Dan & Scoli: Part Two
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The alarm-clock blared as the light from the morning sun filtered in through tall windows. An odd and almost new thing for Dan, as he had already grown so used to the light-through-canvas-cloth effect of tents over his several years of adventuring. Add to that the fact that he’d been sleeping in an actual bed with clean sheets and feather pillows no less, made for a pleasant change of pace as well, and a comfortable one at that. Then the events and excitement of yesterday slipped into his slowly waking mind.
His eyes shot open. “We’re in Alola!” It had been an awesome boat-ride to an awesome place for fun and training, exactly what they’d needed after such a long time on the dusty roads. Taking a deep breath, he threw back the covers and hopped out of bed, greeting the world with contagious vigor.
“Ahhhhh! From a good night’s sleep in an actual bed to a good morning with even better weather! This is the life.” And indeed, it was; The sky was a bright cheery blue with only a handful of light fluffy clouds wandering the horizon as sun dappled through the distant trees to a wondrous effect. Back upon the bed, Scoli stirred, awakened by all the noise he was making. He couldn’t help but feel a pang or regret at that, as she’d already had such a long day yesterday and could probably do with some extra sleep. Ah… nope, too late. She moves out of the bed, yawing cutely yet already prepared for their morning stretches. She stands tall, rolling her shoulders before swinging right into the morning routine the duo had come up with together in their long years of travel. Her size and body-shape made many normal stretches rather awkward at best for her, plus having a tail like hers meant she had even more to stretch to stay limber.
She takes her time in her motions, moving slowly to get the most out of the movements and flexes, showing only a hint of the stress from yesterday, shaking it off with peaceful ease. She’s always cautious to never show any sign of weakness, a stark contrast to her trainer as he moves up beside, launching into his stretches with zeal and cheerful energy. Side by side, they begin their morning routine, a few sets of stretches, toe-touches and some light workout to get the blood pumping, as well as a nice brisk washup to wake up in the morning. Next comes something to eat and a big drink of water to keep the body fueled and hydrated; “Take care of your body and it’ll take care of you!” as Dan’s mother had always told him.
“ALLLLL RIGHT SCOLI! ARE YOU READY TO FACE THE DAY AND GIVE 100%?!” The fire in his eyes ignites something in her’s, determination leaps up in her heart as she pumps her fist and gives me a sharp nod “yes”. He can’t help but to admire that about her; how she takes everything seriously and never holds back, always giving it her all. He beams with pride at the thought, while at the same time glad they were able to have some fun yesterday as well, even with that bit of oddness with that rude beach kid. If things had gone any farther, there’s no telling what might have happened next. Never any rest for a trainer or his ‘mon, he thought to himself.
With their wake-up routine finished and out of the way, the pair readied themselves to go get some food. “C’mon, Scoli! We can probably find some eats downstairs. Pretty sure most hotels do breakfast in their cafeteria’s, at least.” Dan makes sure to grab his bulky pack first before following Scoli out the door, hefting it over his shoulder with ease. One should never leave their important items unattended!
The hallway to the elevator is still mostly empty with only a handful of people milling about at such an early hour. The two surmise that many of them are probably trainers as well, judging by the Pokemon trailing behind them. Most of the ‘mon following their trainers were of the smaller varieties due to the fact that a fine, upstanding establishment like this would not tolerate having some of the larger ‘mon roving about on the off chance a mess were made. That aside, some of them did seem to be just as eager as they were to get out and about for the day.
Over towards the elevators is a familiar sight of the nice old couple from yesterday waiting for an elevator to take them wherever they need to go. The couple spotted Dan and Scoli just as the elevator arrived and politely moved to let them on first, but the trainer and his ‘mon had different plans for today! “Sorry, but you can go on without us. We’re gonna take the stairs today! Gotta make the most of today’s workout after all!” Upon hearing this, the old man and his wife seem quite relieved for some reason; most likely just glad seeing the younger generation getting out and about more, Dan assumed.
A couple flights of stairs down and the duo arrived back in the lobby and headed over to the front-desk where a vested man greets them. “Excuse me but does this hotel serve breakfast? We’re going to need plenty of fuel for what we have planned today.” Dan asks.
The clerk smiles softly, saying “Of course! We serve breakfast, lunch and dinner here at most hours. Though only the breakfast is complimentary; our lunches and dinners have a nominal price but if you upgrade to our gold membership you can get a 20% discount on all purchases.”
“Ahh, thanks but for now we’d just like something to carb up for right now.”
“Of course, sir. The complimentary breakfast is served in the hotel cafeteria from 5 AM to 11 AM and Lunch is served from 11 to 4.”
“Awesome! Then we have plenty of time for some grub.”
The two to leave, moving at a brisk pace as the desk man says, “U-uh, will that be all, sir?”
“Oh, yes and thank you!” He calls back to the man as they turn a corner.
Together, they quickly make their way to the cafeteria, Scoli being careful to not bump into any of the other hotel goers with her tail as the hotel guests busy themselves about the place. As they walked, a strange thing seemed to happen, many pokemon and people dressed in a riot of colors began moving in the same direction as the two were. With her height and taller vantage point, Scoli couldn’t help but see a sort of colorful river of people and pokemon moving along the hall, all of them seemingly drawn by the aroma of cooked meats and sweets of breakfast. Finally, at the end of the hall, they opened the great double doors and arrived in heaven.
Laid before them was a veritable banquet of breakfast foods, covering the entire food pyramid of savoury and sweets; there were pancakes awaiting in stacks, tubs of batter for self-serve waffles, bacon and eggs of a dozen different varieties steaming in treys, baskets of muffins and bagels hot and fresh from the oven, as well as toast with butters, jams and jellies waiting on either end of the long tables. Add onto all that were several large jugs of water and various pots of fresh coffees and teas to wash it all down with. The two were stunned by the glory of such a feast.
Dan could feel his mouth watering and a quick glance to the side showed that Scoli was laser focused on the food as well. Giving the bug-type a small nudge to get her attention, Dan gives her a wide smile and a sly wink before running off to the breakfast feast. Grabbing a big plate from the utensils table, he loads up with pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, apple slices, orange wedges, hash browns and a berry-nut muffin balanced on top. For herself, Scoli makes herself a big stack of waffles and sausages, slathered liberally in thick sweet syrup, as well as a big cup of mixed fruit to round out her diet. Together with their haul, they move to a free table and dig in with gusto. After a moment or two, Dan couldn’t help but feel the eyes of some of the other hotel patrons looking at them as they munched and scarfed their breakfast. A bit odd, but seeing as no one complained (out loud at least), they figured it was no real bother. Besides, Dan and Scoli had been on their journey for so long it’d be understandable that many of their table manners might have been left behind somewhere in the wilderness.
About an hour later, bellies full and spirits high, the duo tread their way to the beach, ready for the training to come. Scoli lightly jaunts her way beside Dan, almost skipping with excitement, ready for some real training after yesterday’s lighthearted fun. The sandy beach was already hot and active with people by the time they arrived with people unfurling towels and opening umbrellas, staking claim to the best real estate for beach relaxing. Luckily, there’s was still plenty enough space by the less desired areas of the beach for what Scoli and Dan had planned. Together, they picked their spot and set their training camp over by a high bank of sand against a stone retaining wall. Dan rolls out his own set of gear for the day; heavy padded punch gloves, towels of the non-beach kind, a trainer’s whistle and several bottles of electrolyte infused water for the best hydration.
Looping the whistle about his neck, he slipped the gloves on his hands and gave a short nod ready to Scoli. Skipping lightly in place for a moment, Scoli finds her own balance before settling into a half-crouch, arms cocked and ready, meeting Dan’s eyes with a nod of her own. He sounds the whistle.
Almost instantly, her leg lances out like lightning, catching the flat of one of the gloves before she spins in place to launch another kick from the other side. The strength and power behind each kick travels through the gloves with almost staggering force. It’s obvious she’s being careful to not actually hit Dan, but one can never be too cautious or too well prepared… hence the gloves.
The wind whistles behind each of her strikes alongside Dan’s own whistles as she brings in her fists into the mix. She ducks and leans away from the couple of blows her trainer swings at her to keep her on her toes as they move. The sand around them flies at several points with their rapid movements. At several points they almost have to stop to make sure they don’t leave their space or drift into the more public area with all the sand and comotion they’re causing.
After some time of this, Dan gives a long blow on the whistle to signal a break. Looking at the sun, he notices they’d been going at their little training match for quite a while. It was already past Noon!
Dan calls for a break and hands Scoli a bottled water before taking a drink of his own as Scoli takes dainty sips of hers. “Phew, we were really going at it, eh Scoli?” He smiles at Scoli as he wipes the sweat from his face. After a moment of refreshing themselves, he notices how oddly quiet the beach is and looks around. Some distance away, a small semicircle of people had almost surrounded the training two, spectators to the show they’d unconsciously put on. Being polite, Dan gives them a little wave as they slowly disperse, seeing that the show was over. It wasn’t but a moment later that it dawned on him, they’d just seen a Human going toe to toe with a full grown Pokemon. Even if they had just been sparring, he surmised it must have been quite the sight.
He laughs at how oblivious he could be. “It’s nothing to worry about! We do this stuff all the time!” He called to the remaining crowd, trying to put them at ease. This only received mixed reactions, almost like that was somehow worse or something. All in all, most of them seemed to find something else to be interested in on the beach. “Hm, okay. Alrighty, Scoli! Wanna break for lunch somewhere?”
She gives a soft nod in agreement, eyes focused like she’s trying to play it cool, but it’s obvious she’s excited at the prospect of food after such a long workout, especially after the big breakfast they’d had. She’s practically bouncing with excitement as the two pack up their stuff, getting ready to head back to street level and the food carts there. The scent of tantalizing foods cooking wafted down the beach, drawing their senses towards delicious treats.
As they finish packing their equipment and begin their sandy walk back to the street, a shadow falls across their path. “Hm? Hey! I know you!” Dan shouts loudly, thrusting his finger at the teen blocking their path. “You’re that beach kid from yesterday!”
“I HAVE A NAME, YOU KNOW!” Shouts the beach kid louder, his chubby friend, Jev, cowering behind him. “Ahem, listen here. I know you two were havin fun and all yesterday and all today too. But I’ll have you know that you two have been messing up my part of the beach and I. Don’t. Like. It.” He said with a sneer.
The chubby kid behind him seemed anxious as he whispered, “Markela, come on. You promised you wouldn’t- “
“JEV! Shut. Up.” Markela was almost turning red beneath his tan as he nearly shouted again. “Listen, trainer boy. Let’s be sporting about this.” He said as he reached behind his back, pulling out a pokeball with flame decals printed on it. “I challenge you to a Poke-battle. Winner takes this section of the beach. Loser never comes back.” The sneer in his voice migrated to his face, ruining whatever looks he might have had.
“Um, listen, kid. Me and Scoli are already done and we were just about to leave so you can just have the beach n- “ Dan reasoned but was cut off.
“YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!” And simple as that, the beach punk throws his pokeball to the ground in an explosion of light. Almost instantly, the light coelesses into the shape of a large feline pokemon; a large body strapped with sleek muscles, glossy pale blue fur from head to toe and a menacing look marred only by its perfectly spherical head.
“Whew, never seen an Alolan Persian before.” Dan said appraisingly. “Almost cute really, but nowhere near as cute as my Scoli here.” He pointed a thumb behind him at the suddenly flustered Scolipede.
“Arrgh, I’ll make you and your nasty bug’mon regret ever coming to Alola. Sweet-Cheeks! GET EM!!!”
The feline pokemon suddenly rushed at Dan and Scoli, closing the distance swiftly. Moving at surprising speed, Scoli shifted in front of Dan, blocking the Persian just as it tackled. It’s initial attack canceled, the Persian flailed its claws about, attempting to scratch the bug-type even as she grappled with it and threw it to clear some space. Even on the sandy terrain, the feline landed lightly on its feet some distance away, eyeing the bug type before choosing its next attack.
However, Dan wouldn’t give it the chance. “Scoli! Give ‘em the ol’ One-Two!”
With no hesitation, Scoli dived to the ground, rolling into a defensive curl before rolling out at speed, fast as a freed racecar tire toward the Persian. Surprised, the Persian was too slow to react, allowing Scoli to hit it hard in the side, launching it high into the air before it landed hard in an explosion of sand. Scoli whipped around in the sand, spreading out on all fours in a low crouch, ready for her opponent's next move. The screams and comotion hadn’t gone unnoticed, as several people further down the beach had gathered at a safe distance to watch the battle.
“Careful Scoli, we don’t know what that cat can do!” Scoli nodded at Dan’s coaching
“What kinda nonsense was that! Sweet-cheeks! Use our home-field advantage!”
A moment later, the Persian was back on its feet and lunging at the bug-type once more. As soon as it was in range, it changed tactics, swiping at the ground and kicking up a wave of sand directly into Scoli’s face!
“Hah! Don’t mess with the Home-Team you tourist!” Mocked the punk as his Persian once more swiped and clawed at Scoli.
Blinded, the scolipede could only defend as best she could, blocking with arms and tail as claw attacks rained down on her. “Scoli! Clear the field!” Dan shouted. Instantly Scoli reacted with a practiced pirouette. She twisted in place, sweeping her tail hard and low, knocking up a huge wave of sand before slamming into the feline, knocking it through the air before it tumbled to the ground.
“ARGH! DAMNIT!!!” Screamed the punk. “I AM NOT LOSING HERE!” Reaching behind his back, he pulled out a second pokeball, this one marked with a green star.
At this moment, the punk’s friend decided to speak up, “Markela! Don’t! You’ll get us in so much trouble!”
Markela just shrugged off his advice and his friend. “Like Hell am I going to lose to a damned Tourist like this kid.” He threw the ball to the ground, resulting in another explosion of light. “BBQ, Get in there and squash that bug!” A Marowak emerged from the light, spinning a blue-flaming bone club and skull emblazoned with a black star.
“Hey! Two on one isn’t fair!” Shouted Dan.
“I don’t see a ref anywhere! BBQ, use flame spinner!” The Marowak spun their flaming bone until a ring of blue flames formed that launched itself at Scoli who leapt back to dodge.
Suddenly, the Persian charged back across the sand, launching a tackle at the open side of the bug pokemon. She only just managed to dodge again by throwing herself backwards out of the way only to see the Marowak join the fray with his flaming boneclub. She lost ground with every move she made, blocking and dodging the onslaught, hoping for an opening to counterattack. Scratches and burns began to accumulate as exhaustion took its toll on her and the pokemon double team backed her into a corner.
As he watched the slaughter about to happen, the beach punk gloated. “Better watch carefully as they teach your bug-bitch a lesson about respect, tourist pun- huh?” The punk looked over to enjoy whatever shock or horror would be on Dan’s face, only to find the place he had been empty.
Moments after the Marowak had joined the fight, Dan could see that Scoli was outmatched in this 2v1 and needed help. Abandoning safety and reason, he rushed into the fray, tackling the Marowak away mid-swing and sweep kicking the Persian giving himself and Scoli some breathing room. “You alright there, Scoli?” Dan breathed smoothly, easing into a fighting stance.
“Scol,” agreed Scoli.
“You MORON! Think you can stand up in a Poke-fight? Don’t cry when you and your bug-bitch get put in your place!” A nearly manic look entered the beach-punks eyes as he screamed his threats, drawing a crowd on the other end of the beach.
“Markela, this is going way too far- “ Jev said.
“Shut UP, Jev!” Hollered Markela. “Sweet-Cheeks! BBQ! GET EM!!!”
The Alolan pokemon hesitated briefly, were they really supposed to fight a human? More screams from their trainer convinced them that it was probably better to simply knock the two out and get this over with. They charged, the Marowak swinging high at Dan and the Persian swiping low at Scoli. Scoli crouched low, looking to meet the Persian’s attack head on when she suddenly leapt, dodging the wild attack before planting a hard kick to the feline’s rotund face, driving it deep into the ground once more, this time for good.
As Scoli fought her battle, Dan kept pace, giving ground as the Marowak swung its club at him, blue flames dancing through the air mere inches from where he had been. The crowd now surrounding them gasped and cheered with every swing and every near miss as people clamored and questioned the legality of what they saw. Dan bid his time, waiting for an opening in the relentless attacks until the Marowak tried for a huge overhead swing with his club. Taking this chance, Dan slipped in closer, grappling the Marowak’s arm on the downswing and using its own force against it and flipping it and slamming it into the ground.
The match was over. The Persian’s head buried in the sand and the Marowak dazed on its back. The winners: Dan and Scoli! The crowd cheered for the seemingly underdog win, as Dan rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and Scoli put on her best stoic appearance. The hollars and whoops of celebration gradually turned to the hollars of alarm and the whoop of sirens; someone had called the police during the fight and they had now just arrived.
Clearing the way through the crowd was officer Jenny accompanied by a huge Arcanine wearing a badge and vest loaded with equipment. “Alright, what’s this about an unauthorized poke-battle in a public area?” Her eyes swept over the suddenly thinning crowd before setting on Dan and Scoli. “You two, were you involved in this?” She questioned harshly.
Shocked but not entirely surprised, Dan responded “Um, yes ma’am. But to be fair, it was the other kid who essentally forced the battle when he attacked us.”
“And who is this other ‘kid’?”
“Oh, he’s right… Huh?”
Where the beach punk, his friend and pokemon had been standing was a cloud of dust, Markela and his gang had taken their chance when Officer Jenny had arrived and were now running off down the beach. This did nothing for the beach-punk’s temper as he paused just long enough to shout, “DON’T YOU THINK THIS IS OVER YOU TOURIST!!!”
“Arcanine, bring them in!” Ordered officer Jenny, to which Arcanine followed, pounding down the beach after the punks. “Ugh, I should have known… Sorry sir, but that kid is a member of the Skull Gang. Mostly, they’re just a bunch of punks who pick fights and try to stir up trouble.” A tired, exasperated look filled her eyes as she watched her Arcanine chase after the vanishing shapes of Markela and Jev, before turning a more hopeful look towards Dan. “I just hoped they didn’t hurt you or your Scolipede here too much.”
“Oh, it’s nothing a potion can’t handle. Besides, it was partly my fault we even need that much by letting things get that far.” Dan tried his best to put the seemingly bedraggled officer at ease, despite the seemingly odd situation.
“Well, that’s a relief, I suppose. Just be sure to leave these punks to the professionals and try to stay out of trouble you two. Dismissed!” With that and a crisp salute, Officer Jenny pursued her Arcanine and her two perps, leaving Dan and the slightly bewildered Scoli on the now nearly empty beach.
“Well… That was interesting.” Declared Dan. “Are you alright Scoli? Let me take a look at those scratches.” She was reluctant at first but warmed to his concern quickly enough, letting him grab a potion from their pack and spraying the cooling mist onto her cuts and scratches. Mere moments later, her wounds were near good as new and she breathed a soft “scoli” of relief. “As much fun as battles are, I’m glad that’s over with. Even if it did make for an okay workout.” He laughed lightly as he picked up their equipment again, shouldering the large pack easily.
A loud grumbling sound suddenly filled the air, surprising the two. “Heh, I guess it is getting a bit late… We better get some grub soon before we’re too hungry to move, eh Scoli?” He said, looking up into the eyes of a suddenly flustered Scoli. She nodded and he laughed again. “Yeah! That’s the spirit. Come on! Last one to street level is a Magikarp!” And with that, he dashed off down the beach, Scoli in close pursuit. An action packed day on the Island of Alola.
The End.