Rapture

Marsh Badge

Misty sat at a table under an umbrella on top of Celadon City’s largest department store aimlessly sipping on iced lemonade.

The door to the roof opened and Erika stepped out walking over to Misty’s table. She smiled and gave a courteous bow as she sat down, “Sorry I’m late.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Misty said without much emotion. Erika would have been concerned with Misty’s attitude, but Misty had been like this for a long time now. It was one of the reasons she wanted to spend more time with the other girl lately.

“Thanks for coming by the way… it’s been so long since the both of us have had a free day to enjoy together.” Erika smiled as brightly as she could.

Misty gave Erika a shallow smile, “You were in Cerulean earlier this month.”

Erika shook her head, “Twice a month isn’t enough friend time!” Erika smiled more sweetly.

Misty’s eyes narrowed, “You’re certainly are smiley today.”

“Well one of us has to be, and since it doesn’t seem to be you right now,” The robed girl chuckled.

Misty rested her head in her hands as she leaned against the table, “I suppose you’re right… but I just really haven’t felt like smiling much at all since… well about three years ago…” Misty said sullenly.

Erika sighed; it always came to this with Misty lately. “Misty… we tried everything. We searched under every stone in Kanto. You can’t keep begrudging yourself like this.”

“I know, believe me I know… it’s just…” Misty thought back to the day Red had gone missing. She remembered how she was so upset when she found out a gym match had been scheduled for her on the day of the tournament. Once the challenger arrived she made quick work of the poor boy and swiftly rode off to the League Tournament grounds.

It was already late into the semi-finals when she arrived and immediately her heart sank when she noticed Red’s name not on the list of competitors who had made it this far. She had brought Red a gift and hoped that maybe it would cheer him up then for not making it to the top of the event.

She was walking toward the registrant area to check and see where Red would be at and found the other Pallet boy, Blue, standing out in front of the tournament grounds just staring at the exit to victory road.

Blue’s foot was tapping impatiently as he stared with unblinking eyes. A sudden chill crept up Misty’s spine as she approached him, “Blue?” she asked quietly. He didn’t so much respond to her as much as his eyes just shifted to her direction, “What’s wrong?”

Blue’s eyes moved back to the cave exit, “Red’s not here, he never made it to the tournament today.”

Misty’s eyes widened, “No way… that can’t be right. This was the only thing on his mind for the past few weeks…”

Blue nodded, “The sun is setting now and no one has seen him or heard from him in days it seems.” Blue gritted his teeth and threw a Poké Ball. His Charizard emerged and let out a fiery roar, “I’m going to look for him…” He mounted his flying Pokémon, preparing to begin a search.

“Blue, wait!” Misty called up to him. Blue looked down with an impatient glance, “You can’t go! You’re still an active participant in the tournament.”

An annoyed laugh escaped Blue’s lips, “You think it would mean anything to me winning this tournament without knowing I was up against him?”

“I know what you mean, but Red would still want it to be someone from Pallet who takes home the title. Win this for him and I’ll go look for him now.”

Blue hopped off his Charizard, and with a “humph” he recalled his Pokémon to its ball, “Alright, but when you find him, bring him to see me so I can personally kick his ass for not being here today.”

Misty nodded, and turned to run toward Victory Road. All this dread she’d been building up that whole week began to surface. Everything she’d pushed off as being anxiety for the tournament was rearing an ugly new head.

Misty searched through every chamber and cavern of Victory road, but found no evidence of Red’s passage through the area. Once out on the other side she quickly called her fellow gym leaders from her cell phone.

Within hours gym members from the good gyms across Kanto had combed throughout the region, checking in every Poké Center and speaking with every police agency searching for Red. All of them had the same thing to report… That no one had any information on where Red could be. It was as if one moment Red had made it to Viridian City, and the next he simply fell off the face of the earth.

By the next day missing person flyers with Red’s picture on it had been placed in every Poké Center in the country. After a week of exhaustive searching though, many of the gym members calmed their efforts.

When Misty got word that they were giving up the search she became infuriated, “NO! We have to keep looking! He could be in serious trouble! We have to find him!”

Brock placed his hands on Misty’s shoulders in a gesture to calm her, “Misty, something terrible might have happened… I’ve received word of three landslides on Mt. Moon this week alone. If Red was caught in something like that… Then well… There’s nothing that…” Misty cut off his sentence abruptly.

“HE IS NOT DEAD! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!” the girl was red with anger. Quickly however her anger turned to doubt. From doubt she broke into tears on Brock’s chest.

Brock didn’t know what he could possibly say to make her feel any better. He rubbed her shoulders consolingly and whispered the only thing he could think of, “I’m sorry…”

Misty wandered listlessly around her gym for weeks. She was being regarded as a living zombie by the trainers passing through. Her eyes constantly darkened by tear stains, and her complexion paled from lack of proper nutrition.

“You love him don’t you?” Misty was shaken from her trance momentarily and noticed her fellow gym leader Erika standing at her side.

“I…” Misty tried to put words to how she felt for Red but, not being able to form them, she settled for a nod of the head.

Erika hugged her friend to her. “I know… and I know you’re devastated right now… but please Misty, we need you to be strong… I… I need you to be strong.” She held Misty tight for a moment and began to feel some of the tension leave her.

“I’ll try Erika… Thank you…”

“Thank goodness,” Erika sniffed debating whether or not she should even share this next bit of information with her, “The council had been discussing placing a new leader to head up the Cerulean City Gym.”

“What?” Misty asked out of shock.

“With the way you’ve been acting lately, they wanted to place someone of strong character who would boost the morale of the gym.”

Misty’s posture sank a little as she thought it over. Though it had shocked her to hear it at first, she couldn’t say this news was surprising either, “Maybe it would be better that way…”

Erika’s head snapped up to meet Misty’s gaze sharply, “NO!” Erika took a few deep breaths before continuing, “No, no, no, no, no! Misty! Listen to you! The leader of this gym must be an example of good nature and justice. That person is you. We need you to stand as an honorable gym leader for the good side.” Erika wrapped her arms around Misty to hold her still for added emphasis.

Misty sighed and returned the gesture, “You’re right Erika… I have to be stronger than this… thanks for believing in me…”

Erika leaned back a bit to make sure the look on Misty’s face was sincere. Once she was certain, she did something Misty never expected. Erika kissed her on the lips.

Misty’s eyes widened and she didn’t know whether she should be disgusted or what was going on, “What… Why did you do that?”

Erika smiled sweetly as if it was normal, “For good luck,” and she immediately turned to leave walking away from a very confused Misty. Misty didn’t know how to take it at all. Did it mean something, was it completely innocent?

The two didn’t speak of it and remained very close friends throughout the time that passed. They would meet in each other’s cities when they could just to talk. Erika usually tried to avoid the topic of Red since Misty always became dreadfully depressed every time he was brought up.

Even to this day without ever mentioning his name, the mere insinuation of him made Misty look so disheartened. It made Erika want to cry on the inside seeing her that way.

Misty shook her head and snapped herself out of it for the moment, “I’m sorry, let’s go do something.” All wasn’t completely lost though.

Erika smiled and the two got up and walked through the department store. The two of them spent a few hours browsing through the many shops. By the time they were done, each of them had several bags draped over their shoulders.

Erika was happy that Misty was laughing and in a good mood, “Miss Erika!” A young girl called running up to them through the crowd, “I finally found you Miss Erika…” The girl stammered, out of breath.
“What is it?” Erika recognized the girl as one of the Gym Attendants.

Once the girl recovered she spoke “Lady Erika, a gym challenge has been issued to you in Saffron City Gym.”

Erika nodded, “Thank you for letting me know, I’ll be there right away.” The girl bowed and ran back to deliver the news.

Misty cocked her head at Erika, “Did I hear her say Saffron City Gym?”

Erika closed her eyes and smiled at her friend, “Yes, I know I’m sorry I never said anything.”

Misty became very confused, “What?”

“You see, with three of the gym leaders missing, the council needed to find new gym leaders to take the reins for each city. Saffron City housed the psychic gym though, so you see the council couldn’t find any psychics to put in the position. But since I have some psychic potential and was already the leader of a neighboring city’s gym, they asked if I would be willing to lead the two gyms at the same time at least on a temporary basis and I agreed.”

Misty shook her head and smiled at her friend, “You’re amazing you know… two gyms at once… that’s crazy! Most of us find it challenging enough to keep up with one gym. How long have you been doing this for now?”

Erika looked up at the sky and thought for a moment, “It’s been over a year now… not quite two I believe… I’m not sure.”

Misty looked shocked, “And I’m just barely finding out about this now?”

Erika cocked her head slightly, “I’m sorry. I suppose it hadn’t struck me as being relevant to our conversations before…” Her expression returned to normal and a soft smile spread on her lips, “I know, come watch the battle at the gym. It should be fun!

Misty thought of how she’d never been to the Saffron Gym before. “Sure let’s go!”

The two chatted as they hiked the short distance between the two cities and snaked their way through the metropolis of Saffron to the gym. They entered through the staff entrance and Erika retrieved the Pokémon she would use for the battle.

Misty watched anxiously wondering what kind of Pokémon Erika would be using in a psychic gym. “OK I’m ready let’s go up to the arena,” Erika’s expression became the epitome of confidence that she always held right before a battle. Misty was so glad Erika was on her side since she knew she’d stand no chance against the trainer should they fight with their native types.

The two entered the arena through the leader’s door, and Misty took a seat on the side lines.

“Alright, send in the challenger!” Erika commanded.

The attendant looked nervous but nodded. Erika took notice as she’d never seen the attendants look as they did now. This meant either the other gym members were defeated very badly, or something else was amiss…

The doors opened with such bright light behind it, all Erika could make out was a silhouette of a feminine figure with long hair. With loud ominous clacks of the shoes the girl entered the arena, “It’s been quite some time… hasn’t it Erika?”

Erika’s eyes widened upon hearing that voice, “It couldn’t be…”

The doors to the arena shut; the light in the room balanced out. Standing before Erika on the challenger side of the arena was Sabrina, the gym’s old leader…

Misty stood from her seat mouth agape, “I don’t believe this…”

Erika shook off her shock, “But you supposedly died in the collapse of the Silph building…”

Sabrina shook her head, “An exaggeration from the spectators, I am perfectly fine, and have returned from a long journey.” A Poké Ball lifted from Sabrina’s belt as if on its own accord and floated several feet in front of Sabrina, “I am not here to challenge you for your gym badge Erika, I am here to reclaim leadership over the psychic gym!”

Erika shook her head, “That is not a decision that can be settled in a battle; that must be made by the gym council!”

Sabrina unrolled an official looking document she had been holding up her sleeve, “Except you see I have spoken with the council, and as it states here in these instructions… should you lose this battle you are to relinquish leadership of the gym back to me.”

Misty shook her head in disbelief… She couldn’t understand how the council would agree to allow a member of Team Rocket to become a gym leader after all the trouble they caused all those years ago…

Sabrina looked right at Misty, “Team Rocket is long since dissolved since the day of the Silph incident. The council is aware of this and also that since then I have been traveling the world training further to become a better gym leader than I ever was before.”

Misty gritted her teeth… how she hated it when psychics invaded her private thoughts. She was so glad Erika never did anything like that…

Erika was still taking in everything that Sabrina had said, “It appears you speak the truth then… Fine. But just because you have turned over a new leaf, do not expect me to hand over control so easily.”

“It wouldn’t be worth it if this was an easy battle,” the expression of Sabrina’s face still rarely changed.
Erika nodded, “Then let us begin…” Erika removed a Poké Ball from her belt and it floated from her hand and opened releasing a Natu.

Sabrina nodded, “A psychic bird, very well, Go Alakazam!” the Poké Ball that had been floating in front of Sabrina popped open and an Alakazam formed in front of her, “Use Confusion.”

A light emanated from the Alakazam which seemed to invert the colors of the room. Natu took the damage but its thoughts remained clear.

“Natu, I want you to use Night Shade.” Natu enveloped Alakzam in a field of Darkness and dealt a strong blow.

“So it knows a ghost type attack…” Sabrina stated emotionlessly, “It’s a shame that’s the only anti-psychic attack it knows… Disable.”

Alakazam threw a sphere of light which impacted Natu’s head causing the last move it used to be locked.

Erika shook her head, “Natu’s psychic moves are still powerful in their own right, use future sight.”
Natu peered into the future and saw a huge burst of mental energy would strike Alakazam.

“It’s nothing Alakazam won’t be able to easily take, use Calm Mind.” An aura surrounded Alakazam raising its psychic attack and defense, “Now strike Natu with Psybeam.” Alakazam began to build energy for its attack.

Erika calmly intervened, “Natu, Me First.” The Natu jumped into Alakazam’s face using Psybeam first with power boosted higher than Alakazam’s own. The attack connected but did not appear to be very damaging.

“I thought as much, Alakazam, unleash your Psybeam now.” Alakazam’s Psybeam went off and impacted the small green bird. Natu began to stumble around as if in a daze.

“No it’s confused…” Misty muttered to herself as she watched.

A small grin appeared in Erika’s face as time caught up with Alakazam. A time vortex appeared over head and a strong stream of psychic energy impacted the Pokémon. Alakazam fell to the ground in a heap.

“Your Pokémon can’t take much more battling.” Erika stated calmly.

Sabrina’s mouth curled into a slight grin at this, “I’m afraid it can take much more than this, Alakazam, Recover.” Alakazam’s body began to glow brightly. As the light faded it was back on its feet looking perfectly fine.

This frustrated Erika some; she knew she would have to get Natu’s health back up as well to keep fighting against Alakazam. “Natu, Wish.”

Natu turned and looked at Erika still confused. Misty slapped her forhead, the look reminded her too much of a Psyduck’s… Erika’s mouth agape she was unprepared for the next attack.

“Psychic,” Sabrina stated simply. The Alakazam gathered its energies into its most powerful psychic blast and threw it at the small psychic bird. The bird was tossed to the side and fluttered around on the ground not able to get back on its feet.

“Return,” the Poké Ball retrieved Natu from the field and floated back to Erika’s hand. She looked up at her challenger and threw in her next Pokémon, “Go Kirlia.”

Misty watched in awe as she saw a Kirlia for the first time. The beautiful small Pokémon appeared floating several inches above the ground. “Attack with Magical Leaf.” The Kirlia pulled out a leaf, charging it with psychic energy it was shot at the Alakazam.

Sabrina’s eyes widened as she saw the large attack flying toward her Pokémon, “Use Protect, don’t let it hit you.”

“Impossible…” Erika commented as the leaf negated Alakazam’s protect and hit at full force.

The Alakazam was thrown off of its feet and slid a few meters backward.

“Now while it’s not expecting it, finish this with Thunderbolt.” Kirlia began to spin building up crackles of lightning around it. Once charged, Kirlia unleashed the out of element attack on the unsuspecting Alakazam. Once the light and crackling faded, Alakazam laid there smoking.

“Return,” Sabrina recalled her Alakazam and another ball floated out from under her cloak. Sabrina stared at the ball for a moment as if contemplating to open it or not, “Go Sableye.” The Poké Ball opened and a very short purple Pokémon with a huge head appeared on the battlefield.

Mysty had heard about Sableyes before but also had never seen one up close. They were recently discovered in caves. They lived their entire lives in pure darkness and feasted upon precious gems. It was a Dark Ghost type Pokémon… the perfect anti-psychic creature…

Erika seemed not to know as much about this Pokémon though, “Kirlia use Confusion.”

Misty had to restrain herself from shouting “NO!” from her seat.

Erika’s Kirlia used Confusion with elegant precision; however the attack had absolutely no effect on Sableye.

“Shadow Sneak,” Sabrina gave the order and Sableye slowly faded from vision seeming to have simply disappeared.

Erika looked around confused, and then the Pokémon appeared in Kirlia’s shadow, hitting her from behind. Kirlia fell forward landing hard on her face. “It’s a Dark type…” Erika was regretting using Natu first now. “Kirlia, get up and use Miracle Leaf.”

Kirla pushed herself from the ground and turned to stare at the Sableye. Pulling out another leaf and charging it with energy she shot it at the smaller Pokémon.

Sableye took the hit, but it did only normal damage. “Now use Shadow Ball.” Sableye lifted into the air and a ball of pure darkness formed before it. Erika watched helpless as her Kirlia had no attack capable of countering the ghost move and took the full attack. The ball burst over Kirlia’s body and flung her off the sidelines of the arena. The little Pokémon tried to push herself up from the ground after the attack, but quickly collapsed. Erika sighed and retrieved her Pokémon to its Poké Ball.

Misty stared in disbelief. The match couldn’t end like this… Erika turned to her opponent and bowed, “This match and the gym are yours Sabrina.”

Sabrina nodded recalling her Sableye. She stepped over to Erika, her shoes continued to make the echoing clacks as she walked across the arena floor. Her hand extended and Erika wordlessly handed her the badges to be given to successful challengers.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I have much preparation to commence. The Council wants me to incorporate Dark Pokémon into this gym for the Kanto region.”

A wave of anger passed over Misty. Of course the council would approve her return if she made a proposal like that… Having a gym for Dark Pokémon in Kanto would mean more gym members. And more gym members of course meant more money…

“I see…” Erika stated looking as emotionless as Sabrina, “I shall remove my personal belongings immediately then,” Erika turned and exited through the leader’s door and Misty followed her. She couldn’t help but throw an untrusting glare at Sabrina. Sabrina’s expression didn’t change; her eyes merely followed Misty until the girl left the room.

Erika was packing her belongings from the leader’s chamber into a bag, “Oh Misty, I’m really sorry, but do you think you could assist me in carrying these to the Celadon Gym?” Erika asked looking her cheerful self again.

Misty looked disapprovingly, “Of course I’ll help you, but are you alright?”

“Of course I am.”

Misty shook her head, “You don’t feel bad for losing this kind of a battle or at least get the feeling something is going on?”

Erika shook her head, “As I told you, this assignment was supposed to be temporary for me anyway, so I’m not attached to this gym in any way. If you’re asking if I feel something is going on with Sabrina’s sudden return… I can’t really say. I detected no evidence of deceit in her mind during our talk. There’s no reason then why I shouldn’t go along with the council’s decision and let her have control of the gym back. She is far more experienced in psychic combat than I am after all.”

“Well my intuition still says she shouldn’t be trusted,” Misty couldn’t help but voice.

Erika sighed, “I know what you mean,” she quickly smiled in response, “But what can you do?”

Misty shook her head, “Well let’s get going then.” The two of them took the bags of Erika’s belongings from the gym and began walking back to Celadon City.

Sabrina stood atop the tower of the gym watching the two girls leave. Once they passed from her field of view the cell phone in her pocket started to ring, “Yes?” she answered. “Yes, it’s done. Saffron is under our control once again…”

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