to move because of the smell, I recalled. "Salazzle, stay alert," I warned out loud. "If he hits you, you might not be able to move." Salazzle just hissed in reply and stared down her attacker.

"Stunky, use Fury Swipes," the boy ordered to begin the battle. Stunky leapt towards us, claws out, but all I needed to do was nod and Salazzle dodged him effortlessly. "Use Poison Fang," I said, bored already with this slow-paced battle. Salazzle leapt at the opponent with fangs out, and the Stunky cried out when she sank her teeth into his tiny body.

As she tossed him back to the ground and landed effortlessly on her feet, Stunky cried out as a purple mark immediately grew on his snout. "Impossible," the boy gasped. "B-but Stunky is a Poison type! Poison types can't get poisoned!"

"You're right," I agreed, a little smirk edging my way onto his face in his panic. "Unless, of course, the Pokemon you're fighting has the Ability Corrosion." As realization dawned on him, I gave the order to finish him off. 

"Use Fire Lash." Instantly, a whip of fire appeared in Salazzle's hand, and she whipped the Stunky so many times, criss-cross lines of burned fur showed prominently on his skin.

With a final sickening crack, she sent him flying into the arms of his trainer, who retreated, sobbing, into the depths of the mine. I just rolled my eyes and praised Salazzle for her good work, even if the battle was mere seconds long and the opponent was a complete amateur.

"Oh well," I sighed, looking down in the direction the trainer came from. "I suppose that's one face we won't be seeing in the Finals. With any luck, he'll go running back home with his tail between his legs." Salazzle snickered at my comment, and we both strode out of the caves and into the bright sunlight, and didn't encounter any more trainers after that.