0000

It was early morning, early enough for the sun to be only peaking up from the hills. Charizard sat by himself on the deck chair of his cabin, lost in thought.

"Something on your mind?" A wry voice said. Charizard's eyes flashed open. Grovyle hopped down from a nearby tree.

Charizard gave her a cold look. "What do you want? We're on different teams…..and I don't want my team to see me "fraternizing" with the enemy."

Grovyle rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I actually had a reason for coming. The false idols….that's what you're worried about, right?"

The dragon gave her a surprised look. "How do YOU know about that!?"

She tutted. "I know this island well, and I've found four of the things so far. And EVERYONE knows it. Misdreavus tells Sableye everything."

Charizard groaned. He hadn't thought about that. He'd have to deal with Misdreavus and boundaries later.

"Still…the question remains. Why are you so interested?"

"The fact that we got duped as well. I found two fakes…Swampert and Braixen found one as well. This doesn't only involve your team. In fact, it may have been one of us who did it."

"True enough…so who do you think did it?"

Grovyle tapped a claw to her chin. "Well….it could be Sableye or Misdreavus as a practical joke. It IS something they would do."

Charizard shook his head. "Hmm….I was wondering if it was Gallade. He's been off by himself. Maybe he's been scheming and plotting against all of us."

"You two are morons."

They both whirled around, staring at Umbreon. She scoffed. "The person who left those idols had to be someone close enough to Haxorus without arousing suspicion. No way could a Zangoose get into the cabin. And Gallade made a hamlet to sleep in far away. He's an outcast, not a schemer."

Charizard raised an eyebrow. "Who do YOU think did it then?"

"The answer is obvious. Who was closest to Haxorus, and who was on the chopping block three nights ago?"

A light went off in Charizard's brain. "Carbink…." Grovyle looked unconvinced.

"I don't believe that story for a second. How could he possibly carve idols with no limbs?"

"I don't know. But maybe that can be your first lead." She gave Charizard a look.

Charizard didn't like that look. It seemed to go through him, as if she were analyzing her soul. As if she knew….

"Think on it. I'm going for a walk."

As she left, Grovyle sighed. "Sometimes I just don't know about that girl…."

0000

Charizard growled lowly, looking conflicted. "I'm struggling here. On one hand, she makes a good point. One another, she's on the other team. I should trust Carbink over her….right?"

0000

A large air horn sounded, awaking the Zany Zangoose with a start. Plusle shrieked, rolling off the bed. Braixen banged her head on the top bunk. Sableye jumped off his bed, panicking.

"I CAN'T GO BACK TO JAIL! HIT THE DECK!" He ran, but banged into the door, bouncing off and hitting the ground hard.

Parasect coughed, holding the horn. "I'm glad to see you all awake. Come on, team meeting!"

Groaning and cursing Parasect, the Zangoose got up. Braixen grabbed him by neck and pinned him to the wall.

"Alright, what's the deal?! IT'S 6 IN THE MORNING!"

Parasect coughed, pushing her away. "I have finally finished….the TIER LIST!"

He didn't have the effect he wanted. His team just gave him a deadpanned look.

"…What?" muttered Ninjask.

"A tier list! For our abilities from usefulness to uselessness. I made a chart so we can assemble a plan for our eliminations in an orderly schedule. All of you are on it."

"Huh." Said Braixen, now looking vaguely interested. "Well go on, put it on the wall, I want to see!"

Parasect taped it, (Though his pincers made several clippings, leaving the paper battered.) The team gathered around, looking at what it said:

Tier List of the Zany Zangoose

S tier- Parasect, Swampert, Umbreon, Machoke, Tepig

A tier: Grovyle, Braixen, Ninjask, Scrafty, Minccino, Bidoof, Plusle, Sableye, Gallade

C tier: Shuckle, Munchlax

"Middle of the pack? Good." Scrafty muttered. Tepig grinned, high fiving Swampert. Machoke flexed his muscles.

Ninjask slapped a claw to his forehead. "Yeah, I have a problem with this list. There is no way you are the best competitor. You need to move back like…..ten spaces."

Parasect gaped. "But…I'm the team leader! I make the plans and-"

"All in favor of bringing Parasect ten spaces?" fourteen Pokemon raised their hands.

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"Ungrateful ingrates!" Parasect hissed. "They'll see how good I am! They'll ALL see!"

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Parasect coughs. "This leads us…to the weak links. Shuckle and Munchlax…"

The two gulped, glancing at each other.

"You two have performed the worst in challenges. Shuckle….you failed miserably in dodgeball and WEREN'T EVEN THERE, for the wrestling match…but I'll give you your shell's indestructability and tactics in the Paintball challenge. Munchlax on the other hand has shown NO skill whatsoever. Sorry, but unless you shape up quickly, you're going next. Shuckle, you are on thin ice."

Munchlax moaned flopping on his stomach. Swampert gave him a look of pity, but the others simply just ignored him. The rest of Team Eviolite gathered around him as the rest of the team left.

Shuckle sighed. "We're kind of screwed…huh?" Munchlax nodded listlessly.

Plusle shook her head. "That's enough, both of you! We made an alliance, and we'll do everything in our power to keep you too in the game. And besides, you guys still have time to keep working to get better, right Bidoof?"

"Tha's right. I reckon that all of us can make it to the merge easily. We jus' gotta work hard an' stay under the radar!"

Munchlax smiled a little. "I guess you guys are right. I'm just a little down right now. You guys go on ahead."

Plusle and Bidoof went on ahead, muttering to themselves about what the next challenge would be. Munchlax sighed on the ground. Shuckle looked at him sadly.

"Hey."

Munchlax spun around. Leaning against the door was Scrafty. "Oh…uh, hi Scrafty. Didn't see you there."

Scrafty smoked, thinking of something to say. "I like you two…and I'd rather keep you in then some…..others on our team. We could work together to get out this…person."

Munchlax nodded quickly. "Okay!" Scrafty grinned. "Alrighty then. See you at breakfast."

As he walked away, Shuckle nudged Munchlax. "Be careful around him. I don't trust that guy."

Munchlax shrugged. "Welll….he's offering to help us. This might save me from elimination."

Shuckle shook his head. "There is no such thing as a free lunch. He wants something from you, and I don't think its innocent."

"Well…as long as it keeps me in the game, I'll do anything."

They were silent for a few moments.

"I could use some lunch right now."

"Same."

0000

Lucario followed Lopunny through a walk in the forest, looking at the item in her palm. She bit her lip, conflicted. Meanwhile, Lopunny was complaining.

"Geeze! Another fake idol! It's like, once you find one the others just pop out of-hey! Are you even listening?"

Lucario's eyes snapped to her friend. "Oh…sorry Lopunny. I'm just distracted today.."

"I noticed. What's your deal?"

Lucario hugged her chest. "Just…making a difficult decision. I'm fine, honestly."

Lopunny arched an eyebrow. "Are you gonna say what it is, or am I going to have to guess?"

"All right. You see-"

"CAMPERS! MEET AT THE CASTLE FOR YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE IN 5!"

Lopunny winced. "Ow…does his voice have to be so loud?"

"I'll tell you after the challenge. We should hurry."

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiine."

0000

Victini was in a bad mood today. His ratings were low, Total Pokemon had come out with a shocking new episode that everyone was talking about, and one of the two channels his show was airing was debating cancelling future episodes. He needed a plan, and he needed it soon.

Hariyama was giving him a backrub. "Victini's muscles are very tense. Lot of pressure on young legendary, yes?"

Victini sighed. "My show is failing. No other regions watch it besides Johto, and that's only to make a drinking game for every time one of the contestants insults me. I got an angry email from a mother who said that Ninjask got her kid drunk."

"Victini needs only patience. Show will become more and more popular with time, yes?"

"I….guess."

"And you have Hariyama."

He cradled the young fire fox in his hands. Victini sucked his thumb. "You won't ever leave me, will you?"

"Situation is awkward now."

"Uh…as much as I like watching this relationship flourish, I'd like to get the dumb challenge." Ninjask buzzed.

Victini sighed. "All right all right! Now, I'm sure you remember this castle well, right?"

The campers all nodded.

"Good! But what you don't know, is that there's another landmark in there that you never saw! Follow me inside, everyone!"

The thirty campers followed Victini to a huge room that was pure black. In the center was a white platform that was big as well, easily as big as the grounds of a stadium. The pie was cut into 6 different portions, like a pie.

"Dang…..that looks cool"! Wowed Infernape. Victini gave him a smirk.

"This challenge is….King of the Hill!"

Ninjask chuckled. "Hey Victini. You know what this reminds-"

"Ninjask. Say another word, and you're automatically eliminated."

Ninjasked arched a brow. "Can you actually do that?"

"No." Victini whimpered. Ninjask smirked again.

"Word."

"I HATE YOU NINJASK! S-so the challenge is simple. All of you will battle on top of the platform, attempting to knock the others of the other team off. Once there's only members of one team left, that team will win. The platform itself is divided into 6 sections: ice, fire, woodland, rocky, water, , and shadow. The center will be neutral, and that is where all of you will start out. Once there are only half of you, the sections will drop, leaving you in the center. But don't worry. I have this baby for a few...surprises."

Victini chuckled, holding up a complicated remote. He tapped one of the buttons. On the center, an explosion shot off. Shuckle shuddered.

Ninjask rolled his eyes. "So...obvious ripoff aside, how is this REALLY any different from you know what?"

"This is COMPLETELY different! This one is like a pie!"

"And…?"

"And you couldn't float or fly in that one! In this challenge, you can!" Victini's eyes widened, before he covered his mouth.

Ninjask cackled. "Thanks man! You're right, this IS completely different!" Victini groaned, slapping a hand to his face. "Just get on the dumb platform…"

0000

Ninjask laughed in the confessional. "Sometimes it's just TOO easy!"

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Scrafty smirked. "This will be a good time to find out who the REAL players are!"

0000

"Oh man, oh man, oh man." Munchlax shivered. "This is REALLY bad for me!"

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"This is gonna be awesome!" Infernape whooped.

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Soon, everyone was on the center of the platform. Infernape hopped up and down. Shuckle cowered in his wagon. Lucario stood, focused. Slowpoke yawned.

Victini and Hariyama sat in the stands, sharing popcorn. "My money's on Gallade."

"Gallade is one good player. Seviper's are better physically. Hariyama thinks Seviper's have this."

Victini lifted his megaphone. "BEGIN FIGHTING!"

What ensued was utter chaos.

Frogadier created two water blades in his hands. Ninjask took off like a rocket. Grovyle flipped backwards, sprinting towards the woodland section.

Other competitors met in the center, fighting viciously. Lopunny swung a kick at Scrafty, who ducked to avoid it. Ampharos zapped Braixen with a thunderbolt. Slowpoke on the other hand, tottered into the water section, splashing into a puddle to nap. Frogadier caught him with the corner of his eye. He prepared to move…

Sableye suddenly landed in front of the frog, giggling madly. He clapped his hands in front of Frogadier' face, stunning him with his fake out. Sableye shoved the poor, shocked frog off the platform, not even comprehending what had hit him. Sableye cackled maliciously, before hissing in pain. He had landed in the fire section, and hot coals burned his foot.

Charizard took to the sky, spurting out jets of fire at the platform, scattering the Zangooses. Parasect screamed like a maniac as he ran away, terrified of the flames. Charizard grinned, before unleashing a jet of fire at Ninjask, who easily avoided it.

Then he grunted in pain as he was zapped. He looked at the base of his tail, where Plusle was latched on.

"Uh...hi!"

"Get off!"

He growled and thrashed, but Plusle firmly grabbed on, refusing to release her grip.

Ninjask flew around Charizard at high speeds, occasionally landing an attack. He groaned. This wasn't easy, and Charizard's aim wasn't getting any worse.

Out of nowhere, a shadow ball connected with his face, and Ninjask hissed in pain, tumbling from the air. Misdreavus cackled as she fired another one, hitting him forward and off the platform.

"Have a nice FALL! Nya ha!" She laughed, landing into the shadow section, a gloomy and dark area that was filled with a haze.

Gallade swung a scythe out of nowhere that she narrowly avoided. "Uh-oh." She gulped, floating backwards quickly.

Gallade swung his blades in an arc before slicing them downwards.

"Byeeeeeee" said Misdreavus, vanishing into shadow. Gallade groaned.

0000

Gallade nods. "The shadow section is the best one for me. My vision, due to my injury, is not affected by the darkness and the mist. In fact, my impaired vision gives me an edge this battle."

0000

Audino fell backwards, Machoke having kicked her in the stomach. He leered at her, but then groaned as Gliscor jumped in the way, whacking him with one of his claws.

Gliscor winked. "You are a nurse or healer right? Then just focus on supporting and healing us. Everyone has jobs."

Audino, nodding gratefully, scrambled backwards. At the same time, Ampharos turned to face Parasect.

"You stand no chance against rules and regulations! Prepare to lose in favor of my.-"

Ampharos shot a lightning bolt at Parasect, who hissed in pain. "Hey! You were supposed to let me finish my speech. It was going to last for exactly 5 more seconds, and then…"

Ampharos fired another lightning bolt that Parasect barely was able to dodge. His eyes narrowed. He fired a razor leaf at Ampharos, who managed to duck under it and aim a thunder punch. But Parasect threw up a protective shield that it bounced off of. As Ampharos was thrown off balance, Parasect shook his mushroom, spores descending downwards, putting Ampharos to sleep. He picked the shaved sheep over his head, hurling him off the platform. He laughed, calling down. "Always have a plan! Muwahahaha-eh?"

He looked down. He was sitting in the fire section. Screaming his head off, he ran to the center of the platform, covered in several burns.

0000

"I don't do well with fire okay? Don't judge, with my ability I have an EIGHT TIMES WEAKNESS TO IT!" Parasect huffed.

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Swampert slowly moved backwards in the water section, meditating. He could use an earthquake, he mused, but it would hurt his team as well as the others. No. He'd bait the Seviper's one by one and….

SNAP!

Swampert moved nimbly to the side, a vine missing his head by mere inches. His eyes shot open at Bulbasaur, who grinned up at the mudfish.

"Ah...clever. So they sent a grass type after me." Swampert nodded.

Bulbasaur winked. "That's right. And I know my way around a fight. You are going down!"

Swampert readied his fists. "We shall see." He spun his tail forward, water forming around it in an aqua tail. Bulbasaur hopped back nimbly, avoiding the blow. He cast out his vines once more, slapping against one of Swampert's arms.

Swampert hissed in pain. It was normally a weak move, but his heavy weakness to grass caused him a lot of damage. He dodged Bulbasaur's seed bomb, moving behind the plant Pokemon and landing an ice punch.

Bulbasaur squealed in pain from the ice type move, freezing. Swampert kicked him over the edge. He turned around, ready to face the next opponent...

Presently, a vine shot out, wrapping around Swampert's neck. Bulbasaur's vine had latched on, leaving Bulbasaur dangling. He yanked with all of his might, succeeding in bringing Swampert down with him.

Victini clapped. "Not bad!"

Meanwhile, Charizard groaned again once more in pain as Plusle zapped him. The electric type was small, so it wasn''t enough to cause serious damage, but it was definitely annoying.

"Gliscor! Get this tick off me, will you?"

Gliscor nodded, hopping up and intending to glide, but a heavy arm smashed him to the floor. Gliscor groaned in pain, while Machoke cracked his knuckles. "No guard. Make's all attacks hit. Pretty useful, isn't it?"

Gliscor groaned. "Ugh...lucky bastard."

But Infernape came to the rescue, nailing Machoke in the jaw with a mach punch. As Machoke struggled with the hyperactive monkey, Audino rushed in, Eevee by her side. Audino hummed as she used a heal pulse, taking care of Gliscor's injuries.

"Wow….Thanks!"

"Don't mention it!" Said Audino, smiling. "Just wanted to help!"

Grovyle sprinted from tree to tree to the woodland section, easily avoiding a rolling Donphan. She stayed perched up there, ready. She smirked. She knew how to survive up there; she could simply stay up there until-

"Hey girl why lot make like a tree…."

She whirled around. Misdreavus was floating next to her, an evil expression on her face. She fired a shadow ball at point blank range, slamming into Grovyle and knocking her off the tree. She melted into shadow and moved where Grovyle landed. Hopping out, she hit the grass type as one would hit a volley ball with their head. Grovyle tumbled over the edge of the platform and fell off.

"...And leave. Nya ha! I'm KILLING myself today. AGAIN!"!

The battle raged on. With all of the areas and separate duels going on, it was nearly impossible to keep track of.

Charizard flew high in the air, swearing as Plusle continued to zap him. Gliscor and Infernape fought Machoke, slowly dragging the heavily muscled Pokemon back. Lopunny aimed several kicks at Umbreon, while the moon Pokemon dodged, pressed too hard to continue.

Gliscor and Whimsicott teamed up on Gallade, floating and gliding around him as Gallade defended with ease. Zorua and Scrafty moved shiftly on the sidelines, looking for an opportunity. Infernape stood as a guard to Audino, keeping Braixen away with ease.

Carbink floated high above anyone else, hoping to avoid suspicion. Audino darted around, healing anyone nearby, and Donphan used his rollout around in circles on the outside of the pie, doing many laps around.

Gliscor smirked as he easily dodged a slic from Gallade, before firing stones at top speeds. At the same time, Whimsicott used a leech seed that stuck into the ground, limiting the warrior's movement.

Gliscor smirked. "This isn't that hard. You aren't as powerful as you thought, Gallade."

Out of nowhere, Scrafty struck. The Hoodlum had purposely waited...looking for the perfect opportunity. He sprung forward and landed a swipe on Gliscor's back. The ogre-scorp Pokemon was caught by surprise and froze, allowing Scrafty to land several vicious punches. Gliscor roared in pain before throwing Scrafty off.

Scrafty rolled on the ground, wincing in pain but smiling, something in his hand. Gallade kicked Whimsicott to the side, before mercilessly targeting Gliscor. He swung a blade, and Gliscor was too slow to dodge. He used his wings to glide backwards into the woodland section….which was currently on fire. Braixen raised a hand.

"Hey."

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"I am going to KILL that fox bitch!" Grovyle snarled.

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Gliscor's eyes twitched. "WHAT! THE! HELL!"

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Gliscor whirled around, looking for a place to retreat, when Gallade kicked him in the stomach. He aimed a bladed fist forwards, landing a vicious blow to the bat's stomach. When Gliscor doubled over, Gallade simply used his sharp appendages to flip him over the edge.

Scrafty smirked, lighting a cigarette. Whimsicott gave him a suspicious look.

0000

"Something…..didn't feel right there." Whimsicott mused. "We had the clear advantage, but when Scrafty hit Gliscor...something changed. I need to look into that."

0000

Whimsicott glared at Scrafty, before readying her fists. Scrafty leaned backwards, grinning. Out of nowhere, a wagon barreled into the poor wind veiled Pokemon, knocking the extremely light grass type over the edge of the platform.

"Woohoo! I got one!" Bidoof cheered as he pushed the wagon forward in a run. Munchlax and Shuckle sat inside, cheering as well.

Munchlax looked down nervously. "Uh Shuckle….? Are you sure the wagon can take these hits?"

Shuckle shrugged. "It's fine. This thing is as tough as-INFERNAPE! LOOK OUT!"

The hyperactive monkey sprinted forward, his fist glowing in a bright light. He punched the wagon hard, making a dent and hitting it so hard it fell over the platform. Munchlax managed to hop off, but Shuckle tumbled over with it.

Bidoof and Munchlax both gulped at the sight of Infernape banging his fists. Munchlax sighed before his eyes narrowed. He swalllowed, his body turning purple in a stockpile move. The added defense managed to allow Munchlax to survive the next of Infernape's strikes, though it sent him several feet backwards.

Bidoof rolled around Infernape and used a hyper fang, biting onto the ape's arm. As Infernape screeched in pain, Munchlax used a move; swallow, to regain his health.

"Hurphy uhp mmnhchlx. I cnth hold himmth." Bidoof said, his words muffled by Infernape's arm.

Munchlax ran forward, managing to punch Infernape over the edge of the platform. Unfortunately, Bidoof fell with him.

Munchlax sighed. "Guess I'm all alone now."

Donphan rolled forward, narrowly missing the big eater Pokemon. Munchlax cried as he ran into the rock section, running in zigzags to avoid the elephant.

Victini called. "That's eleven who've been eliminated! Another 4 and the sections are coming DOWN!"

The fighting became more and more intense. Scrafty traded blows with Lopunny, who was being healed constantly by Audino. Zorua and Minccino were duking it out, while Machoke and Tepig watched, placing bets. Munchlax ran desperately from Donphan, Carbink and Charizard tried to fire attacks off at Gallade, who nimbly avoided them, though Charizard was constantly being zapped by Plusle.

"RRGH! FIGHT ME LIKE A MAN!"

"I go with what works!"

Misdreavus slipped around, firing an attack before flying into the shadows, keeping Braixen on guard. Lucario flipped backwards as Parasect, Sableye, and Umbreon teamed up on her, surprisingly putting up a good fight, but clearly overwhelmed.

Charizard grit his teeth, they were outmatched in speed and strength. He had to think of a plan before….Argh damn it! He needed to stop those shocks!

Charizard rose higher in the air, doing several midair flips. Plusle shrieked as she tried to hold on, but ultimately failed. Before she hit the ground, however, Charizard grabbed her, and chucked her at Munchlax, hard.

Plusle and Munchlax collided and they both slumped over, groaning and slipping on the ice that happened to be in that section. Donphan ran over, careful not to slip, and swept them up with his trunk, knocking them both over the edge.

Lucario growled lowly, this was bad. The three Pokemon facing her took their time, clearly sensing victory. Lucario closed her eyes. Of the three, she could only sense Parasect's movement with her aura. The other two were dark types, completely immune to her power.

Umbreon lunged, and Lucario was caught off for a moment….

But then a shadow ball struck the dark type in the jaw, knocking her into the rock section, where she slapped against a boulder. The other three spun around, shocked. Eevee had used the move, and was now sprinting forward, tackling the stunned Umbreon over the edge.

Lucario used the distraction to her advantage, charging an aura sphere and kicking Parasect to the side. Sableye hissed and lunged, but Lucario dodged easily and roundhouse kicked the poor gem eater, sending him dangerously close to the edge. As he struggled to regain balance, Parasect tried to snap at Lucario with his pincers, but she managed a flip over the parasite's head, throwing the aura sphere on his exposed back.

Parasect was knocked forward into Sableye,(who had just regained balance) and sending them both over. Lucario grinned, cracking her knuckles.

Charizard and Carbink both aimed attacks at Gallade, keeping him back, before they heard a loud whoop.

Charizard turned just in time to see Machoke throwing Tepig in a somersault, landing onto his head and knocking them both down to the platform. Machoke jumped in the air as well, hitting Carbink in a spike that sent him straight down, missing the platform by several inches.

"AND THAT'S 16! TIME TO DROP THE EXTRA PLATFORMS!" Victini cheered. Pressing a button, all of the sections besides the center were slowly dropped, as the Pokemon who were on them made a mad dash for the center.

The center platform was smaller, but still easily big enough for 15 Pokemon. Machoke moved forward, facing Lopunny.. Tepig rolled around, avoiding attacks from Charizard. Gallade and Lucario engaged in a fierce duel, Lucario forming a long bone that she used like a staff, twirling it in her hands to block blows from Gallade's tonfas. Scrafty ran forward and fought both Eevee and Audino, aiming drain punches, hoping for a chance to heal.

Donphan continued to use rollout around the ring of the platform, keeping everyone away from the outside. Minccino was kicking Zorua away,, while Braixen shot jets of fire from her stick, that Misdreavus twirled in the air to avoid.

Scrafty threw a drain punch that Audino barely managed to avoid, before she landed a wake up slap. Scrafty stumbled, and Eevee moved in, headbutting the hoodlum's legs to knock him over the platform.

Tepig groaned as he was knocked aside the room by Charizard. He rolled to his feet, witnessing Eevee and Audino take out Scrafty. He rolled his eyes.

"Pretty pathetic, mate." He said as he used a powerful flame charge, tackling Audino and knocking her off the platform easily. Eevee jumped at him from behind, but Tepig ducked easily, and Eevee sailed over, screaming her head off as she tumbled downwards and joining Audino. The eliminated contestants sat in the stands, cheering for their respective teams.

Minccino performed a tail slap on Zorua, before kicking her backwards, but was struck by Lopunny from behind. Lopunny dd a spinning kick, smacking the poor cincilla out of the arena.

Lucario spun her bone staff, deflecting slashes from Gallade as best she could, but she was slowly being pressed backwards. Gallade's single eye focused on her's, making her grow uncomfortable.

Victini sighed, looking at the battling pairs. "This is getting boring, time to sabotage!" He began pressing buttons on his remote.

The center of the Platform began to shudder. Large columns began to rise and fall randomly, separating some of the contestants.

But those weren't the only surprises. Machoke's foot sunk into a random hole that appeared out of nowhere. An electric fence formed around the outer layer. Lopunny's sensitive hearing allowed her to dive out of the way, narrowly dodging a mine's explosion.

Victini nodded at Sableye, impressed. "The mines were a nice touch."

"Wait a minute…" Muttered Minccino. "YOU made that torture device!?"

Sableye and Victini high fived, snickering.

0000

Braixen watched the rising and falling columns that separated her from the others. If she could just find a pattern…

A shadow ball suddenly struck her in the jaw, the impact knocking her down. Misdreavus cackled from above.

"You know, I don't see what's hard about this." She giggled. But then she spun to avoid a fire attack from Braixen, who was seeing red.

"Uh-oh. Welp, time to go!" She shouted, hopping into the shadowy portal of a phantom force.

"Oh no you don't!" growled Braixen, using her stick to cast a flamethrower into the portal, dousing it in flames.

Silence.

And then Misdreavus flew out of it, yelping from the burns. "Too hot, hot, hot!"

And then Braixen tackled her, rolling dangerously close to the edge. Misdreavus groaned, stunned. Braixen smirked, aiming another burst of flame.. Misdreavus became outlined in purple just as Braixen blasted her with fire, knocking her over the edge.

Braixen smirked, before purple outlined her as well, and there was a flashing pain. Braixen tumbled after the ghost type.

"What….was that?"

0000

"Destiny bond, bitch!" Misdreavus giggled. "I always win, even when I lose."

0000

Lucario stumbled backwards, narrowly dodging a slash from Gallade. She cursed under her breath. She needed a plan. But her thoughts were interrupted when she hit a tripwire, tripping and falling to the ground as a trap was sprung. Arrows flew out from behind openings of a wall. that formed up from the platform. They went over Lucario's head, aiming straight for Gallade.

The Blades Pokemon, however, spun in an arc and slashed with his blades. The arrows were sliced in half and fell harmlessly to the side. Lucario gaped, but recovered quickly. She slid under Gallade's legs, managing to trip him. She flipped backwards, firing a well aimed flash cannon.

But Gallade rolled under it, kicking Lucario in the chest. Lucario bounced off the wall, groaning as she held her sides. Gallade followed with another, knocking her off the arena.

"And there goes Lucario! These campers are dropping like flies!" Victini shouted from his microphone.

Gallade suddenly hissed in pain as fire shot towards him, singing one of his arms. He whirled around in time to see Charizard flying towards him. As he leapt backwards to avoid the dragon's swinging tail, he muttered under his breath. The flamethrower had gotten a lucky burn on him.

There were only three sets of fighters left. Lopunny was kicking at Machoke, Tepig was rolling around desperately to avoid Donphan, and Charizard was pushing back Gallade, slowly backing the weakened Pokemon to the ring.

Tepig somersaulted over Donphan, rolling to his feet, back to back with Minccino. "That rollout is bloody obnoxious."

Minccino smirked. "Tell me about it." She punched Tepig hard in the nose, knocking him down with a squeal. Her form shifted to reveal Zorua. "Moron."

She held up the groaning pig, prepared to drop him over the edge when Tepig snorted. A literal snort that shot smoke out of his nose. Zorua coughed, dropping him.

Tepig grinned as he kicked Zorua's legs out from under her, and she toppled out of the platform.

"Moron." Said Tepig, smirking. But then his smirk changed to surprise as Donphan's rollout slammed into him, sending him off as well.

Donphan chuckled. "AND THE NOBLE KNIGHT WINS AGAIN!"

Gallade cursed as he barely avoided a blow from Charizard. He aimed a strike, but it was sloppy and uncoordinated. The burn was severely hampering his ability to fight. He aimed another slice, but Charizard dodged it easily, kicking him in the chest and kicking him out of the platform.

Machoke put his arms in front of his face to block repeated kicks from Lopunny. The rabbit used incredible agility to move around him, but if Machoke could just find an opening.

Finally he found the opening. Lopunny aimed a high jump kick that viciously struck the Machoke's side. The athlete groaned in pain, but recovered quickly. His eyes glowing red, he performed a revenge in an uppercut, doing double the damage he had just received. Lopunny tottered for a moment, before slipped off the edge.

"Woohoo! That's how I-oh." Machoke frowned, staring at Charizard and Donphan,, ready to fight.

"Am...I the last one left?" The other two nodded, advancing with smirks.

Machoke suddenly froze, before flashing in a bright light. Everyone gasped.

When the light faded, A new Pokemon stood in Machoke's place. He was now the color gray and had four arms instead of two. He whooped in delight. "Awesome! I'm a Machamp now!"

Victini looked shocked, before shaking himself out of it. "And...in a SHOCKING turn of events, Machoke has evolved into Machamp! But will it be enough to stop Charizard and Donphan, two powerhouses for their team!?"

Charizard gnashed his teeth. "It means nothing. We still hold the numerical advantage. Donphan you go in, and I'll finish him in the air."

Donphan nodded, curling into a ball and rolling forward at high speeds. Machamp tensed, ready.

And then he swung two of his arms forward in a clap, slamming into both sides of Donphan. Donphan stopped immediately, wincing in pain. Machamp's other two arms shot forward, grabbing Donphan's trunk and judo throwing him off the platform.

"C'mon, is that all you got?"

Charizard snarled as he descended downwards, landing a wing attack. Machoke stumbled backwards, but managed to recover, grabbing Charizard and using a seismic toss, hurled him down into the ground.

Charizard tried to rise, but Machamp responded with a kick that sent him rolling over the edge.

Macham threw up his arms in victory. The campers in the stands stared in shock. Braixen cheered.

"We won!"

"Not quite." Victini with a cold smile. "There is still someone left."

"But….Who could possibly….?" Muttered Misdreavus before her eyes widened. "You don't mean…."

"That's right! SLOWPOKE is STILL in!:

Slowpoke woke up from his nap in the corner. "...Huh?"

The Seviper's all sighed. "It's over then." Muttered Frogadier. But Lucario clenched a fist, gritting her teeth.

"I have no choice. I hope I don't regret this." Lucario said, holding something in her hand. Then she shouted to Slowpoke.

"Catch!"

She threw the thing in her hand with accuracy, colliding with Slowpoke's head as Machamp ran forward, ready to finish him off.

He suddenly froze, staring at the king's rock in front of him. Then SLowpoke glowed in a bright light as well, slowly growing tall and stood bipedal. He ad a red and white ruff around his neck, and a gray crown on his head.

Machamp stared in surprised, but shrugged and threw a powerful fist. But a pink arm shot out, catching the hand. The new Pokemon gave the superpower a look. Slowly, the crown spun around, revealing two eyes.

"Howdy! I'm Shellder! And this is Slowking!" Slowpoke, or rather, Slowking gave Machamp that seemed slightly less vacant look then usual, with a surprising amount of intelligence.

"Surprise attacks are rude." He said. Before his eyes glowed with a bright pink light. A psychic force blasted Machamp, sending him flying backwards. The Pink Pokemon, stretched.

"Hmm…Who are you? Are you a part of my body?"

Shellder shrugged, which wasn't easy to do without a torso. "Kind of. See, I was born when you evolved, giving you more intelligence!"

"That's neat."

"Graaaagh!" Shouted Machamp. lunging. Slowking flicked his hand, and he was thrown to the side.

"So….I have psychic powers now…?"

"You've always had psychic powers. You just weren't smart enough to use them. But with me at your side, we can-,"

Machamp swung his fists down, but Slowking formed a barrier that easy deflected it.

"-Do well together."

Machamp roared. "C'mon man! You are making me look bad!"

"Oh….sorry." Said Slowking, looking mildly surprised. "Were we fighting?" He let out a yawn, that managed to reach Machamp. He yawned as well, before slumping to the ground, fast asleep. Slowking yawned once more. "I think I might take a nap."

"HEY!" screamed Whimsicott. ""You NEED TO KNOCK HIM OUT FIRST!"

"...Huh?"

"The challenge, remember?" Reminded Shellder patiently. Slowking nodded quickly.

"Oh….right…" He lightly used his psychic powers to lift up and toss Machamp over the edge of the platform and onto the ground below.

"AND THE SEVIPER'S WIN!" Screamed Victini through the microphone. "THAT….was really unexpected. Geez these games are weird."

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Lucario looked down. "Ugh. Slowking's a threat now. But at least we won the challenge, right? I hope I won't regret this…"

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Shellder sat atop Slowking's head. "So…..do I count as a contestant? Do I get a vote?"

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Gliscor groaned. "Ow….Gallade's blades really pack a-hey! Where's my brightpowder?"

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Munchlax sighed. It looks like he would be going home tonight. Unless of course…..

"Hey. You voting with me?"

Munchlax whirled around. Leaning against a tree was Scrafty.

"Uh...I guess so. I'm just a little nervous."

"Don't be. I got some others to vote for them too, so with you and your friends, we'll control the vote for sure."

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"Ugh." Moaned Munchlax. "I don't want to go home, but I haven't forgotten what Shuckle warned me about. I guess it's in my best interests to vote with him, but….I feel like I'm selling my soul to Giratina or something."

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Parasect clicked his claws. "He did better this challenge, but I see no reason NOT to eliminated Munchlax. Goodbye."

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Sableye and Misdreavus were making out in the confessional. They fell to the ground.

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Everyone in the Zangoose team looked irritable. They lost AGAIN! Victini looked like he wanted to mock them, but was nervous of what Ninjask would say. He instead tutted.

"Let's just get to the point shall we? And I gotta say, for who you eliminated? That was pretty cold guys."

"The first Poke block goes to…..Plusle." The Red Pokemon looked at Munchlax nervously as she grabbed her Poke block.

"Sableye….Minccino…..and Tepig? Nice job dude."

Tepig threw his boomerang, snagging two pokeblocks from the plate and giving one to Minccino. Sableye had to duck as it flew passed him.

"Parasect….Grovyle and…..Bidoof. You guys are safe."

Munchlax glanced at Shuckle. What if they weren't safe after all.

"Scrafty….Shuckle….and….Braixen, come on up."

Victini pondered for a second. "Umbreon and Shuckle….get on up her as well. And Swampert."

There were only three competitors left. Munchlax looked terrified, Machamp looked confident, and Gallade simply stared at the fire.

'Gallade, you are still in."

Machamp and Munchlax glanced at each other anxiously. Moment of truth….

"The final Poke block goes to…...Munchlax."

Plusle and the rest of team Eviolite cheered and hugged him. Parasect looked apocalyptic.

"What is this mutiny…?" He hissed. "Why didnt you vote Munchlax?"

Machamp grumbled. "That's what I'd like to know."

"Sorry, you were just a threat. Annnd you kinda got wrecked in that last challenge." Said Grovyle apologetically.

"Whatever." Machamp groaned, heading for the dock.

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"That was dumb of them." Said Machamp sourly. "They just like getting rid of their best players? No wonder they lose so often."

"Who do I want to win? Swampert or Munchlax. Yeah that's right, Munchlax. Anyone who stays instead of me BETTER win." He kissed his muscles.

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Scrafty grinned. "And another threat is flushed down the toilet. Sometimes it's just too easy. Though...there's one more thing I have to do before relaxing…"

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Carbink groaned, slamming his head against the wall of his cabin. He needed to find a way to get someone else to be his next scapegoat, but he could think of nothing.

"Hey."

Scrafty walked up to him, smoking a cigarette. Carbink gagged on the smoke, but recovered quickly enough to give a friendly smile.

"Oh hey Scrafty, what do you want?"

Scrafty chuckled. The rock was good, he'd give him that. "I'm here for a….proposition."

Carbink gave him a strange look. "What do you mean?"

Scrafty rolled his eyes. "Look you can cut the act. I know you made the fake idols."

"Wha-no! Haxorus was my best friend here!'

"And thus it was easy enough to frame him. It was a smart move, I'll give you that."

"But-"

"Whatever, I don't care. I just have a….request for you. Get rid of Whimsicott for me."

Carbink rolled his eyes. "And why would I do that?"

"Because if you do...I'll give you this." He reached into his pants, taking out a wooden object. It was the idol.

Carbink's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. He could tell instantly it was not one he himself made. "D-deal."

"Pleasure doing business with ya." Scrafty smirked.

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"That crystal is clever." Scrafty nodded. "But not clever enough. The fool PROVED to me that he was the one who cooked up the idol scheme. No way he would have agreed if he didn't know for a certainty that it was the real deal." He stopped, before grinning widely. "Unfortunately for him, he isn't the only one who knows how to carve."

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