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"Alright. Ready to go?"
"Yep! All set!"
"Ok! Then let's head out!"
Friede, with Cap perched on his left shoulder, exited the Brave Olivine and walked upon a dirt path. Following him was Roy, alongside his Fuecoco which he held in his arms. Today, Friede was called in by someone he knew for a specific job. He accepted it as they could always use the money to stock up on supplies or to repair anything. Like always with these types of jobs, Roy wished to come along and, like always, Friede allowed him too, as much as he probably shouldn't have. Friede knew how energetic and hyperactive the magenta-tufted boy was so eventually he learned to adhere to Roy's wishes and allowed him to come along.
Not that Friede minded. He always liked the company, and was pretty good with kids. In his training to become a professor Friede had to teach a classroom full of kids about Pokemon, so he had experience in dealing with them. Besides, even if he never outright said it, it was clear that Friede had grown quite fond of both Liko and Roy in the short amount of time they've joined the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Speaking of Liko…
"How come Liko didn't want to come along with us?" Friede turned to face Roy, who was off to the side of him. Usually Liko would also always tag along if Friede was going to do some kind of job, so it was odd for her not to come.
Roy shifted his gaze towards Friede. "She said she had homework to finish."
"Oh ok." Friede looked forward again. Liko was always on top of things, and also a pretty responsible person. It makes sense. Then something clicked within Friede's mind. He turned back to face Roy again. "Did you finish your homework Roy?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uhhh…." A bead of sweat rolled down Roy's face. "I did some of it…"
"Roy." Friede said with a slight stern tone.
A sheepish expression developed on Roy's face. "I…haven't started it yet." Roy rubbed the back of his head with his left arm, carrying Feucoco with the other.
Friede let out an exasperated sigh. This wasn't the first time this has happened. If Liko was responsible, Roy was…a little of the opposite. It's not like the boy was entirely irresponsible, it was more so he procrastinated in that he would rather go out and adventure rather than do his school work.
"I promise I'll do it when we get back!" Roy affirmed.
Friede shook his head a little before, donning his signature smile. "Alright I believe you." Friede trusted Roy in his words. The boy may be a procrastinator, but he never went back on his words. Besides, when he does focus on his school stuff, he does finish it rather quickly. "Just make sure to actually do it when we get back. The last thing I want to do is to contact your grandfather about it."
Roy nodded his head. "Don't worry, I will!" He spoke energetically. Roy shifted his gaze down at Feucoco, who he was still carrying. He booped the fire croc on the snout playfully, causing it to giggle lightly, before he snapped his sight up back at Friede. "So where are we even going?" He curiously asked.
"There's a little town up ahead. A colleague of mine should be there, and will tell us what kind of job he has for us." Friede explained.
"Oh. Alright." Roy took his sights forward and was silent for a couple of seconds before speaking up again. "Wait so you don't know what type of job we're doing?" He asked, staring upwards at Friede again.
"Nope." Friede simply replied. "My colleague will tell us when we met him."
"Okay…but wouldn't it make more sense if he had just told us before we met up with him?" Roy asked, tilting his head to the side.
"I-" Friede thought about what Roy had said. Huh…now thinking about it…yeah that would make a lot more sense wouldn't it. "That would have made things easier…" Friede quietly murmured.
"Pika…" Cap facepalmed, disappointed by his trainer's clumsiness.
Ten minutes later of just purely walking, Friede and Roy have finally arrived to the town. It was pretty small, just as Friede described it as. People and Pokemon were outside either walking or standing around. It was a pretty comfy and chill environment.
"Ok we're here. What next?" Roy looked at Friede.
"Well he said to look for a place that had the name 'Blasters' on it." Friede began looking around for anything that had that name on it.
Roy did the same as well. "See anything Fuecoco?" He asked the little fire croc, who was perched up on head.
"Fuee….Fueco!" Fuecoco pointed at a building with his stubby arms.
Roy looked over to where his Pokemon pointed at. His eyes landed on a building with a sign that said 'Blasters'. "Good job buddy!" Roy petted the fire croc on his head. "Friede, over there!"
Hearing his name being called, Friede looked at Roy and Fuecoco, before shifting his gaze to where they were both pointing at. Surely enough it was the place. "Well done you two! Let's head inside."
Roy smiled at the compliment, and rubbed the under part of his nose with his finger, before following behind Friede.
Once inside the building, the pair glanced around the place. It was filled with a bunch of middle-aged people and their Pokemon. Most were up in the front, sitting on stools as they leaned on the wooden counter. Others sat at tables that were littered around the joint. A group of men were in the corner playing, what looked like to be a game of pool. The air smelled fruity and kinda sweet almost. The entire area had a rustic feel to it.
"Stay close to me Roy." Friede said, as he walked deeper into the establishment.
"Ok." Roy stayed close by the white haired man's side. His magenta eyes were still looking around the place. He's never been in such an odd place before. It looks like something his Gramps would visit. Roy definitely stuck out as he was the only kid around here in this entire building.
"Hey Friede!" A voice called out.
Turning his head, Friede saw a man sitting by one of the wooden tables. The man was wearing a red baseball hat, a navy blue jacket, and also appeared to be somewhere in his thirties. A Magmar stood right next to him.
"Gerald!" Friede called out in recognition. He walked up to the table, and sat across from Gerald. "It's been quite a while. How have you been?"
"I've been pretty good." Gerald's eyes shifted a little as he noticed Roy sitting down next to Friede. "Is this kid with you?"
"Yep!" Roy chirped up. "I'm Roy, and this is my partner Pokemon Fuecoco!" He introduced himself and Fuecoco.
"Coco!" The little fire croc cried out.
Gerald tipped his hat towards Roy. "Nice to meet ya kid." The man's eyes then snapped towards Friede, a serious expression on his face. "Now down to business."
Friede also gained a serious expression on his face. "Right. What job do you have for us?"
"Well there's been reports of a known Pokemon poacher in the area, specifically in the nearby forest." Gerald explained.
"A poacher?" Friede echoed. Not the ideal job that Friede wanted, he was kinda hoping for a 'drop off this package' type of job, but he's dealt with poachers plenty of times in the past so this shouldn't be too big of a problem.
Gerald nodded his head. "That's right, and this ain't just your run of the mill poacher either."
Roy tilted his head curiously. "What do you mean?"
"I mean this poacher is one the most infamous, most wanted poachers of them all." Gerald slid his Rotom Phone on the table, a wanted picture was plastered on the screen. "His name is Anarkis."
Both Friede and Roy looked at the photo. It showed a tall muscular man with tattoos on his face, wearing a black cloak. Next to him was an intimidating and fierce, pitch black Haxorus.
"Woah." Roy uttered. This guy was menacing, especially his Haxorus. Roy didn't even know Haxorus could be black like that!
Gerald pockets his Rotom Phone. "Woah is right. This guy has been on the loose for awhile, stealing and capturing Pokemon. He's avoided justice for far too long. It's why I contacted Friede once we finally got his location. It's important that you beat and catch this guy.
Friede waved his hands in front of his face. "Woah woah woah, hold on a second. You didn't mention anything about this being a super important job!"
"Huh I didn't?" Gerald scratched his left cheek. "Did I forget to mention that in the email?"
"Yes!!" Friede exclaimed, now standing up from his seat. Man, was this how it felt to be on the other end of this?? No wonder the crew gets so miffed by it!
"Oh…" Gerald rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well you know now!"
Both Friede and Cap facepalmed.
"Thanks Gerald…" Friede muttered, rubbing the bridges of his nose.
"Don't mention it." Gerald voiced, still somewhat bashful.
Roy watched the interaction, slightly amused by the irony of it all.
Friede and Roy now stood just right outside the entrance of Blasters. Friede was staring at his Rotom Phone, looking at what Gerald had just sent him. The reported location of Anarkis and his Haxorus.
"What's the plan now Friede?" Roy asked. The magenta-tufted boy was brimming with excitement, and was ready to take this poacher guy down! It was gonna be awesome!!
Friede pocketed his Rotom Phone and looked Roy dead in the face. "The plan is that I go on to pursue this guy, while you ride on Charizard and head back to the Brave Olivine."
Roy's face dropped. "W-what?? Why???"
"Because Roy, this is serious and you could get hurt." Friede spoke with a very firm and rigid tone of voice. Quite unlike the laid-back nonchalant tone, the white haired captain usually had.
"It's just a poacher, I've dealt with them before! Remember that time with Bramblin?" Roy tried calling back to the time he and Liko had to face a group of poachers.
Friede stood firm, not budging at all. "Those poachers are nothing like this one! You and Feucoco can't handle it, you're not ready! Just go back to the Brave Olivine where it's safe, and let Cap and I handle this."
Roy gritted his teeth. He always hated being treated like this, like some fragile kid who needs protecting. "You don't know that!! Fuecoco and I have trained a lot! We can do it if you just-"
Friede cut him off. "I do know Roy. You're a strong capable trainer but this is far above what you can handle. I know your limits Roy, and you're not strong enough for this."
Hearing those last words struck a chord inside Roy. He balled up his fists tightly. "That's not fair!!" Roy cried out in a high shrill and almost trembling tone of voice. "Y-you can't just say that! I-Im capable of doing it! Just please let me go with you! Let me…" Roy paused. He lowered his gaze onto the ground below. He took a deep breath before looking back up at Friede with a reinvigorated and determined look in his magenta eyes. "Let me prove to you that Fuecoco and I are strong enough. Let me prove that I'm good enough."
Friede opened his mouth, ready to say about how this is just for Roy and Feucoco's safety, and that they should just follow his orders.
But then he stopped.
Friede looked at Roy, like really looked at him. He noticed the raw burning determination in, not just his face, but in his eyes. Roy was always a confident and determined person; it was one of his charms, but this was a whole new level of resolve. Friede shifted his gaze down towards Feucoco. The fire croc stood confidently, his little beady white eyes were also filled with the same level of resolve that Roy's does. It was the most determined that Friede had seen the fire croc ever since it hopped aboard the ship. The white haired captain shifted his sights back onto Roy, the same determined expression in the boy's magenta eyes. The more Friede looked at him, the more it reminded him when…
…He was at Roy's age.
When he had the same look in his eyes.
Friede remembered when he tried to convince his parents that he and Charizard, who was just a Charmander at the time, were ready to go on an adventure. It took him days of pleading for them to finally listen.
And now it is the same here.
Friede knew that, out of everyone in the crew, Roy looked up to him the most. He never understood why, it's not like he was anything special, at least that's what he personally thought. Mollie theorized it was because Roy probably finds Friede powerful and awesome, and wants to become just like him in the same way that Feucoco looks up to Charizard. Orla teased it was because, secretly, Friede was Roy's real father all along.
He never quite found that funny.
Whatever the case was, Roy idolizes and looks up to him more than anyone. This is proven here now when he desperately wanted to prove how strong he and Feucoco have grown. Not to just prove it to himself, but to Friede also. There have been many times where Roy wanted to prove his strength, especially ever since his last encounter with the Black Rayquaza where the legendary Pokemon didn't even acknowledge him. Since then Friede had seen Roy train with Wattrel and Fuecoco rigorously. He wanted to prove that he was worth noticing, not just by the Black Rayquaza, but by everyone.
And who was Friede to stop that.
Friede lightly smiled. "Alright Roy. Prove it to me."
"Really..?" Roy hesitantly asked, eyes wide, unsure if Friede really meant it.
Friede nodded his head. "Yeah."
"YES!!!" Roy cried out in celebration, jumping in the air and pumping his fist. Feucoco did the same, and let out a 'coco' in celebration. "You won't regret this Friede!!" Roy beamed, his magenta eyes glimmering with profound intense, and yet clear resolve.
"I'm sure I won't." Friede softly affirmed. He had complete trust and faith in Roy's abilities as a trainer. "But still, if we're going to do this you have to follow my lead ok?"
Roy nodded his head. "Right! Ok!"
"Good. Now, let's go!" Friede began walking towards the direction of the forest, where Anarkis will surely be.
"Fue! Co! Fuecoco!"
"Fue! Co! Fuecoco!"
Roy and Fuecoco marched through the forest, singing their little song. Trailing behind them was Friede. He smiled as he watched the younger boy and the fire croc sing to their hearts content. Friede knew that this song was important to Roy and Fuecoco, is how they stay connected and form a close bond. It reminded Friede of when he and Charmander would goof around for hours during the day.
He kinda missed those days.
Some people on the crew, mainly Dot and Mollie, did find Roy's singing a little obnoxious. Friede never minded it though, if anything he found it kind of…relaxing in a way. Even though he had the vibe of an always laid-back and nonchalant person Friede still had his moments of when he would get worried or stressed about something, but hearing Roy and Feucoco's little chant kind of took that stress away a little. Friede couldn't exactly explain why but seeing a kid have fun with his Pokemon makes him remember to not take life so seriously all the time, and right now was a good example of that.
Friede was still a little worried and cautious, he didn't want anything bad happening to Roy. Friede could handle it if he got hurt, as he can take care of himself just fine. If something were to happen to anyone else on the crew, let alone one of her kids, then Friede…he wouldn't know what to do. It's a big fear of his, one only Orla knows about. It was why he was so adamant of wanting Roy to head back to the Brave Olivine, to where it was safe.
But now seeing Roy and Fuecoco march all confidently and optimistically did affect Friede. The determination radiating from those two infected Friede's own determination and quelled any worry he had left. As long as he believed in the same way those two did, then surely everything will be fine.
"Pika?" Cap's ear twitched. The electric mouse had picked something up.
Friede turned to the Pikachu on his shoulder. "What is it, Cap? Did you hear something?"
"Pika. Pika Pika." Cap pointed his nose towards where he picked up the sound from.
Friede gazed at where Cap pointed at. "Through all that foliage huh? Well ok then. Roy! Over here!"
Hearing his name being called Roy stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "What is it, Friede?"
"Cap heard something through this dense foliage. I'm willing to bet that's where our poacher is." Friede explained, as he began walking through all the dense shrubs and plants, with Roy and Fuecoco following behind him.
"Make sure to keep your guard up alright. We don't know where he could be." Friede said, pushing through all the dean greenery.
"Ok." Roy replied.
The two trainers continue pushing through the foliage, until eventually Friede spots something in the distance. A cloaked figure, standing next to a massive black creature. Friede singled Roy to stop and crouch down. They then slowly sneaked forward and hid behind a bush. Friede and Roy then slightly peaked their heads out and then finally caught a glimpse of the person in front of them.
It was him.
Anarkis.
"Ahh finally!" Anarkis's deep voice bellowed. " We finally caught this little bastard! It'll be worth the trouble once we auction it off. We'll be drowning in cash!" Anarkis gloated.
"Woah…" Roy uttered. This guy was a lot more menacing up close. Roy's eyes shifted to the right he saw…some kind Pokemon trapped in, what seemed to be, some kind of electrical cage. "What's that over there?" He pointed out.
Friede's gaze followed to where Roy pointed. His eyes widened once he saw what was trapped. "A Dudunsparce. That's a pretty rare Pokemon." Friede noticed that it was a three-segmented form Dudunsparce, which are even rarer. Not only that, the Dudunsparce was Pink! "A shiny three-segmented Dudunsparce? Looks like Anarkis hit the jackpot here. Anyone would pay millions for that."
Roy's eyes glazed over the Dudunsparce. The Pokemon was curled up like an infant, and exhausted. Slight Bruises were scattered all across Dudunsparce's body. "Poor thing." Roy murmured sympathetically. His blood began to boil. Just what kind of monster would do such a thing!
Friede turned to face Roy. "Ok here's the plan Roy. You go out back and try to free Dudunsparce. While I'll go confront Anarkis over there."
Roy nodded his head. "Ok."
Friede watched as Roy sneaked out towards the right. Once the boy and the fire croc were out of sight, that's when Friede made his move. The professor stood all the way up confidently and stepped out of the bush.
"Hey!" Friede called out.
Anarkis turned around. "Hm? Who in the world are you?"
"Oh just your friendly neighborhood professor, scouting around for any potential troublemakers. Like you." Friede said, donning on his signature laid-back smirk. "Did your mother ever tell you that poaching wild Pokemon is wrong?"
Anarkis scoffed. "Save the moral and ethics talk for someone who cares. I've heard it several times from people like you."
Friede crossed his arms. "In that case, I hope you don't mind we just cut to the chase."
Anarkis sneered. "Fine by me! Haxorus, Dragon Claw!"
The black Haxorus roared and lunged forward towards Friede.
"Cap! Use Thunder Punch!" Cap jumped up from Friede's shoulders, balled his paws into a fist, and clashed directly with Haxorus's Dragon Claw. The two Pokemon clashed for a couple of seconds before bouncing backwards.
"Is that a Pikachu??" Anarkis commented. "You must really underestimate me. That's a big mistake."
"On the contrary, I think underestimating us is the big mistake here pal." Friede cockily said.
"Uh huh sure right Haxorus, Dragon Pulse!" The black dragon fired off a draconic shockwave from its gaping maw, towards Friede and Cap.
"Cap, quick use Double Team!" Cap created multiple mirages of himself, easily evading the Dragon Pulse.
"Good, now use Thunder Punch!" Friede then commanded. As the illusionary clones disappeared, Cap jumped forward and landed an electric imbued punch right in the black Haxorus's face. The dragon Pokemon didn't even flinch when the attack landed and instead pushed Cap back, sending the electric mouse flying backwards.
Anarkis jeered. "Is that really the best you got?? Haxorus, show these two chumps, and use Psycho Cut!" Haxorus launched two blades made of psychic energy right towards Cap.
"Cap, quick dodge it!" Cap evaded the first Psycho Cut sent his way, and tried evading the second. Unfortunately, the electric mouse didn't move fast in time, and was grazed on his side.
"Cap!" Friede called out. Cap tumbled on the ground a little before eventually regaining his footing, and standing readily at Friede's feet.
"See? That's how you do an attack!" Anarkis smugly said.
Friede gritted his teeth slightly, a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. 'Cap's lucky he barely avoided that. If it had landed, we would have been done for.' Friede paused his thoughts as he glanced at Anarkis and his Black Haxorus. They were extremely powerful, no doubt. Friede has to play his cards right or else. 'Up close attacks won't work. In that case…'
"Cap! Use Thunderbolt!" Cap's red checks sparked with electricity, before he fired off a powerful Thunderbolt straight towards Haxorus. The bolt of lightning engulfed the black dragon type, causing it to roar in pain and fall on one knee.
Friede smirked. "Is that more to your liking?"
Anarkis clenched his teeth. "That was a lucky shot!" He growled. "Haxorus! Get up!"
Haxorus slowly got up, electricity still sparking off its black scales. Once it stood up fully, Haxorus roared up into the sky, ready to get back into the fight.
'Even with that, it's still standing. At least we did some damage to it. Cap and I need to play this safe.' Friede stared right at Anarkis, anticipating the poacher's next move. 'i just hope things are going well on Roy's end.'
"Haxorus! Dragon Pulse!"
"Cap, use Thunderbolt!"
The two Pokemon fired off their respective attacks. They met in the middle, colliding and causing an explosion of dust to fill the area.
The battle was just starting.
Behind from where the battle raged on, Roy had just now finally reached caged pink Dudunsparce. Upon walking up to it, the Dudunsparce scuttered backwards, fearful of Roy.
"Hey hey hey! It's ok, calm down! I'm here to help you!" Roy reassured the pink Dudunsparce. Hearing this the Dudunsparce relaxed a little, but was still somewhat tense.
"Hmm." Roy hummed. He gazed at the electrical cage at the pink Dudunsparce was in. What would be the best way to set Dudunsparce free? Obviously Roy couldn't just grab the cage or else he'll just get electrocuted, so he has to figure out another way, but what? Roy rubbed his chin, pondering what would be the best course of action. He glanced between Fuecoco, who was curiously starting Dudunsparce, and the electric cage.
"Aahhh c'mon think of something Roy!" Roy rattled his brain, trying his best to think of a way to set the Dudunsparce free. His mind scrambled from idea to idea, plan to plan until finally-
A lightbulb went off.
"I got it!" Roy looked down at where Fuecoco stood. "Fuecoco, use Stomping Tantrum on that cage!"
Feucoco glanced up at Roy, before following his trainer's orders. The fire croc stomped on the ground with tremendous force, and sent a shard of rock flying towards the cage. The rock hit the cage dead on, causing the electricity to flicker for a tiny bit before it stabilized. The cage remained but it was for sure weakened now.
"One more time Fuecoco!" Roy cheered on. Fuecoco did the same thing again and sent a piece of rubble right at the electrical cage. This time as the rock hit the cage, the electricity started going haywire and moving sporadically. Until eventually it dissipated and dissolved, setting the Dudunsparce free.
Roy pumped his fist into the air and celebrated. "Yes!! Amazing job Fuecoco you did!"
"Fue!" Fuecoco puffed his chest out in pride, proud of himself and his abilities.
Roy turned his gaze from Fuecoco to the Dudunsparce. "You're free now! Quick get out of here!"
Seeing that it was now free, the pink Dudunsparce nodded its head towards Roy and Fuecoco in thanks. It was thankful of finally being free of that cage. Then with very fast pace, the Dudunsparce quickly borrowed underground with its drill shaped tail, fleeing the area.
Hearing the commotion from behind him, Anarkis turned away from the battle, and glanced over his shoulder. "What the heck is going on back there-" His words stopped dead when he saw that the pink Dudunsparce he caged was no longer there, and instead standing there was some…kid and his Fuecoco!? "What the-hey!!!"
Roy stood loftily, his magenta eyes piercing right at Anarkis. "I set that Dudunsparce free! You will never poach another Pokemon again!"
Friede glanced over Anarkis, and saw Roy. The Dudunsparce was nowhere to be seen, which meant that Roy and Fuecoco succeeded in their objective. "Hahaha! Great job Roy, I knew you could do it!"
Anarkis clamped his jaw together, before letting out a primal roar deep from within his esophagus. "GRAAAAHHHH!!! Do you know how long it took me to catch that thing you brat?!?!"
"I don't care! You're gonna go down, and finally face justice you crook!" Roy declared.
Anarkis growled like a rabid Arcanine. "Haxorus! Use Dragon Claw on that little runt and his Pokemon!"
Turning away from its assault on Cap, the black Haxorus set its sight on Roy and Fuecoco, and quickly charged towards them. It claws, imbued with draconic energy.
Friede's eyes widened in panic. "Oh no. Roy watch out!" Cap was too far away to intercept the dragon type from charging towards Roy.
Not that he needed too.
Roy and Fuecoco did not move a single muscle from where they stood. They both were undeterred of the black Haxorus rushing towards them. Roy, unfazed, raised his arm and called out a simple attack. "Fuecoco, Disarming Voice!"
Fuecoco opened his jaws and fired off a Disarming Voice right at the Haxorus. The dragon type stuttered in its steps, before fully stopping in its tracks. The fairy type move dealt significant damage towards the black Haxorus.
Anarkis's eyes flew wide open. "What??!" The cloaked poacher was gobsmacked. He didn't expect such a puny Pokemon to do that much damage to a Haxorus!
Seeing an open opportunity, Friede followed up with an attack of his own. "Cap, use Thunder Punch!"
Cap rushed at Haxorus, jumped into the air, and then finally landed a Thunder Punch right at its maw sending it flying back towards where Anarkis stood, landing flat on its back. Roy ran over next to Friede, and stood right beside him.
Friede turned to face Roy. "Ready to finish this, Roy?"
"Yeah!" Roy responded, his eyes glimmering up at Friede.
With desperation clear in his eyes, Anarkis called out one last move in as a hail Mary. "Haxorus, use Hyper Beam!"
Mustering the strength to get up, the black dragon charged up the energy for a powerful pure white beam. It gathered all the remaining strength that it could, and finally blasted the Hyper Beam right towards Friede and Roy.
"Cap, use Thunderbolt!" Friede called out.
"Feucoco, Flamethrower!" Roy followed suit, doing the same.
The electric mouse fired off a huge Thunderbolt straight from his red cheeked pouches, While the fire croc launched a massive Flamethrower from his jaws. The Thunderbolt and Flamethrower collided head on with the Hyper Beam. The beams of energy pushed one another back and forth. Friede, Roy, and Anarkis watched tensed, as the beam struggle continued on.
Until finally, Haxorus let up.
Cap's Thunderbolt and Fuecoco's Flamethrower overpowered the Hyper Beam. The two attacks landed right on Haxorus, causing it to fall down on its knees. Anarkis looked at his black Haxorus which was now breathing heavily, clearly exhausted from the battle. Then the poacher looked up at Friede and Roy, both their eyes were filled with resolve and determination. With no more tricks up his sleeves and his back up against the wall, Anarkis did the only thing that seemed logical at that moment in time.
Running away.
"Screw this, I'm out of here! Haxorus let's go!" Anarkis began sprinting out of the forest, with Haxorus slowly and sluggishly following him.
"Oh no you don't! Cap, use Volt Tackle!"
"Fuecoco, you use Flame charge!"
Cap and Fuecoco charged forward towards the running poacher and his Pokemon. Cap imbued himself with electrical energy, while Feucoco engulfed himself in flames. The two Pokemon ran side by side, quickly gaining speed with each encompassing step. They moved so fast until Cap and Fuecoco became nothing but blurs of yellow and red. Then finally, the two Pokemon tackled right into Haxorus's back, sending the black dragon flying right towards Anarkis.
Anarkis glanced over his shoulder, only to see his Haxorus flying right towards him. "AAAAHHHH-" His scream was cut off short as Haxorus flew into him, causing to tumble and fall down.
Both Haxorus and Anarkis laid flat down, dazed from the impact. Anarkis tried to stand up, but couldn't due to Haxorus's unconscious body being on top of him. Two separate shadows engulfed Anarkis in darkness. The poacher looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun's glare.
There they stood triumphantly.
Friede and Roy.
"It's over Anarkis." Friede stated, with his arms crossed looking down at the poacher.
Anarkis let out a defeated subdued sigh.
"Phooey…"
"It was so cool for them to give us a gold medal for turning that poacher in!"
The sun began setting, tinting the sky a warm orange. Friede and Roy were walking back towards the Brave Olivine, after turning in Anarkis. As a reward they were given, not only a huge sum of money that would surely fund whatever the Rising Volt Tacklers needed for the future, but also a gold medal that was hung around their necks. It was so awesome!! Roy couldn't wait to tell Liko and Dot about it!
Friede put his hands in his pockets. "It sure is." He gazed down at Roy, who grinned joyfully as he held the gold medal in his hands. He and Feucoco, who was perched on his head, stared at the gold medal with glimmering and bright eyes. Friede lightly smiled at the sight. Roy's joyous and happy attitude always seemed to affect everyone around him, including Friede himself. It always felt good to be around Roy.
As the magenta-tufted boy and his little fire croc continued to excite themselves over the gold medal, Friede began to ponder about the conversation that had occurred between him and Roy earlier in the day. Friede couldn't believe that he tried to send Roy back, especially since he was such a huge help against Anarkis.
Friede opened his mouth and began to speak. "Hey Roy, I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I should have known better than to underestimate your abilities as a Pokemon trainer."
Roy gazed up at Friede, eyes still glimmering. "It's ok Friede. You just wanted to keep me safe. I get it."
"Well still, I shouldn't have done that. I don't think Cap and I wouldn't have been able to take down Anarkis without you." Friede affirmed. He genuinely believed that, without Roy things might have gone very differently with Anarkis and his black Haxorus.
Roy rubbed the back of his neck bashfully. "Well I don't know about that. You did most of the work…but thanks Friede!" Getting complimented by Friede, the person that Roy looked up to more than anyone, well aside from Lucius, made Roy radiate with happiness and pride.
"No problem buddy." Friede lightly said. "So no hard feelings right?"
"Nope! None!" Roy replied, smiling brightly up at Friede.
Friede smiled back. "Good." The professor reached his hand out and ruffled Roy's hat, messing up his hair a little.
"Heyyy!!!"
Friede and Roy snapped their gaze forward. In the distance was the Brave Olivine. Not only that, there was also a person on the deck waving at the two of them. Getting closer, both Friede and Roy saw who it was.
Orla.
The mechanic quickly ran down the airship and met Friede and Roy halfway.
"There you guys are! What took you so long?" Orla's eyes snapped to the gold medals that were hung around Friede's and Roy's necks. "What's with the medals?"
Roy beamed. "Oh! Well Friede and I were tasked to take down this poacher guy, and his Haxorus! He captured this pink Dudunsparce but I rescued it, and then we took that poacher down! After we turned him in, they have us these cool medals, and said that I was a great trainer and-"
"Roy." Friede spoke, interrupting the younger boy's rambling. "Don't you have something important to do?"
Roy looked up at Friede, perplexed at what the professor insinuated by that. He tilted his head to the side, pondering about what was the important thing he had to do.
"Oh!" Roy uttered, as it finally clicked in for him. "Right, I have to go do my homework!" Roy hastily bolted up the gangplank of the Brave Olivine. "See you at dinner!" He shouted towards Friede and Orla before disappearing inside the airship, presumably to do his homework.
Friede lightly chuckled, and. softly smiled as Roy bolted inside the giant airship. That kid..he sure is something.
Orla turned her attention back at Friede, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She tiptoed over to the professor, and huddled a little close to him. "Did you have fun with your son today~" She teased.
"Orla!" Friede voiced with an exasperated tone.
He really did not find that joke funny.
"Relax, I'm just teasing." Orla giggled playfully, and even Cap snickered a little as well. "But seriously how did things go?"
Friede sighed and crossed his arms. "Well I say they went well. We have enough money to fund whatever we need for a long while."
Orla leaned against Friede's shoulder. "That's good."
There was a slight moment of silence before Friede spoke up again. "Y'know he reminds me of myself sometimes."
Orla turned her head to face Friede. "Who? Roy?"
Friede shifted his gaze towards the mechanic beside him. "Yeah. When starts singing and acts all energetic and joyful, it makes me remember when I was his age acting all goofy and what not."
"Hmm." Orla thought about what Friede had just said. "Huh. I guess you're right, the similarities are pretty uncanny. Well expect that you were more rowdy and a bit of a crybaby."
Friede rolled his eyes. "Oh ha ha." Orla always knew how to get under his skin, guess that's what happens when you have been best friends since childhood. Though to be fair that was something Friede did like about her.
"I suppose it makes sense why he's your favorite, since the kid basically acts like you and everything." Orla teased once again.
Friede rolled his eyes harder this time. "He's not my favorite Orla, none of them are." He said adamantly.
Orla covered her playful chuckle with her gloves. "If you say so Friede~"
Friede sighed again, this time with more exasperation. He rubbed the bridges of his nose a bit, before gaining a thoughtful expression on his face. "He's grown a lot both as a trainer and as a person, and so quickly too."
Orla, deciding that she had enough of teasing Friede for the day, shifted her gaze towards the orange tinted sky. A thoughtful expression also developed on her face. "Well I think it's because you're there to help guide him." She said, turning to face him once more.
Friede turned his sights towards the ever grand sunset. "Maybe…" He softly spoke, before turning back to Orla. "We should probably go inside now, I'm sure Murdock is almost done cooking dinner."
Orla nodded her head. "Alright let's go!" The mechanic began walking back towards the Brave Olivine, with the white haired professor following right beside her.
On their way back, Friede began to think. He did help Roy, as well as Liko, become stronger and grow more as people didn't he. He never thought he could do something like that, to help guide others into becoming the best version of themselves. It made him feel good. It also made him proud whenever the kids accomplished something by themselves. Friede also thinks that Liko and Roy also helped change him a little as well. They, especially Roy, made things less stressful and more lively. They also started to make him become…softer and overall more gentle. The professor doesn't remember being like that before those two came along.
Y'know despite what he said earlier, Friede did seem to prefer Roy a teensy weensy more than Liko. He didn't try nor wanted to, but he just did. Maybe once he's back inside, Friede will ask Roy if ever wants to just go hangout for fun. Just the two of them, doing whatever they wanted to.
Yeah.
He's sure that they'll both like that.
"Are you sure he's not your secret long lost son or something?"
"ORLA!!!”