AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope everyone liked the first chapter! I hope you enjoy this one too! Please remember, I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY CHARACTER BASHING WHATSOEVER. Please Enjoy!
The crowd was roaring loudly as the fourth battle of the tournament was about to get underway. Tenten and Cilan each looked back at each other and began to wonder what move they would each call out first. Ash then took out his Pokedex to scan Escavalier.
"Escavalier: The Cavalry Pokémon, and the evolved form of Karrablast. Wearing the shell covering they stole from Shelmet, they defend themselves and attack with two lances," the Pokedex stated as Ash looked upon the information.
"Let's see," Don George began to say, "Escavalier is a Bug and Steel type, while Stunfisk is a Ground and Electric type," he noted.
"Looks like type advantage won't be the big factor here!" Freddy O'Martin announced, "So Brycen, what do you think the main advantage either of these trainers will need in order to win this battle?" he asked the Ice Mask.
"Hmm…" Brycen said as he thought, "It all depends on what types of moves the trainers ask for, not to mention the terrain of the battlefield would make perfect camouflage for a Pokémon such as Stunfisk," he explained thoroughly.
"Sounds like Cilan has the advantage then!" Freddy said.
On that note, Cilan snapped his fingers as he twirled once. "It's evaluation time!" he announced. The whole crowd started to go crazy on his announcement. Tenten blinked in confusion, Iris and Ash both face palmed, Tsubasa watched carefully, and Burgundy just glared at the A-Class Connoisseur with anger in her eyes. Everyone else just merely shrugged it off, like it wasn't a big deal.
"What's with you?" Tenten asked in confusion. Escavalier also raised an eyebrow at the opponent's sudden announcement.
"As a Pokémon Connoisseur, it is my duty to make evaluations for any trainer I come across in battle," Cilan said with pride, "Tenten, I hope you make me experience a battle that glistens as bright as your Escavalier's armor!"
Once again, Tenten blinked in confusion. She had no idea how Cilan operated, so she just shrugged it off. "All right then, if that's what you want waiter boy, then we'll give to you full force!"
"Waiter boy?" Cilan asked.
"Escavalier, X-Scissor!" Tenten ordered. All of a sudden, the Cavalry Pokémon's lances turned a bluish purple as he sped towards the flat fish, the lances being crossed like an x.
"Stunfisk, Thundershock!" Cilan commanded. Stunfisk then began to smile as he generated electricity all over his body, letting out a small bolt of electricity that hit Escavalier before he could strike. "Excellent!" Cilan exclaimed, "The true taste of a paralyzing effect!"
"Looks like Stunfisk has the upper hand!" Freddy exclaimed.
"Don't be so sure…" Tenten said with a smirk.
"Huh?" Cilan asked.
"Escavalier, shove your lances into the ground!" Tenten called out. The warrior Pokémon, whom was still being hit with Stunfisk's Thundershock, shoved his lances into the ground. Then, the electricity that Stunfisk had attacked him with was redirected, and sent down into the muddy ground.
"Oh my!" Cilan exclaimed, surprisingly joyful.
"Stunfisk…" Stunfisk said in shock, for his only Electric type move was now rendered useless.
"How do like that?" Tenten said, placing a hand on her hip.
"Truly a good strategy to deal with an electric type, using Escavalier lances as a lightning rod…" Cilan began to note, "A marvel I have had yet to see until now!"
"Doesn't that also mean he's in trouble since Stunfisk's Thundershock won't work now?!" Iris shouted, "Come on Cilan, be serious!"
"Escavalier, Iron Head!" Tenten commanded. The crest on Escavalier's head suddenly turned into steel as he swung it down, straight for Stunfisk.
"Stunfisk, Bounce!" Cilan called out. Stunfisk then jumped high in the air as Escavalier crashed his crest into the mud. "Now, use Scald!" Cilan ordered. Stunfisk then shot a beam of steamy water, directly for Escavalier.
"Dodge it, quick!" Tenten shouted. Escavalier moved away quickly, as the boiling water splashed only into the mud.
"Now let's see if you can handle Stunfisk's Bounce!" Cilan called out as the Trap Pokémon continued to drop down towards Escavalier.
"Escavalier, counter it with Giga Impact!" Tenten ordered. Escavalier then became encased in a pink aura with yellow streams surrounding the aura as he charged upwards, striking Stunfisk right in the gut. Stunfisk took the major blow and fell to the ground hard, while Escavalier fell right back to where he originally was, but he found that he could not move.
"When a Pokémon uses Giga Impact, the user has to recharge for a while before making another move," Tsubasa explained, "Cilan has an opening now!"
"Get 'em Cilan!" Ash and Gingka both cheered.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu cheered too.
"All right, Stunfisk, time for Mud Bomb!" Cilan exclaimed with a snap. As badly damaged as he was from that Giga Impact, Stunfisk still jumped into the air again, only this time, he launched a ball of mud directly from his mouth, hitting Escavalier in the face. "Great work Stunfisk!" Cilan complimented.
"Stunfisk!" the Trap Pokémon replied happily, but his joy would not last.
"Escava…" Escavalier growled as the smoke cleared. He was still standing, and was very angry.
"Looks like Escavalier isn't finished yet!" Don George exclaimed.
"An offensive and defensive Pokémon!" Cilan exclaimed in surprise, "Like a food that isn't too sour, or too sweet!"
Tenten was getting annoyed by Cilan's antics now, for they were even worse than Lee's. "Okay, let's get serious!" she said angrily, "Energy Ball!" she ordered. The Cavalry Pokémon then suddenly formed a ball of green energy upon his lances, and then tossed it at Stunfisk. The explosion that resulted was brief, but Stunfisk was still sent flying from that move, for he didn't fare so well against Grass type attacks.
"Escavalier knows Energy Ball?!" Stephan asked.
"That's much stronger than my Escavalier!" Bianca said, awing the Pokémon's strength. 'This isn't looking good for Cilan at all…' Tsubasa said in his head. Burgundy on the other hand, was enjoying the Connoisseur being beat down.
"How marvelous!" she exclaimed, "I get to watch Cilan fall to his knees right in the first round!"
Iris sighed, "Can she be any more of a pain?" she asked sarcastically.
"Axew Ax…" Axew sighed.
Cilan was still unfazed by Escavalier surprising tactics, as Stunfisk had been able to endure them for quite some time. "Now I see that Escavalier has quite the array of tricks!" Cilan said, "Like a dish with many different unexpected flavor-"
"Shut up already!" Tenten screamed as she finally snapped, "This is a Pokémon battle, not a time to give me advice!"
Cilan was surprised by her outburst. "But that's what a Pokémon Connoisseur like me is supposed to do-"
"That's it!" Tenten shouted, "Escavalier, X-Scissor!" Once again, Escavalier's lances turned a bluish purple as he crossed them into an x, and then swung them down at Stunfisk. Cilan knew his electric flounder was in trouble.
"Stunfisk, dodge it!" he called out in worry. Stunfisk moved back just in time before Escavalier struck.
"Energy Ball!" Tenten ordered. Another ball of green energy was created on Escavalier's right lance, which he then tossed, striking Stunfisk in the face, sending him flying back to Cilan.
"Stun…" he said, struggling to hold on.
"Grrr…" Cilan growled in frustration, "Use Scald!" he ordered. Stunfisk then shot another beam of hot water right for Escavalier, but the Cavalry Pokémon did not move.
"Block it!" Tenten called out. Escavalier then used his left lance, blocking the boiling water, and then making it disperse.
"Oh no!" Cilan screamed.
"What a defense displayed by Escavalier!" Freddy boomed.
"Finish it up with Giga Impact!" Tenten commanded. Escavalier now was covered in a pink aura with yellow streams around it, as he charged for Stunfisk at full speed.
"Stunfisk, use Mud Bomb, quick!" Cilan called out. Stunfisk shot another ball of mud from his mouth, aimed for Escavalier, but did nothing as Escavalier charged right through it, splattering it to muddy bits as he struck the Trap Pokémon fiercely.
"STUUUNNNNN!" Stunfisk screamed as he was struck, and then sent flying into the wall, hitting it with a bang.
"Stunfisk!" Cilan cried out. The electric flounder's eyes were in complete swirls, as he was marked with mud all over him.
"Stunfisk is unable to battle, Escavalier wins, and therefore the victor is Tenten!" the referee announced. The crowd cheered and clapped as the giant screen showed Cilan's card gone, and Tenten's shown as the winner.
"Wi!" Burgundy screamed in joy, happy that Cilan had lost so early.
"No way…" Ash said in disbelief.
"I can't believe Cilan actually lost like that…" Iris sighed.
"Pika…" Pikachu moaned.
"Axew…" Axew said.
"Darn, and he doing so well too…" Gingka added. Tsubasa just watched as Cilan returned Stunfisk to his Poke Ball, looking sad for his friend that had inspired him in the first place. He then noticed Tenten walking up to the A-Class Connoisseur, with an annoyed look in her eyes.
"Look," she began to say, "Just because you're a Pokémon Connoisseur, doesn't mean you should be evaluating my Pokémon every second of the battle. Make sure not to be so annoying when we battle again," she said walking off, leaving Cilan in depression. Tsubasa was beyond furious now, he wanted to get revenge for those harsh words Tenten had said.
"All righty then folks!" Freddy began to say, "We'll be taking a break for a much needed lunch before the next battles get underway."
"For all those hard-working Pokémon, get them some good rest at the Icirrus City Pokémon Center!" Don George added. With that, the entire stadium cleared in a matter of minutes as both teams headed off to get some much-needed relaxation in the Pokémon Center. But as they all left, one factor had left the group, being that Cilan was silent the whole way there.
X
"Your Stunfisk has fully recovered!" a smiling Nurse Joy said happily to Cilan as she handed him Stunfisk's Poke Ball.
"Thank you Nurse Joy," Cilan said, walking off to the cafeteria. The young nurse noticed that the connoisseur was looking rather glum as left the reception area. At the cafeteria, Cilan gathered his food from the buffet table, picking out the foods that would be best for him to eat, and then sat down at an open table with no one else around. Near him, Burgundy, Georgia, and Bianca were also enjoying lunch when they noticed the rather upset Cilan.
"Dear me," Burgundy said, "I know Cilan loses some battles, but I never expected him to get this upset over this one…"
"Well, that Tenten girl really put him in a tight spot," Georgia said, "I just hope that this won't this bring our team down for the second half of the battles today," she added, crossing her arms. Bianca had just finished chewing some of her food as she listened in on her rivals' conversation.
"Maybe we should think about what our opponents' Pokémon might be…" Burgundy noted.
"Good idea," Georgia said, "There's no telling what types of tricks they'll pull in the next half."
"Don't worry!" Bianca said, flapping her hand, "We've already got three of our team members heading into the second round, and I'll be joining them too!" she said confidently with a wink. Meanwhile, Naruto, Hinata, Ben, and Rex were all talking together as well, trying to predict what Pokémon their opponents might use.
"Let's see…" Ben began to explain, "Kakashi had Watchog, Kiba had Stoutland, Lee had Throh, and Tenten had Escavalier…"
"Th-Those Pokémon match up perfectly with their personalities," Hinata said, next to Ben. She had been too nervous to sit next to Naruto, where Rex was now.
"So maybe we can deduct that someone like Shino uses a Bug type…" Naruto said.
"Or that Gaara uses a Ground type…" Rex added.
"We'll have to wait and see during the second half of today's matches," Ben said, taking a sip of his juice that he got. Across from their table, Ash, Iris, Gingka, Masamune, Stephan, and Tsubasa were all looking at Cilan, whom looked very saddened.
"I know it's weird to hear me say this, but I miss the old, cheerful Cilan," Iris sighed.
"Axew…" Axew moaned.
"It seemed like nothing was going to go wrong for him, and then…" Ash said, stopping his sentence right there. Gingka and Tsubasa said nothing, for they also couldn't believe that not only Cilan had lost, he became more depressed than they had ever seen him.
"So Gingka," Masamune said in between bites of his food, "Why'd you leave Mistralton City in the first place?" he asked. Everyone minus Masamune sighed at his cluelessness. "What?" he asked.
"I left because I felt that I wasn't strong enough to take on the gym leader yet!" Gingka shouted, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks, which no one noticed. Suddenly, Stephan slammed his palm on the table.
"You know what?" he asked, "I'm gonna win the next battle for Cilan's sake!" he said pumping his fist. Ash and the others smiled as Stephan stood proudly, ready to take the challenge of fighting the Shinobi 16.
"All trainers participating in the Club Battle Ninja Tournament should report back to the stadium immediately," an announcement echoed over the loudspeaker. Ash then grabbed his cap, putting it on carefully.
"All right, good luck Stephen!" Ash encouraged.
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu said as well.
"Thanks, but the name's still Stephan…" Stephan sighed.
X
Back at the stadium, the crowd was present and cheering loudly as the battles were about to restart. Everyone took their places on their respective teams on each side of the field, waiting for the screen to reveal the next match up. However, Ash noticed that Cilan hadn't come along with them.
"Iris, where'd Cilan go?" he asked.
"I dunno…" she admitted, "I sure hope he's okay…"
"All righty folks!" Freddy shouted over the microphone, "The second half of today's battles begins, now!" he exclaimed as the board began shuffling cards once again. As the two cards selected went up to the center of the screen, Stephan watched carefully, hoping his card was selected.
"Our fifth match up today is…" Don George began to announce as the cards flipped over, revealing the trainers, "Sai versus Steven!" The entire crowd cheered.
"Yeah!" Stephan exclaimed, "Though they did get my name wrong… But who cares? I'm up first!" he said in excitement, running onto the field. His opponent, Sai, had pale white skin, along with black clothing and sandals. He looked like a serious man as he stepped onto his position.
"What Pokémon would Sai use?" Ben asked.
"Well, he is an art fanatic," Naruto explained, "Maybe he'll use an artsy Pokémon…"
"And what might that be?" Rex asked, making Naruto sweat drop and sigh.
The field changed once again as it had remained the marsh field since the last battle. The terrain of the new field was the same as at the beginning, a regular dirt field with a Poke Ball symbol in the middle.
"The dirt field, an old favorite of ours!" Freddy said.
"Since there are no obstacles on this field, the Pokémon have many freedoms when they make their moves," Don George added.
"All right then, introducing our trainers," Freddy said, "There's the master of artistry and cunning tactics, Sai! Along with his opponent, the muscles of power, Steven!"
"Can't anyone get my name right?!" Stephan questioned as he took out his Poke Ball, "All right Sai, let's do this!" he shouted to his opponent as he held his Poke Ball.
"I look forward to seeing what you can do with your strength and abilities," Sai said calmly, taking out his Poke Ball as well.
"Are both trainers ready?" the referee asked.
"Yes!" they both said.
"Then, let the battle begin!" the referee announced, swinging his arm down.
"Sawk, you're on!" Stephan exclaimed throwing his ball. The ball popped open, and the light from it formed into the Karate Pokémon, Sawk.
"Sawk!" he said, getting up from his kneeling position.
"Cool!" Ash exclaimed, "Stephen's gonna use Sawk!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said in awe. Sai however, was unfazed by Stephan's decision.
"Now here is my Pokémon…" he said, tossing his ball in the air. The ball opened to reveal the light from it, which then formed into Sai's own Sawk. The whole crowd gasped, including the Galaxy Trainers minus Ryuga.
"W-Well what do you know?!" Freddy exclaimed in surprise, "It's Sawk versus Sawk!"
"Looks like an interesting match up to lead up to some head-to-head combat…" Brycen mentioned.
"Y-You have a Sawk too?" Stephan asked, shocked.
"S-Sawk?" Sawk stuttered.
"Don't be so surprised!" Sai said happily, "Trainers may raise the same type of Pokémon as you, so it's not unusual for me to be using a Sawk as well…"
"Well, I guess so…" Stephan said, and then shook his head as he got back into focus, "All right Sawk, Bulk Up!" he called out.
"Sawk!" the Karate Pokémon yelled as he flexed his muscles, expanding them.
"Wow, how big!" Bianca said, eyeing Sawk's muscles.
"Sawk, Calm Mind," Sai said. Sai's Sawk then closed his eyes as he sat in a meditating position, clearing his mind, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
"Now Sawk, Low Sweep!" Stephan ordered. Sawk then somersaulted as he slid towards Sai's Sawk with his right foot ready to strike, whom was still meditating calmly.
"Sawk, dodge it," Sai called out softly. Suddenly, Sai's Sawk vanished from his position once he opened his eyes, leaving Stephan's Sawk in a moment of panic to search for him.
"What incredible speed!" Freddy exclaimed, "Sawk just vanished into thin air!"
"Where did that Sawk go?!" Stephan asked frantically, for he didn't know what Sai's Sawk was capable of other than Calm Mind.
"Calm Mind," Sai said. Stephan's Sawk then turned to see Sai's meditating yet again, and his eyes closed.
"Sawk, Karate Chop!" Stephan shouted as his Sawk jumped, with his hand glowing white, swinging it towards the meditating Sawk.
"Dodge it," Sai said calmly. Sai's Sawk once again, vanished in the blink of eye, leaving Stephan's to strike nothing more than the ground itself.
"How is that Sawk so fast?!" Stephan asked in worry.
"Though he may not be attacking, Sai's Sawk proves he can be as speedy and swift as he is!" Don George exclaimed.
"Calm Mind," Sai said. Stephan's Sawk turned back from the crater he left from his Karate Chop, to Sai's side of the field where Sawk was continuing to meditate. Stephan's Sawk was breathing heavily even though the battle had only just begun, he wasted some of his effort on those first two attacks.
"Okay, let's see if you can dodge this!" Stephan said, pumping his fist, "Sawk, Close Combat!" Sawk's eyes widened upon the command as he dashed towards Sai's, ready to strike with his fists.
"Sawk, Grass Knot," Sai said.
"Huh?" Stephan asked, surprised they weren't using Calm Mind. The meditating Sawk's eyes opened, and turned a bright green as vines suddenly burst out of the ground, wrapping around Stephan's Sawk, trapping him before he could attack.
"Sawk no!" Stephan cried out.
"Sawk…" he said, cringing as he struggled to break free.
"What an interesting strategy…" Brycen noted.
"Usually when it comes to offense, Sawk fights hand-to-hand with his opponents," Don George added.
"But Sai's proves that not all Sawks are used that way!" Freddy exclaimed in excitement.
"Use Bulk Up to break the vines!" Stephan called out. Sawk's muscles expanded once again, but they didn't even make the vines budge, as they had too tight a grip on him.
"How's that Grass Knot able to hold Sawk like that?!" Naruto asked.
"Calm Mind raises a Pokémon's special attack, and special defense," Tsubasa noted, "Normally that's not how a Pokémon like Sawk would battle, but it looks like Sai's figured out a way to make that work!" he added. Stephan's Sawk continued to struggle as he kept pulling tightly on the vines.
"Stone Edge!" Sai ordered. His Sawk then flashed a bright white before several pointed stones were orbiting his body, and were then launched directly at Stephan's struggling Sawk, who couldn't avoid the attack, and was immediately stricken by the stones over and over, however they also ripped off the vines holding him.
"Sawk, are you all right?!" Stephan asked as his Karate Pokémon got up slowly from the Stone Edge.
"Focus Blast!" Sai commanded. Suddenly, as the smoke was still clearing, a large, bright blue ball of energy was shot directly at Stephan's Sawk, hitting him right in the chest, and making him fly into the wall, leaving a large crater.
"Sawk, no!" Stephan cried out as black belt warrior fell to the ground, his head dizzied by Sai's Sawk.
"Steven's Sawk is unable to battle, Sai's Sawk wins, and that means the winner is Sai!" the referee announced. Stephan looked down at his Sawk, his face in disbelief about his loss. The board was showing Sai's card depicted as the winner, while Stephan's had been completely erased.
"What an incredible match!" Freddy exclaimed, "Sai's Sawk completely dominated the battle!"
"Yes indeed!" Don George added, "That was a truly riveting battle!"
"No way…" Gingka said.
"I can't believe Stephen lost too…" Ash said in sympathy.
"Pikachu…" Pikachu moaned.
"Sawk, return…" Stephan said, recalling his Pokémon. He stood to see Sai recalling his Sawk as well.
"That was a very good battle," he said with a smile, "I hope to have a match with you again someday!" He then walked off to his side of the field. Stephan just sighed as he walked off, passing his friends, and walking out of the stadium through the entrance.
"Stephen…" Ash said, about to get his attention, but the trainer had already left, without a retort to Ash getting his name wrong again.
"Looks like we're on to the next battle!" Freddy announced as the screen shuffled the remaining cards. The two cards that made it to the center flipped over as the trainers watched to see the match up.
"Shikamaru versus Bianca!" Don George exclaimed. Bianca looked across from her side of the field to see Shikamaru, wearing a green vest, along with having a spiky ponytail. Though she would have been more excited to be battling, she looked a lot more serious than she normally was.
"I won't lose!" she said as she rushed onto the field carefully. The field then changed once again into a rocky land based field, only this one had the rocks carved out as pillars sticking up high into the sky. "Oh my!" Bianca exclaimed as she saw the field. The pillars prevented from her from looking at her opponent, who was rather sulking.
"Man what a drag…" Shikamaru sighed, "I get called up now and we're on a winning streak… This is gonna end badly…" he sighed.
"So folks, introducing our two trainers," Freddy began to say, "Shikamaru the 200 IQ genius, and his opponent, the sweet princess of Pokémon battles, Bianca!"
"Though sweet would only be an exaggeration, as she looks very serious," Brycen noted. Bianca and Shikamaru took out their respective Poke Balls.
"Are both of you ready?" the referee asked.
"Yes!" they said in unison.
"Let the battle begin then!" the referee shouted as he swung down his arm.
"Emboar!" Bianca exclaimed as she swung her arm like a windmill, "You're up!" she shouted as she threw the ball into the air, with it popping open to reveal the light that formed into the Mega Fire Pig Pokémon, Emboar. Gingka took out his Pokedex on account of seeing the Pokémon for the first time.
"Emboar: The Mega Fire Pig Pokémon, and the evolved form of Pignite. A flaring beard of fire is proof that Emboar is fired up. Emboar is adept at using many different moves," the Pokedex stated.
"Here we go, Liepard…" Shikamaru sighed as he tossed his ball. It opened, and the light from it formed into the Cruel Pokémon, Liepard. Once again, Gingka scanned the released Pokémon as he had been revealed.
"Liepard: The Cruel Pokémon, and the evolved form of Purrloin. Their beautiful form comes from the muscles they have developed. They run silently in the night," the Pokedex stated.
"Liepard is a Dark type, and Emboar is a Fire & Fighting type," Tsubasa noted, "So Bianca has the advantage!" Yet despite type advantage, this was going to be no walk in the park for Bianca and Emboar at all.
"Emboar, Flamethrower!" she ordered. Emboar's snout then released a huge spray of flames directly at Liepard.
"Man, what a pain…" Shikamaru sighed as the flames got closer to Liepard. "Okay, dodge it and use Aerial Ace," he said. The dark purple leopard obeyed him completely as he jumped quickly away from the raging flames and onto a rocky pillar. He then sped up as he jumped from the pillar, striking Emboar in the face, making him step back.
A powerful attack!" Freddy echoed over the speakers.
"Emboar!" Bianca cried out as her Pokémon stumbled backwards. Emboar then got back up, still raring to go. "Okay, use Arm Thrust then!" Bianca commanded. Emboar then began to thrust his palms aimed for Liepard.
"Grass Knot!" Shikamaru yelled. Suddenly, Liepard's eyes glowed a bright green as vines came out of the ground, wrapping themselves around Emboar. The Mega Fire Pig Pokémon struggled to break free as he began to fall to his knees from exhausting his strength.
"Oh no…" Bianca said in worry.
"Come on Bianca!" Masamune shouted.
"Let's go Emboar!" Iris cheered.
"Axew Axew!" Axew also cheered. Suddenly, Bianca came to a realization.
"That's it!" she exclaimed with a snap, "Emboar, burn the vines off with Flamethrower!" she called out. Shikamaru then grinned, which Tsubasa took notice of. 'What's he up to…?' he asked himself.
"Sucker Punch!" Shikamaru ordered. Liepard then immediately dashed in front of Emboar, hitting him with his crescent-like tail, stopping the fire pig from unleashing his flames.
"Oh no!" Bianca cried out as Emboar cringed in pain.
"Tsubasa, what was that?!" Masamune asked.
"Sucker Punch is a move that always lands first, before the opponent has a chance to make a move, no matter what it is," Tsubasa explained, "Also, Shikamaru's taken advantage of Emboar's weight with Grass Knot…"
"What does that mean?" Gingka asked.
"It means that Grass Knot works better on Pokémon that are extremely heavy, such as Emboar…" Tsubasa explained.
"Come on Emboar, knock Liepard back with Hammer Arm!" Bianca called out. The fire pig was not down for the count, as his arms glowed a bright white, he broke the vines, striking Liepard, and then sending him into a nearby pillar.
"Looks like Emboar's fighting back fiercely!" O'Martin boomed.
"With Fighting type moves being super-effective against Dark types, it's easy to see that Liepard won't take that lightly!" Don George added. The Cruel Pokémon glared back at Emboar as he was in pain from his Hammer Arm.
"Use Hammer Arm once more!" Bianca ordered.
"Shadow Claw!" Shikamaru commanded. Emboar's arm turned a bright white again as he rushed towards Liepard, while the purple cat with the yellow underside and marks, had a dark aura surround his right paw, resembling a claw. He then jumped after Emboar as well.
"Li…"
"Em…"
"PAAAAARRRDD!"
"BOOOOAAAAARRR!" they screamed as they used their moves on each other. They stood back to back, waiting for their opponent to fall. The crowd watched as the two Pokémon continued to stand. Then, without warning, Emboar fell down, with swirls in his eyes.
"Emboar!" Bianca cried out as she ran onto the field to check her Pokémon.
"Emboar is unable to battle, Liepard wins, and that gives Shikamaru the victory!" the referee announced. The screen showed Bianca's card being erased completely, as Shikamaru's stood proudly in the center, with the title "WINNER" beneath it.
"Oh well..." Shikamaru sighed, "At least I won't have to battle for a little while." He then turned towards the field where he saw Bianca return Emboar and walk off in a great depression. 'Great, and now I made a pretty girl upset too… What a drag…' he thought to himself as he returned Liepard. Bianca had then left the stadium as well to get Emboar fixed up at the Pokémon Center, but her joyful smile had vanished.
"We're tied up with the Shinobi 16 now!" Ash exclaimed.
"We have to get those victories back!" Masamune said as well.
"Look!" Gingka said as he pointed to the big screen. The cards were shuffling once again, revealing the seventh match up. The two cards that made it to the front of the screen go everyone anticipating who would be facing who. The cards flipped, and they revealed yet another surprising match up.
"It's Shino versus Burgundy!" Freddy announced.
"I'm looking forward to see what this battle brings to the table!" Don George added, "This match will also determine if the Shinobi 16 can hold onto to their surprising winning streak, or if the Galaxy Trainers can come back to win the battles!" he said excitedly. The field then changed back to the regular, rocky land field from Trip's match against Kiba.
"Time for a battle that'll leave anyone saying, 'Bon appétit!'" Burgundy exclaimed with a snap as she ran excitedly to the battlefield. Her opponent, Shino, was wearing glasses, along with most of his face covered by clothing and hood. They both took their positions on the field.
"Introducing, the man who surrounds himself with bugs, Shino!" Freddy introduced.
"Along with his opponent, the evaluation time princess, Burgundy!" Don George also introduced.
"Ready, set, begin!" the referee announced, swinging his arm.
"Now, time for a familiar taste!" Burgundy shouted as she held her Poke Ball, "Dewott venez nous voir!" she said as she threw the ball. It opened, and the light from it formed into the Discipline Pokémon, Dewott.
"Du!" she exclaimed as she landed on the earth beneath her. Shino brought out a Poke Ball as well.
"Go Crustle!" he exclaimed, throwing the ball. The light coming from it, formed into the Stone Home Pokémon, Crustle.
"Crus!" he exclaimed as he eyed his opponent. Burgundy then grinned as she saw her opponent's Pokémon.
"Alors, it is evaluating time s'il vous plaît!" Burgundy exclaimed with a wink, by which Shino was unfazed.
"Oh boy, this oughta be good…" Tsubasa sighed, face palming.
"Now I see that you and your Crustle share great similarities, the way you seem to seclude your identity, like the way a Crustle hides in its shell," Burgundy said, "Your compatibility is definitely absolute, but I don't believe your that open to other people most of the time, the same way your Crustle doesn't interact with other Pokémon," she explained.
"Now why on Earth would he believe something as trivial as that?" Tsubasa asked.
"You're correct," Shino replied to Burgundy, making Tsubasa fall over, "I may keep myself secluded from others, though I do wish to interact with my friends, even though they may not want me around…" Those words began to send Naruto and Hinata on a guilt trip for not hanging out with Shino so much.
"Well Shino is the strong yet silent type," Ben noted, "Who'd know this is how he felt?"
"However, that evaluation of me won't determine this battle," Shino said, "Our strengths will determine who is better! Crustle, Rock Polish!"
"Crustle!" the hermit crab Pokémon replied as the large chunk of stone on his back glowed a bright orange.
"Rock Polish is a move that increases a Pokémon's speed," Rex explained, "So, what's Shino gonna do now?"
"Dewott, Water Pulse!" Burgundy ordered. The otter then created a ball of water in front of her mouth, launching it at Crustle. Unfortunately, Shino had plans.
"Crustle, Bulldoze!" he commanded. Crustle then slammed his large pincers into the earth, charging forward as he tore up the ground.
"Look at that momentum!" Freddy exclaimed.
"That's because Shino was smart enough to have Crustle use Rock Polish beforehand, so that way, he could attack more fiercely…" Brycen noted. The Water Pulse merely was dispersed as Crustle kept charging on through it. Burgundy cringed as she tried to think of something.
"Dewott, Ice Beam!" Burgundy commanded. The Discipline Pokémon then created another bright blue ball in front of her mouth, only this time, the ball shot out zigzag lines that were about to intercept Crustle's Bulldoze. Sadly, the Ice Beam did little more than freeze parts of Crustle's shell as he struck Dewott fiercely, sending her flying back to Burgundy. "Dewott, are you all right?!" she asked frantically.
"Du Du Wott!" she replied, feeling just fine even after taking a brutal attack.
"All right then, use Razor Shell!" Burgundy commanded. Dewott took off the scalchops on both sides of her body as they glowed bright blue and the light expanded into blades as she ran towards Crustle.
"Block it!" Shino called out. Before Dewott could even strike, Crustle's pincers had grabbed each of her arms, stopping her in place.
"Du…" she growled at the Stone Home Pokémon.
"Now Crustle, Bug Bite!" Shino ordered. Crustle then opened his mouth to reveal glowing white teeth as he bit into Dewott's left shoulder.
"WOOOOTTTTTTT!" she cried in agonizing pain.
"Dewott, break away with Revenge!" Burgundy called out. Dewott then began to glow in a red aura as a sudden shockwave came from her body, knocking Crustle back.
"Du… Du…" she breathed as she had been exhausted.
"Looks like Dewott's been exhausted already!" O'Martin shouted.
"Come on Dewott, we're not finished! Jusqu'à!" Burgundy cried out.
"Du!" she replied, getting back up.
"Crustle, Rock Blast!" Shino ordered. Crustle's pincers turned a whitish grey as he launched missiles that looked like his pincers towards Dewott.
"Block them with Razor Shell!" Burgundy called out. Dewott took out her glowing blades and struck the missiles before they could hit her. However, Tsubasa noticed something else going on as Dewott was hitting back the attack.
"Shino's having Crustle use Rock Blast to try and tire out Dewott!" he realized. He then noticed that Dewott had become beyond exhausted as she began to tire herself out from using Razor Shell so much. Suddenly, Crustle stopped the Rock Blast.
"I guess we should end this before your Dewott becomes too exhausted," Shino said pushing up his glasses, "Crustle, Bulldoze!" he ordered. Crustle once again tore up the earth beneath as he charged towards Dewott again, who was now ready to give in.
"Stay strong Dewott!" Burgundy encouraged, "Razor Shell!" The Discipline Pokémon obeyed her command clearly as she charged towards Crustle with the scalchops in hand, ready to strike. Ash and his friends gasped as the two moves collided, resulting in a brief explosion which knocked Crustle back a few yards, and sent Dewott flying into the stadium wall. She slid down it, with her eyes swirled up.
"Dewott!" Burgundy cried out.
"Dewott is unable to battle, Crustle wins, and the victory goes to Shino!" the referee announced as the crowd cheered loudly. Burgundy watched in sadness as her card was erased from the board, and Shino's was now seen as the winner.
"Dewott, return…" she sighed, recalling her Pokémon. Shino watched as she walked off the field, looking as depressed as Cilan. She walked back to her team's area to see that they had sympathetic looks on their faces. She turned away and sighed. "Whatever they're capable of, it's beyond my level…" she said as she walked out of the stadium.
"Well what do you know?" Freddy began to announce, "It looks like the
Shinobi 16 have taken the lead in wins!"
"Now to see if they'll have the most wins of the day with our final match up!" Don George. Everyone began to chatter around as they were wondering what the last match up of the day would be.
"We still have 9 trainers, that include us, that haven't battled yet!" Rex whispered to Naruto and Ben.
"Well if I get picked, I won't hold anything back, even if they are my friends!" Ben said. Hinata watched as they all talked with each other about strategies for battling. She was wondering who'd she have to fight if she was picked. 'If I end up battling, I'll be out of my league against Neji, or Gaara, or even-' she stopped her thought as she saw the screen shuffle the cards again. Everyone watched in anticipation as two cards made their way to the center of the screen.
"So folks, let's see what our last match up of the day is!" Freddy shouted as the cards flipped over to reveal the trainers. Hinata gasped upon seeing her card on the screen, next to Sakura's.
"The eighth match is Sakura versus Hinata!" Don George announced.
"How interesting," Brycen said, "I'm looking forward to this match up."
"All right," Sakura said, tightening her gloves, "Looks like it's go time!"
Everyone on the Galaxy Trainers, minus Ryuga and Trip were shocked by the match up.
"Yep, we're doomed," Rex said bluntly. He then felt a hand whack him on the head. "OW!" he screamed, turning to see that Ben had hit him. "What did you do that for?!" he asked angrily.
"Why don't you have any faith in Hinata?!" Ben asked back with anger present in his eyes.
"Two words," Rex said pointing to Hinata, "Too nervous." Hinata's legs quivered at the thought of facing Sakura in a Pokémon battle. Not to mention, Naruto also loved Sakura, so that made her even more scared to even beat her.
"All right Hinata, good luck!" Gingka encouraged as the battlefield changed back to the rock pillar field.
"Do your best!" Iris cheered.
"Axew!" Axew cheered too.
"Go Hinata!" Ash yelled as she walked to her position, feeling flustered and nervous.
"Introducing our two trainers, the lovely yet ferocious fighter, Sakura!" Freddy introduced as the pink-haired girl took her position.
"Along with her opponent, the sweet Pokémon trainer with a big heart, Hinata!" Don George introduced as the shy girl took her position as well.
"So, are both of you ready?" the referee asked.
"Yes!" Sakura said.
"U-Um… Yeah…" Hinata stuttered.
"Then let the battle begin!" the referee announced, swinging down his arm. Sakura took out her Poke Ball.
"All right, let's go Gothitelle!" she exclaimed as she launched the ball in the air. It opened to reveal the light that formed into the Astral Body Pokémon, Gothitelle.
"Gothi," she said as she landed gently on the ground. Ben took out his Pokedex as he noticed the strange Psychic type.
"Gothitelle: The Astral Body Pokémon, and the evolved form of Gothorita. Gothitelle can see the future from the movement of the stars. When Gothitelle learns his or her Trainer's life span, he or she cries in sadness," the Pokedex stated.
"That's not really a Pokémon that reminds you too much of Sakura, huh Naruto?" Ben asked as he put the device away. The ninja boy just watched as he saw Hinata take out a Poke Ball.
"L-Leavanny, go!" she stuttered as she tossed the ball. It popped open, and the light from it formed into the Nurturing Pokémon, Leavanny.
"Lea Leavanny!" she cried out happily as she eyed her opponent.
"So, it's Gothitelle versus Leavanny!" Freddy announced excitedly.
"Hinata has the advantage with Leavanny being a Bug & Grass type over Gothitelle, who's a Psychic type," Don George noted.
"Nevertheless, I expect a great battle from these two," Brycen added.
"Hinata!" Sakura called out to her opponent, "Let's both do our best!" The timid girl's lips just quivered as she was too nervous to even face anyone now.
"Here we go Hinata!" Rex cheered.
"Let's go Leavanny!" Ben shouted, "So Naruto, you're cheering for Hinata, right?" he asked the ninja. Naruto was only looking at the field sternly, his arms crossed, his eyes squinting. "Please don't tell me you're gonna root for Sakura, are you?" Ben asked with a sigh.
"No, but I would cheer if Sakura or Hinata were facing someone else," Naruto admitted. Ben face palmed at Naruto oblivious nature. 'Great… Let's hope Hinata can pull herself through this battle…' he thought to himself as the battle was about to actually begin.
"Gothitelle, Psyshock!" Sakura ordered. The Psychic type understood the order clearly as she floated into the air, creating bluish-purple, jelly-like balls of psychic energy in front of her. She then shot them on their path headed for Leavanny.
"Lea!" the Nurturing Pokémon said bravely as she stood, waiting for a command. But the command hadn't come yet. Leavanny turned around for a split second to see Hinata with her eyes closed, looking scared and nervous at the same time, before the Psyshock struck her.
"Oh my!" Freddy exclaimed as Leavanny fell down, "Leavanny could've easily dodged that attack, but Hinata didn't give her a command!"
"What's wrong with Hinata?" Ash asked as he saw Leavanny stand back up.
"Now, use Thunderbolt!" Sakura commanded. Electricity began to flow over Gothitelle's body as she launched a bolt of it straight at Leavanny. Leavanny was ready to counterattack, but apparently, her trainer was not as she heard no command before she was hit with the jolt of lightning.
"LEEEEEAAAA!" she cried out as she tried to endure the Thunderbolt.
"Another opportunity lost due to Hinata's late reactions!" Freddy exclaimed as Leavanny broke free from the attack, jumping back to her side of the field.
"Come on Hinata!" Gingka shouted.
"Win this battle!" Masamune yelled.
"Lea Lea Leavanny?!" she shouted back at Hinata. Her trainer just stood there with a look of guilt upon her face, her eyes still shut.
"Gothitelle, Shadow Ball!" Sakura ordered. Gothitelle then created a dark purple ball of energy in front of herself, which she then launched at Leavanny. Upon not hearing a command given this time, Leavanny decided to forget it, and jumped out of the Shadow Ball's path.
"Looks like Leavanny decided to fend for herself!" Don George noted. Just then, Leavanny right arm began to glow a bright green as she swung it down at Gothitelle.
"That's Leaf Blade!" Ash exclaimed as Leavanny was about to strike.
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered. Sakura grinned on account of this, however.
"Dodge it and use Telekinesis!" Sakura called out. Gothitelle then floated away from her position as Leavanny struck nothing but the ground, creating a small crater along with dust. The Astral Body Pokémon's eyes then glowed a bright green as the dust cleared to reveal Leavanny surrounded by a green outline. Hinata gasped as she saw Leavanny begin to float in the air, flailing around in confusion.
"Oh my, Leavanny's floating!" Freddy boomed into his microphone.
"Telekinesis causes a Pokémon to float in the air for quite a while without any mobility," Don George added.
"Wait, does that mean Leavanny can't move?!" Rex asked in worry. Ben nodded with a grimace upon his face. He knew Hinata was now in trouble.
"Now Psyshock!" Sakura ordered. Gothitelle then launched another array of jelly-like balls of energy at Leavanny, only this time, even with her trainer's orders, Leavanny could not avoid the attack as she was pummeled back by it into a nearby pillar.
"Shadow Ball!" Sakura commanded. Another dark purple ball of energy was formed in front of the Psychic type's body as she shot it at Leavanny, which then hit her in the face. A rock pillar tumbled down as Leavanny's body had been sent right through it.
"Thunderbolt!" Sakura ordered. Once again, electricity began to build up all over Gothitelle's body as she launched another jolt of lightning directly for the mantis-like Pokémon. Hinata watched helplessly as the Nurturing Pokémon was struck fiercely by the Thunderbolt. She wanted to give a command, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. She felt helpless as she saw Leavanny covered in scars and bruises from the battle, but she still wanted to go on. Hinata then noticed that electricity began to spark all over Leavanny's body.
"Uh oh!" Freddy shouted, "It looks like Leavanny just got paralyzed by Gothitelle's Thunderbolt!" Hinata cringed seeing her Pokémon battered like this, wanting to end the battle now so that she wouldn't have to suffer any more agonizing attacks. 'I can't do this… I'm not cut out to even be a Pokémon Trainer… I'm a failure…' she thought hopelessly as tears began to form in her eyes.
"Hinata…" Ash and Gingka said, watching their friend about to burst into tears.
"HEY, HINATA!" a voice suddenly screamed. Hinata was just about to cry when she heard that voice call out to her. She turned to see Naruto gripping the railing of the wall, rage present in his eyes. "Come one Hinata, don't give up now!" he encouraged loudly, "Leavanny's putting in all her effort for your sake, so you should do the same for her!" he screamed. Everyone minus Ryuga was shocked at Naruto's outburst, especially Hinata. 'Naruto…' she thought as she looked down. She realized that he was right, she needed to help Leavanny as much as she wanted to help herself become a better trainer.
"Leavanny, are you all right?" she called out. The Nurturing Pokémon was in excruciating pain, but stayed upright in the air, as she was glad to finally hear her trainer's voice. 'It's good that Leavanny can still battle, but with Telekinesis and being paralyzed, how can she move in order to attack?' she asked herself. She then noticed the tall rock pillars standing before her. She then had an idea. "Leavanny, use String Shot to swing yourself around the pillars!" she called out.
"Lea!" the Nurturing Pokémon replied, understanding the command as she shot a line of silk that wrapped around a nearby pillar. She then glided past Gothitelle as she went around the pillar.
"Now, use String Shot on the next one!" Hinata called out as Leavanny shot another thread of silk at another pillar. She then continued this pattern as everyone watched in wonder.
"What's Lady Hinata up to?" Neji asked with his arms crossed.
"Don't know, but I bet she's not gonna quit now thanks to Naruto," Kiba said, making Neji wonder at the thought as of why Hinata was so inspired by Naruto.
"Check out Leavanny!" Ash exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"She's moving faster now!" Iris added.
"Axew!" Axew said too.
"What a surprising taste!" a voice said, getting everyone's attention. They all turned to see Burgundy standing with them, looking surprised to see this match taking an unexpected turn.
"Burgundy, you're back!" Tsubasa exclaimed. The connoisseuse disregarded his excitement as her eyes were glued to the battlefield.
"Now, use Leaf Blade!" Hinata ordered. Leavanny then swung around a corner, with sharp arm covered in a bright green light as she struck Gothitelle right in the chest, sending her flying back to Sakura.
"A direct hit!" O'Martin boomed.
"Atta girl, Hinata!" Ben cheered.
"Go Leavanny!" Rex cheered too.
"Go Hinata, go!" a voice said in between them. They both turned and were surprised to see Bianca standing right there.
"B-Bianca?!" Ben asked in surprise.
"When did you get here?" Rex asked.
"Uh…" Bianca began to say, putting a finger to her head, "Just now?" she said, making both of them sweat drop. Meanwhile, Leavanny was making great use of Hinata's strategy, gaining momentum, and then striking Gothitelle right where it hurt.
"Now, use X-Scissor!" Hinata commanded. As Leavanny swung around a corner once again, she this time had both of her arms glowing light blue as she crossed them into an x, heading for the now tired Gothitelle. Leavanny then struck the Astral Body Pokémon with all her might.
"TELLLLLEEEEEE!" she screamed in pain as she was knocked down onto the ground. Leavanny then jumped down, touching the ground with her legs.
Hinata beamed in surprise, "The Telekinesis wore off!" she exclaimed happily.
"Way to go Hinata!" a voice from the Galaxy Trainers' side shouted. Ash turned to see Stephan standing right there, watching the battle with his eyes focused on Leavanny and Gothitelle clashing.
"Stephen, you came back too!" Ash said happily.
"You know I wouldn't miss out on a battle that's this intense Ash!" he replied, disregarding the mispronunciation of his name. Sakura was especially pleased with Hinata finally getting serious.
"All right, Gothitelle Thunderbolt!" she ordered. Gothitelle launched out bolt of electricity, headed for Leavanny.
"Counter it with Energy Ball!" Hinata called out. Leavanny then created bright green ball of energy in front of her mouth, which she launched in the opposite direction of Gothitelle's Thunderbolt. The two moves collided, but unexpectedly, the Thunderbolt made the Energy Ball explode, going through the smoke from the small implosion, striking Leavanny.
"LEEEEEAAAAA!" she cried out in pain.
"Leavanny, no!" Hinata cried as the Nurturing Pokémon fell to her knees.
"Lea…" she breathed out, exhausted. Electricity continued to spark all over her body as she struggled to get back up.
"Sorry Hinata," Sakura began to say, "but I'm winning this battle!" she exclaimed, "Gothitelle, Thunderbolt!" she ordered. Electricity flowed through Gothitelle's body once more as she was about to unleash another Thunderbolt.
"Leavanny, hang in there!" Hinata called out, "Energy Ball again!" As Leavanny got up, the antennae on her head began to sparkle. "Huh?" Hinata asked as she noticed this.
"Hey, that's-!"
"Solarbeam!" a voice exclaimed, cutting Ash off. He turned to see a very nice sight, as Cilan had come back into the stadium.
"Cilan!" Gingka and Ash exclaimed.
"You're back!" Tsubasa and Iris noted.
"Axew!" Axew cheered.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said happily. As Gothitelle launched her Thunderbolt, the bright, shining sun began to make Leavanny's antennae sparkle even more, until it became a bright sparkling sphere, which she then grabbed with her sharp arms. Hinata then knew what Leavanny was doing, and knew what to do next.
"Leavanny, Solarbeam!" Hinata commanded. The Nurturing Pokémon then launched the attack as the sphere turned into a beam of light that intercepted the Thunderbolt before it struck, and then making it disperse as the Solarbeam slammed into Gothitelle, knocking her into the wall.
"Gothitelle!" Sakura cried out as the Astral Body Pokémon slid down the wall, hitting the ground with a thud with swirls in her eyes.
"Gothitelle is unable to battle, Leavanny wins, and therefore, the victor is Hinata!" the referee announced. The crowd cheered and clapped loudly, making the whole stadium shake.
"I… won?" Hinata asked herself.
"Lea!" Leavanny said, running back to her trainer despite the paralysis.
"Leavanny!" Hinata called out as she ran up to the Nurturing Pokémon, giving her a big hug. "Oh, thank you so much Leavanny…" she said with tears in her eyes.
"Lea Lea," she replied, patting Hinata on the back. Sakura watched them happily as she returned Gothitelle to her Poke Ball.
"Hey, Hinata!" she shouted as she walked over to her, "That was an amazing battle," she said holding out her hand for a handshake, "You were superb out there, so was Leavanny!" Hinata accepted her handshake heartily.
"Thanks Sakura," she replied, "I know I can do my best if I feel like I can try…" she said glancing over to Naruto, which Sakura noticed.
"Good luck in the second round Hinata!" Sakura said, running back to her side of the field.
"What an amazing finisher to today's match ups!" O'Martin exclaimed, "Now it looks like the Shinobi 16 are tied with the Galaxy Trainers in wins now!"
"Tomorrow we'll have the second half of first round!" Don George announced, "For those of you that haven't battled yet, I highly suggest you get some good rest for tomorrow!" With that said, the stadium once again had been completely cleared as people went back to their homes or hotels for the night before the second half of first round matches. Both of the groups were also walking back as well.
"Way to come through for our team Hinata!" Ash complimented.
"You were awesome out there!" Gingka said.
"Thank you," she said happily, smiling brightly with her friends all the way back to the Pokémon Center.
END
Chapter 2 complete! Phew! What a chapter that was. Anyways, might as well give you guys the gist about the next chapter.
Summary: As Day 2 of the Club Battle Ninja Tournament begins after a long night of rest, Iris is pitted against Ino! Using Excadrill against Lilligant, Iris hopes to achieve victory with his strength. But what will happen when Lilligant hits the Subterranean Pokémon with Attract?!
As the battles move along, Masamune is finally placed up against Yamato before the lunch break! Using Timburr against Yamato's Seismitoad, Masamune aims to win no matter what! But as his Pokémon becomes battered by Seismitoad's attacks, Timburr then starts to glow…?!
