Blair stared at the sky as he was walking back up the bridge. Ryuko was swimming alongside Leviathan in the water. Ryuko was basically worshiping her at this point… which Blair took in stride and Leviathan pretended not to care. She did. Jet had Skull on him as they flew around outside the ball stretching for some good air. They were doing target practice on leaves and working on making sure Skull could stay on through the loops. For them it was about getting stronger together, individual strength was important as well but just like at Pokemon Tower they all knew a real battle… it was war and involved all of them. The five travelers knew inside, this wasn't their last time. However no one regretted it. The trip back to Lavender Town was a peaceful one when all was said and done. Well as peaceful as it could have been. Finally they reached back to the town and looked at the tower.
"Ryuko, I want you to meet Delilah. The best bug in the world." They walked up to the second floor and stopped in front of a gravestone. Leviathan mournfully roared softly and lowered her head. Jet shed a single tear as he landed on the grave and cooed. Skull tightened his grip on his Thick Club as he looked at it. "This was her favorite." Blair said softly as he set down a Pecha Berry cookie. Ryuko kyuu'd as she saw the temptation but held herself back, remembering to respect the fallen. Blair took one more moment of silence before leaving the grave. A white orb shimmered as it slowly came up after they left. Next stop was into Saffron City however the road was blocked for some unfathomable reason. Blair just shrugged it off and made his way to Celadon. There was an underground passage as well as some victims along the way. It took a week before reaching Celadon city. Immediately he was bombarded with advertisements in the peaceful floral city.
"Pokemon Contest Deluxe! Three days from now!"
"All you can eat Buffet! !500 Poke"
He mindlessly let the advertisements slip past him as he made his way to the mall. For some reason his body was heavy as he got in the elevator and finally made his way to the top floor. He walked up to the machine and ordered a canned coffee. Then he waited… and waited until finally no other trainers were on the relatively abandoned top floor. He looked out the window and screamed. He screamed to the sky with all of his lungs. Then he crushed his coffee and ordered a lemonade as he sat down.
"Leviathan, Jet, Skull, Ryuko. Water/Flying weaknesses to rock, electric… normal flying also weak to Rock and electric as well as ice… Skull weak to water, grass, ice… Ryuko ALSO weak to ice and dragon." He took another drink. "Also if she becomes a Dragonite that's another weakness to rock…" He took out a piece of paper and started frowning. "By my calculations I need to be really careful of the next two members to balance out the team… or…" He released his pokemon all at once and ordered them each a drink of preference. People occasionally came by as he relaxed with his family and began to talk.
"Listen, everyone. I think it might be obvious at this point but… I'm going to end up having more than six pokemon. This means some of you will have to spend time away from me with the others. Probably at Professor Oak's or whatever I can manage. IS there anyone of you that's not okay with that?"
His family stopped for a moment lost in thought, obviously understanding what he was saying. Leviathan simply boldly roared, scaring the nearby trainers and wrapping him in her tail.
"I figured… I don't use you enough in battle anyways. I'll have you sit out if it's an electric only trainer or something."
She turned her head away with a pout which only made Blair smile. It seemed to be agreed upon… they were all okay with it even if it was lonely. Finally the family left and walked down. Blair walked step after step in a calm rhythm towards the gym.
"I'd like a fire type." He said with one step. "I'd like to be a better trainer." He said with another. "I'd like to have more than just knowledge." He said with yet another. Soon it was an extremely slow pace as he looked at the gym door in front of him. "There are so many things I'd like… I wonder if I've become any good as a trainer by now? I wonder if I've become any better as a person? Celebi… I will meet you again. I'll thank you then." With that he stepped into an all girls gym. They took him as one of their own without any questions. Blair didn't particularly mind as it was more convenient this way.
"Jet…"
"Geotto!" Jet cooed as he did the finishing blow against yet another floral pokemon. His body beginning to glow slightly.
"Evolution is close at hand huh?"
As usual he challenged all of the gym trainers first. Erika was drinking some tea as she sat down with her eyes closed.
"I see you've come young one."
She spoke with a soft voice.
"Yeah. I know I could have faced you first but I needed a warmup."
"My students were a warmup?" She asked with a smile.
"Yes." Blair replied flatly. "I know you're a lot stronger than them… however I only have three badges so… I don't have to face you all out."
"Rules are indeed rules for gym leaders. You smell… like a male. Impressive how your appearance alone fooled all of my students."
"Aren't you going to open your eyes?" He asked confused at her insistence on her tea.
"Perhaps but… I can smell the battle. To fight you I shall use one pokemon… you can use all of your team members." Blair felt insulted at the provocation.
"You'll regret that." He said as he began to get ready to send out his first member.
A woman stood up from next to Erika and smiled.
"This will be a one on four battle, the challenger is free to substitute pokemon at any time. The challenger may have the first move… let the battle begin."
Blair bit his tongue as he threw out Jet's ball.
"Jet speed in for the show! Let's show her not to underestimate us!"
Erika slowly stood up and calmly opened her eyes. "You look better than you smell. Perhaps some natural cologne? Ah I digress… Venusaur. My partner… come on out."
"SAUR!" A Venusaur was released and shouted as the ground around it began to shake. Blair frowned.
"A Venusaur? Grass type of course… what's that thing on her flower? It's a weird gem." He muttered absent-mindedly. Then he shook himself awake. "Jet, Aerial Ace!"
Erika took a sip of her tea and said something so soft that Blair couldn't hear. Suddenly as Jet came closer she lowered her body and then from the tree on her back a giant purple ball was launched towards Jet who was slammed away with incredible force.
"What?" Blair asked in shock. "Jet get up!" However Jet was already down and out. Blair bit his lip feeling utterly defeated. "One move… this is insane. No wonder she gave me my entire team…"
"Jet is unable to battle. The challenger has three pokemon left to send."
Blair returned Jet to his ball silently. He wanted to give him words of encouragement but knew that would only wound Jet's already shattered pride.
"Ryuko! Let's get some revenge for your last battle!"
"Kyuuu!"
She was sent out and immediately uncurled her body to look at her opponent a fierce glint in her eyes.
"It is now Ryuko against Venusaur. Let the battle resume." The referee said. Blair rubbed his sweaty palms as his heart pounded.
"Ryuko, let's start off with Thunder Wave!"
Erika simply smiled as the ground began to shake and soon Ryuko fell in a chasm.
"Ryuko!" The ground closed on her but as a last ditch effort the waves of electricity did manage to hit Venusaur. "RYUKO!? RYUKO!"
"Calm down. I won't kill this little one." Erika said softly. Soon the ground opened up to reveal a shivering Ryuko who was unable to move. Blair's eyes started hurting. However no future visions came. He felt grateful… on his own power. With each step… he would win.
"Ryuko is unable to battle. The challenger has two more pokemon."
"Ryuko come back… you did it. You gave us the window to win." She kyuud softly as she returned. He looked at the two remaining pokeballs with something caught in his throat. The idea of losing felt so… scary. He felt like the moment he lost he wouldn't be able to stand up again. He felt his insides shatter as he felt so fragile…
"Do you wish to give up in this match?" Erika asked softly. Blair frowned.
"No… I'll keep going! Skull let's go! You can give a strong first move! Earthquake!"
Erika once again whispered something and while the surprise attack did in fact hurt Venusaur a flurry of pink petals slammed into Skull and he was slammed back and knocked out. Blair's eyes shot open as he silently returned Skull and then violently shouted.
"Leviathan! It's all on the line! Bite!"
Erika smiled softly before whispering something Blair could barely hear.
"I guess I'll show you my real power." Suddenly she lifted her arm and a jewel underneath her Kimono started glowing. A similar one on her Venusaur's tree started glowing as well as they changed.
"Evolution? No wait… mega evolution? I never… saw it in person." Then as Leviathan was closing in Blair could see it all in slow motion, first the complete transformation and as Leviathan was almost there giant plants thrust out from the ground and smashed into her then wrapped around her. Leviathan struggled but was soon crushed by thrashing vines. Blair fell to his knees and whited out. He woke up inside the local center… a sense of loss was over him. "We were in top shape." He said to no one. He took a deep breath before once again returning to the rooftop of the department store to scream. This time his family joined him until they were interrupted by a voice.
"So what are you screaming about?"
Blair turned around to see a cocky but familiar female holding the rainbow badge in front of him tauntingly.
"Her Venusaur was strong but no match for my Rapidash. I'll see you in the contest two days from now… I held up my deal and am taking the league challenge as well. Even if I took a year off in Kalos but from what I hear you took a year off in a graveyard." She left Blair behind with the sassy walk. Her confidence oozed out and her message was clear.
"Alicia…" He said absent-mindedly as she left.
Meanwhile Alicia was blushing as she frantically pressed down on the elevator.
"What is wrong with him? Spending a year in the graveyard and losing to Erika. Blair… what happened to you? You were a better trainer in Cerulean. Whatever… it's not like I care."
Blair took a deep breath and he looked up. Then he screamed with all of his lungs.
"I'M NOT GIVING IN! I CAN'T LET IT END HERE! WAKE UP BLAIR! WAKE UP! REORGANIZE!" His eyes started flickering between a bright, glowing green and a dull green. His head throbbed intensely and finally he blacked out. He woke up hours later to lemonade being splashed on his face. Standing there was a little girl about eight years old who laughed and held her hand out. Blair grabbed the hand but just as he reached to grasp it, it disappeared. The girl faded and his heart was beating. The sun was shining. "Did I… sleep in the mall for over twenty four hours?"
"I'm thirsty." He immediately turned to the voice but there was nothing, he once again felt the lemonade on his face. With a frown he walked down the stairs lost in thought. Step after step, after step. Finally he made it down to the bottom an almost serene feeling washed over him as his heart calmed. As if transfixed by something he walked over to the gym. Through the doors, through the grass maze, he was there. He reached out his hand and grabbed a bush nearby. He felt the rough texture of the leaves and branches.
"You're back so soon young challenger?"
"..." Blair simply turned towards her with glowing green eyes.
"I see… words aren't really necessary for you right now are they." Her white eyes looked in Blair's direction with a sense of serenity. "How necessary are they for your partners… it's a bit early in the morning so there's no referee here. I will use three pokemon, do your best to win, challenger. First off come out Victreebel. I require your assistance."
"..." Blair tried to open his mouth to speak but couldn't. It was as if talking was completely shut off from his mouth. However something unexpected happened. Jet came out of his ball on his own.
"..." Jet silently flew through the air from his ball and landed on the ground with an ever so gentle thud.
"I see." Erika closed her eyes as she smiled softly. "Go on Victreebel, use Sludge Bomb."
"VICTREE-" The plant pokemon's cry was cut short by Jet. Glowing and panting Jet slammed into the Victreebel with every single bit of power he could muster. Flying silently still he landed on the ground. Blair's focus returned and looked at Jet, they both nodded.
"I see. Brave Bird was it? Quite a risk taking move… I suppose next up shall be my Vileplume. I don't foresee such an easy fight again. Return Victreebel you did as you could," With a quick motion Erika replaced her pokemon. Soon there was a Vileplume standing in front of Jet however all it took was a single word.
"Go." Blair spoke it as soft as a whisper but it roared in Jet's ears. He felt his body glowing once more.
"Sludge Bomb!"
This time the ball of poison was faster. Jet started accelerating, he hit top speed and was about to slam into the ball of sludge. His heart calmed and his body glowed. One last time. One last chance. One more push! Jet was halted briefly by the ball of sludge but then pushed through with even more speed and force afterwards. A fierce glow in his eyes.
"PI-" Then it hit the Vileplume full force. "DGEOT!" It was a bright glow and then both pokemon were knocked out. Erika blinked and her eyes opened uselessly.
"Far more fight than I expected. It looks like both are down." She smiled softly and then laughed a raspy voice. Her graying hair swaying gently.
"At the age of 37 you are already blind with gray hair… regardless of if you can see or not you are my next opponent. My next challenge and stepping stone."
"I see. Not with my eyes but I see all the same young one. Perhaps I am thirty seven but… perhaps I am not. Either way… let us finish this with a glorious battle. Venusaur, it is your turn once again. Let's start immediately and show him the issues in his heart."
Both trainers returned their pokemon and sent out another one. Blair felt the ground shake as he stared down the Venusaur.
"KYUU!"
"Yeah, Ryuko let's go."
"I'll show you a mega evolution yet again. Can you handle the power?"
"..."
"Words are indeed useless. Venusaur! Let's go once more and show him the power of Mega Evolution!"
"Ryuko." He felt as if he was seeing through her eyes. She charged fearless and an energy welled up inside and then fired off electric waves which assaulted the freshly mega evolved Venusaur. Words were gone it was just a flurry of petals in front of them. Dodging was impossible, running away was impossible… with a surge of power it happened.
"KYUU!"
Ryuko screamed out with all of her might and just as Blair envisioned it slammed her tail to the ground cracking it, instantly she managed to hide in the mini crevice she formed. A moment later she jumped out as it began to close and the ground was shaking. She sprung towards the Venusaur like a coil. The ground was shaking but what it finally took was a giant vine with thorns crashing into Ryuko. Instantly she was sent flying back. Blair flung back as well and returned Ryuko to her ball. Silently he got up and looked at the ball of his most trusted companion.
"Leviathan. It's up to you."
" are the trainer Celebi has chosen."
"..." Shock washed over Blair for a moment however Erika smiled serenely and Leviathan charged forward. It was a full on crunch as Venusaur was exhausted from Frenzy Plant. Then with a surge of power holding the giant creature in her teeth she twisted her body and slammed it down to the ground. Venusaur tried to resist for a moment but was paralyzed. The battle was over and Blair was left in a cold sweat.
"I'm sorry I was so harsh on you… I have a special relationship with Celebi… so when you were chosen… I got jealous challenger. It was childish of me… forget this old woman for now. You will surely grow from here on. Take the rainbow badge and move forward."
Blair walked forward slowly and then solemnly. He took the badge but then realized there was a canned lemonade in his hand. He took the badge from her hand and then put the canned lemonade in it. Erika started crying and broke down as Blair silently left with a sense of unease.
"CELEBI! YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE! BLAIR! KEEP GOING ON! DON'T LET THEM WIN!"
Hours later Blair was at the mall staring at his new badge.
"So, you picked yourself up huh?"
"No… I got lucky. I'm not strong enough."