Frozen in Monochrome

[File 8 - Encounter]

     The female grunt was deep within the second level of Chargestone Cave. Busy collecting and examining the electrical and magnetic stone rocks. Perhaps they could be useful within enhancing the Kyurem Cannon's capabilities.

     "Sigh, I was told to collect information but I didn't expect this kind of information..." Luck exhaled with frustration as she scanned another set of fragments. Placing a few items within her pouch once more, she glanced to the Pokémon that she sent out.

     Ralts was helping their trainer out, giving some interesting items that they may find, as well as marvelling at the blue lights in the cave. They seemed to be opening up to her more from their last encounter.

     "Ralts, we need to go deeper." the Feeling Pokémon shuffled behind the Plasma member as they continued past the rocks and small critters. The grunt darted their eyes across the lit up landscape, seeing if anything was of importance.

     She glanced to her partner to see if they had found anything, they also appeared to have no luck within their discoveries. Luck gave a tired sigh as she began to lay against the wall. Her Pokémon climbing on her knees to give some comfort.

     "I think we got what we needed, even if minor. I really need a break." she stated with an irritated tone as she looked through her pouch. It was filled with stones of all shapes and sizes, some glowing a bright blue. She zipped it up as she looked down to her Ralts.

     It had a small little smile on its face, it was enjoying their short amount of time together, that made the trainer a bit more relaxed. Perhaps its trying to spread that positivity onto her.

     With enough time passing, she finally calmed down and was ready to leave. The Plasma member gets up from her spot, brushing off some of the dust, and gently placing the Pokémon onto the ground.

     "Let's go back, I'm sure we've wasted enough time here." the humanoid creature nodded as it began to shuffle alongside her.

     Strangely however, the more they got back up, the less wild encounters popped up. Perhaps it was the fact that the inhabitants realized they were a menacing presence. Even so, they were able to make it to the first level without any Joltiks or Klinks getting in their way.

     Luck pressed on her earpiece as she was about to get in contact with Colress but, was interrupted by a somewhat familiar voice.

     "Team Plasma! What are you stealing this time?!" it was that trainer again, who fought alongside Aspertia City's gym leader. With dark blue hair and a sporty design, it's hard to forget someone like him.

     "Nothing. I'm only here for what I needed, I didn't steal anything." she turned away from him, going to the exit, with her Ralts walking close to her.

     "You're not fooling me and you're not getting away! Pignite, let's show this Plasma thief who they're messing with!" the boy quickly sent out his Pokémon, who were really raring to go.

     "Sigh, I really don't have time for this. Ralts, deal with this quickly." the Feeling Pokémon teleported in front of their trainer, ready to protect and attack.

     The first attack dished out was a Heat Crash, as the fire pig quickly began to slam its body against the tiny humanoid. However, Luck's Pokémon managed to disappear in time, casting a Double Team to confuse the foe.

     The Pignite then quickly began to spin at a high speed, almost making most of the clones disappear. The ones that were left remaining managed to use a small but powerful Confusion, which ultimately left the opponent's Pokémon fainted.

     "Urgh! You aren't getting away that easily, Simipour I'm counting on you." he returned his fainted partner as he then tossed out the next one in line.

     "Ralts, Confusion once more." the humanoid nodded as they blasted the telekinetic force once more, having the opponent completely staggered.

     The Geyser Pokémon shook it off and quickly began to dash at the little Ralts, tongue stuck out and was about to lick them. "Quickly use Shadow Ball!" without another second passing, the dark matter was thrown at the monkey, leaving it weakened.

     When it stood back up however, they saw something different from earlier.

     Once the lick was dodged, they spun back in defense. With a bright light, the little creature began to shift and change. Its hair becoming longer, form growing taller, and its legs now clearly visible. They successfully evolved into Kirlia.

     "You can't have that discourage you Simipour, get ready and use Scald!" the opposing trainer called out as Luck squinted at him in annoyance and curiosity.

     The dancing Pokémon pirouetted their way to the opponent and levitated them with a Psychic. Unfortunately the monkey was too heavy to lift up, so they decided to simply catch the boiling water instead.

     The water type stumbled back as they were blasted in the face by the scalding liquid. They shook with a hiss as it appeared they were burned in the process. The opposing opponent called out for them to still continue, to counter with Fury Swipes.

     The Simipour rushed in with a bit of a twitch, slashing its sharpened claws at the Kirlia. They were quick enough to evade most of them but got chipped back to their trainer.

     The psychic type gained their grounding back as they began to muster up enough strength for Psychic. They struggled to levitate them up, but with a surge of adrenaline they managed to push the Geyser Pokémon back.

     The monkey struggled to stand up, they hissed as they couldn't ignore the burn any longer. The teenager quickly retrieved his partner back, growling in frustration. "Darn it. If Tranquil wasn't injured I could've finished you off. We tried our best..."

     The Plasma grunt retrieved their Pokémon back into its ball, holding onto her earpiece once more, "Colress, I'm making my way back. I got what you needed." she quickly left the message and was walking to the exit before the trainer began to speak.

     "Wait! I'm not done with you yet!" Curiously, she glanced back at the boy.

     "What is it? You've already wasted my time by battling you..."

     "... Aspertia City, five years ago. Are you the one who stole my little sister's Purrloin?!" the look in his eyes, it was filled with regret and determination. It made Luck take a step back, but she had to keep her cool.

     "Keep searching kid, I don't have a clue about this Purrloin. They're probably long gone." she began to step out of the cavern and into Mistralton City. She felt a sense of remorse for him, struggling so hard to get something that's impossible to reach.

     She shook the thought away to not become distracted. The grunt then looked around to see thankfully no one, beginning to make her way to Route 7. Walking past the stilts and tall grass and looking up to see the Celestial Tower.

     "Change of plans, I'll head to the Plasma Frigate later, I'm making a quick stop at Celestial Tower." Luck clicked her earpiece off as she began to make her way inside.