Another way/Changing paths

Chapter 8: Follow the metal brick road...



Brian smirk didn't leave his face and after a moment of waiting I finally figured out why...his Dewott was nowhere to be seen. For all I know it could be right behind Foo and I.

Quickly looking down to Foo I said, "Foo back to back!"

Once I gave out the command Foo immediately jumped up and landed behind me and stood in a fighting pose. I think he must have figured that there was something up with Brian and him just standing there by himself.

I could then hear multiple footsteps approaching Foo and I from behind they were both hastening steps, so I then could just assume that it was Kelly and that fox looking thing.

Not taking my eyes off Brian I tapped Foo on the shoulders and whispered over my back, "Let's ease forward pass Brian so we don't get surrounded."

With a slight nod and sharp murmur of his name he began to start walking behind me backwards. I began to walk forwards towards Brian who still did not let that smile leave his face.

As we got closer to him I could see the beginning of the bridge was right behind him. In order for me to progress I'll need to get by him. Plus the last I check it was only meant for Foo to defend himself not me.

"You know you won't get anywhere near me before Osha takes you out right?" he said smugly. "Guessing you must have notice that she isn't by my side so obviously she must be hiding elsewhere. Though this place isn't as big as you think; Brandon you need to piece it together."

At this point I'm sure he wants me to use my head and figure out where his Dewott is. I won't have much time either because the footsteps closing in behind me.

Looking down to Foo I muttered..."Focus..."

Calming down enough to close his eyes he began searching for her; I could tell that he was concentrating on the slightest thing that would tip him off on her location. Even though the environment that we are in wouldn't allow for much silence, but this is also a part of his training.

Looking backwards I could see Kelly and that fox quickly approaching they'd be on us in a couple of heartbeats. I decided to pick him and up and carry him pass Brian.

Turning around I grabbed the small fighting Pokémon around the waist with my right arm. But to my surprise he didn't even flinch he just remained calm and continued to focus. Loving the way he was acting right now, I decided to make a mental note to reward him later, but for right now I need to keep going.

Now it was my time to focus and make sure he was in the right position when that Dewott struck. I started running towards Brian in a light jog. Hopefully he shouldn't try anything, atleast that's what I hope because I can't defend myself while I'm holding Foo.

Nearing him I begun to pass him he just stood there and let us on by. I started thinking to myself that that was very weird; surely he saw how my defenses were lowered.

As that thought ran through my head I notice how there was nobody else on the bridge as I started making my way on to it. I could still hear the footsteps of Kelly following right behind me. Once I cross this bridge I'll be home free there will be nothing to attack me.

If only I could attack them, that'll make this whole exercise much easier. Though complaining about it won't help me any at the moment.

Turning to see where she was, I noticed that Kelly started slowing down to a walk when she came up to Brian. He turned his gaze over to her as she neared him and whispered something to her. With a slight nod she continued to walk towards me on the bridge. She had a very dark look in her face and not at the girl that I come to know. She had a scowl that seemed like a look of regret about her.

Foo was still focusing in my arms, and I didn't want to do too much bouncing and break his concentration. Kelly and that fox were getting dangerously close and with Brian's Dewott still lurking about, can't make any sudden moves or it'll be game over for Foo and I. 'That's it!' I thought to myself as plan quickly came to mind.

Waiting for Kelly to get a little closer towards me I quickly whispered, "Foo when I say go I want you to attack that fox with you strongest, Jump Kick you can muster." A very slight nod in agreement from the young martial arts Pokémon confirmed to me that he was ready.

I didn't want to go too far and have Brian's Dewott get the jump on us while Kelly was still in pursuit. Without a moment's notice the black fox lunged towards Foo and me. Its left paw's claw's started to glow dark. I could only assume that it was Night Slash, though it probably won't deal that much damage to foo it will break his focus.

The fox was a meter away from me as it already had its arm pulled backwards and ready to take a swing at us. Once it launched its attack I could only react the best my body knew how. I leaned backwards and spun around doing a complete three-sixty to dodge/minimize the damage. Not only for Foo, but for myself as well though I couldn't allow him to be harmed.

As I went through the motions it felt as if time had slowed down and I was able to see everything perfectly. The fox's darkened claw swept right over me, but grazing my right shoulder as I spun around. Ignoring the pain as I then turned back to face the creature I saw that it was wide open for attack.

Yelling to the top of my lungs, "Foo, jump kick let's go!"

The small martial arts Pokémon jumped from my arms and brought it's left foot up to connect with the black fox lower jaw. Watching Foo use so much power that it was enough to bring the fox off its feet and into the air, it then landed very roughly in front of Kelly.

Foo soon followed as he then landed on the ground right in front of it right on his face. I could hear him panting very loudly. I think he must have put a lot of energy into that kick.

Kelly had a very surprised expression on her face and I couldn't have blamed her. Though I knew that she was going to be pissed at me, but one glance at my shoulder to look at my newly obtained scratch quickly made me feel as if I didn't care.

Making my way over to where Foo knelt I scooped him up in my arms and glanced back over to where Kelly was one final time and then turned back towards the bridge. Continuing my way forward I soon found myself in the center of it and I could see the tall trees that must lead towards Nacrene City.

"Not much longer now." I muttered to Foo who was still breathing very heavily.

As I continued to walk I could feel something underneath my feet vibrating. "Oh shit..." I couldn't help but say as I remembered that Kelly wasn't the only one trying to stop me. That Dewott must be near somewhere, "Foo, I may need you one more time, ok buddy?"

With a slight nod he jumped down from my arms. As he landed on the ground I could still see breathing heavily. I knew that he couldn't go on anymore, probably has one maybe two more shots left in him before he goes down from exhaustion.

We made our way towards the seventy five percent mark of the bridge. Occasionally looking down towards Foo I could see that he was beginning to limp, he must have done some damage to his foot when he kicked that fox.

Suddenly I could see a small blue figure standing at the end of the bridge. I could tell that it was Brian's Dewott Osha, because the small figure wasn't moving and it had its arms folded.

"Foo, get ready." I whispered as we continued to get closer to her. I've noticed that there wasn't hardly anyone on this side of the bridge though I'm not really sure why that could be, but I've seen plenty of cars pass by as soon as we started making our way towards the bridge.

Shaking the unnecessary thought from my head, I saw that the Dewott started making its way towards us as well. I noticed that it was picking up speed as well as reaching for the shells on both of its sides.

Using his left arm he held it out in front of me. He was signaling me to stand back and for him to handle this alone. Though I knew it wasn't the right thing to do, I could tell he didn't have much energy left in him. Another well placed attack could either knock him out or hurt seriously injure him.

Though I guess I could sense the pride in me building up along with the pride inside him. I felt that he needed to do this. I didn't know what kind of life Foo must have lived before he met me, but I could tell that it was a lonely one. If this small Pokémon have taught me anything was this, 'if I get knocked down by something stronger than me just don't throw in the towel, dust myself off and get back up!'

The Dewott was very close now she was only about two meters away. I closed my eyes and put complete faith in him and his abilities. It shouldn't take me to tell him everything to do on the battlefield in order for him to make the right move; sometimes what it takes is a little self-reliance to become stronger.

But something weird began happening it was as if though I started to recall the past, but it wasn't through my eyes it was through BRIAN's! Though I've never been one to shy away from anything in my life and I won't start now, but still this is really weird. At first everything was blurry and muffled, but the more I focused everything started to come together.

'Ok, Osha what I need you to do is if Brandon's able to make it pass Kelly and her Zoroark, I want you do everything in your power to stop them from crossing the bridge.' Brian's Dewott stared at him with a growing smile spreading across her face. 'I know that his Mienfoo should be pretty tired once he get finish fighting that Zoroark and if he is still conscious; after that it'll be up to you finish him off. Nothing too fancy a simply Razor Shell will do ok?'

With his final word everything snapped back to reality. When I looked over to where the Dewott was running I see that she was less than a meter away from Foo. It was as if though time had stood still for a moment when I had to bizarre vision.

If Brian feels that he can keep underestimate my Pokémon he has another thing coming. Time still was moving pretty slowly as I saw the Dewott get closer, but at a much slower pace.

Calmly I slightly leaned forward and whispered very lightly, so lightly to the point where I could barely feel the breath leave my mouth. But I was certain that my words reached him, I wasn't sure how, but they did. I sharply muttered, "Ready for Razor Shell." It was short, quick, and to the point.

I could see Foo very slightly positioning himself in a way where he could make a quick dodge from any angle she could have attacked him. I could tell that he was more than ready to anticipate anything that she could have thrown at him. Shifting his left foot forward and pivoting his right foot backwards, I saw he raised both of his arms in front of him.

As Osha drew both of her calm shells and in a instants formed a light blue water energy on the end of them both. Making a tall leap into the air she came towards him to finish him off in one blow.

As Osha neared Foo time began to speed up. I held my breath and hoped Foo had some idea of what he was doing because if not he was going to spend a night or two inside a center.

Suddenly, moving just as fast as Osha, Foo quickly rolled underneath the descending skyward water-type swordsman. As the Dewott landed on concrete Foo roll-slid to his feet, both of his hands started to glow bright blue as he then stood to his feet. He didn't allow the Dewott a chance to breathe as he then pushed both of his hands into her back.

There was small bang that went off as the Dewott was sent flying towards me; I nimbly stepped out of its crashing path. As she was sent flying pass me I noticed that there was something on her back that continued to push her further along. With another loud bang I could see where she had landed, and that she had lost all consciousness.

I couldn't see Brian, but I knew he wouldn't be too far behind to help her out. Now I just needed to get across the bridge and I'll be home free. Taking a quick glance over my shoulder I could see Foo, "Not much further just..." Was all I could mutter as I turned to face Foo.

"Foo?" I called out to him, but got no responds. He stood on his feet, but he was staring at the ground. I couldn't see his eyes; I took a few steps closer to him see check and see if he was okay, but then gasp with widen eyes to see he was completely knocked out on his feet.

Whatever that last attack was that he used must have been too much for him. I chuckled a bit before approaching him; hauling him on to my shoulders I whispered into his ear, "We're going to cross the finish line together..."

Taking my final steps off the bridge and into the city felt like being inside a cold room and then walking outside into the warm sun. Taking a deep breath I tasted the air the make sure I wasn't dreaming.

I continued my way toward the forest filled area that lead into the city. As I walked I could hear the faint snoring of Foo on my shoulders. I knew that he would have to go to a center really soon just to recover his strength and have his foot looked at.

Soon I found myself inside the city it was much larger than what I expected from walking through the forest. If I'm not mistaken there should be a museum around here that supposed to be quiet nice. I guess I could take Kelly there to make up for what happen to her Zoroark.

Looking at my shoulder where Foo still lie draped unconsciously I whispered lightly, "You're not the only one that's tired...but all in all I'm so proud of you." With that said I continued through the city.

Not long afterwards I found a Pokémon Center it looked just the same as every other Pokémon center found in this region or the next. Saying that I could probably tell what it looks like on the inside as well.

Ten minutes seemed to have flown by when the nurse turned back to me and handed me back my Pokéball that was containing Foo. With a smile and a slight nod she bid me farewell.

As I left from out of the center I found taking a nice long stretch to get rid of all the wrinkles and tension that was building up within me. With the sun beaming down happily on me made the stretch even better.

"Ahhh so there you are Brandon thought I'd find you over here." I could hear the familiar voice of my twin.

Turning around to face him I smiled and said, "Yeah well with you and Kelly tag teaming me the safest spot right now would be a Center. Atleast I know when I get my ass kicked they'll be here to heal me."

With a slight chuckle I looked around to see where Kelly was, but to my surprise she was nowhere to be seen. Brian must have seen the hint of concern in my face because he looked in the direction that I looking and said, "She said that she'll meet up with us later because she has something to take care of."

Not taking the concerned look on my face away I looked towards him and asked, "Did she look pissed when she told you that?"

"Nope, in fact she seemed quite happy. I'm not sure what her deal may be, but I do know this she's much stronger than she's letting on. Brandon word of advice becareful around her, again I'm not sure what she's after." He said with all the seriousness as if he were talking to father.

"What if she just wants to travel with someone? What if she just wants to be happy...?" I said to him as my train of thought started to leave me with an overwhelming thought of sadness filling me.

"Well I'm not sure about all that, but still I'd keep an eye out/open for her if I were you." He said sternly. "But while we're here at the Pokémon Center might as well get Osha healed up and get a room checked out for the night."

I gave him a slight nod, but then turned to look at the city. Thinking about where Kelly might have gone started to interest me more than me sleeping right now. Though this place is pretty big I she should not have gone too far. I guess the sooner I apologize to her the better, either that or I just really want to spend some time with her.

I think I'm just want to play the clique hero in her life of loneliness. I usually don't like those kinds of movies, but the role itself seem to suit me just fine.

"Hey, Brian I'm gonna go look for Kelly do you mind getting things ready?"

"Sure, think of it as a rewards for making it this far." He said as he turning away from me and start heading inside the Pokémon Center.

'Hmmm I think Kelly may be inside the local Gym, if recall correctly she wanted to collect the badges from the towns we passed.' I thought to myself as I made my way down the street where I hope to find her.