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Ben's eyes glazed over as he slouched against the counter, staring at the clock. 1 hour and 23 minutes to go. He sighed, slumping forward onto his elbows. I'm sure the hands are going backwards. Beyond a singular customer, tucking into his meal, Hammerlocke Station was deserted. The morning rush was over.
The laughter and conversation from the Freshly Fried kitchen behind him faded. Ben’s thoughts turned back to the route he'd take with his Scorbunny Blaze, through the Wild Area, as soon as his shift ended.
Maybe we'll head to Giant's Mirror? We need to improve our defence if we're to stand any chance against Nessa.
A wet plop, and a slight pressure on his shoulder jolted him from his planning. What the heck? A soggy fry rolled down his arm and his colleagues roared with laughter. Blaze bounced up and down on the opposite side of the kitchen.
“Nice aim, buddy.” Ben laughed, picking up the fry and feeding it to the resident Trubbish, as Blaze bounded towards him.
Helen, one of his colleagues, bustled past to fill up the canned drinks fridge and nodded towards Blaze. “He's talented isn't he?”
“Yeah, he's brilliant!” Ben bent down to ruffle Blaze's fur, “We’re going to collect all the gym badges together.”
“Well, before that, you could give me a hand with these?”
Blaze began stacking some of the cans in the fridge right away, but Ben's cheeks flushed. I have to be more involved at work.
“Good luck getting any productivity out of that slacker,” a third voice cut across the kitchen, followed by a chorus of stifled laughter. “Anyway, a word in my office, Ben.”
Helen raised her eyebrows and Blaze joined Ben in crossing the kitchen to the small office at the back.
The door swung open to reveal a wooden desk, stacked high with documents and papers. Nick, the manager, and Ben's older brother, perched on a stool. His usually sleek black hair was disheveled, and his shirt was creased. He clutched a ball of some sort in his left hand.
“Nick, are you alright?”
“Not really. If you weren't so busy day-dreaming you might have noticed I was late. You know you're going to have to start putting some effort in. If you weren't my brother I'd have fired you forever ago. I'm sick of getting complaints from the other staff.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Yeah but you say that every day. And you don't usually look so miserable about it. And I wasn't late. I've been here since 6am. Why were you late?”
Rising from the stool, Nick's footsteps echoed on the tiled floor as he paced. “Honestly, I had a nightmare of a morning. You know I hate leaving Molly at the Nursery at the best of times, but this morning I was running so late that I forgot to leave her with this.”
He opened his palm and Ben's eyes widened. “Her Soothe Bell?”
Nick nodded, mouth set in a thin line. “She won't settle without it.”
Ben seized the opportunity opening up in front of him. “Well I can take it for you as soon as I get off. She's at Bridge Field right? Blaze and I are heading out that way anyway.”
At this, Blaze twirled, “Scorbunny!”
“I was hoping you'd say that.” Nick looked up, “And I'm presuming you won't mind leaving early?”
Ben knew better than to question his luck and held his hand out for the Soothe Bell, trying to suppress his smile.
But Nick’s expression was serious. “Take a Flying Taxi straight to the nursery. And let me know how she is. And, thanks.”
“No need to thank me. I should be thanking you!” Ben grinned at Nick's exasperated sigh, tucking the Soothe Bell into his satchel. His apron was off before he left the office, following Blaze out the back of the fast food restaurant and into Hammerlocke Station.
After a quick stop at the vending machine for a cold drink for them both, they made their way out into the fresh air to wait for the next Flying Taxi.
“You ready for some battles, Blaze?”
“Scor, Scor, Scorbunny!”
*
Hammerlocke’s ancient city walls glimmered in the late morning sun, and a slight breeze rustled Ben's hair as they drifted above the city and towards the speckled mountains of the Wild Area. Blaze pressed his face to the window. The giant wings of the Corviknight beat above as Hammerlocke disappeared below.
Ben’s favourite bagpipe music blasted through his earphones, setting the tone as he slouched into his seat. Bridge Field wasn't on the planned route, but I'm sure there will still be plenty of Wild Pokémon to train against.
It wasn't long before the Flying Taxi landed. Blaze gave a delighted spin as he jumped out of the cab first, and Ben followed him down onto the soft grass. Vibrant pink and yellow flowers stood out against the green and the spring sun warmed the back of Ben's neck.
“It’s the perfect weather for battling, right pal!”
Blaze punched the air and Ben laughed. This is going to be great.
The Nursery, adorned with tiny pink buds between verdant ivy, and surrounded by gardens and grounds for the resident Pokémon, stood away to the side, at the end of a path of its own. Tapping the Soothe Bell, Ben and Blaze set off.
Patches of tall grass rustled as they ran past, and Ben slowed, poised and ready, as a wild Zigzagoon jumped out.
“Now Blaze, double kick!”
Blaze was ready, as always, launching at the wild Pokémon, swinging back one of his large white feet.
Zigzagoon tried to dodge but Blaze was faster, connecting with the side of the Pokémon’s body, twice in quick succession.
Zigzagoon reeled. But a second later, it lunged at Blaze in an unstoppable quick attack. Blaze fell back a step, eyes narrowed.
“You’ve got this Blaze! Now finish it off with flame charge.”
Flames flickered from Blaze's body and he darted at the Zigzagoon, who couldn't dodge in time. It fainted.
Rushing to Blaze's side, Ben hugged his Pokémon, whose long, cinder scented ears tickled his nose. “Good work, buddy, let's see if any other Pokémon want to battle.”
But as Ben walked back along the path, focused on the movement in the tall grass, a small rock thunked off the back of his head.
“Ow. What was that?”
“Scorbunny!” Blaze jumped up and down, pointing in the opposite direction, towards the nursery.
Ben twiddled with the strap of his satchel. I'd already forgotten why we're here. “Sorry Blaze, I'm coming.”
*
“Oh, I'm so glad you brought this by.” The Nursery assistant beamed at Ben as she took the Soothe Bell from him. “Molly is quite the handful without it isn't she.”
Ben erupted with laughter. “You should have seen it when Nick used to bring her to work. It was chaos. Until she demolished an entire rack of fried mushrooms. That's why she comes here now.”
“Oh my. Well, I'm sure she'll appreciate this as much as we will.”
“Nick wants to know how she's doing. What should I tell him?”
“Well, she's certainly enjoying herself,” the nursery worker frowned, “and she's been playing a lot – ”
“That'll do, thanks!”
Ben left the nursery and pulled out his Rotom Phone to leave a quick message for Nick. Then the pair set off once again.
*
Staring into the tall swathes of grass that meandered across Bridge Field, Ben's enthusiasm ebbed. Each blade remained stubbornly still.
“The Wild Pokémon must have seen the Zigzagoon battle, they aren't – “
Thud.
Ben scanned the horizon.
Thud.
The ground quivered. Embers sparking, Blaze hopped to Ben's side, kicking his large white feet.
Thud.
A pair of short black ears appeared over the crest of a small hill in front of them. A Snorlax! The corners of Ben's lips twisted into a grin.
“You ready?”
Eyes narrowing, Blaze's head dipped.
“Let's go!”
Exploding into the path of Snorlax, shrouded in leaping flames, Blaze launched. His right foot extended, connecting with a thump. But he was thrown back, rebounding off the wild Pokémon's bulk.
Huh? Snorlax didn't even flinch. There was no time for further instructions as Snorlax body slammed into Blaze.
“Are you alright?” Ben raced to Blaze's side, but the Scorbunny was already back on his feet.
“Let's try from above…”
Nodding, Blaze caught his meaning and leapt into the air, not a second too soon. The ground quaked where he had stood just seconds earlier.
Then Blaze plunged. Cloaked in fire, he plummeted like a meteor, straight into Snorlax.
This time Snorlax fell back. As Blaze somersaulted into a landing, the wild Pokémon staggered, his movements slow as if moving through treacle.
“Great shot Blaze! You got the paralysis! Now, go for the double kick!”
Hopping from foot to foot, Blaze hoofed the still dazed Snorlax with two feet to the chest. Snorlax wobbled, his steps unsteady.
“Scorrr!” Blaze's growl was low and his head lowered.
“Sucker punch? You sure – “
Snorlax prepared to jump.
“Go for it!”
Blaze lunged at Snorlax. Flames trailing in his wake, his fist collided with the wild Pokémon.
Snorlax fainted.
Flipping back to Ben, Blaze's excitement was infectious. The pair high fived and Ben fished a Sitrus berry out of his satchel which Blaze scoffed with appreciation.
But their battle hadn't gone unnoticed.
A Gyarados lurked, tail thrashing in the air above a nearby lake. Ben gulped.
“I think we better run!”
As raging waves of water twisted in pools behind them, Ben and Blaze sprinted to the shelter of a cliff face.
Gyarados roared and the air hummed with its power.
“There, make for that gap.”
Ben directed Blaze who as usual was already ahead and they squeezed into a cave.
*
Blaze pressed himself into Ben's legs as a wall of water battered the cliff face.
“Excuse me,” A voice cut above the noise of the cascading water, and Ben jumped, noticing with alarm that a small fire flickered against the far wall of the cave. We're not alone.
“Why have you led an angry Gyarados straight to my hiding place?”
“I didn't know…tried to escape….”
Tripping over his words Ben spluttered. But the voice broke into laughter.
“I'm joking, come and join us.”
Blaze led the way to the back of the cave which Ben was surprised to see opened out into a spacious cavern.
“It's cool right?” The owner of the voice, a young woman with curly green hair, gestured to the campfire. “Feel free to cook if you need to. I was about to leave until you brought chaos to the door.”
The flames heightened as Blaze prodded the fire with a fresh stick.
“Sorry about the Gyarados. I'm sure it won't hang around too much longer. Where are you heading?”
“Up to Stony Wilderness. There's a Dynamax spot in a Pokémon den. According to my sources, it should be a Duralodon.”
Duralodon! That's a powerful Pokémon. Fighting against it could be great training for Nessa. Blaze must have been on the same page as he reappeared, leaping up and down beside Ben.
“Wait, you're a Pokémon trainer too?” Ben cast about, searching for signs of a Pokémon beyond his own Scorbunny.
Grinning, the young woman held out a red Poké Ball. Two black stripes adorned the sides where the two halves of the ball met.
A Cherish Ball. I've never even seen one of those before.
“Just me and my Venusaur, Petal,” she said, “do you guys want to tag along?”
“Scor, Scor, Scorbunny!”
“Yeah! Let's do it! I'm Ben by the way.”
“Sophie, nice to meet you.”
*
With the sun at its zenith, the small group set off from the cave, spirits high.
Duralodon should be weak to fighting type moves. Blaze can dynamax and get the most out of his fighting moves. But Duralodon might have a rock type attack. We'll have to look out for that.
While Ben thought over his strategy, Blaze weaved between Sophie's ankles. They crossed the field, skirting the patches of tall grass.
“He's so energetic isn't he?” Sophie said, pausing to stroke Blaze's ears.
Ben snapped back to the present. “Yeah. He's been the same since the day he hatched.”
“You hatched him yourself?”
“Yep! I was just a kid. I'd been carting the egg in a backpack for ages. I was visiting my grandpa in Motostoke when it finally happened.” This time, Ben bent down to ruffle Blaze's fur. “Best day ever.”
“Does he ever travel in his Poké Ball?”
Shaking his head, Ben laughed. “No, he refuses to stay put. Always has. He even comes to work with me.”
Sophie's eyebrows disappeared into her green fringe. “I could never do that with Petal. She's too big for most indoor spaces. And she always wants to battle. It's why she's in her ball right now. It would take three times as long to get to the den otherwise.”
“I know what you mean,” said Ben, ”Blaze could have evolved by now, but our apartment is so small and he'd have to go to Poké Work without me. I'm pretty sure that's why he keeps refusing. But we're still going to become Champions of Galar one day.”
The group passed beneath the enormous brick arches of the Route 5 footbridge. It won't be long before we're up there on our way to Hulberry.
“Oh look! Berries!”
Sophie stopped to pick up a handful of fallen berries and Blaze helped. Ben smiled.
“So, how'd you meet Petal?”
“I caught her myself! My aunt lives in Pewter City, Kanto. I used to spend the summers there as a kid. We went for a picnic in Viridian Forest and ran into Petal, though she was a Bulbasaur then.”
“You must have trained together a lot since then?”
Nodding, Sophie said, “I did tell you she loves to battle. I'm always looking for ways to test her. Like Duralodon for example. You probably think I'm crazy. Duralodon is resistant to grass and immune to poison, right?”
“True enough.”
“You'll see. We have something up our sleeves.”
Ahead, a bundle of jagged grey rocks stood out from beneath a moss covered standing stone. A strange beam of maroon light rose like a pillar. That must be the den.
“Still up for it?” Ben whispered, kneeling on the springy carpet of moss beside Blaze, who nodded.
“Well, we can do this. Just be careful of any rock attacks. With any luck it will target Petal first.”
At this, Blaze's leg swung forward and a pebble bounced off Ben's forehead.
“Ow! Alright, I'm just saying be careful.”
“Who's that?” Sophie pointed to a figure in front of the rocks.
Shrugging, Ben said “Maybe another challenger?”
As the group approached the den, Ben was proved right.
“Looking for the Duralodon den? It's right here. I'm Aaron by the way.”
“Thanks. I'm Sophie and this Ben.”
“Hey. So what Pokémon have you brought? Surely you have more than that little shrimp?” Aaron pointed to Blaze who sparked.
Ben curled his fist but it was Sophie who answered. “It won't matter who we battle with, if we work together. We can sync up, strategise. Right Ben?”
Battle together? That wasn't what I was thinking. How can Blaze win if he battles with someone else?
Blaze tugged the leg of Ben's cargo pants and he realised that Sophie and Aaron were waiting for an answer. Ben scratched the back of his neck and mumbled a hesitant yes. He couldn't meet Sophie's eyes.
“Well whatever losers, I came to win. I won't need your help,” scoffed Aaron, “shall we go in?
Blaze squared his stance, flames licking at his heels. So did we.
“We're ready. Sophie?”
A red blur whizzed into the air and a Venusaur roared. Aaron rolled his eyes.
“Oh, we're ready.” Sophie smiled.
*
Inside, the gloomy den glowed with the same maroon light that could be seen from outside. An unusual wind whipped around the challengers, and their Pokémon, as they braced against it.
A roar echoed through the dark.
Ben's nails dug into his palms as his hands balled into fists. His jaw clenched. Blaze can do it. He's fast, powerful.
The walls shook and several loose stones fell. A towering Duralodon loomed above them.
“That’s not a Dynamax Duralodon, it's Gigantamax!”
Aaron's voice cut over the noise. “It’s still no match for us. Go, Lucario!”
A yellow and black Poké Ball whizzed past Ben's right ear and Lucario landed in a fighting stance.
A Lucario? Well, we can still win.
“All right! Blaze, Dynamax! Max Knuckle!”
Ben ignored Aaron's curse as light swirled around Blaze. His Scorbunny grew larger and larger, before hurtling towards Duralodon, a fist of fire crashing into a steel body.
Duralodon swatted him away like a fly.
Blaze fell back, bouncing on his yellow soles.
“Now Lucario, Aura Sphere!”
As the gathered power of Aura Sphere smashed into Duralodon, the giant Pokémon reeled. Aaron cheered.
“Petal, Earthquake.”
There was only a split second to react but Blaze was ahead of the plan already. Ben nodded, and his Scorbunny threw up a Max Shield.
The whole den ruptured and rattled.
Lucario fell to his knees.
Duralodon staggered and bellowed in anger.
Wow. Petal is strong. Ben's heart raced. Thank goodness Blaze is quick. Any slower and he would have been wiped out.
The air surrounding the giant Pokémon turned purple.
Sophie yelled, “G-Max Depletion, look out!”
As Lucario charged towards Duralodon, the purple light whipped around, swirling around each Pokémon.
“Dodge it Blaze!”
But there was no where to go, and no where to hide.
The attack collided with the challengers and their Pokémon alike. Everything went black.
They were swept out of the den.
*
Back out in the bright sunshine the group blinked.
“That was all your fault.” Aaron pointed at Sophie, eyes narrow. “You almost took Lucario out with that Earthquake. You could have warned me.”
“And you,” Aaron rounded on Ben, “everyone knows the most powerful team member should be the one to Dynamax. You wasted it with…that.” He waved a hand towards Blaze, who was sleeping, exhausted in a nest of moss.
Ben's teeth clenched and he took a step towards Aaron. “Blaze would beat your precious Lucario any day!”
“Maybe if we had worked together things would have been different?” Sophie's sweet smile was the picture of innocence.
Ben's anger turned to something more complicated. Suddenly he wanted nothing more than to go back to his apartment and curl up watching anime with Blaze.
But Aaron was still furious.
“I don't need to battle with anyone else. We train all the time. It's all I ever think about. Me and Lucario are going to be Champions soon, you'll see.” With that, Aaron stormed off towards Hammerlocke.
Is that what I sound like too? I thought Blaze and I could handle it alone.
“Why didn't you have my back? We at least could have worked together.” Sophie's expression flickered between anger and hurt.
Ben tugged his earlobe. She's right. I just wanted to win alone. I'm no better than Aaron really.
But as Ben looked up to apologise, Sophie had slumped down on the rocks, facing the opposite direction.
Ben sat, head in his hands, next to Blaze. A gentle breeze danced across his skin but Ben didn't feel it.
He thought back to Blaze weaving around Sophie's ankles and helping her with the berries. And before then, when he'd rushed to help Helen with the drinks at work. A job I should have done earlier, but I was too busy thinking about myself and Blaze, as usual.
I can be a real jerk sometimes. Blaze loves working with others. I should have given him the opportunity. He deserves more than a trainer who only thinks about himself.
Dragging himself to his feet, Ben hunted in his pack for the camping stove and pan. After setting them up, he trudged towards Sophie.
“Hey listen, you're right. I'm a jerk. But I am sorry. I get so focused on my goals, I forget to consider everyone else.”
Silence.
Scratching the back of his neck, Ben huffed. “If it makes you feel any better, my co-workers hate working with me too…But, I'm making some food for Blaze and I, I can make some extra for you and Petal too?”
Silence.
Shoulders slumped, Ben gave up and turned away.
“Fine. But I'm cooking.”
At the sound of Sophie's voice, Ben whirled around.
But his foot slipped. He teetered backwards, arms flailing.
A vine wrapped around his waist and hoisted him back to his feet.
“Saurrrrr!” Petal's front feet pounded the ground and Sophie stroked her head.
“Thanks Petal. I'm sorry…” Ben floundered for the right words.
“It's alright, we're not jerks.”
Ben's gaze snapped to Sophie's and her lips twisted into a grin. “Come on, let's eat.”
*
The scent of Sophie's curry made Ben's mouth water and the bustle around the stove woke Blaze.
Ben snuggled his ears as Blaze nuzzled against him. “I'm sorry buddy, I know I made the wrong choices.”
“Pfft,” Sophie snorted and Blaze rushed to her side, hopping up and down on the spot, trying to see into the pan.
Though she seemed to be fighting against it, Sophie soon burst out laughing.
“Blaze,” Ben said, “It's not ready yet.” Turning to Sophie, he added, “Smells much better than anything I've ever cooked!”
It wasn't long before the small group were eating together. Blaze and Petal had become fast friends and Ben and Sophie exchanged a glance at the unlikely duo.
Gesturing to his bowl of mushroom medley curry, Ben said, "It's delicious.”
“Thanks. What'll you two do now?”
“Probably head back home to Hammerlocke. You?"
“You don't want to try again?”
Despite Ben's suspicions, Sophie's expression was serious.
“I mean, I'd like to try actually working together. If you still want to?”
Sophie nodded. “But this time, you'll listen to my plan…”
*
“Alright everyone, let's go.” Nodding towards Ben, Sophie stepped forward. He followed her lead.
Blaze bounced in place and Petal roared.
The walls and ground of the den shook. Duralodon thundered into sight, rocks falling from the ceiling of stone.
Sophie's eyes were determined, focused. Light bloomed around Petal and she grew larger and larger, almost filling the den.
“Now Blaze!”
Ben pointed and Blaze disappeared into the air.
“Max Quake!” Shouted Sophie.
The ground split, ripping apart and rumbling. Stone bit into Ben's palms as he knelt. It's so much stronger than before! Sophie was right.
Duralodon’s anger reverberated through the den as it reeled.
Blaze dived, feet first from above, crashing into Duralodon, who barely seemed to notice.
But Ben high fived him, and Blaze puffed out his chest. Sophie cheered. Perfect. Everything's going to plan.
“Get ready buddy!”
But this time, no purple light whipped out towards them. Instead, thunder swirled above Petal and lightning shattered the air.
Petal’s Max Shield raised, just in time. Lightning deflected, chipping slices of stone from the walls of the den.
This isn't what we planned for. Max Shield has used one of Petal’s Max moves. Now there's just one left!
“Don't panic. Stick to the plan.” Sophie said over the noise.
“OK Blaze, same again. Avoid the Max Quake.”
Blaze used Bounce, springing into the air where the Earthquake couldn't affect him.
This time the quake brought down a wall and Ben jumped to the side to avoid the falling debris. Dust swirled.
It has to have fainted. It couldn't withstand that, could it?
But the Duralodon was still there. It staggered, tottering and unsteady. But it was still there.
Blaze once again dived into the Duralodon. This time it took a step back.
Heart pounding in his ears, Ben tried to think.
“Get ready, it could be Max Rockfall.”
Blaze narrowed his eyes. To Ben's left, Sophie prepared Petal for the worst.
But it wasn't purple light or rocks that emerged. It was a Max Steelspike, erupting through the ground beneath Blaze.
“No…” Ben sank to his knees. Sophie covered her face.
But there, struggling to his feet, Blaze was getting ready to battle.
“You're alright?”
Blaze looked over his shoulder, swaying from side to side. But his eyes were bright, his fist punched the air.
“Sophie, he's alright!”
Sophie whooped. But then she said, “We won't survive another hit. But Duralodon is weak too. It has to be now.”
“Scorrr!” Blaze's expression turned serious. He crouched, almost falling forward before regaining his footing.
“Now, Sucker Punch!” As Ben pointed, his breath caught in his throat.
You can do it Blaze.
Hurtling at Duralodon, fist outstretched, Blaze’s attack connected with a crunch.
Duralodon lurched backwards. Ben's heart stopped.
But then it fell. Duralodon fainted.
Rushing to Blaze's side, Ben was soon joined by Petal and Sophie too. Blaze nuzzled at his cheek and Ben pulled him into a tighter hug.
“I'm so proud of you, buddy.”
*
Lavender and orange painted the sky when the group emerged from the now empty den. The last of the sun's rays peeked out from between the mountains. Blaze and Petal chomped through a pile of berries, regaining their strength.
Toeing the ground, Ben broke the silence. “I don't think we've ever had such a fun Pokémon battle. Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“Thank you for finally working with me. You know, deep down, I don't think you're really a jerk. You just act like one sometimes.”
Ben's laugh echoed in the quiet dusk. “I'm going to work on it.” He turned to Blaze, who was chasing the leaves that Petal fired towards him “I owe it to this one.”
“You make a great team,” Sophie said, patting Petal's head.
“So do you two. If you want to battle again sometime, we'd like that, right Blaze?”
“Scorbunny! Scorbunny!”
The trainers swapped numbers and made plans to tackle another Dynamax den the following week. Then, they went their separate ways.
***
“Excuse us, coming through,” Ben said as he and Blaze, carrying a stack of take away boxes, cups, and condiments, bustled through the Freshly Fried kitchen.
“That's every day this week you've actually joined in at work.” Nick poked his head out of a fridge, ticking off items on a clipboard as he talked. “Keep it up little bro.”
Blaze back-flipped and Ben laughed at his excitement. “Oh, we plan too. But we're heading out to the Wild Area after this. Do you want us to check in on Molly?”
Nick's cheeks flushed. “If you wouldn't mind?”
“We don't mind at all do we?’
“Scor, Scor, Scorbunny!”