The next morning, Eliana woke before the sun had fully risen. The sky was a soft, bruised purple, the world still and quiet. She took a quick shower, washing away the lingering scent of salt and blood that last night's shower missed, and dressed in fresh clothes. By the time the first rays of sunlight began to creep through the window, she was already downstairs, a picture of eager anticipation.
Nurse Joy was at the counter, just as she had promised. "Good morning! Right on time. Your Staryu is doing wonderfully. All rested and ready for a new adventure with you!" She handed over the PokéBall, her smile as bright and unchanging as ever.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy!" Eliana beamed, taking the ball, "See you later!"
"I'll see you later, make sure to come in if anything happens," Nurse Joy said, thinking to herself that she wished she still had the energy of her youth.
Eliana almost couldn't wait, she strode out of the Center and into the crisp morning air, not stopping until she found a secluded spot behind the building, a small patch of grass hidden from view by a cluster of bushes.
"Come on out, Staryu," she whispered, holding the PokéBall low to the ground.
A flash of red light, and the Pokémon appeared. It looked healthier, its scales now glistening, no longer the dull color of last night, but its core was the real prize. It pulsed with a steady, bright light, a beacon of latent power. Staryu stood still for a moment before shaking itself off and looking from Eliana to Ralts.
Eliana out her hand against Staryu's core and sent of wave of energy to inspect the Pokémon closer than she had the night before. Information about Staryu bloomed in her mind, its ability was Natural Cure, a practical ability. If a status condition was gained during battle, that could be easily solved.
It's moveset, while not as impressive as Ralts, was still versatile enough to be useful.
Water Gun, Psybeam, Swift, Recover, Confuse Ray, Harden, Power Gem, and Icy Wind. Healing, stab attacks, stat boosting moves, cover moves were all necessary to be a battle ready Pokémon. Not to mention Icy Wind would eventually evolve into Ice Beam, amazing to deal with pesky grass types.
Staryu bounced softly once it realized it was being praised. It's life before this had been the wide open ocean and the being captured by the now desceased humans, who weren't good to it at all. Staryu may not have been born long but it knew when something good was happening.
Now that I'm sure Staryu can keep up with us, it's time to get to what I really want to do, Eliana thought with a small smirk on her face.
The little star Pokémon's gem flashed red, a feeling of hot anger came through the connection.
Staryu let out bubbles and started spinning in place. Eliana watched it in amusement, I've found another Pokémon that is vengeful.
(ദ്ദി˙ᗜ˙), Ralts gave a things up and then puffed out his chest, he was going to have to show this new kid the ropes. By the end of today Staryu would be as ruthless as he was!
…
As they approached the Biker Bridge, Eliana could already feel the simmering resentment and fear of the locals as they cautiously walked around the area. Even from a distance, the bridge seemed to carry a malevolent energy, a stain on the otherwise cheerful town. She parked her bike out of sight, the pastel purple frame an absurd splash of color against the grimy concrete pillars.
She could feel Ralts's bloodlust spike, a dark, eager pulse through their link. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
Staryu made an affirmative noise, already buzzing with energy.
Staryu's core flashed a deep red of acknowledgment.
Eliana strode towards the cave entrance, her hands swinging lightly, her gait casual. Ralts levitated silently beside her, a small, shadowy figure of menace. Staryu bounced along the ground behind her, an incongruous splash of color against the grim surroundings.
Three bikers were lounging near the cave's maw, their crude laughter echoing in the morning air. They were three of the ones from group that confronted Eliana the day before, their swagger undiminished by their close call with Officer Jenny. They spotted her and immediately straightened up, leering grins spreading across their faces.
"Well, well, look what the tide washed in," the largest one, a brute with a greasy beard, sneered. "Lost, little girl?"
Eliana stopped a few feet away, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Just admiring the local scenery. It's so… rustic."
"You got a lot of nerve coming back here," another biker snarled, cracking his knuckles.
"I do, don't I?" Eliana tilted her head.
Ralts eyes flared with an eerie blue light, quickly capturing all three men. They tried to sound the alarm but Ralts quickly stole the breath out of them and blocked their mouths.
Staryu bounced up, core already glowing a vibrant violet. Without a sound, it fired a brilliant beam of psychic energy that struck one biker in the head and the other two bikers square in the chest. They didn't even have a chance to twitch. The beam punched through their leather jackets and flesh with a wet, sizzling sound. The psychic energy didn't just kill; it scrambled what was inside, leaving nothing but three empty shells that collapsed to the ground. Smoke drifted from the bloodied, cauterized holes in their bodies.
Well that's certainly more efficient, Eliana mused to herself.
A wave of smug pride emanated from Staryu.
Eliana stepped over the bodies without a second glance, her Pokémon following her into the darkness of the cave.