Its been a bit since the Rising Volt Tacklers have seen the Explorers, so Friede has lifted the rule that Liko must be accompanied by an adult every time she leaves the Brave Olivine, so she can now go out alone! Which is what she is doing. Going to the shops shouldn’t pose much of a problem right? I mean, she has Sprigatito with her.
Liko should be fine. The explorers haven’t messed with then in a while, so she doesn’t have to worry. Until she does.
“I think were lost, Sprigatito..” Liko chuckles awkwardly as she walks through a forest, Sprigatito clutched between her arms and her chest. Of course shes lost… But she cant turn back now! Murdock has tasked her with getting new ingredients, and she cant let him down. Sprigatito looks up at her and mews. “But, I can’t let Murdock down.” Liko looks ahead, a determined look on her face.
Her partner lets out a meow of agreement, and looks ahead as well.
”We’ll keep going till we reach the shop.” Liko declares, her hold on Sprigatito tightening. Murdock has done a lot for her, so it’s only fair she goes get some new ingredients for him. And then she’ll offer to get something for Mollie, and Orla, and Friede! And even Roy and Dot, as well as Old man Ludlow! The whole crew have done so much for Liko too, and she cant help but want to repay the others somehow.
She doesn’t care what they need, she’ll do it.
”Oh, Sprigatito… its getting really late..” Liko glances up at the sky, which is now an orange gradient. How long have they been out for? If they don't get back soon, the others are gonna freak out….Especially Friede.
Just then, a twig snaps, and Liko whips around.
“H-hello?” Liko stammers out, putting a foot behind her, and tightens her hold on Sprigatito again. Whilst her partner starts to growl, its fur beginning to rise and spike up.
”Hello, Liko.” She whips around again at the sound of the all to familiar voice. Amethio. Liko steps back, her heartbeats speeding up.
“A-Amethio…?” She whispers out, her limbs now feeling weak. She takes another step back as Amethio steps closer. “W-what do you want?” She forces her voice to sound level but cant help how it wavers.
”You know why.” Amethio responds, his voice has the same calmness he seems to always have.
“I- i don’t have Teraopagos with me.” She lets out a shaky breath as Sprigatito continues to growl.
Amethio steps closer, “That may be true, but it seems to only resonate with you… so you’ll need to come with me.” Ceruledge walks up beside Amethio.
Liko sucks in and quickly spins around to try and run away, but her exit is blocked by Corviknight. She grits her teeth as her feet skid across the ground. She turns back around to face Amethio.
”I knew you would try to do that.” He sighs, almost sounding like he’s disappointed in Liko. “Ceruledge, bitter blade.” Amethio calls out.
Thinking on her feet, she releases Sprigatito, “Sprigatito, leafage!” She calls out, just in time to counter bitter blade.
“Good job!” Liko praises her partner, her hands clenched in fists.
Sprigatitio lands on the floor, hissing and growling. Ceruledge lands opposite it, its gravely voice calm and collected, just like its trainer.
”Bitter blade, again.”
”Sprigatito, use quick attack!” Liko calls out, sweat dripping down her face.
What she thinks is a head on attack, turns out not to be the truth as Ceruledge moves to the side and slashes at the small cat Pokemon.
Sprigatito cries out as it slams into the ground, creating a dust cloud. “Sprigatito!” Liko calls out, worry evident in her voice. Luckily, Sprigatito shakes it off and jumps back up.
”Sprigatito, quick attack, again! Let’s go!” She calls out, pointing at Ceruledge. The grass cat Pokemon springs up and charges at its opponent, and manages to get, knocking Ceruledge back slightly and bouncing off. “Good job, Sprigatito!”
Amethio grits his teeth, “Psycho cut.” He calls out, eyes narrowed. It manages to hit Sprigatito before Liko has a chance to respond, “Follow it up with bitter blade.” Likos eyes widen as the attack lands again.
Sprigatito hits the floor again, and once the dust clears, it’s clear to see that the attack took a toll on the grass type, considering bitter blade is a fire type move. And grass types are weak to fire types. One of Likos feet step back, her limbs feeling weak again.
”Sprigatito, get up! Please!” Liko calls out, urging her partner to get up. Sprigatito shakes and stands up, hissing. “Good! Use scratch!” She calls out.
”Counter with night slash.”
The two Pokemon slam into each other, each trying to land their move, and just when Liko think Sprigatitos won, Ceruledge snarls and slams it into the ground.. again, after landing its night slash.
Sprigatito tries to get up again, but collapses, it’s chest heaving. It tries to move but it’s too weak now and can’t even stand up properly without falling to the ground again. Bruises and scars litter its body from the thrashing around its taken.
”S-Sprigatito! Get up, please!” Liko begs, her heart hammering in her chest. Oh no. Oh no no no. This is bad, very bad. Is she even a Pokemon trainer if she can’t keep her Pokemon safe?
”I would’ve expected more from you.” Amethio says, his voice unnervingly calm. “It’s a mystery as to why Terapogos chose you.” Liko glances at Amethio, before flickering her gaze to Sprigatito.
”I- I don’t know why either..” She clenches her fists, “But.. I made a promise to it, and I don’t plan on breaking it.” She narrows her eyes.
Amethio looks back at Sprigatito, “Let’s finish this…. Ceruledge, use bitter blade.” Likos eyes widen as the fire blades Pokemon gets ready to finish of Sprigatito who’s too weak to dodge.
“Sprigatito!”
Before she can think, her body is already moving. She throws herself over Sprigatito as a shield just in time and takes the brunt of the attack, sending them both slamming into a tree. However, Liko had wrapped her arms around the grass cat Pokemon to ensure that it didn’t get harmed anymore than it already has.
As she hits the tree, an awful pain shoots through her body, especially in one of her arms and back. She lets out a pained scream at the initial contact, but as soon as she hits the floor, her entire body almost goes completely limp.
Her arms open slightly, allowing Sprigatito to slip out, who, as soon as noticing Liko on the floor, quickly tries to urge her onto her feet.
“It’s pathetic, really.” Amethio walks closer, “Throwing yourself into danger for your Pokemon.” As he gets closer, Sprigatito starts growling and hissing.
Ceruledge holds up one of its blades, waiting for a command from its trainer. “I suppose we should finish this. Make sure she doesn’t put up much a fight when we bring her to our base.” He says, his voice remaining calm as Liko struggles to look up at him through a blurry vision.
Just before her vision goes blank, she sees a lightning bolt.
**********
Her entire body aches. Especially hers ribs and right arm. She lets out a groan as she attempts to sit up, but almost immediately she collapses back down.
She brings up her right arm and notices its wrapped in bandages, up until the end of her elbow. Her mind is running with what happened. Her thoughts are all muddy. Last thing she can remember is heading to the shops to get new ingredients for Murdock…
Why is she in so much pain?
She glances around and notices Dot.. who’s asleep. Not in her room. Liko tilts her head slightly but immediately regrets that as she has a pain shoot through her body, again. She flinches in pain, a small hiss escaping her lips. Though, this seems to be loud enough to wake up Dot.
Dots eyes, which were visible as they put up their hair, open slowly. She mumbles something quietly before jolting up straight.
”Liko!” She jumps out of the chair she was sitting on and to the side of the bed Liko was laying on.
”Dot….?” Liko whispers, trying not to move much as she learnt that is a terrible idea right now, “W-what happened?” She squints her eyes.
”I-I’ll tell you in the minute! I need to go get Mollie!” And before Liko can respond, Dot is gone, leaving Liko alone. Or, alone with a few Pokemon as she soon discovers.
Sprigatito slowly walks up to her, being careful not to step on Liko. “Sprigatito…” She speaks in a soft tone after noticing the bandages on her partner. Then she notices Chansey who does its cry and looks at Liko softly. Same for Quaxley and Hatenna.
”Hey guys…” She tries to move again but is once again stopped when a pain shoots through her body. Chansey quickly cries out and gently pushes Liko down into a laying position. “Alright alright.. I get it.. laying down it is…”
She stops talking when she hears fast approaching footsteps, and soon enough, Dot is back, and behind her is of course, Mollie.
“Liko! Thank arceus you’re awake!” She quickly approaches the bedside.
”Mollie..? What happened…?”
Mollie visibly swallows hard, before sighing, “You don’t remember, huh?” She pulls up a chair and sits down. “I’m not surprised…” She looks down at Liko.
Liko thinks hard, but her mind is still muddy, making it hard to remember what happened.
”I’m sorry..”
Mollie shakes her head, “No, it’s alright.” She says, “Friede was the one who found you…”
***********
“What do you mean she’s not back yet?” Friede asked Orla and Murdock. It was getting late and Liko has been gone for a few hours. Which is weird, considering that she was only going to the store for Murdock. And it wasn’t like Liko to be out this long without giving them an update.
”I don’t know. She offered to get new ingredients for me.” Murdock crossed his arms as he sat at the table. “I’m starting to get worried, Friede.” He looks down.
Friede takes a deep breath. “I think we should go look for her.” Orla stands up, making Friede shake his head.
”No. You stay here. I’ll go look for her.”
“What? No, we’re looking for her as well-” She tries to protest.
”Orla, that’s an order.” Orla looks at Friede. He wasn’t acting like himself. He was getting really worried for Liko…
”Cap, come on.” He turns to leave as Cap jumps on his shoulder and stands up straight, its arms crossed.
As soon as he gets onto the battle platform, he releases Charizard and jumps onto its back. Charizard spreads wings and takes to the skies.
“Come on Liko… please be safe..” He whispers, his eyes searching the ground. Nothing can happen to Liko. Her mom put her in his care, and if she gets hurt… Friede shakes his head.
”See anything you two?” He asks his partner, only to get two shakes of their heads in response. He narrows his eyes. “Fuck…” He whispers.
Why was he getting so worried? She can handle herself, she’s done it before.. but still, there was this gnawing feeling he has that something is wrong.
Just as he’s about to look some place else, a scream rips through the air. Friede’s eyes widen, “Liko…” he whispers out as Cap does its cry and points down. Friede looks at where it’s pointing and gasps.
It was… Amethio?! Why- he shakes his head. Liko was hurt, and she needs help. “Cap, use thunder punch!” He calls out as Charizard dives. Cap jumps up i the air and holds out its fist, charging electricity as he slams into the ground in front of Amethio and his partner, Ceruledge.
”What-” He manages to get out before a cloud of dust is kicked up again. Once it clears, Friede is standing, his eyes narrowed as Charizard roars.
“What the hell have you done to Liko?!” He yells, and even that catches Amethio off guard. He’s never seen him like this. Friede usually has a smile and acts cocky. But this time. This time he’s angry.
“Charizard, flamethrower!” He calls out.
”Ceruledge, bitter blade!” Amethio tries to call out, but Charizard moves surprisingly quickly, well, more quickly than previous battles they’ve had. Charizard sends Ceruledge into a tree.
“Ceruledge!” Amethio calls out before turning to Friede. “Seems like you’ve been holding out on me.” He narrows his eyes. Friede doesn’t respond.
”Charizard, dragon claw!” He calls out another move, and it was like he was seeing red. Ceruledge moves just in time, causing the dragon claw to slash into the tree.
Cap calls out to Friede, “Not now, Cap.” He growls, and Cap calls out again, “Not now-” Cap calls out again, more louder and even angrier, finally making Friede whip around, “WHA-” he stops when he sees Liko on the ground, unconscious. Sprigatito was next to her, desperately trying to get up up as Cap looks at him.
Friede runs over to her, “Charizard!” He calls out, making the dragon leave Ceruledge. Friede picks her up, “Come on kid… wake up..” He whispers as he jumps onto Charizard.
”Ceruledge, psycho cut!” Amethio calls out, to try and stop Friede from getting away, only for Cap to counter it with thunder bolt.
”This is not over, Amethio.” Friede glares at him, as Charizard takes to the skies again.
***********
Orla and Murdock are on the battle platform, getting antsy.
”Do you think everything is okay?” Murdock asks Orla.
”Of course everything’s okay! We’re talking about Liko and Friede! Liko is one strong girl and Friede will find her.” Orla pats his back comfortingly.
”I know, I know… I just.. would hate something to happen to her especially since she went out because of me.” Murdock sighs, just as Charizard comes into view.
”He’s back, hopefully he found…” Orla trails off as she sees Liko, in Friede’s arms, and considering his face.
”Friede, what the hell happ-” Murdock runs up to him as soon as he lands.
”I’ll tell you later, go get Mollie, now!” Friede jumps down, as Cap lands on his shoulder with Sprigatito. Orla nods and runs into the ship.
Soon enough she returns with Mollie and Chansey. “Friede! What the fuck happened to Liko and Sprigatito?!” Chansey runs up to him and quickly takes Liko, as Mollie takes Sprigatito.
”Just- Just treat her and then I’ll explain!” Mollie nods.
After she’s left, Friede drops to the floor. “What do I do?” He looks up at Murdock and Orla, “I told Ms Lucca that’s I’d look after her daughter…”
“I’m sure Liko will be fine…” Orla sits down next to him, as Murdock nods.
”Yeah. Mollie is great. She’ll help Liko.” Murdock says.
”I know- b-but- fuck, I was meant to look after Liko! And now she’s- she’s hurt!” He takes a deep breath, “I swear… when I see Amethio next…”
”Wait, hold up, the Explorers did this?” Murdock gasps.
”Not the explorers… just Amethio.” Friede narrows his eyes, as he stands up. “Let’s head into the meeting room.”
Orla and Murdock look at each other before following Friede.
************
“Oh…” Liko whispers as she looks at the ceiling.
”You have a broken arm and a few bruises on your ribs.” Mollie says as she looks through the medical notes she wrote.
“I guess that’s why everything hurts…” She lifts her right arm up again, looking at the bandages, before glancing at Sprigatito. “Is everything okay with Sprigatito…?”
“It only had a few bruises and scratches.” Mollie says, “Do you know why Amethio attacked you? Friede said he only got there in time to see you on the ground.”
Liko goes quite, trying to remember what happened before it hits her, “Oh… Amethio’s Ceruledge was winning against Sprigatito.. and i didn’t think.. so before Ceruledges last move hit Sprigatito.. I used my body as a shield…”
”Liko, that was so dumb.”
“I know! But- Sprigatito was already hurt and- I’m sorry..” She whispers. Mollie sighs.
”Don’t apologise…” She stands up straight.
”Uh… Mollie..? Can I talk to Liko?” Dot pokes her head round the corner of the door.
”Sure. I need to go talk to the others, anyway.” Mollie looks down at Liko, “Domt move too much.” And with that, she exits the room.
Dot walks in and sits down beside Liko. “How… do you feel?” They ask.
”In a lot of pain.” Liko chuckles awkwardly, looking up at Dot.
”Right. Of course you are. Arceus that was a stupid thing to ask.” She runs a hand through her hair.
“No.. it’s okay… how are you..?” Liko asked, a small smile on her face.
“How am I?? You’re the one who’s hurt!” Dot takes a deep breath. It was just like Liko to ask someone else how they are, even though she’s the one who’s injured. “I was… very worried about you.” Dot blushes slightly.
”Thanks…” Liko tries to sit up, this time succeeding, even if she’s still in a shit ton of pain.
”W-wait! Don’t move, Mollie said-“ Dot tries to get Liko to lay back down.
”No.. I’m fine..” Liko says, still smiling softly.
”LIKOOOOO!”
Liko looks up, just as Roy rushes into the room, followed by Fuecoco and Wattrel. Roy has tears in his eyes as he throws his arms around Liko.
”Ouch-“ Liko winces and Roy quickly steps back.
“Roy! Be careful!” Dot scolds him.
”Liko, I’m so sorry! I was just so worried!” Fuecoco and Wattrel both cry out, showing their concern for her as well.
”Thanks guys…” She smiles as Fuecoco jumps on the bed with her, and Wattrel flies up onto her shoulder, being careful as to not hurt her.
”A-are you okay?” Roy asks.
”I’ll be fine… with a lot of rest.” Liko sighs, ignoring the pain in her ribs as she says so. “Uhm.. d-do you guys know where Friede is?” Liko asks, looking between her friends.
”I think he’s in the control room… he hasn’t left since he told us all how he found you.” Dot shifts in their seat.
Liko swings her feet around and tries to stand up, making Chansey rush to her, crying out in a way that could only be described as ‘don’t move.’
“Liko! What are you doing?” Dot reaches out, trying to stop her from getting up, “Mollie wait to not move!” Liko flinches in pain as she moves.
“I need to go see Friede.. he saved me….. again.” Liko looks at her friends as Chansey holds her. “Chansey? Can you please help me over to the control room?” She asks. Chansey hesitates before nodding.
”Are you sure you should be moving..? We can go get him instead.” Roy furrows his eyebrows, as Liko shakes her head.
”No, It’s fine.” She says, putting a hand on Chansey’s head as Chansey wraps its arms around Liko, supporting her weight and making sure she doesn’t fall. “I want to go find him myself.”
Roy and Dot look at each other before sighing. “Fine, but if you start hurting too much, stop moving.” Dot sighs as they stand up.
Liko nods as Chansey helps her walk to the control room.
When they reach it, Liko pushes the door open to see Friede’s back to it. “Murdock. I’ve told you to leave me alone.” He says, assuming that Murdock was the one to open the door.
”Friede…?” As soon as the word leaves her mouth, Friede spins around, almost knocking Cap off his shoulder, who’s just as surprised as him. While Friede is frozen, Cap is quick to jump on Chanseys head, showing its concern.
Friede was closer and drops to his knees, “Liko-“ he whispers out before wrapping his arms around her, surprisingly gentle. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Liko flinches slightly, “Well.. as okay as I can be..” She wraps her arms around Friede as best as she can.
“I swear… the next time I see Amethio…” He hisses under his breath.
”Please don’t hurt anyone…” She lets go of him when he pulls back, hands on her shoulders.
”But- Liko-“
“I know… but, please just don’t hurt anyone for me…” She whispers, and Friede reluctantly nods. “Thank you for saving me, by the way…”
Friede smiles slightly, “Of course…”