Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. I do, however, own a copy of all Generation IV games released thus far. I breed Pseudos, so message me if you want a Hydro Pump Bagon or a Larvitar with Pursuit, Dragon Dance, Iron Defense, Curse, Outrage, etc.

A/N: This storyline is in Jhoto during the Generation II/IV timeline, although Hoenn Pokemon play an active role, as well as the Emerald Hoenn Elite Four. And the story is in first person, except for the very beginning and maybe the very end.

An Elite Gamble
by Ore-kun
aka ferricflame

Prologue

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Wallace came to the door and opened it. Drake was on the other side. "Has it really been that long? Is it time for another one already?"

Drake came in and, not setting aside his coat, sat on the designer couch. The new designer couch. Wallace felt a wave of fury pass through him and leave almost as quickly. It was raining lightly outside and his beautiful ocean blue couch was not supposed to get wet. But money was never an object to a member of the Hoenn Elite Four, especially not the Champion who was also the biggest Contest star ever to step onto the circuit. Hilarious to think that it had been on a lost bet, the first one between him and Drake.

Wallace had dared him he couldn't eat a whole bottle of mayonnaise in a half hour. Drake accepted. He was down to a spoonful and five minutes left when he threw up. After cleansing his mouth quickly, he swallowed the last spoonful with half a minute to spare and declared himself winner of the bet.

*****
"No way!" Wallace had objected. "You threw it up!"

"But the bet was whether or not I could eat it all," Drake had pointed out, "not whether or not I could keep it all down. I technically ate it all."

That Drake was good at manipulating his best friend. Wallace couldn't talk his way out of the technicality. The bet was a "name your prize" wager. Wallace was actually a little relieved that Drake won. He would never have to ask Drake something embarrassing and awkward for both parties involved. The asking would have been very awkward for Wallace and the actions that would have resulted would have embarrassed Drake and make their friendship forever thick with tension. Especially with their still-maturing minds and bodies. Drake was much more jovial with his wager. They had, at the time, thought of Pokemon Contests to be a "girly" thing to do, which wasn't really out of the ordinary for fourteen year-old boys. They tended to think of less masculine things as "girly," particularly things involving beauty and/or performing arts, and those men who tended to have interests in such "girly" pursuits had to be gay from the perspective from their adolescent minds.

Drake wanted a reason to make fun of him. He expected Wallace to lose in the first round. Then he could make fun of him saying he wasn't even man enough to beat some girls. It backfired on Drake because Wallace got the highest score in the appeal round with his beloved Spheal, and actually won the entire contest on his very first try.

Drake was a little peeved. At the next opportunity, he signed up for a local contest. So did Wallace. Wallace won, but Drake was disqualified in the appeal round for scaring half the audience away with his Bagon's Roar.

Needless to say, Drake was now jealous. They parted ways to go on their journeys, but met up at least every year to have another bet. After they both became Elite Four members, their old friendship reblossomed. He and Wallace hung out a lot. Sometimes Steven, Wallace's best friend, was with them. Sometimes Lance, Drake's only uncle and favorite living relative since he and his father got into it over Drake's lack of belief in a god (all the best cowboys have daddy issues).
*****

"The usual wager?" Drake asked, now raiding the fridge and popping open a beer.

"Of course," Wallace agreed. "Is there ever any other way?"

"I guess not," Drake admitted. "But what's the bet? I'd like something a little more long-term. Last time, it only took a week. I want you squirming, wondering what fresh hell I'm going to make you go through for a lot longer. I want your mind to wander…" he said ominously, "what I'm going to make you do," he almost whispered, leaning in close.

A shiver went down Wallace's spine. Drake had a very good imagination and rarely lost any bet against anyone. Then he got an idea. "Last week you mentioned, in passing, that you had a Pokemon egg. Is that correct?"

"Yea, I found it with my Shelgon back at my place. Why?"

"Because my Walrein had one the other day."

"And…?" Drake still didn't get the idea.

"And what if we got a young trainer to raise the Pokemon that hatch from them? And after a year, see which is better?"

"Sounds like an idea. But better how?"

"They battle," Wallace responded, "in a single-elimination match"

"So where do we find a green trainer to do it?"

"There's always someone green in the big city. Since we're in Jhoto right now, Goldenrod is probably a good place to try. It's just a couple days' distance from here."

"We have to walk somewhere? *groan*"

"I've got a case of your favorite," Wallace said, gesturing to the can in his hand. "We can throw back a few after we make camp."

"What are we still doing here? I have an overnight bag already packed with me. Hurry! Pack!" Wallace smiled. Drake sure liked ShuckBerry brand beer.

Be completely honest: do you think this fic has a chance to turn out well?