Chapter 22: Unwanted Additions (Part B) by Michael Keens/ Exodus We walked down Route 7 with Danielle staying as close as she could to me, Emily was of course not very happy and just stayed behind frowning, she was jealous, this at least confirmed that we could have something special someday, and as far as I cared, I really wanted that to happen. “Why are you holding my arm?” I asked. “Don’t you like it?...” “No.” “You haven’t dated a lot of girls, have you?” ”What’s it to you?” “Why not start now? Life doesn’t always have to be about Pokémon you know.” “Wha I, um, I er...” I hesitated, “I... don’t have time, I’m going to be a Pokémon Master.” “Are you uncomfortable?” “Yes.” I said firmly. “Why?” “I think you might be cutting off my circulation.” “Don’t you like me?” “I... uh, uhhhh...” “Spit it out.” I looked at me with her deep brown eyes, she was persistent, but innocent, I couldn’t leave her feeling as if she were nothing, I had to lie a little, “You’re too young for me.” “You mean I’m too immature for you?” “Uh, sure.” “And I’m not as good a Pokémon Trainer?” “Um, right.” “And you probably came out of a big relationship with her.” “Whatever you say.” She was practically giving me the excuses I craved for right now, and since it came from her, it might not make her so upset. “Well what if I were to change?” “I don’t know, why don’t you try it for a few years and we’ll see.” I joked, but she took it seriously. “Cool, that means there’s a chance.” I slowed down to be with Emily. “Don’t come and talk to me out of guilt.” she muttered. “Emily, don’t. I’m sorry, I really care about you, but I don’t want to totally destroy her pride.” “You’re forgiven.” Danielle pushed her way between us. “You going to the Kanto Pokémon League?” “Uh huh.” “Then I’ve made up my mind, I’m going along with you!” “What?” “I’ll train Pokémon by your side and earn badges like you, then when we both become Masters, you’re sure to appreciate me!” I slapped my head, I had to convince her not to, the remaining seven months would probably drive me insane if she was around 24-7. “Danielle, what don’t you like?” “You’re finally taking interest in my life!” she squealed, “So that you make our first date perfect! You’re brilliant!” I smiled nervously. “Well firstly I like walks in the park, fancy restaurants, maybe a movie, I love flowers and chocolate so those would make great gifts, I almost certainly kiss on the first date and-” “Yes, yes, yes, but what don’t you like?” “Bug Pokémon.” “Really?...” “Uh huh, they’re creepy, and neither do I like ferocious Pokémon and I can’t stand danger, I hate it, hate it, hate it.” If there was ever a time I wanted those accursed Screwloose Brothers to come back into my life, it was now. A huge explosion erupted in front of us and there stood Cletus, Cassie and Claus. Good enough. “We strike during day or night!” “We attack, with all our might!” “Don’t mess with us, or we shall fight!” “We’re pretty good at our rhyme.” “The masterminds, of crime.” “We always succeed, every time.” “Cletus!” “Cassie!” “Claus!” “If y’all got valuables, yuh’d better block it!” “We put Pokémon in our pocket!” “We’re the best, so don’t knock it!” “We are... Elite Rocket!” “You couldn’t have showed up at a better time!” I shouted. “Huh?” asked Cletus, Cassie, Claus and Danielle. The Elites shook their heads. “You know the drill, this time we’ll get your Pokémon!” shouted Cassie. “Jolteon!” “Flareon!” “Vaporeon!” “You want your butts kicked, that’s fine!” I said grabbing a Pokéball. “Um, Tetsubo, who are these people?...” asked Danielle. I slapped my head and the Elites fell to the floor in disbelief. “Weren’t you listening, bimbo?!” yelled Cassie. “We are the elusive Elite Rocket!” shouted Claus. “What do they do, Tetsubo?...” “They steal Pokémon!” I shouted. “Steal Pokémon?!” she screamed. “Eon!!!” screamed the three Pokémon leaping forward. “Twinkill! Scramble!” I shouted. “Graveyard! Solar!” followed Emily. Danielle was on the floor panicking. I wanted to distract her with perhaps a little danger, but it didn’t feel so good now, she was suffering from total fear. “Don’t worry Danielle, we’ll handle this.” “Graveyard! Focus Energy!” said Emily, her Cubone had rested before we left so it was fully healed. “Jolteon!” “Cu-Bone!” it screamed swinging the bone hard to catch Cletus’s Pokémon, it flew back and then the Flareon and Vaporeon lunged at us. “Twinkill! Water Gun!” “Solar! Razor Leaf!” “Flarrr!!!” “Pooorrr!!!” They screamed as the blasts knocked them back. “Guys, you can’t beat us, can’t you admit that and leave us alone?” “Jolt!” Lightning leaped right back in and blasted Twinkill. “Lightnin’! Pin Missile!” “Jolt!” The needles stuck into Solar. “Ya think so, kid?!” asked Cletus smiling. “Twinkill...” “Star...” it groaned as the paralysis took effect. “Bulba...” He was weakened by the spines embedded in his body. “Scramble! Go! Leech Seed, now!” “Exeggcute!” “Lightnin’! Quick Attack!” He leaped around the seeds and hit my Exeggcute. “Scramble! Hypnosis!” The eyes glowed and the Jolteon looked sleepy. “Poison Powder!” “Cute!” “Jollllt!” shuddered Lightning falling back. “Flar!!!” screamed Heatwave, leaping in and shooting a long flame, Scramble was immersed and had to be recalled. “Cu-bone!” shouted Graveyard hurling its club at Heatwave, it knocked her back but Liquid dived in and blasted Graveyard down with a Water Gun. “They’re down, as always you guys aren’t playing by the rules.” I muttered. “Rules are fer weaklings.” said Cletus. “We’ve won Turquoise, give us the Pokémon.” said Claus firmly. I looked at the others, Emily frowned at the Elites and Danielle was still nervous, the Elites took a step forward, and Danielle threw three Pokéballs into the air and shouted, “Plug! Basher! Spaghetti!” “Raiiii!” “Seel!” “Gela!” “You’re all familiar with your type advantages, do what you must to win!” “Jolt!” “Vapor!” “Flare!” The ‘Eons screamed, they were fierce but damaged, her Pokémon might stand a chance. “Lightnin’! Use yer Double Kick!” “Gela! Gela!” squealed the oddly named Spaghetti ducking and leaping around the quick feet of the Jolteon, then whipping it with its vines, tying it up and lifting him into the air before slamming him down hard. “Flare!” “Seel!” Basher leaped over the blazing flames and jammed its horn down. “Vaporrrr!” “Raiiiichu!” Liquid jumped forward attempting to bite the Raichu, he fell back and would ultimately be bitten, but not this Raichu, he landed on his tail and used it to spring just above the Vaporeon and hit it with Thunder. The three ‘Eons fell back defeated. “Aw naw!!!” screamed Cletus. “Now we’re getting beat by little girls! This is too embarrassing!!!” screamed Cassie as the Elites recalled their Pokémon and ran. “Danielle, you did it... You stood up to your fears.” “No Tetsubo... I didn’t. My Pokémon did, I guess there are some things you don’t get over in a hurry.” I helped her up, she seemed a lot more sensible in this state. “Tetsubo... I don’t think I can travel with you.” “How come?...” I asked, forgetting totally that I wanted her to leave. “You said you dealt with these people all the time, I’m just not ready for that sort of life.” “I’m sorry Danielle.” I replied, then she suddenly kissed me on the cheek. “I’m gonna travel on a less dangerous route, become a better trainer, and I will see you in the League, cutey!...” she said pressing a finger against my chest. “Um, sure.” I just said, she was back to normal. She recalled her Pokémon and skated away back to her place, presumably to get her things together for her journey. “You think I could get a word in now?” asked Emily. “Sure Em’.” “I’m sorry I snapped at you. You were only letting her down gently without hurting her feelings, and if you didn’t look out for others on account of me, it just wouldn’t be... you.” I smiled and we continued on our way, I had a feeling I’d see Danielle again pretty soon, hopefully by then, some other poor fool would have fallen into her web of love. End of Chapter 22B Back to Chapter 22A Next Chapter Back to Story List #21 - #40 Back to the Pokézone