On The Road

Chapter Twenty-One

A week passed by before the four friends arrived at Mossdeep. Larance had won his sixth badge at Fortree while Bina had won her fourth ribbon. Wally had discovered a Dawn Stone and a Leaf Stone, causing his Kirlia and Eevee to evolve into a Gallade and a Leafeon while his Wailmer evolved into a Wailord through battle. Bina's Kirlia had evolved into a Gardevoir as well as they made their way through route 124. Arriving at Mossdeep, they healed up their Pokémon and headed towards the gym.

"I heard that the gym leaders here fight double battles," Wally pointed out as they approached the double doors. "And they train Psychic types as well."

"I'd suggest using Flareon and Latios," Arriete suggested, tapping her finger on her chin.

Larance nodded with a smile as they entered the gym. Trainer after trainer Larance fought, winning each battle. Finally, he came across the gym leaders Tate and Lisa. A long and difficult battle raged on before Larance finally defeated them, earning himself his seventh badge.

"Only one more badge to go!" Bina cheered, pulling her friend into a hug. "You're doing great Larance!"

"Thanks Bina!" Larance chuckled. "Hopefully-"

He was cut off by tremble that caused the entire ground to shake. Arriete held onto Larance while Bina held onto Wally. A large pillar of light shot up into the sky until it disappeared about a minute later. Before they knew it, the shaking stopped, and they let go of each other.

"Wh-what was that?" Wally asked, still shaking a little.

"Wally! Bina! Larance! Arriete!"

The four of them turned to see Steven running towards them, panic on his face.

"Are you all okay?" he asked.

"What was that?" Arriete asked, a little scared to hear the answer.

"I was too late reaching Mt. Pyre," Steven muttered, folding his arms. "Both teams acquired the Orbs. That light was the awakening of both Kyogre and Groudon."

"Then our Leader has finished his plans."

The five of them turned to see Courtney and Tabitha approach them, grins on their faces.

"Why are you here?" Larance asked, narrowing his eyes.

"For you," Courtney muttered as she threw a pokeball. "Camerupt. Smokescreen."

The air around them became black with smoke. Larance began to cough before trying to yell out for his friends.

"Arri-mph!"

Larance felt a hand stifle his yell. He tried to reach his poke balls, but his arms were grabbed on either side.

"Now, now," the familiar voice of Tabitha rang in his ears. "We can't have you escaping now, can we?"

Larance struggled as his captors began to pull him away from the smoke. He tried to trip Tabitha but was received a punch in the gut. He doubled over in pain, letting Tabitha and his other captor drag him towards the boat that was docked.

***

"Wally!" Arriete called as she coughed. "Bina! Larance! Steven!"

She moved around before bumping into someone. That same person grabbed her arm and she tried to loosen the grip, but to no avail. The person pulled her forward, resulting in her shrieking in surprise. She sighed with relief when she noticed that it was Steven who pulled her out of the smoke.

"Are you okay?" Steven asked, letting go of her arm.

"Yeah..." Arriete replied, trying to let the fresh air into her lungs. "But where are the others?"