Chapter 12 - Two teams collide
'Rose.' Sarah said. 'Rose wake up.'
Rose opened her eyes, ran her fingers through her hair and sat up.
'Rose,' Sarah said. 'How do I look?'
Rose turned to look at her friend who was stood by the mirror. She had her dark hair in an immaculate bob and wore a red dress, which Rose noticed she had seen before.
'You look very pretty.' Rose said. 'The dress looks great on you.'
'Thank you.' Sarah said. 'Cindy and Chloe really helped me with my hair.'
Rose put on her Team Magma Uniform before going to the mirror to check her hair. She tied her hair into a high ponytail just before Sarah pulled out her phone and stood next to her.
'Selfie.' Sarah said taking a picture of the pair. They both smiled, the picture looked good.
Sarah picked up some of the clips she had made before saying, 'Chloe and Cindy really like the hairpins I made, they want me to help them at the salon...I'm a little nervous though.'
'You'll do well.' Rose said kindly.
Sarah smiled back as the two left to go to get breakfast but they were stopped by the twin beauticians.
'Good Morning Sarah.' Chloe said. 'Time to get the salon ready.'
'I agree Chloe.' Cindy said as she gave Sarah some bottles to hold.
'But can't I eat first.' Sarah asked in confusion.
'There's food at our salon.' Chloe said touching her glasses.
'Beauty does not wait.' Cindy said as her and her twin ushered Sarah away.
Rose smiled, pleased at seeing Sarah's new role. The twins were very passionate about their salon and Rose knew they'd teach Sarah well. Rose continued towards the dining hall and joined the queue of grunts ordering breakfast. She looked at her fellow grunts, some looked enthusiastic and ready for the day, a couple were rubbing sleep out of their eyes, as she watched she was nudged by the grunt next to her.
'It's Rose right?' The grunt asked as Rose turned to look. 'Black hair really suits you.'
'Thank you,' Rose said. 'What is your name?'
'Hannah.' The grunt said. She was a little taller than Rose and had green eyes and long jet black hair. 'I'm helping Courtney today, I normally help the other admin but sometimes grunts get moved around.
Rose nodded as she chose her breakfast. She opted for some jam and toast along with a cup of tea. She went to sit at the table, Hannah followed her.
'I recognise you now,' Hannah said. 'You were the Flower Shop Owner, my mom likes visiting your shop, you were always so helpful.'
Rose smiled at the praise as she thought to herself. The flower shop seemed so far away now, Claire made sure she couldn't go back, did she want to?
'Rose, you ok?' Hannah said.
'Yes.' Rose replied. 'I'm just thinking about what will happen today.
Hannah smiled and ate some cereal. Rose then asked, 'What did you used to do before joining Team Magma?'
Hannah thought for a moment and said, 'I worked in the Berry Gardens just before Mt Pyre, it was nice but a little boring.' She put her hood up. 'It's a good atmosphere here, and I am intrigued by Maxie's vision.'
Rose nodded as she sipped her tea. She noted to herself that Hannah had style and it was nice to meet someone who used to do a job similar to her own. Just as she was finishing her tea she heard a Mightyena's howl.
'To the hall we go.' Hannah said standing up as grunts around them starting leaving. Rose looked around, a fair few of the grunts still looked tired, some were awkwardly eating their breakfast on the way to the hall. Rose decided to leave her toast and checked her hair was tied up.
'Rose, let's go.' Hannah said with a sense of urgency. Rose nodded as she followed her fellow grunts out of the hall.
She put her hood up and walked with Hannah as Ben saw Rose and went to ask her something.
'Rose,' He asked. 'Have you seen Sarah? She missed the Flannery match and I didn't see her this morning.'
Rose thought for a moment before saying, 'She's working with Chloe and Cindy today, she was a little nervous but I'm sure she will do well.'
Ben frowned and said, 'Yes, that makes sense.' Rose could tell he really liked her friend. He dashed ahead to speak with some other grunts. Rose walked with Hannah and the other grunts to the main hall.
When she arrived at the main hall Rose was still impressed by the scale of it. The Magma logos on the walls and the banners were striking. She stood for a moment looking around the hall as the grunts sat in their allocated blocks, Tabitha's group on one side and Courtney's on the other. Rose looked at the stage and saw Maxie and the two admins stood on the stage. Courtney spotted Rose and nodded to her. Rose went to sit at the front, some of the grunts cheerfully greeted her as she sat. She smiled at them.
'As I am sure you are aware,' Maxie said. 'Both groups will be out today helping make the aim of Team Magma a reality.'
Rose nodded, around her she could hear some uncertain murmurs.
'Tabitha's group, you will be getting the meteorite from Mount Mortar,I am sure Professor Cosmo will be very helpful to you.' Maxie said firmly.
Rose listened intently.
'Courtney's group you will be heading out to gain information on the weather institute.' He paused. 'It is known that many Pokemon are affected by the weather, Groudon is among them, a key knowledge of this will greatly help us in our goal.'
Rose continued to listen and looked at Courtney. She looked very serious and in deep concentration. 'Members of Team Magma,' Maxie said. 'Do all you can to aid us in our goal.' He spoke with authority, akin to a wise teacher.
He looked to Courtney to his right before glancing at Tabitha on his left before saying, 'Admins, you know what to do.'
Rose noted Courtney nodded enthusiastically whilst Tabitha was more reserved responding with a single nod. Maxie left the stage before Courtney walked towards her group. She gave the group instructions on their various roles before turning to Rose and saying, 'Rose, stand by my side.'
Rose did so as Courtney nodded to her group as they left the hall and headed towards the Team Magma Submarine. Rose checked her hair was securely tied under her hood as she walked. 'Rose, focus.' Courtney said. The group followed Courtney into the submarine.
Rose looked around, the submarine was bigger than it looked on the outside. The admin called over Ben and pointed towards the cockpit, he would be piloting the submarine. Courtney turned to the assembled grunts and said, 'Remember we get what we need to get and..,' She closed her eyes as she paused. 'No one gets hurt.'
The grunts nodded to the Admin as she turned to Rose. She said, 'Rose, your Pokemon...use Koffing and Golbat.'
'I will.' Rose said wondering why Courtney was nervous. 'Who will we be battling?'
'Whoever stands in our way,' She said. 'Remember you are Team Magma.' Courtney said firmly.
'Yes Courtney.' Rose said as the admin smiled briefly. She looked around the grunts were talking in their social groups, some had taken their hoods down, Rose checked her hair under her hood again.
'Your hair looks fine.' Courtney said with slight frustration.
Rose smiled unsure how to respond. The submarine travelled for a few moments then it was rammed by an unknown object causing some members of Team Magma to stumble. Courtney and Rose both landed on their backs and their hoods fell.
'What the,' The admin said as she regained her balance.
'Team Aqua?' Rose asked as she herself stood up. The submarine was rammed again, Rose caught Courtney and was able to keep her balance.
Courtney steadied herself and using Rose for support readied a Pokeball, the submarine was rocking. Her face turned stern when she heard a laugh. The grunts looked around in bemusement, Rose readied herself, this would be her first meeting with Team Aqua.
Courtney's grip of Rose's shoulder tightened as a beautiful young woman with long black hair with blue highlights arrived onto the submarine followed by several Team Aqua grunts. The grunts all had bandanas and wore somewhat pirate like gear. The woman had a pair of goggles on her head and a two piece blue outfit.
'Shelly.' Courtney said with clear frustration.
'Why of course Courtney.' The woman said. 'I always love to see my friend hahaha.' She chuckled.
'We are not friends.' Courtney said now gripping Rose's shoulder more tightly.
'Indeed,' Shelly said tossing her hair, 'But don't pretend it was your choice.' She laughed again.
Rose could tell Courtney was getting upset and said, 'What do you want Shelly?'
Shelly looked at Rose smiled and said, 'A Magma Grunt speaking directly to me, interesting,' She tossed her hair again before saying 'Surely you know that we are in opposition...enough talking Grunts attack.'
The Aqua grunts all threw their Pokeballs, several Poochyena, Zubar, Grimer and a rough looking fish Pokemon appeared.
'Grunts counter.' Courtney ordered as Shelley walked towards her and Rose. The grunts were battling all over the submarine, the submarines alarm was flashing red, Zubat were flying around all over, as Numel repelled the rough fish Pokemon, Poochyena ran into each other as the grunts battled.
With the alarms still flashing Shelly shouted to a male grunt, 'You there, over here.'
'Yes Miss Shelly' The grunt said.
'Rose.' Courtney said. 'By my side.'
Rose nodded as she readied a Pokeball.
'Sharpedo go.' Shelly said as the Aqua grunt beside her threw out a Zubat.
'Camerupt, let's do this.' Courtney said, as the camel Pokemon let out a loud cry.
Rose thought for a moment and said, 'Let's go Koffing.' The purple mine like Pokemon happily said 'Koffing.'
Shelley's Sharpedo moved first as she ordered it to use Waterfall on Camerupt, Camerupt made a frustrated sound as he was hit but looked undeterred. The grunts Zubat then used Astonish on Rose's Koffing who didn't even flinch.
'Koffing use Assurance on Zubat,' Rose said. Koffing slammed hard into Zubat's body pushing it into the roof of the submarine before falling straight down defeated. Meanwhile Camerupt let out a roar as it took in sunlight.
Shelley pulled on her hair covering her eye. 'You are stronger than you look Magma grunt.' She said before laughing. 'No matter, Sharpedo now bite on Koffing.'
'Koffing,' Rose said a little worried for her Pokemon. 'Use Smokescreen.' The purple mine Pokemon did so causing Sharpedo to only graze it.
Courtney touched the horns on her hood before saying 'Camerupt, Solar Beam.' With the move fully charged the camel Pokemon fired a green beam right into Sharpedo's open mouth knocking it back and it was caught by Shelly.
'I guess I underestimated you Courtney.' Shelly said. 'Magma Grunt, what is your name?'
'My name is Rose.' Rose said.
'Rose, hmmm,' Shelly said. 'You and your Koffing fought well. I am sure we will meet again hmmm.' She turned around and shouted, 'Grunts
grab your Carvanha we are moving out.' The Aqua grunts quickly followed Shelly's orders as they left the submarine.
The alarm was still flashing red and started to let out a screeching noise.
'Courtney,' Hannah said. 'The sub, it's filling with water.'
Courtney nodded and shouted, 'Everyone please stay calm.' as some of the grunts were obviously panicking.
The water kept pouring in and Rose noted her Koffing was floating on the top of the water. 'Koffing.' She said as she leant over and held onto her Pokemom
'Rose,' Courtney said noticing her. The water was still coming in, the submarine was going to sink. Courtney placed both hands on Koffing. They were now both using Koffing as a buoyancy aid.
'Everyone, grab onto your Koffings.' Rose shouted over the alarm.
Numerous cries of 'Koffing' were heard as the grunts did so. It appeared not everyone had a Koffing as the grunts were either two or even three to a Koffing. Courtney was a little surprised, did Rose just give an instruction?
'Out of the submarine, hold your breath and to the surface.' Courtney yelled at the top of her voice. The grunts, Courtney and Rose did so, as they headed up to the water's surface. 'We've lost the sub, Maxie will not be pleased.' Courtney said.
Rose nodded and said, 'Yes, but everyone got out safely,' She looked at Koffing who was floating happily. 'Where are we?'
'I see the electric gym in the distance.' Courtney said squinting her eyes. 'Grunts towards Mauville, watch out for Tentacool' Rose, Courtney and the grunts all started to paddle as quick as they could until they reached Mauville with their clothes completely soaked. 'Grunts, Koffing back in their Pokeballs, we don't want any to explode.' The Koffing all went inside their Pokeballs except Rose's Koffing who happily levitated beside her.
'Thank you Koffing.' Rose said hugging him. The Poison Gas Pokemon smiled happily.
'Courtney, how will we get to the weather institute now.' A grunt asked.
'We cannot today.' Courtney said. 'We need a new sub, more importantly is everybody here.'
The grunts all looked and nodded at each other, some had taken their hoods down. 'I think so Courtney.' Hannah said.
Courtney looked up, 'Rose count the grunts, there's 16 including you.' She took her own hood down. 'Grunts line up'
The Grunts all lined up as Rose counted and then counted again before nodding and she said, '16 grunts including me.' She said.
Courtney nodded and batted her fringe to one side. 'Rose, walk beside me,' She said. 'Grunts behind us.' Rose did as Courtney said and noted the Admin's focused expression.
'To the Pokemon Centre,' Courtney said. The grunts followed as Rose saw her Koffing float beside her shoulder. Courtney looked at Rose and Koffing with some intrigue as the group passed the Ribbon Emporium. 'Grunts, hoods up.' She said firmly.
All the Grunts and Rose put their hoods up as Courtney did the same. Rose noted Mauville was a well developed city, was the Electric Gym providing the power she wondered. She saw a girl with bobbed blonde hair outside the Gym likely a trainer. As the group turned right she saw a woman in a green dress, she had dark brunette hair pulled into a chignon bun. Rose recognised her and looked down.
The group arrived at the Pokemon Centre and Courtney told the grunts to go heal their Pokemon. 'Will Nurse Joy heal our Pokemon?' Rose asked.
'She will,' Courtney said. 'Nurse Joys see us the same as everyone else as long as we don't threaten the Pokemon Centres, It's Jennys that don't like us.'
Rose nodded at Courtney and saw the woman in the green dress coming towards her. It was Helen, an Aroma Lady at Pretty Petal and Rose's friend.
'Rose,' Helen said. 'Is that you?'
Rose nodded.
'You've joined them,...' Helen said. 'You and the girl who tried to destroy us are on the same side, I thought Claire was lying when she said you joined them but you have.' The Aroma Lady was a little flustered.
'My name is Courtney,' Courtney said. 'Don't worry, Rose is a good member of Team Magma.'
Helen looked at Koffing next to Rose. 'Is that your Pokemon Rose? Where is Lilligant?'
'Yes, Koffing is my Pokemon.' Rose said. 'He's friendly and helpful, I still have Lilligant and Vileplume.'
'Koffing is not a cute Pokemon.' Helen said. 'He's not good for plants.'
Koffing felt down at hearing and playfully bumped into Rose knocking her hood down to cheer himself up.
'Your hair,'Helen said. 'Black and just pulled back, I don't know you anymore Rose.' Helen said turning around and walking towards the Poke Mart.
Rose pet Koffing as Courtney asked, 'Are all your Aroma Lady friends like that?'
Rose was quiet in thought, since she had joined Team Magma Claire had been mocking her, Helen had said she didn't recognise her and the other Aroma Ladies at the Flower Shop had not even tried to contact her. 'I think so,' Rose said. 'At least now.'
Courtney nodded and said, 'Koffing clearly likes you a lot, I will be sure to tell Maxie, remember he said Koffing were unpredictable and not for beginners.'
Rose nodded as the grunts left the Pokemon Centre their Pokemon now fully healed. Rose counted the Grunts again making sure everyone was present when Courtney's phone rang.
'Courtney,' A man said. 'We are in the trouble at Mount Mortar, the Dewford Leader...'
'You lost to Brawly Tabitha,' Courtney said in frustration. 'What happened?'
'It's not just Brawly,' Tabitha said. 'A large man is helping him.'
'Brawly is helping Matt of Team Aqua.' Courtney said.
'It's not Matt,' He said. 'It's someone with a Pokemon holding concrete.'
'Concrete,' Rose said. 'That sounds like Marshal of the Unova Elite Four.'
'Rose says it's an Elite Four member, move out.' Courtney said.
'Elite Four.' Tabitha said. 'Group retreat.' He hung up.
'What's an Unova Elite Four member doing in Hoenn?' Courtney asked.
'I know little of Marshal other than he is a student of Alder, the Champion of Unova and spends a lot of time training.' Rose said.
'Maxie will not be pleased,' Courtney said looking down. 'Both groups have failed.'
Rose shook her head and said, 'It was not your fault our sub got a leak, we managed to get everyone safe.'
Courtney nodded at Rose, she had a point. She looked around and saw Hannah eating a lava cookie.
'You do know they are for Pokemon Hannah.' Courtney said shaking her head.
'But they are so tasty.' Hannah said. 'Don't you agree Rose.'
'I guess they are,' Rose said. 'But I'd rather give mine to Koffing.' She did so and the mine Pokemon span around his trainer happily before sitting in Rose's arms.
'Rose beside me, Grunts behind me.' Courtney said. 'We are heading back, eat what is available, we are walking back.'
The grunts and Rose did as Courtney instructed as did Rose who was carrying Koffing. The group left Mauville and started to head home. Courtney looked at Rose and smiled.