High Stakes, Part 1
Last time on The Adventures of Icy and Sara,
The group made their way to Nilako Bay Town where they stopped for food and information. Meanwhile, across the sea, Willow and Wisp have already landed at Hiland Island and are up to no good. And just when things couldn’t get worse, Dark Suihou appears to have brought Pichu within grasp of Sara and the others. Can they save her at last?
…And now, our adventure continues…
{ Opening theme plays: Higher and Higher }
“PICHU!!!!!” Sara shouted. All the people in the restaurant turned their heads to see what the fuss was all about. Sara’s eyes shifted rapidly as if searching for Pichu.
“Sara, calm down. What’s the matter? Did you see Pichu?”
“PICHU!!!” Sara threw herself into Icy’s arms. “Icy, she’s here. Pichu is here. I can sense her close by.”
“Sara…”
“Pichu’s somewhere near us. We gotta save her now or I’ll never see her again.”
Trinity and Lewis nodded to Icy. “If she senses her presence we’d better get moving. No doubt that Dark Suihou is with her.”
“Suihou here will show that evil pokémon a thing or two, won’t you Suihou?” Suihou nervously nodded. He wasn’t very keen on meeting Dark Suihou again.
“Ok. Let’s find them.” Icy left the money for the food and everyone took to the streets to locate Pichu.
=====
In the distance, Dark Suihou looked at the city atop a hill. “Suii…” #What a worthless town…#
“Pi…” Pichu replied. #Ya… so why’d you bring us here…#
“Suiii… sui sui hou.” #It’s better than the other town.#
“Chu pi pi chu pi chuu piiiii pii pi chuuuuuuuuuu….” #It’s not my fault the stupid kid pulled my ear so hard…#
“Sui. Houuu hou suiiihou oouu.” #You didn’t need to cause such a fuss.#
“Pi…” #Whatever.#
“Sui.” #C’mon.#
Pichu followed Dark Suihou towards the town. She wondered why Dark Suihou was now willingly walking into human areas, but since he was in control still, she’d play along. As they walked closer to the city, Pichu felt a strange presence.
“Pii?!?”
“Suui? Suihou?” #What, what is it?#
“Pi pichu pi pi.” #I think I sense someone.#
“Sui housui suii suihou.” #It’s a town; there’s lots of humans.#
“Pichu… chu pi pi.” #No, I sense someone special…#
“Sui…” #So what, let’s go.#
Pichu wondered to herself what the feeling she had was. Someone was close by. Someone she was close to, bonded to, but she couldn’t remember who it was… Her mind was still cloudy.
=====
The group hurried outside as Sara began scanning the surroundings for Pichu. “I… I know she’s here.” Finally, she turned to face to the east and began moving in that direction.
“Wait for us Sara,” Icy said.
[Pichu, I know you’re here. Help me find you fast.]
“Oh…” Icy stopped. “I sense her too. Something’s with her though.”
“Dark Suihou,” Trinity said.
Icy nodded. “C’mon. We won’t let him get away with Pichu this time.”
They all quickened their pace as they headed towards Pichu and Dark Suihou.
Dark Suihou hadn’t made it more than a few feet into town before realizing he’d not yet sensed Icy and his friends. “Suuu…” # $%^%$$ #
“Piihehhe pi pi chu,” Pichu giggled. # Ha ha, you cursed. #
“Su? SUIIIII!!! Sui sui sui hou sui!!!” # Wha?? What the heck, that’s not the point! #
“Pi pi chu.” # Someone’s coming. #
“Sui…” # Bring it on… #
Icy and the others converged on Dark Suihou. Behind him was Pichu. “Pichu!” Sara shouted running towards her. Icy waited to see what would happen, hoping it wouldn’t be a trap.
Dark Suihou barred Sara’s path. “Suiiiiii sui sui.” His evil eyes glared at her. Behind him, Pichu stood looking up at Sara.
“Pi?” She gripped her furry head, fighting against the powers of the dark pokéball’s effects. “Pieeiieieiii…”
“Sui?” Dark Suihou jumped back to guard Pichu.
“Let go of Pichu now. She doesn’t belong with you Dark Suihou.” Dark Suihou shook his head. “I’m not joking with you. Give me back Pichu right now. If you really understand yourself as a pokémon and Pichu, you will do this.” Sara slowly moved closer as the others kept their distance.
“Su… SUIHOU…”
“PIIII!!!” Pichu cried as she fought against the control more. Her little head felt like it was a beating drum, but she knew she had to survive somehow. She opened her eyes to look at Sara again, reconfirming her image. Deep inside, Pichu knew this trainer was someone special to her, and no matter what, she’d force back the memories.
“Please Dark Suihou, Pichu needs me. At least let me help her so she doesn’t get hurt.” Dark Suihou looked at Sara, then at Pichu. Though his heart was black as coal, something told him to allow Sara to tend to Pichu. Dark Suihou nodded and stepped aside. “Thank you.”
Pichu’s cheeks sparked occasionally as tears rolled down them. Then, she felt a warm touch against her face. It was comforting, healing, and familiar. She looked up to see Sara kneeling beside her, petting her fur gently, helping her calm down. Slowly, Pichu began winning against the dark pokéball’s control.
“Pichu. Everything’s ok. I’m here now.” Sara carefully picked the little pokémon up and took her into her arms. She pet Pichu’s head and ears slowly and gently, helping Pichu to relax more.
“Chuuuu…” Now she remembered. This special trainer, this was the human she met in Viridian Forest. The trainer who battled for her freedom from the Rainbow Chikoritas, and now, that same loving trainer who rescued her again. “Piiichuuuu.”
“Oh Pichu. I was so worried about you.” Icy and the others began walking towards Sara and Pichu when Dark Suihou stopped them.
“Suii. Suihou!”
“I’m going to take Pichu now and leave Dark Suihou. She’ll be safe with me.”
Dark Suihou shook his head and growled.
“Pi, pi pi chu.” # It’s alright, this is my real trainer. Thanks for helping me find her. #
“Sui?!? Sui…” # Real trainer… # Dark Suihou watched as the group headed back into town to the pokémon center. “Sui…suiihou sui…” # I never had a real trainer… #
No purpose left for the time being, Dark Suihou left the town. “Suii… Sui?” Before him stood a strange figure.
“Hmm hmm hmm…”
“SUI. Suihou sui.”
“You are content letting her go just like that?”
“Sui?”
“You were talking care of her just fine. Why let those humans control her instead?”
“Sui.. su suiii sui suihou ouu sui.”
“Pff… a real trainer? We were not meant for such bondage. However… if you were to stick with me… I could give your life meaning.”
“Suii?”
“Yes. You who were created by humans, but not to serve them. I will give you power to confront them without limit. I have but one request of you in return…”
“Sui?”
“Bring me Pichu and Frosterpie.” The figure vanished as mysteriously as it had appeared.
Dark Suihou turned back to face the town. “Suiiihou, hou hou sui iii… suihou…”
=====
The group took a well earned break at the pokémon center so that Sara could spend some time with Pichu.
“Chuu!” Pichu said happily as Sara pet her ears and head.
“Oh Pichu, I’m so glad you’re alright. I was so worried I’d never see your face again.”
“Piii,” Pichu cooed.
“Ahh, a happy ending,” Trinity joked.
“Eh? You can be funny???” Lewis said sarcastically. Trinity retorted with a quick jab. “Ughhh!”
“No. That was funny.”
Lewis did his best to laugh though very much in pain.
“Maybe we should take the boat to that casino island. It might be interesting, plus they might have some neat pokémon there too,” Icy said.
“It does sound like fun.”
An old man approached the group. “You kids planning on visiting that casino?”
“Yes sir. Umm, who are you?” Trinity asked.
“My name is Brandon and I work over on Hiland Island. If you kids wanna visit the casino, you’d best catch this next boat. It’s the last one for quite a while.”
“Oh, ok. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Hope you have a good time.” The man continued down to the docks.
“That was random,” Lewis said.
“Sara, c’mon, let’s head out to that casino island!”
Sara sprung up with Pichu on her head. “Ok!!!” She happily flew to Icy’s side and pulled him along.
“Ehhhehe, good to have you back Sara,” Icy smiled.
Sara giggled and smiled back.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the room, a figure chuckled softly. “Heh heh heh… I’ve finally caught up to you Icy… I’ll get you.”
The group made their way down to the docks where the boat was about ready to depart.
“Wait, wait!” Lewis called to the porter as they reached the wooden dock.
“You guys are just in time. Please hurry on board. We’re about to leave for Hiland Island now.” The porter waited as Icy, Sara, Trinity, Willis, and Lewis got on board. He was about to bring in the boarding plank when another person, a smaller female, came running towards the docks.
“WAIT!!!”
“Whaa?!?” the porter yelped jumping to the side as the girl flew past. “Woowooaahh!” The porter waved his arms attempting to keep his balance but ended up falling into the water.
=====
Icy and the others found their way to the main deck where several other passengers were already gathered. “Wow. There sure are a lot of people heading to the casino.”
“Ha ha, you kids must be new to the Hiland Island Casino. This is a slow day ever since police were go’n around warning visitors about Team DarkPoké plotting something.”
“Team DarkPoké is here?” Icy said.
“Well, maybe they are, maybe they aren’t. Either way, I’m not gonna let them stop me from having a good time at the casino. I come here every weekend.” The man chuckled again. “Well, I didn’t mean to scare you kids. Hope you have a fun time at the casino.” He continued on his way as Icy and friends wandered about.
“Do you really think Team DarkPoké is here?” Trinity asked.
“I knew it. We really DO just run into random people…” Lewis sighed.
“I dunno. I think we better be extra careful anyways.”
“Agreed.”
“They better not come within a mile of me and Pichu,” Sara said strongly.
Away from the crowds, the little girl watched Icy carefully. “I told you I won’t let you get away. This time, you can’t run from me. Aaaahahahaha!” A few people standing nearby turned to see what voice has produced the obnoxious laughter causing the girl to cower back. “Ehhehehe. Eep!” She wandered out of sight for the time being.
Lewis walked over to Trinity who was standing by the edge of the ship. “It is a nice a breeze. Great weather to be sailing.”
“You never stop do you? Look… … no… it’s alright.”
“Sorry, but… I was already thinking that too.”
“It’s ok.” Trinity smiled as Lewis stood beside her. She stared off into the distance.
Willis stood in the back leaning against the walls of the ship. Chronos floated beside him but kept out of sight now the most part. Sara moved up alongside.
“Hi.”
“Oh, Sara. Hey.”
“Hehehe, those two are so cute together.”
“I guess.” Willis sagged down till he was sitting on the deck.
“Aww, well, one day you’ll meet a cute girl too I bet.” Icy called over to Sara. “Oh, I gotta run.” Sara waved back to Icy and ran to him.
“Hmmm. I don’t need a cute girl…” Willis looked down at Chronos and pet him on his head. “I got my best friend right here.”
Trinity’s eyes stayed transfixed on the water and horizon. In the distance, a few Chonchiis jumped out of the water and dove back under. It had been a while since any of them had been in a real pokémon battle. “You aren’t bored yet?” she asked to no one in particular.
“Um? Oh, no no. It’s nice to finally get a break from the action.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“What else do you want me to tell you?”
“…”
Lewis placed his hand on her’s.
Trinity gasped suddenly. It was soft; gentle feeling. This was nice…
Icy and Sara headed to the on-deck pool. Pichu stayed inside her pokéball since water and Pichus REALLY don’t mix well. Icy dove in as Sara touched the surface.
“C’mon Sara. It’s great.” Sara dove in and came up alongside Icy. “See.” Icy splashed Sara playfully.
“Haha, hey cut it out,” Sara giggled splashing back.
Off in the distance, the little girl kept a keen eye on both Icy and Sara. “Humph. You better enjoy yourself now Icy. You won’t once I’m done with you.”
A few younger kids ran up to her. “Hey, are you gonna use that ball there?”
“Huh. Oh aahhahhaha, no no, here you go.” She handed the beach ball she’d been holding to the kids and looked back at the pool. “Ahhhhh!!! Where’d he go!!! Awww… He thinks he’s soooo clever. I’ll find you Icy. HAHAHAHA!!!”
Sara kicked her feet gently as she swam on her back in the pool. “Mmm, I’ll skip on the casino. This is so much cooler.”
Icy came swimming opposite her. “So you want a pool in the gym next?”
Sara dove under and came up next to Icy. “You mean it?”
“Ehh? Well… maybe.” Icy swam around with Sara some more. “It’s been quite a while since we were even at the gym.”
“Ya your right. Hehe, you’re gonna have trainers lining up outside waiting to battle you when we get home.”
“I don’t think the Bug Gym is THAT famous.”
“Awww, well, that would be bad anyways. Who’d let em in?”
“Ya, you’re right.”
Trinity and Lewis walked over the pool. Following them was Willis and Chronos. “Hey Icy, Sara. Get dried off and let’s check out what’s going on in the main ballroom!”
“Alright. C’mon Sara,” Icy said swimming towards the ladder. Sara nodded and followed. They got towels and dried off and changed into normal clothes.
“Let’s go!” Everyone happily headed for the main ballroom. Inside, several trainers were having pokémon battles and others were just showing their best pokémon off.
“Alright! Pokémon battles!” Trinity exclaimed. She inadvertently latched onto Lewis’ arm dragging him with her.
“Awww, they are so cute together!” Sara said melting on Icy.
“Agghhhh,” Icy yelped grabbing a fan to resolidify Sara.
“I’ll go and watch,” Willis said following Trinity.
“You aren’t gonna battle?” Sara asked Icy.
“Oh? Eh, no, I mean, yes, I uh?” Icy looked behind them. “Hrmmm…”
“What’s up? I didn’t really quite understand that last thing you said.”
“Nevermind. Yeah. C’mon let’s go.”
“Wahoo!” Sara cheerfully held Icy’s hand as they made their way to where the other trainers were having battles.
From behind one of the booths, the little girl peeked out. “Hmm, he almost saw me that time. Aghh, what am I doing!!! I gotta get him.” She kept her distance as she followed them.
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“Go Jolteon, thundershock now.” The trainer’s Jolteon growled and released a strong thundershock at the opponent’s Totodile.
“Dodge it Totodile!” Totodile agilely skipped away from the thundershocks as they came.
“No way. C’mon Jolteon, try harder.”
“Now Totodile, use headbutt.” Totodile stopped, lowered its head, then charged full speed at Jolteon. It scored a perfect blow and knocked Jolteon out. “Alright! Great job!”
“Jolteon return,” the losing trainer said. “Good match.” The two trainers shook hands and another two took the field.
Meanwhile, Trinity took another field where she battled against a fire trainer. “Fire types are your specialty, this won’t be hard then.”
“Ha, you say that now, but you won’t be for long.”
“You don’t know who you are up against. Anyways, let’s get this started. I call Chonchii,” Trinity said sending out Chonchii. Her eyes glittered seeing her favorite pokémon take the field. She poured a little spring water on its head to refresh it.
“Alright then. Achamo go!” Suddenly, crowds of people gathered to their field.
“An achamo, wow!”
“Amazing, those pokémon only live in the Houen region.”
“Please please, give us some room people,” the trainer said. “Achamo, flamethrower!” Achamo used its strongest flame attack against Chonchii.
“Chonchii, counter with your bubble attack.” Chonchii shot a few bubbles into the flames and dodged the rest. It hopped to Achamo’s side and used its water gun attack. “There ya go!”
“No way! Achamo return. That’s amazing. Your pokémon knows some pretty effective fighting tactics there.”
“In battle, the trainer and the pokémon need to be able to communicate without words sometimes. And yes, practicing tactics can give you an edge because there’s no cue by the trainer to indicate an attack.”
“I’ll remember that. Thanks for a good battle.” They shook hands and Lewis went next against a female opponent.
Icy’s turn was next. “I wonder who I’ll get to battle.”
“It doesn’t matter Icy. I’ll be here to cheer you on!”
Icy stepped into the trainer box as the next trainer was about to make his way onto the field.
“Waaaaaaiiiiiiiitttttt!!!!” yelled a young girl’s voice. The little girl pushed her way through the waiting trainers and knocked down the one about to battle Icy. “Hfff… hfff… hfff… at last…” She composed herself and stared up at Icy. “I’ve got you now.”
From a distance, a dark figure watched in shadows. “Su…i…”
=====
Meanwhile, on Hiland Island inside the casino…
Wisp glanced at his watch again. “Bah… Is he sure about this?”
“Nothing still?” Willow asked, knowing the answer.
“We’ve been walking around for an hour now. If something doesn’t turn up soon, people are going to get suspicious.”
“Yea… Oh right.” Willow picked up her phone and entered the speed dial to the boat captain. “This is polly. Still looking for a cracker. Other parrots flocking.” She ended the call.
“He’ll send the entertainment soon?”
“That’s how we planned it. What’s going on Wisp? We’ve never had this much trouble before, even when the rings were in crowded places.”
“I don’t know. I don’t like this either. Rumors are going around about a possible plot by Team DarkPoké here. If we can’t find it in 30 minutes, I say we return to the ship and call Willis.”
“Ok.”
Just then, several people dressed as pirates made their way into the casino. “Right on schedule…”
Oh dear. Team DarkPoké really IS up to no good, and a mysterious new trainer is fired up to battle Icy. Don’t miss the exciting conclusion to this episode next time!