Chapter 18

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="14800640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <B>Dark Reflection (Beginning):  </B><A HREF="dr_pro.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prologue"><U>Prologue</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 1"><U>Chapter 1</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 2"><U>Chapter 2</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 3"><U>Chapter 3</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 4"><U>Chapter 4</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 5"><U>Chapter 5</U></A></div> <div> <B>A Master in the Making:</B>  <B>Chapter 18</B>   |   <A HREF="mim19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 19"><U>Chapter 19</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 20"><U>Chapter 20</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 21"><U>Chapter 21</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 22"><U>Chapter 22</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 23"><U>Chapter 23</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 24"><U>Chapter 24</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id734.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 25"><U>Chapter 25</U></A>   |   <A HREF="mim26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 26"><U>Chapter 26</U></A></div> <div> <B>Dark Reflection:  </B><A HREF="dr6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 6"><U>Chapter 6</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 7"><U>Chapter 7</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 8"><U>Chapter 8</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 9"><U>Chapter 9</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 10"><U>Chapter 10</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 11"><U>Chapter 11</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 12"><U>Chapter 12</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr13.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 13"><U>Chapter 13</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr14.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 14"><U>Chapter 14</U></A></div> <div> <B>Dark Reflection (Finale):  </B><A HREF="dr15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 15"><U>Chapter 15</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 16"><U>Chapter 16</U></A>   |   <A HREF="dr_epi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Epilogue"><U>Epilogue</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#000066" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/oldnews.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Old News</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/zrfic/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>My Fanfics</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/zrart/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>My Fanart</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/a-j/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Authors A-J</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/k-z/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Authors K-Z</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/art/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Fanart List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/ffsubmit.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Submit a Fanfic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/fanart_submit.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Submit Fanart</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://pub46.ezboard.com/beeveesmb" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://pub46.ezboard.com/beeveesmb"><U><B>Message Board</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethraltier/links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://members.fortunecity.com/zethralti"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Chapter 18</I></div> <div> <B>A Master in the Making: Chapter 18: Shop Till You Drop!</B></div> <bR> <div>     "<B>Emerald City - Main Attractions:</B>  <B>Starlight Avenue</B> - This street is quite famous for its variety of shops, most notably the <B><U>Starlight Tower</U></B> department store.  It is a commonly said that if the Starlight Tower doesn't have it, then it doesn't exist.  Other attractions include the <B><U>Emerald City Pokémon Gym</U></B> and the <B><U>Vernhart Aquarium</U></B>.  (Select underlined locations and hit <I>Enter</I> for more details)"</div> <bR> <div>     Committing the information to memory, Zeth shut off his pokédex's screen and clipped the device to his belt.  A moment later, Sani set the three of them down at the edge of the woods that were just outside the city limits.  "Please keep your hands and arms inside the psychic field until the Mew comes to a full and complete stop!" she warned jokingly.</div> <bR> <div>     "You're having far too much fun with this whole questing concept," Zeth remarked.  "Has it occurred to you that you two might end up in mortal danger in the next few days?"</div> <bR> <div>     Sani stared at him for a minute, then started giggling uncontrollably.  "No, of course not!  You think a Mew like me ever worries about mortal danger?  Ha!  With my powers to help us, this quest should be a float in the park!"</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "A <I>float</I> in the park?"</div> <bR> <div>     Sani nodded, "Yeah...  Haven't you heard that idiom before?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Not like that, I haven't.  We can discuss inter-species language differences later, though.  Right now, you two are going to need to focus on finding your first Orb."</div> <bR> <div>     Destiny cut in, "I have some ideas on that.  Lugia said that our four Orbs were all in the alternate world, so that's where we're going to head next.  I was thinking, though...  We looked for the Orb of Thunder at this world's Stormy Peak, but we didn't find anything.  Maybe if we checked the alternate Stormy Peak we would find something."</div> <bR> <div>     Sani considered the idea.  "Well, it's worth a try.  Ready to go, Dest?"</div> <bR> <div>     "Hold on a minute," Zeth interrupted.  "Before you go, I'd like to give you these."  He pulled six pokéballs from his backpack, and handed them to Destiny.  "I never got a chance to paint these ones blue like my other six, but they're in great condition."</div> <bR> <div>     "I can't take all your pokéballs," Destiny objected.  "You're going to need them!  Besides, you already gave me that Friend Ball."</div> <bR> <div>     "Don't worry about me," Zeth reassured her, "I'm going to buy some more pokéballs from that Starlight Tower store before I leave town.  It's not like they're expensive or anything."</div> <bR> <div>     "You don't have anything to give to <B>me</B>, do you?" Sani asked, giggling once again.</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "Not unless you'd like some duct tape, or a pack of gum.  Actually, I have a Moon Stone in my pack somewhere, if that's of any interest to you."</div> <bR> <div>     "Nope, Mews don't evolve, and if we did, we wouldn't need rocks to do it.  I was just kidding anyway."  Sani jumped back into the air, glancing toward the sky.  "Well, come on, Destiny.  Let's get going before we waste another day with idle conversation."</div> <bR> <div>     "Fine with me, Sani," Destiny replied, turning to Zeth.  "Goodbye, Zeth.  We'll see you when we've found all four of our Orbs.  Just remember where the temple between the worlds is."</div> <bR> <div>     "Yeah, in the mountains between Garnet Town and Jade City.  If I ever have to go there on foot, it'll be a real hike, but I'll remember in case something happens.  You have my phone number so you can call me when you get back.  Now just be careful and try not to get into too much trouble."</div> <bR> <div>     "We'll be fine, just wait and see!" Sani called back as she and Destiny flew off into the afternoon sky.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>     "Here we are, Starlight Tower.  Pretty impressive, isn't it?"  Zeth and his six pokémon stared up at the eight-story tall building.  "The whole thing is supposed to be one big store, so we'll have lots of stuff to look at."  As they entered through a set of revolving doors, Zeth spotted a store directory on the far wall.  "Ok, pokémon trainer supplies are on the third floor, so that's where I'm headed.  If the rest of you would like to look at a different area of the store, it's fine with me.  Just don't split up into more than two groups and tell me where you're going."</div> <bR> <div>     Florio pointed to the directory with one vine, {I want to go check out the toy section on the seventh floor, then stop by books and movies on the sixth.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth nodded,  "Fine with me.  Anyone else?  Ok, then.  Everyone who wants to see the toys, go with Florio.  Everyone else can come with me."  Blaze, Eva and Talon followed the Ivysaur into the nearest elevator, leaving Sting and Aqua with Zeth.  "Ok, you two.  Let's go find some pokéballs."</div> <bR> <div>     Finding the spheres was not a problem.  Picking between all the different types and colors <B>was</B>.  The store had Fast Balls, Love Balls, Great Balls, Ultra Balls, and just about every other type of pokéball in existence.  Not only that, but they also came in custom colors for a modest fee.  Trying to keep it simple, Zeth just chose six plain blue-and-white pokéballs, trying to overcome the temptation to buy every specialty ball in the store.  Walking away from the pokéball aisle, he was quickly sidetracked by a row filled with evolution stones and various healing potions.   After fifteen minutes of exploring, he finally grabbed a few Super Potions and a somewhat low-priced Water Stone that Aqua found, then headed for the checkout.</div> <bR> <div>     "There's just too much stuff here!"  He exclaimed, once safely inside the nearest elevator, away from all the merchandise.  "No wonder this place is famous!"</div> <bR> <div>     {I bet they have some nice chess sets up in the toy section,} Sting commented.</div> <bR> <div>     "Of course they do... They have everything.  Let's just get up to the Books and Movies section and meet up with Florio.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth did not see Florio's group when they arrived on the sixth floor, so he browsed through the books while he waited.  Finding the first book of a three-volume set which covered ancient legends, he paged through it, looking for information on the remaining two Orbs.  The book was interesting, but it really did not have any information Zeth could use.  Disappointed, he set the book down and started looking through the science fiction instead.</div> <bR> <div>     {Oh, no...}  Aqua groaned, {Here comes Florio...}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth turned to look and immediately saw what had upset the Shellder.  Florio was pushing a huge cart full of purple-pink merchandise.  Eva, Blaze, and Talon were following him from a distance, looking at the floor, the ceiling -- anywhere but the Ivysaur.  Spotting Zeth, Talon flew over, landing on top on one of the bookshelves.  {We tried to stop him, but he's gone crazy!  Do you think you can do anything?}</div> <bR> <div>     "I'd better try, or I'm going to be very poor very soon."</div> <bR> <div>     Florio walked up, looking quite satisfied with his prize.  {Hey, Zeth!  Look what I found!}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth shook his head, "You've got to be kidding me!  I thought you had given up on collecting Gligarman stuff two years ago!"</div> <bR> <div>     {Of course not!} the Ivysaur objected.  {I just couldn't find anymore because the stores on Valencia stopped carrying them!  But look at all this stuff I found!  There's Gligarman comics, all eight Gligarman movies, Gligarman action figures, and even the entire television series of <I>The New Adventures of Gligarman</I> on DVD!}</div> <bR> <div>     {See?  He's crazy, just like I said!} Talon remarked.</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth signaled for the Spearow to be quiet.  "Come on, Florio...  How do you expect to pay for all this?"</div> <bR> <div>     {With a check, of course!  You have to pay too much interest with a credit card.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth rolled his eyes, "Now, Florio, you know I don't have enough money for all this!  If I get even half of this, we'll go hungry for the rest of our journey!"</div> <bR> <div>     Florio shook his head, {Oh, don't worry about that.  I already bought it with my own money.  Not only that, but this stuff was all being sold on clearance.  It was really, really cheap!}</div> <bR> <div>     "But where did you get enough money to buy all of this?"</div> <bR> <div>     The Ivysaur smiled, "I've been saving for years.  You remember how I used to keep money in that old shoebox under your bed, right?  Well, a while back, I got your mom to set up a bank account for me, so now I'm able to buy stuff whenever I want!}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth examined the contents of the shopping cart.  "Okay, fine, so <I>you</I> can afford it...  Where are we going to keep it, though?  There's no way that I'm dragging that stuff all over Obsidia!"</div> <bR> <div>     Florio suddenly looked very embarrassed.  {Oh, darn!  I hadn't thought of that...  Um, do you thing we could rent a car or something?}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on,  "Forget it.  I'll just pack all this stuff up in a box and ship it back home."</div> <bR> <div>     {Can we at least keep the DVDs to watch when we get to pokémon centers?} the Ivysaur asked hopefully.</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth started to object, then thought better of it.  "Ok, fine, I'll buy one of those CD carry-cases and we'll put the DVDs in it.  We can ship the cases back home to save space.  How many are there, anyway?"</div> <bR> <div>     {You don't want to know,} Talon mumbled; the pokédex's translator picking up the words and playing them at normal volume instead of the near-whisper they actually were.</div> <bR> <div>     Florio blushed, {Well, the show ran for eight seasons, with a movie at the end of each season.  Each season had twenty-six episodes, except for season three which only had twenty-five.  That makes two hundred and eight, if you count the lost episode.  Plus there was a movie at the end of each season --}</div> <bR> <div>    "Yes, you've mentioned that.  Get to the point, Florio"</div> <bR> <div>     {There's one hundred and twelve discs in all...}</div> <bR> <div>     "You've <B>got</B> to be kidding!!!"  The Ivysaur stared pointedly at a spot on the floor.  Zeth realized that people were giving him strange looks, so he quickly lowered his voice.  "Ok, Florio, here's what we'll do.  I'll keep the first two seasons and the movies that go with them, but I'm sending all the rest back home with the rest of this stuff.  I'm <B>not</B> keeping any of the toys with us, and I'm <B>not</B> keeping any of the comic books either.  All that stuff gets packed up and shipped off, understand?"</div> <bR> <div>     Florio nodded happily, thanking Zeth repeatedly for allowing him to keep his "treasure."  Sending the Ivysaur over to take his pick from a display of CD carry-cases, Zeth turned to the rest of his pokémon and shook his head.  "I must be going soft or something..."</div> <bR> <div>     Sting piped up, as the four other pokémon followed after Florio.  {Well, while you're being soft, how about a Fire Stone for Blaze, a Thunder Stone for Eva, and a chess set for me.  Maybe some gummi worms for Talon, too.  He has a bit of a sweet tooth, as you've probably noticed, and I want to see his face when you give him candy shaped like squigglies.}</div> <bR> <div>     Zeth opened his backpack, showing the Beedrill the items in question.  "You were watching me, weren't you?  I figured you saw Blaze give me the chess set, but I thought I'd managed to sneak all the rest past you."  Sting buzzed with laughter as Zeth zipped up the backpack again.  "Just don't tell them about their gifts, yet.  I'm going to save them as a surprise."</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>