As Dratini and Mawile charged each other with their doubles Eric noticed that Dratini was glowing slightly. Not as brightly as if she was evolving but something similar. When Eric blinked his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things he then noticed that Dratini had grown an additional foot in length and was moving faster then she was before and also looked much stronger. Eric wasn't the only one to notice though, and James noticed and smiled. Then James ordered Mawile to use magnitude and to keep it's distance from Dratini. Not long after Mawile did as orded and the following magnitude shook the Gym and kicked up a lot of dust making it very difficult for Dratini to see again, Mawile didn't even wait for James to give it an order and charged into the dust to finish off Dratini. But as luck would have it Dratini had coiled her body into a spring and leaped into the air just as the dust was being kicked into the air, but when she did Mawile managed to hit Dratini with its body just enough to make Dratini rethink it's attack from above and instead used the momentum to put some more distance between them. After Mawile hit Dratini it tried to find where Dratini went in the dust and smoke. Both Dratini and Mawile still blinded by the thick dust and smoke sat still and tried to anticipate what the other was going to do until Eric gave the telepathic command to use smoke screen and make the smoke even thicker and then to use Shock Wave or Thunder Wave to try and pinpoint Mawiles location, even though this move would be a double edged sword for Mawile will also know where Dratini is.
Dratini decided to use Thunder Wave in hopes to possibly paralyze Mawile and find it, but just as Dratini used Thunder Wave, the electric paralyzing wave went out only a few feet before hitting something and the shape illuminated by it moved towards Dratini slowly in hopes to make it seem like it was either paralyzed or partially so. Upon seeing this Dratini sprang into the air again and used Dragon Breath on the spot where the shape in the smoke was. Just as Dratini landed on the ground again Mawile came charging at Dratini just barely able to to stay awake from all of the damage it had sustained from all of the attacks, but just as Mawile reached Dratini a red burn flashed over Mawiles body and it fell to the ground and collapsed then slid and collided with Dratini sending her flying into a stone behind her opening a large gash along her side that bled profusely, but Dratini raised her head and slithered over to Eric exhausted but still able to fight if needed.
Gym Ref: Mawile is unable to battle Eric and Dratini win the match.
As the ref announced that Eric had won. Both James and Eric walked into the field smiling, but when James looked at Eric's Dratini his smile changed to one of concern.
Hey Eric I know I have to give you both the badge and a few other things but I think you should get your pokemon checked out as soon as possible. As soon as Eric heard James say this he looked down at Dratini and also saw the large amount of blood seeping from Dratini's side and immediately pulled his pack off and pulled out a needle and medical thread along with gauze and other medical items to stich up Dratini and to help heal her.
James stood there in aw as Eric stitched the large gash on Dratini's side shut and cleaned the wound and how much Eric knew about treating his Pokemons injuries and making sure that they weren't in pain.
You are far more skilled then I anticipated young man. James said in aw. Normally new trainers don't know how to treat there pokemon unless there a family member of a gym leader, nurse Joy, or are related to any of the members of the elite four or former elite four.
Oh I learned how to take care of pokemon when I was little, cuz my grandpa took me out into the forest near where we lived in Hoenn and that's also where I caught my first pokemon as well. Eric replied.
So you've had a pokemon partner since you were how old? James asked.
Oh I was about six or seven when I caught my first pokemon. Eric replied. And no I'm not going to talk him or what happened that day I caught him.
That's ok. James responded. I'm just surprised your parents let you have a pokemon at such a young age is all.
As Eric finished with his treatment of Dratini's injuries he stood up and was lost in thought of the day he caught his first Pokemon and the horror of what happened that day as well.
You know I can tell that something is on your mind, what's troubling you Eric. James asked.
I don't want to talk about it, but I will say this until me and my partners are the strongest nothing will stop me from fighting for those I love and getting stronger. Eric replied/snapped. And as Eric said all this he turned his head towards James with a look of determination and ferocity in his eyes to which James saw and under stood that Eric wasn't just talking about his family. James then knew his niece where ever she was now had someone who hasn't given up on finding her as well.
Well Eric If you ever need anything or if you find any clue or hint as to where Ashley is let me know. James said as he began to walk over to the side of the arena to hand off his pokeballs to his fellow officer.
Well from what you've told me there's a good chance you'll hear from me sooner then you think. Eric stated. Oh and to be honest Ashley can handle her self. Especially after what I've seen her do when we were growing up. Eric then picked up Dratini and started to walk towards the double doors to leave but stopped when he heard James crying.
You ok James? Eric asked with concern in his voice.
James then looked at Eric and said. I'm fine Eric. It's just that knowing you'll continue to search for her and well, will be there for her, reminds me that I wasn't able to do anything to stop what happened and that you managed to beat my second team speaks to me that I can count on you to find her and protect her where I have failed.
Eric just stood there next to the doors and looked at James for a few moments stunned, then spoke. S-second team?! Eric asked and stated. Are you joking?! That was your second team?! James couldn't look at Eric so all he did was nod in confirmation to Eric's questions/ statements. Eric's eyes widened when he saw James nodding. He then turned and walked out the door still stunned by James's confirmation and then walked to the makeshift Pokecenter to have the rest of his team looked at and treated.
Else where in Kanto...
Have you gotten confirmation that the boy is here in Kanto? Claire asked. Yes and he's making his way towards Pewter City. A young looking SOJ (Shadow of Johto) grunt responded. Good as soon as he gets to Pewter City we'll need to set up more traps to capture more trainers and with some luck he'll be one of them. Claire snickered.
Only 10 feet away on the other side of a steel door Ashley was listening to the conversation on the other side of the door. Claire and the grunt started walking towards the door and Ashley quickly scuttled away from the door and back to a small group of kids and trainers. Just as Ashley settled into the group the steel door flew open and Claire stood in the door way with a Sneasel next to her.
All of you against the wall now! Claire yelled out. All of the kids and trainers did as she said, well all except three trainers who sneered at Claire and charged her. The three trainers didn't even make it ten feet before Claire's Sneasel froze them solid using Icicle shards. Then the Sneasel shattered them using Shadow Claw and all that was left was a mound of bloody chunks of frozen people showing what fate awaits those who tried to escape. Now I know one of you has been listening in on conversations and knows where we are and our next plan before shipping you off for "training" so you'll be the one I'll personally will be using as bait in I don't know a week maybe two for our real target other then dimwitted kids and novice trainers. Claire declared as she pointed directly at Ashley while laughing manically. Ashley's face fell in despair and knew that she had been caught and now she was going to be bait in capturing the one person her hopes fell on.
Back with Eric...
As Eric left the makeshift Pokecenter towards the forest in the direction of Pewter City he then heard the phone on his Pokegear start to ring. Eric ran to a secluded area on the edge of town and answered the phone. Hello? Eric asked. Eric why haven't you called us yet! An angry voice yelled over the line. MOM. Eric exclaimed. How did you get this num- grandpa ratted me out didn't he? Eric asked retorically. Yeah and I'm not happy you didn't tell me about this! Eric's mom shot back. Well now that you know about it you'll probably call me everyday and won't leave me alone will you mom? Eric asked snarckilly. No I won't and don't think I haven't noticed that you trying to steer the conversation away from my original question young man. Eric's mom said. Well if you must know mom I've just arrived at moon City and finished my second gym battle, as well as getting ready to continue my journey to Pewter City. Eric said with annoyance in his voice. So in other words there hasn't been time to call and update everyone. Eric continued. So just how long were you going to wait to call home? Eric's mom asked with sadness in her voice. Well I was going to call as soon as I got to Pewter City cause moon City wasn't on any of the maps I have. Eric responded. Eric continued to talk with his mom for the next 2 hours until he finally said his goodbyes and hung up. Eric then continued with his original plan to head in the direction of Pewter City.
Eric walked through the forest for the rest of the day before setting up camp for the night and to train him self in using his Aura. As the day went on Eric learned more about how he could use his aura, one such way was enhancing both his ability to withstand pokemon attacks and now reflect back at his attackers so long as the attack isn't to strong. Eric finally looked at the sky and realized it was late and he and his Pokemon needed to sleep.
The next morning Eric and his Pokemon continued to train for another few hours before continuing their journey. As Eric walked through the woods that surrounded Mt. Moon he felt as though something or someone was watching him. Eric looked at Dratini who was wrapped around his upper arm and shoulder and asked if she had seen or heard anything he may have missed. Dratini looked around for a few moments and then shook her head no, which didn't sit well with Eric so he then asked Latias if she saw or heard anything, to which Latias rose from Eric's shadow and said no via telepathy but also said she'd take a quick look around to see what she could find cause she had the same feelings of being watched. Latias took off through the shadows in hopes of finding anything out of place, but when she came back there was nothing she could find which set both Eric and Latias on edge. Eric and his Pokemon continued walking till early evening and set up camp for the night. Eric and his Pokemon continued to train and walk in this same routine for three more days before they reached Pewter City.
What type of trap is Claire going to set for Eric? Why was Eric stunned to hear he beat a gym leaders second team? For the answers to these questions and more tune in next time.