Ladies and gentlemen, it's here! Chapter 13 of Pokémon Opal and Garnet is coming your way! Enjoy! Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 13: Do You Hear the Furfrou Sing? Kaylie and her Pokémon had arrived at long last To the home of Notre Dame: Great Lumiose City, so grand and so vast And soon right near Notre Dame Clopin was happily reunited With a friend he hadn't seen in so long And together they tried to bring Kalosian outside of Kalos FAR OUTSIDE OF NOTRE DAME... -At long last, mok am! We've finally made it!- Hearing Clopin's voice, Kaylie looked up in front of her. Sure enough, she, Patrick, and their Pokémon had reached Lumiose City, home of the Graswinemodo Tower. It was here where the group was going to take a short break before heading to Cinderite City for Kaylie's second Gym Battle against Vulcan. Seeing the skyline of Lumiose City spread out in front of her, Kaylie looked out at it in awe. "Wow," she gasped. "I always get awed whenever I come to this place. It's just so beautiful." -Oh, I would certainly have to agree,- Quasimodo added, nodding. -Every time I see the Graswinemodo Tower, I always want to go in...- Kaylie laughed. -Listen to this, mok am!- cried Clopin happily. -They're just about to perform their national anthem!- "They are?" gasped Kaylie, running up to Clopin. -Cheüt!- Clopin responded happily. -And I happen to know all the words!- As soon as he said that, the music started, and Clopin happily began to bounce around and joyfully sing the lyrics of the Kalosian national anthem: -#Allons, enfants de la Patrie -#Le jour de gloire est arrivé -#Contre nous de la tyrannie -#L'étendard sanglant est levé -#L'étendard sanglant est-#- "You speak French?" Kaylie asked, stunned beyond belief. Clopin stopped singing and looked up at her. -In the Pokémon world, we call it Kalosian,- he told her. -But yes. I do speak it.- "Oh," Kaylie responded. "Well, you speak Kalosian very well. I didn't know you could speak that language." Clopin blushed. -Merci,- he said. -Wow, I wish I could speak Kalosian as well as you can,- Quasimodo remarked as the group began to move into the city. -I can't even hold an entire Kalosian conversation to save my life. Not to mention that I mispronounce Kalosian words very often...- He laughed nervously. -Never fear, Quasimodo!- Clopin responded. -I will certainly teach you Kalosian at some point. Within a few months, you might even be able to hold a Kalosian conversation just as well as I can!- -You will?- Quasi gasped. -Oh, thank you so much, Clopin!- Clopin hugged him. -You're very welcome, mok am!- "Are they finished singing the national anthem?" Kaylie asked. -Of course they are, silly!- Clopin laughed. -They finished the anthem a long time ago!- "Oh," said Kaylie. The group had just entered the city square, home of the Prism and Graswinemodo Towers. As they continued to walk around the city, Clopin excitedly turned towards Kaylie. -So, mok am, what should we do first?- he asked happily. -Visit the Graswinemodo Tower? Visit the Prism Tower? Visit the art museum?- Kaylie laughed. "I guess we visit the GT," she responded. -Alright then!- Clopin cried excitedly. -TO NOTRE DAME DE LUMIOSE!- "Notre Dame de Lumiose?" asked Patrick, confused. -That's the Graswinemodo Tower's nickname,- Clopin explained. -It was given to the tower the minute it was first built. It was so named because of its many similarities to the real Notre Dame. Needless to say, almost no one in Kalos refers to it as the Graswinemodo Tower.- "So... that was the nickname the people of Kalos gave it?" Kaylie asked. -Cheüt,- Clopin responded. -It stuck, needless to say.- -Touit?! For Arceus' sake, Touit, is that you?- It was a mysterious voice, one that Kaylie had never heard before. The minute he heard it, Clopin turned his head sharply, almost as if he knew who was speaking. -Who was that?- he asked. -Touit, c'est moi!- the speaker responded. "I have an even bigger question: who's 'Touit'?" Kaylie asked. Clopin suddenly gasped. -Wait a second,- he muttered. -I'm "Touit"! Then that must mean...- All of a sudden, his eyes grew incredibly wide, and he let out an extremely excited gasp as a large smile came to his face. Kaylie and Patrick stared at him in confusion. "Uh... Clopin? Are you okay?" Kaylie asked. -Couafarel, mon ami!- Clopin suddenly screamed, rushing over to the speaker. -Touit!- the speaker exclaimed. Kaylie was now extremely confused. Who was "Couafarel," why was he calling Clopin "Touit," and how did the two of them know each other? "Clopin!" Kaylie cried, running after him. "Wait up! Who's this 'Couafarel' Pokémon?" "And why is he calling you 'Touit'?" Patrick added. As Kaylie got closer, she could finally make out Clopin, who was jumping around happily. Next to him was a medium-sized, poodle-like Pokémon, though it more closely resembled an Afghan Hound due to its scruffy ears and fur. Kaylie recognized it: it was a Furfrou, obviously, but how did this Furfrou know Clopin? And was "Couafarel" his name? A dozen questions were running through her mind as she looked back at Clopin, who had run up to excitedly hug the Furfrou. Affectionately, the Furfrou nuzzled him back. -I'm so delighted to see you again, mon ami!- Clopin exclaimed happily. -How are you doing, Couafarel?- -Very well, Touit,- responded the Furfrou. -Or as the Kalosian would say, ça va trés bien.- Clopin giggled. -Same old Couafarel,- he laughed. "Clopin?" Kaylie asked, finally catching up with the Touceet. Hearing his Trainer's voice, Clopin turned towards Kaylie and laughed. -Oh, yes!- he cried happily. -Couafarel, I forgot to tell you. I have a Trainer now. This is Kaylie, and she's pretty much the best Trainer I have ever met in my life!- -Really?!- the Furfrou gasped. -Well, bonjour to you, my friend! Je m'appelle Couafarel.- "So... that's your name?" asked Kaylie in confusion. -Well... kind of,- Clopin laughed. -You see, there's something you need to understand. Before you caught me, this Furfrou and I were the best of friends. We took trips all over the Kalos region together. As a matter of fact, he was actually the Pokémon that taught me the Kalosian language.- "He was?!" gasped Kaylie. -Oui!- Clopin affirmed. -Et il est trés intelligent, let me tell you!- "I do not understand a single word of French, so you're going to have to translate this for me," Patrick told Clopin. The Furfrou laughed. -He just said I was very smart,- he replied. "Oh," Patrick said. "Well... thanks." -Hang on, let me continue,- Clopin broke in. -As I was saying, this Furfrou taught me the Kalosian language, and he didn't have a name when I first met him, so I just called him "Furfrou." But because he was Kalosian, he insisted on being called by his Kalosian species name, Couafarel. At the same time, I hadn't been caught by you yet, so he always referred to me as Touit, which is the Kalosian name of Touceet.- He turned to the Furfrou. -But, Couafarel,- he declared, -that will all change today! I have a name now, and that name, as you no doubt have heard, is Clopin!- -Clopin?- asked the Furfrou. -As in that crazy gypsy leader from the 1996 Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame?- Clopin nodded. -Cheüt! And everyone says it wrong...- He laughed nervously. -Well, I should have expected that,- the Furfrou admitted. -Kalosian names are extremely hard to pronounce.- -But you said it right, of course,- Clopin continued. -So that's a good thing!- Patrick laughed. "Wow, a Furfrou, huh?" he asked. "Interesting. So let me get this straight: you two really do know each other?" -Indeed!- Clopin responded. -And we haven't seen each other in a long time!- "Well, it's very nice to see a happy reunion," Patrick remarked. "Say, Furfrou, I think you'd make a pretty good addition to my team. What did you say your species' Kalosian name was again?" -Couafarel,- the Furfrou responded. "Couafarel?" Patrick repeated. "Huh. Reminds me a bit of Courfeyrac. You know, from LesMiz?" The Furfrou gasped. -Why, that just so happens to be my favorite musical of all time!- he exclaimed. -And Courfeyrac is my favorite character!- Patrick laughed. "Well, we certainly think alike," he remarked. "Alright, then! I'm catching you for myself, and I'm giving you a name: Couafarac!" -So, a combination of "Couafarel" and "Courfeyrac"?- Patrick nodded. -I love it!- the Furfrou exclaimed. -Go on, young male Trainer, catch me so I can be with Clopin for the rest of my life!- "Alright then!" Patrick cried happily, taking out a Pokéball. "Pokéball... GO!" With that, he threw the Pokéball, and the newly-dubbed Couafarac barked happily as he hit the center of it with his muzzle. It opened, and Couafarac was inside in a burst of blue light. The ball fell down to the floor, and Patrick watched intently as the ball shook three times. Then... PING! The center of the ball flashed red, and Patrick laughed happily as he ran over to pick it up. "YES!" he exclaimed happily. "You are mine, Couafarel!" "Congratulations, Patrick!" Kaylie cried. "That's your second Pokémon you've caught on this journey!" Patrick laughed. "Thanks," he said. -Um... Patrick, we-we're in Kalos,- Quasi pointed out. "Yeah. So?" -So... I-I think the correct term is "mercy"...- Clopin laughed. -You mean "merci," don't you?- he giggled. -D-didn't I say that?- Quasi asked. Clopin shook his head. -Oh, no,- Quasi muttered. -See? I-I can't speak Kalosian very well. Good thing Couafarac speaks English, because I can barely say "bonjour"... which of course I always end up pronouncing as spelled. The Kalosian would pronounce it differently.- He sighed. -Something must be the matter with me.- -Oh, no, no, no, mok am!- Clopin reassured him. -Nothing is the matter with you at all! You just need to learn Kalosian. But don't worry. As I said, I will teach you the language.- "Or maybe," Patrick broke in, "he will." He held up Couafarac's Pokéball and threw it into the air. Immediately, the Furfrou appeared in a flash of blue light and looked at Patrick. -Yes, young male Trainer?- he asked. -What do you want? Are you going to give me food? If you are, that's great, because j'ai une faim de Lougaroc.- "Food?" laughed Patrick. "No, silly. Quasimodo needs help. You see, he can't speak Kalosian very well, and-" -Couafarac!- Seeing the Furfrou, Quasimodo rushed up to him. -Oh, thank goodness you're here,- he said. -Is-is there any way you can t-teach me Kalosian?- -Well, sure!- Couafarac responded. -You can just go to a Kalosian school. There are plenty of them in this region, and they're known for teaching Kalosian in such a way that makes it fun and exciting.- -Really?!- Quasi gasped. -Oh, mercy, Couafarac...- He looked around. -Where can I find one?- Couafarac laughed. -It's "merci," Quasi,- he said. -And you can just find one anywhere in the Kalos region.- -Oh, no,- Quasi sighed. -I did it again, didn't I? This is why I need to go to one of these Kalosian schools, fast! If- if any of the other people in Kalos notice how terrible I am at Kalosian, they'll make fun of me!- Couafarac laughed. -Silly you, they won't make fun of you,- he reassured him. -They'll just correct your pronunciation.- -W-well... I don't think I should go to one of the schools in Kalos...- -Oh? Why not?- Quasi looked down, and his ears drooped with sadness. -Because... w-well, you see, we can't stay here long... Kaylie has a Gym Battle in Cinderite City, back in the Feluv region.- -Well, then, just go to a Kalosian school in Feluv!- Couafarac responded. -There's got to be at least one Kalosian school there.- Quasi looked around him nervously. As far as he knew, there were no Kalosian schools in the Feluv region- only PokeLatin schools. He looked over at Couafarac sadly. -Um... C-Couafarac?- he muttered. -Yes, Quasi?- Couafarac responded. -What is it?- Quasi sighed. -I-I don't think there are any Kalosian schools in Feluv,- he responded sadly. The minute he heard this, Couafarac's eyes went wide with complete shock. -WHAT?!- he gasped. -Clopin, please tell me that he's wrong! There's got to be a Kalosian school in Feluv! Are there any?- Clopin shook his head. -Je ne crois pas,- he responded. -None that I know of, at least.- -Oh, no!- cried Couafarac, whimpering. -This is terrible! C'est la fin des haricots! Now poor Quasimodo here is never going to learn the Kalosian language quickly enough!- Clopin giggled. -Don't worry, Couafarac! Ce n'est pas la fin des haricots. I'll have you know that I have a plan to get the first Kalosian school into the Feluv region.- -Really?- Couafarac asked, brightening. -W-what's the plan?- Quasi asked. -Simple,- Clopin responded. -If there's no Kalosian school in Feluv right now... then we can just go back to Feluv and set one up ourselves!- -How are we ever going to do that?- asked Couafarac. -You know, we go into the region and we start petitioning and asking people for money- that kind of thing,- Clopin explained. -Then, once we have a few followers, we give all the funding to the biggest language organization in the Pokémon world- and you know who that is, don't you, Couafarac?- -Let me guess: the IPPA.- -Ding!- Clopin exclaimed happily. "Wait," Kaylie suddenly broke in. "You're planning to give funding for a Kalosian school to the International PokeLatin Phonetics Association? Won't they probably reject the money?" -Nonsense, Kaylie!- Clopin reassured her. -Despite the name, the IPPA is the ultimate source for all languages, not just PokeLatin. I'm pretty sure they'll accept the funding.- Kaylie thought about it for a second, then smiled. Well, then... If you say so," she responded. -Alright, then!- Clopin exclaimed. -Follow me, Couafarac! We're going to Medala City!- With that, Clopin, Couafarac, and the others set off for the Lumiose-Medala bridge. As they crossed it, Couafarac turned to Clopin, looking a bit nervous. This would be his first time going to the Feluv region, and he didn't know what to expect yet. -Clopin?- he asked. -Oui?- Clopin responded, turning to him. -Qu'est-ce qu'il y a, mon ami?- Couafarac suddenly seemed more nervous. -Oh, nothing,- he said. -It's just that... I've never been to the Feluv region before. I have no idea what to expect, and what the other Feluvian Pokémon are going to say. Who knows if they'll make fun of me, just because I'm not from the same region as they are?- He gasped. -What if- what if they reject the beauty of the Kalosian language?! Oh, this is going to be terrible!- -Now, now, Couafarac, it's nothing to be worried about,- Clopin reassured him. -Medala City is going to be fun! Besides, I don't think they'll make fun of you just because they're not from the same region as I am. We may still get a few followers. Who knows?- Couafarac took a breath. -You're right, Clopin,- he said. -I shouldn't be worrying over this.- -That's the spirit!- Clopin giggled. -Just you wait, Couafarac. We're going to get more followers faster than you can say-- -Look!- Quasi cried. -We're over the bridge!- Hearing him, Kaylie, Clopin, Couafarac and the rest all looked up in front of them. Sure enough, the skyline of Medala City, site of the FoF and the Court of Pokémon Opinions, was laid out in front of them. Upon seeing the city, Couafarac gasped. -No way!- he cried. -This city is the site of the first Gym? It's huge! This is, like, Illumis-sized!- "Illumis?" Kaylie asked. -Lumiose City en kalosian,- explained Clopin. "Oh," Kaylie responded. -Look over there!- Couafarac cried, pointing with his muzzle. -They've got an observatory!- "Yeah, they just built that thing," Patrick told him. "We were there yesterday, you know." -You were?- Couafarac asked. -Oui,- Clopin responded. -But since we're no longer in Kalos... I can speak PokeLatin again! Cheüt, mok am, nok weü, et nok aut qata güte cümit betorï kibüston zjü ro!- -You speak fluent PokeLatin?!- gasped Couafarac. -I thought the only word you could say was "cheüt"!- Clopin laughed. -Because that's all you heard, mok am!- he responded. -Yes, I can speak fluent PokeLatin.- -Wow!- Couafarac exclaimed. -But enough of that,- Clopin told him. -We've got a Kalosian school to create! Allez! To the streets of Medala! Let's start petitioning, in hopes we'll catch the attention of the IPPA!- With that, the group, led by Clopin, rushed off into the streets. Their plan to bring the first Kalosian school into Feluv had only just begun, and all of them were hoping for one thing: success. Or, as the Kalosian would say, succès. -Step right up, step right up for your chance to help us fight for a good cause! If you're one of those Pokémon who desperately wants to learn the Kalosian language, but doesn't want to take the long and tedious journey over the bridge from Feluv to Kalos, then please donate any money you can to help us create the first Kalosian school in the Feluv region, right here in Medala City! Every cent counts, my friends, so let's get this on! Help us fight for a good cause and help us bring the first Kalosian school into Feluv TODAY!- This was the message that was blared from Clopin's mouth all over the streets of Medala City as Kaylie, Patrick, Clopin, Couafarac, and the rest stood on a sidewalk, holding up brochures in order to get more people's attention. Unfortunately, no one had yet come to the gigantic booth that had been set up, with a banner that read SUPPORT THE FIRST KALOSIAN SCHOOL IN FELUV TODAY! on it. Seeing people walk right past it, Clopin ran up to them in order to try and get their attention. -Hello?- he asked. -Does anyone here want to donate money to fund the first Kalosian school in Feluv? It'll be right here in Medala! Anyone?- But no one walking by even took so much as a glimpse at the booth. Couafarac howled miserably. -Oh, it's no use!- he moaned. -There's no way anyone's going to support our cause!- -Just hang on, mok am- Clopin reassured him. -I bet you that at some point someone will come by and give us a donation.- -And I bet it's going to take forever!- moaned Couafarac. -Well, what should we do to pass the time until someone does happen to stop by the booth?- Quasi asked. Couafarac suddenly gasped. -Hey! That reminds me,- he suddenly cried, perking up. -You guys want to hear a story?- -Sure!- Quasi replied happily. -Oh, you bet I do, mok am!- Clopin agreed. -Alright then,- Couafarac began, turning to Clopin. -So, Clopin, you know how you can speak fluent PokeLatin?- -Of course!- Clopin scoffed. -Well, here's the thing. What you may not know is that in the many days you and I were separated, I actually took the opportunity to go to Cinderite City's PokeLatin school and study the PokeLatin language.- Clopin gasped. -You did?- he cried, dumbstruck. "So does this mean you know PokeLatin?" Kaylie asked, just as shocked. -Well... some,- Couafarac replied. -I mean, I'm certainly not fluent like Clopin is, but I can still speak some full PokeLatin sentences.- -Like what?- Clopin asked. -Like "posütan sois perdït, païkan parügït qa pritke."- Clopin stood there, dumbfounded with complete shock. He didn't know that Couafarac could correctly pronounce the PokeLatin "p" sound. Couafarac tilted his head, obviously confused. -What?- he asked. -Wow,- Clopin gasped. -I didn't know your pronunciation was that good! I mean, you have that PokeLatin "p" sound down! Any chance you've mastered the "sj" sound, too?- -Well, actually, that's one of the sounds I still have yet to get down,- admitted Couafarac. -I mean, I can say the "s," and I can say the "zj," but when I put them together, all I end up getting is a "ch" sound- which is identical to the one we have in Kalosian. And as far as I know, that's not how the "sj" sound is said. I think I might need some advice.- He looked at Clopin, and then added, -From you.- Clopin laughed, delighted. -Well, then, if it's advice from me you want, it's advice from me you'll get!- he replied happily. -I would be absolutely delighted to teach you some PokeLatin until someone happens to notice our booth! For starters, you're right. The "sj" sound isn't said like a "ch" is. But I can certainly help you get it right. Here's how I first learned it- and this is what I told Rocky when he first started learning PokeLatin. At first, you say the two sounds so that they're clearly seperate. Like this: "sssss-ZH." Then, once you've got that down, you slowly blend the two sounds together, while still keeping them seperate, until you get a "sj"- the sound you want. It's quick, but they're still seperate. Now can you try it?- -Sure,- Couafarac responded. -Here goes nothing. I hope I get this right. "Sssss...ZH." Like that?- -Good. Now say it again, but faster.- -"Ssss-ZH."- -Better. A bit faster than that.- -"Sss-"- "Oh my Arceus!" It was clearly a woman's voice. Startled, Clopin, Couafarac, and everyone else looked up to find a blond-haired woman staring in excitement and shock at the sign on the booth. Delighted to find that someone had actually come to the booth, Clopin quickly got back into position and held out a brochure. -Oh, hello there!- he cried excitedly. -I'm delighted you could join us. As you can see by the sign on our booth here, we're trying to bring the first Kalosian school into the Feluv region, and we were wondering if you could help us raise money.- "A Kalosian school in the Feluv region?!" the woman gasped. "That sounds incredible! If you're able to set it up, then I won't have to walk all the way to Lumiose City to enroll my child into a Kalosian school! Count me in!" She looked up at Clopin, before adding, "How much will it cost to make it?" -A ton of money, mok am!- responded Clopin, delighted. -But once we feel we have enough money, we'll send all the funds to the IPPA, in hopes that they'll help us fund the school.- "That sounds like an extremely good cause!" the woman exclaimed. "Alright. Let me check my wallet and see if I have any money..." Clopin gasped, delighted. Finally, they had both a donor and a follower! -Oh, thank you so much!- he cried happily. -We honestly don't know how to thank you for all this! Quasimodo will be so grateful when the Kalosian school is set up and ready!- "You're very welcome," replied the woman, searching through her wallet. "All right, here you are. I have $20 to give to you." Taking out a $20 bill, she reached to put it in a purple donations bucket that was sitting on the booth. Then all of a sudden, she (along with everyone else) heard a man laugh from behind them. "$20 for a Kalosian school in the Feluv region?! Are you kidding me?" At that moment, the woman turned to see a black-haired man walk towards her. Upon seeing the money, he scoffed in response. "You honestly think that you're going to raise money for a school that probably won't even exist?" he laughed. "You're insane! Honestly, the only schools that will ever get into the Feluv region are PokeLatin schools. Kalosian schools should be where they belong- in Kalos!" Couafarac groaned in agony. Hearing the man, the woman turned to him. It suddenly dawned on Kaylie that this man was the woman's husband, and that the two of them had differing opinions on the first Kalosian school in Feluv. "Henry, let these two Pokémon have their school," the woman responded. "They need it for their friend. Besides, if you were learning the Kalosian language, wouldn't you not want to walk over a long bridge to get to Kalos?" The man sighed. "Alright, alright, put in the money," he muttered, relenting. Clopin gasped happily. -Oh, thank you, mok am!- he replied. "But I'm warning you," the man said as his wife put in the money, "if you ever send these funds to the IPPA..." Eventually, the couple left. Delighted, Clopin jumped up and turned to Couafarac, who was still groaning in agony. -Our first donor!- Clopin cried happily. -Our first critic,- moaned Couafarac, ever the pessimist. Clopin giggled. -Well, that too,- he admitted. -But I think it's much better if you look on the bright side. And on the bright side, we finally have a donor! This is looking to be a successful day, mok am! Very soon, more and more people will be looking forward to funding this Kalosian school for themselves! Oh, I have a very good feeling, mok am...- He trembled with excitement. Couafarac whimpered. -I don't,- he muttered. -This is just going to get us more critics.- -Oh, lighten up, Couafarac!- laughed Clopin. -You're always expecting the worst.- -True,- Couafarac admitted. -Except when I'm expecting the best.- He turned to Clopin and smiled. -And believe me, I'm always expecting the best when I've got you around.- Clopin was tearing up now. -Oh... mon ami... that's the nicest thing I've ever heard...- he sobbed. -It's true,- Couafarac responded. "Hey, guys! Look over there!" Another woman's voice broke through, and all of a sudden, the group heard an indistinct chatter ahead of them. Looking up upon hearing it, Clopin gasped in delight and shock, whereas Couafarac groaned and put his head down. -Let me guess,- he muttered. -It's a swarm of people who're looking at the new observatory.- -No, Couafarac, look!- Clopin replied, nudging him with his wing. -It's a swarm of supporters!- Looking up at what was in front of him, Couafarac saw it- and gasped. Sure enough, there in front of his eyes stood a swarm of people crowded around the booth, all of whom were holding up money: $20 bills, $50 bills, even a few $100 bills. Now realizing the full gravity of what he was seeing, Couafarac gasped. -No way...- he muttered to himself. -Do you see what it is, Couafarac?- Clopin asked excitedly, jumping up and down with delight. -Do you see what it is?- -Yes!- Couafarac replied excitedly, perking up. -Yes, I see what it is! It's a swarm of people who have come to give us money! Oh, Clopin, I never would have imagined that this would happen in all my years of my friendship with you!- -And yet it did!- Clopin cried happily. "This Kalosian school is going to be incredible!" Kaylie exclaimed happily. "I can't believe that all these people actually care ably there being a Kalosian school in the Feluv region! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see if the IPPA is going to fund this thing!" "And I can't wait to see how much money we'll have as a result of all this!" Patrick added. As Kaylie and Patrick excitedly discussed what might happen as a result of the school getting funded, the swarm of people rushed to put all their money into the bank of donations. Clopin looked over at Couafarac, delighted as all get out. Eventually, the bucket quickly filled up, and all of the donors turned to leave as they each took a brochure from Clopin, who was beside himself with joy. -Thank you!- he cried happily. -You all have been such great supporters of our cause!- As the group of people left, Couafarac turned to the incredibly elated Clopin. -The bucket's full,- he said. Hearing him, Clopin looked down at the bucket to find that it was indeed, filled to the brim with money. He laughed happily, delighted at how many people donated for their cause. -Well, look at that!- he exclaimed. -The bucket is full! Which means it's time for the moment I'm sure all of you have been waiting for: we get to find out just how much money is in this thing!- Excitedly, he took the bucket and began counting all the money. Couafarac howled. -Please let this be a good amount,- he begged. As Clopin continued to count all the money, Kaylie excitedly turned to Patrick. "How much money do you think's gonna be in that bucket?" she asked excitedly, clearly anticipating the big reveal. Patrick laughed. "Well, based on the amount of people who gave us money, I'd have to say A HEAP!" he exclaimed. Kaylie laughed. "We'll see." At that moment, they heard Clopin gasp with extreme shock and delight. Excited, Kaylie and Patrick turned to Clopin, waiting to hear the news. "What is it?" Kaylie asked. "Did they give us a ton of money?!" Patrick cried with excitement. Clopin laughed and rushed over to them, carrying the money bucket. -Not just a ton of money, mok am,- he exclaimed. -A whole BUCKETFULL of it! We have a grand total of- get this- $500,276 in all!- Kaylie and Patrick gasped in shock, and Couafarac, having heard the amount of money, breathed a huge sigh of relief. "You're kidding!" Patrick cried. "That's more than enough money to send out to the IPPA to help build the first Kalosian school in Feluv!" Kaylie exclaimed happily. -It certainly is!- laughed Clopin. -Believe me, we are sending this to the IPPA straight away, with all our followers in tow!- -But where is the IPPA going to meet?- Couafarac asked. -There's probably no way they're meeting here in Medala.- Clopin laughed. -Oh, silly one,- he giggled. -I know exactly where the IPPA will meet next. I've been tracking their meetings ever since I first started learning PokeLatin.- "Then where are they meeting?" Kaylie asked. Clopin looked up at her with a laugh. -Lumiose City,- he said. "Lumiose City?" Kaylie asked. -Then that means we'll have to cross the bridge again,- whined Couafarac. -Cheüt,- Clopin responded. -And what's the matter with that? The bridge isn't that long. Of course, we'll have to get all the followers to... well, follow us.- "How are we ever going to be able to do that?" Patrick asked. -You just leave that to me!- Clopin replied happily, hopping down from his seat at the booth. -I am an expert at getting people to follow me, and following us across the bridge to Lumiose City is no exception!- With that, he took out a microphone, and Kaylie and Patrick watched in excitement. -ATTENTION TO ALL THOSE WHO DONATED MONEY FOR THE KALOSIAN SCHOOL!- The minute they heard his voice, all the people who had given in money turned their heads to look at Clopin. -Told you,- the Touceet said, turning to Kaylie and Patrick. The two Trainers looked at him, clearly impressed, as the group of donors stopped what they were doing and crowded around Clopin. Excited chatter went up. "What's going on?" a woman asked. -Follow me, donors!- Clopin exclaimed. -We're heading off on the bridge to Lumiose City to deliver this bucket of money to the ultimate source in foreign languages- the IPPA! If we get their approval, then the first Kalosian school in the Feluv region will be born! Who's ready?- "WE ARE!" cried the donors. -Alright, then!- cried Clopin. -Follow me! We're going to Lumiose City!- With that, the donors excitedly left for the bridge back to Lumiose City, led by Clopin. Kaylie, Patrick, Quasimodo, and Couafarac looked at each other, then followed the donors, with Couafarac carrying the bucket of money. As they left for the bridge, Kaylie looked over at Couafarac and squealed excitedly. She couldn't believe that they were about to do what they were about to do. But the big question was, would Rancorpujin accept the fundings for the Kalosian school? Kaylie, as it turned out, certainly thought so. After a few minutes, Clopin, Couafarac and the group of donors had reached Lumiose City. The skyline of the largest city in Kalos was laid out in front of them, and the donors gasped in awe at the sheer sight of the city. In the distance, Clopin and Couafarac could see a flagpole near the Graswinemodo Tower. It didn't have the Kalosian flag on it, though, and both of them assumed that they were saving it for some special occasion. Eventually, as the donors gazed at the city in awe, Couafarac turned to Clopin. -So where's the IPPA right now?- he asked. -At the Graswinemodo Tower,- Clopin responded. -That's the first place they always go to when they visit Lumiose City.- "Wait, did you just say that the IPPA was at the Graswinemodo Tower?" one of the male donors asked, turning to Clopin. -Cheüt,- Clopin responded. "Then we've got to go there!" a female donor cried out in determination. "Come on, everyone! Let's follow that Touceet to the Graswinemodo Tower!" A loud cheer went up, and the donors excitedly followed Clopin and Couafarac to the tower. They were followed closely behind by Kaylie, Patrick, and Quasimodo, all of whom seemed both excited and nervous at the same time. As they set off for the GT, Quasi looked up at Kaylie nervously. -Oh, I certainly hope that Rancor accepts the funds,- he said quietly. -I-if he doesn't... then how am I ever going to learn Kalosian?- "You could ask Couafarac to teach you," Patrick suggested. "Or Clopin," Kaylie added. -W-well, that does sound like a good idea...- muttered Quasi. -B-but if the school were to become real, I'm pretty sure that Clopin and Couafarac would be teachers at the school. After all, they're fluent in Kalosian.- "They do seem like the type of Pokémon that would teach at a Kalosian school," Patrick pointed out. "Yeah, they do," Kaylie agreed. "I just hope that Rancorpujin can help fund the school. I know that he can be a bit harsh, given that he is a Rampeler." "Kaylie?" "What?" Patrick pointed out into the distance. "I don't think he'd appreciate that if he heard. Look." Kaylie and Quasi looked in Patrick's direction- and suddenly saw the reason for his concern. They had reached the Graswinemodo Tower, and sure enough, the IPPA was there, just as Clopin had said. Rancorpujin and the rest of the members were busy talking amongst themselves, and near them, brochures and bucket of money in hand, were all the donors, along with Clopin and Couafarac. Kaylie gasped. "There they are!" she cried. -D-do you think we should go talk to them?- Quasi stammered nervously. Kaylie nodded. "Let's go. We've got no time to waste if we want to make this Kalosian school a reality." With that, the three of them walked up to the IPPA members, who were still talking to Rancorpujin. Ever since the incident that had happened with Switeuk at the FoF, many of the original IPPA members had been fired by Rancor. The group here consisted of Rancor, a Yakodigger, an Incineroar, and a Probopass. When the talking began to die down, Kaylie walked up to Rancor and cleared her throat. "Excuse me?" she asked. Rancor turned to her and eyed her with a glare, causing Kaylie to tremble in fear. Then all of a sudden, he recognized her, and his expression softened. -Ah, yes,- he said. -I remember you. You're the Trainer from the FoF in Medala City with the singing Touceet, am I correct?- "Yes," Kaylie confirmed. "And I think my singing Touceet would like to have a word with you about something important." She gestured to Clopin. Confused, Rancor looked down- and suddenly was overcome with shock. There, standing in front of him, was Clopin, Couafarac, and a slew of people, all of whom were chanting "VIVE LA KALOS! VIVE LA KALOS!" and holding up signs and brochures. Rancor was beside himself with consternation, and turned to look at Clopin, stunned. -Wha- what is going on here?!- he gasped. The chants died down. Seeing Rancor, Clopin broke out into a smile and held up one of the brochures. -Ah, prïket, Rancor!- he cried cheerfully. -I see you've noticed our little... fund.- -Yes, I have noticed,- Rancor said. -Now, please tell me... what is it for?- -We're trying to bring a Kalosian school into the Feluv region,- explained Couafarac. -But of course, we couldn't do it alone. We asked people to donate money to help support us, and-- -Wait a minute,- Rancor suddenly broke in. -A... Kalosian school in the Feluv region? Wherever did you get an idea like that?- -Well, actually, mok am, we did it for our friend, Quasimodo,- Clopin explained. -He says he's not that good at Kalosian, and he really wants to learn it.- -Well, then, why don't you two just teach him the Kalosian language?- asked Rancor. -Wouldn't that be an easier solution?- -We would do that if it was only him we were teaching,- Couafarac explained. -It's not just him that needs Kalosian lessons, you know. It's millions of people in Feluv who want to learn the Kalosian language. But they don't want to have to cross the bridge from Medala City to Lumiose City in order to do it.- "Exactly!" one of the donors broke in. "That's why I support their cause. We don't have to have Kalosian schools in just Kalos, you know! Kalosian schools should be everywhere! Right, everyone?" "RIGHT!" cried all the donors. "Believe me, learning the Kalosian language will be key if you want to communicate effectively with a fluent Kalosian speaker!" declared one of the male donors. "That's why you at least should consider bringing the first Kalosian school into the Feluv region," Kaylie broke in, looking Rancor straight in the eye with a pleading look on her face. "Believe me, all these people need it. It's really going to help them in the near future." "It's gonna help Quasi, too," Patrick added. -We raised over $500,000 just to get this school set up,- Clopin told Rancor, giving him the bucket of money along with a brochure. -But the only way we can get this school set up is if we have your approval.- -S-so will you do it?- pleaded Quasi. -Please? For those who need it?- Rancor looked at the bucket of money with a look of solemn contemplation on his face, while Kaylie, Patrick, Clopin, Couafarac and the donors all watched in deep concern. As Rancor began flipping through the brochure, Kaylie tossed five PokeBalls into the air. In a flash of blue light came Esmeralda, Frollo, Phoebus, Tesla and Rocky. They saw what was going on in front of them, and turned to Kaylie in concern and confusion. -What's happening?- asked Esmeralda. "Clopin and Couafarac are trying to set up the first Kalosian school in the Feluv region," explained Kaylie. "But they can only do it if Rancor agrees to fund the school. Couafarac's the Furfrou, by the way." -The first Kalosian school in the Feluv region?!- Esmeralda cried excitedly. -Oh, man! I hope that Rancor says yes!- Rocky chimed in. Kaylie giggled. "Me too. But we're going to have to wait and see." They turned back to Rancor, who had just finished reading the brochure. He stared at the money one more time, and everyone stood there holding their breath. Finally, Rancor sighed sadly and looked down at all of them. -I'm not funding this,- he said solemnly. There was a collective gasp of shock from everyone in the room. Couafarac, Clopin, and especially Quasimodo looked heartbroken, and as for Kaylie and Patrick, they looked at one another in shock. Stunned whispers were exchanged by the donors. -Y-you won't?- cried Quasi, on the verge of tears. -B-but mok am... why not?- Clopin asked, stunned as anyone else. Rancor sighed and put down the bucket. -I'm sorry,- he said. -I know how much you wanted to do this for your friend. But honestly... a Kalosian school should only be made where it belongs- in Kalos.- Angry shouts could be heard from all the donors, and Frollo growled. -There's no way that can be right!- he cried angrily. -For many years now the Feluv region has prided itself on the PokeLatin language,- continued Rancor, -and I simply cannot allow another language to interfere with that. Who knows what might happen? It could be burned down to the ground by Feluvians. The point is, there is only one language school that is acceptable in Feluv, and that is the PokeLatin language schools. If you think I'm going to put a Kalosian school into a mainly PokeLatin-speaking region, you're out of your mind!- -Mais... mais monsieur...- pleaded Couafarac. -Don't speak Kalosian to me, Furfrou!- Rancor snapped, and Couafarac whimpered, terrified. -The decisions of the IPPA are final when it comes to languages! I will not be funding your school, and there will never be a single Kalosian school in the Feluv region for as long as you shall live!- He lifted his hoof. "Rancor, no!" pleaded Kaylie. -You can't do this!- Esmeralda added. But it was too late. Rancor didn't hear their pleas, and stomped on the bucket of money, completely destroying it and visually cutting off all funds. Gasps went around the room, and Rancor grabbed the money, put it in his mouth and left, before throwing all the money into the Graswinemodo Tower. He turned to Clopin, Couafarac, and the donors, all of whom stared at him with a look of pure heartbreak on their face, and sighed sadly. -I'm sorry,- he said. -But this is what has to be done for the good of the Feluv region.- He left. The donors were now standing there in sadness, not saying a single word. Kaylie and Patrick, heartbroken, walked up to Couafarac and Clopin, looks of sadness on their faces. As for Quasi, he was quietly crying. "Couafarac..." Kaylie muttered sadly. Couafarac sighed. -You don't have to apologize,- he muttered. -He's got a point. If we were to bring a Kalosian school into Feluv, which has always been obsessed with PokeLatin... they could have a different opinion on the school, and that wouldn't end well. We wouldn't want the Kalosian image to be tarnished.- He walked off sadly, and the group of donors formed a just as morose circle around him. Even Frollo was saddened, though his way of showing it was with his head down, his eyes closed, and a solemn look of contemplation on his face. The only one who didn't show any true sadness outright was Clopin, who instead bounded up to Couafarac, trying to comfort him. -Couafarac... Don't worry, mon ami!- he cried happily. -It's okay!- -No, it isn't,- moaned Couafarac, with his head down. -Face it, Clopin. We failed to bring the first Kalosian school into the Feluv region, and now, with this decision...- He sighed. -It's over, Clopin. Les carrotes sont cuites.- He put his head down again. Clopin tried to stay positive, like he always did, but deep down inside, he was feeling sadder than he'd ever been before. He knew in his heart that Couafarac was right. Les carrotes sont cuites- the carrots were cooked. It was over, and there was nothing they could do about it. Forcing a smile onto his face, even Clopin knew he couldn't stay positive for much longer. -Oh, well,- he said, trying to stay positive. -Look on the bright side. At least... we got to inspire a few people...- He was sounding more saddened by the second, and the smile on his face was fading just as fast as his positivity. When he finished the sentence, Clopin was sitting on the floor with his head down, haven given up all hope. Kaylie and Patrick exchanged shocked glances. This was Clopin, by far the happiest member of Kaylie's team, completely broken. He would never give up hope- never! Yet here he was now, as saddened as Couafarac, quietly sobbing- and that was saying something. Concerned glances stared at Clopin, whose voice was cracking as he sat there, sobbing in tears. -But now... we failed...- he sobbed, -and there's nothing else we can do about it, is there, mok am?- It was an absolutely heartbreaking sight. He hadn't even lifted his head as he'd said that. Clopin's optimism was completely gone- he'd lost all hope. Quasi looked out at Clopin, shocked and heartbroken. -C-Clopin...- he stammered sadly, his ears drooping. For a moment or two, there was complete silence. No one moved or said a word, and everyone was completely morose. They couldn't bear to see Clopin so saddened. Then- they heard it. -#Allons, enfants de la Patrie...#- It was poorly pronounced Kalosian, but it was clearly Kalosian, and the minute they heard the unmistakable trembling voice of Quasimodo, all eyes turned to him. He stood there, singing the Kalosian national anthem to cheer up Clopin and Couafarac- and no one cared that he was singing in poorly-pronounced Kalosian. They knew they had to cheer up Clopin and Couafarac somehow. Inspired, the rest of Kaylie's Pokémon stepped forward and joined in: -#Le jour de gloire est arrivé -#Contre nous de la tyrannie#- That inspired Kaylie, Patrick, and eventually all the donors to join in themselves, stepping forward and singing: -#L'étendard sanglant est levé -#L'étendard sanglant est levé -#Entendez-vous dans les campagnes -#Mugir ces féroces soldats? -#Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras -#Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes#- As the group of donors approached the chorus, Quasi stopped singing and smiled sweetly. He couldn't believe that everyone was doing this solely for Clopin. As the sun rose over the Graswinemodo Tower, Clopin and Couafarac suddenly heard the Kalosian national anthem being sung and looked up to find that the chorus had just begun: -#Aux armes, citoyens! -#Formez vos battalions! -#Marchez, marchez -#Qu'un sang impur -#Abreuve nos sillons#- As the chorus continued, Clopin suddenly felt a fire of determination blazing up inside of him. All of a sudden, seeing all those people and Pokémon singing... he didn't care that he had failed to set up the first Kalosian school in the Feluv region. This was a message- a message to continue fighting. At that moment, all his hope returned, and he stood up, triumphantly singing along with the group to the final chorus with Couafarac quickly following suit, as the Kalosian flag was raised and proudly waved in the breeze: -#Aux armes, citoyens! -#Formez vos battalions! -#Marchons, marchons! -#Qu'un sang impur -#Abreuve nos sillons!#- The singing finally ended, and cheers went up from all over. People were giving each other high-fives, and shouts of "VIVE LA KALOS! VIVE LA DEMOCRACIE!" could be heard from all over. Now back to his happy-go-lucky persona, Clopin rushed up to hug Couafarac, before bounding into the group of people and Pokémon. -YES!- he exclaimed ecstatically. -I see it now! We may have failed now, but we can't just give up hope! For Arceus' sake, we are all Kalosian, and we will continue fighting to bring the first Kalosian school into the Feluv region!- A loud cheer went up. -But for now,- Clopin continued, -Kaylie has a Gym Battle to fight, so I say it's off to Cinderite City for the time being. Still, though, we can't just give up on a Kalosian school in Feluv now! The IPPA may say one thing, but we will say another! We are going to continue fighting for our cause! What do you say, Kalosians?!- "VIVE LA KALOS!" cried everyone. With that, the entire group of people and Pokémon excitedly headed, once more, for the bridge connecting Lumiose to Medala. As they left, Kaylie looked over at Clopin and Couafarac and smiled. Those two were going to be great friends, and although they had failed now, it didn't mean they wouldn't continue fighting. Someday, a Kalosian school would get into the Feluv region. But for now, it was saved for another day. Smiling, Kaylie rushed into the Graswinemodo Tower to retrieve the over $500,000 in donations, then ran out to follow the rest of the group, which included Patrick, Quasimodo, and her other Pokémon. For now, she had a Gym Battle to get to, and she wasn't going to miss it. Vive la Kalos, indeed.
You can quit. For more information, read this chapter. I hope you enjoy Chapter 14 of Pokémon Opal and Garnet! Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 14: Straight Outta Cinderite After all of her traveling, though it looked a bit grim Kaylie's finally in Cinderite But when the doors open to the city's Gym She sees something isn't right For instead of battling other Trainers Vulcan eats anti-herbs all day long And his addictive behavior can never be saved from the bells THE BELLS OF NOTRE DAME... (de Lumiose) "Finally! Hello, Cinderite City!" After happily proclaiming those words, Kaylie stared out at the skyline of Cinderite, delighted as all get out. She and her Pokémon, as well as Patrick, had been traveling from Lumiose City to Cinderite for days, and had finally reached their destination after all that time. Seeing the city in front of them, Kaylie and Patrick's Pokémon crowded around their Trainers and gasped, just as excited to be there as Kaylie was. Seeing something in the distance, Switeuk pointed. -Look!- he cried. -I think I see the PokeLatin school!- Kaylie and Patrick looked at the building Switeuk was pointing at. Compared to all the other buildings and houses in Cinderite, which all were made out of adobe bricks and had a red-and-black pattern similar to that of a volcano, this building was huge. In the window, a chalkboard and students could clearly be seen. Seeing the building, Clopin jumped up immediately. -That is the PokeLatin school, mok am!- he cried happily. -You don't know how badly I want to be a teacher for the day at that thing! I've always wanted to teach PokeLatin to another group of students.- Switeuk giggled. "Hey, look!" Kaylie cried. "There's the Gym!" The other Pokémon turned towards the building that was right next to the PokeLatin school. Kaylie squealed with delight. "I cannot wait to go in there!" she exclaimed happily. "Oh, I hope Vulcan loves battling just as much as I do..." -Well, I've heard a lot about him,- Frollo responded. -And from my observations, I think it's safe to say that Vulcan absolutely loves to battle.- "Oh, good," Kaylie responded. "I know that Vulcan uses Fire-type Pokémon, so obviously I'm going to use Phoebus. And you too, Frollo. But who should my third Pokémon be?" -Esmeralda, maybe?- Rocky asked. "Well, I was thinking Clopin- since, you know, he knows Guillotine and all." -Sounds like a good idea to me!- cried Switeuk happily. -I can't wait to see how Clopin does in battle against Vulcan's Pokémon! It's going to be awesome!- -B-but Switeuk...- Couafarac stammered, -Clopin isn't that good against Fire-types. He is part Grass, after all.- -Oh, silly,- laughed Clopin. -You overreact too much. Remember, I've got a one-hit knockout move at my disposal!- He giggled, a bit diabolically. "So... do you think we should go into the city and get straight to the Gym Leader?" Kaylie asked. "I want to get this battle started right away! The sooner we get to the Gym, the sooner I can get my second badge!" Patrick turned to her and laughed. "Whatever suits you," he said. "Alright!" cried Kaylie, jumping up happily. "To the Gym! Let's get this battle started!" With that, the group ran into the city, gazing at all the red and black brick buildings that were surrounding them. There was no wonder as to why it was called Cinderite City: apart from the Gym specializing in Fire-types, every single building looked a bit like a volcano. Even the Pokémon Center had a red-and-black pattern, which was unlike any other Pokémon Center they'd seen up to this point. Soon enough, Kaylie approached the Gym and squealed with delight. "Here goes nothing!" cried Kaylie. "Alright, everyone, you ready?" -Of course!- cried Phoebus. -You bet we are!- Clopin exclaimed. "Alright then!" Kaylie cried, opening the doors to the Gym. "Vulcan, here I come!" But upon opening the doors, she immediately noticed something was off. When she had battled Lepida, the Gym Leader was waiting right at the door and eager to battle her. Here, however, Vulcan wasn't waiting at the door. In fact, no one was there. Kaylie and her Pokémon were as confused as they should have been in a situation like this. -That's odd,- Clopin remarked. -W-where's Vulcan?- asked Quasimodo. "I don't know," Kaylie responded, stepping into the Gym. She looked around the room in confusion, not knowing at all where Vulcan was. "Hello...?" she called out. "Is Vulcan here? I'm a Trainer who's looking to battle Vulcan for my second badge..." There was no sign of him. Kaylie sighed. "Great," she muttered. "Now how am I ever going to battle the Gym Leader?" Then all of a sudden, a voice came from inside the Gym. "You were sayin' you wanted to see the Gym Leader?" It was a male voice with a distinct Southern accent. Hearing the voice, Kaylie looked up in delight- perhaps this was someone who could help her find the man she was looking for! "Yes!" she exclaimed happily. "Do you know any way I can find him, where I can find him... that kind of thing?" "Actually," the voice responded, "I am him." Kaylie gasped. "Wait," she said. "YOU'RE the Gym Leader?!" "Sure am." "Well, where are you? I've been itching to get to a Gym Battle with you all day! I have my team set up and everything!" Vulcan laughed. "Hold your Horsea there, you hasty little Cottonee," he said. "You wanna know the reason why I'm not battlin' you right about now?" "Of course." Kaylie scoffed. "Well, ya see, unlike you, I've learned that sometimes in life it's better to relax and sit down for a while, rather than get all hasty to battle straight away. Ya might not have a good strategy yet." -You kidding me?!- Rocky cried. -She already has a good strategy!- "Not only that," Kaylie added, "but we took a vacation in Lumiose City before we came here, so you could say we've already had a break." Vulcan laughed again- then coughed. Kaylie looked confused for a second, but eventually shrugged it off as a cold. "Naw, I wasn't talkin' about that kind of break," he said. "What I was sayin' was, you should do what I've been doin' for the last 2 years of my life. You know, sittin' around and lounging on anti-herbs." Anti-herbs? What in the name of Feluv were those? "Anti-herbs?" Kaylie asked. Vulcan spat out whatever he had been eating- presumably one of those "anti-herbs" he'd just talked about. There was a pause. "You don't know what an anti-herb is?" he asked. "Uh...no," Kaylie responded. More coughing. He must have a really bad cold, Kaylie thought. At any moment he might start sneezing. "Excuse me... are you alright?" she asked Vulcan in the fit of his coughing. "Wha...? Oh, yes... you don't know what an anti-herb is, I forgot for a sec..." Vulcan laughed nervously. "Well, then, I hope y'all don't mind if I just come out here and show ya pesky Jersevrank." And at that moment, Kaylie heard heavy footsteps coming towards her. She looked around, a bit panicked. "Who- who is that?" she cried nervously. -I-is that Vulcan?- Quasi stammered. He got his answer about a second later. Kaylie and Quasi, along with the rest of the group, gazed up in front of them- and gasped. Standing in front of them was a very large man, dressed in a cowboy hat and traditional cowboy clothing. He even had a lasso at hand. On his jeans were flame-like designs, which made it clear that he specialized in Fire-types. However, the most notable thing about the man by far was the maple leaf he was holding in his hand. Nonchalantly, he opened his mouth and swallowed the leaf in one gulp. Clearly, this was Vulcan, the Gym Leader of Cinderite City. He took out another leaf and stepped forward towards Kaylie, waving the leaf in front of her face. "This here," he said, "is an anti-herb." Kaylie looked at him in confusion. "Uh... that's just a leaf," she pointed out. Vulcan shook his head. "You little Cottonee don't know a thing, do ya? Ya think this here's just some silly ol' leaf? Well, yer as wrong as wrong can be, partner! This here is an anti-herb, or as we call it down here in Cinderite, 'Leaf #420.' It's the most addictin' little thing, if I do say so myself. Made with poison straight from an Alolan Grimer." Kaylie gasped. Poison from an Alolan Grimer? Clearly, this Gym Leader was doing all the wrong things. If anti-herbs were made with poison, they seemed to Kaylie like a very bad thing. "Poison?!" she gasped. "Ah, don't you worry about it, partner," Vulcan laughed. "The poison from an Alolan Grimer won't kill ya in one gulp. Besides, these things are so addictin'! They taste like candy!" -I wouldn't say so myself,- Switeuk muttered nervously. -Cheüt, mok am!- Clopin agreed. -These anti-herbs just seem like a disaster waiting to happen!- "Disaster?" Vulcan laughed. "What disaster could possibly come with these here leaves? Leaf #420 is the greatest thing that could possibly exist in the world!" He gulped down another leaf. Tesla's eyes narrowed. -Leaf #420?- he asked suspiciously. Vulcan nodded. "You betcha!" -I think I may have heard of that number being associated with leaves before,- Tesla remarked, -and I certainly hope he's not eating what I think he's eating.- "What else could ya possibly think I'm eatin'?" -Cannibus.- Vulcan spit out the leaf he was eating. "Canna- who-what-now?" -I'll explain later,- Tesla told him, taking out a magnifying glass. -For now, I must ask you: do you have any other, let's say, questionable items at your disposal? Perhaps in your chamber, where you would be fighting Trainers if you didn't have this... addiction?- He was getting more suspicious by the minute. Vulcan howled with laughter. "What, you kidding?" he exclaimed. "I've got all kinds of things that I've been eatin' and drinkin' every day!" Tesla's eyes widened with shock. -Oh, no...- "What's the matter, Tesla?" Kaylie asked, noticing the look on his face. "Is something wrong?" -Very wrong,- Tesla responded in horror. -For all I know, that man could have some terrible things- and dangerous things- lurking around in his chamber.- "Dangerous?" Vulcan repeated with laughter. "What is it that ya'll are callin' dangerous? I would never do any expirementin' with dangerous knick-knackers!" -So he says,- scoffed Tesla. "Follow me, ya little whippersnappers!" Vulcan hollered with delight. "I'll show y'all the things I've been keepin' in my chamber!" With that, he bounded off for his chamber. Kaylie and Patrick looked at each other for a quick second, then eventually decided to follow him to the chamber. Tesla narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he followed his Trainer. -Something is going on with that man, I can clearly tell,- he muttered. -And I fully intend to find out.- -What could you possibly think Vulcan could be doing, mok am?- laughed Clopin. -Illegal things? That's silly! He said he doesn't do that kind of stuff!- -I know,- Tesla responded. -But I strongly suspect that he's on cannibus and doesn't know it. And cannibus is very, very illegal.- -E-excuse me, Tesla...- Quasi stammered, wanting to know just what was going on. -Yes?- Tesla asked. -What's cannibus?- Quasi responded. -One of the most illegal things in the entire world,- Tesla replied. -Believe me, you do not want to know about the horrendous effects of cannibus. It's illegal for a reason.- "YEE-HAW!" Vulcan cried out. "WE'RE HERE, BY GOLLY!" He laughed extremely maniacally. The group suddenly stopped and looked up at what was in the chamber- and gasped. "No way," Kaylie muttered to herself. -I can't believe all the items he's got in here!- Tesla gasped, flabbergasted. Indeed, the massive number of items in the chamber was shocking. What was even more shocking, however, is that there were no Trainers present whatsoever. Rather, there stood instead a large table in the middle of the room, and on that table were anti-herbs galore. But it was more than that, Kaylie noticed. Besides anti-herbs, there were small, brown objects resembling a rolled-up piece of paper with a pipe coming out of it that sat on a plate in the middle of the table. There also were piles of sugar. Piles of sugar? Kaylie thought. Is that man on a sugar high or something? She shrugged. Maybe that's why he seems so happy about everything. Finally, there were very tall bottles with some kind of drink in them. It looked like soda. On each of these bottles was the symbol of Arceus. Kaylie and Patrick gasped in shock at the secret stash of items that were in Vulcan's chamber- never in all their lives would they have imagined seeing something like this in a Pokémon gym! "What the heck... are these things?!" Kaylie gasped. "I'll show ya, partner!" Vulcan exclaimed happily, giving Kaylie a hard and playful slap on the back. "Now you just follow me." He crossed over to the middle of the table, with the plate with the rolled up pieces of paper on it. Kaylie gasped. "These right here are mini-pipes," explained Vulcan. "A rather handy little thing, if you ask me. Ya just blow into one of these things and BOO-YAH! Smoke starts flyin' everywhere! Then, once that's done with, ya go on and swallow the whole thing down in one gulp. It's a really addictin' little substance, believe me!" He laughed. -B-but wouldn't you start choking from eating a piece of paper?- Quasi asked. "Paper? This little thing?" Vulcan asked. "This ain't paper! It's made out of this thing called nee-coh-tyne. Very interesting, if you were to ask me. Anyways, moving on." He walked over to the piles of sugar. Tesla had overheard the whole thing, and was getting extremely suspicious now. -Nicotine?!- he gasped. -Don't tell me...- He decided to turn his attention away from the mini-pipes, however, and focused on the piles of sugar that were sitting on the table as Vulcan explained them to the group. "Now, this is what the folks down here in Cinderite like to call 'deceptisugar,'" he explained. "That's 'cause it looks like sugar or baking soda or any of that other white stuff you find in your kitchen. But the truth is it's made out of this really neat stuff called carbonic acid. And it's arguably the most addictin' thing on here! The minute it's in ya, you start floatin' in the air! It's the best feelin' in the world, I tell ya!" -Wait a second,- Tesla asked. -Do you actually float in the air after taking this deceptisugar, or is that just a feeling?- Vulcan laughed nervously. "Well... I mean, you don't literally float in the air..." he admitted. "You just feel like it. That's because this deceptisugar is so addictin', you can't possibly be eatin' anything else! Well, except for anti-herbs and mini-pipes." Tesla shook his head in exasperation. -This man's on some crazy stuff,- he muttered under his breath. -Like?- Quasi asked. -You'll see later,- explained Tesla. -The minute that man is gone, I will investigate just what these... things on his desk are, and believe me, you'll be shocked at what the devastating effects of them are.- "And finally..." It was Vulcan, explaining to the group the final items that were on his desk: the bottles with the Arceus symbol on them. Tesla immediately rushed over to Kaylie and eyed the bottles suspiciously. He didn't know what it was, but he knew for a fact that something had to be going on with Vulcan. All of these things he was eating- anti-herbs, mini-pipes, deceptisugar- seemed like the worst things in the world. It actually seemed to Tesla that Vulcan cared more about eating those... things than he did about battling other Trainers. He was getting more and more suspicious of Vulcan by the minute- so suspicious, in fact, that he wasn't even hearing Vulcan's explanation about the bottles that were on his desk. All of a sudden, Vulcan stopped talking, and Tesla jumped up onto Vulcan's desk without missing a beat. He was going to find out what those bottles were if it was the last thing he did. Seeing Tesla jump up onto his desk, Vulcan blanched. "Whoa there, Sparkadger!" he cried, clearly uncomfortable. "Ya think I like bein' nearly scared to death by a Sparkadger jumpin' on my desk?! Dear Arceus, you almost knocked all my food off!" -Forgive me, Vulcan,- replied Tesla, -but I must know what those bottles on your desk are. I never got to hear your explanation.- "He calls them 'the divine beverages,'" Kaylie explained. "He says he doesn't know what their real names are, but he thinks that Arceus created them for people to drink. That's why they have the Arceus symbol on them." -I see,- Tesla said, writing it all down in a notepad. -And what, exactly, do they do?- "Well, Vulcan says they essentially have the same effects as the anti-herbs," Patrick told him. "Except they make him go a bit crazy." Tesla's eyes widened. -Crazy?!- Kaylie nodded. "He says that he sometimes sees things that he knows shouldn't be there, and hears voices in his head." "But don't ya worry," Vulcan reassured him. "Most of these hallucinations go away in about two hours." Tesla just stood there in shock. -Uh... Vulcan...- he gasped, unable to believe a thing of what he was hearing. "Yeah?" Vulcan asked. Tesla looked around sporadically. He knew he had to do something to get Vulcan out of the room so that he could investigate these items and get Vulcan to stop doing whatever he thought he was doing. If the Gym Leader was having hallucinations, something was up with those divine beverages. He knew it was wrong to lie, but what other choice did he have if he was to possibly save Vulcan's life? -I think there's a Trainer at the door of the Gym who might want to see you,- he said nervously. It seemed to him like the most likely excuse. "There is?" Vulcan asked. -Of course there is!- Tesla laughed. -Trainers are always wanting to battle you!- "Well, then, if that's the case..." Vulcan sighed. "I think I've taken a long enough break- teaching y'all about the anti-herbs and deceptisugar and all that." With that, he grabbed another anti-herb and excitedly rushed out the door, yelling, "HERE I COME, CHALLENGER!" and laughing maniacally. The minute he was out the door, Tesla breathed a sigh of relief. His lie had worked... -What in the name of Arceus was that for?!- Hearing Frollo's voice- and seeing a very angry Frollo in front of him a few seconds later- Tesla leaped back in shock. He hadn't expected for someone to catch on to his lie. -W-what do you mean?- Tesla asked nervously. -I didn't do anything wrong!- -You lied to the Gym Leader, Tesla!- Frollo snapped. -How is that not wrong?- -Well, I did it for a reason,- retorted Tesla. -And for all the right reasons, if I do say so myself. Something is up with Vulcan, and I'm going to find out what it is.- -What could possibly be up with Vulcan?- -Are you kidding me? He is eating and drinking extremely strange things. I mean, what other kind of drink gives you hallucinations from drinking it? Not to mention the fact that deceptisugar can apparently make you feel like you're floating. I did what was needed in order to distract him so that I could find out for myself just what that man is up to.- He ran over to Kaylie, then jumped into her backpack and pulled out a laptop computer, which he then opened. -If there is any chance that Vulcan is doing illegal things that could potentially hurt him, this could possibly save his life.- -But how are you possibly going to find that out, mok am? With that computer?- Clopin asked. -Precisely,- Tesla responded. -I am going to scan the anti-herbs, mini-pipes, deceptisugar, and divine beverages into this computer in order to get information about them. It's exactly the same thing I did with the virtues. The sooner I find out information about these items, the sooner we can potentially save Vulcan's life.- "That is, if these items are dangerous," Kaylie pointed out. "Which I think they might be. I mean, those anti-herbs are made with poison from an Alolan Grimer. Who knows what the other items are made with?" Quasimodo looked up at her and trembled. -Oh, I certainly hope that these things aren't dangerous...- he muttered. -Not to worry, Quasi,- Tesla responded. -Like I said, if they are dangerous, this is the perfect opportunity to save Vulcan's life.- With that, he grabbed an anti-herb from the table to begin his investigation, while everyone else looked on. As Kaylie watched, a LOADING screen appeared on the computer as it began scanning the anti-herb. Eventually, the LOADING bar filled all the way, and tons of information appeared on screen regarding the anti-herb. Kaylie couldn't read it, but Tesla could- and as he read the information in front of him, he gasped in shock. -I don't believe it,- he muttered. "What's the matter, Tesla?" Kaylie asked, as she and the rest of the group ran up to the computer. "Did you find out any information?" -I did,- Tesla responded, with a grave tone of voice. He turned to them, and his face clearly showed a combination of shock and sadness. Kaylie noticed that his tail was twitching, which she interpreted as a sign of Tesla's fear. Seeing the expression on Tesla's face, Kaylie gasped. "Oh, no," she muttered. "Don't tell me..." -I-is it bad?- Quasi squeaked nervously. Tesla looked at them, his face extremely terrified now. -No,- he gasped, shaking his head. -It's much worse.- Kaylie gasped. This couldn't be good. The group crowded around Tesla, who was extremely terrified as he read the information he'd gathered about anti-herbs off of his computer. Kaylie squinted. The information was too small for her to see, but what she did see was pictures of the anti-herbs, along with extreme close-ups of the cells from an Alolan Grimer's poison. -This is exactly as I feared,- Tesla said, a bit frantically. -You need to hear this. It says here that the anti-herb, also known as leaf #420, is known in the non-human world as marijuana, which is exactly what I said it was.- -D-didn't you say it was called "cannibus"?- Quasi asked. -Marijuana is cannibus, Quasi!- Tesla snapped. -Oh,- Quasi responded. "What does it do, Tesla?" asked Kaylie. "Anything bad?" -Well, if you use anti-herbs on a Pokémon, all it does is neutralize the most famous aspect of their personality. For example, if I were to use it on Clopin, he might lose his ability to speak PokeLatin. But if eaten by a human... that's another story entirely. Marijuana can cause brain damage in teens and adults, and can lead to teens not doing as well in school as well as memory loss. It can affect their attention span, and these affects can last for a short time or for the rest of their lives.- "What?!" Patrick gasped. "That sounds horrible!" Kaylie exclaimed. Tesla nodded. -But that's not the end of it. When taken in large doses, marijuana can lead to lung cancer, poisoning, and yes... even death. Vulcan is risking his life by eating these anti-herbs, just as I suspected.- "Death?!" Kaylie gasped. "Oh my word..." -We need to tell Vulcan to stop doing these things!- Quasi cried. -I know,- Tesla responded. -But we still have three more items to examine, and given the effects of the anti-herbs, I can guarantee that the combination of the four of them will be a deadly combo.- He grabbed the mini-pipe off of the desk and replaced the anti-herb with it. The computer began to scan it, and just like before, a LOADING screen came up. Eventually, once the LOADING bar was filled, information about the mini-pipe appeared on the screen. Kaylie turned to Tesla nervously. "What's it say?" she asked. -It says here that the human world equivalent of mini-pipes are known as cigarettes,- Tesla responded. -And believe me, when you hear about the effects of those...- -They're bad, aren't they?- Quasi asked. -Very,- Tesla affirmed. -Every single day, more than 3,000 teenagers will smoke their first cigarette, and many of them will go on to become chronic smokers, like Vulcan. Smoking can prematurely age your skin and cause wrinkles, as well as cause your teeth to turn black from the tar in it.- "Ewww!" Kaylie almost barfed in her mouth by how disgusting it was. She couldn't even imagine somebody with black teeth. -I know, right?- Tesla added. -It can also cause gum disease, and makes you stink.- "Let me guess: that's not the worst of it." -Not at all. Cigarettes contain a very addictive substance called nicotine, which only takes 8 seconds to reach your brain. And when it does... it can lead to some pretty nasty things. Smoking cigarettes can put you at a higher risk for multiple types of cancers, including cancer of the mouth, gum cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, larynx cancer... In fact, people with larynx cancer need to have their larynx taken out and replaced by a voicebox.- -Wow,- Clopin remarked. -That's a lot of cancers.- "My father died of lung cancer, and I'm pretty certain that smoking cigarettes were what lead to his death," Kaylie said. "Or eating anti-herbs, in this case." -But it's not just cancer that smoking can cause,- Tesla continued. -It can also cause COPD, for which there is no cure. And as you might have expected, smoking kills. 1 in 13 children alive today will die early from smoking. And worldwide? It causes 6 million deaths per year. Between the combination of marijuana and cigarettes, it's amazing that Vulcan hasn't died yet.- "I'll say," Kaylie agreed. "So what's next?" -Deceptisugar, obviously,- Tesla responded, grabbing a pile of the white grains for investigation. -And based on what we know already about anti-herbs and mini-pipes, I expect this to be pretty bad as well.- The same LOADING screen from before appeared on the computer as it scanned the deceptisugar, and like before, a slew of information appeared on the screen. Tesla began to read it. -As I thought,- he said. -Its human world equivalent is cocaine, which can make humans feel exciteable all the time.- "That must explain why Vulcan is always happy," Kaylie said. -Indeed,- Tesla agreed. -But, as always, there is an extremely dark side to these things. Cocaine can lead to a higher risk for blood diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. It can also lead to nosebleeds and malnourishment. It's also rather common for people to overdose on cocaine- which, as you might expect, can lead to death.- "Wow," Kaylie gasped. "These things are dangerous." -Very,- said Tesla. -And now for the final thing on Vulcan's desk- the so-called "divine beverages."- With that, he grabbed the bottle of the divine beverage that was on Vulcan's desk and set it up for scanning. As the computer started to scan the bottle to find out info about it, Kaylie took the time to comprehend the information she had just found out. Vulcan was not only high on marijuana, but he also smoked cigarettes and was snorting cocaine every day of his life? She could hardly believe he hadn't died yet. In any other universe, a combination of those three things would have surely killed the man by now! One thing was certain- Vulcan was doing some extremely dangerous things, and he needed to stop. -Kaylie!- called Tesla. -I have info on the divine beverages!- Hearing him, Kaylie ran over to Tesla, who was at the computer. "Let me guess- it's as bad as marijuana, drugs, and cigarettes," she said. -Indeed,- Tesla responded. -In the Pokémon world, the divine beverages' real name is Arcean soda. But in the human world, it's alcohol, and as you might expect, it has extremely dangerous consequences on one's life and health.- "Is cancer one of them?" Patrick asked. -Yes, cancer is one of them,- Tesla sighed. -But that's not all, of course. Drinking alcohol can lead to problems such as heart disease and stroke, along with social and learning problems. But by far the biggest effect of alcohol is something known as alcoholism. That's when you have an extreme dependence on alcohol, and can barely do anything without desperately needing another drink.- "Whoa," gasped Kaylie. -Anything else?- Quasi asked. -Yep,- Tesla responded. -Alcoholism can also lead to violence and the illegal practice of driving under the influence, which is when you get behind the wheel and drive drunk. It is extremely illegal and can lead to people going to prison and/or getting fined. It also increases your chances of getting into car crashes and other automobile-related accidents. And of course, everything mentioned above can kill you.- "Are there any pictures of the effects of alcoholism?" Kaylie asked. -I... think you'd rather not see them, Kaylie,- Tesla laughed nervously. -They're pretty graphic.- "Well, one thing's for sure," Patrick said. "Vulcan seriously needs to stop what he's doing and get help- fast." "He does," Kaylie agreed. "Vulcan has no idea that what he's doing can kill him. Is there any way for him to quit?" -Actually, there is,- Tesla said. "Thank goodness," said Kaylie, breathing a sigh of relief. "What is it?" -Rehabilitation.- "Rehabilitation?" -Rehab for short,- Tesla explained. -You go to a Pokémon Center to consult with experts about how to treat your alcoholism, and you can also go into rehab to stop being addicted to drugs like marijuana and cocaine. If anything, I say rehab is just what Vulcan needs.- Sounds awesome!" Kaylie exclaimed. "If Vulcan goes into rehab, that'll be exactly what is needed to save his life and get him to quit smoking, drinking and all the other horrible things he's doing!" -But in order to do that, we'll have to let Vulcan know that what he's doing is wrong,- Tesla said. "I know," Kaylie said. "Where is he?" -Outside,- Tesla responded. "Then we've got to help him and get him to a Pokémon Center before it's too late!" Kaylie cried, rushing out of the room. "Come on!" She ran outside, and was quickly followed by Patrick and her Pokémon. Tesla grabbed the laptop off of Vulcan's desk, then jumped into Kaylie's backpack and put it back in. The minute Kaylie stepped outside, what she saw was shocking. Vulcan was casually eating anti-herb after anti-herb, not even bothering to battle the very long line of Trainers standing in front of him. Apparently, this addictive and deadly behavior of his was his #1 priority- he didn't even care about battling Trainers. No wonder he hadn't battled Kaylie when she first came to the door- all he cared about was his addiction! "You're kidding," gasped Patrick. -Well,- Tesla remarked, stunned by what he was seeing. -Seems like I wasn't lying when I told him there was a Trainer outside his door.- -But he's not even battling those Trainers!- cried Quasi. -All he wants to do is eat anti-herbs all the time!- "I know," said Kaylie, determined. "And we've got to help him." With that, she ran up to Vulcan, followed by everyone else, and the minute she saw the Gym Leader of Cinderite City gulping down anti-herbs, she knew she had to get him to rehab fast. If he kept doing what he was doing, he could die right then and there... "Vulcan!" cried Kaylie. "You need to stop this!" Hearing Kaylie, Vulcan turned his head to face her. "Stop what?" he asked. "What have I been doin' wrong?" "I'll tell you what you've been doing wrong, Vulcan!" Kaylie declared. "You've become so addicted to anti-herbs, mini-pipes, deceptisugar and the divine beverages, you've completely ignored these Trainers' requests to battle you!" "Addicted?" Vulcan howled. "What do ya mean, addicted? Of course I'm addicted! These things are the absolute BOMB! They're the best things in the world, I tell ya!" -They're not!- Frollo growled. -They're the exact opposite of that!- "What do you mean?" Vulcan asked. -They're going to kill you, mok am!- Clopin insisted. Vulcan was so shocked, he immediately spat out the anti-herb in his mouth. "Say WHAT now?!" he gasped. "They're going to kill you," Kaylie repeated. "If you keep eating anti-herbs and doing all the other things you've been doing, it can lead to some very bad consequences." "Like what?" "Like memory problems, social problems, nosebleeds, violence, car accidents, lung disease, heart disease, HIV, kidney failure, COPD, hepititis C, lung cancer, gum cancer, mouth cancer, larynx cancer, coma, death... Seriously, you have no idea what these things can do to you! If you keep eating mini-pipes every day, your teeth will turn black from tar!" Vulcan's eyes went wide. "Wait, what?!" "You'll get wrinkles!" Kaylie insisted. "You might have to have your larynx taken out at any moment and have it replaced by a voicebox!" "If you drink and drive, you'll go to jail!" Patrick added. Vulcan stood there in total shock. He hadn't even considered that these things might happen to him if he kept on going with his daily routine of eating anti-herbs and drinking divine beverages. The bottle of Arcean soda in his hand was trembling. He was seriously repressing any and all urge he had to drink any more. "Are you... serious?" he muttered. -Very much so, mok am!- cried Clopin. -What you are doing is extremely illegal and dangerous!- "You can stop what you are doing and get help," pleaded Kaylie. "We'll send you to a Pokémon Center and you can go to rehab, where you can get all the help possible. But in order to let us do that, you need to stop doing what you're doing! Please! For once in your life, put down the drink!" Vulcan immediately felt a sense of shock and regret come over him. He had never imagined in a million years that what he was doing was deadly and dangerous. But slowly, his eyes widened with shock as he realized Kaylie was right. He had to stop. If he were to continue to smoke and drink, it would get a whole lot worse. He knew that Trainers had to battle the Gym Leader, but if he kept doing what he was doing, there'd be no Gym Leader to battle. Immediately, he let out a bloodcurdling scream and began smashing every single bottle of Arcean soda in sight. Afterwards, he spat out the anti-herb he had been eating, then threw all the anti-herbs and mini-pipes in the trash. Finally, he burned all the deceptisugar he had with a single match, then fell to the floor with another bloodcurdling scream and started sobbing. Kaylie ran up to Vulcan, in concern. "Vulcan!" she cried. "Are you alright?!" Vulcan said nothing and just continued to sob. Quasimodo ran up to him and nudged him with his hoof. -V-Vulcan?- he asked. -Are you okay?- Vulcan shook. "Help... me..." he sobbed. "I had- no idea... Help... me..." He started sweating all over. The man was practically panicking, and Quasi, who was now very concerned, turned to Tesla. -What's happening to Vulcan?- he asked. -Withdrawal,- Tesla responded. -W-withdrawal?- -It's what happens to people when they quit smoking or drinking,- Tesla explained. -Withdrawal can have a variety of effects, including nausea and abdominal cramps, but for Vulcan, it seems to induce sweating, chills, and profuse sobbing.- -We need to help him!- Quasi cried. -D-don't worry, Vulcan. We'll get you to a Pokémon Center. They'll know how to help you.- "We gotta get him to one fast, though," Kaylie said. "You never know if he'll pass out or something." With that, they picked up the still-sobbing Vulcan and carried him to the nearest Pokémon Center. All the while, Vulcan was letting out one bloodcurdling scream after another, sobbing with regret. He had never even dared to imagine the deadly effects that anti-herbs and mini-pipes could have on him, and he deeply regretted ever trying an anti-herb in his life. All he was thinking in his head to himself was: Vulcan, what in the name of Arceus are you doin'? And with that thought, he blacked out. "Oh my goodness, is he alright?" -W-will Vulcan be okay?- "He's breathing. He's just unconcious. Don't worry; Vulcan's going to be fine." "Hang on! I think he's waking up!" Vulcan heard the voices talking about him, all of which sounded concerned about his health. He stirred and woke up, his eyes fluttering open as indistinct chatter was heard. Standing in front of him were Kaylie, Patrick, their Pokémon, and a nurse, along with a lot of Chansey. Confused, he looked around himself and gazed at his surroundings. "Where... where the heck am I?" he asked. -You're in the Pokémon Center, silly!- Clopin laughed. -You passed out while we were carrying you there.- -Vulcan!- gasped Quasi. -A-are you alright? We were so worried about you!- "Yes, I'm alright," Vulcan replied. "Is this that rehabilitation thingy y'all were talkin' about?" "Well, actually, we were just about to put you into rehab had you not passed out," Kaylie admitted. "Don't worry. You'll get help soon, but the nurse needs to ask you a few questions first." The nurse stepped forward, carrying with her a pad of paper and a pen. Vulcan blinked. "How long have you been doing this, Vulcan?" the nurse asked gently. "Uh... two months, I reckon," Vulcan responded. "Okay," said the nurse, writing down the response on a pad of paper. "Have you noticed any symptoms of heart attacks, lung disease, any kind of cancers...?" "No, ma'am," Vulcan replied, shaking his head. "Alright then," the nurse said. "Don't worry, Vulcan. We'll get you into rehab and you'll get all the help you can get to prevent your addiction." She turned to Kaylie and the rest of the group. "In the meantime, I think it would be best if you were to care for him." Kaylie nodded. "We'll take really good care of him, ma'am. That is, until you get him into rehab." The nurse laughed and walked off. The minute she was gone, the group crowded around Vulcan, extremely concerned. "Are you okay, Vulcan?" asked Kaylie. Vulcan nodded. "Yes," he said. "I'm okay. Thanks to you." He sighed. "Listen, y'all... I'm really sorry. I had no idea that eatin' all those anti-herbs and mini-pipes would lead to some very bad things possibly happenin' to me. I thought for quite a while that those things were the best things in the world... but now I see they're some of the worst. Thanks to me, I could be dyin' right about now." -Well, I don't see any sign of your teeth getting black from tar, so... it's safe to say that you probably won't be dying anytime soon,- Clopin reassured him. "Thank goodness," Vulcan replied happily. "Still, though... can ya ever forgive me?" "We already have," Kaylie replied. Vulcan breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that there is the best thing in all of Feluv!" he cried happily. "I gotta ask, are there any anti-smokin' advertisements out there? Because once I'm out of rehab, I'd love to be a spokesperson for one of those things!" Kaylie laughed. "I'm pretty sure there are, Vulcan," she said. "Alright then!" Vulcan cried. "But of course... I think there's a bigger issue that needs to be settled first. You and I are gonna have ourselves a proper Gym Battle tomorrow! I reckon you're ready?" "You bet I am," Kaylie replied with determination. "And believe me, I am not gonna lose this one! My Touceet isn't any ordinary one, that's for sure!" Vulcan laughed. "Is that so? Well, I sure am interested to see how you'll battle me tomorrow. What's your name, by the way, you little Cottonee?" "Kaylie." "Well, Kaylie, I sure am ready to see your battle skills tomorrow." Kaylie grinned. "And I'm ready to do the same." She turned to her Pokémon. "You guys ready to give it your all tomorrow against Vulcan?" -YEAH!- cried Phoebus. -CHEÜT!- Clopin exclaimed. Frollo nodded. Kaylie grinned. She and her Pokémon were definitely going to give it their all tomorrow- that was for certain. But if anything, there was another thing that was for certain. Helping Vulcan realize the truth about anti-herbs had been an enlightening experience- one that she would never forget. After all, it felt really good to help other people, and now that Vulcan was in rehab, he would get all the help he could get. She looked back at Vulcan and grinned. Certainly, this had been an enlightening experience for him, too.
IT'S GYM BATTLE TIME! HERE COMES GYM BATTLE #2, FOLKS! Enjoy! Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 15: The Blazing Battles of Redemption Vulcan's on rehab, and Kaylie now trains For Gym Battle #2 But all of her sudden, her plans start to change And it makes her rather blue Because Clopin, Kaylie's secret weapon Has done something to cause her alarm Now she's plagued with self-doubt and says she can't win without Clopin there WHILE HE'S AT A SCHOOL NEAR NOTRE DAME... (de Lumiose) -Mok am! You won't believe it!- Upon hearing Clopin's voice directed towards her, Kaylie looked up and laughed happily as the happy-go-lucky Touceet bounced her way. She had been training hard outside of Cinderite City's Gym with Frollo and Phoebus for her second Gym Battle against Vulcan, and seeing the secret weapon of her team come towards her made her even more determined to win. Happily, she laughed and hugged Clopin. "Hey there, Clopin!" she greeted him cheerfully. "Are you just excited as I am for the Gym Battle against Vulcan? I've been training for it all day, and I have a strategy that I think will definitely help beat those Fire-types of his!" Clopin laughed. -Oh, you know I am, mok am!- he giggled. -I always get excited for one of your Gym Battles- whether I'm in it or not! And believe me, I would love to be in this battle myself!- "What do you mean?" Kaylie asked, laughing. "You are going to be in it, Clopin! We decided that yesterday, remember?" -We did,- Clopin responded. -It's just that... there's been a change of plans.- Kaylie stopped dead. This didn't sound good to her at all. What had happened? Had Clopin decided that he wouldn't be good enough against Vulcan? Was he helping him in rehab? She didn't know what could be going on, but as far as she knew, Clopin wasn't going to be battling, apparently. "Change of plans?" she asked. "What's the matter?" -H-has anything bad happened?- asked Quasimodo, who had been watching Kaylie train outside of the Gym. -Oh, no, mok am! On the contrary!- Clopin replied cheerfully. -Something absolutely extraordinary has just happened, let me tell you!- That lifted Kaylie's spirits a bit. It felt great to hear that Clopin hadn't gotten into an accident or that anything bad was going on. "That's good," she breathed. "What happened?" -You won't believe this, mok am!- Clopin exclaimed. -I just got an offer from the PokeLatin school right here in Cinderite City. They've heard that I'm fluent in PokeLatin, and they're so impressed with my skills that- guess what?- "What?" Kaylie asked. Clopin jumped up happily. -They want me to teach at the PokeLatin school for the day!- Clopin cried happily. -Isn't this amazing news, mok am?- "Wow, that's so awesome!" Kaylie squealed, genuinely happy for him. -Congratulations!- Phoebus agreed. -Bïloktaknüs,- Clopin laughed. -The only problem is, of course, I won't be able to participate in the battle between you and Vulcan, so it looks like you're going to have to choose a third Pokémon to battle.- "I know," Kaylie responded, a bit sadly. She had been planning to have Clopin participate in the battle, and while she was certainly happy for him, she wondered how the battle would turn out without him there. She almost felt like bursting into tears- but no. She couldn't. Not in front of Clopin- that would break his heart. Putting on a brave face, she turned to Quasimodo- the only option she had left. After all, Esmeralda wouldn't do any good against Vulcan's most powerful Pokémon, a Fire/Dark type. "You ready, Quasimodo?" she asked. Quasi nodded. -I-I think so.- Good," Kaylie responded. "Wait a minute here," Patrick suddenly interrupted. He had been watching Kaylie train along with Quasimodo earlier. "You're choosing Quasimodo? Are you sure about this?" Kaylie scoffed. "Are you kidding me, Patrick?" she asked. "Of course I'm sure! Besides, I've got no other choice. Esmeralda would do no good against Vulcan's most powerful Pokémon." "Well, alright then," Patrick laughed. "I guess we better go now. Vulcan will probably be waiting for us." With that, he and the rest of the group headed for the Gym, with Kaylie waving to Clopin the whole time. "Bye, Clopin!" she called. "Good luck!" -Same to you, mok am!- he called back. -Bïlokautik!- As Kaylie watched, Clopin happily bounded off to the PokeLatin school. The minute he was gone, Kaylie looked down, a bit nervous. Clopin had always helped her to finish a battle, and had served as her "secret weapon" against Lepida. Now, for the first time, she'd be battling without him by her side. She wasn't all that worried about the outcome of the battle- indeed, she was pretty confident she was going to win- but as she walked to the Cinderite City Gym, only one question rang through her mind: How would she fare in battle without him? A few minutes later, the Gym Battle against Vulcan had officially begun, and Kaylie and Vulcan were standing on opposite sides of the battlefield. Unlike the previous Gym Battle against Lepida, both sides had three Pokémon each that they could battle with. Patrick, Switeuk, Couafarac, Esmeralda, Tesla, and Rocky were watching the battle unfold from the sidelines. As both Trainers mentally prepared themselves for battle, the referee explained the rules: "The Gym Battle between Pokémon Trainer Kaylie and the Gym Leader Vulcan is about to begin! Please keep in mind that the battle is over when one team of Pokémon on either side is unable to continue. Trainers, are you ready?" "You bet I am," Kaylie responded. "Are ya kiddin'?" laughed Vulcan. "Now that I'm off those drugs and on rehab, I'm more ready for battle than ever!" With that, the referee blew his whistle. "LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!" "YEE-HAW!" Vulcan shouted happily, throwing the first Pokéball. "Let's get this here Gym Battle on, then! Flareon, fire up this joint!" The Pokéball opened, and instantly the blue light formed itself into a orange fox-like Pokémon (or was it a cat?) that had yellow flame-like protrusions coming from its head, tail, and neck. Kaylie recognized it instantly: her mother owned a Flareon back in Komoka Town, and it had evolved from her Eevee when she gave it a Fire Stone. Seeing it, she took out a Pokéball herself. "Flareon, huh?" Kaylie asked. "Well, there's only one Pokémon who can defeat a pure Fire-type straight up! Phoebus, let's go!" The minute it hit the ground, Phoebus' Pokéball opened, and in a flash of blue light, he was standing on the battlefield, staring down the Flareon. Seeing him on the field, Patrick chuckled. "Well, this should be fast," he said. -I'd say so,- Esmeralda remarked. -Kaylie's made a good choice choosing Phoebus.- But they weren't the only ones who thought so. Upon seeing Phoebus on the battlefield, Vulcan gasped. "Oh, sweet Arceus!" he muttered. "You've got a Watorse on your team?! Well, there's no way I'm losing this thing now that rehab's set in! Flareon, use Sand Attack!" -Right away!- chirped the Flareon, a female, and with that, she turned around and started kicking up sand at Phoebus. Kaylie gasped. If that sand were to hit Phoebus, his attacks would miss, and that wouldn't be a good thing. "Dodge it, Phoebus!" she cried. Hearing her, Phoebus jumped back, dodging the sand that was being thrown his way. The Flareon gasped. -How could he have dodged that?!- she exclaimed. "Yeah!" cried Kaylie. "Way to go, Phoebus!" Phoebus giggled. -Simple,- he said. -It's because I would do anything for my Trainer in battle. But now... I say it's time to take you down! How about a WATER GUN?!- He opened his mouth as soon as he said it, and a burst of water shot out of his mouth and knocked the Flareon back. Vulcan gasped. "Alright!" cried Kaylie. -That was awesome!- Switeuk cheered from the sidelines. "Well, I must say," Vulcan remarked, "that Watorse you've got there is certainly a mighty fine battler. But, of course... I happen to have an ace up my sleeve." -Which is?- Phoebus challenged. "This!" Vulcan laughed. "Flareon, use Flame Wheel!" -WHAT?!- gasped Phoebus. The Flareon nodded, and started rolling towards Phoebus while being covered in a burst of flame. But Phoebus, being Phoebus, wasn't going to stand there and be attacked. He'd heard from Kaylie that this move was the one that Rocky's abusive father used on his own son a handful of times, and ever since, he'd grown to fear this move. But he would fight back, like always. As the Flareon got closer and closer to Phoebus, he jumped up into the air in an attempt to dodge. But that was when he saw Vulcan's Flareon jump into the air as well- in an attempt to chase him. Kaylie gasped. "Vulcan's going for an airborne Flame Wheel!" she cried. "Phoebus, look out!" Shocked, Phoebus turned around and opened his mouth in an attempt to fight back with Water Gun- but it was too late, and the Flame Wheel hit. Kaylie- and on the sidelines, Patrick, Esmeralda, and Switeuk- gasped. -Phoebus!- Esme cried. "Oh, man, I hope he's okay," muttered Patrick. There was a cloud of smoke, and Phoebus immediately began to fall to the floor. Kaylie ran up to him, her concern growing. "Phoebus!" she cried. "Are you okay there?" Phoebus slowly stood back up and nodded. -Yeah, I'm alright,- he replied. Kaylie breathed a sigh of relief, but that was when she saw it- Phoebus' entire body burst into flames. She gasped. "Oh, no! Phoebus, you've been burned!" she cried. -I know,- Phoebus responded. -I've gotta stop that Flareon before my burn gets any worse.- Vulcan laughed hysterically. "Ya shouldn't be so quick to underestimate, Phoebs," he said. "My Flareon's a lot stronger than you think. It knows Lava Plume, too, you know." -Lava Plume?- gasped Phoebus. -Then I've really gotta stop her now!- Determined to defeat the Flareon, he turned towards her. -So, you think I'm gonna go down from being burned?- The Flareon nodded. -Well, you're wrong,- Phoebus retorted. -You're going down.- "Oh, snap!" cried Patrick. "It is on!" -Take this!- cried Phoebus. -WATER GUN!- He opened his mouth, and another burst of water shot out and hit the Flareon, throwing her back in a cloud of smoke. Vulcan gasped and ran up to her. "Flareon! No!" he cried. But as the smoke cleared, it soon became clear that Phoebus' Water Gun had done more than enough damage to the Flareon. She was lying on her side with swirls in her eyes, knocked out. The referee raised a red flag on Vulcan's side as he returned Flareon to her Pokéball. "Alright!" Kaylie cheered. "Great job, Phoebus!" Patrick grinned. "That's one down, two to go," he said. -Awesome!- cried Esmeralda. -Great job, Kaylie!- "Thanks, Esmeralda!" called Kaylie, shooting her a thumbs-up before turning her attention back to Vulcan. "Whew! Now that there was an interestin' battle, that's for sure," Vulcan remarked. "But like I said, I'm on rehab now, and y'all are gonna witness the redemption of Vulcan!" With that, he threw another Pokéball onto the field. "Gryflame, fire up this joint!" The second Pokéball opened, and the blue light that shot out of it formed itself into a medium-sized Pokémon that resembled a griffin. Its head was a bright golden in color, and it had a flame coming from the end of its tail. Its lion-like body was brown, except for the wings, which resembled flames and were orange and red. Having never seen this Pokémon before, Kaylie took out her Pokédex to examine it: "Gryflame, the Griffin Pokémon, and the evolved form of Gryfire. This Pokémon has been known to burn entire cities to the ground just by shooting fire from its mouth. Even though its wings are made of flames, it can use a variety of Flying-type moves. Type: Fire/Flying. Gender: Male. Ability: Keen Eye. Moveset: Aerial Ace, Brave Bird, Fire Fang, Will O'Wisp." -Why the heck do all its moves have so much alliteration?- asked Phoebus. "No idea," Kaylie responded. "But we're gonna battle this thing no matter what! Phoebus, use Water Gun!" -You got it, Kaylie! Take THIS!- Phoebus exclaimed, and once more he opened his mouth and shot a barrage of water at the Gryflame, who for a second, cried out in pain. But like Phoebus earlier, he would not be denied. He immediately flew up into the air, dodging most of the Water Gun attack and taking less damage. Kaylie gasped. "How did he...?" she muttered. "YEE-HAW!" Vulcan exclaimed. "Alright, Gryflame, let's get rid of that Watorse once and for all! Use Aerial Ace!" The Gryflame at once turned towards his Trainer and nodded, before diving down towards Phoebus. He flapped his wings once, and immediately became a blur, surrounded by white streaks of light. Phoebus gasped in shock as the Gryflame approached him- and then it hit. He suddenly found himself being thrown back by the attack, and Kaylie gasped in shock and concern. If Phoebus were to faint now, then she'd have no real line of defense against Vulcan's strongest Pokémon- and that would not be a good thing. Sure, she had Frollo, but she had heard that Vulcan's strongest Pokémon was way stronger than him. Concerned, Kaylie rushed up to Phoebus as the gigantic cloud of smoke that had resulted from the Aerial Ace attack faded. As she got closer she could see that he was badly hurt, but to her relief, he hadn't fainted yet. A bit relieved, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Phoebus! Thank goodness you haven't fainted yet!" she exclaimed. "Are you okay?" Phoebus groaned as he stood back up. -No,- he moaned. -I feel like I could faint with one more move from that Gryflame.- "That's gotta hurt," muttered Kaylie. "Alright then. Besides, you put up a good fight. Phoebus, return!" She held out Phoebus' Pokéball, and the weakened Watorse returned to it in a flash of white light. Glaring over at the Gryflame, she took out another Pokéball- this time Frollo's. "You may have nearly brought down my Watorse," she declared. "But now... it's time to fight fire with fire! Frollo, let's go!" She threw the Pokéball onto the field, and all at once the moralistic Emberhund stood on the field in a flash of blue light. He looked over at the Gryflame, then turned to Kaylie. -Vulcan has a Gryflame?- he asked. Kaylie nodded. "And he nearly took out Phoebus with Aerial Ace." Frollo's eyes narrowed with shock and anger, and he glared over at the Gryflame. -WHAT?!- he growled. "Ya got that right," Vulcan responded. "And now my Gryflame's gonna take you down, too! Like I said, you are lookin' at the redemption of Vulcan! Gryflame, use Aerial-" But he was interrupted by the sight of an extremely angry Frollo coming towards the Gryflame. His eyes were narrowed- clearly, he was going to defeat the Gryflame no matter what it took. -I am not going to let you do that after what you did to Phoebus!- Frollo growled. -Swear on Arceus, you are going down!- The Gryflame seemed to ignore him, and cawed with laughter. Turning his head to Frollo, he spoke for the first time in the entire battle. -You really think that?- he asked. -Well, I say you're the one who's going down. You're no match for my impeccable skills.- -Think again,- Frollo retorted. -FIRE FANG!- And with that, he jumped up into the air, his teeth becoming coated with flames as he bit down on the Gryflame's body. Not having expected this, the Gryflame cried out in pain as he fell down to the floor. A gigantic cloud of smoke came up, as usual, and when it faded, Kaylie saw that the Gryflame was on the floor, clearly haven been weakened. Frollo jumped back down and grinned triumphantly upon seeing this. "Alright!" Kaylie cheered. "Take that, Gryflame!" -You are amazing, Frollo!- cheered Switeuk from the sidelines. The Gryflame on the opposing side slowly pushed himself back up, groaning in pain as he did so. When he was back up on his feet, he turned to Frollo and eyed him with a very steely glare. Frollo glared back. He had a very good guess as to what Vulcan's next move would be, and he wasn't going to be in this battle only to waste it all by being hit by an Aerial Ace attack! -Believe me, I know exactly what you're going to do next, Vulcan,- he growled. Vulcan laughed. "Oh, you mean something like me telling my Gryflame to use Aerial Ace?" he asked. "Well, actually... I think I'll do a little somethin' before that." Frollo's eyes widened. This hadn't been what he'd expected- but what was to be expected from a Gym Leader, after all? "Gryflame, use Will O'Wisp!" Frollo breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Vulcan with determination. Now, he would be the one to be surprised. As he watched, the Gryflame opened his mouth, and a light pink, light blue, and dark blue colored fireball shot out of it and hit Frollo directly. But Frollo didn't move a muscle- because he knew that the move would do absolutely nothing. After all, he was a Fire-type, and Will O'Wisp had no effect on Fire-type Pokémon. As the smoke cleared, Vulcan and the Gryflame reacted just as Frollo thought they would- they both gasped in shock. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF-?" Vulcan gasped. -You couldn't have survived that!- the Gryflame agreed, echoing Vulcan's shock. Frollo grinned. -That,- he said, -is what you call fighting fire with fire.- "OH SNAP!" Patrick cried from the stands. "Now we know it's about to go down!" "It certainly is," Kaylie responded, "because I think I know exactly how to counter that Aerial Ace move." Frollo looked up at her, interested to hear her strategy- and then it dawned on him. Why hadn't he realized it before? If he were to use his signature move on the Gryflame, it would distract him and stop him from using Aerial Ace. He wouldn't be able to see with that huge cloud of black smoke in the way. -You mean...- he muttered, as he slowly came to the realization. Kaylie nodded. "Frollo, use Darkfire!" Frollo nodded and opened his mouth. "Your Darkfire's getting nowhere near my Gryflame!" Vulcan cried. "Use Aerial Ace!" With that, the Gryflame dived down towards Frollo and flapped his wings once, but before he could make any kind of move, he was suddenly blinded. The minute he used that move, a puff of smoke suddenly burst out of Frollo's mouth and made him unable to see. All Vulcan's Gryflame could see was nothing but smoke- Frollo was nowhere to be found. How could he attack if he couldn't even see the target? Confused, he looked around for any sign of Frollo, and it was here that Kaylie felt now would be a good time to take the Gryflame down. "Now!" she commanded. And with that, Frollo jumped up into the cloud of smoke he had created with Darkfire and proceeded to let loose the second part of the attack. The confused Gryflame saw Frollo jumping towards him with his mouth wide open, and was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out of his skull. He hadn't expected Frollo to be this strong, especially for a first-stage starter Pokémon. Alas, he found he could do nothing to get away, and Frollo immediately opened his mouth, letting loose a huge burst of flame that completely engulfed the Gryflame. Kaylie could see a huge explosion taking place in front of her, and on the sidelines, Patrick, Switeuk, and Esmeralda watched intently. Couafarac, being who he was, turned away. -Please tell me Frollo didn't get hurt...- he begged. And of course, he didn't. As the smoke cleared, Vulcan's Gryflame fell down to the floor, whereas Frollo landed safely on his feet. Switeuk nudged the still-terrified Couafarac upon seeing this. -He didn't,- Switeuk told the panicked Furfrou. Couafarac breathed a sigh of relief and turned around immediately. -Thank Arceus!- he howled. -Did he knock out the Gryflame, though?- "He certainly did!" called Kaylie, and sure enough, as the smoke cleared it could clearly be seen that the Gryflame was on his side with swirls in his eyes. He had been knocked unconscious by Frollo's Darkfire strategy- which was exactly what Kaylie and Frollo wanted to see. Vulcan gasped and ran up to his Gryflame, stunned. "You, too?!" he cried, as he returned the Gryflame to his Pokéball. "This isn't how I'm supposed to redeem myself in battle after two whole months of doin' drugs and eatin' anti-herbs!" -You've already redeemed yourself, Vulcan,- Frollo reassured him. -You stopped doing it.- Vulcan smiled. "I guess you're right there," he said. "This is the redemption of Vulcan after all! And believe me, my final Pokémon is certainly going to show it! Volcashund, fire up this joint!" He threw his final Pokéball into the air, and when it hit the ground, the blue light that shot out formed itself into Vulcan's most powerful Pokémon. Upon seeing it, all the worries that Kaylie had shook off at the beginning of the battle immediately returned. She knew Vulcan's final Pokémon was powerful, but she hadn't known until now how powerful it looked. The Pokémon that was standing in front of her was glaring down at Frollo with a gaze that made even the normally bold Emberhund shudder. It was a huge, orange, Dachsund-like Pokémon with a gigantic volcano on its head, but even larger than that was the one on its back. Its ears had purple spots on them, and its equally purple eyes showed nothing but sheer contempt for Frollo and Kaylie. All of a sudden, Kaylie was overcome with doubt that she could win the battle at all. She wished desperately that Clopin could be in the battle with her, so that Vulcan could be shocked out of his wits by the fact that a Touceet- her Touceet-knew Guillotine. But it wasn't meant to be. For now, she had to battle with Frollo. She looked up at the Volcashund in shock. "You're kidding," she gasped. Stunned, she took out her Pokédex to examine the new Pokémon that had appeared in front of her: "Volcashund, the Eruption Pokémon, and the final evolved form of Emberhund." Kaylie gasped. Frollo evolved into that? He'd certainly be powerful upon evolving, then. "The volcano on Volcashund's back is constantly filled with lava. If both volcanoes spew out lava, this Pokémon is getting ready to use its ultimate attack. Type: Fire/Dark. Gender: Male. Ability: Blaze. Moveset: Flamethrower, Mean Look, Lava Plume, Charcoal Slide." "Charcoal Slide?" Kaylie asked, putting away her Pokédex. Volcashund's signature move,- Frollo explained. Each one of the three starter Pokémon in Feluv has a signature move: Kurugrasig has Grass Sanctuary, Peglantic has Rushing Tsunami, and Volcashund has Charcoal Slide. What Charcoal Slide does is sends a flurry of charcoal out of both of Volcashund's volcanos towards the opponent. I've seen it multiple times before, and it is extremely powerful.- Kaylie gulped. Now she really wished Clopin was with her, and she was filled with more self-doubt. -Sounds like a move Kaylie might need to watch out for,- Esmeralda remarked, sounding worried. Patrick nodded. "But don't you worry about it, Esmeralda. This is Kaylie Rodgers. She'll find a way to beat that Charcoal Slide move. After all, she's one of the best battlers I know." -But what about Clopin?- cried Switeuk. Patrick looked back towards the battle. "She'll just have to find a way to win this battle without him," he said sadly. "There's no other way to say it." On the field, Kaylie tried to put on a brave face in the midst of her growing self-doubt. She turned to Frollo. "Well, that Charcoal Slide move isn't going to take us down!" she cried. "Frollo, you ready?" Frollo nodded. -Certainly.- "Use Darkfire!" Kaylie exclaimed. "Volcashund, counter it with Lava Plume!" cried Vulcan. "Let's get this redemption headed in a right direction for once!" The Volcashund nodded. Frollo opened his mouth, and a smoke cloud shot out of it- but that smoke cloud was nothing compared to the absolute explosion that resulted from the Volcashund's counterattack. The opposing Volcashund slammed his feet on the ground, and the minute he did, a gigantic explosion came up. Lava and flames flew up everywhere, and eventually, one of them hit Frollo, knocking him back. Kaylie gasped, concerned. "Frollo!" she cried. A cloud of smoke came up, and when the smoke cleared, Kaylie's heart skipped a beat. Frollo was lying on his side with swirls in his eyes, knocked out by the Lava Plume attack. The referee raised a red flag on Kaylie's side. "Emberhund is unable to battle," he announced. "Volcashund is the winner!" "YEE-HAW!" cried Vulcan, happily. "Now that there is what I call a redemption!" As she returned Frollo to his Pokéball, all that was running through Kaylie's mind was nothing but growing self-doubt. If that Volcashund had taken out Frollo, then surely it would take out Quasimodo too. Even Phoebus wouldn't stand a chance, considering that he had been pretty badly weakened earlier by Vulcan's Gryflame. She had to come up with a strategy to win against that Volcashund- and fast. But she wasn't the only one who was worried. -Is she sending out Quasimodo next?- Switeuk asked, his voice trembling. "I think so," Patrick nodded. -Oh, sweet Arceus! Quasi won't do any good against that powerful Volcashund!- howled Couafarac. -He'll be brought down in one hit! Oh, I sure wish Clopin were here...- "Me too, Couafarac," Patrick responded. "But for now... we're just going to have to see how Kaylie will use Quasimodo in battle." They turned their attention back to the battle, and sure enough, Kaylie had a second Pokéball out that clearly was Quasimodo's- the emblem of the virtue of kindness had been etched on it before Kaylie had battled Lepida. Trying to not explode with self-doubt, she stared down at Quasimodo's Pokéball in determination, with glimmers of concern and hope flashing in her eyes. "You're the only hope I have left," she muttered. "Go, Quasimodo!" The blue light that shot out of the Pokéball formed itself into the shy Graswinemodo- who only had to take one look at the Volcashund glaring down at him before trembling in terror. -I-is this the Pokémon that I'm g-going to be facing?- he stammered. Kaylie nodded. "I know, it looks really scary." -I-it is,- Quasi stammered. -B-but I'm still going to battle it anyway, like you want me to... Is Phoebus still alive?- "Barely," Kaylie responded. "So that's why you're my last hope I have left. Quasi, use Acrobatics!" -You got it, Kaylie!- cried Quasi, and with that, he immediately began dashing towards the Volcashund at high speeds, going so fast that two afterimages appeared. As this was happening, he started to glow a bright blue, and proceeded to tackle the Volcashund- hard. The Volcashund on the opposing side howled in pain as he was thrown back. Slowly, he stood back up, growling and glaring over at Quasi. The shy Graswinemodo winced, as always. -Sorry,- he whispered. Kaylie giggled. "'Sorry?' Ha!" laughed Vulcan. "What is it with that Graswinemodo of yours? Sympathizin' with my Pokémon?" "Actually, he does that with every Pokémon," Kaylie explained. "He doesn't want to see another Pokémon get hurt in battle." "Interestin'," mused Vulcan. "Well, he may be sorry for hittin' my Volcashund, but pretty soon, you're gonna be sorry! Give it up for my signature move- CHARCOAL SLIDE!" Kaylie gasped. "No!" she exclaimed. -Quasi, look out!- Esmeralda cried from the stands. The Volcashund howled loudly, and both of the volcanoes on his body shook. As Quasi watched in shock, gigantic flaming balls of charcoal started plummeting towards him, and he began to tremble all over. Kaylie watched what was happening in front of her in disbelief, and all at once, her worry and self-doubt became a lot more obvious. "Dodge it, Quasi!" Kaylie shreiked, barely holding in her doubt. Hearing her, Quasi attempted to dodge the flaming charcoal that was coming his way- but all of a sudden, one of the balls of charcoal hit him and knocked him back. Kaylie suddenly found herself filled with concern- if Quasi fainted now, then the only one left would be Phoebus... and he was too weak to fight. Kaylie looked on, shaking her head nervously. "Quasi..." she muttered. The Graswinemodo landed on the floor, clearly hurt by the Charcoal Slide move. Slowly, he struggled to push himself back up, and for a minute or two, Kaylie thought there might still be a bit of hope. But then, that hope was dashed. Quasi plunged back down to the floor, and Kaylie gasped in shock, tears starting to fill her eyes as all her self-doubt began to make itself a lot more evident. "Quasi!" she cried, running up to him. "Are you alright?!" Quasi said nothing. He just groaned. -Quasi... No, please...- Esmeralda begged from the sidelines. Kaylie looked down at the nearly-defeated Graswinemodo, on the verge of tears. She knew for a fact that Quasi was at a disadvantage against Fire-types. And yet... he was one of the strongest battlers Kaylie had ever seen, for all his shyness. But this Volcashund was too powerful for even him to defeat. Immediately, she blamed herself for the inevitable loss that was soon to come. She hadn't been training her Pokémon up enough. She had been too filled with self-doubt to come up with an effective strategy. If she hadn't been so doubting, her Pokémon would have been as strong as Clopin in battle. Clopin... She missed him. She genuinely was happy for him because he was teaching at the PokeLatin school, but she missed him with every fiber of her being. Thinking about it more and more didn't help, and eventually, all her bottled-up self-doubt overtook her. Sadly, she looked down, tears in her eyes, and returned Quasi to his Pokéball. On the sidelines, Patrick noticed this and instantly grew concerned. What was going on? "Kaylie...?" he asked from the sidelines. "Excuse me?" Kaylie asked Vulcan, her voice trembling. "Yes?" he asked. "What is it, Kaylie?" Kaylie looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "I'd... like to ask if we can stop this battle for a second," she sobbed. Patrick and Vulcan gasped, but it was the former who was especially shocked. Out of all people in the Feluv region, he certainly hadn't been expecting Kaylie Rodgers to ask to stop a Gym Battle. A horrifying thought came to him: was Kaylie... forfeiting the battle? "She can't be..." he muttered in disbelief. "Hey, what's the matter, Kaylie?" Vulcan asked. "Aren't you gonna continue the Gym Battle?" Kaylie said nothing and just slumped down onto the floor, despondent, and with tears in her eyes. She sobbed. "I never thought for a second that I would win the minute I saw your Volcashund," she admitted. "The only Pokémon on my team who would be strong enough to defeat it... isn't here." Vulcan gasped. "Where is he?" he asked. "He's at the PokeLatin school teaching students," Kaylie sobbed. "And I'm genuinely happy for him, but... if he were here, he'd annihilate your Volcashund. You see, my Touceet... he knows Guillotine." Vulcan gasped. "WHAT THE-?!" Kaylie nodded sadly. "But I have no Guillotine move to use. And now your Volcashund has taken out Quasimodo... and Frollo... and now it's gonna take out Phoebus..." She sighed. "I'm sorry, Vulcan, but there's no way I can win this without Clopin." With that, she sadly trudged off the battlefield, with a stunned and saddened Vulcan- and an equally saddened referee- watching her. In the stands, Patrick, Esme, Switeuk, and Couafarac were watching in shock. Clearly, all of them felt deep concern for Kaylie. And as for Kaylie herself? She didn't feel as though she could continue the battle any longer. Without Clopin, her mind was filled with self-doubt that was consuming her from within. "I can't continue this battle," she whispered. "I'm never going to be able to win." She sighed. Then all of a sudden, she heard it- a very familiar voice that she thought she'd never hear. -Oh, silly you! You can't just give up now, mok am!- Clopin?! Stunned, Kaylie turned towards the source of the voice. When she saw who it was, she rubbed her eyes and blinked in disbelief. It couldn't be Clopin- he was out at the PokeLatin school. This had to be a dream. Yet she could make out the form of an extremely happy-go-lucky Touceet in the stands. She pinched herself. It hurt. This wasn't a dream. She gasped, fully beginning to comprehend what she was witnessing in front of her. "C-Clopin?!" she gasped, stunned. "I-is it really you?!" -Well, of course it's me, mok am!- Clopin responded happily, jumping down from the stands. -Who else would use PokeLatin words at random?- Kaylie was too overcome with emotion. She couldn't believe that Clopin was actually standing in front of her. "Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?!" she exclaimed, running over to her Touceet happily. Clopin laughed. -Well, actually, mok am, I just decided to drop by to see how the battle was going,- he said. -But when I enter- what's this? What do I find? Kaylie Rodgers in self-doubt? Because I'm not there?- Kaylie sighed. "Yep," she muttered. "That's exactly what you found." -But didn't you defeat Vulcan's other two Pokémon, mok am? I could clearly see that the Volcashund was out.- "I did," Kaylie explained. "But that Volcashund is too strong for me to defeat. He took out Frollo, he nearly took out Quasimodo, and Phoebus is already weakened. I don't think I can defeat him without you." Clopin laughed. -Well, of course you can! Don't say that,- he told her. -Knowing you, you always are going to have a strategy ready.- "I had a strategy planned," Kaylie responded. "I was going to use Phoebus, except he's hurt really badly." Clopin gasped. -Is he fainted?- he asked. Kaylie shook her head. "No," she responded, "but he can barely fight. That's put me in a bad situation. And this Volcashund is so strong that he'll probably defeat my Pokémon handily." She sighed. "I was wrong. I was so overcome with self-doubt when you were gone. I tried desperately not to show it, but..." And in that moment, she did what she didn't want to do in front of Clopin earlier: she started sobbing. All her self-doubt was literally pouring out of her. Clopin looked absolutely heartbroken by this, and gasped in shock before running over to his Trainer. -Mok am? Are you alright?- he asked. Kaylie was sobbing. "I am not going to be able to win this, Clopin," she sobbed. "I can't." -No, you're thinking wrong, mok am,- Clopin said gently. -Look at me.- Kaylie glanced up at him, tears still in her eyes. Clopin smiled. -You are the greatest Trainer I know,- he said. -Of course you can win this! You shouldn't be stressing yourself out! Sure, I'm not there battling with you, but what does it matter? You always think of the best strategies. And they don't always involve me using Guillotine to finish the battle off.- Kaylie was still despondent. She sighed. Clopin tilted his head with concern. -Come on now, Kaylie,- he said. -To see a frown on your face like that breaks my poor heart! Trust me. You are an amazing Trainer. I told you that at your father's funeral, and I'm saying it again here.- The sudden mention of her father caused Kaylie to look back up at Clopin. The secret weapon of Kaylie's team, who had come from the PokeLatin school to support her, smiled. -Believe me,- he said. -You can win.- "Come on, Kaylie!" Patrick cheered. -Show 'em what you've got!- exclaimed Switeuk. "I woulda kicked you out by now if I didn't want us to finish this here Gym Battle!" Vulcan agreed. Kaylie was shocked. All her friends and her Pokémon were showing a slew of support for her. They really didn't want her to forfeit this battle. -See that, mok am?- Clopin laughed. -You've got a ton of people and Pokémon supporting you- mok enlütüs! They don't want you to quit now, and neither do I! So, are you going to show me a smile or not?- Kaylie's eyes flashed with determination. Clopin was right. It didn't matter that he wasn't in the battle as an active participant. She could do this. Now determined to win, she stood up and smiled. "You're right, Clopin," she said, holding up Quasi's Pokéball. "Let's do this." "YEE-HAW!" cried Vulcan, with his Volcashund howling with joy. "She's back!" Patrick cried out. -Now there's that smile I like to see!- Clopin cheered. -You go get 'em!- "Quasi, get back out there!" cried Kaylie, throwing her Pokéball in the air. When it hit the ground, the blue light quickly took Quasi's form. He groaned, clearly still in pain from being hit by the Volcashund's Charcoal Slide move. Kaylie turned to Clopin and winked at him. She had a plan forming in her head. "Alright, Quasi, don't give up now!" she urged. "Use Bell Chime!" Quasi nodded. The bell on his tail glowed a bright green and started to ring as Quasi was surrounded by a green light. Kaylie's PokeBalls also started to glow green, and Quasi was slowly healed of all his injuries. When the green light faded from his body, it faded from the PokeBalls as well, healing all of Kaylie's team members. Kaylie smiled. "Good going," she said, returning Quasi to his Pokéball. "Thanks." "So, what Pokémon are ya gonna send out now?" Vulcan asked. "That Watorse of yours, I reckon?" "You bet," Kaylie responded, taking out Phoebus' Pokéball. "Phoebus, let's go!" She threw the Pokéball into the air, and in a flash of light, Phoebus stood there ready for battle. When he saw the Volcashund standing in front of him and glaring down, he gasped. -Whoa,- he muttered. -That guy looks tough. But hey, nothing I can't handle!- His eyes were filled with determination: no matter how strong this Volcashund was, he would defeat it. -Take this! WATER GUN!- He opened his mouth, but much to his surprise- as well as the surprise of everyone watching- he didn't use Water Gun. Instead, what came out of his mouth was a blue, pulsating orb of water, which shot towards the Volcashund. The minute it hit, it exploded in a bursting wave of water which filled the entire room. Phoebus and Kaylie gasped. "What in the name of-?!" Vulcan cried, shocked by the new move Phoebus had just learned. -No way!- Phoebus gasped. -Kaylie, I just learned Water Pulse!- "That's so awesome!" Kaylie squealed. "With a move like that, we're certainly going to win this thing!" "Not unless you can take down the move I'm going to use next!" Vulcan shouted. "Volcashund, use Charcoal Slide!" "Dodge it, Phoebus!" Kaylie ordered. The Volcashund's volcanoes on his back erupted, and balls of flaming charcoal began flying towards Phoebus. Quickly, he dodged the charcoal, which hit the ground and exploded in a burst of flames. Vulcan was stunned. "How could he have possibly dodged Charcoal Slide?!" Vulcan muttered, in disbelief. "Great work, Phoebus!" Kaylie exclaimed. "Now let's finish this! Use Water Pulse and aim it into the volcano on Volcashund's back!" Phoebus nodded and jumped up to the top of the volcano on Volcashund's back. He opened his mouth, and a blue pulsating ball of water shot out of it and fell right into the hole of the volcano. Vulcan stared at Phoebus in confusion, then over at Kaylie, wondering just what they were planning to do. "What's the plan, Kaylie?" Patrick asked from the stands. Kaylie snickered. "You'll see. All I can tell you is that this will defeat Volcashund." "Defeat?" howled Vulcan. "Ha! You'll never defeat me, ya little whippersnapper! Volcashund, use Charcoal Slide!" Kaylie smiled, determined. This had been the move she was waiting for. The volcano on Volcashund's back shook and rumbled, and a slew of flaming charcoal balls erupted from the top... ...along with the Water Pulse. The flaming balls of charcoal started hurtling towards Phoebus, but he'd been anticipating this move. Effortlessly, he dodged each ball of charcoal. But while those orbs exploded upon contact with the ground, the Water Pulse attack bounced up into the air, then started coming for the Volcashund. The Eruption Pokémon was absolutely shocked and terrified at the same time as the Water Pulse attack hit him in the face, knocking him back and causing a huge explosion. Vulcan was stunned. And as for Kaylie, she and Phoebus grinned in triumph. The strategy had worked exactly as planned. "I bet that's gonna take you down!" Kaylie exclaimed. And sure enough, when the smoke cleared, it turned out that Kaylie's strategy- and Clopin's pep talk- had worked brilliantly. The once-invincible Volcashund wasn't so invincible now, it seemed, as he laid on his side, swirls in his eyes. Vulcan was stunned. The referee raised a red flag on Vulcan's side. "Volcashund is unable to battle," the referee announced, "which means that the victory goes to the Pokémon Trainer Kaylie and her Watorse!" "Yeah!" cheered Kaylie. "ALRIGHT! YOU GO, KAYLIE!" cheered Patrick from the stands. -What did I tell you, mok am?!- Clopin exclaimed, running up to her to give his Trainer a hug. -That was the greatest Gym Battle I've ever seen! I knew you could do it if you believed in yourself!- Kaylie laughed. As it turned out, Clopin coming to watch the battle and raise her spirits was just what she needed. "Hey, you were right," she remarked. "Thanks, Clopin." -Don't mention it,- Clopin responded. -You came up with the strategy. I just gave you self-confidence.- "I must admit, Kaylie," Vulcan said, returning Volcashund to his Pokéball and walking up to Kaylie, "you were one mighty fine battler out there. And you've got a mighty fine team, too. I really enjoyed battling ya." Kaylie blushed. "Thanks, Vulcan," she replied. "Hey, is that your Touceet ya told me about?" Vulcan asked, pointing to Clopin. Kaylie nodded. "Yeah, that's him." "Well, lookie here! Your Touceet is certainly a motivator." -You bet I am!- Clopin confirmed. -And I know PokeLatin, too.- "You know PokeLatin?!" gasped Vulcan. "YEE-HAW! Ya gotta teach me! I've been wantin' to learn PokeLatin for months!" Kaylie laughed. "How about we get the Gym Badge first?" she asked. Vulcan shrugged. "Fair deal." After Quasimodo's signature use of Bell Chime to heal everybody's Pokémon, Kaylie, Vulcan, Patrick, and their Pokémon stood outside the Gym. "Ya put up a good fight there, Kaylie," Vulcan admitted. "Gotta say, ya sure are somethin'. For your accomplishments, please take this." He took out the box that the Gym Badge was in, and when he opened it up, Kaylie could see that the badge resembled a flaming ball of charcoal, similar to the ones during Charcoal Slide. Kaylie squealed. "No way!" she gushed. "My second badge!" "Yep, that there is the Charcoal Badge," Vulcan said. "Proof of your victory. And proof of mine, I reckon." Patrick laughed. -Congratulations, Kaylie!- Switeuk exclaimed. "Yeah, that was a pretty great battle if I've ever seen one," Patrick agreed. "How'd you come up with that strategy, by the way?" "I happened to notice that when Volcashund uses Charcoal Slide, everything shoots out of the volcano on his back," Kaylie replied. "So I decided to use that factor to his disadvantage. But of course, I may have never found the confidence in myself to come up with that strategy if it hadn't been for Clopin." The optimistic Touceet blushed, giggling. -Thank you, mok am,- he said. "So, now that this battle's over," Kaylie asked, "what do you want to do now, Vulcan?" "Get right back on rehab!" Vulcan exclaimed. "I have never felt so good to be alive in my entire life! Who knows? Maybe I'll make an anti-smoking commercial. Oh! And I could have y'all star in it!" "Uh, Vulcan?" Kaylie replied. "We'd... rather not." Vulcan paused, and the whole group laughed, delighted that Vulcan had redeemed himself in battle after months of doing anti-herbs. But more than anything, Kaylie was delighted to have won her second Gym Battle- even without Clopin. She looked down at the Touceet who had helped her gain her self-confidence in battle and smiled broadly, delighted to have a Pokémon like him around. Maybe he had helped her win, after all.
HAMILTRASH UNITE! Chapter 16 is up, and I'm warning you, it contains a pretty neat burn... (pun intended) Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 16: All Fired Up Poor Quasimodo was bullied before He had ever met Kaylie So he's shocked when a letter arrives in the mail And it's from that same bully But poor Quasi can't stand up for himself For assertiveness has no aplomb At least in his mind, but he'll soon quickly find out the truth FROM THE MIND OF NOTRE DAME... (de Lumiose) It was the day after Kaylie's battle against Vulcan, and on their way to the next city, the group had decided to stop for the day. Resting in a field, Kaylie and Patrick, as well as their Pokémon, were chowing down on bowls of delicious food. When she had finished eating, Kaylie turned to Patrick, excited. "So, Patrick," she said, "now that I'm finished my second Gym Battle against Vulcan... what city should we go to next?" "Hang on, let me see," Patrick responded, taking out his map. "Well, it says here that the next city with a Gym in it is Sedimeg City..." "Then that's where we go next!" Kaylie declared. "Who's the Gym Leader?" -Andrea,- Frollo responded. -She specializes in Ground-types, I hear.- "Ground-types?" Kaylie responded. "Well, then, Quasimodo and Phoebus should be perfect against her! Not to mention Clopin, of course." -Of course, I'm immune to Ground-type moves,- Clopin pointed out. "Well, then you're definitely going to be used," Kaylie said. Clopin laughed. -Kaylie! Everyone! Look at this!- Kaylie turned to find Quasimodo running towards her, holding a letter in his mouth. By the time he reached her, he was almost out of breath. Kaylie took the letter he was carrying in his mouth and opened it. "A letter?" she asked. "What's it say, Kaylie?" asked Patrick, wanting to know. Kaylie cleared her throat and read: "Dear Quasimodo, "You may not remember me, but I am your old Trainer. Before you met Kaylie, I picked you out at Professor Maple's lab. My name is Dominic, and I have heard through the grapevine that you are now owned by a female Trainer named Kaylie Rodgers. I could not be more happy for you. Back when I owned you, I never wanted to send you back to the lab. Honestly, I loved you. But you were so shy and weak that I thought you didn't like me. I didn't think you were worth owning anymore. If anything, I'd like to meet your current Trainer and see how she is handling you. Sincerely, Dominic." Kaylie looked over at Quasimodo, shocked. She hadn't known that Quasi had had another Trainer before her- and based on what was written in the letter, it seemed as though this "Dominic" had rejected poor Quasi for his shyness. She knew how shy Quasi was, but she had never imagined in a million years that someone would reject him for it. "You... had a Trainer before me?" she asked, stunned. Quasi nodded. -Dominic was my first Trainer, and he treated me with the utmost respect back then. We would always battle together, and he kept telling me that I had to get stronger and stronger. But...- He sighed. -I was too shy. And one day, he decided to take me back to the lab. We had a tearful goodbye, and then... he was gone. Nobody picked me again for years. Until you.- "Wow," Kaylie muttered, shocked. "I can't believe that your old Trainer would throw you away like that. You honestly shouldn't be blaming yourself. If anything, this Dominic trainer's the one to blame." Patrick nodded. "That move was pretty cruel." -Cruel?!- gasped Quasi. -Oh, no. Not at all! Dominic was very kind to me. He didn't throw me away because he was cruel. He released me because I was shy. I'm so happy that he's come back to visit me.- -Do you really think you should be happy?- Frollo asked. -What kinds of training methods did he use on you?- Quasi shook. Compared to Kaylie's methods, Dominic's had been a bit... extreme. Still, in his mind, he knew that Dominic had been doing it all for his own good. He looked down. -Well... he would make me eat lots of food really fast in order to get stronger,- he said. -He would force me to participate in battles that I never wanted to participate in, and never let me use Bell Chime. And if I ever did try to use Bell Chime, he would put me on a post and have me stay there while he called me weak and a wimp. He referred to me as weak on a number of occasions, as a matter of fact.- Frollo blinked in surprise. These were extremely cruel methods of treating Pokémon. Poor Quasi shouldn't have had to go through that. Yet... he let his old Trainer do those things to him? -And... you let him do all that?- he gasped. Quasi looked down. -W-well... y-yes, I-I mean, I-- he stammered. -I-I-I was weak and helpless. I still am weak and helpless. He was doing those things because he loved me.- -He was doing those things to make you feel bad about yourself,- Frollo countered. -You are not weak or helpless, Quasimodo, and nobody should ever drill that into your head. What you are is in need of assertiveness training.- Quasi gasped. -A-a-assertiveness... training?!- he stammered. Frollo nodded. -Yes. You have to learn to stand up for yourself, Quasi. It'll help you a lot in life, and you might even have the courage to stand up to your former trainer.- -W-why should I stand up to my former trainer?- Quasi asked. -Do you not see the point?!- snapped Frollo. -He was abusive! He never loved you at all! The only reason he would ever turn you in to the lab was because he wanted to get rid of you, and you let him do that! You are shy to a fault, Quasi. I know you can battle, but you need to learn to be assertive without getting physical.- -B-but... I-I-- -Look, your old Trainer is coming, and I have a very bad feeling that he's only coming here to do something terrible to you. Did you enjoy being put onto a pole? Did you enjoy being called weak and helpless by your Trainer?!- Quasi hesitated. -W-well... n-no, but he-- -That's exactly the point!- Frollo insisted. -You can't let people push you around and have them do horrible things to you. If you don't like what your old Trainer did to you, then you've got to let him know that.- -I c-can't let him know that!- squeaked Quasi. -He- he might hate me.- -So?- Frollo asked. -He honestly deserves to hear those words.- -Exactly!- Clopin agreed. -He's so cruel it's hard for me to fathom!- -B-but that's what you- you don't... He- he wasn't-- stammered Quasi. -You have no idea of his true motives,- Frollo said. -And it's all because of how submissive you were. Trust me. If you become a bit more assertive, you'll find that your life will be so much easier. Did it please you to have to be abandoned by Dominic?- Quasi thought about it. No, it certainly hadn't pleased him. One minute he was with a loving Trainer, the next he was back in the lab. He shook. He could still remember the day he was abandoned by Dominic, clear as day. FLASHBACK The Graswinemodo was delighted. His Trainer, Dominic, had just told him he'd be taking him someplace very special, and he couldn't wait to see where it was. Maybe it'd be the Graswinemodo Tower. After all, that place had just opened, so it would make sense that Dominic would want to go there. He heard a door open, and his heart raced. Wait. A door? The Graswinemodo Tower didn't have doors. All it had were tunnels leading into the tower. Dominic had to be taking him someplace else. He looked around him. It was the professor's lab. But why would Dominic be taking him to the professor's lab? The Graswinemodo was extremely confused. He saw the professor come towards Dominic. "Hello, Dominic," she asked. "What are you doing here?" The Graswinemodo was too confused to hear anything else. The poor Pokémon didn't know what was happening. All of a sudden, he felt himself being placed in the arms of the professor, who put him on a table. Next to him were an Emberhund and a Watorse. What was going on? The Graswinemodo wanted to cry out; try to do anything to get answers. He looked up. Dominic was staring down at him sadly. "Well... I suppose this is goodbye," he said. Goodbye? Was Dominic... releasing him? The poor Graswinemodo cried and watched in sadness and confusion as Dominic, his faithful Trainer, left. The door was shut, and all was dark. The Graswinemodo looked down, sadly. He didn't want to have to experience that again. A dozen questions were going through his mind- namely, why in the world would his Trainer abandon him? One thing was for sure- he would never interact with another Trainer as long as he lived. END FLASHBACK Quasi sighed. He didn't want to ever have to experience that again. Slowly, reluctantly, he nodded. -A-alright,- he said nervously. -I-I guess I'll do it.- -Good.- Frollo nodded and turned to Kaylie. -If you don't mind, Kaylie, we'll be out in the field. Rocky, Clopin and I will be giving Quasimodo assertiveness lessons.- -I get to help Quasi with his training?!- Rocky shreiked, running across the field. -Awww, man! This'll be a blast!- Kaylie laughed. "Alright," she said. "Good luck, you guys! Especially you, Quasi." -Thank you very much,- Quasi replied. With that, the group went off. Quasi shook, absolutely terrified. Why did he ever agree to do this? If he kept this up, he'd become a jerk, just like what he'd seen from assertiveness lessons on TV. And if there was one thing he knew for sure, he did not want to become a jerk! He whimpered. Clopin ran up to him, concerned. -Oh?- he asked. -What's the matter, mok am?- Quasi said nothing. He didn't want to tell Clopin, in case Frollo heard. Frollo would think it was ridiculous. Yet he was clearly terrified. He whimpered again. -Come on, tell me...- Clopin urged. Quasi shook his head. -It-it's nothing, Clopin. You'd find it ridiculous.- Clopin laughed. -Quasi, you silly one!- he giggled. -Come on now! I won't find it ridiculous! Like I always say, you can tell Clopin anything.- -Oh... I-I don't know what Frollo would think...- -Why are you worried about what Frollo would think?- Quasi hesitated. -W-well... y-you see- it-it's about the-- -Quasi?- It was Frollo's voice. Quasi took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. He didn't want to break out stammering like crazy at any moment. But he was so terrified... -Y-yes?- Quasi asked. Frollo smiled. -Allow us to start this assertiveness training,- he said. -Rocky, could you stand over there, please?- -Sure thing!- Rocky affirmed, running over to an area of the field where Quasi would get his lessons. -Thank you, Rocky,- Frollo said. -Now, Quasi, I think we should start this off with a little role-play.- -Role-play?!- gasped Clopin. -Oh, Quasi, this is going to be so much fun!- Frollo laughed. -Yes, I'm sure it will be for you, Clopin,- he said. -Now watch closely, Quasimodo. Rocky's going to be playing a bully who's trying to make your life miserable.- Quasi gasped. Rocky growled, getting into character as the "bully." -W-what am I supposed to do?- Quasi stammered. -This is where assertiveness comes in,- Frollo responded, walking over to Rocky. -Watch and learn.- He turned to Rocky. -Rocky?- -Yeah?- Rocky whispered. -You're still the bully.- -Oh.- Rocky growled. -I DON'T LIKE QUASIMODO HE'S A BIG FAT WIMP!- Quasi whimpered and cowered behind Rocky. Frollo growled. -Do you mind, you ignorant bully?!- he snapped, playing along and "defending" Quasimodo. -Quasimodo is not a wimp- he is my friend and you should know better than to bully him like that! Now quit your bullying this instant, for I have half the mind to tell your mother what you've been up to!- -HA! MY MOTHER IS DEAD!- growled Rocky. -Well, then I will tell your father what you've been up to!- Rocky jumped back, seemingly submitting. -Okay, okay, you got me,- he sighed. Quasi was frozen in fear. He wasn't one to enjoy confrontation, acted or not, and Frollo flat-out yelling at Rocky as his method of assertiveness terrified him. He'd seen things like this on TV before, where the character who was trying to be assertive would take Frollo's approach, and would always end up being a jerk. If this was the way Frollo was trying to teach Quasi assertiveness, it bordered for him on near-aggression. Despite the fact that he was now fond of battles, that wasn't quite his style. Frollo and Rocky dropped their acts, and the former turned to a terrified Quasimodo. -See?- he said. -Just like that. Now you try.- -Eep!- squeaked Quasi. -O-o-okay, then...- Tentatively, he stepped forward as Rocky got back into character, growling and snarling at Quasimodo. Quasi was terrified, but tried not to show it in front of Frollo. Nervously, he turned back towards Frollo, who nodded. Quasi took a breath and tried to put on a brave face. -What are you doing, wimp?- snarled Rocky mockingly. -I- oh...- stammered Quasi, losing confidence. -Come on, Quasi!- Clopin urged. -You can do it! Assert yourself!- Quasi was conflicted. He stared down, nervously, trying to ask himself what to do. He didn't want to let Frollo down, but he was too wary of what he might say or do next. He'd seen it on TV. Any second, he could become a jerk. But Frollo wasn't a jerk. If Frollo could do it, then so could he... He stepped forward. -I-I'm not a wimp,- he said, trying to sound confident. Yet his ears drooped with intense fear. -Y-you shouldn't- I have half the mind to- ohhhh...- Fear completely overtook him, and within seconds, he had been reduced to a cowering, stammering mess. He felt as though his heart had dropped to the bottom of his stomach- had he let Frollo down? Rocky, who was still playing the bully, laughed. -Are you serious?- he scoffed. -That's no way to assert yourself!- -B-but I-- began Quasi. -Oh... I-I'm sorry, Frollo... I don't know if I can do this...- Frollo walked up to him, concerned. -Quasi... Is something wrong?- he asked. -That's what I've been trying to ask him,- Clopin said. -He seemed terrified when the assertiveness lessons were brought forth to him. But he says that you'll find it ridiculous.- -Are you okay, Quasimodo?- Frollo asked, his concern growing. Quasi shook. -N-no...- he stammered. -Well, then, what's the matter?- Quasi hesitated. -I-I can't tell you,- he said. -It's silly. You'll laugh at me.- -I won't laugh at you, Quasimodo.- -That's what you say... Ohhh...- Frollo turned to Clopin. -I sense this might be a self-esteem issue,- he whispered. Clopin nodded. Frollo turned back towards Quasi. -Quasi, I'm your friend. I promise you I won't laugh at you. I sense that you don't feel as though you are confident enough to assert yourself. That's okay. Most Pokémon who start taking assertiveness lessons aren't so confident in the beginning themselves.- -Or maybe...- Clopin mused. Frollo turned to him. -Maybe it's not self-confidence at all,-Clopin proposed. -Maybe it's the method that might have scared him.- Frollo blinked. -My method?- He turned to Quasi. -Did it scare you, Quasimodo?- Quasi nodded. -Do forgive me, Quasimodo,- Frollo apologized. -Perhaps another method of assertiveness will serve you well? Still, I know that you can be assertive if you at least try to be.- Quasi stopped shaking and blinked. He had known that his friends were supportive of him, but he'd never realized until now how different it was from Dominic's methods of making him feel better. Another flashback played in his mind, as he thought back to one particular battle he'd had with Dominic. FLASHBACK Another battle lost. The poor Graswinemodo had never felt such regret in his life. He'd let down his Trainer again, he just knew it. And to think it should have been easy to defeat the opposing Watorse. He looked up. He saw Dominic look down angrily. Tears came to the poor Graswinemodo's eyes. How could he have let his Trainer down like this? "This is why you're such a nuisance," Dominic muttered angrily. "Come on." The Graswinemodo's heart sunk. He was a nuisance. Dominic was absolutely right. Crying out, he ran after his Trainer, tears in his eyes. Dominic turned to him angrily. "What are you crying about?" he snapped. "You lost. Quit your crying and suck it up. The only way you can win next time is if you continue to train and get stronger. You don't want me to put you on that pole again, do you?" He walked off. "Now let's go." Of course he didn't want to be put on the pole. How was that supposed to make him feel any better? Sadly, the Graswinemodo looked down and held back his tears, then ran off after his Trainer, his heart sinking lower than the Titanic had in 1912. He had a lot of training ahead. END FLASHBACK Quasi looked down. Up until now, he'd never considered the possibility that Dominic might have used him as a tool. Yet comparing what Frollo and Clopin had done to make him feel better to what Dominic would have done... all of a sudden, he was starting to question if maybe, Frollo had been right about Dominic being an abusive Trainer. He shook his head. No matter what Dominic did, he had loved him. Frollo was probably just exaggerating. -Quasi? Come in, Quasi?- -GAH!- Clopin's voice startled him. Quasi immediately snapped out of his thoughts and turned back towards Clopin, who giggled. -There you are, mok am!- he cried. -I thought you were out of it for a second.- -Oh, n-no!- cried Quasi, shaking his head. -That's not true at all! I was just thinking about Dominic.- Clopin blinked. -Dominic?- he asked. -Um... y-yes,- replied Quasi. -Well, then... did you happen to hear what Frollo said?- -A-about using another method of assertiveness? Yes.- -Good! Because I'm going to show you how I do it.- Quasi gasped. -Wait. I-is it your "Court of Miracles" routine?- Clopin laughed. -Sort of,- he said. -Watch and learn.- With that, he ran over and hid in a bush, while Rocky got back in character. He looked around for Clopin, growling. -Come on, you little punk,- he muttered. -Where are ya? I'm gonna get ya!- -You'll have to find me first!- Clopin laughed, running to hide behind a tree. Rocky laughed quizzaciously. -That should be an easy task.- He looked around, and at that moment, Clopin decided the time was right. While the "bully" was thoroughly distracted, Clopin jumped out from behind the tree and bounded into the air, shouting his signature -LIMER CA, TOK SANPÜT!- line. Rocky faked mock fear, staring right into the eyes of Clopin as he pretended to hit him with a Wing Attack move. He jumped back down, and Rocky fell to the floor, pretending to have fainted. Clopin giggled. -Maybe next time you'll think before you start bullying anyone else!- he teased. Quasi was still terrified. It was better than Frollo's method, sure, but this was straight-up aggression, and Quasi didn't want to have to be aggressive in order to assert himself. He trembled as Clopin turned to him. -Now you try,- he said. Quasi whimpered. -I-I'm sorry, Clopin,- he stammered. -I-it's just that... your method is a bit too aggressive for me.- -But it's like battling!- Clopin protested. -You like that now!- Quasi sighed. -I know,- he said. -B-but I want to assert myself without being physical towards anybody.- He looked up at Clopin. -I'm sorry, Clopin. D-did I let you down?- -Oh, no you didn't, Quasi,- Clopin said gently, hugging him. -It's alright. You're trying, at least. And that's really all that matters, isn't it?- Quasi smiled. -I-I guess it is,- he said. "Quasi! Clopin! Frollo! Rocky!" called Kaylie. "Food's ready!" -FOOD?!- shreiked Rocky happily, running towards Kaylie. -Aw, YEAH! Here I come!- Quasi laughed. -Let's go, Clopin.- They walked back towards Kaylie, and all the while, Quasi felt more and more embarrassed. He didn't want to have let Frollo down. But he just couldn't be assertive without freaking out like crazy. At least Clopin knew he was trying, but if he and Frollo ever found out the reason he was so terrified to be assertive... He looked down, terrified. He was so anxious, so embarrassed... He took a deep breath. There was no reason to worry about it now. Food was on the way, and he could barely wait. He ran up towards Kaylie. "So, Frollo... how's Quasi's assertiveness training going?" asked Kaylie. "Has he made any progress yet?" Frollo laughed and turned to Quasi, who was eating his food. -Well... he still hasn't quite got the hang of this assertiveness thing yet,- he said. -Every time he tries to assert himself, he breaks down in a stuttering mess. Apparently, he doesn't really like the methods we're using.- "Oh," said Kaylie. "Well, I'm sure he'll get the hang of it soon. Won't you, Quasi?" Quasi gulped. -M-maybe...- he stammered sadly. Kaylie laughed. "Don't worry, Quasi," she said. "I'm sure you'll get it soon. Just keep trying." Quasi looked down. Kaylie was encouraging him? He really was starting to have flashbacks now. This wasn't what Dominic would have done at all. Kaylie appreciated his shyness, yet encouraged him to assert himself. Dominic, on the other hand... FLASHBACK "Come on, Graswinemodo! Take that Pikachu down!" The Graswinemodo cowered. He wasn't one to battle, and hurting other Pokémon genuinely scared him. But now here was Dominic, forcing him to take part in a battle he didn't want to be a part of. He turned to Dominic, his eyes communicating nothing but fear. Dominic groaned angrily. "Did you not hear me?" he snapped. "I said, take that Pikachu down! Haven't you ever had a battle before? Or seen one before, at least?" He sighed. "Sweet Arceus, it's as though you want to stay a weakling." The Graswinemodo was crushed. Why didn't his Trainer understand? He didn't want to stay a weakling. He wanted to be strong. He was just too shy to let him know that. He wanted to say something, but his Trainer wouldn't understand. Dominic didn't believe in the power of TST devices. He looked up, tears coming to his eyes. "I know what you're thinking," said Dominic coldly. The Graswinemodo gasped. "You want to tell me that you're too shy to battle that thing," he said. "Well, you're wrong. You're not shy. And even if you are, that doesn't make you any good. All it wants to make me do is get rid of you." Get rid of him? What did that mean? It sounded like Dominic wanted to put him back on the pole again. He looked down and sighed. He didn't want to, but he had to do it. Steeling his courage, he ran towards the Watorse and tackled him- and was filled with instant regret for haven done so. Oh, how he feared battling. END FLASHBACK Quasi broke out of his thoughts and looked down. He shook his head. Dominic wasn't abusive. He just didn't happen to realize it. He was shy. He didn't want to battle the Watorse. Somebody had to tell him. He stood up. Confidence streaked through him. All of a sudden, he didn't feel so shy anymore. He ran back down into the field where he had done his assertiveness training, and there he stood. He imagined Dominic was there. And he wanted to tell him. All the memories of what he had experienced with Dominic came back to him. He wanted to scream. He turned back towards Frollo and nodded. He was still a little bit nervous, but it wasn't like Dominic was actually there... -YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!- he screamed. He glared over at the invisible Dominic. Frollo looked up in shock. -Do my ears decieve me...?- he muttered. -It's like you don't know me at all, Dominic!- cried Quasimodo. -I am shy! I am not a weakling! And I don't want to stay one, either! I want to get stronger, but the only problem is that I'm too shy to battle! But you don't understand that! You only think that I'm weak! I'm not! I DON'T WANT TO BATTLE! AND YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE I-- He stopped. What was he saying? He wasn't too shy to battle now. Nowadays, Dominic would be proud of him. He looked down as all his anger left him. His confidence, however, remained. -If you could see me now, Dominic...- he muttered, breathing heavily. -Quasi...!- He gasped. It was Clopin's voice. Immediately, all his confidence left him, replaced once again by fear as he whirled around, terrified, to face an ecstatic Clopin and a proud Frollo. -C-Clopin?- he stammered. -Y-you heard...?- Clopin gasped in excitement. -That... was... AMAZING!- he exclaimed happily, running up to Quasi in excitement. -You did it, mok am!- -D-did what?- -You asserted yourself!- Clopin cried. -You were so amazing!- Quasi gasped. -I did?- Frollo nodded. -I could not be more proud of you, Quasimodo. It seems as though my method has finally grown on you.- Frollo's method...? Quasi gasped. It suddenly dawned on him that he had just used Frollo's method of assertiveness against Dominic- the one that bordered on near-aggression. Tears came to his eyes. He knew it then. He'd seen it on TV. At any moment, he'd continue to use that method and become a jerk to all his friends. -Oh, no...- he gasped. Clopin tilted his head. -Why "oh, no"?- he asked. -You were great!- But Quasi didn't hear him. He sobbed loudly and ran off, regret and fear flooding him. Concerned, Clopin and Frollo ran after him, wanting to know what was going on. -Quasimodo!- cried Frollo. -Wait up!- Clopin added. Quasi was still sobbing. He eventually got to a tree at the edge of the field and started sobbing profusely. Why had he ever done what he did? He hadn't wanted to act like a jerk right in front of his best friends. They told him that he had just asserted himself. He had, and he was happy that he had made his friends proud. But now he knew... if he kept it up like this... -Are you alright, mok am?- Clopin asked, running up to him. Quasi looked up at the concerned Clopin and Frollo and shook his head. -No,- he whispered. -No, I'm not alright. I'm a jerk now, that's what I am.- -Why in the world would you say that?- Frollo asked. Quasi sighed. As ridiculous as it was, he knew he had to tell them. -D-do you know why I became a stammering mess the first time I tried your method, Frollo?- he asked. -Because it scared you,- Frollo inferred. -Well... it did,- Quasi replied. -Just not in the way you might have thought. You see... honestly, when you told me that I would be getting assertiveness training...- He hesitated. -Yes?- Frollo asked. Quasi looked down, slightly embarrassed. -This may sound ridiculous, but... I-I freaked out,- he admitted. -I was terrified.- Clopin gasped. -You were?- he asked, concerned. -B-but why?- Quasi sighed. -I had seen TV shows before where characters got assertiveness training just like what you gave me,- he said. -And many of them- if not all- ended up using Frollo's method of assertiveness. But they all took it too far, and... they became complete jerks. And ever since that moment, I... I've been terrified to assert myself.- -So... you just believed what you saw on TV?- Frollo asked. Quasi nodded. -Yeah. I was afraid that I would become a jerk.- -And you're not a jerk,- Frollo assured him. -You are the virtue of kindness, for Arceus' sake. What you see on television isn't always an accurate representation of reality. You shouldn't always believe everything you see on TV, and for your information, when you stood up to the invisible Dominic, you weren't being a jerk at all. As I told you before, he deserved to hear those words.- -Really?- Quasi responded, brightening. Frollo nodded. -Besides, I'm sure you would be cautious before you ever got the opportunity to go too far.- Quasi smiled. -Thanks, Frollo,- he said. -You are very welcome,- Frollo responded. Quasi paused. -But... I'm still not a fan of your method,- he said. -To me, i-it borders on near aggression. The point is... I just want to be able to assert myself without having to yell at everybody like you do.- He stopped. He'd just realized something. -Wait a second...- -What?- Frollo asked. -What is it?- added Clopin. Quasi looked up at them. -Both of you have your own methods of assertiveness,- Quasi realized. -So... why can't I have my own method? It can be one that's still effective, yet doesn't revolve around me screaming at everyone!- -Now you're talking, mok am!- Clopin cried. -You go find yourself that method you want to use, and I'm almost positive it'll work against Dominic!- Quasi smiled, but at that moment... "He's here!" Kaylie called. Quasi gasped. Dominic was here already? All of a sudden, he felt a barrage of excitement surging through him. He didn't care a thing anymore about what Dominic had done to him in the past, all that he had misunderstood about him. For now, he was just excited to see him again. -He's here!- cried Quasi happily. -I can't wait to see him again!- Frollo snickered. -And I can't wait to see just how abusive he was to you, Quasi,- he said. He turned to Clopin. -Let's go, Clopin.- With that, Frollo and Clopin ran off, and Quasi excitedly followed suit. He could barely believe it. His old Trainer had arrived! He couldn't wait to tell him about all the adventures he'd had with Kaylie, about the virtues, about his newfound skills in battle... He got to the top- and saw him. Quasi gasped with excitement. He instantly recognized Dominic the moment he saw him. He was a tall, African-American male with short black hair- and he was exactly as Quasimodo remembered. Seeing his old Trainer, Quasi ran up to him excitedly. -Dominic!- he cried happily. -It's me!- "Quasimodo!" Dominic exclaimed, with mock happiness that Quasi didn't catch. "How are you? I'm so happy to see you! How has life been with this new Trainer of yours?" He paused. "Wait... YOU CAN TALK?! How is that possible?!" -Talking Spirit Telepathy,- Quasi responded. -You never believed in it before, remember?- Dominic laughed. "Oh, yeah," he said. "Well, I believe in it now." Kaylie marched up to Dominic, with nothing but anger flowing through her. She knew that Dominic was faking all this. "Alright, Dominic," she snapped, grabbing his shirt collar, "why'd you ever decide to throw poor Quasimodo away like that? You ruined his life, you know!" -He didn't throw me away!- Quasi protested. -He sounded extremely nice in his letter. And he seems happy to see me again here.- At that moment, Dominic's face changed from warm and inviting to a cold glare. His true feelings towards Quasimodo- nothing but pure hatred- were out in full force. Angrily, he shoved Kaylie away and glared down into Quasimodo's eyes. All of a sudden, Quasimodo was filled with fear and confusion. What had happened to his Trainer? -D-Dominic?- he stammered. Dominic pointed an accusing finger at his Pokémon. "You know why I threw you away, wimp?" he snarled. "Because I hated you. I hated you from the moment I saw your ugly hunchback. You are an absolute disgrace of a Pokémon. All those times I abused you... it was on purpose! I hated you! You couldn't even battle, for Arceus' sake!" Quasi gasped. Dominic... hated him? He thought he was ugly? He couldn't believe it. Up until now, he'd always thought that Dominic loved him! -W-what?- gasped Quasimodo, hurt. -B-but I thought-- "I faked every form of love I ever gave you," Dominic growled. "I faked my sad goodbye. I was happy to give you away. But I never wanted you to experience what love feels like. That's why I came to take you away from this Kaylie trainer. For all I knew, she was loving you. And you should never experience that! You should be experiencing a life as ugly as that hump on your back!" He sighed. "I wanted to throw you in a ditch! I wanted to throw you in the ocean! I WANTED YOU TO DIE!" Kaylie gasped. -S-so that letter... was all a lie?!- Quasi gasped. Dominic scoffed. "Duh." Quasi couldn't believe it. After all that time... after constantly believing that Dominic wasn't an abusive trainer, that he was sweet and kind and loving... this was what he really thought of him? As a tool? He couldn't believe it. Frollo had been right all the time. Dominic was an abusive Trainer after all. At that moment, all form of affection for Dominic left Quasi for good. He knew it then. He wasn't going to take it anymore. He wasn't going to take anything that Dominic had done to him. He wasn't going to take the years of abuse. He wasn't going to take the fake love that Dominic showed him. Not anymore. He was going to stay loyal to Kaylie. No matter what! Anger coursed through him, unlike anything he'd ever experienced before in his life. How could he have been betrayed like this? Of course, he decided he'd rather not show it by screaming in front of Dominic's face. He turned to Frollo, and was instantly filled with regret. -You were right, Frollo,- he muttered. -I'm sorry that I ever doubted you.- Frollo nodded, forgiving Quasi. Quasi turned back to Dominic angrily. -And as for you, Dominic...- He spoke almost in a whisper- and that was dozens times scarier than Frollo's method. Immediately, the normally haughty Dominic froze back in fear. "Wha-? What you glaring at me for?" he gasped. Quasi stepped forward. He wasn't going to let Dominic keep abusing him anymore. -I thought that you loved me,- he said angrily. -I thought that you were the best Trainer in the world. But I was wrong. And now I realize that I should never have been loyal to you. I see now that you are nothing more than abusive, cruel, cold-hearted... I am no longer satisfied with the way you treated me, and I will never be satisfied again. You know, Dominic, you had always told me that the world was a dark, cruel place, but now I see that the only thing dark and cruel about it... is people like you.- Dominic was terrified, and Frollo and Clopin gasped in shock at how assertive Quasi had become. They knew right away that he wasn't backing down. Dominic stammered with shock. "L-look, Quasi..." he stammered, with mock regret. "I-I'm sorry..." -Do you really expect me to believe that?- Quasi snapped. -After all the other lies you told me?- "Quasi, you need to forgive me-" -Normally I would. But this is unforgivable.- Clopin gasped, and so did Frollo. -And I thought Quasimodo was supposed to be forgiving...!- Clopin gasped, stunned. Frollo nodded. -He's not backing down.- Dominic was still terrified with shock. "Please... Quasi, I swear to you, I will be a better Trainer-" -No.- Quasi was firm in his response. Dominic blanched. "What did you just say to me?" he cried. -I said, no,- Quasi responded firmly. -I don't buy it.- He stepped forward into the light, and began to sing: -#I read the first letter you sent me -#From the moment I read it -#I thought all would be fine -#You said it'd be fine -#I had thought you were mine -#Do you know what Kaylie said -#When she saw that letter arrive? -#She said: -#"Good thing he's not your Trainer now -#"It's a miracle you're still alive" -#But back then I clearly lost my senses -#All that you said left me defenseless -#I had no way to speak up for myself -#I was submissive -#But re-reading the letter you sent me -#I'm searching and scanning for answers -#In every line -#For now it's not fine -#But when you were mine -#My world seemed to burn#- Clopin gasped. -Is... is this a "Burn" parody?!- he gasped. Frollo nodded. -Shouldn't they be worried about that whole copyright thingy?- Clopin asked. Frollo shrugged. -It's not like the creator of that song doesn't appreciate fan work.- Clopin looked straight ahead. -Disclaimer: we do not own Hamilton or the song "Burn."- Quasi continued: -#You refuted the letters you sent me -#You told everybody how you were abusive and cruel -#You put me on a post and ruined my life -#Do you know what Kaylie said -#When she'd heard what you'd done? -#She said: -#"Good thing that I chose you -#"He wouldn't have been any fun" -#Now I see you are obsessed with your legacy -#Your actions are completely selfish -#You think that everything in the entire world -#Revolves around you -#You, you, you, you…-# He sighed, then continued: -#I'm erasing you from my narrative -#Let nobody in this world wonder how Quasimodo reacted -#When you broke his heart -#You've torn our relation apart -#I'm watching it burn -#Watching it burn -#You should have known better than this -#You'll regret everything that you said -#'Cause back then, oh, I was mislead -#By all the bad memories -#Now I know that I can't redeem you -#You forfeit the rights to my heart -#You forfeit all rights to my trust -#As my Trainer, you were a bust -#You'll rue all the days you spent -#Back when you were mine…#- He paused, and took a breath, his anger reduced to hurt feelings as he quietly finished the song: -#I hope that you-#- He stopped. "No," he muttered to himself. "No, I can't say that. I-I'm not like him." He sighed. Even though he'd just found his assertive side, he still was the virtue of kindness. Despite all that Dominic had done to him, he wouldn't be wishing any physical harm on him anytime soon. He looked up- and gasped in shock when he saw that Dominic was gone. He had evidently been scared off by Quasi's method of assertiveness. Quasi breathed heavily. -He's... gone...- he muttered. That was when he realized what he had just done. Delighted, he laughed, happy to be rid of Dominic at last- and happy to find that, much to his surprise, that asserting himself had actually felt good. -Look at that!- he exclaimed. -He's gone!- -That was incredible, mok am!- Clopin exclaimed happily, running up to Quasi and hugging him. -You totally stood up to that old abusive Trainer of yours! And you didn't even need to change at all!- -Indeed,- Frollo responded. -That was an excellent method, and it was all your own.- Quasi smiled. -Thanks, Frollo,- he said. "You were so awesome, Quasi!" gushed Kaylie, rushing up to Quasi with excitement. "I saw the whole thing! Let's hope that Dominic doesn't return anytime soon." -Oh, I'm sure he won't,- Quasi responded. -Because believe me, if I ever do see him again, I won't be letting him abuse me anymore!- "That's great to hear, Quasi," Kaylie replied. "So, Kaylie," Patrick broke in, "now that Quasi's finally learned to assert himself... should we head on to Sedimeg City?" "You bet!" Kaylie exclaimed. "Andrea, here we come! You ready, Quasi?" -As ready as you are!- Quasi cried happily. "Alright, then!" cried Kaylie. "Sedimeg, here we come!" With that, the group started off, with Quasi following close behind. He turned to look over at Frollo and smiled. As it turned out, he had had no reason to be terrified. The assertiveness training had been just what he'd needed to stand up to Dominic, and it was pretty clear he wouldn't be returning anytime soon. With newfound confidence, Quasimodo stepped into the sun.
Ladies and gentlemen, the shortest chapter I've ever done! Chapter 17 of Pokémon Opal and Garnet is here! INTRODUCING TEAM FOLKLORE, THE VILLANOUS TEAM OF THE FELUV REGION! THIS IS GETTING GOOD! Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 17: Keeping Up With the Alolan Sandslash Spero had seen it all. He'd been following Kaylie and the rest of the group from Lumiose City onward, and he'd seen plenty of things. A singing of the Kalosian national anthem, a Gym Battle against Vulcan, assertiveness training... and he was stunned as all get out that Kaylie hadn't seen him yet. How far was he going to go before someone noticed him? He sighed. He had heard Kaylie say that they were going to Sedimeg City next, and as the case was, he was following the group to Sedimeg, hoping that this time around, someone would at least notice him. Maybe he'd finally get that chance when Kaylie battled Andrea for her next Gym Badge... Then- he stopped. He had just seen something that Kaylie and the rest of the group had walked right by. He squinted. It was a sort of marker/advertisement, and on it was a symbol that Spero thought he would never see again. The minute he saw what was on the marker, his heart beat a thousand times faster than normal. On the marker was a symbol, with a gigantic blue F in the center of a circle. Coming from that circle was a lightening bolt, a pitchfork, and a ghostly aura of some kind. Spero gasped. -They're coming,- he whispered gravely. Them. Team Folklore. The very sight of the symbol made him shake to his core. He knew about Team Folklore and what their goals and motives were. Team Folklore were a group of Pokémon dedicated to doing one thing and one thing only- using other Pokémon to capture the legendary Pokémon of the Feluv region. Once they had Elecasquatch, Chupacabre, and Jersevrank, they would then execute their bigger plan: they would use the Legendary Pokémon to destroy the Feluv region, before convincing Arceus Himself to reset the universe. The leader of Team Folklore was an extremely intimidating Yakodigger named Ignosio, and he would do whatever it took to capture the legends and destroy Feluv. Spero shook. If Team Folklore were coming, it meant that Kaylie was in grave danger. It meant that everybody was in grave danger. He looked ahead. Kaylie and the group were long gone. Spero screamed. -GAAAH!- he shreiked, running after them. -Wait for me! You're in grave danger, guys!- He sped up as fast as he could, his heart racing. Someone had to tell them about Team Folklore. And he would be just the Pokémon to do it. He followed them as fast as possible. And meanwhile, there was one thing that Spero didn't notice among all this. As he was running, something was happening with the Team Folklore marker. The Team Folklore symbol started to glow a bright green, and all at once, a glowing burst of green light shot into the sky. At that moment, over in a Sedimeg City jail, a Yakodigger saw the green light and glared over at it. He took a deep breath and nodded. -It's time,- said Ignosio. -Mark my words... I will get my revenge.-
Haha, I had to take French for three months in a school when my elective was Spanish..so yeah, I don't have much experience. I found myself muttering "close pang" out loud, but luckily no one was there to hear me making a fool out of myself XD my French pronunciation is pretty bad
I'm really excited for the arrival of Team Folklore! Up until now we've only seen villains that are Pokémon and I think it would definitely be cool to add more humans for Kaylie to battle! I really appreciated the inclusion of Burn...I have the entire Hamilton album downloaded on my phone and I forgot about it for a while, but now I think it's time to go back and take a listen. Keep up the great work!
No problem! Chapters 14 & 15 of When The Sun Sets are up, and I'd love to know what you think of them
Alright, people, it's here! Chapter 18 of Pokémon Opal and Garnet is now up! Enjoy! (PS: A "Dear Evan Hansen" parody is in this...) Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 18: A Court of Evolving Miracles On his way to Sedimeg, Clopin's swept away And winds up near Notre Dame There he discovers au heqstïhept cüret Of the fountain of Notre Dame And it's here he meets Knigen the Pawniard A recluse with paralysis and charm He hopes for a cure, so he and Clopin search for that fountain THE GREAT FOUNTAIN OF NOTRE DAME... (de Lumiose) -Kaylie, mok am~! You have any good strategies yet for the battle against Andrea?- Kaylie giggled. As usual, Clopin had asked her that question as only he could. She, Patrick, Clopin and the rest of the group were on their way to Sedimeg City for Kaylie's third Gym Battle against the Ground-type Gym Leader Andrea, and right now, they were discussing the strategies that would be used. "Oh, you bet I've got some, Clopin," Kaylie responded. "I'm pulling out all the stops here, and I've thought of using a bit of a risky move." Patrick scoffed. "What's that?" Kaylie smiled. "I might use Tesla in my battle against Andrea," she said. Patrick gasped. "Are you SERIOUS?! Kaylie, you know Electric moves don't work on Ground-type Pokémon!" "I know," Kaylie responded. "But Tesla doesn't just know Electric-type moves. He also happens to know a Grass-type move- Grass Knot." "How can an Electric-type Pokémon know Grass Knot?" asked Patrick. Kaylie shrugged. "He just can." -Are you going to be using Quasimodo too, mok am?- Clopin asked. "You bet!" Kaylie cried happily. "I'll also use Phoebus and Esmeralda." -Not me?- Clopin gasped. -Well, you certainly learned a lot from that last Gym Battle against Vulcan!- Kaylie laughed. "Yeah, don't worry. Thanks to you, I now know that I don't have to finish every battle with your 'Court of Miracles' routine." -Well, that's good to hear! Don't worry- I'll make sure to cheer for you on the sidelines, mok am!- Kaylie winked. "And I'll make sure to see you there!" They continued. It was starting to get a bit windy now. Still, that didn't seem to bother Clopin, who excitedly turned towards Quasimodo, delighted. -I can't believe it! Oh, I know for a fact that you're going to KILL IT against Andrea, mok am!- he exclaimed happily, hugging him. -Especially since you can stand up for yourself now!- Quasi blushed. -Th-thanks, Clopin,- he stammered. -But... shouldn't you at least be worried about the wind that's blowing right now?- Clopin laughed. -Of course not!- he cried happily. -That doesn't bother me in the least! By the way, did you happen to hear about the major thing that happened at the Graswinemodo Tower yesterday?- -N-no,- stammered Quasi. -What happened?- -Get this,- Clopin exclaimed. -Someone who was going there happened to see a vision of Arceus himself inside the tower!- Quasi gasped. -W-what?!- -And then,- Clopin added, -a spring appeared on the other side of the tower! It's said to have magical healing powers, but I honestly don't know if it's true. After all, I've never seen the spring at the tower nor its effects. But believe me, after hearing this news...- -You... want to go see it?- asked Quasi. -Cheüt!- Clopin exclaimed happily. -It sounds amazing!- Quasi laughed. -Well... I'm pretty sure you'll be able to see it someday,- he said. -That does seem amazing.- Clopin giggled. At that moment, however, the wind began picking up, stronger than ever before. Clopin still wasn't bothered by this, though, and happily began to dance around... ...but then he found himself dancing on air. He stopped, and that was when he noticed that the strong gust of wind had picked him up and was starting to carry him away. Panicking, he screamed. Now, he definitely was starting to get bothered. -KAYLIE, MOK AM~!- he shreiked. -HELP MEEEEEE-!- Kaylie and the rest of the group, hearing him, turned around sharply- and that was when they saw it. Kaylie gasped. "Clopin!" she exclaimed, panicked. -GAAAAAAHH!- Clopin screamed. -You need to help me, mok am, I'm being blown away~!- "Hang on, Clopin!" Kaylie cried, running up to try and grab him. "I'll save you!" She tried to grab onto Clopin's wing, but the wind was too strong, and all of a sudden, Clopin found himself being blown farther and farther away from the rest of the group. Kaylie herself was starting to really worry. What would happen if Clopin was blown too far away, and she never saw him again? -KAYLIE~!- shreiked Clopin, as he was blown farther and farther off-course. "CLOPIN!" screamed Kaylie, panicking. Clopin himself was starting to panic. He looked around. He couldn't see Kaylie and Patrick anymore. All he could feel were the strong gusts of wind carrying him away. Eventually, bombarded by wind and unable to see where he was or where he was going, he freaked. And then everything went black. Clopin's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he noticed was that he had landed safely on the ground. But the second thing he noticed was a blinding yellow light in his eyes. Seeing it, he turned away, trying to figure out exactly where he had landed. He stirred and sat up. -Qenq sois jok...?- he muttered. He gasped. -Kaylie!- he cried. Where was she? Panicked, he looked around, quickly finding that Kaylie, along with Patrick and the other Pokémon, were nowhere to be found. Clopin freaked out again, desperately trying to find out where he was and how he was ever going to be able to return to his Trainer. -Neüt... This can't be-! She must be so worried... Where in the name of Arceus am I?- Then all of a sudden, he found himself blinded by the same yellow light from earlier. He looked up, staring right at it- and gasped as he realized that the yellow light was coming from the Graswinemodo Tower. He instantly knew where he was- and he was a long ways away from his Trainer. -Lumiose City?!- he gasped. -Oh, no! I have to get back to Kaylie somehow!- He paused. -But... how in the world am I going to get back to her...?- As he was thinking about how he would get back to his Trainer, he suddenly heard something. He stopped. -What...?- he muttered. -What is that...?- He listened again, and that was when he heard it. It sounded as though someone was crying, and it seemed to be coming from near the Graswinemodo Tower. Immediately, Clopin's heart sunk. It pained him to see or hear anyone sad- and given that he was the virtue of fun, he had to cheer up whoever was crying somehow. Tentatively, he stepped towards the sound. -Hello~?- he asked. -Are you alright, mok am?- The crying continued. Clopin was now extremely close to whoever it was who was crying, and he was able to make out a shadow in a tree near the Graswinemodo Tower. It looked to him like a Pokémon. Clopin smiled. -What's the matter, mok am?- he asked gently. -You alright back there?- The Pokémon's crying slowed down a bit. It sniffled. -Y-yes, sire...- it sobbed, its voice breaking. It was a male, and he had a slightly metallic voice. -I am quite alright, thank you for asking.- -Then what were you crying for?- Clopin asked. The Pokémon started wailing again. Smiling gently, Clopin bounded up and hugged him. -Hush, mok am... It's okay...- The Pokémon sniffled. -Oh, i-it's nothing, sire. It's just that I'm paralyzed, reclusive, and looking for a miracle cure.- Clopin burst out laughing. This Pokémon had been crying because he was paralyzed? -That's why you're so upset?- he giggled. -Well, you can just find yourself a Paralyze Heal! They're pretty common around these parts. What was it that paralyzed you? Discharge? Volt Switch? Thunder Wave?- The Pokémon sighed. -You don't understand, sire,- he muttered. -It's not that kind of paralysis. You can't heal it with a Paralyze Heal.- Clopin stopped. -What do you mean?- he asked. Another sigh. -May I show you, sire?- the other Pokémon asked. Clopin smiled. -Sure. Go right ahead, mok am.- -Alright, then,- the other Pokémon said. And with that, he entered from out of the shadows. Clopin gasped in shock the minute he saw him. The other Pokémon was a Pawniard, but there was something about him that clearly stood out from all other Pawniard- and for that matter, all other Pokémon. Instead of being paralyzed as in "the status condition," this Pawniard was paralyzed as in "bound to a wheelchair and unable to move from the chest down." He was sitting in a wheelchair, and only his head and neck were able to move. The rest of his body was completely paralyzed. Clopin gasped as he realized the truth- this was a disabled Pawniard. Stunned, he rushed over to the Pawniard. -Oh my Arceus, you're paralyzed!- he gasped. -As in human paralyzed! How in the name of Feluv did that happen?- The Pawniard sighed. -It is an unfortunate tale, sire,- he said, -but if you wish for me to tell it to you, I shall. I was out doing jousting matches over in Sedimeg, and I was gaining the upper hand, when all of a sudden, the opposing Bisharp makes a move right for my spinal cord!- Clopin tilted his head in confusion. -Pawniard don't have spinal cords... do they?- he asked. -Actually, they do,- the Pawniard responded. -All Pokémon have spinal cords. You should know that, you know.- -Oh.- -Anyways, as I was saying,- the Pawniard continued, -the opposing Bisharp hit me right in the spinal cord, and all of a sudden, I got thrown back. Everything was black, and I couldn't see a thing. When I woke up, I was in the Pokémon Center, and they told me...- He started to get choked up again. -They told me I had contracted immobilia. Or, in other words, human paralysis. I had to be put in a wheelchair, and it was the worst experience I could ever fathom...- He sobbed. -Forgive me if I get emotional, sire,- he said. -Oh, no, no, no! That's perfectly alright, mok am,- Clopin reassured him. -It certainly sounds like a horrible experience.- -It was,- sobbed the Pawniard. -It absolutely was! I'll never be a normal Pawniard again...!- He continued to sob. -Aw, poor you!- Clopin whimpered, patting him. -There, there...- Then- he gasped. He'd realized it. -Wait a second!- he exclaimed, perking up. -On second thought, maybe you can be a normal Pawniard again!- The Pawniard perked up. -Really?!- -Cheüt!- Clopin exclaimed happily. -Just this morning I recieved incredible news regarding the Graswinemodo Tower. A Trainer who was visiting there saw a vision of Arceus, and then, a mysterious fountain appeared on the other side of the tower. That fountain is said to have mystical healing powers that can heal any disease!- The Pawniard gasped. -So you're saying that if we go to this fountain, I could be cured of my paralysis?- he asked happily. -That's exactly what I'm saying, mok am!- Clopin confirmed. -I could help you find the miracle cure you're looking for! Of course, I also need some help as well...- -You do?- the Pawniard asked. -Cheüt,- Clopin responded. -I was seperated from my Trainer, Kaylie, while we were on our way to Sedimeg. I found myself here, and I have no idea where she is... I don't want her to keep worrying for very long...- -Oh. Well, how saddening that is for you indeed, sire. I would be more than willing to help you get into contact with your Trainer.- Clopin gasped. -Thank you so much, mok am!- he cried, running up once again to hug the Pawniard. -Oh, you and I are going to be such great friends with one another!- He stopped, then all of a sudden gasped loudly. -What?- the Pawniard asked. -Fürgït mok!- Clopin exclaimed. -I never did ask for your name, now did I? How silly of me! What's your name, mok am? -You're asking for my name?- the Pawniard asked. -Cheüt.- -Knigen,- the paralyzed Pawniard responded, bowing his head. -My full name is Sir Knigen of Sedimeg, but you can just call me Knigen for short. And you are?- -Clopin.- -Pardon me, sire?- -It's Clopin,- Clopin repeated. -Kloh-PAN? Did I get that right?- Knigen asked. As usual, he mispronounced Clopin's name. Clopin giggled. -You didn't, mok am,- he responded. -Well, you didn't get the second syllable right.- -My most humble apologies, sire... what is it?- -"PAH~(n)." It's a bit like "pang," except the "-ng" part is abruptly cut off. Go on, try it.- -"PAY"...?- -"PAH~(n)." You need to cut it off abruptly. In other words, right when you get to the "-ng" sound, stop. It should sound a bit nasal at the end, like you're saying "PAH" with a sort of tight pinch to it.- -What exactly do you mean by "pinch"?- -It should sound nasalized,- Clopin explained. -Like this. "PAH~~(n)." You barely say the "n." Just barely. Try it. Stop right before the "-ng" in "pang," then if it's not already, slowly pinch the ending down more and more, until it's a tight, nasally sound- exactly how you want it.- -I... don't exactly have a nose, sire,- Knigen admitted. -But I'll try. "Kloh-PAH."- -Ca tok aut!- Clopin cheered. -Now nasalize it.- -Sire... I can't. I regret that I do not have a nose.- -Nasalize it through your facial blade, then!- Clopin urged. -Go on, go on!- -PAH- But instead of a nasal sound, what came out from Knigen's facial blade was a sort of metallic clank, and it made the attempted second syllable of Clopin's name have a bit of an echo to it. Clopin giggled. -That's alright,- he said. -Try tightening the sound a little bit more.- -Honestly, I don't think this will work, sire,- Knigen pleaded. -I guarantee you every time I will try to say your name, I won't say it right. Besides, must we not be headed on our way to the fountain inside the Graswinemodo Tower?- Clopin stopped and thought about it. -You're right, mok am,- he said. -If you're ever going to get cured, we have to find that fountain. But don't you worry! We can get back to the pronunciation of my name later.- -Good,- Knigen responded. -May I refer to you as "sire" until then?- Clopin giggled. -You can do whatever you like, sire!- he responded, winking. -Honestly, you and I are going to be the best of friends! I mean, just think of it! All the things we could do after you've been cured of paralysis... it'll be the best day of our lives!- He happily began bounding along the path, and started singing: -#End of the day as it strikes noon -#What an incredible afternoon we'll share -#We'll trek across Feluvian roads -#Grab Casteliacones a la mode -#In Medala Square#- -Wouldn't that be fun, mok am?- He laughed. -#An open forest, filled with trees -#We'll battle Trainers; shoot the breeze -#Like buddies do -#We'll quote lines from our favorite films -#Talk about how nothing rhymes with "films" -#That's what we'll do -#And then we'll talk and take in the view#- As he approached the chorus, Clopin grabbed on to Knigen's wheelchair, and bounded into the Graswinemodo Tower with the invalid Pawniard in tow. Knigen screamed as he was pulled by Clopin, who happily continued singing: -#All we'll see is sky kot kotangard -#We'll let Feluv pass by kot kotangard -#Wouldn't you like to go on kot kotangard this way? -#Two friends on a perfect day#- -Come on, mok am, sing with me!- Clopin urged. -Sire… I don't prefer to sing…- Knigen muttered, rolling away from Clopin and following him into the tower. Clopin laughed, and then continued: -#I wonder what we'll talk about -#And what things we'll do when we've found your cure? -#Maybe go back to Lumiose City -#You could celebrate the FoF with me! -#That'd be great for sure -#There's nothing we wouldn't discuss -#Like Trainers we wish would battle us- -#Well, what about you? -#You'll look around and say to me -#"You've been such a great friend to me" -#I'll say, "you too" -#And then we'll talk and take in the view- -#Wouldn't you like to do that, too?#- He happily bounded through the tower, singing: -#All we'll see is sky kot kotangard -#We'll let Feluv pass by kot kotangard -#Wouldn't you like to go on kot kotangard this way? -#This way -#All we'll see is light kot kotangard -#'Cause the sun shines bright kot kotangard -#Life will be alright kot kotangard this way -#Two friends on a perfect day#- -All that certainly sounds nice, sire,- remarked Knigen. -I would love to do those things.- -I know you would,- Clopin responded happily. -But remember, we still have to find that fountain. The Graswinemodo Tower is huge, but just you wait, Knigen! The fountain will be waiting for us on the other side!- -I'm certainly excited, sire!- Knigen exclaimed. -Me too, mok am!- Clopin agreed, delighted. -Of course, you still need to make connection with your Trainer... Are you in possession of any items that could allow you to get a message out to her?- Items...? Clopin gasped- why hadn't he thought of it before? -Of course!- he gasped. -Why didn't I realize it! The OB-1!- Excitedly, he took out his EvoPhone device. Knigen tilted his head in confusion, having not the slightest clue as to what the OB-1 app was. -Pardon me, sire, but might I inquire what the OB-1 is?- he asked. -You've never heard of the OB-1 app?- Clopin gasped. -Well, of course I can tell you about it! It's essentially an app on the EvoPhone that can allow you to communicate with people and Pokémon that are far away from you. I'm betting that Kaylie's worried and wondering where I am, so with this app I can quickly let her know that I got stranded in Lumiose. Now let me just leave her a message, and let's see if she gets it...- With that, he opened up the OB-1 app and hit the red LEAVE A MESSAGE button, before hitting the name KAYLIE RODGERS. A beeping sound was heard, and Clopin spoke into the microphone: -Prïket, Kaylie! It's me, Clopin! I know you're probably worried about me, and wondering where I am, so I decided to send you this message. I got stranded in Lumiose City and am currently outside the Graswinemodo Tower near a huge fountain. If you get this message, please make your way to Lumiose City as soon as possible. Bïlokautik!- He hit the SEND MESSAGE button. -Voila! This message is being sent to Kaylie as we speak!- -That's truly incredible, sire!- Knigen exclaimed. -But... why did you tell her you were outside the Graswinemodo Tower?- Clopin laughed. -Because that's where we'll probably be when she gets here, mok am!- he exclaimed. -I wouldn't want Kaylie to get confused, now would I?- If Knigen had had a mouth, he would have smiled. -I guess not,- he said. -Just you wait, Knigen!- Clopin exclaimed. -Pretty soon, you'll be completely cured of your paralysis! And then... oh, think of the possibilities!- Happily, he bounded around the tower, with Knigen rolling right behind Clopin as he finished his song from earlier: -#All we'll see is sky kot kotangard -#We'll let Feluv pass by kot kotangard -#Mok am, you and I kot kotangard this way -#This way -#All we'll see is light -#As the sun shines bright -#We will be alright kot kotangard this way -#Two friends -#True friends- -#What a perfect day!#- True to his namesake, Clopin held out the last note, and he and Knigen continued to go through the tower on their way to the healing fountain. As he bounced through the tower, Clopin turned to Knigen and smiled, knowing right then and there that he had just made another new friend. And he was going to help him get cured in any way possible. Happily, Clopin finished his song, ending it with another held-out note, this time for 10 seconds, as he excitedly thought of the friendship to come: -#All we'll see is sky kot kotangard#- Kaylie was extremely worried. She had just seen Clopin been carried off by a strong gust of wind, and had no idea where he was. She hoped desperately that nothing bad had happened to him, or that he hadn't been swept off someplace where something bad could happen to him. Starting to panic, she paced around nervously. "Patrick... where could he have gone?" she asked, in a panic. "Oh, I hope he didn't fall into the ocean or something..." "Relax, Kaylie," Patrick responded. "How can I relax?!" Kaylie snapped, panicked. "Clopin is missing!" "I get that," Patrick reassured her, "but I don't think that anything bad happened to him. Knowing him, he's probably worried about you, too." She sighed. "I know, Patrick," sighed Kaylie. "But it could happen. I just don't want anything to happen to him." -Me neither,- Quasimodo agreed. -But Clopin will probably find a way to communicate with you.- "I hope so, Quasi," Kaylie responded sadly. She looked down, but all of a sudden, she heard something. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. YOU HAVE 1 NEW MESSAGE. She gasped. It was coming from her EvoPhone. "What... is that?" Kaylie asked, taking out her EvoPhone. She got her answer a few seconds later. Staring at her EvoPhone, Kaylie saw a notification coming from her OB-1 app. Curious, she clicked on it- and immediately was shocked when she heard the message that came out of her EvoPhone. -Prïket, Kaylie! It's me, Clopin! I know you're probably worried about me, and wondering where I am, so I decided to send you this message. I got stranded in Lumiose City and am currently outside the Graswinemodo Tower near a huge fountain. If you get this message, please make your way to Lumiose City as soon as possible. Bïlokautik!- Kaylie gasped. She had not expected to hear Clopin's voice coming out of her EvoPhone, nor had she expected to hear that he had been stranded in Lumiose City! Stunned, she turned to Patrick. "Oh my gosh," she gasped. "What's the matter, Kaylie?" Patrick asked. Kaylie took a breath. "Clopin's in Lumiose City," she said. "What?!" "He left me a message. He's outside of the Graswinemodo Tower near a large fountain." "Well, good thing he was worried about you!" Patrick responded. "Otherwise we may have never found out where he was!" -We-we've got to get to Lumiose City right away!- cried Quasimodo. Kaylie nodded. "Right. Come on, guys. Let's get a move on! To Lumiose City!" With that, the group headed off in the direction of Lumiose. Kaylie was feeling extremely relieved. Not only had Clopin cared about her so much that he had sent her a message, but now she knew exactly where he was- and there was no chance that he had gotten harmed in Lumiose City. Still, though, they had a long way to go before reaching Lumiose, so they had to move as fast as possible. Please don't get into any danger, Clopin, thought Kaylie nervously. -I certainly hope that your Trainer got your message, sire,- Knigen told Clopin as the two of them continued their trek towards the healing fountain. The two of them had been talking about their lives and dreams, and had started to develop a good relationship with one another. -What did you say her name was again?- -Kaylie,- Clopin responded. -Oh, yes,- Knigen said. -Forgive me, sire- my memory is a bit blotchy after my accident.- Clopin giggled. -That's alright, mok am.- Knigen turned his head towards Clopin. -I take it that "mok am" means "my friend"?- he asked. -Cheüt!- Clopin responded. -I take it that you don't speak PokeLatin?- Knigen shook his head. -Not that much. The only words I know are "mok am" and "cheüt." That's "yes," obviously.- -Really?- Clopin asked. -Well, then you need a ton of lessons! But don't you worry. I'm a great PokeLatin teacher, and I'll teach it to you someday.- -You will?- gasped Knigen. -Of course!- Clopin replied happily. -We're friends, aren't we?- -Oh, I wish I could run right up to you and hug you!- Knigen exclaimed. -Thank you so much!- -You are very welcome, mok am,- Clopin responded. Knigen sighed. -But... honestly... I'm a bit flattered that you consider me a friend...- he muttered. Clopin tilted his head. -Oh?- he asked. -Why is that?- Knigen looked down sadly. -Here's the thing, sire,- he said. -Before I had my accident, and even more so after I had my accident... I was a rogue. A recluse, if you will. I would hide out alone in the shadows, with no friends whatsoever.- Clopin gasped. -What?- he muttered. -Why in the world would you do that, mok am?- Another sigh from Knigen. -I had been taught that a Pawniard always worked alone,- he said. -Of course, as time went by I came to believe it. So I hid myself in the shadows, refusing to talk to anyone, refusing to make friends with anyone... I did as I was taught. But then my accident came in... and all of a sudden I had a much different reason to hide out in the shadows.- -And that reason was...?- Clopin asked. Knigen started to choke up. -I didn't know how they would react,- he sniffled. -A Pawniard with the kind of paralysis that couldn't be healed with a Paralyze Heal? How were they to react? For all I knew, they would bully me constantly, and I didn't want to know how they would react. And so I stayed in the shadows after my accident, refusing to open up to anyone.- Clopin gasped. He hadn't even considered the fact that Knigen had been going through all that trauma. -Mok am...!- he gasped. -They wouldn't have bullied you because of your paralysis! I didn't bully you because of it, now did I?- -And that's the thing,- Knigen said. -The only reason I opened up to you was because you opened up to me. Everyone else had just ignored me. They didn't even notice I was there. But you...- He broke down sobbing. -You noticed me, sire... and for that I could not be more grateful...- He was now wailing with happiness. Concerned, Clopin hugged him. -Well, of course I opened up to you,- he said gently. -I open up to everyone. But for you to live a life of reclusion like that... that's just terrible, mok am! It's no fun to have no friends.- -Which makes it all the more relieving to me that you're my first,- Knigen responded, sobbing. Clopin smiled and hugged the poor, sobbing, paralyzed Pawniard. -It's okay...- he whispered. Knigen continued to sob. -Thank you...- he wailed. -Thank you, sire...- Clopin smiled. -You are very much welcome, Knigen,- he said. He looked up- and suddenly found himself blinded. Stunned, Clopin broke up from his embrace with Knigen and was stunned to see a blinding light in the distance. He gasped- they were almost out of the Graswinemodo Tower. Excitedly, he turned towards Knigen. -Knigen! Look!- he cried, jumping about. -We're almost out of the tower!- Knigen gasped. -Well... it seems as though we are indeed, sire!- the Pawniard responded happily. -I can barely wait for this moment! Finally, Arceus will cure me of this strickening disease!- -And Jirachi, too,- Clopin responded. -We can't forget him, now can we?- Knigen laughed. -Why, yes,- he said. -And Jirachi.- -Come on, mok am!- Clopin exclaimed happily, bouncing out of the tower. -The fountain awaits us!- He bounded outside, and Knigen rolled behind him in his wheelchair, a bit slower than Clopin was. Extreme excitement and happiness was coursing through Knigen's body. He could barely wait to see this mystical healing fountain for himself, and then get healed with the help of Clopin. He eventually rolled outside, where he found a stunned Clopin standing there, waiting for him. He looked up- and gasped in shock. Standing in front of them was an absolutely huge spring, with water gushing out of every corner. There were miniature geysers coming out from the fountain, and in the center of it was a tall centerpiece with a Graswinemodo statue on top of it. In the middle of the centerpiece was the symbol of Arceus, as well as a sillouette of Jirachi, who was said to have been created by Arceus and have healed many crippled people. Clopin and Knigen gasped in shock at how beautiful the fountain was. -Sire...- gasped Knigen, awed. -This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen... Only Arceus could have created this...- Clopin nodded. -I have to agree with you there, mok am,- he responded, stunned by what he was seeing. -This fountain is absolutely incredible!- Now excited, he ran ahead to the edge of the fountain, while Knigen, who was still stunned, rolled up to the edge. Upon getting there, he looked down and stared at his reflection in the water below. He was a paralyzed recluse, a rouge who had spent the last 2 years of his life unable to move from the chest down... and now, thanks to Clopin's friendship, all that was going to change. Delighted, he looked up at Clopin, who smiled. -Well, Knigen, are you ready or not?- he asked. -You wanted to come here, after all!- Knigen nodded. -Yes, sire,- he said. -I am ready.- He paused. -But first... one thing.- He rolled away from the edge and towards Clopin, his eyes conveying no emotion other than sheer gratitude. Solemnly, he bowed his head. -I thank you greatly, sire,- he muttered. -You have been such a great friend to me.- Clopin's eyes welled up with tears of joy. He smiled. -You too,- he responded. Knigen laughed, and Clopin ran up once again to the paralyzed Pawniard to hug him. -Alright then, mok am,- Clopin responded, breaking up the embrace as he prepared to dunk Knigen into the fountain. -I say it's time for you to plunge into the healing waters! Good luck, mok am, and may Jirachi give you his blessing!- With that, he picked Knigen up, carried him to the edge of the fountain... and threw him in. Knigen heard a splash, and all of a sudden he found himself sinking deeper and deeper into the sacred healing waters of Arceus. He opened his eyes. Everywhere around him was water and nothing more, and he wondered when- or even if- he would be healed. He braced himself, closing his eyes and preparing for Arceus' blessing. All of a sudden, he found himself floating out of his wheelchair. He opened his eyes again. Had it worked? Was he swimming? Was he able to move? Had he been cured? Alas, no. He was stuck in the same seated position as before, and when he tried desperately to move his arms and legs, he found that he couldn't. He was still paralyzed. Desperately in need of help, he called out for Clopin. -Sire!- he called. -Please grab my wheelchair and get me out of here! It's not working!- Clopin nodded. -I'm on it, mok am! Don't worry!- With that, he plunged himself into the water, grabbing onto Knigen's wheelchair before getting Knigen himself. Gasping for air, Clopin shot his head out of the water and swam to the surface. He set down the still-paralyzed Knigen and put him back in his wheelchair, before turning to him. -It... didn't work, eh, mok am?- he asked, laughing nervously. Knigen nodded sadly. -No, it didn't. I still find myself unable to move my arms and legs.- He sighed. -I certainly hope that the healing properties of this fountain aren't a lie.- -Well, to tell you the truth, I had disbelieved in the properties myself before you came along,- laughed Clopin. -But still, though, maybe another bath in the waters will heal you! After all, it's always better to be positive, isn't it?- Knigen laughed. -Indeed,- he responded. -Go ahead, sire, throw me in.- -Alright, then!- Clopin responded happily, once again picking Knigen up- but this time without the wheelchair. -May Jirachi bless you, mok am~!- With that, he threw Knigen into the waters below. Knigen heard another splash and closed his eyes. He felt that now would be a good time to pray to Arceus in order to heal him. After all, he'd heard about that happening with the other 67 cures, so... what did he have to lose? He cleared his throat, and began in a whisper too soft for Clopin to hear: -Dear Arceus, I pray to You that You heal me of this affecting disease with all of Your heavenly powers, and that You and Jirachi may give me Your respective blessing. May You wish upon me and my Touceet friend pure and eternal happiness. Amen.- Once he was finished, he opened his eyes and prayed to himself for any sort of sign from Arceus of his healing. He looked down. He still could not move his arms and legs. He prayed harder. And then it happened. All of a sudden, something began to happen from outside of the fountain. As Clopin watched in awe, what seemed to be Knigen's body started to glow and pulsate in a brilliant white light, which very quickly turned bright blue. The blue light burst forth into a fountain of blue light which shot up from out of the water and made Clopin gasp in shock. Multiple symbols of Arceus appeared and plunged into the water, temporarily making the water turn a bright white before it faded out. Inside the water, Knigen felt a pleasant feeling wash over his whole body. All of a sudden, he felt as though he had recieved a blessing from Arceus. He looked up and saw a burst of white light ahead, and all of a sudden, he felt himself heading closer and closer to the light, as if driven by the power of an ethereal force. Arceus, perhaps? Then all of a sudden... SPLASH! He rose up from out of the water, his body encased in the same pleasant feeling as before. Clopin, who was seeing this all unfold in front of him, gasped in shock. White light was surrounding Knigen's body, and as a cry could be heard from the heavens, all the white light faded from Knigen's body. His whole body straightened up, into a standing position, and he floated down to the floor. Stunned, Clopin ran up to him. -Mok am... are you alright?- he gasped. Knigen did not respond, but instead slowly got up and started to rise onto his feet. Clopin gasped with happiness- maybe this bath had cured him! -Knigen!- he gasped. But all of a sudden, his hopes came crashing down when Knigen did just that. He wobbled on his feet, and immediately fell back down to the floor, suddenly aware of what was going on. -Seems like I'm still paralyzed, sire,- he muttered, flailing his unmoving legs around as he stumbled his way back to his wheelchair. -I had really thought I was cured, too, especially since I was washed over with such a pleasant feeling.- Clopin laughed. -Maybe another bath will do the trick.- Knigen sighed, but at that moment, he heard a voice in his head. Rise... He didn't know what it was, or where it was coming from, but he assumed it was Arceus. All of a sudden, he felt the uncontrollable urge to rise up out of his wheelchair. Without even realizing what he was doing, he stood up. Clopin gasped, and his eyes nearly bugged out of his skull. Was he really seeing this? -Mok am...- he muttered, stunned. Knigen didn't hear him. He believed that he was still paralyzed. -I don't think that another bath will do the trick,- he muttered, sadly. -Honestly, if you ask me... I've given up all hope that this will work. Arceus has forsaken me. And so has Jirachi. I will never be healed, sire.- With his head hung, Clopin watched as Knigen sighed and walked over to the exit of the Graswinemodo Tower, before sitting down. Walked?! Clopin couldn't believe what he was seeing. Knigen was walking! On his own! Stunned and delighted beyond belief, Clopin gasped, pointing towards Knigen. -M-mok am!- he sputtered, happily. -I-I don't believe it! Knigen... you're walking!- Hearing Clopin's words, Knigen stood up and turned to his friend in disbelief. -I... I am?- he asked, stunned. -Cheüt!- Clopin exclaimed in disbelief. -Look at where you are!- Stunned, Knigen turned his head towards his now-empty wheelchair and gasped in shock as he suddenly realized he was now standing at the exit of the Graswinemodo Tower. Refusing to believe the possibility, Knigen stared down at his arm and tried to lift it- and gasped in shock. Much to his surprise... he found that he actually could! -S-sire...- he muttered in disbelief, lifting his arm multiple times, as if trying to prove that it was working. -I... I can't believe this!- He tried lifting his other arm- and he was able to lift that one, too. Knigen gasped in shock. His arms were really moving for the first time in 2 years! He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Stunned, Knigen looked down at his legs- and hesitantly took a step forward. Then another. Then another. He gasped in shock as he realized that Clopin had been right- he was walking! All on his own! Happily, he continued walking, then all of a sudden broke out into a full-blown sprint and twirled in the air. He was delighted. He could actually walk again- and more than that, even! -Sire!- he exclaimed, jumping up and down. -Sire, look at me! I've... I've been healed! HALLELUJAH! PRAISE BE TO THE LORD AND SAVIOR ARCEUS!- -Oh, mok am!- Clopin exclaimed happily, running up to hug his new friend. -It's a miracle!- Delighted, Knigen ran up to Clopin and did the one thing he hadn't been able to do for two years- held him in an embrace, while standing on his own two feet. He could barely believe it. He had been healed by Arceus, after all! -THANK YOU, JIRACHI!- cried Knigen happily. -THANK YOU, ARCEUS! I CAN WALK AGAIN! MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED! HALLEJULAH! HALLEJULAH!- Clopin laughed happily, delighted that Knigen had finally been healed from his paralysis. -Well, then... I guess you won't be needing this anymore!- Clopin cried happily, as he walked over to Knigen's wheelchair, picked it up, and threw it into the fountain. Knigen shook his head. -Nope!- he responded happily. -And it's all thanks to you, sire!- Clopin smiled. -I was happy to help, Knigen,- he said. The two of them embraced, delighted now more than ever. "Clopin!" Clopin gasped and immediately broke up his embrace with Knigen upon hearing the familiar voice. Stunned, he turned towards the exit to the Graswinemodo Tower- and saw Kaylie running towards him and Knigen, along with Patrick, Quasimodo, and the rest of their Pokémon. Happily, he laughed and ran over to his Trainer, jumping into her outstretched arms. -Kaylie, mok am~!- he cried happily. "Clopin!" Kaylie exclaimed. "Oh my gosh, I was so worried about you! It's a good thing that you sent out that message on the OB-1, or otherwise we may never have found you!" -You got the message?- Clopin asked. "Well, of course!" Patrick responded. "What else would you think?" -We were all so worried about you, Clopin!- Quasimodo cried, running up to his friend and tackling him down in a playful embrace. -It's great to see that you haven't been harmed in any way!- -Well, of course I haven't been harmed, Quasi!- laughed Clopin, pushing the Graswinemodo aside and getting back up. -But believe me, I was so worried about you! And now... now that you're all here to see this... I'm just so happy!- He started dancing around. He was so happy to see all his friends again, he was happy to see his Trainer, he was happy to see that Knigen had finally been healed... All of a sudden, he was overflowing with happiness, and he felt like he was going to burst at any moment. Kaylie smiled, delighted to see Clopin so happy. Then all of a sudden, she was blinded. At that moment, Clopin was surrounded by a familiar blue light that made everyone around him, Knigen included, gasp in shock. Kaylie squealed happily, knowing exactly what this meant. "No way!" she squealed. "Clopin, you're evolving!" Delighted, she took out her EvoPhone, and sure enough, the EVOLUTION DETECTED message was flashing on her screen, along with images flashing back and forth between Clopin's silhouette and that of another Pokémon. Knigen gasped- he had never seen anything like this before, given that he had been a recluse all his life. -Sire...- he gasped. As everybody watched in awe, Clopin's body slowly began to change. It grew a bit bigger, along with his wings and beak. Another leaf grew on each of Clopin's wings, which were still incapable of flight. His previously stubby, circular legs slowly started to morph into legs that were more bird-like, growing thinner and eventually splitting into three seperate talons. All the while, Clopin was still dancing around, seeming to not even notice the transformation he was undergoing. The two small leaves on Clopin's head slowly began to fuse together, before quickly growing longer and expanding, the formerly rounded leaf caving in twice to create a three-pointed leaf similar to a maple leaf, except flatter. The dull points quickly sharpened. As quickly as the transformation had begun, it ended right then and there, with the light exploding into pinpricks of blue material that officially revealed Clopin's new form to the world. Kaylie, Patrick, Knigen, and everyone else gasped in shock at Clopin's new form. Clopin was now a slightly larger toucan-like Pokémon whose body shade was now a slightly darker green than he was when he was a Touceet. He retained the leaf pattern on his chest, but inside of it were now two smaller leaves similar to those that had been on his head as a Touceet. On his head was a dark green, three-pointed leaf, and on his wings were two leaf blades. His legs were a lot more bird-like now, and his beak was now a bright canary yellow with two black stripes on it. Excitedly, Kaylie took out her Pokédex to scan the data on Clopin's evolved form: "Toucalk, the Toucan Pokémon, and the evolved form of Touceet. Toucalk is even more happy-go-lucky than its pre-evolution. It is a born performer who enjoys singing, and it can often be found onstage. Type: Grass/Flying. Gender: Male. Ability: Big Pecks. Moveset: Peck, Leaf Blade, Wing Attack, Guillotine." In scanning the data, Kaylie could clearly see that Clopin had forgotten Leech Seed and learned Leaf Blade, which she found to be quite appropriate. Delighted, she put her Pokédex away and ran up to the newly-evolved Toucalk. Clopin, that's amazing!" she squealed, hugging him. "You evolved into a Toucalk!" -I know!- Clopin responded happily. -This is the third miracle that's happened today, mok am!- "Miracle?" Kaylie laughed. "Okay, Clopin, let's not overdo it..." She paused. "Wait, did you say the third miracle? What were the other two?" Clopin laughed. -Well, the second one was seeing you, Patrick, and everyone else come to get me,- he said. -But the first... that was a true miracle, mok am! You see, when I got stranded in Lumiose City, I ran into a paralyzed Pawniard named Knigen. But we're not talking paralyzed as in the status condition- Knigen had been confined to a wheelchair for two years straight!- Kaylie gasped. She'd never heard anything like this before. "What?!" she gasped. "Poor thing!" -I know, right?- Clopin responded, a bit sadly. -But get this: I helped him by taking him here, to the mystical healing fountain that had just appeared at the Graswinemodo Tower. After two baths... he can walk again, and do tons more than that, even! He was healed by the power of Arceus and Jirachi! Oh, I wish you could have been there to see it!- "That sounds amazing!" Kaylie gushed. "Can we see him?" -Well, of course you can!- Clopin replied happily. -Knigen~?- The formerly paralyzed Pawniard stepped out in front of Kaylie and bowed for the first time in two years. -I take it you are Kaylie, the young Toucalk's trainer?- he asked. Kaylie nodded. "And you must be Knigen! Wow, I can't believe you were healed in Arceus' name! That's incredible!" -It is indeed, isn't it?- Knigen responded. Kaylie giggled. Stunned, Patrick turned towards Knigen and gasped. "Whoa!" he muttered. "So you used to be paralyzed?" Knigen nodded. -I couldn't move my arms or legs. Now I can.- He turned towards Clopin. -And it's all thanks to the young Toucalk knight over here.- "That's so awesome!" Patrick gasped. -It is. And I take it you are Kaylie's friend?- "Yeah," Patrick responded. "I'm Patrick. It's nice to meet you, Knigen." Knigen bowed again. -And I am pleased to make your aquaintance as well, Sir Patrick.- Patrick laughed. "You know, I've always dreamed of owning a Pawniard," he said. "And with a story as great as yours... well, how could I not want you on my team?" He stood up and held up a Pokéball. Knigen gasped. -You want to catch Knigen?!- Clopin exclaimed. -Oh, this is my lucky day!- Knigen stared up in shock at the Pokéball. -Are you saying... you want me to travel with you, sire?- he asked, stunned. Patrick nodded. Knigen let out a delighted gasp. -Why, I would be honored!- he exclaimed. -Go on, sire! Make me a part of your team!- Patrick smiled. "Alright then!" he cried happily, throwing the Pokéball. "Go... Pokéball!" The Pokéball hit Knigen on the head, and he was immediately inside in a burst of blue light. It fell to the floor, and as everyone watched intently, the ball shook three times. Then... PING! The center of the ball flashed red, indicating capture. Happily, Patrick ran up and picked up Knigen's Pokéball off the ground. "YES!" he cried happily. "You are mine, Knigen!" "Alright!" Kaylie exclaimed. "Congratulations, Patrick! That was amazing!" Patrick smiled and looked down at Clopin. "I bet you wanna see him, eh, bud?" he asked. Clopin laughed. -Oh, you bet I do, mok am!- he cried happily. "Alright, then!" Patrick cried. "Let's go, Knigen!" He threw the Pokéball. It opened, and in a burst of blue light, there stood the healed Pawniard. Upon seeing Clopin, he happily turned and ran up to him. -Sire!- he exclaimed happily. -Knigen, mok am!- Clopin cried. The two of them hugged. -I must congratulate you on your evolution, sire,- Knigen commended. -Never in my entire life have I seen an evolution, and lo and behold, the first one I ever saw just so happened to be yours!- Clopin giggled. -Oh, thank you, mok am,- he said. "So, Knigen," Patrick asked, "now that you're officially cured of paralysis... what do you want to do next?" -Everything and anything I want!- Knigen replied happily. -Especially with my new friend! My first friend, better yet!- Happily, he pulled Clopin in for a hug, delighted that he had finally been cured of his crippling disease. A whole new slew of possibilities were waiting for him, and now that he was cured, he and Clopin could do anything together. Smiling over at his newfound friend, Clopin began a reprise of his earlier song: -#All we'll see is sky kot kotangard#- Then Knigen, who normally wasn't all that fond of singing, joined in: -#We'll let Feluv pass by kot kotangard#- Eventually, the two of them both burst into song, finishing the rest of the number: -#Mok am, you and I kot kotangard this way -#This way -#All we'll see is light -#As the sun shines bright -#We will be alright kot kotangard this way -#Two friends -#True friends- -#What a perfect day!#- The two of them ended the song on a 10-second note, and afterwards laughed and hugged each other. It had been a day full of miracles, but they could both agree on one thing: their newfound friendship was the greatest miracle of all. And somewhere up above in the heavens, Arceus was watching it all unfold. Seeing what had happened, He smiled. -Knigen... Clopin...- He began. He looked back down at the two of them, delighted to see them so happy, and declared: -I hereby declare your cure... and your evolution... to be miracles of the Graswinemodo Tower.-
Knigen might be my new favorite character! This chapter was so nicely written and heartfelt- when Knigen wasn't cured the first time, I genuinely felt anxious and wanted him to try again. Clopin is charismatic as always and I'm so happy that he evolved, and Patrick catching Knigen was also pretty great! I look forward to your next chapter
Unfortunately, I'm not much of a musical person. Most of my friends seem to be...all of them are going to see shows on Broadway this summer and honestly I can't keep up with all of their trivia XD My musical knowledge is pretty much limited to Hamilton, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Ragtime but that's about it
NOTE: Drac has a very pronounced lisp that is written out phonetically. This chapter was not meant to offend anyone with an actual lisp. If you are offended by the phonetic transcription of Drac's lisp, I sincerely apologize in advance. Also, Newspeak is used. And "Dear Theodosia" is sung in PSP. With that, Chapter 19 of Opal and Garnet is finally here! Pokémon Opal and Garnet Chapter 19: Drac Attack The villanous team of Team Folklore was one Of the cruelest of them all They wanted to catch the legend Pokémon And see the Feluv region fall But poor Drac, he's been labeled a traitor For he just can't cause Feluv harm So he turns to the light, and soon he's in a fight for his life WITH THE ENEMIES OF NOTRE DAME... (de Lumiose) -TRAITOR!- He ran away from them as fast as he could. He could practically feel them hot on his trail. He hadn't meant to do what he did, but poor, lisping Drac- or 2197, as he was called- just couldn't bear to do the terrible things the rest of his group were planning to do. He was working for a team of Pokémon who did the most outlandish things possible- and there was no way he would ever try to do what they were doing. Playing God? That was a straight-up crime. He had to turn to the good side, but now... He was caught. Immediately, he found himself staring into the eyes of Alph, a cold Houndoom and the second-in-command of Team Folklore. His eyes conveyed no emotion but fear as Alph stared down at him coldly. -Thir...- he muttered. Alph growled. -What did we tell ya about showin' some respect for dis team?!- he barked. -Because of you, and your petty little betrayal, you've just become a traitor! Anything ya gotta say 'bout dat?- -I-I'm thorry, thir!- yelped Drac. -I didn't mean it!- Alph grunted. -Dat's what ya say. Now you listen to me, 2197. Yer gonna be under arrest once da boss finds out about this.- Drac's heart dropped. -No!- he gasped. -I don't want to have to fathe Ignotheo again! I've already been thcolded by him more timeth than I can count!- -Well, den, ya shoulda thought of dat before you decided to betray our team!- -I wathen't betraying you... I wath jutht...- -You were just what?- Alph growled at him suspiciously. -EEP!- squealed Drac. Quickly, he bit into Alph's neck, and the snarky Houndoom howled in pain as Drac ran as fast as he could from the entirety of Team Folklore. Alph growled as he saw Drac running off. -Why, you little...- he growled. He tried to run after him, but Drac, being a Flareavamp, was faster. After all, his species was one of the fastest in all of Feluv. Eventually, Alph gave up and walked away, growling and muttering under his breath. Drac, however, kept on running. He wanted to be as far away as possible from Team Folklore, and never wanted anything to do with the rest of the members again. He turned- and saw, much to his delight, that Alph was long gone. He laughed. But all the while, he knew. They'd be coming back for him. Just to make sure that he wouldn't be caught again, Drac ran faster. He wanted nothing to do with his old team. It had been a day since the miraculous healing that had occurred at the Graswinemodo Tower, and as Kaylie, Patrick, and their Pokémon continued their journey to Sedimeg, they could not stop talking about it. Of course, Knigen's healing had been amazing on its own, but coupling that with Clopin's evolution into a Toucalk made it even more amazing. However, while Kaylie's Pokémon were excited about Clopin's evolution, it was actually Switeuk and Couafarac that were the most excited of all. Having not seen Clopin's new form, they were absolutely stunned when they got the news. Both of them gazed at the newly-evolved Toucalk with shock and excitement on their faces. -You're kidding!- gasped Switeuk. -Clopin, that's so amazing! Congratulations!- Clopin giggled. -Bïloktaknüs,- he said. -It is pretty incredible, isn't it, sires?- Knigen agreed, laughing. -After all, the Toucalk's evolution was the first one I had ever seen, with me being a recluse and all.- -Um... il s'appelle Clopin,- Couafarac replied. Knigen looked at him in confusion. Kaylie giggled, having heard all the commotion. "He just said 'his name's Clopin,'" she translated. -I know what his name is,- Knigen responded. -I just can't say it. He told me about the little "close pang" device, but I have no nose and as a result can't say it like he does.- -So... you just call him "the Toucalk"?- Switeuk asked. -He calls me "sire,"- Clopin told them. -Oh,- Switeuk responded. -That makes a bit of sense.- -Speaking of which,- Knigen asked, -what are your names? I never did seem to get them.- -Switeuk,- responded Switeuk. -And the Furfrou's Couafarac.- Knigen bowed. -Delighted to meet you. And I am Knigen, a Pawniard who has been healed by Arceus.- Switeuk and Couafarac gasped. -No way!- squealed Switeuk. -How'd that happen?!- Couafarac gasped. Knigen laughed. -Would you like me to tell you?- he asked. -OF COURSE!- Switeuk and Couafarac screamed, jumping up and down with excitement. Kaylie laughed. While Knigen was busy telling his story to the rest of Patrick's team, Patrick himself turned to Kaylie. He, too, was still excited about what had happened the night before. "You gotta admit, Kaylie, Knigen's healing was pretty amazing," he remarked. "I mean, just think of it. He was confined to a wheelchair for two years and was healed by the power of Arceus?! It'll make national headlines! I can see it now: Coming August 2018: Knigen: Healed by Faith! The new movie of the century!" Kaylie laughed. "Okay, Patrick, let's not get too carried away," she said. "But yes, Knigen's healing was incredible." Patrick laughed. -GAAAAH!- Their conversations were suddenly interrupted when they heard the scream coming from behind them. Confused, Kaylie, Patrick and their Pokémon all turned to find another Pokémon running towards them. As it got closer, Kaylie could see that it was a bipedal, orange bat-like creature with a flame on its tail and head. It had small, red wings that were incapable of flight- or at least they looked it- along with red ears, the insides of which were orange. And it had an absolutely terrified look on its face. The poor thing seemed to be running from something, but Kaylie couldn't see what it was running from. Eventually, it bumped into Kaylie. The Pokémon looked up at her, then at Patrick, then at all of her and Patrick's Pokémon- at which point it let out a scream. Kaylie tried to touch it, concerned. "A-are you alright?" she asked. But the Pokémon screamed again and hid from Kaylie. It shook. -Pleathe... p-pleathe don't hurt me!- muttered the poor Pokémon. It was a male, with a very pronounced lisp. -I've been chathed around all day!- He looked up at Kaylie. -Are any of your Pokémon memberth of Team Folklore?- Kaylie laughed. "Don't worry, we won't hurt you," she reassured him. "And no, none of my Pokémon are members of Team Folklore- whoever Team Folklore is." The Pokémon breathed a sigh of relief. -Oh, good,- he said. Then he gasped. -Wait a thecond,- he said. -You mean to tell me that you don't know who Team Folklore ith?- "Uh... no," Kaylie responded. "Who are they?" The Pokémon shook. -They are the motht evil team of Pokémon you can ever come acroth,- he said gravely. -Their main goal ith to rethet the entire Pokémon univerthe by playing God.- -Playing... God?- Quasi asked, trembling. The fire bat Pokémon nodded. -In other wordth, they want to capture the Legendary Pokémon of Feluv, then uthe thothe Pokémon to try and convinthe Artheuth himthelf to dethtroy and rethet the Pokémon univerthe.- He shuddered. -I'm on the run from them ath we thpeak.- Kaylie gasped. "Wait, what?!" she gasped. "They want to reset the universe by... messing with Arceus? That is evil." The Pokémon nodded. -And like I thaid, I'm on the run from the retht of the memberth. At any moment, they could come to get me.- "Why are you on the run from them?" Patrick asked. "You got some sort of connection to them?" The Pokémon sighed. -Actually... yeth,- he admitted. The group gasped. -What connection did you have, mok am?- Clopin asked. -I uthed to work for them,- he said. -But hearing their planth to uthe the Legendary Pokémon for their own benefit... I jutht couldn't. That'th not a thing that I would ever do, and hearing about it freaked me out. Tho... I had to do what wath nethethary. I ran away.- He sighed. -And now... they're labeling me ath a traitor.- Kaylie's heart sunk. This poor Pokémon had been labeled as a traitor, and was now being chased by the most evil team she had heard of? It was an absolute tragedy. -Well, I have to say, you did the right thing, mok am,- Clopin remarked. Quasimodo nodded. -Still though, it's terrible that you had to go through all that. I bet they're out there right now trying to catch you and take you away.- He shuddered. -And I wouldn't want that to happen to you.- "Me neither," Kaylie agreed, shaking her head. "What's your name, by the way?" -Drac,- the Pokémon responded. -Or, ath they call me, number two-one-nine-theven.- "Drac?" Kaylie asked. Drac nodded. -I'm a Flareavamp, by the way.- "Flareavamp...?" Kaylie took out her Pokédex, and immediately, it started to scan the data on the Pokémon standing in front of her: "Flareavamp, the Flame Bat Pokémon. This Pokémon's flame on its head is used to regulate its body temperature. If both flames go out, this Pokémon faints instantly. Type: Fire/Flying. Gender: Male. Nature: Docile. Ability: Infiltrator. Moveset: Fire Fang, Ember, Wing Attack, Supersonic." "Huh," Kaylie remarked, putting her Pokédex away. "Well, you certainly seem like an interesting Pokémon, Drac. My name's Kaylie, by the way. And that's Patrick." "Hey, Drac!" Patrick cried, waving at him. Drac laughed. -Hi, Kaylie. Hi, Patrick. And who are thethe two Pokémon? The Grathinemodo and the Toucalk?- -That's Quasimodo,- Clopin responded, turning towards Quasi, who waved at Drac timidly. -Quathimodo?- he asked. Quasi nodded. -Delighted to meet you, Quathimodo!- Drac cried cheerfully. -And ath for you?- -Clopin,- responded Clopin. As was to be expected, Drac struggled with it. -I'm thorry?- he asked. -Clopin,- Clopin repeated. -I assume you don't know how to pronounce it?- -No, I don't.- -Well, then let me show you! Ryküte jïlü mok- "kloh-PAH~(n)."- Drac blinked. -Kloh...?- -Need an explanation, I presume?- Clopin giggled. -Don't you worry, Drac, I'd be happy to help! The "kloh" part's simple- it's just like the "clo" in "close." The "PAH~(n)" part'll probably trip you up- don't worry, it has for most Pokémon. To get to that... well, just start by saying "pang," first of all. Go on, try it.- -"Pang"? Like that?- Drac asked. -Cheüt, exactly!- Clopin confirmed. -Now say it again, but this time, I want you to cut off the "-ng" at the end abruptly.- -Okay... "PAY."- -Neüt, mok am. "PAH~(n)."- -"PAY."- Clopin giggled. -"Kloh-PAY"?- Drac asked. Another giggle from Clopin. -"Kloh-PAY"!- Drac cried happily, brightening. Clopin laughed again. He was starting to get amused by all this- and Drac was delighted to see him so happy. -Kloh-PAY,- Drac repeated. Clopin giggled. -Kloh-PAH~(n).- -Kloh-PAY...? Thapgacklerth, thith name ith hard...- -That's perfectly alright, mok am,- Clopin laughed. -Künek sjine.- -Tho... tho I can call you "kloh-PAY," then?- asked Drac, brightening. -Hi, kloh-PAY!- Clopin laughed, and Drac ran up to hug him. -Hi, Drac,- Clopin said. "So anyway, Drac..." Kaylie asked, "who are the members of this Team Folklore?" -Well, let'th thee... I know about Ignotheo... and Alph, and Trapper...- "Who are they?" -Ignotheo'th the leader of Team Folklore,- Drac explained. -He'th a Yakodigger, and he ith evil. Alph's the thecond-in-command to Ignotheo, and he'th a Houndoom, and ath for Trapper... I have no clue what he doeth. All I know ith that he ith a Hydreigon, and he ith ath evil ath Ignotheo. Then again, Alph ith, too... I know there'th a fourth member, but I don't know who he ith... But anyway, they're evil.- "They certainly sound evil," Kaylie responded. "Especially considering they're out to get you." -Indeed, mok am!- Clopin cried. -But don't worry, Drac. Kaylie, Patrick, Quasimodo and I are going to protect you! In other words, you can be with us for a little bit while we search for Team Folklore!- Drac brightened. -I get to be with you?!- he gasped. -Thankth, kloh-PAY!- Clopin laughed. -No problem, mok am,- he said. -But of course, we're going to need to find a safe place for you to stay...- "We could just set up a picnic blanket and stop for a bit while waiting for Team Folklore to come," Kaylie suggested. "After all, I don't think there are any inns around here..." Clopin laughed. -Sounds good to me! What do you say, Drac?- -Ath long ath I'm with you and Quathimodo, I'm perfectly okay with that!- Drac cried happily. -Tho what thould we do firtht? Eat? Play gameth? Wait for Team Folklore to come?- Kaylie laughed. "We can do whatever you want, Drac," she giggled. -Thith ith going to be amathing!- Drac exclaimed happily, going with the rest of the group to a nearby field. -I can't wait to do all thortth of thingth with Quathimodo and kloh-PAY and everyone elthe... Are you going to introduthe me to the retht of your Pokémon, Kaylie?- Kaylie giggled. "Of course, Drac." -Yay!- Drac exclaimed, laughing. -I love you already, Kaylie!- Kaylie smiled. "Thanks." -You're welcome.- With that, the group headed to the field to get their picnic set up. But as he was walking, Drac stopped, then turned and looked at the sky. Somewhere, he knew. Team Folklore was looking for him, and they'd find him at any moment. He'd be arrested for treason, and he would never see Kaylie, Quasimodo, or Clopin again... But then again, with Kaylie, Quasimodo, and Clopin, what did he have to lose? They were about to become his friends after all, and they'd probably help him defeat Team Folklore. Taking his mind off of the team for now, he excitedly followed Kaylie, Patrick and their Pokémon into the field. Still... he wondered how much longer it would be before they came for him. It could be any minute. Orwell sat in the headquarters of Team Folklore, looking up information about the legendary Pokémon. Arguably, he was the most intellectual of the team, but for some reason wasn't so attached to the goal of the team as he was to the Legendary Pokémon themselves. For some reason, he felt anxious about what the rest of the team was doing. Sure, he had agreed to join, but... something was off about them, and he didn't know what. He looked back and sighed. The rest of the team had ran off, going on and on about how "#2197 is a traitor" and "#2197 betrayed the team." But in his mind, he had felt that what Drac had done was a good thing. He looked back towards his computer, his claws clanking at the keyboard once again as he continued his search for the real reason for the legendaries' existence. He knew they weren't meant to be tools of war... but then, what were they meant to be? -#22!- The Crawdaunt, startled, turned towards the source of the voice. Immediately, he saw numbers 1, 2, and 3 coming towards him- Igneousio the Yakodigger, Alph the Houndoom, and Trapper the Hydreigon. He practically shook as he turned their attention towards him. -Yes, comrades, what do you want?- he asked. Igneousio glared at him and started stomping towards him, livid. -I told you to COME!- he growled, in a booming voice that made Orwell scared out of his wits. -I specifically told you to help us capture #2197! And you go and disobey a direct order of mine?!- Orwell glanced up at him sheepishly. -Sorry, comrade...- he said nervously. Igneousio growled. -This is exactly why I hate you so much, Orwell. You spend every moment of your day talking about the legendary Pokémon of Feluv's "true motive." Yet what they are truly destined for is to be used as tools of war!- -You're of no help to our team!- barked Alph. -Ve tell you to come, und yet you do absolutely NOSING!- Trapper snarled in his thick German accent. Orwell sweatdropped. -Well... you see, comrades... I feel that you may be using the lejpokes for ungood reasons. Doubleplusungood reasons, as a matter of fact.- -And that's another thing,- Igneousio snapped. -You and your... strange terminology. "Lejpokes"? "Ungood"? "Doubleplusungood"? WHAT KIND OF WORDS ARE THOSE?!- -I-it is newspeak, comrade...- -Newspeak?!- snapped Igneousio. -What kind of language is that? Ha!- He turned to the other members of Team Folklore. -Ever hear of "newspeak" before?- The rest of the members of Team Folklore shook their heads. Igneousio turned back to Orwell and glared at him. -You want to be a part of this team?- he snapped. -Y-yes, comrade...- stammered Orwell. Igneousio glared. -Then you better start acting like it.- Orwell gulped loudly as Igneousio turned to Alph and Trapper. -So,- he asked, -any success yet in capturing #2197?- Alph and Trapper shook their heads. -Nein,- said Trapper. -Yeah, unfortunately,- growled Alph, -da traitor managed to get away from us.- Igneousio growled. -The nerve of #2197!- he snarled. -Don't you worry. We will find that traitor and arrest him the minute he is in our clutches.- -Excuse me, comrades,- Orwell suddenly broke in, -but, truthwise, I don't think that #2197 committed any thoughtcrime...- -WHEN DID I TELL YOU TO ENTER THIS CONVERSATION, ORWELL?!- boomed Igneousio. Orwell flinched and closed his computer without another word. Igneousio growled. -Seriously, I hate him,- he muttered. -But at least he didn't outright betray the team like #2197 did!- He glared at Alph and Trapper, along with a few other members of Team Folklore. -Find him,- he growled. -And when you do, inform me of his whereabouts. I want him alive.- Alph and Trapper nodded, and they, along with Igneousio and a few other members of Team Folklore, ran out. Orwell held his breath the entire time, then the minute they were gone, he opened up his computer and went right back to his research. He stopped. He stared up at the motto of Team Folklore. It was one he had seen many times, and one that had been repeated every single day at the start of the morning briefing: DESTRUCTION IS RENEWAL TOLERANCE IS INTOLERANCE EVIL IS GOOD WE ARE FOLKLORE All of a sudden, he was starting to feel as though Team Folklore's motives were much less good than he had ever believed. He sighed and returned to his computer screen. -Truthwise... this is tripleplusungood,- he muttered to himself. Kaylie, Patrick, Quasimodo, Clopin and Drac had done a lot over the past hour. In their attempts to watch for Team Folklore's arrival, Kaylie and Patrick had introduced Drac to all of their other Pokémon (Drac was obviously amazed when he heard of Knigen's healing). They had eaten a gigantic feast, filled with a ton of kibble for the Pokémon to eat. Drac had bonded with all of Kaylie's Pokémon, but especially with Clopin, whom he had played a few games with- and whom he still called "kloh-PAY," much to Clopin's amusement. Right now, Clopin was giving Drac some PokeLatin lessons, upon the latter's request. -Thapgacklerth!- Drac gasped, staring at the long list of PokeLatin words in front of him. -Ith that really how many wordth there are in PokeLatin?!- Clopin laughed. -Just about.- -Thith language ith crazy!- muttered Drac. -Anyway, you thaid we would be learning a few thoundth... which one are we thtarting with?- -This one,- Clopin told him, pointing to the "sj" sound. Drac squinted. -Eth... eth-j?- he asked. -Cheüt,- Clopin responded. -Now listen closely. It's said like this: "sssss-ZH."- Drac tilted his head in confusion. Clopin giggled. -Don't get it, do you?- he asked. -Never fear, Drac, I'll show you how it's done. The way I learned it was like this. You have to say the two sounds at first so that they're clearly seperate. There's another PokeLatin sound- the "ch"- and it's pronounced like "sh." Most people are going to say the two sounds so fast that they'll blend into a "ch." You don't want that. You want to keep them seperate, and you want to try to say them slowly. Like this: "ssss-ZH." Now you try.- Drac looked down sadly. -Thanpgacklerth...- he muttered. -Oh?- Clopin asked. -What is it, mok am?- -Ithn't my lithp going to get in the way?- Drac asked. It was the first time he had ever acknowledged his lisp directly in conversation. Clopin laughed. -Of course not, mok am!- he said cheerfully. -Has it ever gotten in the way before this? I could still understand you even with the lisp!- Drac smiled. -Alright, then,- he said. -Thhh-ZH.- -Ca tok sois!- Clopin cheered. -What did I tell you?- Drac laughed. -Now try to say them quickly without blending them into a "ch,"- Clopin continued. -Thzh?- Drac tried. Clopin blinked. -Well... that's a first,- he said. -Never mind the Ekans-and-Boeing 727 mnemonic, then.- Drac brightened. -Did I... did I thay it right?!- he gasped. -Cheüt!- Clopin cried happily. -You got it right on the nose, mok am!- -Yay!- Drac cried happily. He stopped. -What'th the Ekanth and Boeing theven-twenty-theven mnemonic?- he asked. Clopin laughed. -I'll explain what that is later,- he said. -For now though, a question just came into my mind that I'd been meaning to ask you...- -Yeth...?- asked Drac. -Why did you decide to join Team Folklore, exactly?- Clopin asked. -Yeah, w-why?- Quasimodo agreed. -I've been wanting to know that, too. They- they seem like such an evil team, with their goal to destroy the universe and all. So... why would you join a team as horrendous as them?- All of a sudden, Drac's demeanor changed back to the same saddened one he'd possessed when he'd asked Clopin about his lisp. He looked up at all of them sadly. -Here'th the thing,- he said. -I never told you thith, but... before I joined Team Folklore, I wath very conthiouth about appearing in public. When I wath young, I wath bullied by other Flareavamp- and other Pokémon in general- becauthe of my lithp. It wath the wortht thing I had ever experienthed in my life. I wanted it all to thtop.- Quasimodo and Clopin stood there in stunned silence. This was just as bad as Esmeralda's bullying experience- if not worse, since Drac wasn't just teased by Pokémon of his own kind. Even worse, Esmeralda's deformity wasn't all that common, but many other Pokémon and people had lisps, so hearing this kind of story would definitely bring them flashbacks. Drac had started to tear up. -All I ever wanted in life wath not to be judged by other Pokémon,- he said sadly. -That'th why, when I thaw the advertithement for Team Folklore... I wath tho happy. It thaid that Team Folklore would accept everybody and anybody, and becauthe I didn't know of their goalth at the time, I dethided to join them. I thought thith wath finally going to be my chanthe to have friendth and be accepted... and then it all turned out to be a lie.- He sighed. -That'th when I found out about Team Folklore'th true motive, and then, of courthe, I ran away. You all know what happenth next. But thtill... I jutht wanted to be loved... and I thought Team Folklore wath my one true chanthe!- He broke down sobbing. Quasi stared at him in concern and approached him. Truly, this had been a traumatic experience for poor Drac. -Drac...- Quasi muttered. -You poor thing... It's okay. I know what it feels like to think someone's going to love you forever, except their love turns out to be a lie. It's good that you eventually realized the truth before it was too late. Who knows what could have happened to you?- -Yeah,- Drac sobbed, -who knowth?- -Mok am...! This is too heart-wrenching a tale for me to bear...!- Clopin cried, running up to hug Drac. -No one should ever have to go through that!- He sobbed. Drac's crying started to slow down, and he wiped away a tear. -Thankth, kloh-PAY,- he sniffled. -I apprethiate the comfort.- He yawned. It was starting to get late. -I'm thtarting to get a bit tired,- he said. -Can I go to thleep now? It ith getting late, after all.- He had returned to his usual demeanor. Kaylie laughed. "Sure, Drac," she said. She smiled at him. "You know, I've become pretty attached to you," she admitted. "How'd you like to be on a real team in the morning?" Drac gasped. -Wait, are you thaying you want to catch me?!- he cried. Kaylie nodded. -Thankth, Kaylie!- Drac exclaimed with delight. He yawned again and lay down in the grass, trying to go to sleep as the moon rose. But every second, he was constantly filled with worry. What if Team Folklore came back? What if, when he woke up, he was in a cage, having been arrested by the rest of the team? He couldn't sleep with those thoughts running through his head. -Kloh-PAY?- he asked. -Cheüt, mok am?- Clopin responded. -Will you pleathe thing me a lullaby?- Drac asked. -I can't thleep when I have all thethe thoughtth about Team Folklore going through my head.- Clopin laughed and shook his head. -Oh, no,- he said. -Sorry, Drac, but I'm no good at lullabies. But maybe you could ask Quasimodo? He's pretty good with them, I think.- -Alright,- Drac responded, turning to Quasi. -Quathimodo?- Quasi laughed. -Of course,- he said. -Don't worry, I heard you.- -Yay!- Drac cheered. -Thankth, Quathimodo!- Quasimodo laughed and turned to Kaylie. -Um... Kaylie, could you please turn off the TST?- he asked. "Of course, Quasi," Kaylie responded, laughing and turning off the TST device. Drac laid back down, while Quasi cleared his throat and began to sing in a soft, pure voice that enthralled everybody: #Swine gragradogra, gra do gra do mo? #Mo gra swine swine, mo gra mo grado gra #Swine mo swine swinedo gra mo, do gra gra swine mo gra gra #Swine gradogragra graswine gra do mo #Dograsgra gra gras mogra swine swine swine #Swine mo swine, mo gras gra gra, gra swine gragras #Gra swine do swine gra do gras #Mo do gra gra gra swine mo do graswine #Swine swine gra swine do mo, swine gra gra swine do mo #Swine swine gra gra gra mogras dograswine #Swine gras gra gra do mo, swine swine gra mo do mo #Gra mo do gras gra gragra...# He looked down. Drac was sound asleep. Quasi smiled at him, while Kaylie turned the TST device back on. Drac smiled back at Quasi in his sleep, and Quasi laughed. -Good night, Drac,- Quasi whispered. And with that, Quasi, too, fell asleep. Shortly after, so did Clopin, and eventually all of Kaylie and Patrick's Pokémon. Kaylie looked down at the still-sleeping Drac and smiled, knowing that tomorrow, she would have an eighth team member. And the best part was, Drac wouldn't have to face the clutches of Team Folklore again... She yawned. "Good night, Patrick," muttered Kaylie. Patrick didn't say anything. He was already asleep. Kaylie smiled, and eventually, she fell asleep, too. She could barely wait for the next day- and undoubtedly, neither could Drac. Drac slept peacefully. Nothing was worrying him, and he'd had such a great night hanging out with Quasimodo and Clopin. He'd been sleeping for nearly 8 hours, and hadn't even been concerned about Team Folklore's arrival. Still, what Kaylie had said last night had made him extremely excited. Finally, he'd have real friends, and never again would have to deal with his old team! Just the thought of it filled him with absolute happiness and joy, and nearly caused him to wake up... but at that moment, he heard a voice. And- bad news- it wasn't Clopin, Kaylie, or Quasimodo. -Well, look who I caught sleeping.- Drac awoke with a start. He immediately recognized the voice, and suddenly found himself staring deep into the intimidating eyes of Igneousio, leader of Team Folklore. Instantly, he started panicking- he hadn't thought Team Folklore would actually find him. He looked around. He was far away from Clopin and Quasimodo. -H-how did you find me?- he gasped. Igneousio snickered. -Easy,- he laughed. -Trapper's able to see in the dark, and that combined with Alph's extreme sense of smell made him able to find you.- Drac trembled all over. -What are you going to do now?- he asked, terrified. -Why, take you to the headquarters and arrest you, of course!- Igneousio snapped. -It's the least I can do to take you away from your Graswinemodo and Toucalk friends FOREVER!- Drac gasped. It was true- if he was arrested now, he'd probably never see Quasimodo or Clopin again. He was extremely startled. -N-no,- he stammered. -You can't deprive me of my friendthip with...- He was getting more worried and more panicked. He knew he had to do something if he was ever to get away from the clutches of Igneousio. Terrified, he screamed out at the top of his lungs: -KLOH-PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!- Clopin woke up with a start on the other side of the field, far away from Drac and Igneousio. He immediately knew, based solely on how his name was pronounced, that Drac was in trouble and needed help fast. Hastily, he rushed up to Quasimodo and shook him awake. -Quasimodo, wake up!- Clopin cried. -Drac's in trouble!- Quasimodo woke up, groaning. -D-Drac's in trouble?- he asked sleepily. "How do you know it's Drac?" Kaylie asked as she, too, woke up. Clopin looked ahead. -Simple,- he responded. -There's only one Pokémon who ever calls me "kloh-PAY."- He ran off. Quasimodo gasped and suddenly grew a lot more alert. -I-it is Drac!- Quasi exclaimed. -He's been caught by Team Folklore!- "We gotta help him!" Kaylie gasped, standing up with determination. With that, Quasimodo, Kaylie, Patrick, and the rest of their Pokémon followed Clopin to the source of Drac's screaming. All the while, in the distance, Drac continued to scream, -Kloh-PAY! Quathimodo! Help me!- -Don't worry, Drac!- Quasimodo cried. -We're coming!- Clopin reassured him. The group ran as fast as possible, trying desperately to get to Drac and defeat Team Folklore. Eventually, they saw it- a panicked Flareavamp, being carried by a Yakodigger in its excavator claw. Kaylie gasped. "There he is!" she exclaimed, pointing. Meanwhile, Drac was still screaming and crying, desperately hoping that Clopin and Quasimodo would come for him. Igneousio laughed menacingly. -All your screaming and crying isn't going to help you,- he snarled. -You are a traitor, #2197, and I have finally got you.- Drac panicked. -I'll be the judge of that, Igneousio.- -WHAT THE-?!- Igneousio snapped, whirling around. It was Clopin who had said that. He, Kaylie, Patrick, Quasimodo, and the rest of Kaylie and Patrick's Pokémon, were all standing there glaring at Igneousio. Drac brightened upon seeing them. -Kloh-PAY!- he cried happily. Clopin laughed and winked over at Drac, before turning to Kaylie. -Now then,- he said. -Should I finish him off with my "Court of Miracles" battle routine?- The minute he heard that, Igneousio dropped Drac and started heading towards Clopin angrily. -Why you little...!- he growled angrily. -Your Guillotine's not going to get me anytime soon!- Clopin laughed. -You must have heard then, mok am,- he said. -Oh, I've heard,- growled Igneousio. -And believe me, you will go down before you use that puny little Guillotine move on me!- -No!- Drac gasped. -QUIET, YOU!- snapped Igneousio. That did it for Clopin. -It's time,- he said. -Kaylie, if you please~?- Kaylie nodded and started to turn off the TST device, but at that moment... -Don't do it, Clopin.- Kaylie and Clopin turned, startled, as an enraged Esmeralda flew in front of Igneousio, ready to fight him. She turned back towards Clopin. -I'll take him on.- Igneousio laughed. -You puny Mothibell,- he growled. -I'll have you finished within seconds.- -How'd you manage to find Drac, anyway?- snapped Esmeralda. -Oh, I didn't find him,- retorted Igneousio. -Alph and Trapper did. They used their senses to find #2197, and then they told me of his surroundings. They're back there at the Headquarters right now, probably watching me defeat you- and arrest him.- Esmeralda glared over at him. -You won't be arresting Drac anytime soon,- she snapped. -He did the right thing.- -He is a traitor!- Igneousio screamed back. -If anything, he deserves to be arrested!- "Not unless I catch him and put him on my team!" Kaylie declared. "Esmeralda, use Confusion!" Esmeralda nodded, and immediately, her eyes glowed bright red. But instead of Igneousio's eyes glowing red as well, something different happened. Esmeralda's wings suddenly glowed pink, and from the inside of the hollow, bell-like wings, multiple yellow rings came shooting out. The new attack caught Kaylie, Igneousio, Drac, and Esmeralda herself off-guard, as the rings latched on to the top of Igneousio's excavator. They promptly exploded in a burst of psychic energy. Igneousio was thrown back onto the floor, and Esmeralda floated there, confused. -What move did I just use?- she asked. "No idea," Kaylie responded, "but whatever it was, it was powerful." At that moment, she noticed a beeping sound coming from her EvoPhone. She took it out, confused, and saw this message on it in big bold letters: YOUR MOTHIBELL HAS JUST LEARNED PSYCHIC RINGTOSS. "Psychic Ringtoss?" Kaylie asked. "What in the name of Feluv is that?" Confused, she clicked on the words "PSYCHIC RINGTOSS," and was quickly met with a second message: PSYCHIC RINGTOSS: The user tosses rings at the opponent which explode into bursts of psychic energy. The opponent is left confused and will always hurt itself in its confusion. Signature move of Mothibell. "Alright, Esmeralda!" cried Kaylie, putting away her Pokédex. "You've got him confused!" Sure enough, there were birds flying over Igneousio's head, and he was stumbling around, hitting himself in the face with his excavator. Kaylie and Patrick looked at each other and smiled knowingly. It was time. Kaylie stepped forward, Pokéball in hand, knowing that with this one move, Drac could never be persecuted again. "Well, Drac," she said, "you ready?" Drac gazed up at the Pokéball in Kaylie's hand, shocked. He could barely believe that he was about to get caught- but at that moment, he caught a glimpse of the confused Igneousio. He turned back to Kaylie. -Kaylie...- he asked, -thouldn't we defeat Ignotheo before you catch me?- Kaylie laughed. "I don't think he needs to be defeated by an attack," she said. "Because once you're in here, he's going to give up anyway. After all, there's no way he can keep chasing you if you have a Trainer." Drac gasped. Happily, he looked at Quasimodo, then Clopin, then at the Pokéball in Kaylie's hand. With a delighted shreik, he jumped up and pressed the center of the ball with his wing. At that moment, Igneousio snapped out of his confusion. He growled, and angrily looked around for Drac- but once he saw the sight of Drac about to be caught by Kaylie, his expression changed to that of pure horror. -No...- he gasped. The Pokéball opened, and Drac was sucked inside in a burst of blue light. The ball fell to the ground, and everyone held their breath as the ball shook three times. Igneousio prayed that the ball would open and that Drac would pop back out so that he could capture him right then and there... but alas, it was not meant to be. PING! The center of the ball glowed red, indicating capture. Igneousio screamed. -NOOOOO!- he growled. -CURSE YOU, YOU HEATHENS!- "Take that, Igneousio!" Kaylie taunted. "Drac is officially my Pokémon!" Igneousio glared at them all. -How COULD you?!- he snarled. -Thanks to you, my chances of capturing #2197 are RUINED! I was so close to arresting that traitor, and now you go and make him your own?!- He turned away, shaking his head in disgust. -Alph and Trapper are going to be so disgusted with me when I report back to them with this news... how could I have failed? And it was all because of you IDIOTS!- He growled and turned back towards Kaylie. -Just you wait, you heathen,- he growled. -I'll be back. And when I am... not only will I finally capture the legendary Pokémon of Feluv, but I will arrest #2197 at last!- With a lunge, he bounded away from Kaylie and the rest of the group in disgust and anger. Kaylie laughed triumphantly. "I doubt that!" she called. Once Igneousio had left far off into the distance, Patrick laughed and turned to Kaylie. "Well, look at that!" he cried. "Igneousio's long gone!" Kaylie nodded. "And no matter how many times he'll try to arrest Drac, he'll never succeed. After all... Drac is my Pokémon now." She threw the Pokéball. "Come on out, Drac!" The ball hit the ground, and Drac quickly materialized in a burst of blue light. A bit confused at first, he looked around for any sign of Igneousio and the rest of Team Folklore. Then, suddenly, it hit him. He turned to Clopin. -Kloh-PAY,- he asked warily, -ith Ignotheo... gone?- Clopin laughed and approached his new teammate happily. -Cheüt,- he said. -He's gone.- -Thank goodneth!- Drac exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief. Clopin and Quasimodo laughed, and the latter approached him. -Welcome to the team, Drac,- said Quasi, smiling. -You've certainly earned your place here.- -Cheüt!- Clopin agreed. -You deserve to be with us, not with that horrendous Team Folklore group!- Drac giggled. -Don't mention it, Quathimodo,- he said. -Thankth. You too, kloh-PAY.- Clopin laughed- he still found the mispronounciation of his name amusing. Smiling, Kaylie came over to the former Team Folklore member and hugged him. "Drac... you certainly are something," she said. Drac laughed. Kaylie set her new Pokémon down and turned to Patrick. "Well, Patrick... should we continue on to Sedimeg?" she asked. "Actually," Patrick responded, "I was thinking of doing something a bit different." "What?" "Well, since you have a new team member and all that... why not take him over to Lumiose City?" Patrick suggested. "It'll certainly be a great experience for him. I don't think Drac's seen Lumiose before." He glanced down at Drac. "Have you?" -Nope!- Drac responded happily. -Believe me, you don't know how much I want to go there! Ethpethially after hearing about Knigen'th healing at the Grathwinemodo Tower!- Kaylie smiled. "Alright, then," she said. "Lumiose City it is! I can't wait to show Drac all the sights in Lumiose!" -But remember... there's still a new threat we have to face,- Clopin reminded her. Kaylie looked up in determination. "Right. Team Folklore." She smiled back down at all her Pokémon. "But don't you worry. I bet that someday, we'll be able to beat Igneousio and the rest of the team once and for all! Now who's ready for a vacation in Lumiose?" -WE ARE!- Kaylie's Pokémon all cheered happily. With that, Kaylie, Patrick, and their Pokémon set off on their new journey to Lumiose. As she walked, Kaylie was filled with so many mixed feelings. Of course, she was extremely delighted to have gotten a new Pokémon in the form of Drac, but at the same time, she knew Team Folklore was still out there somewhere. And they were a dangerous threat to Feluv that needed to be stopped. One thing was for sure, though: now that Team Folklore was in the picture, Kaylie's journey now was so much more than collecting Gym Badges and Pokémon. It was about preventing a huge threat to the Feluv region- and indeed, the entire Pokémon universe. -So, boss,- Alph asked, seeing Igneousio enter the Headquarters, -what's da verdict?- -Did you manage to capture zat traitor?- asked Trapper hopefully. Igneousio sighed. He hadn't faced a dissapointment like this since Orwell joined the team. -Unfortunately, no,- he growled. -One of those heathen Trainers caught #2197 and made her a part of her Pokémon team.- -WHAT?!- Alph gasped, stunned. -But zat means zat all of your plans ended up in failure!- Trapper pointed out. -I know,- growled Igneousio, looking down. -But there's nothing we can do about it now.- -Ve could try to search out ze traitor again!- Trapper suggested. -Forget it!- snapped Igneousio. -It's not worth it. Besides, we have a much bigger task at hand than capturing that stupid traitor. We need to get the legendary Pokémon of Feluv, and then use them to convince Arceus of our ultimate plan: DESTROYING AND RESETTING THE Pokémon UNIVERSE!- He laughed maniacally, then all of a sudden, turned to glare at the rest of the team. -But this doesn't mean that I won't stop hunting down the traitor,- he snarled. -Orwell may be the most disliked lackey now, but #2197 is public enemy number one. And when I find him...- He laughed evilly. -Mark my words, my fellows: HE. WILL. GO. DOWN.-
