Chapter 15 - The Hooting Menace

Celeste knew winning would feel good. She just didn’t know how good.

Of course, she had won against a Gyarados (and no; she wasn’t letting that go), but remembering what you did tasted a whole lot better. This’d been a real, proper victory.

And by Moltres, she wouldn’t forget this one.

The rush, the adrenaline, the way the world stopped while she waited for the cloud of sand to clear. The high of winning, the group hug afterwards.

Pure magic.

She wanted to feel like that again.

But she was being pragmatic Celeste for now. The first step to that? Remembering she won against a Spearow, not some Hydreigon. Her second step? To train like hell so she and her team could beat a Hydreigon some day.

Could Rey have a Hydreigon?

Unfortunately for Celeste and her Pokémon, the daily grinding wasn’t always as fun and productive as her first day. It was hard work, and to no one’s surprise, that was actually grinding.

On her second day of training, they went to Treasure Beach, and things were difficult from the start. Celeste had been sure Aria had mastered Dig already, but it turned out the TM only taught her the basics. And the basics didn’t cover stuff like variations in terrain or ways to increase speed. Her little Normal-Type was slow underneath the earth, but that was not even her worse problem.

Executing the move in the sand was.

Yes, sand was easier to dig, but it was also unstable. More often than not, the hole would collapse on the Eevee. Luckily, she could dig herself out, but coughing up sand was not good to keep on the flow of the battle.

Still, this was a minor setback. Celeste and her team would keep pushing.

By the fourth day, things finally started improving. They still hadn’t figured out how to deal with the digging in sand problem, but since Aria needed to practise, they shifted back to the woodlands on Kindle Road.

That day Patrick was an absolute star.

Yes, his moves often had large delays, and sometimes they didn’t happen at all. When they did though? His Water Gun constantly broke the twigs they used as targets. So… yay.

Then there was the Meowth incident.

During their lunch break, the cat tried to steal one of Pat’s berries and the Slowpoke got angry (or as angry as a Slowpoke could get). He used his strongest Water Gun yet on it. That, in turn, made the Meowth more pissed, and it retaliated with a Scratch, thus springing Celeste into her second proper real battle.

With a combination of very delayed Water Guns and Tackles, she and Pat defeated the little Meowth which… actually made her feel quite bad. The poor thing just wanted food. She ended up sharing some of her own berries with it.

Day six brought mixed fortunes. While Aria and Patrick kept improving, Powder struggled, her frustration mounting with every failed attempt to freeze Pat’s water move. Part of Celeste thought her baby shouldn’t go into a messy battle, but Powder needed a win. So, after instructing her other Pokémon to train Tackle and Quick Attack on a nearby tree, she decided to teach her Vulpix how to do a Tail Whip.

It was not the most powerful or useful move, but it was what they had to work with. Plus, the idea behind the Tail Whip was to distract the opponent by wagging her tail cutely, and there was no one cuter than her little baby Powder.

The seventh day marked Celeste’s own breakthrough. It began with a simple question: how did Pat’s Disable and Yawn actually work? She knew her Slowpoke was capable of both. After all, Delia had said that’s how they’d beaten the Gyarados. But the mechanics behind the moves? They were a mystery, which left her feeling uneasy. Water Gun was straightforward—just like spitting a stream of water. But these more abstract moves? She realised she couldn’t do much more for Pat than shout encouragement if she didn’t actually understand them.

To remedy that, Celeste found a book on Pokémon moves. It wasn’t a page turner by any means, but she powered through the night, absorbing every word. By morning, she felt exhausted, but much more confident with new knowledge. The book explained that every move a Pokémon executes leaves behind a trail of energy that more attuned Pokémon can detect. These Pokémon could latch onto the residual energy from their opponent’s last action and temporarily prevent its use.

That was Disable.

Research was surprisingly fun and would do wonders for her in the future. Keeping the mind sharp seemed like a good habit to incorporate into her training routine. Because yes. She was going to have a training routine from now on.

Like a proper trainer.

Finally, day ten came and things were looking up. Nurse Joy reported excellent progress with her healing, even with her having messed up with her cast several times. As for her team, they were getting stronger than ever. With two days until her battle with Rey, she knew what she had to do next.

The one thing she’d been postponing.

It was time to challenge another trainer to battle.

—*——*—

“I’m not doing it,” Delia insisted, her hands pulling up a hood over her head. “Don’t back off now. Not after you spent the week working so hard.”

Gone was the tropical weather that had been a constant on the island since the girls arrived. At first, the drizzle felt harmless, but trudging across the slim sandy stretch to Kindle Road turned trying—so much so that even Aria stayed in her ball for once.

“I’m not scared,” Celeste muttered, kicking at a stubborn clump of wet sand. “It’s just—Shelly’s tough, you know? And I want a real challenge. I swear, I won’t even let Pat out to watch.”

Delia shook her head. “Come on, Cee. You know you need the experience. You just want to do it with me because it will be easier.”

“It won’t. I—”

“And save the money excuse this time,” Delia cut her off as they squeezed between two mossy boulders. “You’ve got this. Where’s all that confidence you had earlier?”

Celeste’s shoulders slumped. She really appreciated the support. It was her day off at the Ice Boutique and Delia had come along to help her train. Still, she felt guilty. Battling usually involved betting money on yourself. It didn’t need to be much, and it wasn’t mandatory, but it was proper trainer etiquette to do so. Winning those bets could fast-track their plans to leave One Island, but losing could mean squandering her friend’s hard-earned cash, which would suck.

“Where are all the trainers?” Delia asked as they reached the main road.

“There were a bunch here yesterday,” Celeste looked around with little excitement. A playful bump against her friend’s shoulder followed. “Guess it will have to be you.”

Delia arched her eyebrows. “Sounds like more excuses.”

Celeste missed those days when Delia’s over-polite smiles were more frequent and less sharp. But that’s the price of closeness, isn’t it? She was about to quip back when a sudden scream pierced the air.

Their heads snapped towards the trees just in time to see a boy burst through the underbrush. The few curls sticking out from his beanie swayed with the wind and his oversized hoodie waved like a poncho behind his back. Clutched in his arms was a pink flower-patterned Pokémon, who kept blowing its trunk like a horn.

“Run!” the boy shouted, dashing past them.

Ignoring his warning, they turned around, only to see a blur dart from the trees. It wasn’t the menacing shadow one might expect. Quite the opposite, really. It was a small ball of brown feathers that moved fast. So much so that they could only get a clear look when it stopped overhead, shrieking a piercing, echoing cry.

It hurt.

Celeste clamped her hands over her ears, teeth gritted. She wanted to call out her Pokémon, but the sound was too much. It paralysed her. All she managed was a choked shout to Delia that didn’t help in the slightest.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Even once it finally relented, Celeste’s ears still buzzed violently. She slowly looked up at the little menace, afraid sudden movements would make it cry again. Its angry, red, glasses-shaped eyes pierced her heart with fury.

Worse of all, the Hoothoot had its beak glowing.

Damn.

“Over here!” The beanie boy waved from behind a rock up a nearby hill.

Celeste barely registered his words, not hearing properly and all. She didn’t hesitate, though, grabbing Delia’s arm, and dashing towards the offered refuge. Not a perfect plan, but better than a Peck on the head.

“Dude, that was too close,” the boy whispered, more out of shyness than caution. “Everything okay?”

Celeste glared at him. “Why’s that Hoot—”

He pushed a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. She glared, emitting a muffled complaint before he pulled away.

“Keep it down, please,” he pleaded softly. “We’ve been at this all morning. It keeps finding us.”

Delia, now finally recomposed, straightened herself and smoothed down her shirt. She put up her smile, but quickly dropped it with a sigh. “And what is it exactly you’ve been at?”

“Yeah! I thought Hoothoot were supposed to be nice little birds,” Celeste joined in, her hand brushing over Aria’s Pokéball. Maybe she shouldn’t judge a Pokémon by species. Or maybe it was okay to prejudge a little? “Plus, you know… nocturnal.”

The boy’s smile was sheepish as he hugged his pink Pokémon tighter. “We’ve been trying to catch it,” he confessed, cheeks colouring.

“You mean you’ve been hassling it until it snapped at you?” Delia fixed him with a stern look, planting her hands firmly on her hips.

“I… uh,” he stammered, eyes darting away under her steady gaze. “Didn’t realise it’d get so cranky from being woken up… Tell them, Rev,” he mumbled, hoisting his Pokémon a bit higher.

Celeste couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “Rev? As in short for Rêve? Cheeky name for a Munna.”

The boy’s spirits lifted slightly. “Just Rev. My cousin’s idea. I’m Luan, by the way.”

“I’m Celeste. Cee for short,” she replied, nailing the introduction this time. “And this is my friend Delia.”

Delia offered a nod, her face softening just a tad. “Nice to meet you,” she murmured, voice dropping as the Hoothoot rustled nearby. It didn’t spot them, but was too close for comfort. “Looks like our best shot is taking it on.”

Celeste stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. “Are you out of your mind?” she whispered through her fingers. A Hoothoot wasn’t as intimidating as a Golem or a Gyarados, but still… “I’m rather fond of my eardrums, thanks.”

Luan’s smile grew firmer. “You two are trainers?”

While Delia remained silent, Celeste nodded.

Exchanging a hopeful look with his Munna, his eyes lit up. “C-Could you help me catch it? With all of us here—”

“Hold on,” Delia interrupted, her frown deepening. “Haven’t you pestered it enough?” But as the Hoothoot made another close pass, she conceded, “Though, I guess capturing it isn’t much different from battling it…”

“Exactly! With the three—” Luan started, but winced under Delia’s gaze. “It’ll be a breeze. Two trainers against one Hoothoot.”

“Just don’t harass it,” Delia insisted, her words now borderline scolding.

Celeste cleared her throat. “Very good. Cool ideas and all… but… uh, what about running?” She rubbed her ears again, more so to make a point than anything else.

Luan squirmed, and they all crouched lower to stay hidden. “Look, I… I really need a third Pokémon,” he pleaded. “I’m headed to Kanto for the Gym challenges. They start with three-on-three battles. I…” He glanced at his Munna, his voice trailing off. “I trust my Pokémon, but not to win a two-on-three.”

They start at three?

Celeste looked at the three pokéballs attached to her bumbag. Guess it was lucky she caught Pat. Turning back to Luan, she caught his earnest, slightly desperate gaze.

Taking a deep breath, she said, “Sure…” Damn her bleeding heart. “It’s just a Hoothoot, right? We can take on a Hoothoot…”

“It will be good training for you, Cee,” Delia pitched in, sounding a little supportive, and a lot annoyed. Celeste got it, though. Her friend had hoped for a much more peaceful day off. Still, part of her wished they all battled together.

Her fingers hovered over her pokéballs, lingering on Aria’s cool metal surface before shifting to another. This was training, right? Maybe it was time for her to top being so overreliant on her Eevee. Powder wouldn’t be able to do much, but without Delia joining in, she had another option. She tapped the ball, and with a pop, her Slowpoke appeared.

She really hoped he wouldn’t take too long to follow her instructions today.

“Hey, bud,” Celeste beamed at Pat, who greeted her with a dopey smile. “Up to take on a bird?”

Luan observed her choice but remained silent, patting his Munna before releasing another Pokémon. “Your turn, Lulu,” he said as a moon-shaped Pokémon materialised from a red beam.

Celeste stepped back instinctively.

“A Lunatone?” she asked. Though Celeste travelled much with her parents, they still had a home just out of Hammerlocke, in the Wild Area. Lunatone lived in the hills nearby and the local rangers often warned residents about its dangers. They were said to induce a deep, nightmare-ridden sleep with just a glance, leaving people paralysed and vulnerable in the middle of nowhere. “Wait, why do you need us? Isn’t rock strong against flying?”

As the Lunatone hovered closer, Luan scuffed a shoe against the dirt, kicking up a rock. “Hoothoot was too fast… We couldn’t land a single Rock Throw.”

Celeste glanced worriedly at her Slowpoke. Fast didn’t bode well for him. Was it too late to switch him for Aria?

Before she could reconsider, the Hoothoot took the decision out of her hands, diving down with a deafening screech.

Definitely too late for a swap.

—*——*—

“PaAhgh,” Celeste barely got the word out before the Hoothoot came down for a Peck. Like a knight in shiny armour, her Slowpoke… blinked a little too sluggishly at the situation. “Water Gun!” she tried, but to no avail.

Luan cast a worried glance her way. “You… know what you’re doing, right?” he asked, leaping to his feet and darting away from Celeste and Delia. His long strides quickly put distance between them, and he waved his arms, drawing the Hoothoot’s attention away and giving the others some much-needed space.

“Patrick!” Celeste’s voice sharpened with urgency. “Aim for its back. Come on. Water Gun!”

Pat’s response was a languid gaze, vaguely aimed toward the battle. Meanwhile, the Lunatone (or maybe the Munna perched on Luan’s head) produced a barrier around their trainer. It immediately trembled under the assault of the Hoothoot’s relentless Pecks.

They didn’t really have any opening.

Come on, Pat. Please! Celeste’s plea was silent, her fingers tightening around Aria’s pokéball as she sprinted towards the unfolding action. Halfway there and the dam opened. Water blasted right past her and slammed into the Hoothoot, throwing off its balance.

Luan’s eyes widened as he watched the bird stagger in midair. “Lulu, don’t waste time, Confusion!” he commanded. A swirl of bluish psychic energy encased the Lunatone, and a burst of power radiated outward, smashing into the Hoothoot and sending it tumbling to the ground. No longer airborne, the bird looked up and chirped in annoyance.

“Pat…” Celeste began again, hoping for a quick follow-up attack. The Hoothoot, however, was dazed and disoriented, struggling to even regain its footing. “I think it’s confused,” she said, then immediately felt silly for stating the obvious.

Beside her, Luan, now gripping a Pokéball, gave a tentative nod.

Moment of truth then.

Celeste held her breath as the Pokéball spun through the air.

And…

With a defiant squawk, the Hoothoot kicked it away.

Celeste grimaced. This was giving her the worse type of flashback. Of Seel slapping balls with their tails and Tentacool flinging them away with their tentacles.

Why didn’t Pokémon simply get in?

Luan’s frustration mirrored her own. “Come on, dude, don’t be so hard to get…” He shuffled his feet, then with renewed conviction, called, “It’s down, Lulu, so let’s keep it that way. Rock Throw, and keep them coming.”

Watching Luan, Celeste felt enthralled. Could she adapt this tactic? Ask her Pokémon to hold on to an attack as long as they could—might work well, even in training.

“A little help?” Luan cut through to Celeste’s thoughts. She blinked, much like her own Pokémon, and focused her eyes on the action. Confused though it might be, the Hoothoot somehow still managed to dodge almost every rock the Lunatone threw its way.

Luckily, one hit its wing, reducing the risk of escape.

Still, they’d be better off if it just stopped moving completely.

“Pat, use Yawn,” Celeste commanded, her voice steady and assured. That, thankfully, got through to him right away.

On cue, he lumbered forward, gaping wide open for the attack. The Hoothoot caught on quickly. Before Pat could fully deploy his Yawn, the bird unleashed that hellish screech from before. The noise started as a sharp cry but escalated into a deafening wail, growing louder and more intense with each passing second.

Celeste clutched her ear, her balance wavering as the ground beneath her shook…

Shaking ground?

This couldn’t be right.

“What’s happening?” Delia dashed toward Luan, who seemed to be explaining something, but between the Hoothoot’s cries and the growing rumble, Celeste couldn’t make out the words.

Then, as abruptly as it began, it stopped—the screeching, not the ground. That actually got worse.

The Hoothoot’s head whirled frantically from side to side until it paused, its eyes narrowing. Then, with a surprisingly quiet chirp, it ducked behind Luan’s legs.

“Guys…” Celeste’s own voice trembled when the tremors intensified. She stepped back, her eyes widening as the earth split open between them. From the fissure, an Onix burst forth, its glaring reddish eyes fixed menacingly on the Hoothoot. It roared, a sound so gruff and irritated that it seemed like it’d just woken up.

Of course it did….

Like some reverse Karma, that loud-ass cry had awoken the Onix, much like Luan had done to the Hoothoot.

With another roar, the Onix thrashed, its massive tail narrowly missing Celeste and Pat. She grabbed her Slowpoke, retreating just in time.

Over on the other side the poor Hoothoot looked terrified, trying desperately to shrink away from the furious Onix. Luan, Delia, and their Pokémon—Shelly was now among them—looked equally alarmed. They were outmatched, but maybe… could Pat’s Yawn work on the Onix? Or perhaps the Munna could?

About to suggest this, Celeste paused as she noticed Luan squirming. He held another pokéball in his hands and had his back turned to the Onix. With a shaky laugh, he tapped it on the Hoothoot’s head. In an instant, the bird disappeared inside the ball, which clicked shut without so much as a wobble.

Celeste let out a half-hearted chuckle. Good for him, he got his Hoothoot. But… uh… bad for all of them?

The Onix roared even louder, its rage amplified by the disappearance of its intended target. It continued to thrash, each roar accompanied by violent slams of its tail, shaking the ground uncontrollably.

The commotion escalated, sounding almost like a landslide. Celeste looked towards the others, their mouths moving in yells. At her, or maybe aimed at one another. She couldn’t hear it. As everything got louder, she was smart enough to recall her Slowpoke back to his ball.

As soon as Pat disappeared, she looked ahead again. Both the Lunatone and Munna glowed with Psychic-Type energy, and somehow, so did Delia, Shelly and Luan.

Struggling to her feet, Celeste only had a moment to process what was happening. A fissure split the ground near Delia and Luan, the crack racing toward her.

She screamed, already tumbling through rocks and dirt.

Panic overwhelmed her as she toppled over rocks, scraping and bruising her hands in a futile attempt to grasp at anything that might halt her descent. A larger boulder collided with her, flipping her onto her back. She dug her boots into the dirt, trying desperately to slow her fall.

Just as she thought she might gain some control, the ground disappeared beneath her.

That was it. Celeste finally hit the literal end of the tunnel.

With a startled yelp, she plunged headfirst into a dark, cold body of water below.

As consciousness slipped away, only one thought came to mind.

“My cast is gonna get wet. Again.”